Sherwood Forest

Word was given to me that one of my brother's offspring wanted to come and visit me. I rode out to meet this mystery child my thoughts faulting to England's true princess Mary. A Tudor princess through blood and who had be disdainfully cast aside. My shoulders arched back, head held high in regal thought I awaited for this stranger to arrive.

Katherine Elizabeth along with her ladies in waiting and a few guards from her father's court walked slowly into Sherwood Forest. She saw her aunt sitting there. One aunt she has not yet met.

"Your Majesty."

She and the others with her curtsies and the guards bowed.

I looked on wondering if all this pomp and circumstance was need. The long line of guards and endless ladies in waiting. The true Tudor princess Mary Tudor did not have so many at her service. I steered my horse over in her direction.

'Welcome to Scotland Katherine Elizabeth. I hope that whatever reason brings you here to us you are able to find. You may all rise.

Katherine Elizabeth along with her ladies in waiting and a few guards from her father's court stood up.

"Your Majesty I am your niece daughter of Henry king of England."


She said with a smile on her face.

'Oh are you! He never mentioned me to you but then again he is a very busy man. Please do come in so I can introduce you to my husband.'

How unfair it was that my darling niece Mary was shut away from court and others.

'Tell me young Katherine would I know your mother? I mean was she a lady in waiting to anyone high rank. I am just trying to understand your story more.'

This was a surprise and I wondered how many more children Henry had he was normally so careful I kept on smiling nicely trying to think if he had mentioned Katherine before.

Katherine Elizabeth nodded to her aunt.

"Your Majesty My mother is Jane Popincourt was a French maid-of-honour at the royal court of Louis XII and later of Francis I."


She said with a smile on her face.

I was confused Katherine had said is and was. Was her mother alive or not.

'So your mother would know Louise of Savoy then mother to King Francis. I must say I have never heard of the last name Popincourt before are any of your other relatives alive.'

I smiled the last name still playing on my mind.

Katherine Elizabeth smiled to her aunt.

"Your Majesty My mother use to be in France. But I don't know much about my mother's side of the family."


She said with a smile on her face.

I nodded as we walked the damp trodden path back to the castle.

'Well my brother would never bed a noblewoman as he is not that stupid. He is besotted with Anne Boleyn a very long courtship which I hope has a happy ending that he deserves. How long do you plan to stay with us? Sadly we don't have that many men round here. At least you get to meet my twin boys.'

She was a hard person to get to know. She spoke so very little perhaps she was just shy.

Katherine Elizabeth and her ladies along with the guards walked with her aunt.

"For a week or two I am traveling the courts learning about them. I would love to met your twins."


She said with a smile on her face.

'Traveling? That is a very good idea. Bavaria is a beautiful place and so is Germany the king of Bavaria has two mistresses they say and plans to take none other. He had a child with Isabella of Portugal and the other is of noble blood. Oh and then their is Spain itself also Italy.'

I smiled wondering where next she was planning to visit after here.

'I am sure you shall be well received where ever you travel. Most English folk go to France as we are on very good terms with the French but I don't know how many mistresses king Francis has. Was you born in France.'

That had never come to my mind where she was born.

Katherine Elizabeth looked at her aunt.

"I was in England but I did spend time as a small child in France and can speak it."


She said with a smile on her face.

'Ah France is always beautiful in Spring and in Autumn. In winter time the weather in France is very cold. It's nice to know you have visited the birth place of your mother. How did you find out that Henry was your farther.'

Katherine Elizabeth looked at her aunt again.

My mother told me."


She said with a smile on her face.

I sighed wrapping my shawl around me a little tighter.

'Yes I know that but did she tell you when you was a child or just very recently that is what I meant.'

Katherine Elizabeth looked at her aunt again.

"I am 16 She told me only a few months ago. Before she died."


She said with a looking down.

'I lost my mother too she was the most excellent queen. The most precious gift she gave to me was my brother who in return gave me Royce. The most loyal and loving husband anyone could wish for.'

I said politely as we now stood outside the house.

Katherine Elizabeth looked at her aunt again.

"What a lovely home you have."


She said with a looking up with a smile.

'Thank you! It is my husbands property we have his brother visiting too, So I hope you won't mind.'

I guided her round to the side of the house where I took of my riding boots.

'Let us find you some bread and meat to eat out of the kitchen and you can tell me more about you're mother if you wish to.'

Katherine Elizabeth looked at her aunt again.

"Just tell me where the men may rest?"


She said asked her dear aunt.

'The men who have brought you here shall return back to palace. The king needs them When you want to go home I shall send for them.'

I found it absured the amount of men needed not even Mary Tudor, blood of two rightful royals had this much protection.

'Come inside it is much warmer for you.'

Katherine Elizabeth looked at her aunt again.

"They are traveling with me I am visiting other kingdoms. Father thought it would be best to have them with me."


She said to her dear aunt.

'How dare you answer back to a princess. Are you coming inside or not as I don't have the patience for you.'

I left her their I had very little patience to put up with her. And my time could be used elsewhere.

She walked inside and looked around.