An Imperial Match: Anne Boleyn marries Charles V
- Thread starter pandizzy
- Start date
What's wrong with kitty's piety? She once lovingly said that she thought King Henry was able to listen in to their confessions, so I guess that meant she made them. A little piety can't hurt.
I’m a Christian myself so there is nothing wrong with piety. I was just about to say: “Looks like England’s next Queen will be very faithful.”
I don’t know whose reaction to this I’m more eager to see. Thomas, Mary or Isabella‘s. Either way, this is gonna make some waves. Another Howard-blooded girl making off with a crown.
Thomas is probably gonna celebrate the marriage of his niece. And Mary as in Marie, Duchess of Brittany?
1st of August, 1539.
Palace of Westminster, England. 1st of August, 1539.
“What do you think His Majesty wants with us?” Henry asked as they crossed through the corridors that led to the most private apartments within the royal palace. Charlie shrugged, a sudden movement of his shoulders that his old nurse might have thought she beat off of him, and turned away from his brother.
“How should I know?” he asked and Henry made a face, almost as if mocking him.
“You know why,” Henry replied. He was only the second born of Charlie’s Howard siblings, after Margaret, and older than Charlie by five years. Tall and dark-haired, he had inherited their mother’s blue eyes like him, but was considered much more handsome by the ladies at court.
Maybe because, at twenty-two, he had managed to grow into his beauty and was much more comfortable in his own body than lanky and tall Charles. But he wasn’t married yet, unlike their Leigh brothers and was a true soldier in their uncle’s ambitious policies for the Howards. And Henry didn’t know the King like Charlie did, didn’t know how to read his expressions, or to see the thinly-veiled meaning for their summons. Just the two of them, the two brothers Mistress Katherine Howard had by her mother and father both.
Charlie looked ahead. “He probably wants to ask us for permission to marry Kitty,” he said in a low voice. Their father had died some months prior, thank the Lord, and could not hope to embarrass the family any further, so that left the two of them responsible for Kitty. The only one of their sisters still unmarried. Mary had just wed Edmund Trafford, a knight with some land and money arranged for her by Baroness Howard.
“Really?” Henry couldn’t hide the smile in his voice. “Do you truly think that?” Charlie shrugged again.
“I’m not certain of it.” They stopped at the doors that led to the King’s private apartments, his guards posted outside. A young groom with the Tudor rose embroidered on the lapel of his doublet nodded respectfully at them.
“Masters Howard,” he said, indicating for the guards to open the double oak doors. “His Majesty awaits you.” Charlie nodded, stepping forward alongside Henry to enter. The first thing he saw was the newly-appointed private secretary of His Majesty, Thomas Cromwell. Master Cromwell was leaning forward as John remained seated at his carved seat, finishing his signature with a flourish. “Masters Henry and Charles Howard, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you, Culpeper,” the King said, looking up at them. He smiled brightly, the same sort of smile that the old king had, large and welcoming. Invitingly. The smile that could promise you a hundred things, that could give you everything you desired. Charlie knew that people at court often commented on the King’s resemblance to his mother, the deceased Queen Catherine, but he himself thought John to be his father’s son in flesh and blood.
The Howards brothers bowed deeply for His Majesty and the King let out a disgruntled laugh. “Come on, Charlie. Henry.” His chair scraped noisily against the floor as he stood up. "Soon enough, none of that will be necessary. Isn’t that right, Master Cromwell?”
“Most certainly, Your Majesty,” said the King’s secretary. Charlie straightened up, confused and his face had hardly formed a frown before he was engulfed into a tight embrace. John had his arms wrapped around him, those arms which were larger than usual through his strict regime of exercise and now, seemed to be drowning in the heavy sleeves lined with fur of his surcoat. It was a wonder Charlie could even breathe in that embrace, but he did find the air to laugh, and hug the King back.
John cupped his face as he stepped back, kissing him on both cheeks. "Oh, Charlie, we will be brothers in name, as well as in truth." He was smiling again, his face almost fit to burst. "I wonder if you knew, if you have always known."
Charlie frowned again. "Your Majesty…?" he began, confused.
John smiled and stepped back. He waved Henry closer, and kissed his face too, before truly parting from them. He seemed almost nervous, rolling around on the heels of his feet like a little boy and Master Cromwell, perhaps sensing the King’s anxieties or having already been instructed on what to do, came forward.
“The King has asked for the hand of your sister, Mistress Katherine in marriage,” he began and John looked at them, then looked at his secretary. “An offer of which was accepted by Mistress Howard most eagerly.” He offered them two copies of a single paper, the announcement of the King’s betrothal to Katherine Howard, daughter of Edmund and Jocasta Howard. The paper was dated to the next day, and spoke of a wedding date within a fortnight. Charlie knew that soon enough, in the early hours of the afternoon, the paper would be run through the city. Perhaps, after the King announced his decision before the court.
