Summer 1526 Summary

Mary's new son has been taken from her to be cared for. She is severely depressed, wanting nothing but her children. She is having trouble with bleeding, has grown fat, and has no energy. Anne has had the king "on a thread" (204), but the family is still counting on Mary, hoping to annul her own marriage, as well as the king's marriage, making the new child heir to the throne. The king is now allied with France, and Venice and is close to war with Spain. Mary's uncle Howard feels Mary will surely be the next queen.

Ill and depressed, Mary is forced back into the spotlight in court, and the king wants her back in his bed. Her brother and sister help her with a vaginal packing to stave off her bleeding. She submits to the king's lovemaking, but is sad that...