Princess Katherine of Aragon (Boleyn)- 48 December 16th 1485
Prince Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Wiltshire-55 March 12th 1477
Isabella Boleyn- 15 September 7th 1517
Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Pembroke- 15 September 7th 1517
Cordelia Tudor-14 year May 2nd 1518
William Boleyn, Duke of Buckingham- 13 June 13th 1519
Anthony Boleyn, Duke of Suffolk- 13 June 13th 1519
Rose Boleyn- 12 March 2 1520
Catalina Boleyn- 11 August 29th 1520
George Boleyn, Duke of Rochford- 19 April 17th 1513
Jane Boleyn- 2 March 28th 1530
Princess Mary Tudor-16 February 18th 1516
Princess Cecily Tudor- 10 July 25th 1521
Princess Elizabeth Tudor- 15 September 7th 1517
Princess Margaret Tudor- 8 years August 14th 1523
Prince Edward Tudor of Wales- 13 February 14th 1519
Prince James Tudor of York- 10 years October 1st 1522
King Henry VIII-40 June 28th 1491
Queen Kathryn Parr- 39 August 30th 1492
Lady Ursula Middleton- 37 February 2 1495
Lady Amy Hobbs- 14 November 15th 1518
Lady Amelia Sutton, 10, May 18th 1523
Lady Mary Howard, 12, April 24th 1519
Gregory Cromwell Earl of Oxford- 16 October 19th 1514
Prince Henry of France- 19 July 10th 1513
Prince Phillip of Spain- 20 May 2 1512
Princess Joan of Austria- 12 June 24 1519
Charles de Bourn, Duke of Beaucourt- 12 July 21 1520
William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire- 18 January 9th 1514
Henry Stanley, soon-to-be Earl of Derby- 16 September 1st 1516
December 25th 1532
The children were having a ball opening all their gifts, and I forced a smile and shared in their happiness. But really my mind lingered on Thomas. His coldness that day…I still do not understand the only conclusion I have come to his he loves me no longer and feels trapped by our marriage. Maybe he felt like that all along and just played along to make me feel somewhat better about being married to him, to feel better about willingly letting him have me.
I felt like a whore when I came across this conclusion, I willingly let him take me anyway it would please him and…did things that would make my mother turn in her grave. It made me doubt everything every told me and I never felt more alone then in this moment.
December 28th 1532
When Thomas arrived home I was not downstairs to greet him, I told the children the cold weather was turning my stomach and they all believed me. "Wife, I hear you are not well" he said and I did not even look to him from my spot in front of the fire.
"I am well enough" was all I answered gazing into the fire as it danced around my logs.
"Then why were you not down to greet me when I arrived back? The children said your stomach was turning with sickness?" I did not answer him, I just wanted him to leave. "Woman you had best answer me!" He snarled angrily, his temper was so short today.
"Though I fell well enough I still do not feel good Lord Wiltshire" I hissed and he caught the change in how I addressed him.
"I am Lord Wiltshire now?" He asked coming over to stand behind me.
"You are treating me different! You were as cold as ice to me last time you were here!" I stood up and went to leave and he grabbed me roughly and I let out a gasp as he dragged me against him.
"Court is just stressful My Lady excuse me for being a little stressed!" He growled and I whimpered softly.
"You have been stressed by Court more then once and you never treated me like this!" I cried as he held my wrists in an iron grip against his chest. "Let me go at once!" I whined pulling my wrists to no avail, he pushed me back against the wall and pinned them up near my head.
"Something's are more stressful then others" he hissed into my face and let me go, my arms fell to my side but I dare not move from my spot on the wall.
It dawned on me the very thought was enough to make me nauseous "have you….have you found someone else?" I whimpered and he kept his back turned on me. "Please tell me that you still love me and not someone else, tell me that you have loved me all along and this is not a lie" I begged him, but dare not move.
"I do love you Katherine, I have always loved you" he never denied meeting someone knew.
"Have you taken a mistress?" My voice shook with the fear of an answer, he looked down and every second felt like a decade.
"It was a mistake" I let out a sob my insides curling in hurt, "sweetheart you know that I love you very much and would do anything to make you happy" I shook my head as he came to me.
"No" I sobbed putting my hand up to keep him at bay.
