1536
Grief stabbed at Mary’s gut.
She held her breath and hoped that the feeling would pass. Pressing her teeth down sharply on her tongue, she commanded her brain to think of better things.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ785JcgaPdY
It ignored her.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PTHwLk7kp
When she closed her eyes she saw her brother mounting the scaffold. She blinked and the image dissipated, but when her lids closed again the scene continued. He was kneeling down, placing his head on the block.
She blinked, but he was there still.
He was murmuring under his breath, quick and hurried prayers that he was hoping would be enough to save his soul.
Blink.
His eyes were closing and the executioner was raising his axe.
She bit down on her tongue so hard that she began to taste the sharpness of blood in her mouth, and only when the throbbing of her tongue and the iron taste in her mouth became too much to bear did the vision in her head truly go away.
A letter lay open on the table, the wax seal just barely hanging on. Mary had torn it carelessly in her haste to read the words on the page.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa5kc0pFQV
With trembling hands, she looked again.
Mary,826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOdzUmZYcN
It is with the greatest sorrow and regret that I write to you to inform you that your brother George was executed this morn on Tower Hill. Anne will follow soon. My apologies that I am unable to say more… alas George’s death does grieve me as I am sure it will you.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73gPGad7Px
Thomas
It was a quick note penned by Thomas Wyatt. His words were scrawled and the lines uneven, an unusual feat for Tom. He was always so neat, so eloquent... the execution of George and his own imprisonment must have affected him deeply.
Mary had been all too aware that George was in the Tower. She was painfully aware that he had been placed under attainder and that he was branded a traitor. She knew what fate awaited traitors.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3qDMPDNaN
And yet she could not bear to think of the king going through with it. The man she had known - the king she had known - was no cruel man. He would surely not give her brother so lasting and definite a punishment... The Henry she had known would have granted clemency.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGACUORaNK
She thought of Henry, and how he used to lie next to her, young and beautiful, in his grand bed with silken sheets embroidered with HR and Tudor roses. He would trace his fingers over the curve of her arm, kiss the nape of her neck and promise her the entire world. Like a fool, she believed him.
Oh, Mary lamented, how happy she was before Anne came home from France! Those were the days when she was Henry’s favourite mistress and anything she wanted was hers for the taking. Her immaculate dresses and delicate jewels, the beautiful golden gifts from the king and all of the courts eyes watching her when she danced... admiring her, envying her, wishing to be her.
Thinking of George, it seemed like a lifetime ago.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAlqzyWorh
The grand balls and feasts they attended together whilst the king looked on kindly, all the offices and grants he bestowed on George... No, Mary concluded, the man on the throne now is a changeling compared to the king I shared a bed with.
The pangs of grief in her stomach returned, and she pressed her tongue roughly against the roof of her mouth to suppress tears. Her knuckles whitened, gripping the table edge tightly, shutting her eyes against the afternoon light.
1541
Catherine Howard was dizzy. Dizzy with sheer joy.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR6g8GJjL4
The king absolutely doted on her, called her his ‘rose without a thorn’, and positively showered her with gifts. She practically felt like skipping through the halls, parading through the country and traipsing across all of Europe, declaring that she was simply the happiest Queen there ever was! Anne Boleyn had called herself "the most happy", but Catherine was sure it was nothing compared to this. Just yesterday Henry had presented her with the most dazzling jewels she had ever seen. A man arrived in her rooms with a great leather box, and when he opened it he pulled out an array of diamonds and rubies and emeralds, ensconced in silver and gold on a sheet of velvet, and all she had to do was take her pick. Rings and necklaces, earrings and bracelets, she had the finest of each.
She sighed happily to herself, sitting herself down serenely in a finely carved chair in her rooms. She blinked hazily, almost drunk with her contentedness.
