Coronation of Henry VII

As Jasper brought me to be introduced to King Henry I was trembling the whole time. I thought that I would faint until I stood before him. I curtsey. Thank you your Majesty for the kind compliment. This is actually my first time being here. It is very beautiful.here. You are quite kind

I could see by her body language and the visible slight tremble ... that she was quite nervous as she approached my royal person. I raised my hand ... hoping to calm her ... as I saw how stiff her curtsy was. "Rest easy princess ... for I have restored your and your family's titles and lands. It is hardly a compliment when it is so obviously a fact. Perhaps I could arrange a private tour of the palace and grounds. I think you would appreciate the gardens. Don't you think Uncle?"

. Thank you your Majesty.  I appreciate that you have restored our titles but I would indeed enjoy the tour and a walk around the gardens.  It is very kind of you . I smile as the King saw that I was nervous and he did what he could to help me be comfortable in his presence.

"You are quite welcome.  Of course it was the right thing to, both in truth and politically.  "Thee will excuse us ... My Lady Mother ... Uncle Jasper ... it seems that Cecily has boldly accepted my initation.  Come Princess."  As he began to take the lead toward the Gardens he sniled as he took note of the shocked look on their faces.  Once they were out of earshot he bagan to speak to her.  After what the Usurper did to thy family, it was something that I had to do.  If I marry into thy family, it make the union stronger, combining two of the sides from the War of the Roses.  However in re-elevating you sisters it does make thy sister's claim all the stronger to the throne.  They are all pushing me to marry thy sister ... something that was agreed to in a Betrothal Agreement.  However, it was forced upon us.  Othereise, I do not think I am thy sister's first choice,  What do thee think?  Who should I take as my bride.  The assumtion is that it must be a York.  And what is thy opinion of the Gardens?"

I turn to acknowledge my son,

I find my rooms most adequate. They are the best rooms for someone like me, My Lady The King's Mother. Are you still against marrying Elizabeth of York?"

I whisper in his ears, "Are you seeking Cecily of York instead?"

"I am glad that you approve, My Lady Mother," I say as I begin to take cecily on her tour.

"As long you understand that once I have my Queen, and she is married, that those rooms will be hers and you will have to find others.  Against ... My lady Mother.  What do you mean?  My range of options is still vaied.  I am not against anyone, even the Princess Cecily.  Whoever I can work harmoniously with for the benefit of all of England is who I will marry ... or be forced to I expect ... am I not correct Lady Mother," he sais as he continued to move away.

The King is here but where is Elizabeth. That is strange. The gardens are quite beautiful your Majesty. As is the rest of your lands. I am surprised that Elizabeth is not yet here. She will more than likely be here momentarily. She has spoken nothing else than to marry you. I turned to
look at the King. . Your Majesty when will the coronation begin.

I noted the confused look on her face. Undoubtedly she was wondering where Elizabeth her sister was. She quickly shifted to her observations about the Gardens. "Yes, nature has its own form of beauty. I find it to be a great place to retreat to ... to think ... its calming ... away from all those who prtend to give me unbiased advice. If thee are wondering, they are keeping Elizabeth separate from me during the Coronation. She is someplace where she can watch but not be watched by others. So I expect she is somewhere close by. She has? And what is thy opinion of the whoe process. I assume thee already have a beau or someone that thee are attached to already. It will begin when the Archbishop is ready I suppose."

Princess Elizabeth
I think that we have been maneuvered by others in the situation that we have found ourselves. I suggest that we should meet, prefereably in my rooms, at a time, that is ameable tio thee. This should be done without the knowledge and interference of others, especially our respective mothers and associated family members. If this is amenable to thee communicate your wishes. If thee have other suggestions that thee think would be more productive do not feat in raising them with me. I look forward to your response.

Henry"

I read the note several times over before sensing Henry's page becoming restless. I wrote a reply in my best polite handwriting:

Your Grace

It would be agreeable to both of ourselves of course. My lady mother especially is scheming plots as we speak. Please rest assured I am not my lad mother. What say ye I have to do to gain  your trust ? Please send word when ye are ready for my person. I shall be ready at once.

