"Andre Norton & Rosemary Edghill - Carolus Rex 2 - Leopard in Exile" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

NOTE

In writing an historical novel these days, even a contra-historical novel, the writer walks a fine line
between the political correctness of modern enlightened usage and the way people actually spoke and
thought at the time. In referring to tribal and slave populations of the New World, I've done my best to
be clear and reasonably naturalistic while still trying to avoid terms that make me wince (complicating
matters is the fact that nearly every Native American tribal name used in the East and South translates as
"the People.") Only you can be the judge of how well I've succeeded at this delicateтАФand sometimes
ticklishтАФtask.



тАФree




May this nation always be a lesson and an example to princes.


тАФGeorge Washington



AUTHOR'S FOREWORD:
An Empire That Never Was




The "If Theory" of history is that oftentimes in world history distinct and radical changes rest upon a single
event or person. From that particular point two worlds then come into existence, one in which the matter
goes one way and one wherein it goes the other.

The point of divergence here is the affair of the Duke of Monmouth in the days of Charles II. The
majority of the English people at the time of Charles' death were bitterly opposed to the return of a
Catholic ruler. Unfortunately, Charles II had not been able to produce a living heir by his Portuguese
wife, Catherine of Braganza, though he had a number of illegitimate children by various mistresses, upon
whom he settled dukedoms and other major honors.

There has always been a rumor that James, Duke of Monmouth, the eldest known of Charles' by-blows,
is actually legitimateтАФthat Charles, while in exile, did marry Mistress Waters, the Duke's mother.
Monmouth had much of his father's charm and was strongly Protestant in his religious views. In the real
world, following Charles' death, Monmouth led an uprising against his uncle, King James II (Charles'
brother and heir presumptive, a severe arrogant man determined to return England to the Catholic fold),
failed, and was beheaded.