Above All Others

by G Lawrence

  “You will never best my Diana,” Henry consoled her. “But you have a good eye, Lady Hervey, even if you have not the same strength in your arm as my Anne. Your arrows reach to the heart of the target… they just have not the resolve to stick in!” We laughed, and Bridget took his praise and his consolation with good grace.

  The days were warm and life was pleasurable for a while. We played and hunted, we distributed alms to religious houses when we rode out to visit them. We heard Mass in the morning, and abandoned ourselves to the pursuit of pleasure in the afternoon. At night we danced and talked, and tried to avoid the subject of Blackfriars, shying from the pain of that shame and misery. I was enjoying myself… until Wolsey came panting to the heel of his master, seeking titbits of favour.

  Although neither Henry nor I had any wish to see the gout-ridden, long-bearded, flatulent gas-bag that was Campeggio, there was no choice. He was an ambassador of Rome and had to be afforded the dignity of such a position.

  Suffolk was feeling petty, and gleefully told me that he had arranged for apartments for Campeggio, but not for Wolsey. I could not help but titter, especially when the two cardinals arrived and Wolsey had nowhere to lie down or get changed after his long and hot journey. The plan had the added advantage that Wolsey would not be able stay at Grafton and would therefore have less opportunity to work on Henry. Think ill of me, if you will, for this. It matters not. I understand well my own sins. The Cardinal was my enemy, and his fall was likely to be my salvation. I could not think badly of this treatment, this humiliation. He had oftentimes done the same to many others, and to me.

  When the two men arrived, Campeggio was greeted by Suffolk’s men and taken directly to his chambers where water had been prepared for him to wash. Wolsey was not even addressed. Wolsey watched as Campeggio was led away to comfortable quarters. Campeggio did not offer to share his rooms with Wolsey.

  Wolsey stood helplessly in his riding habit, outraged and confused. He caught one of Suffolk’s men by the sleeve as he passed, and hissed arrogantly “how can it be that no chambers are prepared for me?”

  “I was not told to prepare any,” the cheeky man answered with a shrug, and then turned his back on Wolsey and strolled away. Such a slight would have once earned him a thrashing, but now, the lower classes and the servants could join in the pleasure of defying this proud, overbearing man.

  And many were more than happy to see the Cardinal brought low. He had lorded over England for many years with conceit and pride, taking all that he could for himself and flaunting his power over us all. However pitiful he looked on that day, standing in the courtyard, unsure of what to do, it was well to remember that in the body and mind of that old man beat the heart of a ruthless political operator. If he found a way back to Henry, he would take revenge on us all.

  All the same, I gazed on him with some pity from a window. Wolsey was glancing about, perhaps for the first time in his life unsure of what to do. I steeled my heart against him. This was no time for weakness. Even now, with the evidence of that letter, it was clear he was working to remove me! We had brought him low, but he had not fallen, not yet. I could not falter now.

  That afternoon, I had arranged to ride out with my ladies, but we were not to go far as I did not want Wolsey sneaking in to see Henry without me. Campeggio was due to meet with Henry later that day, and I would be there. I wrinkled my nose when the fat bat entered the hall. As I passed him, he bowed, but I did not acknowledge him. My ladies and I swept by him on our way to the horses outside.

  “What a fine day to ride,” I said loudly, “and to wash away the odour of whatever that unpleasant smell inside the house is.” My ladies laughed cruelly with me as we gaily mounted our horses. Wolsey had worked against many members of their families too, so they had no reason to like him. Wolsey stared at us in confusion, and I gave him a triumphant glance from my horse. Now he would understand how it felt to be humiliated and put down, as he had done to me! Margaret and Nan were still giggling at Wolsey’s discomfort as we rode away.

  In the end, Norris offered his chamber to Wolsey so that he could change before meeting the King. I returned from my ride flushed and excited for the next battle. I washed, changed and was walking to Henry’s Presence Chamber when Norris caught me on the stairs, his cheeks bright with outrage. “You and Suffolk would leave an old man out in the cold, my lady!” he said hotly as I passed.

  “You forget yourself, Norris…” I looked the handsome man up and down. “And I have never left a friend in the cold.”

  “It seems to me, my lady, it is perhaps the way we treat our enemies, rather than how we treat our friends, that shows who we really are.” He looked at me with censure, and under his gaze I felt ashamed.

  “You are bold today, Norris,” I said, my cheeks colouring to match his.

  “Just making conversation, my lady.”

  “No, not just conversation, Norris,” I said and sighed. “This world is hard for men, Norris… men must be hard to live at court. They must be able to make decisions and face the consequences. Sometimes it falls upon women to make those kinds of choices too.” I stepped closer to him and touched his arm. His handsome face, slightly like my Henry’s, was not far away from mine. For a moment, we but stared at each other. I saw his eyes trace the shape of my lips and his body soften with the closing of the distance between us. Until this moment, we had been good friends. I did not like the manner in which he had spoken to me, but I liked even less the way he was now looking at me. His gaze held censure, even if his body seemed to wish to move towards mine.

