Odyssey of a Prince a Play in Five Acts

Rani Drew

Odyssey of a Prince A play in Five Acts

Rani Drew 10 Fulbrooke Road Cambridge CBE 9EE UK 01223-368231 www.ranidrew.wordpress.com

Synopsis

The fact of war is as old as life itself on the planet. Not only humans but all other beings have waged wars against each other. Perhaps wars are a necessary tool to curb the growth of life – human and natural. Once devastation comes to an end, peace is born. A new beginning much reduced and ready to start again. The old gives way to the new. Peace follows war. This year it is 2014, the centenary of World War I – it is now a hundred years since 1914 when Europe was engulfed in war for four long years. Monarchs of six mighty empires, built and flourished on colonising Asia and Africa: the British, the French, the Germans, the Russians, the Hapsburgs and the Ottomans locked horns for supremacy. For four years, bullets and bombs shot across Europe, burning and bleeding countries of soldiers and civilians. Millions died fighting. A test of national loyalty was the call that went out like wild fire, for men – young and old – to enlist in the Armed Forces and fight for King and Country, until Europe itself burnt.

Was this war necessary? Or was it simply a history of Empires and Kings coming to a natural end? Socialism was ever growing from marches for rights to insurrections for revolution, and the crowns glowing with stolen jewels were provoking the wrath of the exploited and the subjugated to strike at them and demand new nations, new republics. When an Emperor is shot by a subject, it announces the end of Kings and Empires. For the revolutionaries, King and Country were seen as oppression, not freedom for the subjects. It all had to end somehow. A war was the answer, except that it also decimated the population.

SUMMARY

The backdrop to WWI: Odyssey of a Prince is the mid-19th century when the British with their modern warfare were taking over many princely states of India. A British Indian Empire was in the making. The flourishing Punjab Kingdom was annexed after its powerful ruler, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, died in 1838, leaving his descendants fighting amongst themselves for the throne. After two Sikh Wars, the Punjab Kingdom was annexed by the British, its young maharaja deposed and extradited to Britain. Like the Kohinoor, Duleep Singh was given a prominent place in the Court of Queen Victoria. Steeped in courtly luxury for three decades, the Prince woke up to his royal status as nothing more than a state of imprisonment. He rose against the might of the British, asserting his freedom and challenged them to arrest him as he set out to make his journey back to his original country, to call all other annexed Indian states to join him and chase the British out of India. He was arrested and returned from Aden. He chose to return to France where he planned to join the Russians against the British. Unsuccessful in his plans, he died in 1893, ill and paralysed in France.

His progeny – six children – remained under the protection of Queen Victoria. This play is about them, but primarily about Frederick Duleep Singh, the third son of Maharaja Duleep Singh. Loyal to the British Crown, he joins the defence forces in 1914, the Norfolk Yeomanry, to fight for his Country. In five acts, the play traces the decisions he and his siblings have to make about their loyalties in the face of their father’s rebellion against the British Empire. As the War breaks out in 1914, they actively join to resist the German threat.

Playwright’s Notes

2014 WW1 Centenary Remembrance celebrations are not only for the British soldiers who fought and died in the war in great numbers, but also for those who joined the war effort from the colonies in Asia and Africa. The Indian contribution was considerable in terms of soldiers, food and medicine. Although the years before the War were a time Indians were beginning to look for Home Rule from the British, the Indian Congress put the movement on hold and actively backed the British in the War.

In 2010, the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds called for the submission a play on Maharaja Duleep Singh. I submitted my play Queen Victoria and the Maharaja of Punjab for their consideration. Unfortunately, their plans changed, the play was not produced. Nonetheless, I staged a dramatized reading of it at Clare Hall, Cambridge in 2011. It aroused a significant interest in the audience. This year, with the arrival of WW1 centenary, one of the many Sikh organisations joining the centenary celebrations is The Anglo-Sikh Trust in Britain. They are interested in highlighting the Sikh contribution to the War effort, particularly the role played by Maharaja Duleep Singh’s progeny played in the War. It seemed a natural sequence to my own earlier play. David Jones, one of the members of the Trust who has done original research on the history of this family in Britain, provided me with his research material and along with my own earlier research on Maharaja Duleep Singh, WWI: Odyssey of a Prince got written.

In Five Acts, WWI Odyssey of a Prince takes us through the emotional and political journey of Maharaja Duleep Singh’s progeny in the historic four-year’s period spanned by WW1.

Stage Set

Stage set can be a period piece or minimalist.

Three atmospheric stage artefacts are essential to highlight the play:

1) Indian religious artefacts: these could be screened on the back wall, and some more visible as stage props (Act I). 2) Oak Apple Day (Act III). Various Royalist bric-a-brac. 3) War Office (Act V). This will need a war-time atmosphere: wall noticeboard/screen, a radio and war posters etc.

There are quite a number of small roles, but they can be doubled up by 6 actors. Costumes: period costumes would highlight the historical element.

Prologue ACT I The Progeny of Maharaja Duleep Singh are keeping his Wake in Norfolk. ACT II

Blo’ Norton, 1906, Virginia Woolf visits Prince Duleep Singh ACT III Oak Apple Day Frederick, Partridge & Farrar celebrate the historic return of Bonnie Prince Charlie ACT IV Rumblings of WW1 ACT V Events of War Relayed to Home Front at Reserve Regiment of the North Yeomanry, K.O.R.R, Melton Constable Park:

Scene i, War Effort Scene ii, The First Battle of the Marne Prince Frederick & the Sergeant at the Centre Visits from Partridge & Bamba (his sister) Scene iii, Western Front - Trenches Warfare Prince Frederick & Farrar Scene iv, 1916 – Germans attack the French & sky warfare Prince Victor visits Prince Frederick Scene v, The Battle of Magiddo, 1918, September WW1 ends Oliphant visits Prince Frederick EPILOGUE ***

WW1 Odyssey of a Prince

PROLOGUE

The War sounds: marching feet, shooting and bombardment come up and then fade. Silence. Lights go up on front of the stage. Lord Arthur Craigie Oliphant enters.

OLIPHANT: At last, the war is silenced. From 1914 to 1918, for four years men marched, bullets fired, aeroplanes bombarded, ships were sunk, across Europe all the way up to Asia, even Africa. Germany, the instigator of the world blaze, is now humbled. As the saying goes, good follows bad, republics – people’s power – were born from the fall of four Empires. The British Empire has endured. Thanks not just to its own people but also to its loyal colonies who added their weight to its war against Germany. India supplied armed forces, food and medical services. The Indian people and the Maharajas stood by the British and put their shoulder to the war juggernaut. But those rulers deposed in the 19th century and extradited to Britain, were initially kept under strict vigilance and not allowed in the military service, for the fear of their changing sides. It’s on account of the progeny of one such deposed Maharaja, that I am here to begin their story.

Sound of readings from the Granth Sahib. The stage flickers with moving paintings and portraits of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, Sher Singh and Duleep Singh. Lights go full up. The body of Duleep Singh is stretched full out on a dais at the back, below the Sikh portraits,

That’s Elveden, sparkling with Indian glory since 1863. A 17,000 acre country estate purchased by the India Office. Prince Duleep Singh where he lived for twenty years as a princely aristocrat before in defiance of the British Government, he left it and set out for India with his family. (Pause) Now, he lies here impervious to it all, good and bad.

The Anglo-Sikh Wars were over by 1849. Defeated and deposed, the young Maharaja Duleep Singh was not only anglicized but also converted to Christianity at the age of 15, and within a short time extradited to Britain to live and flourish under the aegis of Queen Victoria, watched and controlled by the Government. That’s how the Kingdom of Punjab ended. It lasted barely a few decades but struck so much fear in the English that they had to bring it down, and down they did bring it to finish it once and for all. Yet, nothing ends forever. Some embers burn and light up the dark.

‘Prince’ was the title the young Duleep Singh, the heir to a kingdom stretching from the Khyber Pass to the Gates of Delhi, the deposed Maharaja of Punjab, was given when he made his passage to England. For a decade he lived as a true royal 5

aristocrat, a devout Christian in Thetford, hunting and shooting with Dukes, Counts and Princes, earning a good name as a local benefactor for schools and churches. But alas! not for long. The Government of India had to get his mother, Jindan Kaur, out of India. A political trouble-maker, it was better to put her her son in charge of her who was fully committed to the British Crown. But she changed him and his allegiance to it. She opened his eyes to the greed and injustice of the British, and before dying, set him on the road to rebellion against us.

As Oliphant goes on to speak about the death of Maharaja Duleep Singh, his progeny – Victor, Frederick, Bamba, Sophia & Catherine - enter one by one and with folded hands pray at his portrait on the table. Bamba, his eldest daughter, stands close to it and remains thoughtful with closed eyes.

It’s 12 October,1893. Prince Duleep Singh, the deposed Maharaja of Punjab, has died. His death ends the history of the British takeover of the Sikh Kingdom, the passage to Britain of the deposed King, his awakening to his past, reconversion, rebellion against the British Government, asserting his freedom of movement, his right to go to India, courting arrest and when arrested and ordered to return to Britain, instead he opted for France from where he could join hands with the Czar to march onto India and drive the British out. But he was let down, declared an outlaw by the government, had a stroke and died all alone in a mundane Parisian apartment. Now brought back home, the body is laid out and the progeny is keeping the Wake.

His death brings to a close whole chapters of the colonial battles, the dethronement and rehabilitation of the Indian Princes. What now for the progeny? What would be their fate? They ask each other while lamenting the passing away of the father who, eluded by the possibility of regaining his lost kingdom, abandoned their welfare, and then died heartbroken by the deceitful politics of the powerful.

With him gone, I am appointed to oversee their welfare – or more like, keep them under surveillance – for the British Government; to make sure they invest their purses well and continue to live in the service of the Crown and the Government. Their hope now is more in the Queen, who not only forgave Duleep Singh his rebellion, but stands by his progeny to save them from extinction. God save the Queen! They are now looking in different directions to find their future: whether to return to the land of their ancestors or continue to live a leisurely life as Royal Princes and Princesses in the shadow of the British Crown. God save the Queen.

