Chapters CXV through Epilogue Summary

Henry comes to learn that Jamie, his nephew and King of Scotland, who has lately come to be his enemy on the battlefield of minor skirmishes, has died at thirty-one, leaving behind only a one-week-old daughter who was christened "Mary, Queen of Scots." Henry immediately plans the marriage of Mary to his son, Edward, but Francis comes to the aid of Scotland and refutes Henry's claim. Mary is then pledged to one of Francis' sons.

Henry arranges for a family portrait. A painter named Holbein is assigned the task, using the effigies from Henry's parents' funerals as their likeness and adding Jane to the family portrait as well. It's stiflingly hot and Holbein collapses, dying later that night of the plague. Henry plans to leave immediately with Edward and orders the rest of the Council to scatter...