In fact, during the nearly two years of Queen Catherine Parr's court life with Henry VIII, religious questions about Catholicism and Protestantism were an integral part of her court life. Not only that, but she was also under suspicion from both Catholic and anti-Protestant court ministers. Now, after her northern buddy, Baroness Isabelle Walton, became a female noblewoman with free access to the court, ministers who were suspicious of the queen's religion naturally included Isabel in the queen's camp.

Isabel herself was well aware of the current situation at court, and she did not want to allow herself to be drawn into the religious factional struggle of the court. So, shortly after returning home from victory over the French fleet, she made a request to go to Plymouth. Of course, she did need to pay a trip to the Hawkins family in Plymouth to check on the progress of the construction of her five armed merchant ships.

Since she was unlikely to hold certain court positions in Henry VIII's court (with the exception of serving as the queen's lady-in-waiting and lady-in-waiting), she had not yet become a thorn in the side of the conservative court ministers. In this way, her life at the court and in the city of London can still be described as relaxed and comfortable.

At this point, when she met Queen Catherine alone, she gave some reasons why she needed to go to Plymouth. When the queen heard this, she smiled with a sense of surprise and a very calm smile, and said, "It seems that Captain Hawkins of Plymouth is very loyal to you, and is willing to pay for the construction of five merchant ships for you. Well, it costs a lot of money to build 5 merchant ships. ”

Dressed in viscountess-level attire, Isabel sat on the bench opposite the Queen, leaned her straight upper body forward and said, "Your Majesty, I would love to go with you on a tour of Plymouth. Well, the Queen's parade can also be thought of as a trip to the countryside. ”

The queen stared at her and shook her head slowly, "Isabel, I'm the queen of England and Ireland, and I can't just go out if I say it. ”

Before Isabel could express her feelings, the queen whispered, "I have heard that the Protestant forces in Plymouth are very strong, do you know about this?" ”

On religious issues of Catholicism and Protestantism, Isabel adopted the same attitude as most of Plymouth's overseas merchant families, including the Hawkins: avoiding religious questions. Many years ago, she was an out-and-out Protestant. Later, after being baptized by Northern Catholicism against her will, she allowed herself to return to Catholicism. As for the rights and wrongs of the two religions, she still thinks she should lean on the side of Protestantism. Or rather, she was still a Protestant at heart.

Isabel looked into the queen's eyes and wondered how she should answer. In the end, he still said a vague sentence, "Your Majesty, I... Know that there are a lot of people in Plymouth who are Protestant. However, I only went there to do some business, overseas business to be exact. ”

"Isabel, I can see you're dodging this question. You know, whenever I talk to His Majesty about religion, I always worry that His Majesty's next sentence is: 'Take me to the Tower of London and hold me in. Catherine couldn't help but feel a sense of lingering when she spoke her heart.

Isabel knew that Queen Catherine had now become sympathetic and interested in the Protestant faith, but this was the court where the religious power struggle was extremely serious. The slightest carelessness in words and deeds will be framed or falsely accused by some Catholic ministers and court members. Especially at a time when Henry VIII is not dead, this struggle is even more frightening and terrifying.

"Your Majesty, you know that I live in the north and am a devout Catholic. However, after my allegiance to His Majesty the King... Not against ... His Majesty proposed the Reformation. ”

"Isabelle, does this question scare you?"

"Perhaps, you're right."

Earlier, Queen Catherine's reference to Plymouth, which was occupied by Protestants, was a test of Isabel's religious attitude. She wondered if her good northern friend had developed the same interest in Protestantism as she did. Of course, a conversation about religion can only go so far.

"Well, Isabel, as the Queen, cannot be alone in the affairs of maritime trade. So go to Plymouth in the name of your Lady Ripley. ”

"Yes, Her Majesty."

As Isabel got up to leave the Queen's drawing-room, she was stopped again by Queen Catherine, "Lord Ripley, if you wish, I can let William go to Plymouth with you." ”

"William Parr?" Isabel muttered to herself, then looked at the Queen and said seriously, "I am honored to be with Her Majesty's younger brother, Lord Essex. ”

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After leaving the Queen's palace in Whitehall, Isabel saw the Earl of Essex leading dozens of attendants in the square outside Whitehall. After the two exchanged salutes, William Parr, Earl of Essex, looked at her with a smile, "Your Excellency, are you no longer accompanying Her Majesty the Queen?" ”

"Your Excellency, have you come to meet Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen?" As Isabel spoke, a team of 20 attendants standing on the side of the square led a beautiful white Iberian horse to her. There is no doubt that this is Isabel's own squire corps.

"Yes, Your Excellency." After using words of aristocratic etiquette, William whispered, "Isabel, has my sister allowed you to go to Plymouth with me?" ”

Isabel shook her head, turned to the squire behind her, and ordered, "Stay away from me, I'm going to talk to Lord Essex alone." ”

Then, as the two slowly walked to the other side of the square, Isabel gazed at the Earl, who had a handsome face, "William, why do you insist on going to Plymouth with me?" ”

The Earl blinked, and said deliberately, "Because... I love you. Isabelle, isn't that a good reason? ”

Isabel just smiled knowingly, "That's right. However, I just promised to let you accompany you, do you understand? ”

"Isabel, I am already satisfied that you have allowed me to accompany you to Plymouth. Unless... You have other requirements. William said as he approached the other party.

Isabel knew what he wanted to do, but she couldn't accept it psychologically, and her face became a little serious, and she said, "I want to say that you can't reprimand a viscount for anything that he likes to do as an earl. ”