Who is Renzi modelled on?
In Georgian times, while not common, there were people of high status who did go to sea as ordinary seamen. This was for any number of reasons, including escaping debtor’s prison, or running away from an amorous entanglement that had gone wrong. Renzi chose to go to sea in expiation of what he saw as a family sin, a fairly highminded reason, but one which does accord with the times. He is not modelled on any one high-born fugitive, but he had led the typical life of his class, did the Grand Tour, etc. For reasons that are divulged as the series goes on, I could not give away much of his background too early. And I promise there are still many surprises about Renzi in store for the reader.
