Lamentation

‘You did all you could,’ he said, echoing Barak. I glanced at the Queen. She looked troubled now, her body held with that air of slight stiffness I had come to recognize as denoting strain. She did not speak.

‘At least this group of Anabaptists is gone,’ Lord Parr said. ‘I’d have seen them burned!’

Cranmer said firmly, ‘The guard who Leeman suborned at the palace, and the gaoler Myldmore, must be sent abroad. For all our safety.’

‘You would have had them burned too, my Lord Archbishop,’ Lord Parr growled, ‘were moving them not necessary.’

‘Only if earnest preaching could not bring them from their heresy,’ Cranmer said, anger in his voice. ‘I wish no man burned.’

‘You have helped us greatly, Matthew,’ the Queen said gently, ‘with Leeman’s information about Bertano.’

I asked, ‘It is true, then, about him?’

Lord Parr glanced at Cranmer and then the Queen, who nodded. He spoke sternly. ‘This is for your ears only, Shardlake, and we tell you only because you first brought us that name and would welcome your view. Only we four know about Bertano. We have not even told the Queen’s brother or sister. And that man and boy who work for you must say nothing,’ he added in a threatening tone.

‘We know you have absolute trust in them,’ Cranmer said mildly.

‘Tell him, niece,’ Lord Parr said.

The Queen spoke: heavily, reluctantly. ‘A week ago, his majesty had a visitor brought to his privy quarters during the day. All the servants in the Privy Chamber were cleared out. Normally he tells me if a visitor from abroad is coming,’ she added, ‘but the night before this visit he said that it was for him alone to know about, and I was to stay on my side of the palace.’ She lowered her eyes.

Her uncle prompted her gently, ‘And then?’

‘I know the meeting did not go well. His majesty sent for me to play music for him afterwards, as he does sometimes when he is sad and low in spirits. He was in an angry humour, he even hit his fool Will Somers on the pate and told him to get out; he had no patience for idle jest. I dared to look at him questioningly, for poor Somers had done nothing to warrant being struck. The King said, “Someone wants the powers granted me by God, Kate, and dares send to ask for them. I have sent back such answer as he deserves.” Then he struck the arm of his chair so fiercely with his fist that it jarred his whole body and caused a fearful pain in his leg.’ The Queen took a deep breath. ‘He did not make me swear to keep his words confidential. So, though strictly it goes against the honour due my husband, because of the dire straits we have all found ourselves in, I confided in my uncle and the Archbishop.’

‘And now we have told you,’ Lord Parr said brusquely. ‘What do you make of it?’

‘It adds weight to the suspicion that what Vandersteyn learned on the Continent was true. Someone asking the King for the powers granted him by God. That can only mean the Supreme Headship, and only the Pope would demand that.’

He nodded agreement. ‘That is what we think. If Bertano was an emissary from the Pope it sounds as though the price for a reconciliation was the King’s renunciation of his Headship of the Church in England.’

‘And from all the King said, a message was to be sent back to the Pope?’

Cranmer answered. ‘I think it has already gone. And if it has, it would be through Paget.’ He smiled humourlessly. ‘And yesterday Paget told the Privy Council that after d’Annebault’s visit, the King and Queen will be going on a short Progress — only as far as Guildford — and announced those of the council he has chosen to accompany him, all sympathizers with reform. Gardiner, Norfolk, Rich, all our enemies, remain in London, kicking their heels and keeping the wheels of government turning. Those who will be about the King’s person, and have his ear, will be our allies.’

Lord Parr raised his hands. ‘The pieces all fit.’

Cranmer smiled, more warmly this time. ‘Those left behind did not look pleased to hear the news at the council table. I think Bertano’s mission has failed at the start.’ There was satisfaction in his voice, relief too.

I said, ‘But there remains the Lamentation.’

‘There is nothing more to be done about that,’ Lord Parr said bluntly. ‘Except hope that whoever stole it realizes they have squandered their chance, that the Catholic cause is lost, and — forgive me, Kate — that they dispose of it.’ He added, ‘The King will not turn his policy again.’

Cranmer shook his head emphatically. ‘With the King, that can never be ruled out. But I agree, the trail on the book is quite cold.’

I looked at the Queen. ‘Believe me, your majesty, I wish I had been able to recover it. I am sorry.’

‘God’s wounds,’ Lord Parr said abruptly. ‘You did your best, even if it wasn’t good enough. And now, all that remains is for you to keep quiet.’

‘I swear I will, my Lord.’

Cranmer said, ‘Your efforts to serve her majesty will not be forgotten.’