by J P Ceark
‘Sire, be contented, all will be well. Mary is taught by the best minds. She’ll make a noble monarch, worthy of her father,’ interjected Thomas More.
‘Aye,’ he smiled. ‘Aye, she shall.’
Thomas felt his manipulation had faulted. He tried another spin. ‘To see a daughter unhappy is to make the father so. Is it not a father’s wish to see his beloved daughter marry well?’
‘Aye, that it is,’ Henry replied happily. He was about to continue when the Cardinal was announced.
His red robes were in stark contrast to his pale face. He stared at Thomas
‘Ah, Cardinal, my dear friend. I had meant to come to York Palace but time got away from me. I had not forgotten our meeting,’ Henry soothed, though he sensed Wolsey’s uneasiness. As did the other gentlemen.
‘Sire, there are the various elements of the peace treaty with France to discuss,’ Wolsey projected. Thomas smirked, realising the Cardinal was seeking private council.
‘Aye, Cardinal. We shall have the talks now,’ stated the King to indicate the other men to leave. ‘Viscount Rochford, perhaps we could talk this evening? Together?’
‘Of course, Sire, I will join you,’ Thomas spoke with pride.
* * *
Boleyn found new rooms waiting for him — better rooms and closer to the King. Robson had travelled ahead with Thomas’s retinue, bringing much of Thomas’s furniture with them.
‘This does me well, does it not?’ Thomas spoke to Robson.
‘Aye, My Lord.’
Thomas could not hide his elation. He unwrapped the leather folder holding the names of the French court arriving in England. ‘I’ve had dealings with many of these people. I know what’ll impress them!’ he grinned.
‘Master, I can see your place is at court.’
‘Aye, I’ll not let Wolsey get the better of me again.’
* * *
The palace dwellers were on their way to evening song. Thomas joined the herd of people when he heard the bells chime. As he plodded along, he happened upon his daughter, Mary.
‘Where is Anne?’
‘She has remained in my rooms all day, though she did go to the Queen this morning,’ Mary answered.
‘And? What took place?’
‘Tears of anguish. Queen Katherine requested Anne sing for her. Anne excused herself complaining of a sore throat. I thought all was well but after she told me what had happened, a fury of temper descended. She is most jealous of the Queen; Anne’s love for the King has become all-possessing.’
‘As I feared … she has set her heart on marriage.’
They sat together in the chapel listening to the prayer music.
Mary leant in to whisper to her father. ‘She hasn’t recovered her heart from Percy and has developed a bitterness within her character because of it.’
‘I think to send her away.’
‘He is besotted with her.’ She turned to look at her father’s face, to plead for reason. ‘Absence will only make him pursue her more. He did so when I left for Beaulieu … He added more keeperships for William and wrote to me, pleading to return to court.’
‘Exactly,’ he said cruelly. ‘Anne will ensnare him.’
‘Have you no concern for her?’
‘None … she is not you. Anne has intellect.’
* * *
Mary opened a window to let the cold air cool her face; her own temper was reaching the surface. She had sent the servants to the kitchen to get candied fruits, sweet meats and wine. They had lit candles as the day neared its end and the fire was stoked to warm the chill.
The first knock came. A servant hurried to open the door and dropped to a deep bow on seeing the King. Henry appeared merry, kissing Mary on both cheeks and smiling graciously while looking for Anne.
‘I thought she was with you,’ Mary stated.
‘No, I’ve not seen her; I’ve missed her. I think …’ he began, but reminded himself that Mary was an old lover and would not enjoy hearing the deepening love for her sister.
‘You think …?’ she asked, appearing sympathetic.
‘Forgive me, Mary, I cannot stop thinking about her. She consumes every thought — her intelligence, her grace, her dislike of everyone but me.’ Mary laughed at that, for it was true of Anne to court more dislike than friendship. ‘I feel blessed somehow that she would look upon me … or at least I hope she does. I fear perhaps her love is not as stable as mine own.’