Sound: God save the Queen…Lights go down.

Act 1

Prince Duleep Singh’s death, 1893.

Elveden Burial Grounds, Norfolk

It’s 1893. Prince Duleep Singh’s Wake. His body is brought to Britain. The progeny is at the Wake. All five children are together: Victor, Frederick, Bamba, Sophia, Catherine, silent and talking, in turns. It is a tense situation. They are concerned with what would happen to them. So far, the Queen has taken care of them in every way. Will she still provide them with the financial security she had continued even after their father’s rebellion against the British Government? Will she continue to bend rules in their favour, now that they are bereft of both parents? They feel insecure. A despair hangs over them more than just the sadness of the father’s death. BAMBA: (picks up the family picture from the table) Look at this picture, with all of us together: Papaji, Mother, and us the six children. (Gives the picture to Victor and he to others) Now both dead and gone, and poor Albert Edward too. (She sings lines from the Last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah’s poem about his death).

naa kisii kii aaNkh kaa nuur huuN, naa kisii ke dil kaa qaraar huuN jo kisii ke kaam na aa sake, maiN vo ek musht-e-gubaar huuN main nahin huun naghma-e-jaaN feza, koii sun ke mujh ko karega kya main baRe birog ki huuN sada, maiN baRe dukhoN ki pukaar huun.

SOPHIA: That’s how it is, the truth of life comes to naught. CATHERINE: To think he was here only a few months ago to see his last born dying. It was terrible to see him crying, and Albert so weak, he just looked on without saying a word. BAMBA: (deep sigh) Oh, these memories will stay with us. But where do we go now? Will we continue to get purses from the India Office or protection from the Queen? Was Papaji wrong to go against them? VICTOR: (looking at the picture) Wrong or not, our father was eccentric. I was at a total loss to understand which way he was heading and why. I remember how upset I was when he got all of us uprooted from schools, sold all our

possessions and marched us off to Aden. All the time I was saying to myself what an idiotic father I have.

BAMBA: This is not the time to say such things about him. You were the eldest, he named you Victor Jai Singh – both meaning the Victorious One. He was proud of you. VICTOR: And I was proud of him and the name he had given me. It was 1890, I wanted to see him, took special leave to meet him in Paris. He was in a bad way, and I could do nothing. CATHERINE: Now he’s gone and we are left to face the consequences. VICTOR: And I am left in charge of it, taking his place in the family, for worse not better. FREDERICK There are things we can’t choose. VICTOR: Unfortunately, it’s the wrong time for me. Lady Anne and I were planning to get married in two month’s time. BAMBA: Does the Queen approve of it? VICTOR: It’s the first time an Indian prince is marrying an English noblewoman. She told Anne she was happy about it, but also warned her against having any children. CATHERINE: Why, if she gave permission to the marriage? FREDERICK: I once heard Papaji telling Mother, that the reason he did not marry an English noble lady was because he wanted children. He said the Queen didn’t want half-castes in her Court. VICTOR: It doesn’t matter to Lady Anne or me if we have children or not. We want a happy life together. Now we have to wait for a whole year. SOPHIA: As successor to our father, the least you can do is to honour the custom. VICTOR: (snapping) I’m quite aware of it, and will do the necessary. I was merely stating the situation, not saying I am not prepared to do it. FREDERICK:

Let’s avoid personal opinions. We are in a very precarious situation. CATHERINE: I totally agree. If it wasn’t for the Queen, we would have lost everything after our Papaji left the country in open rebellion against the British. SOPHIA: Will she do the same now? And the India Office, they wouldn’t want to continue with our purses, not after Papaji threatened to join hands with the Russians to chase the British out of India forever. And when they turned their backs on him, he looked for other revolutionaries against the English. FREDERICK: That’s what worries me. Now we may be branded as the progeny of a traitor. VICTOR: Abandoning his wife with six children. Didn’t he give a thought to it? I can’t believe any sane husband or father would do that! CATHERINE: Poor mother! No one knows how she must have suffered. Left here all alone with six children, and those horrible English ladies not even talking to her at social gatherings. Now you don’t even want Papaji next to her in death. VICTOR: But he wanted to return to India. We need to keep that in mind. BAMBA: We should all head for Lahore and take stock of the situation there. Taking his ashes to the country of his birth and lost kingdom would be a reasonable excuse. And it would put Papa’s soul to rest. VICTOR: I don’t want to do that. I am for my life here. The Queen bent the rules to get me signed up for the Royal Dragoons and soon I’ll be leaving Sandhurst fully qualified for a promotion. FREDERICK: As far as I am concerned, India, Punjab, Lahore mean nothing to me. They are not even names. Norfolk is where I want to live, close to Elveden, that’s my home. VICTOR: Elveden Estate is gone forever. It’s fortunate the sale is at least going to pay off his debts. Will we be given other estates? Of course, nothing will be that big, but we will at least have a roof over our heads. Considering the present circumstances we’ll be lucky if we continue to receive any help at all. FREDERICK: (Pause) If I ever have the means I would buy Elveden back from the Guinesses. BAMBA: Why would they sell it back? The Government is selling it to pay off Papaji’s debts. 9

FREDERICK: It was my dream home. I hate them for buying it. VICTOR: Not their fault. It’s Papaji’s. He locked up the place, auctioned off the goods, because he said he wasn’t coming back. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how completely we were uprooted from the place, leaving for Aden to head for Punjab, a place we are total strangers to. FREDERICK: Of course I haven’t. What do we do now? SOPHIA: (to Bamba) You think we should ask the Government to let us go back to our ancestral country? Is there any point to it? BAMBA: Papaji realised that this was not his country and wanted to head for India. We are turning back to it. SOPHIA: Born and brought up here, we now belong to this country in life or even death. I am bound to London. The Suffragette movement is getting stronger. Working class women are beginning to join it. CATHERINE: I’ll be going to Germany to join a music school there. The Queen is keen that I should do that. She’s appointing a governess to accompany me. VICTOR: We may all want to do different things, but we need some monetary support. Are we giving it a thought? FREDERICK: (impatient) How can we at this moment? Right now, it’s the burial of our father we need to think about. BAMBA: Can’t we cremate him? At least that would make it possible to take his ashes to Punjab, (adding hastily) it’s not my wish, it’s his. We can at least make an effort to fulfil it. VICTOR: All right, all right. I can make enquiries. We are lucky they have permitted his burial to be done in Thetford, if not in Elveden itself, his stomping ground. If they agree and send some official to attend the burial service, it would indicate the future may not be too bad for us. BAMBA: Wahe Guruji da Khalsa, Wahe Guruji di Fateh! VICTOR: Oh, God! I can hear him so clearly. Every morning he would go through the prayer, standing with folded hands and invoking ‘Wahe Guru’. FREDERICK: We all used to hear it, but since we did not know Punjabi, I never knew 10

what it meant. VICTOR: It was more than that. I didn’t even know why I had to have long hair like girls. No one knows what I went through in school. FREDERICK: Same here. It wasn’t easy to cope with young Etonians, they were brutal. BAMBA: He wanted you to know your heritage. From the 17th century onwards the Muslim persecutions and invasions forced the Sikhs to become warriors. But in the 19th century they were not up to defeating the British who were waiting across the river Sutlej to invade their kingdom. Maharaja Ranjit Singh knew, not before long, they would cross over, putting an end to his kingdom. Once when he was shown the colour red on the map as an indication of the British occupation of India, he said, ‘One day like a plague, it will spread over the whole map’. He was right it did. SOPHIA: (Looking at Bamba) One sees the truth in things one wants to believe in. But most of us have moved away from our early upbringing: reconversion, Punjabi ancestors, a smattering of Punjabi words. BAMBA: You mean from now on, it’s each for oneself? SOPHIA: Yes, I think the others would agree, (looking at them). FREDERICK/VICTOR/CATHERINE/: We do./ No point in hanging on to a strange world/. It’s gone – with him. FREDERICK: One thing worries me. I know all of you are against Ada, and want to break all relationship with her. But I feel we must keep up with the two girls, after all, they are our step-sisters, part of our father. VICTOR: Ada may have has two daughters by our father, but I do want to break all links with her. What do we gain by taking on her and her children? The Queen shunned her for the good of our mother, now we must for our own good. If we harp on Ada too much, the Queen might take it personally. SOPHIA I have no feelings for them. Let each of us decide for ourselves. BAMBA: So, it’s clear we are moving in different directions (to Victor & Frederick) Victor, you are now part of the British Forces, and Frederick, you’ll soon be promoted to a country squire, as all royal males are expected to be sooner or later. (Pause) All right then. As a last gesture of respect to Papaji, can we recite the ‘Ardas’ as he taught us. (Silence) Do we or not? (Yes: the answer). Let’s then, Papa will hear us. Wahe Guruji da Khalsa, Wahe Guruji di Fateh.

They all stand around the body, cover their heads, fold their hands and recite the prayer together. Lights off. Sound of the prayer starts to fade out.

ACT II

Lights up. Blo’ Norton Hall, 1906. Frederick, dressed in Hussar uniform, is writing. He picks up a book from the pile next to him, consults something, looks out of the window as if expecting someone and then goes back to the reading. Soon after there’s a knock on the door. He rushes to the door and opens it. Virginia Woolf, the novelist, walks in.

