TGOK 8 [Swashbuckler] - Mister B. Yorke

Rozwi_Game10 wrote:The letter was addressed, "Your Excellency". As I simply cut and pasted the letter's heading from the month before, which went to an ambassador.
It'll teach me to try and cut corners.

Oh dear

Look on the bright side as your character is too low a social level for a Duke to call you out.

He will probably just send his Blacksmith "Big Jim" and some of the boys round to give you a good thrashing with a horse whip......Good opportunity to prove how tough these Yorkshire types are to your new crew when you step onto your new ship with blood still running into your boot from a bloody back.

Technically that is the address for a Marquess so it might not end in a

Nonsense. Any proper noble understands that when a commoner mucks up speaking properly that it is just to be expected of them. Mucking up is what commoners do, after all.

As long as there is a proper attempt at obsequious weaseling, you have to give the poor sot something of a break. A boot or two to the face is plenty. More only if your boots are dirty and you need to kick them clean.

He might escape without a scratch. Could be that there is something for the pad to do.

That is lad not pad.

Next turn's orders are written out, and Mister Yorke will be on the move.

Watch this space...

"'Ey up Lad, you's been with them Southerners f'too long. This be right queer ideas you's got in't y' 'eed."

April 1707:

""While at his house you informed Josiah Muddley, “I will travel to
Yorkshire and hopefully find a vessel suitable for hire for the Royal
Society expedition. Can you provide a letter stating that I am acting on
yours, and the other Royal Society gentlemen's behalf in pursuit of that
purpose? Such a letter may aid me in dealings with ship owners, or
local personages when I arrive.”

He acquiesces, and signs such a letter of introduction granting you just
such authority. That done, and after collecting your things from the
Old Thameside Inn, while leaving a promise to the owners that you will
return in time, you set off back to Yorkshire, to the city of Hull. Ern,
and the other two, go with you, and the guinea paid proves quite
enough to please the coach driver for what turns out to be a three-day
journey.

In Hull lodgings are readily secured at the Barrel Tavern. It isn’t the
most salubrious establishment, but is low key and cleanly kept.

Thus safely ensconced you found a printer’s close to hand, a Mister
Wright who sports a fine hand letterpress printing machine, and on
seeing your proposed advertisement he is agreeable to produce a
hundred of the same for 40 guineas. Observing your astonishment the
Mister Wright in question bit his lip, and explained ‘the cost was in the
origination’, and while that was the going rate ‘he could be obliged to
make it a little lower’ in return for a firm order?

His offer to mediate may have been down to Ern and his fellows who
had scowled upon hearing the high price.""

###

That was this turn. Next turn, hopefully, will see some pamphlets printed - what they say is a secret!

What d'ya mean, "Its obviously something about boats and trips to Iceland". It might not be ... It might be a fictionalised account of what really happened on the 'lost royal boat in the middle of the sea'. It could turn out to be a best seller!

40 quid for 100 advertisements?!

I'd stab the sod and tell the judge that he mortally offended both my honour and my good sense!

Deacon wrote:
40 quid for 100 advertisements?!

I'd stab the sod and tell the judge that he mortally offended both my honour and my good sense!

If you think £40 quid for 100 adverts is bad you should see the dress bill for the Gabriel del Montosa in G7. The envoy of Flanders is the last Hapsburg Envoy left after Louis XIV threw the others out on their ear and acts for Flanders, Spain & Austria.

But since its now traditional not to send a message without details of what new number la Montasa is wearing it now works out at £5000 a message.

I assume stabbing a French dress makers would be trouble? Probably called Constance and has a lodger/boyfriend who is really good with a sword.

Oh, that's entirely different. The Empress of Hispania has a 10,000 pound a month stipend just to ensure that she is always suitably attired and keeps court life humming. I hardly ever even mention it because it goes without saying that she can hardly move under the weight of the brocade, jewels and exotic feathers from species soon to be extinct!

Pedro himself prefers more austere, dark clothing as he doesn't want to appear foppish, and the dark colors hide wine stains better!

Mister Bartholomew Yorke.

"Social Standing: Well Known."

I thank you.

Though I've had to pay through the nose to jump two rungs up the social ladder!

###

This month's turn report:

You haggle with Mister Wright, to hopefully bring the print cost down
somewhat, and then commission a print run of a hundred copies of my
pamphlet. To sweeten the deal you inform Mister Wright that he may
include his business details (as printer of said pamphlet) at the bottom
of the page - though in smaller font - and that he may send a ‘best
copy' to Josiah Muddley, at London, with both of our compliments.

He isn’t happy about it, and mumbles something about it being normal
practice to have the printer’s details thus displayed anyway, but
reluctantly he agreed to reduce the price to 36 guineas.

Thus printed, notices were put on public display at the Hull harbour
quayside, with copies sent via courier to the appropriate public officers
at, both, Whitby and Scarborough, for them to have displayed at their
locations for public reading. Your presence and mission even reached
the papers!

By way of making local contacts and being seen by the better members
of your social class you have taken to attending church of a Sunday.
After the services you made it your duty to share a few words in praise
of the sermon with the man of the cloth, and will offer money donation
of one guinea to the collection plate when it is passed around (which
did not go unnoticed).

###

The London Gazette: Number 89 - May 1707

       
              Wanted.
        Hire of Ship and
                Crew.
                  **
  For scientific expedition to
              Iceland.
                  **
 An endeavour to further the
  study of Natural Science &
Geography. For the benefit of
   all man-kind, & to better
understand Our Lord's exalted
                work.
                 **
Funded & organised by several
  of the esteemed gentlemen
belonging the Royal Society of
             London.
                 **
  Contact Mister B. Yorke, at
  your convenience, who has
  taken lodgings at the Barrel
         Tavern of Hull.

  Printed by Mister Wrights of Hull, at
          the Sign of the Wheel


===

HULL:
In Hull and for some miles
about it has become common
knowledge that a certain Mister
Bartholomew Yorke is about
town on the business of the
Royal Society, and is an agent
of Lord Halifax.

Mister Yorke is establishing a
reputation for being a most
discerning and charitable man.

###

Mister B. Yorke is still awaiting confirmation as to whether he, or the Society expedition, can gain (legal) access to Iceland, however. Maybe the return letter I'm waiting for got lost in the post Or not. Maybe the silly sod I sent to deliver it to the Danish-Norwegian embassy at London was too drunk on small beer!

Evil stuff that small beer............you can not trust how strong it is.

Think for the trip too Iceland Master Yorke & Crew need to stay on the rum

- what follows is, basically, a copy of my latest game turn (excepting the omission of all the details for Hull, and a map of Northern England).

Mister Bartholomew Yorke

- June 1707; The Glory of Kings / Swashbuckler Game 8

Type: Merchant (common class).
Nationality: English.
Religion: Anglican.
Aptitudes:
Persuasion.
Civilised.
Gallantry.

Weakness:
Temper.

Social standing: Well known.
Age: Born 1680.

Description:
Has a sword-cane walking stick, a flintlock blunderbuss, powder and shot, a flint and steel
necessary to light fire, a leather bottle of whale oil.

Aspirations to be a successful merchant adventurer, and then to return – but not before
July 1708 – to the Traders & Brewers Society of York.

During a heated, drunken argument at the Traders & Brewers Society of York,
Bartholomew allowed his temper to get the better of him, asserted that not only was he the
better merchant present, but that he would prove it by setting out with only the few coins
he had on his person and would return, two years hence, to be judged on how much profit
he had acquired.

Money:
Letter sent 2 guineas = 16.5 guineas.
(£1 = 1 guinea).

Investments: -

Location: Hull; (also called Kingston upon Hull).

YOU CONTINUE TO attend Sunday church services, and generally
be seen out and about, socialising and making acquaintances, being
interested to find out such details to organise a dance, aimed at
members of your social class. You mention this to the people you talk
with, this month, but also look to find out the following for yourself: Is
there a (suitably sized for 100, or so, people) assembly hall, or similar,
which can be hired for the event? You learn there are two, one called
the New Theatre in Lowgate, the other being the Whitefriargate
Theatre.

