The Byng Affair

“It's not over yet, John. They pushed through the law that would allow the evidence at your trial to be examined. The King himself has delayed your...”Lord Torrington paused. “Your punishment.”

“My execution. Do not fear using that word, my brother, the rest of the country does not.”

“It's not right. They know you do not deserve this. Why else did the board ask for leniency? Why else did so many refuse to sign the warrant?”

“Was it right that Lieutenant Phillips was executed because his captain failed to ready the ship? They asked for leniency then too. No, they do not care about right, they care about discipline. Rightly so.”

Lord Torrington looked at his brother, his back was straight,his head held high. He was stating facts, not feeling sorry for himself. “He was a Jacobite.”

“Suspected, but never even mentioned until after the trial. He was young. He inherited command of a ship unprepared for combat and did his best. He saved a great many lives that day, he paid for them with his own, like a true officer.”

“He is the reason you're here.”

“Public opinion is the reason for that. Guilt over Baker,a promise that I could never fulfil... Article twelve was brought in to protect the navy. It was meant for this sort of thing.”

“You defend them?”

“I understand them. I was condemned as soon as I took the appointment, I know that now. Had I pursued I'd have been guilty of abandoning my objective. I was delayed, I was ill equipped and I was expendable. First Lord Anson never believed Minorca was at risk. Therefore it was already a given, to the public, that it was safe. I lost it, at least as far as they know. I was found not guilty of cowardice or disaffection, so I know I did my duty. ”

“My lord, may I speak with you?” Captain, the honourable, Augustus Keppel asked, his face gaunt as anger, weariness and grief vied for dominance, resulting in only pain showing.

“You may speak freely in front of me.” John Byng said, fighting back a slight smile as the young man's nose wrinkled at the stench in the cell. He too had once reacted like that....only months ago, it felt like years.

“I'm sorry.” His tone and body language told John it was not his reaction to the smell he was sorry about. “They asked the wrong questions, they are fools and asked the wrong questions. That said they did ask for leniency. His majesty denied it. We still have....”

“It is done. If they want my blood, let them have it. I could not live long with a pardon at my back anyway.”

The fourteenth of March dawned with gales. Even the harbour seemed restless. Admiral of the Blue, John Byng was brought forth to the quarterdeck of the Monach.

“Let me do this.” Captain Keppel said, referring to the bandage that would serve as blindfold.

“I think I can do it. I can do it, I think.” Byng said, taking the fabric and tying it. He knelt on the cushion, already placed for him. He took in a breath, then let drop the handkerchief that signalled his final order. The order that would end his life, an order that was obeyed.



HISTORICAL NOTE:

This is based of the trial, appeal and subsequent execution of Admiral John Byng, found guilty under article twelve of the articles of war (Every person in the fleet, who through cowardice, negligence, or disaffection, shall in time of action withdraw or keep back, or not come into the fight or engagement, or shall not do his utmost to take or destroy every ship which it shall be his duty to engage, and to assist and relieve all and every of His Majesty's ships, or those of his allies, which it shall be his duty to assist and relieve, every such person so offending, and being convicted thereof by the sentence of a court martial, shall suffer death. )
of not doing his utmost in the defence of Minorca at the start of the seven year war. Most of the dialogue in this is fictional. The part about them wanting blood, and him tying his own blindfold are true as is the fact he had to give the signal (dropping his handkerchief) to the marines that would execute him. That first lord Anson didn't take the threat to Minorca serious, that Byng was delayed, finally provided with barely serviceable ships, all barely manned is also true. Second Lieutenant Baker Phillips was tried and executed under article 10 (Every flag officer, captain and commander in the fleet, who, upon signal or order of fight, or sight of any ship or ships which it may be his duty to engage, or who, upon likelihood of engagement, shall not make the necessary preparations for fight, and shall not in his own person, and according to his place, encourage the inferior officers and men to fight courageously, shall suffer death, or such other punishment, as from the nature and degree of the offence a court martial shall deem him to deserve; and if any person in the fleet shall treacherously or cowardly yield or cry for quarter, every person so offending, and being convicted thereof by the sentence of a court martial, shall suffer death. ) such was the outcry that article twelve was brought in, no longer protecting those above flag officer.