Free The Last Queen of England by Steve Robinson

technology, adding newspapers to the list of diminishing physical documents, knowing that you could already have your favourite newspaper delivered digitally to your PC or e-reader.   He supposed that things were certainly going to be different for the genealogist of the future.   But not quite yet, he thought as he leant in and studied what was reputedly England’s first successful daily newspaper, published between 1702 and 1735.   This edition was dated Thursday, April 7th, 1708.   A little over two weeks before the hangings he and Jean had read about in the Newgate Calendar.   The text was similarly divided into two heavily worded columns.
    Tayte raced over it.   Something had to be related, but what?   There were a few paragraphs of translated foreign affairs and a large section concerning the debates of Parliament.   He saw an account of a hanging and thought that was it until he reminded himself that this newspaper was published too early for such a report to be relevant.   Then Jean made him jump.
    “There!” she said, forgetting where she was.
    Tayte felt the weight of a hundred eyes on them, although Jean was so caught up in their research that she seemed not to realise.   Tayte followed the line of her index finger to an advertisement section at the bottom of the right hand column.   It wasn’t quite what he’d expected but he saw a name he’d recently scribbled into his pad.
    ‘ At the Sign of the Cheshire-Cheese, a Tinshop in Walbrook, near Stocks-Market, Liveth a Gentlewoman, the Daughter of eminent Physician and Royal Society Fellow, Dr Bartholomew Hutton, who has practis'd in London upwards of thirty Years.   She has an Ointment call'd the Royal Ointment, for the Gout, and Rheumatick Pains, and of great Ease and Comfort to both Sexes at Home and Abroad.   NB. Originally prepar'd by this Gentlewoman, and sold for her no where else.’
    Tayte hovered a finger over the words, ‘ Royal Society’ .   That had to be what Marcus had drawn from this record.   He scanned the remainder of the text and found nothing of further interest - nothing concerning any of the other hanged men and nothing more for Dr Bartholomew Hutton.   He got up and Jean followed, prompting Hampshire and Hues to stir into life.   They paced towards the exit with them, one in front and one behind.
    Once outside the room Tayte approached a member of staff.   “Is there somewhere I can get access to the Internet?”
    The girl smiled and pointed.   “Computer facilities are provided in the Open Reading Room on this floor,” she said.   “It’s the first reading room you came to on your way in.”
    Tayte thanked the girl and when they arrived in the Open Reading Room he stood and turned in a slow circle while he looked for an available workstation.   It was already a busy area.   He thought he would have to go down to the Foyer and get his laptop from his briefcase but Hampshire and Hues were on the case.   Hues leant in over the keyboard nearest them and flashed something at the man sitting there: a badge, Tayte supposed.   He saw a few calm words being mouthed and a second later the man got up and left.
    “I guess that’s all part of the service,” Tayte said to Jean as he sauntered over.
    They sat down and Tayte brought up the website for the Royal Society.   “It has to be the connection,” he said.   “The five men were hanged together for the same alleged offence.   It stands to reason they knew each other.”
    “Maybe they have a list?” Jean said.
    “That’s what I’m hoping.”
    From the website’s homepage Tayte navigated through ‘Fellows’ to the ‘History Pages’.   At the bottom of that page he saw a link inviting him to ‘Search our database of Fellows’.   He clicked it and began the search, first with Charles Naismith.   Two minutes later they were both smiling.   All five men were there.
    “Touchdown,”Tayte said.   Technology had its advantages, too.
    Each entry had