Hey everyone! How are you doing? Happy Holidays and Happy (Belated?) Hannukah! Sorry for the wait, it was honestly taking me some time to gain inspiration to write this chapter. The Tudors, the tv show, kind of screws me up with all these dates and people mix up. Enjoy!
While We Live, Let Us Live
Calais, June 1520 Field of the Cloth of Gold
The Palace of Illusions was interesting, to say the least. The fort would not withstand the rain. To Chasity, the Palace of Illusions was as strong as his majesty's alliance with France. Speaking of France, the 14-year-old golden blonde noticed that the French carried an arrogant and pompous attitude. The only things to stand for it was their culture and dress, and even then, the French were quite illicit, while the women looked like doves and pigeons waiting to be plucked. How could they breathe in those tight corsets? Let's just say that Chasity Wolsey was not displeased when Princess Mary pushed down the Dauphin of France.
"Your Eminence, when shall the wedding preparations begin?"
"My lord, in due time. For now, try to enjoy the festivities." The golden blonde girl had come out of her thoughts as she heard her calm father and eager betrothed's voices enter the cardinal's chambers.
"Your eminence with all due respect-" Buckingham appeared in the room first.
"Ah, there you Chasity." Wolsey greeted his daughter.
Chasity turned, picked up her dress, and curtsied to kiss her father's ring, "Your Eminence," She got up and kissed his cheek, "Papa."
Looking down to the floor, the adolescent greeted her betrothed, "Your Grace."
"My Lady."
"Now," Wolsey pushed his daughter forward, "Let us have a look at you," She twirled in her gold and lavender-blue silk Italian style dress, "Immaculate as always."
Chasity smiled brightly, "Thank you, Papa."
"Now let us be off. We should not keep their majesties waiting, any longer." The cardinal headed for the door.
"My hand," The Duke held out his hand and Chasity placed her hand on it lightly.
"Your majesty. And now I have a gift for you." Francis proceeded to open a metal embroidered box filled with a very exquisite case of red rubies and jewels. Gasps were heard among the joint courts. Chasity turned worriedly to her stressed father as this act continued to make the French king look like the superior monarch.
"You embarrass me, brother." Henry calmly stated.
"Oh no," Francis tried to brush off the compliment.
"And all I can give you in return is this pastry." A standard bearer struggled with a large fashioned cake, topped with a beautiful pheasant moved forward the table. Everyone was silent, once the pastry was placed on the table. Even Francis was puzzled, so as he slowly cut the pastry it began to move. Then birds flew out the cake and the crowd clapped. Henry 2, Francis 1.
A little while later and everyone was chatting and mingling, giving the two monarchs time to bond over pleasantries.
"Do you see that young woman over there? Dressed in purple and gold?" Francis point Henry across the room.
"Yes."
"Her name is Mary Boleyn, the daughter of the ambassador with her sister Anne." Henry was somewhat intrigued. "I call Mary my English mare because I ride her so often."
Francis and Henry shared a chuckle. Henry thought that Francis was done until he went into forbidden territory, "Who is that?"
"Hmm?" Henry questioned over his shoulder.
"That angel over there, next to Wolsey, with the neverending golden locks?"
The English king tensed. If there was one person that Henry Tudor did not want to get involved with the French King, or any man for that matter, it was Chasity. "She's Chasity Wolsey."
"Haha, Wolsey's jewel of a daughter."
"Jewel of the English court, my court," Henry claimed possessively.
"No problem, brother." Francis got the hint.
"Besides," Henry jested, "she's betrothed anyways."
"The lucky bastard."
"Indeed." Henry finished by taking a gulp of his wine.
When the Wolsey felt eyes on her she turned to her right and smiled innocently at her king and then turned back to her betrothed.
"My lord," She began, "How did you feel about the exchange of gifts?"
Buckingham scoffed, "Let's just say, if I was king, the French would tremble."
