Another Anne Boleyn

"A Head Worthy of The Crown"

The maid, Janet, poked her head into Anne's bedchamber. She tried not to sigh. Her young mistress was sitting in front of the mirror, brushing her hair and admiring her exquisite reflection again. Marianne was clever and kind but she spent half her day looking in a mirror. 

"Madam," Janet said, dropping into a graceful curtsy, "Your lord father would like to see you in his office."

Anne gathered up her skirts and glided out the door. She didn't even know her father was home. He rarely ever was and usually at court, worming into the King's favour and making himself liked. Sir Thomas has always taught his children that it was best not to have any enemies - they could do you no good.

"You summoned me, my lord?"

"Anne, the Duchess of Suffolk, the King's sister, has offered you a position as one of her six maids-of-honour in her court. It would be a good place to attract the attention of a good husband."

Anne could hardly believe it. 

"But... but- Mary-"

Mary was her older sister. The older sister always went to court first. 

"I have other plans for her. Anyway, the Duchess specifically asked for you," Father interrupted. 

Anne could hardly contain her excitement. She rushed to find her sister Mary. 

"I'm going to court!" she announced.

"What?! I'm the older sister. I  should be the one going!" Mary flared, almost shrieked. 

"Father said that he has plans for you." Anne said smugly, enjoying her sister's anger. "You should find out what they are."

"Yes I am!" 

Mary stormed out of the room. Anne knew why Father chose her to serve the Duchess. Mary had a plain face, transformed only by an attractive smile. She looked more like Father himself, with dark hair and sharp black eyes. The most she can hope for is a viscount of some small estate as a husband. 

Anne would leave in six months - a frustratingly long time - but it gave her plenty of time to have new gowns being made. Mary's eyes almost popped out when Father announced how much money he was going to give Marianne to spend on new clothes. 

"Father, it is not fair!" she cried. "I am the older sister! I should be going, not Marianne. It is unheard of to let her go instead of me!" 

"I am the head of this household. Whatever I want gets done in this house. Anyway, your sister has a lot more potential than you. She is speaks excellent French, knows Greek and is a natural born poet." Father said sharply.

Mary turned a violent shade of red. Anne glowed with pride. Really, it is quite clear who was the favourite child, apart from her brother George. But he was a boy and didn't really count.

The day finally came when Anne would depart. Father could not be there, because he was away with the King in France.  A very close friend of his - Sir John Woodland - who was going to visit the Duchess with his wife had generously offered to accompany her and her nurse and maid - Mrs Orchard and Janet - to the Duchess' castle Saxby Hall. As men loaded their luggage onto row of carriages, Mother embraced her daughter tearfully. 

"Darling, when you are at court, beware of Sir Thomas Wosely. He has been our enemy for years, and would do anything to get rid of us Thortons." her mother warned.

Mary came, though at first Anne suspected that Mother made her. She gave Anne a genuine hug. Even though they have a sort of rivalry with each other, of course she was happy that her little sister had received this good fortune. 

"Come, Mistress Anne, the men are ready." Sir John said gently.

A great number of men on horseback are to accompany them, for their safety. Then another carriage followed, bearing the great number of bags. Then another carriage followed because Anne, the Woodlands, Janet and Mrs Orchard could not fit into one carriage. That made Father annoyed because he would have to hire a man to bring it back to Hever Castle. That made three carriages. Anne climbed into the coach feeling slightly sick. She hated to spend hours sitting on the constantly jolting carriage. 

It was dark when they stopped at an inn. The owner almost fell over himself receiving them. Anne was showed to a comfortable room. Janet and Mrs Orchard fussed over her, drawing a warm bath for her. She sank under the layer of soap. Mrs Orchard laid out a nightgown for her. The three of them then had a dinner of cold stewed meat, buttered bread and a jug of apple cider.

As Anne crawled into bed that night, she thought about her family members back at home, and her heart ached, just a little. And tomorrow she would lose Mrs Orchard too. Ladies-in-waiting are only allowed one maid each, and Mrs Orchard had her children to think of.

The next morning, they were back on the jolting carriages. Five hours later, they came to a halt. 

"We're going to ride to the castle from here. The luggage will follow on  cart. The trail is not wide enough for the carriages here." one of the guards told them, helping them out of the carriage.

Anne swung on to the horse, relief coursing though her body. It had been hell in the hot, stuffy coach. Closely behind her, Mrs Orchard was looking uncomfortable with riding a horse in her long, cumbersome skirts. Lady Woodland rode next to Anne.

"Love, you are indeed very lucky to serve the King's sister. She is very kind, and treats all her maids-of-honour like her one children," she assured her. "Though you must be careful of Thomas Wosely." 

That was the same warning that Mother gave her.

"He has long been the enemy of your family, and ours too. He is much in favour of the King. A Thorton would not be welcome to him. We would be staying with the Duchess for a while, so we can look out for you."

Lady Woodland is certainly very kind, Anne thought. She is also Mother's best friend. A little while later, there was a little burst of excitement from the entourage. A guard raised his whip. 

"That's Ludlow Castle, miss. Our destination."

Anne could hardly contain her excitement. But when she turned around, she saw that Mrs Orchard had tears in her eyes. Suddenly she remembered that she would soon leave her.

"Take care, my child." Nurse whispered. "With that face, you'll make your parents proud."

With a deep breath, Anne gathered up her skirts and strode into Ludlow Castle.

Hi people,

In contrast to the last chapter, this one is super long (1134 words!)

Answer these questions:

1) What do you think the Duchess of Suffolk, Marianne's new mistress, will be like?

2) How is Lady Woodland connected to the story?

Bye!