Find the Rules at Rachael Ritchie’s blog: http://wp.me/p7rsge-cB
Genre: Historical Fiction
Prompt: Adore
Words: 780
Oh, Henry!
Love of learning amused and absorbed him. A good-natured boy, Henry hid a quick and vicious temper but when he played, he played to win. “Giving up already, lads?”
His cousins William and Charles slid from their horses. Fair-haired Charles, the more outspoken of the two, pursed his lips. “Henry, give it a rest. My backside is raw as a side of mutton. We can hunt again another day.”
Brow furled, William curled his lip. “The hounds need water and a rest as do I. The early spring sun is hot and burns, does it not?”
Henry sized up his companions beneath dripping lashes. Perspiration slid from his ginger hair to his flushed cheeks. He swiped a sleeve over his face. On the cusp of his eighteenth birthday, his energy and stamina exceeded theirs though they were of similar age. The hounds yelped and clustered around. “All right, men. Point taken. Methinks I need a tankard of beer to cool off. Follow me.”
The horses dispensed to the care of the stable grooms, the young men joked and jostled each other like schoolboys up the dusty path to the main building. Large-boned but lean, Henry, the tallest, strut with a confident swagger, kicking up dirt behind him. Long strides thrust him a fair distance ahead of his cousins. Inside the palace, he raised his voice. “Cook. We have need to quench our thirst and meat to fill our bellies. Hurry, else I expire.”
Hearing the commotion in the dining room, Henry’s grandmother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, hastened to his side. “The physicians say your father is weak and may not last the night. Eat your fill but hurry.”
Henry’s father, the king, had been ill for some time but his imminent death chilled him. Arthur, the first-born, had died. His mother had, too within a year. Henry had not been the favored son though his father strove to protect him from harm as second choice of heir to the throne. Now he might die within hours. He had never considered anything in life but continued study and the eventual rise to the role of Archbishop of Canterbury. His mother and grandmother had groomed him since birth.
Lady Beaufort hurried away.
Charles and William gaped at the news. “You’ve been heir to the throne since Arthur died. You knew your father wouldn’t live forever and as the only son left…” Charles patted Henry’s forearm.
Over-heated staff scurried in and out of the kitchen. They placed tankards of beer before the young men. Steaming platters of fragrant meats and pies and fish arrived in a flurry of countless hands.
Henry slumped in his chair. “Alas, I did—and did not. These seven years since Arthur’s death, I considered this often, but I am not for ruling. I prefer my books and music, jousting and wrestling. King? I do not want it.
“Father and I had a terrible row about a year ago. I told him I couldn’t do it. I had never seen him so angry. “‘You must carry on the Tudor line,’” he said. “‘This will be your responsibility after I am gone, like it or not.’” He laid hands on me as if to kill me. Wish he had, then I would not have this terrible weight on me.” He dropped his head in his hands as if to crush his face.
William grabbed a drumstick and sank his teeth in to the bone. He ripped off an enormous bite; juice dripped down his golden chin stubble. Mouth too full to speak, he chomped and nodded.
Charles surveyed the offerings but held back. He punched William’s upper arm instead. “Listen, Henry. It will be fine. You are smart and have a fair face. Who doesn’t adore you? Think of all the wenches and ladies-in-waiting at your disposal. King by day and seducer by night…”
“How can you speak thus or even entertain such depraved thoughts? I am not the sort to partake in the pleasure of the flesh before marriage. This is a sin. Stop right now.” He raised a sweaty palm.
Face pale as goat’s milk, Lady Beaufort reappeared wringing her hands. Henry jumped up before she covered half the distance between them. He slogged after her, chin to his chest. His cousins avoided eye contact and bent to the task at hand: the agreeable indulgence of mouth-watering food.
* * *
Henry’s coronation occurred two months after his father’s burial. Lady Beaufort enjoyed herself at the banquet but died one day later on his eighteenth birthday.
Henry took to politics after all. A new era began in part due to his intelligence and forward thinking: some changes good; others less so.
The End
© 2017 Tess and How the Cookie Crumbles
Images courtesy of Pixabay
February 7, 2017 at 11:58 am
Love it! You certainly have a way of fleshing out characters in a minimal amount of space. Bravo! And all hail the king! 😉
Love the picture as well. Where is that?
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February 9, 2017 at 4:40 pm
I have no idea about the photo, K.L. Just wanted a castle for the post. Looked rich and kingly. 😀 😀
I was at a loss here because I’d never tried historical fiction and this came after research. I might have added more but then I’d get carried away because of the research and gone over the word count.
Thank you for your kind comment. You opinion means a lot to me. ❤ ❤
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February 7, 2017 at 12:24 pm
A much more compassionate sketch of Henry than I am accustomed to reading.👏
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February 9, 2017 at 4:42 pm
Thank YOU, Bernadette. This sure isn’t what they taught us in school, but I found these tidbits after researching to avoid dragging out same old, same old main story. ❤ ❤
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February 7, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Well done, Tess. Awesome as always! Mega hugs.
