There and Back Again: The English Journeys of Catherine of Aragon
- Thread starter Awkwardvulture
- Start date
Maybe, but I suppose she could be prematurely aged by stress and tragedy...
Thank you I'm glad that you liked my picks! I always thought of Popplewell for an adult Catherine Tudor.
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Despite the age difference they may be kinda cute together...
Maybe, still you have called her with the wrong title as the right one is the Dowager Duchess of Savoy (unless she had not married Philibert ATL)
Yeah, to be honest I didn't know what one to go for since Dowager Duchess of Savoy had been most recent, but I decided to fix it. Thank you!
Chapter 96, July 1518
Fotheringhay Castle, Kingdom of England, July 1518
Eleanor had been sure to dress as splendidly as possible as they made their entrance into the village. Riding slowly on horseback, her crimson gown, edged with gold, no doubt looked resplendent in the midday sun. She turned her face up and smiled at the sight of those that come out to welcome them, from the ragged poor to the wealthy merchants and lesser nobles, they had all gathered to see their King and Queen. Henry for his part looked amused, as the townspeople gawked at Eleanor and her foreign retinue with interest, The people of Midlands are simple folk, so I am not surprised that they would be curious. Bells rang, and Eleanor held her hand up to greet the onlookers, who cheered at the sight of their young Queen.
Henry looked to her and chuckled,āThe progress goes well, the people like you.ā
Eleanor smirked as she replied,āI should hope so Henry, my dowry and connections to Burgundy have made them more prosperous.ā
Her husband laughed even more at this, his face red as the man swayed upon his horse, and for a time all seemed right with the world.
ā¦
The Queen of England was not entirely sure what to think of the boy that stood before her. John Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond was nearly in his seventh year, and the fair boy had shown her the deference that was due to her. She was glad that the Duke, her husbandās illegitimate son, that was born before her marriage, did not seem to think himself the equal of his legitimate half-sisters in rank. On the other hand, there was a twinge of jealousy in Eleanorās mind, that her only son had died as a babe, yet her husbandās bastards thrived. They had first met in the great hall of the castle, in a brief ceremony which had left a decent impression on her. She had this in mind as Henry ruffled the boyās hair, as he stood awkwardly in the entrance to his fatherās chambers.
āCome in nowā he said, almost patronizing
And so John walked forward albeit still somewhat hesitantly, it had been a couple of months since he had last seen his father. Henry was quick to ask his son many questions, solicitous, and clearly attentive to his son. Eleanor for her part was pleased to see it, for last month when they had visited Eltham was when they had most recently seen their daughters, and Henry being happy made her more at ease. She herself gave John a gift, just some small trinkets that the boy accepted gratefully, and from the look on her husbandās face, she could tell that he had not expected it. After John had left to return to the chambers prepared for his mother and stepfather, Henry remarked,āYou were kind to my son Eleanor, and I am grateful for it.ā
Eleanor of Austria looked across the table,āHe is not at fault for his birth, and despite it, he has shown me every respectā¦ Besides, we were not even married when he was born, so I can bear no ill towards him.ā
Of course, there was a much more bitter thought in her head after she had replied, Just do not expect me to show the same courtesy to the other Bastard.
Thank you very much, Eleanor does not resent John, mostly because he was born before the marriage, but also because he is respectful towards her. As for if she conceives again while on progress, let's just say that they'll try quite a bit..
I've forgotten who the other bastard is...who's their mother?
The other one is young Jasper Fitzroy, his son by Bessie Blount... Thank you so much for your interest!
Chapter 97. September 1518
Hertford Castle, Kingdom of England, September 1518
Joanna had flicked her head slightly when Giovanna entered the schoolroom, it was clear that she had heard her. Staying in her seat, the girl looked up to her tutor, Maud Parr, quietly asking if she could stop for a moment.
Smiling gently, Lady Parr said,āGo on, it is your mother who joins us, we can continue with your Latin at another time.ā
Giving up the pretension of reluctance, Joanna all but bounded across the small room, hugging Giovanna tight,āHow was your day mother?ā
Smiling, the Dowager Queen answered,āIt has gone well Joanna. And your studies?ā
The child rolled her brown eyes, scowling in a way remarkably similar to her late father,āYou know how much I detest Latin mama.ā
Giovanna could see through the faƧade of disapproval at the statement that Maud Parr was smirking a little,āBut I trust that Lady Parr makes it much less unbearable?ā
Joanna turned her head sideways,āI suppose you can say that Lady Parr does.ā
The ten-year-old quickly looked to her tutor smiling broadly,āI tell you what Lady Parr, perhaps I shall finish my Latin now if I may help Catie with her sewing after?ā
āYou know very well that she enjoys sewing nearly as much as you like Latin. I suspect that you two would rather read the book of hours that your grandmother left to you. But yes, I do find it splendid that you are friends with her, and you may do so.ā
Joanna happily exclaimed,āOh thank you Lady Parr!ā
....
With her daughter returning to her seat, Giovanna decided to retire back to her own chambers, and leave Joanna to finish her studies. In there the drapes were fully closed. Charles was learning to ride, and did passably well, though it seemed he would make a better archer than rider. She could not bear to watch him on the horse for more than a few seconds, for while Giovanna was aware that every precaution was taken, always dreaded the possibility that he could be hurt or worse. That she could not bear, and so she would sit, imagining that instead, he was doing something much safer. The Dowager Queen luckily had ways to distract herself from reality, chiefly her hulking blonde lover. Anthony was sprawled across the bed, the blanket just barely covering his hips as she strode towards him he simply asked,āAgain my love?ā
Leaning over the bed Giovanna kissed Anthony deeply, she dragged her soft hand down his hairy muscled torso, and whispered,āOf course love.ā
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Love Giovanna getting that happy domesticity with her kids and her lover, well away from Henryās court! And it makes sense that she is concerned about Charlesā¦heās her son, of course, but at the moment isnāt he also pretty damn close to being king of England if something were to happen to Henry?
Thank you so much, I thought another glimpse into her daily life would be nice. She's very worried for Charles, Giovanna already experienced loss with John of Somerset's death, and she certainly doesn't want to go through it again. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that he's heir presumptive, but I imagine Henry probably has some provision in his will betrothing him to his eldest daughter Mary to tie up the claims.
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Slice of life chapters are great!
Wondering if Charles was ever given the dukedom of York by Henry VII? It was meant for the second son but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Perhaps the custom is different this time?
Wondering if Charles was ever given the dukedom of York by Henry VII? It was meant for the second son but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Perhaps the custom is different this time?
Henry VII had not the possibility of doing that as York already belonged to his elder son Henry (and would be united to the Crown only after Henry VIIIās ascension) and in any case Henry VII would never be so stupid to give that Dukedom (who was tied to the family of his first wife) to his son by his second wife as that would be asking another revolt to the Yorkist. York will go to Henry VIIIās second son, if he had one by Eleanor or another wife
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I'm happy to see that you enjoyed it! As @isabella said Charles was not given York as it had already belonged to Henry VIII since before he was Prince of Wales.
Very true, and Somerset isn't a bad title at all. Thank you so much for your input!
No, Somerset, Richmond, Bedford and Pembroke are all titles related to Henry VIIās own family so is not like Henry VII would have trouble in finding good titles for his sons by Giovanna.
Somerset is the traditional title for the younger son after all...