The King's Commoner: The rise and fall of Cardinal Wolsey (The Tudor Saga Series Book 2)

by David Field

  This did not suit Thomas at all, particularly since it was the very thing that Thomas Howard wanted. There had to be a better way. ‘Perhaps my lord of Suffolk, who has her welfare so close to his heart?’

  Henry stared back at Thomas. ‘The very man who is likely to melt her heart anew, and banish all thought of marrying a prince of Europe from her head?’

  ‘Also the very man whose love for her will ensure her safe return from all obstacles that Francis might put in her way. He is one of the strongest, most valiant, men in the kingdom, and as your sworn and lifelong friend, the most likely to carry out your instructions to the letter.’

  Henry was finally persuaded, against his better judgment, and an astonished and jubilant Charles Brandon was advised that he was to lose no time in crossing the Channel to bring back to England the woman of his dearest dreams. He was also told by Henry, in no uncertain terms, that he was to insist upon the return of so much of Mary’s original dowry as he could wrest back from Francis, now confirmed as the new King of France. Finally, he was left in no doubt that his life would not be worth living — and perhaps might no longer be lived at all — if he did not keep his hands off his precious charge.

  Thomas had been present during this stern royal briefing, and he escorted Charles out into the antechamber, where he drew him to one side.

  ‘My dear friend,’ Thomas said, ‘be in no doubt that I have all but placed my head on the block for you in this matter. Should ought go awry, Henry will hold me to account as well, no doubt, as yourself, and do not believe for one moment that he will spare either of us simply for love of his sister. Also, do not build up your hopes that you and she will be allowed to marry — I have much work yet to do in persuading His Majesty before that point will be reached. But you may depart in the comfort of knowing that today the French Ambassador advised me that King Francis is waiting to welcome you to his Court, from which it may be presumed that he has no objection to your venture.’

  Suffolk grasped Thomas firmly by the shoulders, then embraced him warmly. ‘My dear Thomas, when you promised me that day at Hampton that you would look to my interests with the Princess Mary, I had no idea that it would be so soon. I am eternally in your debt, and if there is ever anything I can do...’

  ‘There is, Charles,’ Thomas cut in. ‘You can keep your hands off the Princess Mary and preserve both our heads from the block.’

  Six weeks later, Thomas sat at his desk in his bedchamber with his head in his hands, groaning audibly, and shaking with disbelief. In front of him was the worst communication he had ever received. It was from Charles Brandon, and it seemed that they would both be heading for the axe. Thomas had clearly underestimated both Brandon’s lust for Mary and the depth of his naivety, and they would both almost certainly pay with their lives — Brandon for what he had done, and Thomas for what he had placed him in a position to do, while giving King Henry the worst advice he had ever received.

  King Francis confided in Brandon that Mary had confessed her love for him, and that if Brandon would do him the honour of allowing Francis to organise a hasty wedding between the happy couple, not only would Brandon have his heart’s desire, but a letter would be sent from the Court of France advising Henry of the French King’s delight at this happy union. This letter was never sent, and they were married secretly in the chapel in Cluny a week later.

  The letter that was provoking Thomas’s groans had been written three days after their wedding, and it sought his intervention with Henry, if the two of them were ever to return to England safe in the knowledge that their heads were secure on their shoulders. Unaware of what had been taking place, both Henry and Thomas had been sending despatches urging Brandon to insist upon the return of the whole of Mary’s dowry, and it was of little comfort to Thomas to be advised that all the plate, jewellery and coinage that had accompanied Mary on her outward journey would be making the return trip. Francis could well afford to part with it, since he had taken Henry’s most valuable chess piece off the board, and somehow Thomas had to tell him.

  He opted to do so privately, rather than humiliate himself in Council, and it was in a plain white alb that he walked slowly into the Presence Chamber and prostrated himself flat on his face before a startled Henry.

  ‘What means this foolery, Thomas?’ Henry demanded, not sure whether to laugh outright or send for a physician, since his Archbishop of York appeared to have become bereft of his wits.