  “I will not let anyone harm those I love,” I said. “I will not let this man harm my family, my country or my King.”

  I stepped back. Norris was wearing a confused expression. I had thought in the past that he was attracted to me. There is much false play at court, but with Norris I had the sense that his words of admiration were true. There, in that hallway, my senses told me that my previous suspicions were correct. And there was a part of me that was attracted to him. I know not if it was because he reminded me of Henry in some small way, or if it was because he called upon the softer edges of my conscience to show pity, even to an enemy, which would have been the Christian way to behave. But in some way, then, I was drawn to Norris. It was not the same as the love I had for Henry, but still, it was strong.

  “Do not make yourself uncomfortable, my lady, in explaining your actions to me.” Norris looked at the floor, and then back at my eyes. “There is no one like you, my lady. No one can love like you and no one can hate like you either, it seems… But I would not like to see these events ruin the gentleness in you that I can see even if others do not. You are a lady, Mistress Boleyn, sometimes it would be better to be a lady, in truth, rather than having to play the part of a general.”

  I smiled sadly, taking my hand from his arm. “Sometimes we have no choice in what we turn out to be, Norris. Sometimes Fortune’s wheel turns and we have to find a way to stay on it.”

  I inclined my head by way of a dismissal, and I walked to Henry’s chambers, hearing Norris’s words ring in my head. I did not like that he thought badly of me, and the thought was strange, for there were so many others who thought ill of me, and I was able to bear their displeasure.

  I realised that I liked Norris, as a friend, of course, and that was therefore why his censure upset me. But I had to shrug it off. There were battles to be faced, and I could not weaken now.

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Grafton Lodge

  Summer’s End 1529

  When I reached the Presence Chamber I found it packed. Even those courtiers who were lodged at far away houses had come to watch the return of the Cardinal. They wanted to see if Henry would take him back; if Wolsey’s old magic would work once more on their King. Although in public nothing had been said, everyone knew that in private there was much talk and accusation against the Cardinal and they all wanted front row seats to witness either his fall or mine… Many thought my position had be
en weakened by the events at Blackfriars, and perhaps they were right in some ways, but I was ever assured of Henry’s love. He would not abandon me… at least, I hoped he would not.

  My father, brother, and Norfolk stood with Suffolk near to the dais and they bowed to me as I entered. I responded with an elegant curtsey and we settled to talking. My brother gave me wine and chatted to my ladies, now crowding near to me and giggling at my brother’s tall tales. My brother had left Jane behind again. He took care to travel without her whenever possible. My father found her endlessly tedious also and so never insisted that she accompany us, even for the sake of a grandchild from George. Jane had not been able to produce another pregnancy since the last miscarriage she had suffered, and my mother was despairing of George ever producing a legitimate heir. There had been some private talk of his gaining an annulment due to Jane’s infertility and marrying again, but he was in no rush to do so, being rather busy helping the King with his own marriage problems.

  Campeggio and Wolsey entered after me. Campeggio walked with a stick now. His swollen, gouty limbs were infirm and he sat as soon as he could to take a goblet from his servant, staining his long ratty beard red with wine. Wolsey stood, and I watched him as I pretended to be lost in conversation with Suffolk and Norfolk. Wolsey had lost more weight. I could see the red robes of his Cardinal’s attire hanging off him. It brought another stab of pity to my heart, and I tried to dismiss it, without full success.

  Wolsey bowed his head to me in greeting and I inclined my head curtly to him. For a moment, I felt my heart catch as I saw the sorrow in his eyes, and at the thought of Norris calling him an ‘old man’. I fought to remember all that he had done. This man is no friend to you, Anne Boleyn! my mind shouted at my heart. Show him mercy now and it will be as giving up your neck to the wolf to chew upon!

  Me and Mine, I repeated that motto to myself. Me and Mine and no other. I could have no pity for this man.

  Finally, Henry entered and called us to rise from our assorted curtseys and bows. His eyes scanned the crowd, found mine, and he hurried to my side, sweeping his arm around me, caressing my hair and kissing my cheek as he greeted me. There was murmuring from the crowds. Henry was entirely open in his affection to me in public now. He wanted all to know that he adored me above all others. He wanted, too, for all to know that no matter what came from the Pope, he was going to marry me.

  Then, suddenly and much to my surprise and my family’s chagrin, Henry spotted Wolsey, and went to him. Wolsey fell to his knees, causing a booming sound as he hit the floor, and wrenched his hat from his head, muttering words of supplication and greeting. Henry smiled at the Cardinal’s bare head with its thin hair, and raised Wolsey to face him. He looked on Wolsey with both compassion and affection, greeted him, and made Wolsey put his hat back on his sweating head. Henry asked Wolsey in a most gentle tone if he had recovered from his recent illness. I stood amazed. Such was the barrage of insult we had put against the Cardinal I had thought that Henry might react to his presence with anger, or distrust. It was unbelievable. Many surrounding us tittered into their starched lace sleeves to see our faces, staring at Henry and Wolsey as though we could not believe it.

