the nine day queen

8/9/2019 The Nine Day Queen

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The Nine Day Queen

By Katja Anita Stroke‐Adolphe



Characters

Jane: Composed, simply dressed, a great scholar. She is a descendent of Mary Tudor,King Henry VIII’s younger sister, and as the descendents of Margaret Tudor, Henry’solder sister, are not in the succession, she is fourth in line for the throne, afterHenry’s daughters Mary and Elizabeth and Jane’s own mother.

Mary Tudor: A smart woman who tried to bring the Catholic religion back toEngland and got the title Bloody Mary. The daughter of Catherine of Aragon.

Catherine Parr: The Dowager Queen: Kind, understanding, Henry’s last wife.

Elizabeth Tudor: Intelligent and attractive. The daughter of Anne Boleyn.

Tom Seymour, The Lord Admiral: The uncle of King Edward. Ambitious. Cruel.

John Dudley: Also ambitious and cruel. Sarcastic.

His Wife: Haughty, sarcastic, nasty.

Lord Grey: Ambitious and cruel to his daughter.

A man and woman who appear as many different unnamed people.

Other characters are mentioned or stand on stage but no other charactershave lines.



Scene 1

The setting is a dimly lit room. An old woman (Mary) lies on a royal Tudor bed. A physician who is not young in age but not very old and a young lady in a black gownare huddled in the corner. The man is also dressed in black. The lady is a lady-in-waiting and we can tell from her dress that she is well off. Mary is troubled and hardly conscious.

Physician: Quietly, stage whisper, concerned Tis’ bad. There is no child in her womb.Her Majesty is grievously ill.

Lady: nervously Will she…

Physician clasps his hand over the Lady’s mouth

Physician: comfortingly but cold at the same time Perhaps but she is not so now andthough we contemplate it we must not speak of it.

Lady: softer True. The poor queen.

Physician: stronger Let us leave her to rest.

They hurry out stage left

Mary lifts her head and stares at the ceiling. A clear bright light shines on her head.

Mary: guilty, clearly tormented Oh, Jane? Will I see you there? Do you burn in thefires of hell at ‘hell’ she gets pathetic and horrified or do you rest in heaven? Will Irise to mother or have I used her image to destroy, not save? Are you too far gonefor me to save you, or even what you stood for? Voice in agony Jane! Softer Jane. Am Iwalking in to darkness? Pain No light! Softer Am I heading for hell? Gets up and talksto the audience as if she is drunk. She walks tipsily towards the audience. She shakesher hand at the audience as she says ‘I killed you” I killed you. Where I sent you...will Igo? Will I see you there? Throws herself on the floor Oh god! I meant well! Save me!Louder Save me!

She gets up and steps back as if seeing a ghost. Lights get dimmer. The light around Mary is gone.

Jane from off-stage : bravely Although it hath pleased God to hasten my death by you,by whom my life should rather have been lengthened, yet can I patiently take it, that

I yield God more hearty thanks for shortening my woeful days. I do wash my handsin innocence, before God and the face of you, good Christian people this day. I prayyou dispatch me quickly. Will you take it off before I lay me down?Executioner also off-stage : sad No, madam.Jane: nervous, worried Where is it? What shall I do? Where is it?Steady slow drum beat

Jane: calm Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit.



Loud bang, chopping noise

Mary closes her eyes and sighs

Mary: frightened Jane! Jane! Where are you!

Jane off-stage : steady, calm, slightly pleading Although my fault be such that but forthe goodness and clemency of the Queen, I can have no hope of finding pardon....having given ear to those who at the time appeared not only to myself, but also tothe great part of this realm to be wise and now have manifested themselves to thecontrary, not only to my and to their great detriment, but with common disgraceand blame of all, they having with shameful boldness made too blamable anddishonourable an attempt to give to others that which was not theirs...[and my own]lack of prudence...for which I deserve heavy punishment...it being known that theerror imputed to me has not been altogether caused by myself. [The Privy Council]....

who with unwonted caresses and pleasantness, did me such reverence as was not at all suitable to my state. He [Dudley] then said that his Majesty had well weighed anAct of Parliament...that whoever should acknowledge the most serene Mary...or thelady Elizabeth and receive them as the true heirs of the crown of England should behad all for traitors...wherefore, in no manner did he wish that they should be heirs of him and of that crown, he being able in every way to disinherit them. And therefore,before his death, he gave order to the Council, that for the honour they owed tohim...they should obey his last will...

Her voice fades out

Mary: screams at the audience No! Even louder. Now it is at the ceiling, or God. No!

Lights flash bright for a moment and then go entirely out.



Scene 2

Jane and Catherine are sitting on a well-made couch. Jane is dressed in a simple black dress. Catherine is in a bright red dress embroidered with gold. She is fancy but not over done.

Jane: I am so happy here. You can’t imagine how it was.

Catherine: What was?

Jane: My life before the Lord Admiral made me his ward and took me here. When Iam in the presence of either Father or Mother, whether I speak, keep silent, sit,stand or go, eat, drink, be merry or sad, be sewing, playing, dancing, or doinganything else, I must do it as it were in such weight, measure and number, even soperfectly as God made the world; or else I am so sharply taunted, so cruellythreatened, yes presently sometimes with pinches, nips and bobs and other ways ...that I think myself in hell. You and the Lord Admiral have brought me the kindfamily I never had.

Catherine: Dear Jane.



Scene 3

Jane and Elizabeth are sitting in a schoolroom sewing. Elizabeth is dressed in a fancy dark blue dress. Jane is in the same clothes as in the previous scene.

Jane: amazed How neat your stitches are! Mine shall never be so small.

Elizabeth: Oh Jane. Your Greek and Hebrew are much better than mine and I am of more years than you! There is no need for you to worry about your stitching.

The Lord Admiral storms in and kisses both their cheeks

Tom: Work hard

He storms out

Jane bends over her work

Elizabeth: in stage whisper towards where the Admiral came from Oh, how I love you!



Scene 4

The Woman and man are of poorer dress and speak with country accents. However they are the same actors who played the physician and the lady. They are both amazed and gossipy.

Man: It is incredible.

Woman: Yet she’s done it. Married so quick after The King’s death.

Man: The Dowager Queen fell for The Lord Admiral before His Majesty died.

Woman: And now there is a child in ‘er womb. She is old. I can hardly believe that ababy is comin’.

Man: I would have thought a dashin’ fellow like ‘im would pick ha young lady like hisward or the Lady Elizabeth.

Woman: Ambition is all that runs in that man. That’s all he’ll be caught by.

Man: When you jump too ‘igh you fall.

Woman: ‘Umans don’t ‘ave wings like birds.

Man: No. We can’t fly.



Scene 5

Tom and Elizabeth are kissing on the lips center stage. The light is bright, a little toobright.

Tom: Darling!

They resume kissing

Catherine runs on and sees them.

Catherine: Frantic Elizabeth! My lord!

They break apart

Catherine: restrained to Elizabeth I understand dear. You must not come with us toSudeley Castle. I will send you to Sir Anthony Denny. Now go.

Elizabeth walks off , Tom looks moody Catherine: Oh my lord. Why?

The lights go out



Scene 6

Catherine lies on her deathbed. Jane sits beside her on a chair. Jane is trembling but her face is soft and gentle. Jane has her hand on Catherine’s hand.

Catherine: As though she were talking to a ghost Tom! Tom don’t try for power! Goalong, Elizabeth! Go along! Questioningly, pleading Tom have you never loved me?Louder Never? Elizabeth! Tom! My lord! I understand. My lord you must not try toget too high! Lifts herself up a little You will fall! Tom you are dooming yourself!Don’t use her Tom! Don’t use…

Jane: gently puts Catherine’s head back on the pillow. Elizabeth is safe. Rest.

Catherine: Not Elizabeth. She is safe? What of you Jane? Tell him.

Jane: The Lord Admiral?

Catherine: nervously yes. Tell the Lord Admiral, tell Tom, wisely that there once wasa very wise inventor and when the inventor and his son were put in prison forangering the king, I can’t remember what they had done, the inventor made themboth wax wings so they could fly free. “Do not fly too near the sun my boy” the wiseinventor said. “Promise”. “I promise!” said the little boy. They flew out into the open.The sun was so bright and the little boy flew up high. The wings melted and he felland died. Do not fly by the sun. Never fly up too high.

Jane: I will tell him. Now you must sleep.

Catherine: Anxiously Do not fly high Jane! Never fly high!

Jane: I promise. Her eyes are teary.

Catherine: relaxed Don’t cry. Death must come to all. Even the mightiest fall.Remember, Jane.

Catherine closes her eyes for the last time

Jane: Crying her eyes out and hugging Catherine . Speaks frantically and miserably Dead! Dead! My only mother!



