August 19th, 1556
Bungay Castle
Ruth paced back in forth in her room from boredom. She was forced, persuaded, to leave court once she reached five months in her pregnancy and had begun her lying-in at Bungay Castle. She had four maid servants, which were peasant girls from a nearby village, named Anne, Mary, Joan, and Margaret and they were extremely attentive in their care of her. The days in Bungay Castle were quiet, unlike the palace which was always full of intrigue. Her mind went back to Isabella, whose babe would have also been born around this time, the precious jewel had slipped from her, into Sancha's hands. Ruth relived that silence in her mind as she thought about the impeding birth of her own child. She made it past the crucial stage of losing the child, but what of her own life? Her own mother had died in childbirth, Ruth being her only child. These thoughts faded as Joan knocked lightly on the cracked chamber door.
"Lady Norfolk, are you feeling alright?"
Ruth turned on her heel. "Yes, Joan. That is kind of you to ask. I would appreciate a glass of wine. "
Joan nodded. "Yes, Lady Norfolk."
With the short exchange, Joan disappeared. Ruth laid upon her bed, annoyed with being confined to one room which was dark and overly warm. Mary was the daughter of a midwife and was close by at all times. Ruth knew she was probably near the door to prevent her from leaving the room. She looked back the Bible that was sitting on the stand adjacent to the covered window. She had begun praying nearly four times a day asking for the deliverance of a healthy child. She guessed she was expectant of a girl, although Thomas was vocal about his desire for a son and heir. With nothing to do, Ruth dropped down to her knees and began another prayer.
"Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for the safe and easy-"
Ruth hissed under her breath as her belly jerked again, stronger than the last. Mary must have heard her, for the door creaked open and then appeared the blonde haired midwife that was going to deliver the babe.
Mary tutted her tongue. "Lady Norfolk, you are too close to birthing to be out of your bed."
Mary clapped her hands loudly and Anne appeared. "Anne, please help Lady Norfolk to her feet."
Ruth allowed the girl to help her to her feet, the ability to move as she pleased had long gone and she resented being so helpless. As she approached her bed, Mary and Anne assisting her, she felt a warm liquid slip down her legs and her hand instantly went to it. Mary snatched her hand before she could examine it and nodded knowingly.
"Ah, the waters have broken. The babe is coming, Anne stay here while I go get my things."
Ruth's eyes went wide as she watched Mary walk out of the door and she glared at Anne. "Well, what of it? I hope you girls have prayed for me."
"Of course, Lady Norfolk, you're a kind mistress, and we all hope that the child will come easily." Anne said levelly.
Ruth felt she was lying but she realized that the girls were employed with little work, as she was always at court attending Isabella.
Settling in her bed, she could feel the pains, sharp and strong, coming in waves across her belly. Mary returned and put her hands over Ruth's stomach.
"The babe is settled, it should be born in a few hours. It shall be an easy birth as well, it is a small one."
Ruth took a sigh of relief, knowing that she would not die in child birth like her mother before her meant more than anything to her.
After hours had passed, Ruth was laying in agony. The labor pains had grown even stronger and were coming much quicker than before. The cabinets and windows had been opened, the hair pins had been removed from her hair and Ruth's ladies were all working to ensure the birth went well.
"Lady Norfolk, I need for you to push. I can see the babe." Mary's voice seemed far away but Ruth obeyed, wanted the pain to cease.
Ruth screamed as she used the last of her energy to rid herself of the babe that was causing her the worst pain she had ever felt. Then she heard it.
A crying sound that she hadn't heard before.
"Lady Norfolk, you've given birth to healthy girl." Anne clapped her hands, as Mary held the crying infant in her arms.
"Margaret! The swaddling!" Mary barked and Margaret began to wrap the child, tightly as was ordered for newborns.
Joan carried the soiled sheets away from the room, and would probably return with fresh ones. Anne leaned over Margaret's shoulders as she finished wrapping Ruth's daughter. She picked the child up and brought her for Ruth to see. Lady Norfolk took the babe in her arms and couldn't help from smiling, despite her exhaustion.
"Her name will be Elizabeth." She announced, more to herself than her attendants.
Margaret rose to her feet. "Shall we inform the Duke of Norfolk?"
Ruth nodded as she cradled her little Elizabeth in her arms.
Elizabeth Howard, my sweet daughter.
Ruth did not know how much time had passed before Thomas arrived, but she looked up when she heard the heavy footsteps.
"Elizabeth is the name you picked, I hear." He said in his deep, rumbling voice.
Ruth nodded. "Do you not like the name Elizabeth?"
