Shakespeare's Changeling

“Keep your voices down,” Essex whispered, as he grabbed Shaxper by the arm. “You don’t understand, do you, being a commoner from the country. Some of us nobles are a little frightened, that’s all, about what will happen to England if the old Queen dies without an heir.”

“Without an heir? There are plenty of nobles ready and able to rule England when the time comes,” Shaxper said.

“That’s exactly the problem,” Southampton explained. “Only one person can be king, and he should never be challenged or there will be a huge civil war. Lord Essex will be the next monarch, and we will see to it that no one dares to challenge him. For example, you know our friends, the Earl of Rutland and Sir Charles Danvers?”

“Are they involved?”

“Lots of us are involved,” Essex said. “It’s no secret that the Queen could die at any time, whether we’re allowed to speak of it or not, she being mortal like the rest of us. So we’ve banded together to help her choose her successor. But don’t worry. No one will be harmed. Our sole purpose is to persuade the Queen to appoint me as her successor when she dies. No one will be hurt to make that happen; but if it doesn’t happen, many will be hurt, and the England that we know and love may suddenly be destroyed.”

“Now wait a minute,” Shaxper said, pulling away from Essex. “I may be a country commoner, but even I know it’s not your job to help her make that decision. Kings rule by Divine Right and according to God’s Will.”

“We are doing God’s Will by helping the Queen – ”

“Go to her grave in peace,” Southampton muttered. “How can our country be at peace without a named successor? She’s had a long run, but the curtain is closing. We have a man to enact the part of king.”

“Who’s that?”

“Don’t be such a simpleton, Shakespeare,” Essex growled, thumping his chest. “I’m the man!”

“This is madness,” Shaxper insisted. “Do you realize what you’re saying, my lord? This is open rebellion!”

“Of course it is, and we have you to thank for it.” “Me? What did I do?”

“You wrote the play that started it all,” Southampton said, as he clapped Shaxper on the back. “That’s what I meant when I said you’re one of us now.”

“Remember, we want you on our side,” Essex said. “I’m depending on you, Shakespeare, and the great power of your mind, to teach my subjects how to live together in peace. You’ll do it with your wonderful plays. You know English history; think of me as Bullingbrook. Richard II will set the crown of England on my head. And when I’m king, you can write me whole plays to insure that I retain my sovereignty. I’ve seen your magic in the playhouses. You’ve inspired the commoners to cheer me in the streets, like the other military heroes in your plays – and they absolutely adore me because of your influence! Those are your audiences, Shakespeare. The same people who love me also love you.”