‘Sire, I cannot speak for my sister but I know what is in her heart and it is marriage and children, as it was in mine. You cannot offer her these outcomes and so she does all she can to dissuade her growing passion for you. I see her night after night fight her own emotions, sometimes with tears for the pain of longing for something that cannot be. Her will is to refuse you and no amount of pursuing will change that.’
He appeared crestfallen and kissed Mary’s cheek once more. ‘I should leave then.’
‘Stay, she’ll come anon,’ spoke Mary, though concealing her hope that the infatuation would come to an end.
The door was opened for him to exit. Through the corners of their eyes, they saw her walk up the corridor towards Mary’s room. Anne glared at the scene but said nothing of her outrage. She carried on walking right up to the King.
‘I was waiting upon you,’ he explained.
‘Alone with a past lover! I need not your lame excuses.’
‘Please Anne, I speak, think, only of you. Your sister will tell you what has passed between us … just now. Please be conciliatory.’
‘No, Henry, you are breaking my heart. I must endure the Queen, I must endure my sister, I cannot … for I love you and I hate that love; for I loathe all who have known you before me and I loathe all who will know you after me. The possession you have over my heart is unlike any love I’ve ever felt … I shall have to take my leave of you. I cannot bear to be in your company without feeling the same effect of pain as I do joy.’
‘When will you return? Can I say anything to dissuade you?’ he begged.
‘We’ve spoken of our shared hope. My father has returned to court. Seek his approval and then I’ll return to you.’
‘Aye, my love, it’ll be done,’ he promised with conviction.
Mary grabbed at her sister’s arm, pulling her towards her room while they regarded the King walking away with his back to them. ‘Father has designed this separation?’
‘I can’t tolerate the Queen,’ Anne stated. ‘If Henry loves me as he professes, he’ll chase me. If not, I have my truth — that he doesn’t feel as I do.’
February 1527
Hever Castle
Every emotion given to the human psyche is felt when you fall in love: joy; hate; fear; desperation; relief; confusion; envy. All the sensations of love as if a kaleidoscope of colours mixing and merging only to change again and again, hour by hour. Mary knew of her sister’s torment but still could not express sympathy. She knew of the irrational thoughts swelling within her. Many cannot control it and nor could Anne.
‘Anne,’ her mother called from behind her chamber door. ‘A letter has come from the court and a gift.’
‘Is it from the King?’ She took the parchment and broke the seal. ‘It is, Mother, he has written to me.’
Mary stood outside her own chamber and saw Anne in her elated state. Elizabeth looked over at her and smiled to share in Anne’s happiness. Mary smiled weakly and with hidden guilt.
‘I believe he loves me, Mother, he truly loves me. When last I spoke to him, my anger was such I never believed he would think of me again,’ Anne continued. ‘But he writes words of devotion to me! Father predicted correctly!’
Elizabeth shut the door behind her, then retreated to the quiet parlour while Anne read her letter. Mary viewed her mother leaving and after a time saw Anne leave her room too.
She hurried out of her own chamber and into Anne’s. The letter was folded and put atop a writing block devoid of ink. Mary brought the King’s words into view
…
My dearest Friend
I impart to you a gift of jewellery, a token of my devotion. The time from which you had departed has only strengthened my longing for you. The truth of my desire cannot be denied, I surrender my heart to you. Reassure me of your affection as mine is for you, and my whole existence will be to please you. Your departure has only served to increase our pain, return to me soon.
Know I am your devoted servant and forever yours.
Henry Rex loves AB
Mary replaced the letter and eventually steadied her emotions to join her sister and mother. Anne held a small bottle of ink but remained speaking with her mother; she was contented to sit listening while making lace. Elizabeth, though, did want to press her concerns. ‘Are you to return to court?’ she enquired to Anne.
‘I see no reason to. Not until he speaks of his proposal of marriage to Father. My departure has proven his will.’
‘Anne, I beg you to see reason, he cannot discard Queen Katherine,’ Mary ventured. ‘Your heart will recover and the King shall find another.’
