This is the beginning chapter of my new Edward's Reign story. I have the first few years, to 1559, already planned and approved by my unofficial beta, Lady Eleanor Boleyn to whom this story is decidated too. I have decided to make it that Edward VI never became ill so that it makes it easier for me.

Edward's Reign

England, 1553. King Henry VIII is dead. His protestant son, King Edward VI, is on the throne. But the English Royal Family is divided. Catholic against Protestant as Lady Mary, King Henry VIII's eldest Catholic daughter, and Edward's heiress presumptive, is vying for the throne. So, to avoid England being returned to the see of Rome, John Dudley, The Duke of Northumberland, has arranged for King Edward to marry a Swedish Princess who can provide him with heirs and keep Mary, and the see of Rome, from the throne of England. While Mary is seen as a threat, Lady Elizabeth is seen as the King's favourite sister and the one less likely to steal the throne. But people remember who her mother was. The infamous concubine, Anne Boleyn, who usurped the place of the Lady Mary's mother. Many people see Elizabeth as the one that is most likely to steal her sister's position in their brother's heart, and the succession.

Chapter I: The Swedish Queen

6th July 1553, Whitehall Palace, England

As per usual, his marriage, like Kings before him, had been a matter of state and that was why he would be marrying a Princess of Sweden with an unpronouncable name. Princess Katarina Gustavsdotter Vasa of Sweden was, according to the Duke of Northumblerland, a Protestant Princess and the oldest daughter of Gustav Vasa I of Sweden, and his second wife, Margareta Leijonhufvud. As well as this, she was the first Swedish Princess, by birth, in two hundred years, and England was going to make use of that. She would be married to Edward and their son, whenever he came, would have a claim to the throne of Sweden, both through birth, and through family, and England and Sweden would be linked as allies.

He had told the Duke of Northumberland that he wanted a French bride, but the eldest French Princess was only eight years old, and so he would have to marry this Princess Katarina Gustavsdotter Vasa of Sweden instead. By why he had to marry her now, Edward did not know. He was only fifteen, and she younger still, at only fourteen. There would be plenty of time for having children and heirs as his health had been very good, apart from a bout of measles in 1552, and a bout of quartan fever when he was four, and he did not look to be in any danger of dying anytime soon.

Edward knew, however, that his marriage was not based on whether he loved his wife, but on the large dowry that she brought with her since England was a poor country after his father's campaigns to take Bolougne from 1544 - 1546. Princess Katarina Gustavsdotter Vasa of Sweden was a well educated Renaissance princess and was an intelligent and learned person with an independent character, not to mention having a great interest in literature and theology as well as being a firm protestant. In the eyes of The Duke of Northumberland, she was the perfect woman for Edward to marry. In the eyes of Edward, she was a woman who may have been able to outshine him when it came to conversation, or meeting foreign nobles. He knew that he would be able to choose whom he married if anything happened to Princess Katarina Gustavsdotter Vasa of Sweden as he became of age in October, and, by his father's will, he would no longer be ruled by a council of advisors and they would merely become his privy councillors.

And the marriage, to Princess Katarina Gustavsdotter Vasa of Sweden, was the reason that he, and his two sisters, along with council of advisors, were awaiting her arrival on the dais in the throne room. Holding his head high and puffing out his chest, he attempted to hide his nervousness from his sister, Lady Mary, a devout Catholic who would happily see him fail to produce heirs so that she would succeed him and make the country Catholic. Lady Mary was thirty seven years old, but looked older than her years. She had never been married, despite many suitors and thus had never produced a child, and secretly, Edward never hoped she did so that his throne would be safe from Catholic forces.

The door at the end of the room opened, and Edward, who had momentarily relaxed, puffed his chest out again. Princess Katarina Gustavsdotter Vasa of Sweden walked forward and dipped a curtsey in front of the dais.

"Your Majesty," she greeted in a thick Swedish accent, raising her head to look at Edward. Edward felt his breath catch in his throat and stopped puffing his chest out. Despite being fourteen, she was the most attractive woman he had ever seen.

