by Jean Plaidy
‘Then there would be no war in France?’
‘It might well be so. My dear one, imagine these two wily old men. They have great experience of statesmanship. Remember that Maximilian’s son Philip, and Ferdinand’s daughter, mad Juana, were married. Their sons are Charles and young Ferdinand. They have their eyes on Italy, not on France. They want Italy for young Ferdinand because Charles will have the whole of Spain and possibly the Austrian Empire, which includes the Netherlands. The King of France also has his eyes on Italy. ’Tis my belief that the English invasion of France is being planned by Ferdinand and Maximilian to put fear into Louis’ heart, and that if they can make favourable terms with him regarding Italy they will be ready to leave their English allies to fight France alone. It was significant that after the capture of Thérouanne and Tournai Maximilian was very eager that hostilities should cease. He knew further battles would mean bitter losses and he did not wish to impoverish himself, but to be in a strong position to bargain with the French.’
‘And our King does not know this?’
‘As yet he is a happy boy; he thinks with the mind of a boy. He trusts others because he is frank himself. He has had warning of Ferdinand’s perfidy; yet he is prepared to trust him as ever.’
‘It is because Ferdinand is his father-in-law, perhaps.’
‘The Queen is a clever woman, I believe, but she is fast losing her influence. The King is enamoured of Lady Taillebois but Katharine does not know this. Lady Taillebois does not interest herself in politics. But she might not please the King for ever, and if there were a woman who made demands on the King and sought to influence him . . . who knows what would happen.’
‘Thomas, I am alarmed by all this. It seems so dangerous.’
‘You have nothing to fear, my love. I will always protect you and our children.’
‘But Thomas, what if . . .?’
She did not say it. It seemed sacrilege even to think of it. Thomas would always maintain his place. There was no man in England who was as clever as her Thomas.
The King paced up and down his apartment and with him was Charles Brandon, the newly created Duke of Suffolk. Suffolk, recently returned from Flanders, looked grim.
‘So she’ll not have you,’Henry was saying.
‘She was adamant in her refusals. You can be sure Maximilian has had a hand in this.’
‘An English duke is match enough for a Duchess of Savoy!’ growled Henry.
‘Alas, Your Grace. She – or perhaps the Emperor – would not agree. And there is another matter.’
Henry nodded. ‘Say on, Charles.’
‘There was a hesitancy in the Emperor’s manner when, on your instructions, I tried to bring the negotiations for the Princess Mary’s marriage to completion.’
‘Hesitation! What do you mean?’
‘He was evasive. He seemed unwilling to make the final arrangements. Your Grace, it appears to me that the Emperor is one such as Ferdinand. He makes plans with us, and at the same time with others elsewhere.’
Henry’s brows were drawn together; he was thinking of the man who had placed himself under his banner and declared his willingness to serve the King of England.
‘I cannot believe this,’he shouted. ‘He served me well.’
‘He was paid well for doing so, Your Grace.’
Henry’s face darkened; but he could take more from Brandon than almost any other man.
‘What means this change of front?’
‘I know not, Your Grace, but let us be prepared.’
Henry stamped angrily from the apartment, but he gave orders that preparations for war were to go on apace.
It was a week or so later when an envoy from France arrived to negotiate for those prisoners whom Henry had taken at the battles of Thérouanne and Tournai and who still remained in England.
The envoy asked if he might speak in private with the King and, when Henry received him – in Wolsey’s presence – the envoy said: ‘I have words for Your Grace’s ears alone.’
Wolsey retired with dignity, knowing that the King would immediately pass on the news to him, and indeed having a shrewd notion as to what it must be.
When they were alone the envoy said to Henry: ‘Your Grace, I have a message from my master, the King of France. He wishes to warn you that King Ferdinand has renewed the truce he made with France, and that the Emperor Maximilian stands beside him in this.’
‘Impossible!’cried Henry. ‘This must be untrue.’