Through her half-closed eyes, she caught sight of the Lady Rochford, Jane Boleyn, sitting on the window seat. Jane had been married to George before his execution, and she had done all she could to remain at court after the Boleyn’s downfall. She had been thankful for her powerful allies back then. She had used her claws to remain at court, and Catherine, though she did not fully know why, distrusted the woman. There was something about her dark eyes that said she knew a hell of a lot more than she let on.
Her icy gaze irked Catherine. It reminded her of the past, of what had happened to all of Henry’s other wives, and she did not like it one bit. She sniffed and wrinkled her small nose.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUquDMd6sAL
Jane was related to her - through marriage at least - since Catherine was cousin to the Boleyn's through their mother, and so however distantly they were connected, she was obligated to keep her around, no matter how much she disliked it.
But why should she be here, poisoning my perfectly good mood? Catherine mused. Jane was like a sharp needle, bursting the ecstasy of the queen’s bubble.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6jTD8T58i
Catherine sniffed again, and deciding she no longer wished to be in the presence of the lady Jane, departed from her rooms, seeking the reprieve and relaxation of the gardens.
Henry stalked through the hallways of Hampton Court. Courtiers pressed their backs against the wall to clear the way - they could tell, even from their safe distance away, that he was in a foul humour. His eyebrows were knitted together in a frown, his mouth turned downwards. His lame leg limping and his elaborate walking cane slamming into the wooden floor panels, his face was a picture of discontent and his expression positively stormy.
“Whoever the king is on his way to see, I don’t half pity them.” Whispered one courtier to another once the king’s retinue had safely passed. The other nodded quickly, admiring the nerve of the other man to speak in such a way out loud. Lord knows what would have happened had the king heard.
It was Anne of Cleves whom the king was on his way to see.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEKXn3reXi
She was waiting for her former husband in the throne room, stood before the two ornate chairs, thanking her lucky stars that she no longer had to sit on one. They were dreadfully uncomfortable and she had never liked being so much the centre of attention. All in all, Anne of Cleves thought being Queen was rather much of a burden, and one that she was immeasurably glad she no longer had to bear.
Henry entered, the grand doors being thrown open by his heralds. His face was dark, bottom lip stuck out like a petulant child.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgS4siI2M6
She waited as he mounted the dais - with no small degree of difficulty - and settled himself in the largest of the two thrones.
“Your highness,” She said softly, sinking to her knees in an elegant curtsey. She looked up at Henry from her position on the floor, waiting for a sign that she could rise again.
He studied her on the floor for a while, scrutinising her bowed head. He had never noticed the shine in her hair, or the dimples in her cheeks.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiNSib2PuB
It took a while, but eventually he motioned for her to stand. Anne was beginning to think Henry enjoyed to see his wives on their knees before him, begging him for mercy.
“Anne,” He said more cooly than she had expected. “It is a pleasure to see you here. I beg, tell me how does Hever treat you?” He asked.
Anne smiled graciously.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj133c3Mzq
“It is most agreeable, my lord.”
Silence settled between them and Anne felt a slight discomfort as his eyes inspected her. Moments passed, and Anne began to shift her weight nervously between her feet. She did not want to stay here long, the very place made her nervous, and so she took a deep breath and behind her back, crossed her fingers.
“Your highness, I shall be frank with you.” She said boldly, praying he would take no offence. “After all, you have taken me as your sister and what can siblings be if not frank with one another?”
Henry raised his eyebrows. He admired her nerve, and, slightly amused, allowed her to continue. She nodded her head briskly, relieved to see that he did not seem to mind.
“There is something I would wish to have at Hever. Something that is missing.”
The king's eyes narrowed.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHyd5uYAwE
Firstly, that one of his castles should not be enough for her was damn near insulting. Secondly, that she had the daring to ask for more after he had already been so generous… his temper was balanced on the edge of a knife. Torn between bemused and insulted, he nevertheless motioned for her to carry on.
“I... I should so very much like to be able to see the lady Elizabeth, your grace. I should like her to come a visit me sometimes… Hever is so very big, and with just myself and my household inside it can get so lonesome. I…long for the happiness of the child to brighten up the halls.” Anne said softly.