"Surely you do not mean that, my lord?" The blonde hoped, and all she got was a gruesome smirk in response.
"Francis asked about you today."
"Did he?" Following the night's wayward events, Henry and Chasity were laying on her bed, which they would do sometimes, discussing nothing. Chasity was positioned normally, while Henry laid on her knees, and their hands playing with each other.
"He called you an angel." Henry made a noise that was between a scoff and a chuckle.
Chasity grimaced but continued to play along, "Well, I should be honored, especially after his victory against you. The mighty and valiant King of France called me an angel."
Henry's fingers tightened against Chasity's "Should I make arrangements for you to go see him? I'm sure that would please your father."
Chasity could not stop giggling at her King's anger, "It is not my father's fault that your majesty is impulsive. Anyway, I would ask you something."
The king faced the golden blonde in interest, "And ask and it is yours."
"I would ask you to marry me." Chasity simply asked, but silence followed.
Henry paused for a moment and then began with a chuckle, "As you wish, my word is my word," He sat up to face her, "We shall run away, change our names perhaps," Chasity giggled, "live out our days in some small fishing village by the coast, where no one will ever guess who we once were."
"To Buckingham," Chasity softly reminded her king.
"Yes, yes, I know." Henry kissed her fingers, "You would have me marry me to him?"
"Yes."
"Do you love him?"
"Of course not. But I would feel less alone with you by my side."
Henry's lips turned up slightly, "I cannot. The King of England does not marry two people-"
"He just gets married. Of course, I shouldn't have asked."
"My lady, you shall be fine. You will marry the duke, become the Duchess of Buckingham, and continue your life like the rest of us."
"Miserable and unsatisfied?" Chasity cut him off.
Henry ignored her remark and kissed her cheek, "Now, I must be off. Before I forget, Happy Birthday."
September, 1520 Whitehall Palace
It was now a few months later, and everyone at court could tell the French alliance was over. The king had even tired of his English-turned-French mistress Mary Boleyn. The mood was a bit somber, and the only thing keeping the court alive was the upcoming wedding of Lady Chasity Wolsey and the Edward Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham.
"Forget about the French, the Queen's nephew has been elected. Now he is not only Charles V, the King of Spain, he's also the Holy Roman Emperor." Henry shouted to his senior advisor, "His dominions are vast, his wealthy extraordinary. And he's only 20 years old. You'll make arrangements to visit him at Achen. Personally. It may suit us better to do business with him than with the French."
"Yes, your majesty." The cardinal had no choice to agree.
So once his majesty dismissed him, the stressed cardinal was basically ambushed by his bubbly daughter, "Papa!"
"Chasity," Wolsey pulled her aside into their chambers.
"Are you alright, papa?" His youngest child worried about her father.
"I am well, by his Grace."
The golden blonde girl looked skeptically at her father, "Well, I heard-"
"Something that you were not supposed to." Wolsey accused his sly daughter.
She grinned coyly in return, "I did not mean to. But, perhaps dealing with the Spanish will be more promising for England."
Wolsey held up his hand and sighed, "How is wedding planning?"
"Mother has arranged everything, all that's left to do is a final dress fitting. I am to look like a bride of Christ." Chasity's voice turned in turmoil.
"Which you already are."
"Papa?"
"Yes," The cardinal stopped.
"Should I be scared of Buckingham?"
"I see there no reason to be, why my dear?"
The perceptive girl leaned closer to her father, "Well, there are rumors of him wanting to take his majesty's throne and I do not wish to be a threat to his majesty."
"And you shall not. His Majesty loves you, he loves us dearly, and would not do anything to harm us. Think about the wedding now, and marriage later. All you have to do is give Buckingham an heir and you will be free to do whatever you want." Wolsey assured.
"Okay, papa," She nodded. However, the girl doubted, from the way her betrothed was acting, that he would be alive to see an heir.
