15 December 1519
Katherine was tired of being pregnant, if she'd been honest. The only person to whom she'd confided this was Leanor, who told no one. The midwife Agnes was present, she and the Queen were sure the child was going to be early: it was not only common in Katherine's pregnancies, but this last pregnancy seemed more in a hurry than the others. Both women, along with the Duchess of Suffolk and Leanor, were sure there would be a child before Christmas. But Katherine would not be entering her confinement until the 21st - Henry was having an early Christmas feast for his wife before she entered the chamber; it was almost finished.
Lunch was served at one, after a mass held by the Queen's personal priest. After the meal, the Queen vomited it all back and her water broke. The ladies, without a confinement chamber, helped her back into her bed chamber. Anne Butler went to inform the King, while the other women (under Agnes' instructions) began undressing the Queen.
"I need my daughter and my niece," Agnes told Gertrude and the noblewoman left to find them. She had no sooner left than Katherine cried out, labor had begun.
16 December 1519
Not only the Queen, but all the other ladies present were coated with sweat; it wouldn't be long before the babe arrived. There was a pounding on the door - it had been happening occasionally, whenever the King became impatient and wanted information. Midwife Agnes, wanting a bit of break before the babe arrived, went to answer it.
"Well?" Henry demanded as she closed the door behind her and stepped into the hall to curtsey.
"Less than hour left is my call," she told him after rising. "Her majesty says a boy will be named Edward, but what if it's a girl?"
"A girl, mmm, a girl should be called - " the door opened behind Agnes. "Leanor?" said Henry. The midwife nodded, turned and almost ran into Leanor.
"Mother Agnes, Lizzie said she sees the head," the Spanish woman informed her. The two women went back inside, leaving the King behind.
"Elizabeth," he murmured to himself. "A girl should be named Elizabeth."
Inside the room, Katherine was pushing and the baby slid out.
"A boy, your majesty," Lizzie said as he began to cry. She took the child to clean it up and her cousin Dorcas went to the Queen to see about delivering the afterbirth. Dorcas remained at one end of the Queen while the Duchess of Suffolk and her sister held the Queen's shoulders. Agnes was pouring hot water into a basin as Leanor brought another cloth and wipe Katherine's face.
"Aunty, another child!" exclaimed Dorcas. "It's coming with the afterbirth of the first!" Agnes left her niece Lettice to join Dorcas. Gertrude, getting ready to step outside and tell the king of his new son, stopped and waited.
"What's its name if it's another boy, majesty?" asked Agnes.
"Charles, for the Duke of Suffolk, they're like brothers," answered Anne Butler, relieving a panting Katherine of the necessity to reply. Katherine gave a final push and the second child was out. The cord was around her neck and Agnes quickly removed it.
"Hail, Eleanor, welcome to the world," Agnes said with a smile. As soon as the cord was loosened, Eleanor had begun screaming, drowning out her startled brother. "Dorcas and Letty, take care of the afterbirths." Agnes took the child to clean it.
Gertrude went into the hall, where the King and the Dukes of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Buckingham stood at a window. "Edward and Eleanor, a son and a fair daughter, my King."
Henry was speechless. It was Charles Brandon who spoke. "Twins, and on her majesty's natal day."