FREDERICK: Welcome to Blo’ Norton. I am Prince Frederick Duleep Singh. VIRGINIA: Virginia Woolf. Thanks for your invitation. It’s heart-warming to be back. FREDERICK: I’m glad you accepted the invitation. Let’s drink to Blo’ Norton, our common abode. What will you have to take away your journey fatigue? Sherry? Brandy? VIRGINIA: I think, sherry would be good. It’s the ideal drink for nostalgia. Oh yes, I do miss being here. I used to cycle into the countryside, stop over at farms for tea and a chat with the locals, even visit the church at times and sit in the pews to scribble a few wandering thoughts. Ah! it was like a dream! FREDERICK: I suppose you had no difficulty finding the place? VIRGINIA: Hope not. One year in a place should assure the memory for at least a year. FREDERICK: Was that the length of time you were a tenant here? VIRGINIA: Regrettably, yes, just a year, 1905 will remain memorable for me. FREDERICK: Would you have liked to live here longer? VIRGINAIA: Oh, most certainly. I loved the village, the farmyards and this house. FEDERICK: And of course, the history of the place. VIRGINIA: In fact, I wrote my very first story in this house. It is set in the 15 century. FREDERICK: How marvellous! But why the 15thcentury? Why not a century earlier or later? VIRGINIA: It’s difficult to say, but I think probably because the theme was the birth of 12

modern fiction writing, which is closely connected with the printing press. It’s hard to tell why one picks on some themes and not others. FREDERICK: True, very true. I have no idea why one chooses to paint one scene and not another. Villages hum with so many stories. I’ve been here hardly a year, and already I am kept informed of all sorts of things happening. VIRGINIA: Ah, the joy of a Prince, a whole village looking up to him. I can now answer your question of what made me write that story. Medieval times were full of highwaymen, waylaying travellers and demanding ransom for sparing their lives. After the invention of the printing press in the 15th century people started to write books widening readers’ knowledge of the world. No wonder book-sellers emerged as a new breed. FREDERICK: No bookshops in those days! VIRGINIA: Exactly. The only thing they could do was to become highwaymen or pedlars taking to the road with bags full of books, selling them to travellers and also stopping in villages and laying them out for buyers. The Church became a patron of this new commodity, and allowed booksellers into the churchyards to sell. With their patronage, books would sell in great numbers. After researching on this, I invented a highway bookseller in my story. Gosh! that’s a long explanation. I hope that answers your question. FREDERICK: Indeed it does. I wouldn’t have been able to work it out myself. VIRGINIA: I also wanted to put women in the centre of this revolution. The main character is a young woman in an upper class farming family. She keeps a diary, putting down her thoughts and events that relate to her marriage to an older man. FREDERICK: What’s the title of the story? VIRGINIA: The Journal of Mistress Joan Martyn. FREDERICK: I must read it one of these days. VIRGINIA: Oh, I’ve brought you a copy. FREDERICK: It would be a great honour. FREDERICK: What’s the title of the story? VIRGINIA: Here’s a copy for you. (Gives him the book) The Journal of Mistress Joan Martyn. FREDERICK: 13

Thankyou, I’ll treasure it. VIRGINIA: I’d be interested to know what you think of it. FREDERICK: I will certainly let you know. It will also adorn my bookshelf. A great honour indeed. VIRGINIA: It was a great change for me to write about a farming family. Despite setting the story in a farming family, I didn’t understand many things about farming, even what were Red Polled cattle. I’m sure you do. FREDERICK: Yes, as a local squire I am much caught up in it. Cattle of course is key to farming. And local farmers need to know how to breed it and use it for best results. The Red Poll is derived from the original cattle of Norfolk and Suffolk. Norfolk cow, the meat beef type, were frequently blood red in colour. In 1787 they were described as "fattening freely and finishing growing at three years while cattle generally do at four or five". VIRGINIA: Amazing what humans find out about animals! FREDERICK: Crossed with the Suffolk polled bull, the new breed grew into an excellent dairy breed of predominantly dun coloured cattle. The polled gene in the Suffolk suppressed the Norfolk horn and in 1863 the name Norfolk and Suffolk Red Polled cattle was adopted and the first standard description was agreed in 1873. In 1883 the breed became known as "The Red Polled". VIRGINIA: How fascinating! Technological if not natural evolution! Another Norfolk tradition that interested me was that of the Norfolk Yeomanry. But of course as a woman there was no way I could have a first hand glimpse of the secrets of the tradition. FREDERICK: No secrets really. It’s simply a control factor of the Estate Owner. If there’s a need to round up farmers for any crisis or war then they can be called upon to serve the cause whatever it is. It becomes obligatory on farmers to protect the community. VIRGINIA: Stands to reason. Are you involved with the Church as an Estate Owner? FREDERICK: Oh, closely connected. Again, as the Royal Prince, I am expected to have links with all elements that keep villages going: farms, church, arts, archaeology. VIRGINIA: Does it leave you with any privacy, any time to follow your own inclinations? FREDERICK: Well, in a way, they form part of my life. By the way, talking of the Church, was Farrar the Vicar when you were here?

VIRGINIA: (thinking) Farrar! No, the name doesn’t ring a bell. Anything special about him? FREDERICK: Indeed there is! He got defrocked on account of a scandal. VIRGINIA: I see, and what was the scandal? FREDERICK: Apologies for mentioning it. But being a writer I’m sure you wouldn’t mind such a topic. Vicar Farrar got the Vicarage housemaid pregnant – she was twenty years younger. When it became a village scandal the Church had to defrock him. VIRGINIA: Oh, dear! Defrocking – what a term! Is he a friend? FREDERICK: Well, of course he is. Vicar and Squire go hand in hand. VIRGINIA: And the woman? Did she get sacked too? FREDERICK: Yes, she was by the Church. But a strange twist to it. Though Farrar could no longer be the Vicar he could still carry out his duties in the Church, and since the Church does not pay the house servants, Farrar does, he kept her on as the housekeeper. I must say, Farrar behaved very honourably. He could have sacked her to save his own reputation, and maybe in time be reappointed as the Vicar. VIRGINIA: I take it a child was born to them? FREDERICK: Yes, a boy. And Farrar continues to be a responsible husband and father. VIRGINIA: And they still live in the village? FREDERICK: They do. But financially they were having trouble. My stepmother advised me to help them out. I give Farrar any ancient documents I want copied, and she works as my housekeeper. She does everything. VIRGINIA: How noble of you! FREDERICK: Not really. Today is the cleaning day, so I expect she’ll be here anytime, just in time to serve us tea and scones. VIRGINIA: Did you know him well? I mean the defrocked Vicar? Her husband. FREDERICK: Yes, we are both members of the Jacobite Society. VIRGINIA: I mean, know him not as a Jacobite, but as the local Vicar causing scandal.

FREDERICK: Yes, I did really, but of course I wasn’t aware of his affair. You could write a story about it. VIRGINIA: Not really, I have more significant themes. I don’t write about churches & vicars. What are your interests? FREDERICK: Quite a few things. Norfolk history & Arts, Norfolk Yeomanry & Jacobites. VIRGINIA: That leaves me behind fourfold. FREDERICK: I wouldn’t say that. Your one pursuit could equal four of mine, if not altogether superior to all. VIRGINIA: You are too modest. (Pause) Am I right that you were at Cambridge? FREDERICK: Indeed I was, at Magdalene, history and archaeology. And you were at Girton? VIRGINIA: Yes, reading English literature, hence constant writing. Norfolk has always attracted me – not for living here but by its history. FREDERICK: What aspect? VIRGINIA: I’m not sure. I’ll have to give it a thought and come back on it. Maybe, its land tenure system. (Looking around) How do you find the house? FREDERICK: It’s cosy and luxurious, I love being in it. VIRGINIA: For me, it was too big. But I was only renting it just for one year. A permanent owner might consider alterations or even adding extensions to it. FREDERICK: Indeed. I already have. Since I have a collection of paintings, I decided to develop the attic into a studio where I would display them. VIRGINIA: That sounds just right. And I hope your visitors are shown around it. FREDERICK: Oh, yes, apologies for not thinking about it. (Getting up) I got so absorbed in our talking about Norfolk – and also Cambridge, I totally overlooked inviting you to see my museum. In fact, I will show you the whole house – including the ghosts dwelling therein! VIRGINIA: To tell you the truth, though I was here alone for a whole year, not even for an hour

– night or day – was I afraid of burglars or ghosts! I may one day write about it. FREDERICK: It would be more interesting if you change it to a haunted place. Talking of night, we’d better move to view the museum, it will get dark soon, not so good for seeing the paintings. VIRGINIA: I know, it was difficult without lights or telephone. I trust you have electricity by now, if not telephone? FREDERICK: Neither! I don’t want to take away the inherent charm of the place. Lamplight is what I like. VIRGINIA: Is it to make you feel a true Jacobite – Bonnie Prince Charlie and all that? FREDERICK: Maybe that’s what it is. VIRGINIA: Permit me to ask you something personal – just a writer’s curiosity? FREDERICK: Go ahead. VIRGINIA: With your ancestral history, how do you feel about the British Empire? FREDERICK: Do you mean if I still look back on my father’s kingdom, and how he was removed by the British? VIRGINIA: Oh, thank you for simplifying a writer’s question. FREDERICK: Do I look back to my father’s kingdom? No, not really, I have no feeling or longing for it. It all finished with my father’s death thirteen years ago. VIRGINIA: Not such a very long time. We tend to supress things which we think we can’t cope with. At least that’s what Sigmund Freud tells us. He would say, your interest in the Jacobites may be because of the loss of your own heritage – the kingdom of your father, which you would do anything to get back. FREDERICK: Maybe. Everyone is talking about Freud these days. There’s something to his study of the mind with its conscious and unconscious levels, and the various terms he uses for mental illnesses: hysteria, neurosis, schizophrenia. But as long as I’m not a schizophrenic living a split life at a conscious level, I am not bothered with what’s deep in my unconscious. VIRGINIA: Well, let me tell you something. I met an interesting young Welshman, Ernest Jones, in London the other day. He knows an Austrian professor who studies

Sigmund Freud’s theory of the unconscious mind. According to him we suppress all sorts of things. He might say that your own interest in the Jacobites comes from the loss of your own heritage. After all you think they were the last rightful rulers of England and your father, well, I suppose you might say he was the last rightful ruler of your country. FREDERICK: Maybe he’s right. VIRGINIA: There is something to it. Did you know that my mother claimed descent from Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France? There’s no doubt it does surface in my mind from time to time, pushing me to the edge of a breakdown. FREDERICK: Do you mean if I still look back on my father’s kingdom, and how he was removed by the British, it effects me? I don’t know but maybe it does. Well, it seems you have done some research on the ‘Black Princes’ of Queen Victoria’s Court. VIRGINIA: Forgive me if I intrude. FREDERICK: No, it’s very interesting. You could write a novel about it. VIRGINIA: If I do, I will certainly send you a copy, and maybe even dedicate it to the Queen’s favourite ‘Black Prince!’ FREDERICK: And the Prince will receive it with great humility. (They laugh) Shall we head for the attic – or what was once the attic? VIRGINIA: Has it changed much? FREDERICK: Yes, more a gallery now, displaying paintings, portraits and Indian relics. I wait to hear your opinion. (Laughter). Let’s go then.

