Malediction

By David William Kirby

A ghost story set between the death of the English king, Henry 8th, and the coronation of his daughter Mary Tudor. Religious and political persecution run rampant as the country swings between the Catholic and Anglican religious reform. Henry's son, Edward, states on his young deathbed that the crown, and country, should pass lawfully toward protestant Lady Jane Grey but the Catholics push for Henry's daughter, Mary, to take the throne regardless of his decree.

While the intrigue plays out the story sees Mary attend the burning of the witch Morgan; much against her guardian's wishes. Something happens there that changes the would be queen forever.

After consulting the catholic church, the barber surgeon and, lastly, the Anglican bishop to no avail, Lord Norfolk, Mary's guardian, sets off to find a strange man said to be an alchemist. He previously was condemned as a pagan heretic and the man went into hiding, Norfolk has strange luck which eventually leads him to the man.

There follows a series of events which perplex and mystify the guardian and ultimately forces him to reject everything he ever believed about God and religion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David William Kirby
• Release date: Feb 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463030837

David William Kirby

If we create our own reality then you may find mine within the words of my writing. If art reflects life then shouldn't it contain joy and grief, gain and loss, good and evil? All those hidden depths we do not like on show, those parts of ourselves usually hidden away far from public sight. Real art is sometimes obscene, Art is sometimes confusing, obtuse and obscure but it must also be full of light and happiness, great insight or intrguing puzzles; it must show us a way to look at ourselves more fully and understand what we see with greater clarity. Over the years and years of my life I have put to paper what has moved me, what has opened my eyes, what has shocked me to the very core and what it is to be me. I was a very lost soul for much of those dark days, months and years and tried to shine a light into the darkness with artifacts of oblivion; still today my consciousness drifts between the fluid and fixed, the focused and obscure. It is open like the books I have created, Let's face it, I am no Dickens or Shakesphere,. But considering I was virtually illiterate when I left secondary education I've not done too bad. The pen kept scribbling, not making much sense at times, and over that time (with careful editing) a line was been drawn from 15 to 59. Give it a go, you may find the growth and progression stimulating; all it may cost is time.

Book preview

Malediction

A Gothic horror screen-play

Copyright. David William Kirby:2009

The Dogbreaths Publishing

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Scene one Ext Day:

The date is 1553. East Anglia in England. Fires are burning in a small village and smoke rises from the chimney's of small thatched cottages. It is spring and in the fields crops are being cared for. A woman comes from her small house and looks at an empty blanket on the ground. She takes a sharp breath and runs into the centre of the village before screaming loudly.

Woman

No! My child, someone has taken my baby…

The workers in the fields hear the sound of her cries and put down the tools they work with and run to her.

Scene 2. Ext Day

We see a man nailing a proclamation to a tree. It reads.

Concerning Missing Children

£100. Reward

For Information received

By order EdwardV1

Scene 3 Ext Night

A group of men are searching a thick forest by torch light, they hunch down after coming across a cave from which a light could be seen. They whisper and withdraw their swords.

Scene 4 Int Night

Inside the cave a fire burns under a steaming caldron. The shadow of a woman is thrown against the stone walls and we see a earth floor scattered with human bones small serpents crawl between the sculls and pelvic bones that have been dried and left.

A slight click is heard and the shadow freezes. Then the group of armed men storm the cave. They rush forwards, their shadows grab the woman and we see the face of one of the men. He holds his hand to his mouth and lets out a horrified gasp.

Scene 5 Kenninghall House Day

June 1553

We find ourselves in a splendid Tudor, double fronted house, situated on a huge East Anglian estate. It is a cool bright day and sun streams into the garden that is just coming into flower. A group of woman laugh and pick the best buds before entering the house and filling the heavily lined wooden corridors with laughter.

Shift to Interior

A thin, bright faced woman in her mid thirties strokes the ruff around her neck. It feels tight today but she will not allow herself the pleasure of wearing the looser summer clothes of her ladies. They enter her room and bow slightly before placing the freshly picked flowers in vases.

Lady Brunswick

You should have joined us madam. It is surely the finest day.

Mary

I do not like too much sun, but the flowers smell beautiful. Put a vase in the window there.

The woman does as directed and then peers through the window.

Lady Brunswick

It looks like horsemen approaching, at least two, or perhaps three, Either that or their speed has kicked up all hell. Look at the clouds of dust.

Mary

Let me see.

She stands and goes to the window to peer out.

They do seem to be in a hurry, perhaps they have brought news; good news at last.

She reaches down and strokes the crucifix that hangs on a chain from her waist.

It looks like Lord Norfolk. I am glad, with him in London these past weeks I have not been able to sleep. What with the whistling wind and the rustling of the trees, I have missed the protection of my best man.

Lady Brunswick

Particularly with the local ugliness we have had to endure. These peasants

are so godless....

Mary

God knows of the evil in this, God’s pleasant land. Still let’s not talk of witches today.

Lady Brunswick

They say if you look into her eyes, Morgan that is, you can feel the devil on your shoulders. I have heard said they will burn her for her sins.

Mary

No more talk of that creature, not today now my man has returned; although I would like to see the witch burn. Let me know of it if I am still forced to retire in this house or my freedoms will be extended.

Lady Brunswick

Of course Madame. Although, burnings are a shocking spectacle; the smells are horrendous. I am sure it would only horrify you madam.

Mary

Look, it is Norfolk.

the Ladies look out the window again.

Lady Brunswick

There, is that the Bishop on the further horse. Even though he is not dressed in his clerical cloth I would know that shape anywhere.

Mary

It is good news, I know it is. I knew my brother was weak, a frail bastard, but I never imagined he would only last months.

The two riders storm into the courtyard in the middle of the house and Mary leans from the upper window.

Norfolk, I am pleased to see you at last. Tell me what ails thee, your horses have been flogged to within an inch of their lives?

Norfolk

It’s the king mistress. His life is coming to an end.

Bishop

Don’t look too happy my lady, he has made arrangements for another to succeed.

Mary

No!

Bishop

It’s true, this is why I cannot dare wear my vestments; I have to hide like a thief in the night.

Norfolk

If he knew the Bishop was back from France we would all join Bonner and Pole in the Tower, we must come in at once. No one must know he is with us.

Mary in her room falls to her knees and cries out.

SCENE 6 Int Night

Norfolk is in a side room with the Bishop who is taking his confession. When they are finished the Bishop makes the sign of the cross and Norfolk address’ him.

Norfolk

Thank you for hearing my sins before you leave Holy Father.

Bishop

I may be in disguise but my secular