"You are not at all how I imagined you.” It wasn’t the most auspicious way to greet someone, but Mary did not at all intend the words rudely - quite the contrary, her voice was filled with quite obvious delight, almost a mirth that was uncharacteristic, her heart speeding up. She had had decorum bred into her from birth, but sometimes life presented unique, exciting opportunities even a princess of two kingdoms could not deny - and to meet Elisabeth, a dear friend she had only known by words for years, was one such delight.
“I suppose I don’t know how I imagined you,” she offered, as if to cover up for her prior exclamation. “Your Grace - I never thought I might see you in person, but now that I am, it is a wonderful honour.” Her smile was genuine as she approached the Duchess, who was so perfectly regal. Mary had her hands clasped before her, and she felt not unlike a girl again. “What happy circumstance or coincidence is it that brings us together at once?”
Many had advised against Mary’s bringing her son all the way to England. The boy was small, and the journey not a simple one. She knew well that it was expected that she leave him to his governesses in Spain. However, she had not been able to bring herself to part with him, and so she had done all that she could to ensure her precious son was safe on the trip. She had not yet regretted it - not when the babe had such a healthy complexion and such a happy demeanor.
She sat with him now in the rooms which she shared with her husband, though Philip had currently stepped out on some unknown business - leaving Mary and Felipe to their devices for the moment, with the exception of her maids nearby. She found herself cooing over him as they both sat on the floor, the babe occupied with a toy when the door opened, and Mary looked up with a smile that radiated warmth when she laid eyes on Philip. “We were just discussing you,” she teased him - her eyes soft, her warmth toward him grown in the time since their son had been born. “What has kept you this afternoon? I had hoped we three might explore the gardens.”
She’d kept to herself since she’d arrived in Hampton, aside from a few family encounters. The reason Marie was back did not please her, but at least she could enjoy the court and its festivities, if not the looming possibility of a second marriage. Perhaps she could even be free of her uncle’s ambitions once King Henry’s wedding was over and if her cousin instead settled on a royal bride. For now she could only focus on preparing for the near future, familiarizing herself with the empty halls and all their gold glory. The walk along the marble floors and high ceilings inspired a growing tune, at first a hum and then the familiar French lyrics from her childhood. A mellow, lovely song about a soldier.
She stopped singing when she noticed she was no longer alone, acknowledging another who was in one of the common areas. “These halls are still as grand as I remember,” she complimented, adjusting the strings of pearls around her neck. “Forgive me if I interrupted your work. I didn’t think anyone else would be here with all the wedding preparations.” An honest admission, as she was not quite ready to face the main party lingering about English court. “Do you mind my company? I can forgo the song.”
“I do not mind your company, nor your song,” Mary insisted, at once friendly with Marie as she dared to come closer. Her son was, for the moment, with several of her maids, and Mary had escaped for a moment to herself, exhaustion surely showing in her expression. Nonetheless, she found herself assuming the regal mask she attempted to put on before courtiers - almost like a second skin to her anymore. “You have a lovely voice, my lady. I cannot imagine anyone who might hear it and not be in good cheer.”
Mary came a little closer, maids trailing after her as if they were her shadows. “Have you come to escape the throngs of people? There are so many people around the palace that it seems one wrong step and I may accidentally find someone under foot!”
Henry’s return to health was Mary’s first priority. He is her brother, after all, and the King of England - she hardly dared to think about might happen if his illness was more serious. However, once he was fully recovered and all need for her to remain at court was past, Mary returned to Spain with her husband to resume their household there.
It was only months later when she discovered that what she had most longed for had come to be - Mary had conceived, and despite her consistent anxieties, she had a healthy pregnancy. In March of 1537, Mary - and indeed all of Spain - rejoiced to discover that the infanta had borne a son, a healthy boy named Felipe for his father. Despite the fact that he shows all signs of being a strong child, she fusses over him, indulging him as much as a royal mother can and staying near whenever she is able.
Now that her brother is finally taking a wife, she and Philip - and little Felipe, who she is too nervous to be separated from - are going to England to take part in the festivities. The trouble is that Mary is nothing short of appalled by Henry’s bride-to-be. She has no personal reasons not to like her, but thinks Denmark an unpleasant choice, especially knowing the other options that were presented to her brother, and feels that a marriage alliance with a heretic Kingdom can only spell disaster for Henry’s reign.