"I thought I should tell you," It was dark now, while Thomas Wolsey and Thomas Moore were finishing up some matters of the state. "I'm being sent to meet the new Holy Roman Emperor, The king has asked me to draw up a new treaty uniting us against the French," Wolsey revealed.
"You must be very disappointed." Moore quipped.
"I am very realistic." While the Cardinal claimed.
"Then I am disappointed."
"Our dreams were very unrealistic." The Cardinal continued to defend himself.
"Maybe so. But I will continue to dream them, even if I am alone in doing so. I fear His Majesty no longer trusts or cares for me as he once did."
"Thomas, let me give you a little advice. If you want to keep the love of a prince, this is what you must do. You must be prepared to give him the thing you most care for in all the world."
"The thing I care for most is my integrity. What is it you care for most in the world, Your Eminence?" Moore inquired of his guarded friend.
"My daughter, Chasity, is in need of one more bridesmaid. Your daughter, Margeret, is already a maid of honor, and I think it would please her if she had one of her sisters to accompany her on this most joyous day." Wolsey hinted, to which Moore slightly nodded.
October, 1520 St. Jame's Palace
The morning of the 21st was beautiful. It was cold and chilly, but still beautiful and crisp. It was as if God prepared for a fall wedding.
And yet, the bride could not sleep, thinking of how after tonight, she would be a woman. Sitting at her vanity, while the world was moving around her, Chasity was quite nervous. Thankfully, she had her mother Joan and older sister Dorothy with her.
"Chasity, my love, how do you want your hair?"
"Down, please, mama."
"Mama, you know that Chasity doesn't like to change." Dorothy mocked her younger sister, receiving a glare in return.
Dorothy took after her mother in looks. She was a brunette with wild and soft chestnut hair. The married daughter was tall, with high cheekbones, and sharp, nicely sculptured face. The only difference between the two brunettes was that Dorothy was slender and could come across as quite cold, while Joan was more curvaceous, with a warm smile. Like Chasity, Dorthy, along with their brother, was legitimatized, she just chose to live with her husband and two sons.
As all the ladies looked at through the mirror, Dorothy sighed, "If I had half of your beauty, Chasity, I would marry a king."
"Dorothy," Joan gasped at her daughter bluntness.
"No," Chasity rejected the compliment and shook her head, "If you had not been here my future would have been gray forever."
"You are entering womanhood blessed with many more things that I was blessed with," Joan smiled warmly at her innocent daughter.
"But if I were to become a woman with half your grace and beauty, mother, I would be proud and happy."
"Let us get you in your dress before we all cry." Dorothy lightened the mood.
"Is she ready?" The eldest Wolsey, Thomas, or Tom, asked through the door.
"Just a moment, Tom," Dorothy shouted back.
The youngest Wolsey's look was almost complete, they just needed to be straightened out the gown, "And, Voila."
"You look absolutely immaculate, my love." And that she did. Dressed in a combination of the best Italian and English gold silk, Chasity was in a full gown, embroidered in various shades of gold and cream, with gold linings all around.
"Shall we go?" Chasity asked.
With that being said, Joan opened the doors, revealing the bride to the rest of her wedding party.
"Oh Chas, you are a vision."
"Thank you, Tom."
Her older brother, dressed in black, held out his arm, "Ready for the end of your life?"
Chasity beamed and took his arm, "As I'll ever be."
Once they approached the Chapel of St James's Palace, Chasity was suddenly hit with a wave of nerves.
"You'll do great," Tom assured.
As the trumpets began to play, all Chasity could do was nod and smile. All eyes were on her. The entire wedding party ascended to the front of the chapel. Cardinal Wolsey was at the head of the altar, with Buckingham standing beside him in a darker gold and red outfit. Even though the Duke was a bit tense for having to wait a bit longer, his eyes revealed that he was pleased with how his bride looked.
Before she reached the altar, as per custom, her and her brother bowed before their Majesties, who nodded with tight smiles.
