Both my parents were born in Ireland - and on my mother's side I’m descended from a man called Chevalier Charles Wogan whose story is something of a delight for any romantic novelist – here is a brief summary:
Wogan was a staunch supporter of
the Stuarts. He initiated the alliance which led to the marriage of James
Edward Francis Stuart (the Old Pretender), son of Charles II, to Clementina
Sobieski, daughter of John Sobieski, King of Poland. She was apprehended, however,
on her way to marry the Prince in Bologna. She was held captive in Innsbruck in
the Tyrol. Wogan arranged false passports with the Austrian Ambassador and
along with a small group feigning to be a Count, Countess, the Countess’
brother (Wogan) and her maidservant, managed to gain access to the princess.
Following a quick exchange of clothing between the princess and the
maidservant, the party escaped in high winds and blinding snow through the
Alpine passes into Austria.
The marriage to James took place
and from it Charles Edward (the Young Pretender) was born in Rome in 1720.
Wogan’s reputation for daring and enterprise spread throughout all Europe.
It’s rumored that in fact Charles
Wogan and Clementina fell in love on their journey but that his loyalty to his
king meant that he didn’t press his own claim for marriage. It’s also rumored
that as a result of this, the Chevalier and his family are entitled to wear
their hats in the presence of the king and to a pension of £10 a year.
Unfortunately, like most of these things in English law, this was only passed
down through the male side – which has now died out - and I come from the
female line.
But this story has been in my mind a lot lately and I keep thinking that seeing as there's really nothing really new in romance plots, it could make a good romance story for Presents.
What do you think?
But this story has been in my mind a lot lately and I keep thinking that seeing as there's really nothing really new in romance plots, it could make a good romance story for Presents.
What do you think?
4 comments:
...and to you!!
The whole seems to be Irish today!!
Happy St Patrick to everyone who celebrate this event :)
I'm late with my commenting these days Kate - I hope you had a happy St. Patrick's Day. Yes, a chevalier is a knight. It usually means a papal knight as far as I know. You should write that story, I think.
Oh my goodness Kate. I had no idea this terrible and bizarre case had been brought against you. Just read through the details and I suppose all we can hope is that this will be used as a precedent to stop the courts ever wasting their time on such nonsense.
You spent a lot of time doing an amazing critique for me years ago. It changed the course of my writing. I only hope you and others won't be completely put off your wonderful generousity.
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