Why was he surrounded by idiots? Henry glared at the man before him. Brandon had been his best friend growing up-the only true friend he thought he had. They had been young and reckless together and had quite a bit of fun. But the time for games was long over.
A rift had started between them when Brandon had run off and married his sister. Henry had trusted his friend to deliver her safely to her Portuguese husband and to bring her back after his untimely demise. Instead he had dishonored her and married in secret. It had taken him a long time to forgive that blatant disrespect, but his love for the man and his sister as well as the gentle pressure from the Boleyn family had brought him back into his good graces. The rift had only grown with the animosity between Charles and Anne. The two had hated each other with a passion and Henry had consistently been caught between them. When Brandon had accused Anne, leading to her arrest, Henry had at first been grateful that his friend was willing to do anything to look out for him. But as the evidence against Anne had dwindled, so did Henry's elation. Henry may have hated Anne at that point, but she was still his anointed queen and to throw false charges against her would be treason, as they had been with Jane Boleyn.
The only thing that had saved the Duke's neck was his insistence that he was only trying to help Henry-looking out for his best interests. It had saved him from the Tower, but Henry had still sent him back to his estates in Suffolk. That was until these damn peasants decided it was up to them how to run the damn country! He had reached out to Charles and even to Thomas Cromwell to settle this ever growing issue. Yet they had failed him.
Against the judgement of some of his councilors, he had approved of Brandon leading a small military force against these commoners. Surely a few farmers with pitchforks would easily be suppressed. But they had been underestimated. Their numbers grew everyday and by the time Brandon's soldiers showed up, they were vastly outnumbered and had to retreat. Now word was spreading that the King had sent armed men against untrained peasants and the unrest was only growing. How the hell could anyone have predicted this outcome? Months ago when Cromwell had suggested the closing of the monasteries he had sold it like it was what everyone wanted. A few people would grumble, but the most would be happy that the country was being cleansed. But now all of that was falling apart.
"How could you have failed so miserably, Your Grace" he spat out, tapping his fingers rhythmically to soothe his temper.
To the duke's credit, he looked down sheepishly, knowing what a mistake he had made. Henry took a moment to observe the other men in the room. The king and his councilors had barely left this room since news first reached them over a week ago. The other men looked as exhausted as Henry felt and he knew they were all at their wits end. He sighed deeply and waved Charles back to his seat.
"Your Majesty, if I may..." Henry turned to look at the gentleman who spoke and it took a short moment before he recognized Henry Percy, the duke of Northumberland. The king had sent for him along with Cromwell to assist with the uprisings, but Henry hadn't noticed his presence in the council chambers. He had assumed he had stayed on sight with Cromwell out in Lincoln. Yet here he was, speaking up. Henry nodded to him to continue his thoughts.
"I've been in Lincoln. I have spoken to several of those that while not taking up arms, sympathize with those that are." The king glared at the duke, but it did not deter him. "Your Majesty, these people are wrong to rise against you, of course they are. But I believe they feel righteous in their anger. They want to protect these monasteries and they are willing to fight for them. If we were to allow them to plead their case...if they felt like they were being heard it might make them more reasonable."
"Who gives a damn how they feel?!" The duke of Norfolk growled, slamming his hand on the table. "I say we collect our army and stamp them out like the vermin they are! Let me take my men and succeed where Suffolk has failed. This has gone on too long already!"
Arguing broke out around the table. Henry could hear shouts for both peaceful resolutions and violence. Suddenly he stood, causing the room to grow quiet.
"Gentleman, I will reflect on these matters. You should all take the time to rest. We shall reconvene on the morrow."
And with that he turned away and walked briskly down the halls. It had been too long since he had been anywhere but those rooms and his own for some restless sleep. He would go to pray, and then he would visit his queen. It had been too long.