Henry nodded slowly. His bad temper seemed to melt away. After all, he was not an inherently cruel man… and despite whatever hatred he had for her mother, he still loved his daughter. He realised in that moment that perhaps he had not shown enough affection towards the little Elizabeth, and some small part of him felt a twinge of regret. That he could make up for his mistakes through the Lady Anne was comforting.
“Me thinks… that would be perfectly permissible. On one condition,” He stated. Anne nodded, and looked up to the king to see what restrictions he would place upon her. She would only be able to see her for three days at a time? Only twice per year? Anne’s mind raced.
“I would have her address you as the Lady Anne only. She must not address you as queen Anne, for you and I are both in agreement that you are no longer queen.” Henry said sternly.
Anne was surprised. That this should be Henry’s only condition was a miracle. Her lips broke into a dazzling smile, pleased that Henry had at last granted her something she truly wanted.
“Of course your majesty.” She said with another curtsey.
She rose quickly and left, wishing to be far away from the court before Henry had a chance to change his mind.
Edward Bonner was waiting nervously to be seen by the king. He had been told the king was in consultation with the lady Anne of Cleves, and he would have to wait. But his fingers were twitching and he couldn't keep his feet still. His hands fumbled in his palms and his forehead was beginning to sweat.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j0iv3N05E
He was far from a nervous man, but the words he had come to deliver to the king were sure to incur his wrath and even Bonner feared that. Any sane man would.
Eventually, after what felt like an age, the lady of Cleves exited, and Bonner was told to wait only a few moments more. Then, with his gut sinking, he was beckoned.
"Edward Bonner, the Bishop of London." The doorman announced to the king. Edward nodded his head in thanks as the door was opened for him, and closed behind him with a dull thud.
Once inside, he examined his surroundings. The walls were dark and panelled, and everywhere Bonner looked, he could see the Tudor rose. Engraved in the walls, the ceilings, hanging from tapestries... everything down to the king's throne.
And there he sat, the king himself, beneath the rose that adorned the top of his mighty seat. He was flanked on either side by two of his most prominent courtiers - Charles Brandon, the king's closest friend, and Thomas Howard, the uncle of Queen Catherine.
"Master Bonner, I welcome you to court." The king spoke. "I have been informed that you have news of traitors within our midst. I should very much like you to share your knowledge with us." He said. His tone was friendly enough, but his eyes were cold.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpqA35QD3P
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"Yes, of course, your highness." Bonner said with a bow of the head. "It was three years ago I first caught wind of it, sire. I reported it back then and your grace found it to be no threat. But, sire, I have heard it once again and I should not sleep at night if I kept it to myself." He said. The king motioned with his hands for Bonner to continue.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ0wWEXHTo
"It was last month, your grace. I was in a tavern in London and it was late. Two wealthy men came in - I could tell, for even though they were hooded, the hoods were of great quality - and once they had been seated they began to talk. They spoke of your former foreign ambassador, and how he had been so rude about your person, majesty. They spoke of how he was in a most secure friendship with Cardinal Pole, who I know your majesty has great distrust of. I do fear they may be plotting against your highness."
The king raised one eyebrow and was deep in thought. His chin rested on his fist as he contemplated the words Bonner had just spoken.
"Thank you, bishop. You may leave us." He eventually said with a smile that he hoped was kindly.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwZFacqY9t
Once the door had closed behind Bonner, the king turned to his advisors.
"Remind me, the ambassador in 1538 was...?"
"Thomas Wyatt, your grace." Brandon replied.826Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OG90121V7
The king nodded.
"Yes I thought so. Hm." He said. He rose from his chair and turned for the door.
"Sire, what do you intend us to do with Wyatt?" Thomas Howard asked.
The king paused, and without missing a beat replied:
"Wyatt? Charge the bastard with treason."
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