A Britain of Panthers and Lions: House of Oldenburg Britain
- Thread starter VVD0D95
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The idea of banishing her to the continent by Anne comes to mind which would entail her losing her estate and court position
Chapter 158: Institutions of Scorn
VVD0D95
Banned
Chapter 158: Institutions Of Scorn
April, 1713
April, 1713
Maria took a moment to breathe. Things were always hectic now. Running backwards and forwards, trying desperately to find some way to plug the gap that had grown within the kingdom and empire she had inherited. At times, she wondered if the nobles of the court would treat her as they did if she had been born with a penis, instead of the cunt nestled between her legs. At other times, she was happy to have been born a woman for it meant her nobles underestimated her. Still, she did not think she was exaggerating when she thought she might not survive to make it to sixty.
She cleared her throat and the council looked to her. “We are still focused on the debt we have inherited. Though peace has reigned now for almost five years, we are still receiving missives from the Bankers of Europe demanding repayment. We must know where we stand on this.”
Garcia de Mercado, her finance minister spoke. “Your Majesty, we are still looking for ways to plug the debt. The Cortes will not agree to raise the taxation level any higher, and the merchants are growing tired of having to pay extra. If we slap tariffs onto goods from France we risk starting another war, which is one we cannot afford.”
“SO, what are you saying?” Maria demanded, though she already had a decent enough idea.
“I am saying, Your Majesty, that we might need to default on the repayment of the loans for the time being.” Mercado said.
Maria bit back a sigh. “To default on a loan repayment would be the height of embarrassment.” She had read about what had happened when her ancestor Felipe II had defaulted and the mess he had left his successor. She looked at her own son, Leopold, twenty-five and a father himself, married to a Princess of Portugal. She did not want to leave such a thing to him.
“I think that perhaps if we raised taxation on those merchants in Aragon and elsewhere we might be able to cover the debt.” Mercado said.
“We thought you just said that the merchants and the Cortes would not countenance another hike in the taxation rate?” Maria asked.
“The Cortes and Merchants of Castile, Your Majesty. But the Aragonese know that sooner or later they will have to do their bit for the Kingdom, and as such they are willing.” Mercado said.
Maria looked at her husband, he had been sleeping with some whore, the Duke of Alba’s cousin she thought, but he was still dedicated to preserving things for their children. “Maximilian, you shall go and speak with the Aragonese nobles.”
Her husband said nothing for a moment and then replied. “I think it would be better if Leopold went. He is after all the heir to the throne and will be ruling once you are gone.” There was something in the way her husband said those words that heightened her suspicions, but she ignored it all the same.
Her son spoke then. “I agree with Father, Your Majesty. I would be better suited to going. The grandees know me and they like me more.”
For a moment, Maria wanted to say that the fact that the grandees liked him was reason enough not to send him, but then she decided against it. Perhaps it would make sense to send him then. “Very well, you shall go, with an escort. Alba shall go with you.” Her son nodded.
Alba, spoke then. “Your Majesty, there was the matter of Britannia and her alliance with France as well.”
Maria nodded. “Indeed. We find it concerning that the British who profess to be our allies are siding with the French, those who are the greatest challenge to us. We think that perhaps we must find a way to break that alliance.”
Maximilian spoke then. “No doubt the British are looking at bringing Florida into their own possession as a consequence of this alliance. We shall need to reform the navy and ensure it is able to compete with the British fleet.”
“Such a thing will cost money.” Maria pointed out. “Money we do not have.”
“Then perhaps Leopold should be sent to Aragon as soon as possible to get the grandees to agree to the raising of taxation.” Maximilian replied.
“And perhaps we should be best served by offering either Maximilian or our granddaughter to the British as a marriage contender.” Maria suggested.
“I think such a move would be most wise.” Leopold said. “It would show that we are still serious about achieving matrimonial alliances. And this meeting with the Emperor in a few weeks’ time will do wonders for ensuring the headaches are removed.”
“Very well.” Maria said. “We shall write the proposal.”
So we may have an actual male heir to the Austrian half of the Habsburg monarchies this go around with Leopold Charles? interesting times indeed.
VVD0D95
Banned
Should there be a succession crisis as otl, definitely. Though, Joseph and his wife have got a son so, it might not be quite what one was thinking.
Yeah I was dumb and misread the Spanish branch as representative of the whole of Habsburg family 
Regardless the throne is secure with a decent enough male line of succession. Does it imply then that Leopold Charles will be riling over a Flemish polity :0
Regardless the throne is secure with a decent enough male line of succession. Does it imply then that Leopold Charles will be riling over a Flemish polity :0VVD0D95
Banned
I wasn't entirely sure what to name the territory encompassing the Spanish Netherlands, as it's now separate from the Spanish possessions, so I went with Flanders as the name aha, happy to take amendments thoughYeah I was dumb and misread the Spanish branch as representative of the whole of Habsburg family
No I like it, it’s a good name imho. Is it another Archduchy as well? I was wondering also if France was able to acquire Wallonia in the peace? I don’t remember if it was or not. Or is the border for this Flanders the same as modern day Belgium?
What do you mean Blue? I thought she was handling everything pretty well.
That’s a pretty wealthy piece of real-estate Leopold Charles has gotten for himself, I’d be curious to see how it develops. Because I could honestly see it becoming a OTL version of a Prussia, a heavily militarized state in order to resist French expansionism.
VVD0D95
Banned
Oh for sure which means the French are going to constantly want it. And given I’m not sure what to do with Prussia at the moment could be quite interesting to see