A knock at the door. A woman enters.

FREDERICK: That must be Mrs Farrar. (Opens the door) Good afternoon, Mrs Farrar. We have a visitor for tea. Miss Virginia Woolf. MRS FARRAR: Good day, Madam. VIRGINIA: Good day to you. FREDERICK: Miss Wolfe lived at Blo’ Norton last year. I’m going to show her the house and the

changes I made to the attic since she lived here. MRS FARRAR: Would you like the tea in half an hour? FREDERICK: Yes, that would be just right. We’ll be down then. Oh, yes, Mrs Farrar, could you remind Farrar of my Oak Apple Day Party on 29th May? MRS FARRAR: I will. FREDERICK: He’s a trifle forgetful, and I don’t want to take any chances. He won’t forgive me if he misses the historic event at Blo’ Norton. Oh, yes, and tell him Partridge will be here, especially for it. MRS FARRAR: I will make sure he won’t forget. (Smiles) And am I right, I’m not invited? FREDERICK: You are right, Mrs Farrar, the Jacobite Society is only for male members. Hmm, maybe, I should start a female Jacobite Society too. It would please my sister who’s fighting for the women’s vote. They are called Suffragettes. VIRGINIA: Did you know the women’s movement was first started almost two centuries ago by upper class women. Frederick: Is that true? VIRGINIA: It is indeed. They were called Blue Stockings. FREDERICK: A strange title! VIRGINIA: Indeed it is. There’s an interesting story how they came to be known as Blue Stockings. FREDERICK: Tell us. VIRGINIA: I can’t remember it but I will send it to you. Still Hurrah for them! FREDERICK: Yes, hurrah for the Blue Stockings VIRGINIA: And now hurrah for the Suffragettes, say I, hurrah for all women! What would you say, Mrs Farrar? MRS FARRAR: (laughing) I would say, I’ll have the tea ready for you in half an hour. FREDERICK: Make it a little longer, Mrs Farrar. There’s a lot to see there for Miss Woolf.

(To Virginia) I like your story. Shall we to the attic then? (They proceed laughing.) MRS FARRAR: (calling back) What should I do with Cromwell’s portrait in the toilet? Is it to be right side up? FREDERICK: No, Cromwell must always hang upside down, and always in the toilet, especially on Oak Apple Day coming up. (To Virginia) Righty ho?

Mrs Farrar goes to the kitchen, and they move to the stairs.

Lights go off

ACT III

Scene i

Oak Apple Day – 29th May, 1906

Celebrating Charles II’s escape from Cromwell’s soldiers, 1651

There is a painting of a huge Oak Tree on the back Wall.

Sound of Scottish pipes and dancing. Frederick, Partridge and Farrar are in kilts, and fixing oak leaves on their hats and button holes. Jacobite goblets with rose pattern, 8 petals signifying the number of Jacobite descendants are glittering on the table. The room is alive with merry making: Frederick is singing with a Stuart glass in his hand. Farrar and Partridge join in stamping their feet and dancing.

Oh! better lov'd he canna' be ;

Yet when we see him wearing

Our Hielan ' garb sae gracefully Tis

aye the mail' endearing.

Though a' that now adorns his brow

Be but a simple bonnet;

Ere lang we'll see of Kingdoms three

The Royal Crown upon It.

Send round the Usquebaugh sae clear

We'll tak' a horn tegither."

FREDERICK: (jumping on to the dais) Friends and countrymen, raise your glasses to the wonderful Stuart Kings. Even after three hundred years there have been no kings – or queens – to match their might and glamour. Do you agree? FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: 300%. Hey, ho! Go on, tell us more. FREDERICK: Before we go on to the usual items, I want to show you some new items I have added to my collection. Here, there’s an oak leaf buttonhole, one for each (gives out). Please put it in your coat to announce your Jacobite identity. Two, here are some new medals – the block on which Charles I head was severed – ugh! Terrible stench of blood. Those roses on your glasses, tell me, how many petals each have? FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: (playing along with the show) We are too drunk to answer the question. Go on, you tell us. FREDERICK: Come on, fellow Jacobites, you want to retain your membership, you’d better better answer the questions. All right, I’ll help you: how many Stuart descendants of Bonnie Prince Charlie so far? FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: (pretending to consult each other, thinking and counting) Don’t know. Five? Six? Don’t behead us, your Lordship, we don’t know. FREDERICK: The answer is eight, hence eight petals on the glasses, (counting) each for one descendant. Now repeat after me: Forgive us, O Lord, our Jacobite sins! FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: Forgive us, O Lord, our Jacobite sins!

Laughter and a toast raised to the Stuarts!

" For the days we've misspent, Let us truly repent,

And render to Caesar his due;

Here's a health to the lad,

In his bonnet and plaid,

For the world cannot stain his True Blue."

PARTRIDGE: (pushing him off the dais) Now it’s my turn. Why do we celebrate Oak Apple Day?

Tell me which Stuart King was involved in it? Why and when? FARRAR: I know that one. PARTRIDGE: You pass. Now you, Sir, could you answer it? Describe what happened. FREDERICK: Can I show you, instead? A play on poor Charles II! FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: Something new? Why not? Yes, let’s have it. FREDERICK: (organising them) Both of you sit on these chairs. Watch then, the narrow escape of Prince Charles, in 1651.

Frederick dramatizes the popular story of Charles II, how when he was in battle with Cromwell’s soldiers, he suddenly found himself surrounded by them. He starts to fight them tactically so that he can escape them, which he does. He quickly makes his way into a thick forest of oaks. He thought he was safe when he hears them coming back. He hides in a big oak tree. They come riding like a storm looking everywhere for him but can’t find him. Thinking he must have already escaped them, they ride off. Charles is safe! He comes out, swings up on to his horse and speedily rides off in the opposite direction.

Burst of clapping. Frederick bows.

FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: (burst of clapping) Wonderful. What an escape. God saved our King! And with His Grace, nine years later Charles returned to claim back his throne. ALL: (raising a slogan) Let the Stuarts return to the English throne. (Stamping) Yes, yes, yes! (bursting into a song):

Will ye ne’er come home again! PARTRIDGE: Ah, Frederick, watching you wielding the sword I felt I was seeing a Sikh warrior. FARRAR: Jacobites truly bring out the Sikh spirit in you. Do you feel it too? FREDERICK: Somewhere deep down it must be there, and comes out on a fitting occasions. PARTRIDGE: Certainly did just now. FARRAR: I almost feared for my head, the sword swished loud and clear. PARTRIDGE: So what’s next? I don’t mean your setting out for the Punjab like your father, but the next Jacobite item now. 22

FREDERICK: (brings out hats) Now? First I’m going to reward you for your loyalty to the Jacobites. Here, these are special hats for the 29th May celebrations. A hat with four Jacobite symbols. A test for you. PARTRIDGE: What test? Something new, this year’s 29th May? FARRAR: You didn’t tell us. We would have done our homework. FREDERICK: Nothing new, friends. Just a new style to old things. Now, the first question: What do you see in the front of the hat? FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: A White Rose. FREDERICK: How many petals? FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: (counting) Eight. FREDERICK: Why eight? FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: Come on, for the eight descendants of Charles II. FREDERIC: Excellent! Now second, look at the top of the hat? (showing them) FARRAR & PARTRIDGE: A Pentacle! Why a Pentacle? FREDERICK: Because all Jacobite Societies are secret societies, and membership only male, information not to be given out. PARTRIDGE: Are you making it up? Never heard of this before. All societies are basically male anyway, and maybe secret for the same reason. I would never join a mixed society. Surely it can’t work. FARRAR: The Pentacle is basically a mystic symbol, Jacobites have nothing to do with that. PARTRIDGE: Are you by any chance, I mean unconsciously, referring to Punjab, your ancestral Kingdom? The five rivers, the Panchsheel, the five Saints. One can go on with Indian Fives forever! I may not get home tonight! FARRAR: Some unconscious desire to return to your original land! Like Charles II and Bonnie Prince Charlie. FREDERICK: Not really. My father learnt his lesson. And what do I know about it?

PARTRIDGE: Well, you used to tell me, how your father made you all to toe the line of Punjabi culture: long hair, smattering of Punjabi, endearing words for each other in the house - you know, such habits do find some nooks and crannies in the mind. FREDERICK: Maybe, but really, I rarely think of India at a conscious level. Although, you may be right, there is some commitment there, maybe more for the sake of my father. You know, when I was in Rome, I visited the Stuart Tombs. As I stood imagining their bodies under those slabs, suddenly I felt inspired to build a sort of temple for my ancestors. FARRAR: A real homage. Will that be in Thetford? FREDERICK: Where else could it be? A Mausoleum. PARTRIDGE: What will you call it? FREDERICK: Hmm, something like Temple to the Winds. FARRAR: And like the Stuart Tombs, will you shift the body of your father there? FREDERICK: Not really, it doesn’t mean anything in the Indian tradition. Not even relics but something more live with Indian cultural motifs and artifacts, more like Egyptian tombs – my mother was Egyptian, well half-Egyptian. And I might adopt the Graeco-Roman tradition of raising statues of the dead. Yes, that’s what I would like to leave behind, the legacy of my ancestral culture gifted to Norfolk. BOTH: A wonderful legacy, Norfolk being your very own family grounds. When do you start? FREDERICK: My grandmother, the Maharanee of Maharaja Ranjit Singh – my grandfather - told my father that the Jutes, the early English settlers, were the same as Jats of Punjab, and that my father could claim the English Kingdom as his. (Laughter). PARTRIDGE: You could do it. You are the rightful heir. FREDERICK: Give me time, friend, at this moment we are among the Stuarts. Now, where were we? Oh, yes, the Jacobite symbols. FARRAR: Do we have to? Why don’t we move on to something more joyful? What about wine in Jacobean goblets? (fetches the bottle) Ready with your goblets?

