The night was icy cold, heavy cloudy and windy, and before I crossed the outer courtyard of the palace to the main gate, white flurries had started falling from the sky. Thinking that a little snow was the least of my concerns, I clutched my furred-cloak tighter around my neck, put on my hood to obscure and protect my face, and proceeded.
If Cromwell had done his job properly, all the guards between the entrance of the Tower and Eleanor’s cell should have been bribed. However, I was uncertain to the extent of the bribe, as the Tower housed dozens of guards overnight, and admittedly my coin would not have been enough for all of them. There was also the issue of finding her cell as fast as possible. Cromwell had explained to me, that it was well below the one I had been kept the previous week; hers was down in the dungeons rather than in the upper lodgings where there were even windows.
I crossed the Thames without any unexpected disturbances and reached the entrance of the Tower shortly after.
The Tower of London was and still is a fortress, surrounded by thick white curtain walls, whilst on its midst lies the White Tower, a magnificent and formidable building which, I learned as a boy, was built by William the Conqueror, the Norman who had invaded England almost half a millennium before. It was an impregnable fort, built on the purpose of causing awe and fear to the enemies of the Crown.
As I was hidden behind a bush, looking towards the portcullis, which was guarded by two vigilant red-dressed soldiers, I wondered if that was a trick from Cromwell to get me captured, for he knew my true identity.
Then suddenly, I heard a noise behind me. ‘Well? What’s the plan?’ I turned abruptly drawing my sword at the same time, ready to strike. ‘Oh, watch out with that, Ed!’
‘Belfrigh!’ I exclaimed and immediately lowered my sword. ‘What in God’s good name are you doing here?’
‘I’m here to help you, of course!’
‘Help me with what, exactly?’
‘Rescue Eleanor! Isn’t that what you’re trying to do?’ he said sarcastically. His face was mostly obscured by a scarf, and the hood of his cloak was as low as mine to guard him against the cold.
‘Rescue her?’ I asked in disbelief. ‘She’s been kept in the Tower of London, Belfrigh! There are dozens of guards in there. How do you propose the two of us can mastermind an escape plan for a prisoner who is locked down in the dungeons?’
Belfrigh lowered his eyebrows sceptically. ‘What’re you doing here then?’
‘I want to see her one last time before she’s executed,’ I admitted in shame and Belfrigh chuckled mockingly. Then I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck aggressively. ‘If you’re here to mock me, I suggest you think again, Sir John. ’Tis the woman I love locked up in there, and if I cannot save her, at least, I want to say goodbye to her.’
‘Oh, that’s brave, lad’ Belfrigh said without attempting to escape my grip.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘It takes bravery to admit defeat,’ Belfrigh elaborated.
‘What would you have me do, then?’ I asked shaking him between my hands. ‘Storm in there with my sword in my hand and die bravely whilst trying to rescue her?’
‘No! You need to use stealth,’ he suggested.
‘Look, Belfrigh,’ I started and released him. ‘I don’t have time for this. Cromwell has bribed the guards, so they can let me pass as a visitor, but there’s no way I’ll be able to get her off that cell, let alone the Tower, undetected and unscathed.’
‘Cromwell?’ Belfrigh said incredulously. ‘You still have dealings with that scum?’
‘I know your brother doesn’t get along with him, but he’s all right. So far, he has kept his word; he released me from prison.’
‘He knows too much, Ed. He’s dangerous,’ Belfrigh countered.
‘And who isn’t?’ I asked a little too loud. ‘Everyone at this court is a treacherous backstabbing piece of shit. Every single man works solely for his own benefit.’
‘As you do!’
‘Yes, but for a greater purpose,’ I said getting angry now. ‘To avenge my family.’
‘Tell me, Ed. What has Eleanor got to do with you avenging your family?’ he asked but did not wait for me to answer. ‘Nothing! You’re only here because you love her, and that I respect, but I cannot comprehend that you’ve put your trust in the likes of Thomas Cromwell and believed even for a second that Eleanor cannot be rescued. Everything’s possible, Ed. You need only the will to do it.’