To the question as to whether there are any local musical troupes, or
people to provide the music, one elderly lady with strong opinions at
church chided, “There is the troupe lead by so-called Count Rostoff,
but frankly he and his kind are a social disaster in the making, I advise
you steer clear of such!”

You did learn this troupe is oft-times to be found in a rickety old house
not far from the New Theatre, which itself is not in the best condition.

Spoken of with more warmth is the string quartet of Maestro Matthew
Hindes, which can at times be found rehearsing in the far more
respectable Whitefriargate Theatre.

The innkeeper of Barrel Tavern is more than happy to service any
event with drinks as necessary, by bottle, flagon, barrel or even by cartload if need be!
He is extremely enthusiastic, is John Higgins, and
indicates that you can have free lodgings if you bring him such
significant contracts, ‘a sort of business arrangement’, he muses. His
conversation suggests he thinks this is a way to make a name for
himself in Hull as a purveyor to the gentry, and thus a way of making
his fortune (he readily admits his tavern is in need of repair, being old,
‘but it is clean and well run’).

Given this enthusiasm, and how he now lingers each time you take a
table at his establishment with your fellows, he becomes aware of your
scheme: “The plan would be to sell tickets for the event in advance, and
event goers would only gain entry through receipt of ticket at the door,
Ern and his two mates acting as the doormen. Obviously the attendees
will all be of the Common social class, but steps will be attempted to
make the event a fittingly dignified social occasion so, hopefully, the
better sort of commoners will wish to attend.”

“No nobs going to attend?” asked John Higgins, crestfallen.

This is weird because I am from Hull and know these places..... 🤔

Yes, it is quite fun exploring areas that are rather close to home. I've family at Camerton (next to Thorngumbald ) so Hull isn't too unfamiliar to me. I also based my chap at York as, again, I'm quite familiar with the place, and being a Yorkshire fellow myself, I felt I could have some fun using my own characteristics to roleplay.

I am from Hull but live in Scarborough now

Latest turn arrived last week, here is the info:

July 1707: Hull, England

YOU ASK FOR permission to be able to address the gathered
congregation at Sunday Service, offering one guinea to the collection
plate for the opportunity. The parson looked like he was going to
object, but glanced at the coin, back at you and shrugged, “Very well,
you have been coming here awhile and I’ve yet to hear a bad word said
against you, just please don’t embarrass me.”

He called the congregants to attention after divine service, and
explained that ‘Mister Bartholomew Yorke desires to address those
gathered here today’.

Standing at the front, you delivered your address: “I know that this is
irregular, but I would like to offer my thanks for the opportunity to
speak to you this day.”

The vicar, who was now seated in one of the pews, nodded slightly in
acknowledgement. He looked a little nervous.

“As many of you know, I came to Hull for the purpose of securing ship
for the Royal Society of London's expedition to Greenland. However, it
now seems that my presence in such an undertaking is threatening the
possibility of such an endeavour, as the Danish-Norwegian
Government deems me, personally, a threat to their trade. How I, one
man, can be seen as such I am uncertain. But it is the case. I do not
wish to be the stumbling block that prevents the Society's good work,
so I will continue to work in securing for them ships passage to
Greenland, but after that I will resign my position of employment with
them. Which will allow them to proceed with their work without
restriction.”

“I am aware of my failings in this matter, and the burden lays heavy on
me. However, to redeem myself I have it in mind to attempt further
achievement, to not just provide for the Royal Society ship to
Greenland but also secure for them funds to further their goals in this
expedition. I plan a grand ball here at Hull; dancing and enjoyment
and music, the purpose of which to raise funds for the Royal Society's
use on this expedition of theirs… To allow it be written and known
that said Royal Society Expedition To Greenland be part-funded and
supported by the good people and City of Hull. That is now my
purpose. I state it here before God.”

