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4th January 1551: The Tower of London, London, England
It had been two days since the death of King Edward - who had died from consumption after falling ill in December- and, tomorrow, Elizabeth would be crowned Queen. At this present moment, however, she was in the tower. All royal monarchs went to the tower the night before the coronation. She, her daughter, Elizabeth, now known as Bessie, and Robert, all shared a room. The Royal Suite.
The door to Elizabeth's chambers swung open and Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey entered. It was the dead off night and the guards had been dismissed for the night. Princess Bessie snuffled slightly in her sleep, and began to stand. Being not yet three months old, she could stand, but only when supported by the bars of her crib.
Surrey knew that if Elizabeth was dead, then he could overthrow Mary and take the throne for himself. He pulled out his sword, and raised it. He readied himself to plung it into Elizabeth's chest. Right above Robert's hand, and just below her breasts. However, he had not noticed Princess Bessie, watching him, from the other side of the room. Princess Bessie was at an age where one spoke in a series of unintelligible shrieks; for example "Ga!" which probably meant "Mama, look out for the man with the sword!"
Surrey glanced to the bed, as Elizabeth shuffled slightly in the bed. Perhaps the Queen shouldn't be first. She could suffer more by the death of her beloved daughter. He strode to the crib, and raised the sword. He thrust it forward. There was a loud clunk of wood and skull followed by Elizabeth's cry of "I think not, My Lord!"
Elizabeth, who had heard her daughter cry, had thumped her second cousin, straight over the head with the hilt of Robert's sword. "Elizabeth?" Robert had stirred, and gotten to his feet. He noticed Surrey, and looked, anxiously, between his wife and daughter. As Surrey began to stir, Robert scooped his daughter into his arms, and held her close. Bessie clutched at the collar of his doublet, and Elizabeth readied herself with the sword. She had no intention of using it, but Surrey did not know that, after all, she was the daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, King of England, Ireland and France. Elizabeth knew that words spoke far better that actions did, and, being very smart for her age, she knew how to use them. "Lord Surrey," she began, to the man on the floor "Get up!"
Lord Surrey scrambled to his feet. "Guards!" Robert called. Two of the guards, from another part of the Tower, came running. "Take him to another cell," Elizabeth ordered. The guards picked him up, and dragged him away. Rocking his daughter slowly back to sleep, Robert gently lowered Bessie back into the crib, and he and Elizabeth returned to the bed.
5th January 1551: Whitehall Palace, England
"To the North, I present unto you, Elizabeth, your undoubted Queen!" Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk called to the hall, as he held the crown up high. If he was angry at his son's actions, he certainly didn't show it here. He repeated the same call to the opposite end of the hall "To the South, I present unto you, Elizabeth your undoubted Queen!"
Elizabeth, decked out in ceremonial robes, strode, slowly and elegantly down the aisle. Her ladies all filed along behind her, with Lady Katherine Ashley leading them. Elizabeth reached the chair, and her ladies dropped curtseys to her, before moving into the crowd. Elizabeth took her seat on the throne, and Owen Oglethorpe took the crown off of The Duke of Norfolk. Owen stepped in front of Elizabeth and held the crown up to the crown, before turning and placing it on her head "I crown thee, Elizabeth, Queen of England, Ireland and France!" he handed her a sceptre, and an orb. Like Elizabeth's crown, they were made of gold too. "Long live, Your Majesty!" Owen called. The same process was then repeated for Elizabeth's husband, Robert Dudley, King Consort of England, Ireland and France.
Once the coronation had ended and the dancing and celebrations had begun, Lady Frances Grey, nee Brandon, Marchioness of Dorset and cousin to the Queen, glanced around the room. Her eldest daughter, and child, Lady Jane Grey, needed a husband, and it was going to be one of the Dudley boys. It wouldn't be the eldest, as he was married to Elizabeth, nor would it be the second, as he too, like the first, and third, was married. So, that left the fourth, Guilford Dudley.
She knew who she had to convince, and, it was not the King. She had to convince the Duke of Northumberland. Moving forward, and passing through the crowd, she approached the man in question. He was tall, and broad shouldered, with a small beard.
