Thanks. I had some plans regarding Brittany that required knowing the number of sons Francis has.
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Edward IV’s Bourbon Bride: A Collaborative Timeline
- Thread starter RedKing
- Start date
Duarte is the Spanish version of Edward. This is like naming twins Juan and John, and considering back then people translated names into respective languages (OTL Catherine of Aragon is Catalina in Spain) twins wouldn’t be named like this.
Ok. I will change it.
Also I think Francis was mixed up with his brother Jean in the family tree.
edit: Nevermind, I was able to figure out who Casimir is. We should have a central family tree that we edit instead of just posting updates every once and a while.
Can I edit my post to add more events that take place between August and September?
Also, it seems two of John's children were born to close together, in February and June of 1479, respectively. To consolidate let's say they were twins, something the Aviz have been having a lot of as of late.
Also I think Francis was mixed up with his brother Jean in the family tree.
edit: Nevermind, I was able to figure out who Casimir is. We should have a central family tree that we edit instead of just posting updates every once and a while.
Can I edit my post to add more events that take place between August and September?
Also, it seems two of John's children were born to close together, in February and June of 1479, respectively. To consolidate let's say they were twins, something the Aviz have been having a lot of as of late.
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Aragon in pieces
Ok so,I originally had Beatrice of Naples married off to the Duke of Bari and her daughter sent to Portugal, but I'm going to remove that for continuity's sake.
October, 1481: Jean of Foix, technically Prince of Viana and Girona since his nephew's death, settles the issue of the Armagnac regency by formally abdicating after finding a replacement in the paternal uncle of the young Count of Armagnac. With that, he can finally return to his mother's side and she can finally put her plan into action. Jean, who had never had much personal ambition (part of why he maintained the Regency in Armagnac so well), had never considered his position as heir, but now, he was to be King. Eleanor, recognising that no one really wants her, as an old woman, to be in charge of the country. So she's replacing herself. If they want a King, it'll be her son, goddamn it!
Jean is less than thrilled. He has his pregnant wife by his side, he knows that the Duke of Lorraine is all but ready to take the throne himself, and that Castile is against them. But his mother is certain that the Trastamara/Angevin alliance will shatter soon enough. Aragon needs Sardinia, and Nicholas won't take the throne without giving it up. Frederick of Austria is sending troops as they speak (she assumes).
Frederick, meanwhile, is actually sending troops, but not particularly because he's excited to be supporting his ally. Isabella of Foix is a lovely addition to the Austrian court, and his alliance with France means Foix-Aragon is in his better interests. But it's the Jaigellon ascendancy that's got him worried. Their allies taking Sardinia is one thing, but rumours are swirling that Casimir, with his brand new daughter by his young wife, is campaigning hard to the Imperial Throne once Frederick dies. That's unacceptable. And so, as a power play, Foix-Aragon must remain. He has to show the Hapsburgs aren't pushovers.
In England, preparations begin for Eleanor of Viseu to travel to Portugal to treat with the King over the Yorkist issue. She's family to him, mother to the heir to the English throne, and most importantly, has been complaining that she's been sidelined in the Regency as Baldwin of Burgundy and Anne Neville have taken a more central role, since Jasper Tudor began to concern himself with his wife's pregnancy and ill health. Alfonso V of Portugal agrees that she can visit in an official capacity, angering his Queen. She fears having a Lancastrian at her court.
In Lorraine, Marie of Foix is struggling with a difficult pregnancy.
In Naples, the Regent to the King of Naples and Duke of Lorraine fall out over an argument of what amount of Sardinia is Nicholas getting after Eleanor is removed from her position. Alfonso says none, Nicholas says all of it. Beggers can't be choosers, but with the current situation they're facing, he doesn't feel like a begger. Besides, he's the rightful King of Naples anyway.
December, 1481: John II of Burgundy gives up on the de la Pole marriage after running into the issue of their custody in England (Elizabeth and Dorothy have since moved from the Countess of Warwick's mother to her own custody), and instead decides on a German marriage. Anna of Julich-Berg, the only daughter of the neighbouring German Duke, becomes the Duchess of Burgundy by proxy in a match the King of France is deeply unhappy with. But there's something bigger going on. Because Beatrice of Naples is essentially declaring war on the English on his behalf.
Beatrice, as Duchess of Orleans, has spent the last two years building up her alliances and gaining the support of as many people as she can for her daughter...including the Dauphin of France. Yes, young Louis de Valois has decided that his greatest achievement could and should be to invade England. He's been taking his own secret meetings and has his own web of alliances. His son will marry Margaret Stewart, the newborn daughter of the King of Scotland and his Queen, Margaret of York will marry the Duke of Rothesay, uniting England and Scotland, and their alliance will be so great that they will be able to do all the wars he wants, including taking Jerusalem.
