monarch

King Henry looked at his son's Latin study with satisfaction. It was hard to imagine that a child less than six years old could read the poems of Horace and Virgil. He raised his head slightly and looked at his precious heir, Prince Edward With marble-smooth white skin and slightly curly black hair, he followed his mother's features exactly, but the blue eyes were clearly a Tudor inheritance.A long-lost smile appeared on the king's face, and he stretched out his hand to his son: "Come here, my son."

Edward stepped forward, and the king took him into his arms.Edward didn't feel any rejection. Although Henry VIII was a tyrant, he wasn't a good man, and he wasn't a good father to his two daughters, but he paid the price of tearing up the whole country for himself. His precious son's love is unquestionable, even to the point of doting. "I am very satisfied, your teachers have praised you so much in their reports." He touched his son's head, "Sir Peggy said that you have started reading Virgil's "Aeneas" ?”

"Yes, father." Edward smiled, "I like such great epics." Aeneas is the legendary prince of Troy. Under the guidance of Dieter, he escaped from the fallen city-state, traveled to Italy, and finally became the ancestor of the Romans. This epic is also one of the greatest works of the ancient Roman poet Virgil.

"As expected of my son." The king laughed.He has always been proud of his language talent. His Spanish can be regarded as proficient. He also used French to chat and laugh with King François of France. Now that his son has inherited this talent, the king can't help but feel elated.

"Your Highness is really talented." The Earl of Hertford said respectfully, with a smile on his face, "My sister always regards His Highness as her own child. If she is still alive, she will be very pleased." The third Queen Jane Seymour is the younger sister of the Earl of Hertford. Most of his current status is obtained through this nepotism. The Earl of Hertford, who is backed by the mountain, is now trying his best to sell well to the crown prince. I hope that when the future new king ascends the throne, he will not forget his cheap uncle.

The king was in a good mood, "You're right." He looked at the little prince lovingly. The Tudor family had only one male heir for several generations, and the shadow of extinction had always hung over the head of England's first family.His precious son did not look healthy, his lips looked very pale, and the king couldn't help but hugged his son more tightly. His father had two children, Arthur and Henry, but Prince Arthur died at that time. , if this kind of thing happens again... the king dare not imagine.If only there was another boy, he thought, if the queen could give him... The king paused suddenly, thinking of Catherine Howard's face and the things she had done.The king's face gradually became gloomy, everyone in the room noticed the sharp drop in air pressure, and everyone lowered their heads to avoid being affected by the king's anger.

"How is the trial of the Privy Council?" The king turned his head and looked at the Earl of Hertford.

Contrary to the others, the Earl of Hertford was optimistic about the King's sudden change in mood.He is here today to report to the king on the trial of Catherine Howard's case. If there is a chance, he will give the Duke of Norfolk eye drops by the way. Although it is impossible to completely overthrow the Duke of Norfolk this time, the Duke is now Undoubtedly out of favor, the Earl of Hertford would be happy to make the King's impression of him a little worse.When he saw His Majesty happy before, he felt that he might not have the opportunity to speak ill of Norfolk today, but now the king's change of mood is just in line with his wishes.

"The results of the trial have come out. I came today to ask for His Majesty's approval." He bowed and took out a document, "Catherine Howard was convicted of treason, and the Privy Council recommends..." He quietly glanced at the king At a glance, the king's expression remained unchanged, "...a death sentence."

"Approved," said the King coldly, without a moment's hesitation.

The Earl of Hertford felt a little cold all over. Although everyone knew that the king would definitely execute his little wife, his ruthlessness still surprised the Earl.He paused for a moment, then read again: "The Viscountess of Rocheford has been convicted of treason, and the Privy Council recommends a sentence of life imprisonment."

"Life imprisonment?" The king raised his eyebrows slightly, "When will treason be forgiven?" He looked as if he was about to get angry.

The Earl of Hertford was taken aback by the cold air around the king, and he tried hard to suppress the urge to retreat: "Your Majesty, Mrs. Rocheford has... gone crazy..."

"Crazy?" asked the king suspiciously.

"Yes... crazy, and according to the law, a madman cannot be punished with death." The Earl of Hertford also felt that the timing of Mrs. Rocheford's madness was really clever, but the law is the law.

The king snorted coldly, "It's time for her to go crazy."

The Earl of Hertford bowed his head and remained silent.

"I demand an urgent session of Parliament immediately," the King's voice rose an octave, "and I demand that Parliament consider a new bill allowing the death penalty for madmen." He stared at the Earl of Hertford, his eyes almost popping out fire.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The Earl of Hertford bent almost to ninety degrees, "I will immediately propose a motion to Parliament."

The king snorted again, agreeing.He turned his head and looked at his pale son, and the aura in his body subsided in an instant. "Don't be scared, my son." He patted Edward's head, "But you must learn these, and you will use them when you become a king."

"Yes, father." In fact, Edward was not frightened, his face was always pale, but he did not say anything, and he also enjoyed the king's care for him.

"Lady Rocheford is still your aunt." The king showed a loving smile. "After she dies, the Boleyn family's inheritance will be yours."

"Your grandfather's castle is beautiful, and it deserves to be yours, my son."

So is that why Lady Rocheford had to die?Edward felt a little ironic that this woman did deserve what she deserved, but she was not executed for her crimes, but because of others' coveting of her huge property.

The Earl of Hertford's underwear was soaked in cold sweat, "One more thing, Your Majesty." He took out a letter from his pocket, "The Duke of Norfolk wrote you a letter." This letter He has held it for several days, and now it is the right time to take it out.

The king gave him a mocking look. He knew what the Earl of Hertford was thinking. He chose to deliver this letter when he was in a very bad mood. He undoubtedly hoped that he would vent his anger on the Duke of Norfolk, but he did not intend to point it out. , he took the letter and tore off the sealant from the envelope.

