The Other Elizabeth

Chapter VII: Spring 1449

Chapter VII : Spring 1449

Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, England 

It is my betrothal ceremony to Henry! It is finally the very day. I am trying very hard to look attentive, for I know Henry frowns upon the dismissive manner in which I regard the church, but it is testing not to fall asleep, as the priest talks in Latin, which I cannot bother to comprehend. Dr. Watt has despaired of me of late, as I have found my mind wondering to more interesting matters, and indeed, my education will be over soon.

My Lady has moved, for she progresses to another of her estates every two or three years, to her manor here, which is commonly referred to as Bourchier's Hall, nigh six miles from Great Totham. This is how I come to be here at St. Nicholas' here in Tolleshunt D'Arcy. However, my father rather desired for the whole affair to be held at Middleton, but I beseeched to My Lady for the wedding to be held in the church at Rivenhall.

"Please, let us marry at Rivenhall, for if I had not met you there by a chance of fate, this marriage would not have occurred." She was rather swayed, and persuaded my father otherwise.

I glance around at the party. It is not even the wedding yet, and my mother is attempting to outshine my soon-to-be mother-in-law. She has none of My Lady's grace, posture and presence; instead, with her sullen face and plainer gown. My own attire is most sumptuous. I am proudly bearing part of the Scales (more precisely, my father's) arms. I wear a long cream side-less surcoat with red trimmings, and a matching pale red mantle. The Scales escallops are sewn all over my skirts, and I wear a circlet on my hair also adorned with them. There is a matching headdress for my trousseau for when I am married, and this is just one of the dozens of lavish gowns for my trousseau also.

I shall be a woman of the rainbow from a dress in silver silk to violet hemp; a woman of many patterns, for a costly amount has been spent on brocade and damask- I have seen the design for one of these gowns- lime green with swirls and artichokes all over. I am itching to be beholden to them and my new silk slippers and jewels. I do hope I can go to court- for what is the point of all this extravagancy if no-one is to see me?

I hear a little cough, and see Henry reaching out towards me with my betrothal ring. Oh! I hold out my hand. Henry's eyes widen, and he looks at me pointedly. Oh! I think again. Blushing, I hold out my other hand. I hear my Lady Mother's tut, and purse my lips. I feel a tingling sensation as his slightly sticky fingers brush mine.

"I will, take thee to wed," he says solemnly. He is wearing a lilac doublet of fustian, which rather brings out the colour of his eyes- such a soothing periwinkle. The metal is cold against my skin, and shaking slightly, I take the matching ring with our initials entwined- HB + ES (for who cares about the 'de' in de Scales anymore?) and, sliding it onto his finger, I take in a deep breath, looking into his eyes. This is it, the first stage of our binding contract. I am actually going to be married to Henry soon! A rush fills my body and I look at him, licking my lips, as they feel rather dry.

"I will, take thee to wed."

A week later, I am dismounting from Lucifia- who has been hastily re-named Lucy to pacify Henry and my mother. To prove my piety to her I recited the Pater Noster, Lords' Prayer, Ave Maria and Hail Mary all in two minutes, which rather quelled her. I wish she was not residing with me before my marriage.

A stable hand takes her from me as I walk towards the manor, shaking dust from my skirts and freeing my hair from the coif I wear when I go riding.

Upon reaching the solar, I see my Lady Mother standing before the fireplace, arms folded. My Lady Isabel is seated and working on another tapestry, but the movement of her hands is too jerky to assure me naught is wrong.