Princess Katherine of Aragon (Boleyn)- 44 December 16th 1485
Prince Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Wiltshire-52 March 12th 1477
George Boleyn, Duke of Rochford- 16 April 17th 1513
Isabella Boleyn- 11 September 7th 1517
Tom Boleyn, Duke of Pembroke- 11 September 7th 1517
Cordelia Tudor-11 year May 2nd 1518
William Boleyn, Duke of Buckingham- 10 year June 13th 1519
Anthony Boleyn, Duke of Suffolk- 10 year June 13th 1519
Rose Boleyn- 9 year March 2 1520
Catalina Boleyn- 8 year August 29th 1520
Princess Mary Tudor-13 February 18th 1516
Princess Cecily Tudor- 7 years July 25th 1521
Princess Elizabeth Tudor- 10 September 7th 1518
Princess Margaret Tudor- 5 years August 14th 1523
Prince Edward Tudor of Wales- 10 years February 14th 1519
Prince James Tudor of York- 6 years October 1st 1522
King Henry VIII- 38 June 28th 1491
Anne of Cleves (Anna)- 30 September 22nd 1498
Sir Francis Bryan- 38 November 14th 1490
Queen Kathryn Parr- 36 August 30th 1492
Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond- 14 August 5th 1514
Elizabeth Bryan- 10 year January 10th 1519
Gregory Cromwell Earl of Oxford- 15 October 19th 1514
Catherine Carey- 11 November 30th 1517
Henry Carey - 10 December 1st 1518
Anne Stafford- 8 January 1st 1520
Prince Henry of France- 15 July 10th 1513
Prince Phillip of Spain- 16 May 2 1512
Jane Parker- 16 May 15th 1513
Princess Joan of Austria- 10 June 24 1519
Charles de Bourn, Duke of Beaucourt- 9 year July 21 1520
June 28th 1529
We were all summoned to Court for Henry's birthday, we had celebrated William and Anthony's the week before, the had turned 10 while Henry turned 38 today. "Mama, can I stay in Bella, Rose, and Catalina's chambers instead of my own?" Cordelia asked as we entered the Palace.
"Yes sweetheart" I knew since we were at Court Catalina would sneak into our bed each night, she was so timid and shy around others and hated being at Court. "Rose, are you alright?" I asked, she had never talked to me, when I went to her after speaking with Isabella she said it was no longer important and no matter how I pushed she would not speak of it.
"I am fine" was all she said, I took her hand and kept her close letting the others go ahead.
"Catalina go with your father" she nodded and ran up the him quickly grabbing his jacket hugging Kitty. "Let us take a walk in the gardens, I always liked the ones at Whitehall" she did not protest as I tugged her off to the sweet smelling maze. I let silence float between us for a few minutes before finally speaking "what has been on your mind Rose? It clearly has been bothering you" I took her face in my hands glancing down at her.
Rose Boleyn
I hated when she looked at me like that, I could not lie to her. "No one will ever wish to marry me because I am adopted" I whispered softly and she shook her head.
"No, sweetheart, your father has been getting offers, he just has not decided on whom he wishes to have you betrothed too" she said, but I knew the offers were most likely from Viscounts or Earls, not Duke's of sons of a King like my sisters got. "Mi amor, what is really on your mind? You are 9 years old, marriage should not be a big issue yet" I bit my lip.
"My…my real mother in France, she sent me a letter asking if I would like to come live with her in France, she says I have another sibling and that she wants us to be a family" I looked away once I saw the hurt on mama's face. She always did her best to be a good mother and it hurt her greatly when ever I referred to the Lady Elizabeth as my 'real' mother.
"Oh, well, if you wished to go to France sweetheart you only had to ask, I am sure your father could work something out" I hugged around her waist tightly burying my face in her stomach. "Your father shall be waiting for us" she sent me with Lady Hobbs.
She walked back into the Palace before she I could say anything "you have hurt her very much" Lady Hobbs said pushing me along.
"I did not mean too, but my real mother-" she grabbed my arms kneeling before me.
"That woman is in no way your mother, yes she birthed you, but the Lady Wiltshire, Her Highness, she took care of you from the moment she held you in her arms. She fed you herself and kept you by her side, when the Lady Elizabeth tried to take you back she fought though she was confined to her bed." I looked down, but she caught my face making me look at her. "She has fought for you and won, she has been there every moment from your first walk to your first word, and you dare call another woman who has done nothing but write you a letter?" I bit my lip looking into my governances piercing honeyed orbs.
"I did not mean to hurt her!" I whimpered tears forming in my eyes.
"You owe her an apology" I nodded taking her hand and quickly rushing to mama and papa's room.
