I RIDDE MY SOULE | davidteems

Having written two historical biographies that read like a novel, it was time for me to write a novel that reads like history. This tale, which begins in the court of James I, takes a look at the myth of Shakespeare's involvement in the creation of the King James Bible. It's a murder mystery. Of a sort.

—David Teems

“Majestie is not some lone glittering star, but a living force, a capable and terrible force. Our new translation must reflect this Majestie above all things—glorious, incandescent, gorgeous Majestie. We must give back to God the highest and the best that is in our language and in ourselves. Majestie—solemn, terrible, imposing Majestie. Lucid, resplendent, express, consecrated. Like the waters that cover the sea, so this great metal must gild our reign. Do you mark me, William?”

This novella is actually an extract, that is, one half of a larger novel, O DEATH ROCK ME ASLEEP, that will release Fall 2021. The novel takes place in two time periods, 1608 London and present day Nashville, Tennessee. A Da Vinci Code meets Shakespeare In Love kind of tale, as the book opens successful songwriter, Brook Allen, is grieving the loss of his wife, April, a professor of Shakespeare Studies who, by discovery, theorized that William Shakespeare, by secret commission, actually had part in the creation of the King James Bible, an event that the academic world has long written off as myth. The added narration helps further explain the 1608 story told in I RIDDE MY SOULE OF THEE AT LASTE.

But now, to the cast of characters, in order of appearance.

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King James I of England / VI of Scotland is not pictured with the others, for it is improper for a king. He does, however, maintain a continuous presence, here, and throughout the book. The players are listed as they appear in the image below, from left to right, top to bottom:

Henry Wriothesley: 2nd Earl of Southampton, once patron of Shakespeare

Robert Cecil: The Earl of Salisbury, First Minister of England, patron of Ben Jonson

Ben Jonson: Playwright and poet, so-called rival of Shakespeare

William Shakespeare: The Poet

Francis Bacon: Lawyer, Attorney General of England, friend of Shakespeare

Robert Greene: Playwright, pamphleteer, university wit

Christopher Marlowe: Playwright and poet

Anthony Bacon: Statesman, world traveler, friend to Shakespeare, brother to Francis

Simon Forman: Astrologer, occultist

Michael Drayton: Warwickshire poet, friend of Shakespeare