This is a little larger than Beatrice had hoped for, particularly since her own dreams for her young Margaret (namely the Duke of Berry or, failing that, one of her Portuguese cousins), and just stupid enough that when the King finds out, he's furious. Margaret of York is meant to be a chip to renegotiate the Henry VII of England/Claude de Valois marriage, and a safety net if they decide to get involved in France again. She's not meant to launch ships on her own accord. Furious, he separates the Dauphin from not only the Duke of Orleans (sent to Aragon to lead French troops on behalf of their ally) from his son, but has the Dauphine removed from his son's household and instead installed in his sister Magdalena's, who tries her hardest to smooth things over with the various diplomats suddenly very aware that the 16 year old future King of France is dreaming of conquering their allies in war.
January, 1482: Jasper Tudor's wife and child finally pass, after many months of hanging in the balance. Distraught, he further pulls away from his duties in the Regency, focusing much of his time with his nephew, left in his care as Eleanor of Viseu finally departs for Portugal. Baldwin of Burgundy, happy enough to remain in power, is a little worried to be the foreigner in charge (particularly as his wife is in confinement again). He may have been involved in the efforts to protect England against the invading Scots, but he also has been their enemy in Burgundy, and regardless, he isn't English. He quietly starts promoting his wife's cousin, the Baron Fitzhugh, to more prominent public positions, and works to maintain stability. That means sending feelers out to France to solidify their alliance and send congratulatory gifts to his nephew on his marriage, making sure not to cross those notes.
In Aragon, Eleanor officially abdicates to her son, not actually leaving the court but placing her son as a figurehead. At least, that's what she assumed she was doing. But within days of his accension, Jean of Foix has his mother sent back to Pampalona, and negotiates with his French allies for his newborn daughter, Isabella, to marry the young Charles Fredric. As John III, King of Aragon and Navarre, he also offers to split Navarre and Aragon again, and marry his brother to the Princess Magdalena (with proper dispensation of course) if that's what they want. Austrian forces have arrived, but if the nobility want him gone, he'll be gone, and Nicholas of Anjou is only be held up by his wife's pregnancy issues.
Yes, Marie of Savoy has given birth to a son. A stillborn one. And not only that, but she's not recovering very well. Nicholas isn't exactly smitten with his bride (he's fond of her, but that's about as enthusiastic as he has mustered) but he's sure she's been poisoned. By his enemies? Yes, but not those on the other side. He's sure the Regent for the King of Naples has had his son killed. No one has actually confessed, but why else would such a thing happen, and why had his wife's health turned so dramatically in the weeks preceding the labour?
Frederick is appalled at the accusation. There's nothing to gain from killing the Duke of Lorraine's wife, regardless of the Sardinia Question. In fact, all it would do is turn people against him.
In England, Anne Neville gives birth a third time. Her daughters, Anne and Catherine, are healthy, but her son, Philip, dies within days of his birth.
February, 1482: Joanna of Aragon, Countess of Maine gives birth to a son, Rene of Anjou. With that, she half-heartedly throws her hat into the ring of claimants to the Crown of Aragon. This is mostly a folly but she makes it clear that, should Nicholas of Lorraine die without issue, she and her husband are the next heirs to pretty much everything (except Lorraine, that would go to the Countess of Vaudemont). For now, it's a game. For now, Louis XI of France ignores her.
John III of Aragon is met by the Duke of Orleans and his troops. The Austrians are almost here. He might have a fighting chance at this, and maybe even at retaking Sardinia. Maybe.
October, 1481: Jean of Foix, technically Prince of Viana and Girona since his nephew's death, settles the issue of the Armagnac regency by formally abdicating after finding a replacement in the paternal uncle of the young Count of Armagnac. With that, he can finally return to his mother's side and she can finally put her plan into action. Jean, who had never had much personal ambition (part of why he maintained the Regency in Armagnac so well), had never considered his position as heir, but now, he was to be King. Eleanor, recognising that no one really wants her, as an old woman, to be in charge of the country. So she's replacing herself. If they want a King, it'll be her son, goddamn it!
Jean is less than thrilled. He has his pregnant wife by his side, he knows that the Duke of Lorraine is all but ready to take the throne himself, and that Castile is against them. But his mother is certain that the Trastamara/Angevin alliance will shatter soon enough. Aragon needs Sardinia, and Nicholas won't take the throne without giving it up. Frederick of Austria is sending troops as they speak (she assumes).