Princess Elizabeth

I gave his page my response and proceeded to be ready for thy coronation. I am stalling I know. But I can not make Henry wait lest he become more impatient with thee.

The tour of the Gardens was a short one. It must be something about the females in her family .... they were quite easy to comverse with and made good company. However, she seemed like she was a tad too young. The Queen would have to have a level of maturity, both physical and mental, that I was not even sure yet that her sister possessed. "Yes ... yes they are. Thee have nothing to apologize for. Thee have not overstepped any boundaries. If there is any blame it mine. I am sure that thee will have a fine match. Thee can tell thy mother that I can assist if it is required. Ah ... a page ... appears to have message ... and it seems that the Coronation procession is assembling ... excuse me."

I take the message of the Page as final preparations are made and scan it quickly. I turn it over to write a quick response ... "I quite agree with thy analysis. Neither one of us were involved. This idea was hatched by our mothers. Each had their own reasons and interests. I would be more than happy to accede to thy suggestion. It should be late at night when I am escorted to thy rooms after all of our family ... our mothers ... and ladies-in-waiting are abed. It should be done as quickly as possible ... tonight ... before any of our mothers begin to scheme as soon as I am coronated. "Page ... take this directly back to her ... if thee allow anyone else ... the consequences will be severe. Off with thee now." As soon as the message was sent I was herded into the procession line. I wondered if she could see me now and if she did what she thought of me, as well as my response.

. Thank you for the tour your Majesty. It was kind of you to show me the beauty of the garden and grounds. You have quite patient and gracious. I will go to be seated for the your coranation. Then the announcement of your wife and Queen to be. I smile and curtsey

I watch my sister and King Henry in thy gardens. I did not realise on this , that Henry would not for one moment think of another Yorkist Princess. It seems my message arrived in time as his grace bows to Cecily and takes his leave. Thy coronation procession begins and I take my place next to Cecily. I must try not to dwell on thine uncle and thy past , he is not a man to have much patience. His page arrives discreetly at my side and I read thy message.
I reply promptly this time and without haste:

I shall ever be at your request. I await your summons and goodservant with interest.

Your Lizzie

Even before everyone had been fully seated my Page steps up to me and hands me the message. I give him a verbal message, as I see My Lady Mother giving me a strange look, as does Uncle Jasper. First I wave off their look of concern. "I whisper to him to deliver the message that we would meet at midnight in my private chambers. Do not deliver it here but after the coronation. Too many prying eyes." I watch him depart. I give Lizzie the slightest of nods.

I see  Elizabeth and she comes to sit next to me.  Hello Elizabeth.  I am very happy to see you.  It worried me that I did not see you about.  I am certain that you saw the King and I walking in the gardens. Other than speaking of the gardens and the grounds I spoke mostly of your praise.  Please never think that I could ever betray your trust..

I sit next to my sister Cecily and watch the procession begin. Henry gives me thy briefest of nods , acknowledging my reply.

"Dear sister it never crossed my mind. Just between us, I am keeping his grace at thy distance. But perhaps I should be a little more accommodating otherwise he may look elsewhere for a queen. He seems to be not a patient man."
I look across and catch Henry's eye , indeed he does not seem to like being teased as nearly as much as Richard.

I looked lovingly at my sister. . Elizabeth. Show him your care. See his intentions for you. Do not be too accommodating. For he will not value you as the jewel that you are. You shall be his Queen

I arrived at Westminster for thy new Kings Coronation. I am waiting patiently and I see my daughter Cecily is in talks with Jasper Tudor and is brought to his grace Henry. Gods death where thy hell is Elizabeth?! What game is she playing?

I see that My Lady Mother has arrived at Westminster. I walk over to her.. Good day Lady Mother. How are you. What is bothering you for you have a worried look about your face.

I see the two sisters whispering together. I do not like this. I turn my attentions to them. "I see you have much to say too other, is everything well in your family?"

I curtsey before her
. Everything is quite well with our family. We have just been talking about nothing in particular.

"I hope everyone is still having a good time."