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Author
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Topic: Prince Henry's laments
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whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 12:52 PM
  
For the record I want to say if people not registered here are reading this, this is a story written in apology, people do very cruel things when you take something dear away from them. I'm sorry for the people on Lindagoodman that don't' know what I am talking about.
Anyway this story is based off of historical fact. And the encounters described actually happened. Father is weeping in his sleep again. He cries through his nose in a wispy manner and sniffles much. I shift uncomfortably in mine own bed.
I am fifteen years old, and for the past seven months have been made to sleep in the room adjoining the King's which can only be entered by first going through his bed-chamber. I am the King's only remaining son and he shall have no sickness strike me like my brother, Arthur. Arthur died three years past and I must hear at least four times a week, sometimes a day, about how God took the wrong son.
He almost recovered his happiness after his Pride was taken from him, but then my Mother followed only a year and a half later delivering of my baby sister who perished as well. And then King Henry VII's anguish truly spiraled out of control and the King has become especially cruel and miserly due to it. My Father masks his hurt with anger, and who but me is the target of such rages?
Still, it is a strange thing to hear my Father cry. And with my luck, I've awoken with a stiff **** . I'll not rub it out, it is too strange.
I sigh and take from off my chest the deep blue lacquered rosary beads my Grandmother Margaret gifted me for my birthday three days past. I make my way to the opposite end of the room where the Virgin looms. It seems she is looking at me, as I light the candles.
"In nomine Patris et fillii et Spiritus Sanctii." I recite in perfect Latin as I cross myself.
After the first decade of the Joyful Mystery's is recited I go back to the bed and my mind ponders.
On the night after my birthday I decided brilliantly that what Charles Brandon had gifted me would impress the King.
We were sitting at the small oak table in the middle of his bed chamber enjoying our black bird pies. Father has a strange way of eating: sunken, defeated, slouching in his chair, he consumes his food slowly and in a way where he seems to accent heavily the spoon from his mouth. I eat swift, but I am to sit there until he finishes. Often we do not speak. Still, for the silence, I think my presence gives him some sort of comfort.
I smiled proudly and from out my sleeve pulled out a new eating utensil that they use in France. Maybe I thought it would make him happy since he now seeks a French alliance.
His grey blue eyes squinted from across the table. I think he noticed the gleam on the metal first. They were hesitant, yet, curious.
"What's that?" He asked.
I smiled at my chance.
"It's called a fork Father. They use them in France, here, let me show you, 'tis much easier to eat your meat pie with this than with a spoon."
"Fancy yourself above mine English silver!?" He demanded instead, insulted. "Then you must be too good for my food and my drink as well!" With that he reached across the table and threw it to the other side of the room.
"Now eat it like a French dog! No, no, go to bed." I still have a feeling of fear that the King might punish Charles Brandon. He is not fond of him since what he said to me of my Mother. Why did I have to tell? Why do I always have to tell? But, still I am grateful the King allows my best friend as my courtier. Thomas Brandon was originally Arthur's hired companion, but after Arthur's passing, he was given to my employment and entertainment. Though, the King is strict with him.
"I heard rumour that your Mother was once in love with the incestuous child murder." He told me last year. The incestuous child murderer is none other then the evil King Richard III, my Mother's Uncle, who tried to pursue marriage with her and murdered her brothers to usurp the crown. It is he that my Father defeated for the throne of England.
Anyway it irked at me mightily, so I asked Father of it.
"Was my Mother ever in love with King Richard?"
His eyes showed a disgust and an outrage.
"No! Who has told you such nasty things!?" At first I turned mine head, but the King struck me across the face and declared I would not leave my room until I came out with it.
"And I'll know if you lie, I always know."
So I had to reveal it.
That night Charles Brandon was called into the King's office.
I listened outside.
"Who do you think you are!? To doubt the virtue of my beautiful late Queen!? I'd dismiss you now if you were not the son of my chief barer at Bosworth and mine Arthur were not so taken with you. You keep that in mind Charles Brandon, and that I can throw thee out on the street as a bagger if I so choose! Now what have you to say for yourself?"