Frederick, meanwhile, is actually sending troops, but not particularly because he's excited to be supporting his ally. Isabella of Foix is a lovely addition to the Austrian court, and his alliance with France means Foix-Aragon is in his better interests. But it's the Jaigellon ascendancy that's got him worried. Their allies taking Sardinia is one thing, but rumours are swirling that Casimir, with his brand new daughter by his young wife, is campaigning hard to the Imperial Throne once Frederick dies. That's unacceptable. And so, as a power play, Foix-Aragon must remain. He has to show the Hapsburgs aren't pushovers.
In England, preparations begin for Eleanor of Viseu to travel to Portugal to treat with the King over the Yorkist issue. She's family to him, mother to the heir to the English throne, and most importantly, has been complaining that she's been sidelined in the Regency as Baldwin of Burgundy and Anne Neville have taken a more central role, since Jasper Tudor began to concern himself with his wife's pregnancy and ill health. Alfonso V of Portugal agrees that she can visit in an official capacity, angering his Queen. She fears having a Lancastrian at her court.
In Lorraine, Marie of Foix is struggling with a difficult pregnancy.
In Naples, the Regent to the King of Naples and Duke of Lorraine fall out over an argument of what amount of Sardinia is Nicholas getting after Eleanor is removed from her position. Alfonso says none, Nicholas says all of it. Beggers can't be choosers, but with the current situation they're facing, he doesn't feel like a begger. Besides, he's the rightful King of Naples anyway.
December, 1481: John II of Burgundy gives up on the de la Pole marriage after running into the issue of their custody in England (Elizabeth and Dorothy have since moved from the Countess of Warwick's mother to her own custody), and instead decides on a German marriage. Anna of Julich-Berg, the only daughter of the neighbouring German Duke, becomes the Duchess of Burgundy by proxy in a match the King of France is deeply unhappy with. But there's something bigger going on. Because Beatrice of Naples is essentially declaring war on the English on his behalf.
Beatrice, as Duchess of Orleans, has spent the last two years building up her alliances and gaining the support of as many people as she can for her daughter...including the Dauphin of France. Yes, young Louis de Valois has decided that his greatest achievement could and should be to invade England. He's been taking his own secret meetings and has his own web of alliances. His son will marry Margaret Stewart, the newborn daughter of the King of Scotland and his Queen, Margaret of York will marry the Duke of Rothesay, uniting England and Scotland, and their alliance will be so great that they will be able to do all the wars he wants, including taking Jerusalem.
This is a little larger than Beatrice had hoped for, particularly since her own dreams for her young Margaret (namely the Duke of Berry or, failing that, one of her Portuguese cousins), and just stupid enough that when the King finds out, he's furious. Margaret of York is meant to be a chip to renegotiate the Henry VII of England/Claude de Valois marriage, and a safety net if they decide to get involved in France again. She's not meant to launch ships on her own accord. Furious, he separates the Dauphin from not only the Duke of Orleans (sent to Aragon to lead French troops on behalf of their ally) from his son, but has the Dauphine removed from his son's household and instead installed in his sister Magdalena's, who tries her hardest to smooth things over with the various diplomats suddenly very aware that the 16 year old future King of France is dreaming of conquering their allies in war.
January, 1482: Jasper Tudor's wife and child finally pass, after many months of hanging in the balance. Distraught, he further pulls away from his duties in the Regency, focusing much of his time with his nephew, left in his care as Eleanor of Viseu finally departs for Portugal. Baldwin of Burgundy, happy enough to remain in power, is a little worried to be the foreigner in charge (particularly as his wife is in confinement again). He may have been involved in the efforts to protect England against the invading Scots, but he also has been their enemy in Burgundy, and regardless, he isn't English. He quietly starts promoting his wife's cousin, the Baron Fitzhugh, to more prominent public positions, and works to maintain stability. That means sending feelers out to France to solidify their alliance and send congratulatory gifts to his nephew on his marriage, making sure not to cross those notes.
In Aragon, Eleanor officially abdicates to her son, not actually leaving the court but placing her son as a figurehead. At least, that's what she assumed she was doing. But within days of his accension, Jean of Foix has his mother sent back to Pampalona, and negotiates with his French allies for his newborn daughter, Isabella, to marry the young Charles Fredric. As John III, King of Aragon and Navarre, he also offers to split Navarre and Aragon again, and marry his brother to the Princess Magdalena (with proper dispensation of course) if that's what they want. Austrian forces have arrived, but if the nobility want him gone, he'll be gone, and Nicholas of Anjou is only be held up by his wife's pregnancy issues.
Yes, Marie of Savoy has given birth to a son. A stillborn one. And not only that, but she's not recovering very well. Nicholas isn't exactly smitten with his bride (he's fond of her, but that's about as enthusiastic as he has mustered) but he's sure she's been poisoned. By his enemies? Yes, but not those on the other side. He's sure the Regent for the King of Naples has had his son killed. No one has actually confessed, but why else would such a thing happen, and why had his wife's health turned so dramatically in the weeks preceding the labour?
