#the one is when alex is watching henry 'create Prince Henry of Wales for the day.' | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

supercap2319 · 8 months

Note

Henry and Alex both fall for Pokemon coordinator male reader that use a Primarina

Alex and Henry didn't want to be here. They certainly didn't want to be here and be next to each other in the press box, but it was their duty to their families, so they sucked it up.

Prince of Wales Henry George Edward James Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor. And first son Alexander Claremont Diaz were the special guests in today's Pokemon contest. They were supposed to watch, observe, and cheer for whoever one the whole event. Henry liked watching Pokemon contests. They were better than showcases and much more elegant than battles. Alex, on the other hand, preferred battles, but he knew that the battling part came later on, so he was bored out of his mind. They both were.

They tried not to hide how dreadfully boring all the contestants and their performances were as they watched the master of ceremonies try to hype the energy of the crowd, but it wasn't working for Alex or Henry. That is until a young man came on next.

"And now… all the way from (insert place you live here) it's Y/N, L/N!"

Alex and Henry watched as a young man came into the center of the stage as they were both finally focusing on something else other than their boredom. The young man took out a Pokemon and flashed an innocent smile as he threw it up into the air. "Primarina, go get 'em!'" In a flash of light a Pokemon that resembles a cross between a sea lion and a mermaid. Most of its body is white, but it has a long, blue, fish-like tail. It has a long snout with a round, pink nose, bright blue eyes with long white eyelashes, and long light blue hair trailing off the back of its head.

"Use sing!" He commanded as Henry and Alex and the crowd watched as the mermaid-like Pokemon sang a wonderful song that was captivating and beautiful as the young coordinator commanded his Pokemon to switch to a move called Sparkling Aria as it created a balloon out of water until it expanded and grew to giant size. Everyone watched as it floated towards the ceiling as both boys wondered what he planned to do with it.

"Ice beam!" Primarina opened its mouth as it let out a stream of light blue energy and the bubble of water was frozen solid. The crowd oohed and ahhed at the sparkles the ice created. "Now use Aqua Jet!" The Pokemon jumped high as it shot like a rocket towards the ice bubble in a stream of water over its body as it broke through and shattered the bubble until the pieces broke off and ended up hitting each other, creating a wave of sparkles around the arena. Henry and Alex were simply enchanted by his performance as they joined the crowd in cheering for the young man.

After he left, the results of who was making it to the second round were in, and both young men were glad to see the trainer with the Primarina had made it. When it was all said and done, Alex and Henry went to the center of the stage to present the ribbon to the winner of today's contest. Y/N L/N. "Congratulations, Y/N. Your performance was simply divine." Henry smiled.

"Yeah, bro. I mean dude. You killed it at the end with that sick battle combo your Chikorita used." Alex said.

Y/N blushed and bowed. "It's an honor to meet you both and thank you." He smiled at them and they smiled back at him.

#x male reader #male reader insert #male x male #alex claremont diaz #henry fox mountchristen windsor #rwrb movie #pokemon #coordinator reader #alex x henry #Alex x Henry x male reader #Pokemom mashup #red white and royal blue

92 notes · View notes

rapha-reads · 8 months

Text

Gods, I only have 5 days before my thesis is due and I still need to entirely write the last chapter and the conclusion and proofread the second half of chapter 2, I have so little time, but I'm here re-reading RWRB already and saving all the quotes that tear my heart open and split wide up the atoms of my souls, and trying not to drown in my emotions.