‘Should he be so good as to consider raising me beyond that of my birth, I should be contented with him having my heart. There’s always an obstacle in the paths we choose to walk; it is a test to measure our worthiness, our commitment to God’s will.’
‘I know that to be untrue,’ Mary spoke angrily. ‘This is our uncle’s ploy, his instruction for you to persist in tormenting the King and destroying the Queen.’
‘Perhaps you care more for Queen Katherine than your own sister?’ she questioned.
‘I say this to protect you and because I fear for you. Carnal knowledge is why he pursues you alone,’ she explained.
‘He seeks my company, my council, my conversation.’
‘He is happy in your company now, but can you always inspire him so? Another girl soon will and you will be without a husband, without prospects and without a good reputation. I know this for I’ve lived it! Mother, what say you?’ Mary asked in desperation.
‘If the King has chosen my daughter, I cannot say otherwise. Anne, I know of your love for him and if I accompany you at court your reputation will be clean of all wrongdoing.’
Mary exhaled with exasperation. She had proven little comfort as a mother and less so as a protector.
‘There’ll never be another I cherish more so,’ Anne explained.
Anne took her ink and isolated herself while Mary went to plead once more. Elizabeth raised her hand. ‘I wish not to hear it; I know of your schemes, Mary. Do not think me ignorant. We have all partaken in this scheme. Your guilt is known to me … as is mine.’
March 1527
Greenwich Palace
Thomas had received a summons. He screwed up his eyes, thinking upon the reason for it. Everything was running smoothly for the banquet with the French. It could only be about Anne.
He began walking through the palace. He passed through the first set of guards and then came upon the second. He was shooed into the antechamber where Henry sat, his hand to his chin, deep in thought with Thomas More and Cardinal Wolsey for company. ‘Ah, Rochford, join us,’ spoke Henry, while pointing to an empty chair. Thomas felt the thrill of being acknowledged by superiors.
‘I have spoken to Wyatt and Guildford about Holbein. He has been in my service for a short time but is a painter of tremendous talent. A realism that is refined, the likes I have not known,’ Henry continued on.
‘Impressive, Sire, it should incur envious glances from all the courts in Europe.’
‘Aye,’ Henry agreed.
Thomas looked at the sketches and noticed a battle scene depicting the defeat of the French by the English at the battle of the Spurs. ‘Is this wise to mock their defeat?’ he queried while looking towards Thomas More.
‘I think the joke be good!’ spoke Wolsey, then laughed with the King. ‘Any issues arising within you, Boleyn?’ the Cardinal cautioned.
‘No, Your Grace,’ he replied to him.
‘They’ll be overwhelmed by the hospitality and will not feel slighted by the jest,’ reassured Thomas More.
‘I believe it,’ replied Henry. ‘Well, it is a comfort to have effective ministers who take the success of my realm seriously.’
‘Aye, it will all be achieved to your last instruction, Sire,’ Wolsey continued. ‘Peace with France, a union of friendship and a great stake in European matters … Sire, we’re on the cusp of great politics.’
‘Very well …’ Henry answered, indifferent. ‘If state matters are concluded …’ The men began to dismiss themselves when Henry spoke again. ‘Rochford, a moment longer, I have need to question you.’
‘What questioning is this, Sire?’ asked Wolsey, revealing his suspiciousness.
‘A matter upon the heart, Cardinal, not the soul.’
‘Ah,’ Wolsey gave a sly smile. ‘Mistress Boleyn still denies you. Press your urgency, Sire, she will yield.’
‘Not so,’ interrupted Thomas. ‘Anne is a woman of virtue, of pious dignity. She declines to return to court.’
‘Am I to forget her?’ enquired Henry with a slight edge of menace to his voice.’
‘Easily arranged, Sire,’ Wolsey promised.
‘Aye,’ agreed Henry. ‘Plenty of women about the court who do not threaten me with absences.’
‘Anne is my daughter! A girl raised of good character and pride. I’ll not see her cast as every other whore! I care not for your sly intentions, they be insults upon her brilliance! I must deem any man to treat her as you’ve done as unworthy to be in her company!’