  I was crushed. My uncle’s face went pale.

  Henry drew Wolsey to a side seat near a window and the two conversed. It seemed as though they talked of friendly things, although none of us could hear their words well. I was stunned and stood gaping until my brother rapped me on the knuckles gently to remind me to keep my court mask upon my face. Too many people watched my every move and facial expression in these days to allow an unguarded look to betray my surprise and deflation. But I could hardly believe what Henry was doing! What was he doing? How could he make friends with my enemy? I cursed all the feelings of pity I had felt for Wolsey that day, and I threw Norris into those curses for making me ashamed of my behaviour. If Wolsey slimed his way back into Henry’s graces, then would I find myself no longer welcome at court? And if this was Henry’s intention, why had he greeted me and made so public his affection for me? Was he trying to keep us both at his side, even now? What was going on?

  We pretended to converse, whilst all the time watching the Cardinal and Henry talk in the alcove. At one point Henry pulled out a letter and challenged the Cardinal. I had no doubt it was the letter my father had intercepted. At least in that I was pleased. “Come, Thomas,” Henry said. He spoke softly. I had to crane my neck to hear him. “This is your hand is it not?”

  The Cardinal’s replies we could not hear, although Henry seemed worryingly reassured by them. It seemed as though, once back in his presence, Henry was as easily led by the Cardinal as he had always been. Watching this, I caught my father’s eye. He had been thinking the same as I, it seemed, for he whispered under his breath, “we must needs take the hair and the head apart if we are to succeed.”

  I nodded. No more could we allow them to meet like this. I must put a barrier between them.

  That night Henry and I supped together. The Cardinal had left Grafton to find a bed for the night, and the others of our party slipped away, too, as Henry and I went to our dinner. It was a fine feast; servants brought us pottage of summer herbs and flaked fish, fresh venison from the deer we had hunted that week and warm salads of cabbage and carrots. Baked lampreys and sops in wine were followed by peas royal, prunes in syrup and apricot marmalade. I stabbed at the lampreys, transferring them from their bright green glazed dish to Henry’s silver plate, and as I did, I spoke as though I had just considered a new thought. “Is it not a marvellous thing, my lord, to consider what debt and danger the Cardinal has brought you to with all your subjects?”

  Henry looked puzzled, then pursed his lips, perhaps tired of my constant wrangling about Wolsey. “How so, sweetheart?” he asked, taking up his knife and eating one of the smaller lampreys whole.

  I laughed lightly, spooning some broth to my own plate. “Truly Henry, there is not a man in all your realm who is worth anything that is not indebted to you, by Wolsey, in the taxes that he has rent upon your subjects.”

  “Well, well,” Henry tried to push the subject aside. “There is in him no blame for that, and I know that matter better than you, or any other, my love.”

  Katherine, or another wise woman, would have left it there, hearing his warning tone, but I hated to be pushed aside as if my opinion did not matter. “No, sire,” I continued, putting my spoon into the bright green peas. “Besides all else he has done, there are many things he has wrought within this realm that give to your great slander and dishonour in the eyes of your people. Any nobleman in this realm who had done but half so much as the Cardinal has done, would be well worthy to lose his head. He is a traitor to Your Majesty, I see that clearly enough.”

  Henry started, his eyes opening wide. Although I had given him ample reason to suspect that I did not trust the Cardinal and believed him my enemy, I had never openly accused him of being a traitor before. “Why then!” Henry blinked with surprise. “I see that you are no friend of the Cardinal.”

  I looked deep into Henry’s eyes. There was a moment that passed between us in which he seemed to understand me; there could only be one of us. Either the Cardinal or I, not both, could continue past this point. Henry would have to choose between us.

  I spoke carefully. “I have no cause to love any man that loves not Your Grace. Nor would you, my love, if you consider well his doings.” I stared unhappily at my plate for a moment, and then I rose. “I have a headache, Your Majesty.” Henry stared at me as I started to leave the table.

  “Anne…” he pleaded. “Stay… please.”

  I shook my head. Tears leapt to my eyes. In that moment my fears threatened to envelop me. “I have to go,” I whispered.

  I left the dinner and the diner, who sat staring after me with troubled eyes. I knew that I was causing Henry pain, but I had no choice. The time had come. Henry needed to decide which of us was more important to him.

  That night, I formed a plan, and sent for
Gardiner to help me. I ordered the King’s servants to prepare for a day away in the countryside on the next morn, to pack food and blankets so that we might ride out into the parks at Hartwell with the dawn, and stay there all day. I then instructed Gardiner to go to Wolsey with a show of reconciliation, and to delay his arrival at Grafton the next day.

  “You said that you were my man, Gardiner,” I reminded him, watching his frown deepen. “So prove yourself to me now.”