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Vivat Anne
December 14, 2012
6:51 pm
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Boleyn
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This is my first attempt at writing a book folks. As its quite long I’ve decided to post it on here Chapter by Chapter, sort of a mini series type of thing. I hope you enjoy it. Historically it should be fairly accurate, but I’ve injected a bit of humour into it too. I find with most fictional novels the writers do stick to the yes sir,no sir, 3 bags full sir when it comes to the servents and I didn’t want to do that. I wanted something that reflects the person I am. Ie with a madcap sence of humour anyway enjoy it. Please excuse my spelling and puncuation.

Vivat Anne.
“I hate her” I said as Anne Boleyn passed by us. My friend Susan said “Ssh she’ll hear you” and right on cue Anne turned at sneered at the pair of us as if we were something she scrapped off her shoe.
She then went off down the corridor laughing with her companions on the way to meet Henry Percy.
Susan said “Don’t worry the Queen won’t put up with her nonsense, it won’t be long before Anne Boleyn finds herself banished from court” I agreed but even so I felt a little doubt creep into my heart that it would happen. I felt sure that if the Queen had meant to banish her, she would have done so by now.
Although I hated Anne for the hurt her very presence brought to Queen Catherine’s eyes, I couldn’t help but notice something unusual about her too. Was it the way she carried herself? Her clothes? Or just because she was she always seem to have laughter about her? I served Queen Catherine loyally enough, but she did seem very staid and sombre next to Anne. Whenever Anne entered the room the dingy darkness always seem to brighten up, and it was almost as if she floated around the room, as if her clothes were as light as swan feathers, whereas it always seemed like our clothes were like carrying lead weights around and at times when it was hot, made me feel at least very uncomfortable and irritable.
Also King Henry seemed very different around Anne. When he came to Catherine’s rooms he always looked for her first, if she was there he would be in a jovial, attentive and almost romantic mood towards Queen Catherine, telling her she was everything he could ever want in a wife and sending Maria off to fetch Princess Mary so that they could all be together and insist that Mary play for him, and occasionally he would teach Mary a new song to play, either on the Lute or the Virginals. However if Anne wasn’t there he would find fault with everything Queen Catherine said or did, and would refuse to listen to anything she said, these visits would be kept very short and he would often stamp out of the room banging the door loudly behind him. Leaving Queen Catherine stunned and upset. When this happened as it did quite often these days, the Queen would release us from our duties and retire to her private chapel to pray.
On one of these days I happened to come across Anne, talking to a very handsome young man, I knew as Henry Percy her hands entwined in his saying “I will speak to my father tonight”
Henry said “But Anne will your father agree to us marrying?”
Anne laughed and replied “My father doesn’t own me if he says no, I will marry you anyway I won’t have anyone tell me what to do!” and she added “least of all my father or my Uncle Norfolk”.
I felt shocked, but at the same time I had to admire her courage, the thought of her standing up to her Uncle Norfolk was something that would worth seeing.
I had seen the Duke of Norfolk in and around the court the mere sight of him had me trembling, he always looked as if he was a rabid dog who was always on the lookout for someone to bite. I had seen him once take his riding crop to a kitchen scullion, when the lad had accidently bumped into him, when the lad had been on the way across the courtyard with the kitchen scraps for the hunting dogs.
However no matter how high handed the Duke was there was one person he dare not cross and that was King Henry. When King Henry found out about the incident with the Kitchen Scullion Norfolk was left cringing in front of him, and was made to pay 2 groats for a doctor to go and see to the boy’s injuries.
The next day when I saw Anne in the Court Gardens, she seemed very upset, despite my personal feelings about her I felt sorry for her and asked her what was wrong. She said “Henry has gone” I was bewildered as I knew that King Henry had just left Queen Catherine’s rooms.
She saw that I was confused and said “not King Henry, but Henry the man you saw me with yesterday” I asked her “Does he not love you then?” I saw tears spring to her eyes and reached for my lace kerchief and gave it to her.
She took it and started to cry almost broken heartedly, in between sobs she told me she had asked her father for permission to marry him and her father had told her that she was a silly woman, and that he would give her permission to marry him over his dead body. She had told him that she intended to marry Henry with or without his permission, her father had dragged her to her room and locked her in and then went to see Wolsey, as Henry was a member of his household. He had returned a few hours later and told her that she would never see Henry again.
“I loved him” she said “surely if he loves me he will find a way for us to be together?” Anne looked up imploringly and asked “I know you don’t like me, but can you find him and give him a message from me? Please Amy” I didn’t know what to do, but seeing her so desolate and unhappy I nodded my head and agreed. She said “Tell him I need to see him, tell him to arrange a place we can meet away from the court and prying eyes”. I nodded and left her to go and find Henry, “she shouted after me “I won’t forget your kindness Amy”
I went back into the court to see if I could find anyone who would know where Henry had gone, I knew many of his friends by name but had never spoken to them. I finally came across a young man called Charles, whom I knew had lately been taken into King Henry’s household.
I approached him and curtsied and begged speech with him alone. We went into one of the window arches and I asked “Do you know where Henry Percy is?” Charles said. “Well mistress it seems as if he’s upset the Cardinal and has been sent from the court, to the Cardinals’ Palace at Hampton Court and he is to await there until his father comes down from Northumberland.
“Oh” I said. Charles asked “Is there anything I can do to help you? I hesitated not sure if I should tell him what Anne had told me. But it was obvious that I couldn’t just turn up at the Cardinals palace on my own and at least if I had someone with me we could between us come up with a plausible excuse to why we were there. So I told Charles what Anne had asked me to do and asked how I could get a message to Henry? I told him I didn’t like Anne but I hated seeing her upset. He told me to go back to the Queen and he would think of a plan so we could go to Hampton Court and see Henry and try to get something sorted out so that Anne and Henry could meet.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 18, 2012
2:49 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 2
THE MEETING
I returned to the Queen’s apartments made my excuses to why I was late to the Queen and took my place. I looked for Anne, and saw she was sitting over by the window with Jane Boleyn busy chatting, Anne looked up and saw me and smiled, I nodded and smiled back. Later in the chapel she had somehow managed to sit next to me and returned my kerchief, and whispered her thanks for my help.
I was about to whisper back that I hadn’t been able to get a message to Henry that day, but she had gone. There was to be a banquet that night and a Masque, there was so much to do, so I forgot about Anne and was busy with my costume. I was to be dressed in Lilac my favourite colour, and whilst I was in the middle of dressing I heard the door opening, thinking it was Susan my roommate I called out for her help with my bodice, when I turned around thinking why hadn’t Susan answered me, to come face to face with Jane, she said “Anne has sent me to help you to dress” I asked her where Susan was? Jane said “She is with the Queen” I thanked Jane for her help; Jane said “I know what you are trying to do to help Anne”. “I replied “It’s the least I could do as Anne had looked so unhappy”. Jane said “Do you need help with dressing your Hair?” this was something that I really only trusted Susan to do, but Jane’s offer for help was timely, I knew that the Queen would keep Susan much longer than was really necessary, and that by the time the Queen was ready Susan wouldn’t have time to dress my hair properly without being late into the banqueting hall, it would never do to be late.
So I gratefully excepted Jane’s help, she worked quickly, but gently, and my hair was soon neat and tidy, from somewhere she produced hood similar to the one that Anne usually wore and pinned this to my hair. “There” she said “that looks better” and I must admit it did. I hadn’t worn my hair down before in public that was something I only ever did in the privacy of my room. The Queen had always insisted that we ladies were dressed as she was, it made us look modest or so she said. Perhaps that was the reason to why I always viewed Anne with suspicion as she didn’t wear the dresses we wore always preferring to wear a more informal style of dress. I felt that Anne’s style of dress was insulting to the Queen. However now that Jane had pinned a similar headdress that Anne wore to my head I could see why Anne preferred to wear this style. Most nights I went to bed with a headache, the Gable hood I usually wore felt heavy on my head, and always made me itch, this new hood seemed altogether lighter. Jane said “Is there anything else you need Amy” I smiled and said no, and Jane said “I’ll see you later then” and left.
I sat for quite a while looking at myself in the glass, so much so I was almost late going into the hall. I felt quite daring walking into the hall wearing this hood, and certainly Susan was amazed at the transformation it had made to me. She said “Amy you look 5 years younger” I giggled and agreed.
Even the Queen was amazed at the change, but I could tell she wasn’t very happy. For once I thought to myself oh damn her I’m happy. The banquet done the Queen retired to her chambers, I half expected a message to come from her, for me to go to her chamber and spend the rest of the evening with her in chapel, as it was usual for one of us ladies to do that, but as she walked pass me she smiled and said “enjoy the dancing Amy”. That night I did enjoy the dancing I danced more than I ever had before, I even danced with the Duke of Suffolk, Charles Brandon who was the King’s brother in Law.
Whilst resting I was approached by Charles, and asked if I would like to take the air. It was hot and stuffy in the hall and the thought of some cool clean air was just so tempting, besides others were doing it, although I wasn’t so naïve to think that it was just air they were taking. I knew that some ladies had lovers. I offered him my hand and we walked out onto the Balcony, which overlooked the gardens. Charles whispered to me “Ssh don’t say anything” “Can you meet me in the stables tomorrow at 1pm?” I replied “I don’t know, it might be difficult the Queen you know”
“Can you not plead a headache and get the Queen to release you from your duties?” I thought for a second or 2, and said “I can try Sir”. “Call me Charles Please we are friends after all Mistress”
And as an afterthought he added “Amy” I blushed and said “I will try Charles” and blushed again. I had never referred to men by their names before other than my brothers. “One more thing Amy, don’t wear your court dress I’ve arranged for a maid’s dress to be sent to your room, wear that, I’ll explain when we meet tomorrow” I was just about to ask why I didn’t like the idea of wearing a maid’s dress without an explanation there and then. When Charles said “The music is starting again, would you give the honour of this dance Mistress” and before I had even a chance to answer I was caught up in the dance.
The next day I woke up tired I also did have a headache so when the time came for me to plead a headache to the Queen I wasn’t exactly lying. The Queen was only too willing to excuse me my duties as she was going to suggest it herself as I really didn’t look well, and she was worried. I went to my room, and as promised Charles had indeed managed to get a maid’s dress to my room. I felt very daring as I dressed, I kept my head down on the way to the stables through fear of being recognised, in fact I was so distracted I didn’t see the mighty Duke of Norfolk until I bumped into him. I expected a beating from him as I had seen him do the Kitchen boy, but he just pushed me roughly out of the way and shouted “get out of the way wench”, and carried on down the corridor with his retinue. I breathed a sigh of relief, because if he had struck me I would have to find an excuse to the bruises left.
My heart was pounding like hammer as I walked across the courtyard towards the stable, but there was Charles waiting for me with 2 horses. “Hello Amy” he said. “I assume you can ride?” “Yes Sir” I replied “”I told you call me Charles” He said. I said “Yes Charles”.
He said “Good come on then let me help you to mount” Once I was safely up in the saddle he mounted and we rode off towards Hampton Court. He explained that he had managed to persuade the Cardinal that Henry needed a maid to look after him, until his father came down. The Cardinal being a little distracted had agreed, and given him the task of finding a suitable lady. Therefore I could deliver my message to Henry and because I was dressed as a maid the staff at the Cardinal’s palace would be expecting me and he was with me to protect me on my journey. We also talked about other things on that long journey, of home and family. I told him that I had 4 younger brothers 1 older brother and 1 younger sister who was a Nun at Dartford, that my father had died when I was 10 and my mother had been pregnant with her youngest child when he died, she had remarried shortly after my brother had been born. I didn’t get on with my stepfather, who viewed girls as a waste of time, and told my mother to either marry me the brat as he called me, off or send me into a convent. Mother had been a maid in waiting in the Queen household when she had been married to Arthur, and had somehow managed to get me a place in the Queen’s household.
Charles said “I feel sympathy for you. Mother and Father always wanted a girl but there is only me and my 2 brothers. We don’t suffer for it as you do Mother and Father are very loving and devoted parents to us as much as they are to each other.
Finally Charles said “Amy you looked beautiful last night”. I blushed and a bubble of laughter escaped from me. I said “I felt very daring in that hood” Charles said “Why don’t you like Anne?” That stunned me. I said “I don’t know Charles, is it possible that I don’t like her because the Queen doesn’t like her?” “It’s possible I suppose Amy. But what has Anne actually done to you personally?” said Charles.
We were silent for the next 5 minutes, whilst I thought about what Charles had said…
I finally answered and said “Well nothing, in fact she has just ignored me even when I’ve been beastly to her and called her a wh*re to her face”
Charles said “Can you give her a chance? I understand your loyalty to the Queen and that is just as it should be, but give Anne a chance, if not for her sake but mine” Something about the way Charles said that made me agree “Alright Charles for you sake I’ll try to like her” “ Thank you Amy, that’s all I ask” he said.
By the time we reached Hampton Court it was starting to get dark, I was also very hungry as I hadn’t had any lunch, thankfully we were expected at Hampton court and a meal had been prepared for us in the Kitchen. Whist we ate Charles told me what his plan was to do with Henry and Anne. He told me to tell Henry to go out hunting the next day and to head for the hunting lodge on the estate, he would ride there in the early morning with Anne and they would meet there and discuss what they would do next. He said that he would wait for me and that we would ride back as soon as I had delivered the message I was to tell him that I would be back in 2 days’ time with the news.
I nodded and was taken to Henry’s rooms. I knocked and waited for the door to open; his servant which I knew was one of the Cardinal’s men let me in and went out quietly shutting the door. I knew that he would be just the other side of the door listening to our conversation, so I set about tidying his room and asking in a perhaps un-necessarily loud voice if there was anything I could do for him. Henry, who was sat with his back to me, turned and said “Can you stop my father coming here?”
I looked up from my tidying and saw a very upset young man who it had been clear had been crying.
I was shocked to see his pinched pale look, considering that when I’d last seen his face it was alive and vibrant and his eyes sparkling with vitality, and my heart went out to him. I went over to him and quickly whispered what Charles had told me to say, he looked up at me and for a second his eyes sparkled. He said “Has Anne sent you?” I nodded, at that moment the door opened and the servant who let me into the room re-appeared and said I was to go. Henry managed to whisper
“Thank you mistress, tell Anne… well she knows” I replied “I will” “is there anything you require Sir when I come again.” Henry replied loudly “the only thing I need you cannot give me, now get you gone” and turned back to looking out of the window. I thought what a rude man he was, but afterwards I thought he had said that because the servant would no doubt be under orders to repeat everything he had said to me, and that he had, had to be nasty with me, to convince the servant that I was there as a maid, as he had been told.
Charles was in the yard ready with the horses. I was worried about riding back in the dark as I thought we would get lost, I had never ridden in the dark before so stayed close to Charles.
I suddenly let out a laugh which seemed very loud in the dark, and quickly stifled it, worried that some cutthroat who was waiting in the shadows ready to leap out. Charles asked “What’s so funny Amy” I replied “I’m happy I don’t know why I’m just happy” It was now Charles’s turn to laugh.
“You are a funny girl Amy”. “Why” I replied. “Well” said Charles “A few days ago, you said you hated Anne and here you are today doing a favour for her”
“I know, but I didn’t like to see her so upset”. By the time we rode back into the courtyard of Windsor, I was feeling very tired and it was all I could do to mount the stairs to my room. Charles had gone off towards his own lodgings. When I got to my room I quickly undressed and hid the maid’s clothes in a chest at the end of my bed, and climbed into bed just before Susan came in.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 19, 2012
2:24 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 3
CAUGHT.
Susan asked “Are you feeling better Amy?” “Much” I replied. I slept surprisingly well, and when I woke my first thoughts, were of Anne had she managed to slip away with Charles? Was she now with Henry? I somehow found myself sat next to Jane in Chapel; she whispered that Anne had gone off this morning with Charles. I smiled and thought of Anne and Henry together, and prayed that they would find a way to marry, with or without consent.
I also wondered about Charles. I hadn’t ever thought about men, trusting my stepfather to arrange a marriage for me, when the time was right, but somehow he never seemed to be interested in doing that preferring to arrange my brother’s than to bother with me. Charles was very good looking I decided, but at the same time he would never be interested in me, I wasn’t much to look at so I thought, but Charles had said I was beautiful… Anne returned to court in the late morning, and I could tell by the look on her face she was much happier, there was also a look of something else there too which I couldn’t quite pinpoint.
I kept my promise to Charles and later at dinner I told her she looked happier and that I was glad to have helped her. She turned and smiled at me and repeated she wouldn’t forget my kindness.
When I was in bed later, I couldn’t sleep as Susan snored loudly and in the end I got up and decided to go for a walk in the garden, it was a warm night and there was the threat of rain in the air.
I sat down on the bench under the Queen’s window, and I heard Henry’s booming voice saying to the Queen “Madam I know one of your ladies is involved, all I ask is which one” I heard the Queen reply “Henry I don’t know. “What does it matter, I want that woman gone from my court she is a sl*t like her sister and I refuse to have her in my court and demand you send her from my court”
I knew then that the Queen was talking about Anne, but the Queen hadn’t seen Anne as I had 2 days ago with Henry Percy and I knew strangely that Anne was not like her sister Mary, who it had been said of was known as the great wh*re. I had met Mary her sister a few times, and yes it was common knowledge, that for a time Mary had been the King’s mistress.
Henry’s voice rose above the Queen’s and he said “Madam how dare you dictate to me. I say who you can and can’t have in your court as well as my own”
The Queen replied “Let the sl*t marry Henry Percy that way she can go up to Northumberland I don’t want her anywhere near me.”
Henry shouted “No she shall not marry Henry Percy, I have sent her from court however and she shall return when I send for her and you Madam will accept her into your household!”
“Never” the Queen replied
“Madam if you do not accept Anne back into your household I shall send Princess Mary away” He said. There was silence for some minutes. I knew that Henry’s threat to send Princess Mary away would be the only thing that would get the Queen to accept Henry’s decision.
Then I heard the Queen reply “Very well, I will accept her in my household Henry. She said dejectedly and then added with a flash of temper “But she shall not wait on me!”
“That’s for you decide what she does within your household, but know this Madam it will go badly with you if I hear she has been ill-treated” Henry said. And with that he stormed out of her apartment and I heard the door slam.
I then heard the Queen shout for Maria. “Maria I don’t know what to do, all hope is lost if I don’t soon have a son.” Maria replied “God will surely grant you a son, your prayers will be answered soon I’m sure of it.”
The Queen said “But Maria how can there be when the King spends all his time with wh*res, it’s bad enough that Bessie Blount born him a bastard Son and that Henry shows him much favour.”
Maria said “But it means nothing because he will never be King only the Son from your body can be King, and God and the whole world knows that. Let the King have his wh*re he’ll soon tire of her as he has others. In the meantime Your Majesty you must pray.”
The Queen replied “Yes Maria you are right. God will smile on me I’m sure of it.” And the next thing I heard was the sound of prayers.
I felt sorry for the Queen and at last went back to bed. When I awoke in the morning I saw that Susan had already arisen and gone, I rose washed my hands and face in cold water and dressed quickly, as I opened the door of my chamber I saw there was 2 guards waiting for me, with orders to escort me to see the Duke of Norfolk. I immediately started to tremble, had he recognised me yesterday when I had gone off with Charles after all?
I had no choice but to follow them to the Duke’s rooms. When I got there and was shown in the Duke was sat at his desk. The guard announced
“Mistress Amy my lord” The duke lifted his hand as a signal to go, and when the guard closed the door, the Duke looked up and signalled that I was to sit.
Once I had sat he looked straight at me, and said “Well Mistress where were you yesterday afternoon?”
“Me sir” I replied.
“Don’t play stupid with me madam you know exactly what I mean” He said menacingly.
“I was in bed Sir the Queen dismissed me from my duties as I was feeling unwell” I said.
The Duke replied “I know that but you weren’t in bed the whole time were you? So I ask you again Mistress where were you, yesterday afternoon? Susan your room mate told me she had come to see if you were feeling any better, just before Dinner and found you weren’t there”
I felt angry with Susan I thought she was my friend. I replied “But Sir I was there, are you sure Susan went to the right room, she sometimes sleeps with her friend Laura.”
The Duke got up and gave me a stinging slap across my face “Do not play games with me madam, you were not there”
I had to think fast “Sir I did go to the Jakes once to be sick, perhaps that was the time Susan came to our room and I wasn’t there”..
“Hmm “replied the Duke “That’s possible I suppose”
“Have you ever been asked to carry a message to someone?” asked the Duke. I felt uncomfortable, and hoped that the Duke didn’t see that.
“No sir” I replied.
The Duke said “You may go, but Mistress you may be sure if I find out you have been lying you will find yourself in the Tower”
I rose and left the room, feeling frightened what if the Duke knew it was me. I thought I must get rid of the maid’s clothes, if Susan found them I would be in the Tower by tonight. I ran to my room and threw open the chest, I found the clothes had gone. “That’s it” I thought “I’m dead”. All that day I worried every time I heard footsteps coming towards the Queen’s apartments, I thought it was guards coming to take me to the Tower, and every time it was it was a message from the King to the Queen.
Eventually I began to relax thinking if the Duke thought I was lying would have been sent to the Tower after I’d have left his room. Henry came to the Queen’s rooms later in the afternoon and amongst his men was Charles I breathed a sigh of relief, that he was safe, he smiled at me and I smiled back. I liked Charles; he had a very merry twinkle in his eyes. It was the first time I noticed it.
Henry seemed to be in a jovial mood and it wasn’t long before we were all laughing, however the Queen seemed distracted and that kind of spoilt the jovial attitude which was in the room. I took my embroidery to a window seat and sat to make the most of the pale winter light.
I couldn’t help but think of Anne I had found out she had been sent back to Hever and I felt sorry for her, and again it was the first time I noticed that there was something missing in the Queen’s rooms. I realised it was Anne’s lightness, the court seemed quite staid a dull despite the King’s jovial mood. Whilst I sat there Jane came over and whispered “I took the dress from your chest and burned it, I also told the Duke that I had taken you to see the apothecary when I found you in your room moaning in pain”.
“Thank You Jane” I said, “but surely the apothecary would tell the Duke he hadn’t seen me?”
“Don’t worry” Said Jane “He has already told the Duke he gave you a posset to take and kept you with him until he was satisfied you were better and then sent you back to your room”.
“It seems as if I’m in your debt Jane” I replied.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 20, 2012
2:27 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 4
CHARLES
At supper that evening I was thoughtful. Jane had put her very life at court on the line to save my life, and had done it without asking for anything in return. Anne was back at Hever and could have very easily said that I was one who had acted a messenger for her to Henry, and that Charles was the one who had taken me over to Hampton Court. “Charles” every time I thought about him I remembered the merry twinkle I had seen in his eyes that afternoon.
Almost as if he heard my thoughts he was at my side offering to walk me around the garden whilst the servants cleared the hall and the musicians set up for the dancing. I accepted his offer and we went off we passed by Jane who smiled at us. Charles said “Well mistress” “Amy I mean how are you feeling today, better I hope” I realised he had said this just as the Duke of Norfolk loomed into view “Much better thank you sir the apothecary is very good” then added “Charles” in a whisper.
The Duke seemed satisfied and passed by. “Charles what happened” He explained that he had been followed when he had taken Anne to meet Henry, and that although he hadn’t been recognised Anne had. The spy had ridden back to Hampton Court and told Wolsey what was happening, Wolsey had sent his men to the lodge and caught Anne and Henry together I had managed to hide in the woods and rode back to the court as fast as possible and told Jane to get rid of the dress and to protect you. “Thank you Charles” I said.
“The Duke had me in his room and slapped me “ I said.
“I know” he replied and looked at my face. “I’m glad he didn’t leave a mark on your face Amy” “Why?” I asked.
“Because” he said “I would hate to see your beauty marred by a bruise”
“Charles” I laughed and he laughed too.
“I love your laugh Amy, your nose crinkles when you laugh.” he said. I blushed and Charles laughed again.
We continued to walk around the garden in silence I was deep in thought and in my thoughts were Charles. I liked him terribly, he was fun to be with and I felt safe with him, then it hit me what it was I like about Anne it was her friendliness and how she had protected me from the Duke’s wrath, she could have told the Duke it was me who was the messenger, but she hadn’t, she had been sent back to Hever in disgrace, and had accepted her punishment.
Also Charles could have gone to the Duke and said that Anne had asked me to be her messenger. But he hadn’t, instead he gone to Jane and asked her to protect me. Was Anne as black as the Queen painted her? The Queen had called Anne a sl*t, and a wh*re many times and yet whenever she was in the Queens apartments there had been merriment, and without her it seemed very boring, and dull. The King and the Queen were as everyone knew, unhappy and yet when Anne was there the atmosphere was happy and jovial.
Without Anne at court it seemed as if anything we did was tedious. Even Charles despite his flattery of me seemed out of place, without Anne. I decided I would write to Anne and thank her for her kindness towards me and protecting me from the Duke’s wrath.
Charles noticed my change in attitude and asked “I haven’t offended you have I Amy”
“No Charles not at all” and smiled at him. We went back indoors just as the music started up and I danced with Charles almost all night, I had never felt so happy, and when I went to bed that night I felt different.
Susan was there already and asked me where I was yesterday afternoon when she came to see if I was alright. I knew then that Susan was who had told the Duke about me not being there and resolved to never let her into my confidence again.
I told her I was with the apothecary. She snorted and mumbled she didn’t believe me. I didn’t answer her as I got into bed and feigned sleep when she said she had seen me go off to the stables with a man.
I felt like slapping her, but I knew if I had she would report to the Duke of Norfolk, that I had slapped her and I would be in deep trouble.
I slept well, but then I usually did, but in my dreams I kept seeing Charles’s face and the merry twinkle in his eyes.
In those dreams were also Anne dancing in as if she was floating on air and the whole room lighting up with her laughter, When I awoke in the morning I knew that my opinion of Anne was different. I was resolved to offer my friendship towards her.
I sought Jane out after morning Mass and asked her if I could write to Anne.
Jane was surprized and said “Why? I thought you didn’t like her? I felt a little uncomfortable, and Jane saw that.
“Jane “I said “I was wrong, I don’t know how to explain it but I was wrong I do like Anne ““She’s fun” was the closest I could get to explaining how I felt.
I was worried too and said to Jane “will Anne forgive me? After all I have been beastly towards her.” Jane said “Anne’s not vindictive she’ll forgive you, after all you helped her or at least tried to. It your fault that the plan failed”
Jane laughed quietly, and said “you are a funny girl aren’t you”
I smiled and said “That’s what Charles said”
Jane said “Ah Charles, he’s very Handsome is he not?”
I laughed and said “Yes he is, but he and I are just friends, he would never be interested in me”
It was Jane’s turn to laugh now… I asked her what she found so funny, she replied “You are idiot, of course he’s interested in you” That was something entirely new to me. A man in the King’s retinue interested in me? The unwanted daughter in a family of boys?
I was so distracted that day that the Queen became concerned and sent me to the Apothecary thinking I had taken ill. The apothecary said he could find nothing physically wrong with me, smiled and suggested I was perhaps suffering of some sort of malady of the heart, and sent me back to the Queen with a clean bill of health… Jane and I were often together that day, and though her I learnt more about Anne, I found myself enjoying being in her company, and every time I happened to look up I saw Susan looking at me with disgust. I thought “damn her! What is wrong with me being friends with other people?” Friends? That was the first time I used that word other than with Susan. I realised that Jane was as much fun to be with as Anne although she lacked Anne’s spark. Later that day I found time to pick up my Quill, and write to Anne.
It was a difficult letter to write, but I stuck at it and eventually managed to put into words my feelings, and hoped she would understand. I wrote…
Mistress Anne, I hope my letter won’t cause you annoyance, but I want to thank you for your kindness towards me and for protecting me against the King’s wrath.
I also want to apologize to you for my behaviour towards you in the past. Yes it was true I did hate you, but now I find I miss you at court. Jane has been very kind towards me and has told me a lot about you. I find her company refreshing and everyone else in the court seems dull, except of course for the King although he does frighten me sometimes, when he shouts, and Charles. I like Charles he says my nose crinkles when I laugh.
Please forgive me for saying this but I hope you can come back to court soon. I understand if you wish me to keep away from you but I won’t forget your kindness Anne and will help you if I can…
Amy.