"I..I'm sorry Your Grace." came his voice. "I did not mean to devalue the late Queen in any regard. It was simply chatter."
"See that it was! You are to have only breakfast and supper, thou shall no longer consume a lunch! Now leave!"
He walked out with his hands in the pockets of his hose.
"Why did you have to tell him that?"
"I'm sorry," I replied. "Truly I am Charles Brandon."
He shrugged. "Tennis?" And we went for a game.
After a year the King has kept his word, Charles Brandon is not allowed lunch and anyone caught doing so will loose the privileges of meals for the day. Still, I slip him bits of my own here and there when no one looks. Indeed, I wouldn't be punished with a lost meal, the King needs me in good health as his heir, still something would befall me...
It is a dangerous thing to insult my late Mother or late Brother to the King. Queen Isabella learned the hard way, she did not insult my her in the letter so much, but she demanded Princess Catherine back, my brother's widow, now that the closest thing to a mother she had in England was deceased. But, how Queen Isabella of Spain began the letter.
"Now that the closest thing our daughter had to a mother in your country, we wish for her back." She did not express condolences and it enraged my father.
That happened three months after my mother's death. Father laughed and shook his head.
"They'll not have their daughter back." And a devilish smile crossed his face.
He wrote back stating that he would instead betroth me to Princess Catherine, but requested another dowry. Hesitantly the King Ferdinand of Spain agreed and another dowry was sent. But there was no plans of betrothing me to her. And so an English King, no less of Welsh origin cheated the King of Spain out of two dowry's.
It is a strange thing, my father has enough pence to match the King of France, the King of Spain, the King of Portugal, the King of Denmark, the King of Sweden and the Kings of Italy combined. He's not on good terms with Rome as a result. He wrote the Pope himself.
'Are you going to send an army on me? Forget thee not I am the richest sovereign in all of Europe second only to you.' The Pope is the cousin to Princess Catherine's Father. And the marriage was not wanted on their part, still, I think they figured she would be well provided for with how much money he has. And I think Queen Isabella is very taken with King Henry for the fact that he won his crown through conquest, just like her. And indeed they are third cousins, descended both from John of Gaunt, the first Duke of Lancaster.
But the King blames her daughter's sexual vitality for Arthur's death. Mother sent her many gifts and money while alive. But when she died it came to an abrupt stop and now the King does not even send food to her in the cold climate of Ludlow Castle. She's had to release many servants from her party because of it. -side note actual fact of Henry VII and how much money he had- -Another side note, this is actually how Catherine of Aragon was treated because King Henry VII was under the impression that Arthur died because she pushed him too hard to have sex with her- -Henry VIII introduced forks to England-
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whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 01:17 PM
I awaken, there is no window in my bed-chamber.
It is late noon though, I can tell. I've always been good with the time even indoors.
I exit my chambers to see that the portraits of Arthur and Mother have been removed from the wall. This happens from time to time, but they are always put back.
A servant is making clean the King's room.
"Prince Henry Tudor, the King shall see you in his third banking room."
I shrug. And go.
Father is so rich that he actually has five banking rooms stacked to the walls with copper, gold, and silver coins. However, he spends little, if any of it. We are only allowed to burn four pieces of firewood a day, and the servants get one, but all the kindling they need. They are told to make it last.
"You wanted to see me Sire?" I ask as I enter.
He is counting a stack of coins, he does this a lot, but he couldn't possibly count a whole room in a day. I think he finds something therapeutic in it...The soldiers guard the banking rooms heavily, and only he has the key.
"Yes, sit, sit Henry," he says and motions to the chair across from his desk.
"Have you had breakfast?" I shake mine head.
"Well thou has missed that opportunity now. And what is a future King of England doing sleeping until this hour!?"
"Forgive me Father." I say, head hung in shame.
"Granted, but you do keep in mind that Arthur would have led this country to a golden age and you will lead it to a silver one at best," he adds this with a stern look.
"Now tell me what a gold coin is worth to a copper one."
"Eight pence to two." I reply.
"Good, good." "And to silver?"
"Five and a half Your Grace."
