“Yes, that’s him.”
“I hate to say this, and I may be speaking out of turn, but I have my doubts about this.”
“Why? Do tell me. I have doubted him from the start.”
“Well, I may be wrong, but I had thought him to be betrothed to a lady on the south coast. I only know this because my stepfather, Lord Lisle, has a residence near Portsmouth and knows the woman’s family. Some distant relative on his mother’s side, I think. But it may have been one of those childhood betrothals, as I have not heard it spoken of at court,and after all, many a betrothal has been broken in favour of a marriage.”
Thomasin digested this information. “It is a question Hatton must answer.”
They paused outside the gate that led into the Blackfriars complex. “You have far too much to think about at the moment,” said Dudley. “Let me look into it. If there is any truth in the matter, I shall hold Hatton to account.”
“You are so kind. I do not know how we would manage without friends like you.”
“Think nothing of it. We cannot have your sister taking the name of a scoundrel. Now, let us go and hear what the good bishop has to say.”
A crowd had already gathered outside the courtroom doors as they arrived. Cromwell stood on the threshold, watching as they filed inside, keen to hear this crucial day’s evidence. News of Fisher’s speech had spread, and Catherine’s supporters had left their chambers and offices to be present in the name of their queen. A buzz of anticipation ran through them, just as it had on the trial’s first day.
As Thomasin and Dudley were entering, Cromwell turned his head away, unwilling to look at them. Thomasin almost dared to wish him a good morning, to force him to acknowledge her, but she decided she was grateful to not have to interact with the odious man. They took their seats towards the back, among friends, as Fisher was already seated at the front, ready to be examined. Wolsey and Campeggio occupied the dais as usual, but Thomasin noted that the king himself was not present. However, she was surprised to see that Sir Thomas Boleyn was seated on the right, attentive to the proceedings, no doubt intending to report back to Henry and Anne.
The court opened with the usual official statements read by the clerk. Thomasin was used to the legal formalities by now, andswitched off as they were read. Fisher was to speak first, but it still took a good length of time before he was called to the stand.
The bishop looked out across the assembled heads, then turned to address the cardinals.
“Your Graces, lords and ladies, I come to address this court having spent the past two years studying the intricacies of this difficult case. My belief in the justness of the queen’s cause has been questioned, dissected and put to the test many times, but it has weathered every storm. I stand before you after appealing to my conscience according to God’s law, urging you to attend the word of an honest, devout and Christian man, driven by nothing but what I sincerely believe to be the truth of this matter.”
At the side, Thomasin saw Cromwell roll his eyes.
“I am present here today as a true, honest and loyal subject of the king. After much deliberation I have concluded that I must speak the truth in order to not procure the damnation of my soul, nor to fail in the duty I owe those present, in such a matter of great importance. Though my words may seem unfaithful to my king, they are faithful indeed to the truth, and to God. I stand here before your reverend lordships to declare, affirm and with forcible reasons, demonstrate that this marriage of the king and queen can be dissolved by no power, human or Divine, and for this opinion, I would even lay down my life. To this end, I have written a book upon this very subject, which I present to the court, and ask every man here present to uphold the Sacraments and fulfil his duty as a true Christian. None of us have the power to dissolve the bonds between those whom God has joined.”
A muted ripple of applause ran through the court. Thomasin sighed deeply. Fisher could not have been clearer in his support of the queen, but as she watched Thomas Boleyn frowning, she wondered what it might cost him.
Fisher spoke again, at length, detailing his arguments and quoting his sources, but he had made his main points.Campeggio sat very still throughout, but Wolsey was perched on his chair like a hawk, absorbing Fisher’s message. When he had finished, Wolsey thanked him for his evidence, then called a brief adjournment to allow the cardinals to confer.
“They are unlikely to convene again today,” said John. “The bishop’s speech has given them much to discuss. They need to adjust their case accordingly.”
“Do you think it will have made a difference?”
“Very much so. I cannot see how any devout Catholic can argue against Fisher’s logic.”
“This is good news. I will repair to the queen at once. This surely will cheer her.”
Thomasin found the queen reminiscing about happier times at Baynard’s Castle. She was seated at a game of chess with Maria, before a roaring fire, while a boy played gentle tunes on the lute. Thomasin paused, unwilling to interrupt.
“I recall the visit of my dear sister-in-law, Margaret, the former queen of the Scots. We danced here, in this very chamber, maybe ten or twelve years ago.”
“It was thirteen summers ago, my lady,” said Maria, “and she wore a dress of dark red, and caught a thread upon the leg of a chair.”
“Now you mention that, I remember it well! What a good memory you have, Maria. Was it not about this time of year?”
“It was May, I think, as the roses were the same as they are now.”
“Ah, the roses. We had brought an armful inside, and the scent filled the room. We should do the same now.” Catherine turned and gestured to Ellen, who had been embroidering.
“Ellen and Mary, go outside and gather roses. Bring them inside. Let us have the chamber filled with roses again, as it was then.”
Ellen dropped a curtsey and went to fetch Mary. She widened her eyes at Thomasin, standing in the door, just as the queen spotted her.
“Thomasin, you have come from court? Do tell us how the bishop fared.”