"My Lady,"
"Your Grace," The betrothed pair greet each other and joint their nearest hands.
The cardinal began, "We gather here today, before God and these witnesses to join in holy matrimony, his Grace, Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, and the most gracious lady, Chasity Wolsey.
"My lord, do you agree to take this lady, honor and keep her, as your lawful spouse until death part you?"
"I do."
"My lady, do you agree to take this noble Lord, honor and obey him, as your lawful spouse until death part you?"
Lord save me. "I do."
Throughout the day and into the night many were enjoying the marriage festivities. After a long day of partying, Chasity was in her new joint chambers with her husband. The thought made her want to throw up.
"My love, calm down." Joan offered her daughter a cup of wine.
"I cannot, mama." Chasity still took the cup and greedily drank the wine until it was finished.
"The Duke of Buckingham." A servant announced, and with an entourage, Buckingham entered the room in his night robe and looked to his new wife in her nightgown.
"Leave," He commanded. Now the room, illuminated by the candle lights, was awkwardly silent.
The Duke cleared his throat, "Lay down on the bed."
The golden blonde girl hesitantly moved toward the bed, pulled the covers back, and laid down. The duke took off his robe and untied his pants, causing Chasity to panic.
Buckingham eventually settled on top of her and placed his member at her entrance, "This will hurt," The Duke proceeded to thrust into her with a grunt. She muffled a sob as hot tears spilled from her eyes. She counted his thrusts, waiting for the pain to go away 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 she began to feel more comfortable 7, 8 he stopped with a loud moan and warm seed spilling inside her. Buckingham eventually pulled out and fell asleep quickly, besides his wife.
That was it? Chasity thought. She pulled the covers back up and felt empty, cold, underwhelmed, and disappointed.
"My lady, m'lady." A soft feminine voice was attempting to wake the Duchess up.
"Hmm," The new Duchess woke up groggily to an unknown red-haired girl. "Who are you?"
"Your new ladies maid. We have to pack m'lady. We're already running late. We shalln't keep his Grace-"
"Is she up?" Buckingham barged into the bedchamber.
"The lady just woke up, your grace."
The Duke breathed, "Leave us."
Chasity sat up, as her husband sat on the bed, "Your Grace, what is going on."
"We are heading to Penshurst."
"Already?" The girl exclaimed in disbelief.
The Duke's lips twitched slightly, "The house needs its mistress," He got up and headed for the door, "Well, common."
"Is my father aware of this?"
He turned to her with a look of frustration, "Your beloved father thought of this. Don't worry, we'll back for, or after, the New Year."
The red-haired lady-in-waiting came back, "Madam let's hurry. Your bath is ready." She pulled the disheveled duchess into the bathing chamber.
The ride to Hertfordshire was outrageous. It was long and bumpy, and Chasity felt stuffy in the carriage, and the silence did not help.
"How long until we get to Penshurst?" The agitated adolescent inquired of her ladies maid.
"Not long my lady." The lady replied vaguely.
"How long is "not long"?" Chasity persisted.
While the mysterious redhead finally said, "We shall arrive at Penshurst in half an hour, your Grace." To which Chasity huffed because she felt that the wait was unreasonably long.
30 minutes later, and Chasity finally saw the entryway into a grand estate that was large, brown, and fort-like, and she wanted to cry tears of joy.
The carriage stopped at the front of the estate, "My lady, we have arrived."
Opening the door was Buckingham, he held out his hand so that his wife could step out the carriage, "Come, you must meet your step-daughters, and the members of your household."
"How many do I have?"
"Enough," The duke smirked and stopped before a strawberry-haired woman, "This is your head lady-in-waiting, Catherine Beauford."
Catherine curtsied, "My lady."
"She is the sister to the lady who has been accompanying during the day's journey, Jane Beauford."
"Ah." Chasity simply said and looked over to the now sheepish Jane.
"Here is your standard bearer and write, John Willington."
