The Virgin Queen's Daughter

1 - The Princess Anne

1590

"Anne!" Called out Queen Elizabeth, a smile upon her lips as she sought out her four year old daughter, "Anne!"

A childish giggle betrayed the young girl's hiding position as the 'Virgin Queen' ran over to her small daughter's hiding place.

"Got you Annie!" The small red haired girl giggled as her mother tickled her picking her up and kissing her forehead.

Despite being the age of 53, an old age for her time, Elizabeth was as healthy as a woman of her late 20s; proven by defeating a Spanish Armada just two years previously, albeit from a ship.

The young girl ever so greatly resembled her mother with the classic red-gold Tudor hair and the hooking blue eyes that once belonged to her grandmother and namesake, Anne Boleyn.

A Lady-In-Waiting to Queen Elizabeth I, Lady Elizabeth Throckmorton, was soon seen by the Queen approaching; a letter in hand.

As the lady arrived in front of the Queen she bowed addressing, "Your Majesty, Your Highness."

The Queen smiled at the latter words, looking at her daughter.

Being head of her own church she needed no authority to legitimise her daughter, yet many were against this movement.

Mainly those of Catholic nature yet with the next heir to the throne presumed to be the King of Scotland some quieted down, after all, an English Queen was better than a Scottish King to some.

Yet despite all of this the Queen wanted full assurance that her daughter would be her heir, and that called for powerful allies.

"A letter, Your Majesty," Lady Throckmorton informed the Queen with a bow as she hurried back the way she came.

Elizabeth eyed her as she went before turning to her daughter, "Lady Elizabeth better stop seeing Sir Walter without my consent."

"Yes mama, she should," the little girl giggled.

The Queen smiled at her young heiress as she opened her letter, yet another let of another Lord promising their protection to the Princess.

Despite this all Elizabeth couldn't help but feel woe, for all this was promised to the Empress Matilda, yet King Stephen took her throne from her.

As she looked down at her smiling daughter she was plagued with the knowledge that she would have so many hardships to come; yet like Elizabeth herself, like her great-great grandmother in some respects: Elizabeth Woodville, she knew that her daughter would rise above it all.

And when she was gone he subjects would shout: Long Live Queen Anne!

-------

I know it's a bit short but I wanted a bit more of an introduction.

If you can't tell then my favourite historical women are Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth Woodville and Queen Elizabeth I so they will be mentioned every now and again ;).

Enjoy and feel free to comment :)