One of my favourite paintings that we have at work (and one that a lot of visitors asks about) is this Godfrey Kneller portrait of Michael Shen Fu-Tsung 沈福宗 (1657-1691):
Shen Fu-Tsung was born in Nankin in China and would later convert to Catholicism. With his Flemish friend, the Jesuit priest Philippe Couplet, Shen Fu-Tsung travelled all over Europe, including to the court of Louis XIV of France. He taught King Louis how to use chopsticks and how to write Chinese characters. He also travelled to England, to the court of King James II (the first recorded instance of a Chinese person visiting England period) and taught King James a lot about China and Chinese customs too. King James was so delighted with Shen Fu-Tsung that he commissioned the court’s most popular painter to produce this portrait.
Whilst in England, he also catalogued the Chinese books in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, as well as describe their content, something which nobody had been able to do until then. He also showed Oxford’s librarian the correct way to hold a Chinese book.
Disclaimer: I am so sorry this chapter took so long, I went through writer's block for ages, it's probs not the best.
Five o'clock. Time for prayers.
Chapter Four
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
Half five. Morning prayers were always the most soothing parts of the day.
"Good morning."
Six o'clock. Time to get ready for the day.
"Good morning."
Half six. Breakfast.
"Good morning."
The mood was very somber today, unlike the excited chatters yesterday which actually put Jamie into a sense of unease. He normally didn't mind the quiet - but today the whole convent seemed like it had been shaken by a high-wind storm and he had just stepped into the aftermath.
"Did you hear? The peace talks with France.."
Peace talks?? France??
Jamie wondered what everyone was talking about. He looked around for his mother to see what she thought of these talks but she wasn't among the congregation, unusually.
Come to think of it... He hadn't seen his mother at all this morning, not since they went to bed last night. He glanced around until he noticed little Sister Lucia, looking nervous and cowering into herself.
"Potrei chiederle una cosa?"
It took the little girl a while before she managed to get out the words "N-n-non lo so. A quanto pare ha a che fare con l'inglese, che secondo la mamma non gioverà alla religione cattolica."
"JAMIE! JAMIE, COME QUICK!"
That snapped him out of his thoughts fast. Whirling around, he raced up the stairs again and through to his mother's room.
"What's happening??" He called, quickly hurtling down the endless corridor. "Mother??"
There she was, looking bedraggled and as white as a sheet, slumped onto a nearby chair, Sisters Francesca and Alessandra fussing over her.
"Mother, are you alright? What happened?"
"Jamie! I... I don't know if I..." Maria startled at the sight of her son, "I just feel faint, that is all."
"Let me get you a drink." Was all that Sister Alessandra could muster before immediately sweeping outside.
Sister Francesca meanwhile had gotten a grip of his mother, telling Jamie to help her get into bed; "Your mother's arm child, her arm, catch it quickly! It almost hit the wall, you silly boy!"
As soon as Maria was safely under the covers, Jamie couldn't hold back anymore.
"What's the matter Mother do you need a doctor? How long have you been like this?"
"Jamie, I... You see, this morning I -"
"This morning what?"
"It's a lot to explain."
"No use explaining to the child, he's too young."
"Too young to know what?"
"Nothing!" That was Sister Alessandra returning with water which was poured down Maria's throat as if she were a mere baby.
"I, I....."
"Get some sleep Sister. This worrying won't do you any good at all." And with that, she had quickly emerged from the room, a disturbed look on her face.
Jamie was wondering if he should follow her or watch over Maria, who had fallen asleep instantly. However, something caught his eye.
A crumpled note on the floor. Picking it up, he took one look and gasped.
"Jamie."
"Mother!" He jumped, not realising she was still awake.
"I meant to tell you this after prayers but... You know Louis, the king of France?"
"Yes?"
"I was hoping he would defend you against William but..."
Jamie stared at the paper, unable to believe his ears. He hadn't believed the nuns earlier, but hearing it from his mother and now seeing it in print took the wind out of his sails.
How is this happening?!
William of Orange, the man who deposed and killed his father, was now making peace with.... the only Catholic ally they would have had, Louis XIV.
Petition to start an Anne Hyde Support Group because her dad and stepmum were piiiiiiissed, her dad wanted her dead, James fumbled her truly and she birthed the family saga of the century.