"You have studied then?" His face shows admiration and I smile slightly, but in mine heart feel a great joy that I am today in the King's good favor.
I've eight hundred thousand pence Henry." And he writes this down on the parchment in front of him. -In modern American dollars, King Henry VII's fortune was equal to 4.4 trillion-
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whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 01:37 PM
"The Kings of the Continent do doubt English blood and even more Welsh." He winks at me. And I nod in agreement. It is rare that the King is good to me, so I bask in it as best I can. Father is only half Welsh, Grandmother Margaret is English, though there is only one race of people in Europe below the Welsh and that is the Irish.
"Go and be on thine own today, you have pleased me well." I rise, bow low and give my thanks. I exit to see Grandmother Margaret walking down the hall.
She is an elderly, forlorn figure with a wrinkled face. She dresses like a nun, though she is not one. Her hair is never shown and is pious to an extremity unmatched by anyone I have ever known. She's a bitter woman. I think because she wanted to enter the church, but was forced to marry Edmund Tudor, half brother of King Henry VI, strictly for if the House of Lancaster needed another heir, and at the age of twelve delivered of my Father.
But her and I get on well.
"How Now Lady Grandmother?" I inquire, she stops and peers at me.
"Hal, how now?" She asks plainly.
"Well, and you?" She shrugs. "As well as I can be, my eggs were burnt so I've decided it a sign from God that he wishes for me to fast." She wines. Grandmother Margaret complains often, but she condones it by saying it is the Lord's way of chastising or testing her and results in fasts or walking barefoot to the Abby barefoot to kiss the holy tiles that the statue of Christ on the Cross overlooks.
"Have you made use of your beads?" She inquires.
I nod.
"Good, now to the bible with thee, make good use of the Latin thy Father has paid to have you taught. I tell you Hal, if I could read the bible, I'd not leave my room." And walks away.
Never in English history have the royal children been taught Latin, but Arthur could speak it perfectly and so do Margaret and I, and Mary is coming along nicely.
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whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 01:38 PM
woop editIP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 02:29 PM
"It is abominable how you keep my sister's child!" It is the next day and Aunt Cecily has paid us a visit.
She is in my Father's office, I hear them outside the door.
Aunt Cecily and Father hate each other. Aunt Cecily is very outspoken for a woman. Aunt Cecily is...Aunt Cecily...I remember once Margaret scoffed at her when Mother wanted to be left alone with her sister."
"What kind of respect is this?" She asked in a teasing manner. She loves to egg people on, constantly testing their boundaries.
It was shortly after Margaret was betrothed to King James IV of Scotland.
"Oh, Cecily, she is to marry the Scottish King. Just like you once." Mother said.
She clucked her tongue three times. "Then I should perhaps take pity."
She always brings me a present. She's knitted me a cap and embroidered the Tudor rose on it. She pity's me and even tells me that Aunt Bridghid, my Mother's other sister cry's for me to think of me hauled up here being shouted at.
"I keep him the way I see fit! He is my son! And I will do with him as I please!"
She isn't going to get anywhere.
"Well, Hal and I are going to her resting place today. Doth the King have a problem with her sister and son visiting?"
"Go and get out of my sight, have him back here by sun down."
She exits. "Come Hal." And places her hand on my shoulder to urge me along.
The carriage rolls into the Abby.
"Aunt Cecily, was there ever anything between the evil King Richard and my mother?"
Her face drops and eyes widen.
"What would make you think such a thing?" She giggles in a nervous manner.
"Charles Brandon told me he heard a rumor once."
"I don't much care for that Charles Brandon," she retorts curtly. "Hal, you know as well as I do that thy Mother would never consider such a match, but I'll not say he didn't look at her with lust as well as myself..." and her tone drifts off as she stares out the window. I have never seen Aunt Cecily talk in such a way.
"What was that air for?" I ask.
"Oh, just thinking of my father Hal," she says and we leave it at that.
The rest of the way we talk of how King Edward IV was very fond of the story of St. George and how interesting it be that King Henry VII very fond of King Arthur and the knights of the round table. IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 02:46 PM
Its a nice warm day and as the carriage rolls in. I am taken to wonder...
