monarch

Lord Protector, Duke of Somerset Edward Seymour and his brother Sir Thomas Seymour have been involved in the murder of the king and queen, the so-called "Somerset Great Rebellion", after months of intensive investigations After that, the Privy Council finally announced that, with His Majesty's Royal Assent, the special court to hear the case will open on May [-].

In the past few months, Bishop Gardner, who presided over the investigation, has devoted himself to everything. He shut himself in the study every day in a fanatical manner and wrote the investigation materials. When he was not in the study, he must be Interviews at the scene of the investigation or with witnesses.Undoubtedly, the bishop was unwilling to leave any chance for his old enemy to come back. He often worked at his desk all night, and the next day he appeared in front of his subordinates with a pale face and messy stubble on his face, eyes full of It was the bloodshot staring at them that would send shudders down even the most innocent of consciences.

The case caused a great sensation both in the upper class and among the common people, and many people were determined to witness such an unprecedented scene at all costs.Those ministers and officials who are qualified to issue hearing certificates have received countless requests from their relatives and friends, hoping to get a chance to enter the court to observe from them.

In the anticipation of everyone, May [-] finally arrived.Early this morning, when the sun had just risen, the Tower of London where the trial was held was already surrounded by crowded crowds on the inner, third and outer floors.Those nobles who were not qualified to sit in the trial court also gave up their reserve and huddled together with the yelling commoners, hoping to know the result of the trial as soon as possible.

In the trial hall, the behavior of those dignitaries who were lucky enough to squeeze into the courtroom was no different from that of the traffickers outside.Although there was still an hour left before the court session, the auditorium of the court was already full of dignitaries and dignitaries who got the auditorium seats by virtue of their privileges.The courtroom was busier than a May Day market, and people left their seats one after another, chatting and laughing loudly with people they knew, just like during the intermission in a theater.Those who were too far away, or separated by the human wall of guards responsible for maintaining order, shouted across the crowd or gestured to each other.

It was a clear and warm spring day, and the sunlight shot into the room through the painted floor-to-ceiling glass, dispelling the gloomy atmosphere that had long shrouded the hall.When the judicial officers in wigs and judge's robes entered the hall, their faces were not as grim as usual.

On the best row of seats on the second floor overlooking the entire scene, there are two women wearing white skirts and veils. From their dress and behavior, it can be seen that they are two ladies from high society.However, from the fashionable point of view in the social world, ladies usually need to be accompanied by a man to attend such an occasion. Although it is not offensive for two ladies to watch this kind of excitement alone, it is enough to raise eyebrows.

The petite lady among them was obviously a little uncomfortable with the curious eyes all around her. She looked like she was on pins and needles. If someone lifted her veil at this moment, they would notice her pale face and her lower lip biting tightly. the teeth of.

"Liz (Elizabeth's nickname), there are too many people here! Let's go back quickly. We will be recognized, and there will be a scandal!" The smaller girl tugged on her companion's cuff anxiously , whispered in each other's ear.

The veil of the girl called "Liz" swayed, and the hem of the veil was slightly raised, revealing the white chin of the beauty inside the veil and a few strands of hair between ginger and red.She hastily stretched out her hand and pulled off the veil, covering her face again.

"Go back? Do you know how much effort I have spent to get the chance to come here?" There was a sneer from under the veil, "I'm afraid you won't have the chance to see such a good show a few times in your life."

"But I don't want to stay here... They are all looking at us." The petite girl sounded more disturbed than before, "Maybe some of them have recognized us... Our reputation will be ruined."

"Jane, if I had known you were such a coward, I would have come alone." Her companion had obviously lost her patience, "Now shut up and sit quietly for me!"

The girl called "Jane" had to take her seat again. "I really don't know why you're here... That shameless man got everyone in that house involved in a scandal, and the two of us were at the center of it, and almost ruined our reputations."

"What have you to be afraid of?" The slightly taller girl turned her head slightly, "He's looking at me but not you. Even if there is a scandal, it's my scandal. What does it have to do with you?"

"But you are different from me, you are..." The petite girl looked around, making sure that the people nearby were within a distance of hearing her voice, and at the same time lowered her voice Several times, "You are a princess! No one dares to blame the king's sister. Besides, your future will not be affected in any way. As long as you are still the princess of England, the royal families of other countries will not give up because of this kind of thing. A profitable marriage."

"But I'm different. I'm just the daughter of the Marquess of Dorset and the Duchess of Suffolk... Although I have royal blood and inheritance rights, I am essentially no different from other noble girls. We have to find To be a good husband is to have a good reputation, that’s all we have. As long as my name has anything to do with scandal, my life will be ruined! Of course you won’t understand this!” At the end, she There was already a bit of crying in his voice. "

"Okay, okay." Her companion stretched out his hand and patted each other's arm, "I guarantee that there will be absolutely no problem, everything is safe, and no one will know that it is ours. Even if they flashed They themselves would not believe this kind of thought." She chuckled twice, "Think about it, someone saw two ladies who looked like Princess Elizabeth and Miss Jane Gray sitting alone in the gallery , will he think 'oh my God, it's them' or tell himself 'I must be reading it wrong'? I think anyone in their right mind would choose the latter."

