The Protege: Anne Boleyn

England's Next Queen

Queen Mary Stuart, only five years of age graced the English court with an entire household in her shadow. Her mother, Queen Regent of Scotland, Mary of Guise held her daughter's hand as Queen Anne, King Henry, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Arthur reached their guest with the eyes of every noble watching. "Welcome to England, Aunt Mary," Elizabeth greeted Mary of Guise. The child knew her aunt from her multiple trips over the boarder to visit her cousin, Queen Mary. Prince Arthur was rather shy on the other hand. His parents explained to him that Queen Mary and he were to be wed to unite houses and combine the two Kingdoms into one. 

That was Henry's intentions, at least. Mary of Guise was entertaining the idea of a french husband for her daughter, if things did not settle the way she planned in England. Anne was set on making the same marriage for their daughter. Each mother had the same french prince in mind, the french Dauphin, crowned prince Francis. Henry needed this Mary of Guise to agree to marry her daughter to his son, otherwise he risked losing Elizabeth's place as France's next Queen. 

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Each royal family member sat in the dais as the feast began. The chatter from around the throne room was intense. Anne wanted to reach an agreement with Mary of Guise, "If you agreed the turmoil between England and Scotland would be forgotten. No longer would you have to live in fear of us trying to take Scotland from your child Queen," Anne promised. "Is that a threat I hear, your majesty," Mary questioned. Henry quickly took over, "No it's not. What my Queen means is that we are family. No one even remembers why the two nations divided. There isn't any reason why they should remain that way. If our lands were one, our grandchildren would own one of the most powerful nations in Europe," Henry envisioned. 

"Your daughter has her own claim to the English throne anyway, Mary. Why should she grow up in fear that her cousin might war with her for his throne when they could rule as one?" Anne tried again. "The only reason you wish for this marriage Anne, is so that your daughter marries the french Dauphin. I am no idiot, nor are you. If it comes down to choosing between your daughter and mine the French King will choose my daughter because she has French blood flowing through her veins. She might have been born in Scotland, but I shall raise her as a french princess, as you do wit your daughter," Mary argued. Anne remained silent, "My daughter has two options, meanwhile your pickiness left your daughter with one option for her future husband," Mary added. 

Henry felt his wife tense at Mary's torment. "Women, your gender tends to be harsh when it comes to protecting your children, speaking of...Anne take the children to their chambers, please," Henry commanded. Anne sighed and guided her children from the dais. With her gone, Mary of Guise, Queen Mary and King Henry VII remained. "Cousin...lets be honest. France wants my Elizabeth, not your daughter. Queen Mary, may provide a nation, but your resources are poor and her dowry low. Elizabeth will provide the backing of men, supplies and England itself- she will be the next Queen of France. Your daughter has only one option: Marry my son," Henry ordered. 

Mary of Guise was surprised by his mighty persona. She knew he was right, but she wanted what was best for her daughter and she wouldn't accept anything less. "When they are wed, Mary shall be Queen of the new nation in her own right. If your son dies, childless she shall remain as Queen, not be set aside for the next English heir," Mary decreed. Henry nodded, "She shall be made Queen , instead of Queen Consort, as should my son of your nation for now. The children shall be wed during your next a month from and my son, shall be pronounced Scotland's King, not King Consort," Henry ordered. The two had reached an agreement. 

With his son's marriage to Queen Mary and his daughter's marriage to France, Henry had allies on every side, expect for the one that mattered- the Spanish. "Might I ask dear cousin, why the rush to marry your children off?" Mary of Guise wondered. "War, Mary. War."

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Anne embraced Henry as they laid to sleep. "We need to have more children Anne. I need a child to marry to a Spaniard," Henry commanded as he moved to kiss her. Anne pushed him away, "I will not carry another child to ship them to our enemies. No child of mine will touch Spain's lands Henry. I did not care if you must war with them to see that," Anne argued moving to leave Henry's bed. "Where are you going?" Henry asked pulling her back down. "Anne you are my wife, your duty is to give me children. If I say I want more children then you will give me just that," Henry shouted in her face as he pushed her down against the bed. 

Anne laid beneath him as he forced himself into her. She refused to shed a single tear as he shoved into her each time. Her eyes stared above at the painted on the ceiling and whispered prayers to save her. Henry finish and climbed off of her. She pulled her body away, and went into fetal position crying. Henry grabbed her by her face and forced her to look at him, "You belong to me. I tell you to give me another child, you do so without question or next time I won't be so gentle," Henry slurred. The smell of beer reeking Anne's nose. He pushed her face away as her tears came down harder. 

They had done so well the past year since his grandmother's passing. That was until Henry began to drink. That was his way to stay at peace with her passing, but Anne could not fight the tears wishing Lady Margaret was still around. All she could do was pray that her husband returned to her after he finished mourning his deceased family member.