Like this:

But he thinks about Henry, and, oh. He thinks about Henry, and something twists in his chest, like a stretch he’s been avoiding for too long. He thinks about Henry’s voice low in his ear over the phone at three in the morning, and suddenly he has a name for what ignites in the pit of his stomach. Henry’s hands on him, his thumbs braced against his temples back in the garden, Henry’s hands other places, Henry’s mouth, what he might do with it if Alex let him. Henry’s broad shoulders and long legs and narrow waist, the place his jaw meets his neck and the place his neck meets his shoulder and the tendon that stretches the length between them, and the way it looks when Henry turns his head to shoot him a challenging glare, and his impossibly blue eyes—

Or this:

He watches Henry lather up and shave, put pomade in his hair, put on his Burberry for the day, and he catches himself wishing he could watch it every day. He likes taking Henry apart, but there’s something incredibly intimate about sitting on the bed they wrecked the night before, the only one who watches him create Prince Henry of Wales for the day. Through his throbbing hangover, he’s got a suspicion all these feelings are why he held off on fucking Henry for so long.

This, and the entire chapter at the lake house, that makes me want to cry so much:

They chase each other around the pier, race down to the lake’s shallow bottom and shoot back up in the moonlight, all elbows and knees. Alex finally manages to catch Henry around the waist, and he pins him, slides his wet mouth over the thudding pulse of Henry’s throat. He wants to stay tangled up in Henry’s legs forever. He wants to match the new freckles across Henry’s nose to the stars above them and make him name the constellations.

This, and why does my heart hurt so much:

He thought he was reckless before, but he understands now—holding love off was the only thing keeping him from losing himself in this completely, and he’s gone, stupid, lovesick, a fucking disaster. No work to distract him. The tripwire of “Things Only People in Love Say and Do” set off.

And fucking this, and it kills me that when it boils down to the heart of it, what they both want more than anything is just fluffy, simple, ordinary domesticity and intimacy:

It drives me nuts sometimes that you don’t get to have more say in your life. When I picture you happy, I see with your own apartment somewhere outside of the palace and a desk where you can write anthologies of queer history. And I’m there, using up your shampoo and making you come to the grocery store with me and waking up in the same damn time zone with you every morning.

... Huh. Wait. Hold that thought. I'm having ideas for my thesis.

#rwrb #red white and royal blue #rwrb book #rwrb quotes #firstprince #firstprince quotes #ALSO THESE ASSHOLES FOLLOW THE TRADITIONAL SCHEMA OF BLOND GUY STUCK IN A ROLE HE DOESN'T WANT / BLACK HAIR GUY BEING AN ICON #you know the model arthur and merlin style you know #oh holy fuck how did it take me AN ENTIRE WEEK to make the connection merthur/firstprince and why did not one of you told me #i'm going to have merthur/firstprince thoughts and breakdowns now cheers great #I'M SORRY BUT THE PARRALELS ARTHUR/HENRY? i am dyiiiiing send help i am never fucking recovering #rapha rambles #rapha reads

24 notes · View notes

sturmhondsdemjin · 8 months

Text

Seven part four

It’s unpredictable and it’s intoxicating and it’s fun, because Alex has never met a challenge he didn’t love, and he—well, Henry is a challenge, head to toe, beginning to end.

He’s watching Henry’s face―he can’t imagine looking at anything other than Henry’s face right now―and his expression goes so soft and his mouth so happy and astonished that Alex’s voice speaks without his permission, a hoarse “baby.”

Henry rolls Alex onto his side and burrows behind him until he’s covering him completely, his shoulders a brace for Alex’s shoulders, one of his thighs pressed on top of Alex’s thighs, his arms over Alex’s arms and his hands over Alex’s hands, nowhere left untouched. It’s the best Alex has slept in years.

They shower together. Henry’s mood turns dark and sour over morning coffee at the harsh reality of returning to London so soon, and Alex kisses him dumbly and promises to call and wishes there was more he could do.

He watches Henry lather up and shave and put pomade in his hair, put on his Burberry for the day, and he catches himself wishing he could watch it every day. He likes taking Henry apart, but there’s something incredibly intimate about sitting on the bed they wrecked the night before, the only one who watches him create Prince Henry of Wales for the day.

Cash chuckles under his breath when he meets them at the elevators, a tray of six coffees balances on one hand. Hangover tending isn’t part of his job description, but he’s a mother hen.

“So this is the gang now, huh?”

And through it all, Alex realizes with a start: He has friends now.