Miss Jane Gray seemed to be convinced by the princess's logic, "Okay, but you must promise me that we will go back as soon as the trial is over."

"Okay, okay, I understand." Under the veil was Princess Elizabeth, and her tone was a little impatient, "You have reminded me of this matter many times, and I have promised you many times, now I promised you again, you should be satisfied now, right?"

Miss Jane Gray seemed satisfied at last, and resumed her seat.As her doubts disappeared, curiosity gradually replaced fear and uneasiness, and she looked around the scene in the hall. As a lady who came to such an occasion for the first time, she felt novelty about almost everything.

"Do you think they will be sentenced to death?" Jane Gray turned to Princess Elizabeth again and asked softly.

"Does it need to be said? There is no doubt." Princess Elizabeth yawned lazily. "Is there any other result?"

Miss Jane Gray gave a "Huh" in surprise, "How can you be so sure? The trial hasn't started yet!" She asked curiously.

"The results of really important cases are always settled before the trial," Princess Elizabeth's voice was full of sarcasm. "This trial is just a formality. You can think of it as a play. It has been written, and only after the actors are in their seats, the good show will start. However, unlike in the theater, after a play in the theater is over, the actors will go backstage to change their clothes, and then from the theater The back door to leave, go back to your own home, sleep well, wake up the next morning and go back to the theater to play the same play. Unlike here, when the play is over, the protagonist will not return Backstage, but escorted by soldiers back to their cells, waiting to be guillotined...they don't get a chance to perform another act. That's the most fascinating part of the play."

"Did you say they were going to be guillotined?" After the veil that covered her entire face, Jane Gray's mouth opened wide in surprise, "But it's not known whether they are guilty or not, isn't it the court's decision to hear the case? , can we judge whether the defendant has committed such a terrible crime?"

"You are such a little girl." Princess Elizabeth was amused by Jane Gray's innocent thoughts. "It doesn't matter whether they are really guilty or not. What matters is that people with power want them to be guilty or innocent."

"People with power? You mean... His Majesty the King?" Jane Gray asked timidly, "Does His Majesty want them to be guilty or innocent?"

"That's a stupid question, even stupider than the previous one. If you were my brother, would you prefer the Lord Protector guilty or innocent?" said Princess Elizabeth in a low voice. "Who wouldn't want to get rid of a What about the stumbling block?"

"Then... what about Sir Thomas?" Jane Gray seemed to remember something suddenly, "What do you think will happen to him?"

"Him?" Elizabeth laughed disdainfully, "He's just an addition. No one really cares about his life or death, and no one cares about what he really did. He is standing in this court now because of his brother, Just like every minute and every second of his life. Others respect him because of his brother, and now others want to deal with him, even want his life, because of his brother. What a pathetic guy!"

"Then do you think... have they committed those heinous crimes?" Jane Gray asked, paying attention to the princess's reaction.

Princess Elizabeth pondered for a moment, "Maybe it did." She whispered, as if answering Jane Gray's question, and as if talking to herself.

Jane Gray looked at her curiously, but she remained silent, seemingly absorbed in her own thoughts.

There was a sudden uproar in the courtroom, and a black-clad bailiff appeared at the door of the room, like a butcher touting customers in Smithfield Market, and he called in a cacophonous voice: "My lords, ma'am Ladies and gentlemen, the court is open, please be quiet!"

Like an ocean calmed down after a storm, the crowd quickly quieted down.Amidst the silence, entered the room was a tribunal of twelve most eminent members of the Privy Council, who were to vote on the fate of the Brother Protector.

Led by the newly appointed First Minister, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, the members of the tribunal took their seats.They are all wearing great gowns today, with all their medals hung on them, and the heavy robes made many of them have fine beads of sweat on their foreheads.

Followed by Bishop Gardiner, the leader of the investigation, seated himself in the prosecutor's high-backed armchair, head held high, under the gaze of the crowd.There was a confident expression on his face, as if he was sure of his victory.

A horn sounded outside the door, "The king is coming!" The high-pitched voice of the bailiff echoed in the hall again.

Everyone in the room stood up and looked at the door expectantly.

The door opened again, and surrounded by the guards headed by Robert, King Edward VI walked slowly into the hall.

Everyone saluted the king, and the room was filled with the sound of women's skirts rubbing against the floor and men's sleeves scraping each other as they bowed.

The king gracefully removed his hat and saluted the crowd in the hall.His calm gaze swept across the audience and the judges in the room, stayed on Bishop Gardner for a moment, and then looked forward again.

His Majesty sat down on the throne, and everyone in the room also sat down.

First Minister John Dudley, the only one still standing, straightened his collar, cleared his throat, turned to the King, and bowed again.

"Your Majesty, at your request, the Privy Council set up a Commission of Inquiry four months ago to investigate the lord Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who was Lord Protector, and his brother Sir Thomas Seymour on suspicion of treason, regicide and The allegations of murder have been investigated. The special court is ready to hear the relevant evidence and charges and make a fair decision. Do you agree that the special court is now sitting?"

"I agree." The king nodded.

"Then I announce that the trial is now open." The chief minister looked at another bailiff standing beside him, "Please bring the defendant up!"

He sat back on the chair again, put on a majestic posture, and shot his eyes straight at the door through which the defendant was about to enter.