Chapter IV
October, 1512
The year of 1512 hadn't been well for Catherine. In July, Catherine received the news that her mother, Isabella I of Spain, had died.
Catherine was full of sorrow.
She had always been close to her mother.
Even during her marriage, Catherine kept close contact with her mother. She kept closer contact to her than to any other member of her Spanish family. For the first month of her mother's death, Catherine was desolate and inconsolable.
She was also in her seventh month of pregnancy.
Henry VIII was worried.
He didn't want his child born dead.
He ordered the Court to go in mourning for the great Spanish Queen. Henry VIII knew that because of the prosperous reign of Isabella I, his father arranged a marriage between Catherine and him (him replacing Arthur). Catherine was grateful to him, and recovered from desolation. She knew that her sister Joanna, was now Queen of Castile, and once their father died, the Queen of Spain. Archduke Charles is now the Prince of Asturias.
Catherine went into confinement at the end of November.
The whole Court waited anxiously for news.
Catherine had proved herself capable of bearing children, but there's always the risk of Catherine dying in childbirth, like how her older sister, Isabella, died.
In the middle of October, Catherine went into labour.
It was a girl.
Her birth was received with mixed feelings.
Henry VIII was a little disappointed it wasn't the Duke of York he was expecting, but he was optimistic that their next child will be another son. He was pleased that Catherine was well (she recovered quickly from the pregnancy).
He was kind-hearted enough to name his new daughter Isabella, after Catherine's mother, instead of after his own mother.
Catherine was happy.
She was so pleased with Henry VIII, that she decided to take in his illegitimate child.
Months after Prince Harry's birth, Lady Hastings was discarded with her daughter, who hadn't been properly acknowledged as the King's daughter. Lady Hastings was sent to a convent by her husband, and the baby was sent with her. Her brother, the Duke of Buckingham, didn't take her away from the convent, or her baby.
Henry VIII had forgotten about his bastard, but Catherine hadn't.
"I've been thinking," said Catherine uncertainly.
"About?" said Henry VIII, playing with little Isabella.
"Lady Elizabeth…Fitzroy."
"Who?"
"You and Lady Hastings's child. She's a little older than our Harry. I heard that she's been neglected at the convent, and uncared for."
"Really now?"
"Henry. You care for her."
"What about her? Catherine, I really don't want to talk about it."
"I think we should bring her into the nursery with Mary, Harry and Isabella. She is half-royal, after all, and your child. Our children might like some new companions to grow up with. I'm sure Norfolk won't mind sending his daughter here too."
"You mean it?"
"You granted my wish in naming our daughter Isabella."
"Oh, Catherine! You're the goddess of my life! No other wife would've thought of that! How can you tell that I still love Elizabeth? I tried to move her out of my life, but it's impossible! I may have lost interest in the mother, but I still have a yearning to see Elizabeth. There's been talk that she'll have red, flaming hair like me! How do you know?!"
"Maternal instinct. When should she be summoned?"
"Right away! I do have one request though…"
"What is it?"
"I don't doubt your fertility, but when Lady Hastings gave birth to my first illegitimate child, I didn't think of naming it. The first name that came into my head was Elizabeth. I don't want my bastard named after my mother. I want to change it. To another royal name of course, and a member of the royal family. I just want to name another daughter Elizabeth."
"What name?"
"After you, Cate. After you."
"Your mother's name isn't good enough and mine is?"
"Don't think of it as that!"
"How else can I think of it?"
"Lady Hastings would never name her after you. Think of it as a sign of defiance. If you must insist, I'll name her Catalina Elisabeth."
"Thank you, Henry."
Henry VIII kissed her on the forehead.
He couldn't believe his luck.
Catherine had agreed in allowing his illegitimate child to be raised (by free will) in her nursery, and she's ready to accept the girl as a member of the royal family, even though she's not her child. Henry VIII was the happiest man in England.
He left Catherine's chambers and wrote a letter to the convent.
He knew that Lady Hastings would have to remain in the convent, but he'll find a way to persuade Catherine to accept Lady Hastings back at Court.
The nuns arrived at night time with Catalina Elisabeth.
Both Catherine and Henry VIII greeted them.
"Your Majesties," the nuns murmured. "We have brought the Lady Catalina Elisabeth as planned. She is in the basket, asleep. Here she is."
One of them handed a basket to Catherine.
Catherine looked at it and saw a baby with a tuft of red hair.
"She looks like you," she commented. "There's no denying it. Thank you Sisters, for bringing the child at such a late hour. I hope you can be awake for tomorrow morning's prayers. Will this amount be sufficient for the convent?"
She handed a nun a bagful of coins.
The nun nodded.
They curtsied and left silently.
"What will her last name be?" inquired Catherine. "She'll get the title of 'Lady', and the acknowledgment of the King's daughter. You can decide on her annuity and dowry later when she's older and of use to you. For now, what will you give her as a last name? All sons and daughters have a last name, mostly a family name."
"I was thinking of Fitzroy," said Henry VIII thoughtfully. "But I changed my mind (again). I was thinking of giving her the last name of Tudor."
Catherine was silent.
Lady Catalina Elisabeth Tudor.