We make our way to the golden plated tomb which depicts King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York almost in perfect feature. There have been only two things my father has spent a luxurious amount of money on and that was his Wife's funeral and his elder son's marriage.
"You can come out now!" She hollers and from the confessional emerges none other then the Spanish Princess herself, my brother's widow.
"Bring me the clothing!" Aunt Cecily hollers and a servant comes with a large chest full of garments.
"They will be brought back with you to Ludlow Princess Catherine." She says.
"Thank you my Lady Viscountess of Welles," she says in her thick Spanish accent, though her English is very good, much better then when I escorted her to marry Arthur.
"I'll leave you two alone now." And she smiles and leaves. We hear her footsteps on the tile as she goes back to sit in the carriage we arrived in.
We stare at each other for a moment. She is very thin and I notice a small but fairly noticeable patch on her right sleeve. Her face is pale.
"I should not like to intrude, but I do wish your Aunt would have given me a bit of food..."
"I can get you some," I reply. "But not until later."
"Will you please speak to the King on my behalf? Tell him my state, you see it plain as day, surely he cannot starve me..." Her voice is desperate and I am filled with pity. Moreso when I tell her the truth that Father knows and does not care, and even takes a bit of cruel joy in it.
I sigh, "I'll try to get you a bag of coins," and her head is downcast.
"Arthur and I did not lay together Prince Enrique," she cannot say Henry "I swear it!" She bursts out frantically. If the marriage was not consummated Princess Catherine would be free to go back to Spain, Of course they did lay together everybody knows it, but I don't think Princess Catherine is one to push coitus on a man. My brother was always sickly, but Father will not accept this. IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 03:06 PM
"My Father has sent me letters, he wishes for me to remain in good spirits and he says there may be a way to sneak me out of England." But her and I both know the King of Spain would not do such a thing, no sovereign in his right mind would tamper with the court of King Henry VII, they would be utterly destroyed. And it seems that King Ferdinand is a brainless man anyway who doesn't have much regard for Princess Catherine to begin with. Or maybe there are troubles occurring in Spain, I hear Queen Isabella is ailing.
"Is it true?" I ask. "Is your mother unwell?"
She sighs. Her bright blue eyes become sad and downcast. "Yes it is true." A tear falls down her cheek.
I hug her in embrace, awkwardly she wraps her arms around me in turn. "It has been long since I have hugged," she says warmly after a minute and squeezes back.
The rest of the day we talk and I send her off with coins and some food that the nuns give me.
I think I am in love with Princess Catherine, she is a good natured woman, and so alone, needing company, needing love. Can I provide that for her? Well...Not until Father is deceased, not that I wish for the King to die mind you...But sadly, I know that Princess Catherine's plights will not end without it.
"Thank you Aunt Cecily," I say as I board the carriage.
"Anne, Brigid, Katherine and I do what we can for her." Replied mine Aunt. "But you know that the King has cut Anne, Katherine and I's wages?"
"I did not know!" I marvel, it is a great shock. Well, then again, maybe not.
"It's what thy Mother would have wanted. And we know the King, better then anyone. After a pause sadness fills her voice. "Oh, Hal, I miss her..." I place mine hand on her knee. "I do too." I reply sadly. But I've had to block out the hurt.
"It may be treason to talk ill of a King, but I don't care, I hope he meets an end hastily!" The carriage driver looses control of the reigns in shock. The horses go a muck for a moment.
I am insulted, but will not show this to Aunt Cecily. IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 03:20 PM
A strange thing has come over the King when I arrive back.
"I think I shall send for Princess Catherine to come to court" he says kindly and smiles. My spirits perk up, what a change of luck and he means it in genuine concern. Of course he does not know of the encounter, does he?
"I figure Henry, she is young, fertile, and the Tudor dynasty needs many boys God knows." He walks to the other end of his bed chamber and smiles out the window.
"I will make good of our marriage." I boom with joy.
He turns with a scowl. "No you stupid boy, I mean to marry her." He says as if there should be no other answer to what he meant...
