“He swore this to his Pope?” I asked, coming to a stop and turning to face Cromwell. “You should have mentioned that to begin with.” Cromwell did not answer and I took a moment to think.
Charles would not take an oath like this lightly. His slavish devotion to his Pope would prevent him from deceitfully changing tactics. If he had taken a public oath, to go against his word would be to risk his own soul for excommunication. I pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing into my fur cuff.
“Confirm that this ceremony has taken place,” I ordered. Cromwell bowed and then disappeared, I had no doubt I would hear from him before nightfall with further evidence. I turned to finish my walk, but knew that my mind would continue to think on what Cromwell had shared.
***
We did not leave England until the last week of April, almost two weeks after the end of Easter. My army was already in place at Guînes, and I would be meeting the Duke of Cleaves in Calais with his army on the first of May. I presided over one final supper before we took our leave; Anne seated to my left at the table in the great hall, first Mary then Elizabeth to my right. We all sat in a row, looking down upon the courtiers eating at smaller tables that ran down the length of the room. Charles was close enough to speak with as well, but due to the large long table, there would be little point in leaning across Anne to attempt a conversation.
Anne, however, did not seem to have any similar issues with propriety, and often leaned forward in an attempt to talk to Mary and even Elizabeth who was three seats down from her.
“Lady Mary, I had hoped to visit Eltham Palace at the beginning of the summer progress,” Anne said, attempting to lean forward and around me.
“Oh yes, the gardens are said to be lovely in June,” Mary responded, managing to lean forward in a more graceful manner than the queen. “Your Majesty grew up at Eltham, did you not?”
“I did,” I answered, smiling at my daughter’s effort to include me. “I spent many years there with my sisters and my tutors. And you are right; it is most beautiful in June.”
“It would make me so happy to visit a home that means so much to Your Majesty,” Anne said with a smile. I returned the gesture. Though we had our arguments when I first arrived home, we had managed to return to a polite understanding of one another. For the few months that led up to Lent, she had still made her way to my bed once a week, to do nothing more than lie there while I read dispatches at my desk. If the court hoped for a prince, they were still to be disappointed.
“And the reconstruction at Woodstock has finally been completed,” Anne added. “I plan to visit there as well.”
“Oh, Woodstock will be lovely!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“Yes, it should have an excellent hunt,” Anne agreed. “And many trails to ride upon. I hope you will be pleased with it.”
I did not register the words at first, but after a moment turned to look at my queen.
“The Ladies Mary and Elizabeth are to return to their establishments once I sail for France,” I said sternly. I could hear a small whimper of protest from Elizabeth, but Mary was old enough to keep her silence. Anne, however, had not yet learned all of my daughter’s tricks.
“Your Majesty —“ she began, but I cut her off.
“No,” I demanded, turning back to my own meal. “They will not be with the court this summer. If the Spanish decide to attack, then I do not want my daughters in the first place the army will target.” I had thought that would be the end of it, but it seemed Anne was not finished.
“Your Majesty, I have heard from impeccable sources that the Spanish plan to march to the Holy Land.”
Cromwell. The ceremony the Emperor had conducted with the Pope had been confirmed in a dozen letters, but I still felt uneasy. Emperor Charles had proven that he should not be trusted, no matter whom he had sworn to or what he had promised.
“Your Majesty, the court will be well guarded,” Charles Brandon said, leaning forward slightly. “I had planned to send separate guards with the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth, but if they were to remain with Her Majesty the Queen, then some of those men could be sent to Richmond Palace.”
They could guard my son. Suddenly the argument ceased to exist in my mind – any man that could be spared to be sent to guard my prince should be.
“Very well,” I said, smiling towards my daughters. “The ladies may stay with the court.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Mary said, with a bow of her head and a small smile. She nudged Elizabeth, who copied the action. They both looked pleased, but at the same time I knew they had heard Charles’ words and understood that their safety had suddenly ranked below their brothers.
“Oh we will have a fine summer!” Anne declared, speaking to the girls before I could. “And you are both such wonderful horsewomen, I shall learn so much this summer.”
Elizabeth perked back up immediately and leaned forward much like her stepmother did, calling down the table.
“And we can work on your French!”
***
There was to be dancing that evening, an activity we had not been able to enjoy during Lent. I would be unable to partake in the dancing. The wound on my thigh that prevented me from doing so much had been more painful over the last week, and Doctor Butts had asked that I do little to aggravate it before sailing.
Instead, I sat upon the dais and smiled as Mary asked Anne if she would partner her in the first dance. The floor was more crowded than usual; it seemed all the young people of the court had missed the festivities normally prohibited during the holy weeks.
I allowed my gaze to slide past Mary and Anne, who had taken a prominent place in the dance. Three men down from Mary I saw Sarah, a thin blonde girl who had I bedded the month before. She had made herself available for another tryst in the days following, but I had found myself unwilling to attempt the difficult performance again. While this easily proved that it was only Anne I had an aversion to, I did not relish the idea of my courtiers learning of my difficulties with a young woman such as Sarah, with whom there could be no excuse.
