Mary Shelton
The story so far…
Week 6: Entirely Beloved Cromwell (Part 1)
At York Place, Mary Boleyn’s cousin looks at Cromwell: Mother of God, is that the best Lady Carey thought she could get?
Week 10: 'Alas, What Shall I Do For Love?' (Part 1)
Mary Shelton notes: ‘Lady Carey is going to have one of her conferences with Master Cromwell.’
Week 11: 'Alas, What Shall I Do For Love?' (Part 2) / Early Mass
In Calais, when the king retires early, Shelton appears, looking for a bible. Wyatt jokes that Shelton sleeps with the king. In between others, such as Henry Norris.
Week 12: Anna Regina (Part 1)
Mary Shelton is with a pregnant Anne and a quizzical broody Jane. “Jane, I wish you were still down in Wiltshire.”
Week 15: Supremacy
Henry’s attentions have moved to Mary Shelton:
Now it is little Mary Shelton he is whirling around, lifting her off her feet and tickling her and squeezing her and making her breathless with compliments.
“It is clear Anne thinks Mary Shelton must be tolerated, kept sweet even. It’s safest to keep the king among cousins, if no sister is on hand.”
Week 16: The Map of Christendom (Part 1)
Jane Seymour says the king’s treatment of Mary Shelton is harmless. “A king is obliged to be gallant, till he reaches the age when he puts on his long gown and sits by the fire with his chaplains.’
Week 18: Falcons
Mary Shelton is helping Jane Seymour with her French.
'Mary Shelton is a kindly young woman,' the king says; and out of the corner of his eye, he sees Weston elbow his enighbour; they say Shelton ahs been kind to the king in bed.
Week 22: The Black Book (Part 1)
When Anne’s miscarries, Mary Shelton comforts Henry. The king is in pain and irritable, and he snaps at Mary and Lady Rochford. Shelton bursts into tears, and Henry says, ‘‘Mistress Shelton, forgive me. Sweetheart, I did not mean to make you cry.’
Week 25: The Book of Phantoms (Part 1/5)
Cromwell talks to Mary Shelton. She tells him about the arguments and jokes between Anne and the gentlemen of the privy chamber. She warns Cromwell that Lady Rochford invents things and that Anne ‘opens her lips and out slides the devil’s tail.’
Mary had thought she was going to marry Harry Norris, but now sees that Norris is in love with Anne. She thinks she has witnessed a lovers’ quarrel. She does not see where this is going.
She is never put down for long. That’s why men like her. There will be other times, other men, other manners. She hops to her feet. She plants a kiss on his cheek.
Week 34: Wreckage (II) (Part 1/2)
Mary Shelton is brought back to court, and is her usual helpful self for Cromwell in his inquiries about Margaret Douglas. She readily provided evidence that Anne was an adulteress, but he wants her to maintain that Meg Douglas is a maid.