In the beginning of the story, ten year old Mary Tudor's life is in perfect order. She had been crowned Princess of Wales, making her the next queen of England. However, her life is flipped upside down when her father sends her to live in Ludlow with her court.
What begins as rumors progresses into unfortunate truth. King Henry VIII wishes to divorce Queen Catherine of Aragon, because she has failed to provide him with a son, or in other words, a male heir. This is not the only reason, however; his sudden interest in Lady Anne Boleyn only adds to his desire. King Henry, unable to officially divorce her, banishes Catherine to the north. Upon leaving, Catherine leaves her daughter with a promise to fufill: do not give up the throne.
Mary is slowly deprived of not only her familiar surroundings and possesions, but is entirely cut off from her mother. Meanwhile, Henry, who is determined to wed Lady Anne, gains more control over the church and legalizes his divorce with Catherine. He and Anne are soon married; their marriage was soon followed by the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth, who is given Mary's title as princess. Mary is made a servant of Elizabeth's, and lives in poverty within the palace.
To further secure her postion as queen, Anne, sets out after Mary. King Henry establishes the double oath, which states that he is the head of the church, and that the heirs to the throne will be Anne's children. While declining the oath is considered treason and is punishable by death, Mary, for the sake of her mother, repeatly refuses to agree. With the support of her friends, many of whom are working as spies, she manages to survive; many of citizens, monks, priests, and others who refuse to accept the brutal rule of Henry and Anne, however, do not.
This cruel rule, along with Anne's life, is brought to an abrupt end, though. Queen Anne is convicted of adultery and, along with five others, is executed. At the suggestion a close friend, Mary finally agrees to the double oath, ending her chance at becoming queen. This does, however, put her on fairly decent terms with King Henry and his new wife, Jane Seymour.
What begins as rumors progresses into unfortunate truth. King Henry VIII wishes to divorce Queen Catherine of Aragon, because she has failed to provide him with a son, or in other words, a male heir. This is not the only reason, however; his sudden interest in Lady Anne Boleyn only adds to his desire. King Henry, unable to officially divorce her, banishes Catherine to the north. Upon leaving, Catherine leaves her daughter with a promise to fufill: do not give up the throne.
Mary is slowly deprived of not only her familiar surroundings and possesions, but is entirely cut off from her mother. Meanwhile, Henry, who is determined to wed Lady Anne, gains more control over the church and legalizes his divorce with Catherine. He and Anne are soon married; their marriage was soon followed by the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth, who is given Mary's title as princess. Mary is made a servant of Elizabeth's, and lives in poverty within the palace.
To further secure her postion as queen, Anne, sets out after Mary. King Henry establishes the double oath, which states that he is the head of the church, and that the heirs to the throne will be Anne's children. While declining the oath is considered treason and is punishable by death, Mary, for the sake of her mother, repeatly refuses to agree. With the support of her friends, many of whom are working as spies, she manages to survive; many of citizens, monks, priests, and others who refuse to accept the brutal rule of Henry and Anne, however, do not.
This cruel rule, along with Anne's life, is brought to an abrupt end, though. Queen Anne is convicted of adultery and, along with five others, is executed. At the suggestion a close friend, Mary finally agrees to the double oath, ending her chance at becoming queen. This does, however, put her on fairly decent terms with King Henry and his new wife, Jane Seymour.