June 12, 1722
I have now found out much about this man, someone that was always a foe. His explotes in life have taken away my wife, my best friend and one of my many employers - Thomas Thynne of Longleat. In his eyes I have seen life pass me by and his red blood is on my hands.
He was born in 1659 in Nieuberg auf Fuhnen but our swords first crossed at the battle of Fehrberlin in June 1675.
Tuesday June 12. 1722
This is the story of my life and those people, events and places that I can remember. My memory is old and the dates have now changed but I’ll be as honest I can. This story may ramble and I will avoid public scandal by talking only of those that are now long passed away.
I have used the old dates and years for most of these memoirs whilst for some this will confuse but for an old man, confusion is a way of life. My story touches many great men, like John Churchill the Duke of Marlborough, the Elector of Brandenburg, and the unfortunately Duke of Monmouth my patron for many years. But also other of lesser status or infamy such as Robert West or the rogue, Count Konigsmark. In covers the great Dutch war of 1672 to 1678, the Western Rising of my Duke, and the many wars of the late King William. In my life I have travelled across France, the low countries and most of Europe. My eyes have seen the Turks, the Moors and the natives from the America’s. I will endeavour to group the events into stories which will unfold and interweave themselves through time.
I leave you now to explore the depths of my life, but before you judge me or my deeds remember my life ended many years before yours had begun.
Yours in the cause,
Colonel Sir William Savage of Warminster, Wiltshire