Frederick is appalled at the accusation. There's nothing to gain from killing the Duke of Lorraine's wife, regardless of the Sardinia Question. In fact, all it would do is turn people against him.
In England, Anne Neville gives birth a third time. Her daughters, Anne and Catherine, are healthy, but her son, Philip, dies within days of his birth.
February, 1482: Joanna of Aragon, Countess of Maine gives birth to a son, Rene of Anjou. With that, she half-heartedly throws her hat into the ring of claimants to the Crown of Aragon. This is mostly a folly but she makes it clear that, should Nicholas of Lorraine die without issue, she and her husband are the next heirs to pretty much everything (except Lorraine, that would go to the Countess of Vaudemont). For now, it's a game. For now, Louis XI of France ignores her.
John III of Aragon is met by the Duke of Orleans and his troops. The Austrians are almost here. He might have a fighting chance at this, and maybe even at retaking Sardinia. Maybe.
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Invasions
March-June 1482: Juana of Castile officially marries Enrique of Aragon and a few days later declares war on Aragon, declaring that she shall press her husband's claim to the throne. She sends the Duke of Albuquerque to lead the invasion with a force of 10,000 men, much to Jean of Aragon's concern. Though there is some good news, as Nicholas of Lorraine isn't committing as many men to the invasion of Aragon as he had been before, perhaps a sign that he is reconsidering his alliance with Alfonso of Naples. The latter keeps up the offense however, and begins planning to take the city of Valencia. Jean decides to focus on the Castilians and meet the threat head on. This strategy proves successful as in late April he meets the Castilians in Battle and soundly defeats them, forcing the enemy back into their neighbouring Kingdom. Juana is angered by the defeat and orders all border forts to be on high-alert for a counter invasion while she and her generals piece together a second invasion force. Jean's triumph is short lived however, as in the early days of May, he hears word that a Neapolitan force of 12,000 men have landed just outside of Valencia and are moving to besiege the city. Jean quickly moves to defend the city lest it fall. That same month, Louis XI and Dauphin Louis agree to a betrothal between Isabella of Aragon and Charles Frederic of France.
In England, Beatrice's invasion is going poorly, if you could even call it an invasion. Of the twenty ships sent to England, 9 were apprehended by the French and forced to dock, 3 were captured by the English and one disappeared. The remaining seven meanwhile, were scattered in a storm and only docked in England weeks after they were originally meant to. Three ships carrying 350 men land in York, but they quickly turn to raiding local towns for survival. The Earl of Northumberland seizes the initiative and leads 700 men against the invaders turned raiders and defeats them at the Skirmish of Brownington Woods. Meanwhile another 2 ships lands in Cornwall. Almost immediately the men mutiny and defect to the Lancastrian regime receiving pardons in return for spilling vital intel to the English. However, the two remaining ships land in Lincolnshire and remain committed to their cause, using their small numbers to race into Wales hiding in the country's mountains and forests, launching hit and run assaults against their enemies. Scotland had planned to commit a few thousand men to the invasion but upon hearing of Louis XI's discovery of the plot chickened out and ordered his soldiers to stand down. About a thousand men ignore this however and launch what appears to a fool's crusade into England. Against all odds however, they manage to evade all large enemy forces and defeat the ones they do encounter and make it down as far as Lancaster. They're luck runs out there however, as Jasper Tudor returns to public life, leading a force of 2,400 men against them and forcing them into battle, where they are defeated, though 400 men escape with 150 of them making it into Wales to join the Yorkists hiding out there. Jasper pursues them into Wales after receiving permission by Parliament to launch a campaign there, but first he spends a few weeks gathering a larger force, for he is unsure of how large the invaders' numbers have grown or even if they have grown at all.
In England, Beatrice's invasion is going poorly, if you could even call it an invasion. Of the twenty ships sent to England, 9 were apprehended by the French and forced to dock, 3 were captured by the English and one disappeared. The remaining seven meanwhile, were scattered in a storm and only docked in England weeks after they were originally meant to. Three ships carrying 350 men land in York, but they quickly turn to raiding local towns for survival. The Earl of Northumberland seizes the initiative and leads 700 men against the invaders turned raiders and defeats them at the Skirmish of Brownington Woods. Meanwhile another 2 ships lands in Cornwall. Almost immediately the men mutiny and defect to the Lancastrian regime receiving pardons in return for spilling vital intel to the English. However, the two remaining ships land in Lincolnshire and remain committed to their cause, using their small numbers to race into Wales hiding in the country's mountains and forests, launching hit and run assaults against their enemies. Scotland had planned to commit a few thousand men to the invasion but upon hearing of Louis XI's discovery of the plot chickened out and ordered his soldiers to stand down. About a thousand men ignore this however and launch what appears to a fool's crusade into England. Against all odds however, they manage to evade all large enemy forces and defeat the ones they do encounter and make it down as far as Lancaster. They're luck runs out there however, as Jasper Tudor returns to public life, leading a force of 2,400 men against them and forcing them into battle, where they are defeated, though 400 men escape with 150 of them making it into Wales to join the Yorkists hiding out there. Jasper pursues them into Wales after receiving permission by Parliament to launch a campaign there, but first he spends a few weeks gathering a larger force, for he is unsure of how large the invaders' numbers have grown or even if they have grown at all.