  ‘I place myself at your mercy, Hal, for you to do with me as you wish, rather than vent your wrath upon the two people who love you as dearly as they love each other, since it was I who trustingly placed them where they might fall prey to the temptation of true love, it is I who must pay the penalty. I would ask only that you allow me to go to the scaffold in this simple vestment that symbolises my humility and shame.’

  ‘Get up, you fool, and explain to me what it is that has so addled your brain,’ Henry demanded. ‘Who are these people of whom you speak?’

  Without rising, even to his knees, Thomas spoke to the carpet. ‘Suffolk and your loving sister Mary.’

  In the deathly silence that followed, Thomas was obliged to look up in case the King had left the chamber. It was worse than that — Henry’s face was crimson with rage, and he was experiencing difficulty in breathing. ‘Say you that Brandon has had her?’

  ‘It is worse than that, Hal — he has married her.’

  ‘Dear Christ — no!’ Henry thundered, as he hurled his wine goblet clean through the chamber window, and began thumping the arms of his chair like a child denied a favourite toy. Thomas took this opportunity to rise to his knees, and eventually Henry composed himself sufficiently to remember that kneeling before him was not only the man whose advice had led to this dynastic disaster, but also the very man who could best advise him how to deal with it.

  ‘Off your knees, Thomas,’ he commanded him. ‘I seek your counsel, not your head.’

  When Thomas appeared to be having difficulty raising his impressive bulk from the carpet, Henry waved a page from the side wall at which he had been standing awaiting further royal command. ‘Assist my Almoner to his feet, and have a carpenter repair that window ere we all freeze to death. Now then, Thomas, you have no doubt already designed a strategy to take us round this formidable obstacle, other than the execution of my favourite sister and my childhood companion?’

  ‘Indeed, Hal, and it may be that this unhappy and unwanted event may be turned to our advantage.’

  Henry smiled conspiratorially. ‘Already you promise to repay me for sparing your head. What have you in mind?’

  ‘Well, Suffolk advises me that this state of affairs was only made possible by the deviousness of King Francis, whose Ambassador was but recently at my door seeking that the Princess Mary be betrothed to some minor French nobleman or other. It would seem that she refused any such offer, and that Francis sought to prevent her from being married into the Habsburgs by encouraging the heartsick Suffolk. This confirms that Francis sees a rival in Charles of Hapsburg, King of Spain, as well as King of Germany, and Holy Roman Emperor in all but name.’

  ‘This much I could have worked out for myself, Thomas. What do you advise?’

  ‘Overtures to Charles himself, Hal. While he may no longer hope for the hand of Princess Mary in marriage, he may look fondly on an approach by us for an alliance against Francis. This way you will be insulting Francis, while at the same time making it clear to the whole of Europe that his devious schemes have brought him nothing but the enmity of England.’

  ‘Do you propose that I appoint you as special envoy to Charles’s court?’

  ‘No, Hal. I propose that we entertain him royally here in London, with great pomp and splendour. We might even invite the French Ambassador.’

  ‘After the recent fires here at Westminster, we would have to do so at Richmond, or perhaps Greenwich or Windsor. Yet I doubt that any of them could house a royal visit of such size. Is your new dwelling at Hampton completed?’


  ‘No, but my London residence at York Place would be more than adequate, with any additional guests being housed at one of the royal palaces you name.’

  ‘And you would organise it?’

  ‘Down to the very last detail, Hal. It would be my pleasure, and would afford me one more opportunity to display my gratitude for the retention of my unworthy head.’

  ‘Yet I fear that the Council will take this news ill. Norfolk in particular will be most aggrieved to learn that Suffolk has escaped with his head.’

  ‘His head perhaps, but may we not reduce his wealth by way of punishment? He writes that he is returning not only with the Princess but also her dowry. That should of course be forfeit, and might I suggest that she be obliged to repay the outlays of her wedding, which amount to some twenty-four thousand pounds?’

  Henry turned slightly pale. ‘This would ruin the happy couple ere they had been wed a month. Is there no other way?’

  ‘I do not suggest that they be obliged to pay the entire sum in one instalment, Hal. Perhaps over a period of six years, with an attainder upon default?’

  ‘That would be kinder, certainly. But would it satisfy Norfolk and his faction?’

  Thomas smiled. Here was an opportunity to play the ends against the middle, and the morning would not be entirely wasted. ‘There are few occasions upon which Norfolk’s son Surrey says anything worth listening to, yet he did but recently seek my assistance in a family matter. Two of the ladies who travelled to France with the Princess Mary are still there, it would seem, and are now seeking positions at the English Court. They are the ladies Mary and Anne Boleyn, Surrey’s nieces, and — more to the point — Norfolk’s granddaughters. Should you be inclined to prevail upon your dear Queen to include them among her ladies-in-waiting, it might be sufficient to silence Norfolk, and with him those of your Council who are foolish enough to listen to him. Katherine might well be disposed towards granting your request, given that you will shortly be showing so much honour to her nephew Charles.’

  Henry’s face broke into a broad smile. ‘Thank God that you serve my interests rather than those of my enemies, Thomas. It shall be as you suggest.’

  Thomas took the precaution of inviting the French Ambassador to take wine with him at York Place. He reminded him of the deviousness of his master before requesting, by way of penance, all the information he could supply regarding the Ladies Boleyn.

  The Ambassador was eager to advise Thomas that, ‘The Lady Anne resides with her father, and is so far advanced in her studies, as well as her dancing, singing and lute playing, that she is accounted one of the finest prospects in Paris.’

  ‘Do not contrive to have her married off to some French noble with more land than culture,’ Thomas advised him, ‘since she is required here at Court, to wait upon the Queen. And her older sister Mary?’

  The Ambassador’s face set in concentration as he sought the appropriate words.

  ‘She is much more — how shall we say — frivole? than her sister. She is light-hearted, much given to laughter, gaiety, dancing and the like. She is received at Court, where she is chased by many fine young nobles.’

  ‘And is she frequently caught, may I ask?’

  ‘In truth, it is only rumour, and because of her undoubted beauty she is of course resented by many of the more senior ladies at Court, who spread unkind stories regarding her.’

  ‘Please do not prevaricate, Gilles,’ Thomas urged him as he refilled his guest’s goblet.

  ‘She has a reputation for her freedom with the men. Indeed, my master would be grateful for her removal from his Court.’

  ‘But you assure me that this is just jealous slander by those ladies who envy her beauty?’

  ‘Perhaps a little more than that, my lord Archbishop. I know of at least two men at Court who have known her favours. I am sorry if this news does not please you, but you wished that I be honest with you.’

  ‘Indeed I did, and I am most grateful to you for your candour,’ Thomas replied, keeping the smile from his face at the prospect of the humiliation and embarrassment that he could cause for the Norfolk family by having her brought to London without delay, and slipped into the Queen’s entourage.

  XI

  Barely a month later, Thomas and Henry met to discuss darker matters. King Francis had finally wrested the strategic city of Milan from the Confederacy of Swiss States that had held it for some time, and the balance of power in Europe had shifted dramatically. Milan was strategically important from the perspective of those who lived both north and south of it; to the Swiss it was a southern bastion against access to their Alpine passes, while to any conquering army from the north it was the gateway to the more southerly Italian city states, including Rome.

  The Pope was now under serious threat, and Charles of Spain and Henry of England were the only two monarchs who could come to his aid. The Swiss Confederacy would never take the field of battle again, but declared themselves strictly neutral after their massive defeat. Almost immediately afterwards, news came that Charles was facing a revolt against his rule in Spain by a conglomeration of Castilian cities known as the comuneros.

  The King’s Council stood firm against any official alliance with Charles, and Henry was watching this sudden rise of France with jealousy and apprehension. He was also frustrated by the apparent pacifism of Warham and Norfolk, and a little unnerved that for once Thomas could not sway the meeting. He summoned Thomas from York Place down to Westminster to discuss what they might do to promote their desire to ally with Charles of Spain without needing to consult the Council.