#sturmhond reads #red white and royal blue #history huh? bet we could make some (book)#cornbread knows what i have done (book)#alex i also agree that there’s something profoundly intimate about watching the person i love become who they are for everyone else #and knowing i am the only one to witness it; and also seeing them undone and knowing that is singularly privately mine as well

4 notes · View notes

chaoticdisater · 4 years

Text

Red white & royal Blue Favourite quotes

“How many times do I have to tell Y’all not to discuss your murder plots in front of a sitting president” their mother interrupts “Plausible deniability. Come on” (Pg 64)

I don't know WHO you think you're kidding, you Hufflepuff-ass bitch, (Alex to henry over text pg 69)

“‘put the turkeys in my room’ ‘No.’ ‘put them in my room, put them in my room, put them in my room -’ later that night as Alex stares into the cold pitiless eyes of a prehistoric beast of prey, he has a few regrets” (Alex and his mother Pg 76)

“’he- Oi! Not for you Mr.wobbles! those are mine!’ more rustling and a distant offended Meow, ‘no, Mr. wobbles you bastard!’” (Henry at his sister's cat, pg 80)

“Dec 8, 2019, 8:53 PM yo there's a bond marathon on and did you know your dad was a total babe HRH prince Dickhead I BEG YOU TO NOT “ (Henry and Alex over text Pg 84)

“’ the options Id like...’ he says dragging the words out. ‘they don't quite seem to be options at all’” (Henry Pg 107)

“’ christ you're a thick as it gets’ he says and he grabs Alex's face in both hands and kisses him.” (Henry Pg 107)

“‘Seventy-eight percent probability of latent Bi-sexual tendencies. one hundred percent probability this is not a hypothetical question’” (Nora pg 118)

“‘am I? do you think I'm Bi?’ ‘I can't tell you that Alex!’ she says ‘that's the whole point!’” (Alex and Nora Pg121)

“she slants a look at him ‘is this a diabolical scheme of seduction?’ she asks ‘if so, yes.’“ (Nora Pg 130)

“Alex knocks the candelabra off the table next to them and pushes henry onto it so hes sitting with his back against - Alex looks up and almost breaks into a deranged laugh - a portrait of alexander hamilton.” (Pg 132)

“‘im going to die’ henry says helplessly. ‘im going to kill you,’ Alex tells him.” (Henry and Alex pg 133)

‘”and if you fucking ghost me again, I'm going to get you put on a fucking no-fly list. got it’” (Alex at henry pg 134)

“worst of all, Henry is good“ (Alex's thoughts on henry playing Polo Pg 147)

“’I’m gonna go, Uh’ Alex says ‘say hi to henry’ Amy's mouth settles into a grim line ‘Please don't elaborate’ ‘Yeah I know’ Alex says ‘plausible deniability’” (Alex and Amy Pg 148)

‘A <[email protected]> to Henry his royal highness prince of whatever, Don't make me learn your actual title’ (Alex’s email to henry Pg 152)

‘Henry <[email protected]> to A Alex, first son of inappropriately timed Emails when I’m in early morning meetings’ (Henry’s email to Alex Pg 155)

“when he shows up to a briefing two days later Zahra grabs his jaw with one hand and turns his head, peering closer at the side of his neck. ‘is that a Hickey’ Alex freezes. ‘I . . . um, no?’” (Zahra and Alex pg 162)

“‘Do you have a last name?’ Alex has never actually offered a greeting when calling Henry ‘What?’ the usual bemused elongated one-syllable response” (163 Alex and henry over the phone)

“‘Baby’ its become a thing: Baby he knows it’s become a thing. hes slipped up and accidentally said it a few times, and each time, Henry positively melts” (Alex Pg 166)

“‘I miss you,’ Alex says before he can stop himself he instantly regrets ut but henry says. ‘I miss you too’” (pg 173)

“she flung her arm out emphatically enough to upset an entire potted cactus on her dresser and says ‘Because until now you weren't fucking the prince of England’” (June pg 177)

“‘you should try saying some of that stuff to Him’ ‘stop trying to Jane Austen my life’” (June and Alex Pg 180)

“’ is now a good time to point out henrys very hot Very rich best friend is basically in love with you?’ Alex says to June ‘hes like some kind of billionaire genius manic-pixie-dream philanthropist. I feel like you would be into that.’ ‘Please shut up,’” (Alex and June Pg 182)

“‘yes, yes, Pez, we know there's nothing you cant do,’ says henrys voice off-camera ‘no need to rub it in’“ (henry Pg 184)

“‘oh I haven't had vodka since uni,’ henry says ‘it tends to make me erm, well-’ ‘flamboyant?’ Pez offers. ‘uninhibited? randy?’ ‘Fun?’ Bea suggests ‘Excuses you, I am loads of fun all the time! I am a Delight’“ (Henry Bea and Pez pg 190)

“’yes Beatrice, we shall behave in a manner befitting the crown,’ henry says. his eyes are slightly crossed ‘don't be a tosser’“ (Henry and bea Pg 195)

“He likes taking henry apart but there's something incredibly intantament about sitting on the bed they wrecked the night before, the only one who watches him create Prince Henry of Wales for the day.” (Pg 200)

“‘So this is the gang now, huh?’ and through it all, Alex realizes with a start: he has friends now.” (Cash pg 201)

“How is a man to get anything done knowing Alex Claremont-Diaz is out there on the loose?” (Henrys email to Alex pg 203)

“yours in sexual frustration Henry” (henrys email to Alex pg 206)

“once again, how had he ever convinced himself he was straight,” (Alex pg 213)

“‘just so we’re clear,’ Alex said ‘Im about to have sex with you in this storage closet to spite your family. Like that's what's happening?’“ (Alex pg 217)

“your Brave I could use some of that” (Pg 218)

“Because that's what he would do if he were here in this palace to fall in love Henry” (Pg 220)

“Zahra doesnt even look up from her phone ‘that was my boyfriend and no, you may not ask me any further questions about him’” (Zahra Pg 223)

“If he’s some anonymous normal person removed from history he’s twenty-two and he’s tipsy and he’s pulling a guy into his hotel room by the belt loop. He’s pulling a lip between his teeth and he fumbling behind his back to switch on a lamp and he’s thinking I like this person” (Pg 228)

“You still are. Because you still bloody care so much.” He leans down and presses a kiss into Alex’s hair. “And you are good. Most things are awful most of the time but you’re good” (Henry Pg 230)

“’Seriously?’ She hisses ‘your literally putting your dick in the leader of a foreign state who is a man at the biggest political event before the election in a hotel full of reporters in a city full of cameras in a race close enough to fucking hinge on some bullshit like this like a manifestation of my fucking stress dreams and you’re asking me not to tell the president about it?’” (Zarha pg 233)

“The next slide is titled EXPLORING YOUR SEXUALITY: HEALTHY BUT DOES IT HAVE TO BE WITH THE PRINCE ENGLAND? she apologizes for not having time to come up with better titles Alex activity wishes for the sweet release of death” (Pg 237)

“History huh? I bet we could make some.” (Alex’s email to henry Pg 241)

“The pair of you share and an alarming number of traits by the by: passionate determination, never knowing when to shut up, &c &c,” (herny’s email to Alex Pg 242)

“Regards Haplessly romantic heretic prince henry the utterly daft” (henrys email to Alex pg 243)

“‘It’s math,’ Nora says ‘Math has no authority here,’ June tells her ‘Math is everywhere June’” (Nora and June Pg 247)

“Henry is tipsy and shirtless and attempting to referee” (pg 252)

“’Some times you just jump and hope it’s not a chiff’” (Alex dad Pg 256)

“Well, Alex is so in love he could die.” (Pg 257)

“He’s been falling in love with Henry for years probably since he first saw him in glossy print on the pages of j14 almost definitely since Henry pinned Alex to the floor of a medical supply closet and told him to shut the hell up.” (Pg 257)

