Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

Elizabeth had not been invited to John Dudle's wedding. She felt very insulted but John Dudley did not care who he insulted. There had been three brides that day marrying John. But Jane, one of the three brides, had been gowned in cloth of gold with a cloak of silver tissue. I can not imagine a guy marrying three women. I have seen a television show about it though. I just don't think that's right. Some people do believe in that kind of stuff, I guess it's just what they're religion tells them. But it seems like anything could happen back then.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

It was now the summer of 1551. Visitors were telling Elzabeth that church bells were ringing all over for the dead. She worried about Edward, I think hoping that he is not one of them. He wasn't. But fifty thousand had died that summer. Elizabeth had went to Christmas that year seeing her little brother Edward's health just declining. She felt sorry for Edward because she thinks he is going through a terrible time as he had to sign an order for Dudley, Edward's uncle's, death. That is really insane how many people died. I'm not even sure what from. But I bet it was a depressing year that year. I don't know if things will even turn out for anybody in this book. Bad things have been happening throughout the whole thing so far.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

Seasons were changing and Elizabeth divided her life between quite times in the country with her tutor Professor Ascham, and she had been to many visits to court, where she had seen her brother, Edward. She was much in his favor. Elizabeth enjoyed the attention from him because she hadn't had that before. She loved her brother much but also had pity on him. He gave her the bad news that HIS uncle Edward Seymour had been let out of the tower and is now serving on the council again. Edward's uncle and Dudley had always argued and they never listened to what Edward, the king had to say. Edward just wanted to try to be a good king but they never let him do anything. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me because little Edward, the king is a king and is supposively supposed to be ruling them and not them ruling him or not listening to what he has to say? Things are complicated for Edward and Elizabeth now. Hopefully things turn out alright.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

Elizabeth had turned seventeen. It was the month of September as a messenger had arrived at Hatfield with a letter from Robin's father, John Dudley. Elizabeth had opened the message. It had been time that Elizabeth would now have to get married. It was the king's opinion. Elizabeth was very upset and called out Kat's name. Kat came and wondered why Elizabeth was so furious. She did not want to get married. She just kept going over and over again to Kat that "I do not wish to marry!" I think it should be up to her if she wants to get married not the king, but of course things were different back then. If I were Elizabeth and I went through all of the falling in love with a couple of guys and they treated me miserably, I wouldn't want to marry either. I don't blame her. She should have her own say in this.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

Elizabeth is now in Hatfield where she is very happy to be. She loved the place. There had been soiled mats replaced by sweet-smelling ones and rotten wall hangings and pictures had been replaced with the fresh air. Elizabeth had found everything in good order. Then came an invitation to Robin Dudley to Amy Robsart's wedding. Elizabeth had grown out of the thought of a good friend of hers getting married. Elizabeth had traveled from Hatfield to Windsor Castle as her brother had traveled from London to Windsor Castle as well. They had feasted and danced so then the day had passed on by. But Elizabeth thought to herself, did Robin really love Amy? She doubted it because love had nothing to do with marriage back then only money. I don't think it's like that today. But I really wouldn't doubt there are quite a few of people marrying rich men or women just for their money which is wrong. Love is more important than money. Love is something you will have forever. Money is a poor excuse for marriage. That's what I think anyway.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

Elizabeth and Edward are discussing how different Mary has been acting. Edward had said that Mary wasn't even going to come join them for Easter. She had made up some other excuse. Edward had said that she hints that she suspects a plot against her. Mary had refused to  to give up her devotion to the Catholic Church. She has mass daily but not just her, the whole household does and that had been strictly forbidden. "It would be so much easier to agree to what the law demands." Elizabeth loves her sister deeply but doesn't understand her religious thoughts. Emperor Charles, Mary's cousin and the most powerful man in Europe, was going to come and take Mary away to Flander's. Then Edward had spoken that he would put Mary to death. Elizabeth had been shocked and thought you would execute your own sister? The councillors had spoken of it. They want to put her to death because she does not obey the laws or give up her "foolish" religion. I know it's back in their time and that was a really long time ago, but killing someone because they have a different belief? Dumb! I mean there are people who don't obey the laws these days either but that's what jail is for. There would be a lot of dead people if that was still happening today.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

