The Game of Thrones 2- pages 109- 265

Despite the inclusion of Sean Bean in the cast and the quantity of flesh exposed during the first episode of Game of Thrones my first reaction to this much heralded new entertainment series on the Sky Atlantic channel was that it was a long way short of proving to be as a good as the Sopranos in the Middle Earth of Tolkien. The setting certainly has elements of Middle Earth but the level of characterization was questionable until I read the opening 100 pages of the original work and reviewed the first episode with a more critical and knowledgeable eye.

I can now report that as consequence of watching the second and third episodes of the TV production and reading the associated text I am greatly more impressed with both and hope that this is communicated in the following notes.

That those with power can be ruthless in their own interests as well as in those of a nation, a community, an organisation or family, remains one of the great lessons of life and leads to an eventual understanding that the behaviour of individuals can be judged from a variety of perspectives leading to a variety of conclusions. Their motivation is important. Does an individual behave in such a way because they are putting self interest or personal ambition, their desires before all other interests? Even where the motives are selfless and honourable, if the outcome is disastrous causing hurt and harm to many, should those responsible be allowed to avoid censure and penalties?

The merit of a good story is that it engages and entertains and the characters are drawn in such a way that they are shown to be layered, complex and meriting our attention.

At the end of the first section of the first book and first TV production episode I had learned that that Eddard, known as Ned Stark, Lord and Warden of the North, was an honourable man putting his sense of duty towards his King before that of family prepared to leave his wife, and three sons with her, and removed the care of his two daughters from their mother into potential great danger from the family of the wife of the King who are believed to have been responsible for the premature death of the man who raised him as his own son. As he prepares to leave with the King and his Court he does not yet know that the Queen was responsible for the near death of his second legitimate son, having pressed her brother and lover to remove the threat to their lives because of what the boy had seen and heard. One suspects that duty to his King and to his murdered care father would have led Lord Stark to be more cautious and take greater care, especially with the welfare of his two daughters.

That the King had become a fat, morally impotent, degenerate, only interested in a life which involved drinking, hunting, eating and a womanising, made Ned’s sense of duty to the institutions of country and its leader more challenging, and also reinforced his initial reluctance to sacrifice personal instincts and interests for the general good.

His wife, who at first pressed him to accept the request in order to find out what had happened to the husband of her sister and if she and her son were as much under threat as the woman believed begs him to stay once her son is found badly injured and in a coma. Her only wish is to be by his side to an extent that her eldest son now appeals to her to think of the welfare of their youngest and help him in the running of the former separate Kingdom on behalf of their father and their people.

It is too easy at this point to condemn the Queen, Cersei Lannister without appreciating her concern that married to man who never loved her, remains in love with the deceased sixteen year of sister of Ned, uninterested in taking responsibility for the day to day running of the state, appointing the right people, managing the finances, ensuring the army is ready to combat any threats, could and would at any time of his choosing find a way to get rid of her with someone younger, especially as he planned to marry off their son to the daughter of his best and loyal friend, he now wanted to de facto take on the responsibilities for running the Kingdom. Do you accept your fate in such a situation or fight? It is also easy to condemn her for having ongoing sex with her twin brother, Ser Jaime, although such a practice has been common among powerful dynasties in human reality and occurs more frequently within the lives of ordinary folk than is usually admitted. It is yet to be revealed although I know in advance that her children are not those of the King but of her twin brother!

Sir Jaime has so far been revealed as a realist and ruthless in protecting interests. However the impression obtained to date is that the attempt to kill Ned’s boy, Bran was more out of loyalty and passion for his sister than considered judgement. He prefers to take a long view about taking outright power, knowing its precariousness, challenges and demands At present I see someone who wants his cake to always be ready to be eaten and enjoyed, in fact someone little different from the King.

As yet the King, Queen, Ned and his wife are unaware, although this changes quickly, that the family from whom they took power has taken a significant step towards launching a military attack to take back their kingdom by Prince Viserys, forcing his adolescent sister Daenerys, into marrying the head of a powerful fighting force, the Dothraki and their leader Viserys appears to have no redeeming features other than the wish to avenge the murder of his father and his elder brother and ending their dynastic rule of centuries. The reader is in no doubt that given the opportunity he would become just as ruthless and self seeking a tyrant as those he wants to replace, and probably more so. His sister‘s plight appeals to us because she is the victim of criminal assaults throughout her childhood, an orphan and homeless and sold off as a child bride to an older man whose language she does not speak. I did hear a joke made about such relationships while listening to one of the cricket audio books about someone who will remain nameless who had married a woman whose language he did not speak and in response to a critical enquiry responded by saying that the best things in life are eating, drinking and making love and the less said during these experiences, the better.

Of the other characters, I and I suspect readers in general, immediately like Ned’s illegitimate son, Jon Snow, not just because of the similar parental circumstances and its repercussion, as in my case, but because he has appears a young man of honour, integrity and a sense of duty. We learn that from the text that he is only 14 years of age looking more like twelve although in the TV production he appears a mature young man.

I /we also like the eldest son who is willing to immediately step back from the life of young man ands take on the duties of his father as head household and the kingdom, although he too is also a teenager. This is more realistic in the TV production because as with all the children their ages are raised to enable adult actors to play their roles and to overcome the problems resulting from their active sexuality.

We also liked the middle son, Bran, because of his sense of adventure, risk taking and individuality and instinctively knew that when he was pushed off the walls of castle he would survive. We also like the younger sister, Arya, who also shows individuality, rebelliousness and also feminist inclinations.
I suspect that the Queen’s young brother, Tyrion, also has an immediate fan club although some will have very different reasons from others. There are those who will be sympathetic because of his biological deformity, height challenged and deformed. There are those who will admire the fact that despite his natural disability he is a great womaniser and likes his food and drink. Others will also appreciate that he is a well read philosophical analyst and observer of the human condition. His dark side is yet to emerge.

We known little of the boy heir to the throne Joffrey although this is to quickly change as the story progresses, and many will dislike his betrothed, Ned’s eldest daughter, Sansa who is vain, shallow, celebrity seeking, uncharitable and dishonest. They appear well suited.

The second episode of the TV production commences different from the text showing the first days of the arranged marriage of the sister to the legitimate claimant to the heredity throne of the Seven Kingdoms. I am not clear if the race of her husband is naturally nomadic or is just travelling great distance to their permanent base. We see the bride hungry and tired and she is advised that things will get better. Her brother is also travelling with them and is advised that he would be better off accepting the hospitality of a more civilised existence. He responds that he is sticking with the hardships in order to ensure that the bargain is honoured and that Khal Drago will lead the Dothraki men across the water to reclaim his Kingdom. Later there is a brief scene in which the husband takes pleasure in the manner of a beast which she does not enjoy. Later she consults the woman slave given to her to teach the ways of love and she advises to always have the man look her in the eye and later still she persuades her husband to do so thus beginning what appears is likely to be a meaningful and developing relationship. All this comes later in the text after several story developments and in fact forms no part of the text covered in this episode but comes later.

In the TV production the second scene switches to where the Queen’s other brother is reading in a stable before breakfast. The young son and his retainer arrive to say the uncle is missed at breakfast and they are setting off home. The boy is then slapped across the face three times for refusing to go and tell Lord Stark and his wife how sorry he is about the “accident” to their son. Tyrion is warned that the boy will tell his mother and will also remember this treatment. Tyrion comments that he hopes the boy will remember the lesson and that should he forget the retainer should remind him. Tyrion is OK or is he?

Later when he and Jon are on their way to the Wall conducted by Ned’s brother, we learn more about the young brother who explains what while his elder brother uses the sword he uses his mind and the mind needs books just as the sword needs a wetstone to sharpen. The scene is used to explain that his brother was the adviser to the former King for 20 years, who then killed him while his sister married the new King. In the book there is much more description and information from the journey of Tyrion and Jon to the Wall. We learn of Tyrion’s interest in Dragons, including a collection of skulls from a thousand and a century and half ago and which I assume will have some significance later in the overall epic.

Earlier Tyrion arrives at the breakfast table demanding bread, fish, a mug of beer and bacon burnt black and greets his “beloved siblings“. He then reveals, in response to a question, that the boy Bran will live. The Queen chides her young brother for wanting to go on a visit to the Great Wall, but he explains he has no intention of joining the Night Watch but wants to stand on its top and piss off the end of the world. The Queen goes immediately leaves with her children horrified at the language, but is more upset by the news that the witness to her treachery lives. His older brother Sir Jaime, suggests it would be better the boy died than remain deformed to which Tyrion reminds of his own plight and that to live is better than to have no life, and that he hopes the boy will live and tell his tale as a consequence of which his loyalty is questioned.

Jon is preparing to join the Night Watch although he appears to have misgivings about the lifelong nature of the commitment, reinforced when later on the trip to the wall with Tyron they are joined by two rapists whose sentence has been commuted to service in the Watch. The Queen’s twin brother also thanks him for the service he will give reminding that it is a lifetime commitment, He notes Jon is waiting for a new sword. This we learn is a special one for the Ned’s younger daughter, the two having a special relationship and he sensing that she is going into danger without his protection. He also says goodbye to his father seeking information about his mother which Ned promises when they next see each other.

