Knowledge- Edward, Henry VIII (K+)
Henry was having supper with his son, Prince Edward. The king was proud of his boy. Edward would be eight-years-old in less than a week and was at court to celebrate his birthday with his family. The two had already discussed Edward's health, education, household, and pastimes, and were now eating in silence. Henry noticed Edward fidgeting in his seat.
"Is there something wrong, my boy," the king inquired.
"No, father, I just have a question."
Henry smiled, "Well out with it. You can ask me anything."
Edward took a deep breath before asking slowly, "My mother died shortly after I was born, correct?"
Henry's face fell. He missed his Jane, and Edward reminded him of her so much. "Yes, she died just under two weeks after you birth."
Edward nodded and asked another question, this time more quietly, and slightly rushed, "What did she die of?"
The king was becoming nervous. Edward had never asked these sorts of questions before. If he had, Henry would have certainly been informed of it. Nevertheless, Henry felt Edward deserved an answer.
"Your mother died of childbed fever. It sometimes occurs when there is a complication in the delivery. It killed my mother as well."
Edward looked down at his plate and asked even more quietly, "So my delivery was… complicated?"
Henry wasn't sure why his son was worried about such things, but he answered anyway. "Your mother was in labor for over two days. We were all scared that you would not make it…"
Edward's head shot up. His eyes were full of tears on the brink of spilling over. "You mean I killed my own mother?" The young boy's words were barely above a whisper.
"No, no, no, Edward, it is not your fault. God chose to take your mother back to Him."
Edward nodded again. Then he stood up and, with a bow, thanked the king for having shared his meal with him and left.
Henry watched his son leave his chambers. The servants came and cleared away the food. When they had all left, Henry put his head on the table. The king knew that it was not Edward's fault Jane was dead, it was his. He was given the choice between the baby and the mother. He thought he could defy the odds and have both. He had tried to play God. Edward could never know of Henry's decision. Henry feared that if Edward found out, he would not love his father as he did now. His choice had already taken his wife, and he could not let it take his son too.