Henry had stayed with Anne for more than an hour, admiring the sleeping baby Prince. "Isn't he just perfect?", Anne whispered, in awe. The realization had finally set in that she had birthed her first son, not just a Prince. She nuzzled at his soft, warm head, on his little patch of deep bronze curls. "We can have your brother for godfather, if you would like", Henry smiled at her. "Anyone you desire, since you have given me what I desired above all other things". Anne smiled back at him but waved the idea away. "Your Majesty, you have already honored my brother with creating him as a Knight of the Order of the Garter! You will swell his head to at least twice its size, which is already too large! Nay, my Lord. I was thinking of Charles Brandon, my Lord of Suffolk". Henry was taken aback. To be sure, Charles was his greatest friend, but he was certain his friend was no great favorite of Anne's. "I would trust him with the care of our son for the great love that he bears towards you", Anne said, by way of explanation.
Henry beamed at her. "As you wish my love. And who else will you have?". Anne tilted her head thoughtfully. "Archbishop Cranmer of course, and my Uncle Howard, and…", she gave him a quizzical look as she paused. "Might I also have the Lady Mary as godmother?". Henry looked at Anne questioningly. "You want the Lady Mary, my daughter, to be godmother to our son?". "I do", said Anne with all the sincerity she could muster. "All of this has been quite hard on her, and although your marriage to the Dowager Princess was invalid, it was made in good faith. She is still the daughter of a King and of a Princess of the blood royal". Henry bent down to kiss Anne's fingers, the top of his head gently touching the sleeping Prince. "You are very good, my love. It shall be as you say. The Duke of Suffolk, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Norfolk, and the Lady Mary will be the godparents of Edward, the Prince of Wales".
The King had ordered a lavish christening for Prince Edward three days after he was born that far surpassed any that England had seen to the date. The citizens of London roasted meat over fires in the streets and got drunk on the free wine that had flowed in the fountains to celebrate the birth of a Prince. There was a grand procession of Lords and Ladies, Privy Councilors, bishops, priests, and gentry to the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace to celebrate the Prince's christening. The very evening the Prince was born, Princess Elizabeth had been summoned from Hatfield at Queen Anne's command to be a part of the ceremony. Even though she was little more than 4 years old, she was to have the honor of carrying her little brother to the ornate, golden baptismal font with the aid of their Uncle George, Anne's brother. Anne and the King would of course, as tradition dictated, not be present. Having just given birth, Anne was not yet free of the sin of childbirth. Normally, she would have to wait six weeks to be churched before she could return to court, but the King, as Supreme Head of the Church of England, decreed that she should be churched after just two weeks, so she could return to court before Christmas.
Frances Brandon, the Marchioness of Dorset, who was also the King's niece, held the golden canopy of estate over the Prince, assisted by Elizabeth Boleyn, Countess of Wiltshire- the Prince's grandmother. After them came Lady Mary and the other godparents, and behind them the rest of the court. After the baptism rites were complete, Thomas Cranmer as both Archbishop and godfather, proclaimed the babe Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester. As they processed out of the chapel, church bells rung all throughout the city. Anne could hear it in her darkened confinement room and felt like laughing aloud. Those bells were tolling the very melody of her triumph! Soon, all of the monarchs in Europe would be sending their well wishes and gifts to her and her son. They would have to acknowledge her as Queen. What else but God's favor could bless Anne and Henry's marriage with a son, where he had denied one in Henry's marriage to Katherine? Granted, she had come by this son in less than...traditional means, but if she had not God's favor, the child would surely have been a girl, or a stillborn, or perhaps she would have miscarried.
"Are you well today, sweetheart?", Henry asked as he strode into the room, a broad grin on his face. Anne turned her head and smiled; that slow seductive turn of the head and sensual smile that always made men at court catch their breath. Henry marveled how even after Anne had given birth not but three days ago, she still had a magnetic allure that made him long for her. "I am well, my Lord, praying that Your Majesty is the same". Henry nodded. "How could I not be well? We have a son! A strong, healthy son!". Anne smiled at his exuberance. "I am just happy to have pleased you, while also serving England". Henry brought Anne's fingertips to his lips and kissed them. "You are a jewel my love. I shall have your father created Duke of Wiltshire and I will have William Stafford made a Baron in time for the birth of his child". Anne was delighted. Her sister Mary had foolishly decided to marry without permission just two years ago, and worse: she had married far beneath her. The King had been very displeased with Mary, and so had Anne. As sister to the Queen of England and a widow, Mary would have been a powerful pawn in creating political alliances.