They raise it to the Jacobite Succession, singing the song. And drinking the loyal toast by passing the glass over another glass of water. They sing. 24

FREDERICK: Now the next ceremony is: giving the thumbs down to Cromwell. FARRAR: Is he still in your toilet? PARTRIDGE: I am ready to pee, would be happy to do it on him. Is he still heads down? FREDERICK: How else? That’s how he’s kept, just the right position for a rotten egg! Let’s move to give him our salute!

They head for the toilet amidst laughter and drunkenness, and return feeling relieved.

PARTRIDGE: Right, We’ve done our Jacobite day. (Saluting) Paid our tribute to Charles and his heirs, mustn’t forget them - and Cromwell, I mustn’t forget the great man – Oak Apple Day. FARRAR: Great stuff, Frederick. We wait for next year now. We’ll all be here again. FREDERICK: One hopes but who knows about the future. PARTRIDGE: I was just about to tell you folks, I’m off to Nigeria, promoted. FARRAR: That’s too bad. FREDERICK: I was going to plan a shooting party next week. Why suddenly to Nigeria? PARTRIDGE: The present Commissioner came to the end of his appointment and was sent on another posting, so they need someone to take his place. Simple. FARRAR: Hmm. Are you happy? Are you familiar with Africa? PARTRIDGE: Not really other than from books. If you are in the Foreign Office, you go where they send you. Working for Government means you have no choice. And that’s it. FREDERICK: I’d love to see Africa, but in my case, I won’t be the choice of the Foreign Office. It would be enough if they let me out for a visit there. PARTRIDGE: We’ll see. We’ll meet before I leave. I’m off now. FARRAR: I’ll move too. Ah, Frederick, do come over to see my art collection before it goes to the Norfolk Museum for an exhibition. I’ll like you to. FREDERICK: 25

Any of your own works in the collection? FARRAR: Yes, some, but not too many. Anyway, come over. And Partridge, you too. Well, shall we then? FREDERICK: Wait, we haven’t done the last ritual of the Day. Get your hats, put them on, and we bow before the bravest of all the Stuarts, the Second Charles (lighting the candles to the portrait of Charles II) He risked his head to regain his lost Kingdom. PARTRIDGE: But why cover the head? The Church forbids you to do that. Where do you get it from? FARRAR: Ah! A Sikh call! My kingdom, my kingdom!’ FREDERICK: It must be. You are right, it is. We were told to cover our heads always before saying our prayers. PARTRIDGE: And why not. FARRAR: Before we know, we’ll all turn into Sikhs! FREDERICK: Or Norfolk Jacobite Yeomen – equal in valour to the Sikhs of the Old Punjab Kingdom! I may be Sikh at heart, but unlike my father, my valour will always be for Britain, not against it. Now, let’s to our prayer to the last true King of England and end with the Jacobite National Anthem.

They put their hats on and bow before the portrait of Charles II, making the sign of the cross too. They sing the Anthem, drinking the loyal toast by passing the glass over another glass of water. Repeat again.

‘God bless the Prince of Wales, the true born Prince of Wales sent us by Thee. Grant us one favour more, his kingdom to restore, as you have done before. God save the King. Amen’

Suddenly there’s knocking on the door. Frederick rushes out and opens the door. Two men, older and younger, stand there. Farrar & Partridge come out and watch.

OLDER MAN: Good evening to you, sir! We have walked 40 miles since this morning to enlist in the Norfolk Yeomanry. Your Excellency, someone told us to see you. FREDERICK: Come in, don’t stand out there in the cold, come in. Do sit down, and tell me why have you walked so many miles to enlist, especially at this time of the night. Why couldn’t you wait? What’s the hurry? 26

YOUNGER MAN: Someone from the village told us that there may be a war soon and if we enlisted for the Yeomanry beforehand, we could be paid for being the first. FREDERICK: Nobody has said that to me. OLDER MAN: It is being said, Sir. FREDERICK: Are you sure people weren’t fooling you? BOTH: No, sir, it’s not a joke/ We are sure about it/ If the war breaks out, those not enlisted will be forced by the ‘press’ to enlist and not be paid. Please enlist us, we’ll then go home/ It’s a long way, sir. FREDERICK: You should have checked with the Yeomanry who you should see. BOTH: We don’t know where this place is/ We knew where Blo’ Norton was./ it was easier to come here. FREDERICK: All right, then. I’ll enquire tomorrow. Were people talking about a war? And who were they?

The men look at each other.

OLDER MAN: I think there was something about a war. (To the younger) Remember George said something to John about Germany? (Yes, yes, I do) FREDERICK: What more? Think? I must know. YOUNGER MAN: (to the older man) Didn’t someone say, a warning to France - something like that. FREDERICK: All right, I’ll enquire about it. Someone may just be spreading rumours. I must first enquire from the Norfolk County Council. They should know if anything is brewing. (Gets paper & pen) What are your names, ages and your address? Are you father and son (they nod their heads)? Give me all the information. Can you write? (They shake their heads) All right, let’s start: first father, then son.

Names: Harry Hadrian & John Hadrian Address: Much Haddam FATHER: It’s the village 40 miles away. FREDERICK: All right, leave it with me. Good. I’ve got the details now. Tomorrow I will go to 27

the Norfolk Armouries to find out if this is just a rumour, and will get back to you.

They leave. The others get serious.

PARTRIDGE: Doesn’t seem right. If a war is coming, why would they send me off to Nigeria instead of signing me up for the Army? FARRAR: Hmm. From my experience, there’s always something in rumours. Generally people sense which way the winds are blowing. Talking of winds, I think I’ll make a move now. PARTRIDGE: Yes, I must too. It was glorious to celebrate the Oak Apple Day, but such omens always bring something with them. FREDERICK: You mean the war rumour? Can’t be true! Well, we’ll find out soon. When do we three meet again? Battles, wars or devastation!

Laughter and handshaking, the two exit. Lights off.

ACT IV

Farrar’s house. Mrs Farrar is sorting out the living room. There’s a knock on the door. She goes to open it. Frederick standing outside.

FREDERICK: Good afternoon, Mrs Farrar. Is your man home? MRS FARRAR: Do come in, sir. FREDERICK: I won’t stay long. Just something to check with him, if he’s here. MRS FARRAR: He’s in the Study. I’ll tell him. Please be seated. Will you have some tea? FREDERICK: No thank you, Mrs Farrar. Another time. MRS FARRAR: I heard that you are shutting down Blo’ Norton? FREDERICK: Oh, yes, I was going to tell you. I have enlisted and so I’ll be moving to the Norfolk 28

Yeomanry Headquarters. I was waiting to hear from them before informing you. MRS FARRAR: Congratulations. You are happy about it. Well, I’ll tell Mr Farrar that you are here, and then I have to nip over to the butcher’s for tonight’s meal. FREDERICK: I’ll be in touch with you, Mrs Farrar, when I return to occupy Blo’ Norton.

She goes in. Frederick sits down and looks around. Farrar enters welcoming him.

FARRAR: What a surprise, Frederick. Is everything all right? FREDERICK: I haven’t been around to see the Exhibition. Is it still on? FARRAR: No, the exhibition is not on until the summer. You look a bit flustered. FREDERICK: No, everything is fine. I’m in training with the Norfolk Yeomanry. FARRAR: Why? FREDERICK: Can’t you see the portly esquire? Running is what I need to do. Can’t become a Major in the Norfolk Yeomanry with this bulk, I need to shed some of it. FARRAR: But for what? What’s happening? FREDERICK: A war is brewing in Europe. FARRAR: Is it? I haven’t heard anything, nothing in the newspapers. It’s not the local gossip, again, is it? FREDERICK: I thought the same but there’s something to it. You remember the Oak Apple Day at my place when the two farmers turned up (Farrar: Yes, I do), and they mentioned some rumours about an impending war. Well, they were right! I followed up the enquiries – as I promised them – and found out that it was true, the Norfolk Yeomanry had started enrolling men in case war rumours became fact. FARRAR: They must be thankful to you for getting them enrolled. FREDERICK: Slight complication though. The Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry is basically for the aristocratic landowners or titled classes. At present they won’t compromise, but if push comes to shove, the lower classes will be called upon to enrol. Under the circumstances, the best I could do for them was to get them registered for lower ranks: cooks, orderlies & grooms. So, the father is now my sergeant but the son didn’t pass the test. Physically he proved too weak for training tests. Too bad. 29

FARRAR: At least you tried. But if no war at present, why are you training? FREDERICK: All things take time, that’s the thought behind getting prepared. You can’t wait until the war knocks at your door. Also, generally people think there’s no smoke without fire somewhere. FARRAR: That’s true. What about you? Are you going for active service? FREDERICK: I do want to get into the Yeomanry since as a landowner I am entitled to the higher rank. I would be considered but I have to get into shape first. I’ve put myself under training, hence turning up at your place in this state. FARRAR: Ah, so that’s it. That explains why you look so ruffled. What else are you required to train for? FREDERICK: Well, more field training: camps, tents and ditches. I have been enlisted for training in the new Yeomanry corps. Seymour – you know him - has raised it. There will be a Cavalry force of 30 sword-bearing horsemen, plus the usual infantry training. But I have to be physically more fit. I’ve already lost one stone. Could you tell? FARRAR: Yes, indeed, I did notice but didn’t guess the inspiration behind it. Impressive. You think I should go for it too? FREDERICK: You may not have any choice, if the war situation escalates, a call will go out for all, and if you don’t turn up, the ‘press’ will drag you to it. Remember the old man saying that? FARRAR: Well, I’ll watch the situation and front up sooner rather than later. Now, let’s turn from War to Art. Let me show you my collection for The Norfolk Exhibition. I trust you’ve come to see all the items I am entering: paintings, Norfolk historical and architectural documents, they will find their home at the Norfolk Museum. FREDERICK: I may do the same with my collection, it’s growing by the day. FARRAR: I can’t compete with you. Last time I heard you were planning to donate a museum to the Norfolk Council, complete with your collections in the Temple of the Winds. FREDERICK: Ah, I haven’t told you. As an active member of the Norfolk Yeomanry for the war effort, I am asked to move to the official site at Melton Constable Park, an impressive residential Hall, so I’ll be shutting down Blo’ Norton for a while.

