The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1623: Chapter 32: Brothers for Life

The successful deceiver no longer needs to lie for survival, because those deceived have become his supporters.

—— Shakespeare’s ”Hamlet”

Professor Hastings’ history class is always enjoyable and relaxed, especially considering today’s pleasant guest.

For this University of London history major who has won numerous academic awards over the years, he can deliver a captivating lecture on British history without preparation. His teaching not only encompasses traditional concepts but also incorporates many modern elements aligned with the University of London’s founding ethos.

Especially when discussing the nobles forcing King John on the Lanymede Grassland, he enhanced the narrative with appropriate imagination, attempting to make it as engaging as possible.

”On the morning of June 15, 1215, at the Lanymede Grassland, the rebellious nobles and clergy anxiously awaited the King’s arrival. Their expressions were tense and solemn, holding a piece of parchment in their hands. Meanwhile, their attendants and soldiers were fully armed and concealed in the bushes not far behind them, their armor and weapons gleaming brightly in the morning sun. This was both for self-protection and because the nobles and clergy had prepared for the worst: if King John did not keep his promise, then they would have to resort to other means to ensure King John fulfilled his commitments.

Fortunately, King John, who had neither the support nor the funds to hire mercenaries, did not make a decision that embarrassed everyone. After a short wait, King John arrived on horseback, accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other high-ranking clergy. He quickly dismounted and signed his name on that ordinary piece of parchment before leaving. This very ordinary piece of parchment later became the famous ”Great Charter.”

But merely two months later, after gathering sufficient troops and military supplies, King John declared war on the opposing nobles, announcing that the Great Charter was unlawful and invalid, and refused to implement any of its provisions. At the same time, to preserve his throne, he submitted to Pope Innocent III, signing documents to hand over England to the Roman Curia, proclaiming himself as the Pope’s vassal. Innocent III promptly issued a papal decree, declaring in the name of Saint Peter that the English nobility’s offenses would not be forgiven, imposing excommunication on all English subjects involved in the rebellion against King John, and publicly supporting King John’s efforts to suppress the domestic noble rebellion.

With the Pope’s support, in the early stages of the civil war, King John’s mercenaries gained continuous victories. The nobles finally realized that King John merely used the Great Charter as a stalling tactic to buy time for struggle against the opposing nobles. In essence, he had no intention of implementing the Great Charter’s provisions. Therefore, to counter the pressure from King John and the Roman Curia, the opposing nobles in England swore allegiance to Louis, the Crown Prince of France, declaring him King of England, and invited him to lead troops to London to protect and maintain the English nobility’s inherent rights...”

Conroy went to the University of London today initially just to ask Arthur for help with a lover’s role problem, but unexpectedly discovered that this police scholar, famous in London for science and arts, also has quite a bit of knowledge in history, even capable of lecturing publicly in a university classroom.

However, upon reflection, it seemed not so difficult to understand Arthur’s abilities.

After all, this gentleman once served as Deputy Prosecutor of the London Regional Prosecutor’s Office, and many officials from the Home Office have privately praised: Officer Arthur Hastings’ legal acumen is remarkable; his mastery of legal provisions can rival many Magistrates in London.

Although in the context of the time, this remark seemed more like a sarcastic diss towards the Magistrates for their lack of knowledge, unable to surpass even a policeman who hadn’t attended the Lawyers’ Association.

But it indirectly indicates that Arthur indeed has a knack for law.

If it weren’t for this, back when Arthur was just an ordinary officer, many cases in Greenwich wouldn’t have been assigned to him for prosecution.

A thorough understanding of legal provisions implies his history should be decent because in Britain, which follows common law, many legal provisions are directly related to various historical events.

Overall, Sir Arthur Hastings’ personal achievements may not hold up in many areas, such as music, electromagnetism, or literature.

But one should never doubt his accomplishments in policing, history, and law, for those were won through his life’s effort.

Two hours of class are entirely insufficient for Arthur to showcase his recent painstakingly compiled masterpiece ”History of England: From Norman Conquest to Hanover Dynasty,” but according to Conroy, this is already enough to label Arthur as knowledgeable and insightful.

Unfortunately, Conroy opened the door and at first glance saw Arthur in his most unshakable aspect, which compelled him to pay respects to this diplomat who resigned in protest against Viscount Palmeston’s unethical diplomatic policies.

Blessed by Lord Brougham with a promising future, the brightest creation of Jeremy Bentham’s educational career, and considered by Faraday to be unrivaled among young scientists...

Such a talent should be forgiven for minor mistakes, yet he was directly discarded by White Hall, which Conroy truly cannot understand.

Nonetheless, struggling to understand is only natural, for Arthur indeed committed a fair number of minor errors, even going as far as spying on members of parliament and cabinet ministers—a profoundly rebellious act.