Cordelia Tudor
"Father!" I exclaimed quickly bowing before jumping into his arms.
"My heart" he laughed kissing my forehead before turning to my other siblings, brushing me aside without a care. "Mary, Margaret, Edward James we must go to the balcony to greet England" it hurt me when I could not be apart of this. I was a bastard and not allowed, I stomped my foot in anger, I hated being ignored.
"Cordelia!" Mary called, but I left running back to my mothers room, when I got there mama was holding a whimpering Rose while Catalina sat by her feet while William and Anthony played knights behind the couch. I became self-conscious and angry, this was all her fault.
"Cordelia? Mi amor, what happened?" She asked in fear standing up still holding Rose.
"This is all your fault!" I sobbed, she was taken back and looked at me with wide eyes "I hate you!" Both Rose and Catalina stared at me with wide eyes and mama quickly stepped forward.
"What did I do? Mi amor what happened?" I shoved her hand away as she tried to pet my cheek, I was angry. I hated being known as the Lady Cordelia Tudor, the King's bastard daughter, the bastard of the Princess Katherine of Spain.
Bastard. Bastard. Bastard. Bastard.
That is all I was. And it is all her fault.
"If only you had not been a whore like everyone says you were, I would not be a bastard!" I hissed to her in tears, my younger sisters gasped and William and Anthony dropped their toys to the ground in shock at my words.
A loud crack broke the silence and my cheek stung. She hit me. "Go to your room!" She snapped, pain and hurt hidden in her voice.
"Mama-" she cut me off before I could speak.
"I said go!….Not to your sisters room, to the ones you were assigned, Lady Ashley, make sure she gets their as soon as possible, she is not allowed out of her bedchamber" I looked at her in disbelief.
Mama hated it when anyone brought up her affair with the King.
Catalina Boleyn
Mama was trembling and I looked up to see her eyes full of tears as Cordelia left "go back to your rooms" she ordered us her voice cracking softly from unshed tears. William and Anthony slowly left as did Rose, but I held tight to my mama.
"I wanna stay with you mama" she slowly sat back down on the couch and I crawled into her lap, she hugged me tightly and soon I felt her tears on my neck. "Do not cry mama!" I begged hiding my face in her neck.
She kissed my cheek running her fingers through my blonde hair "Katherine?" Papa said walking quickly into the room, William and Anthony peeked inside, they must have gotten papa. "Sweetheart what is it?" He asked, he picked mama up holding her in his arms. I jumped from the couch holding both their legs tightly "Catalina, go with your nurse, mama and papa need a few minutes alone" I nodded unwillingly.
I was angry at Cordelia, why did she have to call mama a mean name and make her cry? I ran down the hall in front of Lady Hobbs to Mary's room. It was her, Isabella, Elizabeth, Cecily and Margaret sitting down talking.
"Mary! Mary!" I called tears shinning in my eyes, why did Cordelia always have to ruin everything?
Princess Mary Tudor
"What is wrong?" I asked quickly as my youngest sister by my mother ran to me in tears.
"Cordelia….she say mean things….and make mama cry!" Her voice was broke by tears and I raised and eyebrow.
"Do not cry Catty!" Margaret said taking her hand, she had chestnut hair like mine but brown eyes.
"What did Cordelia say to mama? It is alright Catty you cant tell me and not get in trouble" I told her petting her cheek.
"She said mama was a…a" her voice lowered to a whisper "a whore" anger surged through my veins, I knew she was upset at what father did, but she had no right hurting mama.
"Everything will be alright" I whispered hugging her tightly.
"Mary, does Cordelia really hate mama?" She asked softly after a few minutes of tears.
"No, I do not think she hates mama, she is just upset" she nodded quietly sitting in my lap leaning against me quietly.
"Cordelia is going to be in trouble once papa finds out" Bella said rolling her eyes, papa was very protective of mama, but I doubted he would be too harsh on Cordelia.
"I doubt he will be too cross with her, after all she has her reasons" I stated as Margaret jumped up next to me leaning against my shoulder.
"That still does not give her the right to call Grandmamma a bad name" Elizabeth countered with venom in her voice,
"I agree with Beth" Cecily said quietly, she rarely spoke since her mothers death.
"He is going to be mad at her and punish her, I am just saying that he might understand why she did it, after all she has been through a lot, and papa has been ignoring her lately" I explained with a sigh and they all rolled their eyes, especially Bella.
"If she were my daughter and I was mama, I would have slapped her across the face, that would show her" Bella snapped in annoyance.
"Mama did hit Cordelia" Catalina whispered softly.
"Oh well then, mama did something right, she is way too soft on her….and you" Catalina gasped in shock at her words.
