# IV: The King His Triumph explained — The Great Roxhythe

> Chapter companion for The Great Roxhythe by Georgette Heyer.

## What happens

Sir Jasper Montgomery informs Lady Frances of Lord Stafford's death sentence amid the Popish Plot hysteria. Roxhythe continues his covert manipulation, advising the King to prorogue Parliament and sow doubt in Monmouth's mind. Shaftesbury's cause collapses, he flees to Holland and dies. The King's popularity rises, and William of Orange visits London to negotiate against France.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Intrigue and Espionage

Roxhythe's covert manipulation of Shaftesbury, Monmouth, and the King exemplifies the web of espionage and political maneuvering.

### Power and Ambition

The King consolidates power by proroguing Parliament and issuing a declaration, while Shaftesbury's ambition leads to his downfall.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Roxhythe appears to support Shaftesbury while secretly working for the Crown, and the King feigns blindness to Louis's plans.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Roxhythe

Advises the King to prorogue Parliament, sows doubt in Monmouth, and maneuvers to bring down Shaftesbury.

### King Charles II

Refuses to intervene in Stafford's execution, issues a declaration to appeal to the nation, and placates Louis XIV.

### Lady Frances Montgomery

Grieves over Stafford's sentence and reads a cheerful letter from Christopher.

### Sir Jasper Montgomery

Delivers the news of Stafford's sentence to his wife and criticizes the King's selfishness.

### Monmouth

Plans a rising but is kept uncertain by Roxhythe's machinations.

### William of Orange

Visits London to negotiate an alliance against France and extracts a promise from the King.

### Duke of York

Clamours for Monmouth's arrest and is wary of William of Orange.

### Lord Ashley-Cooper

Desperate and broken, flees to Holland and dies after his cause collapses.

## Key lines

> The sentence was read today.

The death sentence for Lord Stafford was announced today.

_Lady Frances learns of Stafford's fate._

> I have long since given up expecting aught but selfishness from the King.

I no longer expect anything from the King except self-interest.

_Sir Jasper criticizes Charles II's inaction._

> I trust no Englishman.

I do not trust any English person.

_William of Orange expresses his distrust of the English._

> So I win.

Thus I have succeeded.

_Charles II declares victory after Shaftesbury's downfall._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iv-the-king-his-triumph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters