1536

This was the end for Princess Mary Tudor after 20 years of life, she was giving in after all that had happened her mother's death this was the final straw for her. She had never been a robust child and now at the age of 20 she was to die alone and unloved just as her mother had done. She had only her few devoted servants and a few priests muttering prayers for her soul, other than that she was all alone. It looked as though she would never become Queen of England now. All that she, her mother and many others had worked so hard for, it was all about to be lost; Mary just didn't have the strength to fight anymore. Mary wished she could have seen her father one last time to tell him how much she loved him, but Mary knew that this was unlikely and although he cared enough to send a physician he obviously didn't care enough to visit her on her death bed so with her remaining strength she wrote him a letter….

To his Majesty my father the King,

I as ever your humble daughter Mary leave this letter for you, it is the last will and testament of the Princess Mary Tudor. I am dying and though you did not come to visit me as I beseeched you to, in my final hours I do not reproach you for it as you are the King and I am as ever your loyal subject.

As for my possessions I wish for my religious pendant to go to Elizabeth so that she may remember me forever more as her beloved sister. I also leave a small sum of money for my brother the Duke of Richmond, my clothes and monies may be given to my loyal servants and whatever may be left over I ask be given to the poor.

I am sorry that we could not agree on some matters in life but as I descend towards heaven and my beloved mother Queen Katherine of Aragon I realize now that though I have made no secret of my dislike of Anne Boleyn that I cannot in all good conscience condemn you in your decisions as it is not my place.

So finally dearest father, while I still do not support the break with Rome, the Act of Succession or my title of Lady Mary as well as my late mothers title of Dowager Princess of Wales and after the grief you have caused me I want you to know that I still think of you with fond feelings and affection.

In the coming years I hope you will remember and acknowledge me as a kind and loving daughter who only tried to please you and her mother in all things as dictated by her clean conscience. But most of all I still have the fond hope that when you remember me you will remember me as Princess Mary and the one true heir to the throne.

Your daughter, Princess Mary Tudor

With those final words she placed the letter on the table and departed this life as she had entered it. As a Princess.