Leftenant Michael Robertson,
Yeoman of the Guard
as portrayed by Michael Sanders
My dear Lord and Ladies,
I am known to you as Michael Robertson, in service to her Majesty as Leftenant in Her Majesty's Yeomen of the Guard.
I was born in my family's pub, The Falcon Inn, on Playford Road, Rushmere St. Andrew in Suffolk. My father, of blessed memory, was Andrew Robertson and my mother, Catherine, also of blessed memory, was of the Giles family, also of Suffolk. 'Tis also with great sadness that I must tell you that my brother, William was slain in Ireland, but I shall tell you more of his passing here in but a moment. Howe'er, with his passing it does leave me as the owner of the Falcon Inn as my family did have no others of this world.
The Falcon is a goodly tavern and we do always provide our three beds as clean and comfortable to those that might have the money to afford them. The tavern was a fine place to live, but I must admit that I did grow into a man more quickly because of it. While many a man thought he were my equal, not many proved it and remained standing when I finished with them. Now that I am older, I see that my youth was wasted on manly games and I long for my kin and to have the entertainment of youth.
As to how I became a Yeoman, some fourteen years ago I heard the call of battle which did stir the warrior blood in me. I went into Her Majesty's service with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Foote. As I was elder of William, I did leave the Inn to his care and trust. Little did I fathom that I should see my brother much sooner than I had wished.
The Leftenant enjoys a tankard at MDRF.
One year into my service, that I did receive goodly company both to and from Sir Henry Sydney. Sir Henry does impress me much with his riding skills, especially when he is mounted in the fray of battle. Some three times in many battles, he and I have saved each other from the blade of another while standing shoulder to shoulder against the rogue Irish. And many hours we did find each other to share our story of the day near our fire. I also find Sir Henry very sharp at gaming, especially at chess. He does think farther ahead in the battle plan than do I. I think of Sir Henry as a friend and he has treated me much above my station, e'en though he is of nobility, and I am not.
Some twenty seasons ago, the battalion was moving, along with our sister battalion, the 3rd of 4th Foote. It was there that we did engage a large massing of Irish rabble. The battle was particularly bloody as no one did have cannon. It became a contest of who had the stronger and faster sword arm. On this day, we did prove victorious in some manner of the greater part of the day.
It was following the battle that I did find my brother, William, broken and rent while I was attending to the dead and wounded. While he breathed still, he did not know it was I that did hold him gently, nor did he see the tears that flowed from my eyes. E'en with all of the knowledge of the barber-surgeon, it was still but a short hour before he did join our Father and Mother. As Sir Henry did see and understand my pain, he did require me to return to Rushmere to set my accounts straight and to bury my brother in English soil.
When I did return to Rushmere, I did see that William had set things right well before I could. His man, James Hightower, had indeed taken care of the inn as it were his own and I did find things right in all manner and matter. After seeing James attention, I did know that while I may be the owner of an inn, I am no innkeeper of his like. With that, I offered James a full partnership for his continued service and to my glee, he did accept heartily.He then did tell me of the news that Sir Walter Ralegh would be on progress to Rushmere on the morrow and did say that he wished that I stay long enough to set things right for Sir Walter. As expected, Sir Walter did arrive with the noon of the following day and did see that the Falcon was much to his liking. James and I did clear the rooms for Sir Walter and his guests so that he might be more comfortable. That very eventide, Sir Walter did mention that he thought more of me by my stature than just an innkeeper. I did tell him of my service with Sir Henry and that I was sent home to see to my brother's burial and my family's meager purse. Sir Walter did say that any man that Sir Henry did think enough of to trust with his life was of a high station indeed. He then did ask if he might require more service of me to Her Majesty as a Yeoman of the Guard.
With time and effort, my betters did think that perhaps I was worthwhile and they did promote me to Sergeant and then on to Leftenant. I am honored that they think so highly of me and I strive daily to be the professional soldier.
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Last updated:
May 13, 2008
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