Lord Eddard comes to say goodbye to his wife but she no longer wants him to go to the capital reminding that he has choice and to say that he has no choice is what all men do when they have made up their mind to put honour before family wishes and needs. He tells her she will cope when she says she cannot, but she also fears that as before he will return with the child of another woman. Her fears strike home with Ned as shortly after setting off he and the King eat together privately and the king presses him about the identity of Jon’s mother, something which Ned resists. The King is concerned as the news has reached him of the marriage alliance between Daenerys Targaryen and the Dothraki arranged by her brother and the threat this poses. We learn that Khal Drago has not 40000 men to hand but 100000 but Ned is dismissive saying the Dothraki have no ships and if they do manage to cross over he will drive them back to the sea. He is also concerned when the King wants the girl killed, no more than a child. This is the first indication that the King wants to have his own way and that Ned’s task will be far more difficult than he envisaged. It will get worse before the episodes ends.

Previously the Queen visits the sick room where Catelyn keeps watch over her son to “empathise” saying she lost her first born, a boy just like him, implying she will have to let go while offering prayers for his return to consciousness. After the departure of Ned her remaining adviser suggests it is time to sort out the finance and the cost of the Royal visit. She wants to leave this to their steward but is reminded he has gone with Ned. After his departure the man hired by the Queen to kill Bran arrives and the Queen manages to fight him off injuring herself badly. She, the adviser and her eldest son establish that the man must have come with the King’s party. The knife used in the attempted killing is of such quality as to have been given by another. She also investigates the area of the castle from where her son fell and finds evidence of the presence of the Queen. They conclude that the fall was no accident and she determines to ride after her husband, taking a sea route so as join him as soon as he reaches the capital city and warn him of what is now suspected.

We now come to the core event of the second TV episode. Arya, the younger daughter of Ned is practicing sword play with the son of a butcher and this is observed by the King’s son and his betrothed who has been frightened by one of the men used to protect the heir. The Heir now reveals what an obnoxious coward he is by taunting and wounding the Butcher’s boy using a real sword instead of the wooden learning instrument. Arya then humiliates the heir as the direwolf attacks Joffrey biting into his hand to prevent him doing more harm to the butcher’s boy. Sensing she is in danger she runs away and hides until discovered later at night. Meanwhile Joffrey has told his version of events before the King and Queen placing blame on Arya and the butcher’s boy. Ned’s eldest daughter although present throughout the incident denies any knowledge and as a consequence it is the word Joffrey against that of Arya. The consequence of Sansa’s silence is that the butcher’s boy is slaughtered and the King insists that his daughter be punished by the death of her direwolf cub that she has trained well and is much attached. However Arya suspecting such a course has ensured that her pet goes off. The King insists on the punishment which means that Ned is required to kill the remaining direwolf, that belonging to Sansa. She is distraught realising, perhaps for the first time, that her superficial and child’s view of the world is no longer valid in these new circumstances. Ned sensing that what he is doing is wrong, still carries out the command and at the point which the hound is killed Bran wakes from his coma. The second episode ends.

The third episode of the TV production is the most powerful of three and includes major developments in the story line. The hostility between Arya and her sister continues but her father admits that they are both in a dangerous place and that it is important for the family to remain together. He points out that her sister is betrothed and as such she cannot go against what her husband to be says without endangering her own situation. He finds that she practicing with her sword and although she resists in saying who provided the gift he arranges for her to be giving lessons by an expert. He looks on in a mixture of pride and fear, knowing both the necessity of what he is doing and fear of its consequences. Earlier he gives his daughter a present of a doll and she reminds she has not played with dolls since the age of eight.

We follow the continuing journey of Jon, Tyrion and Ned’s brother to the Wall where Jon begins to fully realise the reality of the life he is choosing. There are spectacular views looking down from the top of the wall reached by a primitive manual worked lift system. Of the new recruits Jon is most accomplished fighters and his effort to prove himself arouses the hostility of the other “recruits”, until Tyrion advises him of the backgrounds of the men, one caught stealing food for his sister who had not eaten for three days and accepted the recruitment as an alternative to having an hand chopped off. The advice results in Jon establishing a good relationship with the others as he helps them to learn to sword fight.

Lord Eddard arrives separately with his daughters at the capital and is immediately summoned to a Council, but before gaining entry to the meeting room he is confront by the Queen’s twin brother in a manner best described as unfriendly and threatening. The Council appears comprised of four men all with backstories. Ned is shocked that not only is the King not present but they are delegated tasks which this time involving finding funds for a tournament to be held in his honours. He then learns that the state is in debt by several millions in the currency and that she King shows no regard for the position accept to order additional expenditure for his interests. The Council is then shocked when Ned says the tournament will not go ahead and refuses to commence planning. A message arrives for Ned by raven to say that Bran and come out of the coma but cannot remember what happened. The Queen criticises her brother for what he did and the continuing threat to them. She also comforts her son whose wound from the direwolf is in the process of healing leaving scars which she says she should bear with honour. When he admits aspects of the truth of what happened her she points out that when he is King he will and should fashion truth as he wishes. However she counsels against his wish to take control of the North, double taxes and create one army rather than allowing each of the seven Kingdoms to manage their own. She explains the problems likely to arise but in doing so Joffrey realises that she regards the North as enemies. Cersei explain that everyone is a potential enemy other than the family and she seems to be indicating that only she and her son can be trusted. She also counsels him to be nice to his betrothed after he says he hates and does not want to marry her. Later she says he can take as many painted whores or mistresses as he wishes. The girl will provide him with a heir.

Catelyn reaches the city and is surprised and alarmed to be greeted by two member of the city Watch who know who she is and take her to a house used as a brothel when she is met by the Council member who wanted to marry her, times past. Also present is another Council member who explains that his value is information. He wishes to see the knife used on the attack on her and Bran but admits he has no knowledge. The former suitor says that for once he can provide the answer. The knife was his until he lost it during a Tourne event to Tyrion Lannister. In the previous episode when Tyrion’s loyalty was being question by his elder brother he affirms his love of his family. Ned is brought to the location and explains that without proof of what is being said he cannot bring to the attention of the King. Catelyn returns to the North and their parting look suggests that both question whether they will see each other again.

At the Wall, Ned’s brother announces that he is leaving to go out beyond. Tyrion has made friends with the man who brings new recruits and the brother overhears a conversation in which Tyrion appears to be ridiculing the Night Watch. Tyrion explains to the contrary that he is full of admiration for the men but questions the necessity of their function. The brother agrees that the wildings, the people who live in the forest pose no threat although their numbers have been increasing. He fears that the White Walkers have returned as maintained by the member of the Watch beheaded by his brother for desertion. He presses Tyrion to warn the Queen and her husband of the threat and that the force has become inadequate, Reduced to less than 1000 men, a combination of old men and pressed men, amateurs with little or no fighting skills. There is much talk of the coming of Night. In this land seasons lasts for years so that Night can become years of darkness, of recent times lasting on a couple of years but in times past have continued for generations people die from cold, starvation and despair. This story is told Bran by his nurse as he lays in bed, not remembering what happened or frightened to remember and wishing he was dead because his crushed legs means that he will not walk again.

The episode is also interposed with scenes as Daenerys and her brother continue what is obviously a nomadic life. She has become pregnant, is able to communicate with her husband who have now a close loving relationship. She is certain she has a son which pleased him greatly. At one point she orders the column to stop as hey enter an area of tall grass towering above them. She wonders off and is confronted by her brother who is angered that she gave the order to stop without consulting him first. When he handles her roughly a young man appointed for protection seizes the brother wrapping a whip around his throat and choking him, only stopping when ordered to do so by his sister. They continue the journey and the brother is told to walk rather than ride. From the text we learn that for a man to walk rather than ride he is no man at all and that Dany no longer believes her brother will return to the homeland as King. Her pregnancy is confirmed on her fourteenth birthday.

The Winter, the dark is coming, but where from, the Dothraki, the White Walkers of from civil war within the Seven Kingdoms?

The main noteworthy difference between the TV production and the text is that Catelyn arrives in the city by ship rowed by sixty men before the King and her husband return and she mentions the former ward of her father Pyter, known as Littlefinger, who had a crush on her when he was 15 years of age and she 20 and engaged to Ned’s brother before his death, as someone who they should be able to trust. He companion shaves off his whiskers so he will not be recognised as he goes off in search of help after securing accommodation at an Inn outside the Castle walls. When she is woken the next day and ordered to the Castle she knows in advance it is to meet Littlefinger. He brings in the Kings’ spider given a courtesy title of Lord Varys, a eunuch whose function is to provide the monarch with intelligence and he mentions the knife after having overheard her man ask about it to his contact in the city. The rest of this sequence is as before. On arrival there is a description of the city familiar to Catelyn from her childhood and former life there.

The arrival of Eddard is kept closer to the text and I learned that two members of the Council bear the Kings surname; Lord Renly Baratheon master of laws and Lord Stannis Baratheon Master of ships both brothers of the King. Littlefinger has become Lord Baelish. In addition there is the Grand Master Pycelle and Ser Barristan Selmy Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. He is then taken by Littlefinger to meet Catelyn at the out of castle brothel where she brings her husband up todate with events at home and learning about the ownership of the dagger. She in turn has learned of events on the journey and Ned is mortified at the decision to kill the hound finding that it was his son’s creature which saved his life and that of his wife. With the help of Littlefinger he hopes to discover the truth believing that Tyrion would not have acted without the authority of the Queen. He asks his wife to organise defences on land and at sea to cover for all eventualities.

