The Danish Queen

by Lynda M Andrews

  A silence at last descended upon the spectators as eight handsome young courtiers appeared garbed as Tritons, to inform them that the masque was about to commence. Anne, attired as Tethys, Empress of the Streams, was observed surrounded by her ladies, each representing the nymphs of the rivers owned by their fathers or husbands. The Princess Elizabeth, clad in a gown of silver tissue, was the nymph of the Thames, Arabella Smart the nymph of the Trent, Lady Arundel representing the Arun, Lady Derby the Derwent, Anne Clifford the Aire, Francis Howard the Lea, Lady Haddington the Rother and Lady Elizabeth Grey the Medway.

  A great deal of clapping greeted the appearance of little Prince Charles attired as Zephyr in a short toga of green silk, his head garlanded with flowers and two wings of tissue attached to the shoulders of his toga. He was attended by twelve little girls all of noble birth, dressed in tunics of pale blue satin embroidered with silver flowers, their heads crowned with water lilies. This charming little group performed a quaint dance circling about the little Prince upon whom his mother gazed with admiration and his father with affectionate amusement.

  Nudging Prince Henry, James stated in a loud whisper. “There’s naught wrang wi’ our Charlie’s legs now!” for the little prince, having been carried everywhere, had only recently learnt to walk.

  After completing their dance they retired and the stage was given over to the Tritons accompanied by the river maidens all bearing gifts for the Prince of Wales (this being the whole object of the masque). Anne’s gift to her son was a sword whose hilt was encrusted with gems and which had cost her £4,000 and a scarf made by herself. A golden trident was presented on her behalf to James, he being alluded to in the poetic verses of the Tritons as Neptune.

  The scenery was changed, whilst James made use of the interlude to fortify his patience with his usual flagon and Prince Henry inspected his gifts.

  Glittering waterfalls and silver dolphins marvellously contrived, now enhanced a fabulous grotto at the rear of the stage where sat Anne surrounded by her ladies with her daughter at her feet. Her helmet was a murex shell from which floated a veil of silver tissue, the bodice of her dress was pale blue watered silk embroidered with tendrils of silver seaweed over which was a half tunic of silver gauze and a train of the same silk figured with white lace. A delicate wired ruff rose from either side of the collar of her dress but the whole effect was marred by the delicate drapery being worn over a farthingale of enormous proportions. James, who utterly loathed the farthingale, was heard to mutter that ‘It was a good the water was contrived, for his Annie would surely be drowned in yon monstrous appendage!’ though on further consideration he loudly stated that she would float!

  The Prince of Wales found it hard to conceal his amusement at these paternal deliberations and studied his toes to conceal his mirth.

  After the orator had duly informed the audience of the purpose of this setting, Anne stepped down from her throne and accompanied by her ladies commenced the Queen’s quadrille which received its customary applause, she being a most graceful and spirited dancer.

  The whole cast then returned (which rendered the stage somewhat overcrowded) and with a final poem and dance the masque ended. Dawn was breaking as the Royal party retired but for Anne it had been one of the happiest days of her life.

  * * *

  Shortly after his inauguration as Prince of Wales, Henry-Frederick received a letter from Sir Walter Raleigh who was still imprisoned in the Tower. During his long years of captivity Raleigh had converted a small store-room into a laboratory and had conducted numerous experiments to alleviate his boredom, he had also undertaken the writing of a book which he now wished to present to the Prince. Both Anne and her son had retained a fondness and respect for Raleigh and upon receiving his letter the Prince begged leave to visit Sir Walter in his cell in the Tower.

  Having obtained the necessary permission, albeit under duress, the Prince set out accompanied by his mother. They went by water alighting at the Queen’s Stairs and were conducted to the cell in the Bloody Tower which Raleigh occupied. Anne shivered as she ascended the narrow stone stairs for dark and terrible deeds were associated with this tower. In that tower it was said that the two young sons of Edward Plantagenet were smothered as they slept by the servants of their uncle, Richard Crookback, and that their bodies were hurriedly buried somewhere within the precincts. Anne thought of her own little Charles and, stifling a cry, drew her cloak closely about her.