–– The hunt Richmond had partaken in had served to lessen the nerves coursing through his legs but those in his head and heart still remained in abundance. Henry had never fretted over his brother’s role as king – he, more than perhaps anyone, was assured of his capability – but in the image his retreat projected to court and continental Europe, Richmond’s faith wavered and faltered. Bringing an apple to his mouth, a crunching noise sent waves throughout the vacant room as Henry noisily fell into a seat, glancing up at his regal half-sister. “ News? ” Richmond snorted. Mary at the helm of England meant he could sleep peacefully, but it also meant he must always be on his toes. “ There is no news. We are a stagnant state. The weather, however, is glorious today – I presume you have yet to venture outdoors this morn? ”
Mary’s attitudes toward Henry Fitzroy had been complex since his arrival in their lives, when she was no more than a girl herself. She knew, of course, that he was a brother of her blood, and he himself had never given cause for enmity - but she knew too that his very existence and presence had caused her own dear mother some grief that could not be ignored. In these days, though, she found herself less hard toward him as she had once been - perhaps the saying of a heart’s increased fondness through distance was true, or perhaps she simply had far more worries on her mind. It was truly anyone’s guess.
“Not even anything of your hunt? Surely you must have produced something worthwhile from the excursion, or I could scarcely imagine what would put you at such ease.” Mary raised one brow, taking Henry in with a soft sigh. “I have yet to venture beyond this place, at least in the past hours. There is much that needs done, I fear. Time waits for no man, not even those appointed by God to bear the mantle of King.” Mary settled in her seat, hands folded delicately in her lap - a contrast to how Henry seemed to sprawl, all limbs the way her father had been in his younger years. “I might have imagined you would have some business that would be capturing your time this morning.”
Ursula looked down at her hands as she processed what Mary said. She was right so many things had changed within these walls. Even they had changed as people. She knew that she stepped into these halls a far cry from the young girl who left them. “That’s one of the most true statements I’ve heard in a long time,” she admitted to her. After a moment a smile came to her face as Mary mentioned her being a mother, “Yes, I have two boys; Robert is 5 and David is 3. I’m sure they would love to meet you. Though please believe me when I say sometimes there is nothing to envy; they can be little terrors on occasion.” She smiled then, thinking of her two boys who would be tucked up in bed as they spoke. She didn’t speak of little Marjory who had died when she was only a few days old, not wanting to taint their conversation.
“I should be delighted to meet them both. I am certain that even if they cause you trouble, they must have such a spot in your heart. You have always been a warm soul, Ursula, and I can see even as you speak of them they have awaken such sentiments ever more.” Mary found she truly was jealous - her marriage fruitless after so many years that it riddled her with fear and worry - that Philip might set her aside, even if his warmth to her was perfectly genuine. She paused, brushing away her anxiety and looking again to the woman who had been one of her closest girlish companions. “Tell me, though - what has become of our dear countess, your own mother? I fear I have not seen her in so long, as it has been with everyone, that she may not even know me. Is she well? Has she come to court?” She found herself smiling, almost in spite of herself. “I fear I have too many memories of the two of us causing some mischief when we ought to have been minding her lessons.”
“ I am sorry for all ye have faced in the past months, cousin. In such short time you have been tried and yet ye carry such grace, ye are a true credit to both England and Spain. ” There was a sadness in his eyes, reflecting the genuine emotion he felt towards his cousin and how much loss she had suffered in such a short amount of time. James’ life had not been smooth, the loss of a father at a young age and being held against his will by someone he should have been able to trust, but all events which compiled his days felt to be a lifetime ago and thankfully not in such a short space of time.
