But it was not only Mr Norrell’s treatment of Mrs Strange that drew unfavourable comment. In the weeks that followed the auction scholars and historians waited to hear what new knowledge was to be found in the seven wonderful books. In particular they were in high hopes that The Mirrour of the Lyf of Ralph Stokesey would provide answers to some of the most puzzling mysteries in English magic. It was commonly supposed that Mr Norrell would reveal his new discoveries in the pages of The Friends of English Magic or that he would cause copies of the books to be printed. He did neither of these things. One or two people wrote him letters asking him specific questions. He did not reply. When letters appeared in the newspapers complaining of this behaviour he was most indignant. After all he was simply acting as he had always done – acquiring valuable books and then hiding them away where no man else could see them. The difference was that in the days when he was an unknown gentleman no one had thought any thing of it, but now the eyes of the world were upon him. His silence was wondered at and people began to remember other occasions when Mr Norrell had acted in a rude or arrogant manner.

29 At the house of José Estoril

1 St Serlo’s Blessing had been captured from the French. Its French name was Le Temple Foudroyé. Saint Serlo’s Blessing was, of course, the name of one of the four magical woods which surrounded and protected the Raven King’s capital city, Newcastle.

2 Of course it may be objected that Wellington himself was Irish, but a patriotic English pen does not stoop to answer such quibbling.

3 There were three great fortresses which guarded the border into Spain: Almeida, Badajoz and Ciudad Rodriguez. In the early months of 1811 all three were held by the French. While Wellington advanced upon the Almeida he despatched General Beresford with the Portuguese Army to besiege the fortress of Badajoz further south.

30 The book of Robert Findhelm

1 Yorkshire was part of the Raven King’s kingdom of Northern England. Childermass and Norrell’s respect for Vinculus would have increased a little, knowing that he was, like them, a Northerner.

2 Many people besides Lascelles remarked upon the odd circumstance that Mr Norrell who hated any mention of the Raven King should have lived in a house built of stones quarried upon the King’s instruction, and upon land which the King had once owned and knew well.

3 Book-murder was a late addition to English magical law. The wilful destruction of a book of magic merited the same punishment as the murder of a Christian.

4 Not all the Worthies referred to by the gentleman are Christian. Just as we refer to a great many diverse tribes and races as “fairies”, so they commonly name us “Christians” regardless of our religion, race or era.

31 Seventeen dead Neapolitans

1 Guerrilla – a Spanish word meaning “little war”. Guerrilla bands were groups of Spaniards numbering between dozens and thousands who fought and harassed the French armies. Some were led by ex-soldiers and maintained an impressive degree of military discipline. Others were little more than bandits and devoted as much of their energies to terrifying their own unfortunate countrymen as they did to fighting the French.