December 17, 1536 – Mary Arrives at Windsor for Public Reconciliation

The Lady Mary, by Master John (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

In June 1536, Mary had formally submitted to her father’s authority. She had assured the King in writing that she believed that her parents’ marriage was unlawful, that she herself was a bastard, and that the King was justly the supreme head of the English Church (Cromwell had sent her suggested language of what her submission should look like to escape charges of treason, she copied the draft verbatim). Henry and Jane had visited her over the summer, they had exchanged gifts, but Mary had not yet made her formal return to court, first because she was not well, then because of an outbreak of the plague. That ceremony would occur on December 17, just in time for the Christmas festivities.

The story is classic, and I can’t think of it without conjuring up Masterpiece Theater’s amazing version from some 40 years ago. Henry VIII (Keith Mitchell) and Jane Seymour (Anne Stallybrass) sitting in their chairs of estate at the far end of the presence chamber when Mary is announced. For PBS’ purposes this is the original reconciliation (Jane got one episode, they had to keep things simple…) and they maximize the drama. After Mary is formally announced, she curtsies deeply once at the door, a second time halfway through the crowded room, then a third time directly before the royal platform “Your blessing, Sire,” she breathes.

“Welcome, child,” Henry says as he raises her and kisses her forehead.

“Welcome, Mary,” echoes Jane.

Then comes the meat of the scene. Henry puts a hand on Mary’s shoulder and looks around the room threateningly before exclaiming, “Some of you wanted me to put this jewel to death.”

Jane jumps in to reassure Mary: “That were a great pity, to lose your chiefest jewel of England.”

(Here, Masterpiece Theater makes its second historical mistake: they skip Henry’s response, “Nay, nay. Edward, Edward” that he gives while patting Jane’s stomach – they go right into Mary fainting, whether from shock, fear, the heat, or all three.)

Either way, with this formality out of the way, Mary was often at court afterwards. She even persuaded the King and Queen to invite Elizabeth to court for the Christmas season. It is heartening that diplomats who saw Henry playing with his younger daughter noted the affection he showed for her…

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