And there he was, Belfrigh the Valiant. My last friend in this cruel world, the only one who was willing to assist me in such a reckless mission that would potentially be deadly. I smiled at him involuntarily. ‘How do we proceed?’
‘That’s m’boy,’ Belfrigh cheered and clapped me on the back of my shoulder with a gloved hand. ‘So, you said the guards are supposed to be bribed. Therefore, they should let us pass.’
‘Us?’
‘Well, I’m obviously coming with you,’ he said matter-of-factly. ‘After we get past the guards then we proceed down to the dungeons. At this hour of the night, I expect there will only be half a dozen soldiers down there and sleepy. Easy prey.’
‘Half a dozen against the two of us is considered easy for you?’
‘Oh, you’ve grown soft in the luxuries of the court. We used to take five each, you forgot?’
True there were times back in our bandit lives in Rome that we completed heists with just the two of us and had often come against a small unit of soldiers.
‘Anyway, I don’t suppose it will come to much of a fight. Our titles should suffice, they will be intimidated,’ Belfrigh continued.
‘I pray you are right,’ I said and stood up from my hiding place, proceeding towards the entrance…
‘We are here to see a prisoner,’ I stated to the guards at the entrance of the Tower.
They looked at each other puzzled. ‘We were told that there would be only one visitor,’ the soldier on the left said. He was wearing a red and black doublet embroidered with the red and white rose of the Tudor dynasty and holding a long-axed spear.
‘You know who I am, soldier?’ Belfrigh asked rather rudely and abruptly.
‘Sir?’
‘I’m Sir John of the House of Howard,’ he said standing straight and lowering his hood and scarf under his mouth. ‘My brother is the Duke of Norfolk and close adviser to the king. Now you wouldn’t want me to say to him that you refused entry to the Tower to his beloved younger brother, would you? I think he would be most displeased.’
The soldiers gazed at each other one more time, and then they eventually nodded. What would two mere soldiers do against lords and dukes?
They raised the portcullis and stepped aside. ‘Ata, boy!’ Belfrigh said and motioned me to pass through the gate first.
‘I must ask you to leave your swords behind, though, Sir John,’ the other soldier said now, who was wearing the exact clothing as the other.
‘Belfrigh, we don’t want to cause trouble,’ I whispered to him.
‘Very well!’ Belfrigh said. We unsheathed and handed over our longswords. ‘Don’t lose them!’ he added menacingly.
As we got through the gate, another soldier was there to meet us and escort us to Eleanor’s cell. We passed by a large courtyard dim-lit by flaming torches which were creating an ominous view of the White Tower above us. The vast fortified stronghold nowadays seemed to be used mostly to house traitors and heretics before their imminent execution, or otherwise to perform horrific tortures. It was an eerie place, full of ghosts; the souls of tormented men and women that had suffered inside these walls were probably still lingering around the castle, trying hopelessly to find peace.
Down in the dungeons, the air was stale and cold. Surprisingly, though, it was almost deserted, as very few cells were occupied and there did not seem to be any soldiers around except the one that had opened the iron gate that led down to the dungeons. This was indeed queer, and once again I was fearful and ever watchful for a trap. However,
no one attacked us on our way to Eleanor’s cell and the soldier accompanying us remained silent, holding a torch to guide us through the dark labyrinth of cells and torture chambers.
‘You are allowed but a few moments with her,’ the soldier said when we had finally reached what seemed to be the darkest corner of the dungeon. He opened the iron gate with a big rusted key and let us in. Then he locked again behind us and remained outside to guard.
Belfrigh traced his pocket and took out a few golden crowns, which he handed over to the guard saying, ‘Give us an hour lad. Go for a walk and leave your key behind.’
The guard smiled pocketing the coins but then said, ‘It would be pointless for you to attempt to smuggle that woman out of the Tower, Sir John. I must warn you of that. The consequences of getting caught would be severe, even for the brother of the Duke of Norfolk.’
Belfrigh frowned without answering and motioned him to go away. The guard left, but he retained the massive iron gate locked and kept the key.
