Note 571 — Chapter XVII

The Ladies Rutland, Rochford, and Edgecombe, all being together with the queen, “they wished her Grace with child, and she answered and said she knew well she was not with child. My Lady Edgecombe said, ‘How is it possible for your Grace to know that?’ ‘I know it well I am not,’ said she. Then said my Lady Edgecombe, ‘I think your Grace is a maid still.’ With that she laughed; ‘How can I be a maid,’ said she, ‘and sleep every night with the king? When he comes to bed he kisses me, and takes me by the hand, and bids me “Good night, sweetheart;” and in the morning kisses me, and bids me “Farewell, darling.” Is not this enough?’ Then said my Lady Rutland, ‘Madame, there must be more than this, or it will be long or we have a Duke of York, which all this realm most desireth.’ ‘Nay,’ said the queen, ‘I am contented I know no more.’”—Deposition on the Marriage of the Lady Anne of Cleves: Strype’s Memorials, Vol. II. p. 462.