John Aylmer's Dilemma

John Aylmer was the ill fated Lady Jane Grey’s tutor at Bradgate House at a time when Henry V111 ruled and was married to Catherine Parr. John watched his pupil grow up from girl to young woman and was probably in love with her. But of course both their positions denied fraternisation , Jane being of Royal blood and John because of his cloth.

When Lady Mary Sidney, who was married to Sir Henry Sidney visited Jane’s home at Bradgate and took a short spell there to educate her niece, the teenage Jane, into the ways of womanhood, she was immediately attracted to two men employed by Jane’s parents.

Mary, a woman of some means, her father being John Dudley, the powerful Duke of Northumberland, was an intellectual woman, passionate about everything she took on, especially men; and she had the advantage of being in a position to procure an affair with any man to whom she was attracted . For although married it seemed to be generally accepted both her and her husband were free to enjoy extra marital affairs.

The first male to catch her eye at Bradgate was the young Ned Steer, the assistant keeper of horses and the second, who was to be a far bigger challenge, John Aylmer. She’d attempt to gain the interest of esteemed tutor first because he was the more amiable - and the notion that she could win over a man of the cloth exited her tremendously, for in her thinking ; a man who supposedly resisted carnal practice, was being entirely untrue to himself, to the real red blooded man inside, whom God intended, given the survival of the species, to deliver the seed of life to a woman. So why should it be that one of his servants be denied - as was John Aylmer. “What a waste! “ she was heard to announce in his company too. When she caught up with him it was in the small chapel in Bradgate, preparing mass. She came out with it, no holds barred, the truth and nothing but the truth, she was in a house of God! “John Aylmer, I have noticed your look when we pass in the corridor, a woman knows these things, perhaps we should share some special time, some quality time together?”

But with a look of utter astonishment and disbelief he exclaimed; “You must not talk of such things, my Lady for I am a man of God - as well you know.”

“But you have no heed what it is like for a woman in my genre. Who needs the comfort a man can give, and you a ecclesiastical man of God. Is that not part of what you are all about, to give comfort and help to those in need. Well John Aylmer I am in need, sensually and mentally. Love is not enough although I love my husband I do, but a woman so highly passionate needs more than just love, she needs physical love, you glow with charm and grace and attractiveness, John. So please help me to understand the blessings God can give in a way only his servant can relay.

“I promise you - okay I know the cloth tells you not to be concerned with reward, but the reward I can give you surmounts all that is good and human, all that a woman can give of her true femininity - come, John, Let me feel that which you must desire within, I can see the glow in your eyes when you look at me, do you think I do not notice?

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