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February 9, 2017 at 4:43 pm
I’m blushing already. I had to look this up. I hadn’t a clue about anything fresh. Imagine my surprise and gratitude though this is supposed to be fiction. 🙂
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February 7, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Lady Beaufort would have enjoyed this read. Well done Tess. 🙂
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February 9, 2017 at 4:45 pm
Ha ha. Thank you, Paulette. Research digs up all kinds of things. Never heard any of these tidbits before, though this is supposed to be fiction set in a historical time. ❤
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February 7, 2017 at 1:08 pm
We all love stories about Henry Tudor. Well done!
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February 9, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Indeed, Darlene. I don’t think the Tudors, especially Henry VIII will ever go out of style of be forgotten. 🙂
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February 7, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Excellent, Tess 🙂 Loved this glimpse of a pre King Henry.
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February 9, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Thank you, Cathy. Once armed with a little research I had something to say. Sigh.
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February 9, 2017 at 5:02 pm
You did…and very well too!
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February 7, 2017 at 3:16 pm
Very interesting Tess, great take on Henry T
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February 9, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Thank you for reading as you do, Willow. It’s surprising what I’ve forgotten about a lot of things. Henry VIII is the only historical character who came to mind. 🙂
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February 9, 2017 at 5:06 pm
We all have selective Memories so history is more interesting than other bits. As always we are selective 😱💜🤗😣🙂🙂
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February 7, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Strong characterizations. Loved it. BTW I got hungry even though Henry lost his appetite. Good job.
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February 9, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Ha ha. I heard that old saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.’ So, it really works!
Thank you for your kind comments, John. I so appreciate your support. 🙂
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February 9, 2017 at 4:57 pm
I’m a sucker of the stomach thing. 😀
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February 7, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Love your style, your story writing is so easy and pleasing to read.. May it continue. 😋 well done and thank you.
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February 9, 2017 at 4:51 pm
Thank you, Gerry. You are easy to please. I’ve been dragged out of my comfort zone again. After a bucket of sweat and some Googling, I finally end up with this. 🙂 ❤
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February 10, 2017 at 12:55 am
And ‘brill’ it is…
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February 7, 2017 at 8:37 pm
As always Tess I was drawn right into your story. I feel as if I know your characters within sentences. So well done.
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February 9, 2017 at 4:52 pm
Ha ha. It helps I chose Henry. Everybody knows about Henry. Whew. Got through another week.
Thanks as always for your kind support and helpful words. ❤ ❤ ❤
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February 7, 2017 at 8:49 pm
I’ve been watching Victoria so anything about the British monarchy is welcome. Nice characterizations, Tess.
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February 9, 2017 at 4:53 pm
Thank YOU, Jacqui. Out of my comfort zone again this week. Google is my friend now more than ever. ❤ ❤ ❤
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February 8, 2017 at 1:43 am
I can’t remember much about this period of history, but you’ve obviously done your research and brought the character to life!
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February 9, 2017 at 4:54 pm
Thank you, Gilly. Couldn’t think of a particular historical person or time. There’s always Henry VIII but what about him? I love Google. 🙂 ❤
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February 8, 2017 at 8:13 am
Thank you, Rachael. ❤
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February 8, 2017 at 8:54 am
A bit different to your usual subjects but indeed richly observed and lot of detail in few words. I’ve recently read a few books about Henry…, well, mostly about his wives.
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February 9, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Thank you, Olga. Each week is a different genre. This is waayy out of my comfort zone and now I believe Google is my friend. Wanted something different and got lucky. ❤ ❤ 🙂
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February 8, 2017 at 9:09 am
Recounting that time in history to put more personal meaning into it isn’t an easy task. You portrayed it beautifully, Tess.
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February 9, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Wow, Glynis. Thank you. Given a deadline, sometimes we can really surprise ourselves.Google gets top marks. ❤
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February 8, 2017 at 11:08 pm
I need to do better with my English history. I recognized names, seems to be a modern day version, hmmm? Lots o’ fun, Tess!
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February 9, 2017 at 4:58 pm
I remember almost nothing about any history I had been taught. I bowed at the altar of Google and it gave me some good tidbits. Made me a happy camper. Thank you, Terri, for reading and commenting. ❤ ❤
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February 9, 2017 at 6:50 am
You nailed the language the setting and the uncertainty of an heir who never expected to be king. Beautifully constructed
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February 9, 2017 at 5:01 pm
Thanks so much, Geoff. Although I enjoy reading historical fiction, I don’t know the lingo and such but hoped a word or two from something I recall from somewhere might fool you a little that maybe I know what I’m doing. 🙂
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February 9, 2017 at 5:04 pm
I’m utterly gullible Tess. They didn’t call me Credulous Geoff for nothing in the corridors of law back when I pretended to be an adult.
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February 10, 2017 at 4:33 pm
I would’ve received a better mark in high school history if it was written like this. An enjoyable read!
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February 12, 2017 at 3:43 pm
I doth love this! 😉
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February 13, 2017 at 11:31 am
I love the story you came up with about the Tudors. Nice, fresh perspective, and an event we don’t often see.
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