I don't own Tudors.
Chapter 1
Queen Bertha Tudor of England and Denmark received a letter to her brother, King Henry, to come to his aid to seal an alliance with France.
It surprised her as she raised her right eyebrow and re-read the letter.
'Leave it to my brother to make an adventurous marriage for his daughter.' She heard rumors that their younger sister Mary had been widowed to the former King of France made quite a scandal. Her trusted lady-in-waiting, Annabel, daughter of the count and ran up with letters in hand.
One word that she received from her sister asking for her mercy and beg their brother for the forgiveness of her second marriage that the King did not bless.
She was disappointed.
Everyone in court knew her well-hidden rage of a Tudor of what her little sister did. News spread in gossips, and many watched her movement to see if she resorted to anger or broke variable things.
Instead, she wrote a letter to both Margaret and Henry of what their little sister had done before written to Mary herself.
Her letter gave a very harsh scolding as if it was their mother's words and not her own to Mary.
She has written the letter that said for Henry and Margaret:
Dear Henry/Margaret from the Royal House of Tudors,
Kind and justified rulers as King/Queen of your countries.
I know that I have not written letters since my time here in Denmark. My country needed all my effort and attention in keeping Denmark solid and united.
My children and I are well. My two sons, Henry and Frederick, are growing and healthy, which I thank God daily. My youngest daughter, Elisabeth, is a beautiful child, and it seems she is eager to meet you all in England.
I cannot say much about my husband since he spends his days with courtiers, flatters, and beautiful balls leaving me to hold court and my country as my duty bid me do.
Sadly, I cannot say that our little sister Mary, dowager Queen of France, has unlawfully disobeyed thy oldest law. "The youngest siblings must always bow their heads to their elder siblings." I am ashamed and appalled that Mary had disgraced herself.
Her second marriage to Charles Brandon had shamed our family's name. We were taught to be the dutiful and obedient prince and princess of royal lines to thy father's Throne. I implore you, speak to Mary and remind her of what she has done to herself and our country of this scandal. I shall leave the decision of my elder siblings such as yourself and your council of what to do in this horrific situation of making God's beloved country look weak.
~From you most loyalist and dutiful sister, Bertha Tudor Queen of Denmark and princess of England.
Royal seal of her stamp: BT
Her letter to Mary Tudor Dowager of France.
Dear Mary Dowager Queen of France,
I am most ashamed of calling you my sister. Why have you done this to yourself and our family's name? You truly believed that I would help you against our elder brother, the King of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. You could have made an effort of trying to succeed as Queen of France where else had failed. You have ruined the chances of providing England with lands, working for the familiar people, and enriching our financial needs for England. Have you not felt the shamed and disloyalty you made yourself and Mr. Brandon your bastard of a husband that would make our brother look weak on the Throne?
You made this marriage to King Louis XII of France well known of the disgust of your husband's age, but of all men, our brother would have married you off to. He gave you the kindest one who would treat you right.
Tell me, if our brother did not love you enough, he would have offered you the worst kind of men that would beat you, shame you with whores, or drink so much?
I suggest you pray that our brother will not give you death.
What you have gained is our loss.
Those are my words for you and probably the last I shall write nor speak of you.
Goodbye forever,
Queen Bertha of Denmark and princess of England.
Royal seal of her stamp:BT
With her husband's permission or the ministers of his approval, Denmark must represent themselves that they are taking this course of action very seriously, for England is their kin by marriage.
By God's love and mercy, their ship landed in France. They gathered everything they had brought to show them that Denmark was there to get a neutral ground between the two countries.
Bertha always wears her robes green. Not many would wear such colors, but Bertha prided her that color as she missed England and her family.
Her hair is very long, and Tudor's red hair is in front as it is tied as cloths sash that bound around her two long to her knee even though it is longer. Her crown adorned her head.
She rode her horse as her children were riding in carriages and her ladies-in-waiting. Several guards are with them.
"Announcing Queen Bertha of Denmark and princess of England!"
Queen Bertha curtsy and bowed her head before two kings.
King Francis of France and Henry VIII king of England.
