Read Online The Manner of Amy's Death by Carol Mackrodt - Free Book Online

and uncomfortable accommodation of the Tower and take the river boat back to Somerset House where all is serene and normal.  The servants greet us with the new gossip.  Notices have been put up around the city, they say, stating the terms of Edward’s wishes for the succession and declaring Mary and Elizabeth illegitimate and therefore without a claim.  They are shocked.  And there is more scandal! 
          The heralds, they say, were reading the proclamation that Jane is Queen on Monday at Cheapside and a boy, named Gilbert Potter, shouted that the Princess Mary had a better claim.   Gilbert was arrested and this Tuesday morning, on the orders of the Duke, his offence was read out in public, his ears nailed to the pillory and then cut off, to the horror and disgust of the crowd and the screams of the boy.
          The mood in the city is turning ugly and people are blaming the Duke.   Amy and I look at each other in horror.  Will there be a civil war?  It seems as if everyone supports Mary and we’ll be on the losing side.  Who will fight on Jane’s side?  And, adds Amy tearfully, what has happened to Robert?

Chapter Six
    News from Norfolk
    The next morning is Wednesday, 12 th July.  We don’t wish to go back to the Tower but we must show support for Jane’s cause.  We sleep late and are awakened by the sound of drums outside the walls of Somerset House.  Groups of militia are going round recruiting an army to fight for Jane.  Civil war seems inevitable.
          By afternoon we can postpone our visit to Jane’s court no longer.
          Down by the wharf a small boy is running in front of the soldiers shouting, “Fight for Queen Jane!”  He’s clutching something in his hand; the soldiers have given him a coin to proclaim their cause.
          Outside the gates of the Tower there are women selling small bundles of lavender and sweet smelling herbs to purify the bad air.  Amy and I stop to purcha se these; we don’t wish to get a fever.  Clutching our nosegays we make our way through the crowds.  It’s noisy, dusty and hectic as men and weapons are brought into the Tower.
          “Are we at war?” asks Amy.
          “Not yet,” says a courtier.  “Queen Jane has decreed that anyone who does not support her is to be dealt with savagely.  She’s preparing her army.”
          So much for the pathetic little Jane, swooning and weeping when asked to accept the crown!   Whoever succeeds now there will be bloodshed and executions. 
          “It’s important to choose the right side,” whispers Amy.  “Find out as much as you can, Kat e.”  We decide to separate and go in different directions.
          Inside, members of the Privy Council are forming small groups and talking in hushed voices in corners and corridors where no one can hear.  They look worried and all the assuredness of two days ago has disappeared.  I strain my ears to catch snatches of conversation but all I get are single words, “French”, “Queen of Scots”, “Renard says”.  
          Amy and I meet up again and she has had more success.
          “They say that Guildford’s mother and Jane’s have been arguing over whether Guildford should be made king.”
          “Arguing!  At a time like this!  Are they out of their minds?  What does Jane say?”
          Amy looks over her shoulder.  “She says that she will not have him made king.  A duke maybe but not a king.  And the Duchess of Northumberland is furious with her.”
         “I knew it,” I say.  “They thought Jane would be meek and mild and do what they ordered.  They underestimate her.  She’s stronger than they think.”
          “Yes, but listen to this.  The Lord Treasurer, Marquess of Winchester, has taken the crown jewels to Jane, completely unrequested.    She was amazed as she does not wish to be crowned for another two weeks and asked him why he was doing