As expected, the Duke of Norfolk cut himself and his niece clean in this letter of intercession for himself, and it seems that he has also become the target of being framed by his niece.He also counted his loyalty in the letter, as if he was the most loyal minister in England.The smile on the king's face grew wider.

"Old fox." The king smiled, but looked as cold as ice.He moved the letter paper to the candle on the table, and the snow-white letter paper instantly burned.The king watched it turn into ashes in his hand, and he didn't let go until it was about to burn his hand, letting the burning remnants of paper slowly fall to the ground.

……

Syon Abbey on the outskirts of London is now being heavily guarded.This medieval building looks gloomy and dilapidated, in stark contrast to the luxurious Hampton Court Palace where the king lives not far away.

The room where Catherine Howard was under house arrest is located in the very center of the monastery. This house used to be the room of the abbot, but it still looks eerie.There are only a few narrow windows in the room, and the sun can only come in at noon every day. The room is very humid, moss has grown in some corners, and the fire in the fireplace has long been extinguished.

The Earl of Hertford shuddered when he entered the room. The coldness in the room was unbearable.He looked at Catherine Howard, who was sitting sluggishly on a half-worn chair, looking at a small window. She was almost unrecognizable, and she looked as if she had aged ten years in the past few months. As old as she was, she had obviously lost a lot of weight, and the blue blood vessels on her white wrists were clearly visible.When she was first brought here she cried and demanded to see the king, and when news came of the execution of her lovers Francis Durham and Thomas Culpepper at Tyburn, she It became like a walking dead, just sitting in a chair every day, looking at the small window in a daze.

"Ma'am," whispered the Earl of Hertford.

Catherine didn't respond.

"Madam." The earl raised her voice, and Catherine finally came to her senses. She raised her head and stared blankly at Earl Hertford, "What do you want?" Her voice sounded extremely tired.

"You have been convicted of treason by the Privy Council," said the earl mechanically, "and you will be escorted to the Tower of London, where, by His Majesty's order, you will be executed."

Catherine stared at her hands, which clutched each other meaninglessly. "Treason?" she said softly, "I did not betray His Majesty."

"Your affair with Culpepper is treason." The earl said coldly, "In addition, the parliament has just passed a bill that the queen must truthfully confess all her records with London to His Majesty within 20 days of marrying the king, so Your pre-marriage relationship with Mr Francis Direham also violated this Act."

"So... Your Majesty is going to kill me?" Catherine had a slight smile on her face. She looked up at Earl Hertford with a tear in her eye.She stood up, "Then let's go, Your Excellency." She walked slowly towards the door.

After walking out of the monastery gate, Catherine paused. She raised her head and glanced at the bright sunshine. "Please hurry up, ma'am," urged the count behind her.

A group of people boarded the barge moored by the Thames River. The queen sat by the cabin, looking greedily at the scenery on both sides of the river for the last time. A few guards sat beside her, always watching her every move.

About an hour later, the barge drove under London Bridge, not far from the Tower of London.Many people gathered on London Bridge, and they seemed to be watching something.As the distance got closer, the Queen could see that there seemed to be something stuck on the bridge, and a terrifying thought suddenly flashed in her mind, "This can't be..." She looked at the Earl of Hertford, her face It's full of pain.

"Yes," said the count dryly.

Catherine looked at the two round things stuck on the bridge, and now she could see that they were two heads.And when the boat arrived under the bridge, the queen clearly saw the dead gray faces of Culpepper and Direm. She collapsed in the cabin and began to sob. The guards quickly stepped forward to help her up, and Hertford The count just watched all this with cold eyes.

The Tower of London appeared in front of it like a monster. The barge slowly sailed towards the closed water gate next to the tower. When the boat arrived, the black fence of the water gate was slowly lifted. This famous water gate was named "Traitor's Gate" Prisoners accused of treason were taken into the Tower of London through this water gate.The barge passed slowly through the deep doorway, and the torches hung on the walls on both sides made it all the more gloomy.

Sir John Judge, Steward of the Tower of London, was already waiting on the quays.When Catherine walked ashore, her feet were weak and she almost fell to the ground. Sir Gadge hurriedly supported her, "Please be careful, madam."

"Thank you, ser." Catherine smiled sadly.

"Please come with me, ma'am." He supported Catherine, walked through the deep corridor, passed through the heavily guarded checkpoints, and finally arrived at a door.The jailer took out the key and opened the door.

The queen's cell looked very tidy, the furniture and the like were brand new, and it looked much better than the environment in the monastery. "I hope you are satisfied." Sir Gadge saluted, like an innkeeper introducing a room to a guest.

"Thank you, I am very satisfied." The queen entered the room and sat down by the bed.

"Is there anything else I can do for you? Maybe you need a priest?"

Catherine laughed. "I don't pray a lot, and I don't think God knows me, so it doesn't make sense to have a priest do my dying confession."

"Then... do you need anything else? I'll try my best to do it for you."

Catherine pondered for a moment, and after a while, she finally spoke: "I want a dead log."

"Broken log?" Sir Gadge was very surprised. "What do you want this for?"

"I know that you have to put your head on a log during execution," Catherine stared at the opposite wall, her voice sounded strangely ethereal, "I don't know how to put it, I want a log to practice on. She turned around and looked at Sir Gadge with a smile, "I want to look better." Her eyes were shining with excitement, and she looked very strange.

Sir Gadge lowered his head, not daring to look into Catherine's eyes, "I'll do it right away, ma'am." He left Catherine's cell as if fleeing, and he still felt chills all over when he stepped out of the tower and stood in the sun.