The entire country was soon shocked at the news that the King's own daughter. His first born, Lady Mary was to be executed as so many others in Henry's reign had. She, a King's daughter, was now destined to die; ultimately she would now share the same fate as the woman she despised, the concubine, Anne Boleyn.
Many people could not believe that the King would really do that to his own flesh and blood. Yes he had executed many people but they had been traitors or, in the case of Anne Boleyn, a deceiving whore who stole the King away from his rightful Queen.
Not his daughter.
Only a few people thought that Mary Tudor was truly guilty for failing to sign the oath and fewer still, wanted her sentenced to death.
The lady in question was still locked up in the Tower, unable to send any messages or receive any in return, she could expect no help from her cousin, who in her time of need, had abandoned her, guards were even required when the Queen came to visit! As much as Henry proclaimed to love Jane, he evidently didn't trust her or value her opinions.
Jane had tried to intervene of Mary's behalf a number of times, but to no avail, the King had warned her to keep her mouth shut or risk ending up the same way as his other wives.
Unfortunately for Katherine Ashley, no one had informed the young Lady Elizabeth what had happened, but had left the unpleasant task to her.
Elizabeth was annoyed. Her big sister Mary hadn't been to visit her in ages; she hadn't even received a letter! It wasn't fair! Elizabeth had just learnt to play the flute and her French was improving everyday even though she was only four years old. She missed her sister, who had been like a mother to her, ever since she could remember.
So one day she decided to take action.
" Kat?" she asked her governess.
"Why hasn't Mary come to visit me yet?"
Kat stiffened, as she always did when Mary's name was mentioned, but this time it was worse.
Kat knew that she could no longer put off telling Elizabeth that her big sister Mary, whom she idolized, was locked in the Tower, awaiting her execution.
" Elizabeth" Kat said gently, kneeling down to be eyelevel with the little girl.
" Your sister Mary, has done some bad things to your father the King, she made him upset, so she has to go away for a little while"
Elizabeth's lower lip trembled; she looked like she was about to cry.
" Will she go away like mama did?" she whispered.
Kat stared at her little charge for a moment, her heart breaking for the girl.
" Yes, Elizabeth." She said firmly after a moment.
" Yes she will."
The execution was set for 2 days time. Mary was resigned to her fate, nothing her cousin, the Queen or Chapuys could do would save her now.
Unless she signed the oath.
Mary knew that by not signing the oath, not only was she practically signing her own death warrant, but that she would lose all chance she ever had of becoming Queen of England. But her conscience and her commitment to God and to her mother would never allow it.
She would miss all the people in her life, little Elizabeth, loyal Chapuys, Queen Jane, even her father. As Mary resided in the Tower, comptemplating her fate, she began to write her last will and testament, preparing for that final moment when she would leave this earth.
The Last Will and Testament of Princess Mary Tudor, daughter of Katherine of Aragon and Henry Tudor, King and Queen of England, Ireland and France.
To my dearest family, my father the King, my stepmother Jane the Queen and to my beloved sister, Lady Elizabeth,
My Lord father, I pray you, allow me to be buried beside my mother, Katharine the Queen. I want you to know that despite what you have done to me and mine, I forgive you. I know that you always desire to be a good and loving father, I can only pray for your immortal soul and I hope that you will learn from this folly of calling myself a traitor. I have only done what my conscience will allow me. I love you; I have always loved you, as a daughter should,
I may forgive you, but I do not forget.
Your daughter, Princess Mary Tudor.
Queen Jane,
I know you have always been a loyal friend and advisor to me, as you were to my mother, I beg you to look after my father, the King and help him to see the error of his ways. If anyone can help to make my father a better man, it is you. Do not blame yourself for my death. You are the best Queen England has had since my beloved mother, all you need to do to keep my memory alive, is be the best Queen you can be and guide my father with a loving hand.
Your stepdaughter, Princess Mary Tudor.
My Elizabeth,
Do not weep for me, for your sister is going to a better place now. I want you be a kind and obedient daughter to your new mother, Queen Jane, for she is a kind and loving woman. As for our father, you know Elizabeth, all too well that you must be obedient and loyal to him, you must obey him in all things without question, as your sovereign Lord and father. Work hard in your studies and think of me. I need you to know Elizabeth, that even though we have had our differences, that I love you dearly. I pray that you stay sweet, chaste, pure and innocent and never grow up to become like your wanton mother.
Your sister, Princess Mary Tudor.
With the formalities out of the way, Mary Tudor settled down to a sleepless night.
Meanwhile King Henry couldn't sleep either; he tossed and turned, trying in vain to block out the thoughts swirling in his brain. He was racked with guilt. He desperately searched his mind for something else to dwell on, anything would do. Suddenly his thoughts turned to his former wife, Katherine. If she were still alive⦠Henry shuddered to imagine what she would say, but then again, if Katherine were still alive their daughter wouldn't be sitting alone in the tower about to die.
Groaning, he put his head into his hands, just as Jane was stirring.
"Henry?" she whispered.
" Is something wrong?"
Yes, everything was wrong! He remembered a time not so long ago when Katherine used to say that and it made him feel like weeping.
Henry's expression was answer enough, silently Jane took him into her arms and let him weep like the little boy he still was. He hadn't wept like this since Katherine died.
Finally Henry began to feel drowsy, Jane watched him as he moved restlessly, and if she leaned in close she could just make out the words he was mumbling.
" Mary, my pearl! My sweetest heart!" All the while tears were sliding down his cheeks for the wife he had lost and the daughter he was about to lose.
Because Henry knew that his daughter was crying too.
And because his heart was breaking.
