She Was There! - The Cilly Black Chronicles. Chapter 1 - The Trial of Queen Katherine

It was almost time; Cilly adjusted her head piece, and smoothed down the front of her dress. She could hear the voices of great men speaking expertly and passionately from inside the room, but could not quite make out the specifics. All of a sudden she heard a gasp from the other side of the heavy wooden door in front of her. She focused on a particular knot in the wood, whilst running through her head what she needed to say when the time came.

Remember, poise, grace, certainty, she said to herself. She was determined not to let these men rattle her. She would show them. This may be a man’s world, but it would mean nothing without the testimony of women like her. They could use her for their own ends, because they were only furthering hers. 

Cilly looked at the two men standing either side of her. Young, handsome - one of them met her eye. She smiled, he blushed. 

“The crown calls - Miss Cececily Black, lady of the queen’s bedchamber!”

No sooner had these words reached her, than the door was flung open and she walked into the room. As she made her way toward the lords who would hear her testimony, she spied some familiar faces; Ambassador Chapuys, Archbishop Crenmer, her brother, Joe, sat toward the back of the room, grimacing devilishly at her as she appeared. Then she caught eyes with the Norfolks. Cilly straightened and gave a tiny nod to the Duke, and he bowed his head in response.

The room was filled with the sounds of fidgettings and mutterings of those in attendance. She could tell what they were thinking - that is if they even dained to spare her a thought at all. 

She walked head held high, along with her two guardsmen, until they stopped short of 3 older lords. Their fingers glistened with gemstones, and they were clad in fine fabrics - oh how she wished she were dressed to match, rather than wearing the dress every other one of the Queen’s ladies wore. 

Soon, she thought. Cilly curtseyed to the lords, bowing her head. 

“Cececily Black, you have been brought here to testify to the crimes bought before Queen Katherine. Do you understand that if it is found that any of the testimony you give is false, it will be on pain of death?”

“Yes, your grace,” Cilly replied. She could feel the Duke’s eyes boring into the back of her. Slightly higher than usual.

“And you are one of Queen Katherine’s ladies?”

“Yes, your grace.”

“Could you please tell the court what you witnessed on the recent Royal Northern Progress?”

It might just kill half the room if I did.

“Yes your grace. During the progress there were a number of times when the Queen would be visited by Master Culpeper.”

“Can you describe what happened during these visits?”

You’d love that wouldn’t you…

“It would not seem proper to do so in such esteemed company your grace.”

“I understand, but please, you must describe what you witnessed.”

He Rakakatiki’d all over her Tatas for a start and that’s not where it finished…

“Well your grace, they acted as if they were husband and wife, performing acts that only those who are wed should.”

“How did you come to witness this?”

“Well your grace, the Queen required me to join them.”

An audible gasp was heard around the room.

“And you agreed?”

Have you seen Culpeper? The little twunk. 

“I did my duty to her majesty, your grace.” Cilly bowed her head in shame. 

Drink in my remorse you old coot. 

“Thank you Miss Black. One more thing, can you attest to knowing anything about a relationship between the Queen and one Frances Dereham?”

“I have heard of these allegations your grace, and I can say that I would never expect such things to happen to Her Majesty under such care,” Cilly turned to see the Duke’s smiling face, “and I can swear to you I had never heard the Queen mention anything of a pre contract with Mr Dereham, and if I might be so bold? The Queen does like to share; her secrets that is.”

“Thank you Miss Black. You may go.” 

“Your Grace.” Cilly curtseyed once more, and guided by the two guardsmen, paraded back toward the heavy wooden door.

She caught the eyes of the Duke, who looked very pleased indeed. She smiled at him, and then turned to head through the door. As it closed behind the three of them, all three stopped. The blusher leant into Cilly and whispered, 

“The Queen isn’t the only one who likes to share.” Cilly looked at his smiling face, such cheek. She looked to the other guard who was similarly grinning.  

“Oh boys…” Cilly giggled as they all ducked behind a tapestry.

Later Cilly would find herself in front of the Duke again.

“Well done today Cececily.”

“Your grace is pleased?”

“Very, remind me again what you were promised.”

“Marquess of Sussex, many dresses and all the jewellery your grace could muster.”

“Ah yes, consider it done!”

Cilly lent in and kissed the Duke. She then strutted down the corridor of the court shooting him one last look before she turned a corner out of his view.

Men are too easy… 

*Disclaimer: These versions of events belong to Cilly, any historical inaccuracies are a result of gin induced delusion. 

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