"Oh," I say.
"Ah...the least I could is marry their daughter and make her a good Queen I suppose." And his hands are folded behind his back.
"I shall be in my office to write Ferdinand and Isabella."
"My heart isn't broken per say as he leaves, mayhap confused, maybe a bit of heartache...Maybe...
Four weeks later the reply comes.
'A truly disgusting match that insults us deeply...' It causes the King to laugh. Well, I tried, he crumples the letter and throws it in the fire place. "The Princess Catherine shall have her horses and stables confiscated.
"Please don't do that to her Father." I bag. "Do not blame her for her parents folly. "
"Well, she is not going back to Spain, and yes Hal, I shall be insulted by no sovereign as I am the richest in Christendom second only to the pope."
So he pulls out some parchment and writs that the Princess Catherine's horses and stables belong to the English Crown.
I hope Aunt Cecily, Aunt Brigid, Aunt Katherine and Aunt Anne do not get caught in what they are doing. I take some relief though because as Aunt Brigid is the arch-abbess of Dartsmouth Abby, and those in the church always have good pence. You see, those who enter the church are free from a sovereign's mercy of pay, their pence comes straight from Rome. IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 03:22 PM
-I discovered that Isabella of Spain actually died in 1504, but I am going to continue it--King Henry VII actually did consider marriage to Catherine of Aragon-
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whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 03:32 PM
"The nerve Kath!" Yells my father.
The three of us are engaged in a game of cards. It is a new deck, and the Queen of Hearts is modeled after my late Mother. Father had it made for her since never once did he best her in gambling, in fact my mother was only beaten four times since she was Queen they say. But she always gave the money back to the unfortunate person, feeling too bad.
I like it when Kath Gordon comes, she was a Lady-In-Waiting upon my Mother, and her and Father have become very close since the Queen's passing.
She is a calm average looking middle aged woman, with chestnut hair and very tiny wrinkles that one must look close to see with an oval face.
She is wearing a French Hood and she indulges in him.
"Don't let it bother Your Highness." she says and lays down the jack of clubs.
"Why shouldn't I Kath?" He demands.
"Because Your Highness you are a merciful Lord and anybody who disagrees did not live through the war." Her eyes do not leave her cards, but this is what she believes as gospel. And...it is true in some sorts. Rather then send the women of the disgraced family's of those who fought for York to Bedlam, King Henry VII employed them to be Lady's to my Mother, or seamstresses, and, the women at this court will not say one bad thing of him for it. Bedlam is a terrible place to end up, so I hear.
"What say you Hal?" She asks.
I admire that Kath purposely asks my opinions on matter because she knows that the King is more willing to listen to me and my feelings with her presence.
slowly I begin. "I should think that perhaps maybe the Princess should not be blamed for the fault of her parents, but, I do suppose that the King is right to be insulted by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand."
Kath casts Father a look who is buried in his hand of cards. "I'll send her some provisions for stews." He replies in a way to show that he knows he is responsible for her, but begrudges it too. And as he looks for a good card, Kath and I flash a grin at each other. IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 04:41 PM
Of all the people in this Kingdom, nay, England, Ireland and Wales, Kath Gordon is given the most money by the King. Every time they see each other, pass in the halls, eat together, he slips her a coin or two, sometimes even a bag. People suppose that Kath and the King are in love. Which I think may be true to an extent. But, there is no one my Father will ever love as much as my Mother. She walks by his side as his equal and is just as tall as him. She loves to wear her French hoods with the pearls encrusted in them. She gives him a comfort that no one else can and he is always sure to keep her close, most of the time anyway. Since the King and Queen of Spain's reply, she has been around more often. Sometimes he'll even lay a fifth or even a sixth log on the fire when she is in the room. IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 04:47 PM
'I thank you so much my Lord Father for the turnips, the potatoes, the carrots, the cabbages, the livestock, the bread, the garlic, the barley, the basil, the beans, the onions, the oats, the spinach, and the peas, to be truthful, I was living off of the wild berry's outside Ludlow Castle'
He read it aloud to me. I thought it was kind of cute how she had to list everything out. But I knew she was emphasizing her thanks.
