Year 1524
These characters use their original birth years
Henry Tudor: 33
Katherine Strafford: 39
Mary Brandon : 28
Charles Brandon: 40
George Boleyn: 20
Jane Parker-Wyatt : 19
Thomas Wyatt : 21
Edward Strafford: 46
Katherine Howard : 6
Mary Boleyn-Cary : 24
These characters have been changed or story characters only.
Anne Boleyn-Tudor : 22
Jane Seymour-Boleyn : 19
Prince Owen Tudor: 3
Princess Mary Tudor: 9
Henry Fitzroy : 7
Eleanor and William Brandon : 2 1/2
Princess Charlotte Tudor : 2
Robert Boleyn : 1
{Katherine's chambers}
Katherine had thought she had long ago lost the ability to have a child. She loved Mary with all her heart, and was grateful that Anne had pushed her to seeing her more often. Today she was in labor, she was shocked that she actually would give birth when so many of her past pregnancies ended in disaster. The child had stirred all last night, she just knew her child was strong and healthy. But Katherine, felt so weak.
"One more push."
Katherine heard the faint cry, the sound brought strength to her spirit. She had longed to hear that so much after Mary's birth.
"What..."
"You have a beautiful healthy little girl." Secretly Katherine had wished for a son to prove she was capable of having a boy. But any healthy living child made her feel alive.
Edward looked down at his daughter and smiled. She was precious and perfect.
"Katherine, have you thought of a name for her?"
"Isabella, I would like to name her after my mother."
Katherine held Isabella close to her, she knew with her she would never let her go. With Anne, she chose glory and a crown over her own daughter. It was hard for her to admit, but she was happy for Anne and Henry. She loved Henry so much when they were married, and she would have fought for him if it had been any other woman. She honestly had thought Henry would tire of Anne, but he amazed Katherine with his dedication to her daughter. Her daughter was the Queen of England, her second daughter the Princess of England, and her grandson would be the next King of England. Just that nobody would know of his great lineage. But the secret had to be protected, for all of her daughters. Mary continued to amaze her as she grew up, and Isabella reminded Katherine so much of her little Mary. She couldn't wait for Mary to meet her new sister.
{France - George & Jane Boleyn}
Jane sat staring out the window waiting for George's return. He had been gone for over six months back in England on business for the King. She missed her life in England and her family, but here after a rough beginning she had found her place in the world. George was to come home to her any day now, and she longed to hold him again. She was shaken from her daydreams by the sweetest voice she had ever heard.
"Mama" Jane picked up her little son who looked so much like his father.
"Oh my sweet, Robert." Jane snuggled him close.
"Papa" Robert called out, he began to wiggle in his mother's arms.
"Robert, papa isn't here sweetheart."
"Papa Papa" he said over and over and pointed out the window. Jane turned around and she saw him. George, her sweet George.
"Jane, my love, how I have missed you." George called up at her as she looked out the window. Jane had the most wonderful surprise for him, she was seven months pregnant. "I love you, George."
"I love you too." George knew now they wouldn't be able to travel back to England with Jane's pregnancy. He wouldn't risk her going into labor on the rough seas. "King Henry has requested we return to England by the end of the year, but I will write to inform him of your pregnancy and you are unable to travel before the new year."
"I wish we could stay here forever, George."
"I feel the same, Jane."
Jane and George slept well that night holding each other. George had taken a page out of Henry's book when it came to his wife, to never take another mistress again.
{Katherine Howard}
Katherine had just turned six and was sent away to live with Agnes Howard, when her mother had become quite ill. Some had speculated she would die within the year. Katherine hated her time with step-grandmother who practically ignored her. Today though she felt more happiness than she could imagine, she was going to court where here cousin Anne was Queen.
"Kitty, you have grown since I last saw you" Anne politely said to the little girl. Katherine had noticed that her cousin had gotten fat, she was too little to realize the Queen was pregnant. Anne had suffered a miscarriage the previous year, but was now having the most wonderful pregnancy. Katherine kept staring at Anne's belly. Anne giggled when she figured out the child was confused.
"Kitty, I am going to have a baby. Would you like to feel the baby move?" Katherine wasn't sure, but let Anne place her tiny hand on her belly. When the child happened to kick, Katherine jumped backwards but her eyes got big with excitement.
"Katherine, leave the Queen alone." Agnes yelled at her. Anne responded by giving the old woman a disapproving look.
"My cousin is not bothering me, and I respectfully ask you to not yell at her." Agnes and never been reprimanded before and didn't appreciate this child Queen to do so either. Even if the Queen was her own step-grandaughter as well.
Anne led Katherine away from the courtyard so she could go meet the other children. Hampton Court was a favorite place for Anne since the children were allowed to live with the family while court was in residence.
"Kitty, are you happy with Lady Howard?" Anne asked softly. Katherine was afraid to speak. She didn't want to be spanked anymore.
"Kitty, you can tell me." Anne asked again.
"No" Katherine whispered. "She hits me." Anne was appalled, how could anyone hit such a little girl.
"Well Kitty, you will not have to go back with her." As Anne was telling the child she would be safe with her, Henry walked up. He wanted to ask Anne if they were getting another "stray". He loved how much his wife cared for children, but sometimes thought she would adopt every child in the kingdom.
"Henry, my love. This is my cousin, Katherine Howard. My sister Mary and I have always called her Kitty. I do not like how Lady Howard treats her, and she doesn't respect me as her Queen."
"What did she do?" Henry asked.
Anne went on to explain the incidents of the day. How she yelled at Kitty. And went as far as mumbling to another courtier how unlike a Queen Anne acted, allowing a child to touch her pregnant belly. Henry didn't like what he was hearing, but he knew that taking Kitty away from Lady Howard he could humiliate her much more than punishing an old woman for being set in her ways. Lady Howard came to retrieve her young charge, she found the King holding her in his arms. And unfortunately for Lady Howard there were many at court today.
"Lady Howard, I respectively request you leave now. Young Katherine Howard will no longer have to endure your harsh tone, and inability to care of her. She will be sent to live with her cousin, the Lady Mary Carey and her husband. There she will get the love and attention she deserves. Good Day, Madam."
The crowd of people stared at Lady Howard, most giving her hateful looks while others made snide remarks. Anne just rested her hand on her belly, looking up at her husband proudly.