‘I see,’ said Henry, his hand removing his hat and ruffling his thinning hair while thinking.
‘It is a most tricky situation, I stand between my king and my daughter.’ Thomas shook his head with emphasis, though he wished to ease his impetuous anger.
‘I make a promise to her as I make to you, Sir, that I will endeavour to show every bit of respect for her. Please go to Hever and retrieve her for me; such a debt of obedience to your King will not go unrewarded.’
‘I shall do my best to persuade her, Your Majesty, and yet I cannot promise to fulfil your desire.’
‘What do you intend, Sire?’ spoke the Cardinal with growing apprehension.
‘Cardinal, I ask of you to investigate the legality of my marriage …’
‘I cannot!’
‘You have authority given to you by the Pope! Authority that grants you licence on these matters in my kingdom!’
‘Aye, ‘tis true but I could only hear the arguments …’
‘Reassure Anne that the Queen and I are to separate,’ Henry said to Thomas.
Thomas regarded the Cardinal who stood dumbfounded. ‘Sire, what of France? If the marriage were found to be invalid, Princess Mary would be named illegitimate and no royal court in Europe would marry their son to an illegitimate princess! Sire, I beg of you. Our place in Europe; our power between great powers; our positioning; our bargaining hand — all would be lost!’
‘This is a matter of conscience,’ Henry ventured, seeking legitimacy for his scheme. ‘I’ve long held a quarrelsome doubt over the legality of the marriage. God has been unpleased, I know it to be true, and I venture to find if it is my marriage that offends him.’
Thomas witnessed Henry walk over to the Cardinal; he placed an arm about Wolsey, directing him from the room. ‘I would have Anne,’ he whispered to the Cardinal but Thomas could hear. ‘I doubt little of our marriage would be considered illegal; Katherine, she is my wife by law, by Rome and by history but my dear friend, understand, that for national interest Katherine and I must separate … She would perhaps relinquish the title if another of equal weight were given?’ The rising inclination of his voice indicated a questioning out loud of how Katherine would react to the idea of divorce. ‘The point of conducting an investigation is to give Katherine forewarning. She’ll support my endeavour for her duty is to England, as is mine.’ He pushed the Cardinal from the room before a word of opposition. ‘Aye
, and her title need not be so lowered.’ He then explained to Thomas as he turned to view him once more, ‘Our relations can return to brother and sister. For that she will be quite contented, I do believe this can be achieved.’
‘For what purpose do you wish to separate from Katherine?’ Thomas asked directly.
‘To secure Anne to me,’ Henry explained. ‘Do I have your blessing?’
‘Aye … my blessing is given … I had enquired into this matter, Sire. I thought some advising would be needed before our hope got the better of us. Dr Richard Wolman is an excellent doctor in law and a royal counsellor of good reputation as you well know.’
‘Aye, he is the master of requests. I meet him in council often. Can he provide the necessary arguments?’
‘Be in no doubt, Sire, he is a man of excellent administration skills and will be able to procure the evidence needed.’
‘Wolsey will have to be consulted on this. I’ll arrange for him and Wolman to meet and speak upon the matter?’
Thomas knitted his eyebrows. ‘I think the Cardinal must be seen to be an honest judge, for it’ll be him who decides.’
‘Ah!’ yelled Henry as if an epiphany had struck him. ‘You’re right.’
‘We must compose the argument and submit the evidences without Wolsey’s being of one mind or another.’
Henry thought on what Thomas was saying then questioned, ‘Do you think he would work against me?’
‘His loyalties will be divided, for instance, he will be concerned with the diplomatic disruption to the Imperial Empire. Our evidence has to be complete and convincing.’
‘Aye, but I be the King.’
‘I pray for good sense but for every dreamer there is a doubter. To progress we must challenge old ideals, otherwise we jeopardise our learning. The Cardinal’s doubts must not prevent you, Sire … A new future awaits this realm and it shall be of your making.’
Henry beamed with excitement. ‘So you’ll bring her? You’ll bring Anne back to me?’