A/N: Geez I've got this update thing down pat at the moment don't I?
This is a rather short chapter and for that I am sorry. It is an important chapter nonetheless, with a very important arrival, however I also see it as a bit of a filler chapter, leading up to the more important things to come. I hope you all enjoy it in any case.
A huge thanks you to everyone who has reviewed the story or put myself or the story on their favourites/alerts list.
As always I own nothing.
Please read, review and enjoy.
Chapter 4:
18th of November 1527
Palace of Placenta, Greenwhich
" It is a girl, Your Majesty," The midwives voice announced, answering Anne's earlier inquiry as to the sex of the child she had just delivered into the world, " A healthy little princess, perfectly formed and in good health."
Anne could not help but sob at the news. Loud ugly cries left her lips, but she did not care. She had failed. She had failed England and she had failed the King.
" I have failed," She exclaimed, unable to control her emotions, she sounded like a broken woman," I have failed. God help me."
Her waters had broken late the previous night, and within six hours she had been delivered of her child. It had not been a difficult birth, as with her pregnancy everything had run smoothly for Anne in the birthing chamber, everything of course except for the result of her pregnancy. She had thought that she had never known such pain throughout the course of her labour, but that was nothing compared to the pain and disappointment she now felt at the midwives words.
She had promised Henry a son. The whole of England had expected a Prince from her and she had delivered another daughter, another Princess for England, and hers would not even be the country's heir. Katherine's blood still was next in line to the throne.
" Do not weep Anne," Mary's voice said from next to her, her sister's tone was soothing as she rubbed a stray hair from Anne's face, "It is not becoming of you, you are the Princess Consort of England, sit up and smile, you have just given England a healthy Princess. Yes it is a girl this time, but it will be a boy next time, do you hear me?"
" Is she beautiful?" Anne questioned calming down slightly, her sister was right, she was young still. Boys would follow.
" Oh yes Anne, yes, yes." Mary assured smiling slightly.
" Give me the child," Anne ordered sitting herself up higher against her pillows, " Give me my daughter."
Anne watched with tired eyes as the midwives and her ladies cleaned the screaming and wiggling bundle that was her child. She held out her arms, as she knew she must when they came forward with their piles of blankets and took the babe in her arms, and within seconds all of her pains and disappointments were forgotten.
England's newest princess had a head full of dark glossy hair, her skin was pale white with a slight pink tinge (that Anne guessed most newborns to have), she was the King in miniature, a true likeness of her father. There was some of Anne in the girl of course, her mouth and nose Anne thought looked to be Boleyn and Howard traits, but the rest of the girl was all Tudor and Anne was glad for it. Her daughter would grow to be a beauty, that much at least she was sure of.
" The King will want to know of the birth of his child," Anne announced her head held high, she would not let them say that she was disappointed in her daughters birth, no matter how much Anne might wish that a son had come first, now that she had the girl in her arms she would not trade her; not for anything, " And I want the bells rung at once."
" Do you think that wise Your Majesty….I mean," You did not birth a prince, The girl was no doubt one of Katherine's, A Queen's lady. Anne would have her dismissed as soon as she was able.
" Do you not think Lady Alsham, that his Majesty will not be pleased by his daughters birth?" Anne snapped irritated. There would be some who would think this to be the end of her, that her daughters birth would be her undoing, they would be very much mistaken.
Henry would be disappointed, yes; he would be at first, just as Anne herself had been. They had both wanted a boy, but this would be her husband's first healthy child since Hal Fitzroy's birth, Anne did not doubt that his disappointment over the sex of the baby would fade quickly. Besides, just last week Henry had assured her that he did not care so much for the child's sex as he did for it's health. As long as it's healthy, those had been his words, of course he had been trying to soothe her, she had been worried and unable to keep her emotions at bay, As long as it's healthy, what did it matter if he had only said the words to soothe her the sentiments remained the same.
A healthy and beautiful daughter would always be better than a weak and sickly son.
The word's had hardly left Nan Saville's mouth (The Princess has been delivered), before Henry was on his feet and making his way towards Anne's bedchamber. He didn't even wait to hear the rest of Anne's ladies words; he just wanted to see his son.
He bounded into Anne's room with a happy and content smile, ignoring the bows and curtsies around him as he made his way to Anne's bed, where she lay cradling the newborn infant in her arms.