After I’d written and sealed it I hid it in my locked box as I no longer trusted Susan and knew if she knew I’d written to Anne she would tell the Queen and I might find myself sent back to my home.
I couldn’t bear to think about that, plus I would miss Charles too.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 21, 2012
3:39 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 5
ANNE RETURNS.
I gave my letter to Jane the next day and she sent it off with one of her own. I received a letter from Anne a few days later. In it she said that what had happened in the past was past, and that she would be proud to be my friend. She also said that she too had, had a letter from Charles in it he said that he found me a fascinating young woman although he said the style of dress I wore did nothing for me, as it hid the true beauty I had. I blushed when I read her words, and looking at myself in the glass I saw for a moment the girl I was on the night of the masque. She told me to keep close to Jane, and I could rely on Jane for help. She had also written that she had received permission to return to Court, and was hoping to be back sometime next week, when transport could be arranged and a place found for her to sleep. I smiled when I read that and felt excited by her return, although it wouldn’t be till next week I had resolved to welcome her back. I told Jane about the letter I had had from Anne. “See” she said “I told you Anne would forgive you”
The week seemed to drag by and I was forever looking out for Anne’s arrival. Charles was also very much on my mind. Was I falling in love? I really didn’t know, but whenever I had free time from my duties I always sought him out and we spent many happy hours just walking around the palace gardens, sometimes we would chatter but on others we would just walk quietly around, with my arm through his.
One day 2 days before Anne came back to Court, he said “Well Amy do I detect something of friendship towards Anne in you?”
I blushed and said “Yes Charles you do, please forgive me I was so terribly beastly to her, and yet she has forgiven me I am very excited by her coming back. “I feel terribly sorry for her that she hasn’t been allowed to marry Henry Percy though, it doesn’t seem fair, they looked so happy together”
Charles said “Well Amy there is a reason for it. It seems the King has taken a fancy to her himself, and couldn’t bear the thought of her going to Northumberland, besides Henry Percy was already betrothed, so a marriage between them was impossible”
I smiled and thought, “Well who can blame the King for that? Anne is beautiful.” I was more resolved towards Anne and determined to make her forget just how beastly I had been towards her. “Charles” I said “does my dress make me look old and dowdy?”
Charles laughed and said “ Amy you are a young beautiful lady you shouldn’t dress in old fashioned clothes” I blushed, he took my hand and put it to his lips, in that moment I felt like my heart had left my body, and was floating off into the sky.
“Charles” I said almost breathlessly.
He laughed and said “Amy has no one told you before how beautiful you are?”
I replied “No only my Mother but she doesn’t really count”. “Well you are Amy, there I’ve said it” said Charles.
With that we went back inside. He went back to the Henry’s apartments and I to the Queen’s. I sought out Jane as I often did these days, and told her what Charles had said.
Jane said “He’s quite right Amy you are beautiful you know”
That night there was a banquet in honour of the arrival of the new Spanish Ambassador. I asked Jane if she would dress my hair like she did the night of the masque.
I felt very confident, but when I stood up I realised my dress didn’t match what I saw in the mirror and looked very heavy and cumbersome, next to the way Jane had done my hair and asked Jane if she had a dress to match the hood I was wearing.
Jane smiled and said “Give me 5 minutes Amy” and rushed off. Just as she left Susan walked into the room and said “Why are you bothering with that creature, she as much as a wh*re as that Boleyn wh*re is”
I rounded on Susan and said “Have you got proof of that?”
Susan stood there for a few seconds stunned by my reply before answering “No but let’s face it Mary Boleyn was a wh*re so it stands to reason the whole family must be the same”
I strode across the room and firmly slapped Susan across the face, leaving her too stunned to say anymore, as she turned to leave. I said “Don’t think I don’t know it was you who reported me to the Duke, but know this Susan you will one day regret your actions towards me. Anne and Jane’s friendship are worth 100 times more than yours ever was”.
I was amazed at myself, but at the same time worried that Susan would report my behaviour towards her to the Queen slapping a lady in waiting was an offence and one that could cost me my place in court.
However when Jane returned a few minutes later I forgot the whole incident, in Jane’s hands was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen, it was a deep crimson velvet, with an underskirt of white satin sown with hundreds of tiny seed pearls the sleeves were also of white Satin sown with just as many seed pearls the edges of the sleeves sown with gold thread, which matched the hood.
I put it on and looked in the mirror Jane started to laugh, she said “ Forgive me Amy”” but you look so very different I can’t believe you are the same girl I left just a few minutes ago”. I looked in the mirror and then I started to laugh too. Then I thought “I wonder what Charles will say?” We went out together arm in arm we passed Susan on the way down to the Hall.
I could see her cheek was still very red from where I had slapped her just a few minutes before. I no longer cared about her, for the first time in my life I was happy. I had a good friend in Jane and Anne was due back any day now and I was looking forward to seeing her again, and to hear her laughter which was I admit infectious.
When I walked into the hall I heard a sharp intake of breath from the men in the room, even the King looked up and smiled at me. I blushed almost as red as my dress, at which Henry threw back his head and laughed, and the whole court stated laughing along with him.
I looked for Charles but he didn’t seem to be there. I was a little disappointed, but Jane assured me he would be here, he was on an errand for the King I took my place at the table and we began to eat, for once my appetite failed me as I was so excited at the thought of what Charles would say when he saw me.
Suddenly the room became very silent I followed the gaze of everyone in the room towards the door and there she was Anne she looked wonderful in a Dark Green Dress with a pale yellow underskirt with Emeralds and Diamonds covering her dark hair, and with her was Charles. The King had grown tired of waiting for Anne to come back to court and sent Charles to fetch her. Charles didn’t recognise me at first, but slowly I saw his eyes twinkle and he smiled.
Very soon the tables were cleared away and it was at the moment I realised the Queen hadn’t come down to the Banquet. I found out later that the Queen had heard that Anne was due back that evening, and had told Henry that she wouldn’t be down that night preferring to have her meal in her room. She had told the King as I found out later, that she had no wish so I heard to see the wh*re as she called Anne come back into court. I was feeling very annoyed with the Queen, Anne was no wh*re. As Anne passed by she smiled at me and said “Amy You look really beautiful”
Charles approached me and said “Amy you look so very different, what has happened to you to make you dress in the latest fashion?”
I replied “I wanted you to be proud of me”
Charles said “But Amy I am proud of you. You look so radiant” I couldn’t help but feel proud of myself. I thought “My friend had returned to court and Charles was proud of me” “Friend” “how strange that sounded” I hadn’t really had a friend before, Susan and I weren’t exactly friends but because we shared a room I classed her as my friend but now I understood what the word Friend really meant.
When there was an interval in the music I found Anne at my side, she said “You look happy Amy?”
“Oh I am Anne” and soon we were chatting like we had never been apart, I found Anne very easy to talk to and what was more she listened, no one had really listened to me before except for Charles.
I asked her what had happened about Henry Percy and for a second I saw her face go black, I hoped I hadn’t offended her, she saw my concerned look, and said “You did your best Amy, but I was not to know that his father had arranged another marriage for him. Had I known I wouldn’t have wasted my time or my tears on him” She added “still one good thing has come out of it, you and I are friends now” “Yes” I said “I’m glad you are back I missed you. “ I hope you will forgive my behaviour towards you”
Anne laughed and said “Amy there is nothing to forgive” Her laugh infected me and I too stated laughing, at that moment the music started up again this time however Henry started to sing, I closed my eyes and listened in rapture to his song. He had a beautiful singing voice, when the song came to an end everybody clapped and cheered. Then the dancing started up again and I found myself dancing with Charles. “Amy “he said, “You know there is a joust tomorrow?”
I nodded. He said “Can I wear your favour” It was the first time any man had offered me the complement of wearing my favour, I said “Yes Charles”. The evening went all too quickly, and all too soon it was time for me to head to bed.
When I got to my room I was surprized to find that Susan wasn’t there, and then I remembered that I had slapped her, and thought “Oh well she’s perhaps in Laura’s room. I was glad to be honest as the thought of her snoring beside me all night didn’t really appeal to me. I wanted time to myself I thought of Anne but more so of Charles. He had asked me to wear my favour, was Jane right when she said Charles was interested in me? I was too tired to think any more about it and fell asleep, when I awoke in the morning I sat up and for a few minutes I wondered where I was, then I realised I would be late in the Queen’s apartments if I didn’t hurry I quickly pulled on my dress and plonked my Gable hood on my head then I noticed in the glass the reflection of the Red Velvet I had worn the night before I compared it quickly with the dress and hood I had just put on and realised just how awful I looked.
I would have loved to have worn the Red velvet into the Queen apartments, but I still felt a little unsure and I certainly knew the Queen would take a dim view of it, especially as I didn’t know if Susan had told her about me slapping her.
I rushed from my room to the Queen apartments and was just in time for Morning Mass I joined the other ladies and sat near the back, so to make my late arrival less inconspicuous, Jane and Anne were sat at the back to and I noticed that they were talking when the Elevation of the Host was taking place. “What rubbish this all is” I was shocked, but at the same time I agreed with what she had said.
I had heard about this so called new religion from others, and at first I refused to listen to anything different to what the Catholic faith said, was right and wrong.
But slowly, very slowly I began to listen. One of the things that I had trouble with was the Pope. If the King ruled over his land and his people, made laws and saw they were carried out. How could the Pope rule the King? Did not the King appoint judges to carry out his justice, the Pope didn’t appoint those judges the King did. When a marriage between the nobility was arranged did not the people ask the King for permission from the King for acceptance, although the Pope issued a dispensation the final decision was the King’s? If he said no to the match that was it and no matter how many dispensations the Pope issued, the marriage would not take place. I also wondered about love it didn’t seem to matter where marriages were concerned. I always said privately to myself when I marry it shall be for love, and suddenly I thought of Charles.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 22, 2012
4:10 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 6
THE JOUST
After Mass we broke our fast, I was surprized on how hungry I was I sat between Anne and Jane and all 3 of us were soon chatting about the Joust. Anne said “Henry is by far the best Jouster he will soon beat everyone” I nodded in agreement, then quite suddenly for me I burst out and said “Anne have you got a dress I can borrow for this afternoon?”
Anne looked at me and said “Amy I have lots of dresses and you can borrow them anytime you want to” I smiled. “Jane” she said “you are right about Amy she is a funny girl” and we all laughed… “Come to my room in 10 minutes I have just the dress for you it will bring out your beauty, and I’m sure Charles will fall in love with you” She said. I felt my heart do a somersault in my chest, as she mentioned his name. Again I asked myself the question, was Charles really interested in me?
I went to Anne’s room and there on the bed was a pale pink and cream dress, with a diamond studded Hood, with a diamond studded net caul. I gasped when I saw it. Anne saw my look of amazement and said “Well Amy what are you waiting for” I didn’t need telling twice I quickly took off my dress and kicked it across the room, along with the Gable hood, I had finished with that look I wanted to be different, I was young I wanted to look young not dowdy and old. I quickly put on the dress and this time Anne did my hair when she had finished she said “You look so fresh and lovely, I’m sure you will attract a lot of attention today”
I blushed and said shyly. “As long as Charles notices I don’t care” She laughed and said “Oh he will, trust me” and strangely enough I did trust her.
I walked through the court on the way to the jousting yard, and once again I happened to come across the Duke of Norfolk this time however he was left speechless as I passed by him, so once again I thanked Anne in my mind as she was right about the attention I would get wearing this dress, even if it was just the Duke of Norfolk.
When I got to the Jousting Yard most of the good seats were taken in the Royal box and I felt a little dismayed that I would be at the back of the crowd perhaps unseen by Charles. However at the sight of me a young man who I knew was Charles’s page, but didn’t know his name rose from his seat and said “Mistress, my master told me to keep a seat for you” I thanked him and took my seat.
Anne and Jane came and I was thankful that they too were sat close to me, as I felt a little uncomfortable amongst all the other ladies in their formal and seemingly old fashioned dress.
Susan whispered to Laura, “You can see how dangerous that Boleyn wh*re is can’t you? I would have never thought of Amy being as bad as her, but look at her, only wh*res dress like that”
I was about to turn around and say something but suddenly a fanfare of trumpets announced the coming of the King and Queen, we all stood waiting for the Royal party to arrive in the box and prepared to curtsy. Once the King and Queen had settled the joust began, after half an hour, Henry rose and made his way to one of the bigger tents that I had passed on my way to the Royal box.
Suddenly there was Charles he looked magnificent on a jet black horse, and once again I felt my heart do a somersault. His opponent was the mighty Duke of Nottingham, and for the first time in my life I was worried about someone other than myself.
Charles rode up to the Royal box and bowed to the Queen but I couldn’t help notice he was looking directly at me, and for the second time that day I saw the same look in Charles’s face as I had seen in the Duke of Norfolk face only an hour before. He dipped the point of his lance towards me and said “My Lady will you do me the honour and allow me to wear your favour?”
I nodded stood up and took my favour from my sleeve and tied it to his lance, and whispered “Good luck Charles please don’t get hurt” I was about to sit back down, when I noticed from the corner of my eye the Queen’s expression, I turned to look at her and noticed 2 things, 1.She had a very disappointed and sour look on her face and to just how old she looked incomparisson to all us ladies here. For a moment I felt a little un-settled and then I remembered the looks on the face of both the Duke of Norfolk and Charles and somehow I just didn’t care anymore.
Why should I dress in such old fashioned clothes I was young, plenty of time for looking old and dowdy when you were old and dowdy, and once again I made a mental note to thank Anne when I could. When I looked across to Anne she smiled and mouthed “see I told you so” I smiled and again I thanked my lucky stars that I had the good sense to write that letter to Anne, without her I would still be stuck in darkness.
Charles lost his joust with the Duke of Nottingham I was sorry for it, he was winded, but thankfully unhurt, his page returned my favour, and said “Charles is asking to see you” “When” I replied
“After the joust in the garden” I told the page to tell Charles I would be there.
The joust continued, but I really wasn’t concentrating much “I wonder what Charles wants” I thought. However I was soon brought back to earth when I heard Henry had entered the lists, he was to joust against the Duke of Nottingham, I wished with all my heart that Henry would unseat the mighty Duke, after all he unseated Charles. Henry approached the Royal box bowed his head to the Queen, she had risen and was just about to offer him her favour when he turned his horse and pointed his lance towards Anne, she took her favour from her Cuff and tied it happily to his Lance.
The Queen was incensed and promptly made to leave, I as one of her ladies should have left to, but then I remembered her look and decided to stay, why should an old woman spoil the fun of a joust? I was glad to see them all go save for Anne and Jane and a few other ladies. I was able to move a little closer to Anne and Jane and soon we were chattering and cheering the jousters who had won, and sympathising with those who had lost. Anne was right when she said that Henry would beat everyone, he did and for the first time I began to see Henry in a different light. I was always a little afraid of him, but now I saw he was as much fun as Anne was.
He was the King of course and must be obeyed, which was why perhaps he sometimes got cross when he felt like he wasn’t being obeyed, and I realised the scene I had witnessed the night Anne was sent away was one of those moments.
But somehow Henry at the joust was different; maybe because I was now different I could see a different side to him too.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 23, 2012
5:00 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 7
IN THE GARDEN.
As promised I went to the garden after the joust, I found Charles sat by the fountain, deep in conversation with another young man again I knew by sight. I wondered whether I should go and return later, and was just about to go when the young man looked up and saw me “Ah Charles is this funny girl you were telling me about?
For a moment I was annoyed, must I forever be known as the funny girl? But then I saw the twinkle in Charles’s eyes and forgot my annoyance. I approached the fountain and the Young man stood a swept me a very courtly bow “George Boleyn at your service Mistress” I curtsied in return. George said to Charles “Your description of her doesn’t do her any credit Charles, she is truly breath-taking” I blushed. Charles’s gave a laugh, but I could see he was in pain, with doing so, and was worried that his fall in the jousting yard may have seriously hurt him. George said “Well Charles I will leave you to walk amongst the flowers in the Garden, although to be honest I think the most beautiful flower has already been picked” I blushed again.
George swept another courtly bow and said “Mistress I see my sister was right about you” I Curtsied and said “Sir” he said “George Mistress just George” and left. I sat by Charles and said “Charles are you alright I was so scared when you fell, you aren’t too badly injured are you?” Charles reached for my hand, and the minute he took it I felt like I had been hit with a bolt of lightning.
Charles said “Amy my love I am fine I shall be a little sore for a few days and it does mean I might not be able to dance tonight.” “Oh” I said “Well in that case I won’t dance either” Charles gave a painful laugh and said “No my Amy you must dance you are a joy to watch dancing as you are to be danced with”
It was my turn to laugh now, and then it occurred to me that Charles had called me “his love and my Amy. Was Jane right then? “Charles let my hand go stood up and reached inside his pocket.
In his hand was a box I was intrigued “Amy” said Charles “I’d like to give you a present”
I was stunned for a second or 2 and then said “Charles I’ve done nothing to deserve a present”
“But my love you have. You have me happy and that is enough.” Charles said. He opened the box and inside was the most beautiful bracelet I had ever seen, it was a gold oak leaf and oak apple linked chain, and each oak apple had a different coloured gem set into it, as he put it onto my wrist his lips brushed my cheek. I knew then than Jane and Anne were right. Charles sat back down, and took my hand in his. He said “The Bracelet belonged to my Mother, and was given to her by my Father, when they married, and now I have given it to you” we were quiet for some seconds then
Charles sighed heavily and said “Oh my love I can’t keep this a secret any more. Amy I love you I loved you the minute I saw you, I want to marry you”
I suddenly felt the whole world explode my heart with it, and knew that I loved him too, but I was worried too. “Charles” I said “Oh Charles do you really love me? Jane and Anne said that you were interested in me, but I was unsure” I added quietly “I love you too”
Charles put his arms around me and held me to his chest, I could hear the beat of his heart and it was almost as if it was saying my name over and over again. I raised my head and his lips met mine it was the first time we had kissed and it was if a thousand fireworks went off all at once. I wanted to go to the top of the world and shout for the whole world to hear that I was in love. Finally he let me go, and said “Well Amy we shall have to marry now I cannot bear not to have you with me”.
I laughed and so did Charles although not his usual hearty laugh as I knew he was in pain. Then after we stopped laughing I said “Charles my stepfather is a mean man I doubt he would give me a suitable dowry for one of your station”. Charles replied “To hell with the dowry it’s you I want to marry not money; I’d marry you if you were penniless”.
We kissed again, and then I said “Charles I must go the Queen will be expecting me, I will see you tonight” Charles stood up and watched me walk up the path towards the palace. When I got to the door I ran as fast I could to find Anne I had to tell her first that Charles had asked to marry me. And once again I thanked my lucky stars that I written to Anne. I found her and Jane sat in the window seat in the gallery and even before I said anything Anne said “Amy you look different” “Anne” I said “Anne, Charles has asked me to marry him”.
Anne got off the window seat put her arms around me and said “There you are, you see, Jane and I were right weren’t we” “Yes you were” and we both started to swing each other around laughing joyfully. Just at that moment Susan came by with her friend Laura and another sly looking girl called Jane Seymour, and said loudly to make sure we heard. “I see the wh*re has got herself a new wh*re in her house. I stopped dancing and was fuming I went to hit Susan, but Anne pulled me back “Don’t waste your time, she’s not worth it, I mean look at her she’s a nothing and a nobody and that’s all she’ll ever be” I did look and I realised that what Anne had said was true. Susan looked old and dowdy. I sat down in the window seat and all 3 of us started to discuss what we were going to wear at the masque, that evening.
Anne noticed I was a little quiet and said “Amy what the matter?” I replied “Well it’s just I haven’t got much to wear other than the dress I’m wearing now or the Red Velvet, from the other night”. Anne laughed, and said “Didn’t I tell you earlier I have plenty of dresses for you to borrow whenever you want”. “Yes you did Anne, but I really should think about getting some of my own, it not right or fair I should keep borrowing yours, it’s only……” I trailed off “Only what?” said Jane I replied “It’s just that I doubt my stepfather would said me any large amount of money to buy material, he sends me very little as it is, and he begrudges me that, he often tells me I’m a useless girl so why waste money on me”
I felt a little sorry for myself, and it must have showed, as Anne put her arm around my shoulder “Amy” she said “It matters not, the fact is that you are important. Important to me and certainly important to Charles” at the sound of his name my heart lifted and my eyes shined and my lips broke into a smile. “There “she said “that’s better, remember this Amy, Woman are just as good as Men, and one day your foolish stepfather will realise that. Then she added “I think Henry realises that now” It took a few seconds for what Anne had said to sink in, then I said “Anne the rumours are true then about you and the King” She replied “Yes does it bother you?” I sat for a few minutes in silence and reasoned things out.
The Queen was old; I knew England was fiercely loyal, to their English Kings, and felt in no way would they accept a Foreign King ruling England as well as his own dominion, even if he only had the crown by right of his wife, an English Princess. The Queen had had a number of pregnancies, and each one save for the Princess Mary had either ended up as a mis-carriage or a still birth. The short answer was that England needed a male Heir. An English born King to rule England. Queen Catherine had failed again and again. It was time for her to step aside. I knew that the French King Louis had put aside his wife because of her failure to produce an heir and she had retired gracefully into a convent.
I also knew that Wolsey was seeking an annulment for just that reason. England needed a Queen who would produce a male heir, and if the marriage was annulled, why should England not have an English Queen, and who better but Anne. England had had enough of foreign rulers interfering in English politics.
I remembered a scene between the Queen and Henry. She always seemed to interfere with the King’s business, when he had stated to her that he had arranged for a peace treaty with France and Princess Mary was to be part of that treaty.
She lost her temper with him and said “I will never allow Mary to marry into France; the Emperor will have something to say about this”
Henry went crimson with rage and shouted “Out, all you ladies get out” we fled. We heard him shout at her “Madam what business is my daughter’s marriage to do with the Emperor?”
She replied “Everything, the Emperor has done more for you then that French libertine King has done”.
“Oh Yes madam and name just one thing he has brought to England, has he brought wealth? Has he brought the French crown he promised me?” he said.
The Queen replied “No Henry but.”
Henry said “But what madam? I’ll tell you what your precious Emperor has brought me”, for a second there was silence and then I heard him shout “Nothing Madam. Nothing that is what he has brought, he has taken plenty though hasn’t he?” And another thing madam your precious Emperor jilted our daughter in favour of a bride from Portugal, an insult not just to me and my daughter but to England and yet you sit there and lecture me on the Emperor not liking what I do in my own Kingdom with my own daughter!” he was silent for a few seconds and then added.
“You must learn where your loyalties lay? with England or with Spain? You and your whole family are liars, nothing but liars. Your father owed my father money, he made deals with France behind mine and my father’s back with France he was brought off madam. Your precious Emperor has done the same thing. You madam lied to me about your marriage to Arthur. We have no son because of it. God knows our marriage is a sin. I know our marriage is a sin, only you believe that is true, only you. If divorce was not a sin I would have done so, long ago. But know this one day, your precious Emperor will feel my wrath and if you interfere with my plans to do with France, you too will feel my wrath as well.”
And with that he stormed off and slammed the door. Leaving the Queen in floods of tears and being consoled somewhat unsuccessfully by Maria who had just come out of Queen Catherine’s bedroom just as Henry slammed the door.
So I said “No Anne I’m not bothered I wish you as much joy as Charles has given me”. We continued our discussion about the masque, and then I noticed Susan standing in front of me.
“The Queen wishes to see you” She said shortly and walked off.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 25, 2012
1:26 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 8
THE QUEEN
Jane, Anne and I looked at each other, and before I realised I’d said it I said “What does that damn Spanish woman want now?” “I’d better go and find out I suppose I’ll see you later”
I walked slowly towards the Queen’s apartments I knocked on the door and waited till I heard the Queen say “Enter” I opened the door and walked slowly towards the Queen she was stood by the window, and again I noticed just how old she looked.
I curtsied and “Your Majesty sent for me?”
“Yes” She said “you may sit” I waited until she took her seat and noticed that her movements were very slow and painful. I sat down on one of the floor cushion and waited for her speak.
“Mistress it has come to my attention that you have made friends with a lady of ill repute, and your manner of dress has become lax as I have no doubt as your morals have, I am therefore sending you back to your home. I will be writing to your parents tonight and will ask them to come and fetch you in 2 days’ time” I looked up and saw her expression was one of disgust and loathing. “I am sorry it has come to this, I was fond of your mother, but I cannot and will not tolerate such disrespectful behaviour from her daughter” “You may go”.
I got up curtsied, and left the room, bursting into tears, I ran down the hall crying not seeing Anne or Jane in my flight and made for my room, there I flung myself down on my bed and sobbed brokenheartedly. I didn’t hear Anne enter the room and it was only after I felt her hand touch my shoulder I realised I wasn’t alone. Anne asked “What’s the matter Amy, what has happened?” Finally I managed to get enough control of myself to tell her.
“Anne, the Queen is sending me away, what can I do?” “I can’t go I love it here at court, this is my home. I’m not wanted at my Mother’s home, and my step-father will find a way of persuading my Mother to send me to a convent, and Charles what about Charles? Oh Anne I was so happy, and now I shall be misable again”.
Anne said “Amy you won’t be sent away Trust me; I’ll get Henry to make her change her mind”
I said “Will you?”
“Yes, there is no way I am going to see you go anywhere, you belong here, with us, with me, and with Charles” she said, and with that she went.
A little while later Anne came back into my room and said “All done, the Queen doesn’t like it, but I don’t care” I threw my arms around Anne and squeezed her. “I’ll not forget this, I so glad we are friends”
“As am I Amy as am I” Anne replied. “Now then Mistress we must set about seeing what we can dress you in tonight for the Masque, and we mustn’t keep Charles waiting, he’s waited long enough for the woman of his dreams to walk into his life”. I laughed.
“Oh and by the way Amy I asked Henry if you could be moved to a room nearer mine, and he agreed, so from tonight you will be in the room next to mine , don’t worry about moving your things I’ve already made arrangements for that to be done. I squeezed her again. “Now come” she said “there is a lot to do and such little time” I went off with Anne arm in arm feeling happy, I passed Susan and although very childish I stuck my tongue out at her and giggled.
We walked into Anne’s room, Jane was busy laying out dresses for tonight’s ball when she saw me she said “well that won’t do, we can’t have red eyes at the masque, come here Amy and sit down I’ve got just thing to get rid of them” I sat down and Jane bathed my face in Rose scented water, “There” she said “That’s done the trick” and as I turned to look in the glass I saw she was right.
Anne said “Amy I heard you met my brother this afternoon? What do you think?” I replied “Anne I think he’s very charming, but next to Charles well…” Both Anne and Jane started laughing and Anne’s infectious laughter caught me too. I was happy again, and forgot the nasty business with the Queen. She was just a silly old woman, and I was surprised by my thoughts.
I busied myself, and asked Anne which dress would suit me best, again I was surprized at myself. I’d never asked anyone before about dress, I’d always thrown on the first clean dress I could find, regardless of what colour it was. Anne looked amongst all the dresses Jane had laid out on the bed, and chose a dress of Silver and white tissue. “This one” she said,” and Jane I think we shall weave diamonds into her hair with a rope Pearls and diamonds around her neck, and another rope around her waist” I gasped I had never had anything as beautiful as this before. Anne added “Oh of course the silver shoes too” I dressed quickly well we all did Anne looked magnificent, she wore a dress of gold tissue, which made her dark hair even darker, her dark eyes sparkled, and I understood now why Henry had fallen in love with her. Jane dressed in a similar dress to my own. We all went out together and headed towards the Queen’s rooms ready to escort her to the hall.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 26, 2012
1:48 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 9
THE KING.
We arrived at the Queens apartments to discover that the Queen was still in Chapel, I felt very annoyed with her. Didn’t she care that she would keep everyone waiting? I was Hungry but no one could eat unless the Queen was present, or had given a decent excuse to why she wasn’t there.
Finally after what seemed an eternity the Queen appeared, and once again I was struck by just how old she looked, she had, however I saw she had taken care to dress slightly differently but I also saw just how ridiculous she looked.
I heard her say “Maria tonight I must please the King, I have a feeling that I might conceive a son tonight” I heard Anne stifle a laugh and I managed to turn my own laugh into a cough.
The Queen looked at Anne and said “Are you ill mistress, perhaps you should go to the apothecary and get him to make you a posset, it will mean you missing the masque” I realised in that moment that the Queen was jealous of Anne. “I am well your Majesty it is just a little smoky in here” Anne said
“Hmm” she said and walked off. I walked into the Hall with Jane and Anne, and once again noticed the silence as we walked in. I must admit I felt very powerful.
After our dinner we stood in little groups waiting for the servants to finish clearing away the remains of the feast and clear away the tables. Anne, Jane and I were talking about who we would dance with tonight. I said “I don’t care who I dance with, I just want to dance.”
We all laughed and at that moment the Henry approached us I immediately dropped down into a deep Curtsy, with him was George Boleyn and Charles. Henry said “Well Charles I concur with young George here your description of Mistress Amy’s beauty does her no credit”
I blushed deeply and Henry gave a very hearty laugh “Rise mistress no need to be on duty here” I rose still red. He said “Mistress I hope you will give me the honour of a dance later”
I replied “If you’re Majesty commands it”. “Mistress It will be my honour to dance with such a beauty as you” He said.
And once again gave a hearty laugh which affected us all. When he had left us I said to Anne “What did I do to receive such an honour?” Anne replied “Henry admires beauty and you really are beautiful you know”.
The music started, and I noticed that the Queen was trying to keep Henry by her side, Henry’s face was slowly turning crimson with temper through her demanding behaviour eventually, and he turned to her and shouted which could be heard above the music which slowly faded away into silence. “Madam you think you can order me about. I want to dance and dance I shall and what’s more I shall dance with any woman I please, if you do not wish to dance then either put up with it or get you gone”.
With that the Queen rose quickly, well quicker than I had seen her move lately, and stormed out, but not without giving Henry, an angry stare. When she had gone, Henry said “Music we must have music” and the musicians started playing again.
Upon the first note, the Queen was forgotten and the good mood that was in the room before Henry’s outburst returned. I found myself dancing with George Boleyn, “Well Amy I may call you Amy?” “Yes sir” I said. He tutted “I told you call me George, just George” “Yes George” and I added “Just George” We both laughed. He said “I see my sister is taking good care of you. And yet I heard you didn’t like her” “Yes Si.. Just George, it was true I didn’t like her, but how could anyone not like her, I mean look at her, she’s beautiful, I love being in her company and somehow she makes me feel so safe, it’s almost as if she is surrounded in magic” I added quickly “Yes I have heard the rumours she is a witch. What rot! Anne’s no witch, she’s a goddess, and I can fully understand why Henry has fallen in love with her”.
George started laughing again and like Anne his laugh was infectious. The music came to an end and we clapped the musicians, it was time for a break I was glad as I was feeling very hot, and needed some fresh air, Charles was by my side almost as if he read my thoughts, and we went out into the Gardens. Anne was already out there with Henry and I noticed he had his arm around her shoulder, and smiled to see Henry happy again. Anne looked dazzling beside him once again I was struck at just what it was about Anne that had attracted Henry, and wished her every happiness.
Charles saw my smile and said “Amy my love your nose is all crinkled again” and put his arm around me, I leaned into his chest, and once again heard his heart beat saying my name. Charles said “I am sorry I shall not be able to dance with you tonight, but one night means nothing, when we have the rest of our lives together” “Oh Charles you really do want to marry me don’t you?” I said. Charles replied “Without you my life is meaningless, if I could, I would marry you right here under the stars tonight”
I was just about to answer that I felt the same, when I noticed the music had started up again, and it was time for us to return to the hall. We both turned and in doing so Henry strode up and said “Ah Charles would you mind if I pluck your beautiful rose” I curtsied again deeply and Charles said “Do not keep her too long your Majesty I shall miss her” Henry laughed and reached down and took my hand. “Come mistress this dance is ours” I could hardly believe it I was dancing with the King.
“So” said Henry “I understand you are to marry Lord Tavistock” I looked up at him, with a very confused look, not understanding what he had just said. He broke into a deep laugh “Charles, Amy, Charles” I drew a sharp intake of breath I didn’t know Charles was a Lord? “Your Majesty I truly love Charles, but I doubt my step-father would agree to our marriage” He said “Your step-father will do as I tell him, I know of your home situation, it matters not, your dowry shall be paid by me” I blushed and said “Your Majesty is too kind” “Not at all Amy” he replied “Charles is a good man he deserves a good wife and I know of none finer than you, or beautiful either” I added “Your Majesty Anne is more beautiful than I” Henry laughed. “You know about me and Anne then, Amy” “Yes your Majesty I do, I wish you and Anne as much happiness, as Charles and I” I said. He smiled and said “Charles is a very lucky man” When the music finished he took me back to Charles and said “Charles you have plucked yourself a truly beautiful Rose, make sure you look after her well” he added “Your marriage must be celebrated soon, love is in the air and who am I deny it” as he said that Anne had walked up and he threw his arm around her waist. “Come Anne this dance is ours”.
I sat down next to Charles and he took my hand “Happy my love” he said “Yes my Lord” I replied
“My Lord?” Charles said surprized “No Amy never my Lord to you just Charles” “But Charles I didn’t know you were a Lord” I said. Charles laughed “would it make a difference if you did know?” he asked.
“No Charles it wouldn’t” I laughed. I spent the rest of the evening sat by Charles I just couldn’t bear to be apart from him. When I went to go to bed that night I felt happier than I had been since……. Well actually I couldn’t remember. I was so happy that I forgot that my room had been changed and headed for my old rooms, and it was only when I tried to open the door I remembered I now had rooms next to Anne. I laughed at my woolly headed memory and went further up the corridor to my room.
I went in and crawled into my bed and settled down “Goodnight Charles” I whispered, “soon we will be together”. I slept very deeply and when I awoke I forgot where I was for a few seconds, and then I heard my door open, and Anne loomed into view “Wake up sleepy head” she joked In her hands she carried a tray and on it was some Bread, Meat and Wine. We both ate and drank whilst sitting on my bed, and I noticed that I hadn’t been to Chapel, before we broke our fast, like we usually did. Anne must have read my thoughts, “Don’t worry” she said the Queen wouldn’t have even noticed we weren’t there”
Then I remembered the Queen’s scene last night and said “I couldn’t care less if she did Anne” and added “How will God help my hunger?” “God doesn’t bake bread, or provide meat, or make beer, men do that” and laughed. “Amy” she said “you never cease to amaze me, why a few weeks ago I never thought I would ever hear you say such things.”
“Anne” I said “is it true that you are interested in the new religion?” “Yes” said Anne “Why?”
“Can you help me to understand it too?” I said. Anne laughed and said “Well you really are a dark horse aren’t you? Yes Amy I will, but not now, today we have to set about planning your wedding, that’s of course if you want my help?” I threw my arms around her and said ”I would be honoured to have your help”.
I thought to myself what a fool I was to hate Anne, in 3 short weeks I’d gone from being a nothing to having the whole world at my feet, and it was all down to Charles and a letter.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 27, 2012
12:11 pm
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Chapter 10
WEDDING BELLS
Life was full of surprizes for me just then. Not only had I met Charles I had a best friend too. Anne.
I finally got out of bed and realised that once again I hadn’t got anything suitable to wear, as if by magic Anne read my mind and threw open my Wardrobe door I was stunned, in it were masses and masses of different coloured dresses all cut in the latest fashion. Anne laughed, “Well I couldn’t have you walking naked around the court could I” she said.
Once again I threw my arms around her and thanked her with tears in my eyes. Anne said “Well Amy I will leave you to choose the dress you wish to wear” Picked up the tray and walked out of the room quietly shutting the door behind her.
The King had spoken truly when he said my step-father would do as he was told, as I received a letter from my mother, that in itself had been a surprize as in all the years I had been at court she had never written to me, not once. She explained that my step-father as far as I was concerned was off his hands and no longer his problem; he didn’t care if I was alive or dead, I was nothing but a useless girl. I felt very annoyed with him, but in a way my marriage to Charles would show him just how wrong he was. He had managed to marry 2 of my brothers to the daughters of Sir Gingham and Dr Greenwood, and here was me a brat as he called me getting married to a Lord. My mother said she would be arriving at court in a week’s time. Plus she wanted to see the Queen again. That annoyed me why should she want to see her, it was me who was getting married not the Queen. I smiled and started to laugh as I reread her words. See the Queen indeed, what’s to see? An old woman way past her usefulness.
One thing was for sure my mother would not share my rooms. Let my step-father arrange lodging for her it would do him good to pay for something, instead of hoarding his money, like some old lick penny.
The next surprize came the following day, when I had 2 bolts of white taffeta fabric and 2 ells of fine gold lace delivered to my room, there was a note attached to the bundles. “Amy this is for your wedding gown, work fast Charles is an impatient man” it was signed King Henry. I blushed and thought what a wonderful man the King truly was. I also wondered how I could pay back his kindness to me.
I walked slowly to the Queens apartments my feet were as light as a feather and I felt if I walked quickly I would fall. I entered the room and noticed straight away that there was a different feeling in the room. However I didn’t care and set about my duties.
The Queen was sat in a window seat with Maria, and with Susan sat of the floor threading a needle for the Queen as once again the Queen was busy, with her tapestry, and Jane Seymour reading passages from the Bible out loud. It was then I noticed than Anne wasn’t there, but Jane was, so at least I had someone to talk to when I had finished what I was doing. I went over to Jane and said “Where’s Anne? I got so much to tell her, and I need her help too” Jane replied “Gone hunting with the King” Then I understood what the feeling was in the room. The Queen was depressed because the King had gone off without her, again. “Silly old woman” I thought she makes herself misable and for what? Jane and I sat talking quietly in the window seat for a few minutes, and then I heard the Queen calling my name “Oh bother” I thought, “What does she want now? I was just about to tell Jane about the gift from the King.”
I walked over to the window curtsied and said “Yes your Majesty” The Queen said “I understand you are to marry Lord Tavistock?” For a moment I forgot who Lord Tavistock was, and then I remembered and said “Yes your Majesty” I noticed her face was very angry looking “and I suppose you think getting the wh*re to speak in your defence was a good idea?”
I was angry despite who had actually said it and answered “Anne is no wh*re” and added quite harshly for me “Your Majesty”
There was a sharp intake of breath from the ladies around the Queen. The Queen said “You forget yourself Mistress. If it was not for the King’s direct order I would have sent you from this court ere long” “Yes your Majesty” I said. The Queen added “Once you are married if the marriage even takes place at all that is, I shall see you will no longer be a member of my household, you and the wh*re will be banished from my court I will have my way in this I assure you. Now get you gone from my sight”
I curtsied once again and turned to go, as I did the Queen said “Now ladies I wish to be alone come back in 2 hours”
I breathed a sigh of relief and went, I caught up with Jane just outside the door, and told her of the King’s present, and what his note said. Jane laughed “Well Amy” She said “we had best get to work then”. We went to my room and she too was as amazed as I was when she saw the material.
We took up the cloth and the net and made our way to the seamstress, once we had told what we wanted, she said in a light-hearted manner “Yes, yes leave me alone I know what to do” and added with a laugh “anyone would think I’d never made a wedding gown before”.
I decided I needed a breath of fresh air, and told Jane I would see her later, and headed out into the Garden, however I didn’t really enjoy my walk much purely because Charles wasn’t there with me. At that moment I heard the sound of horses’ hooves coming into the courtyard, and thought “Another messenger? That must have been about the 10th today” and carried on with my walk, suddenly I found myself being scooped up in the air and heard Charles, “Amy we are to marry next week will your dress be ready by next week?” I laughed as Charles held me in his arms I said “That quick?” “Yes” said Charles “I can wait no longer, I have waited long enough for you to walk into my life and now you have I never want to let you go” and with that he kissed me.
Finally he put me down and we went for a walk around the garden hand in hand, which suddenly became a paradise to me. I told Charles what the Queen had said to me and said “She sounds very bitter these days, but she can blame no one but herself.” Charles said “the Queen won’t send you from the court or Anne either she won’t risk the Princess being sent away from her, it’s all just empty words Amy, just like her. I felt a lot better than I did just an hour or so before.
The week flew by and I worried that my dress wouldn’t be ready in time and I would have to choose one of my other dresses to wear instead, but it was, with just 1 day to go I walked into my room and there on my bed was my beautiful wedding dress. I ran next door to Anne’s apartments and told her “Anne you must come and look” seeing my happy face she put down the book she had been reading and followed me. I picked up my dress and held it against myself and said “Isn’t it beautiful?” and Anne came over and hugged me and said “Yes Amy it is. Now then what have I got that will go with it”, and she went off to her room and reappeared a few minutes later with a jewellery box, sat down on my stool, and opened it after about what seemed a hour but was in fact only a few minutes, she said “Yes this will be perfect” and shut the lid. In her hand she held a gold and diamond necklace, “This will go perfect with your gown, Take it Amy this is my gift to you” I gasped “But Anne”. “No buts” she laughed, and I laughed too.
The day of my wedding dawned clear and beautiful it was going to be a warm day, but, my thoughts were all for Charles in just a few short hours I would be his wife. I wished time would move quicker, but soon enough the time simply flew by. Anne and Jane had been in my room all morning helping me to dress, doing any last minute alterations that may have been needed, and generally chatting about what would happen that night at the feast. I realised that once again that not only had Henry paid for my wedding but he had also organised a feast in Charles and mine’s honour, and I wondered again how I would repay the King’s kindness to Charles and me.
All too soon it was time to make my way down to the Chapel; I was nervous and felt cross with myself for it too. Why should I be nervous I was marrying the only man I knew I would truly love. At the entrance to the Chapel there stood the King, he looked magnificent, he was dressed in Royal purple with silver slashed sleeves and black hose and a black velvet cap with a white feather on his head. I suddenly felt very tiny next to him, and Henry must have guessed my thoughts as he started to laugh. I curtsied and Henry took my hand and rose me up, “No ceremony mistress time enough for that inside the Chapel” “Yes your Majesty” I replied.
“Your Majesty” I said “How can I ever repay your Kindness to me?” “Well Mistress” he said with a merry twinkle in his eyes “I guess you could repay it by allowing me to have the first dance with you at your feast tonight” I gasped and said “I would be honoured to your Majesty.” The Duke of Suffolk was to give me away and I went to him and curtsied “I am ready my Lord” I said the Duke smiled at me and said “Amy, Charles is a lucky man, be happy always” and with that I placed my hand on his arm and made to walk into the Chapel. Just at that moment Henry’s voice boomed out “Stop I cannot let you do this Charles” for a second I thought Henry had withdrawn his permission for me to marry. Henry saw the alarm in my face, and laughed “Amy you shall marry Charles, but I will be the one who will give you away” and with that Henry took my hand and led me down the aisle.
I turned to see Anne looking at me with such tenderness, that once again I thought of what a difference one letter had made.
The ceremony was soon over and it was then I noticed that my mother hadn’t been in the congregation and neither had the Queen. “Good” I thought I wouldn’t have been as happy if I knew that sour faced old woman was there, although I was surprized not to see my mother, but then thought that perhaps my step father had forbidden her to travel to court, I didn’t let the thought of my step-father’s malice spoil my happiness for too long. “Well wife what are you thinking about?” said Charles “Wife” I thought, well it was going to take me a bit of time to get used to.
I changed out of my wedding gown and Charles and I went into the banqueting hall I went to walk to my usual seat forgetting for a moment I had just got married. Charles laughed and said “You haven’t forgotten already that we have just got married my lady” and with that he steered me to a seat on the King’s table.
Henry said “only the best for Lord and Lady Tavistock” I blushed and took my seat. He added “Anne it is my wish that you too should sit here, come sit next to our newest Lady.” Anne danced over and sat next to me, I said “Oh Anne I am so happy”, she squeezed my arm and said “Amy you are a funny girl aren’t you? And laughed and I did too.
Just before the feast began Charles’s household came up to me one by one and offered their congratulations and their fealty, with a promise they would always protect me from danger. Lastly was the page who had saved me a seat at the joust that day, in his hands he carried a single red rose, he bowed and offered me the rose and said “My Lady this rose is a pale compassion to the rose my Lord married today” I turned to Charles with tears in my eyes, and Charles said “No Amy no tears,” and kissed me.
The feast began I was hungry but for some strange reason I ate very little, during the feast the heralds suddenly piped up “Lady Sterling”
I looked up and there was my mother looking much older than when I had last seen her, and looking very angry too. She looked around the hall looking for me I presumed, would she recognise me? The answer was no. Eventually she approached the King, curtsied and said “I have come to take my daughter Amy home where is she?”
Henry said “Well madam I cannot believe you cannot recognise your own daughter in a room full of people”
Then I saw her look quickly at Anne. “Your Majesty I have heard that my daughter has become involved with a woman at court who is well known of having low morals, I also understand she intends to marry one of this wh*re’s low down common friends I am here to forbid it and take her home, she is to go into a convent, as her sister did before her”
Henry’s face turned crimson with anger. He said “Madam you forget yourself, I am the one who has agreed for her marriage to take place and as to your reference about a wh*re in my court I know of no such person. If there was such a person within my court she would soon find herself out on the street with nothing”
“Where is she?” My mother asked the King yet again.
Henry said “Madam as I understand it you and your husband have, no care for her anyway so why should her marriage be of your concern? Your husband, madam wrote to me himself and told me that the brat can marry the Devil for all he cares he has no wish to ever see or hear of her again, therefore I took it upon myself to act as her guardian and protector until a suitable marriage could be arranged for her, and this I have done. The marriage has already taken place, and those whom God has joined no man can put asunder and this feast is in celebration of that most joyous marriage. If you cannot be happy for your daughter and wish her happiness then I suggest you leave immediately, you will be of no loss to this feast or to her”.
“I demand to know where she is your Majesty” my mother said again.
Henry replied “take a look around madam anyone of these beautiful woman could be your daughter, but there is only one Amy”.
My mother did look but not finding me stormed out. I turned to Charles and said “My mother has changed she used to be so different she tried so hard to protect my sister and I from my step-father’s malice and wept bitterly when my step-father sent my sister to the Convent.
It was she had sent the Queen a letter recommending me for a maid in waiting as I’ve no doubt I too would have been sent to a convent sooner or later.”
Charles said “Give it no further thought my love. Henry is quite right you know, there are many beautiful woman, here tonight, but there is and always shall be only one Amy”
“I love you Charles” I breathed. “Amy, My Amy” Charles replied, and suddenly the scene with my mother disappeared.
Soon the dancing began and as I promised the first dance was Henry’s and as we were dancing he said, “Well Lady Tavistock how do you feel?”
“Wonderful” I replied. I added “I am sorry about my mother, I had hoped she would be happy for me?” Henry smiled and said “Forget it, it never happened, do not let one lady’s spite mar your happiness Amy.” The dance ended and the King returned me to Charles. We too danced later in the evening, but by then I was becoming very tired.
It had been a long day, eventually Charles said “Come wife it is time we went to bed” we got up and made our way out of the hall, just then Anne came up squeezed me, and put into my hands a book, She whispered “read it when you can, although not tonight” kissed me on the cheek and Charles too and then went back into the hall. We had just got about half way down the gallery, when once again I saw my mother, I clung hard to Charles, and he whispered “Don’t worry” as we got nearer she curtsied and asked us “Sir, have you seen my daughter Amy Sterling I have looked everywhere for her. I am to set out in the morning for home and I would like her to come to my lodging with me tonight”
I squeezed Charles even harder. “I am sorry Madam I know no such person. Although wait a minute? Wife, wasn’t that girl called Amy who married Jeremy Kemble last week?” “Yes Charles I believe it was” I replied. “Do you know where I might find her?” My Mother asked.
Charles made to look like he was thinking and I giggled, and quickly managed to turn into a cough “Yes Madam I believe they have gone to live in France”.
My Mother said “Thank you Sir” In a very bitter and somewhat deflated way. I curtsied and Charles bowed and we went on our way, when we reached the bottom on the gallery Charles suddenly picked me up, and rushed up the stairs to his room, he slammed the door using his foot, and we collapsed onto the bed laughing at a my mother’s bitter, deflated face.. “Oh Charles you do make me laugh. My poor mother” and we started laughing all over again. Charles got up and poured out 2 cups of wine, and then we sat on the edge of the bed to drink them.
“Well wife” Charles said “I suppose we should get to bed” for the first time I trembled, at the thought of us sharing a bed. Charles looked at me, and said “don’t worry Amy, I’ll be gentle” “Oh Charles… Husband” I said, it was the first time I called Charles, Husband that day and it still felt odd that I was now married to this wonderful caring man. We slowly got undressed, I was very nervous at seeing Charles naked, I knew what a man’s, well boy’s body looked like as I had bathed my brothers when they were little. When I had finally managed to get down to my linen shift I heard Charles behind me and turned, “No Amy” he said “allow me” and slowly he lifted my shift over my head. “Amy you are beautiful, I am afraid to touch such loveliness” I blushed and threw my arms around his neck and said “Oh Charles you fool” and for once I kissed him.
The touch of his body on mine excited me, he once again lifted me up into his arms, slowly pulled back the sheet on his bed and lay me down, he climbed into bed with me took me in his arms and said “ I think Anne must be witch you know”? I laughed and said “What makes you say that?” “Well” he said “if you hadn’t been in the garden that day when Anne was upset over Henry Percy and asked you for help, you and I might have never met?” I laughed again and so did Charles “Your nose has crinkled again Amy” and bent down and kissed me on my nose and then on my lips again, it was at that time I had noticed that his one hand was on my breast and he was slowly stroking my nipple which has gone hard and stiff at his touch, slowly inch by inch Charles kissed my neck then my shoulders and then started licking my nipples, I felt as if I was floating away , I felt his manhood hard against the side of my leg, and then Charles was on top of me pushing his knee between my legs, I responded by parting my legs, and moaning with pleasure, for a second there was a sharp stinging pain in my middle, but it was soon replaced by one of exquisite ecstasy and I found myself moving in rhythm with Charles, wanting more and more of him, moaning louder and louder till I could no longer hold on and cried out with joy at the moment Charles too let out a long cry and I felt his manhood explode into my body. We lay there locked together for some minutes afterwards, until Charles said. “I’m thirsty but I don’t want to get up” I laughed and said “Well Charles if you are thirsty you will have to, besides we have the whole of our life together now”
He laughed “Yes you are right my love we do, and slowly very slowly he got off me and went and poured to cups of wine for us, came back to bed and pulled the cover just over my stomach leaving my breasts exposed. I asked him why he hadn’t covered my breasts, he said “I love them they are so beautiful” “But Charles I might get cold” I said “All the better I can soon warm them up” he laughed “Idiot” I laughed back.
Finally we snuggled down together in each other’s arms and fell into a deep and contented sleep. I awoke the next morning to find Charles stroking my breasts, and found myself moaning in pleasure, slowly just as we had the night before we made love, and once again I cried out in pleasure just as Charles did and felt his manhood explode.
For a long time afterwards we just lay on our backs with my head on his chest. “This won’t do Amy” Charles said “What is it Charles” I said. Charles laughed and said “My wife needs to eat, I can’t have her wasting away to nothing”.
He got up and pulled on a robe, went to the door opened it, and shouted “Boy bring food and wine my wife is hungry” shut the door and came back to bed. I said “Charles I love you” He turned to me and kissed me, and once again I felt his hand come up onto my breast, it had just started to respond as it had earlier, when there was a knock at the door. “Damnation what is it now? Can’t I be alone with my wife?” The door slowly opened and I quickly pulled the sheet up to cover my naked body, in walked the young page who had given me the rose the night before, I laughed at the expression on his little face. In his hands he carried a tray and on it was Bread, Meat, Wine and a dish of fruit” Charles said “I had forgotten I asked for a meal for us”
The boy put the tray down bowed, blushed and went. Whilst we ate we talked about our Honeymoon, Charles said “My parents and my brothers will fall in love you my Amy. The house will seem very different to court though. ”

