The Tudor Crown by joanna hickson

The Tudor Crown by joanna hickson

Author:joanna hickson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-31T04:00:00+00:00


26

Harri

Château de l’Hérmine, Vannes, Brittany, December 1482

To my beloved son Henry Tudor from his devoted mother Margaret, Countess of Richmond, greetings.

I write so that you may know King Edward has now consulted the Archbishop of Canterbury regarding a papal dispensation to permit your marriage to Princess Elizabeth. This indicates a new level of validity in Edward’s offer, though the request must yet pass through the labyrinthine processes of the Holy See.

Already Meg, my one-time ward, and her husband Robert Poyntz have been blessed with a healthy son at their manor of Iron Acton in Gloucestershire, where I visited to stand godmother to Anthony, named for his grandfather, who also attended. They expect another child already and I pray again for a safe delivery. In Meg it is good to see what a careful upbringing in a Godly household can achieve, and our friend and ally Robert is a worthy beneficiary.

Please inform Lord Jasper, that I have written to Jane Hywel to enquire after his daughters and offered the eldest, Elin, a place in my household if ever she has the opportunity to accept it. I find it helpful and pleasant to have young ladies around me as attendants and can often be of assistance to them and their families. I dearly wish we could spend the Christmas season together and I pray for a time soon to come when we shall do so.

Always your devoted mother and greatest earthly supporter,

Margaret R.

Written at Stanley House, London, this sixth day of December 1482, the anniversary of your blessed uncle King Henry’s birth.

Post Scriptum: I wear your St Armel brooch and am often asked about it so your special saint’s fame is spreading in England.

Strangely when I read of the birth of Robert Poyntz’s heir tears came unbidden to my eyes. I forced them back but not so easy to dismiss was the sudden image of Catherine de Belleville and the stillborn son I would never see. I thought of Duke Francis and Duchess Marguerite. The duchess now had two little girls and was expecting another child in the summer – she prayed it would be the desperately needed heir. How envious she would be of Meg Poyntz, producing a boy at the first attempt.

My mother knew nothing of Catherine. After my narrow escape at St Malo I had told Lord Jasper of the deaths of Catherine and our premature son, and he had embraced me and sympathised but also offered advice.

‘Because of King Henry’s illness I was never able to seek his permission to marry Jane,’ he told me. ‘I do not know if he would have given it but I could not offer her marriage without it and it still preys on my conscience. You are in a different position, you have your mother to consider, and the cause you share. I would advise against telling Lady Margaret of your romance and sad loss. Let it steer your own path, Harri, but do not let it spoil your special relationship with your mother.



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