The Prince and the Pauper

While Edward has been adventuring in the countryside, Tom has been having a different experience. Losing his fears about being king, he has come to enjoy the processions and pomp that surround the royal office. He triples the number of household servants available to him, a number he had originally wanted to cut down, and continues to try to reform the English body of laws. In doing so, he comes into conflict with Lady Mary, who argues that he should be more like Henry VIII. Initially, Tom was worried about Edward and his family’s fates, but as he grows into his new life, he thinks of them less often.

A procession is taking place that will lead Tom to Westminster Abbey, where he will be acclaimed king. As the procession again goes down the Thames on barges, Tom is happy to hear that he has the support of the people of London. Once they disembark, he mounts a warhorse and is followed by an honor guard and officials that accompany him through the streets of London.

Tom begins to think that being king is the best possible life, happily noting that the people he used to play court with are now part of the crowd that is celebrating him as the true king.