News of the idea spread amongst the better sort of commoner in Hull,
and within the week several had paid you a visit pledging their support.
Squire Henry Briggs was one such, who came in with his wife Lucinda.
A country gentleman farmer, he explained he is on good terms with a
fellow, Mister Samuel Findes, who owns a hall situated within Hull,
‘and I have managed to persuade him to let you use Findes Hall for the
ball’ he declared assertively. It is apparently a privately owned building
not usually open for public use, the result of a successful merchant
gaining much wealth through the textile trade.

It is obvious that attendance will be good, all that needs to be set is the
price of the tickets, the date for the great day, and the music!

You're all going to love this. Especially the forum member playing as Lord Halifax (sorry revvaughan    )

August 1707 - Hull:

HAVING SEEN TO the dispatch of a letter to the Duke of Halifax,
you strolled down to the Whitefriargate Theatre, which you found to be
a white-fronted building adorned with Corinthian pillars, resembling in
some manner a large dissenting chapel of the more ornate sort.
Knocking on the ample double-doors, you waited a moment after
which they swung open. A middle-aged woman in a plain dress,
wearing an apron and with an off-white austere bonnet answered.

“May I speak with Maestro Matthew Hindes,” you enquired.

Graciously the woman answered that you may, but at this time of day –
it being early afternoon, he could be found at Mrs Cotton’s tea shop,
situated further down the same street. Thanking her, you ventured there
and following further inquiry was taken by Mrs Cotton herself to a tidy
little man seated at a table, music score sheets before him, sipping tea.

Affably he bid you sit, and insisted more tea is brought for you to sup.
He listened as you asked whether he can provide music for the
upcoming ball, and how much he would charge for his services. He
stated he is quite happy to oblige, for a charge of ten guineas.

He nodded as you then explained that you shall send post-haste to
none other than the Duke of Halifax to procure said costs.

The rest of your time at table was spent in pleasantries regarding the
weather this time of year, which is sunny and bright, if at times a trifle
too hot come nightfall (which he explained has disturbed his sleep, as
has a party of street children who seem to hide in the day, and plague
his rest at night).

+++

John Higgins has been informed of your employment by the celebrated
Duke of Halifax, and as his agent in serving you he shall in effect be
serving His Grace the Duke. “I’m sure your customers would be
impressed to know that you are catering to His Lordship.”

This news delights Higgins, who in his excitement asked, “So, are you
going to get His Lordship to attend in person?”





... does anyone know of a good hotel in Hull?

Lord Halifax may be a Yorkshire title but one can hardly expect a true Gentleman to ventue further north than Oxford!

What next SCOTLAND???????

I had to trigger my Weakness - TEMPER - this month, as you'll see:

September 1707

YOU VENTURE TO be apologetic to people this month, explaining 'I am
struggling with my failings' after your temper flared up. The incident happened
when on 19th September Charles Stirling of Kippendavie approached you,
having found your person with ease since you have become well known in Hull
since arranging a ball, which is due to take place on 5th November hence.

Charles spoke with a thick Scot accent, and a serious tone at that. “Mister
Yorke? Bartholomew Yorke? Glad tae make yer acquaintance. Mah name is
Charles Stirling, o’Kippendavie. Ah have heard ye are a canny merchanter, no
afraid tae cross an ocean, an’ though a sassenach ye are at least a northern man.
So ah have a proposition fer ye. Me an’ a few friends are a wee bitty concerned
that the English are gettin’ the lion’s share o’the profits from the Americas. We
are willin’ tae put up the monies tae provision an’provide a ship an’ a load
o’trades-goods, but we need a man tae act as oor factor. Might ye be interested?
Ye get tae choose yer ship an’ yer cargo - we’ll cover the costs fer that - an’
choose yer port o’call in the Americas. When ye get there an’ have made the sale,
invest the monies in what ye might think is the most profitable cargo tae bring
back - an’ when ye’re home agin an’ dry, we’ll pay ye ten percent o’the total profit
made. Does that strike ye as fair?”

You retorted, “Speak the King’s English, man, can’t understand a word!”

Charles glowered back, “Then ye’ need tae listen up!”

Eventually, after further rather acrimonious conservation, the gentlemen seemed
to understand each other rather better than at first.

