Mary squared her jaw.
I am my father’s daughter and I would stand my ground until the day God dictates otherwise. So she stayed quiet, she remained in the country and she watched herself, careful with each word, each act and each letter she wrote.
For now, Somerset’s claws were dug deep into the throne. For now, he was the man to hold the place by Edward’s side. In time, chance and circumstance might change but Mary was prepared to exist in quiet defiance for as long as she drew breath. She might not be able to affect change and alter the course of England but she would do all that was within her power to preserve what was righteous and true. How long she would be able to do so, she knew not, but she would not be led astray from her course.
She refused to betray herself.
She would not abandon God and the principals that He would have her live by. When she was summoned to His Eternal House, she would face her judgment with a clear conscience.
I must stand firm.
Slowly, she turned her face toward the sun.
Closing her eyes, she saw the dance of God’s colors, more beautiful and more wondrous than anything man could ever create behind the closed lids of her eyes. Time pressed on and she waited, allowing the warmth to sink into her bones. She sat still, enjoying the moment before her gasp lanced the silence and she pressed her hand into her side once more.
The pains made her twist and writhe. She panted and wheezed. Sweat beaded on her brow. She prayed to God for mercy and when none was granted, she closed her eyes against the suffering and endured.
1550
EDWARD VI
AGED THIRTEEN
Yuletide
The Lady Mary is a troublesome trickster, he said, she lies, denies and defies your majesty’s will. Northumberland’s face was somber. She wishes to hinder your majesty in your great work. She refuses to recognize you as her Supreme Leader. She is the agent of the Pope. She openly opposes your grace, his new protector advised him, your majesty must assert your authority. Make her heel.
They told him what he needed to do, what he ought to say and how. He sat atop his throne, his brows knotted. His sister Mary would arrive anon and when she was before him, he would bring her to heel. She needed to bow and cede to his authority, he had to make to cease in her rebellious ways.
He looked to Northumberland who gave him a reassuring nod.
At all times, Warwick, now Northumberland, kept him close. When the new protector could not be there to tend the king himself, he posted a standing guard in his stead to watch over Edward, be it night or day. Even when Edward wanted to use the privy stool, a man had to be present, to safeguard him from the persons who might wish to do him harm.
Edward was most seriously displeased. He protested, insisting that he had no wish to be coddled like a child, but Northumberland was adamant. Your majesty’s person must be secured, he would say. Remember, there will always be those wishing to follow Somerset’s example.
His uncle had done wrong, Edward grimaced, and he had lost his head for it. He had lost his uncle Thomas and his uncle Edward all within the year. There were times when he would cry, at night, when he was alone. He would think upon them and wish that they had not done so many horrid things and had their heads cut off. He missed them and he was lost without them. But his ministers told him that his uncle Edward had done great injuries to the realm, just like his brother Thomas had before him.
They said that Somerset had committed treason three times over. They said that he was foul and despicable, that he had to die. The Earl of Hertford, his uncle’s son had been guilty too, and he now lived in the Tower alongside those that wished the king and England injury.
Edward cocked his head, pondering the state of his realm. A great many people had gone to the Tower. Perhaps it was just as Northumberland insisted, there was simply too much evil in this world.
Edward would never forget the day he condemned his uncle. The lords had stood beside him, flanking him, making him denounce his uncle Edward, and he had said the words just as they directed.
Yet ere this, when they were at Windsor Castle, his uncle had told him that it was Northumberland who was the traitor and that Dudley was the man who wished to do him harm….
Edward sniffled. All the same, his uncles were dead and there was no bringing them back. But now they said his sister was guilty too.
The Lady Mary conspires to take your majesty’s throne, the lords advised him. She is a viper that seeks to tear England asunder. She is the leader of the Papists.
Anyone of the old faith was an enemy to the Crown. Everyone had to bow to him, for he, Edward the King was the Leader of the Church of England. He was to rule like his father had done before him, and in doing so he had to listen to his ministers and follow the will of God.
I am the Supreme Leader of England in all things and I must bring my sister to heel, Edward silently repeated the words to himself.
They said the Lady Mary refused to give up her masses and her saints. They said that she clung to Rome and the Pope and that she wished to one-day raise an army large enough to topple him from his throne and install herself in his place…
The Princess Mary!
The announcement of his sister’s arrival made him sit up in his throne. Edward straightened his back trying hard to make himself appear taller.
His sister appeared, bedecked in Tudor red. She walked, slow and steady, bowing low when she came close. Your majesty, she curtseyed. Smilingly, she lifted her head so that she might look upon him. Her eyes were warm when they met his.
Edward looked to Northumberland, his throat working.
Northumberland nodded at him.
We have called you here sister, so that we might celebrate the Yuletide season together, he began.
The lady’s smile widened, Edward gave his sister leave to rise.
Your majesty honors me. I hope we shall all be most merry, she said, her eyes taking in the sight of those in the audience chamber. A few lords were gathered around the dais. Mary knew their faces, Denny, Herbert, Cranmer and William. She would find no friends here amongst Edward’s crowd of councilors.
