Free My Story: Lady Jane Grey (My Royal Story) by Sue Reid Page A

sulky. Anyway, who would wish to marry a son of the Earl, however handsome? Elizabeth pretended to be shocked, and whispered that I should be careful what I say. That is one of the things I hate about Court. I have to watch what I say all the time. I cannot wait to return to Bradgate.

15 March 1550
Dorset Place
    Bonfires have been lit across the city to celebrate the end of war with France. We attended a service of thanksgiving where a Te Deum was sung. Looking across the aisle I was taken aback to see the Duke of Somerset! He was nodding his head as if he agreed with every word. The Duke has only recently been released from the Tower and it was hard to recognize the great Protector in the humble man on his knees. Father says he may be allowed to rejoin the Privy Council! Perhaps even the great Earl feels he needs a clever ally – and a man who must owe his life to him will surely do just what he wants.

2 May 1550
Dorset Place
    It is a warm day but the servants have shut all the windows. If they had not, I would have. The smell of the smoke drifting down from Smithfield is quite disgusting. Joan of Kent has been burnt for her beliefs. She was condemned last year but the execution was stayed to give her time to recant. I am told that she claims that Christ was not born incarnate of the Virgin Mary. Even so the Duke of Somerset wished to spare her but the King put his seal to the death warrant and sentence has been carried out. Support for her was growing in the south, some claim, which is why she had to die.

3 June 1550
Dorset Place
    I danced with the King today! I felt very nervous for everyone was watching as he led me out. I swear they showed far more interest in us than in the Lady Anne whose marriage we were attending. The Earl of Warwick smiled, but only with his lips. My parents looked as if they would burst with pride. I think I did not disgrace myself. Indeed, the Earl of Warwick congratulated me on my nimble feet. Edward said little, confiding that he liked to dance but that it soon tired him. I think we were both relieved when the dance was over. For both of us it was a painful duty. My slippers pinched my toes and at the banquet I could only pick at my food for fear my corset would burst. I glanced at the Lady Anne who was dancing with her husband, the Earl of Warwick’s eldest son, Viscount Lisle. How did she feel? I wondered. Was she – the daughter of the Duke of Somerset – pleased to have married a Dudley? He will be an important man – the eldest son of the great Earl.
    After the banquet we sat under a canopy of boughs and watched the men tilt and joust. The trumpets, and shouts and the crash of lances made my head ache. Mother hissed at me: “At least look as if you are enjoying yourself.” So I smiled until my jaw ached. I felt resentful. Had I not done enough for them? I had danced with the King! My friend Elizabeth Tilney says that our dance has renewed all the gossip about our marriage.
    It was growing dark as we climbed into the barge that was to take us back to Dorset Place. The river was full of boats and alive with torches and merriment as wedding guests were rowed back to their waterfront mansions. The King had already departed for Westminster. He looked very weary. What a burden it must be to be king.
    At home I fell asleep at once – only to be woken by sister Katherine who demanded to hear about the wedding. There was a masque and dancing and tournaments, and chambers of boughs, I said sleepily. She was not satisfied with my reply, so then I told her I had danced with the King. Her eyes grew huge. “Are you going to marry him?” she asked me.
    “That is not in my hands,” I said.

10 August 1550
Bradgate Park
    Am almost too dejected to write. How can I ever become the paragon of a daughter my parents desire? I dread each moment I spend in their presence. Nothing I do or say ever seems to please them. It is all, Jane, stand up straight, do not slouch, pray do not screw up your eyes