"She not soft on me! Your just jealous because mama loves me more!" Catalina shouted passionately, but stayed in my lap.
"Really? Well mama had be first from papa, you are just the last child" Bella has been in a horrible moon since she returned from Hever. Tom had gone around telling everyone that she bloodied her dress from getting her courses in which she tried to strangle him and when that did not work she broke his nose again. But till she was in a terrible mood because we all laughed at her.
"Yeah I was last and she loves me more! You only cause trouble, I am an angel" Catalina countered smugly with a satisfied smile, Bella sat up in anger, icy blue eyes flashing.
"Oh yeah? At least when I was born I did not almost kill her!" We all gasped collectively, Catalina had never been told about that, it was something that everyone agreed not to tell her.
"Isabella Boleyn!" I hissed in anger "what the hell is your problem? Why can you not at least try to pretend you have a heart? You always have to start trouble!" I turned my back to her and pet Catalina's cheek.
"I killed mama?" She asked in sobs.
"No Catty, mama is still alive, you just saw her a few minutes ago, Bella is just being mean" I whispered to her kissing her cheek.
"She say I almost kill her, is it true?" Tears rolled down her rosy cheeks.
"Well…-"
"You did, after she gave birth to you she would not wake up, you know papa wanted mama to kill you when you were in her stomach" she sobbed harder jumping from my lap and no doubt running back to mama.
I caught her arm and she slapped me getting away "you heartless….cruel….bitch!" I finally swore and slapped her across her cheek. She jumped up in shock and lunged at me, we both fell to the ground kicking, punching and scratching. Margaret and Cecily ran for their nurse in tears as Lady Salisbury and a maid tried dragging us apart, but in the end it took a guard to separate us.
"I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOU TO LEAVE, THEN YOU SHALL BE FRANCE'S PROBLEM!" Bella screeched in anger.
"I CANNOT WAIT TILL YOU ARE MARRIED AND THOMAS BUTLER BEATS YOU FOR BEING SUCH A CUREL, HEARTLESS, DISOBEIDANT WENCH!" I yelled back. The door was thrown open with such a force it sent tapestries off the wall, the room became silent but for Cecily and Margaret's whimpers and Elizabeth's soft voice trying to soothe them.
Prince Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Wiltshire
"Lady Lowell, take Princess Margaret and Cecily back to their rooms" I hissed, anger boiled my blood at the children's behavior since George's wedding.
"Yes, Your Highness" she brought them away and Elizabeth went with them, a guard held both Mary and Isabella apart and I silently dismissed him.
"I have given warnings to you over the years about your behavior Isabella, now I have had it! You have crossed a line in telling your sister that" I snapped at my oldest daughter by Katherine. Mary smirked and I then turned to her "and do not think you shall get away with anything, you are a Princess and your mother raised you better, raised both better, then to fight before your younger siblings." She bowed her head in shame.
"I am sorry papa, I did not mean too" Mary whispered softly.
"Go to my chamber at once! Both of you, we are all going to sit down and have a family talk" they both winced and I grabbed Isabella's arm before she left the room.
"Yes papa" she asked boldly looking into my eyes.
"I have always let you get away with a lot of things Isabella, but that ends tonight, you are going to say sorry to Catalina and then I am sending you back to Dover, alone." Her eyes widened, we have not separated the children like that in a while, and it was time they got used to not being together all the time.
"I am sorry-" I held my hand up stopping her and she hung her head and stomped her feet leaving to the parlor.
I was last to arrive and all the children were sitting down on the couch or floor quietly knowing the telling to come, Katherine sat in our bedchamber comforting a hysterical Catalina. "What is wrong with you all? Have your mother and I not been strict enough with you?" I snapped they all kept silent.
"Isabella, your behavior tonight is completely uncalled for, in the morning you shall leave for Dover" she already knew that, but sat back with crossed arms.
"We share the same Governance? What are you going to do? Send me without one?" She asked hotly.
"Lady Smith, the caretaker of the home shall act as your governance and I shall send a female attendant for your journey, and do not speak to me in that tone young lady or your punishment shall be more severe." I growled and she grew silent, I turned to the next disobedient child.
"Cordelia" she winced when her name was said "you have hurt your mother very much, you shall be sent to your residence at Nunnington Hall" she looked as if she were to protest, but slumped back. "Lady Ashley, begin packing her things!" The maid nodded and left.
"Are you going to send us away?" William asked speaking for him and Anthony.
"Yeah papa, where are you sending us?" Rose asked softly.