The War Nears It’s End
July, 1482: Austrian forces meet the aid of John III of Aragon, forcing back the Neapolitan forces from Valencia, capturing Frederick of Naples, the King's brother. The war continues, but for the first time in a while, it looks like the Foix dynasty has a chance at survival and potentially to thrive. Louise d'Albret writes her mother-in-law letters to update her on the current war efforts, as Eleanor struggles to settle into her role as "unwanted bad luck charm sent to Navarre". Frustrated, she leaves for Armagnac, hoping to assume her grandson's Regency. When Charles of Armagnac refuses to give up his position as Regent, she decides to travel to Austria. Her daughter an Archduchess, and who better to be part of the future Empress' life than her dearest mother?
In England, Beatrice abandons her troops, leaving the Count of Dunois (her husband's cousin) to try and figure out how to end this war quickly and cheaply, and heads to Scotland. At least, that's where she's trying to head. But, unused to the English countryside, she's easily spotted, and Sir Humphrey Talbot, Jasper Tudor's former brother-in-law and friend, brings her to the Count of Pembroke, who has her taken to London, where she is placed in the Tower of London. She's greeted by Anne Neville, who assures her that they're not going to harm her in any way. They want to send her back to France...eventually.
Baldwin of Burgundy, meanwhile, begins to struggle to maintain his own reputation as the invasion is placed firmly at his feet and his choices in the past few years. The fact that none of this is his fault raises no queries. It is his job to protect England, and he hasn't. Beatrice should never have been allowed to marry a powerful foreign noble. Again, totally his fault.
In France, Louis is furious. His foreign policy is being played out by a gang of fools. His son remains steadfast that his plan to unite all of Europe to crusade is totally viable, and not only that, but his father is a sinner without regard for the Holy City. His younger daughter is showing signs of wilfulness (why can't she be like Jeanne, happily in her position as Duchess of Bourbon without fuss or trouble?) and his young son is increasingly showing signs of violence and tantrums. His wife's death has caused him much stress. Magdalena is a lovely addition to the court, but his sister has proven that she does not have the willpower to support him as Charlotte did before her death. He needs someone loyal by his side. His solution? Remarriage. Who to? Well, there's a nearby german Princess at hand. And thus, negotiations begin with Cleves for the young Marie of Cleves to become the King of France's third bride.
In Castile, Juana I of Castile officially marries her cousin in a private ceremony. She also formally installs him as her heir and promises that, once the business with Aragon is done, they'll have a big coronation for Enrique. He, meanwhile, still struggles with walking more than short distances and has headaches that cause him to lie down in darkened rooms for hours at a time. He has very little need or want for the crown. But he's happy to make her happy.
Eleanor of Viseu is imprisioned in Lisbon after both Duarte and Miguel of Portugal die within a week of each other shortly after her arrival. Margaret of York, convinced she had her sons killed, has George of York and Macarose of Armagnac sent far from the court for their protection, and demands she be executed for her crimes. Eleanor, a visiting dignitary, obviously isn't executed, but Alfonso is suspicious. And these are obviously his sons. The Dowager Countess of Richmond claims ignorance, asserting that two small children dying is unfortunate, but not entirely without precedent. She assures the King she never would wish harm on an Infante, particularly since they are her cousins.
August-October, 1482: Jasper Tudor retakes his position as head of the Regency and sends men to France to formally negotiate for the return of Beatrice of Naples, in exchange for her daughter. He even ups the ante and states, plainly, that she will be raised amongst the royal children and, upon the age of majority, by given the choice of the convent or becoming a bride to a man chosen by the King and Regency council. It's not a great deal, but with that will come an assurance that Claude of Valois will marry the King of England. Louis stalls. Not only is he preoccupied with his own marriage negotiations, but he has news that makes Beatrice a much less interesting prospect. Louis of Orleans has died in battle.
In Aragon, the loss of Louis in battle against Castile is unfortunate, but they're making such great progress against the Neapolitans that it truly doesn't matter. John III of Aragon sends his condolences to Beatrice of Naples, sends his body back to France, and asks that more troops be sent from France to add to their current ranks, if possible. His wife, a team player, organises most of the diplomatic work.
