A Tudor Rose

Prologue

I have been apart of King Henry VIII's court for as long as I can remember; when I was four my mother used to bring me to see Queen Catherine. I remember a musician playing a tune and I would toddle around jumping up and down and dancing as a Jester would. Queen Catherine used to laugh and say "Oh little Eleanor! How you make me laugh!" I remember her as a kind, happy woman who always had a kind word for me. Then The King's Great Matter arose...

May 4, 1525

My mother always keeps a diary. My elder sisters, Catherine and Elizabeth, also keep a diary. I didn't want to be left out so I have started one too.

I was born in 1517 so I am a year younger than Princess Mary, which makes me eight. My name is Eleanor Bassett. My Father's name is Lord George and my Mother is Lady Joan. I have two elder sisters and two younger ones. Their names are Catherine, Elizabeth, Jane and Ellen. I also have a brother named John.

My mother is one of the Queen's favorite ladies and my eldest sister Catherine also works as one of the Queen's Maids of Honor. My Mother is going to speak the Queen about Elizabeth and I joining court soon!

May 12, 1525

Queen Catherine has agreed to make Elizabeth a Maid of Honor but hasn't said anything about me. I hope the wait is because she has a really important job for me, I like having important things to do because it makes me feel noticed.

My nurse Mary is calling that I go do my lessons with Master Darcy. He isn't like other tutors. I enjoy my lessons as he isn't dull and his lessons are exciting. Though I do envy my sisters. I think my younger sisters envy me because dull scholars named Master King and Master Bray teach them. I am studying my spelling, Greek and Spanish today. I wish I could learn things such as science and math but apparently, according to Elizabeth, only men are capable of understanding such things.

29 May 1525

Queen Catherine has found me an important task! I am to be Princess Mary's Companion! I am so happy! I leave for Greenwich in July, as soon as my new gowns have been completed. I cannot wait!

Today was Mama's birthday. She had a feast of delicious jellies, meats and gravies. She also had a mixture of cakes and pastries.

Catherine has met someone she is in love with. He is a musician named James King. He is Master King's son. No doubt they will be married.

8 June 1525

My new gowns have arrived and I now write from some inn. Mistress Mary, Master Darcy, my new ladies and Elizabeth, are escorting me to Greenwich.

As a part of my role as Companion I must be Mary's closest and most trusted friend. According to Elizabeth, who loves a good gossip, Queen Catherine spoke to the princess and Princess Mary herself requested I become Companion!

My new ladies are named Jane Turner and Kathryn Browne. They are to help me when I dress and decide on what I shall wear depending on the day's events. They will also style my hair and apply my cosmetics.