Margaret Pole
Margaret Plantagenet, Countess of Salisbury (1473 – ), is the only surviving daughter of George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence, a brother of Kings Edward IV and Richard III, by his wife Isabel Neville. As a result of her marriage to Richard Pole, she is also known as Margaret Pole.
The story so far…
Week 14: Devil's Spit / A Painter’s Eye
She was caught up in the Elizabeth Barton affair. Now she comes to Cromwell.
He has made her come to him, the countess, and now she looks at him from beneath heavy lids, she looks at him down her long Plantagenet nose, and her greeting, ice-bright, flies out into the room. ‘Cromwell.’ Just that.
Cromwell explains plainly that he has many spies in the households of the Poles and Courtenays. He does not say that her own son Geoffrey is in his pay. He makes it clear that she is at liberty, and not in the Tower with Elizabeth Barton, because of his “forbearance.” Her family owes Cromwell.
Week 23: The Black Book (Part 2)
Lady Margaret Pole, the Countess of Salisbury. Rightful queen of England, according to some. King Henry has taken a wise course with her and all her family. He has honoured them, cherished them, kept them close. Much good it's done him: they still think the Tudors are usurpers, though the countess is fond of Princess Mary, whose childhood govenor she was: honouring her more for her royal mother, Katherine, than for her father, whom she regards as the spawn of Welsh cattle-raiders.
Week 24: The Black Book (Part 3)
At Cromwell’s imaginary table: ‘Montague and his sainted mother. Courtenay and his blasted wife.’
Margaret Pole laments the lack of napkins. ‘My apologies. You wouldn’t want to get your hands dirty.’
Margaret Pole shakes out her napkin. On it is imprinted the face of the dead Katherine.
Week 32: Salvage (Part 2/3)
Thomas Cromwell: ‘Who can read Margaret Pole, sir? Not I.’
At L’Erber, she is at her needlework: a border of flowers. ‘It is the emblem of her family, the viola: known also as the pansy, or heart’s ease.’
She tells Cromwell that they ‘deprecate’ Reginald’s writings ‘and are dismayed.’ She calls him ‘a snake.’ He says, no. Thinks: ‘A dog, madam, and on your scent.’
Week 34: Wreckage (II) (Part 1/2)
Back at L’Erber. Reginald has written to his mother, severing all ties with her. ‘He thinks, it is very sad he should write you such a letter. It is also convenient.’ When she leaves him alone with Bess Darrell, Wyatt’s lover shows Cromwell the embroidery that entwines Pole emblems with those of Lady Mary: ‘So was Lady Salisbury lying to me in toto this last hour or only in part?’
Week 35: Wreckage (II) (Part 2/2)
Cromwell recalls the conversation he had with Margaret Pole. They exchanged threats and warnings, alluding to the wheel of fortune and the new engines coming.
Week 45: Corpus Christi (Part 2/2) / Inheritance
William Fitzwilliam interrogates Margaret at Warblington. ‘Her answers, he says, are earnest, vehement and precise.’ She is brought to Cowdray. Papers are found incriminating her but she does not go to trial.