Well, Katherine is only 34, that is not too late for a child.
Good luck to her regardless
Good luck to her regardless
So glad to see Katherine is pregnant again...July - August 1519
Although she was mostly recovered from the miscarriage, Katherine was still not completely well. Henry, with his pathological fear of illness, returned to the progress with his sons.
Two mornings after he left, Katherine awoke in surprising good spirits. She told her ladies she'd had a dream in which the Virgin Mary told her that her womb would be fruitful again and no more of her children would die. She was congratulated by everyone, but only Leanor truly believed her. The rest filed it under wishful thinking.
The middle of July brought romance to her ladies. Henry Courtney was wooing both Gertrude Blount and the witty, enigmatic (to him) Anne Boleyn; Henry Percy wooed Anne Boleyn and Gertrude Blount; James Butler was interested only in Anne Boleyn, his erstwhile fiancée. Gertrude was vacillating between the two Henrys while Anne Boleyn was not interested in Henry Courtney (she considered him betrothed to Gertrude), she was interested in Henry Percy (but disliked that he was also courting Gertrude and seemed just as interested in her as in Anne); Anne was surprised to find James Butler a pleasing fellow, who was teaching her Gaelic. She did not, however, consider that they were courting.
August brought the first betrothal: Gertrude Blount to Henry Percy. Henry Courtney then proposed a match between himself and Anne Boleyn, confident that she would receive him gladly. This attitude (that he was doing her a great favor) went over badly and Anne refused him. She and James went over the marriage contract their fathers (and the King) had drawn up. Anne found the terms most amenable and asked James if there was any reason why they not wed; he could find none (didn't even look for one, in reality). The second betrothal was Anne Boleyn and James Butler. Both marriages were set (a day apart) at court in the fall.
Late August found Katherine better, but still not well. Her husband and sons had returned to court; and, true to form, Henry was as cautious as ever greeting his wife. The boys were not so fearful, hugging their mother before going back to the schoolroom.
On the 27th, Katherine was dressing when she felt a sharp pain in her side. It happened again, and she recognized it for what it was and called Leanor back over. She placed Leanor's hand under hers and the kick happened again. Both women stared in happiness at one another.
"Tienes un bebe vivo, mi reina!" Leanor exclaimed.
,
"Si," said Katherine through tears of happiness. "Where is my husband?"
"He's here, I'll get William to take me to him. Do I tell him the good news, or just bring him to you, my Queen?"
"Ask him to come; tell William the good news so that he can urge him here as well."
By the 31st of August, the good news was over almost all of England. William Carey was knighted by the King for being the messenger.
Very "Henry" move, that, putting all the responsibility on the messenger for bearing news be it good or bad.William Carey was knighted by the King for being the messenger.
Katherine Howard and Parr are both a bit too young. Perhaps Mary Fiennes?Seriously, what was Courtenay thinking, acting like he's doing Anne Boleyn a favor?
He was doing fine until Gertrude decided she preferred the more polite Henry Percy. Apparently, this TL's Courtenay is arrogant.
I've got a couple of ladies as ideas: There's at least one Howard girl (Isabel Leigh, the Duke's step-niece by Edmund's wife Jocasta Culpeper) - and it's not Catherine; Isabel is of age, even a year or so older than Henry C. If we make Henry C wait for it, he could conceivably wed Catherine Howard. Or even Kathryn Parr (who's not quite old enough to wed yet, he'd be waiting 5 or 6 years).
But I'd like other ideas - and/or thoughts on the one's I've mentioned.
Courtenay can not marry one of Norfolk’s half-sisters? They are around the right age for marrying now…Seriously, what was Courtenay thinking, acting like he's doing Anne Boleyn a favor?
He was doing fine until Gertrude decided she preferred the more polite Henry Percy. Apparently, this TL's Courtenay is arrogant.
I've got a couple of ladies as ideas: There's at least one Howard girl (Isabel Leigh, the Duke's step-niece by Edmund's wife Jocasta Culpeper) - and it's not Catherine; Isabel is of age, even a year or so older than Henry C. If we make Henry C wait for it, he could conceivably wed Catherine Howard. Or even Kathryn Parr (who's not quite old enough to wed yet, he'd be waiting 5 or 6 years).
But I'd like other ideas - and/or thoughts on the one's I've mentioned.
Katherine Howard, IOTL Henry VIII's fifth wife, born in 1499?Courtenay can not marry one of Norfolk’s half-sisters? They are around the right age for marrying now…
Catherine Howard is born around 1499, Elizabeth around 1506 (Dorothy and Anne are too young being born around 1511)
She is half-sister of any Duke of Norfolk? No, so I am DEFINITELY NOT talking about her, but of ANOTHER Catherine Howard (her half-aunt by the way)…Katherine Howard, IOTL Henry VIII's fifth wife, born in 1499?
Oh, that one. Yeah, she could workShe is half-sister of any Duke of Norfolk? No, so I am DEFINITELY NOT talking about her, but of ANOTHER Catherine Howard (her half-aunt by the way)…
They are daughters of the Dowager Duchess (born Agnes Tilney), second wife of the second Duke