"I am sorry love, I did not mean to it just….happened, I was drunk and only have a little memory of the event" as much as I tried pushing him away it did not work and he pulled me into his embrace.
"Why?" I sobbed going limp in his arms "why would you do this?" I cried.
"I regret it with all I have, she was…I am a man Katherine…I am sorry, I was drunk for God's sake" I pulled back and slapped him across the face.
"That is not an excuse!" I slapped him again and again till our doors burst open and Tom, William and Anthony ran in followed by their sisters.
"Mama stop it!" Tom said pulling me from their father, I stood up to my full height tears still slipping down my cheeks.
"Get out! I hate you" I slipped the ruby ring from my finger and threw it at his face "LEAVE!" I screeched, he picked up the ring and left the room quietly. I looked to the children to see the horrified expressions on their faces, I turned and went into my bedchamber and shut the door.
Thomas Boleyn, Prince of Spain, Duke of Wiltshire
I went outside to the snow covered gardens and looked down at the ruby ring I had given Katherine on our wedding day, was this her way of saying she wanted a divorce? I heard the crunch of snow and looked up hoping to see Katherine but instead saw a rage filled Isabella.
"What is going on!" She cried in anger and fear.
"Isabella go back into the Castle" she stomped her foot tears pooling into her grey eyes which mirrored my own.
"No!" She yelled and I looked back up sharply, "what is going on papa? Are you and mama getting divorced?" Her tears spilled over and ran rivers down her cheeks. I stood up and wrapped my arms around her.
"We are not getting divorced Isabella, never fear" she buried her face in my shoulder and I felt her body shake, she was not wearing a cloak. I took mine off and wrapped it around her small body.
"She threw her ring at you, what did you do papa?" I let her go and went back to my seat.
"I hurt her very much" was all I said and but she was as relentless as I am.
"How?" She demanded, Isabella was always protective of her mother.
"I….Isabella you are still young" I sighed dismissing her and she let out a cry.
"I am not as naive as my sisters! Mama talks to me about things! What did you do?" I balled my fists in anger, Katherine knew very well I did not want our daughters to have knowledge of certain things.
"I was drunk and slept with another woman" she gasped hugging the cloak around her tighter. "I would take it back if I could, it was a mistake" I looked down to the snow beneath my feet.
"Papa…" she whimpered in fear and I looked back up to see her heartbroken face.
"I never wanted to hurt her Isabella" she shifted tears falling out of her eyes.
"You have to fix it papa! Please you have too" she begged and I shook my head.
"I do not know how to fix this" I sighed, my own heart felt broken.
"Try! Papa please try!"
I waited an hour before going back to my chambers, I sent all the children away and entered the bedchamber "I told you to leave" her voice was broken and weak and I felt a lump in my throat as I watched her lay on our bed her face buried in the pillow.
"Katherine, I regret it with all my heart" I whispered sitting next to her ], she did not even acknowledge me. "I was ashamed and hated myself, that is why I was so cold to you, I cannot stand to see you cry like this, I shall do anything to make you happy sweetheart, please just stop crying" her body shook from sobs. Carefully I pulled her hand from out under her body and slipped her ring back on her finger where it belonged.
"You promised…" she whimpered, my heat squeezed "who…who did you?" I swallowed hard and looked down.
"Her name is Margaret Brooke, she is a maid who works for us she is a 26 year old widow" a loud sob came from her and she pulled her hand back.
"I knew this would happen, all men are alike!" I picked her up by her shoulders and pulled her close.
"No, it was a mistake Katherine, I love you more then the air I breathe and I never wanted to hurt you" I said forcefully looking into her tearful eyes.
"You went to a younger woman! Though I cannot blame you I have been pregnant at least 10 times and had bore 7 children not to mention the stillbirths I had when I was married to Henry. I am disgusting to you" I hated when she talked of herself like this.
"You are not disgusting, you are beautiful and exotic and I would die for you" she shook her head and looked down.
"No…I am 48 years old, how could you find me beautiful?" I kissed her deeply.
"So when I was 48 you found me disgusting?" I demanded and she looked up with wide eyes.
"No, I always found you handsome, but it is different for a woman" I ran my fingers through her still darkened hair.
"For me it is no different, you have barely changed since our marriage day" she pulled away from me and turned away. "I shall always regret what I have done, and I promise I shall spend the rest of our lives making it up to you, I do not wish to lose you Katherine" I waited anxiously for a reply and watched as she gazed down at her wedding ring.
"I do not wish for you to touch me for a while" she whimpered and I let out a breath.
"Alright, I am just happy to have you near me" I pulled her back into my chest and kissed the top of her head.
January 19th 1533
Katherine Boleyn, Princess of Spain, Duchess of Wiltshire
After the New Year was celebrated and then we came to Court, I still have yet to let Lord Wiltshire lay with me, though we shared the same bed I kept my back to him. I was in the Parlor with my daughters, the banquet for Cordelia was being held tonight and they chattered over idle things.
"Mama what dress are you wearing tonight?" Catalina asked brightly and I smiled to her.
"Mi amor, it matters less what I wear" I sighed and she giggled coming to my side.
"It matters mama! Oh! You can wear one of the new pretty dresses papa got you, I know he would be happy if he saw you in them! You shall make it so he only looks at you mama and not even us!" I smiled sweetly at my youngest daughters innocence.
"Leave mama alone Catalina, she can wear what she wants!" Cordelia sighed and Catalina sent her a look.
"We can dress you tonight mama! Please!" That got all her sisters attention and I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.
"That means yes" Isabella said with a bright smile and I looked around at my daughters.
"Girls, I am not a doll" I started and Rose cut me off.
"We know that mama, you are really pretty and we want to make it so papa is stunned" this was a losing battle and I knew no matter what I would say my girls would end up getting their way.
"Fine, but only this once" they shrieked and all jumped up and went into my bedchamber and into the dressing room, I quickly followed them placing my embroidery down on the side table.
"Isabella this one!" Rose giggled going through all my new gowns.
"No this one!" Catalina laughed.
"No I like this one the best!" Cordelia declared and they all laughed and giggled laying out each gown.
"Now what are you all doing in here?" Thomas asked walking in and they all stopped.
"Papa get out! You are not supposed to see yet!" Catalina cried pushing him from the room. She pushed him from the room and sent him to the boys room to get ready, once she was back they picked out a burgundy dress with black laced edges and gold embroidery in a decorative design on the bodice. The skirts were made of silk and flowed as I walked and sat down at my vanity. They tied a ruby teardrop necklace around my neck and matching earrings before curling my hair and tying it half up with a gold diadem.
"You are beautiful mama!" Cordelia said kissing my cheek.
"Yes mama! Papa will not be able to take his eyes off you!" Rose giggled and I blushed deeply and went with them to change into their gowns.
Thomas Boleyn, Prince of Spain, Duke of Wiltshire
I was already at the banquet waiting impatiently for my daughters and Katherine to arrive "why are they taking so long?" Anthony sighed in annoyance.
"They are woman and woman must think over every…." my voice trailed off once I saw Katherine, she was stunning and I immediately noticed every other male in the room looking her way.
"Papa?" William asked pushing my arm.
"Oh yes, I shall go to her" her beauty seemed timeless and if we were alone in our bedchamber, oh the things I would do to her. And I saw from the looks of every other male in the room they were thinking the same thing, I went to her possessively shooting glares around the room.
"My Lord" she said as coldly as before.
"Wife, you are very beautiful this evening, I see our daughters took it upon themselves to dress you for tonight" I kissed her head and heard them giggle from behind her. "But then again you would look radiant in anything you wore" I kissed her and she received it but did not kiss back "especially if you wore nothing" I whispered in her ear and looked down to see the blush blooming across her cheeks and chest.
"Husband, there are other in earshot! I shall greet the King and Queen and sit with our children" she went and curtsied to King Henry and Queen Kathryn and started chatting with the Queen, most likely about the children.
"Papa, do you not think we are pretty as well?" Catalina asked and I smiled looking to my daughters.
"I think you are all very beautiful" they smiled and all kissed my cheek before running to their brothers.
I smiled and looked back over to Katherine, one of the Earls…I do not remember his name asked her to dance, she met my eyes and turned her chin up and took his hand. Jealousy surged through me as I saw him hold her as they danced across the floor, once it was finished I quickly went to her before anyone could even have time to think of asking her.
