Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford (54 page)

CHAPTER
15

The birth of Elizabeth crops up in many documents. I have chosen Chapuys’ fairly stark account in
LP,
VI, no. 1112. The officially pre-prepared document announcing the birth of a “prince,” which had to be hastily altered to “princes,” is from
State Papers
(1830–52, I, p. 407); there was room only for one
s
in
princess.
The rituals of childbirth are from Cressy (1997, pp. 80–86) and Harris (2002, pp. 99–107). Information on Jane’s nephew is from Bindoff (1982, III, pp. 58–59). Lyst’s letter to Anne concerning the Observant Friars is printed in Ellis (1824–46, 3rd series, II, pp. 245–49). Full accounts of the christening are from Hall (1904, II, pp. 242–44) and
LP
VI, no. 1111. The official protocol for royal baptisms is from BL, Additional MS 71009, fols. 27–28f.v. The partisanship of the Marchioness of Exeter is from
LP,
VI, no. 1125; see also Ives (2004, p. 185). Chapuys, ever vigilant of anything that might harm Mary, informed Charles V of his fears about the baby’s name:
LP,
VI, no. 1112. He also could not resist informing Charles of Suffolk’s sudden marriage to Katherine Willoughby:
CSPSp,
IV.ii, no. 1123. Anne’s determination that her daughter must be dressed as a princess comes from the list of some of the items she purchased for her:
LP,
X, no. 913.

CHAPTER
16

Anne’s pregnancy is from
LP,
VII, nos. 232, 566, 958 and
CSPSp,
V.i, no. 7. The significance of Henry’s purchase of a silver cradle, documented by
LP,
VII, no. 1688, is discussed by Ives (2004, p. 191). Lady Honor Lisle, the wife of the deputy of Calais, wrote to Anne several times, fully aware of the benefits gained from a highly placed patron. She also sent many gifts to the queen, among which were the dog and the linnet. See
LP,
VII, nos. 92, 654. The account of the dog’s death and Henry’s solicitude is from
Lisle Letters
(1981, II, no. 299a, p. 331). Henry’s dogs, both buckhounds and pets, often got lost, usually in forests. The rewards to the finders of Ball and Cut are listed in
LP,
V, pp. 749, 750. The Boleyns’ interest in the new religious ideas is well known. Chapuys often remarks upon it:
LP,
X, no. 699. The reference to shirts for the poor is part of an account of Anne’s charitable works described in the life written by George Wyatt, the grandson of Sir Thomas, printed in Cavendish (1825, II, p. 207). While George Wyatt never met his grandfather, the suggestion is that there were family stories on which he could draw. Perhaps. The most outstanding work on the books Anne possessed is by James Carley. He found the inscription in the Epistles and Gospels and identified it as from George: Carley (2004, p. 128). Other references to Anne’s books are from Carley (2004, pp. 125–31) and Ives (2004, pp. 239–40, 269–73). There are many lists of New Year’s gifts and recipients. I have used
LP,
VI, nos. 1382 and 1589 for Anne; see also Ives (2004, p. 216) for Jane’s presentation of a shirt. Anne’s gift to Henry is from
LP,
VII, no. 9. Unfortunately, Henry’s present to Anne is unrecorded. The dog collars are mentioned in
LP,
V, no. 686. For a very vivid account of Henry receiving his presents while Tuke notes them all down, see
Lisle Letters
(1981, IV, no. 1086). For relations with Katherine, I have drawn on
CSPSp,
IV.ii, no. 1100;
CSPSp,
V.i, no. 4. For Mary, see
CSPSp,
IV.ii, no. 1132;
CSPSp,
V.i, nos. 1, 17, 22;
LP,
IX, no. 873. Greenwich references are from Thurley (1993, pp. 130, 190) and
LP,
V, pp. 750, 758. Chapuys informs us of George’s acquisition of Beaulieu:
CSPSp,
IV.ii, no. 1137. Details on the rooms and construction are from Thurley (1993, pp. 44, 73, 103, 164, 170–71, 186, 196) and Colvin (1982, p. 172). I have drawn on the detailed inventory of the house’s furnishings and appointments in NA, E/101/622/31. See also Starkey, Ward, and Hawkyard (1998, nos. 789, 967, 1164, 1307, 1701, 1888, 1889, 13147, 13685, 13686, 13706, 13708, 13741, 17221) for lists of some of the items found at Beaulieu and confiscated goods from George and Jane, which became part of the royal property. Intriguingly, Jane appears to have wangled the great Rochford bed back from the king, as it is listed in the inventory as her property rather than George’s.

