his. The Duke’s eyes slid back to me. What lies behind those eyes? He smiled, but I did not smile back.
22 January 1552
Suffolk Place
I fell ill soon after the festivities were over and it is only now that am I well enough to sit up and write.
The Duke of Somerset was beheaded this morning. I am told he met his end bravely. Yet, poor man, just as he was preparing to kneel at the block, a party of horsemen rode up, sending the crowd that pressed up to the scaffold wild with joy.
“Reprieve! Reprieve! A pardon for the Duke!” they cried, tossing their caps into the air. But it was merely more soldiers sent to help hold the enormous crowd back. And so down the Duke knelt. With one swift blow his head was taken off. And I swear there is no man in England more powerful now than the Duke of Northumberland – and surely none more hated!
5 March 1552
Suffolk Place
Father is in a jovial mood these days. And I think I have found the cause of his good humour. The King is no longer to marry Elizabeth of France as he refuses to ally with the French king in his war against the Emperor. But is Edward well enough to marry anybody? Father insists that he is in stout health. Does he not see like me the dark circles that ring his eyes, the pallor of his cheeks?
2 April 1552
Suffolk Place
News has come that my cousin Edward is seriously ill. It is too early in the year for either the dreaded sweat or the plague but it is bad, enough according to Father. He is all over spots. The Court physicians cannot make up their minds what ails him. Some think it is measles; others that it is the pox. I wish I could offer him comfort but my parents are too afraid of infection to let me go to Court. Plans had been made for the King to go on his first Royal Progress this summer, but there begin to be doubts whether he will be well enough for such an arduous undertaking now.
23 April 1552 – St George’s Day
Suffolk Place
I rejoice. Edward is much recovered and was well enough to attend the celebrations for St George’s Day in the abbey, though he is still weak and was well wrapped up against the blustery April weather.
10 May 1552
Bradgate Park
Katherine is overjoyed to learn that Somerset’s daughter Jane – she is plain Jane Seymour now, the family having lost their wealth, property and titles when the Duke was executed – is to live not far from Bradgate. Jane and Katherine will be able to see each other often. Her elder brother Edward is to live with his sister Ann and her husband, who is now the Earl of Warwick. Poor lad – I feel sorry for him.
20 August 1552
Sheen, Richmond
Little time to write. Mother is ill. Three days ago she woke hot and feverish in our house in Sheen and the physician was sent for. He stood by her bed and stroked his beard and talked nonsense. It is clear he has no idea what ails her. Mother does not make diagnosis any easier either. She insists there is nothing much wrong with her, has sent him away twice, will not follow his advice and has to be forced to keep to her bed. She is not a good patient! Father is away but Mother will not let us write to him and I dare not disobey her.
22 August 1552
Sheen, Richmond
I am so afraid. Mother did not even attempt to get up today. The physician says she has a burning ague and a stopping of the spleen. He placed leeches on her to let out the bad blood, but in vain. It merely made her weaker. He asked her many questions then said privately that it was clear from the querulousness of her replies she has too much heat! She must eat only a little, he says, and it must be warm. Stupid man! Mother cannot eat anything at all. Each plate sent to her chamber is returned to the kitchen untouched.
My mother’s ladies are frightened, though they try to hide it. When one of them told me that Mother had asked for the chaplain, I felt sick. Nurse tried to comfort me, but made me feel worse when she said, “Your mother believes she is being punished for her sins, and wishes to
22 January 1552
Suffolk Place
I fell ill soon after the festivities were over and it is only now that am I well enough to sit up and write.
The Duke of Somerset was beheaded this morning. I am told he met his end bravely. Yet, poor man, just as he was preparing to kneel at the block, a party of horsemen rode up, sending the crowd that pressed up to the scaffold wild with joy.
“Reprieve! Reprieve! A pardon for the Duke!” they cried, tossing their caps into the air. But it was merely more soldiers sent to help hold the enormous crowd back. And so down the Duke knelt. With one swift blow his head was taken off. And I swear there is no man in England more powerful now than the Duke of Northumberland – and surely none more hated!
5 March 1552
Suffolk Place
Father is in a jovial mood these days. And I think I have found the cause of his good humour. The King is no longer to marry Elizabeth of France as he refuses to ally with the French king in his war against the Emperor. But is Edward well enough to marry anybody? Father insists that he is in stout health. Does he not see like me the dark circles that ring his eyes, the pallor of his cheeks?
2 April 1552
Suffolk Place
News has come that my cousin Edward is seriously ill. It is too early in the year for either the dreaded sweat or the plague but it is bad, enough according to Father. He is all over spots. The Court physicians cannot make up their minds what ails him. Some think it is measles; others that it is the pox. I wish I could offer him comfort but my parents are too afraid of infection to let me go to Court. Plans had been made for the King to go on his first Royal Progress this summer, but there begin to be doubts whether he will be well enough for such an arduous undertaking now.
23 April 1552 – St George’s Day
Suffolk Place
I rejoice. Edward is much recovered and was well enough to attend the celebrations for St George’s Day in the abbey, though he is still weak and was well wrapped up against the blustery April weather.
10 May 1552
Bradgate Park
Katherine is overjoyed to learn that Somerset’s daughter Jane – she is plain Jane Seymour now, the family having lost their wealth, property and titles when the Duke was executed – is to live not far from Bradgate. Jane and Katherine will be able to see each other often. Her elder brother Edward is to live with his sister Ann and her husband, who is now the Earl of Warwick. Poor lad – I feel sorry for him.
20 August 1552
Sheen, Richmond
Little time to write. Mother is ill. Three days ago she woke hot and feverish in our house in Sheen and the physician was sent for. He stood by her bed and stroked his beard and talked nonsense. It is clear he has no idea what ails her. Mother does not make diagnosis any easier either. She insists there is nothing much wrong with her, has sent him away twice, will not follow his advice and has to be forced to keep to her bed. She is not a good patient! Father is away but Mother will not let us write to him and I dare not disobey her.
22 August 1552
Sheen, Richmond
I am so afraid. Mother did not even attempt to get up today. The physician says she has a burning ague and a stopping of the spleen. He placed leeches on her to let out the bad blood, but in vain. It merely made her weaker. He asked her many questions then said privately that it was clear from the querulousness of her replies she has too much heat! She must eat only a little, he says, and it must be warm. Stupid man! Mother cannot eat anything at all. Each plate sent to her chamber is returned to the kitchen untouched.
My mother’s ladies are frightened, though they try to hide it. When one of them told me that Mother had asked for the chaplain, I felt sick. Nurse tried to comfort me, but made me feel worse when she said, “Your mother believes she is being punished for her sins, and wishes to
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