‘Eleanor?’ I whispered, seeing a dark curling figure on a bed of straw.
The figure rose its head and looked at us in disbelief. ‘Edward? Belfrigh? What are you doing here?’ said a ragged Eleanor. She was in a piteous state. She wore a very thin and filthy piece of cloth over her otherwise naked body and was shivering from cold. She also had visible marks of struggle upon her. Her previously beautiful red hair now hung limp and lifeless over her shoulders, whilst her face was grey from dirt and her eyes red and puffy no doubt from weeping.
‘We’re here for you, my love!’ I said and hugged her. ‘You’re trembling. Here!’ I unfastened my furred cloak and placed it on her stuttering body.
‘You can’t help me anymore, Edward,’ Eleanor said her eyes wet. ‘Not without dooming yourself too. You should go back to the palace.’
‘I am not leaving without you!’ I stated. Belfrigh’s determination had filled me with confidence.
‘You don’t understand, Edward,’ she started, tears trickling down her filthy cheeks. ‘You must leave this place at once. ’Tis you they want, not me. I’m but a necessary casualty.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘’Tis obvious, is it not?’ she said wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. ‘They knew that it would hurt you getting to me because they cannot do you any physical harm yet. You are a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, and that gives you the protection of the king. But I am nothing. It’s been months since they prosecuted heretics; they saw it as the best excuse to arrest me, though. Apparently, I’ve been spotted to these gatherings.’
‘What reason would Thomas More have to hurt me and thus you?’ I asked perplexed. My encounters with Thomas More were limited, and I had hardly spoken with the man except in official ceremonies or feasts at court.
‘Thomas More’s power is declining, and I heard whispers in the city he’s so frustrated with all these Lutheran outbursts that he will soon resign his post as Lord Chancellor,’ Eleanor said not answering my question.
‘Why did he capture you, then?’ Belfrigh inquired.
‘I never said it was him,’ she replied, taking a step back, whilst I looked intrigued waiting for her to elaborate. ‘The soldiers were sent by Thomas Boleyn.’
‘Hang on, now!’ said Belfrigh. ‘Ed said they told you that they were sent by Thomas More.’
‘They lied!’ Eleanor said simply.
‘But surely Boleyn doesn’t have the power to command the king’s soldiers,’ Belfrigh persisted trying to find reason.
‘Apparently, he does! At least that’s what I overheard from them. That Boleyn woman has such a firm grip on the king’s cock that she and her family do as they will,’ Eleanor countered.
‘But no one questions that? What is the king thinking to give them such liberties?’ Belfrigh wondered.
‘Probably the king doesn’t even know, and I expect those men were generously rewarded for their deeds,’ Eleanor pointed out. Now that she was talking, she seemed to have more control of herself and was not crying anymore. I, on the other hand, was on the verge of an outburst.
‘He did it!’ I said suddenly. ‘He sent those men to murder my family and me, and your family Eleanor.’
She gazed into my eyes full of guilt, sweat now trickling on her forehead, although it was freezing. ‘H-How do you know of this?’
‘Cromwell! Apparently, he knows a great deal of our past,’ I explained. ‘Why didn’t you say anything, Eleanor? Why did you keep such a secret from me? Four years of lying. The same tragedy befell our families, and you never thought of sharing that with me.’ Although I was most distressed with my realisation regarding Thomas Boleyn, my mind had temporarily dismissed it as a problem with which I should deal later, for now, I required some explanations from Eleanor.
‘Edward, I found out about my parents after we came back to England. ’Tis but a few months now that I have discovered the fate of my family and finally made the connection with yours,’ she said defending herself.
‘And you never bothered telling me?’
‘What happened to your family, Edward, was indeed a tragedy; but my family deserved what they got,’ she answered back to my bewilderment. ‘I hated them all. My father, my mother and all my siblings put together. The Lords of York, my father liked to call our family, although he never reached such heights in society. He only cared for himself, though and he knew the best ways to generate more coin to fill his greedy pockets. He got me married when I was only thirteen, you see, to a wealthy old merchant, thrice my age. He thought it would be a very advantageous match and indeed he received lots of gold and silver in exchange for my maidenhood. That man, though, my husband, was abusive. He used to beat me and rape me almost every day. Once he even shared me with some of his friends.’ She paused for a moment. Complete silence surrounded us, the damp walls of the cell seemed to be closing in.