"You are going no where, though you have caused your own mischief I find it is not that bad" I then looked to Princess Mary. "I have sent a message to the King and he shall decide just punishment, now go get ready for the King's banquet they all left and I went back into my bedchamber.
"Hush Catalina, you did not hurt mama in anyway, I was very happy at your birth" Katherine whispered to our youngest child who sat sobbing in her lap.
"Bella say I almost killed you!" I sat down and she looked to me "and you wanted me dead!" I shook my head, why must my children be so difficult.
"Catalina, your mother slept a few days after your birth because she was really tired, not because you almost killed her, Isabella was young at your birth and heard mostly through stories, do not listen to her. And I love you very much and never wanted you dead, your sister is just in a horrible mood lately" she buried her face in Katherine's chest whimpering.
"Is he telling the truth mama?" She asked softly.
"Yes, he has no reason to lie to you mi amor" Katherine ran her fingers through her wavy blonde strands.
"I am sorry Cordelia made you sad" she suddenly whispered, Katherine's eyes soften at her words, she really was a sweet child, like her mother.
"You do not need to be sorry for Cordelia, but I thank you anyway sweetheart, now it is time for you to go get ready for the banquet tonight, go along" she kissed Katherine's cheek then mine and took Lady Hobbs hand walking away.
Princess Katherine Boleyn, Duchess of Wiltshire
"I wonder if we are raising them wrong?" I asked looking down at my hands, Thomas pulled me close into his chest and kissed me.
"We are not raising them wrong, they are just too stubborn for their own good, just like their mother" he smiled and I shook my head laughing.
"So now this is my fault? I believe Isabella is your fault, she has your temper" I smiled softly and he stood up pulling me with him.
"We can fight who is to be blamed for the children's temper later, for now we must get ready for the banquet" I got up and was dressed in a pale blue gown, my hair was tied up in a silver cord tied beneath a matching French Hood.
"Sweethearts, are you ready?" I asked the girls going into the room, Isabella, Rose and Cordelia they were dressed in red gowns, for some reason they all liked to dress in the same colors sometimes.
"Yes mama" they all whispered like perfect angels.
"Where is Catalina?" I looked around the room and did not see my youngest daughter.
"She is in her room" Rose answered softly, I started forward when Cordelia jumped forward wrapping her arms around my waist surprising me.
"I am sorry mama! I did not mean to hurt you, I was just so mad" she cried into my side, I leaned down holding her face and kissed her cheek.
"I am not mad at you, mi amor, we shall talk more tonight, okay?" She nodded kissing me, I smiled and went into their bedroom to see Catalina on the bed holding Kitty. She was in a dark blue gown her hair curled and let down her face with a matching blue ribbon keeping her hair from her eyes.
"Lady Hobbs you may leave" she bowed and left and I helped Catalina with her slippers.
"Is everyone still mad?" She asked softly and I helped her down from the bed.
"No sweetheart, everything is alright" I promised kissing her forehead "do you think Kitty should stay here? You do not want her to break" she whimpered in protest before I allowed her to bring Kitty with her.
"Lady Hobbs shall bring you, I will check on Mary and the others" they nodded, but of course Catalina held tight to my skirts following.
"Grandmamma! Is it true you are sending Cordelia and Isabella away!" Elizabeth asked with wide eyes, she loved playing with Cordelia.
"Yes, your grandfather has decided it is for the best, let us not think of it, tonight is your fathers birthday" she nodded and I looked to Cecily and Margaret. "You two are absolutely beautiful!" Queen Kathryn walked in with a smile and Mary walked out of her room adorned it a soft grey gown with pearls.
"Princess Katherine, tis a pleasure to see you" she said and I bowed to her.
"Your Majesty, the pleasure is mine, are the boys ready?" She nodded, William, Anthony and Tom went to dress with the Prince's in their chambers.
"Yes they are, though they all made it quite difficult" I shook my head with a smile, the boys, especially William and Anthony who were always so full of energy.
"Mama" Mary said softly smiling down to Catalina.
"Princess, your father wishes for me to tell you that since you behavior today does not reflect that of a Princess of England, you and the Princess Elizabeth shall be sent to Hatfield to study decorum with Lady Simmons" her expression became hard.
"I understand the need for my punishment, but must Elizabeth be punished as well?" She asked softly, in a grown up voice that made me proud of her.
"The King does not wish to separate her from her governance, she will go with you" Mary took a deep breath and glared at her stepmother for a moment.
"Mary! Tis not the Queen's fault, your own actions have done this" I snapped and she nodded eyes softening immediately.
"I am sorry, I shall help bring the girls to the banquet hall, mother shall I get Isabella, Cordelia and Rose as well?" She asked in a sweet aggravated voice.
