The Fifth Queen · Chapter
I explained
Magister Nicholas Udal, the Lady Mary's pedagogue, is cold and hungry in the Austin Friars after failing to gain audience with Thomas Cromwell.
What happens
Magister Nicholas Udal, the Lady Mary's pedagogue, is cold and hungry in the Austin Friars after failing to gain audience with Thomas Cromwell. He seeks shelter and food, and visits the printer John Badge the Younger, where he banters about teaching Margot Latin, the new Queen Anne of Cleves, and the political climate. Udal reveals his opportunistic nature and his possession of a silver medallion intended as a gift for a lady.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Patronage
Udal's hunger and lack of money contrast with his need for Cromwell's favor; he trades news and lessons for sustenance.
Religious Conflict and Reformation
The Old Faith versus the New Learning is evident in the porter's hatred of Lutherans and the printer's nostalgia for praying to St. Leonard.
Appearance vs. Reality
Udal fabricates news of treason to gain reward, and his silver medallion is a tool for seduction, masking his true intentions.
Characters to notice
- Nicholas Udal
The Lady Mary's pedagogue, hungry and cold, seeking patronage and news to trade for crowns.
- Thomas Cromwell
The Lord Privy Seal, absent at Greenwich; Udal fails to see him.
- Lady Mary
Udal's pupil, mentioned as a potential queen and as having a commentary on Plautus.
- Margot Poins
The printer's niece, whom Udal wishes to teach Latin and marry.
- John Badge
Master printer John Badge the Younger, suspicious of Udal and protective of Margot.
- Norroy
The Norroy King-at-Arms, who questions Udal about his travels.
- Anne of Cleves
The new Queen, arrived at Rochester, discussed as a Lutheran and a political pawn.
Key passages
“Domus parva, quies magna”
A small house, great peace.
Udal quotes this Latin phrase to Norroy, reflecting on his time in Lord Edmund's household.
“Afflavit deus!”
God has blown!
Udal uses this phrase to explain the delay of Anne of Cleves' arrival due to contrary winds.
“Pauper sum, pateor, fateor, quod Di dant fero”
I am poor, I admit it, I confess it; I bear what the gods give.
Udal mutters this Latin line to himself as he shivers in the cold, resigned to his poverty.