Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors.
Face claim for Clarice de' Medici - Synnøve Karlsen.
Chapter One Hundred & Eleven: Saying Goodbye.
19th of May 1537 - Palace of Beaulieu
Taking a deep breath as he looked out across the gardens where his children played, the Duke of Bedford could not imagine a more peaceful place in the world and nowhere that he would rather be especially with the chaotic nature of the court. Despite Anne's most recent victory in giving her husband a second son, securing her position even further it seemed that Henry would never be faithful as it was rumoured that Anne Basset was now his mistress.
However, unlike the Seymour affair it was being handled very discretely and Henry was still lavishing Anne publicly with affection leaving no cause to doubt the royal marriage. Contessina was five years old now, growing more beautiful each day and was receiving an education fitting of her station and Clarice was making sure of that. Filiberta was three year old, following in the heels of her older sister being taught in French, Latin and Italian as they grew up and prepared for their future roles.
William was two, his lessons only just beginning and George had no doubts that his only son would make a fine courtier to his cousin when the time came. He could only imagine what their fourth child would be like, he prayed daily that all would be well and he visited Clarice in her confinement; he wished that he could support her while she laboured with their fourth child.
Six years of marriage had been fruitful indeed and George did not care either way on what the child would be; he knew that his father prayed for another son no matter what. The Duke of Wiltshire spent more time at his country estates these days, having retired from court and wanting to enjoy some sort of peace and quiet away from all the drama of court. Not that Elizabeth Boleyn would complain about having her husband home, she was thankful that their time at court was done although she would visit often to see Anne and her grandchildren.
"Your Grace," a servant called snapping George from his thoughts, he turned away from where the children were playing in the gardens and faced the man that was hurrying towards him. The warm weather offering a perfect distraction and George was reminded of the games that he and his sisters had played in the gardens of Hever when they had been children before his sisters had been sent away for their education.
"Her Grace has been safely delivered of a daughter," the servant informed George, bowing his head knowing that a third daughter would not be frowned upon by the Duke; no doubt there would be some sort of celebration that evening. George couldn't help but smile at the news, another beautiful and intelligent daughter was not something to be saddened about; no doubt like her older sisters, she would make a fine match for a gentleman of the court one day.
"How is Her Grace?" George asked after his wife, knowing that a fourth labour would have been tiring for her; he prayed that all had gone well this time. Contessina, Filiberta and William were wonderful and he knew that Clarice had taken her time recovering from each of their labours; he wanted nothing more than to be by her side as soon as possible.
"Her Grace is recovering well," his servant said knowing that the best of care was being given to the Duchess of Bedford after the birth of her third daughter and no doubts that the Duke would make a visit soon enough. George smiled at that, his eyes casting towards his children and he dismissed the servant with the intention to visit Clarice shortly giving her ladies time to clean her up.
Their third daughter would be Piccarda Boleyn, the name of Clarice's great, great, great grandmother; the he daughter of Edoardo Bueri, a member of a family of ancient lineage from Florence with economic interests in other cities. Like her older sisters, a good match would be found for Piccarda and George would see her married well; there would be no doubts about it especially to protect their family. George crossed his arms, he sighed knowing that their peaceful time at their country home would soon come to an end; a letter having arrived that morning from the King summoning them both back to court once Clarice had recovered from the birth and she had been churched.
21st of May 1537 - Le Havre
King James and Queen Madeleine moved from to Chantilly, to Senlis and Compiègne, where James received the Papal gift of hat and sword during their blissful honeymoon after they had witnessed the births of Princess Yolande and Princess Elisabeth. Months of festivities and celebrations had taken place before the couple prepared to leave France for Scotland from Le Havre.
For Madeleine it was surreal to think that she was leaving behind the only world that she had known, she was eager to see Scotland and James had promised her the finest of his castles to birth their child. In the weeks since she had announced that she was pregnant, James had been so tender and caring to his wife and she wanted for nothing with James affording to her the finest care.
King Francis had been said to see his eldest daughter leave, he knew that it would not be long before Margaret was following in her older sister's footsteps and he still sort a strong match for her. Standing on the bow of the ship, Madeleine ignored the talk around her as she stared out into the channel; the french ships were commanded by Jacques de Fountaines, Sieur de Mormoulins for the trip to Scotland.
They were expected to arrive in Leith in a few days' time, with grand celebrations planned for their arrival and to welcome the new Scottish Queen to her realm; it was surreal to think that this was truly happening. The French courtiers who came with her to Scotland to form her household included; her former governess, Anne de Boissy Gouffier, Madame de Montreuil; Anne de Viergnon, Madame de Bren or Bron; Anne Le Maye; Marguerite de Vergondois her chamberer; Marion Truffaut, her nurse; her secretary, Jean de Langeac, Bishop of Limoges; master household, Jean de St Aubin; squires and cupbearers Charles de Marconnay and Charles du Merlier; the physician Master Partix; pages John Crammy and Pierre de Ronsard; furrier Gillan; butcher John Kenneth; barber Anthony.
There were Scottish ladies also waiting to join the new Queen's household when they arrived with King James eager to see Madeleine's household match that of Queen Anne of England's. King Francis provided Madeleine with a generous dowry of 100,000 francs, and a further 30,000 francs settled on James to make sure that his eldest daughter was comfortable; even sending his own personal doctor to attend to his daughter in Scotland during her pregnancy.
