Innocent Traitor Quotes
"One must try to be positive, and I am nothing if not an optimist."
"I would give anything to avoid having to tell Henry, my lord, that I have failed him yet again."
"The importance of her high birth must be drummed into her."
"The acquisition of virtue is as much the product of education as of upbringing."
"It is God's will. We females are the weaker sex, and only men are fitted to rule."
"You must pray for your mother every day and ask God to send her a happy hour and a lusty boy."
"A couple of months at court is as much as anybody can stand."
"Mind you, I did get to see the King a lot. Never seen a man wearing so many jewels."
"All those great lords and ladies, jostling for place."
"The Queen said that, when he came to bed, he always kissed her, took her hand, and bade her, ‘Good night, sweetheart.’"
"She’s better than any boy," she announces, but the effect is not what she had anticipated.
"You see, Poppet, the King’s marriage to the Lady Anne was not a proper marriage."
"But I am not complaining. And I am delighted that my dear brother has found happiness at last."
"You must direct your prayers to that end," I tell him determinedly.
"The air is not as healthy for you children as it is in Leicestershire."
"I am fascinated by its people, the prosperous merchants and their wives, who ape their betters in their velvets and furs and gold chains; the plump clergymen and priests in their black and white robes and jeweled crucifixes, ever ready to bestow a blessing on a well-dressed child; the street vendors in their homespun and worsteds, crying their wares, and slipping me a small cake when Mrs. Ellen makes her purchases; and the beggars lying in the streets, baring their sores and stumps, crying for alms, and so grateful when I give them a penny."
"I now know by heart the stories in the Book of Hours that I was given for my fourth birthday. In fact, I read anything I can get my hands on: saints’ lives; romances; histories; tales of chivalry, like those of King Arthur; or the travels of Sir John Mandeville. I devour books the way gluttons gobble their food."
"Without printing, there would be far fewer books for us all to enjoy."
"Privately, I think that I have never seen my father enjoy a book. With him, it’s do as I say, not do as I do."
"Look at this, my lady," says the printer. A history of Troy, in a beautiful binding, is placed in my hands. "This is the first book ever printed in England. It is very precious."
"I thank you, sir," I say, as my father looks on with approval. "This will give me much pleasure."
"Blessed be God!" I cry, jubilant, laying down my quill and closing the ledger."
"An oath taken under duress is no true oath at all. God will surely absolve you for what you did."
"We must keep on at our prayers—and our less sacred endeavors!"
"I learn quickly, and he is gratified by this and praises me often. My parents receive regular reports on my progress, and they must be satisfied, for they never say anything about them."
"Now you shall be blooded, Daughter!" my father cries.
"I have taken the life of one of God's innocent creatures."
"We can do nothing but wait for them to accuse us."
"She is a wicked Protestant. She has rejected the miracle of the Mass."
"The miracle of the Mass, as it is called, is against all reason."
"Dear God," she says, sinking into her great chair by the fire. "How has Gardiner found out where my sympathies lie?"
"Compose yourselves!" cries my mother. "Look to Her Grace!"
"Who now lie moldering in unmarked graves in the Tower chapel."
"The tears are streaming down her pretty face."
"But we all know that he would; he has done so twice before."
"Just as he once signed two other such warrants for two other wives."
"Would he really go so far? Would he send his wife to her death?"
"I cannot stop crying, so my mother, fraught with trying to quiet Her Grace, sends me out of the bedchamber."
"Your Majesty must conform to the King's mind and will."
"I am your devoted and obedient wife and subject."
"God has appointed you as Supreme Head over us all, and from you, next after God, I am content to learn."
"I am but a woman, with all the imperfections natural to the weakness of my sex."
"I pray Your Majesty will instruct me in the truth."
"We must all pray that God preserves the life of the Prince."
"I feel so out of things buried here at Bradgate."
"And with Hertford in control, the whole balance of power will shift."
"The young King is surrounded and governed by men."
"We cannot go on living a lie for much longer."
"I would not mind if I were a bad child, but I know I am not. I try very hard to behave well and not give offense, but it is impossible to please you."
"The most astonishing news has come from court!"
"It must be that God Himself has destined me for this high position."
"Love? You don’t know the meaning of the word."
"We plan to live in the grand manner! We will entertain the local nobility and gentry, and there will be a warm welcome under our roof for scholars, musicians, and artists. I want our house to gain a reputation as a haven for hospitality and learning."
