Cautionary Moral: Don't let your heart overrule your head." – Kris Waldherr
"The Executioner shall not have much trouble, for I have a little neck. I shall be known as La Reine Sans Tête." – Kris Waldherr
"Master Kingston, I pray you not to give the signal for my death until I have spoken what I have the mind to speak" Anne Boleyn asked gently she had accepted her end had come and she knew nothing could stop it.
"Madam" Master Kingston nodded, never had he seen such a serene person who would go to her death in a few minutes.
"Good Christian people, I have come here to die, according to the law and thus yield myself to the will of the King, my lord."
"Long live the King!" people murmured.
"And if, in my life, I ever did offend the King's Grace, then surely with my death I do now atone. I pray and beseech you all, to pray for the life of the King. My sovereign lord and yours, who is one of the best princes on the face of the earth, who has always treated me so well, wherefore I submit to death with a good will, humbly asking pardon of all the world. If anyone should take up my case, I ask them only to judge it kindly."
Anne turned to the executioner and as he asked for forgiveness she answered "Gladly. And here is your purse," Anne gave him a purse with money so he was paid for his service, "Thus I take my leave of the world and of you. And I heartily desire you all to pray for me." Anne knelt and as the priest began to pray Anne prayed.
"Oh Lord God, have pity on my soul. To Christ I commend my soul. Jesus Christ receive my soul. Oh Lord have pity on my soul. Jesus receive my soul. Oh God have pity on my soul. Jesus Christ receive my soul."
Anne knew her final hour had come and she was willing to go to God with a clear conscience.
"Boy, fetch my sword!" Anne turned her head and everything went black.
Anne cried out as she woke in her bed at Hever castle, she got out if her bed and to her surprise saw her father and mother strolling out in the garden. It must have been a dream or perhaps it was a vision of things to come, Anne brought a hand up to her neck and sighed she wouldn't want to end like that. A maid knocked on her door and entered when bid to do so. "Good morning Lady Anne."
"Good morning."
The maid helped her getting dressed and ready for the day, her father knocked and came into her room "Anne are you ready for the King's pageant honouring the imperial ambassadors?"
"I am father," Anne thought she had caught the King's eye that day in her vision, "I know the dance and the play."
"Good, make sure to place yourself in front of the king."
The rest of the preparations for the pageant went by in a blur; Anne could not have told anyone what she was doing. She had been killed in a vision of 1536, and she had awoken in 1522 she had 14 years to make sure it didn't happen. The day arrived and everything went smoothly Anne danced as she should and as they removed their masks Anne noticed the King looking at her intently. Anne became a part of the Queens household and her uncle and father pressed her into putting herself in front of the king again and again. Queen Catherine was gracious and kind but Anne knew that she knew of the King's affairs and mistresses, she had a sadness that Anne had not seen or had refused to see in her vision.
Anne knew Catherine's tragic end, could she cause that? Could she even love the King? He had ordered her killed in the vision; she was to die at the Kings leisure. She was innocent but she had lost her mind somehow, she knew Henry wouldn't like that she hadn't given birth to a prince. Could she even give him a prince or would she end up executed or as Catherine had alone, destitute and without her daughter?
Anne was conflicted should she keep going the way she was, gaining the kings affection or should she stop his affection somehow? Anne knew something had to be changed, could she give up her love to be saved? Could she give up her Elizabeth? Was the other life just a dream or a vision?
It had felt real and even the possibility made her ill, Anne sat down and thought about her options.
She could marry Henry Percy, he was a fine man but would her father and uncle accept that? They would prod and push her in front of the King until they got what they wanted. She could not go to her brother George or sister Mary, George would laugh it off and insist that as the Kings mistress she would get all that she, his lovely sister, deserved. Mary would caution her, but insist that what their father and uncle wanted her to do was what she should do for they were women, and therefore they were under their father and uncles rule.
Anne knew what she must do she couldn't play this game her father and uncle played; somehow she knew that if she continued on that path she would die. Anne walked to the Queens chambers as her lady-in-waiting there was nothing unusual about it, she dropped in a curtsey "Your Majesty."
"Rise Lady Anne," Queen Catherine smiled.
"Your Majesty may I have a word with you in private?"Anne asked while kneeling, Catherine was her only hope.
"Yes." Queen Catherine ordered her maids out and when the door closed she turned to Anne, "What is wrong Lady Anne?"
Anne sighed there was no delicate way of saying this, "I have come to resign my position as a Lady-in-waiting. I feel that I cannot in good conscience continue to be with your Majesty."
"Why? You have always done your duty Lady Anne, why are you suddenly troubled by your position?" Catherine frowned.
"My father and Uncle..." Anne paused as this could have far reaching implications on her father and uncle, but wouldn't their scheming kill her somehow? "My father and uncle want me to seduce the King, which is one thing I will not do, your Majesty." Anne stated her tone final.
"Seduce the King?" Catherine didn't seem surprised, many courtiers sought their fortune by pushing their daughters in front of the King, but Anne Boleyn had not done as the other daughters did. "And what would their aim be?"
Anne looked up Catherine didn't seem angry or shocked, "To make me queen, your Majesty. I do not want to be queen, you have been kind to me and I will not do anything that will harm you." Catherine closed her eyes it was one thing to suspect something but another to hear it plainly spoken, "They wish to rise as far as possible and I will not be a pawn in their game."
"If I let you go, they will find another way to put you with the King, the only way to help you is to marry you off to a noble man and get you away from court." Catherine sighed, "We must tell the king."
"Will he kill my father and uncle?" Anne asked gently.
"I do not know Lady Anne, but if there is one thing the King hates is when others try to manipulate him." Catherine rose and Anne rose with her, "Follow me Lady Anne."
Catherine strode through the halls of Whitehall and everyone bowed or curtseyed to her, she had a regal air that Anne would never have, Anne kept her eyes down and followed Catherine to the Kings chamber.
"Her Majesty the Queen and Lady Anne." was announced and together the two ladies strode inside.
"Catherine?" the King was shocked to see his queen here, "What has happened?"
Anne knelt and Catherine curtseyed, "Lady Anne Boleyn came to me with disturbing news."
"News?" Henry narrowed his eyes and focused on Anne, "What news?"
