November 1, 1543
A heavily pregnant Katherine knelt in her private chapel, praying for a safe delivery. She had entered her lying in only a month earlier with the ladies Mary, Elizabeth and Rochford by her side. When she wasn’t sewing she was praying. She had even celebrated her birthday in confinement.
“I must confess Lady Mary, I am afraid.”
Mary held Katherine’s hand tightly, “Our lord god is with us, I know you can do this.” Katherine nodded and she squeezed Mary’s hand. “Thank you for going on this journey with me.”
November 10, 1543
Her pains had started at midnight the night before. Now at six in the morning Katherine clung to the lady Mary’s hand, crying out to god. Henry had been pacing back and forth all night. The young Queen screamed out as the midwife turned the baby. On one side stood The Lady Mary, on the other Lady Rochford. Elizabeth had retreated to the outer chamber, her stomach churning at the blood and sounds of screaming.
“Push my lady, the babe is ready to be born!”
Katherine pushed with all her might, but she was so tired and in so much pain that the room began to swim before her eyes, causing her to collapse into the pillows.
“Don’t give up my lady, please push!”
Mary urged her on and Katherine gathered what strength she had and she poured her life into pushing. In a rush of blood, the baby slid into the midwife's hands. Katherine fell back as the midwife exclaimed happily, ‘It’s a boy my lady, You have a son!.”
Lady Mary rushed out of the room and into the kings chambers. Henry stood as his daughter came into view. “Father she has given you a son!” Henry felt the air leave him and Mary rushed to his side as he stumbled. “A son, I have another son...I wish to see her.”
Mary led him to the QUeen’s chambers. Katherine had just been cleaned up and was holding her son for the first time. As she stared into her son’s blue eyes, her heart soared with love.
“The King!”
She looked up as Henry walked in. She smiled at him and the baby let out a strong cry. “He sounds strong.” Henry said as he walked to them and he gazed down at his newborn son.
“Richard.”
He said as he gently touched his son’s head, ‘His name will be Richard.” Bells rang out in London that day, announcing the birth of a prince and the people rejoiced.
The day of the christening arrived and it killed Katherine that she could not attend. Lady Mary carried the baby down to the altar and she held him as the holy oil was placed on his forehead. Everything was perfect. The baby was pronounced as Richard Tudo, Prince of England and Duke of Buckingham. Mary handed the baby over to Henry and the king proudly carried his son into the queen’s chambers.
Katherine sat up in the bed, wearing a new gown of golden brocade. Her hair was braided into a coil at her neck and upon her head sat a diamond and pearl tiara. She leaned down and kissed her son on the forehead before gazing at Henry lovingly. The King’s eyes were full of nothing but love and admiration for Katherine. “My dearest love.”
He leaned in and the two shared a loving kiss over their son and Katherine knew in her heart, that even though Edward would be king first….She knew that someday her son would sit upon the throne of England…..
YOU ARE READING
A Queens Duty
Historical FictionKatherine Howard manages to get the truth to Henry, saving her life. But no one believes that she has fallen in love with the aging king. When Katherine gives him a son, Henry is over joyed. But will he be able to love without straying from his Quee...
