Are you a fan of historical fiction and all things related to England’s history? Read about the drama and culture of 17th century England through the life of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester:
Wattpad brings you a guest post from Bridge Bridgewater, writer of “Rochester Unveiled: The Illusory Second Earl,” a quirky and well-researched historical fiction of one of England’s most notorious wastrels, wits and libertines.
Read the novel for free on Wattpad!
Who needs Dr. Who? Well we all do sometimes. However, we freely possess an inbuilt Tardis of our own. Our partnership of senses includes simply that, a time machine. When viewing a film or a play our perceptions are easily led. But when reading a novel our imagination button kicks in big time and sparks off untold perceptions for the words create visions in our minds and the beauty of this is that each individual’s imaginings are unique.
We are in control; we set the scene as we ourselves see it, in whatever century we travel. We paint the panoramas on the greatest backdrop in the world, the canvas of our minds.
So go ahead, try it. I promise you will not be disappointed. In ‘Rochester Unveiled’ you can breathe the very air of history; its sights, sounds and smells and the triumphs and failings of love, the depths of despair, and the heights of elation. The romanticism and the barbarity of the time will become a reality in your own personal voyage.
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To be born in the year 1647 amid England’s fierce Civil War, to be raised by a stern ambitious mother, to see little of your father for eleven years and then to hear of his untimely death, must surely have had an extraordinary impact on the life of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester.
The effect of Commonwealth England especially on its Londoners was one of despondency and misery. The country’s self-styled head, the fanatical puritan Oliver Cromwell, banned all forms of recreation. The amusements that had been enjoyed for centuries were forbidden by law. Entertainments such as the theatre, street fairs, morris dancing, May Day celebrations, pleasure gardens and even the sacred Christmas festivities were all ruthlessly suppressed.
So it’s no surprise that on the death of Cromwell and the long awaited restoration of the charismatic King Charles, the years of pent up frustration of most of England’s people exploded into one of decadent freedoms. And the adolescent witty Wilmot, was no exception to the new found liberties and revel in them he did to excess.
Rochester’s life was much like a game of chess but his plan was one of impetuous moves and some of the players in his wild charade are shown here:
The Knight: Rochester’s close friend and confidant Sir Henry Saville, the younger brother of the Marquis of Halifax.
“None but dearest Henry became an intimate friend to me”.
The King: His Majesty King Charles II. Rochester loved his easy character but reviled his devious charm.
“Lady Rochester! As entrancing as ever I see.It has been far too long since I set my eyes on this feast John. Your Lord should not keep you hidden away in Oxfordshire. It is not good for one so beautiful to be left alone and deprived of admiring company”. Said the King kissing Elizabeth softly on the cheek”.
The (Somerset) Queen: Elizabeth Malet, Lady Rochester. The rich and available heiress, who Rochester wooed with dramatic victory over other wealthy but lacklustre suitors. Their elopement and marriage in 1667 was the talk of London.
“During these periods of excess and illicit carnal adventures it was as though Elizabeth was not a part of my life and my whole being was in a chaos of over-indulgence and pleasure”.
The Castle: Enmore Castle, Somerset. The ancient ancestral home of Rochester’s wife.
“In the corner of the room was a half-sized oak four-poster bed with pale green silk hangings and embroidered thereon were red and pink roses. This exquisite bed had been specially commissioned for Anne’s first visit to Enmore”.
A Pawn: Anne Wilmot, Rochester’s daughter.
“The sweetest little face I have ever seen”.
A Pawn: Charles Wilmot, Rochester’s son and heir.
“He was by far the prettiest boy I had ever set my eyes upon”.
A Pawn: Elizabeth Wilmot, Rochester daughter.
“I had seen but little of Lizbet since she had been born but I could see now that she was growing into a very pretty child”.
A Pawn: Mallet Wilmot, Rochester’s daughter.
“Mallet, our youngest, was a sweet child although more delicate in health than her two sisters”.
A Pawn: Mrs Elizabeth Barry, actress and mistress of Rochester.
“ She was wearing a fine cloak lined with red silk but she herself looked pale and sickly, hiding her tired and gaunt face under a heavily painted exterior. She was clearly under the influence of much drink and steadied her balance by the linking of her arm to a gentleman; well dressed but an obvious rogue. I looked again to Mrs. Barry for signs of a swollen belly but as she was all but hidden from view by her entourage of scoundrels and whores such detection was impossible”.
The Bishop: Gilbert Burnet. Man of God, friend to the courageous Rochester and witness to the dying Earl’s repentance in July 1680.
With Gilbert’s prayers, Elizabeth’s selfless devotion and a mother’s love for her son, I felt an absolute contentment that I had only known as a young boy”.
The game has ended, for Rochester at least!
But further puzzlers are in store for one of his kin.
Read “Rochester Unveiled: The Illusory Second Earl” for free on Wattpad:
Rochester Unveiled is a quirky historical fiction of one of England’s most notorious wastrels, wits and libertines. It characterizes John Wilmot The Second Earl of Rochester’s life and those of his wife and children, his friends and enemies and his romantic infatuation and adoration for the celebrated actress Mrs Barry.
The content of the novel is well researched drawing on extensive historical detail, combined with vivid and at times idiosyncratic imagination. It will amply appeal to anyone with either a passing or a keen interest in the infamous times of England’s seventeenth century. The work is the true history of people, places, buildings, theatres, houses, churches and curiosities in London, the idyllic Cotswolds and the wilds of Dorset along with the invented.