But their greatest triumph comes to a head when news arrives from Lorraine that the Duke Nicholas has died. It's unclear what did him in. He doesn't seem to have been ill, and his rapid decline would suggest poison. Eleanor of Trastamara, having been nearby Lorraine at one point, is suggested to have had something to do with it, but she is safely sitting in Austria. Some suggest it may have been suicide, following the death of his wife and rumours that Alfonso II of Naples had retracted his promise to seat him on Aragon in favour of himself. But that's unlikely, as Alfonso, tired of the war, seems to almost instantly agree to a treaty. It probably isn't helped that, his daughter, the Queen of Hungary, dies of on ongoing infection following such a young pregnancy. Suddenly, his alliance is a lot less, well, secure, and Hungarian troops slowly start leaving the fold. The French remained in the Foix side. He holds onto Sardinia (for now).
In Burgundy, the Duchess is pregnant. Thank god! But the bad news is, the Duke of Burgundy remains deeply, deeply ill. He's doing so poorly, in fact, he makes contact with his mother to try and make amends. Considering Margaret is busy accusing a foreign ambassador of murdering his brothers, the letters are mostly vague and short on her side. He dies in late August, leaving behind a pregnant Duchess, who's child will take his place as ruler of Burgundy. His will states that, should his child not leave behind issue, Burgundy is to be inherited by the descendants of his late niece. Louis XI of France is annoyed by this declaration, as is Jasper Tudor. They don't need the French angry at them right now.
October, 1482: John III "the Posthumous", Duke of Burgundy is born to Anne of Julich-Berg. In England, Baldwin of Burgundy is murdered by a mob of angry peasants. Anne Neville has the crowd of twenty-one men executed. England suddenly feels dangerous again.
In England, Beatrice abandons her troops, leaving the Count of Dunois (her husband's cousin) to try and figure out how to end this war quickly and cheaply, and heads to Scotland. At least, that's where she's trying to head. But, unused to the English countryside, she's easily spotted, and Sir Humphrey Talbot, Jasper Tudor's former brother-in-law and friend, brings her to the Count of Pembroke, who has her taken to London, where she is placed in the Tower of London. She's greeted by Anne Neville, who assures her that they're not going to harm her in any way. They want to send her back to France...eventually.
Baldwin of Burgundy, meanwhile, begins to struggle to maintain his own reputation as the invasion is placed firmly at his feet and his choices in the past few years. The fact that none of this is his fault raises no queries. It is his job to protect England, and he hasn't. Beatrice should never have been allowed to marry a powerful foreign noble. Again, totally his fault.
In France, Louis is furious. His foreign policy is being played out by a gang of fools. His son remains steadfast that his plan to unite all of Europe to crusade is totally viable, and not only that, but his father is a sinner without regard for the Holy City. His younger daughter is showing signs of wilfulness (why can't she be like Jeanne, happily in her position as Duchess of Bourbon without fuss or trouble?) and his young son is increasingly showing signs of violence and tantrums. His wife's death has caused him much stress. Magdalena is a lovely addition to the court, but his sister has proven that she does not have the willpower to support him as Charlotte did before her death. He needs someone loyal by his side. His solution? Remarriage. Who to? Well, there's a nearby german Princess at hand. And thus, negotiations begin with Cleves for the young Marie of Cleves to become the King of France's third bride.
In Castile, Juana I of Castile officially marries her cousin in a private ceremony. She also formally installs him as her heir and promises that, once the business with Aragon is done, they'll have a big coronation for Enrique. He, meanwhile, still struggles with walking more than short distances and has headaches that cause him to lie down in darkened rooms for hours at a time. He has very little need or want for the crown. But he's happy to make her happy.
Eleanor of Viseu is imprisioned in Lisbon after both Duarte and Miguel of Portugal die within a week of each other shortly after her arrival. Margaret of York, convinced she had her sons killed, has George of York and Macarose of Armagnac sent far from the court for their protection, and demands she be executed for her crimes. Eleanor, a visiting dignitary, obviously isn't executed, but Alfonso is suspicious. And these are obviously his sons. The Dowager Countess of Richmond claims ignorance, asserting that two small children dying is unfortunate, but not entirely without precedent. She assures the King she never would wish harm on an Infante, particularly since they are her cousins.
August-October, 1482: Jasper Tudor retakes his position as head of the Regency and sends men to France to formally negotiate for the return of Beatrice of Naples, in exchange for her daughter. He even ups the ante and states, plainly, that she will be raised amongst the royal children and, upon the age of majority, by given the choice of the convent or becoming a bride to a man chosen by the King and Regency council. It's not a great deal, but with that will come an assurance that Claude of Valois will marry the King of England. Louis stalls. Not only is he preoccupied with his own marriage negotiations, but he has news that makes Beatrice a much less interesting prospect. Louis of Orleans has died in battle.