‘Your Grace will soon hear confirmation of this,’ said the envoy. ‘But my master, wishing to prepare you and to show you that he is willing to be your friend, determined to let you know of it as soon as the truce had been signed.’
The veins stood out at Henry’s temples; his face was purple and he cried: ‘The traitors! By God, I’ll be revenged for this. My friends indeed! Base traitors both. They’ll be sorry if these words you speak are truth. And if they are lies . . . then shall you be.’
‘I speak truth, Your Grace.’
‘By God!’cried Henry, and strode from the apartment; storming into Wolsey’s quarters, he told him the news.
Wolsey, who was already prepared for it, received it calmly enough.
‘What now?’ demanded Henry.
‘We know our false friends for what they are.’
‘That will not conquer France for us.’
‘A project which Your Grace will doubtless decide must be set aside for a while.’
The King’s eyes were glazed with anger, and in those moments he looked like a petulant boy who has been deprived of some much desired toy.
‘Your Grace, what else had the envoy to say?’
‘What else? Was that not enough?’
‘Enough indeed, Sire. But I thought mayhap the King of France, showing his friendship in this way, might have further signs of friendship to show us.’
Henry looked bewildered.
‘Would Your Grace consider recalling the envoy? Perhaps a little delicate questioning with Your Grace’s usual subtlety might reveal something of the mind of the King of France.’
‘What is this you are saying? Do you believe it possible that I might become the ally of the King of France!’
‘Your Grace, the other powers of Europe have proved themselves no friends of yours.’
‘’Tis true enough, by God.’
‘And Your Grace is now telling yourself, I know, that there can be no harm in hearing what this Frenchman has to say.’
‘Send for him,’ growled Henry.
In a short time the envoy stood before them.
Wolsey said: ‘Is it Your Grace’s wish that I speak of those matters which you have explained to me?’
‘Speak on,’ said Henry.
‘It would seem,’ said Wolsey, ‘that the motive of the King of France is friendship towards his brother of England.’
‘That is my master’s desire, Your Grace, Your Excellency.’
‘Then how would he show this friendship?’
‘By making a peace with the English who shall be his friends, and forming an alliance which could not but bring dismay to those who have so clearly shown themselves the enemies of both countries. He says that to show his good faith he would be happy to make a marriage between France and England. As you know, Your Grace, Your Excellency, the King is without a wife. He is still of marriageable age. The marriage of the Princess Mary with the treacherous Habsburg surely cannot now take place. The King of France would be happy to take the Princess as his bride.’
Wolsey caught his breath. The King was astounded. This was a complete volte-face. But the treachery of Ferdinand and Maximilian rankled; and what better revenge could possibly be achieved than such a treaty, such a marriage? It would be France and England against Austria and Spain. Henry saw now that those two wily old men had wanted to set him fighting France while they turned their attention to Italy – thus widening the dominions of their grandsons.
It was all startlingly clear. And the
revenge: this alliance, this marriage.
Wolsey was looking cautiously at the King. ‘His Grace will wish to have time to consider such a proposal,’he said.
‘That is so,’ said Henry.
The envoy was dismissed, and, placing his arm through that of Wolsey, Henry began to pace the apartment with him while they talked.
The news was out and Katharine was bewildered. So once more her father had shown his treachery. He and Maximilian together had been profiting by the inexperience of the King of England and had used him shamelessly: Ferdinand in the conquest of Navarre, Maximilian for the capture of those two towns which were important to Netherlands trade. In addition Maximilian had received many English crowns as payment for his double-dealing. They had endeavoured to win concessions from the King of France by informing him of imminent invasion by England so that he would be ready to make peace with them, almost at any price in order to be free to tackle the English invaders.
Louis however had had a plan of his own to outwit them: the French and English should forget old enmities and stand together as allies.