Anne and Henry had actually been discussing a possible marriage between Mary and Charles, Duke of Orleans, the youngest son of King Francois of France, when they found out what Mary had done. Henry had forgiven Mary in due course and had also forgiven her new husband William Stafford, who was currently one of his gentlemen ushers and a knight. Now, he would be Baron…whatever he chose as his title's name. Anne leaned over and kissed her husband, although her stomach and groin were still in pain. "Your Majesty is generous", she intoned sweetly. "I truly am 'La Plus Heureuse' in every way", said Anne, citing her French motto of "The Most Happy". Henry grinned at her. "Might I…ask for a favor, my Lord?", Anne asked tentatively. Henry laughed. "My love, I would grant you nearly anything. Half of England if you wish it! I am your very slave!". Anne gave him a small smile. "I was wondering…might we call the Lady Mary 'Princess' again?". Henry frowned slightly now. "My marriage to her mother was invalid, Anne, you know that. She cannot be called Princess". Anne would normally have passionately argued her point, but she remembered how Henry had admired Jane for her calm subservience. "Of course, Sir, you are right. But it hardly seems fair to her. It was no fault of hers that the marriage was illegitimate. Even so, she is your daughter and she is the daughter of a Spanish Infanta". Henry was still frowning slightly, but he was listening.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty", said Anne, grudging the self-efficacy in her voice, "But you are Head of the Church in England. You can choose what is right, and who may and may not be called by a royal title. It is more advantageous to us to have her as a Princess anyway. We can form no marriage alliances through her if she is a bastard". Henry's frown was replaced with a look of quiet thoughtfulness. Anne decided to take the plunge and make her point. "If you can create Henry Fitzroy as Duke of Richmond, surely the daughter that was born in good faith to two royal parents can hold a title as well?". Henry's gaze went to Anne's face. It was a touchy subject for her to broach with him, and she knew it. Still, Henry could not help but consider her good sense. Mary was of no use to him as a bastard, and the entire point of even siring a girl was to marry her off to create alliances. "You may be right", said Henry carefully. "And surely, it will please most of Christendom to hear that Mary has been restored". "If it is your wish, Sire", said Anne deferentially. "It was merely a thought that had come to my mind. You alone have the wisdom and God-given authority to make it so".
Henry rubbed his chin as he thought and began nodding. "Yes…", he finally said slowly. "Yes, you may be right, Anne. I cannot marry her to suit the needs of the country if she is considered base-born. She is the daughter of a Princess of Spain and a King of England. Of course, she must be called Princess! What else can she be called? You are quite right, sweetheart". He smiled at Anne. "I had not known you had a tenderness for Mary". "I had not known I had either", said Anne. She looked slightly ashamed as she looked down at her fingers and looked back up at him- she knew it was utterly endearing. In truth, she did feel some shame in the way she had treated Mary. "Nan, I know that it was hard for you", said Henry. "It was hard for me too. I had to deal harshly with her. I am a King; I cannot allow anyone to defy me, not even my own daughter. But I know that for you, she was a reminder of the people that were supporting Katherine, God rest her soul. She made you feel ill at ease.". Anne nodded. "Now that I have a son who will be King of England one day, I have been able to see her for who and what she truly is: not an enemy, but my stepdaughter, and the daughter of two great royal houses". It made Henry's heart overflow with love for Anne to see her sweetness in a way he never had before. "If it please you my Lord, I think I should like to have our daughters Princess Elizabeth and Princess Mary at court for the Christmas feast". Henry brightened at the idea of his family celebrating the twelve days of Christmas together. "Of course sweeting. I should like that as well".
Later in the afternoon, after all of the christening celebrations were ended, Lady Mary returned to Anne's confinement chamber to wait upon her. When she arrived, Anne dismissed her other ladies so that she could speak to her privately. Mary, was naturally taken aback. It was not often that she was given the honor of a private word with Anne, not that she ever wanted the honor, nor that she even thought of it as an honor. Mary wordlessly arched an eyebrow at the Queen. Anne smiled and beckoned her over. The wet nurse had just fed the tiny Prince and he was snoozing comfortably in Anne's arms. Mary dipped a small curtsey. "I must thank Your Majesty once again for the honor of being named godmother to the Prince. My father the King says I have you to thank for it". Anne waved her hand as if to dismiss the idea. "I could think of no better and no more worthy a person". Mary was immediately on her guard at the kindness that Anne was showing her. Sensing this, Anne laughed; a delicate, charming laugh, like tinkling bells. A courtier's laugh. She gestured that Mary should sit on the big bed of estate with her.