As part of the marriage contract that had been made, Madeleine renounced her and any of her heirs' claims to the French throne; it was sad to know that she was unlikely to ever see France again as she left the shores behind. If James was to die first then Madeleine would retain for her lifetime assets including the Earldoms of Fife, Strathearn, Ross, and Orkney with Falkland Palace, Stirling Castle, and Dingwall Castle, with the Lordship of Galloway and Threave Castle.
"My love," James called to Madeleine as he approached her, the weather was decent and the captain was sure that they would make good time in their travels. The last thing that James wanted was for his wife to fall ill, she was carrying special cargo and James knew that the best care needed to be taken with his wife and their heir.
"We should head below," James encouraged with a smile, there was a slight chill coming from the channel and he was eager to get warm; he rubbed his hands together as he stopped by her side. He could see that she was shivering as the ship prepared to depart, her delicate constitution was a concern; Francis had been reluctant to have them leave France because of her ill health at times.
"I just want to watch as we depart," Madeleine said with a small smile, she wanted to watch as France disappeared; she truly wasn't that cold and this would be her last chance to see her homeland. Madeleine knew that she would never come back, there was no doubt in her heart about such a thing; she was the Queen of Scotland now.
James sighed and moved to stand beside his wife and draw her close to him; his hand rubbing against her arm as the ship cast off and moved away from the port. Neither of them spoke as they watched France slowly drift away, neither of them would ever see the shores again.
12th of June 1537 - Hampton Court Palace
The Duke of Suffolk held his head high as he stood by the carriage that was to transport the Prince of Wales to Ludlow Castle; the place having been restored under his instruction and now it was time for the Prince to take up residence. The entire court had come together to bid farewell to Prince Alexander, the boy was five now and the King was insistent that he be sent from court and start learning the way to rule.
The King had decided that Charles and the Duke of Bedford would be in charge of the boy's education and protect him, with George being appointed Governor of the Prince of Wales' household. The two of them would join the prince at Ludlow Castle until he was old enough to govern in his own right, they were to encourage him to write to Anne of Denmark often to threatened the engagement.
Charles had been appointed High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire for life with his duties included the administration of justice throughout the principality. There would be no mistake, the two families were now deeply linked and it was clear to Charles that his actions against the Queen had reached Henry's ears.
The King spoke highly of the engagement of the Earl of Lincoln and Lady Contessina, a fine match he had declared to Charles and he had expressed his pleasure at the idea of the marriage. Catherine and Clarice would join their husbands eventually, both of them recovering from birth; Clarice having birthed another daughter for the Duke of Bedford while Catherine had given Charles another son, who had been named for his father.
Lord Charles Brandon would likely not have a match as grand as his older brother, although Charles would not be surprised if the Duke of Wiltshire decided to insist that he be married to Anne Stafford, the daughter of the Countess of Buckingham. Queen Anne hugged her son, it would be many months before she saw him again and she would pray for his safety and health; she could not imagine losing him like Prince Arthur. Despite the work that had been on the castle, there was still a concern about Alexander traveling to the castle where his uncle had died within months of taking residence.
"You must be a brave boy now," Anne whispered to her son, Alexander was her first child and her son; Anne didn't think that she would recover if anything ever happened to him. Elizabeth, Beatrice and Geoffrey were to remain at Hatfield in the royal nursery, they would soon be joined by their cousins who would act as companions in the future as well as Thomas Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond and Lady Margery Bryan.
It was Anne that received the reports from Lady Seymour about the child that the King had with Viscountess Bryan and was raising her until she was old enough to enter the royal nursery. From what Anne knew, Jane showed little interest in her daughter and had refused to spend anytime with the infant that she had been convinced would be a son.
Pressing a kiss to the top of Alexander's head, Anne stood from her position knowing that the next time that she saw her son everything would be different. It was hard to ignore the increasing ill health of the King, his leg troubling him more and more as the months passed and his waist started to grow as a result. Anne was almost thankful that her husband's attention had been on his mistress lately, with visits to her own bed rare even if he did not treat her any different in public. The King left no one in doubt about where his loyalty lay, that the Queen would not be displaced and the line of succession was secure within their four children.
"I wish you well my son. I pray that you shall have a good journey. You must listen well to your teachers," Henry said to his son, a proud look upon his face as he looked down at the boy that looked so much like him. There was no denying that Alexander was a copy of his father, even with his bright red locks and Henry had high hopes for what his eldest son would become when he became king.
George watched as his nephew turned from the King and Queen, making his way towards the carriage; he remembered watching Anne do the same when their father had sent her to the court of Margaret of Austria around the same age. George bowed to his sister and the king knowing that he would do everything in his power to keep their son safe and he wouldn't allow anything to happen to him.
I recommend Bed of Deceit by BellalunaMcKenzie, For Even as Love Crowns You by wizardfantasy and Sanctuary by Cattyfan. Also check out My Lord Husband, The Enemy by Esme24, That Subtle Wreath by EvilFluffyBiteyThing and its sequel, A Progress in Kent.
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