  At last they reached the heavy oak door and entered the chamber. It was of a fair size and contained some furniture, books and strange instruments. The man who bowed before them was quite tall with fine, dark eyes, brown curling hair and an autocratic bearing which even his rather shabby clothes could not detract from.

  “Your Majesty, Your Highness, you honour a humble prisoner by your presence!”

  “Sir Walter, I wish we could have met under happier circumstances,” Anne replied.

  “Does time pass very slowly?” Prince Henry asked, fingering the strange instruments and picking up a hide-bound volume.

  “I endeavour to try to make use of my time. I try not to let depression and boredom weigh me down, Sire.”

  Henry looked in frank admiration at the man before him. “I should like to sail the oceans of the world and see for myself the New World and the Indies.”

  “The world is a vast and wondrous sphere, Sire, and it lies at your feet.”

  Anne was not entirely happy with the way the conversation was going and endeavoured to steer her son away from what she considered a dangerous and foolhardy subject. “You must be patient, Henry, your person is too precious! The people would not allow you to sail off to the ends of the earth, Kings are required to stay at home!”

  “Her Majesty is correct, Sire, your person is too precious to be risked upon the wild and uncharted seas, you must leave that to lesser men!”

  Anne smiled at Raleigh, her concern melting away.

  “The reason I begged an audience, Sire, was to present you with this,” Raleigh continued, seeing the disappointment in the boy’s eyes. He passed the Prince a handsome book, bound in scarlet leather and tooled in gold.

  Henry opened it eagerly. “The History of the World,” he read aloud. “Inscribed to the most virtuous and noble Prince Henry-Frederick, Prince of Wales! It is a most wondrous gift, Sir Walter.”

  “I hope your Highness will still consider it to be so after you have read it!”

  “I am sure I shall!” Henry replied.

  “Thank you, Sir Walter,” Anne said quietly, smiling as she met the understanding gaze of the man who had spent so long within these walls. He understood her fears and knowing that Henry would never be able to indulge his passion for adventure had tried to offer a substitute.

  “If there is anything you need…” she offered glancing around the room.

  Raleigh shook his head, the warmth gone from his eyes. “Madam, I thank thee, but I would not importune upon your kindness. I am allowed to have my books and my small laboratory and also the liberty of the leads from where I can at least look out upon the river, until His Majesty sees fit to pardon me, I ask nothing more.”

  Anne nodded. How like this proud statesman not to beg of her to intercede with James on his behalf. “Sire, you will ever remain in my friendship and should the opportunity ever arise, you can be certain that I shall do everything in my power to assist you.”

  Raleigh bent low over her hand, thankful that he could hide the despair and anguish in his eyes.

  “I shall treasure your gift. Everyone will read it with wonder and acclaim!” Henry cried as he took his leave, following his mother once more down the twisting stairs.

  Raleigh’s History of the World became an instant success and did receive great acclaim. One person who was far from impressed with it was James, who took a grim view of Raleigh’s emphasis on the fact that bad kings invariably come to a bad end, seeing in this inference a challenge to his ‘divine right’. He ordered that the History of the Wo
rld be instantly suppressed, much to the annoyance of the Queen and the disappointment of the Prince, but by the time the orders were issued it was too late, everyone in England who could read was avidly reading it!

  Before another month had passed a scandal erupted. The news leaked out that Arabella Stuart had secretly married William Seymour, 2nd Duke of Somerset. James was furious for all persons with royal blood were obliged to obtain permission from the sovereign to marry. Arabella was overcome with grief and fear and threw herself upon the Queen, begging Anne to intercede for her. Anne was very fond of Arabella and promised to do whatever she could but James was as stubborn as ever in his determination that Arabella’s defiance should not go unpunished. In a state of hysterical anguish poor Arabella was dragged off to the Tower with her husband, and from here she wrote the most distressing letters to Anne. After reading these appealing letters Anne decided to try once again to secure her release.

  “James, I pray you listen to me?” she pleaded.