"The news is about why I was placed in court." Anne swallowed, "My father and uncle wish me to -" Anne found it difficult to tell Henry, she still had feelings for him.
"I am not a patient man Lady Anne," Henry growled, "Tell me!"
Anne nodded and gathered herself, "They wish me to marry you, your Majesty. To push the Queen away and take the throne by your side and to reap the benefits they could by our union."
"Why would you tell us this?" Henry asked.
"I would never do such a thing; I am a woman of honour." Anne berated the vision of herself she wasn't really like that, love had blinded her and she forgot to use her head, "Queen Catherine has been so kind to me, and I would insist being married before bedding anyone so -" Anne let the sentence hang in the air.
Henry began pacing like an angry lion, "Would your father or uncle consider poisoning the Queen?"
"I do not believe that they would risk that but they would try to influence you to get an annulment. To end your marriage with the Queen in any way they could, I will not do it. I will not be their pawn!" Anne told him fiercely.
Catherine realized that Anne would have been a formidable opponent if she wanted to oppose Catherine as queen, but she had come to her Queen and wanted help, "The only way to help Lady Anne would be if she was married to a noble who enjoyed your Majesty's favour and friendship."
Henry turned and looked at his wife, "Married?" Henry would not admit it to his wife but Anne had snared him in some way already, he wanted her but he would not let someone manipulate him into doing what they wanted him to do, "Yes," Henry sighed "there is only one I would say is close enough to me and has a title."
"Who?" Catherine asked curiously
"Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk."
"Would he consent to marrying Anne?"
Henry sighed, "He will do as I ask."
Anne was shocked, the Charles Brandon from her vision was one of her opponents, she knew he had hated her and he was not faithful to his wives she knew that. Even in reality he was rumoured to have lovers that he bedded and then left. Could she really let them marry her to him? She had asked for help and they would get her away from her father.
Henry nodded to himself, "Groom!" A young man rushed to Henry, "Fetch the Duke of Suffolk, tell him I must see him now."
"Yes your Majesty." the young man rushed out.
Henry turned to Anne who was still kneeling on the floor, "Stand Lady Anne, will you be satisfied with this match?" Henry wanted her to protest so he could have her.
Anne curtseyed, "Yes your Majesty, if you and the Queen think it best then I will gladly submit to your will."
"The Duke of Suffolk!" was announced, and Charles Brandon walked into the room.
"Charles," Henry greeted his friend
"Your Majesties," Charles bowed to the King and Queen, "What can I do to serve you today."
"We would like to introduce you to Lady Anne Boleyn, one of the Queen's ladies."
Charles turned and looked at Anne, "Lady Anne."
"My Lord." Anne curtseyed
Henry smiled, "We have decided that you and Lady Anne are a good match, you will be married and Anne will go with you when you escort my sister to France."
Charles looked at Henry and Catherine with a stunned look, "Your Majesties, I -"
Henry interrupted him, "Besides she will be a fine wife to you and she is already known to the French court."
Charles knew he could not get out of this, he turned to Anne and nodded, "Very well I will marry Lady Anne if she will have me." Charles would not force Lady Anne into anything.
"I will be pleased to be your wife my Lord." Anne answered.
"Then it is settled." Henry smiled, "You can escort Lady Anne and the Queen to the Queens chamber where you can get to know your future wife."
"I must ask her father for permission to marry Lady Anne." Charles protested.
"Of course Charles," Henry's smile was all teeth, "I will call Sir Thomas Boleyn to my chamber later today and you will be summoned."
"Very well your Majesty," Charles offered his arm to Anne, "Shall we Lady Anne."
Anne took his arm and together the three strode out of the Kings chamber, "I will walk ahead of you so you will have a bit of privacy." Catherine said as she walked by them.
"Thank you." Anne smiled.
Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk didn't want to be married, he was a free man he loved to romance the ladies, lead them to bed and then he left them. With a wife he would be restricted and everyone would know that he was taken, but Henry had commanded that he married this girl and he didn't know what to say to her. She was so young and pretty with her dark hair and beautiful eyes, there would be no hardship in bedding her but could he be married to her?
"Do you have any siblings Lady Anne?" that was an easy question to ask and perhaps it would break the awkward silence.
"Two my lord, Mary my elder sister and George my younger brother." Anne looked briefly up at Charles and he felt as if she had taken a piece of his soul. He sighed when the silence continued, "Do you like riding?"
Charles looked at her when she posed this question, "Yes, I enjoy riding and hunting."
"Perhaps we could go riding together sometime." Anne suggested.
"Yes." Charles didn't know how to continue the conversation, by the time he thought of something to say they had arrived at the Queens chamber and Anne turned to him.
"Goodbye my Lord." She curtseyed and smiled
"Goodbye Lady Anne," Charles debated a bit and then he took her little hand in his and kissed it gently, "I will see you soon." Anne blushed and smiled sweetly, "Your Majesty." Charles bowed to Catherine and turned away, with long strides he made his way towards his own chambers to prepare for his talk with Thomas Boleyn.
Henry smiled as he waited for Thomas Boleyn, he had made sure that Catherine was by his side and he had summoned Charles.
"Sir Thomas Boleyn." Was announced by his groom, Catherine straightened and Henry narrowed his eyes.
"Your majesties." Thomas bowed
"Sir Thomas." Henry acknowledged him and he rose to his full height, "We have called you here to talk marriage."
"Marriage? Your Majesties is kind to think of my son."
"Your son?" Henry frowned, "No, not your son your daughter."
Thomas paled, "Mary?"
"My lady-in-waiting Anne Boleyn." Catherine said to prevent Henry's temper rising, Henry took her hand and squeezed it in warning.
"Anne? But she is already betrothed to Henry Percy."
Henry rose and with him his temper, "Henry Percy? His father has just asked me to give permission for a marriage between Henry Percy and Lady Mary Talbot whom his son has been betrothed to since their adolescence."
"I –"
"Do you think I do not know who is betrothed to whom in my court?"
Thomas realized he was moving into dangerous territory, "No your Majesty, we had engaged in talks and I was sure that Anne would be married to Henry Percy before long."
"But as that is not to be, Catherine asked me to arrange a marriage for her most trusted Lady and I will of course do as my Queen asks." Henry moved to sit again.