Before me the ladies continued to dance and bits of laughter floated above the music. As I looked among them there were several that I would have considered taking to my bed. But Anne, twirling and laughing in the middle, still did not arouse me. Without that attraction I would never have another son, and I would fail to make this kingdom as safe as my father had. But as long as I needed her brother, I would never be rid of Anne. Still, as they danced I let my eyes continue to look amongst her ladies.
Perhaps when this war was over I would be free to marry again.
***
The crossing to France was on one of the clearest, calmest days I had ever sailed. For once I made the crossing on the deck, sitting in a great chair along the bow of the ship. I enjoyed leaning forward, feeling the cool spray of water that occasionally came overboard, happy for once to be free of any obligations.
Since my back was turned, I did not realize Charles Brandon had approached me until he cleared his throat.
“Charles,” I said with a smile, pleased to have company. I waved for him to take a seat and he disappeared for a moment before returning with a page who sat a small stool next to my chair.
“Your Majesty, I am pleased to see you looking so at ease.”
“It is a wondrous thing, Charles,” I answered. “For the first time I feel as if I do not have a care in the world.”
“It pleases me to hear you say so,” Charles said, leaning against the railing of the ship. Sea water lifted to spray against his long black hair, matting it to the back of his neck.
“If I felt confident that we could trust the Duke of Cleaves,” I said after a moment, “then I would truly be at ease.”
“Money speaks loudly,” Charles responded. “And he has sent your Majesty now four chests full of plate with which to pay additional soldiers. And that is in addition to the dowry sent for the Queen.”
“It is a sizeable gift,” I conceded. “But th
ere are men who would pay any amount to save themselves from risk. Will he bring an army and be willing to lead those men into battle? This young duke who has never before seen the carnage that war brings?”
“That I do not know,” Charles answered. “We can only hope that he at least sends the men. If all else fails, I can lead them.”
Our talk lapsed for the moment and I thought back to the battle I saw Charles lead last year. Though it had been tough, Charles had done well. He had certainly done better than I, who had sat helplessly above and watched the defeat.
I was loathe to admit it, but it would be much the same this year. Though my clothes were not as tight, and none had embarrassingly split while I donned them, I was still not fit enough to lead a charge. It was doubtful my horse would handle the strain. And though they did not say this directly, I knew my doctors feared I would not survive the strain either. There could be nothing worse than peacefully dying on the battlefield.
“Cromwell informed me that the Lady Sarah has been approached by a gentleman knight, asking for her hand in marriage,” Charles said, breaking the peaceful lull we had broken into.
“Hmmm,” I responded, leaning away from the railing. It felt as if Charles’ words had come from far away and I could not find the desire to answer them.
“Is that against your majesty’s wishes?” Charles asked carefully.
“And why should it be?” I asked. “If the boy will have her, then better for him.”
“Did your majesty not want to create a marriage for her? One that would prove to be – pliable?”
I looked at Charles again before sighing.
“No, I have no need of that.”
Silence surrounded us again, and I saw from the corner of my eye that Charles looked behind him, making sure our conversation could not be overheard.
“Your Majesty has not had many needs as of late.”
I looked sharply at Charles, angered that he would speak so frankly.
“I do not see what concern it is of yours.”
“I merely wish to make sure that Your Majesty did not require any attentions while we are in France.”
“If so, I will have it arranged,” I snapped back.
“I just —“ Charles said before breaking off to take a deep breath. He seemed to find his courage before continuing.
“The entire court knows that your marriage has not yet been consummated. Queen Anne has expressed her ignorance at the subject matter —“
“She has spread gossip?” I asked incredulously.
“Not intentionally,” Charles answered quickly. “But she does not even realize what needs to be done to conceive a prince; she expressed her wonderment at her ladies that she was not yet with child. She explained to them that she lay in the bed with you and that you had kissed her cheek. She seemed bewildered when one of her ladies told her that more was necessary.”
“And does she now understand?” I demanded.
“No, Your Majesty.”
“She is twenty-four, sent to a king as a bride, and was never told what needed to be done?” I asked, shock creeping into my voice. “It is inconceivable.”
I saw Charles hide a smile and realized my unintentional pun. I allowed myself a short laugh before he continued.
“It is rather fantastical,” Charles agreed. “But I had hoped that if your Majesty knew of the problem that you might be able to teach her —“
“Teach her?” I sputtered out. “I can barely stand to touch her.”
“Well you could at least try!” Charles thundered, his voice intense. In shock I turned to look at him, and he had already closed his eyes, red overtaking his face.
“I must beg Your Majesty’s pardon —“
“You may leave.”
Charles started at my words, rocking slightly before looking into my eyes. I stared him down, not allowing my own anger to appear, for fear that I if I let loose I might strike my oldest friend.