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 28, 2012
1:03 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 11
HOME.
Later that day we finally managed to get everything together and were to leave the court in about ½ an hour or so time. Charles was busy making sure the servants who were not travelling with us were clear about what to do whilst we were away and making sure they got our new Lodgings at court sorted out and furnished properly, so I asked Charles if I could go and see Anne.
His eyes twinkled, and he said jokingly “Yes go see the witch, but don’t be away too long my Lady I will miss you too much” I kissed him, laughed and ran off to Anne’s rooms.
I knocked and entered and she looked up., and said “Well Lady Tavistock, I trust you slept well” with a twinkle in her eye “Very well thank you Anne, and it’s Amy to you if you don’t mind” I laughed.
She said “Well I am to lose you for a month whilst you are on Honeymoon, Promise me you will write” I replied “Of course I will I want to share my happiness with you, after all it was you who brought it all about” I added with a laugh “Charles calls you a witch”, She laughed very loudly and replied “He could be right you know” “No Anne You are a Goddess, the King worships you and with good reason” I said Anne added “Which reminds me when you return things will be different, You will no longer a member of the Queen household, but a member of mine instead”
I could have jumped for joy, but married ladies didn’t do that, or did they? I went over to Anne and flung my arms around her and said “Anne you are truly wonderful”. At that moment the door opened and in walked George “Lady Tavistock I presume” He said. I Smiled and replied “Just George I presume” we laughed. George said “I never got the chance yesterday of giving you my congratulations on your marriage” He came over and put his arms about me and kissed me on the cheek “Congratulations Amy I know you and Charles will be happy together”.
I suddenly remembered I told Charles I wouldn’t be long, and got up to go. “I must go now Charles will be waiting, and I promised him I wouldn’t be long”. “Have a wonderful time Amy I will see you soon and don’t forget, you said you will write” Anne said “Oh I will Anne I will” I said and I went off back to the room where I had left Charles just 30 minutes before, at the sight of me Charles said “Ahh wife I was just starting to miss you.” “Idiot” I laughed. Charles came over and once again swept me of my feet “Idiot she says” and kissed me.
Just then a stable hand came in and said “All ready my Lord”

