Blood Diamond: A Pirate Devlin Novel (45 page)

Fortunately, as history also attests, such financial disasters often bring about a more stable political age of reason and constraint. Certainly Robert Walpole’s rise to become Britain’s first prime minister after the bubble led Britain into a new era when the country rose in prominence to dominate both France and Spain on the world stage, and where she developed her American colonies – if only to the point where independence became inevitable.

Today we are coming into an age of new governments throughout the world, with new outlooks and new ideals, as older ones are discredited and die out. Contradictorily, it is a dark age of enlightenment.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my research was the escape from Newgate prison. Yes, there actually was a tunnel that led from the church to the prison, as inconceivable as that seems. It is now sealed off, although the door to it can still be seen in the church, as can the bell that used to be rung outside the condemned cells at Sunday midnight. I suppose the possibility of a tunnel beneath the Old Bailey would even today inspire escapes or terrorist notions – so just whisper about it if you can.

For those who may be further interested there is a pub on the corner opposite where the prison used to stand called the Viaduct Tavern. If it is quiet, and if you ask nicely, the Australian barman will take you down to the cells that still remain below. He might mistakenly inform you that they are a sample of Newgate’s oldest. In the story Dandon catches his breath and looks up at the Giltspur Compter. These cells are in fact part of that gaol and not, as is often reported, Newgate. Still, if you can spend more than two minutes down there you’re better than I am.

René Duguay-Trouin. There isn’t a pirate fan in the world who does not know this name and I would hope that maritime enthusiasts of all nations hold him in equal regard. But the British tend to have a one-sided view when it comes to naval history so I’ll assume most readers may be unaware of Trouin. You will correct that as soon as you close this book.

He is actually mentioned in both the previous Devlin books, but only in passing in order to lay stepping stones so that he could eventually make a personal appearance. I have only touched upon the man but I couldn’t have let Devlin go across the channel without meeting him. I also wanted Trouin to illustrate the injustice of how, after the death of Louis XIV, the French regime returned to giving positions of power to those of high birth rather than ability.

Unable to revoke Trouin’s royally-bestowed title, Philippe buried him under paperwork in Calais and even planned to ship him to the Indies as ‘Council for Marines’, thus removing Trouin entirely from his beloved France. Fortunately, Philippe died before he could commit such a crime against the admiral who had captured Rio de Janeiro – and over three hundred and twenty English and Dutch ships during the wars – for his king. Although he ended his life penniless, subjugated by nobles who did not acknowledge him or recognise their debt to the boy from St Malo, his legacy is that his name has graced more French warships than any other man in history, kings included.

Jonathan Wild, self-proclaimed Thief-Taker General. I’ve just always wanted to give that bloke a hiding. By bringing Devlin into London when Wild was at the pinnacle of his career I managed to reach down the centuries and do just that. I couldn’t kill him because I just can’t seem to cross that line with actual characters, but as Devlin says, ‘I think this one’s time will come soon enough.’

There’s one more thing.

I hope you may not even have noticed, but this book takes place mostly on land; there’s not a palm tree or Caribbean island in sight. This was always my plan. Pirates can go anywhere, their world free to roam. And if the end of this book is anything to go by that world’s about to get a lot bigger.

And you’re invited.

Mark Keating, August 2011.

About the Author

Mark Keating was born in North London and has spent most of his life working around the South East selling everything from comic-books to champagne. He now lives in Pembrokeshire with his wife and sons and is currently looking at the sea.

Also by Mark Keating and published by Hodder & Stoughton

THE PIRATE DEVLIN

HUNT FOR WHITE GOLD