" Well, " He exclaimed smiling largely, " Is he strong?"
" My Lord," Anne began moving the babe closer to him so that he might see his son better, the boy let out a healthy cry and Henry could not help but laugh.
" Those are a fine set of lungs," Henry stated proudly, "We will call him Edward, it is a lucky name for English kings. " He had always wanted a son called Edward.
" I have borne you a daughter, your majesty. " Anne said loudly, interrupting Henry's happy ramblings.
Immediately the King's happy expression fell, " A daughter?" He questioned unable to keep the disappointment out of his voice. Why had no one told him, why had they not prepared him better.
"Yes," Anne answered, trying to keep the smile firmly on her lips. He must not think that she too was disappointed, " Henry, we have a beautiful daughter, next time we will have a strong son."
" Is the child in good health?" Henry questioned the doctors and midwives behind him.
" Perfect, Your Majesty."
" Good," Henry answered, some of his disappointment fading slightly. Anne had given him a daughter in place of a son, yet still the girl was healthy, was that not in itself a blessing from God. Hal Fitzroy had been the last healthy child born to him, and before that Mary, his daughter by Anne was further proof that he was capable of having healthy heirs, " Well if we can have a healthy daughter, we can have a healthy son."
" What shall we call her, Henry?" Anne questioned, she had a name in mind already, but she knew not to push her luck, not when it was a daughter in her arms rather than a son.
For a second Henry was stumped by Anne's question, he had not thought of any girl's names for their child. He had been so convinced they were having a son, "Perhaps Elizabeth?" Henry put forward, " For my mother and yours."
Despite herself Anne could not help but scrunch her nose slightly, and Henry noticed immediately, " Do you not like it?"
" Oh no Henry, it's not that," Anne assured quickly, she did want to use the name one day but not now, " Of course Elizabeth is a fine name, a name that I would gladly bless our daughter with it's just that, she doesn't look like an Elizabeth."
At that Henry could not help but laugh slightly, " Let me see her then," He said taking his daughter into his arms and looking at her. Anne was right, the name did not suit their newborn daughter, " You are right Anne, of course. Did you have a name in mind?"
" Isobel?" Anne questioned with a smile, " Shall we call her Isobel?"
" Isobel," Henry repeated, rolling the name around on his tongue. It was a fine choice, a fitting name for a Princess of England, " Yes, Isobel she shall be."
Isobel Tudor, Princess of England.
When the bells had first been rung Katherine had thought for sure that Anne had succeeded where she had so often failed, that Anne had birthed a son for their husband, a future King of England, to say she was shocked to hear that Anne Boleyn had birthed another daughter would have been an understatement.
Henry had another daughter. England had another princess, and Mary still was her father's heir. Yet Katherine would not gloat in this apparent failure, as many would no doubt expect of her. From all accounts, the girl was healthy and beautiful, it was more than Katherine had given the King in years, and Anne was young still, a boy would come Katherine was just a bit grateful that it had not come so quickly.
Henry had not been angry. From her spies she had learnt that while the King had been disappointed at first, he now would not let his daughter out of his sight, he was so besotted by her. It had been the same with Mary; Katherine could not help but remember. Everyone herself included had been worried over Henry's reaction to his first daughter's birth. Mary had been healthy and beautiful (just as Anne's girl was said to be) but she had been the wrong sex, there was no denying that they had desperately needed a son only to be given a daughter. Katherine had been in such a state with worry, but she needn't have been. All Henry had cared about was that they had a living and breathing child.
For all his talk of needing sons, her husband was a good father, he would love Anne's daughter as he did Mary, no matter the child's sex. Katherine's first child had been born dead, a stillborn daughter, no doubt Henry would see the birth of a healthy child as a positive sign, a blessing on his union to Anne even if it was not a son this time.
Anne Boleyn was still young, for now the absence of a son would affect her little, if such an absence continued however, well Katherine did not like to think of what would happen then. She did not like Anne, Katherine doubted she ever would like or even be able to like a woman who supplanted herself in Henry's affections, half of Katherine was glad for this apparent failure, the other half of her scared.
For a son and heir Henry had already changed the course of England's future forever, if Anne did not eventually birth their husband a son Katherine worried of what other changes might take place, but for now she knew she had to put such thoughts behind her. Mary was being bought to her and together they would meet England's newest Princess.