"Princess Katarina," He greeted, bowing to her. Rising from the bow, he smiled "Allow me to introduce my sisters, Lady Mary," He held out a hand in her direction and she curtsied to the Swedish Princess "and Lady Elizabeth," He held out a hand in Elizabeth's direction and she curtsied to her as well. Both Edward and Mary noticed the slightly French style in her curtsey, but Edward did not act as if he had seen it, and Mary merely sneered for a moment.

Yes, Edward thought as he watched Katarina, I can see her providing me with a son soon enough.

7th July 1553: Whitehall Palace, England: Chapel of Westminster

Katarina raised her head to look at herself in the burnished mirror on the wall and was surprised at what she saw. Her clear blue eyes were shining like stars; her cheeks, normally so pale, were ever so slightly flushed due to her great happiness and her abundant brown hair tumbled to her waist from beneath her golden headdress set with emeralds. She looked - why, she looked worthy of becoming a Queen Consort of England, France and Ireland.

"You look beautiful, Katarina. I mean - Your Majesty." Her younger sister, Princess Cecilia of Sweden, who had come with Katarina for her wedding, came forward to twitch the folds of Katarina's emerald silk gown into place.

Katarina stood still under her sister's ministrations, barely daring to breathe for fear it was all a dream. Would she really be anointed Queen Katherine of England, France and Ireland in a matter of just a few short minutes?

"Do you think he'll like me?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself saying them aloud. Cecilia looked up in surprise.

"Of course! How could he not, Katarina?" Cecilia got up from where she had been kneeling at her sister's feet, and came round behind her to spread Katarina's dark brown hair out from where it had got caught in the neckline of the dress. Her hands lingered on her sister's shoulders, trying to the best of their young ability to offer some comfort; to comfort her sister in the last few minutes that they would ever be equal in rank.

"Look at yourself. You're gorgeous. The prettiest woman in England. Anyone who sees you will have to be enraptured by you, and that includes your husband. Now come on. It's time."

Cecilia led her elder sister out of the room and down to the Chapel Royal, where Edward's friend, Lord Barnaby Fitzpatrick, who was to escort Katarina down the aisle and hand her over to the King, met them.

As they arrived, the Choristers began to sing a wedding march. Katarina took a deep breath.

"All right, I'm ready." She threw her fine veil of golden thread down over her face and laid her slender hand on Barnaby's forearm.

Cecilia picked up the bridal train on her sister's gown to keep it from trailing in the dust and Katarina was ushered up the aisle by her future husband's friend, Barnaby Fitzpatrick.

To the watching crowd of courtiers and visiting nobles, it appeared that Katarina was gliding up the aisle, she moved so gracefully, and then Barnaby Fitzpatrick was placing her hand into that of Edward and Archbishop Cranmer was already beginning the service.

"We are gathered here today to witness the joining in holy matrimony of His Sovereign Majesty, King Edward VI and the Princess Katarina Gustavsdotter Vasa of Sweden..."

Edward flashed her the briefest of smiles as they knelt, side by side, before the altar, ready to recite their vows. Swift though the gesture was, however, Katarina saw it, and was glad.

He really does love me. She thought, and her heart leapt at the realisation. Suddenly the great weight of her new Royal responsibilities seemed a whole lot less, now that she was absolutely sure of her husband's love.

She spoke her vows in a clear voice, exulting inwardly and, as Archbishop Cranmer pronounced them man and wife, anointed her Queen and motioned for the newlywed pair to rise, so that Edward could kiss her, full on the mouth, before a cheering Court, Katarina realised that she was getting all her childhood dreams and more besides. She had just married a King, and become a Queen. She had married King Edward VI of England, Ireland and France and she was now his anointed Queen.

She was Queen Katarina of England, France and Ireland, even if she would be known as Katherine to the English people.

Queen Katarina! It was beyond even her wildest dreams; it was almost too good to be true; yet it was true.

Laughing openly, she turned on the dais. The entire Court knelt before her and her new husband slipped his arm around her waist and led her out onto the palace balcony. It was time to show the People of England a happy united Royal Family. As things should be...

Edward's smile disappeared a few moments as he realised what had to happen next. Next, he had to perform his conjugal with a girl only fourteen years old.

8th July 1553: Whitehall Palace, England: King Edward's Chambers

Edward was the first awake next morning. As he sat up, he didn't initially remember what had happened the night before, until he looked over to Katarina. Then it hit him. He had done his duty, but it had been rough and haphazard, and had been hard on Katarina, as she had cried out in pain several times when he had made mistakes. He knew that her wishes as Queen would be for him to love her, and for her to fall pregnant with a son.

