“Oh, Jane! You naughty girl!” Anne teased.
“What are you doing out here?!” George shouted at her, laughing and begins to playfully hit her with his hat and try to chase her away.
“Oh and I am pleased to see you too!” Anne retorts. “What am I doing?! Speak for yourself!” Anne begins to giggle hysterically and the two siblings wrestle each other to the ground.
“You’ve picked up some bad habits from that French court, Anne!” George joked. “Is it true that they have spy holes everywhere?! They are all voyeurs?!”
“Really?” I ask surprised.
“Don’t listen to him!” Anne replies and gets up. “Silly George! The French court is the most cultured in Europe. They have art, style and books!” George then gets up and gives Anne a look at the mention of “ books”. It was as if to tell her “Don’t say anymore”.
“Books?” I ask, breaking the awkward silence.
“Yes! Just silly romances that you women like!” George said interrupting in a hurried tone. “It doesn’t take much to excite our Anne!” George knocks Anne back down to the ground again and traps her in some arm lock.
Anne in hysterics screams back “Stop it or I’ll tell father about you two!” George surrenders and helps Anne back up.
I stare at Anne. France has changed her so much from when I last saw her. I don’t know what it is, but it is as if she becomes more French every time I see her. She’s adopted their fashion of the French Hood and acts like a French woman. Anne has this elegant grace about her, something I cannot put a finger on, but wish I had myself. She smooths down her long, dark hair before rearranging her Hood back on her head and brushes away the grass from her blue and silver gown. Her coal black eyes catch mine. “It’s nice to see you at the wedding finally” I tell her. “We really were not sure if you would turn up.”
“Thanks, it’s great to see you too Jane! Yes, Her Majesty Queen Claude did allow me some time to come back briefly. I couldn’t miss my sister’s wedding.” Anne replies. She briefly looks at George. He’s looking at me, amused probably at the speed it has taken me to smarten myself up again. “Don’t worry Jane! My brother isn’t all that bad!” Anne smiles at him cheekily. George offers one arm to Anne and then, another arm to me and all three of us walk back towards the Palace. “And remember behave yourselves you two,” Anne says, “or I’ll have my father push you both into the Thames to cool down!”
It was the evening and everyone was gathering around the bedchamber. This was the highlight of the day. Man and wife were going to consummate their marriage. Mary was prepared for her big night as her attendants solemnly helped her into her night gown and did her hair. In the meantime, William was accompanied to the bedchamber by a rowdy group of men making bawdy chants. “I don’t know why she’s bothering,” said Anne. “It’s not like she hasn’t been there and done it before!”
“What exactly are they going to do?” I asked Anne rather naively. Anne looks at me with mock shock.
“Oh Jane! You did not just ask me that!” Anne replied. “Seriously? You don’t know?” To be honest, I don’t think I knew myself the answer to that question. My mother never really went into a lot of detail about the wedding night. I knew that roughly something happens and that the woman is no longer a maid afterwards, but she never gave me specifics. She would tell me that my husband would show me. “It’s a bit like what you and my brother nearly did just a couple of hours ago!” Anne added and began to laugh. Shocked, but still confused, I lightly hit her arm to keep her quiet. “Oh Jane! You are such a funny thing!” I’m not sure myself what had just happened outside in the gardens. When I was with George, I felt things that I had never felt with any other man I had met. I felt urges. I wanted him to touch me, kiss me, and hold me close against his muscled torso. “God help us if you and my brother ever married!” Anne said, interrupting my pleasant daydream. “After what I saw today, I think I’ll be traumatized for life!”
We all stood in the bedchamber and watched as William and Mary were put to bed. The priest made a blessing and then we were all ushered out of the room. I caught site of George on the other side of the room. As he left the room, he mouthed to Mary “Good luck” and gave her a wink. Mary tried to suppress a smile. George then came to our side and followed Anne and I out of the room. “She’ll be fine” he said in a whisper. “She’s had lots of practice”.
