Following the tradition of Ben Jonson’s 17th-century court masques in verse and of his own masques The Dream of Europa and King Charles the Wise, which incorporate the blend of mythology and history and five sections (prologue, antimasque, masque, revels and epilogue) found in all masques author Nicholas Hagger sets the third masque in his trilogy in London’s Banqueting House, where masques were performed before James I. This coronation masque contains three pageant entertainments that are viewed by King Charles before his coronation and contrast the disorder and political chaos before his reign with the order and harmony of his new Carolingian Age. His philosopher-King’s concern to benefit the lot of all humankind is applauded by the Universalist God of the One who assumes protean forms - the gods of all faiths including Biblical Israel’s Yahweh and Olympian Zeus - and cares for all creation, and watches over him. King Charles, co-author of Harmony, is shown as presiding over what promises to be an Age of Universal Harmony. Hagger’s incorporation and subsequent blend of mythology and history here is, as always, and without fail, allows the reader to enter unto a quite wondrous, if not acutely stylized adventure. With his questions filtering onward from the propositions and ponderings associated with both Brexit and Britian’s potential role in a more united world, Hagger demonstrates an excellent grip on the current economic state of play within the country, along with a broader understanding of what it will take to get the country (hopefully seamlessly) transitioned into becoming at one with others under the umbrella of a democratic world state within the next hundred years (or more). FULL REVIEW: https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=281 ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

Using the framework of his world constitution and argument for a democratic state in his books reviewed in the last issue, Nicholas Hagger has written a poetic masque starting from questions arising from Brexit and Britain's potential role in a more united world. As one might expect, the author shows a broad understanding of the world situation communicated through various characters. There is no doubt that we need people of vision if we are to make the transition to a democratic world state even within the next hundred years. The masque is an intriguing way to convey this message. ~ Praise for King Charles the Wise, David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer