# I explained — The Fifth Queen

> Chapter companion for The Fifth Queen by Ford Madox Ford.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fifth_queen_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters