Norham was an ancient border stronghold standing on a rocky bluff high above the River Tweed near Berwick. But my lord of Northumberland’s steward was concerned that it was not a suitable residence for the daughter of a queen. He was right. It had not one chamber fit to shelter anyone, and when it rained, water streamed in from the roof right down to the dungeons.

I did not care. I was miserable to be so far from Father and all that was familiar. Homesickness was my worst privation. Yet I had Isobel with me, and her brisk pragmatism fortified me. I was well guarded and the steward did his best to ensure that I was accommodated in as much comfort as possible.

Daily, I was expecting a summons to the English court, but none came. I know now that King Henry was preoccupied with his ‘Great Matter’, being determined to divorce Queen Katherine. It would not have been appropriate for me to go to his court at that time. So I rusticated at Norham for eight miserable months.

Father, meanwhile, had held out against King James’s forces. Tantallon proved unconquerable. Father sued for peace, but the terms my brother offered made it plain that he meant to treat Father as a rebel and a traitor.

I was spending a bleak Christmas at Norham when King James and King Henry concluded a treaty, whereby James was to take the Douglas lands on condition that Father was permitted to seek asylum in England. In the spring, Father surrendered Tantallon in hope of a pardon that was never forthcoming, and fled into England. I was overjoyed to see him at Norham and hear him say that I was to go with him.

We rode eastwards along the border to Berwick, where we sought shelter in the castle with its custodian, Sir Thomas Strangeways, who was comptroller of the household of my godfather, Cardinal Wolsey. Berwick Castle proved a safe haven. Father left me there when he travelled south to my uncle’s court. The Cardinal sent orders that I was to be kept securely at Berwick and be well entertained; I was to have as much liberty and recreation as possible. Relieved that Father was safe, I was quite merry and content. I was sad to hear of the death of the Cardinal, who had failed to obtain the divorce the King wanted, fallen from favour and died of sorrow, but I felt glad on hearing that Father had been made welcome at the English court.