by D. J. Holmes
* * *
“I have never been unfaithful to my King.” Katherine continually said. “I will admit, however, that my behavior prior to my marriage to, King Henry, was unbecoming that of a lady of my rank.”
Adding to her admission, Mary Hall who had been a chambermaid to Katherine’s grandmother, the Dowager Duchess, had witnessed what she felt were sexual liaisons by Katherine, while she stayed at her grandmothers residence. After hearing the accusations against Katherine, Henry said, “I have heard enough. Take her into custody, and keep her away from me.”
This unexpected circumstance was devastating to Katherine. With her marriage to Henry, she finally felt that she had someone that would be with her, helping and protecting her. At long last, she would never again be alone, as she had been most of her life.
When the guards came to get her, Katherine realized that unless she could get to Henry and talk to him, she would once again be on her own. Breaking away from the guards, she runs down the hall to the chapel, where Henry is hearing Mass.
Pounding on the door, Katherine cries, “Henry, open the door. I must talk to you. You must hear what I have to say. Please, Henry. Please. I have done nothing wrong. Believe me Henry. Please, believe me! Don’t leave me, Henry. Please, don’t leave me alone!”
Catching up to her, the guards drag her back to her room as she continues to frantically call Henry’s name.
For several hours, as the guards stand outside her door, they can hear her crying hysterically. The early morning hours bring silence, as Katherine falls asleep, exhausted from the emotional trauma she has endured.
* * *
“That poor girl, first her mother dies leaving her alone. Then her father leaves her alone because he has to travel with his work. She was always left alone with no one to protect her. Then she married the King, finally letting her guard down, trusting that at last, she would never be alone again,” Julia sadly thinks.
