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| About the Book |
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| read an excerpt |
Prologue
I
am Elizabeth Seymour, sister to the Queen. My second marriage to Gregory
Cromwell is barely a month old, yet to my surprise, my portrait has already
been commissioned by my father-in-law. As Lord Privy Seal, Thomas Cromwell has
both affluence and influence; it is the celebrated Master Hans Holbein who is
to paint me. He enjoys King Henry’s patronage and has recently completed a
likeness of my sister.
‘Master
Holbein,’ I say, after he arrives at Mort Lake, and I am looking at a selection
of drawings he has displayed on a table in the great parlour.
‘I
do believe you truly capture the humanity of your subject.’ I look up at his
eager round face and thoughtful brown eyes. ‘This is all I ask for, since I
wish to appear human and not merely portrayed as a stiff poppet in her best
gown.’
One
by one, I lift sketches he had drawn of my sister Queen Jane before painting
her. These are fine drawings and capture her serenity. I consider them for some
minutes. ‘They look like Jane but there is something intangible and sad too.
She looks as if she will never reveal her true feelings.’
‘Her
mystery,’ the painter says. ‘Everyone has secrets, and their public face can
guard that which is unknown. I hope my work permits a glimpse of the sitter’s
soul.’
I
hold the sketches at arm’s length to study them closely again and tilt my head
enquiringly. ‘My sister, does she have secrets, for I think her guileless?’
I
smile, but my gaze is steady. Holbein returns my smile. ‘My lady, your sister
is the perfect Queen. Besides she is with child and very happy,’ he says. ‘Her
secret is her awareness of her responsibility as Queen, and she was hopeful for
the future when I painted her. Women are by nature lovely and mysterious
creatures. The Queen was confident that she would conceive the King’s child.
And now, the good Lord has granted her wish.’
I
nod, my face composed and serious. ‘Yes, Master Holbein, and I am to be aunt to
a future prince or princess of England. That is a responsibility too. So,
Master painter, I give you carte blanche. You have my trust.’ I replace the drawings of Jane on top of the
polished walnut table.
‘These
drawings have truth. I see a sister who is dignified, human, guarded and calm.’
Yet
also, I cannot forget the shy, timid young woman Jane was before she won the
King’s heart.
‘Queen
Jane remains reserved rather than diffident and I see that you are too, my lady.
You seem serious minded and educated, noble and patient, practical, yet
creative and you are already a mother. You are a clever handsome woman and, in
your portrait, I hope to capture the keen intelligence behind your bright
eyes.’
I’m
flattered by Master Holbein’s recognition of me as an intelligent woman
and I warm to him. ‘Come next week, Master Painter, and you can begin your
sketches,’ I say. ‘But mind, my sister will go into seclusion by the calends of
September so I cannot sit for you after that.’
‘We can at least make a beginning, my lady,’ he says, bows and gathers up his drawings.
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