Elizabeth's visit court was finally over and she had felt like it had been a success. She was now headed north to Hatfield with her retinue. I have no clue what that is. That is one thing, I wish they would describe a little more in the book about some of these words I have never heard before. But anywho, Her "retinue" had been Sir William Cecil, a member of Edward's privy council and the only one of sixteen men who she believed to be above reproach. I think it will be good for Elizabeth to get away from Tom and Robin. Although she still thinks about Robin every now and then but, hopefully things change and she finds a good well trusting man.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

Elizabeth is now at the Christmas feast. She meets up with Robin Dudley whom she has not seen since the last court. He was now sixteen also and had grown much taller and was "exceedingly well made." Edward had appointed him Master of the Buckhounds. Edward loved hunting deer with Robin and his hounds. Elizabeth was very exicited to see Robin again. Then he told her he needed to speak to her in private, they began joining hands to execute certain steps. Elizabeth thought to herself where they could meet without being disturbed or interrupted. She thought of one place, the chapel royal. Robin had given Elizabeth the word that he is betrothed to Amy Robsart. They were getting married in June. Usually betrothals are broken within a year. She decided she would not marry him nor anyone. I think Elizabeth has given up on men. They are easy to give up on. One could say he's in love then the next minute he's in love with someone else. If I were Elizabeth I would just give up and not marry anyone either.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

It was still the court as Elizabeth nor Edward could find Mary. Elizabeth was kind of worried about her. She told Kat, "Mary has excused herself from the Yuletide celebrations." Kat had told her that Mary fears she would not be allowed to hear the Roman Mass at Christmas if she came to court. I'm starting to wonder about Mary. Just the way she left and I think she is acting a little strange. But we will see what happens later on in the book.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

Elizabeth is grown more and is now sixteen. Her banisment from Yuletide had ended in the year of 1549. Edward had invited her to court. She has described herself as slender and fashionably small chested. Her hair was a striking golden red, long and thick. She had showed up to court and met up with her stepsister, Mary. She could not compare to her as Mary was wearing bright, rich looking colors and full of jewelry as Elizabeth had just one or two rings on her hands, which she thought was her best feature. Time goes fast and it had been three years since Elizabeth has lost her father. I can relate to that in a way because my grandma has been gone for about ten years. Now you may still be sad and miss them. But you grow up to understand everybody has to go somehow and that's the way life is.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

My guessing is wrong. Elizabeth is now doubting Tom Seymour because she has discovered he has been taken advantage of her family and that she never meant much to him in the first place. Elizabeth was being used and was furious with Tom. She had sat and wondered if it was him who killed Queen Catherine with some poison. But then she thought to herself again and wouldn't believe he would do that. His baby girl is now in Tom's mother's hands. She is the one taking care of her now. She wondered if little Mary is still alive and if she would grow up to hear the tales about her father's execution as Elizabeth did about her mother's. I would be very upset if I were in Elizabeth's position, falling deeply in love with a man who you later find out that he had just been using your family and you!

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

It was now the beginning of September as Catherine and Tom Seymour gave birth to their little baby girl and named her Mary. But just a few days later, Elizabeth was brought the words of Catherine's death. Elizabeth had been so sad. She in a way thought it was herself that caused Catherine's death because of her actions before. Queen Catherine was Elizabeth's "champion" and "supporter". Elizabeth wondered if Tom would come to her rescue and she began to think how naive she still was. Kat had whispered to her telling her that Tom would come to her as soon as he decently can. He will probably intend to Elizabeth after all. I'm very sure that they will marry and she will become Queen Elizabeth. I would maybe feel guilty of Catherine's death, then again I wouldn't. It wasn't like she intended to kill her and Elizabeth misses her deeply. But I would feel terrible for kissing her husband, and now she is gone. But I think she will kind of get over the fact Catherine is dead, then maybe again she won't but I'm sure she is happy now to most likely marry Tom Seymour.

Beware, Princess Elizabeth: Carolyn Meyer

Elizabeth is now being sent away. Catherine decided to send her away because she wanted to preserve not only her marriage with Tom Seymour but to preserve Elizabeth's reputation. Elizabeth is still ashamed of what she has done but Catherine accepts her apology. Elizabeth and Catherine also sent letters to each other during that whole summer. I wouldn't be too worried now knowing that Catherine has accepted Elizabeth's embarrassment. At least they are getting along and keeping in touch with each other now.