Queen of This Realm - Plaidy Jean. Страница 24

There was another prisoner who attracted more attention than the others because of his tall bearing and handsome fair coloring. He looked what he was—a descendant of the Plantagenets. It was because of this that he had been a prisoner in the Tower since he was twelve years old, which was nearly fifteen years before. Poor young man, his fault was that he was a great-greatgrandson of Edward IV.

As the sun shone on his fair hair he looked very attractive and even younger than his twenty-seven years. My sister seemed very impressed by him. His father had been executed at the time of Edward Courtenay's incarceration, and when Mary told him that his title of Earl of Devonshire should be restored to him with his estates he was overcome by gratitude. Mary looked less stern as she regarded him and that was more becoming in her.

It was a triumphant entry and when we sat down at the banquet which had been prepared for us, I was still at the Queen's side.

MY SISTER HAS BEEN condemned for her cruelty and by the end of her reign for generations to come she was known as Bloody Mary. But she was in many ways a kind woman. She was not really cruel; she avoided the shedding of blood unless she believed it was necessary to shed it. But she was bound all the time by her fanatical belief in the Church of Rome, and like most fanatics was not content that she herself believed this, but insisted as well that everyone else must do the same. Those who were not Catholics were in her opinion doomed to eternal damnation, and it seemed to her that the only possible action she could take to save them was to help them reform before death. If they persisted in ignoring the truth, then they were doomed to eternal torment, and it could not matter much if they went to it earlier than later. What were a few years in eternity?

I believe that there is a hint of madness in all fanaticism and I determined then that I should never become the victim of it. The only matter which would arouse my unswerving devotion and effort would be the good of my country, and if ever I was fortunate enough to rule, I would act in whatever way I considered best for my realm.

There was a similarity of purpose in us: Mary's was to return England to the Church of Rome; mine was to make my country great, and I would sway with circumstances whenever it was necessary to make her so.

I could not help it, but during that ride through the streets of London to the Tower I could almost feel the crown on my head. But I must remember Jane Grey—a queen in her state apartments one day, a prisoner the next. I must remember Norfolk, Gardiner and Courtenay. A few days can bring about disastrous changes in the life of those in high places. I was well aware that the perils about me were increasing.

This was borne home to me by a visitor who had come to say goodbye to me before he left. Sir William Cecil had shown himself to be my friend, and I was in need of friends, so I received him with pleasure.

He had, of course, been totally opposed to the plan to make Lady Jane Grey Queen.

“Northumberland made the decision and forced it on the judges and the nobility,” he declared. “I objected and only added my signature to the document under protest, making it clear that I signed as a witness only. I then resigned my post as Secretary of State. Queen Mary is the rightful heir to the throne. It is well that Northumberland was defeated, but I feel sorrow for Lady Jane Grey.”

“I do not believe the Queen will be harsh with her,” I said. “She knows that Jane was not at fault. She was forced to do it, as she was forced to marry Northumberland's son.”

“Let us hope the Queen will be merciful to the innocent. I have come to warn you, my lady, of the dangers which beset you.”

“I know they are there.”

“Perhaps you do not know the full extent of them. You have a powerful enemy in Gardiner.”

“I know it well. I shall never forget how he tried to destroy Katharine Parr.”

“You must be wary of him, and there are two other men against whom you should be on your guard.”

I looked askance at him and he went on: “Simon Renaud, the Spanish Ambassador, and Antoine de Noailles, Ambassador of France. They have orders from their masters concerning affairs in this country. The Spaniards, as you know, demand a return to Rome, and then a marriage would doubtless be arranged between Queen Mary and Philip, son of the Emperor Charles. Then it would be inevitable that before long our country would be ruled by Spain. Our people will not tolerate persecution and the setting up of the Inquisition. They will revolt against it and look to the Protestant heiress.”

I turned pale. I said: “Do you mean that there could be war in this country… war against the Queen?”

“That could well be. I feel certain that the people of England will never tolerate Spanish bigotry. Renaud knows this, but he will instill the Queen with his ideas and if this Spanish marriage takes place, we shall have Philip himself here to subdue our people. Renaud knows this; the Spaniards know it. That is why you have become an object of interest to them. I believe they may well plot against you.”

“You fill me with fears, Master Cecil.”

“I merely warn you, my lady. You must be on your guard. This Court is full of enemies… your enemies now. The last hope for England could rest with you.”

I said: “I would serve my country with my life if need be.”

“I believe that to be so. Renaud is not the only enemy. There is the French Ambassador to consider. The French would like to see a return to the Church of Rome, but their interest is more political. The little Queen of Scots is betrothed to the Dauphin of France and the King of France believes that it would be an excellent idea if Mary were Queen of England as well as Scotland. You see what I mean?”

“You mean that not only men like Gardiner are seeking to destroy me, but the Spanish and French ambassadors as well?”

“I mean, my lady, that having become aware of your mettle I know that you are one who will listen to advice—however menacing—and perhaps for that very reason give your full consideration to it.”

“I know you speak with wisdom and out of concern for me. I thank you with all my heart, and if ever the time shall come… you will not be forgotten.”

He told me that my wisest plan would be to leave Court entirely, when I could do so without ostentation. “Do not attempt to go as if in fear. Invent a plausible excuse.”

“I shall be ill.”

“That is the best. Let them think you sickly. But I warn you, that will not prevent their schemes from taking shape.”

“I know that since my father's death I have stepped from the shade of obscurity to the blaze of noon.”

“True,” he said. “Your actions will be observed and reported to the Courts of Spain and France… and to your sister. Tread warily, my lady Princess, for the hearts and hopes of our people will rest with you.”

I thanked him again and he took my hand and knelt as though I were already Queen of England.

Soon after that he left Court and went to live quietly between his houses at Wimbledon and Burleigh.

THE COURT MOVED to Whitehall and I was with it. Stephen Gardiner had been made Lord High Chancellor of the Realm and Edward Courtenay was always at the Queen's side. She treated him rather as though he were a young boy and there was a certain childishness about him which I supposed was due to having lived all those years shut away from the real world in a prison. He had never really grown up. I did not forget what William Cecil had said to me, and I was very wary in everything I did or said.

The great problem was religion. The people now regarded me as the Protestant hope. To them I represented a more tolerant way of life than they believed they would find under a return to Rome; and in view of the increasing stories we had heard of the repressions and torture of the Inquisition— and especially in Spain—the people did not relish a similar state of affairs in England.