King Dick

King Dick is the title that I have given to this short story. It is derived from the nickname given to Richard Martin (Colonel Richard Martin) by King George IV of England namely ‘Humanity Dick’ because of his parliamentary achievements, not least his success in getting the pioneering ‘Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act’ 1822 named ‘Martin’s Act’ passed into British law... I have chosen the title ‘King Dick’ as an appropriate title for the following reasons. Firstly, Dick is the short version of Richard. Secondly because of the vast estates which he had in the West of Ireland he was named ‘King of Connemara’. He presided over his estates like a king. 'Humanity' as he was also called, was the great-grandson of his namesake Richard Martin, a County Galway lawyer who had the nickname ‘Nimble Dick’. After the defeat of King James II of England by William of Orange at Aughrim in the west of Ireland on 12 July 1691 Nimble Dick succeeded in being involved in the aftermath negotiations which resulted in his holding onto his lands.