FARRAR: Is that feasible? FREDERICK: Anything is. I’ve arranged for a couple to look after it while I’m on active service. FARRAR: Oh, I’m sorry. Have you told Mrs Farrar? FREDERICK: Yes, I did. She’d already heard about it, maybe before I knew it! FARRAR: That’s village life for you! FREDERICK: You know I’d been wanting to ask you something. I am sure you know that I know about your case with the Church – that’s village life for you – and I can see you are not bothered about it, but what does the term ‘defrocking’ mean? What’s the source of the word, especially of its use? FARRAR: Nothing too mysterious, Frederick. It’s taken from the top robe priests wear while performing rituals. When there’s a case against a priest and the Church wants to sack him, he no longer performs the rituals in the priest’s robe, i.e., they get him to take it off – defrock him. Simple! FREDERICK: Was it difficult for you? FARRAR: Not really. It was probably a mistake to follow in my father’s footsteps. It really wasn’t in me. So when the ‘defrocking’ happened I felt freed from a bondage. I got married - what could be better? Also, I can now devote all my time and attention to art and art-history. FREDERICK: Thank you for talking so openly. I should have asked you before. FARRAR: Now you know. I’m sorry you won’t be at Blo’ Norton. I shall miss my visits there. FREDERICK: You can still visit. The couple are instructed to be hospitable to any visitor – ah, but not Germans! Now, are you going to show me your collection? From Church to Art. FARRAR: I will, but first tell me, what’s the situation? You say war is brewing, where? FREDERICK: Germany is the answer. The Kaiser wants an empire too, like the British and the French. So, it’s definite, and British forces, land, air and sea, are getting ready for it. FARRAR: Doesn’t sound good to me.

FREDERICK: We have no choice but to be ready for the Germans. We must not let the German Vandals destroy our heritage of medieval Norfolk Churches. FARRAR: And Norfolk museums too, with their ancient documents and your Temple of the Winds with Art and Relics of the Sikh Kingdom, your heritage. To the library then, my exclusive church, where my art collections breathe with my writing and await your viewing. Come.

They exit. Lights off. Low sound of war - marching & shooting.

ACT V

Scene i

The war sounds continue low but threatening. All through these war scenes, the movement would be short and speedy. A large signboard (below) is on the wall.

Reserve Regiment of the Norfolk Yeomanry, K.O.R.R, Melton Constable Park.

A military centre. Frederick arrives in Norfolk Yeomanry Hussar uniform. The older man, Harry, who had come to enlist with his son, is now the Sergeant. He is busy setting up the office. He salutes Frederick and helps him with his things. He replies to Frederick’s questions standing to attention until Frederick tells him to stand at ease. Frederick gives him instructions for setting up the training centre for the war.

FREDERICK: Good morning, Harry. SERGEANT: Good morning, Sir. FREDERICK: Everything is set up. SERGEANT: (at attention.) Yes, Sir. Following your orders I’ve got the furniture and am now arranging it. FREDERICK: Stand at ease, Harry. Let me see. (looks around) Yes, it looks right. SERGEANT: I’ve put your table here, Sir, it faces the door, so that you can see who’s entering or leaving. (waits) And here (pointing) we can have a desk for your papers: orders and letters. FREDERICK: Yes, yes. What about a bigger table and some chairs for meetings?

SERGEANT: Yes, Sir, a bigger one for eight will be here today, Sir. FREDERICK: There should be a desk or smaller table for you. You will need it when you enlist candidates for training. It should have drawers for papers: details of the candidates and your regular reports to me. Ah, don’t forget to order telephones, one for my table and your desk also. You will be taking calls when I am away for training. SERGEANT: Yes, Sir. FREDERICK: A record of all news and events must be kept. SERGEANT: Yes, Sir. I have ordered all national newspapers, and the local one too. I will put them on the meeting table, and put the headlines daily on the wall. FREDERICK: Make sure candidates read the papers. They should know all the details of the latest developments on the war. SERGEANT: I will make sure they do, Sir. FREDERICK: I’m afraid the war is coming at us. It’s just a matter of time. SERGEANT: Sir, I will make sure the enlisted start their training right away. FREDERICK: Unfortunately, I myself am going to be away on training for the next ten days. So, I’m afraid you have to hold the fort for the period. That’s why you must make sure you keep a note of everything and all things, including newspaper reports on the war situation. SERGEANT: I will as per your instructions, Sir. If something urgent comes up, should I get in touch with you – I mean via the training centre? FREDERICK: Indeed you must. I’ll give you the details. SERGENAT: How many days, Sir? FREDERICK: Ten days. Now, we must draw up the details of the enlisting process. I’m afraid it’s not so simple. Get yourself paper and pen. SERGEANT: (gets them) I’m ready, Sir. FREDERICK: All this in case there is an invasion of candidates for the Yeomanry.

Now there are three categories of enlistment for training 1) Previous candidates listed for home duties. 2) New candidates for the war effort or those previously listed for home duties but who now want to enlist for the War. 3) Those who enlist when the War breaks out – or there are signs of its breaking out. SERGEANT: It’s looking like it, Sir. FREDERICK: All the signs are there. Get photos or even film of the battles and let people see them, just project them on the same wall – that is of course if the war does break out. It’s too much to hope it won’t. We must have a radio. That’s where the latest news will be. SERGEANT: I’ll order one right away, Sir. It’s the instant source of war news. I couldn’t have thought about the films. I will run them on the back wall. Anyone can see what’s happening. FREDERICK: Remember to borrow a projector. Run the films when the enlisted candidates are here. Nothing better than live coverage to re-enforce their interest. SERGEANT: I will make sure, Sir. FREDERICK: What’s today? Friday. So, it will be from Monday till the following week. I will let you know the definite date before I leave. If I am urgently needed here, just send a wireless message. They will provide us with one, and train you for using it. SERGEANT: What’s the training, Sir? FREDERICK: Well, to be in the cavalry is more than wielding an open sword on a galloping horse. The training will make you sensitive to the needs of the horse who is serving you to win the war: food, health, physique and mostly to understand his temperament. SERGEANT: Indeed, Sir. I will do everything here according to your instructions. FREDERICK: I shall be off now. (Looks at the news board) Ah, I think better put another board to record possible war casualties. We must know up-to-date figures.

Frederick exits. The Sergeant clicks his heels to attention. Lights down. The war sounds continue.

Scene ii

The war sounds come on full blast. Lights go up. The back wall: The War details. Frederick arrives. The Sergeant salutes him. Frederick reads the War news on the wall. 34

Battle of the Marne, 5-12 September, 1914 Allied Victory over Germans

Battle of Tannenberg, 17 August – 2 September, 1914 Germans defeat Russians Germany plans attack against the Allied Powers

Britain Declares War on Germany, 14 August, 1914 Germany attacks Luxemburg, Belgium & France Warning by Britain not to use Belgium ignored SERGEANT: Sir, wonderful news! The Allied forces have given a resounding defeat to the Germans at the Battle of the Marne. This paper gives details. FREDERICK: Switch on the radio. SERGEANT: It’s not working, Sir. I have called the mechanic. FREDERICK: (feels his pocket) I haven’t got my glasses. Read it to me. SERGEANT: Certainly, Sir. reads: Indian regiments fought the enemy shoulder to shoulder with the British regiments. Sir, more details about the Indian Regiments. Shall I read it out, Sir? FREDERICK: Yes, read on. I like to hear it aloud. SERGEANT: 1.3 million Indians: soldiers, servants and medical staff joined the British Army, outnumbering the other Allies. The Indian Government and the Princely States are also helping with large supplies of food, money, ammunition and medicine for the war. Without them The Battle of the Marne might have been lost. FREDERICK: A stupendous war effort!

Partridge enters.

