The Funeral of Henry VII

"Of course Catherine" I say as I signal for the bishop to approach.

"Catherine would like you to read this requiem for our late king please read it for us."

The Bishop reads the psalm in the requiem.

I hand the requiem to the bishop and he bows before me and he goes up to the altar and reads out the words Catherine had prepared. Once he had finished I look at Catherine.

"Catherine my love that was a very lovely touch thank you."

I lower my eyes.

He was a strong and noble king. He should be remembered.

I smile at King Henry.

That would be perfect my Lord. I received word that my gown is ready for fitting so if any alterations are needed, they can be done in time for the ceremony.

I smile and lower my eyes.

Your Grace, that will suit me and my Spanish ladies well. I will be devoted to you.

She would like to meet when your Grace is ready. She has everything ready to leave the nunnery.

"Excellent. Please send word to Lady Pole to come to court in a couple of days to Greenwich and I will see her there. I think you will like Greenwich and I must ask Catherine did you like the ceremony for my father?

I want to be respectful to father and greet Henry and Mary but I am seething inside.

I see Catherine of Arogant trying to pretend that she's already part of the family and that she's sad that father has passed away when she couldn't wait for this moment so she can get her hands on Henry. She did nothing but complain about father being mean to her.

I expect she will be fawning all over Henry later, telling him how brave and strong he's being and what a wonderful King he will be. She wanted to be Queen of England and she will marry anyone to get there. She even wanted to marry father after mother passed away and Henry thinks she cannot do a thing wrong.

I can see and hear her simpering.

As the ceremony for father finished I see my sister Margaret and I go over and do speak with her.

"Margaret I do hope that you liked the ceremony that was prepared for father as I wanted him to be remembered and now he can be with mother for I miss her dearly. Tell me sister will you remain here in England for my upcoming wedding and coronation too?

I walked up to Henry and Margaret. The look on their faces was quite serious so I asked Henry I must say that the funeral went off without a hitch. Even father would have been happy with what you have done with it. We all have missed them both so much. And Henry you have told me of your wedding to Catherine and that there will be a coordination soon. I hope that it will be a lovely affair so soon after father's funeral. Perhaps there will be rivery and that will be a good thing to have brighten up the festivities tonight and lift the mood some . I give them both a hug and a kiss on the cheek

I look at my younger sister Mary.

"I am pleased to hear that you liked the funeral ceremony Mary for I wanted to give father a good farewell. There will be a coronation soon and my wedding too there are many things to prepare for and I must be ready to become King of England.

I discreetly watch Henry talk with his sisters. Mary is a pious with a beautiful soul. Margaret on thy other hand; I need to watch. I am given thy impression she believes I should have been sent home when my dear Arthur passed from this world. I hope she leaves for Scotland soon.

As Henry, Margaret and I were talking quietly I glanced over to see Katherine looking in our direction. I thought what she must be thinking about the family and the marriage she is about to be in. When I saw her I waved and smiled and she returned in kind.

I arise to take my leave of the funeral ceremony. Everyone seems to be making their leave and thy royal family are now by thy entrance hall again. Mary, sister to Henry smiles and waves to me. I await my Prince from afar.

I smile towards my sister as we all head for the doors and as I pass all drop into curtsies and bows and I meet Katherine at the door and head with her to the carriage to take us to Greenwich.

I see Henry walking towards us and I tell him:-

"You did father proud and in my eyes you are already a great King. Will we have time to speak together privately with Mary when we get back to Greenwich or do you have other plans?"

I go to speak to Mary.

I see Margaret come towards me and I held her tight and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Tears rolling from my eyes and Margaret console me. I miss you Margaret I hope that you would like to stay a little longer. You can tell me all about Spain, I hope to visit you Why do you look Margaret so? Don't you like her? I will not say anything to Henry about what we say.

I look at my sisters and I smile at them.

"I thank you Margaret for your kind words and I do hope that I will be a good king for I will try to follow father well. We may of course when we reach Greenwich talk in private sister.

I dearly want to go back to the days when Henry and I danced at court before Mary was old enough to join in and before Katherine of Arogant arrived but I don't want to say anything to offend Henry today of all days.

"We will talk later when we have had a chance to change clothes and wind down after the solemness of the service. Mary needs me so I should go and console her now.