"Wife, may I have this dance?" I held around her waist and stared the Earl down before he quickly left, without her consent I pulled her into the new dance.
"I never agreed" she pointed out with a cold tone.
"You did not have to" I pulled her close and I caressed the small of her back "I do not like others touching what is mine" I growled lowly in her ear and she smirked just a little. "Ah you little vixen, you enjoy seeing me jealous, do you not?" I asked pulling her even closer to me.
"Maybe I do, after all you make it so I am jealous" she pulled away and left to her seat, she was being difficult tonight.
"Papa, I think she is still mad at you" Tom said and I shook my head.
"Women are confusing creatures son, they are always mad at something" I sighed and he smirked just the slightest.
"Lady Elizabeth Bryan is here tonight, I believe I shall go ask her to dance" I nodded and looked back to Katherine who was speaking with Isabella. Another man saw his chance and started approaching her and I quickly went to her and placed my hand on her shoulder.
"Katherine, Ma Cherie, I must speak with you" he left and she cast a glance over to him.
"What do you wish to speak with me about?" I lifted her hand and kissed it.
"I wish you would soften your heart to me, you know I love you" her face relaxed and looked away.
"You know my heart is soft to you, though at times I wish it would not" I kissed her forehead and looked across the floor spotting Isabella talking with some of the young men of Court.
"Dam it all to hell" I hissed and Katherine laughed softly and held my hand.
"Calm down, she knows far better Thomas" Katherine whispered into my ear.
"I know she does, it is him I do not like" I hissed pulling away, Isabella reminded me far too much of Anne. "Isabella, go sit with your mother" she jumped when she heard my voice, her grey eyes wide as saucers.
"Yes papa" she quickly left and I turned to glare at the young man in front of me.
"If you have anything to say to my daughter you shall speak with her in the presence of her mother or I" he nodded fearfully and all but ran away.
"Mama he is embarrassing me!" Isabella cried to Katherine.
"Isabella Boleyn that is enough" I snapped and she crossed her arms with out sour expression, "and Katherine her dress, as well as the other girls, is far too low! I want a higher neckline" I snapped.
"Oh Thomas" she sighed standing up from her seat.
"Leave the girls be, their necklines as just as low as mine" she chided.
"Yes, but you are a married woman and now that you brought that up I want yours higher as well" she laughed and kissed my cheek.
"Isabella go dance with one of your brothers" she nodded and left.
Mary, Princess of France
"Jane, do you like your gifts?" I asked her, she had been away at George's townhouse for Christmas and just got back.
"Janey like" she said with a large smile.
"I am glad, I picked them out myself" I had gotten her new dresses and a few toys to play with, but she preferred playing with Kitty, I was happy to see Catalina had given it to her. I rubbed my belly feeling the child in be kick, I was around 6 months now and wanted nothing more then to have my child.
"Your Highness, a message from your mother, The Lady Wiltshire" I smiled and took the letter into my hands, I always anxiously awaited my mothers letters, sometimes then would come attached with notes from my siblings.
My Daughter Mary,
I am glad to hear you are well and hope your child is quickening well enough, I know being pregnant can be stressful and I hope you are taking care of yourself. I wish nothing more then to be with you now but I fear I cannot leave England anytime soon, this year your sister and brother, Isabella and Tom, shall be getting married and it breaks my heart.
Oh how I long for the days when you were all younger, unfortunately those times have passed and I must accept you are all getting older. I have yet to ask your stepfather, but later on in the year or maybe the next I wish to visit France. I wish to see how you have grown and become even more beautiful.
How are Jane and George? I have yet to hear word from them and it worries me so, I hate to be a bother but it would do my heart good to know they are well. I know he must be very busy, do not bother him on my account but I do wish you would tell me how he is fairing?
Your father grows weary as well, Elizabeth shall be getting married to Spain and she is very cross with me lately. I do my best to try to spend time with all my children and it is hard enough with Isabella, Tom, Cordelia, William, Anthony, Rose and Catalina running around and giving them each the same amount of attention. Sometimes I forget that I should spend sometime with Elizabeth, Edward and Cecily.
