chaplain is to leave us soon. He has been appointed Dean of Exeter. I should be pleased for him, but I will miss his guidance sorely.
Christmas 1551
Suffolk Place
The Duke of Somerset is found guilty, and awaits execution. The King has gone to Greenwich, and I am in my chamber, in disgrace. Father had been telling us of the wonderful entertainments Northumberland has planned to entertain the King this Christmastide. There are to be masques, a tourney, plays and music. That will help distract him from Somerset’s fate, I could not help muttering. Father heard, or rather he heard something and asked me to repeat my words – and I cannot lie, so I did. Nurse says I should have kept my thoughts to myself. But how can I rejoice knowing that so many innocent men lie condemned? For it is not only Somerset who is to be executed. Many others are condemned with him. And if he is innocent – as many think he is – so must they all be.
On Twelfth Night we go to Greenwich. Father says I do not deserve to accompany them.
“Then leave me behind!” I begged.
“No!” Mother stormed. “You will accompany us.” She is as determined as ever to keep me in the King’s eye. I cannot think why, when he is to marry someone else. My back still burns from its beating. I will have to sleep on my stomach tonight.
New Year 1552
Suffolk Place
On the bed in front of me lies a gown – its tinsel of gold and velvet shimmers in the candlelight. It is my New Year’s gift from the Lady Mary. When it was laid before me I was aghast. “What am I to do with it? I cannot wear it!” I exclaimed. The lady who brought it from the Princess could not understand my reluctance. “Is it not beautiful?” she protested. But how can I wear such garments when the Lady Elizabeth herself does not? When it is she – not the Lady Mary – who follows God’s true way.
Nurse muttered that I do not make enough of myself. “You looked so pretty in your red velvet gown,” she said. Katherine thinks it is the most beautiful gown she has ever seen. She is too easily charmed by fine clothes. Dr Aylmer should speak to her. He says I acted rightly. He had made plain his disappointment to see me tricked out like a gaudy butterfly on the Regent’s visit. And Father agrees with him. I confess I liked that gown exceedingly well, but I put it away. And it is no hardship to me now to dress soberly, as all good Protestant ladies should. Doubtless my words will offend the Lady Mary, but I must follow my conscience. Dr Aylmer says he wishes more ladies at Court would follow the example shown by the Lady Elizabeth and me.
Twelfth Night – 6 January 1552
Court
This afternoon, well wrapped in furs, we went by barge downstream to join the Court for Twelfth Night. We sat and listened to a talk, and then there was a play. I remember little of either now. Mother took me to task. “Can you not smile?” she said. Afterwards we took our places in the gallery and watched the young lords tilt. As they galloped across the yard, I looked across at the King, who was seated some distance away. He was smiling, but it was a wistful smile, as if he wished he could join them – as his father did, when he was a young king. Father said Edward does not want to sign the Duke’s death warrant – Somerset is his uncle, after all – but no one doubts that the execution will go ahead. I had felt angry with Edward – I had longed for him to stand up to Northumberland. He is the King! They must do as he orders. But as I looked at him, I felt my anger fade. All the rich velvets and furs that swathe him cannot hide that he has grown thinner. It is not his fault. He is not well. Is it any wonder that he leans on those who are stronger than him? I looked up suddenly to find Northumberland’s eyes on me. I withdrew mine hastily. I saw him turn to Father and say something. Father nodded. He was smiling. Does he not see in Northumberland what I do? If only our lives were not so intertwined with
Christmas 1551
Suffolk Place
The Duke of Somerset is found guilty, and awaits execution. The King has gone to Greenwich, and I am in my chamber, in disgrace. Father had been telling us of the wonderful entertainments Northumberland has planned to entertain the King this Christmastide. There are to be masques, a tourney, plays and music. That will help distract him from Somerset’s fate, I could not help muttering. Father heard, or rather he heard something and asked me to repeat my words – and I cannot lie, so I did. Nurse says I should have kept my thoughts to myself. But how can I rejoice knowing that so many innocent men lie condemned? For it is not only Somerset who is to be executed. Many others are condemned with him. And if he is innocent – as many think he is – so must they all be.
On Twelfth Night we go to Greenwich. Father says I do not deserve to accompany them.
“Then leave me behind!” I begged.
“No!” Mother stormed. “You will accompany us.” She is as determined as ever to keep me in the King’s eye. I cannot think why, when he is to marry someone else. My back still burns from its beating. I will have to sleep on my stomach tonight.
New Year 1552
Suffolk Place
On the bed in front of me lies a gown – its tinsel of gold and velvet shimmers in the candlelight. It is my New Year’s gift from the Lady Mary. When it was laid before me I was aghast. “What am I to do with it? I cannot wear it!” I exclaimed. The lady who brought it from the Princess could not understand my reluctance. “Is it not beautiful?” she protested. But how can I wear such garments when the Lady Elizabeth herself does not? When it is she – not the Lady Mary – who follows God’s true way.
Nurse muttered that I do not make enough of myself. “You looked so pretty in your red velvet gown,” she said. Katherine thinks it is the most beautiful gown she has ever seen. She is too easily charmed by fine clothes. Dr Aylmer should speak to her. He says I acted rightly. He had made plain his disappointment to see me tricked out like a gaudy butterfly on the Regent’s visit. And Father agrees with him. I confess I liked that gown exceedingly well, but I put it away. And it is no hardship to me now to dress soberly, as all good Protestant ladies should. Doubtless my words will offend the Lady Mary, but I must follow my conscience. Dr Aylmer says he wishes more ladies at Court would follow the example shown by the Lady Elizabeth and me.
Twelfth Night – 6 January 1552
Court
This afternoon, well wrapped in furs, we went by barge downstream to join the Court for Twelfth Night. We sat and listened to a talk, and then there was a play. I remember little of either now. Mother took me to task. “Can you not smile?” she said. Afterwards we took our places in the gallery and watched the young lords tilt. As they galloped across the yard, I looked across at the King, who was seated some distance away. He was smiling, but it was a wistful smile, as if he wished he could join them – as his father did, when he was a young king. Father said Edward does not want to sign the Duke’s death warrant – Somerset is his uncle, after all – but no one doubts that the execution will go ahead. I had felt angry with Edward – I had longed for him to stand up to Northumberland. He is the King! They must do as he orders. But as I looked at him, I felt my anger fade. All the rich velvets and furs that swathe him cannot hide that he has grown thinner. It is not his fault. He is not well. Is it any wonder that he leans on those who are stronger than him? I looked up suddenly to find Northumberland’s eyes on me. I withdrew mine hastily. I saw him turn to Father and say something. Father nodded. He was smiling. Does he not see in Northumberland what I do? If only our lives were not so intertwined with
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