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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Liz, who by now was a regular visitor to the Palace, was with the queen one day when a large spider invaded the royal presence. The queen, her ladies-in-waiting, and even a couple of guards, quickly backed away but Liz took out her hankie and carefully and gently swept up the offending arachnid and deposited it unharmed through a window. Here the surprised little creature abseiled (parachuted?) (glided) down its own silk thread to the ground below. Interestingly, it now seemed much smaller! Everyone was amazed at her practical approach to this universal problem and she became a firmer favourite than ever.

One fine, warm Summer day Francis was travelling on horseback from Plymouth on the Exeter Road across Dartmoor, to an invitation shoot and ball at Moretonhampstead Manor. He had just crossed one of the many moorland streams via a stone humpbacked bridge and was ascending a steep hill, with the medieval village of Hound Tor on his right. Below a herd of red deer was browsing the heather and a hunting party was stalking them. Suddenly there was a crack of a gun and the lead stag fell mortally wounded. Simultaneously a huge flock of starlings arose from the bracken. This awesome sight of several thousand birds weaving, diving and swooping as one in their collective synchronised patterns in the sky enthralled his senses. 

Then as he was pondering this marvel he heard screaming and a commotion at the top of the hill. A small wagon was careering towards him, its horse completely out of control. He could see that the elderly driver was struggling vainly to retrieve the lost reins, and a young lady beside him was near to hysterics. Francis could see that if the horse was not restrained the wagon would hit the bridge at the bottom of the hill with dire consequences. He immediately accelerated towards it, turned on its starboard side and galloped with it. Leaning in he grasped the horse's bridle, and talking softly to it slowed and gradually brought the vehicle under control just before the looming bridge. The driver and the young lady passenger were very grateful. They said they were travelling home to Saltash, on the other side of the Tamar river, when an adder basking in the road reared and startled their horse, causing him to bolt. Francis could see they were traumatised and offered to return with them and see them safely home.

The young lady's name was Mary Newman. She was a Cornish lassie, and to Francis' surprise turned out to be the sister of Henry Newman - one of Francis' previous fellow officers on the ill-fated 'Jesus of Lübeck'. The driver was her ageing father. They were glad to be back at their cottage in Culver Road without further mishap, and invited Francis to join them for some refreshment. He, however, explained his mission and felt that he would have to be on his way. Later at Moretonhampstead he reflected on the incident and particularly on the young lady in question. She was a lovely young person, about his own age and upbringing, and he couldn't get her off his mind. He had never experienced feelings like this before, and it took him by surprise. The biological engine had been primed and to his amazement he found this affecting his every thought and action. The elegant young women and the wonderful scenery at Moretonhampstead paled into insignificance. 

Following the weekend's shooting and entertainment he returned home with the firm intention of calling on Mary Newman (the very name turned his mind to jelly) to enquire after her health (and that of her father, of course). He was pleased to find them in good spirits, and noted that on further acquaintance his feelings about the young lady had not diminished. He enquired if he could call on them again, as he lived within travelling distance, although he explained that most of his life was spent at sea. He was delighted when Mary enthusiastically replied: "Yes please, I shall look forward to that". (Click thumbnail > > > to see one artist's depiction of Francis Drake as a young man  - Then Back-button top left to return)

Now it so happened that at this time the west country was reeling from the sacrifice of its flower of youth in the San Juan d'Ulua disaster. Ugly rumours were circulating of Drake's abandonment of his colleagues. Francis was already feeling the natural guilt of a survivor, and vicious tongues were adding to this by spreading malicious gossip about him leaving his sister ships in the lurch and hastening home without staying to engage in the battle.

Mary was regaled by some bereaved families to avoid what they described as a cowardly upstart. At first she was shocked and desperately tried to pierce the fog of enmity and doubt. The comments surprisingly offended and hurt her. But she then decided that this man who had saved their lives didn't fit the character that was being portrayed. She therefore sought a wider opinion from friends of her brother, and others who had sailed with Francis. She then took her courage in both hands and discussed the matter with Francis in a frank and open manner. When she had heard his side of the story, and, with Francis' encouragement, listened to other members of his crew, she realised the forlorn hope of the little 'Judith' in the face of the treacherous Spanish attack, and she agreed that his only course of action was to extricate his vessel and try to get his depleted crew safely home. From that point on she championed and defended his action in public and supported him in all his efforts to clear his name.

This turned out to be the start of a long and deepening relationship. Their courtship was a genteel, warm and calming period in his life. He discovered that he loved Mary deeply. This was much more profound and caring than the powerful but skittish, beguiling allurements of the ephemeral and often misleading force of libido. What's more she returned his love in abundant measure. He introduced her to his family and to Liz, who approved of his choice and wished them every happiness together. She introduced him to all her family who welcomed this already famous Sea Captain into their midst. All the invitations to festivities and balls he had received as an eligible bachelor were now repeated to the happy courting couple. They also loved dancing the country dances at village fetes. His dancing lessons with Liz were now paying handsome dividends. 

One May morning they set off for the little Cornish town of Helston near the south coast to see what Mary described as an annual reconstruction of an ancient tradition - 'The Helston Furry Dance'. It all started apparently way back in the mists of time when a fiery dragon dropped a blazing bolder on the town. The survivors danced and sang their way through the houses in thanks for their deliverance. It was a wonderful day when Francis and  Mary visited the festival and they enjoyed joining in with the procession, singing and dancing as they visited each house in turn. It was a highlight of their developing relationship, and a marvellous time and good companionship was had by all. (Like to hear our MusicSmiles arrangement of 'The Floral Dance' at this point? - Click >>>The Floral Dance - Then Back-button top left to return)

They made a handsome couple at any fete or ball. Mary's encouragement and support also encouraged Francis to work and study even harder. Soon he was an acknowledged expert in navigation and sailing matters (a fact that was to prove invaluable to him, his crew, and indeed his nation in due course). When he found the courage to overcome the normal trepidation of possible rejection and asked her to marry him, she responded enthusiastically, even though it was clear that a great deal of his time would be spent at sea. They were married on 4 July 1569 in the newly-built church of St Budeaux near Plymouth. Both Francis and Mary often fondly thought back to that incident of the runaway carriage on Dartmoor. (Click thumbnails < < < {Is that someone tending a grave - or is it a . . . ?} and >>> [That's a wintry scene!] to see more recent pictures of the Parish Church of St Budeaux  - Then Back-button top left in each case to return)

Chapter XVIII: In the Doldrums!

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