The game of thones 1 l pages 1-108

It has arrived, all 800 pages plus another 40 plus of information appendices, George R R Martin’s A Game of Thrones, paperback edition. There will be time to discover the past and present of George Martin R R and my approach will be to read only the parts that have been used to each television episodes and then report the relationship between the two. I will begin with the positive that the first episodes and the opening chapters of the book are as one in all respects except for the most minor

Scene one of the TV production commenced with three members of the Night Watch guards exiting the long dark tunnel from the great wall which separates the 7 Kingdoms from the haunted Forest The size of the rock wall covered in iced snow is impressive, more impressive than the Great Wall of China in terms of its impact and dwarfing the Roman Wall when it was constructed or the latter day attempts to keep people out and sometimes people in, The Berlin Wall or that now between Israel and Palestine. Howver there is no immediate description in the Prologue and which jumps us past the TV to when one of the Watch takes his officer and another guard to where he had seen the bodies of the wildlings- the creatures that live in the forest but which have now vanished. The book explains that the wildlings were cruel men, slavers, slayers and thieves who consorted with giants, ghouls, stole children, drank blood from horns whose women folk lay with the Others and bore half human children. Thus we deduce that the Others are not humans.

From this point the storyline is identical in that the officer does not believe what he has been told or heed the warning and he and the other man perish in some instant and violent way. We also learn from the book that the men have travelled 8 to 9 days away from the Wall. In the book and in the TV we are left uncertain whether any of the men have survived. We have established that there is some dark force the other side of the Wall, deep into the Forest,
In The TV series we first see that one of the men survived and is captured by a part searching for the missing guard. This is followed by a part of men riding out to a place when the same man is beheaded for returning from his mission. Sean Bean in charge of the situation and clearly the Lord/chief or King, discounts the man’s stories of demon killers saying that it is several thousand years since such creatures were in he land and that regardless of the circumstances the law is law, and the man must die and he having issued the sentence has a duty to carry it out. It had insisted that his middle son Bran is present and one the older men with the boy warns that he must not avert his eyes for surely his father will know.

In the Book’s opening chapter it is not established that the executed man, a Night Watch guard deserter is the same as the terrified member of the trio in the Prologue, although this is confirmed in the front page of the Wiki within a Wiki containing over 3000 articles on the published series of books todate. The books does announce on page 14 that the execution is being carried out by Lord Eddard Stark, subsequently known to his family as Ned, of Winterfell and Warden of the North on behalf of Robert of the House of Baratheon, the First of his name, King of Andals, and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms of the Realm. There is talk of the Others-The Others appear as tall, gaunt humanoids with chalk white skin and eyes of blue so deep it burns like fire. They wear reflective armour that shifts in colour with every step, and wield thin crystal swords that seem to give off a bluish hue. They ride corpses of dead animals. They are unknown in the land for some 8000 years. If they have returned then the Kingdom is indeed under great threat.

The banner of the House of Stark contains the silhouette of a grey direwolf, a creature several sizes larger than ordinary wolves. It is one of these then discovered in the forest with part of Antler embedded in the throat and with five cubs recently born searching for food at its mother’s teats. The five are taken for each of the five children of Lord Stark with those present promising feed and train and take full responsibility. A sixth is then discovered, an albino, who is cared for by Starks illegitimate son, Jon who was given the name of Snow, as are all those without a father given name. The fate being without a father’s name I share

The third scene commences with the laying in state of the Warden of the East, Chief Adviser to the King, a man who raised the King and Lord Stark having no children of his own and who regard him as their father. The wife of the King observes the ceremonial and is joined by her brother who warns her to be careful. She says her brother should have been, should be the Adviser and Warden but he rejects this, but is scornful of her husband putting lechery and hunting before the interests of the kingdom. In the book, the third chapter, headed Catelyn, the wife of Lord Stark is featured and who we learn was born in the south where the Godswood was full flowers, birdsong and was bright and airy whereas here, as she approaches her husband, she feels the place is unwelcoming to her, a primal place untouched for 10000 years. She has gone because the scene opens with a black bird arriving at the Castle, bringing a message, we now learn from the King, to confirm the death of the adviser and that the King has set forth with court to visit his former comrade in arms. It is nine year since they have met and journey will take at least a month. In the TV episode there is brief reference to the likely purpose of the visit with great discussion in the book and concern about managing to feed and entertain the Court.

It is at this point that the TV series and raised the ages of the children of Catelyn and Ned from those in the book to enable adult actors to perform as children. The couple were only married 15 years before and on the same day the man who Ned regarded as his second father had married Catelyn’s sister. The eldest child, Jon the illegitimate is talked of in the book as a boy as is the eldest son. Sansa who plays a major part as the betrothed of the son of the Queen is only 11 in the book but presented as older in TV series and Bran who is only even is presented as a couple of years older. The youngest son is three but is presented as five year old. The eldest boy Robb is only fourteen and presented as a young adult.

Daenerys or Dany of the House of Tragaryen is of the old family of Dragon Kings, formerly of one of the seven Kingdoms within the Kingdom and who ruled for some three centuries until the death of Mad King Aeries by the House of Lannister. Now aged thirteen years she was born after the dethronement and death of her father and where her mother who was also the King’s sister died in giving birth. The only other surviving claimant to throne is her older brother Viserys because the eldest brother and original heir was slain by King Robert. His wife and son and daughter, next in line, were also slain. Dany is said to be a late physical developer although the implication of what is written in the book and intimated in the TV series is that she is sexually experienced, although it is not clear if this has been with her brother. As we learn shortly incest appears to be common among several of the family competing to be King and Queens. Since the loss of their Kingdom brother and sister have been guests in the Free cities in the region of parent’s former country. Now, the latest, is only a short channel crossing away and her brother with the help of his host has organised his sister should become the wife of a local warlord with 40000 warriors at his command. The brother inspects his sister closely, more directly in the TV series than the books and tells her she must be perfect for the visitor, marry and please him, warning that he would whore her to all the man’s men if this was the way to gain the return of his Kingdom. The visitor, Khal Drago is so rich that his slaves wear gold collars, and he is a man of his own mind as well his word. Whereas in the TV episode Viserys appears set on the marriage without any hesitancy over the choice of husband for his sister, in the books he asks if Khal likes women as young as his sister, given the tribes reputation for boys, horses and sheep and their liking for only taking partners in the fashion of beasts. Dany is unhappy at the prospect and begs to be allowed to go back to their present home. The brother angered says she will return to their and his homeland with men of Drago and the day will be mentioned by historians as the start of his reign.

The fourth chapter and major TV scene sees the arrival of the King and his retinue of 100 men, perhaps a dozen to a score in the TV production. In this the boy Bran demonstrates his ability to scale the walls, battlements and rooftops of the citadel, something which is only referred in the book later on. The chapter ends with Ned noting the change in the King from when they set out to defeat the mad King after he had called on their guardian to kill them. The king has gained at least eight stone and looks worse for wear. The king asks to visit the crypt to pay his respects to the great love of his life the sixteen year old sister of Ned who had died from fever after unmentionable treatment from Dany‘s elder brother in the war. The king comments that he thought they would never arrive as it had taken so long, forgetting the vast emptiness of the North Kingdom, as large as the other six together. Ned apologised for the late summer snows adding that the winters are hard and Kind urges him to come south because of the delights of the summer. These include that the girls who wear little to nothing in the heat, abandoning all modesty. The King is dismayed that his love lies in such a dark and cold place, but Ned explains this was her dying wish to him.

It is at this point that we learn in the book that their surrogate father’s wife had gone to her family home taking the sickly six year old son with her, despite the King being his protector and making an alternative arrangement. Ned offers to take the boy as ward as a compromise but the King is insistent on his plan adding that the Queen Cersei of Lannister is furious. It is then the King announces his wish for Ned to return South with him and become his right hand man, defending the Kingdom and for his eldest daughter to become engaged to his son. Ned knows he must yield to the King’s bidding but a great foreboding fills him.


A character who it appears will continue to feature is the illegitimate son of Lord Stark, Jon who was allowed to join in the family feast for their visitors but at the back with squires of Knights with his father at the top table with the King and Queen, just below which sat his half brothers and sisters and those of the Royal family. It is at this point in the book we are introduced to the Queen’s other brother, often referred to as the Imp, an ugly dwarf given to licentiousness. In the TV production we meet him being entertained by an almost naked woman at a brothel and his brother enters the room to remind him of the evening requirements, bringing three other semi naked women so that his brother could satisfy himself fully before having to meet their hosts and his family. This is all additional to the text.

