I was escorted by Charles Brandon to the tower. I had only 4 ladies with me. I looked back at what was once my home. Charles nudged me and I entered the Tower. I sat down on a chair. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer entered the room, with a grim look on his face.
"Your Highness, I am sorry to tell you that the other men and your brother were sent to death by the axe."
Tears fall out of my eyes. "George! Oh, George! GEORGE! He did not deserve any of this! I loved him as any sister would love her brother!"
"I am also sorry to inform you that I was unable to regain his Majesty's favor for you. I was forced to declare your marriage null and void, to avoid my own execution. Your daughter, Elizabeth, has been declared a bastard, but I will protect her as best I can."
I stop crying and smile. "Thank you, Mr. Cranmer."
"Before I leave, would you like to make your confession to God?"
"Yes, I would like to." He kneels before me. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, opening them again to look at him. "Though I am not Catholic, I will confess anyway. I confess my innocence, before God. I solemnly swear, on the damnation of my soul, that I have never been unfaithful to my Lord and Husband, nor ever offended with my body against him. I do not say I have always shown him the proper humility, which his kindness to me merited. I confess also I had jealous fancies, and suspicions of him. But God knows, and is my witness, that I have not sinned against him in any other way. Think not I say this in hope of prolonging my life; God has taught me how to die, and He will strengthen my faith. As for my brother, and those others who were unjustly executed, I would willingly suffer many deaths to deliver them.....but since I see it pleases the King, I shall willingly accompany them in death, with this assurance: that I shall lead an endless life with them in peace."
Thomas Cranmer closes his eyes and I do too. He whispers something and with his thumb, he makes the cross sign on my forehead. "And with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
I open my eyes. "Amen."
YOU ARE READING
Eternal Flame
Tarihi KurguShe risked everything to become queen. Though born without great beauty, wealth, or title, Anne Boleyn blossomed into a captivating woman. She used her wiles to win the heart of England's most powerful man, King Henry VIII, and to persuade him to de...