CHAPTER
17

A very full and readable account of the main opposition to Henry’s religious policies is given by George Bernard. He also provides an analysis of recent research on each opponent. For Elizabeth Barton, see Bernard (2005, pp. 87–101); for the Carthusians, see pp. 160–67; for Syon, see pp. 167–72; for Fisher, see pp. 101–25; and for More, see pp. 125–51. For Elizabeth Barton, I followed
LP,
VI, nos. 1419, 1464, 1465, 1466, 1519, 1546, and
LP,
VII, no. 522. Of the many references to those more ordinary folk who spoke against Anne, the divorce, or the royal supremacy, I chose
LP,
VII, nos. 498, 522, 1652;
LP,
VIII, nos. 196, 278, 809; and
LP,
VI, no. 1503. For Cavendish’s remark on Wolsey’s warning to Kingston, see Cavendish (1825, I, p. 321). The quotations from the writings of Lord Morley are printed and discussed in Wright (1943, pp. lxxi, lxxxviii, xciv, xcv). Morley’s religious views are discussed by Richard Rex in Axton and Carley (2000, pp. 87–107). Reynold’s speech is from
LP,
VIII, no. 661. Information concerning the trials and deaths of the Carthusians and the spectators’ reactions is from NA, KB 8/7/1;
LP,
VIII, nos. 661, 666; and
CSPSp,
V.i, no. 156. My account of Fisher’s conduct, incarceration, and trial is from NA, KB 8/7/2;
LP,
VII, nos. 498, 499, 500, 1563; and
LP,
VIII, no. 856. The case of More is discussed by Guy (2000b, pp. 186–205). He assesses More’s reasons for refusing to take the oath and describes his trial. While both Fisher and More chose to die rather than betray their consciences, they do so for quite different reasons. Fisher was an outright papalist; More was not. He believed in the superiority of church councils and the received wisdom of the church. A consensus was needed if change was to happen: one individual kingdom or country could not go against the universality of the Catholic Church, the common body of Christendom. For the list of high-profile judges in More’s case, see NA, KB 8/7/3. For other details, I mainly used
LP,
VIII, nos. 815, 988, 996, and
LP,
VII, nos. 1114, 1116. More’s speeches at his trial are translated from the
Paris Newsletter,
printed in Harpsfield (1932, pp. 263–64). Accounts of Margaret’s last meeting with her father are from Roper (1935, pp. 97–99) and from the
Paris Newsletter
in Harpsfield (1932, p. 265). More’s last letter is from Rogers (1961, pp. 256–57). Suffolk’s bid for More’s Chelsea lands is from
LP,
VIII, no. 1101.

CHAPTER
18

Henry’s latest infatuation and its consequences for Jane and others are pieced together from
LP,
VII, nos. 1257, 1554;
CSPSp,
V.i, nos. 97, 118. The fall from favor of the unidentified lady briefly in Henry’s affections is described by Chapuys:
LP,
VIII, no. 263. For a fuller analysis of this episode, see Ives (2004, pp. 194–95). There is no record of Jane’s return to court, but we would not necessarily expect to find one. Chapuys, the source of so much that was going on at the time, was alert for signs of Henry tiring of Anne, of flirting with other women and so on, and fearful for the lives and prospects of Katherine and Mary. Having reported the incident involving Jane, her fate was low on his agenda. When individuals were sent from court, however, many did come back after a short period, possibly after the next court move or “remove” (as it was known), so it is reasonable to assume that Jane returned sometime in the early months of 1535, before the executions of Fisher and More. Chapuys’ report of the prophecy is from
CSPSp,
V.i, no. 230. Flamock’s story is taken from Puttenham (1589, p. 324). Mary Carey’s exile from court is from
LP,
VII, no. 1554, and her letter to Cromwell is from Wood (1846, II, pp. 193–97). Anne’s quarrels with Norfolk are taken from
LP,
VIII, nos. 1, 826. For possible causes of their estrangement, see Ives (2004, p. 202). Boorde (1547) contains fascinating details on medical conditions and suggested remedies;
STC,
no. 3373.5. Information on William Foster, a scholar at King’s College, Cambridge, is from NA, SP 1/104, fol. 282 (stamped as 253); KCAR 4/1/6, MS vol. 14 (unfoliated; entries dated between August 1535 and October 1536); NA, C 1/983/2;
LP,
IX, no. 708; and
LP,
X, nos. 1238, 1251. He is not to be confused with a Fellow of King’s by the same name, also appearing in KCAR 4/1/6, MS vols. 13–14 (unfoliated), who had already graduated Master of Arts and went on to be bursar. For information on King’s College Chapel, see Harrison (1953). The screen is still in situ today: the visitor can see the carved initials and symbols commissioned when Henry saw Anne as his true and last wife. Ives (2004, pp. 243, 249–50) provides a fuller description and analysis of the screen.