As he drinks more and considers his position he is joined by his uncle, the brother of Lord Stark who evidently has a high regard for the young man. He is also impressed when Jon comments that his father is not enjoying the event and that earlier the Queen had been angry when her husband had insisted in going with Lord Stark to the family crypt. Uncle Ben comments that the could no with such an observant young man on the Great Wall Team although in the TV production it is John that initiates the idea of joining the Night Watch and his uncles who strongly dissuades because their conditions and role means they cannot enjoy family life. He advises Jon to wait until he has experience with women before volunteering for the life at the Wall. Jon is insistent that he ready, capable and willing. In the book the emphasis is on his youth but the boy draws attention that one of heroes of the House of Targaryen conquered one of the states of the Kingdom when he was 14. The uncle draws attention that the conflict took the summer had the loves 10000 men to take the land and another 50000 deaths to hold it. War should never be viewed as a game; He then draws attention to the nature of the commitment that would be required. He also makes thee point that he would never father a bastard or risk doing so and with the rest of table falling silent in attention he made his excuses and left. The conversation take place just between the two in the TV production. On leaving he is met by the Imp, Tyrion Lannister who refers to him as the bastard, not out of malice but from sympathy, He expresses interest in the direwolf and the Wall. Jon says that he did not even know who is mother was, something which I also shared until going to preparatory school and not knowing anything of my father until my fifty ninth year was ending. The chapter concludes with Tyrion arguing that that while all dwarfs may be bastards, bastards need not be dwarfs. Now there’s food for thought!

It is Catelyn who is given the distinction of first having a second chapter in the book titled with her name, and we learn that while the land is frozen and bleak the castle is warm because it was built over hot springs and that her bed changers are one of the hottest places in the building. This reminded her if her former home while her husband could not bear the heat while the Starks were made for the cold thus signalling that for her husband to go south and she to remain in the north would be a challenge for both of them, in addition to the loss of each other and the separation from their children however this was to be insisted on by their king.
It is here we learn that the her youngest child, Rickon is three years old and that she hopes their love making will have led to the creation of another child. While Ned wants to stay in the North it is his wife who counsels that he must obey the king or put his family in peril as well as himself. She thinks of the symbolism of finding the dead direwolf with an antler in its throat. She is also pleased that her daughter would one day be Queen while in the TV production it is the daughter who pleads with her father to accept the offers from the King. In the book Ned points out to his wife that their eldest daughter is only 11 years of age

The talk is disturbed by a visit from Ned’s counsellor trusted family friend who says that box has arrived in his observatory that must has come with someone from the King’s party containing and which in addition to containing lens which bemused Ned but which his wife understood was important because a lens enabled us to see more than we could through natural eyes. The adviser then produced a message hidden in the false bottom of the box which was marked for attention of Catelyn. She froze in fear letting her nakedness show which Ned mentions but she reminds that the adviser helped deliver her children. The message is from her sister who says the King’s adviser, her husband was murdered by the Queen. Ned does not believe the news saying that these are words from a woman over come with grief. She tells him that now there is no choice, He must go South and establish what has happened. Ned is alarmed. His father had accepted the summons from the King to fo south and had not returned. The Adviser says that the times are different. Ned accepts but says his wife must stay to govern in his place until their eldest is old enough to take over. Robb is then only 14 years. She must help her son to learn to rule. He must be ready when the time cones. He tells the adviser to help his wife and son The youngest will stay with her but he would take the daughters and Bran with him to the court of the King. In the TV production it is he adviser who takes the lead in saying that Ned must accept the offer of the king and it is wife who expresses the caution. There is no reference to what should be the fate of their children. Nor is their specific reference to the role of the Queen, only that the Lannister’s were responsible and that the life of the King is in danger. It will be two weeks before he is ready to depart.

The nest chapter of the book is headed Arya, Lord Stark’s youngest daughter their tom boy with hands like a blacksmith according to the needlework teacher who congratulates the elder sister, Sansa saying her work is exquisite. In the TV production Sansa is congratulated by the Queen on her dress and when the girl confirms that she made it herself the Queen asks the girl to make one for her.

There is a brief visual reference to this situation much earlier in the TV production. In the TV production Arya is shown turning up at the reception to greet the King wearing a battle helmet to hide her hair and Bran is shown struggling to hit any part of the target with his bow and arrows while she hits the bull’s eye from a greater distance. In the chapter the seamstress is congratulating the daughter of the King whose work is as unsatisfactory as that of Arya. The eldest sister was talk of the Prince Jeffrey with whom she had sat at the feast while Arya had to sit with his fat younger brother. Arya us then brought t tears by the seamstress and leaves the room noting that while her sister is beautiful and possess all the arts she has not head for figures and hopes she will have a good steward to manage her affairs if she is to marry the Prince.

She goes off to watch the boys at their fight training and is chided by Jon for not being at her stitches. They exchange words over the fact that although girls are not allowed to fight they are entitled to a coat of arms while bastards can fight but have no coat. Joffrey is told to fight another round with Robb but protests that it is a game for children and when reminded that he is a child he retorts that he is a Prince and is bore with using play sword. There is an argument over the use of swords with blunted blades and the adult use sword. Both boys want to use the full sword but are refused because of their ages and the risks. A rivalry between the two boys is therefore marked Arya finds that on returning into the Castle her mother and the seamstress are waiting for her. These aspects of this chapter are not included in the first episode of the TV production.

We now come to the catalyst chapter in the book from what the rest of the story develops. Head Bran it describes his love of climbing. The relationship which has developed between himself and the direwolf cub and the use of creature to indicate danger something which is referenced in the TV production before his assent to the roof by climbing the outside walls. As in the TV production he hears a man and woman talking in a windowless room high up in the castle where we see that it is the Queen and her brother making love. In the book they are talking although the twin brother has only one thing on his mind.

In the book Bran cannot se who is talking and it is the talk which startles and frightens him because the woman is expressing concern at the decision of the King to demand Lord Stark be his adviser. The woman says her brother should the Adviser as the appoint of Stark is a major threat to them because the King will listen to him. The brother is not interested and says the king is only interested in whore and hunting animals accusing him also of perhaps wanting to hunt whore and of bestiality. He also dismisses concern over the role the dead man’s widow could play, not knowing, or does Bran that Lord stark and his wife are already warned of the couple’s treachery, but not of their sexual relationship. It is here that the Queen reveals one cause for her anxiety. She comments that her husband still hankers for the dead sixteen year old sister of Stark and that his penchant for young girls means that he could soon want to set her aside for someone much younger. It is at this point in the book that the twin brother and sister couple observed by Bran who is then seen by the Queen. It is his sight of them together that cause the Queen to demand action be taken against the boy in the TV production while more appropriately it is overhearing their talk which requires action in the book. I will make the obvious point that given the King‘s predilection and the general couplings within families of the royals in this fictional world, the King would not be surprised by this aspect. The threat to his life is another matter.

I have not read the next chapter which is headed Tyrion in case it is covered in the second TV episode and move to that headed Daenerys to discoverer if I learn more than portrayed in the first episode of the TV production. The chapter begins with the wedding of Dany to the Drago who had summoned all forty thousands men and their women to attend the event. Only a handful are shown in the TV production although their liking for taking women whenever and wherever is visually portrayed as is some violent deaths during the celebrations where the comments is made that a minimum of three deaths is needed to indicate the festivities are going well.

The chapter is primarily concerned with revealing the extent of Viserys’s ambitions, his discontent as having to play second fiddle at the wedding, sitting below the bride and groom and his anger and frustration on learning that his brother in law will not march on the Seven Kingdoms to reclaim his throne immediately the festivities are over. He will have to wait until the Drago is ready. The chapter also reveals the violence previously experience from her brother and her hope that through marriage she would escape this. The wedding day proves to be an orgy from dawn to dusk with the men and women naturally bare chested, drinking and eating, fighting and coupling. Dany had felt never as much alone and with all this going around her. She was given three handmaidens by her brother, chosen with the help of their host who no doubt also paid for them, one to teacher her riding, the other the language of her husband and the third the art of love making! She was also given a history and songs of her the Seven Kingdoms. He host gave her gave her large box cloths, the finest from the Free cities and three large beautiful eggs, dragon eggs which had been turned to stone through the ages. We also learn that while the gifts were expensive they are a trifle to the number of horses and slaves he received from arranging the marriage. The relatives of her husband provided three great weapons which as instructed she refused so they might be given to her husband. She was also given a vast array of jewels and gowns including one made from the skins of a thousand mice,

The her husband produced his present which took her breath away, a grey white horse which took her breath away with her beauty. She was bid to get on the animal and ride only a little way if she wished but on mounting she felt free and unafraid, perhaps for the first time in her life and at one point jumps a fire returning she asks that her husband be told he had given her the wind and this bring a smile for the first time to his lips and there is then a description of how their relationship developed and tenderness in which her husband approached her and that she gives her herself willingly to him, indicating to us that although enforced the relationship could prove a good one, adding to the frustration and anger of her brother and his ambitious aims. There is little indication of this in the TV production although having read the book first perhaps the episode will have been viewed differently with less emphasis on the crudeness of the orgy. The book does tell us there were 12 deaths during the day, more than the required three thus also a good omen.

Edward and Mrs Simpson by A C H Smith

As a follow up to watching and reading the King’s Speech I checked my library and discovered a paperback edition of Edward and Mrs Simpson, a novel by A C H Smith which followed the broadcasting of the Thames Television series of the same subject, and which in turn was based on the biography of Edward VIII by Lady Frances Donaldson.