"My lady," As the middle-aged man attempted to bow to his new mistress, Chasity interrupted him.
"I can write myself," Buckingham glared at her, "I, I mean, I can write. I do not think I need someone to write for me. What would I do to keep me busy all day?"
"Well, you will look over the estate while I am away."
"As the mistress of the house, can I look over the papers or taxes," The duke look puzzled, so Chasity had to explain further, "It is what I did for my father and king, at the time."
"Whatever keeps you busy and out of my way." The annoyed duke pulled his arm out of his new wife's, "Catherine and Jane, show your mistress to her rooms."
"My lady, right this way." Jane lead Chasity into the estate, and with that, she entered her new life.
Over the next month, Chasity Stafford (which still did not feel right) settled into her role as mistress of the estate and she was flourishing.
In the morning she would get up, bathe, breakfast with her stepdaughters, Lizzy, Kate, and Mary. After having a laugh and gossiping with the girls, they went off to their lessons and so Chasity would look at all the incoming taxes and revenue coming in from the estate. At first, she was horrified to see that Buckingham taxed the farmers way more than they were making. Rather than confront him about it, she slightly decreased the taxes put on the farmers and servants.
The only time the husband and wife would eat together was in the afternoon, before the men, and sometimes she would hunt. Then she would bathe again and read her letters from her sister, mother, brother, father, and even the King while eating dinner. Once she was done responding to the letters, she would hide them in her vanity drawer and prepare for her husband to bed her, which didn't take very long. By the next morning, Chasity would send her letters.
"Chasity! Chasity? Where is she?" The Duke marched into Chasity's chamber, where she was sitting at her desk.
"Edward, what is it that you need?"
"This," He held a letter, "The King has invited us-no-demanded us to appear in court for a New Year's celebration." He tossed the letter to a confused Chasity.
"But, I thought-" Chasity thought that the King was fine with them showing up to court after New Year's to get accustomed to country life.
"Something's not right. Has your father said anything to you about the king's behavior in the past few weeks?"
"Only that the King is aligning himself with Spain, and a possible war with the French."
Edward was shaking, "Write a letter to the King thanking him for the invitation to court. Tell him that we shall be there, but only for the night's festivities and shall leave immediately afterward."
"Alright."
December, 1520 Whitehall Palace
"Their Graces, the Duke, and Duchess of Buckingham." It was now New Year's Eve, and as promised, The Buckinghams made an appearance."
"Your Graces."
"Your majesty," The pair greeted Henry.
"You have certainly been missed. It is certainly a shame that you can only stay for a few hours. Hopefully, married life has been treating you well." Henry looked to the golden-haired Duchess to confirmed this for him.
Buckingham pinched her fingers, "Yes it has your majesty. We brought your majesty a gift, this clock. It has some words engraved on it." Luckily Chasity was quite excited to give the King this gift.
"With humble, true hearts. Your Graces overwhelm me." After what seemed to be a quite tense interaction between the King and the Buckinghams, the Buckingham backed for the King to greet other guests.
"Chasity are you well?" Buckingham asked in annoyance, for his wife was quiet and pale.
"Yes. Yes." Then she fainted and the entire court gasped.
"Your Grace, My lady, Mistress Buckingham." Dr. Liancre, the King's physician hovered over the arising Duchess.
"Hmmm," Chasity was starting to open her eyes and wake up when she saw a very nervous Dr. Liancre hovering over her. "Oh goodness, I feel unwell."
"Thank God, you have arisen my Lady. There is some very important information to give you."
"Yes, sir?"
"We believe that you are a month with child. Even though it is impossible to tell within the first month, your signs have been too significant to ignore."
With child? Pregnant? Of course, this was Chasity's duty, proceed an heir for Buckingham since his late wife failed to do so, but she was only 15 and 16 when she would have the child. "Can I see my father?"
"Linacre, what's the matter with my wife?" Buckingham, along with Wolsey, the King, and his men came into the room.
