Mary, Queen of France

1. Mary and Henry maintain a subtle balance of power between them. Although Henry has the last word by virtue of being king, Mary has enormous emotional sway over him. Where do you see Mary affecting Henry's decisions or intervening to calm situations that would otherwise prove disastrous? When does Henry first offer a glimpse of just how dangerous his temper can be, even with Mary?2. Henry is so eager to become king that he joyfully anticipates his own father's death: "Every direction in which he turned he found adulation, and very soonit could not be long because the old man was coughing and spitting blood regularly nowhe would be the King of this country." And as Mary contemplates her brother Arthur's death, she muses, "perhaps it was all for the best...for Henry was surely meant to be King." Are Henry and Mary vultures or pragmatists? Do you think their attitude is a necessary product of life in the English court, or are they particularly cold-hearted?3. Mary's arrival in France as wife to Louis is a hard blow to "the trinity" of Francois, Marguerite, and Louise. Yet, ironically, it is Francois who is chosen by the king to greet Mary when she first arrives. How does this first meeting go? Does Francois have a soft streak, or is he a consummate actor? Mary asks herself, "What was it he was attempting to offer? Commiseration? Consolation?" What is the answer?4. Early in his rule, Henry faces a series of setbacks. The death of a newborn son, a mutiny by English soldiers in France, and the treacherous teaming-up of Ferdinand of Spain and the Emperor Maximilian, all send Henry into his first serious slump. What changes do you notice in Henry from this point on? How do they affect his rule, and how do they impact Mary's plans? How does his wife, Queen Katherine, accidentally add insult to injury?5. The friendship between Charles Brandon and Henry is a vehicle for the most intense dramatic tension in the novel. What method does Charles find most effective for stroking the king's ego and keeping him happy? Charles recognizes "a certain primness in Henry's character;" what does he mean by this?6. Why does Pope Alexander agree to dissolve Louis XII's marriage to Queen Jeanne? What is in it for him?7. Despite Charles Brandon's passionate love for Mary, he seems to be quite content to adapt into whichever romantic union happens to come along. He is betrothed and then un-betrothed to Anne Browne, married to Margaret Mortymer, married to Anne Browne, betrothed to Elizabeth Grey, and comes very close to becoming betrothed to Margaret of Savoy. He is enthused at the beginning of each relationship, seeing it as a new lease on life, but soon becomes apathetic. What do you make of Charles? Is he fickle or just searching for true love? What makes the relationship with Mary stick?8. From his cushy position as political prisoner in Henry's court, the Duc de Longueville writes to Louis in France, describing Mary in glowing terms and reporting on Henry's deep love for her. What is the significance of this letter? What mischief is Longueville attempting to stir up? Does he succeed? Why does he find Henry's court "so interesting and amusing to watch?"9. Louise is tormented by the idea of Mary getting pregnant with the king's child. Since she knows that Mary is desperately unhappy in the marriage, why doesn't she encourage Mary to take a lover, thus creating a possibility that Mary will be discovered and ousted from the French court? What does Louise fear might happen?10. What do you make of King Louis? He can see both the wild flirtPlaidy, Jean is the author of 'Mary, Queen of France ', published 2003 under ISBN 9780609810217 and ISBN 0609810219.