‘I once dared to tell him I would leave him or that I would report his actions to my father; he beat me bloody for that insolence. I spent five years as his wife or prisoner if you will.’ She sat heavy on her uncomfortable looking bed and brushed away her mussed hair, a vacant expression on her face.
‘One day I decided I had enough. I would have to escape this misery, I thought, or spend the rest of my days as a slave. Thus, I mustered the courage to do what needed to be done. I killed him. I cut his throat with a dagger whilst he was asleep. That was less than he deserved…
The main responsible for my situation was my family and mostly my father. I could not go back to confront them, though, for I feared for my life. I fled the country and went to France where I learned the art of love and became a prostitute. You see, it was the only thing I could do well. Later I travelled extensively in Europe from brothel to brothel until I ended up in Rome.’
Listening in awe, I was immobilised for most of the time, until I shook my head then approached and hugged her, trying to give her some comfort. She wept on my shoulder like a child. ‘I-I’m sorry, Edward. I s-should’ve told you,’ she stammered through her weeps.
‘Not to worry, my love. I’m here for you, now,’ I said embracing her again.
‘We’ll take you out of here, lass,’ said an equally distorted Belfrigh.
‘No, no, you mustn’t!’ she said breaking off. ‘They’re looking for an excuse to arrest you both. You saw what happened when you punched that guard, Edward.’
‘Yes, but here I am now, free!’ I countered and then realised what I had just said. Was I literally free at the moment? We were all locked up in the same cell with no means to get out.
Then a thudding noise was heard right at the end of the dark corridor where our cell was.
‘Someone’s coming!’ Belfrigh said. ‘Damn Hell, we shouldn’t have surrendered our swords,’ he added, apparently realising himself the perilous situation we were in.
Moments later dark figures materialised, where the noise had been heard. Half a dozen soldiers were fast approaching us, but they were led by a man, whom I could
not see his face. He was all dressed in black and wore a matching hat. ‘Unlock that cell, immediately,’ said the man to the soldier who had led us in earlier and had apparently been standing in the shadows just a few paces away, his torch extinguished.
‘Master Cromwell, I have clear instructions not to release these men,’ said the guard confirming that we had indeed been led to a trap.
‘Do as I say, or my friends here are going to beat you unconscious,’ threatened Cromwell.
The guard eyed the six soldiers who were standing just behind Cromwell and thought again to disobey his command. He traced his key, which was hanging from his waist-belt and unlocked the iron gate.
‘Sir Edward. Sir John. Quickly now!’ Cromwell urged us.
‘I’m not leaving her behind, Master Cromwell,’ I protested getting hold of Eleanor’s thin arm.
Cromwell stepped into the cell, he took out his hat and gave me a stern look. ‘Sir Edward, the charges that hang upon this woman’s head are most serious. There is nothing you can do to save her. She will burn as a heretic and a witch. Now you can either join her or let her go, in which case you can live another day and try to fulfil your goal of avenging your family.’
‘Edward, listen to him. You must leave me. Otherwise, we’ll all die in vain,’ Eleanor said and tried to push me away.
‘The situation is more grievous than you think, Sir Edward. Thomas Boleyn increasingly looks to have a link to your family’s murder and seems now to have discovered your true identity. He knows you did not perish along with your parents on the day your house was burned down. Needless to say, he wants you out of the way. He will certainly not allow a bastard to interfere with his plans of having his future grandson sit upon the king’s throne. You must go whilst you still have time. His guards could be on their way right now. Unless you’d like to fight with your bare fists, I suggest you leave here at once,’ Cromwell finished and motioned towards the exit.
I turned and kissed Eleanor on the mouth, touched her still flat belly and then whispered to her ear, ‘I love you! I’m going to save you!’
The Illegitimate Tudor Page 24