Caroz was bewildered; he did not know which way to turn; and, as on a previous occasion, he saw that he would be in the position of scapegoat. He hurried to see Katharine and was met by Fray Diego Fernandez who informed him haughtily that the Queen was in no way pleased with his conduct of Spanish affairs.
Caroz, angry beyond discretion, pushed aside the priest and forced his way into the Queen’s apartment.
Katharine met him coolly.
‘Your Grace,’he stammered, ‘this news . . . this alarming news . . . The English are incensed against us.’
‘Against you and your master,’ said Katharine coldly.
‘My . . . master . . . Your Grace’s father.’
‘There is nothing I have to discuss,’ said Katharine. ‘I dissociate myself from the instructions of the King of Spain.’
Caroz was astonished, because he sensed the coldness in Katharine’s voice when she spoke of her father.
‘Do you understand,’ stormed Caroz, ‘that there is a possibility of a treaty of friendship between England and France?’
‘These are matters for the King and his ministers,’ said Katharine.
‘But our country . . .’
‘Is no longer my country. I count myself an Englishwoman now, and I put myself on the side of the English.’
Caroz was shocked. He bowed and took his leave.
As he went from the Queen’s apartments he saw Fray Diego who smiled at him insolently.
His recall to Spain shall be immediate, Caroz decided. It is he who has poisoned the Queen’s mind against her father.
The Princess Mary came hurrying into Katharine’s apartments, her lovely eyes wild, her hair in disorder.
‘Oh Katharine,’ she cried, ‘you have heard this news?’
Katharine nodded.
‘I!’cried Mary. ‘To marry with that old man! He is fifty-two and they say he looks seventy. He is old, ugly and mean.’
‘I wish I could help you,’ said Katharine, ‘but I know of nothing I can do.’
Mary stood clenching her hands. She was of a deeply passionate nature and had been greatly indulged by her brother. Her youth and beauty aroused his tenderness; and the fact that he was her guardian had always made him feel sentimental towards her, so that she had had her own way in all other matters and was furious that in this, the most important of all, she could not.
‘I will not be used in this way. I will not!’ she cried.
‘Oh Mary,’ Katharine tried to soothe her, ‘it happens to us all, you know. We are obliged to marry the person who is chosen for us. We have no choice in the matter. We must needs obey.’
‘I’ll not marry that old lecher,’cried Mary.
‘You’ll be Queen of France.’
‘Who cares to be Queen of France! Not I . . . if I have to take the King with the crown.’
‘He will be kind to you. He has heard of your beauty and is very eager for the match.’
‘Lecher! Lecher! Lecher!’ shouted Mary, and Katharine thought how like her brother she was in that moment.
‘He will be gentle, perhaps kinder, more gentle than a younger man.’
‘Do I want gentleness! Do I want an old man drooling over my body!’
‘Mary, I pray you be calm. It is the fate of us all.’
‘Did you have to marry a rheumaticky old man?’
‘No, but I came to a strange land to marry a boy whom I had never seen.’
‘Arthur was handsome; he was young. And then you had Henry. Oh you fortunate Katharine!’
‘You may be fortunate too. I am sure he will be kind to you, and kindness means so much. You were prepared to marry Charles, yet you did not know him.’
‘At least he is young.’ Mary’s eyes blazed afresh. ‘Oh, it is cruel . . . cruel. Why should I, because I am a Princess, not be allowed to marry the man of my choice?’
Katharine knew that she was thinking of Charles Brandon. The whole Court knew of her feelings for that handsome adventurer; none more than Brandon himself who would dearly have liked to match her passion with his own. And now that it seemed he was not going to get Margaret of Savoy, he would doubtless be very happy to take the Princess of England.
Mary’s defiance crumbled suddenly; she threw herself on to Katharine’s bed and began sobbing wildly.
Wolsey was directing the King’s thoughts towards the French alliance. He could see great advantages there. He believed the King was willing enough; Henry had counted on the help of Ferdinand and Maximilian to enable him to win territories in France; he had memories of Dorset’s disastrous campaign, and he had begun to see the dangers of tackling the conquest of France alone.
