The Life of Elizabeth Tudor

2.1 - Eleven days

It had only been eleven days since my mother died, her death had upset my whole household. Looking back on it i really didn't fully understand what had happened i mean how could i, i was so young. All i knew was that my mother had gone and that she wasn't coming back. From the not so hushed whispers i heard that it was my father's fault she was gone, that he was heartless and ordered her death as he was done with her, that he was looking for something as a reason to leave her as she hadn't given her a son. However i heard some people say that it was my mother, it was her fault she brought her death upon herself with all the evil things she had done. These were the same people who used to say my mother was evil for taking the King from his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, the same people my mother used to say not to listen to that i should ignore them it was all lies. I convinced myself they must be telling lies again, there is no way that it could be her mother's fault.

It had only been eleven days, and my father was getting married in a few hours. My ladies told me repeatedly how wonderful it will be to have a stepmother. Her name is Jane Seymour, she seems nice enough. But she is not my mother. People seemed a bit shocked that he was getting married so quickly and some seemed not to approve and thought it wasn't right. In hindsight i should've also been annoyed at the thought of my father marrying another woman, replacing my mother. But i didn't see it like that as a child, it just seemed like a big party with a chance to get a new pretty dress and shoes. But i did wonder why my father was with this woman.

She's the complete opposite to my mother, shy,obedient and meek. I do not understand why my father would kill my mother, for a woman like this. My sister Mary was not happy either that father was getting married again. Although she wasn't happy my mother was married to the king either, however since my mother's death she had grown closer to me maybe she felt sorry for me i dont know.

There was allot of people who went to the wedding, and the celebrations afterwards where the amazing part with loads of music and dancing. People eating and drinking who seemed to be having so much fun laughing for no reason. I wasn't allowed to stay for long because i was so little but my governess told me that the celebrations had been even better after my mother's wedding.

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It was october the twelfth 1537 and i was doing my studies, i was advanced for my age and my tutor was very impressed. Everyone thought i was very clever and for a girl that was amazing. Even though most girls of noble blood and royal blood were tutored well it seemed to shock people as too much i knew, i was older than my year, mature. Even though i was classed as a bastard i was treated with most of the same respect, i had the same tutors the same dresses but the difference was instead of being addressed as my princess Elizabeth, i was now my Lady Elizabeth.

The doors opened and a group of flushed ladies who looked as if they had run here rushed in, along a strange man. He spoke " Lady Elizabeth i am sorry to interrupt your lesson but i am here with a message from court, the queen has given birth. It's a boy, you have a brother. Finally the King has a prince ... an heir." Everything was silent as enjoyment rushed through everyone but their was also a moment of fear in the back of my mind.He has what he always wanted, he has his prince...a son...what does that mean for me.