'Sometimes we have to sacrifice our youths in order to let people live.'
Tulia Byrne has been a Queen for longer than she could remember. Her story begins so carefree and so full of love and yet by the end of it you'll be wondering if you even know...
((AN 1 more chapter and Tulia will arrive in France))
October 13th 1554
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Five months had passed since the death of King Cillian I of Ireland and a tense atmosphere hung around court like a hazy mist. Many had bowed to the young Queen but most had offered their condolences, not yet ready to bow to a child. The news had quickly spread that Tulia's mother Mary of England had remarried to Philip II King of Spain two months after the announcement of her husbands death. A sea of black cloaks and dresses had solidified themselves into court since that day, but things were about to change.
Ireland were facing the coronation of their first ever Queen, a skinny, red headed eleven year old girl that had no experience ruling was supposed to pull Ireland through dark times, many were dubious but none as worried as Tulia herself.
The journey from Kilkenny Castle to St Canice's Cathedral was terrifiying for the young Queen, she could hear the people cheering but equally she could hear their silence. There was no doubting that the people wanted a King, and Tulia knew that she would have to prove herself, but she also knew that it would be a long while before she would obtain all the power that she is owed and her youth would make her vulnerable.
The corset and outer layer of Tulia's dress was a soft green that had tiny golden roses embroidered into the skirt and sleeves of the dress and the kirtle was a fresh white that complimented her skin tone well. Around her waste was a jewelled girdle with gems of blue and green shimmering in the light.
Heavy Jewellery was worn around her neck, wrists and fingers along with a golden circlet worn on her head similar to the one her mother wore on her own coronation. One of the necklaces that she wore belonged to her maternal great grandmother Elizabeth of York, a Tudor rose that was a combination of Lancaster and York.
Her carriage was pulled by 6 horses and was the by far the grandest out of the two that followed it. In the carriage directly behind her sat the King Regent Finnan O'Connor and his wife the Lady Adelaise of Dresden. And in the final carriage sat Queen Mary I of England and her new husband King Philip II of Spain. Tulia had no great desire to meet the man that had 'replaced' her father but Spain was a very powerful country and Finnan had advised her that not inviting him could lead to conflict.
After a short Journey the carriages arrived at St Canices Cathedral and the soon to be annointed Queen stepped out. Dismissing the help of a guard Tulia gracefully stepped out of the carriage and smiled adoringly at the crowd that had formed around the gates of the cathedral. The young girl was terrified but her mother had always taught her that a princess does not show fear, therefore a Queen should not feel it. Aknowledging the public and those who have less than you is always a way to make first impression, it either shows them that you are on their side or tricks them into thinking that you are.
Slowly but gracefully the young girl walked towards the enterance of the cathedral, lead by the privy council and followed by the regent King and her own mother. the crowd in front and behind of her eventually dispersed and the noble men and women watched as the Lady Tulia Byrne walked regally up to the steps where the Archbishop was waiting for her.
