Chapter 24 #2
“Yes, they are. They resent Spanish monopolies in trade with America. And they have heard terrible tales of the tortures of the Inquisition. Their officers come for people in the night, you know, and haul them off to prison. They are allowed no counsel and are subject to relentless interrogation. Those who will not recant their heresy are burned in those public spectacles they call Acts of Faith. Prince Philip is a champion of the Inquisition. Up to now, people have accepted the Queen’s religious changes relatively peacefully, apart from a few zealots.
But now they are vociferous in opposing them.
Overnight, it has become patriotic to be Protestant! ”
“But surely the Queen is aware of the protests?”
Will downed his wine. “She is, but the Spanish ambassador has apparently told her that she must eliminate all opposition to the marriage. He is never far from her elbow, and she listens to him more than to anyone else. It’s been bruited that he has urged her to put Elizabeth in the Tower.
I do not see her going that far, but she never shows any friendship toward her these days. ”
“Elizabeth said that in her last letter. She believes that the Queen still resents the injuries inflicted on her mother by Queen Anne. She says that she herself is so out of favor that no one dares visit her without Mary’s permission.
She has solicited leave to retire to her estates, but the Queen refuses to grant it. ”
“She will not let her out of her sight. I tell you, Kate, she fears her, fears her youth, her popularity, and her power to draw people to her. Mary enjoyed great popularity when she seized the throne, yet she has thrown it away by agreeing to this marriage—and now ought to wonder why people look to Elizabeth.”
“Elizabeth may prove to be our savior,” Kate observed.
Will looked skeptical. “Given the position she is in, I wouldn’t hope for too much.”
—
Letters from Francis arrived only sporadically after taking ages to reach Greys Court, so usually contained only old news. He and Hal were making slow but steady progress, despite the roads being muddy and the inns inferior.
“I miss you, my darling,” he had written. “I am counting the days until we meet again. Send my blessings to the children. May God keep you, my dearest wife.”
Kate wrote back, hoping her messenger would reach him. It was frustrating, not knowing where he was or how long it would be before she next heard from him. She found herself living for his letters. They were all of him she had for now. It was like being half alive.
Francis’s mother was worrying about him, too. In her frequent letters, she begged Kate to urge him to come home and embrace once more the faith of his childhood, outwardly at least. “It will be better for you all,” she wrote, “and for me.”
Kate kept explaining that Francis would not compromise his principles. “And I support him in that,” she added. “Do not fear for him. At the slightest hint of danger, we will escape abroad.”
—
In the middle of November, Kate wrote to tell Francis that Lady Jane Grey and her husband had been tried for treason and condemned to death.
“It is believed that the Queen does not intend to have the sentences carried out,” Will had reported. “She seems resolved to be merciful. I imagine that they will remain in the Tower at her pleasure.”
That was one small blessing, and late that month, there was another when Mary finally allowed Elizabeth to leave court and go to the palace at Ashridge, north of London. In a coded letter sent from there, Elizabeth told Kate she was glad to be away.
The Queen made a show of affection on parting.
I petitioned her not to believe anyone who spread evil reports of me without giving me a chance to prove the false and malicious nature of such slanders.
She assured me she would not, and presented me with two ropes of pearls and a sable hood.
Since then, her councillors have warned me that if I refuse to follow the path of duty, I will bitterly repent it.
As God is my witness, I would never conspire against the Queen.
I have brought priests with me so that Mass can be celebrated here.
But do not be deceived. I will never deviate in my heart from the true faith, but I must do all in my power to please the Queen.
I know they have placed spies in my household and that my every move is watched.
My man Bridges who comes to you has a sick mother in Oxford.
He visits her as cover for delivering my letters to you, but if you do not hear from me, you will know that he has come under suspicion and that it is difficult for me to get word to you.
May God keep you, dear cousin, and send you a very merry Christmas.
—
Kate felt dismal and tense as she prepared for Yuletide.
Sad that Francis would not be there to share it, she had invited Will and Dot, but Will wrote to say that he could not get away because the Queen’s marriage treaty was to be signed early in the New Year and he was needed at court, where security was being ramped up.
Kate was feeling dejected on Christmas Eve, telling herself that she must not mope because she had the children to think of.
She was thrilled, therefore, when a messenger arrived after dinner with a letter from Francis.
It was the best Yuletide gift he could have sent her, although it had clearly been written some weeks ago.
He and Hal were well and in good spirits.
They had reached Geneva in late November and met Calvin that very day.
He had welcomed them most civilly and conversed with them for a long time.
On parting, he had praised Francis for his devotion to the faith, but observed that Hal merited even higher praise for his youthful piety and zeal.
Kate’s heart almost burst with pride. She had done her best to bring up her children in the true religion, and it was now clear that, with Hal, she had succeeded. She prayed that he would stay faithful.
Calvin wanted to help the exiles. He had agreed to set up a colony for them in Geneva.
He had also written a letter of introduction for Francis to give to a fellow reformer, Pierre Viret, who was at Lausanne and could help.
But refuge would only be granted to those who had suffered religious persecution, which Kate thought fair enough.
His mission accomplished, Francis hoped to be on his way home soon.
Kate’s heart was full to bursting—he might be here any day!
She threw herself into the festivities, making the most of the season for the children and her household.
There were no Masses, just a simple communion service and a sermon on Christmas morning.
It was no secret within the household that the master and mistress were still observing the rites of the new religion, but Kate did wonder what would happen if someone felt driven to report them?
Thinking of Elizabeth’s letter, she began to wonder how many of the servants could be trusted.
Some might feel torn by divided loyalties.
Lying wakeful at night, she realized that she and her family were not really safe, even at Greys Court. Too many people knew that they followed their faith in private. Anyone might talk.
The answer came with the dawn. She would ask the family chaplain to conduct services in the solar, just for her and the children.
She would go to church with her household to show that she had resolved to conform to the new law.
She could always explain away the chaplain’s presence in the house by saying that he was staying on to assist Dr. Palmer with the children’s lessons.
She relaxed a little. She would be very careful.