Disclaimer: the prince, Higgins and the children belong to me, everything else is history.
hi guys sorry I haven't updated in ages but I have had a massive writers block and it only went away a few days ago but I have been writing since then and have almost finished the next chapter so hope to get that up soon.
But enough of me please read and enjoy.
Hampton Court Palace
As I watched my two children sleep I thought about what had happened today. They had been Christened and Anne and I couldn't be happier. We wished we could have been there but Anne still had another 3 weeks in the birthing chamber and then needed to be Churched and I wasn't able to attend as it was unseemly for the father to attend the Christening.
I still remember waiting with Anne for the Christening procession to return. The Page that I had sent to watch for the return of the procession had come back having seen the procession on the journey back. Anne, who had heard, sat up on the bed and prepared to receive the returning procession. She wore a red flowing gown that was spread over the covers and she wore a sapphire necklace that was given to her by my father. A ring with a ruby stone in the centre and around the edge a ring of diamonds sent to her by her brother, she wore with joy.
As the procession entered the chamber, Anne and I watched as our two children were carried in. Following them came my father and the Lords and Ladies of the court that were chosen as god parents. The Duchess of Suffolk came forwards and Anne held out her arms as the Duchess passed the little bundle she carried in her arms.
"Your son, Your Highness." She said.
Anne gave John a little kiss on his forehead and then propped him into the crook of her left arm. The Duchess gave a little curtsey then went to stand by her husband. My sister Mary then approached with her little bundle and passed it into Anne's waiting arm.
"Your daughter, Your Highness." She said.
As she had done with John, Anne gave Catherine a little kiss on the forehead. With both children safely in Anne's arms I bent down and gave them both a kiss on their foreheads. My father led the Lords and Ladies in a round of applause and as they clapped Anne and I smiled as two proud parents.
A little while later when the children were settled and Anne was taking a nap I went in search of my father. I found him in his privet chamber looking over some documents.
"Son, how are the children?" my father asked looking up from his desk.
"They are asleep and Anne is taking a nap." I replied.
"Good. Once Anne has been Churched there will be celebration's to celebrate the children's birth that will include a joust." My father said excitedly.
"That sounds great. Father you know that I wanted to go to the christening but custom denied it; I was wondering if you would tell me what happened at the christening?" I asked.
"Of course my son." My father replied. "Well you know what happens at a christening but let me tell from the way I saw it."
{Henry VIII pov}
The stage was set just as I had prepared. In the centre stood a large golden fount, beside it stood the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Fisher resplendent in the robes of his office. Next to me stood my Lord High Chancellor of England and my loyal friend Sir Thomas More, humanists like me, we had spent many twilight hours when I was still a Prince arguing the points of philosophy and science. The rest of the court surrounded the fount all in their finest gowns and outfits.
A trumpet sounded and the christening party entered the Chapel Royal. First came the Duchess of Suffolk carrying Prince John. He was wrapped in cloth of pure white cloth trimmed with ermine, very quiet it was as if he already knew he was a Prince. The Duchess stopped in front of the fount and curtseyed. Archbishop Fisher came round the fount and stood in front of the Duchess and started to chant.
"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen."
The Duchess then took the Prince off to a side chamber where he was unwrapped and was carried back to the fount naked. Archbishop Fisher took Prince John from the Duchess's arms and cradled him in his arms.
"I bless thee in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Prince John Tudor." He chanted while rubbing Holy Oil on John's forehead.
John was then placed back in the Duchess's arms and was taken back into the side chamber to be re-wrapped. When he was brought back out the Duchess stopped at the fount and curtseyed again and turned and walked back to the christening party.
With Prince John christened it was the turn of his sister Princess Catherine, despite being born first John was christened first being a male child and a future King of England but little Catherine didn't seem to mind at all. Like Prince John, Princess Catherine went through the same christening.
Once both children had been christened they were both brought forward and Archbishop Fisher blessed them one last time.
"May you both go forth in this world and change destiny."
The Duchess and Princess Mary then turned and re-joined the christening party. The royal announcer then proclaimed.
"Give long life to the right high, right honourable, Prince John of England, Earl of Wiltshire and Duke of Buckingham and Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine. Son and Daughter to his Royal Highness Prince Henry Tudor and Princess Anne."
The christening procession then turned and left the chapel.
{Prince Henry pov}
Listening to my father talk about my children's christening I knew how blessed by God I was. There was a knock on the door and a Page came in.
"Your Highness, the Princess Anne is awake and is asking for you." He said.
"Thank you, please tell her I will be there presently." I replied.
The Page bowed and left. Turning to my father my eye glanced at the time; we had been talking for over 2 hours.
"I hadn't realised the time father, you must have a council meeting to attend." I said.
"I do but the council know what I want done so can work without me. Also I was writing to the Pope to ask for a dispensation to marry the Duchess of Milan." My father replied.
"In that case I will leave you so you may finish the letter. Shall I see you at dinner in the Great Hall?" I asked.
"Yes, my son. Now off you go, your wife will be getting impatient." My father replied.
Bowing to my father I turned and left the room. As I walked to Anne's chamber I wondered if my life could get any better.
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