Tombland

So she wanted to see whether local discontent encompassed the changes in religion; though that could not be the main reason I was called.

Southwell added, ‘Outside the south-west, the talk is all of commonwealth. A radical Protestant notion. And I think some believe John Hales’s enclosure commissions will bring the changes which those rebels want, and by setting up these camps they can dictate to him.’ He still looked at me with that cold expression; and it suddenly occurred to me that he had the wealth, status and formidable reputation to have suborned the clerk Arden over the notice of Boleyn’s pardon. But then so did John Flowerdew.

‘But the Prayer Book may become an issue,’ Mary said quietly. Southwell gave her a quick, warning look, and she turned back to me. ‘Of course, all rebellion by common people against the social order is treason against my brother the King, and must be harshly punished.’

I bowed my head in formal acknowledgement.

She turned again to Southwell, her tone suddenly sharp. ‘As you suspected, he knows nothing. But it is always worth asking.’ She looked at me, her expression quite different now, stern and severe. ‘Serjeant Shardlake, my main purpose in calling you was to ask what my sister thinks she is about, sending you here to intervene in the case of her Boleyn relative who has been found guilty of a disgusting murder. I am told you actually went up on the scaffold and prevented the man being hanged.’ Her dark eyes were probing and hard now, her thin lips drawn tight.

‘The Lady Elizabeth asked only that I investigate the case. When the verdict went against Boleyn my instruction was to lay an application for a pardon, which I did. All that is quite legal,’ I said. Then I added, ‘The application was accepted by the judge, but the notice cancelling the execution did not reach the castle constable in time. That was why I intervened at the hanging. The execution would have been illegal.’

Mary laughed harshly, and turned to Southwell. ‘You see, where a Boleyn is concerned, even the finding of a jury is not enough.’

I glanced at Southwell, remembering that he had once himself obtained a pardon for murder, then said steadily, ‘I have done only what is permitted by law.’

The Lady Mary smiled, sourly. ‘Certain – discussions – are taking place between myself and Protector Somerset, mainly through Sir Richard here. I will ensure that my discontent over this pardon application is made known to the Protector. Perhaps then he will deny it to please me.’ Her voice deepened. ‘Anne Boleyn brought ruin to this country and misery to my father. He turned to Jane Seymour – the Protector’s sister. Let Elizabeth remember that.’

Southwell addressed me. ‘No doubt you will report this conversation to Master Parry. Feel free.’ He gave a sudden broad smile, showing white teeth. Mary, I realized, wished to remind Elizabeth of her weakness compared to her own strength. She was, after all, the heir and with the patronage of the Habsburgs, despite her current difficulties.

‘I am sorry you are offended, my Lady. Please be sure that I have been concerned only to carry out my duties as a lawyer.’

Mary sat back in her chair. She spoke coldly and harshly. ‘As you did for that other patron of the new religion, Catherine Parr. That woman tried to subvert the faith of all the King’s children, but she never succeeded with me. I saw her true nature. What was that book she wrote, Lamentation of a Sinner

? Bewailing how she had fallen to the sins of the flesh before she discovered the Bible? But she fell into sin again, did she not, marrying the Protector’s treacherous brother when my father was barely cold in his grave.’

I looked at her. She must have known I had worked for Catherine Parr for years, and of my respect for the late queen. Yet I saw from Mary’s eyes, now wide and bright with a furious glint, that her remarks were not mere viciousness. This was what, in her hatred and anger, she truly believed.

Southwell said, ‘I think this interview is over, my Lady?’

Mary nodded agreement. ‘I think I have made myself clear. Good morrow, Serjeant Shardlake.’

I bowed low again, then walked backwards from the chamber, the doors opening behind me. Outside I stared at the closed door for a moment, overcome with anger. The steward looked at me questioningly. I nodded, and he led me away.

* * *

I MADE SURLY COMPANY for Nicholas on the ride back to Wymondham. I told him only the barest outline of what Mary had said. The encounter had troubled me much. Her threatened intervention in the pardon application could only make matters more difficult. I remembered, too, Southwell’s talk of the rebellions being coordinated, and the meeting I had overheard under the oak at the Blue Boar. Southwell had spoken of spies, too. Were some men playing both sides of the fence, pretending to support rebellion but acting for the government? The sooner we left for London the better.