“Good” said Charles “you timed that just right wife, a few minutes longer and I would have left without you” “Would you really have gone without me Charles?” I said. He laughed and said “Never I told you Amy my life is meaningless without you” He put me down and we walked out into the courtyard, and there being held by a stable groom was a beautiful white horse fully capisoned in Silver and Gold, with a Silver and Gold saddle and little bells on the reins which jingled every time the horse moved its head. Charles saw the look of amazement on my face, “Well my love I couldn’t let you ride just any old horse could I, and besides this is my wedding gift to you” I turned and threw my arms around Charles’s neck and kissed him deeply, He put me from him and said “Any more of that and we won’t be setting out for our home today”
I laughed and went over to the mounting block by the horse and climbed onto the saddle, once I had settled and arranged my dress to my satisfaction we set off slowly at first as the streets were crowded, but once we were out into the country our pace quickened, and 3 days later we arrived at Charles’s and what was my home now too. I took a look at the house as we approached, it was a square brick built building, with a number of outhouses, surrounded by fields in which were cows and sheep and some horses, In the distance I heard a bell ringing and realised that it was the guard on watch signalling our arrival and to make sure that all available staff were out in the yard to greet us. As we rode over the drawbridge I suddenly felt a little nervous.
What if Charles’s parents didn’t like me?
What if the staff took exception to me ordering them about? After all I was now Lady Tavistock of the Grange.
Charles must have read my thoughts as he grabbed my hand and said “Amy don’t worry everyone will love you as I do” I felt a little easier after that. We rode into the courtyard. Charles quickly jumped off his horse and helped me down, and took my hand and led me inside.
Mother and Father were in the Hall to greet us and I saw straight away just how loving they were.
“Charles my boy, welcome home and Amy I am pleased to meet you at last my dear” Father said.
I blushed and said “Thank you sir” Mother came forward and embraced me warmly and said “Welcome my child come let us go and sit by the fire it’s quite chilly out here don’t you think?”
I replied “Yes Madam” She smiled and said “My dear you must call me Mother” I smiled too and said quietly “Yes Mother” I suddenly felt as if I belonged here. Mother led me to the chair by the fire and sat opposite me.
“Well my dear child I trust you aren’t too tired from your journey?” She said
“No Mother I am fine” I replied.
Charles’s father handed me a goblet of wine and said “Amy you are more beautiful than Charles described you” I blushed and he laughed. “Thank you Sir” I replied. “Father my dear, Father” He said.
I smiled and said “Thank you Father”
Father added “I trust you will forgive me for saying this, but I knew your father well. I don’t suppose you would remember my dear, but I saw you once when you were a little girl.
I remember seeing you playing in the garden of your home with your sister chasing butterflies or something and I told your father then that you were going to grow up into a beautiful woman. I wasn’t wrong. I was quite upset when I heard of your father’s death he was a good friend.” He smiled and then added “well I shall leave you 2 ladies to talk I’ve no doubt you will find lots to talk about woman usually do” he said with a laugh Mother and I laughed too.
Father was right, Mother and I were soon discussing everything from the journey from London to what flowers there were growing in the garden. I felt truly happy and Charles was right things were different here altogether. Much less stuffy and staid then they were at court.
Charles was busy talking with Father about the affairs of the Estate. The door opened and an Icy blast of cold air wound its way around our feet followed by the house dogs and 2 men walked in. Father smiled and said “There you are my boys come greet your Sister, and a very beautiful girl she is too” I blushed deeply. Thomas and George came over to the fire and Thomas said “My lady welcome Home” and kissed my hand. George said “Likewise my Lady” and he too kissed my hand.
Charles started talking about what was happening at court and finally Thomas said “Yes we have heard the rumours from court. But it can be no wonder that the King thinks as he does, the Spanish Emperor has long been a thorn in everyone’s sides. The Queen’s continued failure to produce and heir must be very frustrating for him. All these years married and all the King has is a single daughter and a bastard son. I’ll tell you Charles no English man will tolerate a foreign ruler. What England needs is an heir, the Queen has failed again and again. It’s time she stepped aside, and let the King remarry. England is sick of foreigners interfering in its affairs we need a new Queen and this time an English one who will work for England. Anne Boleyn will do that. Speed the day she sits on the throne.”
Mother and Father nodded in agreement.
George said “I’ve heard Anne Boleyn is very beautiful” I replied “Yes George she is”
Thomas said to Charles “You are truly a lucky man Charles, Father spoke truly Amy is very beautiful”
George said “Charles, Thomas is right, if I had seen her first it would be you who would be as jealous as I am right now”
A short while later the servants were all lined up and introduced to me.
There was Rosa the housekeeper, and Tom her son who was 11, he helped Guy the Head groom out in the stable yard and fed the horses and the dogs. Martyn who was the Game keeper and a number of other servants who all had various jobs in the house and around the estate. Mother said “This is Doris she will look after your needs and fetch everything you require” A shy looking maid came forward and curtsied.
I heard Tom whisper to his mother “My lady is very beautiful isn’t she Mama?” Rosa looked down and said “Yes Tom she is” Charles ruffled the boy’s hair, and I saw that once again things were indeed very different here than at court.
That night in bed we made love slowly and for me quietly as it was different making love here than when we were at court. I was aware that there servants all around us, as well as Charles’s parents and brothers but in the end the pleasure became too much and I screamed out in ecstasy, as did Charles, we once again just lay locked together and in the end we just fell asleep like that, waking a few hours later we made love once again, and lay in each other’s arms and fell into a contented deep sleep.
We awoke in the morning to the sound of bird song, I still hadn’t got used to it in the 3 days it took for us to get here. When at court there were always sounds of guards shouting “all is well” dogs barking in the courtyard, the Cockerel in the kitchen garden crowing and the general hustle and bustle that was Court life.
“Well wife” he said, “There is a lot to do today do you intend keeping me a prisoner in our bed?” He said with a laugh “Although” he added “That would make a very happy prison” I laughed too. “There are many people who wish to meet you my love, we mustn’t keep them waiting” He said.
Once again I felt nervous and Charles must have felt it. “Amy you know perfectly well that they will love you” Once again I laughed and all my nervousness disappeared I knew he was right.
We got up and Charles dressed and said “I will wait for you downstairs my love only don’t be too long as I will miss you” I laughed and replied “Idiot”.
Charles called for Doris to come and help me to dress and a few minutes later she appeared at the door. “Doris I require my riding habit” I said “she curtsied and said “Yes My lady” and ran off to fetch it. She returned a few minutes later and quickly helped me to dress and I went downstairs. Mother and Father were in the drawing room whilst Charles had gone out to the stables to see to the horses. Mother and Father smiled as I walked in. An hour later we went out to the stables to find that our horses were ready, and the Stable boy was waiting with his hand cupped ready to help me to mount. I saw that once again Charles was right about the staff, and the Boy blushed deeply as he threw me up into the saddle.
We rode off slowly taking our time, we came to a little farmstead about 2 miles from the main house, and in the doorway of the house stood a middle-aged lady with 3 young children around her legs and an older looking girl who looked the spitting image of the woman so I guessed rightly that she was her daughter by her was a slightly older man who had removed his cap and bowed deeply to Charles and myself, likewise the woman and her children all did the same. “Hello Evans it is good to see you again. I trust that you and your family are well?” said Charles “That we are My Lord. Right glad we are to see you home safe and well” and added “You too my Lady, you are very welcome here.”
Charles Said “Thank you Evans. Mistress Evans I see you have had yet another baby since I was last here?” Yes My Lord” She said “I dare say it won’t be long before we shall be celebrating the birth of your child” I blushed. “Oh my Lady I meant no offence” said Mrs Evans. I laughed and she too laughed. Just at the moment we heard a rumble of Thunder, and it had started to rain, “Damnation” Said Charles “I had hoped to get around the whole estate before this cursed rain stated” Mrs Evans said “Well My lord if you don’t find it too much of an inconvenience, you are welcome to rest here until the rain stops” “besides” she added, “We can’t risk our lady catching cold that would never do”.
“Charles said “Thank you mistress that would be most kind” He hopped of his horse and helped me down. Mrs Evans quickly led me inside her little cottage, whilst Charles and Mr Evans saw to the horses. “Beth fetch my lady some ale” “Here my lady sit here by the fire, we can’t have you getting cold now can we” said Mrs Evans I sat down, and Beth came forward with the ale bobbed a curtsy and went back into the kitchen. The 3 little children, sat on the floor by the fire and were all staring at me open mouthed, Mrs Evans said “Don’t mind them my lady, they aren’t used to seeing ladies as beautiful as yourself, if you pardon me for saying it.”
It’s alright Mrs Evans” I replied
Eventually the children started whispering amongst themselves, and I was forgotten. Mrs Evans said “I’m glad to see my lord so happy.
“Thank you Mrs Evans, you are very kind” I replied “Nonsense my Lady I hope you will be very happy here.” She said. I replied “Everyone has made me feel very welcome here I feel like I’ve always belonged here. She smiled and said “That you do my Lady that you do.
They are wonderful Children Mrs Evans, you are very lucky” I said She replied “Thank you my lady, they do bring me a lot of comfort, as you too will one day learn, Oh pardon me my lady I am sometimes too outspoken, Mr Evans is always telling me so” I laughed and said “Give it no thought Mrs Evans.
At that moment Charles and Mr Evans came in, and Beth immediately came forward with 2 mugs of ale. Charles said “I’m sorry we were a long time my love, but Mr Evans was asking me about some new farming techniques he would like to try, you didn’t miss me too much did you?” I looked up and was about to say idiot, when he said “I know my love.” Mr and Mrs Evans looked at each other and smiled a knowing smile.
After about 30 minutes the rain finally let up for us to continue our journey. Mr Evans helped me to mount, and we went to leave but not before Mr Evans said “My Lord take good care of my lady I can see she is very special” Mrs Evans came to the side of me and said “God keep you safe my lady, I will always be here for you”
I smiled down at Mrs Evans and thanked her with all my heart. We rode off the horse’s hooves churning up the mud as we went. At every farmstead Charles and I were greeted with as much love as we had when we first rode up to Mr and Mrs Evans .We eventually arrived back home, just as it was getting dark.
Charles helped me down from the saddle and the stable lad went off with the horses to give them their well needed rub down, with an equally well needed bucket of oats and water afterwards. We went inside the house and went into the drawing room, Mother and Father were sat by the fire and I noticed that they were holding hands. They smiled at me and Father got up and insisted I sat by Mother whilst he fetched me a goblet of wine, Charles had gone to the kitchen to enquire about food.
A short while later Charles returned and behind him was Tom some firewood and put it down by the fire. Bowed and as he turned to leave “Lady Angel” I smiled at him. Charles smiled as he put another log on the fire and said. “Rosa told me this morning that Tom called you Lady Angel all last night before he went to bed.” Mother said “Well can it be wondered at Charles, Amy is as beautiful as one after all.” And she reached for my hand and held it tightly in hers.
After dinner Charles and father began discussing about the new farming techniques that Mr Evans had mentioned when we were there this morning. Mother and I sat by the fire hand in hand as we had earlier. Finally we all drifted off to bed.
We awoke quite late and after dressing went downstairs to find that breakfast was already being prepared for us, after we had eaten. Charles had to go out to the stables and discuss what horses would be suitable to put to stud. Mother and Father had gone into the local village, to the market with Martyn.
I decided to do some reading and finding nothing that caught my eye in the library I remembered the book that Anne had given me on my wedding night, I went upstairs and found it in the bedside drawer brought it downstairs and settled down by the fire to read it. I was so absorbed in it that I didn’t even hear Charles come in. He came over and said “Good book my love?” as he handed me a goblet of wine. I nodded, he bent down to look at the cover
“Ah Tyndale, a very good book don’t you think my love” I agreed, and then it occurred to me, how did he know? I put the book down and gave Charles a puzzled look, Charles said “I have read it, my love” Then I said “You knew that Anne had given it to me?” “Yes” He said “I knew, but I wanted you to read it when you felt ready, we must all come to God in our own way my love” and again I totally agreed.
I now fully understood the new learning and thought just how ridiculous the Catholic Church truly was. I got up and threw my arms around Charles neck and kissed him deeply. “What was that for” He asked “I missed you” I replied, he kissed me back, and whispered “Idiot” Just then there was a flurry of activity just outside the door, the door opened and in walked the house dogs with Tom saying “get out of the way bloody animals” I couldn’t help but laugh as Tom was trying to carry a scuttle of firewood into the room with the house dogs running around his legs. When he saw me he quickly said “I am sorry Lady angel I didn’t know you were here” I laughed again and said “It’s alright Tom” He put the firewood down bowed and went with the dogs following at his heels as the door shut I heard Tom say “Move you bloody thing or I’ll put my foot up your arse”