Those were her wishes, but not Edward's wishes. He wanted her to grow up for a few years before she conceived his child as she could die if she was too young. He knew, however, that he would have to sleep with her, on the orders of the Duke of Northumberland. Perhaps he could perform the act of coitus interruptus that his father had performed with Elizabeth's mother, the Lady Anne Boleyn, before he had 'married' her. No... No, Northumberland would find out if he did so.

He seemed to be out of ideas. Laying back down onto the pillows, he stared up at the canopy at the top of the four poster bed and sighed. He had to improve in his sexual act if he was, eventually, going to impregnate his wife and provide a son for England. Looking briefly over to his wife, he sighed, stretched and crossed his arms behind his head. He did not notice that his wife was awake, and had her hand on her stomach, hoping, desperately, that she was pregnant.

As Edward got out of bed, she rolled over. He saw her stir, and smiled to her. She still had a strong Swedish accent, which made her difficult to understand, so Edward decided that smiling at her was easier for now. As he called for someone to dress him, he did not notice that she was looking straight at him and examining him from head to foot. He seemed to be totally different to his father. Edward was slightly short, had a round face, blonde hair, dark eyes and was covered in a slight layer of muscle. He was also of a nicer disposition, and did not seem to have as much of a temper as his father had once had. Altogether, Katarina was pleased with her husband.

Edward came over to the bed and kissed Katarina once on the lips. "I would love to spend the day with you, My Queen," he informed her as he pulled away "But I have to attend to my studies." He stopped for a moment, took a deep breath, and spoke "Will you allow me to come to your bed tonight?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," She replied and he smiled, kissing her again, and leaving the room.

9th July 1553: Whitehall Palace, England: King Edward's Study

"The Lady Elizabeth is a threat too, Your Majesty." John Dudley, The Duke of Northumberland, informed Edward.

"A sister, despite being an heiress, is just as much a threat as a relief, Lord Northumberland." Edward informed The Duke of Northumberland, as he placed his quill back into the stand, and looked up to the Duke "Both Mary and Elizabeth could be potential threats, though I do not believe that Elizabeth has any intention of stealing the throne from me. She is much too kind for that. No, My Lord, Elizabeth is the heiress I do not mind having, and the only offence she has committed, is her former relationship with my uncle, Thomas Seymour, who seduced a sister of a King, and a ward of a former Queen."

"Do you believe that the Lady Elizabeth knew what she was doing?" John asked, as he too, placed down his own quill.

"I do not, Your Grace, for she was barely fourteen." Edward replied "Lord Seymour, despite being my uncle, was an amibtious man consumed by his greed and his jealousy of his brother, The Duke of Somerset. In the end, that was what killed him. He tried to kidnap me, so that he could have more power at court, and died a traitor's death on the scaffold... I do not believe that Elizabeth had anything to do with his affection towards her."

"The council, and I, wish to search the houses of the Princess Elizabeth, and the Princess Mary, for suspicious objects, Your Majesty."

"The Lady Mary and The Lady Elizabeth, My Lord, not Princess. Legally, both Mary and Elizabeth are illegitimate and only Ladies, not Princesses, despite being restored to the succession. I will grant your request to search their houses." Edward replied, scrawling his signature on the parchment that The Duke of Northumberland held out "But I do not believe that you will find anything in the houses of the Lady Elizabeth. I expect the household, of the Lady Mary, to be filled with catholic falsehoods."

10th July 1553: Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England: Home of the Lady Elizabeth.

Lady Elizabeth Tudor, second in line to the Throne of England, behind Mary, entered her chambers, which had been emptied. Books and parchment were strewn on the floor and her bed had been stripped.

"Sir Robert Tyrwhitt?" She asked, confused as to why he was in her chambers.

"Your Grace," He greeted, not looking up at her.

Elizabeth did not take kindly to people entering her chambers without her permission "Where are my people?"

"I am sent by the council, by order of the King," Sir Robert replied, opening a book onto the stand nearby.