  “If it’s t’ do wi’ yon Arabella, then I’ll no’ tak’ heed o’ your words, Annie!”

  “But she is such an innocent! She is the victim of a trusting and gentle nature, she was so afraid that you would refuse your permission and that she would lose Somerset for ever!”

  “She’s no’ that innocent, Annie! She knew what she was about, she’s no bit lassie from a simple family, she has the blood royal in her veins an’ she should no’ hae got hersel’ in yon predicament! It’s no’ proper behavin’ like a flighty strumpet—an’ that is the woman Raleigh would hae put on the throne in place o’ me!”

  “I beg you, James, have pity upon her? She has suffered enough, she is distraught! She cannot comprehend why you use her so harshly!”

  “Can she no’? Well then I’ll hae t’ instruct her. I’ll no’ hae the members o’ ma Family running off and marrying where they please wi’out ma Royal consent—it’s maist improper! No! Arabella maun do penance for her sins!”

  It was useless, she would have to write to Arabella and explain that James was so angry that it would be best to suffer a short term of imprisonment to appease his wrath, for Anne was convinced that Arabella’s incarceration would not be of a lengthy duration.

  She was therefore very upset when she learnt that both Arabella and Somerset had escaped. “The foolish child!” she thought. What would she do now? Where could she go? James would have relented in time, of that Anne was certain, but now Arabella had wrecked any chance of reconciliation.

  Arabella was soon recaptured and returned to her chamber where she was to remain, piteously writing to her mistress for consolation.

  Anne’s life was at times difficult for there were frequent clashes of personalities and wills between herself and James, and Prince Henry was often called upon to mediate between his parents. Robert Carr was firmly entrenched in James’ affections and had been created Viscount Rochester and Earl of Somerset, succeeding to the offices of Robert Cecil who died in May, 1612. Anne had always detested Carr and extended her animosity to his friend Sir Thomas Overbury, agreeing with the court scandalmongers who inferred that Overbury was the brains behind that obnoxious partnership, but after receiving his Earldom, Carr became insufferable.

  She was engaged upon a piece of fine point work one day and whilst seated in the window of her withdrawing chamber she happened to glance down and see Carr accompanied by Overbury walking in her private garden. The casement was open and she cried to Lady Arundel who was the lady nearest to her, “See, Lady Arundel! There goes Somerset and his governor!”

  Overbury looked up and laughed.

  Anne was furious and complained bitterly to the King but Overbury made the excuse that his friend Somerset had at that moment related to him a jest and that it was at this jest that he laughed, not at the Queen. James accepted his explanation and seething with indignation Anne also had to be content, but the insolent Overbury refused to let the matter rest there. The following day he appeared once more in her private garden and proceeded to walk up and down beneath her window, his hat firmly upon his head.

  This direct affront to her position sent Anne into a towering rage and this time Overbury found himself being taken under guard to the Tower to atone for his insulting behaviour.

  In her dislike of Carr and his faction Anne was joined by her son and shortly after the Overbury episode Prince Henry requested his mother to join him for the launching of the newest addition to the fleet. The Prince had been built by Phineas Pett, Prince Henry’s protege and the finest naval architect of the time, but Pett had fallen foul of Carr and his supporters and Prince Henry, certain that Carr would if possible sabotage the launch, insisted upon being aboard the ship when it entered the Thames for the first time.

  With the Lord Admiral at his side he proudly escorted his mother and her ladies over every inch of the largest ship which, to that date, had ever been built in England, and after their tour of inspection, he picked up the large standing-gilt cup filled with wine and raised it aloft. “I name this ship The Prince, may she sail favourably upon the seas and come to no harm and may Almighty God favour all those who shall sail in her!” he cried. A rousing cheer greeted his words and after drinking from the cup instead of throwing it overboard in accordance with the ancient custom, he handed it to Pett.

  The dockyard labourers, with mighty blows, drove away the pegs that held The Prince and slowly she slipped down the runway. Unfortunately, before she reached the water she stopped and all attempts to move her remained ineffectual.