Dear sister, we shall be most merry, Edward spoke. Sweat gathered on his palms as he tried to remember the words he were told, b-but we have also called you to us for we demand satisfaction.
The lady was calm. She bowed low once more, your majesty.
Religion. Edward said past the stricture in his throat, you have been most remiss on the matter of religion.
She raised her face so that she might meet her brother’s eyes. He was much changed. Gone was the sweet child and in his place was this boy, not yet a man and not yet a king. He had much of their father in him but there were traces of his mother too. He had been an active child with a sunny disposition but now he appeared pale and drained. To Mary, he looked tired and well beyond his years. There had been many changes in the young Edward’s life this year and Mary thought that she and Elizabeth had been summoned to court to offer him solace. She was wrong. What Somerset had been Northumberland now was, and they wanted to use her brother to bend her to their will.
I cede to your majesty in all things, Mary made her reply, her voice unwavering, her mind determined, but in the matter of religion, I bow to God and His will alone.
Edward pursed his mouth before he snuck another glance at his new protector and his gathered lords, but we cannot abide by those that do not wish to do the will of God and conform to the one true church!
Her words were measured. I assure your majesty that I am a true believer. I am of the one true church.
The Church of Rome! Edward accused. You must obey me as your king and shepherd. You must accept the new faith and cease in your folly.
She was silent.
Edward glanced at Dudley and the man stepped forth to speak.
His majesty wishes, the man began.
Swiftly, Mary fixed her eyes on the man, her words succinct, I speak only with his majesty, she stared him down, you are
dismissed Northumberland.
She saw the man’s face tighten, flushing with rage.
Northumberland stays! The king exclaimed, standing up from his chair. He towered over Mary, his face turning red before he started to sputter and cough.
Ho! You there! Fetch the physicians to tend to his majesty! Mary directed, concern filling her face. She moved forward toward her brother only to be forestalled. Northumberland was quick to block her way.
I will see to my brother, she said unto the man. You will give way.
No one can approach the king without his leave, he returned.
Am I, his own sister, not permitted to offer him my care? Mary’s eyes were hard and she held Northumberland’s gaze without wavering.
The Lady Mary will withdraw, the man said, turning his head toward his king to receive the imperceptible nod of assent from the young Edward.
Mary took a step back. Triumph shone on Dudley’s face.
When Edward recovered, he spoke once more but his words lacked strength, sister, you have failed to answer to our will and you have refused to bow to the one authority that would grant you your eternal salvation.
To Mary’s ears it sounded like he was reciting the words by rote.
You are much-changed brother, she said softly, her gaze measuring him, glimpsing the man he was becoming.
He faltered for an instant before Northumberland’s stern look made him press on. Yea, I am changed, for now I am your king.
And I submit myself to your majesty’s will in all things, she replied, except in the matters that pertain to my conscience. In that, only God can be my judge.
I am your judge! he said, his discomfort rising in tandem with his temper. He wished for the audience to be over so that he could return to his rooms. He wished he could shrug off his doublet for it seemed to be constricting and squeezing the air out of his lungs.
I-I am the king of England! he spluttered, the Lady Mary must obey us in all things for I am God’s anointed!
You are king brother, like our father and you shall have a long and prosperous reign, Mary replied, her words soft, but your majesty cannot force my soul or that of any man’s from the one true path.
You cling to the Pope and all things foul! Edward spluttered. Our father knowing that the old church was corrupt abolished and banished it from our shores and we will continue his good work!
Tears came to Mary’s eyes, the people-
The people of England will be guided by his majesty! Northumberland thundered.
Clasping her hands together, she said to her king, guide the people back to the one true faith, brother, she dared to say, such a doing will be glorious in God’s eternal eyes!
Do you dare refute our father? Do you dare denounce his church? Edward replied, disbelieving, then he nodded, hot tears filling his eyes. His words were soft, it is as my ministers say then, he stared at his sister, taking in the sight of her stubborn chin and knotted brows. You cling to the old faith! You would that you could be queen in my stead! He shouted at her, his voice gaining in volume. Do not dare to harbor such thoughts, sister! I am king! We know that restoring the old faith is your fondest wish. It would legitimize you and your mother’s marriage to our father! But you are bastard born and you shall remain so. Do you hear? You are bastard born and you shall remain so!
Mary sank low into a curtsey as she spoke-
You once wrote me your majesty, ‘Sister, I love thee best,’ and I am forever humbly your majesty’s servant and sister. I care for naught but your majesty’s good health and I pray daily for your long and prosperous reign.
You pray with your papist priests! You take Mass and you cling to idolatry and popery! Edward gritted.
Northumberland now chose to intervene, your majesty, if England is to have peace, your grace must first put your own house in order! The Lady Mary must be made to see the error of her ways! She must be condemned for her impudence. She has thrice denounced and refused to submit herself to your will! He took quick steps up onto the dais until he was beside his young king. He bent low. Show no weakness, your grace. Make an example of the Lady Mary and all will follow. She leads them and they will not cease in their heretical doings until your majesty firms your will and force them to conform!