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 29, 2012
5:58 pm
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Chapter 12
A LETTER TO ANNE.
That night after dinner whilst Charles and father were once again discussing Estate affairs. Mother had retired early so I wrote the promised letter to Anne.
Anne,
“I love it here Anne, although I am missing Court. Rosa’s boy Tom calls me “Lady Angel” and I couldn’t help but smile as I wrote the words.
Charles is the most wonderful husband in the world, he told me on the ride here that everyone here would fall in love with me, and Anne I think that is very true. I stopped and chewed the top of the quill.
How are things going between you and Henry I mean the King? If you feel a 10th as happy as I do, then you are as truly blessed as I feel right now.
I have read the book you gave me it’s wonderful, I understand everything now,
Smells and bells what rubbish!!
Charles has taken me all over the estate and everyone has made me feel very welcome.
I am so looking forward to returning to court in 2 weeks’ time, but at the same time I shall hate leaving here, but I want to see you all again so much.
Amy (Lady Tavistock).
Just as I finished my letter Charles came over and said “Well my beloved, it is time for supper, I’m feeling very hungry for some reason tonight” and whispered “but not for food” I laughed. Just then Rosa brought in the supper tray, and put it down on the table, Father and Charles pulled up their chairs and they sat either side of me. When we had eaten Father yawned loudly and said “well my children I think I shall leave you to it, I dare say Mother will be waiting” and then added with a laugh “Woman hey Charles?” we laughed Father, bent down and kissed me on the cheek and went. Charles and I sat by the fire a little longer then Charles said “Well wife we to should be away to bed” “Yes beloved” I purred, Charles suddenly swept me off my feet and carried me up to bed, kicking the door of our room shut just as he had done at court on our wedding night.
Slowly we undressed each other and then fell onto the bed and made love over and over again, each time feeling more and more ecstasy, until we both fell into an exhausted sleep.
The following 2 weeks were an endless round of meeting the local gentry around the surrounding areas, who insisted on giving huge dinner banquets in my honour.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 30, 2012
6:47 pm
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Chapter 13
THE SWEAT.
With just 2 days to go before our return to court, and the servants getting ready packing all the things we required, we received a letter from court from Charles’s court servant Redvers. The sweat had returned to the city and everyone was advised to stay away or get out into the country away from there until it has gone. He himself was going to his home for a little while and taking a few others with him. “Stay where you are My Lord, Keep yourself and My Lady safe, I will let you know when it will be safe to return”. When I read the letter my first thought was is Anne safe? Jane, all my other friends were they safe and the King? What about the King?
It was then I noticed the post script. Anne, had gone back to Hever and the King and Queen with the rest of the court had gone deep into the heart of the Suffolk country side. I breathed a sigh of relief.
However I received a letter from Just George, which said that Anne had taken sick with the sweat, for a while her life had been despaired of but finally she had recovered much too the great relief of himself and of the King.
My dearest friend was going to be alright. I thanked God for it too.
Father decided that as we were not to return to court as we planned to, he would give a party and invite everyone, so set about getting the staff to clear out the big barn and decorate it ready for a party, he ordered Venison, Beef, Mutton and all manner of different foods and wines to be delivered, and set about finding the best musicians that were in the area. Father said “Only the best music and dancing was good enough for his beloved daughter.” It was Tom’s 12th birthday and I asked Charles if he wouldn’t mind if Tom was to share our party too. Charles said” You are the sweetest most loving wife in the world. Rosa told me “Tom loves you dearly, and would do anything for you.” And added “Well actually everyone loves you” I put my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, Charles once again swept me off my feet and carried me up to bed all the way up the stairs he was kissing my neck, and moaning with pleasure. We passed Mother and Father on the stairs but we barely noticed them. Mother and Father smiled and Father said “Ah Love Isabella” She smiled, sighed and replied “Yes my beloved” just as they heard the door slam.
We reached our room he put me down to open the door we went inside and Charles kicked the door shut. He was soon unlacing my bodice and whispering “I must have you now”, and before I even knew it I was standing naked and I too was moaning softly we got into bed we made love, before falling asleep naked in each other arms.
The Next morning Charles and I came down to breakfast, Went into the drawing room where Tom was busy lighting the fire, once it was going he bowed and said “Good morning Lady Angel” Just then we noticed one of the house dogs was nipping at his ankles he turned and “Bloody dog I thought you were outside” and promptly went to kick it. Charles and I laughed till tears were streaming down our cheeks, hearing Tom cursing the dog all the way back to the kitchen.
The party was to be that evening and it wasn’t long before we heard the sound of coaches pulling up. Father and Charles were busy meeting the guests. Mother came to my room and said “Amy tonight my daughter I shall be your maid and she set about dressing me and doing my hair. “There” she said “you look beautiful but there is something missing” and out of her pocket she drew an Amethyst Necklace and fastened it around my neck. I smiled and hugged her softly. She kissed me gently on the cheek and said “Come daughter we mustn’t keep our guests waiting” and we walked downstairs and out into the barn, hand in hand.
To my complete surprize, there was Anne looking just a beautiful as when she returned to court. I ran to her and threw my arms around her, and hugged her tightly “Anne oh I am so happy to see you, I’ve missed you so much” “Amy” she said “You look wonderful, I have just so much to tell you, but not now. Tonight we dance and make merry. Hal should be here soon to. I looked at her and said “Hal?” she laughed and said “The King Amy the King”. Charles was busy catching up with “Just George” as I now called him and other friends from the court so Anne and I went off for a walk around the Garden. She told me a little of things that had happened. The sweat had finally abated and that we could return to court within 10 days that some of the members of the Henry’s household had died due to the sweat, and one or 2 members of Charles household, who had decided to stay at court unwisely during its height.
Anne said “We must be getting back people will be wondering where we are my Lady Tavistock”
And laughed, I laughed too and said “No Anne Just Amy, always Amy to you.” As we re-joined the household we heard the sound of trumpets, the clatter of hooves, and loud cheers, for the King’s arrival. Henry quickly dismounted and made his way over to Anne and I and said “Anne my love, are you happy?” and he swung her round in his arms. I smiled and thought Henry was the happiest man in the world, next to my Charles of course, as like Charles he too had found perfect love. Henry stopped dancing and came over to me, I curtsied he said “Well my Lady Tavistock, I trust you will allow me to join you tonight” I blushed and “Your majesty you and Anne are most welcome here, I trust that you will not find our company to be too dull” Henry replied “Dull? how can it possibly be dull when there is within the company 2 of the most beautiful flowers in the whole of my realm” I blushed again and Anne, Henry and I started laughing.
Charles came up at that moment and bowed to Henry “Charles my boy I see your beautiful wife is even more beautiful than she was on her wedding day” Henry said. Charles said “Thank you your Majesty. Although I see you too have managed to find yourself just, as beautiful a rose.” This time it was Anne’s turn to blush. Henry said “Yes Charles I have haven’t I” and looked tenderly at Anne a look that was returned with just as much tenderness. “Come Anne we shall dance” Henry said and held his hand out to Anne, which she took “Music” said Henry “Play” and very soon the barn was a whirl of colour as one by one everyone took to the floor. When Henry found out it was Tom’s birthday he gave him a gold sovereign. Tom went very red as he stammered his thanks to the King and I knew that he would always remember this day.
Henry and Anne went off to their lodgings after 4 hours and we continued the party, the mood being less feverish than it had been when Henry and Anne had been here, but it was just as much fun.
I heard a small cough behind me and as I turned I saw Tom, dressed in a white shirt, a little leather jerkin and velvet hose with black shoes with silver buckles. He bowed and asked “Lady Angel may I have the honour of this dance” I smiled curtied and replied “I will be honoured Sir”
He held his little hand out to me and a slow tune started up and Little Tom and I were dancing slowly around the barn. I looked over and saw Rosa look at her son with tears in her eyes. When the dance had finished he bowed and said “Lady Angel” and went back to his mother.
Father came over to me and said “Well my daughter may I have the honour of this dance” I replied
“I would be honoured Father.” He took my hand and led me on to the dance floor. Mother looked on with pride and said to Charles “You have made us both very happy my son. Amy truly is as Tom says an Angel”.
The dance ended and Father took me back to Charles who said “Well my beloved I claim this dance as ours” and we were soon whirling round the dance floor feeling as if we floating on air.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

