Letters Between the New Duchess and Her Mama

London, Feb. 15, 1561

My dearest Mama,                                           

     I am writing you to let you know that I am settling in well. It has now been a week since Papa left me with the Duke. Has he safely returned to you? He hugged me tightly and nodded thankfully at the Duke before he returned to the carriage. Please tell Papa that I am grateful for being here.

    

     I am enjoying myself here and the Duke treats me well. The palace is so beautiful, and each room seems to tell its own story. I find it very intriguing. One room in particular intrigues me, nearly calls for my attention. It is the Western chamber. On the back wall is a large painting of a gorgeous woman. It is one of those astounding paintings whose eyes follow your every move. It seems as though the woman in the painting tries to speak to me. I am not allowed in that chamber, the Duke told me, yet I cannot help but sneak in there when he is out hunting. I will try harder to conduct myself, but the painting simply draws me in.

     Nevertheless, I am starting to make myself at home, and the Duke seems to enjoy my company. Once again, I am very grateful for being here Mama and Papa, I hope to do you proud.

       With love,

              Mary

                                                                                                                                                             York, Mar. 1, 1561

Beautiful daughter of mine,

     Your Papa and I was very pleased to hear that you revel in London and your new life with the Duke. We are so very proud of you, Mary. Your Papa arrived home safely Wednesday of the week before this. 

    

     Your Papa recalls admiring the painting in the Western chamber with the Duke. It was supposedly painted by the brilliant Frá Pandolf, and is a portrait of the last Duchess. The Duke talked fondly yet sorrowfully about her to your Papa, so it best you leave it alone and conduct yourself. Remind yourself that this is a great opportunity for you, so do not cause any trouble.

     Are you working hard to please the Duke? Your Papa talked so warmly about him, he sounds like a good man. We are very proud of you, Mary.

               

     Love,

           Mama

                                                                                                                                                                                         London, Mar. 17, 1561

Dearest Mama,

     Thank you for your letter, it warms my heart on these cold nights of the early spring.

     I tried to behave and stay out of the Western chamber, but the Duchess on the wall kept calling for me every hour the Duke was out on business. I fear that what the Duke told Papa was not quite the true story. I fear that her fate was rather sinister. I was caught in the chamber one afternoon by the maid, whose company I have come to enjoy. She is always in such a delightful mood. Nonetheless, she caught me in the chamber. I did not even hear her enter, as I was drawn deeply to the painting, as though her eyes told me a sorrowful story. I jumped as the maid laid a gentle hand on my shoulder, and asked me, “Ma’am what are you doing in here?”. Upon seeing the sorrow of the Duchess on the wall in my eyes, she consolingly told me “The Duchess is at peace now”. I did not understand what she meant by that, so later that night, when she helped me dress for supper, I could not help but ask her. She told me the mournful story of the last Duchess, but maintained that if only I behave and care for the Duke, I will not share her fate.

She had, like I, found herself comfortable in this beautiful palace. However, she had, like I, wandered about when the Duke was out on business. She could not help herself as she was left alone for so long. She therefore came to socialise with the augustly folk around here: the staff and the guests. But the Duke did not approve of this. He forbade her from socialising with anyone unless in his company. This made the Duchess so lonesome and she longed for social contact. Yet, she kept her word to the Duke, and bathed in her own lonesomeness. One day, the Duke wished to honour her loyalty by having her portrait painted for display in her chamber. The marvellous painter, Frá Pandolf, thus came to visit every day for a month to work on the portrait of the Duchess. And due to her prolonged loneliness, the Duchess found these visits so joyful. However, she quickly came to grow very fond of Frá Pandolf, and he too of her. The maid told how happy the Duchess had been in this month, it had been wonderful. But the Duke found out about their bond. The following month in the palace was very gloomy, the maid reminisced. The Duchess grew so very unhappy once Frá Pandolf disappeared. One day, the Duchess simply vanished. No one has seen her ever since, and nothing about her whereabouts is being uttered other than, “she is at peace now”.

Oh Mama, I am so afraid of what happened to her. Am I to care for this man who made a beautiful woman so miserable? I know that I must. And I will do my very best to behave myself. But I cannot shake off that sinister tale.

I hope you can visit me soon, so that I can think of something else. I miss you and Papa very much.

With love,

           Mary

                                                                                                York, Apr. 2, 1561

Daughter mine,

     Your Papa and I was very disappointed to hear about your misbehaving. The Duke told you to stay out of the Western chamber, you had no business in there. If she is gone, you should understand and respect his wishes to let the memories rest. He is clearly upset about the sad tale of him and his last Duchess. You were given this chance to honour your family name, and that is what you will do from now on. Leave his past business be and care for him as I care for your Papa. I am sorry that you are struggling in your new life, but I promise you, it will be much easier and better if only you behave.

    

     We hope we can come visit the Duke and you soon, but your father is so very busy. We miss you too, Mary, but please. Do your best to behave, and let that gruesome horror story be. It simply sounds as a scary tale, your maid uses to establish a friendship – which incidentally is much below your status.

     Love,

            Mama

London June. 4, 1561

Mama,

     The Duke and I enjoyed your visit, and he appreciated your gifts. It was wonderful to see you again.

     I have done as you told me in your last letter, I have behaved myself, cared for the Duke, and neither visited nor talked more about the painting in the Western chamber. The Duke has treated me very nicely in return, and I am doing my very best to do you proud. However, I have realised the jealousy of the Duke, as I greeted the guests at the ball we held the week before the last. He was upset with me for chatting with the male guests without his presence. I have since then talked to no one without him present, and he seems to have forgiven me.

     But now I fear for my fate. In return of my obedience, the Duke has asked the magnificent painter, George Gower, to paint my portrait for display next to his own in the dining hall. I do not intend to cause any harm to my Duke, but I am afraid his jealousy will ignore my innocence. Oh Mama, he gets so enraged when he believes I have crossed him, although I never would harm him I am afraid of what he might do.

Therefore, I write to you in fear for my life, asking you to please send yourself and Papa to help me. I swear to you, I do not wish to hurt the Duke, I have actually grown fond of him, and him of I. But I am afraid he does not care for my intentions in the company of the painter. Please Mama, can you and Papa help me?

All my love,

           Mary

Just another painting on the wall?