She was not left waiting long, soon enough Mary was standing in front of her, a tired and questioning look on her face. She had known of her step-mother's labour, she had not been told of the result, Katherine had been very clear to Mary's governess, she would be the one to tell her daughter of her newest sibling, boy or girl.
"Mother," Marry addressed with a quick curtsey, before running into her mother's waiting arms, " Has she delivered."
" Yes," Katherine said carefully rubbing a strand of her daughter's dark locks between two fingers, " The Princess Consort has delivered you a sister, God be praised."
" A sister?" Mary repeated her face awestruck, like Katherine no doubt the little princess had been expecting a son and brother, " So she has failed? Father will get rid of her now, she has not done what she promised to do."
At that Katherine could not help but gasp slightly, she had expected Mary to be happy that Anne had not yet given her a brother, but she had not expected her to speak so out of turn, Katherine had made it clear to her daughter on multiple occasions that she must always be careful of her words and actions, you never know who might be listening, she shuddered to think what Henry would say if he heard of his daughters reaction to her sister's birth.
" Mary," Katherine exclaimed bending down to her daughters level, " I will not allow you to speak in such a way, especially about your own blood. The Princess Consort has delivered a healthy child, she is young and fertile and your father is pleased with her and your sister, Anne will not be replaced, it is time you got used to that darling."
" But how can he be happy?" Mary questioned sullenly, " Anne was meant to give England a Prince and all she has done is give it another girl, how can he be happy with her if he was never happy with you?"
" Because Anne's daughter is alive and healthy Mary, you were the last living child I gave your father and I can assure you he was more than pleased with your birth," Katherine responded fighting to keep her emotions in check. It hurt her to know that her daughter thought so little of her own self worth, that she thought her own father was displeased in her, " Come now Mary let us go meet your sister," Let us meet England's newest princess.
The walk to Anne's room seemed unusually short, although Katherine had never had a reason to visit them before now, yet still it did not feel like a long time at all before she was in front of the door to her rivals rooms, her daughter beside her clutching her hand desperately.
Katherine did not wait to be announced, nor did she ask to be permitted entrance, she was the Queen of England still and this child was her step-daughter, she would not have it dictated upon what she could and could not do.
Herself and Mary's entrance bought much hushed whispers and haste's curtsies obviously no one had been expecting them, well Mary they would have expected in time but not Katherine. Anne's rooms were not so full as she would have imagined, her ladies were all there of course running around about there duties, as were Anne's immediate family members, the Duke of Norfolk, her father and brother all seated together with grimaces on their faces, Thomas Boleyn would not yet get his dukedom in his eyes his daughter had surely failed.
The only other courtiers in the room were the Duke and Duchess Suffolk, but then like the Boleyn's they were technically family. No doubt if Anne had delivered the long awaited prince she had so confidently promised the room would have been bursting full with courters seeking to gain the Princess Consort's favour by congratulating her on her success. Anne had delivered a daughter and as such the member's of Henry's court were no doubt undecided upon how they must act.
" Katherine, " Her sister-in-laws voice sounded shocked as if she like everyone else was surprised to see her there, Katherine wondered if Mary thought she was only their to gloat in Anne's failures as no doubt Henry's sister was more than pleased to do herself, " We had not expected you."
Katherine accepted Mary's affectionate kiss on the cheek with a smile, " England has a new Princess, and I a step-daughter it is only reasonable that I would come to see her," Katherine responded in a hushed whisper, despite the lowness of her tone Katherine still watched her words, Anne's eyes and ears were all around her now, she had to be careful she could not appear to be gloating, " And besides Mary wished to visit her sister, didn't you darling?"
" Yes, Mama." Mary responded subduedly, Katherine wished she had at least tried to muster some enthusiasm; no doubt she would be happier once she met the girl.
" Is his Majesty not here?" Katherine questioned noticing her husband's absence.
" He is with Her Majesty," The duke of Suffolk answered, eyeing his wife carefully as he spoke.
" He has not left her side, since the babe was thrust into his arms," Mary added her tone full of disapproval, " You would think she had birthed a son with all the fuss he is making."
" Mary," Charles hissed warningly, before turning to Katherine with a forced smile, " I am sure yourself and the Princess are more than welcome to see the princess now, we were the last visitors."