CHAPTER
19

Anne’s turbulent relationship with Mary and Katherine is chronicled in
CSPSp,
V.i, no. 68, and
LP
VIII, nos. 666, 1105. Her assertion that she would not become pregnant while they were alive is from
CSPSp.
V.i, no. 144. Chapuys’ plot for Mary’s escape is taken from
LP,
VIII, nos. 263, 501. Mary’s ill health is discussed in Loades (1989, pp. 80–82). Katherine’s heartrending letter begging to nurse her daughter is from
LP,
VIII, no. 200. She refers to Chapuys as her “especial friend” in
CSPSp,
V.i, no. 134. Henry’s attitude toward his former wife and daughter is taken from
CSPSp,
V.i, no. 263, and
LP,
VIII, no. 263. Lady Shelton’s letter is from
LP,
VII, no. 1172. Anne’s religious zeal is taken from
LP,
VII, nos. 693, 710. See also Ives (2004, p. 286), and Ives (1996, pp. 83–102). For Anne’s charitable works, see Ives (2004, p. 284). Her wealth can be estimated on the basis of an account of income and expenses for the year 1534–35 compiled by her receiver-general:
LP,
IX, no. 477. A list of items taken from Baynard’s Castle is from
LP,
VIII, no. 209. For my theory that her interest in poor relief and education came from family tradition as well as her own religious beliefs, see the wills of Sir Geoffrey Boleyn and Sir William Boleyn: NA, PROB 11/5, PROB 11/14. Chapuys’ report on Anne’s comeback is from
CSPSp,
V.i, no. 174. Her remark to Henry that he should be grateful to her is from
LP,
VIII, no. 666. The proposed marriage for Elizabeth is mentioned by Chapuys:
CSPSp,
V.i, no. 213. George’s interview with his sister is from
LP,
VIII, no. 826. Henry’s letter from the heyday of their romance referring to George is from Halliwell (1848, I, pp. 317–18) (
LP,
IV, no. 4539). The royal progress is taken from
LP,
IX, nos. 639, 571; for fuller analysis, see Ives (2004, pp. 291–92) and Starkey (2004, pp. 524–32). The demonstration in support of Mary is from
LP,
IX, no. 566. Ives (2004, p. 293) believes that Jane was one of the women involved, while Starkey in Axton and Carley (2000, p. 14) disagrees. The evidence for her involvement rests entirely on the handwritten marginal note, but that is too vague and inconclusive to be relied on. I feel that Jane’s colors were still firmly nailed to the Boleyn mast at this point. Anne’s downfall was not really in sight. Even had Jane suddenly developed deep feelings toward Mary, she was sensible enough to realize that taking part in such a demonstration was incredibly risky. She had already felt the force of Henry’s anger when she was sent from court; to invite that again would be foolhardy. Henry’s switch toward Madge Shelton is from
LP,
VIII, no. 263; Anne’s sudden outburst is from
LP,
VIII, no. 48. Ives views this laughter as genuine, but I suspect there was a little more to it than that. When Anne was imprisoned, she would often break out into uncontrollable laughter, presumably her reaction to stress. She had behaved in exactly the same way when she had met the ambassadors and had remarked on Henry’s forgetting a message because he was talking to another woman.

CHAPTER
20

Katherine’s last days and death are pieced together from
LP,
IX, no. 1037;
LP,
X, no. 28;
CSPSp,
V.ii, nos. 3, 4, 9. Starkey (2004, pp. 541–49), gives an excellent account of her illness and death. Court reaction is from
CSPSp,
V.ii, nos. 9, 13. Anne’s offer to befriend Mary is reported by Chapuys,
CSPSp,
V.ii, no. 9. The banter in Anne’s chamber, which becomes crucial in the condemnation of Anne, Norris, and Weston, is referred to in
LP,
X, no. 793. Henry’s ivory chess set is listed among the goods seized from Baynard’s Castle:
LP,
VIII, no. 209. His riding accident is from
LP,
X, nos. 200, 427. Katherine’s funeral has many references. I have used
LP,
X, no. 284, as a basis, combined with
CSPSp,
V.ii, nos. 9, 13, 21. For the fate of the Observant Friars, see Bernard (2005, pp. 151–60). Anne’s miscarriage is from
CSPSp,
V.ii, nos. 21, 29. Jane’s knowledge of Henry’s lack of sexual prowess is repeated at George’s trial,
CSPSp,
V.ii, no. 55. Jane Seymour is first mentioned by Chapuys,
CSPSp,
V.ii, no. 21. The gold purse incident and Henry’s offer to meet her on neutral ground is from
CSPSp,
V.ii, no. 43. Further grants to the Boleyns, even at this late stage, are listed in
LP,
X, nos. 243, 597. The meeting between Chapuys and Anne is from
CSPSp,
V.ii, no. 43a. Henry’s revealing decision to elect Carew as a Knight of the Garter instead of George is from
CSPSp,
V.ii, no. 47. For an account of the May Day joust, see Ives (2004, p. 320).