# XIII: August 1st, 1714 explained — The History of Henry Esmond

> Chapter companion for The History of Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray.

## What happens

On the night of Queen Anne's death, Henry Esmond and Frank Castlewood race to Castlewood to prevent Beatrix from eloping with the Prince of Wales (James Stuart). They arrive to find the Prince asleep in Beatrix's chambers, and Esmond confronts him, burning the patents and titles granted by the Stuart line, renouncing his allegiance to the Pretender, and breaking his sword in a dramatic act of defiance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Sacrifice

Esmond renounces his Stuart titles and breaks his sword to defend family honor, sacrificing his own claims.

### Love and Duty

Esmond's love for Beatrix turns to bitter disillusionment as he realizes her treachery; duty to family overrides personal feeling.

### Politics and Loyalty

The chapter dramatizes the collapse of Jacobite loyalty as Esmond publicly repudiates the Stuart cause.

### Family and Kinship

Esmond and Frank act together to protect the family name; the bonds of kinship are tested by Beatrix's betrayal.

## Character check-ins

### Henry Esmond

Confronts the Prince of Wales at Castlewood, burns his Stuart patents, and renounces his allegiance.

### Frank Castlewood

Rides with Esmond to Castlewood, witnesses the confrontation, and is told he is now lord by right.

### Beatrix Esmond

Has secretly invited the Prince to Castlewood; her letter to her mother is intercepted, revealing her duplicity.

### Lady Castlewood

Remains in Kensington in distress; the Bishop Atterbury is with her; she fears violence from Esmond.

### Chevalier de St. George

The Prince of Wales (James Stuart) is found asleep in Beatrix's rooms; he is confronted by Esmond and humiliated.

### Francis Atterbury

The Bishop is with Lady Castlewood in Kensington; he inadvertently reveals Beatrix's location to the Prince.

### John Lockwood

Rides behind Esmond and Frank to Castlewood; his father, old Lockwood, is intercepted with Beatrix's letter.

## Key lines

> The love was dead within him; had she a crown to bring him with her love, he felt that both would degrade him.

Esmond's love for Beatrix is extinguished; even if she offered him a throne, he would feel dishonored.

_Esmond's emotional turning point, where he realizes Beatrix's worthlessness in his eyes._

> I lay this at your feet and stamp upon it: I draw this sword, and break it and deny you; and, had you completed the wrong you designed us, by heaven I would have driven it through your heart, and no more pardoned you than your father pardoned Monmouth.

Esmond publicly renounces the Stuart cause, burns the patents, breaks his sword, and threatens the Prince with death had the seduction succeeded.

_Climactic renunciation of Jacobite loyalty and family honor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xiii-august-1st-1714
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters