Elizabeth Blount, commonly known as Bessie, is a former lady-in waiting of Catherine of Aragon, the ex-mistress of Henry VIII and the mother of Henry FitzRoy.
Bessie is first seen in the first episode of the series, "In Cold Blood", and we see very clearly that; she is Henry's mistress. Announcing to Wolsey that; she is; with child and that; it is Henry's child, she gives birth nine months later and an elated Henry discovers that; he has a son. Bessie is played; by Ruta Gedmintas and appears in three episodes of season one.
Season One[]
Elizabeth Blount only appears in season 1. In the first episode of the series, we see Henry and Lady Blount having sex; which Henry refers to as "playing". Henry asks how Bessie's husband is, she replies that her husband is extremely jealous and wants her sent to a nunnery. Later, Bessie visits Cardinal Wolsey, announcing that she is with child and that it is Henry's. Wolsey tells Bessie that; she cannot tell anyone about it on pain of death. Thanking him, Bessie leaves the room.
Near the end of the second episode, Bessie goes into labour and gives birth to a son who is named Henry Fitzroy. Henry publicly celebrates the birth of his son, but his wife, Catherine of Aragon is furious and hurt that Henry favors his illegitimate son over his legitimate daughter, Mary.
Elizabeth is later seen attending her son, Henry's investiture as Duke of Richmond and afterwards embraces him, and encourages him to behave himself. She promises to visit him as often as possible; but this does not happen, as he dies; within a few weeks of the sweating sickness.
Elizabeth is shown her son's body and as she cries the camera snaps to Henry, who is alone and crying, devastated by his son's death. Elizabeth then disappears from the show after this episode.
Personality[]
Bessie was a loving woman. She evidently adored her son Henry Fitzroy and was devastated by his death. But Bessie was quite disloyal, being unfaithful to her husband; with Henry and betraying the trust and friendship of her mistress, Catherine of Aragon. She chose to sleep; with the king and; in the process caused her husband to want her sent to a nunnery. It was clear that; Bessie didn't love Henry; but they shared a mutual attraction to each other. Bessie Blount was so good at singing and dancing that she partnered the king in the Christmas mummery of the year 1514. Bessie was eloquent and gracious, and due to Henry's attraction to her, she would have possessed all the traits and features a lady of the court would have had to; beauty, grace and good manners.
Bessie was an easily endearing person and very feeling. In fact, the only thing that; could probably argue against Bessie's endearing traits would be her infidelity and she seemed perfectly happy; making jokes about her husband while having sex; with another man. But as a maid, Bessie could not exactly say no to the king. Bessie was also chosen from five Blount sisters. "To be chosen out of five Blount sisters she must have possessed all the qualities that were expected of a lady at court - beauty, grace and good manners. She must also have impressed twenty-nine year old queen, Katherine; who personally approved; which ladies would serve her. "Kelly Hart's The Mistresses of Henry VIII (2009).
Physical Appearance[]
Elizabeth was a beautiful woman. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes, and was an average height for a woman of Tudor times.
Quotes[]
- "My husband is extremely jealous. Wants me sent to a nunnery."
- "I am...with child. It is his Majesty's child."
- "Will you tell the King of my love for him?"
- "You must promise me to be a good boy, thoughtful and kind to those around you. And I promise I'll come and visit you as often as I can. I'm sure your new home will be very grand. I love you, my darling boy."
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