Marian's hands trembled as she knelt on the scaffold to tuck Queen Anne Boleyn's long dark hair into a black cloth cap in readiness for her execution.

She had not known - how could she? - when her guardian brought her to the court of Henry VIII at Greenwich Palace, that this would one day be her distressing duty.

Young Marian had flourished at court, in spite of its many temptations and distractions, not least the unwelcome advances of privy councillor Lord Bathampton. However, throughout twelve turbulent years, she had never relinquished her dream of finding happiness with the only many she truly loved.