December 31, 2012
2:55 pm
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Chapter 14
BACK TO COURT.
The next morning we arose early and went hunting with the Henry and Anne who were lodged nearby.
We caught 2 fine bucks and whilst the cooks were preparing them for roasting, and all the other various servant that were with the King’s household were setting up the tables and chairs and everything else needed ready for an open air picnic, Anne and I walked down by the stream and chatted about everything we had been doing whilst we had been apart, I also told her about how Tom cussed the dogs when they got under his feet, and how he always calls me “Lady Angel.”
Anne laughed and said “He sounds wonderful”. I swelled with pride and said “He is Anne and he does make me laugh when he gets cross with the dogs and yet they are devoted to him.”
She told me that Henry had finally decided enough was enough, and that his marriage to the Queen was going to be declared invalid. He had been told by theologians that his marriage to her was a sin against God. He himself had been having doubts for many years that this was the reason, but hoped that perhaps given just how pious both he and the Queen had been God would forgive them and give his blessing I.e. A son. But now he understood everything, he had been living in sin, and God had punished him for it by denying them a son.
He has appointed a new Archbishop called Cranmer and asked his advice, and Cranmer concurred with the theologian’s, Yes his marriage was an unclean thing. Cranmer had started suing the Pope to get a speedy conclusion to the whole matter “So” said Anne “you have walking beside you the next Queen of England” I stopped and for a few seconds couldn’t take in what she had just said, but then it registered and I grabbed her and said “Anne you Queen of England Really? Honestly?” She looked at me and said “Yes Amy honestly” I couldn’t have shown my delight at hearing the news any more than I did just then I swung her around and around until I became quite dizzy. My beloved friend was to be Queen. I was so happy at the moment that I said out loud “A letter” Anne said “Amy? A letter?” I replied “Anne I was remembering how just 1 letter changed my entire life the letter I wrote to you” and for a second both of us started crying.
Just then Henry strode up to us with his retinue Charles and Just George either side of him.
“What is this, my beauties? Tears? He said Anne said “Hal I’ve just been telling Amy the news”
“Ah my beloved” he said. He then added “And what say you to our news my lady?” “Your Majesty I am so happy for you, may you have a long and happy life together and sons a plenty too, although you must give Anne the gift of a daughter too” I said and then the tears I tried to stop shedding at the joy of the news overflowed, and spilled down my cheeks.
Henry gave a very hearty laugh took my hand kissed it and then took Anne’s and the 3 of us all walked up the bank to have something to eat. With the rest of the retinue behind us all chatting gaily.
That night Charles and I made love many times it was almost as if we had an unquenchable hunger for each other, but finally we did fall asleep and my last thought was of my beloved friend “Queen Anne”
Eventually the day came that we were to leave for court I was very sad at leaving my home, but I was also very excited at the thought of seeing all my friends at court again.
Charles and I rode out of the courtyard and up the hill to the main London road for our long Journey into the city as we reached the top of the hill I stopped, turned my horse took a last look at my home and said “I love you all” and then kicked my horse on to catch up with Charles. We arrived in London after 3 days and the first thing I noticed was the noise, I had gotten so use to the peace and quiet of the country, it suddenly seemed as if I had been thrown into the middle of a battlefield, eventually we arrived at Hampton Court. Hampton court had once belong to the mighty Cardinal Wolsey, he had given the King the Palace with a hope of reclaiming the King’s favour over his failure in not getting the King’s annulment from Queen Catherine, or should I say the Princess Dowager as she now was to be called. Cardinal Wolsey was now dead, he had died on the way to the Tower on charges of treason. I thought of the Princess Dowager, her old and worn face and of the bittiness and spite she bore toward my beloved Anne. Silly old woman I thought, I hope she rots, but then I quickly crossed myself. We rode into the courtyard and I suddenly remembered the first time I had with Charles.
I saw that Charles’s household, well mine as well now had been waiting in the courtyard for our arrival. Redvers, Charles court servant helped me down. “Thank you Redvers” I said I trust my lady hasn’t suffered from your Journey” said Redvers “I am very well thank you Redvers.”
Redvers led Charles and I to our apartment. Suddenly I yawned widely I had been feeling a little sleepy of late, but just put it down to the fact that there had been just so much to do at home before we came back to court.
However when Charles yawned too I thought the journey had tired us as well. So Charles and I decided to have a nap for an hour or 2, Charles and I had climbed into bed and were kissing and stroking each other as we usually did moaning a little louder each time until we made passionate and urgent love, before falling into a contented sleep.
We awoke a few hours later Charles got up and lit the tapers, opened the door and shouted Boy fetch wine” A minute or 2 later there was a knock on the door and in walked the page who had given the Rose on my wedding day and I was relieved to see him as when Anne told me that one or 2 of Charles’s Pages had died of the sweat I had prayed he wasn’t one of them, so God had answered my prayers and kept him safe.
Whilst Charles and I sat by the fire in our robes, drinking the wine the page had brought us, we chatted about how different things would be at court now, especially since the Dowager had been banished, and I thought back to what it was that Anne did whenever she was in the dowager’s presence, I remembered always thinking how dark and depressing things seemed when she wasn’t there, and how once she entered a room the whole room just suddenly lit up and the atmosphere just became a mass of light , laughter and colour. , and strangely enough I thought the minute I rode into the courtyard the whole place seemed to be illuminated, but I was so tired I barely noticed it.
Charles said “My beloved what is it?” “It’s alright Charles I feeling just a little dizzy, it’s the wine I expect” I said. Charles leaned over kissed me and got up, “Well My Beloved we shall have to dress Anne will be waiting. I kissed him and said “I love you Charles always”
We dressed quickly and as I was sat in front of the glass I felt a wave of Nausea rising but somehow managed to swallow it down. Charles had gone to see Just George for a few moments and would be back shortly to take me into the hall, quite suddenly the wave of nausea returned and this time I quickly reached for the water bowl and was sick, I felt better afterwards and thought no more of it thinking it was the fault of drinking wine on an empty stomach.
I quickly replaced the cover on the bowl just as I heard Charles’s footsteps coming down the hall. I didn’t want to worry him, if he knew, he would only worry and I wanted nothing to mar the happiness that we both had at the thought of seeing our friends again, and in my case I had been looking forward to seeing Anne again.
Are you ready my darling “Charles said as he came in. “You mustn’t keep Anne waiting, Redvers has told me she has approached him every hour when she knew we were on our way to see if we had arrived yet. My heart swelled with pride at seeing her again, then I remembered what she had said on the morning after Charles and I had married. I was a member of her household now too.
As we made our way down to the Banquet hall I did indeed notice the change every nook and cranny seem to radiate light, around every corner, there always seemed to laughter coming from the walls, and everywhere colour exploded from every surface. The closer we got to the banquet hall the more excited I got, It seemed we had been walking around in circles for ages before we finally reached the hall, the Usher opened the door, and we were announced to the assembled company I actually didn’t hear the herald say “Lord and Lady Tavistock” all I saw was Anne I set off at top speed across the room and threw my arms around her. Then I saw Henry out of the corner of my eye, and remembered where I was and was instantly contrite and apologetic “I’m sorry your Majesty I was just so excited at seeing Anne again” Henry said “Forget it My Lady I have already forgotten it”
Anne beamed with pride at the King. “Amy” She said “Come sit here and let us chatter whilst Hal is busy. Just then George bounced up to us and with him Jane, George bowed and said “Amy you look even lovelier than the last time I saw you” “Thank you Just George” I laughed. And soon we were chattering about anything and everything
Soon the feast had begun and there was soon much mirth and merriment resounding around the hall. I had a little to eat but I was still feeling very tired. Anne saw that and said “Amy you look need an early night” I replied “Anne you don’t mind do you I can barely keep my eyes open?” “Not all my Amy you go” she said. She signalled for Charles to come over which he did.
“Amy doesn’t look well I dare the long journey has tired her she needs to go to bed” Anne said and Charles replied “Yes I had noticed I was about to ask you leave so I could take her up to our Chamber” Charles reached down took my hand and slowly led me out of the room I had only got about half way down the gallery before I stated to fade, Charles picked me up and carried me to our Chamber and slowly undressed me and put me to bed before climbing in himself wrapping his arms around me to hold me close to him all night. I slept very deeply and soundly all night, and when I did finally awake I found that Charles wasn’t there I remembered he said that Henry had asked him to go hunting with him so set about finding something to do till he came I knew Anne would have gone too. Suddenly I felt the same wave of nausea that I had the evening before and once again like the evening before I was sick. I decided I would have a walk around the gardens thinking that the fresh air might help to make me feel a little better and it did, after half an hour I felt as if I hadn’t been sick at all.
Finally I heard the sound of merry laughter and the sound of many horses pulling up in the cobbled yard, and guessed that the hunting party had arrived back I walked up to where the garden met the courtyard and as soon as Charles saw me he rushed up and said “Amy my beloved you are better” and kissed me “Yes my love I am better” I replied. We all walked into the court and made our way to Anne’s apartments as we were sat there chattering. After about an hour, I suddenly came over very dizzy and decided I needed a breath of fresh air, I had got up and was about to ask Anne for leave to retire to the garden, when suddenly everything went black.
Anne immediately shouted “Fetch the Doctor”
Whilst Charles lifted me up and carried me into Anne’s bedchamber and lay me on her bed.
The Doctor came quickly and shooed every one out. After a few minutes I came around.
I saw the doctor and said “Where am I” The doctor replied “It’s alright my lady you are safe, nothing to worry about, you fainted that’s all it often happens with first babies” and smiled.
“Where is Charles” I said “He’s without my lady I’ll fetch him” He replied he went to the door and let Charles in who had been franticly pacing with worry he rushed to my side and said “My Beloved you scared me” then he turned to the doctor and said “What’s wrong is she really ill?”
The doctor smiled and said “No My lord, My lady is in good health she just has a slight malady which will be all cleared up in about 6 months’ time” Charles looked puzzled and then it registered what the doctor had said to me just a few minutes before. I gasped and said “Charles I’m with child” The doctor smiled, bowed and left his job done.
Slowly Charles understood what I had said, and gathered me up in his arms lifted me off the bed and proceeded to spin me around in his arms “Amy My Beloved “ I started to giggle at his reaction .
The door opened and in came Anne and a few others, when she saw what Charles was doing she guessed at once, and rushed over to add her congratulations.
Charles eventually put me down and rushed off to tell everyone, that his beloved wife was pregnant.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

January 1, 2013
5:37 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 15
HOME AGAIN
That evening in the Hall as Charles and I walked in hand in hand a mighty cheer went up. Henry added his congratulations to Anne’s that we had got earlier on. Anne looked radiant but then she always did. I sat by her and we started chatting about babies, and what we thought my child would look like. I laughed and said “Anne as long as the baby is alright I do not care, and in any case I daresay it won’t be long now before we will be celebrating your nuptials, and you being with child just like I am now” I was thoughtful a few seconds and then added “My child shall serve you and your child with as much love as I do now” Anne replied “Your child will be as much loved as you are Amy”
I hugged her tightly and knew what she said was true. Charles and I danced little that evening, as I was still feeling a little unsteady, and once again we went to bed early, Charles insisted on carrying me up to bed he was determined that I was to be given the best of care. “Amy my beloved you have made me the happiest man in the world” he added “Our child is going to have the best mother in the world just as I have the best wife to the world too.”
I wrote to mother and told her I was pregnant.
Mother wrote back and said that she and Father were very pleased with hearing I was pregnant, and they were looking forward to me coming home for the Birth.
I also received a letter from Rosa.
My Lady
Right pleased we were to hear your news. Tom do still cuss the dogs though.
We look forward to you coming home
Take care of yourself my lady.
Rosa.
I laughed at the memory of Tom’s use of the words “Bloody Dogs”
Every day I seem to discover something different about myself. Anne said one day “Well Amy you seem to have a glow about you.
I laughed and said “Your time will soon come Anne and you to will have the same glow”
Anne said “Hal is making arrangements for us to travel to France to meet the French king Francis. If Hal can get his support for his divorce from the dowager I shall be Queen by Christmas. He’s also going to make me a Marquess. I shall be Marquess of Pembroke by the time we sail to France, I served in his court once, and I wonder if he will remember me?”
I replied “Of course he will Anne you are truly unforgettable, why 500 years from now people will be talking of the beautiful Anne Boleyn who changed the whole world”.
Just then Henry came up and said “Well Anne what are you 2 ladies chatting about?”
Anne replied “Hal I was telling Amy about our trip to France?
“Oh” said Henry “What think you of King Frances, will he be jealous, when we go to France?” he asked me.
“Your Majesty he will be seething with jealously, he will never have anyone beautiful as Anne for his Queen” I replied.
I saw his expression change to one of total love and desire for Anne.
“Well I will leave you ladies to your chat my love” he said to Anne. And went off to his men.
Just then the Duke of Norfolk came up, bowed to both of us, and said “Niece everything you have asked for has been done. Is there anything more you require?”
Anne replied “No Uncle, oh except one thing, and that is to apologize to Lady Tavistock for slapping her”
I gasped as he did as Anne had asked “My sincere apologies Lady Tavistock, I was wrong” bowed again and left.
Anne said “I won’t have him disrespecting my friends” I replied “You knew he had slapped me then?” “Yes” she said “I knew and was very angry with him”.
I looked at Anne with admiration and thought, Anne is the Queen that will make England the greatest nation on the face of the earth.
The doctor kept a careful eye on me basically because Charles had told him to. My pregnancy continued, and it wasn’t long before I was opened laced, I started feeling very bloated and had constant backache, the doctor told me it was nothing to worry about as the baby was lying on my back, and it would move soon enough and ease the pressure. I felt the baby kicking all the time, it was a wonderful feeling, one night in bed was I was cuddled up to Charles, the baby was kicking merrily away and Charles said “This baby seems to think it’s running a race my beloved” as he laid his hand tenderly on my now very large and swollen stomach. He loved feeling the baby kick, and often whispered to the baby, which usually kicked as if in reply.
I knew that soon it would be time to go home and although I would miss the court and more so Anne, I longed for the peace and quiet of the county, I was also missing everyone at the Grange and most of all Tom, Father and Mother. I was feeling frightened about the impending birth and I knew she would be of great comfort to me when my time came.
Soon enough the day came and I bid a very sad farewell to Anne and the King and every one of my friends it would be many months before we returned. I promised I would write and would let Anne know immediately once the baby was born. Charles and I went out into the Courtyard and I saw that Charles had arranged for a litter to bear me home. Guy was to ride my horse home I climbed into the litter and Charles tucked the fur coverlet over me and we set off for home.
Charles rode constantly at my side, all the way home, and 4 days later we finally reached the top of the hill which over looked our home and Charles let out a laugh and said Tom has come to meet us look my love” I pulled back the curtains and saw Tom waiting just as Charles had said he came over bowed and said “Welcome home Lady Angel” and slowly we went down the hill and into the courtyard. The minute we got into the courtyard the housedogs went mad and started running around Tom, “Get off me you bloody lump” he said to one of them and one of the new pups starting yapping at his heels, he stomped off up the stable yard and all the way, you could hear “bloody dogs get off me”. I went to get out of the litter to walk into the house which I must admit was becoming a little difficult now, but Charles immediately lifted me into his arms and insisted on carrying me into the house, despite my protest “Oh Charles must you I can walk you know albeit with difficulty” “No argument wife” and kissed me I put my head on his shoulder and said “Charles I do love you” he sighed and said “My beloved” and once again kissed me deeply.
Mother and Father, George and Thomas were waiting and were all terribly excited about the baby. Mother said “Amy my daughter welcome home.” she looked at Father.” We have missed you haven’t we my beloved” Father said “yes my love we have.” George and Thomas added “Welcome dear sister we too have missed you terribly, you too Charles.
Charles sat me in the chair by the fire and brought me a goblet of wine after I had drunk it I suddenly felt a little drowsy and decided to retire to bed for a few hours. Once again Charles insisted on carrying me to our room and left me to sleep.
A month soon went by and one morning I woke up with a very aching back, the doctor had been the day before and had said that the baby was due in about a week’s time, and told me to get as much fresh air as I could, so I went out into the garden for walk after I had broken my fast. Mother, Father and Thomas had gone into the village and Charles had gone over to Tatlocks, the stables 4 miles away. George was in the Stable yard with Guy.
I walked across the Courtyard and into the garden I saw Tom down by the stream fishing. When he saw me coming he quickly got up bowed and said “Good morning Lady Angel” I suddenly doubled over in terrible pain and felt a whoosh as my waters broke. I shouted to Tom “Go Quickly fetch Help” Tom ran as quick as he could and fetched George who was thankfully still in the stable yard at that moment and they both rushed back to find me lying on the grass, George quickly scooped me up, Tom was crying “Lady Angel, Lady Angel Don’t die please Don’t die” I managed to say just before another wave of pain surged through my body “It’s alright Tom I won’t die. The baby is coming that’s all.” As George carried me across the Yard just as Mother, Father and Thomas rode into the courtyard, George shouted to Thomas” Go fetch Charles he’s at Tatlocks” Thomas spun his horse around and rode off. George carried me into the house shouting for Rosa. She knew immediately what to do and was busy shouting orders whilst George took me upstairs to my room. Mother following quickly behind, once he had settled me on the bed he ran off to fetch the Doctor. Mother said “It’s alright Amy I’ll stay with you” “Thank you Mother” I replied, the maid quickly brought in all that was needed and Mother quickly stripped me of my dress. I felt another contraction rip through my belly and grabbed her hand tightly. Just then we heard the sound of horse’s hooves pulling up followed by the sound of heavy footsteps, George reappeared with the Doctor, who had luckily been at one of the farmsteads just a mile away, and 1 hour later Charles too appeared.
“Charles” I said He flew to my side as yet another contraction gripped me. Mother said quietly “It’s alright Charles I’ll stay with her” Charles nodded and “Thank you Mother” and went downstairs with George. The Doctor examined me and said “Well my lady it won’t be long now” the rest of what he said was lost as yet another contraction hit me. After about half an hour the Doctor said “It’s time my Lady” I squeezed Mother’s hand more and more tightly with each push and finally the baby slivered into the world, the Doctor quickly cut the cord and slapped it’s bottom the baby let out a very strong and lusty cry. “It’s a girl my Lady a strong and very healthy girl” the Doctor said. Just then I heard the house bell ring and a cheer go up. The Doctor passed the baby to Mother who quickly bathed her and swaddled her up, and then she handed her to me just as Charles flew through the door. I was exhausted but seeing his panic stricken face I forgot my exhaustion and said “It’s a girl Charles” and smiled tiredly
“Well” said Charles “it appears I now have another rose to tend to as well as my wife” I smiled and then said “You aren’t disappointed it’s not a boy Charles” He saw my look and said “My darling I couldn’t have cared less if it had been a boy or girl, just as long as it was healthy, and I can see she is very healthy indeed” he said “What say you doctor” He added. The doctor replied “Yes My Lord she is indeed and is going to be as beautiful as her mother one day” I blushed. He said “Have you got a name for her?” I thought for a second “Anne”, but no that was for the next time, I looked at Mother and said “Isabella” I saw a tear fall down Mother’s cheek. Charles said “Yes my beloved she’s an Isabella” I suddenly felt quite tired and the Doctor said “Well my Lord we had best leave my lady to rest she has had a busy afternoon” “It’s alright Charles I’m fine just very tired Mother will stay with me. Go and celebrate” I said. He went out with the doctor and I fell into a doze. I awoke an hour later with a searing pain going through me and cried out in pain Mother rushed over just as I said “fetch the doctor” she flew off I once again felt the urge to push just as Mother returned with the Doctor who was quite by chance in the courtyard and had been just been about to ride off, he rushed upstairs pulled back the bed covers and saw our second child sliver into the world he quickly opened his case and cut the cord, the door burst open just as our second child let out a very strong and lusty cry.
Charles flew over to the bed and the doctor said “Another girl my Lord, just as strong and healthy as her sister but a little smaller”, he wrapped her up and handed our second daughter to Charles who said “Now I have 3 roses to tend for” and a tear rolled down his cheek. Mother came in carrying another bowl of water and once our second daughter was clean and had been swaddled she handed her back to Charles, and again the house bell rang followed by yet another round of cheers. Again the doctor asked if we had a name for her and this time it was Charles who said what I was thinking. He looked at me and said “Anne” and then looked at the baby and added “abella” I said “abella?” Charles looked at me and said “Annabella” I smiled and said “Annabella she is”
Mother took the baby from Charles and told him “Come Charles, Amy must rest now” he bent down and kissed me and said “Yes my darling you must rest and please no more surprizes” I laughed tiredly and even before I knew it I was asleep. The next morning I awoke to the sound of 2 babies crying, and for a moment I thought I was dreaming.
But suddenly my eyes focused on my daughters crying very loudly for their breakfast thankfully we had managed to find a wet nurse a few days before I gave birth and she was busy getting them to suckle. I once again fell asleep and when I awoke this time, Mother was sat by the side of the bed with my hand tightly curled into hers.
She saw I was awake and poured me some wine and came over and gave it to me. “There you are my daughter. How are you feeling now?” I smiled and said “Tired but happy Mother”. The doctor came in and he examined me, he gave me a clean bill of health and said “My Lady will always find childbirth easy.” And then added “Well if my lady feels up to visitors after lunch you may, but they mustn’t stay long, as you will need rest for the next week at least, after that we will see about you getting up. Make sure you drink plenty of red wine and eat little and often. Chicken or beef broth is always good for rebuilding your strength”
Mother went with the doctor to check on my daughters who were now in the Nursery next door. He likewise declared a clean bill of health to, and then left. Mother stayed in the nursery for a while singing a lullaby to our roses and then went down to the kitchen.
She returned a few hours later, with some Broth and some new baked bread, which I ate hungrily. “Your daughters are going to be every bit as beautiful as you my daughter, although they do have Charles’s eyes” she said.
Just as she turned to go I said “Mother the Doctor said I could have visitors this afternoon, I would like one of them to be Tom. I’m afraid I gave him quite a scare yesterday, he needs to know his Lady Angel is alright.” “Yes, Rosa said he was terribly worried last night in fact he cried himself to sleep. I’ll tell Rosa send him up when you’ve rested”.
A little while later the door opened and in rushed Tom, he flung himself onto the bed and threw his arms around me I hugged him tightly and said “Tom you truly are wonderful little boy Thank you Tom. He started to cry and said “Lady Angel I thought you were going to die.” I said “No Tom I won’t leave you.
But now you have to protect my daughters, as well as me and I know you will as loyal to them too, would you like to see them?” Tom nodded and I rang the bell for the wet Nurse to bring them in she came in and placed the girls in my arms. Tom’s face lit up when he saw them and he whispered to each of them something that only he and they would ever know.
“Lady Angel they are beautiful” he said. He got off the bed bowed and said “I must go now Lady Angel, Mama said I mustn’t stay too long” and left. George and Thomas came in a little while later.
“Well Sister you gave me and Tom quite a scare yesterday. I do hope you won’t make a habit of it” George said with a merry twinkle in his eye. I laughed. Thomas said “Isabella and Annabella are beautiful sister, but they do have Charles’s eyes. I laughed again. George said “Well Sister we shall leave you to rest”
Father and Charles came up shortly after, and Father looked with love at his Granddaughters” Well my daughter” he said “ I can see Isabella spoke truly, they will be as loved as you are” and bent down and kissed each of us tenderly. He left Charles and me alone with our daughters Charles looked the girls with the same look he’d given me time and time again one of complete and total love, he said softly to Isabella and Annabella and how are my little roses today. He bent down and kissed each one very tenderly. As he did so a tear fell onto the face of each child. The wet nurse took the babies back to the Nursery as Charles lay on the bed and gathered me in his arms and whispered “Amy my love” kissed me deeply and we fell into a contented doze together.

