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Disdain encouraged their fellow defenders to hold out. In what was almost slapstick comedy, the assault consisted of mock gunfire and the throwing of “dates and oranges and other fruits made for pleasure” by the gentlemen with similar weapons (rose water and sweets from the real women and “bows and balls” from those of the Chapel Royal) being employed by those under attack. All who watched enthralled recognized this archetypical gentle method of defense; it surfaced in stories of romance and chivalry such as Roman de la Rose. At last the castle fell, the less agreeable “women” such as Scorn fled, leaving the gentlemen to escort Jane and the other ladies down from the turrets. Choreographed dancing took place to the gentle harmonies provided by hidden minstrels before everyone took off their masks so that all could see who they were. Predictable perhaps, but magical to watch and even more magical for the performers. Despite her experiences at the Field of Cloth of Gold being vividly fresh in her mind, Jane could never before have spent such an evening. Henry might have taken the floor with his sister, Mary, but equally, he might have chosen any one of the others. Perhaps he danced with the woman who was to be his “sweetheart” and for whom he was to change his country forever. We shall never know.
    What we do know is that at a cost of more than twenty pounds the whole event was far from cheap. The ambassadors were regaled in some style. The green foil alone was three shillings and a barge with four rowers was hired to carry everything to York Place for a price of thirteen shillings and four pence. Wherever possible, garments were reused. This was true of the ladies’ satin dresses but their cauls were bought for the fabulous sum of eight shillings each, and the price of the yellow satin for their names was also eight shillings. This time, however, the ladies were allowed to keep their cauls and possibly the other costumes. Jane, who came to relish evenings like that, gained a tangible reminder of what was far from an ordinary entertainment, one in which she was specifically selected to be Constancy.
    For that is what is so interesting. No longer inconspicuous, Jane was given a starring role in a pageant carefully designed to amuse the envoys of Charles V. That involved some responsibility. Being Lord Morley’s daughter would not alone confer such a degree of prominence unless it was combined with an attractive appearance, considerable dancing ability, and a winning manner. Evidently, she had become an accepted gentlewoman of the court. She could be trusted to be a credit to her king. However, time was passing. There was no disputing the fact that Jane Parker was of marriageable age. Pageants, dancing, and silk stockings were all very well but the serious business of life was about to begin.

CHAPTER 4
    A Suitable Match

    I N 1524 L ORD M ORLEY began talks that were to determine the direction of Jane’s life until the day she died: it was time for him to arrange her marriage. Wedlock was the most serious step any Tudor woman could take. Jane knew that once she left the safety of her own family, she would be dependent upon her husband for her status, her role in society, her financial security, her domicile, even for the clothes on her back and the food she ate. Under the concept of coverture, her very identity would be subsumed in his: he was her lord and she was required by convention and religious duty to submit to his will. Her vows at the ceremony included her promise to be “buxom at bed and board.” In reality, of course, marriage was not an appalling fate; it was a career. To be unmarried was unthinkable. Most couples rubbed along quite well but were clear that the purpose of their union was primarily the creation of a property settlement that was advantageous to their families and the birth of children to continue the dynasty. This did not preclude comfortable companionship, affection, love, even