"My Lord, Northumberland," she began, and, nearby, Lady Jane Grey sighed. If this betrothal went through, then she would be married, to a blonde haired, pompous, arrogant, gluttonous, self absorbed prig, not to mention the fact that he smelled. But, at least for now, she could watch the Lavolta being danced. The King, who had left his throne, was one of the dancers, as were his brothers, John, Henry and Ambrose, while Jane's sister, Katherine, danced alongside Henry Herbert, her betrothed. Her Majesty, Katherine Howard, Dowager Queen of England, Ireland and France, Viscountess Culpeper, danced with her husband, Sir Thomas Culpeper, 1st Viscount Culpeper, and Lady Mary Tudor, the Queen's elder sister, whirled around the dancefloor with one of her servants. Little Alexander Culpeper, aged three, and the son of Katherine and Thomas, sat near Jane, swinging his little legs in time with the music.
The dance stopped for a moment, as Elizabeth got to her feet. She lifted the front of her skirt a little and walked down the steps. She reached Robert, and smiled, turning to the music players "Play a Volta!" The rest of the ladies curtseyed, and the gentlemen bowed, before retreating away and Elizabeth She took her place in front of Robert. The music began to play and the dance began with a galliard. Then the couple made a transition to a closed position. The leader, Robert, let go of his partner's hand and took hold of her below her busk with one hand, and placed the other hand on her back above the far hip. The follower, Elizabeth, placed her near hand on top of her partner's near shoulder. Now the leader was facing his partner while she faced to one side; both did the turn with forward steps, and both stepped with the same foot at the same time.
The turn began with a small step, springing onto the outside foot and lifting the inside foot forward. On the second beat there was a longer step, stepping smoothly onto the inside foot and staying close to the ground. During this step the follower poised herself for a spring, and just after it she sprang up into the air. The leader lifted her with his hands, then held her up with his hands and with the thigh of his free leg under her thighs. He let her down to land on both feet on the last beat of the measure. The couple made an approximate 3/4 turn during each measure. The turn was repeated ad lib for several measures, and then the galliard was resumed in an open position.
As everyone filed back onto the dancefloor, Frances curtseyed to the elder John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland. She, and he, would be meeting, tonight, in his chambers at court, to discuss the betrothal of his fourth son, Guilford Dudley, to Frances's eldest child, Jane Grey.
Elizabeth returned to her throne, and smiled. Catherine Knollys, nee Carey, carefully handed Princess Bessie back to Elizabeth, while Robert danced on the dancefloor. Elizabeth watched him closely, as did Bessie.
"The Queen is definitely her Father's child," Northumberland informed Norfolk, who nodded in agreement. "Look closer, Your Grace," Norfolk replied, nodding towards the Queen "Her eyes are her mother's." Northumberland noticed that Norfolk was right. The Queen's sparkling eyes were the same shade of deep amber brown eyes as her mother's had once been.
William Cecil was pointing out people to the Queen, and Jane could see that she was taking in the names and faces, but overall, she was not paying attention. He eyes were still watching Robert dance. Jane then spotted Guilford Dudley approaching, dipped a curtsey to her mother, and disappeared into the crowd of people.
"Your Majesty?" Elizabeth looked up. In front of her was her cousin, Lady Catherine Knollys, nee Carey, who was just rising from a curtsey "May I introduce my second daughter, Laetitia Knollys?"
Laetitia Knollys had long, flowing copper red hair, which curled down her back. At the age of seven, she was tall, slim and well proportioned. Laetitia dropped into a curtsey, and Elizabeth held out her hand. Laetitia rose and kissed the Queen's hand. "Your Majesty," she spoke, as she stopped kissing Elizabeth's hand. The Queen nodded her head in acknowledgement and Catherine dropped a curtsey, leading Laetitia away. Catherine was the only one who noticed the smile on the Queen's face. Elizabeth noticed Catherine's husband, Sir Francis Knollys, and the remaining seven children nearby. He kissed Catherine as she reached them and hugged Laetitia tightly. The eldest son, who was slightly heavy for his age and a two years older than Laetitia, ruffled Laetitia's hair, and she pouted. He laughed and Laetitia nearly bowled him over as she hugged him. Elizabeth could see that Laetitia would be a beautiful girl when she grew up, and possibly a threat, she would have to keep an eye on Laetitia. The boy would be quite attractive too, once he had lost the baby fat that is.
