“Jane Seymour? I thought we had vanquished her at Wulfhall. I cannot believe my Harry would find anything to admire in that creature! She has no gift for music, no wit nor beauty. She is a fine needlewoman, one of my best. But small, even stitches hold no man. Are you certain of this information?” said the queen.
“I have it on most trustworthy authority. I know she follows the old religion and still loves the lady Mary. Her brothers are forward and the king has, of late, rewarded their service,” said Madge.
“’Tis true. Sir Edward pushes to be made a member of the royal privy chamber. He has not yet succeeded, but he has never been so bold until these days,” said the queen. “As I should know better than any, the king often favors the family of his newest beloved.”
“Majesty, what can you do? How can you secure your crown?” said Madge.
“I must have a son! ’Tis the only safety for us. But how, when His Majesty is sick with trying me? How, when the king has returned his favor to Lady Jane?” said the queen. She continued to gape at Madge as if weighing her. After several minutes, the queen spoke with utmost solemnity.
“Arise, Lady Margaret,” she said as she herself rose from her bed and took her seat at the throne chair. She sat and spread out her skirts so that she looked completely regal. Madge rose and curtsied to the queen.
“Fall upon your knees, Lady Margaret,” said the queen.
Madge went immediately to her knees in front of the queen’s throne. She wondered if the queen had suddenly lost her senses and feared what the queen might do next. She felt the tip of the queen’s scepter on her shoulders.
“Lady Margaret, this day, do you swear by all that is holy that you are my loyal and true servant? And that you will do as I bid, no matter the cost to yourself, even though it cost your life?” said the queen in her most commanding voice.
“Yes, Majesty—I so swear,” said Madge. She could not stop the trembling she felt in her legs and she wondered what the queen was going to ask of her. To her knowledge, no such ceremony had ever taken place in the queen’s apartments. This was a new thing and Madge wasn’t sure what it meant.
“Arise, Lady Margaret,” said the queen as she herself rose and kissed Madge’s cheek.
“Come, let us walk in the gardens. There is much I would say to you,” said the queen.
The two women, one cloaked in ermine and purple, the other in gray wool, strolled in the colorless garden. The queen led Madge far from the prying eyes and ears of the castle to the outer edges of the finely trimmed hedges. There were no benches, so they stood beneath the sheltering wall of boxwoods to keep the chill winds at bay.
“I swore you to my service for a reason, Lady Margaret. For I have a plan, a way to win the king back to my bed,” said the queen in a solemn voice.
“This is good news, Your Grace. I believe you can easily woo him from Mistress Jane,” said Madge.
“I think it is not I who shall woo him, Margaret,” said the queen.
“I do not follow the thread of Your Grace’s thoughts,” said Madge as she pulled her cape closer around her shoulders.
“Harry cannot withstand warm looks from a pretty face—and there is none more comely than your own, cousin,” said the queen.
“What do you mean, Your Grace? What are you saying?” said Madge, now trembling.
“My darling Henry is going to stray. Of that, I can be sure. Though I find it most humorous that for the eight years I kept him at bay, he did not follow after any scent but mine own. But now that I am his wedded wife, he falls back to his old ways,” said the queen. Madge noticed that, though she seemed sad when she spoke, her dark eyes had taken on a flinty look.
The queen walked a few steps farther away from the castle and turned once more to face Madge.
“If I allow him to seek his pleasure with Mistress Jane, she and her brothers will ally against me—others will join them. Catherine and Mary’s supporters, those who wish to see England return to the pope, all the old guard who I have insulted or humiliated will band together to push Mistress Jane and the king together,” said the queen.
Madge followed close as the queen continued to walk along the edge of the boxwoods.
“What can be done then?” said Madge.
The queen stopped and again faced Madge.
“If I can put one forth to the king who would be loyal to me, one who would speak kind words about me as they lay upon their pillows, this would serve me much better than to allow Mistress Jane and her crew to malign me. If there were some pretty young girl who the king already favored, someone I could trust…” The queen then fell to her knees in front of Madge and grabbed both her hands.
“Lady Margaret, you would be such a one, for in all the court, no one loves me more. I know you would be true to me. I also know the king finds you fair—he has told me thus many times. Your youth, your innocence, your mild manner—all these will please the king. What say you? Will you serve me thus?” said the queen, still on her knees.
“Majesty, please arise. Such supplication is unseemly,” said Madge as she tried to pull the queen to her feet. “I am not certain I could do as you ask. I lack skill with men and have no desire for the king in that way.”
The queen rose and did not speak for a long time.
“He will kill me, Margaret. I know it. I have heard it prophesied that a queen shall be burned and I have seen the dark looks the people give me. You must help me, Margaret, or I will die. I feel it in my bones,” said the queen.
Madge took in the queen’s words and weighed them. She knew the king was capable of great cruelty and yes, murder. So many had been slain because they would not sign the Act of Succession; others because they refused to give up the old faith. Anyone who crossed the king was at risk, and Queen Anne had surely crossed him by not yet giving him a son. And she had seen hatred flare in the king’s eyes for his queen, especially when Anne complained of His Majesty’s unfaithfulness.
“Your Majesty, I would give my life to protect you—I will also give my virtue if that is your wish,” said Madge, her decision sudden and complete.
* * *
“Arthur? Arthur? Are you here?” said Madge as she searched in the great stables. One of the Yeoman of the Guard had told her Master Brandon was feeding the horses and could be found there. She stepped carefully to avoid the scattered piles of dung. The stables were remarkably clean but had to be swept several times each day. As she walked into the dark building, she could hear whinnies and neighs on either side. She saw a figure down at the end of the stalls. She hurried toward the man.
“Arthur?” she called once more.
“Pretty Madge! What are you doing here?” he said, raking up the straw from the floor and placing fresh hay in the manger.
“The queen sent me—we must talk,” said Madge. “Is it safe here?”
“Aye. ’Tis no one here but me,” said Arthur. “Come, let us sit on this bench. I’ll get a blanket from one of the horses to warm us—don’t worry, mistress, I’ll find a clean one!” said Arthur.
They settled on a nearby bench and he wrapped the blanket around them both.
“’Tis a cold, cold January—methinks my nose will freeze plumb off!” he said.
Madge said nothing. She leaned into him and felt herself grow warm. She loved the hard feel of his chest and his arms around her, the stubble of his beard and his strong, square hands holding her own.
“I wish we could sit so forever,” she said.
“Away from court and all its dangers,” he said. “Now, tell me why you have come searching for me. What service may I do our good queen?”
“You may not think her good after I speak. If you will but hear me out, you will see the good in it—for us both,” said Madge.
“Pretty Madge, you sound terrified. What is it, lass? What has you so frightened?” said Arthur.
Madge remained silent for a moment. Arthur held both her hands in his own, waiting.
“I fear most from you, sweetheart,�
�� she said quietly.
“Me? You know you have nothing to fear from me. I am your beloved—I would lay down my life for you, Pretty Madge,” he said.
“You may not feel so after you hear my words. I may as well begin,” said Madge. She took a deep breath and swallowed hard.
“The queen has asked me to take an action which is both dangerous and odious to me. ’Tis also a mortal sin,” said Madge.
“She has not suggested murder, has she? The lady Mary or the princess dowager?” said Arthur.
“No, no,” she said.
“Then out with it, dearest. Maybe I can help you accomplish this dangerous mission!” said Arthur.
Madge laughed out loud and then became quiet again.
“The queen wishes me to capture the king’s eye. She desires His Majesty should turn his attentions to me rather than to Mistress Seymour,” said Madge.
“But this is whoredom, mistress! You cannot give yourself to the king if that is not your desire—or is it your wish? I know well how His Majesty pays his whores! Jewels and silks and satins—the soul is a costly thing, as well the king knows. He has the means to purchase yours!” said Arthur, his voice cold and hard.
“No, ’tis not my desire to become the king’s whore—and I hope to avoid such if I can. But, I will do as the queen instructs me—she is my sovereign liege and I will help her within my power. She has been ever kind to me and has been my true friend since I came to court. She has lost her babe and her little Purkoy. She has lost the ability to bring the king to, well—the king has not virility with her and she fears it is because she is older now and has lost her beauty. She blames herself,” said Madge in the faintest of whispers.
“She still has beauty, though I will agree ’tis not as alluring as before. The stresses and strains of court have taken their toll. As for the king, he is in the middle of his years. Often, men who live as he has lived, those who eat their fill and drink their cups, have such difficulties. ’Tis not the queen’s fault,” said Arthur.
“Do you not see—the king faults her—and is ashamed in her presence. He will no longer come to her. And there are so many rogues who would see her fall from power, would see her put away or worse. Her state is desperate,” said Madge.
“That may be, but why sully such as you, dearest? Surely, there is another way!” said Arthur.
“You have not heard all. The queen has promised if I do this for her, she will see that we can marry and she will give us a small manor house near Great Snoring. We shall be away from this den of iniquity forever and shall live in happiness and peace near my own people,” said Madge.
“She dangles before us that which we desire above all else. Yet, I would not see you despoiled by such as the king. ’Twould be a stab unto mine own heart,” he said.
Madge raised her hands to cup his face. She looked deeply into his dark eyes.
“My love, I do not want to do this thing. But my queen asks it of me. And I believe her when she says her very life is in danger. My allegiance is to her and by following her commands, I follow God’s. She is an anointed queen and rules by God’s will. If I do not obey her, then I do not obey God,” said Madge.
“Is this what she has told you?” said Arthur.
“Yes. ’Tis also in a wondrous book and she showed me the pages. The Obedience of a Christian Man by Master Tyndale. This tome tells us our duty is always to obey our sovereign and in doing so, we obey God. Though it seems sin to us, such as the queen requests is really for the common good of all. For if the queen is successful and roots out the usurper, Mistress Seymour, then the king will return to her and, hopefully, get a son upon her,” said Madge.
“She has her ways with you, Pretty Madge. Does she tell you that you can avoid the king’s bed?”
“She believes this is true—if I but catch his eye and smile and dance and laugh with him before all the court, it will serve well enough. Because of his ‘troubles,’ the queen does not believe he will try to bed me—he will simply appear to do so in front of the court. Then, though the queen does not conceive, he will look to one and all the most active and virile of men,” said Madge.
“And what if it goes another way? What if he does demand you in his bed?” said Arthur.
“Then I shall go and I shall whisper good things about our queen. I will use that time to turn his mind once more to Anne,” said Madge.
“I like it not! I will not allow it!” said Arthur.
“You cannot allow or disallow such things, sir. You are not my husband nor have you any power here,” said Madge. She immediately regretted her harsh words and sought to soothe him. “I will make a pledge unto you. If it seems the king will have the use of my body, I will give myself to you first. You shall have my maidenhead and my love forever.”
“I do love you, Pretty Madge. I will take your pledge and give you one of mine own. Though you go to the king and are his for a while, I will continue to love you and we will marry,” said Arthur.
“Yes, my beloved. We shall be man and wife. When we are far away from all this, the memory of it shall fade like a bad dream. Happiness will rule us and I shall bear you many sons,” said Madge as she kissed him.
III
1535
That Thin Old Woman
DESCRIPTION OF QUEEN ANNE BY SPANISH AMBASSADOR EUSTACE CHAPUYS
Twenty-seven
“The king has taken notice of you already, Lady Margaret. I have seen him smile at you and he often inquires about your health. There is something between you, is there not?” said the queen as she spoke softly to Madge in the late evening. The two women sat across from each other at the gaming table, the queen sipping wine and Madge eating a quince tart and drinking hot milk.