“’Fuck off five nine is average’” (Pg 258)

“’H?’ He whispers ‘you awake?’ Henry sighs ‘always.’” ( Pg 260)

“He’s got a distinct feeling of something being pulled out of his hands right before he could grasp it.” (Pg 263)

“something rises in Alex's throat - anger, confusion, hurt, bile. Unforgivably, he feels like he might cry” (Pg 270)

“’Fuck I swear you don’t make it fucking easy but I’m in love with you’” (Alex Pg 271)

“’I never thought I’d be stood here faced with a choice I can’t make because I never ... I never imagined you would love me back’” (Henry pg 273)

“He’s in Henry’s face now if he’s getting his heart broken tonight he’s sure as hell going to make Henry have the guts to do it right ‘tell me you're done with me. I’ll get back on the plane. that's it. and you can live here in your tower and be miserable forever, write a whole book of sad fucking poems about it, whatever just say it’” (274)

“He’s in stupid unbearable love and Henry loves him too and at least for one night it matters, even if they both have to pretend to forget in the morning” (Pg 275)

“He tells his too fast brain: don’t miss this time he’s too important” (Alexs thoughts Pg 275)

“henry’s hands-on him are unhurried and soft and they make out lazily for hours or days.” (Pg 280)

“Alex sighs ‘i don't think I told you but she uh. well, when she fired me she told me that if I wasn't a thousand percent serious about you. I need to break things off.’ Henry nuzzles his nose behind Alex's ear ‘a thousand percent?’” (Alex and Henry Pg 282)

“‘Diaz you insane hopeless romantic little shit’ says the voice of the president of the united states, muffled in the bed ‘it had better be forever. Be safe’“ (Pg 284)

“hes cut off mid-sentence because Alex has stopped in the middle of the corridor and yanked him backwards into a kiss” (pg 286)

“’its funny’ henry says ‘i always thought of the whole thing as the most unforgivable thing about me but you act like its one of the best’“ (henry Pg 289)

“he takes the chain off his neck and slides the ring on next to the old house key. they click together gently as he tucks them both under his shirt, two homes side by side” (Pg 291)

“I opened my blasted mouth and said ‘because I'm not like the rest of the men in this family beginning with the fact that I'm am very deeply gay Philip’ once shaan managed to dislodge him from the chandelier Philip had quite a few words for me,” (Henry’s emails to Alex Pg 298)

“just leaving, not coming back. maybe burning something down on the way out. it would be nice.” (henrys emails to Alex pg 299)

“I thought, if someone like that ever loved me, it would set me on fire” (henrys emails to Alex (describing how he felt when he first saw Alex) Pg 300)

“20. the fact that you have loved me all along.” (alex’s email to henry (the list of things alex loves about henry) Pg 303)

“‘Oh my god Z what is That? did you get engaged?’ Zahra looks down at the ring and shrugs. ‘i had the week-end off’” (June and Zahra pg 305)

“’you and me and history, remember? were just gonna fucking fight. because your it okay? Im never gonna love anybody in the world like i love you,’“ (Alex pg 312)

“‘I swear to god if you say I'm too young I'm gonna lose my shit,’“ (Alex pg 315)

“What did he do ‘be more specific’“ (Alex to Zahra pg 321 )

“’the president is sitting down with as many members of the office of communitcs we could drag out of bed at three in the morning’” (Zahra Pg 323)

“‘pack a bag’ she says ‘we’re going to londan’” (Zahra Pg 334)

“she (Zarha) seems confident Shaan will agree to it and willing to physically overpower him if not.” (pg 334)

“still the cocky shit head part of him is slightly pleased to finally have claim on henry. Yep, the prince? Most eligible bachelor in the world? British accent face like a greek god, legs for days? Mine” (Pg 336)

“‘youre giving my ulcer an ulcer’“ (Zahra pg 336)

