1518 - April (After Easter)
April
Henry VIII looked at the letter once more and set it face-down on the table with a sigh. Katherine, who had quickly handled her own missives, was now seated quietly embroidering a shirt for her husband. She put down the shirt.
"My love, what is your trouble?"
Henry picked up the letter and then let it flutter back down to the table. "The Earldom of Ormond."
Katherine smiled and resumed her work. "From Boleyn or from Butler this time?"
"Butler."
"Who already resides in Ireland and has been keeping the duties of the earldom and is respected by the other Irish nobles," she recited from other letters Piers Butler had sent. Henry nodded and his wife continued, "It's the same as all the other letters. Is there a letter from Sir Thomas Boleyn in the stack?"
Henry sat up and flipped through the unread pile. "No, not this time." He chuckled. "They usually sent letters at the same time, don't they?"
"It seems so; you will have to make a decision, my husband. It has been a while and they both deserve an answer."
"And what answer do I give them, Catalina? There is no child to cut in half like Solomon."
She smiled and stopped sewing once more. "Butler has a son and Boleyn another daughter. Since the title is Irish, it would seem fair to have the Irish son wed an English daughter. They are close in age, James and Anne, have them wed and the problem is solved. Boleyn blood will flow through Ormond veins."
"Boleyn wants the title, he feels it is his right."
"Give him an English title. Surely there is one for an honest English knight suited for Boleyn. Both men will have titles for their sons."
"And if Sir Thomas still wants Ormond?"
Katherine's expression became regal. "Then let Sir Thomas Boleyn settle for his knighthood, if he will not take what his king gives him and questions his king's decisions. He will deserve only the knighthood. And should be glad to retain that." She went back to her embroidery.
Henry nodded thoughtfully, then smiled. "I will make a decision after the wedding and John's investiture. That way it cannot be said I hurried. I will pray and listen for God's Will. Although I think he has spoken through you, my queen." He noticed her small smile as she continued with his shirt.
Two Days Later:
The wedding feast from Charles and Mary Brandon was given by the King and Queen and was spectacular. The ceremony just before noon had gone off perfectly and when the festivities were over, the newlyweds would withdraw to a house Charles owned nearby. The new Duchess was radiantly happy and Charles (who, having been married twice before, was not as giddy) was also happy that this marriage had been blessed by not only God but the good wishes of the King and Queen of the realm. It sealed his elevation to Duke in the eyes of the kingdom. The Duke of Norfolk was also present, probably not as happy, but glad that Brandon's wife could be considered a Howard. The Duke of Buckingham sent a rich present, but had absented himself and his wife, pleading illness. His absence displeased the King, who was starting to question Buckingham's loyalty, but was pleasing to not only the Queen, but also the groom, who was all too aware of Buckingham's opinion of Brandon's elevation.
The Boleyns - save their younger daughter, who remained in France in the household of Louise of Savoy - were also pleased. Although Sir Thomas' personal opinion of Brandon varied depending upon the subject, his wife was overjoyed that her daughter had wed a Duke. She was already trying to figure out how high she and her husband could wed both Anne and George.
The most talked-about moment of the day was Prince Henry, Prince of Wales, standing (on his chair) and making a toast bidding happiness and healthy children to the pair with a goblet of watered-down wine. All stood and toasted with him, including his parents. Later, the couple was sent off amid much merriment and well-wishes and the guests mingled without the newlyweds until the King decided the revelry was over.
Henry VIII looked at the letter once more and set it face-down on the table with a sigh. Katherine, who had quickly handled her own missives, was now seated quietly embroidering a shirt for her husband. She put down the shirt.
"My love, what is your trouble?"
Henry picked up the letter and then let it flutter back down to the table. "The Earldom of Ormond."
Katherine smiled and resumed her work. "From Boleyn or from Butler this time?"
"Butler."
"Who already resides in Ireland and has been keeping the duties of the earldom and is respected by the other Irish nobles," she recited from other letters Piers Butler had sent. Henry nodded and his wife continued, "It's the same as all the other letters. Is there a letter from Sir Thomas Boleyn in the stack?"
Henry sat up and flipped through the unread pile. "No, not this time." He chuckled. "They usually sent letters at the same time, don't they?"
"It seems so; you will have to make a decision, my husband. It has been a while and they both deserve an answer."
"And what answer do I give them, Catalina? There is no child to cut in half like Solomon."
She smiled and stopped sewing once more. "Butler has a son and Boleyn another daughter. Since the title is Irish, it would seem fair to have the Irish son wed an English daughter. They are close in age, James and Anne, have them wed and the problem is solved. Boleyn blood will flow through Ormond veins."
"Boleyn wants the title, he feels it is his right."
"Give him an English title. Surely there is one for an honest English knight suited for Boleyn. Both men will have titles for their sons."
"And if Sir Thomas still wants Ormond?"
Katherine's expression became regal. "Then let Sir Thomas Boleyn settle for his knighthood, if he will not take what his king gives him and questions his king's decisions. He will deserve only the knighthood. And should be glad to retain that." She went back to her embroidery.
Henry nodded thoughtfully, then smiled. "I will make a decision after the wedding and John's investiture. That way it cannot be said I hurried. I will pray and listen for God's Will. Although I think he has spoken through you, my queen." He noticed her small smile as she continued with his shirt.
Two Days Later:
The wedding feast from Charles and Mary Brandon was given by the King and Queen and was spectacular. The ceremony just before noon had gone off perfectly and when the festivities were over, the newlyweds would withdraw to a house Charles owned nearby. The new Duchess was radiantly happy and Charles (who, having been married twice before, was not as giddy) was also happy that this marriage had been blessed by not only God but the good wishes of the King and Queen of the realm. It sealed his elevation to Duke in the eyes of the kingdom. The Duke of Norfolk was also present, probably not as happy, but glad that Brandon's wife could be considered a Howard. The Duke of Buckingham sent a rich present, but had absented himself and his wife, pleading illness. His absence displeased the King, who was starting to question Buckingham's loyalty, but was pleasing to not only the Queen, but also the groom, who was all too aware of Buckingham's opinion of Brandon's elevation.
The Boleyns - save their younger daughter, who remained in France in the household of Louise of Savoy - were also pleased. Although Sir Thomas' personal opinion of Brandon varied depending upon the subject, his wife was overjoyed that her daughter had wed a Duke. She was already trying to figure out how high she and her husband could wed both Anne and George.
The most talked-about moment of the day was Prince Henry, Prince of Wales, standing (on his chair) and making a toast bidding happiness and healthy children to the pair with a goblet of watered-down wine. All stood and toasted with him, including his parents. Later, the couple was sent off amid much merriment and well-wishes and the guests mingled without the newlyweds until the King decided the revelry was over.
