Without Henry VIII

A Brave New World

(Catherine/Catalina's POV)

We had arrived, I could see the shore of England grow larger and larger as the ship got closer. I could feel my stomach churning and my legs go slightly weak both from fear and excitement. Within a few minutes, Dona Elvira and my ladies had realized why I had run up onto the deck, and had come to bring me back to my chambers. Dona Elvira continuously shouted at my ladies to hurry up and I must change my gown before we arrived. I did not see the point in changing my gown, I had after all, just gotten into it less than an hour ago, when I woke up, but I knew that it was better not to fight with Dona Elvira, and it would be faster just to do what she said.

My ladies changed me into a pale blue, embroidered, satin gown, with long tight undersleeves, a high neckline trimmed in pearls and, an over skirt that opened in the center and was lined with more pearls. To add a final touch, they tied a rope of pearls around my waist, clipped a short-layered pearl necklace on my neck, and placed a hat made of the same material as my dress with pale blue lace hanging from it, to cover my face. Although having my face covered with a veil could be quite stuffy; it was tradition for a Spanish infanta that no one from the groom's family, or any of his people could see the bride's face before the wedding day. As soon as I was dressed Dona Elvira hustled us out to the top deck, muttering to herself about how we should have had more time to prepare ourselves. I ignored her, I was just happy to have the chance to stand on dry ground again.

As the ship pulled closer to the dock I could see dozens if not hundreds of people lined up along the shore, watching as the ship came near, and shouting out what I assumed to be calls of greeting. I knew little English, but the peoples' cheers seemed to be friendly enough, so I smiled at them and nodded my head slightly. I knew the people could not see my smile through the veil, but I did anyway.

I descended the ramp leading from the ship to the ground, and for the first time I touched English soil. To be perfectly honest nothing felt any different, except for the ground being wetter and colder than that of Spain, but I knew that was to be expected. None of this mattered to me, I was just happy to be standing on solid ground. After a few moments, the crowd of welcomers parted, making an aisle in front of me. At first, I was not sure why they had done it, and if I was supposed to walk down it, I was not completely certain about all the English customs.

I turned out that I did not have to make a decision as a man walked down the aisle towards me, followed by several other men I presumed to be his servants, he was certainly dressed well enough to have the money for servants. When the man reached be he bowed lowly on one knee and introduced himself as Rodrigo Gonzalez de Puebla, my parents' ambassador to England and the man who had negotiated my marriage contract. I was thankful that he was here, for he would be able to easily translate what people said to me.

Ambassador de Puebla told me that he was happy I had finally arrived and asked after my journey. Since we were speaking in Castillian I knew that it was safe to tell him exactly how horrible it had been. De Puebla nodded his head in sympathy to my harsh journey. After that, he told me that I was to be taken to the Bishop of Plymouth's home where I would stay for the night, and the next day there would be celebrations held in Plymouth in honor of my arrival.

De Puebla guided me over to a mule, that had traveled with me from Spain and presumed I would ride while traveling to London, and helped me up onto it. The Bishop's home was only five miles away, but with the muddy roads of England the trip took us all day. I hoped that it would not always be so wet and cold here, but from what my mother had told me, that wish was likely in vain. As we rode de Puebla talked incessantly about England, its king and queen, and my fiancé.