Three Sisters, Three Queens

STIRLING CASTLE, SCOTLAND, APRIL 1515

It takes weeks and weeks before I hear that Harry has been fooled by our pretty sister, and she has danced her way into disgrace. Her letter comes to me by a merchant who had it from one of his customers in Paris, knowing he was bringing goods to Scotland. It is travel-stained but the seal is unbroken.

She writes:

The most terrible thing, and the most wonderful thing. I know that you will support me, for you promised that you would. I have to call on you as a sister. I do. I demand your support as my sister. I call on Harry as my brother too, but he is furious. Katherine won’t even write to me. Would you tell her that I could do nothing else? That it is my turn for love. Would you persuade her? She will listen to you and then she can talk Harry round.

I love him so much, Maggie, that I could not say no. Actually, to tell you the truth, he could not say no, for I cried and begged him and he was so loving that he lifted me up and swore that he would marry me, whatever happened.

So we are married—oh! me and Charles Brandon—married and nobody can do anything about it, and I could not be happier, I have loved him, I think, all my life. Of course everyone is completely furious with us both; but what were we to do? I could not leave my home again, and be married to a stranger. Harry promised me that my second marriage should be my choice, so why should I not hold him to it? Katherine chose in her second marriage, you did. Why not me too? But everyone is very angry.

The Privy Council say that Charles will have to be charged with treason! But I know we will be forgiven if you and Katherine ask. Do write to Harry and beg him to forgive me. All I want is to be happy. You and Katherine are happy. Why should I not be?

It is so childish and so selfish that I have no reply for her. Then I reflect, I have my own troubles, and I am not so sure now that a queen is right to marry for love. I think it is dangerous to make a prince from a commoner, even for love. I think that it would not hurt Brandon to spend a few months in the Tower for his presumption. In the end I write to Katherine:

Dear Sister,

I hear that Mary is fearful of losing our brother’s favor because of her marriage. I believe he told her she might take a second husband of her own choosing, and now it is done. She is so young, and she had no one in France to advise her. I hope you will urge Harry to be kind to her, though, God knows, she has no troubles as grave as mine. When you speak with Harry I beg you to remind him that I cannot hold this country and keep the French out without his help. When is he going to send men and money?