“Well, I did not say that I was not eating. I’m not going to be wasting away.”
Henry and More turned into the long galleried walk that ran round the outside of the palace grounds. The far end of it crossed the Fleet and connected with the house of the Blackfriars on the bank opposite, within the city walls.
“So, how are things at court? The king summoned my father as a matter of some urgency, wishing to discuss various matters of canon law, ahead of the papal investigation.”
“I wish I knew more about that. The atmosphere is very strange, even more so than usual. Just days ago, the king invited a crowd off the streets into the palace, to hear him speak about his situation.”
“Goodness, that is unprecedented. Passersby, from the street?”
“Straight from the marketplace, by the looks of things. I believe his intention was for them to go out and spread his message.”
“Which was?”
“He spoke of his concerns about the future of the country. He even mentioned the possibility of his demise without a male heir, and a return to the days of chaos. He praised the queen, saying he would choose her above all others, except his conscience was troubled about the validity of the match.”
“Ah, the same old story.”
“Yes, but he seems more insistent about it now. Oh, hush!”
Thomasin and Margaret stopped abruptly as the king came to a halt. He was pointing outside to the river, at a barge passing. More followed his gaze, as did the women, watching as the vessel decked with ribbons approached the palace steps.
“The French ambassador arrives,” explained Henry.
“Jean du Bellay?” asked More.
“The very same! He will dine with us later.”
They continued walking, allowing Thomasin and Margaret to resume their conversation.
Margaret rolled her eyes. “Du Bellay is no friend of ours. He is in great favour with the Boleyns, of course, being fond of strutting about like a peacock to music, and all sorts of frivolous things, but he is devoted to the Pope, so he may well side with Campeggio on this occasion.”
“Do you think,” mused Thomasin, recalling the Boleyns’ conversation the previous evening, “that the Pope is the key to resolving this terrible situation between the king and queen?”
“Of course, he must be. What other way out is there?”
Thomasin held back her answer.
“Has the king not tried every other way available to him?” Margaret asked. “Catherine will not retire, and she cannot bear another heir, and he is determined to have a son. Campeggio must rule for the Pope, one way or the other.”
“But what if there is another way?” Thomasin slowed down to let the men forge ahead a little more. “I fear the Boleyns have lighted upon a solution that might end all this in their favour.”
Margaret looked alarmed. “You do not think the queen is in danger?”
“No, no, nothing like that. Of course not.”
“Then what? Is there such a solution?”
Thomasin lowered her voice. “You have heard of these banned books that are entering the country?”
“Yes, from Strasbourg and Antwerp. Proclamations have been made in the marketplaces forbidding their ownership. Anyone found with one in their possession will be arrested and questioned and the copies burned.”
“Even those who own one for personal use, rather than supply?”
“Even then.”
Thomasin nodded. “Anne Boleyn has such a book in her possession.”
Margaret’s eyes widened. “No! I knew she was bold, but she is deliberately flouting the king’s command.”
