Title: Joint wives.
Author: PrinceBrennonTudor
Summary: What would have happened if someone made it their mission to save Anne and told Henry just to have two wives? What would happen to England with two royal wives? Will there ever be an heir?
Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors. But the story idea is mine.
Author's note: There will be several changes to the story that will be introduced in this chapter including Jane receiving a new title. The feud between the Boleyn's and Seymour's grows. Princess Elizabeth meets her new stepmother and Lady Mary is brought to court. We will see the people's reaction to Jane and I would like to say a special thanks to ReaganX for giving me some pointers for this story. Please keep reviewing. P.S. - I would like to think my friend Ryvkah for editing my story.
Chapter 4
14 June 1536
King Henry listened to his Lord Chancellor. Mr. Cromwell explained the revolts and protest by people of London and in certain parts of the kingdom over Jane being called Queen. When Jane was officially proclaimed Queen of England two days ago, there was mild protest, saying that while Anne is Queen, Jane couldn't be called that. No matter if King Henry considered Jane as his only wife; he couldn't give Jane a title that belonged to another.
The King held a council meeting. The Seymour's were present, along with Suffolk and Norfolk and with everyone else of his council. "It seems that some people are treasonous fools for going against their King and his rightful wife!" he spat. He then threw a quick look at Norfolk to see if he would contest that Jane was his true wife. But his face was blank. The Seymour's knew the reason for the look that passed between them. Their faces showed how they all felt – upset. "They have ordered that Jane cease to call herself Queen of England because that title is rightfully Anne's. If it wasn't for my good council I would have them all hanged. So what I intend to do is give my true beloved wife Jane a new title and we are here today to decide that title," said the King.
The Council debated for over an hour before Edward Seymour made a suggestion. "Your Majesty, I just had a thought -what if we used one of your ancestor's titles?" King Henry looked at Edward, his face full of puzzlement. "My Lord, the only title for a royal woman that my one of my ancestors used was my grandmother's title - My Lady, the King's Mother. Do you suggest your sister should be titled My Lady, the King's Wife?" Edward had to look away from the king so he wouldn't show the anger he felt at the King for making him look like an idiot. "Your Majesty has forgotten your ancestor the Empress Matilda, who used the title Lady of the English since she was never crowned Queen." The King grimaced at the title Lady of the English. It sounded less royal than Queen, as well as old. "But if Jane is styled a Lady she wouldn't have equal precedence to Anne." Thomas Seymour had the answer to that. "What if you styled her, Her Majesty the Lady of England? Then she would be equal to Queen Anne."
King Henry liked what he heard - Jane would have a custom title and with her Majesty styling she would be equal to Anne, even though it should be Anne placed lower than Jane. Jane would probably be crushed, so Henry decided he would send for a jeweler to buy Jane something before he broke the news to her. Then he was reminded that he should send for Elizabeth to pay respects to her new stepmother. He just hoped the girl would behave properly and had not been influenced by her whore mother too much.
16 June1536
White Hall
Princess Elizabeth was being escorted to her mother's room. She would stay with her mother till she had to go to the Throne Room to meet her stepmother. The fact that her father had two wives was something that confused her greatly still. Why would he need another wife? He was married to her mother, who was the perfect wife and mother in Elizabeth's opinion. Sometimes when she escaped from Lady Bryan she overheard her ladies saying he was marrying her to get an heir. But why did her father need an heir when he had her? She was smart, beautiful and could do just as well as a man. Her mother even said she could.
Elizabeth was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice that she had arrived at her mother's room till the herald called out, "Her Highness the Princess Elizabeth!" She crossed the threshold of the door way and dropped a quick curtsey to her mother before she ran to her. "Mama, mama! I've missed you so much!" she cried. Anne grabbed her daughter and pulled her into a giant hug. She hadn't seen her daughter since the day she begged Henry not to marry Jane. "My dearest love. How are you sweetheart?" She took a good look at her daughter and saw that she had grown since she last saw her. Her hair was a deeper red like her grandmother Elizabeth of York. She would be a great beauty and Anne could see for the first time how beautiful. "I 'm good Mama, I'm just confused why papa took another wife?"
Queen Anne looked up and saw Lady Bryan staring at her with apologetic eyes, and her ladies just staring at the brave little Princess. Anne signaled for her ladies to leave her and she gave Lady Bryan permission to return to the nursery. Anne took Elizabeth by the hand and sat her on a low couch and sat next to her." Elizabeth, Sweetheart your father married Lady Jane in order to insecure a male heir." She was tempted to tell her daughter how the whole story about how her marriage was in ruins and how if Jane had a son who became king he could declare her and Henry's marriage invalid and Elizabeth a bastard. Put she wouldn't, she couldn't do that to her daughter she wouldn't make her fear for her life. Elizabeth as a young child seemed to accept this but Anne could see in her daughter's eyes burned with many questions.
