The Great Roxhythe · Chapter
The Most Noble the Marquis explained
In 1676, with Parliament prorogued and Louis XIV's war against Holland ongoing, King Charles II grows frustrated with negotiations for a second treaty with France, conducted through Barillon, the Duchess of Portsmouth, and Lord Danby.
What happens
In 1676, with Parliament prorogued and Louis XIV's war against Holland ongoing, King Charles II grows frustrated with negotiations for a second treaty with France, conducted through Barillon, the Duchess of Portsmouth, and Lord Danby. He sends Lord Roxhythe to Paris to discover Louis's maximum terms. During Roxhythe's absence, Lady Crewe visits Bevan House, asking Christopher Dart to deliver a message to Roxhythe not to attend Lady Claremont's rout. Upon Roxhythe's return, Sir Henry Crewe, driven by jealousy over his wife Millicent, confronts Roxhythe and shoots him. Roxhythe survives and forces Crewe to withdraw for a year with his wife, swearing there is nothing between him and Millicent.
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 Rising 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
Roxhythe is sent to France to secretly discover Louis XIV's maximum terms, bypassing official channels like Barillon.
- Love and Obsession
Sir Henry Crewe's obsessive jealousy over his wife's past with Roxhythe drives him to attempt murder.
- Honor and Reputation
Roxhythe's refusal to duel and his insistence on avoiding scandal reflect the importance of reputation and honor in court society.
Characters to notice
- Lord Roxhythe
Sent to Paris by King Charles to negotiate with Louis XIV; upon return, is shot by Sir Henry Crewe in a jealous rage but survives and dictates terms.
- King Charles II
Dissatisfied with negotiations through Barillon, he sends Roxhythe to France to discover Louis's maximum terms for a second treaty.
- Lady Crewe
Visits Bevan House during Roxhythe's absence, asking Christopher to deliver a message to Roxhythe not to attend Lady Claremont's rout, fearing her husband's jealousy.
- Sir Henry Crewe
Jealous of Roxhythe's past with his wife Millicent, he confronts Roxhythe and shoots him; later forced to withdraw for a year with his wife.
- Christopher Dart
Receives Lady Crewe's message and later witnesses the aftermath of the shooting, assisting in the situation.
- M. Barillon
French ambassador involved in the treaty negotiations that Charles finds unsatisfactory.
- Lord Danby
One of the intermediaries in the treaty negotiations with France.
- La Kéroualle
Duchess of Portsmouth, involved in the negotiations as an intermediary.
Key passages
“David, it is like squeezing money from a stone.”
Charles complains to Roxhythe that getting money from Louis is extremely difficult.
Charles expresses frustration with the negotiations.
“I want the thing done quickly; I am tired of all this haggling and bargaining.”
Charles wants Roxhythe to expedite the negotiations because he is weary of the back-and-forth.
Charles's impatience with the diplomatic process.
“You have treated me—better than I—deserve, sir.”
Crewe admits that Roxhythe has been more merciful than he deserves.
Crewe's remorse after the shooting.