"Who is my Anne getting married to?" perhaps Thomas could turn this around.
In a twist of fate, at precisely that moment the groom announced Anne Boleyn's future husband "The Duke of Suffolk."
"Charles, may I present Sir Thomas Boleyn." Henry smiled
"My lord." Thomas bowed with a sarcastic air.
"Sir Thomas." Charles bowed a bit back, "I wish to marry your daughter Anne, with your permission of course."
Thomas knew that he could not refuse; the King had personally arranged a marriage for his daughter this situation was impossible to manipulate to his benefit. "I will grant you my permission my Lord."
"Thank you Sir Thomas."
Henry smiled, "The wedding will take place before my sister sails for France and Anne will journey with them."
"Yes your Majesty." Thomas smiled.
"Very well, the Queen and I will of course contribute to Anne's dowry."
"Thank you, your Majesties." Thomas said grinding his teeth, he had been blindsided by this and now Anne would be trapped in a marriage with a friend of Henry and the King would never look to Anne or marry her because he wouldn't hurt his friend like that. His little Anne would never be queen.
"We also expect your son and other daughter at court to chaperone Lady Anne so she can get to know Charles better." Henry smiled
"Of course your Majesty, I will arrange it at once." Thomas bowed and began to back out.
"Before you go Sir Thomas," Henry stopped him, "Charles you can go."
Charles bowed and walked out of the chamber leaving Thomas by himself with the King and Queen.
"I would like to hear what you think of a rumour I heard about today."
"Rumour, your Majesty?"
Henry smiled like a cat that had caught a fish, "It is a very amusing rumour, about your daughter Lady Anne and coincidentally me."
Thomas began to think what rumour could his daughter have made? Her reputation should be clean and virtuous.
"The rumour says that you and the Duke of Norfolk, planned to poison the Queen or poison my thoughts against the Queen, so your daughter would become queen. That you planned to reap the benefits of my good graces and then control me."
Thomas swallowed, "Who would say such a preposterous thing?"
Henry frowned, "Why would that matter to you Sir Thomas? After all it is but a rumour isn't it?"
"Yes a cruel rumour, I would never wish any harm on your Majesties." Thomas bowed.
"Time will tell Sir Thomas." Henry said, "You can go."
"Thank you, your Majesties." Thomas walked out as quickly as he could without seeming suspicious.
Two days later Anne sat on a window seat in the queens chambers, in one of the small side chambers the ladies could use as their own, she was making embroidery with flowers as her father rushed into the chamber.
"Father." Anne smiled as she placed her work beside her and stood so she could greet him properly.
"You have ruined everything!" he hissed and walked towards her, "You were supposed to spread your legs for the king, not marry his friend!"
Anne took a step back, "I will not be a whore! Or destroy a marriage, and you cannot force me!"
Thomas grabbed his daughter by the throat and pushed her against the wall, "I know you ruined everything and you went to the King! Your only job is to obey me and your uncle, not do this to us!"
Anne saw her father raise his hand to hit her and she closed her eyes, frightened for her life but the hit never came instead she opened her eyes and saw Charles had a hold on her father's wrist.
"I will ask you just once to let my betrothed go or there will be consequences." Charles growled "You forget your station Sir Thomas". The insult was clear to all who heard it, Charles were marrying his daughter and therefore elevating her to a duchess.
Her father let her go and Anne slid down the wall, Catherine rushed over to her and pulled her into a motherly embrace. "Guards! Take Sir Thomas away, you will not let him go, I will tell the King why I demand his arrest." Catherine ordered, "Easy sweet Anne, he will not hurt you anymore."
Tears gathered in Anne's eyes, "He was going to hit Me." she said tonelessly.
Charles knelt before her and opened his arms to her and she flung herself into his embrace, "Shh my Anne I'm here now." he whispered.
"Lady Elizabeth will you chaperone Lady Anne and the Duke of Suffolk, while I go and see the king?"
"Of course your Majesty." Elizabeth sat down on a chair so she could observe them; but not so close that she would break the illusion of privacy. Catherine smiled sadly and left to inform Henry of the things that just happened in her chambers.
Anne stood with Charles' help; together they sat on the window seat Anne had vacated when her father entered, "Are you hurt Lady Anne?"
"No my Lord, I am fine I never thought that he would do something to hurt me." Anne answered
"Please Lady Anne call me Charles." he smiled
Anne blushed, "Only if you call me Anne, Charles."
"Deal," he took her hand "Would you like to go riding with me tomorrow?"
"I would be delighted, thank you."
"I will come and get you tomorrow after lunch, if you are free of your duties with the Queen."
Anne smiled, "I am sure that Queen Catherine will let me go riding one afternoon, and I will ask my brother George to join us."
Charles nodded, "He will chaperone then, until tomorrow Anne."
"Until tomorrow Charles."
Charles had arrived to see his betrothed when he saw the Queens ladies running to the guards, he hurried into the chambers and saw Anne, his Anne, held against the wall by her father. Her father raised his hand to strike Anne and something in Charles snapped, he marched over and grabbed Thomas Boleyn's wrist in a bruising grip. "I will ask you just once to let my betrothed go or there will be consequences." Charles growled to his future father in law. "You forget your station Sir Thomas". This man was beneath him in rank and therefore also beneath his daughter as she was betrothed to Charles.
He glared at Boleyn until the guards had dragged him out of his sights, when Anne folded into his embrace he felt, for the first time, that he would be happy in his marriage to Anne.
When they rode out the next day Anne was a marvel on a horse, she rode as if it was all she had ever done. Her dark hair flying behind her as she galloped over the land, she smiled like sunlight and laughed like small bells and Charles knew she was his match.
As they slowed their horses he reached for her hand and she gave it freely, "Tell me something about you," he asked.
Anne smiled "I love music and dancing, I enjoy poetry and hunting."
"What do you want most in the world?"
"Children." her answer was soft, "I wish for children to enjoy and love."
Charles cleared his throat, "Children? Then let's pray that God will give us some when we marry."
Anne's smile could have lit up the banquet hall in Whitehall, "If He wills it we will have children." she hesitated for a minute then she asked, "What do you want a boy or a girl?"
He smiled playfully, "A healthy baby would be preferred."
