Summary

Book II is written from Katherine’s viewpoint. She is reeling with anger and grief after Jane is beheaded. Katherine, at age 14, is very angry that Jane left her an impersonal letter at her death. Katherine wanted something loving and sisterly; what she got was something regal and dignified. She turned it over to Jane’s friends in Switzerland who would publish it and guarantee Jane’s martyrdom. The letter advises Katherine to be happy that their father lost all their worldly possessions and to focus instead on heavenly achievements. Katherine calls the letter heartless. After her sister was beheaded and her father is twice accused of treason, the family is left with only her father’s home, which is drafty and not as nice as her mother’s royal home at Bradgate. Katherine keeps her head down in shame...