Inside the Tower of London

Henry VIII was notorious for sending those who fell out of his favour to the Tower. His victims included Sir Thomas More, Lady Margaret Pole and Queen Anne Boleyn. They were buried in the chapel of St Peter ad Vincula within the Tower.

On 6th May 1536 Anne Boleyn wrote a letter to Henry VIII from the Tower asking for justice. But he disregarded her plea and she was executed for treason and adultery on 19th May 1536. His only sign of consideration for his once-beloved wife was to send for a swordsman from Calais to perform the execution.

What would it have been like to live as a prisoner in the Tower? In a scene from The Tudor Lady in Waiting, Lady Margaret de la Roche and her friend Nan accompany Queen Anne Boleyn to her apartments:

"We took the swelling tide from Greenwich to the Court Gate of the Tower. During that terrible journey none of us could speak a word. We wondered what trials lay ahead and our spirits sank within us. The Lieutenant of the Tower was waiting to meet us there. 

“Your Grace, I am Sir Edward Walsingham and I am here to escort you to the keeping of Sir William Kingston, the Constable of the Tower.” 

The queen wrapped her mantle closely around her. “Lead on, Sir Edward,” she said bravely. “I entered with more ceremony the last time I came here.” 

We followed him across the stone flagged yard beneath the looming height of the ancient white tower. We were brought to Sir William Kingston who regarded the queen gravely. 

“Madam, I must ask you to accompany me to your lodging,” he informed her. Nan and I were both in tears. And the queen’s courage had finally deserted her. 

"Master Kingston, shall I go into a dungeon?" she implored him. 

"No, Madam,” he assured her. “You shall go into the apartments you stayed in at your coronation.” And indeed, he brought us to the same chambers that she had last used three years ago. 

Queen Anne looked about her with some surprise. “It is too good for me,” she said. “Lord, have mercy upon me.” She sank down on a chair and burst into tears. Master Kingston looked most abashed. 

“Madam, here is my wife Lady Kingston who will attend you in this place. Your ladies must not have any speech with you unless she is present.” She was a tall, thin woman with hard eyes set in a pinched face. Her very presence was unnerving. The thought crossed my mind that King Henry would never have passed her as fit for his rooms.

“Master Kingston, shall I die without justice?” the queen exclaimed piteously. 

“The poorest servant of the king has justice, Madam,” he assured her. The queen laughed aloud at his words, but not with any mirth. She said no more and the Constable withdrew and locked the door behind him.

The chamber was brightly painted but it was unaired and sparsely furnished. When the baggage finally arrived, Nan and I silently occupied ourselves with unpacking the queen’s wardrobe and preparing a comfortable bed. Lady Kingston looked on with raised eyebrows at this singular display of luxury for a prisoner in the Tower. We avoided her gaze for we did not wish to speak to her unless it was strictly necessary. It was quite clear to all of us that she had been placed there as a spy. 

Nan busied herself in building up the fire. I did my best to remove the dust from the window with my handkerchief and wished that I had had the foresight to bring a flask of hippocras and some sweet wafers. I had no idea where Nan and I were to sleep that night. The same thought must have occurred to Lady Kingston for she rapped on the door and ordered three pallets to be brought in. The blankets were damp and musty from long storage and there was nowhere to dry them. The disapproving Lady Kingston knocked on the door again and had them taken away. Fresh bedding was brought which she informed us was from her own stock. We duly thanked her although we were aware that these efforts were not for our benefit. 

The queen signalled to Nan to bring her box of writing materials. But Lady Kingston quickly forestalled her. “You may not write anything, Madam. You may only dictate your words to a scribe.” 

Queen Anne frowned and gestured to Nan to sit at the table “Take this down,” she directed her. 

"Try me, good king, but let me have a lawful trial, and let not my enemies be my judges. Let me receive an open trial, and you shall see either my innocence cleared or my guilt openly proved.  But if you have already determined that my death and an infamous slander will bring you the enjoyment of your desired happiness, then I pray that God will pardon your great sin and not call you to a strait account for your unprincely and cruel usage of me. My innocence will be known at the Day of Judgment.  My last request is that I alone may bear the burden of your displeasure, and not those poor gentlemen, who, I understand, are likewise imprisoned for my sake. If ever I have found favour in your sight, if ever the name of Anne Boleyn has been pleasing in your ears, let me obtain this request, and so I will leave to trouble your Grace any further. 

From my doleful prison in the Tower. Anne the Queen.” 

Queen Anne seemed calmer once she had finished it. “Please give this letter to Master Kingston and ask him to send it to the king.” 

Lady Kingston looked scandalised by such temerity. “Very well, Madam,” she replied ungraciously."

Extract from The Tudor Lady in Waiting.

Elizabeth Kelly.

Book 2 in The Tudors Series