The Duchess of Richmond made this momentous decision that made her brother, the Earl of Surrey, stand up in shock. After Henry VIII had ordered the execution of all the leaders of the rebellion in the north, he had accompanied his father, the Duke of Richmond, and other nobles to a council north of the Trent River to investigate the effects of the rebellion. Therefore, I have a deep impression of the chaos, violence, and illegal acts of the northern society.

The River Trent, a river located in the middle of England. Originating in Staffordshire, it flows north into the Humber Estuary in the North Sea, with a total length of 170 miles (about 274 km) and a basin area of 3,861 square miles (about 10,000 km²). As an important waterway in the inland region, there are several important towns along the river. In the 16th century, the royal and popular phrase "north of Trent" referred to northern society.

"Mary, do you know how ridiculous and stupid your decision is?" The Earl of Surrey stood two or three paces behind his sister and rebuked her unceremoniously.

Mary Fitzroy turned gracefully, and after glancing at her husband on the left side with her hands on the lower abdomen of her brace skirt, she looked at her brother calmly: "Henry, are you saying that it is also ridiculous and stupid for your playmate, the Duke of Richmond, to live in his domain?" ”

"It's... It's completely different. You've been in the South since you were born, in your father's castle. What kind of society is in the north, you don't know at all! ”

"Henry, did I tell you that I intend to live in the north for a long time?" Mary was still very sensitive to the changes in her brother's face and attitude, and hurriedly thought of a compromise.

The Duke of Richmond, who had been in the position of a bystander, said what he wanted to say the most: "Mary, if you don't intend to live in the north for a long time, then the purpose of your return to the north with me..."

Mary walked to the fireplace with her head bowed slightly, and then raised her head to look at her husband levelly: "Your Highness, I know that you are not willing to easily abandon the duties and responsibilities that Your Majesty has entrusted to you. But you don't want to stay in the South. And because you finally have the desire to have a male heir after almost four years of marrying me, I, as your wife, have legal authority to obey my husband's decision. ”

Her reasonable explanation made the two male nobles present unable to think of a better reason to refute her for a while. After a moment of thought, the Earl of Surrey spoke of the dark side of northern society: "Mary, your reasons are very good, and Henry and I can't easily refuse. But the North is a region of chaos, violence and abuse, and you know I'm not kidding. ”

"Henry, I'm not done. I would say that Mademoiselle Isabel was the daughter of a knight who lived in the north, and I, as a duchess, could only stay in the south. ”

Now, the two male aristocrats finally know what she really thinks. The Duke of Richmond smiled helplessly and glanced at his wife: "Okay, I agree that you will go back to the north with me." However, I am conditional. ”

"Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness, what conditions?"

"Wherever you go and what you do, let Miss Isabel know. I'm talking about, outside of my castle. ”

"Mary, I hope you will remember the words of Your Highness." The Earl of Surrey sat down again, and took a sip of red wine from his glass.

The Duchess returned to her seat, and a light smile of an aristocratic woman appeared on her face, "I will." Don't worry, I'm not going to be in the north for long. ”

After dinner, the Duke and Lady of Norfolk, who had served as a lady-in-waiting at Catherine's court in Aragon and had become a very close partner to Queen Catherine, did not express an overreaction when she heard her daughter's account.

Perhaps it was because of years of court life that the Duchess of Norfolk had become unfazed. Madame felt that since her daughter was married to the Duke of Richmond, she should be under the legal custody of her husband after marriage.

Mary disagreed with her mother, who was a Catholic. After leaving her mother's room, she went to her father's study and informed him of her decision to go north. The Duke of Norfolk III also did not express any opinion, but left her to decide for herself.

Surrendering to male authority under the patriarchy, Mary Fitzroy followed her heart and was given the opportunity to return to Richmondshire with her husband through a fight against her husband, the Duke of Richmond.

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Isabel Walton, who received a letter from the Duke of Richmond during the festival, showed some curiosity about the Duchess who was coming north to live with the Duke for a while. Then, at the request of the duke, he immediately asked the butler to arrange for the servants to clean and sort out a master bedroom for the duchess to live in.

In fact, Isabel was still very happy with the arrival of the Duchess Mary. After all, Mary was an important partner in the family for her husband, the Duke of Richmond. When the Duke did not have time to oversee the affairs of the realm and the estate, Mary had to take on all the responsibilities.

On the one hand, it is necessary to supervise and deal with all kinds of affairs on the property, leasing land, collecting rent, listening to the steward's report, and selling surplus crops and natural resources. On the other hand, they also supervised the activities of the servants, paid honorariums to the retainers, and so on.

Anyway, she was looking forward to the Duchess's arrival. In this way, she could resume her more relaxed duties as Privy Counsellor and have time to do what she liked. The assumption was good, and whether it turned out to be as she wished would have to wait for the Duchess's arrival to know.

On the second Thursday of May, the Duke and Duchess of Richmond appeared on the other side of the River Swell, south of Nottingham Castle. Mary, who was sitting in a carriage with two valet maids, saw her husband's castle from afar.

Looking at her husband on a horse outside the car with great pleasure: "Henry, this is your castle?" ”

The Duke of Richmond grabbed the reins of his war horse under his crotch and looked sideways at his wife: "Yes, doesn't it look as magnificent and solid as Arundel Castle?" ”

Mary smiled lightly: "Every castle has its own special features. From the outside, this is indeed the case. ”

The Duke did not go on, but gazed at the castle on the other side of the river and said, "Mary, Miss Isabel said in her letter to me that she has arranged all the affairs for your arrival. ”

Mary sat in her carriage and crossed the stone bridge over the River Swell, smiling faintly and nodding her head as she faced the subjects of her realm who were constantly saluting her and her husband on both sides of the road.