An Imperial Match: Anne Boleyn marries Charles V
- Thread starter pandizzy
- Start date
Hey pandizzy!
I am quite new to alternate history. I just wanted to say that I enjoy reading your timeline a lot. The way the characters are written creates immersion and sucks you right into the story. Keep up the good work!
I am quite new to alternate history. I just wanted to say that I enjoy reading your timeline a lot. The way the characters are written creates immersion and sucks you right into the story. Keep up the good work!
George Boleyn and his sweet German love, that would be an interesting read
15th of August, 1523.
Stuttgart, Württemberg . 15th of August, 1523.
George was silent as he walked in the corridors of Altes Schloss, hands clasped behind his back. He observed the paintings and tapestries on the walls around him, the sigils and faces of the old Counts and Dukes that came before him. Near his bedroom, he saw a portrait made of Ulrich of Württemberg, the man who had come before him and lost the duchy that now belonged to him to the Swabian League. He had a round familiar face and a simple grey beard, with no smile on his lips.
Some said Ulrich still dreamed of returning to his ducal throne, and George’s advisors now told him to be careful of such a man. Ulrich had a volatile temper and recently announced his conversion to the reformed faith. He’d have to win alliances with his rule, gain friends and save money if he wished to remain in power.
George didn’t know if he wanted to remain in power. While being a duke was certainly flattering, especially when he thought of his father in England, penniless and destitute, but it was difficult to rule. He was neither German nor Swabian, and his comprehension of both languages was flimsy, to say the least, and certainly was not popular with the masses. He’d come to Württemberg as the younger brother of the Emperor’s wife, his large patch of land a reward because of his sister’s success in giving birth to a male heir in her very first attempt.
It would be difficult to remain as Georg Boleyn, Herzog von Württemberg. He was merely eighteen, young and untried. He knew nothing of ruling or governing, much less of keeping nobles happy and pleasing his overlord. George had been trained for a life of diplomacy, yes, but his father only intended for him to be an ambassador like he was. That’s why he was taught French, Latin and some German and Spanish. When his father eventually retired, it was expected of George to take up his position in Henry VIII’s rule, representing England and her king to the courts of Europe.
But that would never be. Anne had done what she should not and married the Emperor. Now, he was a ruling lord in the patchwork of territories that scholars liked to call Germany. He had people who depended on him, advisors who had to work with him, despite their misgivings about his capabilities.
Besides, he’d come to Württemberg to replace the Emperor’s brother, Archduke Ferdinand, who was by all accounts a good Duke who had made an effort to learn the German language and befriend those around him. Everyone from the lowest servant to the highest count around him had only good things to say about Ferdinand of Austria.
Anne had told him to get married. Anne had told him to ask Ferdinand for help in the matter. Anne had told him to do many things, including to leave for Württemberg, but now that he stood in the halls of Altes Schloss, he found himself hesitating over the entire thing. It was far too easy for Anne to tell him to do things when she didn’t have to worry about offending everyone. By Jesu, she had chosen her own husband and the most powerful man in Europe at that! All she had to do was keep Charles happy and have his children. That was certainly easier than what he had to do.
Maybe he should’ve stayed in England. The last news he had gotten from Mary had been while he was still in Spain, and it said that the King was still not pleased with them. Had even removed some of their father’s duties, claiming another man was more suited to serving England. That must have stung. George was sure his father had not regretted staying home though. He was far too stubborn for that.
But he didn’t stay in England. He went to Castile to be with his sister, he went to Castile because he thought the family’s fortunes stood with her, and now he was a duke. A duke! It was strange to think of himself so highly, but it was now the truth. He was a duke. He was a ruler. And he had to get married.
Ferdinand was his brother now too. He had to help him. Didn’t he?
It didn’t matter. George turned on his feet and walked towards his room, where he would sit down and write a long letter to Ferdinand of Austria.
Interesting to see George's understandable worries, and I hope he learns to rule well. It would behoove he and Ferdinand to get along as well, to better stand against the Emperor's enemies. Also, it would certainly be quite the achievement for him if say, a future son of his were to be wed to a daughter of Ferdinand and Anne of Hungary. Fantastic chapter as always!
I hope george finds his footing! i think he would really help charles's relations with the lutheran princes.
