8th of September to the 17th of September, 1539: The ‘sweating sickness’ dies down, and the dead are counted. While Thomas Boleyn survived (hooray?), William Parr and many other courtiers died, leaving Catherine Parr (nee Howard) a widow at 15, with two sons to feed. Henry VIII, in his infinite generosity, gifted a small country manor for her to live out the rest of the sickness in, at his expense. He also allowed her all rights to her husband’s land’s and titles, and bequeathed a large annual sum that is set to be paid until her death (the sum is inbetween $1000 and an additional $700 immediately paid). While many are suspicious and jealous, Queen Mary seems to be thrilled for the young woman, who she counts among her closest friends and fought to gain this type of acquisition. The widow, meanwhile, is stunned at the generosity of the royals and writes to her uncle that she has no need of his assistance, so forget the tearful letter that was sent the previous week.