Scene 7

The man and woman, dressed richer than before, stand center stage.

Man: Did you hear? My dear lady did you hear?

Lady: Nay, of what?

Man: Lady Jane Grey is now Lady Jane Dudley!

Lady: What?

Man: She has been married against her will to Guilford Dudley! When she was toldshe said she wished to remain single! My thought is though it was the prospect of who her mother‐in‐law would be that disgusted her! Anyhow, her father hit heracross the face and told her to do her duty. In a female voice “ No, good father do not force me into this marriage!” she protested. It was in vain though. She is married.Her mother said, “you must marry”, and she did. A three‐couple wedding.

Lady: What were the other couples?

Man: Jane's sister Catherine was matched with the heir of the Earl of Pembroke,Lord Herbert, and another Catherine, Lord Guilford's sister, with Henry Hastings,the Earl of Huntingdon's heir. Lady Jane has been forced to live with her husband’sfamily.

Lady: Poor Lady Jane. She must miss her guardian.

Man: Her guardian has gone to the block. His head is gone.

Lady: And the Dowager Queen is dead.Man: Indeed. The Grey family is lucky to have gotten out of that scrape.

Lady: True.

Black out

Catherine: in the black out Do not fly too high!



Scene 8

Jane is sitting on a bed. She is very weak. An ink quill is in her hand and a paper is onher lap. She is writing as she speaks.

Jane: Dear Friend, I am dreadfully ill. Fear my mother‐in‐law is poisoning me! I ammiserable here. It is almost worse than home! Can I even call either of these dreadfulplaces home? Nay this place is worse than my Father’s. Oh God! I feel incrediblyweak. I cannot stand. My husband is a spoiled boy who won’t listen to anybodyexcept his horrid mama. I wish you were here that I might have some company! Youwould also witness how much I suffer. Sincerely Lady Jane Dudley.



Scene 9

John Dudley rushes in to greet his ornately-dressed wife. He is dressed in black and hasan evil sneer on his face. The scene is dimly lit.

Dudley: serious and sarcastic Our beloved puppet king is dead.

His wife: pleased And that wretched girl, are we to call her queen now?

Dudley: pleased, too As you know, she is the heir. Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth areboth bastards unfit to rule. Edward has made that law.

His wife: sarcastic I wonder if you agree with him. I am sure you had no part in hisdecision.

Dudley: Figure it out. We must tell his heir puppet of it.

His wife: As you say, my dear puppeteer.

Exit Stage left



Scene 10

Dimly lit. Three ladies, Jane’s father, Jane’s mother, and Jane herself are in the room.Dudley walks on with his wife and Guilford. Those who are entering are all dressed inmorning.

Dudley kneels

Dudley: to Jane with great reverence The king has died. Long live Queen Jane.

Jane falls back. Her father holds her up

Dudley: The king made an act of parliament declaring Lady Mary and Lady Elizabethbastards unfit to rule and you his heir. Now’t he is dead, you are the Queen. YourMajesty, please speak.

Jane: stands on her two feet and takes to steps away from her father. Bravely. I do not want the crown. It pleaseth me not. The Lady Mary is the rightful heir.

Dudley: strongly Your Majesty it is not your choice. It is the will of God and ourdeparted king that you should be Queen.

Jane: sadly the poor king! It cannot be the will of God for me to be Queen as I know it ‘tis His will for Lady Mary to be Queen.

Dudley: slightly angry You are a mortal though you are close to the divine. The Kingwished it. That means that God did too.

Jane: regretfully Then I must be Queen?

Dudley: reassuringly You are Queen.Jane: sadly I am Queen. What must I do?

Dudley: excitedly Make your husband king.

Jane: angrily If I am truly Queen, I will make my husband a duke, but never king.

Dudley’s wife: angrily, shrill Guilford, if she does not make you king you shall bestubborn too! You must refuse to sleep with this shrew whom you call wife!

Dudley’s wife exits stage left with Guilford following at her heels.

Dudley: reserved I will lead you, Your Majesty, to the Royal Barge that shall carry youto the Tower. You shall wait in the Royal Apartments for your coronation.

Jane: calm And how long shall I wait?

Dudley: cold You will be informed when the time comes. Follow Your Majesty.

Black out



Scene 11

The man and lady are on stage again, now in fancy, ornate, and overdone clothing.

Man: My dear, I have just come from London! Did you hear the news?

Lady: What news?