A little time later we awoke to the sound of our daughters crying hungrily for their dinner.
The door opened and Mother brought in a tray with a meal for Charles and me to share. She said “I thought you would like to have a little time together alone”. Put the tray down and left.
Charles stayed with me all night. He simply couldn’t bear to be apart from me anymore, he said” 1 day is more than enough, I missed you” I replied sleepily “Idiot” and drifted off to sleep.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

January 2, 2013
3:13 pm
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Boleyn
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Chapter 16
CHRISTENING CELEBRATIONS
I was finally able to get out of bed after a week, although I wasn’t to do anything too strenuous, I spent most of my time in the nursery as I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my girls.
I was surprized on how they had changed in a week. Annabella was a big as her sister now and yes as Mother said, they did indeed have Charles’s eyes.
I wrote to Anne and told her the news.
Anne
All is well, Charles and I are now the proud parents of twin daughters, Isabella and Annabella. I am afraid I gave Tom a terrible fright I was walking by the stream in the garden where he was fishing when I went into labour, but he was a true knight to his Lady Angel and ran off to fetch help.
My daughters so everyone has said are really beautiful although they both have Charles’s eyes. Charles is beside himself with joy and at times he finds it difficult to tear himself away from them. He refers to them as his tender roses, and not a moment goes by that he doesn’t find something different about them to boast about.

How are your preparations going for you journey to France? I am sorry I won’t be with you, as I would love to see that pompous Parisian Popinjay called Francis taken down a peg or 2 by Henry.
I’ve heard his wife is quite ugly so I’ve no doubt he will be seething with jealously at seeing the beautiful woman you are.
Francis may have thought when he insulted Henry at the Val Dor that the English lion was asleep with your visit he’ll learn, step on that Lion’s tail and he will turn around and bite you.
Why everyone knows that Henry allowed him to beat him, we all know that if he wanted he could have beaten Francis with one hand tied behind his back. But one day Francis will know the true strength of the Lion and what the word humiliation really means, when Henry tramples Francis into the dust where he belongs and takes his rightful place as King of France as well as England.
Just think that you will be not just Queen of England but Queen of France too and your son will build the mightiest empire the world will ever know.
I look forward to that day with great pride knowing that the greatest Queen England has ever known, is, was and ever shall be, my sweetest and dearest friend.
Amy.
Very soon a whole month had gone by and one evening whilst I ate my supper by the fire downstairs the house dogs crowding around my feet hoping for titbits. Charles went upstairs to see our daughters again. He adored them and I couldn’t fault him for that, I too felt the same. The preparations for the Christening in full swing .There were many people coming from far and wide Father had once again ordered the servants to clear out the barn and had been busy once again ordering food and drink in plentiful amounts so that no one would go without.
Charles came down from the Nursery and said “Isabella and Annabella get more beautiful everytime I see them” I replied “But my love you are always looking at them” He sighed and said “Yes my love, but I can’t help it” I smiled to myself and thought once again what a truly wonderful man Charles was.
Every day Isabella and Annabella stronger and stronger. Tom adored the girls and followed his mother every morning into the Nursery and, he whispered to them each morning what he said when he first saw them.
The day of the Christening dawned bright and clear, and people could be heard arriving almost before the dawn broke, the excitement was fever pitch, and it seemed as if nothing was ever going to get done in time. Mother and Father were so happy and anyone would think they were the proud parents. I loved them both dearly.
Mrs Evans was busy helping Rosa in the kitchens as was Mrs Tatlock and all manner of different foods were being laid on the table Mrs Evans was busy with making the cake.
There were many gifts from the well-wishers, among them were 2 golden cups and 2 bags of gold coins, from Anne and Henry who had recently sailed for France. I noticed that no expense had been spared and the Cups were jewel encrusted and on them were engraved Lady Isabella Tavistock, and Lady Annabella Tavistock. I felt such a wave of love for Anne at the moment, she truly was the sweetest and most loving friend anyone would ever have.
Everyone agreed that Isabella and Annabella were truly beautiful, with the usual “But they do have Charles’s eyes.” Tom proudly stood by their crib whilst the celebrations were on and every so often when I looked over at him he was either whispering to the girls or cussing quietly at the house dogs to keep away from the crib.
I heard from Anne too
Amy
Francis has let us down, the coward. His wife the Emperor’s sister, refused to travel to Calais, basically because the Emperor told her not to. Hal is furious as you can imagine and has decided he can wait no longer.
He’s fed up with the Pope’s procrastination and told Cranmer to tell the Pope to go to Hell. Cranmer has declared the marriage between the Dowager and Hal invalid and Hal has married me in secret.
I also have high hopes of being with child, but will know for sure when you return to court.
How are Isabella and Annabella? I have heard from Charles just how beautiful they are and I am sure they are as every bit as beautiful and loving as you both are.
How is Tom? Is he still cussing at the house dogs?
I hope you can return to court soon I miss you so much
Anne (Queen of England)
Charles and I were sat by the fire one evening not long after the christening and we were discussing about when we should return to court.
Charles said “Amy my beloved would you be much upset if I said I didn’t want to stay at court for too much longer? It’s just that there is so much to do here and now we have our roses, I really don’t want to be at Court anymore”.
I was thoughtful and then said “I do like being at court I love Anne dearly, but to be honest I love the peace and quiet here in the country more and more, and now that we indeed have our roses I want to see them grow up, with us being here too, so no I wouldn’t mind my beloved I’m happy to give up court life”
Charles smiled and said “I thought you would say that but I would have understood if you had wanted to remain at court”.
We sat by the fire a little longer before retiring to bed and making love slowly and tenderly, before falling into a deep and contented sleep.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

January 3, 2013
1:10 pm
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Chapter 17
ANNE QUEEN OF ENGLAND
Finally I knew we would have to return to court. Anne needed me. Cranmer had finally managed to complete the divorce proceedings between Henry and the Dowager Princess and declared the marriage between her and the King utterly and absolutely Null and Void. Shortly after that Cranmer declared Henry’s marriage to Anne to be valid and true.
My sweetest and dearest friend was Queen of England, and although I was reluctant and very sad to leave our roses but I wanted to share the celebrations with Anne too. The day came for our return and we went out into the court yard. Mother had our roses in her arms and Tom was busy whispering something to them, whilst trying to keep the dogs from trying to nip at his ankles
I mounted my horse and Charles and I rode off to court. I was tearful at leaving our roses, but I had told Charles that I would ask Anne for leave to retire from court when we finally got to London.
We rode out of the Courtyard, over the drawbridge and up the hill and as we did so I stopped my horse and turned to look at my home for the last time. I always loved the view of the house from the hill.
Finally we rode on and reached London 3 days later. Redvers had ridden ahead a day before we left, to make sure that there was suitable stabling for our horses and that our apartment was prepared and a meal ready.
When we arrived at Hampton Court I was surprised to find Anne waiting for me in the courtyard and I saw straight away that she was indeed with Child. Charles helped me down and I ran to Anne with my arms out stretched and took her in my arms, my beloved friend Queen of England. Just George came up just then and said “Well Amy it is a joy to see you back” I curtsied and said “It is a joy to be back just George” and all 3 of us walked to Anne’s apartments, the rooms that the Dowager had once briefly occupied and it felt strange to see them again, things were very different now everything had light colour and laughter bouncing off everything. I was pleased to see Jane too. Anne said “Well Amy how are Isabella and Annabella I trust that one day they too will come to court” “Yes Anne and they will serve the greatest and wisest Queen in world.”
Suddenly I noticed a handsome man with black curly hair, and deep set brown eyes, sitting over in the corner of the room quietly strumming a lute. Anne saw me looking and said “Mark come here and come meet my dearest friend” He came over bowed and said “Lady Tavistock Mark Smeaton at your service, her majesty has told me all about you and I see she has spoken truly about your beauty” I nodded and said “Thank you Master Smeaton” Anne said “Play something Mark, a happy tune to welcome my dearest friend back to court” The door opened and the Henry came in followed by his men with Charles amongst them as usual I quickly got up and curtsied as the King came over. He took my hand and raised me up “Well my Lady Tavistock Right pleased I am to see you back at court and you look very well too” “Thank you your majesty, you too look well and very happy”
“The court has missed you as has Anne. I’ve not doubt you ladies have been talking babies “He said.
“Yes your majesty I’ve have told Anne that your son will have the two most wisest and loving parents a child will could ever have and he would rule the world” I replied.
Henry replied “I’ve waited long enough, that’s for sure”
I noted a slight note of bitterness in the Henry’s answer but I understood. The dowager had given Henry much trouble with her refusal to except his decision, and she had managed by careful and skilful manipulation to delay matters many times.
I was angry with the dowager as she was clearly a very foolish woman not to see the seriousness of the whole situation. Henry fed up with her meddling had finally banished her to Kimbolton and there she lived quietly although from time to time she still tried to interfere, but Henry no longer cared 2 straws for her, and mainly ignored her. Lady Mary had been banished to Hunsdon and had been refused to even see her mother, until as Henry put it they both accepted Henry as head of the Church and the divorce.
The days soon rolled by and a week had soon flown by. Anne was busy planning her coronation celebrations, she was going to be crowned on 1st June at Westminster Abbey, followed by a coronation banquet in Westminster Hall. She was to stay in the Tower for 2 nights before.
The very thought of the name of the Tower filled me with dread, but on this occasion I felt happy to be with Anne as she may her way down the River on the Royal Barge to what would be the greatest coronation since that of our King’s. However I couldn’t help notice that the River although filled with boats of all different sizes and music being played, the cheers of the people were somewhat muted.
We arrived at the Tower and disembarked at the Byward Gate, the cheers again were somewhat muted, however things would be different come the day of her coronation.
Master Kingston received Anne with great joy, and took us to the royal apartments which Henry had, had refurbished at great expense for Anne. Henry declared that everything had, to be perfect for Anne. That evening we could hear the cheers for Anne drifting up from the city “Long live the Queen they said, but although I smiled I couldn’t help thinking that perhaps they weren’t shouting for Anne but for the Dowager.
The Dowager was considered by many to still be the only Queen England had. However I knew that once Anne’s son was born all hostility there was for Anne at this moment would be forgotten as England would finally have a male heir.
Meanwhile the palace at Greenwich was being prepared to receive the Royal couple Anne had decided she wanted to give birth to the greatest ruler that England would ever know in the very palace his father was born. A suitable wet nurse was being sought as were rockers, laundry maids and all manner of other staff that would be needed to keep the Prince safe from harm.
Cromwell was in despair on where to find the money to pay for these celebrations, and had finally come up with a very profitable plan. He had appointed commissioners to investigate all the religious houses and those that were to be discovered unprofitable they were shut down and the Monks and Nuns given the choice to either join larger houses or be brought off, and then fend for themselves.
Cromwell had made large profits from selling the land and this money had gone into the Royal coffers.
Henry had told Anne that some of the monasteries were no better than wh*re house in some cases and I could well believe it. It was common knowledge that many of the monks had bastard children, and I knew too that Cardinal Wolsey had, had at least 2 bastard children.
I suddenly thought of my sister and wondered if her convent had been one of the ones that had been recently earmarked for closure. I had heard nothing from her since she went to live in the Convent in Dartford.
Anne’s Coronation was a joyous affair the sullenness there had been on the trip up the river to the tower just 2 days before was replaced by one of general high spirits and gayety. There were a few sullen faces in the crowd but not enough to mar the celebrations. I felt much love for Anne as I watched with pride my dearest friend crowned. England had finally got a queen to be proud of and what’s more she was English, no more foreign rulers trying to involve themselves in English affairs.
Plus the Pope no longer held any power in England. The King ruled England now as was right and proper. There was incident which upset me to do with the splendour of the Coronation and that was on the carriage ride from the Tower on the way to Westminster Abbey. A monk had cursed Henry for casting aside the Dowager in favour of a wh*re, and had said that Henry would be as Ahab, his blood would be drunk by dogs. The guards quickly dealt with him however and I put the incident out of my head shortly after, thinking that once again it was just another one of the Dowager’s pathetic attempts at trying to cause trouble.
The banquet was a great success, Henry beamed with pride at Anne. One by one the Lords including Charles came forward and offered their fealty to Anne. Her father and Uncle included I smiled to see her Uncle Norfolk humble himself before her.
That night as Charles and I lay in bed, we both agreed that the day had been a great success.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

January 4, 2013
5:21 pm
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Chapter 18
BIRTH
A week later the court moved to Greenwich to await the birth of the prince. The King had decided on either Henry or Edward for his name and the atmosphere around the court was of jubilant high spirits. Anne and I and the other ladies of her household were busy making baby clothes. I noticed that Jane Seymour, Susan’s sly friend had recently been taken into the household, and wondered where Susan was, not that I would have cared to see her anyway. I asked Jane Seymour about the whereabouts of Susan, and she told me she had chosen to stay with the Dowager.
The next 2 months was quite tedious it seemed like we were waiting forever for Anne to give birth and she too was getting fed up, she hated being shut up in her rooms, but finally early one morning Charles and I were woken by a continue rapping on our chamber door.
Charles got up to answer it and I saw Jane standing there panic stricken, she told me to dress quickly as Anne had gone into labour and wanted me to come to her. I did as she said a very soon we were both heading quickly for Anne’s rooms.
I saw at once what Jane had said was true. I told Anne “It’s alright my dearest I’m here now” She said “Amy you will stay with me won’t you” I replied “Anne I’ll be right here”.
The Doctor came and said “Madam your labour has just started, so it’s best you try and rest I’ll give you a posset to help you to sleep” Anne drank it gratefully and soon fell asleep whilst I dozed in the chair. A few hours later Anne awoke her labour had progressed, and the Doctor said he didn’t think it would be too long now.
Eventually the Doctor said that her time was near and that the hard work was about to begin. After about an hour the doctor said “It’s time your majesty” I remembered how it had been with me when I gave birth to the girls and so I helped all I could. “Push Anne Push” I said and with each contraction she gripped my hand tighter and tighter and tighter just as I had done with Mother when my girls were born, eventually after about an hour or so the baby was born and I heard it’s very first strong and lusty cry. It was a girl. A red headed, dark eyed girl she was beautiful.
I noted the date 7th September 1533.
When Anne heard she was a girl she burst into floods of tears and I held her firmly in my arms, soothing her as best I could. The Doctor said “She’s is a very healthy child.” Anne replied “It’s not fair Amy I so wanted to give Hal a son, he won’t be happy I know he won’t.” I replied Do not weep Anne, a Girl this time a Boy will soon follow I am sure of it”
But she did she was broken hearted but very slowly she became calmer and said to the midwife who had now cleaned and swaddled the baby “Bring me my daughter” the Midwife placed the baby in her arms the minute she saw her she felt the same wave of love that I had felt when I first held Isabella and Annabella. “Elizabeth” she said very quietly.
The King came in and although disappointed at being a girl he too felt the love that Anne did for this little girl. Anne said “I have called her Elizabeth after our mothers Hal” Henry smiled and said Elizabeth is a good name for a princess. “Now my love you must rest”
The christening celebrations for Elizabeth were resplendent nothing was spared. The bells rang out all over London for many days afterwards. Although the joust planned to celebrate the birth was cancelled.
Anne soon recovered and Henry seemed to be over the disappointment of Elizabeth not being the son he dearly wanted. He was often seen carrying Elizabeth around the palace and stating to all that Elizabeth was the most beautiful lady in the court, next to her Mother of course.
Henry was always mentioning that his next child would be a Son. England would soon have a Prince, he was just slow in coming that’s all.
Soon a month had gone by. Anne was back to her usual self, and Henry was forever exclaiming to all of the beauty of Elizabeth and how this little girl would one day make a destiny all of her own, and along with her brother, between them they would rule the whole world.
One night I noticed Anne was a little distracted and I asked her “What’s wrong dearest?” She sighed and said “Amy I’m not too sure but I think Hal has a lover” “No Anne surely not?” I replied
She said “I know Amy I can’t believe it myself, but it just feels like Hal is being secretive. I think I know who she is, but I need proof?”
I told her “But Anne even if he does have a mistress it matters nothing, it’s you he loves”
She smiled and said “Yes I know you are right. It’s just me being silly forgive me”
However a few days later Jane came up to me and said “Amy, what can I do? I’ve just seen the King kissing another woman?”
I was stunned for some seconds and then said “But surely Jane you are mistaken?”
Jane replied “I thought I was at first, but No it definitely was the King. If Anne finds out it will break her heart”
“I know” I replied “Well I guess there is only one thing we can do Jane, we will have to confront this baggage ourselves, and tell her to stay away from the King, but whatever we do we can’t tell Anne.” Jane said “I think that’s all we can do.”
A few days later Jane and I confronted the woman and warned her that if she didn’t keep from the King we would tell the Queen what was going on, and she could find herself in the Tower.
Jane slapped the woman just to make sure she understood the seriousness of what that threat meant. The woman made a solemn promise to keep away from the King and in fact left the court later that day, saying her mother was ill and she was going home to nurse her.
Anne didn’t know that Jane and I had confronted her and took it that her sudden reason for her departure was true.
The King was once again Anne’s devoted and loving husband once again, and it wasn’t long before Anne was once more with Child.
Charles and I were lay in bed one night after making love, and he said “Amy my love things are changing here at court and I do not like it here much anymore. I want to go home, I miss our roses and there is only so much and father isn’t as young as he used to be and needs help with running of the estate. It’s time my love to go home for good.
I was thoughtful for some minutes and knew that what Charles had said was true. I too had noticed that things were different, the King didn’t seem to be the same person that was at the joust all those years ago. He was certainly very different after Elizabeth had been born and had become slightly bitter and hard, and then there was the business with the woman that Jane and I had confronted. I didn’t like being involved with it.
There was also a change in Anne too, she wasn’t the same, her playful high spirits seem to be not as they once were, and often we heard that raised voices between Henry and Anne, often followed by bitter recriminations.
I sighed and said “Yes Charles you are right, it is time to go. I shall miss Anne but we have to think of our own family now, they need us. I’ll ask Anne for leave to retire tomorrow”
Charles said “Amy you are the sweetest most perfect wife in the world” and kissed me deeply, as he did so I felt his manhood stir and it wasn’t long before we were making love once more.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

