by G Lawrence
“But the Queen is not childless,” my mother said, staring at her brother.
Norfolk shrugged. “She may as well be, for all the good a girl can do this country.” He shook his head. “For a noble man to have but daughters is poor fortune… for a king, it is a disaster. This country cannot be held together by a woman. To have only the Princess as heir to the throne will destroy this country. We all know that, and so does the King. Such things as these have come to trouble his conscience. Even more so of late, since Katherine has long passed the time when she might give him another child.” Norfolk looked directly at me. “There was a rumour amongst the highest of the land, that Henry could put Katherine aside, and take a new wife to allow a fruitful marriage, one that could provide sons for England. Katherine would be persuaded to enter into a holy order. Many princesses of Europe were suggested. But what if an English noblewoman could perform the same task, and take Katherine’s place on the throne beside our King?”
My mother gasped and went white. Mary was looking much amazed. But my father and brother were clearly intrigued. Everyone’s voices dropped to whispers.
“What of the Queen?” asked Jane.
“What of her?” my uncle snapped coldly.
Jane looked at George, as though unsure of herself without his approval. He nodded to her to speak, but did not smile as he would have done perhaps to Mary or me. I wondered on the state of their marriage. It did not seem unhappy, exactly, but it was hardly merry either. They were still childless, something that concerned my mother greatly. “The Queen has great pride,” Jane warned, “and she loves the King with all her heart…” Here, she glanced again at George. Although no blush or paleness on her cheek gave reason to think that she was speaking of her own emotions as well as the Queen’s, I believed that she was. “Katherine will not leave the man she loves so dearly,” she whispered, her voice hot with passion.
“The Queen is old, and there is no life left in her womb,” our father said bluntly and calmly. “She cannot give England an heir. If Henry wants a legitimate son, he must look elsewhere for a legitimate wife.”
“And what of the Princess?” asked Mary.
“A girl cannot rule this country,” said our uncle Norfolk. “We would again be plunged into civil war, and all we have built would be ruined. I am no stranger to battle, but I would not wish to fight through to the end of my life and lose all that I have worked to achieve.”
“Besides…” mused George, thoughtfully. “There are precedents, are there not, that a child born in good faith to a union that is annulled may yet remain legitimate in the eyes of the law and land? The Princess could keep her title, and her place in the succession, even if her mother went to a convent.”
“If the Queen could be prevailed upon to take the right choice for her husband and her country,” said our uncle, “then it could be done.”
“So what say you?” I asked, almost laughing, for the idea seemed too huge, too impossible… too perfect. Had my uncle and my father lost their wits, or was it possible? It seemed too lovely to be true… Too perfect to believe that Katherine would submit and leave the post of Henry’s wife vacant for me… but how I wished it could be so! “You think that I should become the wife of the King? That I become the Queen? I am not a princess!”
“You are born of noble blood; you are descended from royal blood on one side of your family,” our uncle reminded me “And it is not unheard of for a king to marry where his heart leads him rather than merely for duty… think on the King’s grandfather, Edward IV. He married Elizabeth Woodville did he not? And she was but a lowly knight’s widow… But, more importantly, the King is pursuing you as he has never done with another woman, even with your sister and that Blount woman. He was never as public in his desire as he is now. Why could you not hold out for the prize? Would you not wish to become Henry’s wife? To become the Queen of England? It would be an honour above all others… the best match you could ever dream to make. Your sons would be kings of England, your daughters would be princesses… You would bring greater glory to our family than any other has done.”
I smiled at him. “That is all I should wish for,” I said, watching Norfolk nod at me with approval. “But how can all this come about? I am unsure.”
“You will have to become sure,” our father counselled, with a respectful note I had rarely heard in his voice. With this idea flowing through the minds of the family, it seemed I was suddenly much more than a mere pawn… if this came about, one day, I could be their Queen. “This is down to you, daughter. If we choose this path, it will not be without danger. Katherine is popular in England, and has many friends in Europe, not least her nephew the Emperor. We may make powerful enemies if any perceive this as a slight on her. The only thing we have is the King’s love for you. It must be you who holds the King’s heart in your hands; it must be you whom he desires more than anything put in the way. It will be up to you to steer him, to make sure that he does not falter. If you can do this then we can succeed; this would be the greatest step for our family that we could have never imagined.”
I nodded. I stood up; my family were staring at me; some with awe, like Mary, and some with fear, like my mother. My uncle looked like an expectant weasel eyeing a hen house.
I breathed in. This was a solution to all my fears, and all my wishes. If I could, indeed, marry Henry, then I could give myself to him freely and without restraint. He would not leave me… we could have a life together, as man and wife. I kept my face straight, and calm, but within me my heart was hammering at my bones as though it would break them apart. My uncle and father wanted me to marry with Henry for their own advancement, this I knew well enough, but if I agreed to this, to persuade Henry to view me as a possible wife, rather than a possible mistress, then I could have everything I wanted. I nodded to them.
