The Great Roxhythe · Chapter
IX: The Sunderlands explained
Lord Sunderland advises King James II against confronting Roxhythe, suggesting instead that he might be used as an ally.
What happens
Lord Sunderland advises King James II against confronting Roxhythe, suggesting instead that he might be used as an ally. Lady Sunderland meets Roxhythe at a soirée and later discusses with her husband the possibility of Monmouth recruiting Roxhythe. Trenchard approaches Roxhythe on behalf of Monmouth, but Roxhythe declines the offer. The chapter ends with Roxhythe alone, grieving over a comfit-box given to him by the late King Charles II.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Christopher experiences a profound emotional and psychological…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Political Intrigue and Espionage
The chapter is steeped in political maneuvering: Sunderland advises James on handling Roxhythe, Lady Sunderland acts as a go-between for Trenchard and her husband, and Trenchard attempts to recruit Roxhythe for Monmouth's plot.
- Loyalty and Betrayal
Roxhythe's past betrayal of Monmouth's plot is referenced, and his current loyalty to the memory of Charles II is contrasted with the attempts to recruit him for new schemes.
- Power and Ambition
Characters like Sunderland and Trenchard seek to gain or consolidate power by aligning with or against Roxhythe, while Roxhythe himself rejects further ambition, choosing instead to mourn his king.
Characters to notice
- Lord Roxhythe
Roxhythe is approached by Trenchard on behalf of Monmouth but refuses the offer. He later mourns King Charles II while holding a comfit-box given by him.
- Lord Sunderland
Sunderland advises King James II to tolerate Roxhythe rather than confront him, and later discusses Monmouth's potential recruitment of Roxhythe with his wife.
- Lady Frances Montgomery
Lady Sunderland meets Roxhythe at a soirée and later reports to her husband about her conversations with Trenchard and Roxhythe.
- Mr. Trenchard
Trenchard meets with Lady Sunderland and later visits Roxhythe to offer him a place in Monmouth's plot, but is refused.
- King Charles II
Though deceased, Charles II is remembered by Roxhythe, who mourns him while holding a comfit-box inscribed with their initials.
- Monmouth
Monmouth is mentioned as seeking to recruit Roxhythe, with Trenchard acting as his emissary.
Key passages
“Sir, I think it were best to leave Roxhythe.”
Sunderland advises King James to avoid confronting Roxhythe directly.
Sunderland suggests a strategy of non-confrontation to manage Roxhythe's influence.
“He dealt with Monmouth that he might the better serve King Charles.”
Sunderland argues that Roxhythe's dealings with Monmouth were actually in service to King Charles.
Sunderland attempts to justify Roxhythe's past actions to James.
“I think the climate would not agree with me.”
Roxhythe declines Trenchard's invitation to join Monmouth in Holland.
Roxhythe uses a metaphor to politely refuse the offer.
“Ah, Sire … Sire … !”
Roxhythe mourns the late King Charles II while holding a comfit-box given by him.
Roxhythe's grief for his former master is palpable in this moment.