January 5, 2013
1:31 pm
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Chapter 19
GOODBYE
The next day I asked Anne for leave to retire I explained that I was missing our roses and that Charles’s father needed his help with running the estate, and I wanted to go home. Reluctantly she agreed, but understood although she did say she wanted me to return for the birth of her son.
“Yes Anne I will I want to be here to share the celebrations and to see the greatest Prince in Christendom, next to his father of course, being born.” I told her I would write often I knew I would miss her and Jane dreadfully, but the court no longer felt a happy place to be in.
Within a month we were ready to go Anne and Henry were in the courtyard to see us off. I hugged Anne tightly and kissed her on the cheek.
I curtsied to the King and thanked him for everything he had done for me, he hugged me tightly and said “Lady Tavistock you and your beauty will be missed here at court. Take care and God speed”
“Your Majesty God bless you” I replied
Charles said his farewells to Henry and to Anne too.
Henry said to Charles “Make sure to tend your roses well Charles” Charles helped me to mount and then he got on his horse, and clattered out of the courtyard and away for court for the last time. Charles and I rode on in silence for a while each of us thinking of our time at court and I felt a few tears roll down my cheeks. As if by magic it started to rain almost as if the sky was also crying too.
Eventually Charles sighed and said “Amy my love I will miss everyone at court as I know you will, but I feel a lot happier now” I replied “Charles so do I. We don’t belong at court anymore our place is at home with our family”
“Yes beloved you are right. I love you Amy” he said.
It took us 3 days to get home and the further we got from court the better we felt. Finally we reached the top of the hill and I knew then that we were truly home. Mother and Father were in the courtyard with our roses in their arms to welcome us home. Mother said “Look my darlings Mama and Papa have come home” Charles helped me down and I ran over to them, I hugged Mother and Father tightly and said “I have missed you so much” Charles and I picked up our roses and hugged them just as tightly. “Charles said “Well my roses, you have grown since the last time we saw you. Have you missed your Mama and Papa?” Both roses nodded and we carried them indoors. We all went into the drawing room and it wasn’t long before Charles and Father had the girls squealing with laughter.
Mother said “I know you are sad at leaving court Daughter, but you have made the right decision. Thomas and George have heard rumours from the court and what they have heard doesn’t bode well. Poor Queen Anne, she and the King looked so happy at the party too.”
“Yes Mother she did, but since she’s had Elizabeth, Henry has changed he’s no longer as devoted to her as he was. I can only hope that now she is pregnant again, that this child will be longed for son. If not” I paused “I don’t think Henry will tolerate another failure. They have had many bitter rows and it doesn’t help when he has started to look elsewhere too. Jane, Anne’s sister in Law and I, confronted one of his fancies and that was something I didn’t like doing. Charles too has noticed a difference in Henry he said that the Henry’s temper has become quite unpredictable of late and no one knows who is going to feel the rough edge of his tongue, or even end up in the Tower. Charles and I knew it was time to come home. We are safe here.”
Father came over to join Mother and me by the fire leaving Charles to play catch with our roses.
“Well my Isabella, it is good to have our family home isn’t it” He said.
“Yes it is, we have been terribly worried” Mother said and Father nodded in agreement.
I said “No need to be worried anymore, Charles and I are home for good. This is where we truly belong now.”
A few minutes later Rosa came in and said that it was time for the roses to have their supper. Charles said “Now my Roses go and have your supper I will tell you a story tonight just before you go to bed.”
“Yes Papa. Mama will you help Papa to finish the story too?” they said. I smiled and said “Yes my roses I will” I kissed them both tenderly and they went out with Rosa.
Mother and Father went for a walk around the garden whilst Charles and I drowsed in front of the fire.
Just then we heard Tom just outside the door cussing the dogs as usual, he opened the door and in came the dogs followed by Tom with a scuttle of firewood, saying “Bloody dogs get out of the way” Tom put down the scuttle bowed and said “My Lord, My lady Angel right glad I am to see you home” Followed by a kick at one of the dogs who had tried to nip at his ankle. He turned followed by the dogs and all the way back to the kitchen we could hear him. “Alright I know its bloody dinnertime, that’s my bloody hand you are trying to eat not your dinner bloody stupid mutt” followed by a yelp as we guessed one of Tom’s kicks connected with a dog.
Charles and I were roaring with laughter, at Tom. The funny thing was that although Tom cussed like mad at the dogs and gave them the odd kick or 2 he loved them devotedly, and they were just as devoted to him too.
Shortly afterwards our daughters came back into the room and they said “Papa, Papa you promised us a story. I smiled at them and said “Yes my roses you shall have your story now.”
They came and sat on our laps and Charles told them a story of 2 beautiful princesses who lived in a big Palace with a beautiful Queen and a kindly King. Also living there was their Grandmother, Grandfather and their 2 Uncles.
These Princesses were very special and were loved by everyone who saw them. They were also lucky to have their very own Knight who would defend them with his life”. I realised that Charles was talking about us. I listened contentedly and thought what a truly wonderful man I had married. Finally the story came to an end, with the 2 Princesses living happily ever. We noticed that the roses had fallen asleep and we tenderly carried them upstairs and put them to bed. We kissed them goodnight and Charles said “Goodnight my roses.” I had tears in my eyes for the love I had for Charles and my roses.
We went back downstairs just as supper was being served and ate hungrily. Mother and Father had eaten theirs a little earlier and had retired for the night. So Charles and I sat by the fire for a while longer before retiring ourselves.
When we down stairs in the morning we could hear the sound of our roses merry laughter and looked out of the window to see Tom playing chase with the girls on the lawn. I smiled and remembered the first time Tom saw them. Rosa had told us that every bit of spare time Tom had he spent it with them, they adored Tom I could see that. I thought of the story Charles had told them and realised the Knight in the story was Tom and I was sure that Tom would defend them with his life too.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

January 6, 2013
8:36 pm
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Chapter 20
TIME’S UP
A week soon flew by, the court seemed far away now and every day I thought about it less and less.
One day a letter came from Anne.
She told me that she had recently miscarried the child she was expecting. She and Henry had barely spoken to each other since and whenever they did it always ended up with them having a fight. He had also taken a fancy to Jane Seymour. “That sly creature” I thought
Anne said “I don’t know what to do Amy, Hal just acts as if he hates me” I felt sorry for her, but I didn’t think my presence would make any difference, besides which I suspected I was pregnant, and if I was and returned to court my pregnancy would only serve as a sore reminder that Anne wasn’t pregnant.
The doctor did indeed confirm my suspicions that I was indeed pregnant. We were overjoyed, but I could help but think of Anne and hoped that she too would quickly fall pregnant again, and this time bare Henry his long wanted son.
As if my thoughts were heard I received another letter from Anne 3 months later that she too was pregnant.
Anne said “Hal is as he was towards me. Devoted and ever loving, everywhere we go we are cheered and Hal is certain that this child will be a strong and healthy son. I was happy for her, but then I remembered my promise to her that I would return to court for the birth and I doubted I would be able to keep that promise as I was 6 months pregnant, and to be honest the thought of leaving my home for Court so soon after giving birth filled me with dread, the Court for me now held no attraction.
I feared the rumours we had heard from George who was now living in London. In one of his frequent letters home he told us that Henry had tired of Anne, and that if this pregnancy ended in failure he feared for her safety. The dowager was seriously ill too and Anne’s life was hinged solely on the forthcoming child.
I was saddened by this news but there was little I could do. I had to think of my own family now, all I could do for her is pray.
Christmas was coming and I was looking forward to spending what would be our very first Christmas with the roses, for the past 2 years we had always been at court. The roses would be 3 next year and I realised that since they were born this was the longest we had been at home.
George closed up his business and came home for just a few days over Christmas.
He told us that the rumours from the court were growing steadily worse and worse. Henry was making no secret of his fancy for Jane Seymour and this had been noticed, when an honour that had been intended to go to “Just George” had gone to Edward Seymour instead.
Anne had been livid with Henry and they had many a bitter row because of the favour shown to the Seymour’s, and that Anne had also said that the wh*re’s (Jane Seymour) family would feel her wrath once her son was born.
It was also rumoured that she had set about Jane Seymour viciously, when she found out that Henry had given her a locket with his image in it. Anne had ripped it from her neck and then confronted Henry with it, and thrown the locket in his face in temper and had demanded that he sent Jane from the court.
I thought sadly Poor Anne to think that for so many years she had waited with patience for him to rid himself of the Dowager and now, their fairy-tale romance was turning into a nightmare.
I also thought of Elizabeth she would be 2 now and I wondered what she looked like was she still the King’s darling child or was she viewed as Lady Mary now was, a useless girl.
I sighed deeply and Charles said “What is it my beloved?” I replied “Nothing much Charles I’m just thinking of Anne, I wish I could help her but there is nothing anyone can do for her really.”
Charles held me gently in his arms and said “I know my beloved I feel the same, but our life is here now.” “Yes my love, it is. Poor Anne.” And I felt a few tears run down my face at the thought of the troubles my beloved friend was facing.
We made merry at Christmas the girls danced around in joy and Charles had decided that the roses should start to learn to ride and brought them each snow white ponies with saddles and bridles exactly similar to mine. Guy was to teach them to ride and we trusted that it wouldn’t be long before we could all ride out together. Tom took it upon himself to look after the ponies as he did my mine and Charles’s horses. Tom gave each girl a doll for Christmas and they hugged him tightly. Tom said to them “Remember my ladies” and gave them a very courtly bow. They curtsied in return and said “Yes Tom we will.” And I thought back to the first time he saw them and the secret he whispered to them. Charles and I smiled and loved Tom all the more for his devotion to our roses as well as to us.
Anne wrote to me just after the New Year and said that the Dowager had passed away in the afternoon of the 7th January 1536. I felt some sorrow at her lonely death. She wrote that Hal had immediately ordered that everyone should dress in yellow as a mark of respect for her passing, and that, he was happy that with her death all threat of war had passed and the celebrations also meant that when her son was born there were none left to challenge the right of the throne going to him.
I hoped that now the Dowager was dead, that the King would be a little happier and friendlier towards Anne and perhaps the business with Jane Seymour would be forgotten.
I awoke a few days later with terrible backache and remembered how it had been with the girls when I went into labour, that I had, had terrible backache in the morning, so decided to this time stay in the house, and not give poor Tom another shock, like I had with the roses.
I sat quietly by the fire with Charles, who had refused to leave my side since I had been in the latter stages of my pregnancy. However when my labour started this time there were no shocks for anyone and it was Tom this time who rode off for the Doctor, whilst once again Mother was with me throughout my labour, whilst Charles paced anxiously outside the door, with Father at the bottom of the stairs waiting to ring the house bell. Rosa had brought everything that was needed. However the baby couldn’t wait for the Doctor to arrive and it was Mother who delivered our son into the world and did everything that was needed. At the sound of our baby’s first lusty cry Charles flung open the door and Father rung the house bell to announce his arrival into the world followed by the cheers of the all present. Mother said “It’s a boy darling a very large and healthy boy” and placed him tenderly into my arms and left Charles and I to our own celebration and went downstairs to tell them the news that this time it was a Boy, we heard another cheer go up at the news. Tom appeared at that moment with the Doctor and said “Well My lady I can see I’m not needed here now. If you don’t mind I’ll go back downstairs and join the Celebrations. Congratulations my Lady.” and left.
Tom came gingerly towards the bed and once again when he saw the baby his eyes lit up.
He bowed and said “Congratulations my Lady Angel” and once again he whispered a secret to the baby that I knew once again that only he and Tom would ever know. When he left Charles and I wondered what it was he said to him “Charles said “Well my beloved what shall we call him?”
I thought for some seconds and then said “Marcus after Father, although can we tell him that together?” Charles smiled and said “Yes my darling of course. Marcus it suits him well. Now my darling I will leave you to rest I will send the wet nurse up as I’ve no doubt it won’t be long before Marcus will want his dinner” He kissed me and Marcus tenderly and left me to join the celebrations.
The Wet nurse came in a few minutes later and took Marcus to the nursery and left me to sleep.
I awoke a few hours later to find mother sat by my the side of me with her hand tightly curled around mine just as she had when our roses had been born, when she saw I was awake, she got up opened the door and called for Rosa to bring me food and wine. Rosa came in and said “Congratulations My lady. Tom is already talking about all the things he is going to teach him”
I laughed and said “As long as he doesn’t teach him to cuss.” Mother and Rosa laughed.
Charles and Father came up shortly after. Mother said “Well my love, what say you to your grandson?” Father said “He looks like Charles my love.” Mother replied “he does indeed and hugged him tightly” Remembering the day when Charles was born. Father said “Well Amy my daughter what are you going to call your son?” Charles and looked at each other and smiled and I said “Marcus”
Mother and Father smiled with pleasure.
I was soon up and about and once again. Our roses instantly fell in love with Marcus and between them they were forever pulling Tom up to the Nursery with them to talk to Marcus, and always Tom did the same to Marcus as he did with our roses, whispered a secret that only they would ever know.
Thomas and George came home a few days before Marcus’s christening, and brought us the News that Henry had been injured in a joust celebrating the death of the Dowager, the doctor’s despaired of his life, but finally after 2 hours of being unconscious Henry had recovered, however the shock of Henry’s accident had caused Anne to miscarry, her doctor said that the foetus bore all the signs of being male.
When told of her miscarriage Henry had stormed into her apartment and verbally abused her to the point she burst into tears.” Poor Anne” I thought, what will become of her now? I brooded for a while on her troubles, but in the end I realised that nothing I could do or say would make any difference to the situation and put it out of my head.
Marcus’s christening was just as a merry affair as our roses had been and again Tom stood just a loyally and fiercely by the crib whispering to Marcus or cussing at the dogs as he been when our roses had been christened, and once again I knew that Tom would defend Marcus with his life as he would the roses
Guy had told us that whenever he took our roses out on their ponies Tom had always insisted on being there too. I smiled at the thought and knew that Tom would always be a trustworthy and loyal man.
The months quickly flew by, and then in May we heard the news from George that devastated me. Anne had been arrested and sent to the Tower, on charges of Adultery and treason against the King, Charles said “My beloved I tried to spare you this, but you needed to know” I replied “But it’s not true I know Anne she wouldn’t do anything against Henry, she loves him devotedly.”
Charles said “I know my love, but Henry has changed since his accident and believes what he’s been told.”
“I need to see her” I said quietly
Charles said “I know, I’ve already asked George for his help.”
“Thank you Charles” and started to cry softly in his arms.
A week later we received a letter from George telling us he had arranged lodging for us at a secret location and had managed to find a way to smuggle me into the Tower to see Anne.
We set off and arranged to meet George just outside the city where he would take us to our secret lodgings. We arrived in London 3 days later on the 16thof May. George took us to the lodgings and explained what had happened, to bring about this chain of events. “The King was furious with Anne over her miscarriage and had taken it in to his head that their marriage was a sin, coupled with the fact he no longer had any desire for her he had told Cromwell to find means of getting a divorce from her. Cromwell had by skilful manipulation managed to invent and manipulate people into giving evidence again Anne for adultery and incest. Rumour has it that Jane, Anne’s sister in law provided the evidence of incest to Cromwell” George said. I replied “Incest?” George said “Her brother George is one of those accused of adultery with her too.” I remembered the merry smile of “Just George” and thought, the King’s gone mad. I asked “who else is accused?”
George said “William Brereton, Henry Norris, Francis Weston, and Mark Smeaton” I felt like my heart was going to break George continued, they are all to die tomorrow so I have arranged to smuggle you in whilst they are being executed, there will be less chance of you being recognised. Be ready at dawn”
“Thank you George” I said quietly George went back to his own lodging leaving Charles and I stunned at the news we had just heard. When George had gone remembered I should have asked him about Elizabeth, what would happen to her now?
We both barely slept that night, and spent most of our time talking about what would happen to Elizabeth. We both knew that Anne was doomed, our time at court taught us that once the King had made his mind up about something there was no changing it. George came to fetch us at dawn, I managed to remember to ask George about Elizabeth. He told us that Henry had declared her bastard as her half-sister Mary had been, and was now known as just Lady Elizabeth, a few tears fell down my cheeks as I remembered the day she was born, the much loved child of the most loving parents in Christendom. I also remembered that although Henry was disappointed in Elizabeth being a girl, he loved her devotedly, and exclaimed to all her saw her she was going to make a destiny that would shape the world along with her brother.
Finally we reached the Tower, and already despite the hour there were crowds filling the Tower waiting to watch, Brereton, Norris, Weston and Just George die. Mark Smeaton would be executed at Tyburn as a commoner he didn’t have the luxury of being executed within the Tower.
I looked up at the windows of the Tower as we went through the gate on the way to Anne’s apartments and wondered if they were watching the crowds gathering. I had learned with relief, that Anne wasn’t lodged in a dungeon but near the apartments she stayed in prior to her coronation and once again the memory of the last time I came to the Tower, how happy things had been back then. Anne the beloved wife who was on the pinnacle of success, pregnant with what was believed to be the long wanted male heir England had waited so long for. Hard to think that was nearly 3 years ago. How could it have gone so wrong in such a short space of time?
We reached Anne’s apartments and the Guard thinking we were just servants coming to do our daily business let us in. Anne was sat on her bed looking so very different to the Anne I knew and loved. George whispered we mustn’t stay long so whatever we had to say had to be done quickly or risk raising suspicion from the guards.
I walked over to her removed the hood of my cloak and said quietly ”Anne it’s me Amy” at the sound of my voice she raised her head and looked directly into my eyes. I could see the agony she was in. She got up slowly and told me as quickly as she could what had happened. She said “Jane Seymour has managed supplant herself in Hal’s affections, his fall in the jousting Yard and my miscarriage he blamed me solely for saying I was a witch and had killed our son on purpose so that I could rule solely in Elizabeth’s name” she continued “I am to die tomorrow although Hal has sent for a French swordsman to cut my head off” “But Anne this is all wrong what can have changed the King so? I said
She said “After you left court Hal started behaving differently towards not just me but to others as well no one knew what was going to happen next. He blamed me for the death of Thomas More and Bishop Fisher and his temper become very unpredictable and no matter what I did I just couldn’t make him happy anymore.
Jane Seymour seemed to be the only one who would talk to with any kind of gentleness, and it was only after Cromwell gave his rooms to the Seymour’s coupled with the death of the dowager and my miscarriage I really knew that my time was coming to an end. I am glad to die Amy my only regret is leaving Elizabeth. Will you watch over her Amy I know I can trust you, you are my only true friend and I will miss you.” I hugged her tightly and said “Anne I will love Elizabeth as she is my own and because of the love I have for you always.”
“Thank you Amy” she replied. Suddenly George said “quickly my lady” Anne suddenly put in my hand her B necklace “Remember me” she said and another necklace a locket containing her image and added “For Elizabeth, give it to her when she becomes Queen. Now Go Amy God Speed my dearest friend” she said. “Goodbye Anne” I said.
George led us back out of the Tower and safely back to our lodgings. George said that he would come back later and take back to his home, and take us out of the city tomorrow.
Just then we heard the Tower Guns fire and I knew that Just George and my other friends were dead, I wept in Charles arms, and he rocked me soothingly in his arms until I cried myself to sleep. George returned just before Evening Curfew and took us to his home where after we had eaten we fell asleep in each other’s arms.
The next Morning George told us that Anne’s execution had been delayed as the swordsman had only just arrived in Dover which was a day’s ride from here. I looked at Charles he gave me a sad smile and said “I know my love you want to stay until the end” “Oh Charles I love you” he held me tightly in his arms and said “once we know that Anne has gone we must leave the City or we may risk detection, George has told me that the King is rounding up all of Anne’s supporters that are still in the City, right now the King thinks we are in the country so we are safe but if suspected otherwise I hate to think of the circumstances and we have to think of the children my love” I knew he was right so for the rest of the day we stayed in our room, that night we slept an uneasy sleep waking at every little noise, however with the coming of the dawn we felt a little easier. George had once again hatched a plan to get us out of the City, undetected.
Our horses were waiting at a Coaching Inn 10 miles away, and George was going to smuggle us out in a hay wagon under the straw, once at the Coaching Inn we were to ride as fast as we could for home even if it meant riding all night.
We thanked George wholeheartedly he had risked his life for us. George hugged me tightly and said “I love you Amy my life is at your disposal”
Shortly after noon we once again heard the Tower Guns boom and I knew my beloved friend was dead. Very quickly we climbed into the Hay cart and George quickly covered us in Hay, and the cart driver drove us away from the City and I wept bitterly as if my heart would break in Charles’s arms under the hay as we made our way to the coaching inn. Finally we reached the Inn and after picking up some bread and wine we set off for home. We finally got home 2 days later having ridden through the night, we were exhausted, and went up to bed and slept right through until the following day.

Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod

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