“‘Im running on nothing but black coffee, a wetzels pretzel, and a fistful of B12. Do not even breathe in my directrion,’“ (Zahra Pg 339)

“He leans up and kisses the underside of his jaw, finding it rough from a full fitful day,” (pg 340)

“‘What kind of family, that says we’ll take the murder, we’ll take the raping and pillaging and the colonizing, well scrub it up nice and neat in a museum but oh no you’re a bloody poof? That’s beyond our sense of decorum’” (Henry pg 347)

“Bea seizes the pot of tea from the center of the table and dumps it into his lap ‘Oh, I’m terribly sorry Pip’ she says grabbing him by the shoulders and shoving him sputtering and yelping toward the door ‘so deardfully clumsy, you know I think all that cocaine I did must have really done a job on my refexes!’” (Bea pg 357)

“Henry pulls Alex close and kisses him whispers, ‘I love you I love you I love you’ and it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter if anyone sees.” (Pg 358)

And that’s when I gave up I do have more but well I didn’t want to make this list any more

#alex claremont diaz #henry got to many names for me to remeber #prince henry of wales #red white and royal blue

61 notes · View notes

maryroxburghetrust · 6 years

Text

'The Fair Geraldine' by June Davey

Elizabeth Fitzgerald

Over the coming months historian June Davey will explore some of the fascinating figures and events associated with West Horsley Place. She starts with Elizabeth Fitzgerald ‘The Fair Geraldine’.

During the second half of the sixteenth century, a famous court beauty became chatelaine of both Hatchlands and West Horsley Place. She lived a long life and was married twice to rich and powerful men.

Lady Elizabeth FitzGerald was born in Maynooth, County Kildare, Leinster, Ireland in 1527. She was the daughter of the 9th Earl of Kildare, Gerald FitzGerald, Lord Deputy of Ireland and scion of an immensely powerful family in Ireland, with lands also in England and Wales. The FitzGeralds traced their origins to the Florentine Gherardini, with later Norman lineage. The dynasty – often referred to as ‘The Geraldines’ – gained large swathes of Irish land over several generations: a process of conquest begun by Gerald FitzWalter of Windsor (c.1075-1135.) He was already established in Wales before arriving in Ireland, and was married to a Welsh wife, Nesta ferch Rhys; they were the progenitors of the FitzGerald dynasty: ‘fitz’ derives from the Anglo-Norman ‘fils’ meaning ‘sons of Gerald.’ The Welsh connection through Nesta links the FitzGeralds with the Tudors. Elizabeth’s great -grandmother was Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV, and the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth were second cousins.

FITZGERALD’S FALL FROM GRACE

In fact, the Geraldine family comprised two powerful branches. The Kildare was the most powerful: the other branch was ruled by the Earl of Desmond, and the two branches were often at loggerheads with each other. Kildare, being powerful and wealthy had enemies at court, who were constantly plotting his overthrow, and on many occasions he had to go to England to defend himself against such charges. He was usually able to vindicate himself, and remained on good terms with Henry VIII, but Wolsey was suspicious of him, and Henry, very aware of the earl’s influence, was forever watchful of events in Ireland. In 1533, Kildare’s wife, Lady Elizabeth Grey brought daughter Elizabeth and other children to London to attend at court. But in that same year the earl was finally accused of treason, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. A complicated web of events unfolded: as the young Elizabeth’s half-brother, Thomas FitzGerald, known as ‘Silken Thomas’ on account of his magnificent attire, and the silken banners carried by his retinue, immediately took over from his father as acting Lord Deputy of Ireland. He was a larger than life character, generous but impetuous, and in 1533 was only just twenty-one. He received forged letters, probably emanating from Kildare enemies at court, describing details of the execution of his father in the Tower. Silken Thomas sought vengeance, declaring: ‘I am no longer Henry Tudor’s Deputy. I am his foe.’1 There was a disastrous rebellion in Ireland, culminating in the murder of an Archbishop, which resulted in the excommunication of Silken Thomas and his five uncles. They were hunted down and arrested, brought to London and hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn, on 3rd January, 1537. When news of all this, reached the 9th Earl in the Tower, he is said to have died of a broken heart. Elizabeth’s oldest brother, another Gerald, aged twelve, now became 11th Earl of Kildare (later known as the Wizard Earl.) He went on the run in Ireland, and protected by friends and relations spend the next years on the continent: at one time he was Master of Horse to Cosimo de’ Medici, in Florence.

