George Stafford couldn't quite believe what he had read. The King of England had just requested from George to send an executioner from Calais to England. George had also received a copy of the death warrant. He thought he was hallucinating when he read the name of the condemned. After some digging he decided to present some of his findings to his brother the King of France.
"Is this true?" King Henry looked at the death warrant in shock.
Catherine De Medici looked at the document in horror. "For what reason does a King of England sentence his own mother to die?"
"She conspired with the Spaniards to abduct a Princess of England." George answered.
"How dare they?!" The Duke of Olean raged. "The nerve of them to take a Princess promised to France."
Princess Margaret could not help but role her eyes at her brothers' foolish behaviour. "The Duchess of Richmond made no such promise only that she would consider it after King Edward is wed to Mary."
Prince Francis looked on in concern for the Scots Queen. "I'm not sure anyone would want to marry a man who would murder his own mother."
The Scots Queen seemed genuinely touched by Francis' concern. "I thank you for your concern Francis but I must do my duty for Scotlond."
Both Queen Catherine and George Stafford shared a look of cynicism at Marys' words. Both knew that Marys' mother had practically groomed the young girl to take the English throne. George was more inclined to believe that the Scots Queen wanted the English throne more than her Scottish throne as she never seemed to take an interest in her own country. It was this lack of interest which caused Scottish Lords to rebel. France would send troops to aid Mary of Guise in securing the country for her daughter but it only served to alienate them further.
George was disgusted in the young Queens' lack of care for her country and her people but his nephew Francis did not see that. Francis seemed to be completely enchanted by her much to Queen Catherine's annoyance. Both George and Catherine had agreed that the sooner Mary was out of France and married the English King the better.
However the King of France continued to read the document that George supplied, "What is this part about the Dowager Queen condoning the torture of a French citizen?"
George quickly shared a glance with his sister Anne who was serving as a Lady in waiting to the Scots Queen. "Brigitte Rousellot, she has served our family since we arrived in Boulogne."
Anne Stafford burst into tears when she heard the news. Princess Margaret quickly went to comfort her. Anne was just as close to Margaret as Elizabeth was and she knew how much Brigitte had meant to them.
Catherine also did her best to keep her tears at bay. Brigitte may not have been close to Catherine as Mary Stafford was but she knew how loyal Brigitte was to the Stafford family. "How did this happen?"
"Brigitte was captured during the ambush whilst my cousin escaped with the Duke of Suffolk." George explained quietly, "The Spanish inquisition tortured her for information on the Princess Elizabeths' location but Brigitte refused to tell."
"This woman was a true hero of France." Charles was moved by this tale, "She and her family should be honoured." He also thought the Duke of Suffolk should be honoured too for keeping Elizabeth safe. Perhaps the Duke of Suffolk should be invited to attend the wedding when Charles would eventually marry his Princess.
"I will not only have the woman honoured Charles." Catherine snarled in anger at the situation. "I will have justice for Brigitte."
"The English have already dealt justice." George informed, "Lady Richmond had the inquisitors tortured, then hung, drawn and quartered."
"It seems as though the Dowager Queen has gotten off lightly considering the English summoned an executioner from Calais." Mary Stuart commented.
"It's not enough." Catherine snapped, "I will speak to a representative from Rome. I will ask his Holiness to urge the Emperor to disband the inquisition."
"Do you think his holiness would agree my love?" King Henry was curious if his wife could pull this off. He knew Catherine had grown up in that world and that if anyone could persuade the Pope in this matter it was her.
"Brigitte Rousellot was of the Catholic faith." Catherine explained confidently. "This event does not just damage the reputation of the Spanish but of the Catholic Church as well. The inquisition claims to act on the behalf on the Catholic faith and yet they harmed one of the faithful. Their actions allow the Reformers to appear more credible in the eyes of the commoners."
George knew how right Catherine was. He heard from his mother how pious the Duchess of Richmond was until her stay in Spain had completely changed her view. No one knew what Mary Tudor had witnessed in Spain but her experiences there made her more determined than ever to ensure that the inquisition would never have a place in England. The executions the inquisitors had suffered was Mary sending a message to her cousin the Emperor and it seemed that Queen Catherine had a message of her own to send to the Emperor.
Elizabeth advised Henry against this but the Duke of Suffolk felt the need to confront his sister. His niece Jane was dead the other, Katherine was absolutely broken. Frances had caused terrible damage to her family and Henry wanted to know why.
Frances was looking out of the window where the scaffold was being built. Frances hoped she would live long enough to watch Jane Seymour die as she was the one who ordered the death of her daughter. Frances turned and finally noticed her brothers' presence, "Have you come to gloat dear brother?"
"Should I be joyful that my sister wanted me dead?" Henry scowled at his sister. As far as he knew he did nothing to her and yet she still wanted him dead.
"If anyone deserved to have the Duchy of Suffolk it should have been me." Frances seethed, "I'm the oldest it should have been mine but alas I was woman and was considered unworthy."