Same day
The Lady of England's rooms
Jane was in her apartments getting ready for the event in the throne room. Not only would I Jane be official introduced to Princess Elizabeth as her father's wife but several members of her family were being elevated into the peerage today
Jane looked at several gowns laid out on her bed trying to decide what she should wear. She decided on a gown of little green silk embroider with diamonds. She also will wear a diamond tiara and a matching necklace. Both the Tiara and necklace were new gifts from the king. He brought them to her he brought her the news that she would have to stop calling herself Queen and use the new title Lady of England. Anger flashed through her as she thought of her loss title. Anger at Anne, why didn't she just accept that the king didn't love her anymore and retire to a country estate or a nunnery? Then Jane could mend all the wrongs Anne has caused. Like putting Princess Mary back into her place in the succession, and returning the monasteries. But Anne didn't retire and was still techicanally married to the King. By the laws of England anyway if not by the pope. After Jane's ladies dressed her and Lady Ursula Missleton finished fixing her hair Jane left her apartments followed by her ladies heading to the throne room.
Same day
Throne room
"Edward Seymour, You are by order and permission of his Majesty King Henry, today created Viscount Beauchamp. King Henry placed the Viscount Baronet on his head and robe. "Arise My lord." said the king. Edward Seymour rose up and the king kissed him on both cheats before he stepped back and stood next to his father. The Seymour's had risen so far at court. Sir John Seymour was now Earl of Hertford. Edward was now a Viscount and Thomas was given a Barony. Anne sat at Henry's left and Jane on his right. Anne was all but ignored by Henry as he lavished his attention on Jane and her family, and looked out into the crowd and saw her father and uncle Norfolk glaring at her for not winning back the king's love and her brother George staring at her with concern all over his face. Anne chose to ignore them for she needed to focus for what was about to happen next.
The herald banged his staff and bellowed "Her Highness, the Princess Elizabeth!" The courtiers made way for Elizabeth. There were some whispers from the people all wondering how the Princess would take to her step-mother. As Elizabeth approached the dais she curtsied deeply to the King and his two wives and said "Your Majesties." Anne smiled down at her daughter; she looked like a true Princess in her gown of cloth of gold and silver which complemented her hair. Anne turned to Henry to see what he was going to say. Henry just looked at his daughter, he hadn't seen her since that day Anne asked him not to marry Jane. He saw how she grew and he couldn't deny she was his daughter now for she looked so much like his mother. Henry signal to raise Elizabeth from her curtsey and smiled at his young daughter. "Welcome Elizabeth, I would like to introduce you to your stepmother Jane Lady of England." Elizabeth turned and curtsied to Jane again and said "Your Majesty I wish you much joy and happiness on your marriage." There was a murmur throughout the crowd. They hadn't anticipated the Princess to say this. But Anne new because Elizabeth and she planned out what she would say before had back in her rooms.
Jane smiled down at her young step daughter "I think you L-L I'm mean Princess Elizabeth. You are a very pretty child." Elizabeth smiled at that but Anne didn't miss Jane messing up on Elizabeth's title almost calling her Lady Elizabeth instead of Princess implying that she was a bastard. But Anne couldn't call attention to the situation and never let the smile drop from her face. Elizabeth just beamed at them and Anne couldn't tell if her daughter noticed the mess up, but she would never tell her.
Great Hall
There was a feast after the promotions in the Great Hall. The Seymour's were seated in the spots of honor. Elizabeth was allowed to attend but now was back in her nursery asleep for it was late now and most of the guests were drunk. Anne danced with many young male courtiers and, despite not being in her husband's good grace, she was having a lot of fun for the first time in a long while. Henry and Jane were leading the dances, Jane being the only woman Henry would dance with. From across the room, Henry spied Anne's laughing face while she danced with the courtiers. She practically glowed with the beauty and light with which he had once fallen in love.
"Er, Jane, love, I shall return shortly." Henry strode away across the hall, leaving a confused Jane in his wake.
"My lady," Henry said, approaching the dancing Anne. "If I may?" he asked, putting his hand out for her to take. Anne stared for a moment, debating leaving her dance partners. She hesitated a moment, finally taking his hand with a sweet smile. Henry beamed as he led Anne to dance, carefully keeping away from Jane, still looking lost.
"Play a volta!" Henry yelled to the musicians.
Anne laughed at Henry and the change in music as they danced together, rekindling their lost emotions. Henry held her closely, arm circling her waist as though he was her lover. Anne laughed seductively, remembering the last time she and Henry had danced this. They looked into each other's eyes as their pace quickened and the passion ignited again, as quickly as a flame. The whole hall began to stare, some whispering and some openly gawking or showing their appreciation, soon joining in.
Jane caught them from across the room, her eyes turning cold watching her new husband dance with his old flame. She parted her way through the crowd and stopped immediately in front of the happily dancing couple.
"Shall we retire, husband?" The edge to her voice was evident, especially in her emphasis on the word husband. Henry and Anne turned as one, their smiles melting.
Henry coughed once. "Ah, yes." He turned back to Anne momentarily. His eyes locked with hers, and he leaned down slightly, pressing his lips to hers in a passionate kiss, which she greedily returned.
Jane stared, appalled at the blatant show of affection. Henry snapped back, cheer gone from his face.
"Shall we, then?" he asked, and led Jane out of the hall. Anne watched their retreating backs, feeling more vulnerable and lost than she had at the beginning of the night.
There you go, a spark of Henry and Anne's passion is back! I hoped you enjoyed it and that you keep reviewing. And if you are reading at not reviewing, PLEASE start reviewing! I would like at least thirty reviews before I update again, even if it's just a couple of words telling me to keep going. Also, I want to thank my friend Ryvkah again for helping with grammar, and for helping to write the dance scene at the end. Thanks for reading!
TBC.