C. Sansom - Lamentation

‘Yes,’ I agreed. ‘But you said, if it’s true about Bertano.’

Barak grunted. ‘Remember I’ve been out of politics for six years. But don’t forget that after Anne Boleyn was killed, there was no longer any impediment to the King’s going back to Rome. But he didn’t.’ He gave a cynical laugh. ‘He enjoys his power as Head of the Church too much, to say nothing of the money he got from the monasteries. But there’s something else.’ He furrowed his brows, making shadows on his face in the dim candlelight. ‘I know Lord Cromwell thought the key to understanding the King was to remember that he truly believes God has appointed him to be Head of the Church in England. That is why every time he changes his mind on the matter of doctrine, the country has to follow — or else.’ He shook his head firmly. ‘He wouldn’t hand all that power back to the Pope easily — not when he believes God himself has chosen him to exercise it.’

‘And when Henry dies?’ Nicholas asked quietly.

I thought of the shambling wreck I had seen in Whitehall Palace, the groaning figure winched upstairs. ‘The Supreme Headship must pass to his son.’

Barak agreed. ‘Nothing would ever shake Henry on his right — his duty, as he would see it — to bequeath the Supreme Headship to Prince Edward.’

Nicholas asked, ‘But how can a little boy, below the age of judgement, decide the correct path in religion?’

I answered, ‘They’ll have a Regent, or a Regency Council, until Edward comes of age. Probably the King will decide in his Will who will rule.’ And, I thought, it will not be the Parrs, if the Queen has fallen. ‘The council will exercise judgement on matters of religion on Edward’s behalf, I suppose, till he reaches his eighteenth year. It’s theological nonsense, of course, but that’s what they’ll do. No, Barak is right, if this Bertano is truly coming over, he won’t return with a sworn allegiance from Henry in his pocket.’ I considered. ‘But I have heard all sorts of things are happening in Europe. It is said the Pope is attempting a dialogue with some of the Protestants through his new Council of Trent. I wonder if Henry thinks some sort of compromise is on the cards.’

‘What sort of compromise?’ Barak asked impatiently. ‘Either the headship of the Church lies with the King or with the Pope. There’s no halfway house in between. If there was, someone would have proposed it years ago.’

Nicholas shook his head. ‘But perhaps the King thinks there may be some way to compromise, short of accepting papal allegiance. Perhaps Bertano has been sent to explore that? After all, the King has been keen this year to try and make peace everywhere. .’

Yes, I thought, because he knows he is dying. I nodded. ‘You could be right, Nicholas. A good point.’

‘It’ll never happen,’ Barak said scoffingly.

‘But who was the spy in their group?’ I asked. ‘And who was he reporting to?’

‘It certainly wasn’t Leeman,’ Barak said. ‘He’s a true believer if ever there was one. Nor Myldmore; he knew nothing of Bertano or the Queen’s book. Greening and Elias were murdered. Vandersteyn — I doubt it, he’s crossed the Channel in triumph with Anne Askew’s manuscript. That leaves Curdy, who’s beyond questioning, and the Scotchman McKendrick, who’s still out there somewhere.’

‘And McKendrick was Curdy’s lodger.’ Nicholas knitted his brows. ‘It has to be one of them, or perhaps both.’

‘If it’s McKendrick,’ Barak said, ‘he’ll be running to his master at court by now. Whoever that is.’

‘Someone who’s working with the conservative faction,’ I said. ‘But who? Secretary Paget runs the official spy network. But each of the courtiers has their own network: the Duke of Norfolk, Rich and Wriothesley who have hitched themselves to Gardiner’s wagon.’

Nicholas asked, ‘You think Rich could have been involved with the theft of the Lamentation ?’

I sighed. ‘Rich was after Anne Askew’s book, and he didn’t seem to know anything about the Lamentation . But you can never trust that snake.’

Barak said, ‘Whoever is holding it may indeed be ready to reveal it to the King when Bertano comes. For maximum impact. That could explain why it hasn’t already been made public.’

I shook my head. ‘I am sure these men would have done it already, to bend the King’s mind further against the reformers and towards making an arrangement with Bertano when he arrives. Use it to turn the wind against the reformers again as soon as possible.’

‘Then where is it?’ Barak asked angrily. ‘Who has it?’

‘God’s death, I don’t know!’ I passed a hand over my brow.

‘Could McKendrick have it?’ Nicholas said thoughtfully. ‘If he was the spy, and was given the book by the thieves, then maybe — if he’s been on the run with the others — he hasn’t had time to hand it over to whoever he’s working for?’

‘But it’s been nearly a month,’ Barak answered.

I said, ‘It’s unlikely. But anything is possible. I’ll have to discuss it all with Lord Parr.’

‘Or. .’ Nicholas said.

‘What?’

‘What if the spy was playing both ends? What if McKendrick — assuming it is him — was indeed working to some master at court, but kept his own beliefs, and made sure the Lamentation did not fall into the wrong hands? Perhaps he had it stolen, but kept it himself?’

‘It’s far-fetched, but it’s possible. Thank you, Nicholas.’ The boy looked pleased.

‘Now, Jack, it is late. Nicholas and I will wait here, but you must get back to Tamasin. Where did you tell her you were going tonight?’

‘Only that I was meeting old friends for a drink.’

‘But the taverns are long closed. She will be worried. And on your way back,’ I added, ‘remember those two killers are still out there, and that we were watched tonight. Be careful. Nicholas, will you stay here with me to guard Leeman until Lord Parr’s people return?’

‘You can trust me.’ He shook his head. ‘Leeman’s nothing but a rogue and a villain.’

I sighed. ‘He was doing what he believed was right.’

‘And that justifies all he has done?’ Nicholas answered hotly. ‘The betrayal, the bribery, this — chaos? The threat brought to the Queen by stealing her book?’

Barak turned to him, his tone indulgent. ‘He gets soft, Nick, it’s his way.’ He looked up to the top of the stairs. ‘But better have God’s true representative bound and gagged in case he starts shouting if the students come back. I’ll help you.’

Nicholas said with a sort of appalled admiration, ‘That Dutchman, Vandersteyn. He already has informers working on the Continent who found the information about Bertano. Meanwhile he is over here, recruiting fanatics who might be able to spy on those in high places in London.’

Barak said, ‘He knew the atmosphere here was seething with plots and religious discontent. Decided to come over and further his revolution in England, no doubt.’

‘And found Leeman, then Myldmore. Men with access to two sets of writings that could cause great stir.’ He shook his head. ‘He must truly think God is working through him.’

Barak snorted. ‘He got lucky. Twice. But not really lucky: it sounds as if what Anne Askew wrote would be damaging only to Wriothesley and Rich, and they’re not the top players. And releasing the Lamentation would do the radical cause more harm than good. But some in his group were too bone-headed to see that. If they’d found evidence that Gardiner had been in bed with a choirboy, say, that would’ve been real luck.’

I said, ‘Vandersteyn has probably been running schemes like this on the Continent for years. He was skilful in weeding out those among the radicals who might be of use to him.’