The book is well structured commencing with alleged scenes from the life of the Prince and then halfway covers the approach of the Prime Ministers, the Press Barons, Winston Churchill and others to the determination of the then uncrowned King to marry twice divorced Mrs Simpson with an alleged notorious past and make her Queen or say damn to his immediate responsibilities, to the country and the Empire, putting personal desire before the welfare of the people.

The book commences when the Prince continued to have contact with his former mistress the married Freda, Winnifred May Dudley Ward née Birkin (1918-1823 when she was aged between 24 and 29), husband and two daughters until he dropped his current concubine(s) for Wallis Simpson in 1934, By Then Freda divorced Dudley Ward who she married in 1913 when aged only 19 years. She married again in 1937 ( 43) Pedro Jose Isidro Manuel Ricardo Mones, Marques de Casa Maury until they divorced in 1954 (60) and who dies in 1983 (89). Her first daughter born in 1914 was the actress Penelope Ward who features in such films as The Citadel, In Which we Serve, English Without Tears and The Way Ahead 1935-1944). Her First marriage lasted the Second World War and he second was to the disguised Film Director Sir Carol Reed and which lasted until his death in 1976. Her second daughter born 1916 became Lady Laycock, after her marriage in 1935 to the Wartime leader of the Commandos.
The book suggests that the Prince of Wales consulted Mrs Dudley Ward about his subsequent relationships, telling her at one of his favourites haunts, the former Embassy Club, that he was taking Lady Furness with him on a trip to Lady Thelma Furness. (Not to be confused with the present Embassy Club established in 2001).

Lady Furness was first married at the age of 17 and this lasted 3 years (1925). In between her marriage to Lord Furness in 1926 she was rumoured to have become engaged to an established film actor. He first husband was ten years her senior and her second 20. She first met The Prince of Wales in the year of her marriage and three years later she became his mistress. She divorced in 1933. Two years earlier she had introduced Wallis Simpson to him and a year after her divorce the Prince dumped her for Wallis Simpson. Lady Furness had one son by her second marriage The point needs to be made therefore that the Prince not only was a serial adulterer but that his companions were mothers. That the political and social Establishment considered this behaviour acceptable for a head of state reflects the their hypocrisy.

There is evidence that his father and mother disapproved of these relationships and hoped he would marry someone suitable who would produce an heir and because of the past experience it appears that no one believed he would want to make one of his consequent his wife and Queen, The impression gained from this book is that George, his birth name, was a reluctant performer of official duties and with one eye always on personal pleasure and enjoyment. However he was regarded as something of a sport by the general public who took an interest and with loyalty by the middle classes who knew nothing of his personal behaviour which was kept out of the papers by the news Barons, especially Lord Beaverbrook who full supported the King and Dawson of the Times who favoured the kind of compromise subsequently cooked up to enable the divorced Prince Charles to marry the divorced Camilla Parker Bowles. This became one fo the options put to the leaders of the Commonwealth countries and the British Cabinet. Was also favoured by Wallace Simpson who also seriously considered the other options of getting the Layers, to raise questions about the divorce to prevent the decree becoming absolute and of leaving he country and the Prince, Because of the publicity reverting to the status quo was not a practical proposition after the acres of newsprint in the USA, Europe and parts of he Commonwealth.

It has to be said that throughout the main concern was not a moral one but religious for as head of the Church of England the King was expected to follow the teachings of the church to the letter including the rule that the marriage ceremony could not be performed if one of the parties had been divorced. The then Archbishop would not have authorised the marriage or anointed the King as the monarch if he had married elsewhere.

The King had also created problems by his approval of the regimes in Italy and Germany. Mrs Simpson was known at the time to have had relations with the Nazi Ambassador Von Ribbentrop who was gaining intelligence in the event of Germany needing to invade and conquer the UK and its Commonwealth. The USA FBI advised their President that Mrs Simpson was being paid by the Nazis to report information she gained from her position as the mistress of the Prince and then King. Von Ribbentrop was a leading anti Semitic and was hanged for War Crimes in 1946.

The other consideration was that if King Edward decided to abdicate that his brother would not be up to the challenge because of his health, temperament and lack of preparation. A point which Archbishop Cosmo Lang tried to cover in his ham fisted but good intentioned way in the broadcast made after the deed was done. There was a serious risk that that the monarchy would come to a halt at a time when continuity and stability were needed.

For most of my life I have wrestled with the inconsistency of a modern democracy having not just an inherited head of state but the rest of the trappings of aristocracy and the Court. The British Establishment has understandable fears about going the full democratic Monty after the Civil War and the dictatorship of a kind reign of Oliver Cromwell but the USA experience has shown as elsewhere in France for example that a balance can be achieved between the powers of the executive, democratic representation, decentralised government and the rule of law with an independent judiciary backed up by a written constitution I have wrestled because the British experience during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 2nd has been good from all outward appearance

My impression is that the challenge will come when the death of Queen Elizabeth occurs. I do not know what be best, to for a Presidency coupled with the some inhibition about those wish to continue to hold their aristocratic titles not being able to hold public position whether elected or appointed above a certain level. They could serve in the armed forces but not as officers for example and no existing title could be subsequently inherited. There could be a referendum in relation to the next in line of succession at the time simple yes or no, or a direct election context between the next in line and a Presidential candidate previously elected through a process similar to that in the USA. Whatever happens there ought to be a written constitution. Not to have one is an absurdity.

The King's Speech the book part 3

And so I come to the final of my notes on reading The King’s Speech, the book by the grandson of Lionel Logue, Mark and Peter Conradi, the former deputy foreign editor of the Sunday Times and who is now the editor of Home the paper’s property supplement.

The book, as in the film, continues after King George VI successfully accomplished his responses required at his Coronation and then addressed the Nation and the Empire on the evening of what for all proved to be an exhausting as well as challenging day. Logue needed a period of recuperation suffering from nervous exhaustion and then continued to assist the King with his speech making. An assistant private secretary to the King wrote after seeing article which suggested that the problem often arose in people who had been forced to become right handed when naturally left handed. Logue explained that while this was true it was too late for the King to change back. From the outset he had argued that the problem had become entrenched for too long to be cured, he added that so much depended on the circumstances and age of each individual which was why he had not attempted to write a treatment text book.

Logue also became concerned that the King was being worked too hard for his physical constitution and that unless the workload was controlled there was a risk of physical breakdown with an impact on his speaking ability. The King in turn became anxious about the State Opening of Parliament as well as the live Christmas broadcast, remarking about the confidence with which his father undertook these tasks. Logue reminded that his father had taken years to develop to the position he achieved towards the end of his life.

In 1937 Logue had an experience which was rarely given to someone outside the Royal family. He was invited to the Christmas lunch at Sandringham to be with the King when he made his radio speech. He met Queen Mary for the first occasion who thanked him for the help he had and was giving, and then found himself sitting between Queen Elizabeth and the Duchess of Kent with the King Opposite. After lunch he was presented with a signed photograph of the family in their Coronation robes and a box which contained a pair of gold cuff links in black enamel with the crown and royal coat of arms. The King and the Queen separately expressed their appreciation with the Queen saying she had never known husband so happy. After tea he was invited to witness the Royal present giving from under the tree. The Queen mentioned as he left that she had arranged for him to have a hamper on the journey to London because there would no dining car. He was collected at the station by his son returning home at 10.45 where the family was waiting. Logue was able to describe what for him had been one of the most amazing and wonderful days of his life. Reading of the occasion some seventy years later that was no understatement about which I hope his family remain proud to this day. There was only one aspect which upset him,

His wife although invited was in Australia, escaping from the British Winter recuperating from serious illness including an operation for gall stones. Logue had become very concerned about her ill health. The trip did her the power of good because in addition to the weather she was greeted as an honoured celebrity because of the work of her husband for the king. Among the comments she made to one journalist was that Margaret Rose is more Joyous than her sister who had rather more sense of responsibility. An extraordinary accurate forecast of what was to become to the young Princess and a reversal of the situation which existed between older and younger brothers.

It was good that both men were able to enjoy their respective roles and with their families because of the situation they and the Empire was to face.

The Man which Mrs Simpson and her husband so admired was leading the greater part of the world into prolonged horror, destruction and lifelong misery for million upon million and for which I continue to believe there should never be forgiveness, and for all who gave him willing support. He is not alone but his impact, along that with Stalin. Last might I watch the tale of the man regarded as the British Schindler who arranged for over 600 children to bet brought to the UK to stay with guardian families in the hope that after the war they would be reunited with their parents, none were. The man did not feel it was something to talk about and has not told his wife because the last train with some 200 children had been stopped and the children taken to camps where they perished.

This is not the first time there has been recognition for his work as Ester Ranzen did a programme where unknown to him the studio audience comprised those he had saved and their partners who were still living in the UK and later there was other gathering. Now a widower in his later years the programme featured the subsequent lives of three of children he saved,

With Chamberlain away meeting Hitler, Logue went to the Palace to advise the King on a speech being made at the launching of the ocean liner, the Queen Elizabeth. Logue noted after the meeting that the King was preoccupied with International affairs and commented that he was concerned at the number of people wanting to go to war in the context of his personal experience of what happened during the First. It is questionable whether a great show of force against Hitler would have prevented him from embarking on the course he took, I have always shared the view that important mistakes were made in the years which led to the War and was part of the reason why I supported military intervention in Iraq and in other situations were national dictators appear set on extending their regime to other nations. Having spent two years from the age of sixteen working closely with one man who lost a leg in the trenches of France and five others who served in the second world war, I learnt early in my life the price which is paid by those wounded and the families of those who do not return.

