Free The Manner of Amy's Death by Carol Mackrodt

either.”
          “I have a chamber here,” says Mary.  “You’re both welcome to share it with me.”
          So that’s what we do.  The three o f us retire to Mary’s small bed chamber, strip down to our shifts and share the very small bed where our proximity to each other, though hot, is most comforting - even though the smell of the Tower is pungent and even though, despite Amy’s efforts to squash as many bugs as possible before we get into bed, we spend a night being eaten alive!

Chapter Seven
    Saving our Skins
    The next day we’re up early, dressed and waiting for the Tower gates to be unlocked, which means waiting for Jane to arise since she has the key.  Once outside we part company with Mary and thank her for her kindness.  She’s returning to her husband, Henry Sidney, and we’re to await his instructions at Somerset House.
          “Please take Henry’s advice,” says Mary.  “On no account return to the Tower.”  She lowers her voice and whispers.  “Henry believes Jane’s cause is lost and cannot be revived.  Mary has too much support now around the country and in th e city itself.  The situation’s been handled badly and won’t improve.”
          “What about Robert and his brothers?” asks Amy fearfully.
          “Henry will do what he can when the time arrives,” says Mary.  “He’s tried to distance himself from the plot for this reason, not out of disloyalty to us but because he can do little good if he’s executed too.”
          ‘Executed too’ – the words run round my brain.  Clearly we h ave all to take care of ourselves.  Who knows how Mary Tudor may decide to take revenge on the Dudley family.
          “I’ ll keep you informed of any developments,” says Mary, “And meanwhile stay inside and don’t venture out.”
          Back in Somerset House we discuss what to do next.  The servants bring us food but – is it my imagination? – they appear to be less willing to please and less ta lkative.  Do they understand already that we members of the Dudley family will be on the losing side or are they simply mistrustful of everyone at the moment?  Only Mrs Picto, who looks after Amy’s gowns, behaves as she has always done.  She and Amy spend the time packing two wooden chests with our clothing and rich cloths, taking care to pack only what is ours and to leave everything that was in the house when we arrived.
          We didn’ t have to while away too much time.  On Wednesday 19 th in the afternoon we hear the sound of trumpets and a great cheering in the city followed by the sound of church bells ringing everywhere.  The servants rush out of the house to join the crowds in the streets and the smoke of many bonfires lit in celebration rises above the houses.  As darkness falls the bonfires glow red in the night sky and still people are celebrating.
          We can guess what has happened.  There ’s been no war and the Privy Council has betrayed the Duke and declared for the Princess Mary.  That evening Amy and I go down to the kitchen and prepare our own supper.  It’s something we’ll have to get used to if we’re lucky and escape imprisonment.
          The following day we get our own breakfast.  The servants have returned but are still sleeping off the ale from the p revious night’s celebrations and even Mrs Picto’s disappeared!  Half way through the afternoon Mary Sidney arrives.  We exchange hugs and kisses.  Mary apologises for not coming earlier.
          “Events moved so fast yesterday and took us all by surprise,” she says. She then explains how Jane’s father, the Duke of Suffolk, foolishly allowed the Lord Mayor and members of the Privy Council to leave the Tower for a supposed meeting with the French Ambassador to plan for reinforcements to be sent to the Duke of Northumberland.  But Suffolk had been tricked. 
          Instead the councillors met the Earl of