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| At last, a warm meeting; tag;; Christina of Denmark | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 23 2010, 08:12 AM (94 Views) | |
| Princess Catherine of Aragon | Nov 23 2010, 08:12 AM Post #1 |
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It was a great relief to be returned to somewhere with suitable accommodations, Catherine thought to herself as she left the royal chapel to return to her rooms. It was the anniversary of her return to court life, and the harsh treatment she had received at the hands of Henry VII was seldom very far from her mind, not because of its cruelty, but because of the helplessness she had felt as she struggled to keep her ladies fed and clothed and her own self afloat. It was also very close to the anniversary of Arthur's death - beloved Arthur, whose soul she prayed for every day - and the day where her own circumstances became very difficult to handle. She still had not received word that the king was seeking a husband for her, and her nephew had more on his mind than finding a suitable match for his widowed aunt, so she did her best to be an asset to the court of the English king now and patiently awaited some decision to be made regarding her fate. Still, she disliked feeling like a burden. Here she received a pension from the king, a generous gesture, but she was completely at his mercy until she was married again. His sisters, Mary and Margaret, had their own matches prepared for them by now. Mary would be going to France to marry Louis, and Margaret would go to Scotland to wed James. The world felt like a very small place when one was trying to find a suitable match. Catherine had run over her own options in her mind, though she was not stupid enough to dare suggest a course of action herself. It was not her place. But perhaps her idleness would be over soon enough. The Holy Roman Emperor was sending a new Imperial Ambassador to court - Chapuys, who had been such a dear friend to her in the past. It was a great relief to hear that he would return to England, though he was not here to be her company. Perhaps he was coming to bring good news for her. Perhaps her idleness in England was to be over at last and she was to be wed. She placed all of this aside on return to her chambers, instead instructing her ladies to prepare for another guest. Chapuys was not the only one she wished to see today. Her great-niece, with whom she had corresponded through letters throughout the past few years, was at court and it was time that they met properly. Catherine would have liked to receive her in a more appropriate setting, but she wasn't to complain. It was more important that she and Christina see each other and for Catherine to offer any comfort or advice that she could to the younger heiress. Preparations took place for the rest of the morning, and finally it was time for Christina to pay her visit. A servant came in to announce her promptly at three, and Catherine rose with a pleased smile as the younger woman entered the room. "Princess Christina. How wonderful it is to finally meet you face-to-face." She gestured to two chairs set aside for them. "Please, come sit. We have much to speak of, no?" |
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| Christina of Denmark | Nov 26 2010, 09:46 PM Post #2 |
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Now forbidden from seeing Andrew until Caterina had met him, Christina found herself most idle. She found no solace in the book collection she and Francesco had so prized. She loved discussing the books with him, eager to learn what he, a learned man, thought. She enjoyed the friendly back and forth and found that she fell madly in love with his wit. In all the years since his death, her only true solace had been her grand-aunt Catherine, the widowed Princess of Wales. They had much to talk about; Christina first approached her when she was a new widow with much to speak of. She knew Catherine would understand her plight, knowing there must have been some love and affection there. So, upon receiving a request to attend on the other princess, Christina was only too happy to go. She wished to meet Catherine the moment she had set foot in England, but she had quickly become wrapped up in Andrew and other affairs. Now that Andrew was off the table for the moment, she made haste, not wanting to keep the great woman waiting. So high did Christina hold Catherine in esteem that she wished, not only to be guided by, to be like her. She was a proper princess in all ways. She was glad to see, upon arrival, that her reception was warm. "We do." the young princess agreed. "How are you? I am so sorry my letters ceased while I arrived here. I have found much to admire here in England." |
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| Princess Catherine of Aragon | Dec 1 2010, 08:23 AM Post #3 |
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It was good to see that the younger princess looked well. Catherine herself knew that coming to a new country at such a young age could be very daunting and difficult to adjust to, especially with a language barrier. At least Christina would have a chance to marry again - she was young, pretty and had a charming personality, from what Catherine had gleaned from her letters. Any prince or king of decent rank would be honored by her grand-niece's company. Surely Christina's guardians would find her another match soon. Catherine wished she could say the same of her current situation. With both parents gone and the King of England's attention focused elsewhere, it was likely that she would have to be patient for a little while longer. Or perhaps the King would choose to surprise her - either way, Catherine was no stranger to waiting, and wait she could. It was her duty as a woman in this country, though it was not to her pleasure. "We do," Christina responded as the two women made their way to the sitting area. "How are you? I am so sorry my letters ceased while I arrived here. I have found much to admire in England." Servants moved to fill their glasses as Catherine responded with a smile. "I thought as much. There is much to entertain you here, is there not? King Henry's court is very lively." And very much filled with activities that Catherine herself did not approve of. To be a successful courtier, it appeared one must have a lusty appetite, something that she could not muster within herself. It was not proper. "I have been well. The King is kind enough to pay for my lodgings here until a new husband is found for me. Until then, I have found other ways to occupy my time. Good company is one." With a kind look for Christina, she continued. "What in England has captured your eye, princesa? Tell me of your time spent here so far." |
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6:36 AM Jul 11