FREDERICK: Partridge! What a surprise. And just the right time to come for celebrations. The Battle of the Marne is won, the Germans routed. Let’s celebrate. PARTRIDGE: I’ve come precisely for that, friend. FREDERICK: Harry, fetch two drinks. Anything permitted, glasses must be raised to the Indian 35

soldiers, the Allies couldn’t have done without. PARTRIDGE: What an amazing show of allegiance, Frederick. Yes, they proved themselves as excellent fighters. FREDERICK: Germans should learn their lesson, and give up the war. PARTRIDGE: If wars were that easy to stop, dear Prince, humans would have given up fighting battles long ago. FREDERICK: Farrar said you were recalled? Where are you stationed? Which regiment? PARTRIDGE: It was no surprise. I knew I would be recalled sooner or later. At present I am with the Suffolk Yeomanry, waiting to hear from them. You have done well, your own Yeomanry Regiment, locals can’t wait to get in. FREDERICK: Thanks to Seymour. He raised the new Yeomanry Corps with 20 horses. I got an even better deal with his backing: my own 30-horse regiment, three sergeants as assistants and of course, all other staff that goes with it. With my army record, I couldn’t have claimed a regiment of my own. PARTRIDGE: Is your health up to all that? In one of your letters you had mentioned some health problem. Have you bounced back? FREDERICK: I wanted to, so I have. It all depends on your will power. PARTRIDGE: (looking at the room) You’ve set it up well. FREDERICK: I’ve trained my Sergeant. I trained him and he manages it. He manages the regiment when I am on training, especially now with the trenches and new technology of gas attacks and all that. PARTRIDGE: True, warring is no longer the same, foot soldiers, cavalry and swords. Are you expecting to be sent to the trenches? That could be hard, especially at your age. FREDERICK: I want to sign up for the trenches. There will be special training for trench warfare. I know, I’m on the borderline, but I’m pulling strings to go to France. PARTRIDGE: You’ll do it, I’m sure. How can they turn down a Prince who’s ready to fight for King & Country? Not many out there who are wanting to. Is Victor signed up? FREDERICK: He doesn’t want to, despite his Indian name given by our father, Jai Singh, which is actually a straight translation of the English name VICTOR! God I had forgotten all about it. 36

PARTRIDGE: No getting rid of your Indian roots, Prince Valiant! Anyway, I’ll move now. Come over when you are not in the trenches in France. I wouldn’t be surprised if the trenches will spread to other countries. FREDERICK: It might even get outdated soon with new technological warfare. Scientists are inventing new offensive weapons like poison gas and Zeppelins. PARTRIDGE: O, yes, I heard about it. Soon air warfare will take over. Ground warfare will become outdated if not redundant. Until then we’ll keep going, pushing back the bloody Germans from the shores of Britannia. FREDERICK: We must meet again, not let the warfare hinder human contact. And you must send word where you are sent to. We may find ourselves in the same trench, fighting the German troops. By the way, what was the scandal about the Indian soldiers? PARTRIDGE: You mean in the Battle of the Bees? Actually it was called the Battle of Tanga. FREDERICK: Tell me more. PARTRIDGE: It was the unsuccessful attack by the British Indian Expeditionary Force "B" under Major General A.E. Aitken to capture German East Africa. It was given less well trained and equipped battalions of the Imperial Service Brigade, who scattered and ran away from the battle. The 98th Infantry were attacked by swarms of angry bees and broke up. FREDERICK: That was unbelievable. PARTRIDGE: The bees attacked the Germans as well, hence the battle's nickname. But the British propaganda transformed the bee interlude into a fiendish German plot, conjuring up hidden trip-wires to agitate the hives. FREDERICK: That was clever! PARTRIDGE: The 13th Rajputs failed to play a significant role in the battle as their morale had been shaken when witnessing the retreat of the 63rd Palamcottah Light Infantry. The blame was put on the Indian soldiers for running away and hence almost losing the battle. FREDERICK: And it was your good offices that restored the reputation of the Indian soldiers? PARTRIDGE: The whole thing became quite an issue. The Maharaja of Patiala was furious, but in the end I mediated a reconciliation. 37

FREDERICK: Good act, if not an Act of God. (Laughter) What was the Maharaja like? PARTRIDGE: Oh, quite modern. I was impressed. Sorry, no point in thinking of your father, Victor. We can’t change history.

The radio announces the news hour. They rush to the radio to listen.

This is The Radio News from the War Front 31 October, 1914.

HMS Hermes, the cruiser converted to be the Royal Navy’s first sea plane carrier, had delivered a load of planes to Dunkirk and was returning to England when it was contacted by radio and told to return to Dunkirk because a U-Boat was in the area. HMS Hermes was intercepted and torpedoed in the Dover straits. The ship sank within minutes.

The news goes on to other things. They turn it down.

FREDERICK: Terrible! After one victory, two disasters. PARTRIDGE: That’s it. Warfare swings from one to the other. Sorry to leave you but I must go now.

They shake hands. Partridge leaves. Frederick goes to the radio and turns it up, but there’s no news of war, so he turns it off.

BAMBA enters

BAMBA: A surprise Good morning, Paraji. FREDERICK: Oh, Bamba! What a surprise, Penji! BAMBA: What, you’ve taken to Punjabi speech! Congratulations. We must celebrate. FREDERICK: Can’t this moment. I’ve just heard about the Dunkirk disaster. The Germans torpedoed HMS Hermes. BAMBA: It was returning empty, had delivered the planes, isn’t that right? FREDERICK: That’s right. How clever of you to work it out. All right then, let’s celebrate. You know about the Allied victory, mainly on account of the Indian soldiers?

BAMBA: Indeed, I know it by heart: Indian soldiers fought bravely and prominently won the battle for the British rulers. I bet most of the soldiers were Sikhs. The Indian freedom fighters, including the Congress, were won over by the Colonials to join their European war. Even Gandhi fell for it and runs the mobile Medical Services Unit for the wounded. FREDERICK: All Indian hands to the war pump, they said. I suppose they hoped to be rewarded with Home Rule. They’ll get it now. BAMBA: We’ll see, can’t trust the British Government. They don’t have a history of standing by their word. I have no trust in them. Sorry, my father’s blood runs quicker in my veins. FREDERICK: Just as well it doesn’t in mine. I fight because I am British, not because I am hoping for a reward. When did you get back? I tried to contact you but no reply. Away to Lahore I suppose? BAMBA: That’s the best I can do. I do miss our father! FREDERICK: So do we all but with a difference. One must live in the present. With Germans at the door, we all need to fight them back. I’m sure you wouldn’t swap the English for the Germans. Would you? BAMBA: Come, come, don’t have a go at me. Have you been in touch with the others? Being in India means not to know anything of the family. Give me the latest on all. FREDERICK: Catherine is back on account of the German aggression, aggression in all directions. She is staying with Sophia. Of course, the Suffragettes are putting their own campaign for the vote on hold, diverting it to the war effort. I suppose, like the Indians, they too hope to be rewarded for their war effort with Home Rule. BAMBA: I’m sure there are many more around the world with simple hopes for reward from the colonisers. FREDERICK: Come, let’s drink to the Sikh soldiers, for their extraordinary performance. BAMBA: Yes, let’s. Now that you know their mettle, you might follow the path of your martyred father. FREDERICK: Let’s drink to the living, not mourn the dead. I want to tell you a story of how high class English women who wanted to have a higher status came to be called ‘blue stockings’.

BAMBA: Not of much interest to me, but I’ll tell Sophia when I see her. FREDERICK: It’s worth knowing it. Tell Catherine also. Dame Elizabeth Partridge/ BAMBA: An ancestor of your friend Partridge?/ FREDERICK: No, no, I was told this story by Virginia Wolf who had lived in Blo’Norton before me. So, to carry on. Dame Partridge, was a high class woman as her title tells you, yet she wore no stockings. One day a sudden light fell on her legs and instantly sent its beams over the whole state of England, even to the King upon his throne, who had to grant her blue coloured stockings. Isn’t that interesting? BAMBA: Hmm. Not sure. FREDERICK: It shows that (1) even high-class women had no rights, and (2) one woman had the courage to ask the King, and (3) the King recognised the need to award women a title too. BAMBA: I’d concentrate on the war, let the Suffragettes worry about it. Let your thoughts go to Victor instead. He doesn’t seem well. He’s also getting into debt, too much gambling and bad investments. FREDERICK: Once the war is over, I’ll meet up with him. BAMBA: It pains me to see the head of our family in a bad state. But there’s nothing I can do. FREDERICK: I can’t take leave. I’m opting for the trenches in France. BAMBA: Are you sure you can cope with it? Is your health up to it? FREDERICK: I am working on it, lots of exercise and training. I miss our get-togethers. All things pass. BAMBA: They don’t have to. I’ll organise one. FREDERICK: Do it earlier rather than later. With a war on, you never know which way things might go. BAMBA: Have courage, Paraji, Be a true Sikh, and it will lead to Victory. I must go now (embraces him the Indian way) Look after yourself, Freddy, we all love you.

She leaves. Lights go down.

Scene iii

Sound of War continues. Lights up. The Radio is on. Frederick is talking on the phone.

Battle of the Somme -17 August – 2 September, 1915

Western Front – Trenches warfare British soldiers sent to the Western Front

Trenches warfare begins 1914 Second Battle of Ypres - April 22 – May 15, 1915

FREDERICK: (loud) Yes, how many soldiers do you want? All right, I’ll round up all of them. Can you sign me up? (Louder) I said, sign me up. I want to sign up for the trenches - can you hear me now? Yes, yes, that’s what I said. (Listens) Yes, I’ll send my papers right away. When will I hear? All right. I’ll need to ask for a replacement.

News comes on the Radio. He finishes his call and turns to hear the news.

This is The Radio News.

15 August, 1915, Transport ship, the Royal Edward was sunk by a U-boat off the island of Kandeloussa. The ship sank in 2 minutes. 1,800 drowned. Among them were the volunteers who joined the 1st Essex Regiment and the 3rd Norfolk Regiment based at Felixstowe. Under the command of Victor Cubitt, a Norfolk herald, they were heading for Gallipoli.

The news is still on when Farrar enters. Frederick looks at him, waits until the news is over.

FREDERICK: (shocked) Oh God. Did you hear that? Victor Cubitt is drowned along with thousands of others. FARRAR: I heard the news this morning, thought I’ll come to see you. Victor was a Herald. FREDERICK: And a good man. It’s when someone dies that you lose trust in wars, even if for good reason. I shall miss him. FARRAR: I’ve had long ties with the family. Christenings, weddings and funerals. The churchyard is full of the family graves since the 15th century.

FREDERICK: You want a drink? With so many people dying, maybe we should have a custom to toast the departed too. FARRAR: New conventions start for new reasons. (takes the drink from Freddie) Here’s to Victor Cubitt, an honourable herald of the Norfolk Yeomanry.

They drink silently.