She laughed loudly and Charles knew that he would have to try to make this marriage work, even though he didn't want a wife he believed that he would be happy with Anne.
Their wedding was planned and done quickly, the whole court speculated that Anne was pregnant and her father had threatened Charles into marrying his daughter. Other rumours suggested that the King himself wanted this marriage and had arranged it himself. The court was shocked when Anne walked towards the alter; she was wearing a necklace, with a blue sapphire that most of the court remembered Queen Catherine wearing. Her dress was in the French fashion and it was pale blue with silver flowers stitched on the bodice, her brother was giving her away and her sister followed them.
There was no sign of Thomas Boleyn in the church; Anne curtseyed to the royal couple when they passed them. Anne had white carnations, red rosebuds and pale pink roses as a wreath on her head; the flower language was not lost on the courtiers. Every male in the church cursed their fate, for not bringing them a bride as beautiful as the Lady Anne Boleyn.
As George gave his sister to Charles every woman's heart skipped a beat, for he gazed on his bride with such tenderness and he bowed to her like a true knight.
They said their vows and Charles put a ring on her finger and they kissed sweetly, Charles lead his bride out of the church and together they made their way to the banquet Henry and Catherine had arranged. Anne smiled as she was placed by her husband and together they ate quietly, as the dancing started Anne turned to her husband and he smiled offered his hand to her and together they danced the Pavane and then they stepped into the lively Galliard.
As evening fell Anne was escorted away from the hall to her husband's and now her chamber, she was helped out of her dress and put on her nightgown. The wreath she had worn in her hair was placed on a table and her hair was brushed into a dark waterfall of curls. Mary, her sister, smiled "Don't worry too much he is a good man and will surely be gentle with you."
Anne smiled and hugged her sister, "I hope so, thank you for being here with me Mary."
"Father didn't want me to come but I couldn't let my little sister get married without me."
"I love you Mary."
"I love you too Anne."
They heard voices in the hallway; a priest walked into the room and blessed their marriage bed. He then turned to Anne and she knelt and received her blessing, the door opened as she stood and Charles walked in.
"My Anne."
"Charles." Anne swallowed
The priest walked out and Mary turned to Charles, "Do you want me to stay to witness the consummation of the marriage?"
"No Lady Mary, I do not think that will be necessary." Charles smiled kindly and with a curtsey and an encouraging smile for Anne she left closing the door softly.
Anne wet her lips she was nervous, Charles reached out to her and she moved to him. He held her close and together they stood in a hug just letting Anne relax, as soon as she sighed and the last of her tension was gone Charles picked her up and placed her gently on the bed.
"Get under the covers Anne while I undress."
Anne blushed, somehow she felt that she had been married before but the vision was gone from her mind, just like the future it represented had disappeared.
Charles quickly removed his clothes, he wanted Anne so badly she was his now and he wanted her. He joined her in the bed and she seemed frightened but Charles would be gentle with her. He moved to his side and propped himself up on his elbow so he could look down into her lovely face, he placed a hand on her face and drew her into a kiss.
While he kissed her he ran a hand down her side gently and pulled her nightgown up, Anne startled as his hand made contact with her thighs and she pulled away from their kiss. "Easy Anne just let me take care of you." He whispered into her ear, she nodded.
He moved his hand to her centre and gently he brought her pleasure she had never known before, he parted her legs and moved so he was between them. "This may hurt Anne and I am sorry if it does."
Quickly before she could tense up again he took her maidenhead and she cried out, he kissed her and moved a little, she kept eye contact with him, he had never looked into someone's soul as he did in that second. Together they climbed towards their climax and he held her gently as she cried her pleasure into the air.
Afterwards they cuddled together on the bed, "Are you happy? He asked
Anne laughed, "The most happy." together they fell asleep.
Anne smiled the French court was as lively as ever, today they celebrated their new Queen Mary Tudor. Anne danced and shined between the French courtiers as if she had found her home again, Charles were sitting at a table staring at his wife who glowed with life and happiness.
"She is beautiful your lady wife." Prince Francis sat down beside him.
"Yes she is she belongs at court where she can shine and dance."
"Oui, elle est une fleur, she blooms at court."
"Charles!" Anne was by his side, "Dance with me please?"
"Ma chère Anne how nice to see you again." Francis smiled
Anne curtseyed, "Prince François, comment ça va?"
"Je suis bien Lady Anne, Claude sends her regard."
"Tell her that I am sad that I couldn't see her but I hope she has a healthy child."
Francis laughed, "I will tell her, now I believe you came for a dance with your husband."
Charles stood and together they danced, Anne smiled as they retired that evening, as soon as the door was closed she kissed her husband deeply, they ripped each other's clothes off and in their haste they didn't make it to bed, they used a table. Anne ran her nails down his back and the sting made him growl and thrust harder into her and together they reached new heights in their love making. When they left France they returned to the estate Charles had so they could enjoy their marriage together.
Louis XII died tragically and Mary was as the queen treated to every kindness, King Henry wanted his sister home and Charles was sent to bring her back to England.
"I do not wish to leave you Anne, not while you are pregnant." Charles protested.
Anne smiled "I will get my sister to come and stay with me, the King has asked you to bring his sister home and you must obey his Majesty. Besides my sister needs to get away from my brothers rule for a few weeks." she laughed.
Thomas Boleyn had been arrested and when he had been taken to the tower, one of his accomplices had turned themselves in and confessed the intention to poison Charles Brandon so Anne would be free to marry Henry again. Henry had been livid and he had executed them both, which of course left George, Mary and Elizabeth Boleyn in disgrace. Henry had prevented that by appointing George as Viscount Rochford and gifting him Grimston Manor, by that he made sure that Anne's family was spared the shame of their father. George was Mary's only male relative and as such she had to do what he asked, but he never forced his sister into anything.
"If you are sure my Anne."
"I am sure Charles, the sooner you go the sooner you will be back with me."
Charles hugged his wife, "I love you." he whispered.
"Je t'aime." Anne whispered back with a smile, "When you return I will be confined and you will not see me before our child is born, so go to France and make sure Queen Mary is fine before coming home to me."