“I am commanding you to leave my presence,” I repeated. Stunned, Charles stood and with a smart bow left me alone.
I turned back out to look at the bright blue skies and beautiful water. But, like so many other things in my life, I could no longer take pleasure in it.
Chapter Ten
July, 1541
It took an additional three months for the Duke of Cleves to join us. Guînes was well secured and the dukes and I had spoken about venturing farther out into France to press an attack, but both men wanted to wait until reinforcements from Cleves arrived. I felt as if time was falling away from us, but did not press the issue – we could not afford another battle as we had last season.
The Duke of Cleves somehow chose the hottest day of the year to arrive. By midmorning I was already sweating inside my armor, my undershirt drenched completely through. It seemed this year the weather was compensating for the drought last year; we had not experienced more than three dry days together since landing in Calais. While this kept us safe from a large scale French attack, likewise it served to slow down the duke in joining us. It also kept much needed food away – our sheep drowned in the steady downpours and an entire herd of cattle was lost in an early May thunderstorm.
But as I sat atop my horse Phillip, staring out onto the horizon where the duke and his men were slated to appear, the sky was clear for miles. Not a cloud in sight. I hoped that this would prove to be a good omen and cheer the men’s spirits. Looking back towards my camp I could see men hanging a wide assortment of clothing out on hastily erected lines as they attempted to capitalize on the warm weather.
The dust from the long road ahead of us was our first clue to the duke’s approach. There was less than one would expect from a traveling army, but I quickly put that down to the muddy roads. It was doubtful that the valley below us had dried as well as our hill had. But as I saw the duke round a bend down the road and clear a number of oaks, I felt my heart fall into my chest.
Surely this could not be all of his men.
Anne had written that her brother’s army would mostly be on horseback. It was a strong cavalry army that she had promised. But his numbers were so few, less than half of what we had been led to expect. We had received more men from Calais. He must have held some men back, unwilling to bring them all together for safety.
Twenty yards away the duke pulled up and my herald trotted forward on a fat mare.
“The Duke of Cleves!”
I nodded and the duke kicked his gray stallion, urging it toward me in a slow walk, both the horse and its owner bowing their heads in supplication.
“Brother!” I greeted him, throwing out my arm.
“Your Majesty and my dear brother,” the duke responded after a moment’s pause. I frowned. His accent was even thicker than Anne’s.
“I am pleased that you have joined us,” I called up, then gestured for him to follow as we rode back to my tent. With a glance at the Duke of Norfolk, who nodded his head toward me, the Duke of Cleves fell into line behind me.
Most of my men had turned out to watch this exchange, and I could see the frowns on their faces. Even they knew that these men were not enough. They all watched the duke, his clothes ragged and his horse underfed, and realized we were in trouble.
I dismounted and strode into my tent, careful to not notice how Charles Brandon’s hand shot out to keep the Duke of Cleves from dismounting as I did. While my old friend’s actions would have at one time caused me to smile, I now ignored them. Since arriving in France there had been none of the easy camaraderie Charles and I had always experienced, none of his candid expressions when those around me made an error. Since his speech to me about the queen I had treated him as the rest of my courtiers—aloof and with a slight suspicion. In all our years together, even during our time as boys before my brother Arthur died and my world forever changed, he had never spoken to me as he had on the crossing to Calais. For being unwilling to take my part, to not understand the hardships I now faced – for that I could never forgive him.
Lik
ewise, he seemed unwilling to speak to me. Even now, as I sat upon my throne and the men began to file into what now served as my outer chamber, he kept his eyes downcast, refusing to meet my gaze. Whatever transgressions he had imagined for me, he was as unforgiving as I.
“I would like to formally welcome my brother, the Duke of Cleves,” I began as the men bowed to me. Other members of my army surrounded the room, and Owaine was by my side as always. I gestured toward Charles Brandon, the Duke of Cleves, and the Duke of Norfolk, motioning for them to step forward.
My three dukes. The three highest ranking members of my army. The three men who I must rely on to carry this campaign out successfully and to keep my kingdom safe.
“The three of you will now comprise my council of war,” I decreed, making sure my voice could be heard all about the large tent, stifling with so many bodies on armor. “All three dukes will be of equal rank; none shall be above another.”
I could tell that these words did not sit well with any of the three men, all of whom would wish to be my second-in-command. But it would do me no good to place my faith in only one of these men; in truth I did not think there was one of them that I could fully trust to keep my interests forefront in their mind. Together they would balance one another in their desire to please me, and they would put my matters above their own.
“Your Majesty,” all three men said, backing away slowly.
I had no more interactions with the Duke of Cleves until my council of war convened the following day. With me I carried letters from home, including one from Anne. I had received it only the day before and her reassurances about our attack in France had increased my confidence – as had the news that another shipment of gold from Cleves had arrived, which was already slated to be used to bolster the defenses at Dover.
She had also written lovingly of my children, even of Edward who she had seen only a few weeks earlier when she took a small group of courtiers to Richmond Palace.
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