Intractable Heart: A Story of Katheryn Parr by Judith Arnopp

Author:Judith Arnopp [Arnopp, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 16th Century, England/Great Britain, Fiction - Historical, Tudors, Royalty, Women's Studies
ISBN: 9781784077761
Publisher: FeedaRead.com
Published: 2014-06-03T04:00:00+00:00

July 1546

In some perverse way, although poor Anne Askew is not released from the Tower, Henry thinks he has done her a service. I suppose she might see it like that. At least her present torment is eased. They throw her back into her cell, continue to question her, to try to trick her, until her guilt is confirmed and she is condemned to die.

My spies bring me news of it. I hear how Gardiner and Wriothesley crept late last night into the king’s closet and were with him for hours. They emerge in the early morning, looking pleased and rubbing their hands. A short time later I hear they are forgiven, allowed the grace to continue their hunt for other heretics.

Catherine Willoughby comes to see me, her white face and anxious, fidgeting hands reveal at once that her news is not good. She breaks down as she speaks of what she has witnessed at Smithfield.

“They had clearly been tortured,” she weeps. “John Lascelles could hardly stand, he and his friends were dragged to the pyre, and as for poor, dear Anne, she was so crippled from the rack that they had to carry her there on a chair.”

I don’t know what I can say. There is nothing I can do but I feel deep, deep shame that my husband has allowed this to happen … “They bound her so tight to keep her upright that she cried out in pain, and when you think of the agony she must already have suffered …”

Catherine sobs into her kerchief while I helplessly pat her shoulder. My chest feels as if a tight band is constricting it, but I do not cry. For weeks following the incident I am put off my food, I cannot swallow, cannot smile. Although I am not in any way culpable, I feel it and wish I had been bolder and stood more strongly against it.

Although these terrible things have always happened, it is never easy for me to ignore the punishments my husband inflicts upon his people. Usually I tell myself they are traitors, men who would do us harm, but this time it comes too close. Unable to do anything to prevent it, my futility as queen is suddenly, blindingly clear. I can do nothing to help my fellow believers, nothing at all.

They tell me Anne’s end is quick, thanks to a friend throwing a bag of gunpowder onto the smouldering flame. I suspect that friend has links with my own circle, but I do not want to know. I shut myself away in my chamber and refuse access to anyone save my sister. If the king requests my company, my ladies are to plead I have a headache.

I cannot face him.

I cannot believe he has let this happen.

Years ago, when I was no one of any import and wed to Lord Borough, I think I may have met Anne Askew. I don’t recall ever speaking to her for she was a child and beneath my notice.

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