Mary sat cautiously and smoothed her skirts. After adjusting the baby in her arms, Anne took Mary's hands in hers. Mary had nearly fallen off the bed in shock. It was the most intimate gesture that had ever been between them. In fact, the most that had ever been between them was a silent loathing of one another, and a tense courtesy when in the company of the King. Mary had even been forced to wait on Elizabeth like a servant- as if she herself was not a Princess of the blood! "Mary", began Anne in a sweet, soothing voice. "I am so sorry for the troubles and pain I have caused you". Mary's jaw had almost dropped. "I know I have not treated you as I should. I have long treated you as an enemy because of the great love the people bore for you and the Princess Dowager". Mary winced slightly at the use of the title her mother had only held after the death of her first husband, Prince Arthur. Katherine of Aragon was a Queen and there was no power on Earth that would ever convince Mary that her mother had not ceased being a Princess Dowager the day she and the King were lawfully married. It gnawed at her soul to even have Anne mention her sainted mother at all when she had been the indirect cause of her death! "I…I do not know what to say, Your Grace", said Mary carefully. Indeed, she did not. How could she ever accept her apology?! Surely it was a ploy of some sort.
"Mary, I know that I cannot undo the wrongs I have done to you and your mother, whom I know you loved dearly. I know I can hardly ask to beg your pardon…". Mary looked up and was surprised to find tears glistening on Anne's cheeks. "I was cruel because I was young and afraid. And then I was older and afraid. I realize now that I should not have been unkind to you". Anne daintily wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I know you will see me as a usurper of sorts, full of sinful ambition, but I swear to you that I truly believe the King and your mother the Princess Dowager were unlawfully wed. It is the only reason I accepted the King's proposal. How could I so endanger my immortal soul by supporting bigamy? Your mother was married to the King's brother Prince Arthur, and the scriptures say that it is a sin for a man to lay with the wife of his dead brother". "They had a dispensation from His Holiness the Pope!", cried Mary, unable to curb her outburst. Anne nodded and disregarded the outburst. "Ah, yes, but why get a dispensation for what is scripturally allowed?". Mary brooded silently. "And who is the Pope but a man?", asked Anne, continuing. "No man should be able to supersede what has been written. Only one man has ever done such a thing, and that is Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Surely you cannot think the Pope, a man of earth, is on the same ground as Our Lord?". "The Pope is the heir of St. Peter, an apostle whom Jesus himself appointed!", said Mary staunchly.
Anne nodded casually. "Yes, an apostle, who denied Our Lord three times, because he was not free from the sins of mortal men. Now again, you cannot believe a mortal man is on the same level as Jesus?". Mary frowned. She had no intention of arguing religious rhetoric with Anne Boleyn, but Anne was looking at her expectantly, waiting for an answer. "Of course not, Your Grace. The Pope is not above Jesus Christ". Anne nodded and then sighed as if she were weary. She bounced her baby gently and he nuzzled in her bosom. "Mary, I did not want to argue religion with you. But see! You must see that God has smiled upon my marriage to the King. We have a strong, healthy, Prince of Wales". Mary tactfully did not mention that her mother too had born sons, one of which died after only two months. But, little Edward was her brother after all, as well as her godson, and she would never utter such words, nor wish such a fate upon him. "I have spoken with His Majesty", said Anne leading into the point of her discussion with Mary. "And I have expressed that it is my wish that you are restored to the title of Princess". Now Mary's jaw did drop. "What?", she asked, stupidly. "What did you say?".
Anne smiled at her. "I have expressed my wish to the King that you be called Princess Mary once more instead of Lady Mary. Surely if he can create Bessie Blount's bastard as Duke of Richmond, the very title he himself held as a child, you who are the daughter of a Princess of Spain and a King of England should be referred to as 'Princess'! Even if the marriage was invalid, I know that they entered into it in good faith". Mary was still struck dumb at what she was hearing. Anne adjusted the sleeping infant in her arms and gave Mary a little shake with the hand closest to her. "Did you hear me Mary? His Majesty has agreed to make it so! You are to be a Princess again! And he will be able to find the best match in Europe for you!". Mary shook her head in disbelief. "I…am to be a Princess again?". Anne nodded, smiling indulgently. "You are. His Majesty has taken my advice and will put it to Parliament before it closes this Christmastide". "And…you convinced His Majesty my father to do this?". Anne had the grace to look a little abashed. "I know it is not much, considering what I have put you through. But all the same, it will get you a good marriage and a child of your own one day. Perhaps you will be a Queen and your sons will be Kings". For the first time in her life, Mary gave Anne Boleyn a genuine smile.