As Charles left Anne let her smile fall, she had had a letter from her sister informing her of Charles' mistress a Lady Katherine. Anne knew Charles would stray but she was still hurt by it, and now he left for France where the temptations would be plenty. Anne sighed there was nothing she could do now, she was pregnant and would not see him for quite some time.
He was the only one who could hurt her and he did without even hiding his affair. "Joan!"
"My Lady." Joan Anne's maid rushed into the room.
"Joan would you get me some paper, a quill and ink?"
"Of course my Lady."
"Thank you Joan." Anne smiled when Joan gave her the items she asked for and Anne wrote a letter to her sister and one to her brother.
Dearest George
I write to you because I would very much like to see you and Mary before I go into confinement, as you surely know my husband has left to bring the Kings sister Queen Mary home and I am therefore alone here. If mother wants to come I would be delighted in seeing her again, please say you will come.
It has been so long since we have seen each other and I miss you all.
Sincerely your loving sister Anne.
Pour ma chère sœur Marie.
I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy, sweet Mary I was saddened by your last letter to me but happy that you told me. Ce qui sera sera chère Marie. I bear no ill will towards you, please believe me I love you and wish you all the best. I want to see you so I am inviting you to come and see me here at Westhorpe Hall, Charles have left to bring the Kings sister Queen Mary home and I hope she is well.
Please come and see me, I have already written our brother and I hope he will join you here.
Votre sœur Anne
Anne sealed the letters and Joan made sure that they would make it to court as soon as possible. Anne sighed she hoped her siblings would come she missed them so.
Anne smiled when she heard horses arriving, it had been nearly a week since she wrote her letters and now they were here. Joan smiled as she walked into the room, "My Lady your brother Lord Rochford and Sister Lady Mary has arrived."
"Thank you Joan." Anne smiled and stood up carefully the baby had made her lose her balance more than once.
"Sister!" Mary called as she was lead inside by the maid
"Mary! I am so happy to see you," George followed in a more sedate pace, "And George it is so good to see you both, it has been too long."
They hugged each other, "How are you Anne?" George smiled the boyish smile that ensured that he could get away with anything.
"I am good, the baby seems to love kicking me and making my sleep uncomfortable but I am fine."
"Mother is unfortunately sick and couldn't come." George waited until the door was closed before he sighed, "Anne your letter you seemed sad, what is wrong?"
"Mary knows and I assume you know as well that my husband has taken a mistress. A Lady Katherine?"
"Yes but-"
Anne held up her hand, "Please George I did not invite you here to argue, I know if he has one there may have been others. I merely wish to spend time with you both and be happy for at time."
"He should be hurt by what he has done to you." Mary hissed.
"Mary I knew what kind of man he was when I married him and I know it today. He is what he is; now let's forget that and talk about something else."
"Have you thought of names?" Mary leaned forward, "For the baby do you know what gender it is?"
Anne laughed, "I think if I have a girl I would like to call her Elizabeth after mother."
"That is a very fine name." George smiled, "And if it's a boy?"
"I think we will call him Henry for the king or perhaps William."
"Those a good fine names for the next Duke of Suffolk." George said.
"How are things at court?"
"Oh you know how it is Anne one person offers you friendship while the other stabs you in the back." George sighed
"Is the King and Queen happy?"
Mary sighed, "The King seems unhappy, he wishes for a son, an heir but the Queen is unable to give him a son. Rumour at court suggests that she has stopped her bleedings, and therefore cannot bear a son even if God wanted to grant our King a son."
"That must be a terrible blow to Catherine, if the rumour is true. She prayed so often for a prince, she must be devastated."
"And to make matters worse, the King intends to install his Maitresse en titre, Jane Seymour, in the great apartments next to the Queen's." Mary whispered
"How cruel of him." Anne gasped, "What about you George, have you found yourself a bride?"
"I have my eyes on one." George smiled
"Who? Tell me George or I will never forgive you." Anne stated
"Katherine Parr, daughter of Sir Thomas Parr, she is only 11 but she is a beauty."
"11! George how can you even think to marry her?" Anne protested
"I will not marry her now but in a few years, you know that she will be old enough by then."
"I know George."
"Besides I am still young only 18 so I still have time to find a bride." His smile was mischievous
"What about Mary? Have you found a good husband to her?" Anne smiled at Mary who tried to protest.
"Of course I have but she has married a man on her own without my help."
"What? Mary who?" Anne turned to her sister.
"William Stafford, he is a good man."
"And the second son of Sir Humphrey Stafford who-"
"I don't care how much he owns or who his family are or what they have done. He loves me for me, and not for being the great prostitute." Mary cut him off
"I am happy for you Mary," Anne smiled, "It is rare that one gets to marry for love. And you are not a prostitute you were forced to catch the Kings eye by our father, like I was. And I know for a fact that you loved François, like a wife to her husband."
"Merci Anne."
"But I want to meet him, he is now my brother and I wish to threaten him with harm if he dares to harm you Mary."
"In your condition?" Mary glanced at her stomach.
"In any condition my dear sister." Anne laughed.
George stayed the night but left early the next morning with promises to return soon, Mary would stay to help her sister through the birth. William Stafford arrived and joined his wife, Anne found herself liking him, he was a quiet, serious and thoughtful man who rarely said anything without picking his words carefully, but he loved Mary so much and for that Anne loved him like a brother.
William helped her with the running of the estates; he had inherited some land from his father so he knew what to do, while Anne and Mary didn't have a clue.
"William?"
"Yes Anne,"
Anne smiled at the serious man, "Do you think we can find a building or build one that can be used as a school for the children?"
William thought for a few minutes, "Yes I think we can make it happen with the old farmhouse."
"Marvellous, I so want to educate the children, we can make it into a half day school so the children can help their families the rest of the day."
Together the three planned the school they wanted and how to fund it, Mary offered to teach and Anne wanted to teach as well so they planned what they would teach.
Anne went into confinement just two days later and she waited for her child to be born, Mary kept her company and was a great comfort. George came by often and stayed for a night before he returned to court.
On one such occasion Anne went into labour to early but nothing could be done, the midwife was fetched and the doctor. Anne had heard that Charles had returned but had stayed at court for two weeks; he hadn't even sent her a letter to let her know he had returned from France safely.