Man: Jane Dudley was declared Queen! She rode on a Royal Barge to the Tower, anda silent crowd gathered by the Thames. Robin Dudley set out to capture Mary andimprison her. Mary fled on horseback, warned by a messenger. The council receiveda letter from Mary, declaring herself queen. She was at Kenninghall near Cambridge.When Dudley found out that the powerful and common were flocking to Mary heprepared to fight and assembled 3000 me at the towered with crossbows and pikesas well as cannons and gunpowder. They rode towards Cambridge. He boasted “Iwill put an end to Lady Mary’s defiance.” But he forgot that Mary was much lovedand he was despised. Mary left Cambridge and rode to East Anglia. Her castle at

Framlingham is fortified with walls 8 feet thick and 40 feet high and watchtowerslooking out to sea. As the news spread, people began to rally to her cause day afterday bringing whatever arms they could muster and sending food supplies. Maryraised an army of 20,000. The towns in the area one by one proclaimed her theirqueen. Dudley had ordered 7 warships to guard the coast to prevent Mary’s escapebut the sailors mutinied. The next day they brought 2000 seamen to Mary’s camphauling 100 enormous cannons from the ships. The privy councilors were veryuneasy because most of them had sworn loyalty to Dudley. When it appeared Marymight win, they appeared in the public square and declared her queen. Dudley gaveup shortly after. Mary became queen to great celebration from the people. The bellsrang and the peoples’ cheers were louder! “Hail Queen Mary!” they cried, “Long live

the Queen.”

Lady: glorified Long live Queen Mary! Long live the Queen!

Black out



Scene 12

Jane is sitting in the Tower. Lord Grey comes in and rips down the cloth of state. He isdress richly. She is dressed as a queen.

Lord Grey: angrily Take off those clothes. You are not queen. Queen Mary is the onlyQueen of England.

Jane: calm but you can tell she is angry Out of obedience to you and my mother I havegrievously sinned. Now I willingly relinquish the crown. May I not go home?

Lord Grey: reprovingly Jane!

Jane: bitter, angry Father I have sinned for you! I have played a pawn of yourambition and your friends’ ambitions. I have sacrificed my soul to your horrid chessmatches, and now the king is dead and your pawn who you walked across the boardis dead too! You have marched me towards doom!

Lord Grey: angry Jane!

Jane: wild Catherine once warned me not to fly to near the sun or I would fall! Youhave carried me up high! Too high! My wings are melting!

Lord Grey: angry and astonished Jane you are mad! Raving mad!

Jane: angry Am I? Well you have driven me to this and if I go to hell when to axe fallson my head I will have you to thank! You and your ambition!

Lord Grey: shouts Stop!

Jane: miserable, crying Oh Father, if you have made me happy even once! Had youeven tried I might have loved you but I despise you!

Black out



Scene 13

Jane stands by the scaffold. There is a line of 10 people on each side of the stage. ACatholic priest, the executioner, and one lady stand to her left. The man and lady cannot be in this scene. It is brightly lit around Jane and the rest of the stage is almost darkness.

Jane: calm, steady God be merciful to me on Thy grace, I rest my pleaPlenteous in compassion ThouBlot out my transgressions now

Wash me, make me pure withinCleanse, oh, cleanse me from my sin

My transgressions I confess

Grief and guilt my soul oppressI have sinned against Thy graceAnd provoked Thee to Thy face

I confess Thy judgment just Speechless, I, Thy mercy trust

I am evil born in sinThou desirest truth withinThou alone my Savior art

Teach Thy wisdom to my heart

Make me pure, Thy grace bestowWash me whiter than the snow

Gracious God, my heart renewMake my spirit right and trueThy salvation’s joy impart Steadfast make my willing heart Steadfast make my willing heart

Broken, humbled to the dust By Thy wrath and judgment just Let my contrite heart rejoiceAnd in gladness hear Thy voice

From my sins, oh, hide Thy faceBlot them out in boundless grace



Black out

Mary: in black out Gone with the morning dew of my reign. Gone with my glory.Gone never to return. Any key can unlock the door to death and but none come back.I have unlocked your door but you are gone forever.

Note

The play should be done realistically concerning costumes and scenery. Thecharacters can be looked at with a certain degree of freedom. The Lady and man canbe somewhat comical; they are the only comic part of the play, except for the LordAdmiral, who can be both funny and disturbing. Mary, Catherine, and Jane must always be serious. Dudley and his wife must be very creepy, and Lord Grey must bemore serious and reserved than the other two.

the nine day queen

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