“Of course, you are her brothers,” said John. “My brothers now. And the Queen of England must be related to landed gentry, at least.” He gestured to Cromwell. “Show them.”
Cromwell then handed them the rough drafts of two different documents. It still did not bore the royal seal, but Charlie imagined that it would not wait before it did, for if John hoped to announce his betrothal the next afternoon, then these documents had to become official before the evening. For they spoke of turning simple men into landowners, titled nobles. The documents were two, one was the investiture of Henry Howard, son of Edmund and Jocasta Howard, as Earl of Hertford and the other named Charles Howard the, “I shall be Viscount Lovell?” he asked, surprised.
“Do you disagree with it?” John asked, with a frown. “I’m sure we could change the title to Viscount Howard, I just thought it would be much better to retain the name Lovell since it would be the same lands as the dog had.”
“No, no,” Charlie was quick to say. “I’m pleased with it, Your Majesty. I swear I am. I was merely shocked, to say the least.” His eyes were brimming with tears. “I just did not think the King saw me worthy of such honour.” The lands Richard III had awarded to his loyal dog were massive, and very rich. Charlie, and his descendants, would never have to worry about affording clothes again.
“And certainly, there are far too many Lord Howards at court,” Henry joked and the King laughed, a high and strong laugh. “One can hardly keep track of them.”
“Very true,” said the King. “At least, in this way, none can confuse Charlie with Hank Surrey's son." He stepped back, his face flushed with glee. It seemed to Charlie that the King was a different man, as if intoxicated. Besotted, really. Certainly, the thought that he was soon to marry Kitty gave him great joy, for he seemed to be truly relaxed. A weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “Master Cromwell also reminded me, when we were deep in the books last night, that you two shall need wives. Isn’t that right, Cromwell?”
“Most certainly, Your Majesty.” It worried Charlie, for just a brief moment, that the King seemed to be turning towards Cromwell so much, seeking his guidance so very often, but when he saw the look in John’s face, he decided it was probably not a bad thing. John had lost his father at a very young age. Perhaps, he was still in some need of an older man to guide and mentor him. “I took the liberty of offering the names of two young women to His Majesty, my lords, and the King sees them as most suitable.”
“Who are the ladies?” Henry asked. Charlie saw the question in his face, the worry mixed with the joy at learning that he was to be an earl.
“For you, brother Henry, your cousin, Catherine Carey.” The King handed him a miniature. “Do not worry about the dispensation, for I shall speak to the Archbishop of Canterbury myself. He has the authority to handle such matters. And Mistress Catherine is related to the Prince of Asturias through her mother, and her stepfather is a Scottish earl. Quite the big match, if I dare to say so.” The King turned to him, pulling another round small painting from his pocket. “And for you, Charlie, the Baroness Tailboys. Her last brother died some months ago, so she inherited the title. I have met her personally, so I can say the portrait is very faithful.”
Charlie took the miniature from him. It was the picture of a young woman, with clear white skin and a pensive gaze, staring far off in a light blue background. The woman, who could be no older than twenty, was wearing an English hood and a simple dark dress, though her cleavage was covered in jewels through necklaces and silver chains. Her nose was long and straight, her eyebrows, thin and her mouth seemed pink and perfect. She had brown eyes, clearly, though Charlie could not say what was the colour of her hair. Maybe blonde? Or perhaps red.
Either way, he thought she was beautiful.
Last edited:
The painting I used for inspiration.
I know people are saying its Anne Boleyn, but whatever.
And maybe, in a just world, John would have heard Cromwell's suggestions of marrying Baroness Tailboys to Henry and Cat Carey to Charles, but John is extremely biased when it comes to his friend. And he wants him to have a rich wife. As do I.
I know people are saying its Anne Boleyn, but whatever.
And maybe, in a just world, John would have heard Cromwell's suggestions of marrying Baroness Tailboys to Henry and Cat Carey to Charles, but John is extremely biased when it comes to his friend. And he wants him to have a rich wife. As do I.
Oooh, I love seeing the Tudor men generous to their darling sweethearts and their families! I also appreciate that John is being very careful about which of Kitty's family he enobles here, so that there's less chance of him being overrun by Howards...
Well, let's be honest, Thomas Howard doesn't NEED more titles. He's already a duke. he's fine.
Oh yessss, Henry and Charlie will (hopefully) never have to worry about money again. Lovely chapter!
Ooo is this the same Elizabeth tailboys who was rumored to be a daughter of Henry viii 😮
Ahhh I love it - Charlie and John are (possibly) brothers now in more way than one