He had prayed for the health of Henry a great deal as of yet and now, having seen the grief of Mary with his own eyes, he would surely do so tenfold. “ All of the court are praying for his swift return, myself included. ” Before the hand was placed on his arm, James took his Tudor cousin’s hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it, before letting her continue on to lead him further. “ It is tiresome, I must admit, though I imagine more will say their talk is out of concern for their King and therefore well justified. I find myself filled with concern but understanding, of your brother’s current position, but I am otherwise well. The coronation was grand and to be amongst the rulers of our world in this one court is a pleasure, alas I must confess that the greatest happiness is to be here as a man; to be with kin once more. And you, Spain has kept ye from us for too long but how ye have blossomed. Won’t you break my heart and tell me that they treat ye as the Queen ye deserve to be? ”
“You are very kind, to say such a thing.” Mary found herself almost demurring from his words, as might be expected by a woman even one of her station. “I have done my best to be a true credit to both, although I must confess at times that I am not sure if I belong to or represent either fully enough to credit them.” She smiled, but that too was sad, almost, Mary shaking her head as if to brush off the thoughts. “The kindness of the people at my brother’s court and of course of my family in all degrees has brought me much comfort, in these past months, of course, you must not doubt that.”
Mary nodded, lowering her eyes as James kissed her hand, even if he treated her as though she were his equal here, when it was just the two of them (and the ever present, watchful eyes of the ladies that always lingered near). “Of course. I have no desire to dissuade the people of their genuine love and prayers for my dearest brother and King’s wellbeing. I think, though, that at times it is trying to have it be so close at hand.” She stayed quiet to let James speak, a smile tugging at her lips which blossomed more widely in her expression. “Spain has its Queen,” she reminded him, warm. “And she has treated me as a second mother, or which I am most grateful. The Spanish people have treated me with such welcome, that where I once felt the outsider, I find I can make myself quite at home in Valladolid.” She looked at him, her eyes playing with curiosity. “I must say it does surprise me very much that you have not yet found a woman to bring some comfort into your life - although the lands of Scotland must have a Queen befitting them, to be certain. Do you think you will soon pursue such things? Especially with all of the women at court, vying for such position.”
If not for the abundance of royalty which filled the halls of Hampton Court, Arabella may have been so inclined as to return to her homeland of Scotland. The English court had grown stale, the excitement of a new king replaced with questions surrounding his ongoing absence. She knew as much as a common courtier, which was a fact which she would never force herself to admit out loud. The young princess prided herself on her clever ability to collect and retain small pockets of valuable and explosive knowledge.
Arabella sought out her cousin, the one she admired more than a little - a rarity in the Scotswoman’s life. But then, people truly were very unremarkable. “ Dearest cousin, ” Arabella addressed in the fondest of tones, the length of her strides still slow and graceful despite the spark of delight which she felt upon seeing Mary. It was strange for her since she did not feel that when she saw Meg or James. But as daughters of exceptional Queens, Arabella had always found the Tudor princess easier to relate with. “ I have little news to give, my dear Mary. But I hoped I might join you, unless you are contented with your current company. ”
The arrival of the younger Princess did its part to bring Mary some small comfort and joy. Mary’s encounters with Arabella had been few and far between, due to the distance between their homes, and even fewer now that she had spent such time in Spain. But she recognized her cousin clearly, and found the same unexpected warmth from the younger woman who had always struck her as slightly chilly, otherwise.
“You must believe me when I say your company is more than welcome.” She admitted, the ladies about her already making space for Arabella to join in a spot of honor. “I must confess that my day has grown tedious, with faces I scarcely recognize who have needs I struggle to meet. It is a relief to find a familiar face amongst the crowd.” She studied Arabella for a moment, her lips turning into a softened expression. “Even if you have no news of today, you must tell me what has happened in your life that I have missed, dear cousin. I have never known you to be a person short of tales that bring the highest degree of intrigue and curiosity. Has life at dear James’s court been so fruitful as life in Spain has been for my own heart?”
“ Your highness, I fear it is not news I bring but well wishes. ” The young Duchess curtsied before the Princess Mary, trying so terribly hard to keep her smile polite and dignified in spite of the warmth it brought to see the King’s sister in her rightful place once again. Mary never made any secret of the fondness she had felt for the late Queen, given the kindness she had shown towards both Mary and her own mother during their time in her service, and such fondness naturally trickles down to the grace and poise that was Mary Tudor.
“ With such heavy words and itchy palms surrounding us I merely wished to express my joy at seeing your grace England with your presence once again; your absence has been greatly felt and your position far too admired to have been replaceable. Dare I ask - was your journey kind to you? ”
Mary’s expression softened somewhat, perhaps even warmed at the sight of Mary Fitzroy before her. The Duchess - her sister in law, even if Mary at times found herself uncomfortable to claim such a thing - had always shown warmth to her and to her mother, and the royal Mary was more than happy to accept her, nodding gently. “Your wishes are very much appreciated, lady Richmond, and warmly received.”
