Chapters XXVIII through XLI Summary

Wolsey arranges for Bessie to marry the son of Lord Kyme, but Henry worries that Bessie's new husband will go mad as his father did. Henry also learns that the child is living with Bessie, and Wolsey agreed that it would be so until he is weaned. It will actually be several years before Henry calls for the child's presence at court.

Katherine accompanies Henry to a meeting between Henry and Francis, and Francis later remarks that Katherine looks old, a statement echoed by Will. Katherine is in constant pain from arthritis and, now forty, never again conceives. Henry meets Mary Boleyn while in France and has her return with him to England as his mistress. She is soon married off by her father, who realizes she is pregnant. Meanwhile, the peace between England and France deteriorates...