“I will continue to hold the King’s attention without allowing him into my bed,” I said. “I would wish more than anything to become his wife, for my own sake and that of my family; if you will help me then I will do all I can to make this happen.”
My uncle’s smile was the very edge of the darkest side of the moon.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Greenwich Palace
1527
More than ever, I was the centre of all attention both at court and in my family. My uncle of Norfolk suddenly became a most enthusiastic host; giving many great entertainments. Henry was invited to join the Boleyns and Howards at hunting lodges, and at picnics in the gardens of Norfolk’s London houses. My father showered me with new clothing, to make the best of all my natural graces, and my mother became my almost constant companion, acting as a chaperone, ensuring that Henry did not overstep any boundaries in his exuberance for me. Mary and George were busy singing my praises at court and finding new ways to show me off to Henry. Despite her former position in the King’s bed, my sister seemed entirely calm about the situation. She worked as hard as any to see me wedded to her former lover. A strange time, a heady time… I was excited and flattered by the attentions of my family. One and all, we had come together with a common purpose; to ensure that I was the King’s sole desire; to see me made Queen of England. I did not tell Bridget or Margaret of these plans… to do so would be premature. I told them that I was beloved of the King, but still had not given myself to him. They admired me for my fortitude and offered to be my escorts in Henry’s company, for my own safety. It was heartening to have such friends.
My family wanted me to become Queen for their advancement. I wanted it so that I could be Henry’s wife… but I will admit that the prospect of becoming a queen was a dazzling one too. The lure of power was intoxicating, and I was not immune to it. But to me, that attraction was secondary to my feelings for Henry, and my wish that I could marry the man I loved. For how long had I wished that such a fate might be my own? To marry for love, and to please those I loved in return? If only Henry could see me as a wife, rather than just a mistress…
Even Jane, my brother�
��s wife, who had seemed to be less than fond of me in the past, took her instruction in this matter to heart. Perhaps my brother had demanded that she play her part as a member of our family, or perhaps, with that steady green-eyed gaze of hers, she had seen for herself the advantages of having a queen as a sister-in-law, but for whatever reason, I found that she often accompanied me at court now. She laughed at my jests, and often took the place of my brother or mother at my side when I required a chaperone. I found myself actually enjoying her company.
Jane was made for intrigue. A life growing up at court had moulded her well for it. She was clever, and could read people well; valuable skills in a royal court. Although I had ever thought that Jane liked Katherine, for she had shown such as we both served the Queen, she seemed more than able now to put aside such reservations and work for our family. As Jane continued to demonstrate her loyalty to the Boleyns, I came to admire her more and more. A kind of wary friendship grew between us at that time. And with the general disapproval of many of Katherine’s women ever glancing off my back, it was pleasing to have another friend within the Queen’s household. I was pained when I thought of what Katherine’s thoughts and feelings would be when and if this plan were to come to fruition. She had been a gentle, if dull, mistress to me, and I was not keen to cause her harm. But with the ability so strong in those who are in love and believe the world should move only for them, I set aside such feelings. Henry and I were born for each other, we were tailored for each other… It must come to pass that we become husband and wife. Why had God granted such love to me, if He did not wish to see it prevail? No, Katherine would be convinced to enter a holy order; she was devout enough to run a holy order… She would be happier within the confines of such a place than she was at court. She was growing old, and could do no more for England. I convinced myself that Katherine, like so many other queens who came before her in other realms, would retire with grace and dignity to a life of prayer… and Henry and I would be together.
The task was challenging, but in the early summer’s sunshine that year I felt that anything was possible. Henry wanted me at his side at all times and as we wandered the galleries of the palace, as we walked the paths of his beautiful gardens and as he watched me sing or dance for him, I felt more in love with this man than anyone I had met or known in my life. Perhaps my confusion on the matter of the love between us had been lifted somewhat, now that there was a hope for its outcome… And an outcome that would not only allow me to retain and hold my own beliefs, but one that would bring greater glory to my family than I could have ever imagined possible. To be the wife of the man I loved… to be the Queen! Such a thing seemed impossible, and yet the idea of it brought me hope. If only Henry could be prevailed upon to think of me not as a mistress, but as a potential wife, then perhaps my dreams, as well as his, could come true.
My love for him flowered greatly, nurtured by the sunshine of hope and the soft rain of possibility. I felt myself turn to him as a flower turns to the rays of the sun. I loved him more each day. And I told him of my love for him.
But it was not all happiness; there was fire in Henry’s temper as there was in mine. We were a heated couple, able to converse and laugh one moment and then scream and shout the next. His frustration at my constant refusal to give my body to him caused jealousy and heat between us. He was more than able to invite my temper to rage, and I was apparently both the most irritating and desirable person he had ever met; a sure recipe for explosions. We always came back to each other, though, and he would always come to me first. It had to be that way, no matter if I felt sorry for him, no matter if the fault had in truth been mine in our latest argument. I could not be the one to run to him, not now. I had to hold him in the power that I had. I had to be the one in control. Many of the court were amazed to see the King not only allow such behaviour from a subject, but seem to bow to me as well. It was unheard of… but Henry barely sought to control me. When we were together, it was not as King and subject, but as two hearts brought together, beating as one.
I was now truly in a position of power at court. Most people thought I was Henry’s mistress and I was certainly receiving many honours, as though I were such. It was not just my father who heaped cloth and jewels on me, but also Henry; I was becoming a rich woman in my own right. But none truly knew that my purpose was to become united honourably with the man I loved, other than my own family. We were united in intent, and that gave me strength. It all seemed wildly impossible, but Henry’s constancy gave me reason to hope. Perhaps, in time, if his affections were indeed true, then he would think on me as something more than just the mistress of his heart.
When we came together, I found ways to put off the question of a physical relationship; we talked of books and of clothes, about which I was as passionate as he. We talked of philosophy and of the architecture we had both seen in France, and of palaces and monuments which he wished to create here in his own kingdom. We talked on religion and reform. I was still cautious and careful on such matters, as Henry was a most conservative Catholic; my leanings towards reform and interest in the teachings of the Lutherans and similar thinkers were not likely to win me his favour. We had much in common, and we spoke in earnest with each other, swapping books, underlining passages that we thought would interest each other, and coming together to discuss many and varied topics. We argued about religious theory, often ending in one or both of us storming off… only to be reconciled the next day with kisses and smiles. It was not only that there was desire between us, there was friendship growing amongst the feelings of want and passion. But all the time, there hung over us the question that he asked of me over and over; when would I give myself to him and become his ‘true’ mistress?
Whenever the pressure grew too great, I would return to Hever. My father was on a knife edge, waiting to see what the King might do, what I would do next… Many of my actions caused my father to look as though he might faint away, especially when I argued with Henry. But Norfolk’s hooded eyes watched on with approval. He did not like me, I knew that well enough, but my uncle Norfolk could see that Henry was only becoming more enamoured of me every day, and the possibilities that this introduced pleased him.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Hever Castle
1527
That summer I took retreat at Hever from the pressures of the King and court. It was necessary at times to absolutely remove myself from Henry, for my own sake perhaps more than for his. But the summer’s peace at Hever was short-lived. Soon the steward came to announce that Henry had taken up residence at nearby Penshurst. He requested that I, in the absence of my parents, who were still at court, receive him and his party the next day. What could I say? I could not refuse him. I was eager to see him, but here, I had no chaperone, nobody aside from Hever’s servants, to protect me from him. I wanted to believe that now, after all that had passed between us, he would not take from me by force that which he desired. He wanted me to love him in return, and knew that forcing me into something would not achieve this. But still, I worried. I asked Bess to remain at my side at all times, no matter if Henry gave a direct order to leave. She looked at me with wild and frightened eyes at this command… How could she, a mere servant, refuse to obey the King?
“Please, Bess,” I implored. “For the sake of all the years you have served me and my house, you must do this for me. The King will not punish you for remaining loyal to your mistress; I will make sure of that.”
“Yes, Mistress,” she said in a small voice, looking at me with some admiration. To be able to command a king! What power I must have! To own the truth, I was nervous. Although my family were sure that I could entrance Henry into offering me a place at his side in lawful marriage, I tripped with ease from desperate hope and elation, to misery and doubt. As ever, when it came to Henry of England, my emotions were in constant turmoil.
He arrived the next day with a small riding party of servants. He was escorted through Hever’s courtyard and halls to the great ha
ll, where I stood arrayed in my finest, awaiting his arrival. As he entered, the many servants I had asked to gather about us bowed deeply to him, but he saw none of them as he rushed towards me and took my hands before I could bow to him.
“Nay, my Anna!” he cried buoyantly, his face flushed and his blue eyes bright. “This is not the time for reverence to your sovereign, but the happiness of a man reunited with his true love.”
I laughed and looked at him happily. “I am most pleased to see your face again, Your Majesty,” I smiled. “But you find me unprepared for this honour. My family’s house is only equipped to offer you but humble fare,” I said, quite untruthfully, as the kitchens had been in a roar of preparation since we had heard of his impending visit the day before.
“I came not for any great feast, Anne.” He kissed my hands. “I came for you. I understand your purpose in leaving court. I know that much has happened between us, and the frustrations of the love that we feel for one another grow great upon us both. But I have a solution to all our woes. Nothing can take you from me, nothing will take you from me ever again, and that is what I have come to talk to you of. Show me a chamber where we may talk undisturbed, for I have much to share with you, Anne. Much that will amaze you.”