What other news? I mean good news. FREDERICK: You must have heard. The Allied forces did well in the Battle of the Marne. FARRAR: All credit to the Indian soldiers. The Germans didn’t stand a chance. FREDERICK: It all seems in the past now. The trench war is starting. FARRAR: Yes, I heard you on the phone, just the last bit. Are you signing up for it? FREDERICK: I want to but I need to go for training. I have to push to be accepted. FARRAR: Is it your age? FREDERICK: If I am fitter, they’ll accept me, but I’m not. So I need to go for training. FARRAR: Make sure you don’t overdo it. It’s the French trenches? FREDERICK: Yes, that’s where I want to go. FARRAR: Any special reason? FREDERICK: No. Just I’ve always wanted to go to France. FARRAR: Has the Battle of the Marne inspired you, or maybe the Sikh spirit? FREDERICK: Maybe. Thinking back to my father’s years in France, I wanted to go then, but wasn’t able to. It’s difficult to say really. Having my own regiment has made me feel a soldier, so now I want to push further and be on the front. FARRAR: Herald to royalty you are, blowing the war trumpet to bring victory. FREDERICK: I would like to have that title, maybe being a Prince automatically makes you a herald?

FARRAR: Let me know how it comes about. I’ll leave now. FREDERICK: My best wishes to Mrs Farrar.

They shake hands and Farrar leaves. Frederick goes back to the radio and switches it on.

Lights go off. War sounds increase. Lights go up. The war sounds go down a bit.

Scene iv

1916

15th September, 1916 – Battle of the Somme

Anglo-French Offensive v Germans

Germans attack the French, 1916, Feb – Dec. Poison Gas & Zeppelins: sky warfare

Late news British used tanks – uccess. Germans using new technology: gas & tanks & Zeppelin

Lights go up. Frederick and Victor are together.

FREDERICK: How nice to see you, Paraji. When was it we were last together? VICTOR: Was it at my wedding? FREDERICK: What, not met after 1898? I can’t believe it. That makes it a good eighteen years! You are not losing your memory, Paraji, are you? VICTOR: All right then, we met many times since, if that makes you happy. FREDERICK: If it wasn’t for getting involved in the Yeomanry, I would have come up to have holidays with you and Lady Anne. How is she? VICTOR: Oh, bearing up with my habits. FREDERICK: Yes, I heard you are deep into gambling; it’s not a good habit, paraji. VICTOR: 43

It’s the draining of my purse which concerns her – and me, but the craze of gambling is too much with me. Anyway, tell me about the trenches. I almost envy you the war experience. But the bloody Government won’t permit me to go to France. But not you, why? FREDERICK: I had to prove my mettle. If I hadn’t enlisted in the Yeomanry when the war rumours began to float and went on training for over two years, they would have put the same restrictions on me. You have the play the power game, Paraji. VICTOR: I don’t have the temper for such resilience. And I didn’t have to. FREDERICK: Neither did I. But it mattered to me. Without my title and a purse I wouldn’t have even qualified for the war. And since I wasn’t even married and settled with a beautiful noble lady, I was free to do as some deep-seated desire urged me. VICTOR: And why didn’t you marry? Is there some resistance to tying yourself to a female? FREDERICK: Ooops! You sound very much like a father asking that question. VICTOR: Never mind. I shouldn’t have said that. Tell me about the trenches. How long were you there? FREDERICK: About two years – on and off. They do give you some relief, either moving you to another active post or sending you on short home leaves. VICTOR: But it must be terrible when you are actually there in the trenches day in and day out. Must be a nightmare? FREDERICK: Not really. You get used to the mud, squalor and congestion. The camraderie with other soldiers singing and playing music and unrestricted gossip all uplifts the morale. And then there is the routine: mugs of hot coffee on the go, hot cooked food, haircuts, and even routine baths. VICTOR: You almost make it sound as if trenches are palaces! What about the enemy breathing over you? FREDERICK: Yes, that is the only problem! VICTOR: I’m glad you admit there is one at least. FREDERICK: The noise is terrible, it rips open your heart and mind, and the carnage is horrific. Some soldiers have to be removed to hospitals for treatment, but then they come back, and believe me from choice.

VICTOR: Did you also? FREDERICK: It wasn’t too bad. A change of duty or a short leave was enough to restore any damaged faculties. VICTOR: And it restored you to your British identity, which I am deprived of, like my father. No wonder he stayed in France. He knew if he returned to England he would never be allowed to leave its shores. FREDERICK: Why did you want to go to France anyway? Not when the war is on? VICTOR: Maybe an unconscious desire to make the Government nervous about my allegiance to them. Like my father, I might have joined hands with the Germans against the British. FREDERICK: I wouldn’t say that to anyone else. You wouldn’t blame them if they put you under surveillance. And why this change in you about Papaji? I thought you didn’t like his ways, especially his lack of thought for us. Now you are doing the same to poor Lady Anne. VICTOR: You are right, I mustn’t entertain these feelings, I don’t know from where they come. FREDERICK: Some say deep from our unconscious. Ah, I forgot to mention the most glorious event of trench life. VICTOR: Oh, yes, the Christmas liberation. FREDERICK: It was unbelievable, how the Germans and the Allied forces jumped out of the trenches, taking their drinks with them, racing towards each other shouting ‘Happy Christmas’ and ‘Frohe Weihnachten’, embracing each other, laughing, joking, drinking and singing carols loud enough for the clouds to part and reveal God’s heaven to them! VICTOR: That’s called real godliness. Alas, it doesn’t happen often unless we move home to the trenches and make sure there’s always a war on. Well, I will leave you with that aspiration. FREDERICK: When do we meet again, Paraji? VICTOR: Who knows, Freddy? It may be in Heaven – it will be only one side – and no trenches! Would that tempt you?

They embrace. Victor exits. Lights off. The war sound continues but begins to go down when the lights go up.

Scene v

The Battle of Magiddo 1918 September This is The Radio News from the War Front,

Lights go up. Frederick is listening to the radio.

After the slow progress of the Spring Offensive, the reorganised Egyptian Expeditionary Force with now well-acclimatised Indian Army units are prepared for a speedier onslaught on the Ottomans. After several months’ training during the summer, a number of attacks are being carried out on sections of the Ottoman front line and the front line is now pushed to the north to a more advantageous position. The reorganised Egyptian Expeditionary Force with an additional mounted division broke the Ottoman forces at the Battle of Magiddo. In two days British & Indian infantry, supported by a creeping barrage, broke the Ottoman front line & captured the headquarters of the Eighth army at Tulkaram. The end of the war may be shortly in view. (The sound begins to fade.)

Arthur Craigie Oliphant enters. Frederick turns off the radio.

FREDERICK: What a surprise! What brings you here, Sir? OLIPHANT: Isn’t it clear? To offer my congratulations on your war effort. It’s almost over now. FREDERICK: Can I offer you a drink, Sir? We must celebrate the possible end to a four-year long world warfare. (Gets the drinks). OLIPHANT: You make me proud of you. When I saw you at your father’s Wake, I had no idea you would prove so loyal to the British Crown. FREDERICK: It seems that despite being naturalised as English, Indian blood still runs in my veins. Look at the way Indians, despite asking for Home Rule, readily joined the War effort.

OLIPHANT: Heavens, yes! Indian regiments fought, were injured and died in many battles. The Government stood by the wounded. They were brought back to Britain and hospitalised in the Brighton Pavilion. FREDERICK: I went to see them. They had taken the injuries in their stride. You can’t beat the Sikh soldiers. OLIPHANT: Indeed. And what did you gain from the war? FREDERICK: What it feels like to be an ordinary human being, not a high-class lay-about – excuse my language. But now the fervour of war over – if it is – I would hardly know where to look or what to do. OLIPHANT: Being titled you hardly need to. But we can talk about it. I’m sure I can find something to engage your interest. FREDERICK: That’s kind of you, Sir. I will need your help. Will you stay for dinner? OLIPHANT: No thank you, I must be leaving now. But I will see you soon, once you are back in Blo’ Norton. FREDERICK: I’ll walk out with you. It sounds peaceful outside. (Sound of birds’ chirping) I can hear the birds.

He switches the light off. They exit.

Stage remains dark and silent. Oliphant emerges with the spotlight on him. As he speaks, the WWI movies are projected on the back wall.

EPILOGUE

OLIPHANT: And so we come to the end of World War I when the Armistice was signed on November 11th, 1918. Britain and France won against the Germans, though not without American aid. Some would say it was because of America that France and Britain came out as winners (of the War unscathed). The Armistice changed the face of Europe. Four Empires fell giving way to nationalism.

India as one of Britain’s biggest colonies fought valiantly to participate in the war to help Britain win against Germany. Indian leaders hoped that this would get them Home Rule. The victory at the Battle of the Marne was credited to the Indian soldiers’ bravery, and so was the Battle of Magiddo – the last offensive of the War.

Despite the scandal of the Battle of the Bees, the bravery of Indian soldiers became a legend. The Indian Army outnumbered the British Army at the beginning of the War. 1.3 million Indian soldiers & labourers were sent to Europe, Africa & the Middle East. The Central Government & Princely States sent large supplies of food, money and ammunition. In all 40,000 men served on the Western Front, 700,000 in the Middle East and casualties of Indian soldiers totalled 47,746 killed and 65,126 wounded. But the failure of the British to award Home Rule to India disappointed Indians, fuelling the Indian campaign for full Independence.

The successors of Prince Duleep Singh remained loyal to the British Crown and Government. As Victor Duleep Singh showed no signs of participating in the War effort, he was not allowed to go to France. Did the Government fear he might follow in the footsteps of his rebellious father, and join the enemy? Who can say? He died in 1918 just as the war was ending. Prince Frederick died in 1926, a good eight years after the war. Princess Bamba and Princess Catherine went out of the news altogether. Princess Sophia continued to fight for a universal vote for women until 1928 when it was achieved. Thus ended the heirs to the once powerful kingdom of the Sikhs.

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