Chapter
5-Anne, Mary and Elizabeth went to Allington Castle on June 2, 1957 to visit Sir
Henry and Lady Wyatt. During the ride over Anne drifted in and out of
consciousness but did hear a lot of the family gossip (pg74). There was mostly
talk of Anne’s brother George saying that he was easily distracted from his
marriage. Arriving at Allington Castle
to Anne’s amazement it was much larger than the Hever Castle. Sir Henry was
delighted to see the lady’s and sent Mary and Anne out with Thomas and friends to
the garden (pg 77). Racing through to get to the garden was Mary and Anne.
Until Anne came up on Thomas stretched out leaning against a tree trunk. She
took the parchment paper out of his hands. It was a verse that he had written
about Anne (pg79). During this she realized that he was madly in love with her
and when she was younger about 10 or 11 she had asked him to marry her. Anne
was clumsy and not filled out yet, Thomas had not seemed interested at the
time. After returning from working 8 yrs later she had grown into a beautiful
woman. Because Thomas has loved her for so long his wife hated him because he
made their bed cold, even though his wife didn’t know who it was for (pg81).
They joined the group of friends in dancing and game playing. The dance was
known as the Volta (pg84). During the game it was now Anne’s turn, Mary put a
silk handkerchief around her eyes. Finally catching someone, Thomas, he took a
gold locket for a prize as a token of remembrance of Anne. Anne didn’t see the
locket until weeks later when she and Henry had their first heated argument
(pg85).
Chapter
6-Things started slowing at Hever Castle everyone leaving. Including Mary,
husband William Carey and 2 children (we didn’t know earlier that she was
married with children). Maybe some concern of Henry being the father of the
young ones. Anne was enjoying being able to watch as things fell back to
ordinary life, she enjoyed watching the true Tudor life (pg86). Even herself
starting to feel more comfortable in the 16th century. Her mother
was occasionally asking when she would go back to join the court, but Anne knew
deep down that would be the last of her youth. Anne woke late the next morning
due to a nasty storm to a man standing over her. George (kindred spirit), the
brother arrived bringing her a letter from the King. He was reassuring Anne
that he had already spoke to Katherine, he pledge his heart and faithfulness to
her and begged her to join him until mid -August. George was picking on her
about the letter next telling her about the argument the King and Queen had. St
Katherine a whore…scandal of Christendom. I have no idea what this means???? I
guess I better google…but no matter what in the text of the reading it can’t be
good (pg91). Anne is going to court……now we should start getting to some of the
really good stuff.
Chapter 7-
next morning, July 22, 1957, they leave on a journey to take 5 full days.
Before doing so, Anne takes one last walk to the library…a long trip like that
would need a book. Anne picked up a book of hours that belong to her mother.
Her mother told her that book was given to her by Anne’s father shortly after
being married. Elizabeth told Anne to take it…telling her that wherever she
goes may in constantly remind her of God’s love, but also her mother’s love ,
which knows no bounds (pg94). 2 days into the journey Anne got to see London in
the Tudors days. It was a refreshing change compared to noise London life Anne
knew. They spent the night Norfolk House, brother to Elizabeth, Duke of
Norfolk. On the way out the next morning, Anne collided with cousin Katherine
who was just a young girl at the time, later to be the 5th wife of
Henry, Queen of England at the age of 16(pg98).
As they rode past the Tower of London, Anne saw thought of how
unsettling it was when she would visit thinking of Anne and the men that were
prisoned there in May 1536. She also saw the Tower Green, where the traitors
were beheaded. Finally arriving Palace Beaulieu, the King had bought it from
Anne’s father. As they are coming up Anne had a flashback of the fountain that
was carved out of marble, with sculpted figurine cherubs that were dancing
around the feet of a Grecian woman. She saw children laughing and playing in
the fountains water. Now don’t we all wish we could afford a Palace to have one
of those!?!?!? The King was excited that Anne had finally arrived and wished to
see her. From this point on Anne would always have someone with her while in
presence of the King. Next Anne finds out she will still have to serve the
Queen, she was not really happy about that (pg101). Would any of us be??? Her
father got very firm with her and what her duties are. She was then to get
dressed and go the see Henry. Next a message comes from the King with a gift of
a necklace with roses with 2 hearts that were entangled like lovers studded
with Ruby’s, Now that sounds like a beautiful piece. When Anne entered her room to get dressed 3
gowns waiting for her as well. Anne met Henry in his private chapel, the same
on she had attended as a child. They chatted and even discussed Anne still
serving the Queen….she agreed on to do it until the end of the year, giving the
King an ultimatum. She later then joined her family with her Uncle for dinner.
Anne didn’t have the best relationship with the Duke of Norfolk. Later in
history he seemed to take a pleasure when Anne was arrested at Greenwich
Palace. Dinner conversation had turned bad, when Thomas boldly asked Anne if
she has slept with the King…Anne’s father intruded telling him no but Anne
became bold basically putting the Duke in his place then excused herself. Anne
found herself at her best being witty ,intelligent, passionate and charismatic
but at her worst she was cutting, volatile and basically a bitch (pg113)…….here
we go now…..
Chapter 8-As
Anne woke she was regretting facing the Queen. While standing there one of
Anne’s dear friends approached. Anne Gainsford (later know as Nan) would be
there til the end with soon to be Queen (pg116). There was so much commotion in
the Public Chambers that day. Anne learned from her friend it was because the
rumors has already started spreading of the Anne being the King’s mistress
(pg118). The Queen sees Anne. Katherine
send Anne back to the Privy Chamber with the rest of the Maids of Honour. The
Queen treated Anne cordially in front of others but behind doors made innuendos
of her integrity. Anne made good friends with a couple of other maids that
would last til death, Nan Gainsford, Mary Norris and Joan Champernowe. The
marriage had gotten to where Queen Katherine wouldn’t do thing with King Henry
so Anne started joining in on the hunting, dining and laughter in the evenings.
These were the best of Ann’s life (pg121). The weather was turning bad so the
maids were all doing everyday things inside such as embroidery, poetry but Anne
sang. She was and soprano that was sweet, calming and clear. Also she played
the flute, virginals and clavichord. The last sentence is what keeps me wanting
to read more…”Like most people in those early days, these great men profoundly underestimated
the strength and character of the woman that was Anne Boleyn. Very bold!!!
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