Logue became a frequent visitor at the Palace as in addition to the State Opening of Parliament there was a visit to Canada, during which there was to be an informal over the border meeting with the President of the United States designed to cement relationships as the situation in Europe darkened. During a review of the proposed speech to parliament there was a discussion between secretaries about the wisdom of Court officials accompanying the Monarch on the visit and they asked for the opinion of Logue as a colonial. He said more pageantry the better and his words appear to have tipped the balance in favour of the Lord Chamberlain making the visit with the King.

Then in the autumn of 1939, six months after my birth we were at war. I have no memory of the months my birth mother and I lived with an elder sister and her husband and four children at a house in south Croydon close to the boundary with Waddon and the famous Croydon airport. I have been to see the outside of the local authority property in my later years. The family then moved to the house in Wallington which was then rented and is now owned by the same family when together with four of the other sisters and their two sons we somehow fitted into the eight roomed detached house on two floors. I have vivid memories of those early years of war time before and after we went to stay with another sister in the country at the Catterick military camp near Richmond in Yorkshire. I remember the aunties praying as the German bombers flew overhead. I remember the sight of a rocket bomb in day light and hearing the engines cut out falling between out home and the airport. One of some one hundred and forty that fell in our area, The war is therefore real to me, not some history off the pages of a book.

The anticipation that there was going to be war after weeks of tension meant that Logue was told to be ready to come to the Palace at a moment’s notice on 25th August although the call did not come until September 3rd, thus he became privy to something which few outside the government and the military had knowledge and even fewer of what the King was going to say on the radio to the Empire. The mood of the King and everyone was sad and sombre.

“In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself.

For the second time in the lives of most of us we are war. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict. For we are called, with our allies, to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilised order in the world.

It is the principle which permits a state, in the selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its treaties and its solemn pledges; which sanctions the use of force, or threat of force, against the sovereignty and independence of other states. Such a principle, stripped of all its disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right, and if this principle were to be established throughout the world, the freedom of our own country and he whole of the British Commonwealth of Nations would be in danger. But far more than this- the peoples of the world would be kept in the bondage of fear, and all hopes of a settled peace and of the security of justice and liberty among nations would be ended.

This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the world’s order and peace, it is unthinkable that we would refuse to meet the challenge.

It is to this high purpose that I now call on my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask then to stand calm, firm and united in this time of trail. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see it and reverently commit our cause to God. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever the service and the sacrifice it may demand, then with God’s help we shall prevail.

May be bless and keep us all.”

Chapter thirteen covers Dunkirk and the Dark Days. The Ming had opened Parliament wearing his naval uniform and travelling by car and although he had hope to avoid making further Christmas message he decided there was no alternative but to do so. The hope and for some the ambition that he conflict would quickly end, quickly faded. In May 1940 the King had decided to make a speech during Empire Day. Things had not gone well. The expedition to prevent the German invasion of Norway after the fall of Denmark and Sweden had failed. In Parliament Leo Amery uttered those now famous words that Oliver Cromwell had once used : “ You have sat here for too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God ,go.

Although not immediately, his words led to the resignation of the Prime Minister and his government, to be replaced by a Coalition, the last occasion until last year that a coalition was formed, although the Coalition then covered all three major political parties and some non party figures. Germany marched into Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg that same day.” Queen Wilhelmina telephoned the King seeking help. Later that day they managed to escape and obtained refuge at the Palace. The German armies sweeping through France meant that the expeditionary force to France and Belgium was now in peril and no match for the superior forces assembling against them. This was the backcloth for the Empire Day speech, The evacuation of Dunkirk took place followed by perhaps the most significant speech Churchill made advising that we would fight on the beaches and everywhere. Dunkirk was no victory and many regard as the nation’s greatest defeat.

September 7th 1940 saw the first of the German Bomber raids at the Port of London. Over 400 were killed and 1800 injured but this was the start of 75 consecutive nights of bombing. Buckingham Palace was bombed leading to that famous remark of the Queen, that she could now look the East End in the face. Logue continued to help the King in important broadcasts and speeches, including Christmas once more visiting Windsor Christmas Eve socially and then on Christmas Day for the speech. He was given a gold cigarette case. Dinner was a Boar’s head with prunes.

The following year saw Germany’s decision to abandon plans to invade Britain and attack Russia. Japan made its attack on Pearl Harbour and the United State entered the war. There was then the Victory El Alamein in North Africa, There were problems with the Christmas message because Churchill had included phrases alien to the King’s usual speech style. This occasion was important for the King because it was the first time he lost his fear of the microphone, as he wrote afterwards to Logue. Britain survived the next two years, with the help of the USA and Commonwealth Countries, as preparations were made to take the war back to Europe with first the invasion of Italy starting with Sicily. The King also made a visit to British troops in North Africa and had a stop over in Malta. Logue was 62 when he was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, having been made a member in 1939. On June 1st 1944 Logue was asked to visit to prepare for a short speech, more of prayer he was told and which would be given through the radio in due course. This was in fact the address made on the evening of the Allied landings in Northern France on June 6th, a day later than planned because of suitable weather that morning.

“ Four years ago our nation and Empire stood alone against the overwhelming enemy with our backs to the wall, tested as never before in our history, and we survived that test. The spirit of the people, resolute and dedicated burned like a bright flame, surely from those unseen fires which nothing can quench.

Once more the supreme test has to be faced. This time the challenge is not to fight to survive, but to fight to win the final victory for the good cause. Once again, what is demanded from us allies more than courage, more than endurance.

Logue’s youngest son participated as a second Lieutenant in the Scots of Guards. Promoted Captain he participated in the taking of Rome. The book then mentions the start of the rocket bombs which to I referred earlier.

That Christmas The King decided to do the speech on his own enabling Logue to spend the day with his family. The Queen and the two Princesses sat alongside the King. Shortly after the broadcast he telephoned Logue and his family listened on the extension.
On May 8th 1945 thousands of people assembled in the Mall to celebrate the end of the war in Europe. The two Princess made their first public appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, alongside their parents and Sir Winston Churchill.

There is also a description of the King Speech when the family again appeared on the balcony.

“Today we give thanks to Almighty God for a great deliverance. Speaking from our Empire’s oldest capital city, war battered but never for one moment daunted or dismayed, speaking from London, I ask you to join with me in that act of thanks giving.

Germany the enemy who drove all Europe into war, has been finally overcome. In the Far East we have yet to deal with the Japanese, a determined and cruel foe. To this we shall turn with the utmost resolve and with all our resources. But at this hour when the dreadful shadow of war has passed far from our hearths and homes in these islands, we may at last make one pause for thanksgiving and then turn our thoughts to the task all over the world which peace in Europe brings with it.

Noel Coward who was with the crowd said we all shouted ourselves hoarse. Elizabeth and Margaret slipped out of the palace to join the conga line in the Mall. Captain Peter Townsend, the King’s equerry led Logue and his wife through the gardens to the Royal Mews where a car was waiting to take the couple back to their home.

Their joyful participation in one of the great days of British history was shortlived because when Logue was in hospital for an operation on his prostate in mid June his wife had a heart attack and died on June 22nd. The couple had been married for forty years. If there was previous reference to the role of his sons I missed but here we learn that one son was serving as a medical officer in India while the third was in North Africa. The King and Queen were shocked and upset by the tragedy. Logue although in ill health himself emphasised to the King that he was more than willing to continue to assist if needed and contributed support for the State Opening of Parliament which was unique event with a Labour Government with an overwhelming majority. Logue records that the King had reservations about aspects of the Labour programme and had been saddened with the defeat of Churchill with whom he had formed a bond. He however had a good relationship with Anuran Bevan on the left who also had overcome a stammer.

The book records that life remained tough with food rationing continuing until 1954, a year before I left school to go to work. Logue continue to take patients but planned to take his first trip to Australia but because of high blood pressure was warned against flying he did not return before his death. He decided to sell the family home now that the children had grown up and made lives of their own, moving into a flat in the Brompton Road, opposite Harrods. His son Tony who gone to Cambridge to continued medical studies decided to switch to the law but then had a series of operations following one on his appendix. The King agreed to become a patron of the Association of speech therapists, now numbering 350 and recognised by the medical profession. Logue to the concern of his children was so missing his wife that he commenced to attend séances with a view to communicating with her.

There is an interesting note about the Marriage of Princess Elizabeth to Philip who was 18 when she met him aged 13 where the relationship was encouraged by Lord Mountbatten. The Queen in particular had reservations feeling that her daughter had limited contact with your men and therefore arranged a number of balls so she could have opportunity to meet more suitable young men. Queen Elizabeth referred to Philip who became Duke of Edinburgh and then Prince as “the hun“, referring to his more recent German ancestry than her own. His three sisters who had married German aristocracy with Nazi connections were not invited to the wedding.