"Well, you're very much welcome my Lady Daughter." He spoke.
"Maybe you should marry her Hal." He says and tells me to make my exit so that he can be alone. He is staring into the fire as I leave, his hands behind his back. A true general in all sense of the word. I marvel at him. He is cruel, but he can be very merciful when he wants to be.
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whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 05:00 PM
Two weeks later, Father has changed his mind again, it is now early September. I do not understand why the King and Queen of Spain keep making things worse for their daughter. Queen Isabella has wrote to him saying how she is sick and ailing and has not long for the world and that she bags of her daughter to come home. The letter is filled with tenderness, and even apologies that she should have been more friendly to him in his time of grief. 'I was only worried for my daughter. I will tell you true, my most merciful Cousin of England, that I gave my daughter to you, and that it was I who fought for the marriage because I too won my crown through right of conquest. You and I are soldiers, warriors through and through, both descended from the great John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, your house your might. Let us not fight, accept this gift as a token of mine apology.'
From out the chest delivered with the letter he pulled out a red coat, made with Italian leather at the seams and golden buttons, it even has a collar and etched in the elaborate fabric is the Tudor Rose all around.
"Please accept my condolences Dear Cousin."
He hands it back to the man who brought the chest.
"Burn it." He says coldly. "She's not sorry she is cunning." He says. Truthfully I think it to be both. "Oh look at that Henry isn't it cute! She put a heart on the letter!" And he howls. It actually is quite a sad situation, if she had done this to begin with I believe Catherine would be in a much better state. I pity Queen Isabella. I know she is sorry, but I think the stress of getting her daughter back to Spain was always her top concern and for that I cannot blame her too much.
The King dips his quill with that smile on his face. I am ready to cry. For, my Father is in so much pain and the more King Henry VII hurts, the crueler he becomes in both word and action.
'Tis a little late for such things Dear Cousin, I burned that beautiful coat you gave to me, provided me much warmth in that regard. Your daughter is now my daughter by right of the church of Rome, you know the law Dear Cousin, once married and consummated her father-in-law has first say of her well being. And dear cousin, I am confiscating her Dairy Cows I sent her, and I will not provide her anymore vegetables, she can keep the stags for her meet. But they'll run out soon.' He smiles mischievously at me. Its how he does it, he cannot accept that Arthur died due to a sickly physique, and the King and Queen of Spain have insulted him too much.
"Father, please..." I say.
He slaps me across the head. "Why didn't God take you!?" He shouts. and watches in satisfaction as the shirt burns in the fireplace. -This would have transpired more in 1504, but yes this actually happened, King Henry VII got really angry at Queen Isabella's letter to him about the death of his Queen and Son, and as a result took it majorly out on Catherine of Aragon. In 1508 she wrote her Father that she was considering suicide because she had no clothes, no food, and no more then five servants left at her Castle, which were close friends from Spain- -A coat was actually sent to King Henry VII, I read this in an biography about Catherine of Aragon, and it is described that Queen Isabella's last thoughts were with her youngest child- -This was the law in Mediaeval Europe, when the woman married she had to answer to her father-in-law before anyone else. Basically the Father-in-law got to decide what happened to her if she became a widow- IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 05:41 PM
The portraits are on the wall again. And several nights later, I hear him again with the weeping.
I put mine hands behind mine head and look up at the ceiling.
I begin to think about my Grandfather, the King Edward IV. Mother used to tell me I was like him in every regard and she told me his court was a very merry one. There was something in my Mother's eyes when she spoke, they simply lit up, her whole face did. I am extremely curious.
In the morning, I go to my Grandmother's bed-chamber.
I knock. "Come in." her deep voice calls. She is affront her large altar bedecked with statuettes of the Holy Mother and the Divine Son. The curtains are closed, and so the only light that comes is from her many candles also on her altar.
