his friends in the Council, which must be all of them. Who would be brave or rash enough to stand against the Earl?
She says the Protector has made a mess of governing the country. He has dragged us into rash wars, helped himself to the King’s treasure and refused to listen to others’ counsel. Now he has thrown himself on the Council’s mercy, and they have put him in the Tower. I vow the Earl of Warwick will be mightily pleased. He must be behind all this. But it is my poor cousin Edward I feel most afraid for. How can he be safe in the hands of a man like the Earl of Warwick?
20 October 1549
Bradgate Park
The Earl of Warwick was made Admiral of England a few days ago. How many more titles will they bestow on him? Does Edward not see how powerful he is becoming? And now that peace has been declared between England and Scotland I expect the Earl will take the credit for that too. But I must stop writing now and make haste to put away my journal. Nurse has come to tell me that Mother wishes to see me! What have I done now?
21 October 1549
Bradgate Park
We are to visit my uncle George Medley at his home, Tilty, in Essex. Then we are to stay with my cousin, the Lady Mary, and I am to have a new gown made. I am always pleased to go to Tilty, but I am NOT pleased that we are to visit the Lady Mary. I hid how I felt from Mother though for she is very fond of the Princess. Sister Mary cannot stop talking about cousin Margaret. She is thrilled that we will see her at Tilty. Thomas is to accompany us there; Tilty is to be his home now. Katherine is broken-hearted. I am not!
19 November 1549
Tilty
I am seizing a moment to write, while I rest on my bed at Tilty. Nurse has unlaced my new gown so I can breathe again. I felt like a stuffed chicken.
We arrived here late this afternoon. Half our household followed in our train, on horseback or squashed into carts alongside our bags and boxes. Bells rang out from every church steeple to herald our arrival in towns and villages. Windows were flung open and heads thrust out, and children ran up to stare at us. Gifts were pressed on us. Katherine told me she felt like a queen, on a royal progress. But I hate all the fuss. If only we could travel unnoticed like ordinary people.
As soon as we arrived, Mary ran away to play with Margaret. I crept into the nursery to see baby Francis. As I looked down at him I found myself thinking about the last time I saw the Admiral’s daughter, Mary. She is over a year old now. My heart aches when I think about that time. How long ago it feels, yet it is only a little over a year since the Queen died. I miss her as much as ever.
29 November 1549
Hunsdon
Oh that we were back at Tilty. I pray that we do not stay here long. We have only been at Hunsdon for three days, but it feels more like three years. Princess Mary greeted us kindly, calling us her little cousins and loading us with presents – beads and horrid gaudy fabrics like the ones she loves to wear. Little Mary hid behind her nurse when she heard the Princess’s gruff voice and Nurse had to coax her out. Mother looked most embarrassed and poor little Mary was hastily removed. And I had to stop myself leaning away when the Princess kissed me. I was sure I smelt incense! Now I know why. The chapel stinks of it! I can scarce believe it. Nothing has been changed. Nothing removed. All the popish icons, statues and paintings are still in their places. There is even a statue of the Virgin Mary. This morning I saw a priest light candles in front of it. As I stood there one of the Queen’s ladies entered, bent her knee and crossed herself.
“Whom do you curtsy to?” I said rudely. “The Lady Mary is not here.”
“Why, I bow to the Lord who made us,” the lady answered, gesturing at the altar, where some bread lay in a dish.
“I cannot see him,” I said. “All I see is a plate of bread, and the baker made that.” The lady did not answer, but she looked furious. I do not doubt that
She says the Protector has made a mess of governing the country. He has dragged us into rash wars, helped himself to the King’s treasure and refused to listen to others’ counsel. Now he has thrown himself on the Council’s mercy, and they have put him in the Tower. I vow the Earl of Warwick will be mightily pleased. He must be behind all this. But it is my poor cousin Edward I feel most afraid for. How can he be safe in the hands of a man like the Earl of Warwick?
20 October 1549
Bradgate Park
The Earl of Warwick was made Admiral of England a few days ago. How many more titles will they bestow on him? Does Edward not see how powerful he is becoming? And now that peace has been declared between England and Scotland I expect the Earl will take the credit for that too. But I must stop writing now and make haste to put away my journal. Nurse has come to tell me that Mother wishes to see me! What have I done now?
21 October 1549
Bradgate Park
We are to visit my uncle George Medley at his home, Tilty, in Essex. Then we are to stay with my cousin, the Lady Mary, and I am to have a new gown made. I am always pleased to go to Tilty, but I am NOT pleased that we are to visit the Lady Mary. I hid how I felt from Mother though for she is very fond of the Princess. Sister Mary cannot stop talking about cousin Margaret. She is thrilled that we will see her at Tilty. Thomas is to accompany us there; Tilty is to be his home now. Katherine is broken-hearted. I am not!
19 November 1549
Tilty
I am seizing a moment to write, while I rest on my bed at Tilty. Nurse has unlaced my new gown so I can breathe again. I felt like a stuffed chicken.
We arrived here late this afternoon. Half our household followed in our train, on horseback or squashed into carts alongside our bags and boxes. Bells rang out from every church steeple to herald our arrival in towns and villages. Windows were flung open and heads thrust out, and children ran up to stare at us. Gifts were pressed on us. Katherine told me she felt like a queen, on a royal progress. But I hate all the fuss. If only we could travel unnoticed like ordinary people.
As soon as we arrived, Mary ran away to play with Margaret. I crept into the nursery to see baby Francis. As I looked down at him I found myself thinking about the last time I saw the Admiral’s daughter, Mary. She is over a year old now. My heart aches when I think about that time. How long ago it feels, yet it is only a little over a year since the Queen died. I miss her as much as ever.
29 November 1549
Hunsdon
Oh that we were back at Tilty. I pray that we do not stay here long. We have only been at Hunsdon for three days, but it feels more like three years. Princess Mary greeted us kindly, calling us her little cousins and loading us with presents – beads and horrid gaudy fabrics like the ones she loves to wear. Little Mary hid behind her nurse when she heard the Princess’s gruff voice and Nurse had to coax her out. Mother looked most embarrassed and poor little Mary was hastily removed. And I had to stop myself leaning away when the Princess kissed me. I was sure I smelt incense! Now I know why. The chapel stinks of it! I can scarce believe it. Nothing has been changed. Nothing removed. All the popish icons, statues and paintings are still in their places. There is even a statue of the Virgin Mary. This morning I saw a priest light candles in front of it. As I stood there one of the Queen’s ladies entered, bent her knee and crossed herself.
“Whom do you curtsy to?” I said rudely. “The Lady Mary is not here.”
“Why, I bow to the Lord who made us,” the lady answered, gesturing at the altar, where some bread lay in a dish.
“I cannot see him,” I said. “All I see is a plate of bread, and the baker made that.” The lady did not answer, but she looked furious. I do not doubt that
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