The Warring Queens | The Last Gasp | 3
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What challenges did Mary face upon arriving in England?
Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of British Scandal ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. Matt, the studio door seems to be locked.
Ah, yes, I should have said, there's a new procedure now. You have to give a password. You only get three guesses, so you've got to get it right in those three. I think you will. If you get it wrong, you're not allowed in, and you do get casted away to prison.
Sorry, what? I don't know. I didn't receive any passwords. Why would I get put in prison? This is just ridiculous.
It's just management brought it in. It's all right. You'll get it. Look, it's something to do with the show. Just think about the things we joke about.
Okay, okay, okay. Ham sandwiches.
No.
It's literally the only in-joke we do. Oh, oh, Tonkin.
No.
So wait, is it like one of the characters we always do? It might be. Oh, yeah, yeah. Okay, okay, okay. Is it a Cockney paper boy? No. Matt, what?
You said it was really easy. Sorry, mate. Carter off!
Matt, no. This is ridiculous. Matt, defend my name!
Sorry, mate. Pleasure working with you. That's a shame. Actually, I think she got it right. It was Tonkin. It's too late now. Oh, well. I'll remember for when producer Chica gets in. September 1586, Chartley Manor, Staffordshire. Mary's hand moves slowly across the paper on her desk. Her eyes strain as her quill scratches out each dot, loop and crossed line, ignoring the pain in her swollen knuckles. The symbols must be exact. There can be no misrepresentation of this note's decree. Her secretary appears at her shoulder. Mary pauses and looks into his anxious eyes. Your Majesty, I beg you, if we were to wait even a week, until we can be more certain the channel to Babington is secure... Mary glances at the grey walls, riddled with mould, at the tattered tapestry hanging above her bed, this English prison dressed in the rags of royalty.
She looks back to her arthritic fingers, withered beyond their 43 years.
I have waited long enough...
Mary looks back down at the note, writes the last few symbols, then pulls her embroidery frame towards her, the vessel that will hide her command. She starts to carefully unpick the panel of deep blue silk when she hears the door to her chamber creak open.
This is what I love about this era of history. The secret pouches, the pockets, the ways of passing messages. I just love the clandestine stuff.
How angry can you really be that you've been betrayed by such a lovely silk pouch?
A velvet pouch, off with her head.
You joke. She was a prime suspect in a lot of plots against Elizabeth. All of her messages were surveilled and monitored, so she became highly adept at hiding messages. She would wedge them in the embroidery. So good. It's the upper-class version of hiding Class A drugs in the seams of Adidas tracksuit bottoms and getting them into Category A prisons.
100% is. There's never been a better analogy. Yes.
Mary glances up at the English guard filling the doorway. Freezers. Breakfast is prepared, Your Majesty. Mary takes a long breath. It will have to wait. I wish to finish this first. A gift for the Duchess of Guise.
How did Mary's imprisonment affect her plans for the throne?
Mary risks a glance at the guard. She's certain she sees doubt in his eyes. Suspicion. For the first time, she wonders if her secretary is right to be worried. She lowers her eyes and threads the needle through. She counts three stitches. Four. Don't be long. Mary exhales, then nods to her secretary. He takes the embroidery from the frame and lays it out flat on the desk. Mary pulls the note from the drawer and slips it within the lining. Checking it's secure, she drives her needle through the fabric, ensuring every stitch is small, tight. Her swollen joints burn with every push, but Mary grits her teeth, keeps going. Minutes later, Mary hands the cloth to her secretary along with a bundle of letters. She watches him take them with both hands as if they might detonate.
I will pray for you, your majesty. His voice cracks on the last word. Mary studies him, then places her hand on his. And I for you. Mary watches the door close behind him, then crosses to the window.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What challenges did Mary face upon arriving in England?
0:00–3:36
2
How did Mary's imprisonment affect her plans for the throne?
3:36–10:25
3
What secret strategies did Mary employ to communicate?
10:25–32:31
4
What was the significance of Elizabeth's decision regarding Mary?
32:31–55:27
5
How did Mary respond to the betrayal she faced?
55:27–55:31