  Witchcraft was whispered but Anne was certain that the disaster was the work of Can and stated quite loudly her suspicions. At five o’clock she decided that she had wasted enough time and returned with her train to Greenwich. Prince Henry, much perturbed, remained to discuss the occurrence with Pett until finally he, too, returned to Greenwich also convinced that the dismal failure of the launch was due to the machinations of Carr. He did return to Woolwich at midnight to see The Prince finally launched and he imparted this good news to his mother the following day.

  * * *

  Whilst Elizabeth Tudor had lived, James (patiently awaiting her crown) had remained reasonably quiet upon the subject of his mother. He had quite understandably been shocked and angry when Elizabeth had executed Mary and had made his feelings public, but in the autumn of 1612, he ordered that his mother’s remains be transferred with full honour to a more suitable and costly tomb in Westminster Abbey.

  This caused great consternation in some quarters, superstition being rife, and the old saying ‘that the grave was never disturbed of a deceased member of a family without death claiming one or more of that family as its prey’ was repeated to Anne and caused her a great deal of concern.

  She confided her fears to James who for once was sceptical.

  “Hae ye naught better t’ do, Annie, than listen to a pack o’ auld wives gossip?”

  “There is usually some foundation in such sayings.”

  “It’s a fool nonsense! ’Tis the least I can do for her poor tragic soul. Would ye hae me leave her yonder? She’ll hae some respect accorded to her now, for she were no’ just Queen o’ Scots, Annie, she was Dowager Queen o’ France too!”

  “James, I do not wish to descry your poor mother, but these tales disturb me. I cannot help feeling that there is a grain of truth in them and I fear for your safety.”

  “Och, woman! Are ye afeared o’ another Guido Fawkes? He’s daid!”

  “But there may be others!”

  “I credited you wi’ more sense than t’ heed such gossip! Put it out o’ your mind, I’ll hear no more on the subject!” James summarily dismissed her fears.

  She could not get that fateful saying out of her mind and soon her fears were realised. Icy fingers clawed at her heart as she realised that it was not James who was to become the target of malign fate but her darling son, Prince Henry-Frederick!

  She refused to believe it at first, telling herself that it was only a chill he had contracted, probably whil
st swimming in the Thames at his palace of Richmond. It could not be her Henry, her darling, her pride and joy—her reason for living! He was the picture of blooming youthful health. Six feet tall he towered over his father and with his fair complexion and Greek profile, he was fairer than even the odious Carr. He could not be ill! He was the most popular Prince in whom the hopes of peace and unification were personified.

  His cough grew worse and on his arrival at St. James’s Palace he contracted a fever. Anne was frantic, refusing to leave his side until ordered to do so by James for she was exhausted from lack of sleep and worry. Upon the arrival of Count Palatine to secure his betrothal to the Princess Elizabeth, Henry recovered slightly but Anne, who strongly objected to the Princess Royal of Great Britain being married to a mere Count, received him with restraint. Despite her protests, Henry insisted upon performing his duties in welcoming the Count, stubbornly stating that he had quite recovered and was perfectly well, but on the eve of the banquet planned by the Lord Mayor for the 24th October, his condition deteriorated and he was forced to retire to his bed.

  Anne summoned the best physicians, refusing to accept the fact that he was dying. The physicians declared that he had a putrid fever and that it was extremely dangerous for any member of the Royal family to visit him, lest they, too, catch the contagion.

  Heartbroken, Anne acceded to their demands but wrote in desperation to Sir Walter Raleigh begging him to send her the potion he had once prescribed for an ague she had suffered from. As the Prince had always held Raleigh in high favour, Sir Walter now spared no effort to aid the recovery of the Prince of Wales, sending with the potion a note in which he claimed that the concoction would cure all ills, except poison!

  Prince Henry affected a mild recovery, but on the 5th November, 1612, lapsed once more into delirium. Crowds of people stood outside St. James’s palace and packed every street and lane leading from there to Denmark House where the Queen sat waiting for news. She could hear the cries of the crowd, many weeping and bewailing the plight of the Prince for he was beloved by everyone.