“Yes, madame. Though ’tis not what you think—I had not wished to tell you of this but I want you to know His Majesty is innocent of lusting after such a one as I,” said Madge. She felt her cheeks grow hot remembering how the king had saved her from Norris.
“What then? Why this change in His Majesty’s manner toward you?” said the queen.
Madge did not know how to begin her story. She hesitated but the queen did not speak to fill the silence. Instead, Her Majesty waited. After a long moment, Madge gathered her courage and began the tale.
“While we were on Progress—that day of the archery contest between the ladies and the gentlemen—remember? Sir Norris set out to ravage me in the forest. He followed me to the great woods and if the king had not heard my screams, my virtue would be ruined. His Majesty pulled Norris off of my body where he had pinned me against a rock. The king has continued to help me by keeping Norris busy at court, giving him no time to pursue me. His Majesty warned him away from me, though we are still betrothed. At least I know Norris will not take me by force. That is our secret, Your Grace,” said Madge, her voice strained with recalling the frightful events of that day.
“Dear cousin, I am sorry for your trials. But for our new purpose, this situation is perfect. Old Harry likes to think himself a hero. For you, he actually is one. You can play on this, Margaret. Here is what you must do to bring him round,” said the queen, looking at Madge steadily. Madge held her gaze.
“First, when you catch him glancing your way, hold his eyes and then, very slowly lower yours. Then, if you are close enough to him, whisper that he looks especially handsome—make note of his clothing or the way he moves. If, perchance, he asks to partner you in the dance, hold yourself close to him and afterward, touch his arm when you speak. Flatter him and praise him. If you see that you have captured his interest, withdraw yourself and become shy and modest,” said the queen.
“Madame, I do not think I can do as you tell me—I am by nature modest and retiring. I am not one to call attention to myself. The king would know I was not myself,” said Madge.
“You must do exactly as I tell you—Margaret, you are comely and graceful—the whole court refers to you as Pretty Madge! Do you think the king does not know this? You would be a shiny coin in his po
cket,” said the queen.
“But what if he should wish to take me to his bed? You have told me he cannot complete the act but, excuse this, Your Majesty, what if he is able with me?” said Madge.
“Well, then go through with it. All the better!” said the queen.
“But Your Grace, his pate is balding. He hath a bigger belly than your own when you birthed Elizabeth. Indeed, he hath become old since then. And, well, there is an odor about him…” whispered Madge. She feared revealing the king’s flaws to his own wife, but she could not contain the revulsion she felt when she imagined His Majesty touching her person.
“He is no longer the handsomest prince in Christendom, it is true. Yet, there is much to admire in him—his courtesy and his hearty laugh. You are not instructed to love him, lady. You are instructed to woo him away from Jane Seymour—for my sake,” said the queen. “As for the smell, it comes from his leg and is not there always. Only when the leg has an open sore.”
“Think you he has the pox?” said Madge.
“No. The pox has other parts which His Majesty does not have. ’Tis his old jousting injury that sometimes vexes him. Pay it no mind,” said the queen.
“Madame, Master Brandon wishes me to ask it once more—will we be able to marry after I have done as you ask?” said Madge.
“Yes, yes. If all goes as I plan, you and Arthur will be wed by summer,” said the queen.
* * *
Toward the middle of February, after the Feast of St. Mathias the Apostle but before Lent, the queen held a gala event in her apartments. She invited several of her ladies including Mistress Seymour, Lady Rochford, who had just returned to court, and a few others, none of whom were beauties. Indeed, when Madge saw the list of those to come, she thought a plainer gathering of ladies she had not seen. The queen explained that in such a crowd, Madge would stand out even more than usual. The queen also asked His Majesty and most of his groomsmen to attend. Master Smeaton was to provide the music and the queen’s fools were preparing a humorous masque.
At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn Page 21