"My lord, the lady is with child." The doctor tried to whisper but everyone in the room could hear the revelation, "So I advise in the upcoming months that she get a lot of rest, be very careful, and not too much travel, no travel would be the option for her since this is her first pregnancy and she is young." With that, the physician left the room.
"My lady," Buckingham appeared on the side of his wife, "Thank you very much. I am quite pleased. Now let us just hope that you can give me a son as fast as you have gotten pregnant."
"Oh Chasity, you have made us proud." Wolsey came to his daughter and kissed her hands to make his overwhelmed daughter feel better.
"Thank you, papa," Chasity just gave a weak smile.
"Now, Wolsey, let us make some arrangements." Buckingham led the Cardinal out of the room, leaving the King and Chasity to themselves.
"Your Grace must be pleased with herself."
"Can I be honest with your majesty?"
"When have you not?"
"I am horrified."
"It is too bad that your husband will not be here to experience the birth," Henry claimed casually.
Chasity's eyes widened, "Your Majesty, I can not go through this pregnancy alone, not without my husband."
"Your husband is a traitor. He wants to kill me. Do you think that I will let him live to poison your mind and turn that child against me?" Henry hissed.
Chasity's eyes began to water as she knew that the King's mind had been made up, "I beg your majesty for mercy."
Henry stalked closer to the frightened girl and kissed her forehead, "You have done nothing wrong, Chasity. You must get some rest for the sake of the child." Then the King and his entourage left the room.
Chasity could not have thought that this night was going worse until Norfolk walked into the room.
"My lady, I believe that congratulations are in order." Norfolk began.
"I forgot how fast news travels around this court," Chasity said in spite.
Norfolk held up his hands in surrender, "My lady I did not come here to upset you."
"Then why did you come?" The Duchess softened her voice.
"Do you remember our conversation a few months ago."
"How can I forget, with all your letters since? Well, yes I have considered. You will marry Elizabeth, but I cannot promise any union between my child and any member of your family."
"Your Grace, I would hope you would reconsider."
"I gave you my stepdaughter, what else do you want. Power over my first child? I told you I have not decided yet, so you must wait."
Norfolk sighed, thinking it would be much easier to threaten the Wolsey girl, "You need allies in the court, my lady. Aligning myself with my family you grant you great security and safety."
"I already have the King, my father, and my husband on my side." Chasity stood her ground.
"Everyone knows that your husband is going to die. It just a matter of when and where. As for your father, he will not be here forever. And as you age, if you do not commit yourself to the king in other ways, then you are pretty much useless. I hope you would reconsider my lady." Norfolk smirked and bowed.
Now all Chasity wanted to do was cry, not knowing that things would get much worse for her.
Just clarify a few things for this chapter:
- Chasity was born on June 28th, 1505. So by the time she is married Chasity is 15.
- Thomas Wynter/Wolsey, the eldest Wolsey, for the sake of my story was born on April 7th, 1500.
- Dorothy Wolsey was born on September 29th, 1502.
Their mother, Joan, was born on February 10th, 1480.
(This is all historically inaccurate, but I just bumped up their birthdates by a decade)
- In my story, Anne Stafford, who Charles seduces, is Elizabeth Stafford. She will up marrying Norfolk. This is true, because there was not Anne Stafford, only:
- Lady Elizabeth Stafford (c. 1497 – 30 November 1558), the second wife of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk
- Lady Katherine Stafford (c. 1499 – 14 May 1555), who married Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmorland.
- Lady Mary Stafford, the youngest daughter, who married, about June 1519, as his third wife, George Neville, 5th Baron Bergavenny
Also, is there anything you guys would like to see? Do you want Chasity to have a romance with someone after she's given birth? Is Chasity's personality showing?
And if you want to see what everyone looks like, you can just go to Wattpad, the story in on there too and I have the cast.
not edited
Word Count: 4,663 words
italics are for thoughts
Comment, Fav, Follow, and Review!