"Your Majesties."
"I trust you are well?" Francis spoke as many of the English parties glared.
Francis ignores the looks as he is curious about this queen of Denmark.
"Please, sister, answer King of France." Henry made the smart move. Bertha on her part, for she knew not to show obedience to France and hidden loyalties to her brother and England.
"Yes, your grace." Bertha gave them her entire face. "I am well, King Francis."
For his life, King Francis I did not say a word. Tapping his fingers on his armchair and puzzled. She is a formidable woman as many rumored that she is like Queen Elizabeth of York. A great beauty, but harden heart in royalties.
Francis smiled and said, "Then I welcome you and all of Denmark to France!"
Denmark was welcomed into the court with open arms.
Everyone applause for both Denmark and King Francis's words.
Queen Bertha was sitting between King Henry and King Francis to show that Denmark was coming between them for the sake of peace.
"Hear ye. I, Henry, by the grace of God King of England, Ireland, and France, do herby..."
"Stop," Henry said. "I cannot be that while you are here, for I would be a liar. During this summit, I am simply Henry, King of England."
Francis was quite willing to agree. "And I am just Francois. King of France... and Burgundy." Bertha hid her wince, knowing that it was a low blow against Henry.
"Majesties, may I ask you each to place a hand upon the Holy Bible and swear before God and these princes and lords here gathered that you will be true, virtuous, and loving to each other." Wolsey held a bible between them, and they both laid their hands on it.
"I so swear."
"I swear too. Of course."
Mary and Prince Henri of France title the dauphin walked down the tent's entrance to the long table.
Mary donned the gown, wearing the ermine-trimmed ivory and cloth-of-gold dress proudly with the golden crown and matching cross at her neck. She indeed looked like the daughter of a king.
"Princess Mary. May I introduce Prince Henry Philip, your future husband?"
The two children walked towards each other on the table and bowed to each other. Mary was the first to speak. "Are you the Dauphin of France?"
The boy stiffly responded to her. "Oui."
"Then I want to kiss you." She kissed him on the cheek, which he then promptly wiped off and wiped his hands on his doublet, then called for his mother. Bertha couldn't help but giggle as Mary pushed the ungrateful boy over.
"Mary," Henry called over to her, grin on his face. Bertha lights swap his arm to encourage his daughter.
The rest of the party goes on.
"Your majesty." Bertha led her brother to meet her children, and their governess tended.
"I would like you to meet your nephews, Frederick, the crown prince of Denmark. His brother, Henry, future Duke of Norway. And my youngest daughter, princess Elisabeth."
Frederick looked strong and formality. He looks like his Danish father, the King. All black hair, blue eyes, and look tall despite being only nine years old.
Henry, his namesake, looks more Tudor than his brother. The boy seems in awe of seeing his uncle, the King of England, or is only five years old.
Princess Elisabeth is three and looks like Elizabeth of York and Margaret Beaufort.
"My such fine children," Henry commented to his sister. Her husband must have been pleased that God had blessed them with her result.
"I trust that they're well-fed and educated."
"Yes, brother. Thou, I have told them stories about our family in England. Little Henry is eager to follow both our father and your footsteps." Bertha smiled a bit.
Henry could tell that she favored Henry for he looks more Tudor in Denmark and Elisabeth for being her daughter that needs her audiences.
They both walked and chanted each other.
"Brother, I trust you met with scandals of France."
"Ah, you mean Lady Mary Brandon," Henry said as he knew what she wished to hear.
"And?" Bertha urged her brother on what to do with it.
"I had considered it is treason against me, and you remind me that it was against the wishes of duty that our father and mother had drilled us to do. However, Wolsey and my wife, queen Katherine advised me against those decisions and reminded me of my affection for both of them. They were heavily fined £24,000, to be paid to the King in yearly installments of £1000; the whole of Mary's dowry from King Louis XII of £200,000; and the gold plate and jewels King Louis had given or promised Mary." Henry told his sister.
Bertha gave a silent 'Huh'. Thou she admits that she was disappointed that they were fined and not given a suitable punishment.