George paced his sister was screaming, she had been in labour for 14 hours and the doctor looked worried, Mary hurried over to him "George! Go to court and get that man here, his wife is in danger! If this continues he risks losing them both, he needs to be here. Go get him, drag him here if you need to!" Mary pushed him out, towards the front hall.
"I'm going, now get back to Anne and kiss her for me, tell her to stay strong."
"I will thank you George."
George hurried out helped saddling his horse and rode as fast as he could towards Whitehall. When he arrived he asked a servant where the Duke of Suffolk was, the servant told him that the Duke was in his rooms. With a thank you George rushed towards the rooms and when he got there he barged in, Charles was in bed with a pretty blonde and their lovemaking was interrupted by George.
"Get out!" George hissed to the blonde and threw her clothes at her; she pulled her dress on and rushed out.
"George! Come now, I don't interrupt your trysts." Charles got up and pulled some clothes on.
"No you don't, but while you were having your little tryst my sister is struggling through labour with your child! Anne has been in labour since yesterday and she is exhausted, the doctor fears that if she does not give birth today we may lose her and the baby, so forgive me if I am not considerate towards your newest paramour!" George barked.
Charles looked up sharply, "Anne is in labour? It should not have happened now she has almost a month to go."
"Does it really matter?" George sighed, "Anne needs you with her, I will drag you there tied up and gagged if I have to."
Charles looked at the normally soft spoken and playful young man, he was dead serious and calm, "No need I will come, and I need to inform his Majesty of-"
George walked to the door and stopped a servant; he told the servant to inform the King of their absence and explained why they couldn't inform the King personally. The servant bowed and promised to inform the King as fast as possible. "With that taken care of we can rush back."
Anne cried out, never in her life had she felt so drained. Her eyes were dropping and she felt darkness enter her vision.
"Hold on Anne, you are stronger than this!" Mary encouraged
"I can't... I'm so tired Mary I think I will die here." Anne's eyes fell shut again
"Doctor! Can you not help her with the pain?" Mary pleaded
Anne felt a contraction and pushed with all her strength, as her strength ran out she collapsed breathing heavily.
"God please give me strength." Anne whispered.
The midwife was on the bed between her legs she smiled, "Lady Anne I need you to push as hard as you can we need to get the baby out or it will die!"
Anne gathered her last reserves, she needed to save her child no matter what, as the next contraction began Anne grasped her sisters hand and pushed hard. She felt a twinge of pain and suddenly the baby slipped from her body, Anne fell back and gasped for air.
The midwife smiled down at the small child in her arms, "You have a son Lady Anne."
"Is he healthy?" Mary asked worried as the child had not cried.
The midwife smiled, she turned the boy this way and that and suddenly the boy had had enough of the treatment so he began screaming. "He is most certainly healthy; he just hadn't found anything to cry about yet."
Anne whimpered as she felt the need to push again, "Anne?" Mary looked at her sister worried.
"Lady Anne?" the midwife handed the child to Joan and turned her attention to Anne again she felt her stomach and gasped, "Lady Anne you need to push, now! You are having twins, push Lady Anne PUSH!"
Mary moved behind her and helped her, the midwife pushed down on her stomach and together they helped the baby out it took 5 contractions before the baby was out this child cried out the minute it left its mothers body.
"Another fine son." the midwife smiled as she wrapped the child up and began helping Anne.
Charles looked up as the door opened and Mary came out carrying a baby, "Your firstborn son." she handed the baby to him and Charles felt his heart beat as he looked down at his son. Joan followed and she carried another baby, "Your second son my Lord" she smiled as she showed the child to him.
"Two?" His heart skipped a beat, "How's my wife?"
Joan's smile fell and Mary pursed her lips, "It is not looking good, she lost a lot of blood and the doctor suspects that she has childbed fever." Mary answered, "If she makes it through tonight there is hope."
Charles looked at his two sons, they would soon be motherless and he had been in bed with his mistress as Anne was fighting for her life.
Charles gave Mary and Joan his sons and walked away from them, away from Anne. He met a priest downstairs one of the maids had summoned him and the priest looked at him sadly. "Your Grace."
"Why would God bless me with two sons and then take my wife away?" Charles asked the priest.
The Priest smiled sadly, "God sometimes see fit to call our loved ones home before we are ready to let them go, but you must trust in His plan. He knows your pain and He has given you two sons to remember your wife by if she dies."
"Trust in His plan?!" Charles growled, "This is my fault..."
"How so your Grace?"
"I will never do what I have done to Anne again if only she will live."
"Perhaps God will spare her, now if you will excuse me I must go and see the Duchess." The priest nodded to Charles and moved towards Anne's chamber.
Charles grabbed a cup and some wine and poured himself a drink, he needed it right now. He downed the first cup and poured the second before he even sat down.
Charles kept drinking until he blacked out; he woke to Mary shaking him awake "Come now wake up! Just how much did you drink?!"
"Be quiet woman." Charles put a hand over his ear.
"Good you are awake. Go and wash up then come upstairs to your wife she needs you." Mary pulled him up and Charles struggled to find his balance.
Mary called some of the servants and ordered them to dunk Charles into water until he was awake and sober. With a smile she left him in his servants hands, Charles was washed and scrubbed in cold water and dressed, the cook placed some breakfast in front of him and he ate it.
Joan came and lead him up to his chambers and let him go in alone, Charles sighed he was sure he would find his wife dead. Gently he opened the door and walked inside he saw the cradle and knew his sons were sleeping in there blissfully unaware of their mother's illness. Anne was resting, she was pale and her eyes were closed Charles pulled himself together and walked over to her. He knelt before the bed and gently grasped her tiny hand in his, "Anne?"
Anne's eyes opened and she looked at him with happiness written all over her face, "Did you see our sons?" Her smile was tired but happy, "They are so beautiful."
"Yes they are you did great Anne."
"I missed you, how is Queen Mary?"
Charles was shocked she didn't ask about his absence or about his mistress, "Queen Mary is fine she is back at court and I heard that she has sworn never to marry again."
"Because she is mourning her late husband?"
"No because she wants to spite Henry, he has plans to marry her off again but she does not want to be sent to another country again if she can prevent it."
"Oh," Anne smiled, "That must irritate the King, and I heard he has gotten himself a Maitresse en Titre and that the Queen is saddened by it."