At that Katherine nodded taking Mary's hand once again and leading her into Anne's bedchamber, and as soon as she entered Katherine wanted to turn back around. Anne was seated on her bed, propped up by her pillows and holding the babe in her arms, Henry had his arms wrapped around her lovingly his eyes firmly attached to his new daughter.
It was a scene she would have expected to see had Anne birthed a son. He did not look at all disappointed, and Katherine could not help but wonder how much of that was true and how much was an act for Anne's benefit.
" Mary darling," Henry said the shock slightly eveident in his voice, " Would you like to come and meet your sister."
Mary hesitated for only a moment before letting go of her mothers hand and all but running to Anne's bedside.
" She looks like me," Mary stated suddenly, and Katherine could not help but move her legs forward to get a better look. When no one spoke against it she continued moving until she was standing just behind her daughter, with a perfect view of England's newest princess.
Anne's daughter did resemble her own. They were both very true to their father's image, but of course there were bits of the girl that were Anne, just as there were bits of Katherine in Mary.
" She is very beautiful, she is a credit to you both," Katherine said, her voice thick and full of emotion, she would have to live with this reminder of her husband's infidelity in a way that she had never had to deal with Henry Fitzroy, " What name have you given her?"
" Her name is Isobel," Anne said speaking for the first time, " Isobel Tudor."
It was not the name Katherine had expected, she had thought for sure that Henry would think to use Margaret or Elizabeth (Tudor names), but the name was a good and English name and it suited the infant well.
" Can we call her Izzie?" Mary questioned suddenly her eyes on Anne and Henry.
" If you wish Princess, she is your sister." Anne responded and Katherine would never have been able to say that she had been unkind to Mary.
She hoped now that Mary would be more reserved in her hatred of her father's second wife. As Katherine had expected Mary would love her new sibling as soon as she laid eyes upon her, and perhaps her love for Isobel would somewhat soften her resentment of Anne, and make things a bit easier for them all.
2nd of December 1527
Palace of Placenta, Greenwhich
" How could you let this happen?"
At her father's words, Anne could not help but grimace. She would have naive to think that he would have had a positive reaction to his granddaughter's birth, but the fact that he had waited so long to mention it had made Anne think that he had simply let it go.
The king loved Isobel dearly, as did Anne. She was an easy baby to care for, and although Henry had refused to allow Anne to breastfeed their daughter, Queen's don't do that, at least not for a daughter, that had been the only inclination that he had given towards his disappointment at their daughter's sex.
Anne knew well enough that Isobel was not enough, she needed to conceive again and quickly, but for the time being at least she did not want to be bought down by such negativity, she just wanted to enjoy her daughter's presence before it was taken away from her.
After the Christmas and New Years celebrations were over with, Isobel would be sent to Eltham with the Princess Mary, and Anne would have to learn what it meant to be the wife of a King and a mother. Her daughter would be mostly raised by others; it was a thought she was still not comfortable with.
" I did nothing." Anne responded firmly, rocking Isobel in her arms slightly, he would not yell at her while her daughter was in her arms, she knew that much at least.
" You were supposed to give the King a son. You promised him a son."
" And I will give him one," Anne responded firmly. She was a young woman still, and she had just birthed a healthy and beautiful princess for the realm, a boy would follow, " I will give him more than one."
" You better, " Thomas ground out between clenched teeth, " And in the meantime you must make sure that you do not lose the King's love."
" You speak as if his love for me is something that can be lost Papa," Anne responded her temper rising slightly, " The King loves me, and he loves our daughter, nothing can change that."
" For now," Thomas agreed with a nod, " But he loved Katherine once too. How long will his love for you last, without a son."
I would only be unhappy if you ever stopped loving me.
London would have to melt into the Thames first.
A/N: So there we have it our newest Tudor baby is a little Princess Isobel. For those of you who might have thought that Anne and Henry's first born daughter would be Elizabeth, never fear as with all of my Tudor stories Elizabeth will be born on her historical birth date.
As some of you guessed when I mentioned I had changed my plan slightly for this story, I did change the child that Anne gave birth to. In my original outline for the story I had her having a son first but I changed my mind when I realised that that would make things to easy for Anne and it didn't really fit in with my overall tone of this story.
So now we have Isobel and I do hope that no one will be too disappointed by this, I promise you Anne supporters that I did not write out the son Anne was meant to have, I have simply changed his date of birth.
Anyway the next chapter will be more action packed and will have a time jump of a few months.
Please review and let me know what you all thought.