FAIR GERALDINE AT COURT

This was the extraordinary background to Elizabeth FitzGerald’s introduction to the court: she was sent to the household of Princess Mary at Hunsdon. Her younger brothers were raised in the court of Prince Edward. It was perhaps her family connections with the English ruling family that gave her some security.

In 1537, aged ten, Elizabeth’s childish beauty was immortalised by the poet, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, where she appears as ‘The Fair Geraldine.’ (Howard actually wrote the sonnet when he was in prison for beating up a ‘courtier;’ actually a courtesan.) Biographers now argue that such a sonnet was a stylised fashion, not evidence of a romance: in any case Surrey was already married to Frances Vere.2 It is thought he was trying to enhance the young girl’s chances of a good marriage when she was of age, praising her virtue, beauty and noble ancestry. She surely needed such help after the affair of her half-brother Silken Thomas and her five uncles.

MARRIAGE AND PROPERTY

In 1543, aged sixteen, Elizabeth married Sir Anthony Browne (c.1500-1548,) after the death of Alys Gage his first wife. She became step-mother to his eight children, including Mabel Browne, who later married her brother, Gerald, ‘The Wizard Earl.’ Gerald was eventually welcomed to the court of Edward VI, who restored all the Kildare lands to him. Sir Anthony was – and managed to remain – a favourite of Henry VIII, despite being a Catholic. He was a significant figure and court, and was knighted in 1523, and granted Battle Abbey in 1538. In 1539, he was made Master of the Horse for life, becoming a Knight of the Garter in 1540. In 1544, Henry gave him Hatchlands and the Manor of East Clandon. This was followed, in 1547, by the gift of West Horsley Place. One of the legacies of the Browne ownership of West Horsley Place is an intriguing Tudor room, adjacent to the drawing room, on the first floor of the house. It has a striking ceiling embellished with low reliefs which carry the initials ‘AB’ (Anthony Browne) and ‘EB’ (Elizabeth Browne.) This evocative and impressive ceiling decoration once extended to the far end of the Great Hall.

Sir Anthony Browne

WIDOWHOOD

In 1548, Anthony Browne died, leaving Elizabeth a widow, at just twenty-one. Two sons had been born, but neither boy survived infancy. Her stepson, Anthony Browne, later 1st Lord Montague, gave her ownership of West Horsley Place for her lifetime, and she retained Hatchlands. Later, in 1589, she appears to have given or bequeathed Hatchlands to her niece, Douglas FitzGerald, who is recorded as residing there in that year. (The Hatchlands connection still remains, as Alex Cobbe is connected with both FitzGerald and Browne families.) Elizabeth had remained friendly with Princess Elizabeth since childhood, and upon her husband’s death, she joined the household of dowager Queen Catherine Parr, now married to Thomas Seymour and living at Chelsea Manor. Her friendship with the future queen strengthened, and she also became well acquainted with the young Lady Jane Grey.

SECOND MARRIAGE & SURVIVAL

On 1st October, 1552, she married Edward Fiennes Clinton, Lord High Admiral, and later 1st Earl of Lincoln. She was his third wife and step-mother to his nine children. In 1553, she and Edward supported the claim of Lady Jane Grey to the throne. But when the plot failed, perhaps because of ‘Fair Geraldine’s’ long friendship with Mary Tudor, the couple managed to regain the new queen’s trust.