"Dreamily she lies on the cushions in the litter, embracing her great belly and her dreams. This is to be a new beginning for all of us."
"For God's sake, can't somebody do something?"
"Babies come in their own good time, my lord."
"I have been a bad husband," he sobbed. "I never realized till now how much she means to me. Please, dear God, spare her life. Let me make it up to her. Give me another chance."
"My lord, she is delirious," cries Lady Tyrwhitt, seeing his stricken face and looking intensely embarrassed. "Pay little mind to what she says! She knows not what she is talking about."
"God keep you, my husband," she whispers. "It is His will that we must part. But I hope we shall be reunited in Heaven."
"Don’t leave me, Kate," sobs the Admiral, his shoulders heaving.
"We need a ruler who will steadfastly maintain and promote the Protestant religion."
"If something stands in your path, you must eliminate it, by fair means or foul," says Dorset, looking me straight in the eye.
"Their sport is but a shadow to the pleasure I find in Plato."
"Sometimes, if our minds are disturbed or troubled, it helps to unburden ourselves."
"One of the greatest benefits God ever gave me is that He sent me so gentle a schoolmaster."
"I am so unhappy that I think myself in Hell; that is, until the time comes when I may go to Dr. Aylmer."
"I am in an earthly prison, and in this earthly prison I pass my days as if I were dead."
"Wisdom and moderation are said to come with age."
"There's nothing wrong with singing the old carols, my Lady Jane."
"It's just his age. They're all either moonstruck or randy as tomcats."
"It would be wonderful to be Queen, if only to be able, just once, to put my mother firmly in her place!"
"Fear not, I will take good care of myself, trusting in God and Our Lady to protect me."
"I am grieved for His Majesty and for England."
"I appreciate your concern, and will take good care of myself."
"You have been nothing but trouble ever since you came into this world."
"I will not. When I get to the altar, I will refuse to pledge myself, even if you beat me in the face of the congregation to make me."
"Christ Himself never gave in, even though they nailed Him to the cross, but I, who pride myself on being His dutiful follower, I gave in because my agony was too great."
"What is there to look pleased about? And what would they say at court if they could see the stripes on my back?"
"How can I ever love such a person? There appears to be no finesse, no humanity, in his manner—just indifference and petulance."
"I find much comfort in my books. I would have preferred a life dedicated to study."
"I am to prepare myself to go to court, to make my betrothal pledges and sign the precontract."
"Tomorrow there is to be made a public announcement of the forthcoming wedding, but for now, the formalities completed, we move into a private chamber where wine and sweetmeats have been set out."
"I just want to say that, if I were allowed to follow my own inclinations, I would not marry you."
"We have nothing to say to each other. We fill the void with the small talk that is expected on such an occasion."
"What a sham, I think. What a pretense! And that is what my life will be henceforth."
"The weight of my gown and train, made of gold and silver brocade and embroidered with hundreds of tiny diamonds and seed pearls, obliges me to walk in slow and stately fashion."
"I long to cast off my heavy gown, in which I am sweating profusely, and slither between cool linen sheets."
"Despite the heat, I feel an inward chill: I am cold to my soul and doubt that the sun will ever shine for me again."
"I am bereft, remembering a world I have lost, and to which I can never return."
"How happy I was then, and how sad it is that we do not always realize we are happy until happiness is gone."
"I would never dream of disobeying the express wishes of the King."
"My wounds heal slowly, and to my utter relief my monthly course arrives as usual."
"The crown is not my right, and it pleases me not at all."
"If what has been given to me is lawfully mine, may Thy Divine Majesty grant me such spirit and grace that I may govern to Thy glory and service, and to the advantage of the realm."
"The true faith must take priority over a doubtful title."
"I am determined not to be governed by him and have resolved to start as I mean to continue."
"Rest assured, madam, my son Lord Robert will track the Lady Mary down and take her prisoner. I assure you, she is a lone woman who has no friends in this realm and poses no serious threat to your throne."
"I would banish my cares, my fears, and the ghosts into the shadows and seek blessed oblivion on the pillows."
"I think the Tower is an evil place, Mrs. Ellen, and I shall be glad to leave it."
"Perhaps, madam, it is best not to dwell on the past. Think about more pleasant things."