Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors.
Chapter Fifty-Two: Travel Plans.
12th of March 1534 - Palace of Whitehall
"It is my intention to go on progress with the Queen this summer, it has been some time since I have travelled my Kingdom," Henry announced with a smile, the last few years had made it difficult for him to do such a thing especially when he was trying to free himself from Katherine but now things were different. It was high time that the people of his country got to see him again and it was time that they got to see their new Queen; it had been three years since he had remarried and in that time they had not travelled far.
"I intend to show the people how strong their royal family is now that there are no traitors in our mist," Henry continued knowing that it would be good for them, perhaps it would even restore the passion between him and Anne. Things between them had been notably cooler since she had lost their last child, he would not deny that he had been disappointed but Charles had reminded him that Anne had provided him with two healthy heirs to the throne already.
Alexander and Elizabeth were perfect, every letter that came from the royal nursery run by Lady Margaret Bryan was filled with such wonderful news of their children's achievements. It made Henry ever so pleased with their royal children that would do him such credit, they would be the jewels of Christendom and he looked forward to any other children that Anne might give him.
"That is a splendid idea, Your Majesty," Thomas Audley stated knowing that it would certainly boost the morale of the common people with everything that was going on right now. Parliament had recently passed the Act for the Submission of the Clergy, requiring churchmen to submit to the king, and forbidding the publication of ecclesiastical laws without royal permission.
Perhaps a royal progress would sooth the people and reassure them that despite the changes in religion in England all would be well; they were breaking away from the corruption in Rome led by the Pope himself. After everything that had happened with Katherine, her lies about her virginity and the fact that her nephew had captured the Pope to force a verdict in his loyal aunt's favour had not been forgotten.
"We shall compile a list of nobles to house the royal court on your progress," Thomas Cromwell agreed with a nod of his head, he was most certain that things would work out and there would be many that would jump at the chance to host the royal court. Of course, they would need time to prepare for such a thing and it was no easy feat to host royalty in one's home; there would no doubt be families that the King would seek to stay with to show favour.
Sitting back in his chair, Thomas Boleyn smiled at such a notion knowing that it would be a good way to show the country how strong not only the royal family was but the Boleyns were. The family were well connected and the embracing of their extended kin had strengthened Anne's position; she could weather any attack from any front.
Seymour and Howard cousins benefitted alongside the Boleyns, they would do what the Woodvilles had done before but they would be smarter than the Woodville Queen had been. Anne had already done better than the King's Grandmother had, she had given him a son on the first try and she seemed to have learnt her lesson about complaining about the King and his desires.
Of course, only time would tell if she would be able to control herself when he truly took a mistress; it would do her no good to protest and throw her tantrums that might harm herself or any child that she might carry. Looking around the table, Thomas knew that several of the men around this very table would be opening up their homes to the royal family and their court; though he doubted that he would be able to house them at Hever Castle.
It was more likely that George would host them at the Palace of Beaulieu, it was a grand place and perfect for hosting the royals on progress; there would be no expense spared and he would make certain of that. The honour of hosting the royal family would be great and no one would deny that the Boleyns were in high favour of the royal couple as the King's own family.
Staring down at the letter that had arrived, Clarice was a little surprised at this turn of events and she had not thought she would hear from the rest of her family once she had turned against the Pope and his orders for her. With Catherine, it was different and she had adored the girl since they had first met and she was always happy to receive news from France though it was often pleas for help since the Duke of Orleans was rather infatuated with his mistress.
However, receiving a letter from her aunt had come completely out of the blue, she had never thought that she would hear from her especially having heard no word in the years since she had arrived in England and married. Lucrezia de Medici was the last surviving member of her siblings, she had recently buried a husband if Clarice remembered correctly and had several children by her husband one of whom was now a Cardinal.
The familiar handwriting offered Clarice a slight comfort, it made of her think of the home and people that she had left behind; the letter gave her hope that perhaps she had not lost all her family. Lucrezia's letter was warm, something that she had never thought that she would see especially afterall that had happened; her thumb brushed against the parchment as she thought about her family.
"Mama," Contessina called rushing into her mother's chambers, her father following after her with Filiberta in his arms; they had come from the nursery where they had been having breakfast. Her little arms raised wanting to be seated on her mother's lap, a large smile on her face when Clarice set down the letter that she was reading and moved to seat her upon her lap.
Pressing a kiss to the top of Contessina's head, Clarice closed her eyes for a moment savouring the moment for as long as she could; she adored having her girls around her and she was more than thankful to have them here with her at court for even a short amount of time. Lifting her eyes from their eldest daughter, Clarice wanted nothing more than for them to be able to travel back to Beaulieu but it was not meant to be when both the King and Queen need of their presence.
George eyed the letter that Clarice had been reading before he looked at her, he raised an eyebrow and took a seat nearby; he was thankful for the chance to be here with his girls.
"A letter from my Aunt Lucrezia, she is coming to England it seems," Clarice revealed not sure what to make of her decision to come to England to visit her, she had not said why she was coming here to England but she held hope that it was a good thing. No matter where she went in life, Clarice was eager for a family bond especially considering the fact that she had so truly little in the way of family anymore. She wanted her children to know of her Medici family, she wished for them to hear the tales that even she did not remember about her family; stories that had been lost to her because her father had passed on so early in her life.
"Then we will be sure to welcome her here," George stated, if she was family to Clarice then she was family to him and he hoped to make a good impression on the woman; she was a link to Clarice's father since he would never have the chance to meet him or her mother. It pained him to know that Clarice's parents would never have the chance to meet the children, there was so much that they had missed out on in her life and nothing he could do to fix that.
"I expect that she will wish to meet us at court, my aunt has always been proud of our linage and will like wish to show it," Clarice recalled softly, a small smile knowing that there was much that she did not know herself about that. It had always been pressed upon her how grand her maternal linage was, she was cousin to the King of France afterall but it was her Medici blood that she was known more for now.
Descended from bankers that had married into nobility and had ruled Florence in all but name, she often pondered if there was more to it then that and her aunt would know. Clement had been far too busy as Pope and trying to govern how her life would be to answer her curiosity about their family other than they were people of importance. Much had changed in her life since then but Clarice was eager to make sure that she did both parts of her family proud; she was a Countess in her own right and an English Duchess. She was the mother of two beautiful girls and she had no doubts that they would have more children in time.
Highly recommend Athenais Penelope Clemence's story, Chained by Love and War as well as the short prequel An Enchanting Dance in Calais by Countess of Sherwood. I also recommend For Even as Love Crowns You by wizardfantasy and Sanctuary by Cattyfan.
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