Glimpses in to a world in which women are the rulers. Based off the TV show rather than actual history, largely so an AU of an historical canon AU, I believe. Any material about the historical-political implications is entirely my own dorkitude talking
Catalina was happy in her place as youngest daughter - she had always known her oldest sister Isabella would rule, as was proper. Her brother would be expected to make good marriages and her next oldest sister would be for the Church - perhaps a Cardinal or even Pope, one day (though Catalina could not imagine her sister Juana as a solemn and dignified Pope - not when she had seen her climb trees and muddy her breeches and gowns). Maria would be a Duchess, a chief advisor on Isabella's Privy Council. And Catalina? Catalina had her duties, of course she did - but her life was a little freer as the youngest and the favourite of her family - she often felt sorry for John, who would be going away to be married and would be entirely expected to do so, as a good son.
But after all, that was the lot of Princes. They would obey and be good and obedient help meets to their wives and fathers of many daughters, if God would so bless their unions (Catalina knew her parents were very much in love - though her mother took lovers sometimes they had never lasted long. Her mother loved her father, who had blessed her with four daughters and a handsome, brilliant son. Catalina hoped that she too, could marry for love.
Alice More knew that her husband was considered very unusual. After all he was as well educated as any women - indeed as any princess would be and he taught their son as well as his sisters. But it was well thought of, by and large. Then Thomas More was so very good natured it was easy to be charmed by him - Alice certainly had been when her mother and his had sought the betrothal - and it certainly helped that he was so well educated for Alice - though she knew other women did not necessarily share that view. But she was happy with her handsome, good natured husband - a natural father to their children.
He was all that she could want.
Thomas Cromwell knew he was entirely fortunate to have been allowed to keep his son, daughters and household after his wife's death. If it had not been that Elizabeth had been granted property, title and income for her services to Cardinal Larke, to be provided for the upkeep of her husband and children for the duration of their lives, they would have been reduced to abject poverty. He never forgot that it was by Elizabeth's grace that he had been rescued from Putney - that he had been noticed by her and for that? That would have been enough for him to be thankful for but as well, they loved each other well.
Queen Margaret of England had smiled, looking upon Charles Brandon when they were still children. She still smiled on him now, though his reputation was not an especially good one. Indeed he was known to have been the lover of many in the court and when she thought of it, Margaret knew that marriage was not a possibility. She could not marry a man who had so thrown away his reputation, however much she loved him.
But she could see him and their children settled, given property and honoured as they should be. Their son Edward would be properly dowered of course and the girls would find places at court alongside their legitimate siblings. It would be well.
Next up? Will actually introduce Henry and Anne and such like. Hopefully.