  If Thomas could find a way through the impasse, he would not only confirm his primary status as the voice in Henry’s ear, but he would also be well regarded by Queen Katherine, who was known to be well aware of Henry’s dalliance with Bessie Blount, had dismissed her from her service in a fit of pique, and was quietly seeking revenge against those who had provided the facilities for the two of them to meet in secret. Thomas knew that he was vulnerable in this regard, and that it would best serve his interests to be able to reunite the angry Queen with her nephew. As a result, he had thought particularly deeply regarding this issue, and had a possible solution to hand.

  ‘What are we to do, Thomas?’ asked the perplexed Henry.

  ‘I have in mind going on a pilgrimage, Hal.’

  Henry frowned. ‘You cannot desert me at this time, when there are so many urgent affairs of State that require your agile mind and your filed tongue.’

  ‘I have not yet said where my feet will take me.’

  ‘Rome?’

  ‘No, somewhere far more important to England at this time. Santiago de Compostela, there to pay homage to the reputed bones of St James the Apostle.’

  Henry was still at a loss. ‘How will praying to a pile of old bones help England at this time?’

  ‘Because, Hal, if I choose to travel overland, I will need to pass through Castile.’

  Suddenly Henry understood, and with a shout of joy he clapped Thomas on the shoulder, almost spilling his wine in the process. ‘An excellent ruse, Thomas! No doubt on your journey through Castile you will be in a position to carry with you warmest greetings from a royal aunt?’

  ‘That was my intention, Hal. And what message would you like me to bear from you?’

  ‘Tell him that we wish him long life and good health, and that we would wish to be allied with him against the arrogant Valois boy who has the audacity to pretend to be a king, and who only succeeded in conquering Milan because there were no real soldiers there to prevent him.’

  ‘And how soon shall this alliance be announced to the world?’

  ‘As soon as the boneheads in Council can be made to see that it is in England’s best interests to enter an early alliance with the man who will, in the fullness of time, also be King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor.’

  ‘They know this already, Hal, yet they remain hesitant.’

  ‘They will not hesitate when you return with news
of Charles’s enthusiasm for such an alliance, and the Queen makes it known that such a possibility has gladdened her heart. Norfolk is still seeking positions at Court for his granddaughters, is he not?’

  ‘He is indeed.’

  ‘Then perhaps we might prevail upon the Queen to grant his wish in return for giving support to her nephew.’

  Thomas nodded in agreement, mentally noting two things. The first was that Hal had referred to Katherine as ‘the Queen’, rather than ‘Katherine’ or ‘my dear wife’. This suggested a cooling of relations between them that seemed to be confirmed by the fact that Hal saw the need to ‘prevail upon her’ to obtain his objective, whereas in the past she would lovingly have granted his every wish. It also signified that Thomas was now called upon to ingratiate himself with two separate people, whereas in the past the consent of one had brought with it the automatic consent of the other.

  Two weeks later, Thomas was bowing the knee to the young King Charles of Spain. He was only a boy of fifteen, and his grasp on those territories to which he had succeeded at such a young age was tenuous. He had inherited his father’s Burgundian throne at the age of six and was still ruling under the regency of his aunt, Margaret of Austria. The Low Countries that came with the crown, and were Charles’s traditional home, had just suffered a revolt by Fresian peasants which had yet to be suppressed, and they were also important to England for trade purposes. Finally, here in Castile, Charles was still seeking to put down the comuneros uprising. If ever a monarch with a shaky hand on several thrones at once needed a powerful ally, it was Charles.

  ‘My grandfather Maximilian speaks very highly of your diplomatic skills,’ Charles told Thomas in his heavily accented English as he signalled for him to rise. ‘He also says you would be Pope.’

  Thomas gave him the unctuous smile that seemed to reside permanently on his face these days as he rose somewhat heavily from his knees and took the chair indicated to the left of, and lower than, the royal dais. ‘Your Majesty speaks excellent English, if I may make so bold.’