Elizabeth noticed her elder sister, Mary, and, apart from her, the last remaining child of King Henry VIII. Mary was deep in conversation with the Spanish Ambassador. Elizabeth clicked her fingers, and one of her husband's attendants, the almost sixteen year old Barnaby Fitzpatrick, approached and bowed in front of her. "Lord Fitzpatrick," Elizabeth began "I want you to keep an eye on my sister, but, do not let her find out. She's up to something. I know she is. I remember, that in my childhood, Mary only spoke with the Spanish Ambassador when she was calling for the Emperor's help. Keep an eye on her,"
"Yes, Your Majesty," he turned to leave. But Elizabeth's call of "Barnaby," stopped him. He turned to look back to her, and Elizabeth continued to speak "I know that you miss my brother very much. I do too. I have never forgotten your unfailing loyalty to him, and I never will,"
Barnaby swept into a bow, and left the Queen to do her bidding. Elizabeth knew, as well as Barnaby did, that he hadn't been faithful to Edward, but had been in love with him instead. Edward's death, being a hard blow to Elizabeth, and a relief to Mary had come as a horrible shock to Barnaby. Elizabeth hoped that Barnaby could get over Edward's death... she really did.
6th January 1551: Whitehall Palace, England
"My Lords," William Cecil sat at the head of the table "as we have much weighty business today, I suggest that we put aside the appointment of officers and concentrate on-" he had noticed the other door open. Elizabeth was stood in the doorway. "Your Grace!" Cecil, and the other men, all rose.
"My Lords," Elizabeth replied "we are minded to join our council today," She moved to the head of the table, Norfolk pulled out the chair, she sat in it, and thanked him. Everyone else moved along one, so that the Queen was at the head of the table. They all sat down after the Queen did.
"Well, Master Secretary," Elizabeth began "What news today?"
"Three main matters, Your Majesty," William Cecil replied "Amongst the lesser ones; first, the reform of the currency,"
"Ah, yes," Elizabeth replied, nodding "that must be seen too without delay,"
"It won't be easy," Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex informed her "The coinage is greatly debased,"
"No matter what it costs, the people must know that the coin of the realm is legal tender," she replied "If they cannot trust the coin, then they cannot trust me,"
"Very well, Your Highness," Sussex replied. Elizabeth gave a small smile "Set out, on paper, the mesaures you propose, and I will sign them." She glanced to Cecil "What next?" Cecil coughed, once and began to speak. "The matter that I mentioned to Your Majesty, yesterday. The appointment of Your Majesty's judges."
"You are quite right," Elizabeth replied "Justice has been debased just as often as the coinage, and the people have suffered from it. Judges must learn to give justic freely, as they receive it from their Prince. They must have a care over my people, as they are, my people. Everyone oppresses them, and plunders them, without mercy, and they cannot revenge their wrongs, nor help themselves. The judges must take care of them. Take care of them. For they are my charge."
Everyone around the table went quiet at Elizabeth's speech, and Elizabeth looked to them. "What next?"
"Thirdly," Cecil began "the matter of The Princess Elizabeth's marriage," Elizabeth looked away from him for a moment. She knew that her councillors were already looking for eligible Princes to marry the Princess Elizabeth to. Personally, she thought that it was far to early, Bessie was, after all, not even three months old yet. After a few moments, Elizabeth spoke "Leave that aside," Cecil nodded, and prepared to move on. "Your Highness, the ques-" Sussex tried to interrupt, but Cecil elbowed him on the arm, to silence him. It didn't work "The question of the marriage must be discussed!"
"But not in this place, nor at this time! Leave that aside!" Elizabeth's voice had a hard edge to it. Sussex noticed the tone in her voice, and wisely became quiet.
7th January 1551: Hunsdon House, Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, England, Home of the Lady Mary
"I am to leave?" Mary could hardly believe her eyes as she read over the parchment in her hand. She was being forced to leave the home that was given to her by her father, King Henry VIII shortly before his death, ten years ago.
"Yes, My Lady," Thomas Seymour informed her "The Queen has commanded that you are to leave Hundson House,"
"Where am I to go?" Mary asked, sitting in the chair in front of the roaring fire.
"You, Lady Mary," Thomas Seymour replied "are to go to Kimbolton Castle in Cambridgeshire,"
Mary's heart felt like it was being squeezed. She was being sent to the place that her mother had died in fifteen years ago. "If that is what the Queen commands, then I will go." Thomas Seymour nodded. He may not have been in the Queen's favour, but, he could easily side with Mary against the Queen.
"It is what the Queen commands," Thomas Seymour had removed all emotion from his voice "You are to be packed by tomorrow morning, when a carriage will arrive to take you to Kimbolton Castle," He bowed, and left. As the door closed, Mary nodded to her maid, Susan, who fiddled with the letter in her pocket and left the room.
Mary began packing. She knew that she would have to obey Elizabeth, at least, that is, until her cousin Charles intervened, and forced Elizabeth to allow Mary back to Hundson House. She knew that her cousin would get her out of the situation that she was in now.
"My Lady?" Susan appeared at the door "Bishop Gardiner is here,"
To Be Continued.
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