"Do you know Hal," she says not rising from her kneeling nor turning her head. "When I heard my son had won the crown I was in this very same position at the Church. I knew he would win Hal. Oh, a proud moment, the Holy Mother answered my prayers Hal. It was never thought he would be King, Hal, he was simply a last resort. But, he became King, Hal, he did. It was meant to be Hal, my son was meant to sit on the throne." Her tone is humble, uncomfortably heavy and her words come slow. She truly believes this was God's Divine Will, I think it was just two Kings fighting for the throne as happens so often...But I'll not tell her that ever.
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whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted September 23, 2017 05:54 PM
The candles are red and it casts a very daunting look amidst the walls of her room.
"He's lost his Wife Hal, he's lost his son and heir." She still has not changed the position as she continues.
"I remember when thy brother was born. Oh, the look in my son's eye, he was so proud, mine Henry was, and such a beautiful little boy your Mother had gifted him. Oh, he grieves. My son grieves."
She rises finally and turns 'round to face me, and grasps my hands gently with her old feeble ones which you can almost see the veins sticking out of. Grandmother looks deep into me.
"Never you forget, God took your brother because it was meant to be. You were meant to have this throne. Oh, it pains me too Hal, it does. But know always and forever that the King is hurt and he does not know what he says."
Her eyes are wide and piercing into mine own it all at once frightens and soothes me in some strange way. The feeling is too uncomfortable.
"She turns to extinguish the candles. "Now Hal what is it you wished to speak to me of?"
There was no point in asking what I wanted to anymore, what had just transpired was too much and had ruined it.
"I..well....Are you going to wash the feet of the peasants tomorrow?" I asked queerly.
"No I must put that off I am afraid my latest fast has left me too famished for the energy."
I think my Grandmother is having a complete mental destruction, but I don't think it is due to age...IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted September 23, 2017 10:43 PM
Later though I work up the courage again.
"What was my Grandfather's Court like?" I ask her. She never lived in his Palace, but...maybe she knows.
"A debauchery of sin! ****** running amuck 'round this castle! And so greedy with the food intake.
I ponder it. I am sitting at her sewing table with her as she needlepoints.
"I should like to keep a court like my Grandfather." She peers up at me, she knows it to be a jest, but catches the back tone. "Certainly not," She declares in a firm a manner, though she isn't really angry with me. IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted September 23, 2017 10:55 PM
There is one woman I can go to, and that is Anne Hastings, who did grow up in my Grandfather's Court and was my Mother's best friend.
Anne Hastings and her husband enjoy their own chambers since she was my Mother's Chief Lady-In-Waiting.
I knock on her door.
"Prince Henry," she declares. She is a middle aged woman with black hair a hooked nose and full cheeks, she is plump as well, and as hard as I try to conceal it, I am hardened. For her age, she is truly attractive, not beautiful, but attractive. She notices right away and laughs. "Just like your Grandfather," she laughs. "Come, come in I'll send for some cakes."
My face is red as she smiles seductively at me, it must match mine hair.
She pours me some wine. "Do you desire me Hal? Is that why you came?"
"Not the original reason, but you are very pretty..." I swallow in nervousness. She chuckles. "Oh Prince Henry, what are we doing...I've known you since a babe and here I am madly attracted to you as you to me." I rise to kiss her lips and soon we are on her bed undressing fiercely quick. I've never engaged in coitus before and it is truly a wonderful thing. Anne Hastings is on top of me and I shout in ecstasy as my pleasure mounts.
Afterwards we lie there, and she says that I should leave now, but to come back. The cakes are just getting there as I exit. I grab one and smile flirtatiously at the maid who holds the basket. She giggles. My spirits are high, I've lost my virginity!
I pass by Kath and Father engaged in cards to go to my room.
'I am my Grandfather,' I think to myself. I stroke myself every hour thinking of what has just transpired. -Anne Hastings was King Henry VIII's first mistress.- IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted October 28, 2017 03:27 PM
My Grandfather founded England's first library. And as much Father try's to erase his greatness from history for being a Yorkist King, he simply cannot. Not from my Mother in life, nor from me now I suppose. Now, King Richard, murdered mine Uncles, poisoned his Wife, and tried to lie with my Mother. He was just a bad man to the core I guess. Nothing to do with York or Lancaster.