It bothers me very much! But I have not seem to have time lately and prefer Hever or Blinking to Court where they all reside, or Hatfield Palace. I do not wish you to worry over anything here, I just do not wish for you to feel left out and in the dark about what is going on in our family.
I miss you so much my sweet and think of you everyday, you are always in my prayers and heart.
Your Mother
Katherine
It was a long letter but it felt good to know what was going on at home, I should yell at George, he knows better then to forget writing mama! "Jane, Nana wrote" she looked up immediately from her games and ran over.
"Nana!" She cried and I kissed her cheek and sat down helping her into my lap.
"Yes, she says she misses you and loves you very much" Jane touched the letter her eyes having a far away look to them.
"Janey miss Nana and Pa" she said looked up to me, I smiled sadly and kissed her forehead.
"I miss them too, but you shall return soon" I promised.
Katherine Boleyn, Princess of Spain, Duchess of Wiltshire
I was awful to Thomas tonight, teasing him and creating jealousy in his heart, I danced a few more times with the Earl of Bedford and a few others. "Katherine sweetheart" he said touching my shoulder, I have seen the way he has been looking at me all night. Desire burned in his eyes and I did not know whether I should give myself to him or not.
"Girls, tis bedtime" I said and they all nodded sleepily.
"Thank you papa, I had a really good time" Cordelia whispered kissing Henry's cheek.
"That is all I desire sweetheart" he hugged her tightly and I led all the children to their rooms.
"Mama can we not stay up a little bit longer?" William asked as I lit the candles to their bedchamber.
"No, and the same for you Tom, I do not want you staying up reading, now get dressed for bed, goodnight" I kissed them and went to the girls room. By time I entered they were already asleep I smiled and kissed their heads going back to my chambers.
It was dimly alight and I hesitantly walked in looking around for Thomas "you are very beautiful tonight" he whispered in my ear. His arms were wrapped around below my breasts "do not make me wait any longer" he begged softly turning me around and pet my cheek with his knuckles.
"You hurt me very much" I whimpered, he leaned down and kissed me deeply.
"And I regret it with all my heart if I could take it back I would, I swear to it" he kissed me deeply. "Katherine please, I want you so badly" he whispered in my ear nudging me towards the bed.
"If you love me Thomas you would not try talking me into this" he let go of me and sighed as he started walking towards the bed. I bit my lip and went forward and touched his shoulder, he was not going to push me to do anything. But I could not help myself.
He kissed me deeply not even untying my gown he pulled my gown up and sat me down on the edge of the bed quickly pulling the strings of his breeches. "I love you" he whispered kissing me gently and pushing inside me, I moaned and laid back on the bed his body pushed into mine and slowly and pushed my body against his.
"Thomas" I whined, he leaned down and kissed my breasts I ran my fingers through his hair, he grabbed my lower back and threw me up higher onto the bed and climbed over me.
His hips pushed deeper into mine and I let out soft whimpers "shhhh Ma Cherie" he whispered into my ear in a groan and I tightened my legs around his waist.
The next morning when I woke up our clothes were missing and he was still asleep, I took a bath and was getting dressed when I spotted Lady Brooke, my eyes narrowed immediately "Lady Brooke" she jumped hearing her name called and her eyes met mine with a challenging quality.
"Yes Your Grace?" She asked curtsying.
"You are dismissed from our services, I want you to leave immediately" a small smirk formed on her lips.
"My Lady, you can dismiss me from Court, but you have naught the authority to dismiss me from Court, that lies with the King and Queen and I have done nothing that deserves that punishment" I pressed my lips tightly.
"Leave my sight!" I hissed and she again curtsied before leaving, I lay my hand on stomach in worry and went to the window, I did not want this woman to become another Lady FitzWalter. Thomas promised though he would not dare look at another woman that way and I made it clear that if he did it again I was going to leave him, I can only hope he keeps to his promise.
Rose Boleyn
We were outside playing in the snow when a strange woman called my name, Lady Middleton was scolding Isabella for throwing snow into Catalina's face and did not even notice. "Lady Rose?" She asked and I took a few steps towards the strange woman.
"Who are you?" I asked curiously.
"My name is Elizabeth. Elizabeth FitzWalter" I looked at her in shock.