Wolsey was for ever at his ear, explaining without appearing to do so; carefully, skilfully planting those thoughts in the King’s mind which he wished him to have.
Contemplating an expedition to France gave Wolsey nightmares. What if they should fail to maintain supplies? What if there should be disaster for the English? There had to be a scapegoat, and that might well be the almoner who had won such praise for his conduct of the previous campaign. No, Wolsey was determined that there should not be an expedition to France this year.
There was something else which made him long for the French alliance.
He had received information from the Vatican to the effect that the Holy Father would be pleased to see an alliance between France and England and trusted his newly created Cardinal would work to that end. It was very necessary to please the Pope. It was important that the Holy Father and his Cardinals in the Vatican should feel they had a good friend in Cardinal Wolsey. It would be remembered when the time for the next conclave arrived.
So each day Henry began to see more clearly the advantages of the suggested alliance; and one of the most important clauses would be the marriage treaty between the Princess Mary and Louis XII.
In vain did Mary storm; Henry was sorry, but England must come before his sister’s whims.
He was truly sorry for her and his eyes were glazed with tenderness when she flung her arms about his neck and sought to cajole him.
‘I would do what you ask, sister, if I could,’he cried, ‘but it does not rest with me.’
‘It does. It does,’ she cried vehemently. ‘You could refuse this day, and that would be an end to the matter.’
‘Then there would be no alliance with the French.’
‘Who cares for alliance with the French?’
‘We all must, sweet sister. It is a matter of policy. We have to stand against those two scoundrels. You cannot see how important this is because you are yet a girl, but it is a matter of state. Were it not, willingly would I give you what you ask.’
‘Henry, think of me – married to that old man!’
‘I do, sweetheart, I do. But it must be. It is the duty of us all to marry for the good of our country.’
‘He is old . . . old . . .’
‘He is no worse than Charles. Charles looked to me like an idiot. By God, were I a maiden I’d as lief take Louis as Charles.’
‘Charles is at least young. Louis is . . . ancient.’
‘So much the better. You’ll be able to twirl him round your pretty fingers. Ah, you’ll get your way with the King of France, my sister, as you do with the King of England.’
‘But do I? When he will not grant me this one little thing?’
‘’Tis the one thing I cannot grant my dear sister. Be good, sweeting. Marry the man. He’ll not live long.’
Mary drew away from him and looked long into his face. He saw the new hope spring up in her eyes.
‘Henry,’ she said slowly, ‘if I make this marriage, will you grant me one request?’
‘That’s my good sister,’he said. ‘Have done with your tantrums – for if news of these reached Louis’ ears he would not be pleased – and I’ll grant whatsoever you request.’
Mary took her brother’s face between her hands.
‘Swear this,’ she said.
‘I swear,’he answered.
Then she went on, speaking very slowly and distinctly: ‘I will marry old Louis; but when he dies, I have Your Grace’s promise that I shall marry wheresoever I like for me to do.’
Henry laughed.
‘You have my promise.’
Then she threw her arms about his neck and kissed him heartily on the lips.
Henry was delighted; she could always charm him, for his pride in this pretty sister – all Tudor, as he was fond of saying – was great.
Now the Court noticed that the Princess Mary had become resigned to the French marriage. There were no more displays of temper, no more tears of rage.
She allowed herself to be drawn into the preparations, and her manner was quiet and calculating yet a little aloof, as though she were looking far ahead, well into the future.
The summer was progressing. Henry was as deeply involved with Bessie as ever; he delighted in her, and familiarity did not pall.
He hated all Spaniards, he told himself; and he could not entirely forget that Katharine was one of them. She seemed to grow less attractive and, had it not been for the fact that she was pregnant, he could have come near to hating her at this further revelation of her father’s treachery.
