1536.]
EXECUTION OF ANNE BOLEYN.
365
Lady Boleyn, her aunt, had been sent for, with a Mrs Cousins, and two other ladies, selected by the King.[1] They were ordered to attend upon the Queen, but to observe a strict silence; and to hold no communication with her, except in the presence of Lady Kingston. This regulation, it was found, could not be insisted on. Lady Boleyn and Mrs Cousins slept in the Queen's room, and conversation could not be prevented. Mrs Cousins undertook, on her part, to inform Kingston if anything was said which 'it was meet that he should know.'[2]
Wednesday, May 3.In compliance with this promise, she told him, the next morning, that the Queen had been speaking to her about Norris. On the preceding Sunday, she said that Norris had offered to 'swear for the Queen, that she was a good woman.' 'But how,' asked Mrs Cousins, very naturally, 'how came any such things to be spoken of at all?' 'Marry,' the Queen said, 'I bade him do so: for I asked him why he went not through with his marriage; and he made answer, that he would tarry a time. Then, I said, You look for dead men's shoes; for if aught came to the King but good, you would look to have me.[3] And he said, if he should have any such thought, he would his head were off. And then she said she could undo him, if she would.- ↑ She said, 'I think it much unkindness in the King to put such about me as I never loved.' I showed her that the King took them to be honest and good women. 'But I would have had of mine own privy chamber,' she said, 'which I favour most.'—Kingston to Cromwell: Ibid p. 457.
- ↑ Ibid. p. 453.
- ↑ The disorder of which the King ultimately died—ulceration in the legs—had already begun to show itself.