"She is but you would not know it she bears it with a royal and calm dignity." Charles smiled, "Anne, how are you?"
Anne sighed, "Tired, happy and sad." A tear rolled down her cheek, "But it will get better."
"Anne I'm so-"
"Quiet Charles, I know what kind of man you are. I knew when I married you and I know it now, you hurt the ones that love you. You hurt me and I understand your desire for women, but I don't hate you and I forgive you. Just don't ever give me an insincere apology for your mistresses."
"But I really am-"
"Charles!" She glared at him, "Be quiet and only apologize to me when you mean it, when you are done with your mistresses not before. I forgive you with all my heart." She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Charles looked at her for a while she forgave him and didn't want to hear an apology if he didn't get rid of his mistresses. He understood that, he rose and walked over to the cradle to see his sons they laid in the same cradle close together one of them was slightly bigger than the other one. The smaller one looked up at Charles with Anne's eyes, eyes that seemingly blamed him for everything and a small frown appeared on his face.
Charles ran a finger down his cheek and picked the little one up, "What should we call you then, little one?" he asked his son. The baby whimpered and squirmed in his arms, "Perhaps we should call you George, Anne would like that I think."
"Anne would not like it," Mary stated quietly as she walked up behind him, "She wanted her son, if she got one, to be called Henry for the King as he is your friend or William."
"William?" he smiled at the baby and kissed his forehead, "You will be William, and your brother will be Henry."
He didn't notice then that Anne had woken and was smiling at the sight of her husband and little William together.
Anne lived, she was so happy with her sons and her husband had been more attentive to her after her difficult birth, he also supported his devestated wife after the midwife told her that it would be unlikely that Anne would ever become pregnant again. Two weeks after the birth Anne and Charles got an unannounced visitor, King Henry had come to see Charles' sons, Anne was holding little Henry and Joan was holding William as the King arrived.
He walked inside and Anne curtseyed, "Welcome your Majesty to Westhorpe Hall."
"Thank you Lady Anne."
Anne smiled, "My husband will be home soon can I offer you something to drink?"
Henry looked at her with hunger in his eyes, Anne knew he wondered if he could have kept her and gotten sons with her, "Yes some wine would be wonderful, Lady Anne."
Anne gave her son to Mary, who was round with child as well and poured the King a cup, "How rude of me," Anne said, "Your Majesty may I present my sister Mary Stafford and her husband William Stafford, my lady-in-waiting Joan and of course my sons Henry and William."
Anne gestured to the persons she introduced and the King nodded to them all, when he was introduced to the infants he walked closer to see them. Anne smiled and took her oldest back from Mary and walked to the King, "My oldest Henry, named after you, your Majesty." She smiled down at her silent son he was always so quiet and never cried for anything; he had dark hair and her mother Elizabeth's brown eyes. She beckoned Joan closer, "And my son William." William began to fuss and whimpered as soon as Joan moved, he had blue eyes and light brown hair, and he was the fussy one who always screamed for attention which meant that the nannies were almost forgetting about Henry when William fussed.
"Bless your children Lady Anne, may they grow strong and noble." King Henry smiled.
"Henry!" Charles walked into the room, "I didn't know you would come."
They hugged and Henry smiled, "I was introduced to your sons, such wonderful boys."
"They are," Charles winced when William began crying, "And loud too." They laughed together.
"Hush Will," Anne soothed her son gently, "You have no reason to cry." William quieted and looked up at his mother.
"My wife and I wondered if we could ask you to be the godfather of Henri." Charles slipped into his wife's name for their son, her French upbringing showed in her pet names.
"It would be an honour, my friend." Henry smiled at the little boy, "Is he always this quiet?"
Charles laughed, "Our son prefers to calculate the outcome of a tantrum and decides that it is not worth the tears."
"He is clever then." Henry smiled pleased, "He will be a joy to you."
"Yes but his brother is the noisy one, he will be a handful." Charles smiled
Anne smiled, "If you will excuse me I will go and put the boys down for a nap, come Guillaume let's put you down for a nap."
Anne, Joan and Mary walked out and into the children's room where the wet nurses were waiting, she then made her way to her private parlour when she heard Henry and Charles talking,
"You have everything a man could want Charles, two sons, a healthy and loving wife. What more could a man want?"
"God has blessed me and so has you, your Majesty."
"I want to have a son; do you know Catherine is not able to bear any children? She will not accept the fact and I know God will not grant me a son with her. I have had a long discussion with Cardinal Wolsey, in the Bible there is a rule against a man taking his brother's wife as their marriage will be childless."
"But your Majesty has a child with the Queen, Mary."
"Yes, but no son all kings must have a son to continue his legacy."
"I see. And you believe that the Queens marriage to you offends God?"
"Yes, there can be no doubt. The Queen was legally married to Arthur and I have married her, this offends God and the entire world."
Anne hurried to her parlour this wasn't her business to hear what the King and Charles were talking about, it was unseemly to listen at the door like a common servant.
But still it seemed as if the King wanted to get out of his marriage to the Queen, poor Catherine would be devastated to hear this.
Anne and Charles were saddened to hear that Queen Catherine was exiled from court while the King's mistress Jane Seymour wore purple and sat beside the king as his queen. She wore the Queen's jewels and Mary was forbidden from seeing her mother, Anne begged Charles to let her travel to Queen Catherine's side and comfort her. But Charles was not swayed he knew that Henry would watch all his nobles to see if one or more of them would flock to Catherine's side, after all she was the daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand if anyone could cause an uprising it would be her.
Charles and Anne kept mostly to their estate as they had for the last three years, their sons Henry and Will were growing nicely and they were happy. Mary and William had moved in permanently, William managed the estate with Charles and Mary was Anne's confidant and together they ran the household and their small school. Mary had a daughter Catherine and together with Will and Henry they terrorised every servant, Henry planned, Will got whatever they needed and Cathy used her charm to get them out of trouble.
"How are you Mary? Is the pregnancy worse than the last?" Anne asked her sister.
"No this one will not let me rest I am sure it's a boy no girl would be so unruly." Mary smiled teasingly at her sister.
"No and I should know my boys are rambunctious on a good day and small hellions on the next."
"And my Cathy only acts like an angel when she tries to cover for the boys."