"Even now you're thinking of titles rather than your family!" Henrys' anger boiled over into a rage that he could not control. He reached for Frances and began to shake her, "Your daughter is dead! She lies in the cold ground now because of your actions and yet you still think you should have been the Duchess of Suffolk. I would have given up a thousand titles to see Jane live but you won't even spare a thought for her!"
"Would you have given up Elizabeth for her?" Frances smirked evilly at her brother.
Henry froze at Frances words, "What does Elizabeth have to do with this?"
"You may think you hide your feelings well brother but you cannot hide from me." Frances sneered enjoying the chance to torment him. "You should be thanking me."
"Thanking you?" Henry pushed his sister away in disgust, "Whatever for?"
"Do you really think Elizabeths' family would marry her off to some foreign Prince after what happened?" Frances circled her brother like a vulture. "Spain had already taken Mary in the hopes of stealing the English throne for themselves. Sadly for poor Mary she proved to be barren as her mother but Elizabeth is young and fertile. It was no surprise that they would move their attentions to her but you stopped that didn't you little brother. You're the hero of England who rescued the fair Princess from foreign hands." Frances bowed mockingly at her brother.
"I did my duty." Henry growled in his defence.
"It truly amazes me little brother how much you sound like Father when you say that." Frances mocked, "Was it his duty to marry our mother? Our mother was a Princess and she gave up her royal privileges for him but what did she get in return?"
Henry knew what his mother had gotten. His father never lied to Henry about his infidelities. Henry knew where his father had been the night his mother died. "I know what my father did Frances that won't happen to Elizabeth." Henry also knew what his uncle's infidelities did to Elizabeths' own mother and how it affected Elizabeth. If by some miracle he and Elizabeth would end up together Henry would do his best to ensure that Elizabeth would never suffer in that way.
"How do you intend to ensure that dear brother? Marry her yourself?" France watched as her brother tensed at her words. "Well thanks to me you'll get your wish. England won't accept a foreign Prince for Elizabeths' hand but an English hero with Tudor blood running through his veins. There can only be one choice and that is you little brother. It seems I did get what I want in the end mothers' blood shall sit on the throne of England."
"You speak treason." Henry growled. "King Edward will rule for many years to come. His children shall rule over England but you will not live to see that day."
Henry went to leave but was stopped by Frances words, "You're so sure of that are you? Edward has always been a sickly child and I imagine after his mothers' betrayal he will not be long for this world."
"I will no longer listen to your poisonous words Frances. Goodbye." Henry left desperately trying to forget his sisters' words. Whilst Henry did want to marry Elizabeth he certainly didn't want a throne. What did he want with a throne? Henry shook his head at such thoughts. King Edward will marry and have children whilst Henry will marry Elizabeth. Whatever happens afterwards will be in Gods' hands not Henrys', not Elizabeths' and most certainly not Frances Greys'.
King Edward had not left his rooms since he signed his mothers' death warrant. Edward stayed in his bed not wanting to be disturbed. His sister Mary understood and took over some of his duties. He hadn't even seen Elizabeth until now. "Hello little brother." Elizabeth quietly sat by his side.
"I thought you would hate me." Edward knew that Anne Boleyns' death still hurt Elizabeth to this day. Elizabeth was very young when her mother died but despite having few memories of her mother the pain was all too real as Edward was beginning to learn.
"I was beginning to think you hated me." Elizabeth spoke sadly, "Jane never liked me but maybe if I had tried harder to bond with her she would never…"
"No." Edward interrupted, "She made her own choice."
"But it doesn't make it easier." Elizabeth knew her fathers' reasons for her mothers' execution and understood most of them. It still however didn't ease Elizabeths' pain. It was a scar on Elizabeths' soul that would never heal.
"No it doesn't." Edward agreed sadly. Edward knew he was not alone in his pain but in a way it was entirely different. Elizabeth did not sign Anne Boleyns' death warrant. Edward would have to live with the horror of having his mothers' blood on his hands for the rest of his life and that was something Elizabeth would never understand.
"Would you like me to stay with you until it's over?" Elizabeth offered. She had remembered very little of when her mother died but she did remember her sister, Mary staying with her throughout the day. Mary did not like Anne Boleyn but she had never left Elizabeths' side at that time and she was never cruel when Elizabeth was finally told of her mothers' fate. Elizabeth wanted to offer her little brother that same comfort.
Edward nodded and shuffled to one side to give Elizabeth some room. Elizabeth sat on the bed and Edward laid his head on Elizabeths' lap like a small child. Elizabeth idly stroked his blond hair and quietly shared stories of her adventures in France trying to take his mind off the events to come. They were later joined by Mary who sat by Elizabeth to offer her comfort as well. The Tudor siblings stayed that way and awaited the guns from the Tower to go off to signal the end of Jane Seymour. The sisters would stay as their brother cried for his mother and offer what little comfort they could give.
Henry thought of his brother as he travelled with his niece Katherine to Tower Green. At the time of Anne Boleyns' execution he had been so jealous of his elder brother for being allowed to see such an event. When his brother had returned Henry knew that his elder brother took no pleasure from the event just as he also knew neither he nor Katherine would take any pleasure from this event either.
