Alice Wellyfed

Thomas Cromwell's niece

Alice Wellyfed is the daughter of John and Bet Wellyfed, Thomas Cromwell’s sister.

The story so far…

Week 4: An Occult History of Britain (Part 2)

In 1527, the cousins mix at Liz’s funeral. Alice Wellyfed and Jo Williamson plait Grace Cromwell’s hair.

Week 7: Entirely Beloved Cromwell (Part 2)

‘We have the manners of scullery maids and no one will ever want to marry us. If our aunt Mercy had behaved like us when she was a girl, she would have been knocked round the head till she bled from the tears.

Cromwell is a lax father, uncle, parent. He tries to teach by example, “as Erasmus suggests”, but his example is not good, he admits.

On All Soul’s Day, she comes in with Jo and asks Cromwell to petition the cardinal to get Liz out of Purgatory. He placates them with gifts. Marmosets. “Thank you,” Alice says, “But marmosets are not seen at court since Lady Anne came up. To be fashionable, we should like Bella’s puppies.”

Week 9: Arrange Your Face (Part 2)

Alice loves old Henry Wyatt’s stories of bad king Richard Plantagenet.

‘Oh, they were wicked folk of that name,’ Alice bursts out. ‘And do you know, there are still some of them left?’

Week 14: Devil's Spit / A Painter’s Eye

Alice is orphaned. Her mother Bet died when Cromwell was up-country with the king. Alice says “We are soldiers in your army,” charged with watching over the Maid of Kent. She would like to see her before they kill her.

Alice is no innocent in this world. Just as well. Look how the innocent end; used by the sin-sodden and the cynical, pulped to their purpose and ground under their heels.

She asks her uncle’s permission to marry his ward, Thomas Rotherham. He adds the man’s name to Liz’s book of hours.

Week 16: The Map of Christendom (Part 1)

Alice Wellyfed admires Cromwell’s treasure: “For a handful of these I would, myself, overthrow any queen in Christendom.” Jo Williamson: “I would as soon have it in export licences.

Alice is marrying Thomas Rotherham. Jo is marrying John ap Rice.

When the king visits, “The little brides Alice and Jo he whirls up into the air as if they were butterflies, and kisses them on the mouth, saying he wishes he had known them when he was a boy.”

When he is gone, Jo sneers: “You would have bedded him for a handful of garnets.”
Alice: “Well, you for export licences!”