Thomas shook his head. "The name is fine."
Ruth noticed him shuffle his feet. "Would you like to see your daughter?"
Thomas walked over to her bedside and looked at the child. "She already looks much like you."
"Well I am my mother's ghost, and she is mine." Ruth chuckled.
She noticed Thomas's grave expression. "Do not worry, she will be followed by many siblings."
August 23rd, 1556
Whitehall Palace
Isabella threw herself into another embroidering project. Without Ruth, she had nothing to do but sew and read. Catherine and Marie, who Ruth swore were evil, kept her entertained, but they were off doing chores with her other ladies. Edward was with Parliament, leaving her alone in her rooms. She hadn't read her letters in a few days, but she had bored herself with reading to the point where opening a letter was a chore. Embroidering wasn't Isabella's strong suit and after missing three stitches she threw it down. She glanced back at her pile of correspondence and brought herself to sift through the letters for something worth her time. She saw two letters that instantly caught her eye, one from Ruth and the other from Elizabeth. She opened Elizabeth's first as it was the older.
Dear Queen Isabella of England,
I have the pleasure to inform you that I am with child. Eric is overjoyed and I can now expect to see much less of him in bedchamber. His entire character repulses me from the moment we officially married. I am aware that my dear brother wants this alliance and therefore I shall continue in my duty as a wife and now a mother as well. I hope that God soon blesses you and my brother with this same joy very soon.
Crown Princess of Sweden, Elizabeth
Isabella frowned in jealousy as she read Elizabeth's letter. Her own pregnancy had ended in tragedy and now she felt resentment towards any woman who carried a babe in her belly. As she gazed at Ruth's unopened letter she felt the envy grow larger, knowing Ruth had to have written her of the birth. With a sigh, she opened the letter.
Dear Izzy,
I am writing to inform you that I have finally given birth to a girl. Her name is Elizabeth Howard and she was christened today. I feel very lucky to have survived the ordeal and I look forward to the day that I can return to court. My daughter, will of course, be taken care of by my ladies until you have a daughter and they can become companions as we are.
Your loving sister,
Ruth
Isabella was not surprised by the informal letter Ruth had sent her. Lady Norfolk was not one for formalities and once even addressed the king by "Edward" in front of Northumberland, not even Isabella had a mind to do such. While Isabella's ladies bowed and called her "Your Majesty", Ruth would just smile and call her "Izzy". Isabella tried to tell her it was improper to do these things in public without hurting her feelings, but no matter where she was and who was around, Ruth continued to be Ruth, an energetic and sarcastic woman who didn't believe in status or titles. "We are all human, we all die someday" was what she would say when Thomas scolded her. Isabella wouldn't dare address a man as her equal, it was unladylike and as the queen she had to set the example for the court. Her other favorites, Catherine and Marie were the opposite, they were polite and respected all men and the titles they worked to maintain. Ruth would grumble that they were probably sleeping with these men, but Isabella would rebuke her, much to Ruth's scorn. Isabella only wanted her ladies to get along. Catherine and Marie were never included with the others, and both sides seemed to be fine with the arrangement despite the occasional arguments between Ruth and Catherine.
The door opened and Isabella turned around to see Catherine and Marie standing at the door. They curtsied.
"Your Majesty," they chorused.
"Hello, Catherine and Marie. Is there any particular reason that you two are here?" Isabella inquired.
Marie nodded. "Actually, there is something we would like to ask you."
Isabella nodded.
"We would like to replace Lady Norfolk as your Lady of the Bedchamber." Catherine was smiling widely.
Marie seemed to notice Isabella's hesitation. "Lady Norfolk has no manners and that makes her unfit for such a high position."
"Besides, she has just given birth. She will be too busy taking care of her child to come back to court and oversee everything."
Marie watched Isabella's reaction. "Also, there are two of us so everything will be a lot more efficient."
"Sancha and Ruth are very efficient." Isabella murmured thoughtfully.
"You are not even sure if Lady Norfolk is returning to court." Catherine sighed, exasperated.
Marie patted her sister's hand. "Your Majesty, we will allow you time to think upon it."
With that, Marie and Catherine exited the room.
Isabella sat on her bed and thought to herself. Catherine and Marie were right about Ruth's manners, but was that enough basis to deprive her of her post? Ruth had been Isabella's friend since they were babes, but as things changed Ruth remained the same. Would Ruth ever truly adjust to court life and etiquette? Isabella pondered these things until she saw the sun slip beneath the distant hills of the country. As she pulled herself into bed, she could only help but wonder: would Catherine and Marie do a better job than Ruth?