When you made an apology, Charles looked serious and accepted it while
answering, “Ye need to watch that.”

Announcement was made that the ball shall indeed beheld on 5
th November.  Mister Yorke, the organiser, declared it to be ‘a date fitting to celebrate such an
establishment as the Royal Society, given it being the anniversary of that historic
event to bring down our great and noble monarchy’. The cost of tickets will be
two guineas for a gentleman and his party. For a gentle lady and party the cost of
ticket will be 1 guinea.

Yorke added, “For an additional five guineas, that person's name will be listed as
a donating backer… belonging to the city of Kingston-upon-Hull, it being listed in
the record ledger recording all monies accrued and passed on to the Royal Society
with the recommendation that their name be listed in some way in any papers published.
A permanent record of those donating monies will also be written up (paid for by my goodself)
and handed over to the parish church of Holy Trinity at Hull.”

In the event, this month, 55 gentlemen have purchased tickets as well as ten
ladies of independent means. Three of the gentlemen was so good as to pay to be
donating backers.

###

From this month's newspaper:

HULL
Announcement was made that a ball shall be held on 5th November in the city of Hull.
Mister Yorke, the organiser, declared it to be ‘a date fitting to celebrate such an establishment
as the Royal Society, given it being the anniversary of that historic event to bring down our great
and noble monarchy’. The cost of tickets will be two guineas for a gentleman and his party. For a
gentle lady and party the cost of ticket will be one guinea.

Yorke added, “For an additional five guineas, that person's name will be listed as a donating backer…
belonging to the city of Kingston-upon-Hull, it being listed in the record ledger recording all monies
accrued and passed on to the Royal Society with the recommendation that their name be listed in some
way in any papers published. A permanent record of those donating monies will also be written up
(paid for by my goodself) and handed over to the parish church of Holy Trinity at Hull.

###

So it looks like I might escape the British Isles after all. I just need to decide... East or West? (and whether to have Ern thump the Scotch bloke for calling me a sassenach!)

Rozwi_Game10 wrote:I had to trigger my Weakness - TEMPER - this month, as you'll see:

So it looks like I might escape the British Isles after all. I just need to decide... East or West? (and whether to have Ern thump the Scotch bloke for calling me a sassenach!)

I know some French Gentlemen in G9 who know exactly how how Mr Yorke feels about Scots.........but at least no one called him a Pirate and offered to buy a silk Rope for Mr Yorke neck !

In all fairness, if Mr Yorke had gone to Greenland without Danish permission, that's exactly what the Danes would have called him...though as Mr Yorke is a mere Yorkshireman he would have had a hemp rope...

Jason wrote:In all fairness, if Mr Yorke had gone to Greenland without Danish permission, that's exactly what the Danes would have called him...though as Mr Yorke is a mere Yorkshireman he would have had a hemp rope...

Surely if you trade in a banned area without a licence you are a interloper or a smuggler rather than a Pirate?

Wonder if being hung as a Smuggler or a Pirate offers greater social humiliation to the Yorke Family?

For slightly random work reasons I have had to look into the whole "going to Greenland if you're not Danish" thing in 17th and 18th Centuries (all to do with the theories behind 'Finnmen' turning up in late 17th and early 18th C Scotland).

It seems to depend on interpretation of translation but the Danish law banning non-Danes going to Greenland does seem to suggest they are "pirates". The Danes saw it as if you weren't Danish you had not right being there unless you got VERY special permission (which historically I don't think anyone got) and based on concepts that went back to the origin of the term "Viking" anyone who breaks the law is a pirate or was going a-viking (same thing).

Aye well, the Danish in Game 8 won't be hearing from Mr Yorke anytime soon. I'll stay well clear and let sleeping dogs lie.

If I go to the Americas I can cause problems for the French and Spanish instead Never mind those Scotch enclaves the Game 8 map shows there is, and the native peoples and American subjects of the British Crown. I'll definitely stay clear of St Thomas, since its Danish, and would be very much miffed if I suffered shipwreck and found myself washed up there!