"I pray His Majesty is still well?" Elizabeth asked. Despite being second in line to the throne, she did still care about her brother, the King, unlike Mary, who wished for Edward's death in every waking moment of her life.

Tyrwhitt passed her and closed the door behind her "He is well," He began as he moved to the stand again and looked up to Elizabeth "Your Mistress, Ashley, and your treasurer, Parry, are arrested,"

Elizabeth took a breath "What have they done?" She asked, keeping her gaze level as she looked at him.

He did not reply to that question "The rest of your household are forbidden your presence while I am here to question you,"

"I will not be questioned. I am Elizabeth!" She snapped.

"You are but a subject, Lady," He replied, glancing up to her "I'll tell you plainly. When there is a question of treason you are as any other subject. You will answer,"

Elizabeth did not reply. She kept her glare cold, and firm "This is about whether I have any Catholic books, is it not, Master Tyrwhirr?"

"You will not question, Your Grace, you will answer," Tyrwhitt replied.

"So I will, Master Tyrwhitt, for anything that threatens my brother, The King," She stressed the last two words so that he knew her status "Threatens every loyal subject,"

"The King wishes for the households of you, and your sister Mary, to be searched," Tyrwhitt informed her "The rumours, from the Spanish Ambassador, are that you possess Catholic propaganda,"

"No," Elizabeth gasped "No! I have never spoken with the Spanish Ambassador, nor do I have Catholic propaganda!"

"It is treason for a subject to hide catholic propaganda from the King," Tyrwhitt informed her.

Elizabeth looked at him as if he was stupid "All the world knows that!" She snapped, beginning to pace.

"It is forbidden for you, as a protestant Lady, and the King;s sister, to have Catholic works, or propaganda, in the life time of the King!" Tyrwhitt informed the worried Lady "The King has ordered for you to be searched. If you confess your dealings fully, then the council will protect you if you have Catholic propaganda. The blame will be taken by Mistress Ashley, and Thomas Parry - who worked in the interests of the Catholic forces,"

"They are my true and loyal servants," Elizabeth assured Tyrwhitt "I have done nothing wrong!"

"It is generally believed that you are conspiring with Catholic forces to remove his Majesty, King Edward, from the throne," Tyrwhitt informed her.

Elizabeth swirled to him, gasping "I will not have such vile and filthy rumours spoken,"

"It is spoken," He interrupted.

Lady Elizabeth, who had momentarily gone white, filled with colour and loomed over her interrogator "I will not have my honour impugned!"

"Then confess," He interrupted, again.

"I will not have the people taught to think ill of me!" Elizabeth's voice was beginning to rise now, as her anger began to boil "tell the council-"

"You may write to them," Tyrwhitt interrupted.

Elizabeth gave a small smile "They shall deny it," She began "by proclamation. Otherwise, let me show the court that I am not conspiring with, or supporting, the Catholic forces. I hadly speak with my sister Mary, as the King does not allow her to court very often!"

"You have a guilty look, and a guilty manner," He informed her.

"It is anger, and shame, to hear such monstrous charges!" Sshe snapped, in reply.

He glanced to her "No subject can love the King and have The Lady Mary as a friend!"

"I have not spoken, or been with Mary - except when we met the new Queen - since the time that I was under the guardianship of my step-mother, Dowager Queen Katherine Parr!"

"Her Majesty, Dowager Queen Katherine Parr is dead, as is her husband, and the Catholic forces were waiting for your letter last night!" Tyrwhitt interrupted.

Elizabeth's temper boiled, but she kept her voice level "Do you think me such a fool that I would act without the consent of the King, in a question - no matter how small - that could bear upon the succession?"

"The penalty for treason for a woman is decapitation, or burning. Remember what your mother faced," Tyrwhitt began, playing his trump card.

Elizabeth's head snapped up and she glared daggers at Tyrwhitt "You are not here to try me, Tyrwhitt, but to destroy me. If you have proof that I am Catholic, then you need nothing from me!"

"The council will decide-"

"By law," Elizabeth interrupted "I am innocent. As the King's favourite sister, I have no reason to wish for his death. Now, get out! Out, Master Tyrwhitt! Out!" She ushered him out of her room, picked up his book, threw it out, and slammed the door shut behind him. Elizabeth leaped for joy in her victory and waited for her ladies to return.

To Be Continued

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