"Henry." I hear Mary at my door. "Go away Mary!" I call.
"Let me in Henry!" Her little bratty voice declares. I sigh. Father always makes me be good to her, but she is the most spoiled thing to deal with. He does love Mary.
So, angrily I fling it open and there she is, nine years old in her dress with her face in a scowl and holding a book entitled; 'Tristan and Isolde.' She struts in, pressing it to her as if it is one of those dolls she loved so as a child.
"Look what I found Hal." She says. And she opens the front of it.
"It's one of Mama's books, Margaret Scrope gave it to me."
The heading is plain to see as I open it.
"Loyalty binds me-King Richard Third."
And beneath it in my Mother's hand;
"Elizabeth-Thy Dearest Friend." I feel shock.
But I am older and do know better then her I suppose.
"You see, Mama loved King Richard, Margaret used to tell me so, and it is the truth."
My sister Margaret did used to pitch that, but in silence, it was something that the three of us shared because we knew what it would do to our Father and our Mother. But, I don't think she loved him. Still, the title alone seems to conjure more feeling in me then her inscription.
"It says 'thy dearest friend,' Mary," I say.
"But why should Mama want to be friends with a man who killed our Uncles?"
"Maybe she was trying to protect our Father for some reason." If there is something I remembered of my Mother, it was that she was very crafty with her words and actions to make it appear as if she meant something completely different then what she was trying to convey. It seemed almost like sorcery when she did it over Father. Though, he is a dull and unintuitive man.
"You didn't even know our Mother!" I spit. "Not like me!"
"Of course I knew Mama!" She declares. "And I loved her, but I think she did love King Richard." She isn't being mean or spiteful, she truly believes it, and for a moment I am taken to hate my little sister.
"Give me the book." I say. So she does.
Margaret Scrope is the daughter of Aunt Cecily's first husband, a man who was loyal to York, and shortly after my Mother's death, she was dismissed from Court along wit Elizabeth Howard.
I flip through the book, seeing if there are anymore marks or notes, there are none. I stick it under my bed and ponder. I don't know how, but certainly she wrote that in order to protect Father or even any of us to Yorkists about after we were born. Still, I am taken to wonder more and more as I drift into sleep. How did King Richard and my Grandfather, King Edward get along? He had been named Lord Protector of his sons, but...Was my Grandfather a negligent man? Mama always talked of him as a beacon of light in her life and when she spoke of him I remember her eyes lighting up. And sometimes, just sometimes it seemed like she wanted to talk about King Richard in a memory or two of hers, but always was sure to clamp her mouth tight before that entered her mind. She most likely did love him as her Uncle in youth, maybe it was too painful of a thing to bare, that he had actually did something like that, so maybe the signature was to hold on to a man that never was.
Even so, I remember when Arthur died and she collapsed upon her bed in grief. It was her who had first to comfort the King. Ever since then, every time my Father sees me, it is; "God took the wrong son."
But she spoke to me; "Heed me, my son, never let any son of yours go to Ludlow. For, it is a cursed place and the Prince Regents never make it to twenty."IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted October 28, 2017 03:29 PM
--I actually just learned about a month ago that King Richard III sent Elizabeth of York the Book, "Tristan and Isolde," Shortly before going to Bosworth Battle where he would die, with his signature. IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted October 28, 2017 03:34 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufFOghMt1yI IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted October 28, 2017 03:37 PM
The Medieaval period of England has always been my favorite period in history, particularly this period, just before the Renaissance.
Anyway, the majority of my writing when a child(I have boxes of journals from story's and books I wrote at 5-14) was to my favorite movies. Merry and Pippin were always my fav. characters from Lord of the Rings. XD IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted October 28, 2017 03:42 PM
My Dad took me out of school early in third grade to see the Grand Opening of this movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi_eGZneJrE IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted October 28, 2017 03:51 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A18INQ_lksM I think because of the Mushroom scene. IP: Logged |
whitewitch111
Knowflake Posts: 3754
From: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted October 28, 2017 03:57 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mvDQWOQ2iI IP: Logged | |
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