Edward Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln

Upon Elizabeth Tudor’s succession to the throne, Elizabeth FitzGerald became one of the ‘Unfeed Gentlewomen of the Privy Chamber,’ and was very much part of the Queen’s inner circle. She was in attendance at meetings with foreign dignitaries such as the Duke of Feria, King Philip of Spain’s ambassador. Her possible involvement in court intrigues brought about a fall from grace in 1561, when she was accused by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker, of weakness and disregard of duty. He even declared that she should be ‘chastised in Bridewell’3 for her failings. David Starkey suggests that the Archbishop had dismissed her as a ‘strumpet.’ 4(An epithet frequently applied to ladies of the court, whether deserved or otherwise. )

A ROYAL VISIT TO WEST HORSLEY PLACE

Elizabeth and Admiral Clinton spent time at West Horsley Place, and on the 17TH August, 1559, Queen Elizabeth visited them there. The Queen’s Master of Revels and Tents, Thomas Cawarden organised a masque (similar to an opera) called Shipmen and Maids of the Country. It would appear that Clinton built his own theatre for the occasion. 5 Guests of the Queen included Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Sadly, poor Thomas Cawarden died at West Horsley Place on 29th August, 1559, from complications following a broken leg. Martin Smith, whose historic construction company built Grange Park Opera in the orchard of West Horsley Place, has done significant research, and discovered documents describing the masque. The account describes thirteen tailors spending a fortnight creating costumes for the masque: ‘in purple cloth of gold barred over with gardes of cloth of green and silver, with sleeves of blue cloth edged with gold and red silk lace.’ 6 A team of court painters led by Richard Bossum, made ‘pictures upon cloth in the front and the gallery.’7 Barges carried set, costumes and props from the stores in Blackfriars to Hampton Court, and thence overland to West Horsley Place. Apparently it took a month to transport everything back to London.

In 1569, Elizabeth showed both spirit and acumen when she seized a ship which had been illegally taken by Martin Frobisher. She was exercising her husband’s rights as Lord High Admiral. Frobisher was charged with piracy, and Elizabeth was allowed to keep both vessel and cargo.

SECOND WIDOWHOOD

Admiral Clinton died in 1585, and Elizabeth spent part of her widowhood in West Horsley Place. Clinton had left her considerable lands and possessions for her lifetime, warning his son Henry to respect this. Henry reneged on his promise, to his father, but she managed to retain them. She is credited with planting a beech avenue which ran from St. Marys Church to Hillside Farm, acquiring the saplings from diarist John Evelyn’s nursery at Wotton. There was a friendship between her and the Mores of Loseley, and in 1588, the year of the Armada, she pleaded with Sir William More to ride over to West Horsley, as she feared a Spanish invasion.

‘The Fair Geraldine’ died in Lincoln, in March, 1590. She is buried in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The chief mourner at her funeral was her sister, Lady Margaret FitzGerald, who was both deaf and dumb. West Horsley Place passed to her stepson, Sir Anthony Browne, later 1st Lord Montague, who had also inherited other great houses from his father. Elizabeth Fitzgerald – forever ‘The Fair Geraldine’ – was an incredible survivor in an age of intrigue and danger.

Elizabeth Fitzgerald

Bibliography:

Childs, Jessie, Henry VIII’s Last Victim: The Life & Times of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2007

Hatchlands Park, The Cobbe Collection Trust/The National Trust

Starkey, David, Elizabeth, London: Random House, 2008

Wickham, Glynne, Plays and Their Makers, Up to 1576, London: Routledge, 2013. Vol 3

Brigden, Susan, Clinton, Elizabeth Fiennes de. www.oxfordnb.com/view/article.9549

www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume.1509.browne-sir-anthony-1500-1548

http://silkenthomas.com.silken-thomas-history

Martin Smith, www.contsructionmanagersmagazine.com/heritage-specialist-song-surrey-opera-house

http://tudordynasty.com.elizabeth-fitzgerald-the fair -Geraldine

This article appeared in Around & About Horsley no. 241

‘The Fair Geraldine’ by June Davey was originally published on West Horsley Place

0 notes