Charlie Fenton’s Reviews > Queen of Martyrs: The Story of Mary I > Status Update

‘He knew that she was afraid that she would not bear a living child, as her mother had failed to do so many times. She was afraid that she would die in the process of trying. She was terrified that her faithless sister would take her crown. And, more than anything else, she feared that she had failed, leaving thousands of her subjects doomed for all eternity.’

‘God was punishing her. There would be no child. Mary would be publicly humiliated, but, worse than that, she would be forced to recognize her sister as heir. Despite their personal differences, Mary would be able to accept this path if it were not for the fact that she had lingering suspicions that Elizabeth was a heretic.’

‘Although she dared not give voice to her concerns, Mary worried that she had not had to let out her dresses much after the first few months. The flutter of movement never became the strong kicks and nauseating rolls that she heard other women describe. When she undressed, her belly was larger, but still flabby rather than stretched out tightly by the growing child.‘

‘She prayed daily that she was forgiven for her judgement against the young woman she had wished so desperately to free. Mary knew that Jane was guilty of treason but still would have been content to keep the girl under close guard if it had not been for her family’s continued treason and the demands of the Spanish.’

‘What had Suffolk been thinking in joining the rebels? His daughter, Jane, was still held in the Tower, though many had encouraged Mary to have her executed. She had refused, not willing to sign the warrant that would send her sixteen-year-old cousin to death. Had her father not realized what a challenge that had been, that all would be lost now that he had fought in her name once more?’

‘Prince Philip was an ideal match, and it infuriated her that so many dared to speak out in opposition to their queen. Had she been a king, marriage to a princess of Philip’s standing would have been lauded as an ideal arrangement. Did she not deserve the same respect?’

‘Mary’s mind was also not able to set aside the problem of a husband for very long before it was bringing it back up for her consideration. She thought of poor Jane, imprisoned within the same castle complex where Mary’s preparations were carried out. She had been given no choice in marrying Guildford Dudley and little more option when she was thrust onto the throne.‘

‘He nodded his agreement and was gone. Mary took one moment to herself to wonder if she were doing the right thing. The last woman to attempt to claim the crown of England had thrown the country into a savage civil war. But Maude had been fighting a man. Jane Grey, much as Mary loved her as a cousin, would not take her place as queen.’

‘Edward’s face reddened, and Mary knew that she had said something wrong. “It is MY kingdom,” he stated firmly. “You are my dear sister, but you are not my queen. You will never be queen, and you reach too high if you hope to offer correction to your king.”’

‘“Asking for forgiveness where they knew they could not get permission, if you ask me,” Fran observed.
“Well, they will not get it from me,” Mary said with a stomp of her foot. “I have loved Kateryn as I have few others, but my father is not cold in the ground and they married without permission of the king. It is he they must beg forgiveness from.”’