They knitted clothes and blankets for the new baby, "I think I'm pregnant." Anne mumbled
"Oh Anne," Mary dropped her knitting and hugged her sister, "I'm so happy for you."
"I'm not." Anne whispered.
"Why not?"
"The last time I was with child, my husband left me and I almost didn't see him at all in my entire pregnancy."
"At least this time we are here with you."
"Yes the King has ordered Charles to go to Queen Catherine he is to take the last jewels she has kept, and bring them to Mistress Jane." Anne whispered, "It is awful how he treats her."
"Yes and that could have been one of us."
"Do not even say it Mary, I cannot think how awful our lives would have been."
"The king wanted you when he was here." Mary sighed
"He wanted my ability to give sons." Anne smiled sadly, "Haven't you heard from George that the court thinks me blessed for my ability to bring twins into the world without losing my own life or one of my children."
Mary laughed, "Yes I had heard that, they are right God must have blessed you and protected you. Even the midwife was sure that you would die after the birth."
Anne smiled at her sister, "But I didn't I am much too stubborn to be killed by something as simple as childbirth." Anne made a small gesture with her finger and Mary nodded, "Beside who would keep an eye on my sons if I were not here? Isn't that right Henri?" Anne looked directly at her son who was trying to put a frog onto Joan's hair.
"Sorry Mama." Henry got down from Wills back and both walked to their mother's side.
"I am not the one you should say sorry to."
"Sorry Joan." Both boys turned to the maid and looked at her like small angels.
Joan sighed no one could stay mad at those boys, "I will accept your apology if you wash the floor in the Hall."
"The entire Hall?!" Will exclaimed and Henry elbowed his brother.
"Yes the entire Hall," Anne said, "James will show you how and you will both do it if you don't I will tell your father and he will definitely find some other way to punish you." She raised an eyebrow and the boys nodded.
"We will do it; come on Will we need to find James and get this done before father comes home." They ran out and startled a maid in the hallway if the shriek was anything to go by.
"I don't know how they can be that different, Henry knew he wasn't getting out of the punishment but Will tried anyway." Mary said.
"Yes, they are very different. They can only be thankful that Charles is out hunting with the King today." Anne shook her head, "He would have put them over his knee."
"But he isn't here and they didn't manage to do anything bad, so really they haven't deserved to be spanked." Mary pointed out.
"I know, that is why this punishment will teach them to think about the consequences of their actions before they do anything. They will be tired tonight and have sore hands."
They continued knitting and gently speaking about baby names.
"Anne! Anne!"
Anne got up with difficulty from her place in her parlour, "Charles?" she supported her belly gently and soothed the child with a quiet hum.
"Anne, I come with a visitor." Charles held out his arm and Anne took it gently, together they walked to their hall and there they greeted the King.
"Lady Anne."
Anne did a curtsey, "Your Majesty."
"May I present my wife, Queen Jane" Henry gestured to the beautiful woman beside him; she had blonde hair and a kind air around her.
"Your Majesty," Anne curtseyed again "Welcome to Westhorpe Hall may you both enjoy your stay here."
Joan walked in with a tray she had prepared with wine and glasses, "Thank you Joan."
"My Lady, my Lord, your Majesties." She curtseyed and left them in peace.
"This is a beautiful hall." Queen Jane commented.
"I decorated it myself after we moved here." Anne said with a smile, she rubbed her stomach again and sighed, "I am sorry your Majesties but I must go lay down, this little one will not let me find peace."
"It's nothing to worry about Lady Anne, go rest." Queen Jane said with a gentle smile.
Anne left them and walked to the nursery, William slept on his back mumbling something, he had kicked his covers down to the end of the bed and Anne pulled them over him again. She kissed her youngest sons head "Dream of all the beautiful things in life and know that I love you Guillaume"
Henry lay quietly on his side and his silent breathing was the only sound from him. More than once the wet nurses had rushed to Henry when he slept as he was so quiet and he didn't turn in his sleep once, Anne kissed his forehead "I love you my Henri, dream of the world and your bright future."
Anne smiled as she was welcomed back to court again she curtsied to the king as he greeted her "Welcome Charles, Duchess Anne, welcome back to court." The king was happy his former wife had died in exile, after she refused to acknowledge that her husband had divorced her and that the Pope had no right to rule over the king. She had died as a queen no matter what the king said, she was and would always be Anne's queen and saviour.
"Thank you your Majesty, it is good to be back and I hear that congratulations is in order."
"Yes Jane is pregnant; I know it will be a boy." Henry smiled.
"The most beautiful prince in all of England's history." Anne agreed with a smile, "We have a surprise for you your Majesty."
He turned and Anne smiled as her and Charles turned to the entrance where their sons made their way towards them, the two boys were followed by Joan with a young babe in her arms. "Good day your Majesty." They bowed before Henry.
"Welcome to court young Henry and William."
"I'm sorry your Majesty but I couldn't just leave them at home." Anne smiled at her sons, "And we wanted to present our daughter to you, this is Elizabeth."
Henry looked at their daughter who looked at him with Anne's eyes she seemed to be judging him and deeming him worthy of his perusal.
In later years the story of Charles the Duke of Suffolk and his wife Anne Boleyn has been romanticized, he the knight that saved her from her manipulative father and uncle and together they build schools and helped their subjects. They were confidants of King Henry and his Queens, Anne of Cleves were a guest that continued to come Westhorpe Hall after her divorce from King Henry, Catherine Parr wrote in her private letters to Thomas Seymour that never had she met more gracious hosts and friends than Lord Charles and Lady Anne. Together Charles and Anne had five children the two oldest Henry and William served King Henry VIII before he died and they served his son Edward VI as brothers in arms. Henry became the Duke of Suffolk, William moved to Boulogne after the war in France and seldom returned to England. Their sister Elizabeth were married to King Edward and together they ruled fairly over England and their rule is called the Golden Age. The last child of Charles and Anne, Mary is to this day a mystery, she vanishes into the darkness of history after her marriage to a noble lord from Scotland.
Anne age 22
Charles age 38
Henry age 31
Catherine age 37
Princess age 6
Thomas Boleyn age 45
Elizabeth Boleyn age 42
George age 18
Mary age 23
Thomas Howard duke of Norfolk age 49