The health of king also deteriorated as did that of Logue 15 years his senior, At Christmas 1951 the King who was suffering from a heavy cold could not mask his health difficulties. “I myself have every cause for deep thankfulness, not only by the grace of God and through the faithful skill of my doctors, surgeons and nurses- have I come through my illness but I have learned once again that it is in bad times that we value most highly the support and sympathy of our friends. From my peoples in these islands and in the Commonwealth and Empire as well as from many other countries this support and sympathy has reached me and I thank you now from my heart. I trust that you yourselves realise how greatly your prayers and good wishes have helped and am helping me in my recovery.

The broadcast was not live but took two days to record and lasted only six minutes. The communications between the King and Logue also concentrated on their respective health problems

The Kings Health appeared to improved and shortly before Princess Elizabeth and her husband were to set off for the their Tour of East Africa, Australia and New Zealand the family went to Drury Lane to see South Pacific. The King died during the night in February 5th, 1952 from a blood clot thrombosis. The Queen had become the Queen mother at age of 51, a position she was hold for another fifty years. Princes Elizabeth was immediately declared Queen had been staying at the Tree Tops Hotel in Kenya where Prince Phillip was given the task of breaking the news and the couple immediately returned home. Logue sent his condolences apologising that his own ill health had prevented replying to the Kings letter to him ay Christmas. The Queen mother wrote back two days later showing the relationship that had developed between the two families but also the continuing sense of caring duty of the Queen mother.

She ended the letter saying I am sending you this little box which always stood on the King’s table, and which he was rather fond of, as I am sure you would like a personal memento of someone who was so grateful to you for all you did for him. The box was on his writing table, & and I know he would wish you to have it. I do hope that you are feeling better. I Miss the King more & more.

Logue spent the following Christmas, when Queen Elizabeth made gave her first message, with his three sons and their families. Valentine and his wife Anne and their two year older daughter Victoria; Laurie and his wife Jo and their children Alexandra 14, Robert 10; and Antony with his future wife Elizabeth.. After the New Year Logue fell ill and became bed ridden for three months needing the services of a live in nurse. He died after going into a coma on 12 April 1953 of kidney failure. Among his effects was two invitations to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth, two because he had been too ill to respond to the first. His will amounted to under £9000, about £180000 today, about the same value of the savings` he had brought with him from Australia.

The book concludes with reference to the obituaries which were comparatively slight given the importance of the role he had taken. In summing up why the King had remained with him as a patient and then more as a friend, the grandson concludes that part fo the success was the way Logue treated the King as having a physical rather than a psychological problem in terms of the way of conquering the problems he had, but the wife of one of sons made the point that whereas the King’s father had been horrid to his younger son, her father in law had been kind, patient always supportive and loyal.

The past three days have reminded me of my childhood years and brought out the enormous changes that have taken place during my life time, although not as significant as were the changes during the lives of my birth and care mothers and their brothers and sisters. I have gained new insights and widened my perspective. The next read which I will start to tackle sometime next week will be a book about the political role of King George. Tomorrow there is cricket and the Australian tennis Final. I have a general writing to undertake and finishing off some artwork as the end of the month approaches.

The Kings Speech part two

I continue my inquiry how far the film, The King’s Speech, reflects the actual events and the personalities of those involved. Hollywood is notorious for discounting major facts and I understand that Madonna is to play Mrs Wallis Simpson in a film which is said to portray Queen Elizabeth as a scheming woman plotting to put her husband on the throne. There is no doubt that Queen Elizabeth had reservations about elder brother in law David, given his behaviour towards his younger brother, his inclination to bed married women and his rejection of inherited duty and responsibility. It is also true she could not stand Mrs Simpson, for who she was, and her impact on the British Monarchy, her husband and family. It will be interesting to see how Hollywood repackages Mrs Simpson.

I ended my first piece of writing on page 64 of the book written by Logue’s grandson Mark with Peter Conradi as Logue was introduced to the future King either through an Australian contact who met an equerry of the then Duke or the actress Evelyn Laye who had been treated by Logue and who knew both the Duke and his wife who she met and mentioned Logue after learning the royal couple were to make a state visit to Australia.

The book also contains a client assessment card which although is headed the Royal Highness the Duke of York, there is the name and two addresses of a Major, both crossed out, who I assume may have made the original appointment. The first appointment is known to have taken place at 3pm 19th October 1926 and according to the book it emerged during that first meeting that the problem had been affected by his unsympathetic father and tutors, suggesting that he went further than indicated in the film, but still was unwilling to talk feely about his childhood memories and experiences.

The next part does bear out what happens in the film in that Logue insisted that the Duke was treated at the consulting rooms or at his home, although in the film his wife and children appear not to know the identity of the patient until much later. That the Duke was required to undertake exercises daily which included standing at an open window and have frequent contact was also brought out. That the Duke agreed is an indication of his desperation and immediate confidence that Logue could be the one to help him.

We have a detailed account, literally, of the course of treatment over that first year with 82 appointments. Averaging more than once a week costing £172.4 shilling with lessons re Australian visit making the total 197 and 3 shillings said to be worth £9000 to day. Thus the £2000 savings which brought him from Australia was in fact worth about £180000, indicating something of the social class and means of Logue and which would make it easier for the Duke to accept the requirement that he was to be treated as an equal under treatment without the usual formality required and afforded to royalty.

The Australian trip was the reason behind the making of the visit and the effort which the Duke put into his task, which was renewed with each small steps of progress he made. His brother had made a highly successful tour in 1920 and his father decided that Bertie should have the opportunity not only to make a similar visit but to open the new Australian Parliament building, an event which some in the Establishment regarded as likely to prove as significant as when Queen Victoria was proclaimed the Empress of India. The first great test before the trip came with an invitation to address the Pilgrim Society, a high powered Anglo USA association where everyone including the media expected the Duke just to make a few short words of thanks and good wishes. Instead he gave a longer speech which made everyone sit up at the improvement and confident and relaxed approach, masking the hours of work that had been undertaken.
The film does communicate that progress was slow and hard fought. The film brings out that Logue encouraged the future King to use swear words to work off his frustration about his condition, something which is not mentioned in the book, or at least if it does I missed it.

Away from his tutor for six months must have been an ordeal and I query why Logue did not accompany his patient. The book explains that the Duke asked him and pressed him but Logue declined saying that self reliance was the key to his continued improvement and self confidence. I wonder if this was entirely accurate or tells us the full story. It would have brought considerable kudos to have returned to his homeland as a confidante assistant to the Duke. I will not speculate because the book is deficient on what made Logue tick, but there is something missing although I also accept that this is the story of his working relationship with the future King. Perhaps more will be revealed about the man as the story progresses?

As the books comments the refusal to participate in the trip was not held against Logue who communicated by letter his confidence and success, carrying out the practice schedule daily despite the tropical heat as they visited Jamaica and Panama, en route making three official speeches and engaging in conversation with welcoming dignitaries.

The Duke had particular trouble with k and the word King, many will say understandable given the treatment by his father as a child and in a hand written letter he reported to Logue that he had no problem giving the Royal Toast every evening at dinner. The letter is signed Yours very sincerely Albert. The ability to give the Royal toast was also reflected in relations with his father and the Duke told Logue by letter on a visit to Balmoral that he had been able to talk at length and confidently with his father, able to make him listen to him and without having to repeat himself. This aspect is not covered in the film and the relationship before the death of the King misrepresented.

The Duke’s account of his progress was to be confirmed in a separate note from his private secretary to Logue. At the opening of the Parliament the Duke took the initiative and spoke to the assembled crowd outside the building a gesture which was greatly appreciated and commented on as it had not been requested and therefore planned. There were various reports of his speaking and speeches and on return he addressed a welcome home lunch at the City Mansion House for half an hour. However the Duke was aware of his continuing underlying problems and reinstated the sessions with Logue when he returned to London. The chapter ends with a mention of the importance which the support and encouragement of his wife contributed to his progress with the story that at one after lunch address when he appeared to find it difficult to start the duchess had squeezed his hand and this was the spur for the Duke to compete the task without further anxiety.

The next Chapter -Court Dress with Feathers reveals a practice which I wonder if it still continues in some from, that is he presentation of individuals to the monarch, in this instance King George and Queen Mary, in court dress and regalia. On 12th June 1928, Myrtle wife of Logue attended one of two Courts that month and was presented by the wife of the Minister of the Dominions. The invitation stated that ladies had to wear court dress feathers! Apparently having arrived at the Palace you queue in an anti room and then moved forward as your name is announced and curtsy to the King and then the Queen who look on you without smiling but giving a nod. Afterwards you go off to the supper rooms for chicken and champagne. This personal note of achievement which included invitation to them both to attend one of he Summer Garden parties also mentioned that they had been spending a month in Europe a year on holiday and had then bought a holiday bungalow at Thames Ditton Island on the Thames and consequently decided to stay in England that year. I assume his professional practice was thriving with the referrals from the wealthiest and socially highest sections of society.