Mary watched on, her eyes hard. The man was whispering poison into her brother’s ear. He was a viper. He ruled Edward and he ruled England.
With a soft flick of the hand, Edward bid his sister rise. His face was pallid, his voice lacking the vitality of youth, we order you, he said on, the Lady Mary, our sister. We command that you recant the old faith and return your soul to the path of righteousness. We demand that you entrust your soul to your king. You will abandon your folly and banish the vestiges of the old faith from your soul, you will purge it until it rings true with the new and one true faith!
Well said your majesty, Northumberland praised, spreading his hands open and bowing low to his charge, pleased. If your majesty would permit me, he said, turning promptly to address the Lady Mary.
The king has spoken and the lady will answer, he commanded, his tones sharp, his eyes piercing.
Mary remained stoic. She kept her face smooth, her head held high, her chin firm and her back straight. She fixed her eyes upon Northumberland, letting her gaze shine with the full force of her displeasure and anger. The man held her gaze, undaunted.
Edward thumped his fist against the lions carved into his throne, sister? Answer us! We would have satisfaction this day. Capitulate and we shall be friends ever after!
Mary returned her eyes to her brother. She wanted to offer him words of consolation, she wanted to be his sister and she wanted above all to be his most devoted subject, but Northumberland would never leave her be. This was only the beginning. He won’t be done until he had her dead and buried.
She was an old woman, barren and ill. Her faith was all that she had left; she would not abandon it now. She would stand firm and she would never recant the one true faith, not even when her brother the kind demanded it of her. She could not.
I bow to your majesty in all things, she began, but on the matter of my conscience, she paused, I can permit myself only to be ruled by my conscience.
Edward paled before another coughing fit descended upon him.
Ho there! The new Protector commanded and the king’s attendants came forth, ushering the king from his throne, the king is tired. He needs to rest. Take him to his privy chambers.
Mary watched as her brother was led away by John and Guildford Dudley, Northumberland’s sons. She glimpsed Edward as he turned back to cast one last glance over her before he was ushered out. He looked angry, lost and forlorn. He was a boy in need of comfort.
Your majesty! Mary made to follow to see and tend to her brother, but she was stopped.
Northumberland stepped in front of her, blocking her path. He drew himself up to his full height. He stood between Mary and her brother, flanked by the king’s ministers, all of them his men, each and every one.
Your ladyship is dismissed. He said with a curl of his lip. I shall speak for his majesty. Let it be declared, he was clear, the Lady Mary has thrice denied the one true church, the Church of England. She is hereby banished to her estates. She is to be kept under guard at all times until the day she repents her willful conduct or until such time as it would please his majesty for her to be brought to justice for her many sins.
Turning away from Northumberland, Mary bowed to the empty throne of her brother one last time before she gathered her skirts. Sedately, she took her leave. The audience was over. But before she exited the double doors of the Privy Council, she turned back.
God rules us all Northumberland, she said to him, her face filled with warning, when your day comes, I pray that God will have mercy on your soul.
1553
EDWARD VI
AGED FIFTEEN
June
Sweat was flowing from him, it seemed to be seeping and pouring from every pore, flooding the sheets below h
im. He was burning with fever but his teeth were chattering. He tried to cough but he was too weak. He spluttered. He could not draw breath. There was great pressure upon his chest and pain was everywhere.
The doctors milled around him. All their remedies had failed to ease him. He shifted listlessly, his bony legs twisting in the sheets, his arms flailing.
In the beginning, Northumberland and Cranmer had stayed constantly by his side. They would converse in low tones and when they addressed him they would assure him that all was well. Your grace has a robust constitution, they would say. You will soon recover and be yourself once more.
Lies. They had spoken naught but lies through their teeth, smiling and bowing low. As he worsened, concern crept onto their faces but Edward recognized it for what it was. It was fear and it was panic. The lords feared his death and what would come after. He was their source of power. When he died, they would be left rudderless, powerless.
He heaved, the heavy phlegm blocking his lungs threatening to choke him.
The cough that had laid siege to him years before had disappeared in good time. He had triumphed over that little ailment with ease. To further his recovery and safeguard his person Edward was prescribed delicate food and carefully attended by his physicians. They inspected his health twice a day, morning and night, at the direction of the Lord Protector.
At their behest, he took restoratives and tinctures designed to preserve and enhance his health, and he took them religiously under the watchful eye of those that served him. He recovered well and in the years that followed he suffered no other complaint, until this year.
February was the month in which it all begun.
The air had been chilly that month. It had rained constantly and the skies had been a continuous riot of black clouds. Worse, there had been talk of a wet season and a wetter year to come.
Predictions for a year of poor harvests permeated the court, and Edward, despite the tingling overtaking his throat had insisted on attending council. He sat, presiding over the council and he had ordered provisions to be made to safeguard his people. His fear was that the remainder of the year would turn out to be as barren and as unyielding as predicted. His council however had cared not for his directive, insisting that such provisions were unnecessary.
Tudor Queen, Tudor Crown Page 14