It was very late into the night. Both Anne and I shared a room. We had a huge, double-bed opposite a great window that looked out onto the gardens below. At dawn, I crept out of the bed and walked to the window, watching the sun slowly light up the sky in shades of orange and rose. I suddenly felt home-sick, thinking of growing-up in Great Hallingbury. I heard Anne slowly stir in the bed. I turned round and she slowly sat up. “You do rise early, don’t you Jane? I guess you’re used to it, having to get up at dawn to pray with the Queen.”
“Yes, sometimes” I replied. “The Queen is a very pious woman.”
Anne hugged her knees to her chest and looked thoughtfully. “I often wonder how the average person manages to pray and understand the stories of Jesus when they may not know Latin. In an ideal world, they should see it in their own language.” I stood back, a little bit startled by her admission. In their own language? Impossible! Such an idea sounded uncomfortable to me.
“I’m not sure Anne,” I replied. “Letting everyone know too much information can be dangerous, particularly if it is the words of God.”
“Utter nonsense!” Anne exclaimed. “I don’t think that it’s right that the clergy should act as ‘gate keepers’ to the stories of Jesus’ good works. This information should be read and understood by all.”
“Is this something else that you have realized in France?” I ask her.
Anne becomes quiet. Maybe she feels that she has said too much. “Never mind! Go back to sleep Jane. The Queen isn’t here to drag you to the chapel.”
I then heard a stirring near the doorway. Both Anne and I turned. It was Mary. “Oh well, here is the buxom bride!” Anne jeered at Mary. “Well, come on! Tell us the details!” She patted a space on the bed next to her for Mary to sit.
“Shhhh!!” Both Mary and I said together at Anne.
“People are still sleeping!” Mary said.
“What? Including William? Of course he is! He probably has been overcome by the night’s exertions!” Anne replied.
Mary made her way to the bed and sat next to Anne. I came closer to listen to what she had to say with curiosity. “Um, well, there’s nothing to say really! It was all over very quick. He did the deed, rolled over and then, fell asleep!” Mary said.
“Oh, ok then,” Anne replied disappointed. “To be honest, I wouldn’t have expected anything more from him. Ok Mary if you don’t mind, I need to get a few more minutes sleep before father comes up no doubt to drag me out of bed for something before I leave to go back to France.”
Mary gets up and makes her way out of the room. She then stops and says to me “By the way, Jane. I am coming to court with you!”
Anne looks up from her pillow. “With company like that Jane, those cold, winter nights will fly by!”
March 1520, Greenwich Palace.
It was mid-morning and Catherine, King Henry and Cardinal Wolsey were gathered in the King’s presence chamber. Anna and I along with a handful of other ladies-in-waiting watched as Henry and Wolsey discussed the upcoming summit to take place in France in June. It was to be a peaceful meeting with the French King Francis I and Queen Claude. Wolsey outlined the plans which appeared to be an impressive show of extravagance. Henry’s eyes lit up as Wolsey gave a run through of what was to be expected. “It will last for seventeen days! There will be luxurious pavilions, beautifully coloured tents, temporary wooden palaces! I hear also that Queen Claude is searching for beautiful young women to accompany her to the event!” Wolsey said with a wink on the last line.
“I should hope so Thomas!” Henry replied laughing. “We need such an incentive to
get us across the narrow sea quicker!” Catherine remained silent. If she was not amused, you would not know it. She was very good at hiding her true feelings.
“How many people may accompany us?” Catherine asked, trying to quickly steel things to more serious matters.
“We may bring up to 1,175 people and 778 horses” replied Wolsey.
“And make sure you bring some beautiful English ladies!” Henry chipped in. This was followed by some laughter by Henry and Wolsey.
“Of course,” replied Catherine with her smile. “Many of my ladies are beautiful women and they will be attending on me.” She then looked at Anna and me. I sneaked a grin at Anna. We couldn’t contain our excitement. This was going to be my first ever foreign summit!
“Hmmm, yes I suppose that will be acceptable,” Henry replied. He stared at me for a bit longer than normal. I found it a bit unnerving, but tried to ignore it and smiled sweetly back. As much as I would think it a great compliment of my King to think of me as beautiful, there was something that I just didn’t find comfortable about this.
“Also, what of my nephew Charles?” Catherine then interrupted. There was a sudden silence. They all knew that a French alliance also could go against both Henry’s and Spain’s interests.
“What of him?” Henry replied irritated. He hated it when Catherine got involved in politics. Just because Charles V was her nephew, it didn’t mean that she controlled everything. Politics was his area.
“Your Majesty” Wolsey interrupted. “As you know, we cannot upset Spain. Maybe we could possibly meet on some middle ground here?”
“I suggest that you meet my nephew both before and after the meeting with the French” Catherine said. Henry looked on irritated, but then his expression relaxed. He then realized that showing too much favouritism to France could go against him.
“Oh, very well,” Henry replied, almost in resignation.
“Very good, Your Majesty,” said Wolsey. “I will get onto this as soon as possible.” Wolsey bowed to both Catherine and Henry. As he came back up, I noticed both Wolsey and Catherine exchange sharp looks between each other. It seems that Henry was not the only man that was mildly irritated with Catherine’s interference. Wolsey then left the room.
Some of the Ladies began to chatter quietly amongst themselves. “This is so exciting!” I told Anna.
“I know! I can’t believe it!” Anna replied.
“What am I going to wear?!” I asked.
It was late-afternoon and I was strolling towards the gardens. I then noticed a man behind me. I turned, startling a young, rather nervous boy. “Sorry to surprise you!” He said, jumping back and bowing. I curtseyed in return. He was no more than five foot high in height and looked about ten years old. I noticed that by his clothing he was an assistant of Wolsey. Poor boy. A general dog’s body more like! “I bring a message from His Eminence, the Cardinal. He would like to see you now.”
“See me?” I replied very puzzled. Why on earth would he want to see me? I followed the little Page boy who led me to the Cardinal’s apartments in the Palace not asking any further questions.
We reached a great oak door. The Page boy opened it slowly and led me in. The Cardinal sat at his desk in his bright red garments. “Your Eminence, here is Mistress Jane Parker. Mistress Parker, here is His Eminence, Cardinal Wolsey.” The page boy said needlessly as we all knew what Cardinal Wolsey looked like.
“Mistress Parker! Thank you for coming along!” Said the Cardinal, as he rose from his seat. “Please take a seat.” He pulled out the chair on the other side of the desk for me and I obediently walked over and sat down. “Would you like some ale?”
“Yes, please,” I responded and he ushered the Page to fetch me some ale.
“I just wanted to have a chat. I know that you haven’t been with us for long? You serve the Queen very closely I believe?”
“Yes, that’s right, Your Eminence. I am one of Queen Catherine’s ladies-in-waiting and have been so since October last year.” I replied.
“I see. How are you finding it? Do you like what you do?”
“Yes, very much,” I replied. “The Queen is a kind and good woman. Her Majesty is very pious too. It is a great pleasure being in her company.”
Wolsey got up and then started walking around the room, looking slightly irritated. “Yes, that is right Mistress Parker, she is a woman and needs to remember her place. Her role is to produce an heir. Not to dabble in politics which is the care of myself and the King!” I sat back, slightly shocked and not knowing what to say next to the Cardinal’s outburst. He came closer to my chair. “Mistress Parker, I would like you to keep an eye on the Queen. Report to me anything she says about politics or even any messages she attempts to send to that lovely nephew of hers’.” He can see the hesitancy in my eyes. I don’t want to betray this good woman. She has never done anything to me. He indicates to the Page boy to lock the door. I feel the anxiety rising within as I hear the bolts of the door lock. I move further back into the chair. I start to feel dizzy and the room feels like it is getting smaller and smaller. The Cardinal grabs both sides of the chair as if to trap me. “Mistress Parker, if you do not comply with this request, you will not be able to attend the French summit in June. In fact, I will make your Father, Lord Morley, send you back home to Great Hallingbury for good, where you can spend the rest of your days tending chickens.” Feeling backed into a corner, I reluctantly nodded.
“Yes, Your Eminence,” I responded solemnly. The Cardinal was a powerful man. There was nothing I could do to challenge him on this.
“Very good, Mistress Parker,” he replied, stepping back and returning to his side of the desk. “That is all. You may now go.” He said calmly. He continued with his paperwork as normal, as if nothing had happened. I got up and walked to the door. He then called after me “Oh, one more thing. If you do repeat this conversation to anyone, I will relieve you of your job even sooner. Do I make myself clear?” I nodded again, feeling defeated and reached for the door. The young Page unlocked the door and smiled nervously at me.
I left the room and walked briskly to my room. I was relieved to find no one was there. I closed the door and the tears I had been holding back came flooding out in a torrent. I cried for an hour. I knew I had to do this and I had no choice. I had heard about spies at court, but never took these rumours seriously. Now I had found the hard way that life at court wasn’t all splendors and that spying did occur. Being at court is everything though. To be around the King and Queen - this is what everyone wants to do. It is this life or nothing.
I was beginning to learn the hard way, however, that staying at court came with a price.
That night, I found it hard to sleep. Anna noticed that I was particularly restless. “Are you ok Jane?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. I can’t sleep with the excitement of going to the summit in June!” I lied to her. I couldn’t tell Anna the truth as I feared the consequences from the Cardinal.
“Oh, I know!” Anna said. The smile then faded from her face and she then looked troubled. “I wonder though if I will be able to see it.”
“What do you mean?” I asked her. I sat upright surprised.
“I’m thinking of leaving the court and returning to Spain.” Anna replied.
“What?! Why Anna?” I asked her, very confused.
“I just don’t think the life of the court is for me,” she replied. She slowly got out of bed and walked to the fireplace. The fire was still smouldering. She lit a candle and brought this back to her bedside table.
“Would the Queen allow this though? Does the Queen know? What does your family think of this?” I asked her.
“The Queen is ok about this. I told her that I had to return to my family and she was very understanding about this.” Anna replied.
I paused for a moment and then asked her “And what is the real reason for you leaving court? Has something bad happened?”
Anna hesitated and then said “Jane, I can’t te
ll you. Basically, life at court is not for me. I cannot live a lie. I am not a sycophant. I wanted to serve Catherine with honour and integrity. She is a good woman and I have a lot of respect for her. I cannot be one thing to her and then quite another when not in her presence.”
I paused and then began to ask myself if the Cardinal had bullied Anna too. Did he want to turn all of us into his spies? I daren’t press her about this, however. If it is true, then he obviously has bullied Anna into silence. I would not want to compromise her exit from the court in any way. Anna is lucky too that she can run away to Spain. I don’t think I would have such an easy alternative. My parents would be so disappointed in me. They have brought me up to this role all my life. If I throw it away, I will be letting them down and may even compromise my father’s position at court.
I have to stay here and obey the King’s will, whatever that may entail.
“Well, I will be sad to see you go!” I tell her. “I wish you the best of luck. When are you going?”
“Next week.” Anna replied.
“What?! So soon?!” I replied astounded.
“Yes, I’m afraid there is no point delaying things.” Anna said. “I hope your new roommate is as fun as me!” I laughed and then lied back down on my bed. Anna blew out the candle and we both got back to sleep. Yes, I could do with some laughter in this place.
The sadness of Anna’s departure was quickly compensated when a familiar face showed herself in the doorway. “Mary!” I exclaimed. I dropped my prayer book onto my bed, lept up and gave her a hug. “So nice to see you again!”
“Jane, it’s so great to see you too! I’m so lucky that we will be in the same room!” Mary replied.
The Lady Rochford Saga Part 1: Into the Ranks of the Deceived Page 3
