20th to the 30th of December, 1536: In England, Queen Mary shocks the court by giving the Lady Magdalen a gift. Written by a friend of the Queen’s it is a book by the name of ‘The King, The Queen and The Whore’. The book followed the Queen, named Philippa as she battles to keep her husband King Alfred’s affections from the whore Maud (this was a nickname of Lady Magdalen). Well, this caused the King to fly into a fury over his wife’s insolence while Lady Magdalen simply thanked the Queen for the book and presented her with a golden plate with ornate diamonds and sapphires.
In France, Queen Eleanor decides not to be present during celebrations due to her condition, taking her stepdaughter-in-law and a large group of ladies to the country to celebrate quietly. This leaves King Francis on ‘sleep with everything’ mood, in which he indulges in hedonism to the highest degree. The dauphin refuses and leaves the day after Christmas to spend time with his pregnant wife and stepmother.
In Spain Empress Anne spends her time presiding over a new court and getting to know her stepchildren. She seems to grow especially fond of Infanta Philip, who loves the Anne for her kind nature and sweet words. Only Emperor Charles seems wary, scared to make a commitment to a woman after the death of Isabella.