"Yes, you may" I pet Catalina's hair knowing she would not go even if I told her, though she was well behaved most of the time she would throw a fit if I tried sending her away.
"Catalina, shall we go see if papa is ready? Then we shall get your brothers" she nodded blonde curls bouncing happily. "Your Majesty, I hope to speak with you more tonight" I said with a curtsy.
"I am sure we shall, Lady Catalina, shall I see you dance tonight? I hear from the tutors you are an excellent dancer" Queen Kathryn said to her and she blushed deeply hiding her face in my skirts.
"Only if mama dances" I laughed softly pushing her towards the door, we left to her fathers study and I was happy to see George had arrived. "GEORGE!" Catalina screamed running forward and jumped into her brothers arms.
"Oh! Look how much you have grown Catty!" He said feigning surprise and she giggled looking towards me.
"Mama he came back!" Her excitement could not be contained and I was first to take note of Jane.
"It is good to see you Jane, I hope my son has been kind to you" I said with a smile hugging her.
"He has been very kind and generous Your Highness" she whispered with little confidence, she has always been skittish.
"Mama, have you ever doubted me?" George asked with a smile and hugged me tightly,
"No, I am just making sure you are being kind to her" I smoothed his brown hair down and he smiled.
"I have, now the banquet has started, if you may mama, escort Jane I shall go get my brothers" I nodded and he placed Catalina down as she glanced to Jane.
"Mama, is she going to have a baby?" She whispered as we started walking down the hallway.
"I do not know sweetheart, but do not bother her about it" she pouted and ran a little forward to grab her fathers jacket. "I am sorry about her forwardness, she was excited when I told her that when George marry's he shall have children and she will be an aunt" I explained.
"It is alright, she is still young" I nodded, she was quiet and reserved but it did not bother me, she was still getting used to being apart of this family.
"Your Majesty, happy birthday" I said curtsying before Henry as he sat in his chair leaning back lazily.
"Thank you, I feel no different though" he sighed taking a gulp from his goblet.
"Papa! Can…can you dance with me?" Margaret asked tugging his hand, he smiled down to her and got up going down to the dance floor.
"Ma Cherie, can I have this dance?" Thomas asked startling me.
"I guess I can allow one dance" I took his hand and he led me down to the dance floor "you must remember to dance with Catalina, she has been looking forward to it" he nodded looking to his daughter who was pouting in a chair.
We did a quick dance before he picked up Catalina from behind him scaring her "papa!" She giggled happily as he brought her to the dance floor.
"Mama will you dance with me?" William asked holding out his hand.
"I would love to dance with you" he smiled, he had a bit of difficulty and tripped a few times but I assured him he had done well.
"It seems Catalina is getting tired" I whispered to Thomas as she danced with George, he laughed laying his hand on my thigh.
"It has been a while since we have had a night alone" he leaned forward kissing me passionately, but only for a moment.
"Mama I wanna go to bed" Catalina yawned crawling into my lap.
"Alright sweetheart, we must say goodnight to the King and Queen" she nodded leaning against my legs, as we walked down the hall I picked her up brought her to her bedroom.
"No mama, I wanna sleep with you and papa" she whined as I took her gown off and lifted her up into the bed she shared with her sisters.
"Go to sleep Catalina, when papa comes to bed you shall be brought into our bed" I lied, tears welled in her eyes, she could get so fussy.
"No mama I wanna sleep with you and papa now!" She cried starting to so, I pet her face lovingly.
"Sweetheart you are going to sleep with us, but for right now you shall sleep in this bed" her head shook and she slammed her fists down on the bed crying loudly.
"You are lying mama!" She sobbed loudly throwing her body every which way as she had a fit.
"Catalina will you stop this! Mama is not lying, she has no need to" tears slipped down her cheeks, she was exhausted but refused to sleep.
"You and papa do not want me! That is why you are sending me to France!" I closed my eyes.
"Alright mi amor, come on you shall sleep in my bed" her tears slowed as I lifted her up and brought her into our bedroom laying her down in the middle of the bed. She snuggled close to my side letting herself drift off into a light slumber, I sighed and allowed a maid to undress me for the night and slipped into bed, she cuddled close laying her head on my chest and wrapping her arms around my stomach.
"I love you mama" she whispered softly in sleep, I kissed her head.
"I love you too Catalina" it was a couple hours later when Thomas walked in, his eyes darkened with disappointment when he saw Catalina curled close to me, he sighed running his fingers in his white hair. "I am sorry Thomas, she was throwing a fit" I whispered not wanting to wake her.
"This will end soon Katherine, she is to be 9" I nodded hugging my youngest child close to me, I hated that they all had to grow up.