King Henry's Receiving Room

I had received word from my daughter Mary that she was on her way here to the Court. I had prepared her gift for her and could not wait to see her at court again.

The Lady Mary made her way to her father, the King's room and she knocked upon the door.

The servant had come to inform me that my daughter Mary had arrived. I looked up at the servant and spoke.

"Open the door and let her in.

Once the Lady Mary saw her father, she curtsied deep to him and said, "Your Majesty,"

"Yes, I am well, Your Majesty. I trust you are well as well. It is so good to see you." the Lady Mary remarked.

The Lady Mary went over to the table and opened her father's gift. It was a diamond necklace with pearls as well. "How lovely, Your Majesty." beamed the Lady Mary. She loved jewelry and to get a piece from her father was exceptional. "Thank you," the Lady Mary continued.

The Lady Mary brought the gift to her father. the King and gave it to him on bended knee. "No, Your Majesty, I hath not heard that you are to wed. Who is the lady?"

"No, I have not heard of Anne of Cleves. I shall do all in my power to welcome her to our Court. I hope she wilt be a good companion for Your Majesty." the Lady Mary stated.

"I hope so too Mary. For one, I hope that she is better looking than this portrait of her that Holbein painted. What do you think? I ask handing her a miniature portrait.

"Hmm. She looks pretty. But she shall have much to adapt to." the Lady Mary stated.

I looked at Mary.

"What do you mean by that Mary?

"Well, I am sure our customs here in England are very different from Cleves. There is also the language. She may not speak English. But I do hope she shalt prove a worthy companion for Your Majesty and hopefully the mother of another brother." the Lady Mary said.

"Yes, well you did not visit Cleves because you did not feel the need to. I understand that my hand is being sought by Philip of Bavaria. Are you considering the match, Your Majesty." As a rule the Lady Mary would never ask such a question but she was very curious. She wondered what kind of a man Philip was. She hoped he was kind and considerate. Apparently he is very much taken by her, the Lady Mary. The Lady Mary gave pause for thought because Philip was not Catholic.

I looked at my daughter and could see that she had an interest in knowing more of this Phillip of Bavaria.

"What you hear is true Mary, Phillip of Bavaris is indeed asking for a potential hand in marriage with you. I am yet to make an official decision but I have however, invited Phillip to attend court and meet with you to get to know you. He follows the religion of England too and he does seem quite handsome. I have here a portrait of him that Holbein painted. I say to her showing her the portrait of Phillip.

The Lady Mary took the protrait of Philip of Bavaria into her hands and said unto the King:"Your Majesty, he looks right handsome, indeed. I hope he is nice and kind. I look forward to meeting him when he arrives in England. Is he related to your intended, Anne of Cleves, Your Majesty."

"Well, I look forward to it, Your Majesty and I do wish you have a happy union with this Anne of Cleves" The Lady Mary really and truly did wish her father happiness in his upcoming union with Anne of Cleves.

"I hope so too, Your Majesty."