February 2, 1503
The Queen's Bedchamber
"Husband, I am sorry I did not bear you a 4th son." Queen Elizabeth said with sadness in her voice. King Henry looked at her with awe. This woman bore him 3 sons and now 4 beautiful daughters. He could marry this baby girl off to Spain or Portugal in 13 or 15 years. He also noticed that his wife looked very pale. She had dark circles under her eyes. "Darling, are you feeling alright?" he asked her. She didn't want to tell him that the birth was difficult and she was feeling feverish. "Yes my lord, I am." she faintly replied. The king looked at his newborn daughter and didn't want to hand her to the nursemaid. "Well sweetheart, I must announce to the Court of the birth of our little princess." The King kissed his wife on the forehead and felt how warm she was. He knew she was hot after labor, so he dismissed it and walked out the room.
February 7, 1503
The Royal Nursery
Princess Christina was crying, yet again. It was as if she knew her mother was deathly ill. The Queen was severly ill with childbed fever and was fighting for her life. Princess Margaret picked her up and soothed her "There, it's alright baby sister, mama will be fine. She will survive." Margaret said as she rocked the baby princess. Normally, a princess wouldn't be found rocking a baby, but Margaret didn't care. She would not be there to watch Christina grow up since she will be leaving in 5 months time. The other royal children were visiting their mother in her chambers. Margaret was worried about her mother. "How is our little sister?" Margaret's younger brother Henry asked. He was very tall for an 11 year old boy. Margaret replied "She is fine, little brother just fussing." Henry had a soft spot for mall of his sisters. All the Tudor siblings were praying for their mother. At that moment, Princesses Elizabeth and Mary and Prince Edmund walked into the nursery. "Maggie, is mama going to die?" Edmund asked his oldest sister, with tears filling his emerald green eyes. "No, she will not. Mother is strong." Margaret replied with confidence to her youngest brother. At that moment, all of the Tudor siblings grabbed each others hands and recited prayers for their ailing mother.
The King's Privy Chamber
"My son, is there any change in the Queen's condition yet?" Lady Margaret Beaufort asked her son and only child. "No Mother, she is still critical." The King answered his mother. It was no secret that Lady Beaufort did not like her daughter-in-law. She thought she was too involved with her children. "Son, may I suggest an Italian marriage? The Medici has several beautiful daughters, Like Catherine of Milan and Isabella of Tuscany. They are in their early 20s and very fertile." the King's mother suggested. The King spun around and glared at his mother in anger. How dare she suggest such a thing when his wife was fighting for her life. "Mother, it sounds like you are wishing the Queen dead, which you know is treason, and if you ever suggest such a thing in my presence again in your life, I will have you arrested and locked in the Tower for treason for the rest of your earthly days! Am I understood?!" The King yelled in anger. Lady Beaufort looked at her son in fear. The Queen's younger brothers, Richard and Edward, disappeared in the Tower. "Yes, your Majesty." she replied. "Madam, leave my sight. I do not wish to see you at this precise moment. Lady Beaufort bowed and left her son alone. The King grabbed his rosary and prayed for his wife. "Lord, spare my wife. my children need their mother. This country needs her. I need her." he prayed, as tears slid down his face. He was not ready to lose his wife and Queen. They had been happily married for 17 years. He loved her so much, that he never took a mistress in their marriage, like most Kings did while their wife was with child. He needed her by his side.
The Queen's Bedchamber
The Queen was getting worse. Her body was radiating fever and she was vomiting everything she tried to eat, including water. She was always tossing and turning in her sleep. Her ladies-in-waiting were constantly keeping watch over her to make sure she was alright. The Queen was always praying while in her bed and when she was in her right mind. "Lord, if it is your will that I join you, please take care of my children and my husband. Give them the strength to move on after my transition to your Kingdom. Send my mother for me. She was my rock until you called her home. Thank you Lord, for my children. All of them are loving and full of grace. Amen." She prayed when she was alone. The Queen then fell asleep peacefully.
February 10, 1503
The Queen's Bedchamber
The doctor was examining the Queen. She had an involuntary losing of the bowels and was becoming weaker at the moment. She was breathing less and her fever was getting higher. The King was outside pacing with the Royal children. "Doctor how is the Queen, my wife." the King asked. Tomorrow was his wife's 37th birthday and he wanted to celebrate with her. "Your Majesty, may I please speak to you in private?" the doctor asked. The children were excused and the King was alone. "Your Majesty, forgive me, but I'm afraid you will have to send for a priest." The King's worse fear was realized. His beloved wife, his Queen, his best friend, the mother of his children, was dying.
Early the Next morning
Queen Elizabeth of York was given her last rights and called for her eldest son Henry. "You wanted to see me, Mother?" Henry asked, with tears in his eyes. "Come here, my child." the Queen answered weakly. As her son approached her, she continued "Harry, my darling son, The hour of my death is drawing near, I must ask you a favor." "Anything, Mother." "I must ask you to be a great King one day. and please look after your sisters and brother." "Yes, Mother, I promise with all my soul to be the best." he replied with confidence. Elizabeth smiled greatly as her son walked out her Bedchamber. She laid back against her pillow and knew today her 37th birthday. She thanked the Lord for another year. She also felt the cold air creeping and knew her time had come. With tears in her eyes, the Queen of England drew her last breath.
The Queen was dressed in white and was surrounded by light. "My darling daughter, welcome home." The Queen turned her head and saw her mother, Elizabeth Woodville, standing beside her. "Mother, Oh I've missed you!" she exclaimed as she hugged her mother. "I have someone who wants to see you." the Queen's mother replied. A teenage boy walked toward them. "Oh my dear, Arthur!" Elizabeth cried. Arthur smiled at his mother and grabbed her hand. "It's time to go home, Mother." With her mother and her eldest son by her side, Queen Elizabeth of York was walked into eternal Glory and left the earthly world behind.