Katherine's father Henry Grey was against the idea of allowing her to go but his daughter was stubborn. Katherine wanted to see justice done for her sister. Katherine would see Jane Seymour die but not before she would see her own mother die first. Her uncle Henry Brandon tried to discourage her from going as well but Katherine was determined to see this through.
As they made their way to find a decent spot Henry recognised a familiar face. "Lord Stafford."
"Your grace." George bowed, then turned to Katherine and kissed her hand. "My lady I'm sorry for your loss."
Henry couldn't quite tell if he was referring to Jane Grey or if he was referring to Frances but he spoke kindly to the young Duke. "I suppose you're here to offer your support for Princess Elizabeth."
"In a way." George spoke honestly, "It was me who supplied the executioner."
"I hear he is very good." Katherine commented somewhat relieved that her mother was not going to be butchered in front of her very eyes.
"I have to say Lady Katherine I admire your courage to come here." George spoke honestly as he didn't know what he would do if his mother was in Frances place. Though he would doubt his mother would ever do such a thing.
"I'm here for my sister your grace." Katherine was grateful for George's kind words. "I hear you have an elder sister as well."
"Anne, named for my aunt." George looked towards the scaffold as the crowd began to surge forward trying to get a glimpse of two women who were to be condemned.
It seemed to Henry that his sister was determined to go out like a Princess. Frances walked out with her head held high with the grace and dignity of royalty. Jane on the other hand was a wreck. The Dowager Queen still thought somehow she was going to get a reprieve from her son. However Henry knew that such a thing would be impossible.
George usually never got involved whenever his sister spoke against the Dowager Queen. He thought such talk was pointless and petty. Now as he saw Jane Seymour get practically dragged to the scaffold he couldn't help but agree with Annie's observations. This woman was never meant to be Queen. George's aunt and uncle knew the accusations against them were false but they did not behave like this woman. His mother had told George that both his Aunt Anne and Uncle George showed great courage in the face of death. Jane Seymour was nothing more than a coward.
Katherine reached for uncle's hand in order to brace herself for what was to come. Katherine held her breath to stifle any screams she could have made when the executioner swung his sword to remove her mothers' head. George noticed how pale Katherine looked lightly rubbed her back to offer her comfort, "Breathe my lady you're doing fine. Just one more to go and it's over."
Katherine may have been soothed by George's words but Henry was not. Secretly Henry always hoped that someday he and Frances would reconcile but with one swing of the sword his sister was gone and their final words they spoke to one another were filled with bitterness.
Now it was Jane's turn. The executioner told Jane to kneel but Jane shook her head, "I'm the Queen mother I do not kneel to the likes of you!"
The crowd booed at Jane's words and hurled insults at the woman.
"You're not a Queen you're a witch!"
"She used dark magic to bewitch the King away from his true wife!"
"She poisoned our beloved Queen Anne's son!"
"She tried to kill our beloved Princess!"
"Burn the witch!"
"Burn the whore!"
Henry could see a riot was about to break out if he did not do something. He left Katherine in George's care and made his way towards the scaffold. The warden of the Tower recognised Henry from his previous visit and allowed Henry to pass. Henry approached Jane Seymour to try to convince her to do as the executioner said, "My lady your death will be less painful if you just do as the executioner says."
"No!" Jane shook her head in denial, "My son is the King. He would never harm me."
"My lady he signed the death warrant." Henry showed her the warrant the warden had on him.
"Lies!" Jane screamed, "It's the work of Elizabeth. She is a witch just like her mother. She's the one who turned the people against me!"
It took everything Henry had not to strike this woman down. He knew Elizabeth never wished any harm on Jane Seymour. In fact it was Elizabeth who cried in Henrys' arms once she heard the news of Jane's fate but this stupid woman would not hear a word of it so he tried another tactic. "Madam if you do not do it the people will turn against your son. They will turn against their King and place Elizabeth on the throne of England is that what you want?"
"They would never!" Jane didn't believe Brandons' words. He was just as bewitched by that harlot like everyone else.
"Listen to the people Jane!" Henry was losing his patience with the woman. "They love their Princess and want you dead. The longer you make them wait the bigger the chance your son will lose his throne. Do it for Edward. Do it for your son."
Jane looked around and saw how rabid the people were for her blood. All of them were calling her such vile names and shouting praise for their beloved Princess. Anne Boleyns' witchcraft was never this powerful, Jane thought. She turned to Henry and whispered quietly, "Who would protect Edward once I'm gone?"
Henry wanted to say that Edward would do better without this delusional womans' interference but Henry knew that would not solve anything. Instead he appealed to the Jane's faith, "If it is Gods' will than his majesty will be in safe hands." Henry wasn't sure if his words had any effect on the mad woman but eventually Jane took a deep breath and knelt as the executioner instructed. Henry nodded to the executioner to proceed and with a swing of his sword Jane Seymour was no more.