Thou, the King's council not liking his friendship with Charles Brandon. She supposed that he was better than an enemy in court.
"I must admit that I was expecting harsher punishment, but the fined is suitable to help the financial needs." Her input made Henry pause a bit thou continue their walk.
"You believed that I made the right decisions?"
Bertha explained, "You are the king of England, and whatever you see fit is shown gaining wisdom from these experiences."
Henry lightly laughed and kissed her hand.
They walked back inside to enjoy the rest of the party.
Night came upon them as Henry talked to King Francis while Bertha was mingled with her fellow Englishmen as they spoke about their courts and fashions.
It was going great until Francis made an insulting comment on England.
"Are you sure?" Henry challenged Francis during the wrestling match. She and the children were sitting across from them.
Henry was aggravated by something Francis said.
"What?"
"I said, are you sure all your wrestlers are better than mine? Do you wanna prove it?"
Francis, ever the cautious one, played the fool. "What are you suggesting?"
Henry became very blunt. "I am challenging you to a wrestling match, brother."
"No."
"You're a coward."
"Henry," She whispered as she stood up from the chair.
The entire court was silent.
"The French honor is at stake. I accept your challenge." They stripped off their tops and moved into the middle of the room.
Bertha knew that their family's hatred against France was legendary, but this needs now for the sake of peace.
"Majesties, rules are as follows: First man to throw his opponent to the ground shall be declared the winner. Are you content?" The man placed his arm between the two monarchs.
"Yes." Francis just nodded, a sly grin on his face.
"Then fight on."
"What bet will you lay?" Anthony asked William as Charles cheered Henry on.
"Two kings, two queens, and a fool."
Bertha glared at them.
'Fools. In this time of night, men are the fools for their pride.'
"I don't know yet, but it's a full house." He stood up, and I did the same. "Come on, Your Majesty."
More said to them."Whatever happens, he's not going to win." True to his words, Francis threw Henry down on the ground, causing Henry to hop back up.
Bertha gasped and winced for her brother. "Henry, get up."
"I want a rematch. I want a rematch. Are you afraid? Are you afraid of a rematch?" Henry angrily taunted Francis.
"Are you calling me afraid? Of what am I supposed to be afraid?" Francis looked back at Henry.
"Of me!" Henry shouted as their men were holding back both Monarchs.
"Let's have it then."
"I'm not going to sign this treaty, and I'm not going to sign it. Go and tell them. Go and tell them."
Bertha had enough of this.
England has no time or money for a war with France.
She grabbed Henry's face, making him look at me.
"Enough Henry Tudor!" Bertha commands her brother. "You want war and glory for England fine, but we have no resources or money to afford the war with France. For now, Henry swallows the pride and remembers this moment when you signed that peace treaty. Let them boast, but England will remember their insults once we find that weakness."
She let go of her brother's face and went out to sleep for the night.
He ended up signing it.
It became silent as many do not wish to remember that night.
Bertha said goodbye to her brother, but not Mary, her sister.
The queen reminded firmed that she won't forgive her minor sister slights as many others would remind her every day.
Peace is restored to England.
Nothing could tear their country apart.
That is until…
"What?" Bertha announced by her governess, who wished to tell her something.
This came out the words and news from England.
"My brother the King wished to divorce his wife, Katherine of Aragon. On what grounds?"
The governess Maria told her, "That he has fallen in love and wants marry her."
"But of what of Katherine?"
"She can't bear the King any sons, and they said…." Governess Maria hesitated and answered, "Her marriage to Henry was a sin against God. For she is not a true maiden."
Bertha's face showed surprise, and she did not think about what was going on?
Could it be true?
Katherine of Aragon was no maiden?
Did she consummate with her older brother Arthur Prince of Wales?
Bertha dismissed the governess and looked up to the holy cross of Jesus Christ. She kneeled and signed herself a cross, then prayed.
She prayed to God for a sign of a better future for their country or will they be damned to hell.
Reviews are welcome.
Next chapter Bertha's status as queen changes under the threat of Spain.
Henry heard the devasting news of his sister and Denmark.