Chapter 242: Denmark Ahoy
February, 1630
The child was born healthy and gave a large cry when he entered the world.
The Mother is also doing well.
Arthur wished to name the child Galahad; it seems he’s been reading too much Geoffrey of Monmouth. However, we were able to convince him against this and instead recommended the name George, for the Garter and for St George. It seems he was agreeable.
Yours
Henry R.
Mary chuckled to herself, it seemed entirely fitting that her nephew would try to name his son after King Arthur’s most loyal knight. George was an interesting name. There had only been one George in the Royal Family before that she knew of, and he had not met a good fate. But it seemed that her brother was convinced that this time around things would be different.
She glanced at her husband, Christian, who was making faces at their children, who giggled happily and smiled. It was odd to her that whilst she had just become a parent, her brother was already a grandfather. She supposed that was what happened when one married as young as Henry had.
She wouldn’t want that fate for her children though. No, let them grow and develop first. There would be time yet for them to marry and have romances.
“You’re brooding.” Her husband said, Mary blinked and saw that he was looking at her now.
“I am not.” Mary replied. Her Danish was still somewhat accented but far less so than it had been.
“What’s that?” Christian asked nodding to the letter.
“From Henry, Arthur and his wife have had a son.” Mary replied.
Christian smiled. “That’s wonderful news. What have they called the boy?”
“George.” Mary said. “Though apparently Arthur wanted to name the boy Galahad.”
Christian snorted. “Why?”
“I think he’s perhaps taken his liking of the King Arthur stories a bit too far. Henry had to persuade him otherwise.” Mary said smiling.
Christian laughed. “Well, that’s something.”
“Indeed.” Mary agreed. “I just…I find it startling that Henry is already a grandfather. He’s only thirty-five!” That was far too young to be a grandfather. Far too young!
“Well, he got married when he was what, sixteen, seventeen?” Christian asked.
“Around then, yes.” Mary said.
“And Arthur is what, the same age?” Christian asked.
“I believe so.” Or he was slightly older, she never could remember when Arthur had been born, she had only been a little child after all.
“Well, there you go then.” Christian said.
Mary sighed. “Still, it’s odd, isn’t it? Henry and Arthur both married so young, but you and I didn’t marry until we were older.”
Christian shrugged. “Different needs and different times.”
“Will our children need to marry quite so young?” Mary asked. She really hoped that they wouldn’t have to. Such a fate seemed cruel.
“I do not know.” Christian said. “It depends on what the King wants.”
Mary sniffed. What the King wanted seemed to be an endless supply of women and wine. Even though he had suffered a stroke a few weeks ago, the man didn’t stop. It would be impressive if it wasn’t so horrifying.
“And will he?” Mary asked.
Christian sighed. “I don’t think so. He’s too busy at the moment and the children are too young.”
Mary nodded then changed the topic. “What has been decided about Sweden?” Christian had told her all about the Swedes and their movements near the border. It seemed the King of Sweden and the Prince of Orange were doing things that were bound to cause war. Which didn’t surprise her, the Prince’s father had died some time back, and this one no doubt wanted to prove himself.
Christian sighed again, and this time his shoulders sagged. “An emissary has been sent to Stockholm to understand what is happening and why.”
“Do you think it will get very far?” Mary asked.
“I do not know. I doubt it. The Swedish King has less reason to listen to reason now than he ever did.” Christian said.
“Why?” Mary asked. As far as she knew, Sweden was still struggling under the weight of their King’s folly from a decade ago.
“The Russians are looking to strengthen their alliance, and it seems the Spanish are looking at reversing their opposition to them.” Christian said.
“But surely that won’t be enough to tip the balance toward war?” Mary asked. At least it didn’t seem so to her. Russia had its own issues and Spain was far away.
“I do not know, but the King suspects it might.” Christian said.
Mary wanted to protest, the King was too busy being a man whore to know anything, but the expression on her husband’s face suggested that doing so would not be welcomed. Instead, she asked the other question that this had raised. “Will you be sent to fight?”
“It is possible.” Her husband said. “The King is not well enough to command in person and a member of the Royal Family must be there.”
Mary nodded. She didn’t like it but she accepted it.
Christian took her hand then. “Nothing may well happen. We can’t know until we know.”
Mary nodded again but already she was feeling uneasy. Something would happen.