The acknowledged bastard daughter of the King.
"As you wish," she said finally. "I'll take Catalina to the nursery. After that, I'll be going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Henry VIII watched sadly as she left with his bastard.
He had hurt Catherine.
Henry VIII felt angry at himself.
Couldn't he have restrained himself from siring a bastard?! Catherine wasn't alright. She was lying to
make him happy. Of course she would be hurt receiving a bastard name after her! What was he thinking of, when he named his bastard after her?! Even with the Spanish version, Catherine would be hurt that a bastard's named after her!
He suddenly hated his illegitimate child.
He hated Lady Hastings.
Even though it was late, Henry VIII summoned the Duke of Norfolk into his chambers. Charles won't understand this.
"Thomas," said Henry VIII at once. "I have a problem."
The Duke had been shaken from his sleep, and a little grumpy at that, but he was fully awake and alert when it came with doing business with the King. The Duke knew that it could benefit the family if he becomes the soothing confidante.
"I had hurt Catherine," confessed Henry VIII. "She pains whenever she sees my child I had with Lady Hastings. What can I do, Thomas?"
The Duke was delighted.
It was unfortunate that the child's half-Stafford (his wife is a Stafford), but he knew that the advantages would only be for Howards only.
Not for Staffords.
"I thought she was in a convent," said the Duke, pretending to frown.
"I took her out," said Henry VIII miserably. "I missed her."
"Give her to your sister."
"My bastard had inherited my red hair! Anyone can tell that she's my daughter! I should've left her with Lady Hastings in the convent! I had stupidly renamed the girl Catalina! Catherine's not happy. She pretends she is, but she really isn't! Thomas, what can I do? I hurt her so much, and she gave me everything! She gave me three children, in which one is a son! Help me, Thomas. I want her to forgive me. What would you do if you're in my position?"
"As I was saying, give her into the care of the Duchess of Suffolk, and she can be raised alongside the Duchess's children as her ward."
"How does that help?"
"The Queen won't have to see her."
"How about education?"
"She can receive the same amount the Duchess's children receive. She is your illegitimate child, after all, and a top class education isn't necessary."
"Are you saying that my nieces and nephews' education isn't necessary?"
The Duke knew that this topic was dangerous.
He shrugged.
"It's your choice," he said flatly. "You're the King."
At the end, Henry VIII changed his illegitimate daughter's name (again) to Matilda, in honour of the wife of William the Conqueror.
He publically acknowledged her as Lady Matilda Tudor without a banquet.
Catherine was calm when he did the acknowledgment.
She was pleased Henry VIII had named their third child Isabella, but was still unhappy and hurt about how he conducted his love affair with Lady Hastings, and how the whole Court knew about it and she didn't for a while.
The Duchess of Suffolk accepted Matilda as her ward without questions.
Catherine felt sorry that little Matilda would live with her half-aunt, instead of her mother and father, and how she was born out of wedlock.
Illegitimate children never get the fair treatment.
Catherine had no idea why Henry VIII changed his mind on having Matilda raised away from her half-siblings and in the household of his sister. Catherine felt guilty for showing her true emotions of having a child of her husband's around her. Catherine had a nasty feeling that Henry VIII sent Matilda away to appease Catherine, and make her feel better. Catherine had no idea what she could do. Her Spanish ladies were pleased about it.
She decided to speak to the Duke of Norfolk.
Catherine summoned him to her chambers in the afternoon.
"Your Majesty," said the Duke, bowing. "You summoned me? Is there something I did to offend you, or is there something you need?"
"Lady Matilda Tudor," she said quietly.
"She's in the Duchess of Suffolk's household, Your Majesty."
"Why did the King change his mind?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty?"
"The King was pleased when I suggested the Lady Matilda to be brought up in the nursery with our royal children. Why did he suddenly change his mind and want Lady Matilda to be raised with his sister, the Duchess of Suffolk?"
"I don't know, Your Majesty."
"You do, Thomas. You do. What is it?"
"I'm afraid I can't betray the King to you, Your Majesty."
"Your Grace, can we come to some sort of agreement?"
The Duke smiled.
Who would've thought that the Queen offered terms with a subject?! Is she really that desperate for information her husband won't tell her?
The Duke knew it was good fortune for the Howards.
"What terms do you offer, Your Majesty?" he said slyly.
Here was a chance for a Howard to advance greatly.
"What terms do you suggest?" said Catherine promptly.
She knew that it was humiliating for her to negotiate with the sly Duke of Norfolk, but she had no other choice; she needed to know.
The Duke considered.
It was a good chance for him to advance the Howards.
Move them slowly to the Throne.
"I want a marriage arrangement," said the Duke, watching Catherine. "Between my daughter, Lady Katherine Howard, and your son, the Prince of Wales. I will pay a handsome dowry. Those are my terms and conditions, Your Majesty."
Catherine was still.
Will it be worth it?
Will the information the Duke has, be worth it for her son to be betrothed and soon married to a Howard girl? Will the information be true and accurate enough for Catherine to accept her descendants as half-Tudors and half-Howards, instead of the much-hoped half-Tudors, half-Habsburgs? What will Wolsey and her husband say?
