The Constable of the Tower by W. Harrison Ainsworth

“I am of the same opinion with yourself, Sir John,” said Lord Lisle. “If this interdict is bruited abroad, it will be said, and with apparent reason, that there is little brotherly amity between his majesty’s uncles.”

“I would not have that said, since it is not the truth—at least, so far as I am concerned,” rejoined Hertford. “I therefore yield to your advice, Sir John Gage, which is ever judicious as honest, and leave my brother free intercourse, as heretofore, with my royal ward, only cautioning him not to put into his majesty’s head a misliking of the government of the realm, or of my doings, so as to deprive my authority of its weight, and my counsels of their proper effect.”

“That I will promise for Sir Thomas,” said Edward. “May I not, gentle uncle?”

“Indeed you may, my gracious liege,” replied Seymour. “I will instil nothing into your mind but what is right and just, and any influence I may possess with your Highness, will ever be directed towards preparing you for the exercise of the power you are one day fully to assume. Such conduct the council and his highness the lord protector cannot fail to approve.”

“I am heartily glad you are reconciled, my good uncles both,” said Edward, looking from one to the other, “and I trust no further differences will arise between you on my account, or any other.”

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Chapter VII

OF THE AFFRONT OFFERED BY QUEEN CATHERINE PARR TO THE COUNTESS OF HERTFORD; AND HOW UGO HARRING WAS SENT TO CONDUCT THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH TO THE TOWER

The reconciliation between the two Seymours was so evidently hollow, that it imposed on no one—not even upon their royal nephew. The arrogant and domineering tone suddenly adopted by the lord protector towards his brother would scarcely have been brooked by Sir Thomas, even if his nature had been less fiery; while the haughty and insolent manner of the younger Seymour was equally intolerable to Hertford, who now seemed to expect the submission ordinarily paid to the will of a sovereign. Instead of being allayed therefore, their animosity was merely masked, and threatened a fresh and more decided outbreak.

Though quite aware how matters stood with his uncles, the amiable young monarch fondly persuaded himself he could keep peace between them; but besides having to deal with impracticable subjects, he himself unwittingly heightened the discord. From the ingenuousness of his nature, and from his extremely affectionate disposition, he was utterly unable to disguise the preference he felt for his younger uncle, and instead of soothing the lord protector’s irritation, he still further exasperated him against one whom he was unable to regard in any other light than that of a dangerous rival. Already Hertford had resolved to remove his brother, as soon as opportunity offered: already Sir Thomas Seymour had determined, at any cost, to supplant the lord protector.

Another grand banquet was given that day, to which the young king, with the lord protector, the council, and all the nobles, knights, and ladies within the Tower, sat down. It was served with all the profusion and state of the times. A long grace in Latin was delivered by the Tower chaplain, both before and after the meal, to which Edward listened with devout attention, distinctly pronouncing the word “Amen,” on both occasions, at the close of the prayer. The young king would willingly have dispensed with the services of the numerous marshals and ushers, the officious cup-bearers and other officers of the table, but he endured their attendance with a very good grace. Excessively temperate in his habits, Edward drank nothing stronger than water, and did but scanty justice to the good cheer provided for him by the clerk of the kitchen.

At the commencement of the feast, a trifling incident occurred which somewhat marred the harmony of the proceedings, and gave the lord protector new ground of offence against his brother. The Countess of Hertford, a very beautiful and exceedingly proud woman, had fancied herself slighted at the banquet on the preceding day by the queen-dowager, of whom, in consequence of her husband’s elevation to almost regal state, she thought herself entitled to take precedence. She therefore persuaded her husband, who was greatly under her governance, to assign her a seat near the king at the next banquet. The lord protector gave the requisite instructions to the chief usher, and the matter appeared to be arranged; but before Lady Hertford could occupy the coveted position, the queen-dowager appeared, and haughtily declining the seat offered her by the usher, took her customary place beside the king. In the execution of this step she was aided by Sir Thomas Seymour, who prevented his sister-in-law from sitting down, and ceremoniously ushered the queen to her chair. If the affront to Lady Hertford on the previous night had been undesigned on the queen’s part, the same excuse could not be offered for her majesty’s behavior on this occasion. She was pointedly rude to the countess, and made several cutting remarks on the lord protector, which he was unable to resent. Additional effect was given these sarcasms by Sir Thomas Seymour, who remained standing behind the queen’s chair for some time to enjoy his sister-in-law’s discomfiture, and exerted all his great powers of wit and raillery to lend force and pungency to her majesty’s observations. Lady Hertford was even more mortified than her husband, but her indignation was chiefly directed against the queen, on whom she resolved to be revenged at the earliest opportunity. She also internally resolved to call the lord protector to task for not sufficiently asserting his dignity and her own. As to Sir Thomas Seymour, the position he had taken up enabled him to divide his attention between the queen-dowager and his royal nephew, and he performed his part so adroitly as to delight both.