What also impresses me is that while Logue’s role would have been known and appreciated, perhaps resented by some, within court circles and the government, it was kept out of the newspapers. Given that his ability to speak in public had become such an issue, such a situation would be impossible to day, especially as there would be no grounds for justifying silence on grounds of state security. The position lasted until 2nd October 1928 when the London correspondent of the American Press Association wrote to Logue requesting a meeting so he had opportunity to give the facts before the story was published, Logue attempted to contact the Duke and was therefore left to come to a decision, replying in writing that it was impossible for him to give any information on the matter. In my judgement this was a good reply because he was not denying his involvement but indicated that he could not make a statement. However his response should have been agreed with Duke who in turn should have consulted his father and Court Advisers before any response was made. It is unclear if this was so.

The story did appear in the US press two months after the Association had made contact. The story did not appear directly in the UK and the article admitted that almost no one in the UK was prepared to talk about how the transformation had taken place. There was reference to Logue confirming the Duke was his patient and his inability to comment further. The story was however too good for the British press to remain silent and an article appeared in the Sunday Express and then spread throughout the Empire especially in Australia where there was pride that one of their countrymen had played such an important role. The other positive aspect of the news story was the broader discussion about the problem, its causes and treatment and the differences between men and women.

An Australian writer had gained Royal permission to accompany the Duke throughout the Australian visit and then to publish in effect an official biography which included the story of his impediment and its successful treatment by Logue. Logue did then respond to media inquiries after publication and throughout emphasised that the problem had been a physical one, thus avoiding any reference to his care as a child and relationships, especially with the King.

These developments coincided with the deterioration in the health of the King and the book mentions that the elder son who was away at the time had to be pressed to return home. There is letter from Albert to David in which he jokes that that his brother should return quickly “less if anything happens to Papa I am going to bag the throne in your absence!!! Just like the middle ages.

The next Chapter, the Calm before the Storm, covers the first half of the 1930’s during which time the role of the Duke was increased, his second daughter was born and he and his family were allocated a country home in Windsor Great Park. The future King is reported to have been contented with life. Logue’s role effectively came to an end although he kept in written contact, receiving progress reports from time to time written by the Duke by hand. In 1929 he reported that his youngest daughter had a good pair of lungs. In May 1930 the Duke’s private secretary asked Logue if he would encourage the Duke to initiate more conversations on visits as because of his shyness he tended to hold back. Direct contact was limited with one meeting in 1932. This often happens in relationship where one individual has a helping role for another, when the patient makes sufficient progress to feel confident they can find an ongoing relationship difficult

In the film this period is portrayed as an actual break in the relationship with the condition only marginally improved and the Duke breaking off contact because Logue had attempted to delve into the psychological and emotional upbringing. The Duke arrives at Logue’s former home while his wife and son are out to make peace because he needs help arising from the abdication of his older brother.

It also has to be remembered that this was a time of economic depression with the number of unemployed rising to one fifth of the workforce from 1 million to 2 ½ m million. The King had cut back significantly on the Civil List and the Duke had stopped hunting, selling his loved horses. Logue had received 100 letters from individuals throughout the world seeking treatment following the publicity of his service to the Duke. And he planned to start up a new clinic, but was also affected by the economic conditions, something with all engaged privately in the professions also found.

Overall the family fortunes improved as they moved from their small flat into a 25 room Victorian property with five acres of gardens and woodland, Beechgrove at 111 Sydenham Hill close to the Crystal Palace which had been moved from it original construction in Hyde Park for the 1851 Great Exhibition. They therefore were able to watch its destruction in the fire of 1936. The eldest son was learning the catering business in Nottingham with Joe Lyons and co. The second was studying to be a doctor and the third attending the famous Dulwich College.

Logue’s standing in the profession was also enhanced and in 1935 he established the British Society of Speech therapists. The Society formed a two year training course which led members to become recognised medical auxiliaries. Those without knowledge of the medical and hospital services before and since the creation of the National Health Service may not appreciate that power was divided between the doctors and the administrators who had their separate hierarchical structures and control system with nurses regarded as forming a second class and all others, very much a lower class, if they were recognised at all. The society attempted to take action against those who practiced without their qualification.

The Kings death at 11.55 on January 20thh 1936 came comparatively suddenly at the age of 70 after taking to his bed, with what he thought was a cold five days before and within two months of the death of his younger sister, Princess Victoria on December 3rd. Those of my generation although still not alive remember hearing that Bulletin issued at the time, The King’s life is moving peacefully to its close. His older brother was declared King and Albert as the heir presumptive was also required to change his role.

Again it is likely that only those of my generation or older will know or much care that David‘s reign as George 6th lasted less than one year.

The chapter in this book on the period is excellent and more direct than the film. David like his brother had been shy. It was as late as the age of 22 that through two equerries introduced the future King to a prostitute in Amiens and which appears to have been the catalyst for his subsequent relationships with mature, usually married women disregarding the effort of his parents that he should marry an appropriate young woman as his young brother. He had a 16 year relationship with the wife of a Liberal Member of Parliament, breaking off the relationship for a brief affair with the married twin sister of Gloria Vanderbilt. It was Thelma Lady Furness who is said to have introduced the then Prince to Mrs Wallis Simpson then aged 35 years and whose birth name was Bessie Wallis (Warfield).

There is incontestable evidence that Wallace Simpson was an admirer of Hitler and the fascist extermination of communists, and that she was close to Von Ribbentrop, most likely his lover and that she disclosed information which came her way from the Duke to the enemy. There is no doubt to my mind that had she not become the wife of the former King she should have been prosecuted for treason, had the evidence been available at the time. Her sexual power over the future King and other men is also legendry but the way he capitulated to her charms sacrificing his position, neglecting his inherited duty does also reflect his limitations alongside his many positive features which included a genuine concern for the less fortunate in society. Although even in this respect there were contradictions, making economies cutting salaries to balance the Royal books while seeming great amounts on jewellery for his then mistress, and which raised some £45 million when sold at auction after her death.

His approach to his role as Monarch also left a lot to be desired being late of arrangement meetings or cancelling at the last moment and failing to return his state boxes, or doing so with items unread or stained from the whisky glasses he used to comfort him during the required tasks His father’s concern that his son would ruin himself within a year appeared a self fulfilling prophecy. Although the King did not have much support, Winston Churchill spoke in his favour in the House of Commons, once the story had broken in the British press, a point not brought out in the film. Very quickly when the King made his intention to marry the now divorced Mrs Simpson, he was told plainly that he could keep her as his mistress which was the approach of his grandfather who was a notorious womanizer, or abdicate, or marry her and face the consequences, that is the Government would resign creating a constitutional crisis perhaps a general election on the issue, forcing the King out, threatening a civil war. The then King declaring his love and wish to marry Mrs Simpson and abdicated.

Logue was an outsider to these matters and heard the first broadcast statement of the new King from his home, noting the hesitation and immediately writing to offer his services if they would help. The prevailing view within the media was to welcome the new King without referring to his speech difficulties. It was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Lang, who upset the apparent ease of transition. Only two days after the abdication he admonished the former King for surrendering his high and sacred trust for his self admitted craving for private happiness. He went in that it was even more strange that he had sought happiness inconsistent with the Christian faith. The King after all had been head of the Church of England and the archbishop went on to add that the King was moving in a social circle whose ways if life were alien to the British people. The book reports that the Duke who heard the address was distressed to which I comment good, and so he should have been, for their can be no excuse or mitigation for his behaviour in terms of the peril in which his actions put the British Empire. There are those of us who will not forget that he subsequently visited Hitler giving him the Nazi salute and also after the war commented that he did not regard Hitler as being such a bad chap, and that had Hitler conquered the UK he would have turned the couple into British quislings, by putting him back on the throne with Mrs Simpson the Queen

Unfortunately he then, no doubt from the best of intentions, in comparing the new King to his brother referred to his hesitations in speaking but commended him for his approach which he then substantiated the following day in the House of Lords by speaking of his simplicity, his straightforwardness and assiduous devotion to duty. There were 300 members of the Privy Council at that time and they were approached by the media directly and directly as to whether the new King still had a stutter and one paper reported that none could be found as saying, “His Majesty does not still stutter” This seemed to fuel a whispering campaign against King George that he was not up to task, despite the experience and behaviour of his elder brother.

The book then deals with the controversy that developed in Australia whether the King had been successfully treated by Logue, given that others claimed responsibility for the progress he had made. This to my mind sums up the problems and risks of trying to keep some matters restricted from the public buy refusing to provide the objective facts and leaving the issue to be investigated and interpreted by the media. It is difficult to generalise especially when the media is also culpable of ignoring the objective facts at times in order to present an issue in a favourable or unfavourable light according to the inclinations of a proprietor and or editor.

On 15th April 1937 Logue was summoned to see the King at Windsor Castle without being advised of the purpose. The reason was made immediately clear. The King had become extremely nervous about the Coronation and although Archbishop Lang wanted a different voice coach (brought out in the film) this was rejected in favour of calling on Logue to re-establish his former role after a gap of several years. In addition to the wish to speak without stuttering during the Coronation service there was more concern about the speech the King was to make on radio to the Empire that evening. There was such anxiety that Lord Reith suggested they create a good recording of the various recordings made during rehearsals to be used if necessary to be presented as one live speech if the problems continued. Two days before the Coronation Logue was advised he was awarded the Royal Victorian Order for his services which thrilled him greatly celebrating with champagne. A new era for both men had commenced.