Source:
The girlhood of Queen Elizabeth, a narrative in letters, Frank Arthur Mumby, 1909
Above: Two year old Elizabeth (portrayed by Kate Duggan) in the Showtime series The Tudors.
Lady Margaret Bryan, Baroness Bryan (born circa 1468, died circa 1551 or 1552), was lady governess to the children of King Henry VIII of England, who were the future monarchs Queen Mary I, Queen Elizabeth I, and King Edward VI, as well as the illegitimate Henry FitzRoy. The position of lady governess at the time was less like the modern idea of a governess and more like a nanny.
The letter:
HUNSDON, 1536.
My lord, when your lordship was last here, it pleased you to say that I should not mistrust the king's grace nor your lordship, which word was more comfort to me than I can write, as God knoweth. And now it emboldens me to show you my poor mind. My lord, when my Lady Mary's grace was born, it pleased the king's grace to appoint me lady-mistress and made me a baroness. And so I have been governess to the children his Grace have had since.
Now it is so, my Lady Elizabeth is put from that degree she was afore, and what degree she is of now, I know not but by hearsay. Therefore I know not how to order her, nor myself, nor none of hers that I have the rule of — that is her women and grooms, beseeching you to be good lord to my lady, and to all hers: And that she may have some raiment; for she hath neither gown, nor kirtle, nor petticoat, nor no manner of linen, nor smocks, nor kerchiefs, nor rails, nor body stitchets, nor handkerchiefs, nor sleeves, nor mufflers, nor biggens. All these her Grace must take I have driven off as long as I can, that by my troth I can drive it off no longer: beseeching you, my lord, that ye will see that her Grace may have that which is needful for her, as my trust is that ye will do. Beseeching ye, mine own good lord, that I may know from you, by writing, how I shall order myself; and what is the King's grace's pleasure and yours; that I shall do in everything? And whatsomever it shall please the King's grace or your lordship to command me at all times, I shall fulfil it to the best of my power.
My lord, Mr. Shelton saith he is master of this house. What fashion that may be I cannot tell, for I have not seen it afore. My lord, be ye so honourable yourself, and every man reporteth that your lordship loveth honour, that I trust you will see the house honourably ordered, as it ever hath been aforetime. And if it please you that I may know what your order is, and if it be not performed I shall certify your lordship of it. For I fear me it will be hardly enough performed. But if the head knew what honour meaneth, it will be the better ordered — if not, it will be hard to bring to pass.
My lord, Mr. Shelton would have my Lady Elizabeth to dine and sup every day at the board of estate. Alas! my lord, it is not meet for a child of her age to keep such rule yet. I promise you, my lord, I dare not take it upon me to keep her Grace in health an' she keep that rule. For there she shall see divers meats, and fruits, and wine, which it would be hard for me to restrain her Grace from. Ye know, my lord, there is no place of correction there; and she is yet too young to correct greatly. I know well an' she be there, I shall neither bring her up to the King's grace's honour, nor hers, nor to her health, nor to my poor honesty. Wherefore, I show your lordship this my desire, beseeching you, my lord, that my lady may have a mess of meat at her own lodging, with a good dish or two that is meet for her Grace to eat of; and the reversion of the mess shall satisfy all her women, a gentleman usher, and a groom; which be eleven persons on her side. Sure I am it will be as great profit to the King's grace this way as the other way. For if all this should be set abroad, they must have three or four messes of meat, — whereas this one mess shall suffice them all with bread and drink, according as my Lady Mary's grace had afore, and to be ordered in all things as her Grace was afore.
God knoweth my lady hath great pain with her great teeth, and they come very slowly forth, which causeth me to suffer her Grace to have her will more than I would. I trust to God an' her teeth were well graft, to have her Grace after another fashion than she is yet: so as I trust the King's grace shall have great comfort in her Grace. For she is as toward a child and as gentle of conditions, as ever I knew any in my life. Jesu preserve her Grace!
As for a day or two, at a high time, or whensoever it shall please the King's grace to have her set abroad, I trust so to endeavour me, that she shall do so as shall be to the King's honour and hers; and then after to take her case again. ... From Hunsdon, with the evil hand of her who is your daily head-woman, MARGT. BRYAN.
Notes: afore = before
kirtle = slip
rails = nightdresses
body stitchets = corsets
mufflers = mob caps
biggens = nightcaps
aforetime = formerly
meet = safe, appropriate, proper
In the early modern era, children were allowed to drink wine and beer, as it was much safer than water, which was often contaminated.
evil hand = bad handwriting
No comments:
Post a Comment