The Duke waited patiently.
He was confident that his plans would work.
"Very well," said Catherine, after a while. "I agree to your terms."
"Before I tell you," spoke the Duke. "I'll need hard evidence that the Prince of Wales and Lady Katherine are future husband and wife."
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"Proxy betrothal. Between you and me, representing our children."
"Very well. Wait a moment."
She stood up and went to her private rooms.
The Duke could hardly contain his delight.
The Queen of England was seriously agreeing with him, just for measly information! He couldn't believe that Catherine was so desperate! He respected her for so long, but now! The Queen of England will be his puppet, and he'll rule England through her!
Catherine returned, a little pale, but determined. She held a small velvet box, which the Duke
recognised as a small ring box.
She opened it and showed him a Sapphire ring.
The Duke held out an Amethyst ring and offered it to Catherine.
Hesitating slightly, Catherine took it and handed the Duke the Sapphire ring. They looked at each other, silently sending each other messages.
"We'll represent our children," he said quietly.
Catherine nodded.
It was surprising to see the determined, stubborn Catherine so docile and obedient.
The Duke and Catherine recited the betrothal vows and swapped rings. Catherine hoped the information was worth the alliance wasted on the Prince of Wales. She had hoped for a double alliance between Charles, the Prince of Asturias and Princess Mary, and the Prince of Wales and Charles's younger sister, Infanta Isabella.
Catherine felt pleased with herself, despite those thoughts.
"The King worries about you," revealed the Duke.
"He's my husband," said Catherine flatly.
"The King feels that he had offended you by siring Lady Matilda Tudor with Lady Hastings and publically acknowledging her."
"I told him I'm fine!"
"He knows you're pretending. He wants to make it up to you."
Catherine said nothing.
With Lady Matilda away from her, there's no way she can keep an eye on that bastard! What if the King kept having bastards and acknowledging all of them?! What if the King kept sending them to Mary's household in secrecy?!
That wouldn't do.
That wouldn't do at all.
The Duke watched her intensively.
Catherine's face was expressionless.
"You may go," she said finally. "I have business to attend to. Private business. I hope your information is correct, Your Grace."
The Duke bowed and left.
Catherine went out a different door and went straight to Henry VIII's chambers.
"Cate!" said Henry VIII, relieved.
Wolsey and Charles were with him.
Wolsey looked at her disapprovingly.
Catherine knew that she must've been interrupting an important meeting. Wolsey seemed annoyed, but said nothing.
"Henry," said Catherine calmly. "I'm sorry to interrupt-"
"Not at all!" said Henry VIII quickly. "Charles, Thomas! Please leave!"
The two men stood up, bowed and departed.
"What can I do for you?" said Henry VIII pleasantly.
"I'm feeling a bit depressed and homesick," said Catherine, biting her lip. "Since Isabella's birth, I missed Spain, and I kept thinking of my childhood. I remembered when my father would have illegitimate children, and they would be brought up with me and my siblings. He used them for noble alliances. I was thinking that your Matilda should stay in the nursery with Mary, Harry and Isabella. It's only right for siblings to be raised together, illegitimate or not."
"I don't know…"
"Please, Henry? It's my greatest wish and happiness."
"Are you sure about it?"
"Yes, Henry. I am."
Henry VIII was surprised at Catherine's response to him handing Matilda to his sister. He thought she would be happy that she wouldn't have to see his bastard.
"If that's what you want," said Henry VIII indulgently. "You're full of surprises, did you know that? I had
no idea you wanted Matilda in the nursery. If you mentioned that earlier, I wouldn't have given her into Mary's care in the first place! Having you as a wife is the greatest gift God ever gave me! Wolsey urged me to unacknowledge Matilda an hour ago."
Catherine shook her head in disbelief.
Henry VIII was in Heaven.
His Catherine had voluntarily agreed in raising his bastard, instead of transferring her to a different household away from Court.
Catherine curtsied and left.
The Duke of Norfolk won't be happy at what she did, but she didn't care.
She was Queen, while he was a mere Duke.
Catherine had no intention of keeping the proxy betrothal.
Just you wait, Norfolk, thought Catherine. You must've thought yourself pretty smart when I complied to your ambitious wishes without a fight, for useless information. You'll see that there's more of my father in me than you think. My son will never marry your daughter. There'll never be a Howard Queen consort on the throne of England, and a half-Howard King of England. You'll never be the power behind the throne, as you think you will.
As she walked past Wolsey, she felt his gaze fall on her.
She turned around and looked at him.
Wolsey bowed.
"Permit me to speak, Your Majesty," he murmured.
Catherine nodded.
"You may not need it now," said Wolsey quietly. "And you may think I'm a nuisance to the King, but sometime in the future, you'll need me. And when you do, I'll always be glad to be of your assistance. I hope you remember that."
"Who do you think will do that?" Catherine couldn't help saying.
"Between you and me, Your Majesty, I suspect the Duke of Norfolk."
"And your reason?"
"He's an ambitious man, who cares nothing for England. He only cares for his one gain, and the gain of his family's. He has his eyes on the Throne of England."
Catherine nodded curtly and left.
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