She looked on as the woman was ushered in, daring to step down from the dais to greet her more personally. “You do me a great kindness, my lady, with your words and with your interest in my welfare. I do believe the journey was as kind as it might have been, given its circumstances. And though it has been a fraught homecoming, I have been treated with such genuine tenderness as to make me speechless.” Mary cleared her throat softly, nodding for a drink to be brought to her hand and another for her guest. “You look very well. Have you found your time at court to be pleasing? We are, of course, interested in every detail of the treatment of our subjects. Especially those so close to our blood.”
The voice that responded to her remark was a more mature version of the one she once knew by heart during her childhood. “Lady Mary, how wonderful to see you,” she greeted with a wide smile before nodding, “You and I both; I was gone 7 years and I felt like my memory had distorted it somehow… it’s hard to explain”. She shook her head then, not really sure how to explain it. “I know… look how far we’ve come”.
“I understand.” She insisted, her voice soft as she gazed out through the glass, able to feel the night’s chill through the windowframe. “I can hardly believe I have been gone nearly as long. And so many things have stayed the same, even though others have changed. Deeply changed.” The past months had been hard to comprehend - the deaths of her parents, her brother’s ascension to the throne. It all seemed unreal to her even now. “I hear that you are a mother now. I do envy you that. Has time treated you well?”
Juana was taken aback by the formal tone that Mary greeted her with, but she realized that was probably because of the thin veil that covered her features, something that one of her ladies had insisted on to make sure that there was a barrier between the sun and the infanta’s delicate skin. “I cannot say that I bring any news that you would not already know yourself, querida hermana.” she said, smiling as she lifted her veil and revealed who she was as she and her ladies were welcomed to Hampton Court after a brief ride out further into the country to make the most of the day.
“It is nice to see you, Mary,” she said, curtsying before her brother’s wife.
“Juana.” Mary’s features softened noticeably as she took in her younger sister-in-law. She had come to know Juana well during the years she had spent at Charles’s court, and there was a fondness between them, although she found she had more in common with the middle sister who shared her namesake. “It is wonderful to see you too.” She stood and came down from the dais to embrace the golden-haired princess. “I fear we have not spent enough time together since our arrival here. Even if it is no great news, you still must share with me all that you have experienced here. You have been afforded every due courtesy, I am sure?”
With her brother still as yet unmarried, Mary had been tasked with the role of playing the hostess at Hampton Court, greeting and dealing with all manner of dignitaries and guests in the palace which was, as ever, filled to the brim. It was a role she had been born into, very nearly, and one she would need to perfect when the crown of Spain fell to her husband’s hands. In Henry’s absence, it was all the more important that she stood in, almost in his stead - though she would never claim as much herself.
She looked up when yet another courtier was brought before her, her head held high to disguise the anxieties that had churned in her belly during the past weeks. “What news is it your bring to us?” She queried, voice authoritative and soft at once, formalities all carefully observed.
The journey to Hampton Court from Scotland had been long and arduous, making the Lady’s patience descend ever so slowly. So much so that by the time they reached England, she had already put her two sons in a carriage with their Governess. She sat back in her seat, putting her fingers to her temples and rubbing them gentle. It had been her mother who suggested she moved from her husband’s home in Scotland to the English Court, despite her regency over her late husband’s estate until her Eldest son was old enough. Once she heard about the goings on from her mother, she knew why she had summoned her down; to make her presence known. Soon the carriage was pulling up the long track to the Palace itself.
****Hours Later: Nightfall****
Ursula couldn’t sleep; the bed was different and far from the one she had slept in when she was back in Scotland. It wasn’t that it was uncomfortable it was just… different. She tossed and turned for what felt like house before she eventually let out an exasperated sigh and pushed herself up and out of bed, pulling on her cloak over her nightgown and making her way out her rooms for a walk once her shoes were firmly on her feet. She snuck past one of the Night-watchmen who would have surely escorted her back to her rooms, before finding a peaceful window seat with a view that overlooked the shadow-cast gardens. “Pretty,” she murmured to herself as she sat there.
“It is indeed.” Sleep had evaded Mary just as it had evaded Ursula. Her bed had seemed cold and lonely, and her thoughts had threatened to give way to melancholy the longer she laid in the silence of her chambers. She had initially expected to be alone in venturing into the halls, but Ursula’s appearance had been a welcome surprise if ever there was one - a callback to her youth, before sadness had set into her brow. “I had almost forgotten the look of this place in the years since I left it. And I had nearly forgotten the look of you as well, dear Lady Ursula.” She sat herself in the window seat next to the young woman who had once been her nearest companion. “I can scarcely believe even now that we are both women grown.”
“ I hope I am not causing an intrusion? ” The strong Scottish accent filled the doorway once James had been announced and not a moment sooner. It had occurred to the Scottish King that he might summon the Princess Mary to his chambers for a meeting but, with the current climate of things, that was far too formal and this was her home once after all; it only made sense that he make the effort for family. “ I regret deeply that we have not yet had the chance to converse as kin, I dinna imagine that many have much to talk about aside from Henry’s whereabouts, but I found myself wondering how ye were faring with it all… ”
@princcssmary
The past months had left a sour taste on Mary’s tongue, and the most recent days had been no different. The losses of both mother and father, so close to one another, had been felt keenly, and her brother, whose company had provided some moderate solace, was now confined to his own chambers. It was hardly any wonder that, even amongst a court full of people who held the princess in high regard, Mary felt isolated.
James’s appearance, therefore, was a welcome relief from such feeling, and she was at once on her feet to greet him - first with a low curtsy, and then to approach him closely. “I am faring as well as I can hope to.” Mary’s words were soft, with the faint traces of a Spanish accent curling its way into her words. “It is an exhausting business, but I have always kept Henry’s health at the forefront of my prayers. This is no exception.” For a moment, Mary stood still, and then she took James by the arm to bring him further into the receiving chamber. “I am certain that you must be nearly as tired of such talk as I. I should like to hear news of how you are faring yourself, dear cousin, from your own lips. I cannot recall when last I laid eyes on you.”
☆ ━ ━ OUT OF THE WAY ! can’t you see MARY TUDOR, the INFANTA OF SPAIN coming this way ? I hear SHE is STEADFAST, but also OBSTINATE. SHE seems to remind everyone of A GOLDEN CRUCIFIX, FIERY RED HAIR .&. MARBLE STATUES. hopefully one day SHE will succeed in HER ambition to DO JUSTICE TO HER MOTHER’S LEGACY, but then again, the court is a dangerous place. one can only hope SHE will keep HER head… ( LOTTE VERBEEK ) ━ ━ ☆
I really just couldn’t stop myself!
I’m just going to do the basic run-down on my take on Mary here!
In real life, Mary was born in Februrary 1516, which would have made her only 20. Obviously Lotte Verbeek can’t pass for 20, so I’ve decided to say Mary is older than her brother and was born in 1510 just after her parents’ marriage. However, since she was a girl and a brother was born shortly after, he was made the heir and she was passed over.
In spite of that fact, she was a beloved child, and given all of the privileges appropriate for a Princess. She was taught to read and write in several languages (including Spanish, French, Latin, and Greek), music, dancing, and more.
Like her brother and most other royal and noble children, Mary was raised away from court and away from her parents, with her own home and household staff.
Many possible marriages were arranged for Mary, including possible engagements to the Dauphin of France. However, she was instead betrothed to and married Philip, the son of Charles V of Spain and heir to the Spanish crown.
Mary moved to Spain to marry Philip at the age of 18. Despite years of marriage, Mary has yet to conceive a child. However, she remains hopeful, knowing that she needs to conceive an heir for Spain.
Mary returned to England upon the death of her mother, her first formal trip back since her marriage to Philip. She spent a short amount of time with her father, and has been in England ever since his own death and her brother Henry’s accession to the crown.
As in real life, Mary is a dedicated, devout Catholic, drawing great inspiration from her mother’s piety.
Mary’s goal while in England is to aid her brother in whatever way she can in the early days of his reign, and to ensure that the legacy of her parents, especially her mother (who she was always closer to) is adequately preserved. She also has a hope to maintain Catholicism in England with her influence.
