The Heretic Wind: The Life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England by Judith Arnopp (best ereader for students TXT) 📕

goes tothe window and opens the shutters a crack, I glance up and notice a brightstripe on the horizon. Morning is not long away. She turns and, picking up ajug, carries it toward me.

“At leastpause for sustenance,” she says. I watch the wine slowly fill the cup, and shehands me a wafer filled with honey. “You need your strength.”

Reluctantly, Itake a bite and honey runs down my chin, dripping onto my bodice. I blot itwith my finger.

“Now look,Susan,” I say. “I will be a target for the wasps now.”

***

“When theyproclaimed Jane Grey queen, nobody cheered, Your Majesty. The crowds in Londonwere silent.”

“Silent?”

“Yes, althoughthey say a few called out her name; those wise enough to pay lip service toNorthumberland’s game. For the most part, the announcement achieved a chillyreception. One poor soul who called out your name in defiance was taken and hisears nailed to the pillory.”

“For callingmy name?” I ponder on this nameless fellow for a while, his futile bravado in theface of treason is … comforting. “Remind me, Robert, to see the fellow is wellrewarded.”

I am strangelycalm.

“What doesSpain have to say of all of this?” I ask. Rochester glances at Waldegrave, who clearshis throat.

“I believethey think the deed is done and your cause is lost, Your Majesty. Their advice isto wait and see what happens but … they do not understand the mood of thepeople.” He clenches his fist, a rock of victory. “The people don’t wantJane or Northumberland. They want you!”

I stand up, mythroat tight with emotion.

“Then, we mustgive the people what they want, Rochester.”

I sit downagain and write to the council – the traitorous supporters of Jane’s coup.

We are notignorant of your consultations, to undo the provisions made for our preferment,nor of the great bands, and provisions forcible, wherewith ye be assembled andprepared – by whom, and to what end, God and you know, and nature cannot butfear some evil.

I demand that theyput aside their treason and pledge loyalty to me. I even promise them each a pardonif they obey me but … I have no intention of pardoning the ringleaders. I willwatch and laugh as Northumberland dies.

If I hadexpected them to lay down their weapons and fall to their knees, then I am soredisappointed. Instead, Northumberland has my messenger thrown into a dungeonand writes back in his own hand.

My claim isspurious, he says, and reminds me of the act of parliament that illegitimisedand disinherited me in my father’s day.

My angerinflates into fury. I send word via the ambassadors to my cousin Charles inSpain, but there is little time for him to take action. As Northumberland, withthe contents of the Tower munitions at his disposal, masses an army against me,I look at my band of trusty Catholics with debilitating despair.

I must not bethwarted by my own lack of confidence.

As my resolvebegins to crumble, new arrivals ride in through the gate of Kenninghall: SirHenry Bedingfield, John Shelton, Richard Southwell, Henry Radcliffe and with themthey bring money, armed men and provisions, and above all, a determination thatwe will have victory. It is the fillip I need.

I hurry downto greet them, look fondly on their lowered heads as they take knee before me. Myformer despair lightens, and I spy a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

“In themorning,” I say, “we will ride on to Framlingham.”

Framlingham – 12th July1553

Framlingham is the ancient seatof the Howard family. It is a vast structure, built for defence, and providesthe perfect protection against Northumberland should he bring his forcesagainst me. This time, when Rochester helps me into the saddle, I spare nothought for the fatigue of the journey. I now have men and arms at my back. Ourarmy might be inferior to that of Northumberland but I have right on myside. The crown is my birthright and I have already suffered enough for it.Now, I shall make England mine, and punish those who dare attempt to wrest itfrom my grasp.

As we ride outfrom Kenninghall, the locals gather to wave us off and their blessings falllike warm rain upon my face. I raise my gloved hand; a clenched fist to markour imminent victory. I no longer even feel like Princess Mary, the suppressedand besmirched bastard of England.

I am Queen ofEngland now.

I beckonRochester to ride beside me.

“Will theycome, Robert? Do you really believe enough men will ride out in support of me?”

“I believethey will, Your Majesty.”

He waves hisarm at the company that surrounds me. “Are these men already mustered not proofenough of the legitimacy of your claim.”

I flush at theword legitimacy, so long used to hearing it directed against me. Iglance at the riders ahead and behind. Strong, steel-clad men, well armed forbattle. They will fight and die for me if needs be. The bright day darkens asthe road dips into a wood, and I shiver in the sudden chill.

“Don’t be troubled,”Robert says. “There is light ahead, look.”

And, in thedistance, I see the tunnel of darkness open again into the brilliant warmth ofthe sun. It gives me heart. I turn the full strength of my approval uponRochester.

“I am notafraid, Robert, I was merely chilled for a moment. How can I be afraid when mensuch as you are ready to lay down their lives for me?”

It is comingon to dusk by the time we see the towers of Framlingham Castle in the distance.As we draw closer, the roadside begins to fill with people, ragged people;farmers, blacksmiths and women with children at foot.

“God bless, YourMajesty!” they cry. “God keep you!” and I feel again that surge of love that hasbeen missing from my life. While the allegiance of the upper classes shifts andturns, these people, these common simple folk, do not change.

A slightincline rises ahead and the party breaks into a trot, increasing to a slowcanter as we reach the summit and then…

I draw inbreath, pull my mount to a halt and look down on the meadows that surroundFramlingham Castle. Wide acres of undulating pennants; fields spiked withspears; the setting sun glinting on a sea of shining steel. I raise a hand to mymouth in disbelief at the great