The Mirror and the Light

Machinations on the continent continue. The Empire and France have signed an agreement. Further, “they swear to make no agreement with England” (542). Few will do business with an excommunicated king, and so Henry makes fortifications to his military: “The message to the world is: we can withstand a sudden invasion, and we can sustain a long war” (543). The practical effect of this alliance is that Henry’s negotiations to marry Christina, the Emperor’s niece, have come to naught. There is talk of Henry marrying Anna of Cleves, a region in Germany wherein the duke, her brother, keeps his own religious views—not papist, but also not strictly Lutheran.

Meanwhile, Cromwell attends to other business. He speaks with Jane Rochford, one of the dead queen’s maids and widow of George Boleyn, about the impending marriage. The maids are eager to know who will be their master—and therefore their security. Rochford mentions that the Howards have sent a new young mistress to attend to the future queen; her name is Katherine. Cromwell suggests she be sent away until matters are settled.

Cromwell takes ill, and his fever is serious enough to cause him hallucinations. He dreams of his youth in Putney, recalling an incident where he may have killed another boy who teased him.