Francis Bacon plays a small part in The Spy who Sank the Armada, my fictionalised biography of Sir Anthony Standen. Sir Anthony was a spy who was controlled, for a time, by Anthony Bacon, Francis’s elder brother.
On the 31st May 1621 Francis Bacon, who was then Lord Chancellor went to the Tower of London. Sir Edward Coke had made allegations of corruption against him. He only spent one or two days imprisoned, before King James I released him. He admitted to accepting bribes, but claimed that he was not influenced by them. Bribery was a common practice at the time. Either way, it marked the end of his career.
Sir Edward Coke also prosecuted Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. Essex plays quite an important role in Standen’s life, and in my book. Coke went on to prosecute the Gunpowder Plot conspirators.
Francis Bacon was a very remarkable man, a polymath. He can be said to have invented the scientific method. Here is a quotation of his: “The human understanding when it has once adopted a position draws all things else to support and agree with it. And though there be a greater number and weight of instances to be found on the other side, yet these it either neglects or despises, or else by some distinction sets aside and rejects.”
Francis Bacon was a member of Gray’s Inn, and when Sir Anthony finally returns to England, I decided that he would stay a while there, with Anthony and Francis. Claire and I often stay at Gray’s Inn when we are visiting London since Claire is also a member. I think it helps my writing to set scenes in places I know well.
Francis Bacon clearly admitted his guilt. I wish today’s politicians would follow his example.