In Aragon, the loss of Louis in battle against Castile is unfortunate, but they're making such great progress against the Neapolitans that it truly doesn't matter. John III of Aragon sends his condolences to Beatrice of Naples, sends his body back to France, and asks that more troops be sent from France to add to their current ranks, if possible. His wife, a team player, organises most of the diplomatic work.
But their greatest triumph comes to a head when news arrives from Lorraine that the Duke Nicholas has died. It's unclear what did him in. He doesn't seem to have been ill, and his rapid decline would suggest poison. Eleanor of Trastamara, having been nearby Lorraine at one point, is suggested to have had something to do with it, but she is safely sitting in Austria. Some suggest it may have been suicide, following the death of his wife and rumours that Alfonso II of Naples had retracted his promise to seat him on Aragon in favour of himself. But that's unlikely, as Alfonso, tired of the war, seems to almost instantly agree to a treaty. It probably isn't helped that, his daughter, the Queen of Hungary, dies of on ongoing infection following such a young pregnancy. Suddenly, his alliance is a lot less, well, secure, and Hungarian troops slowly start leaving the fold. The French remained in the Foix side. He holds onto Sardinia (for now).
In Burgundy, the Duchess is pregnant. Thank god! But the bad news is, the Duke of Burgundy remains deeply, deeply ill. He's doing so poorly, in fact, he makes contact with his mother to try and make amends. Considering Margaret is busy accusing a foreign ambassador of murdering his brothers, the letters are mostly vague and short on her side. He dies in late August, leaving behind a pregnant Duchess, who's child will take his place as ruler of Burgundy. His will states that, should his child not leave behind issue, Burgundy is to be inherited by the descendants of his late niece. Louis XI of France is annoyed by this declaration, as is Jasper Tudor. They don't need the French angry at them right now.
October, 1482: John III "the Posthumous", Duke of Burgundy is born to Anne of Julich-Berg. In England, Baldwin of Burgundy is murdered by a mob of angry peasants. Anne Neville has the crowd of twenty-one men executed. England suddenly feels dangerous again.
Family Tree II
A list of various family trees 2.0:
Wow, lots of updates! Again, feel free to give correction if needed.
The Yorkists
Edward IV -Yorkist Claimant-, King of England (b.1442: d.1474) m. Catherine of Bourbon (b.1440) (a), p. Elizabeth Woodville, Countess of Richmond (b.1437: d.1472) (b)
Margaret of York (b.1446) m. Philippe III, Duke of Burgundy (b.1396: d.1466) (a), Alfonso V, King of Portugal (b.1432) (b)
George of York, titular King of England (b.1449) m. Isabel Neville (b.1451: d.1470) (a), Mascarose of Armagnac (c.1455) (b)
Richard of York, titular King of England (b.1452: d.1478) m. Beatrice, Infanta of Naples (b.1457) (a)
--
The Lancastrians
Henry VI, King of England (b.1421: d.1465) m. Margaret of Anjou (b.1430: d.1476) (a)
1a) Edward IV -Lancastrian Claimant-, King of England (b.1453: d.1476) m. Marie of Burgundy (b.1457: d.1476) (a)
Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond and Lincoln (b.1457: d.1476) m. Eleanor of Viseu (b.1459) (a)
Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke (b.1431) m. Margaret Talbot (c.1460: d.1482) (a)
Anne Neville, Countess of Warwick (b.1456) m. Baldwin of Burgundy (b.1446: d.1482) (a)
Catherine of Bourbon (b.1440) m. Edward IV -Yorkist Claimant-, King of England (b.1442: d.1474) (a), Arthur Neville (c.1460) (b)
--
The Trastamaras
John II, King of Aragon (b.1398: d.1465) m. Blanche I, Queen of Navarre (b.1487: d.1441) (a), Juana Enriquez (b.1425: d.1468) (b)
Eleanor I, Queen of Aragon and Navarre (b.1426) m. Gaston IV, Count of Foix (b.1422: d.1470) (a)
Enrique IV, King of Castile (b.1425: d.1474) m. Blanche II, Queen of Navarre (b.1424: d.1464) (a) -annulled 1453-, Joan, Infanta of Portugal (b.1439) (b)
Alfonso II, King of Naples (b.1448: d.1479) m. Ippolita Maria Sforza (b.1445) (a)
Beatrice, Infanta of Naples (b.1457) m. Richard of York, titular King of England (b.1452: d.1478) (a), Louis II, Duke of Orleans (b.1462: d.1482) (b)
--
The Avis
Alfonso V, King of Portugal (b.1432) m. Isabel of Coimbra (b.1432: d.1455) (a), Margaret of York (b.1446) (b) -annulled 1474, reinstated 1476-
Peter V, King of Aragon (b.1429: d.14) m. Isabella, Infanta of Castile, titular Queen of Castile (b.1451: d.1473) (a)
--
The Valois
Louis XI, King of France (b.1423) m. Margaret Stewart, Princess of Scotland (b.1424: d.1445) (a), Charlotte of Savoy (b.1441: d.1481) (a)
Philippe III, Duke of Burgundy (b.1396: d.1466) m. Michelle, Princess of France (b.1395: d.1422) (a), Bonne of Artois (b.1396: d.1425) (b), Isabella, Infanta of Portugal (b.1497: d.1471) (c) Margaret of York (b.1446) (d)
Louis II, Duke of Orleans (b.1462: d.1482) m. Beatrice of Naples (b.1457) (a)
Charles de Valois, Duke of Berry (b.1446: d.1478) m. Juana, Infanta of Aragon (b.1455) (a)
--
The Anjous
Nicholas I, Duke of Lorraine (b.1448: d.1482) m. Maria of Savoy (b.1460: d.1482) (a)
Charles IV, Duke of Anjou (b.1446) m. Juana, Infanta of Aragon (b.1455) (a)
--
The Bretons
Francis II, Duke of Brittany (b.1433) m. Margaret of Brittany (b.1443: d.1470), Catherine of Foix, Infanta of Aragon (b.1460: d.1474) (b), Anne of Savoy (b.1455) (c)
--
The Stewarts
James III, King of Scotland (b.1452) m. Margaret, Princess of Denmark (b.1456) (a)
Wow, lots of updates! Again, feel free to give correction if needed.
The Yorkists
Edward IV -Yorkist Claimant-, King of England (b.1442: d.1474) m. Catherine of Bourbon (b.1440) (a), p. Elizabeth Woodville, Countess of Richmond (b.1437: d.1472) (b)
1a) Edward, Prince of Wales (b.1465: d.1467)
2a) Catherine, Princess of England (b.1466)
3a) Cecily, Princess of England (b.1466: d.1470)
4b) Henry Fitzroy (b.1468) - presumed death
5a) Richard, Prince of Wales (b.1469: d.1469)
6b) Jacquetta Fitzroy (b.1470) - presumed dead
7b) George, Prince of Wales (b.1470: d.1471)
8a) William, Duke of York (b.1471) - in a convent
9b) Mary Fitzroy (b.1471) - presumed dead
Margaret of York (b.1446) m. Philippe III, Duke of Burgundy (b.1396: d.1466) (a), Alfonso V, King of Portugal (b.1432) (b)
1a) John II, Duke of Burgundy (b.1466: d.1482) m. Anna of Julich-Berg (c.1460) (a)
1a) John III, Duke of Burgundy (b.1482)
2b) Eleanor, Infanta of Portugal (b.1474)
3b) Isabel, Infanta of Portugal (b.1474)
4b) Duarte, Infante of Portugal (b.1479: d.1479)
5b) Duarte, Infante of Portugal (b.1481: d.1482)
5b) Miguel, Infante of Portugal (b.1481: d.1482)
George of York, titular King of England (b.1449) m. Isabel Neville (b.1451: d.1470) (a), Mascarose of Armagnac (c.1455) (b)
1a) Stillborn Son (c.1470)
2b) Margaret of York (b.1479)
Richard of York, titular King of England (b.1452: d.1478) m. Beatrice, Infanta of Naples (b.1457) (a)
1a) Margaret of York (b.1477)
--
The Lancastrians
Henry VI, King of England (b.1421: d.1465) m. Margaret of Anjou (b.1430: d.1476) (a)
1a) Edward IV -Lancastrian Claimant-, King of England (b.1453: d.1476) m. Marie of Burgundy (b.1457: d.1476) (a)
1a) Miscarriage (c.1471)
2a) Henry VII, King of England (b.1473)
3a) Margaret, Princess of England (b.1474)
4a) Miscarriage (c.1475)
Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond and Lincoln (b.1457: d.1476) m. Eleanor of Viseu (b.1459) (a)
1a) Owen Tudor, Duke of York, Earl of Richmond and Lincoln (b.1474)
Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke (b.1431) m. Margaret Talbot (c.1460: d.1482) (a)
1a) Margaret Tudor (b.1481: d.1482)
Anne Neville, Countess of Warwick (b.1456) m. Baldwin of Burgundy (b.1446: d.1482) (a)
1a) Anne of Burgundy (b.1476)
2a) Miscarriage (c.1479)
3a) Catherine of Burgundy (b.1480)
3a) Philip of Burgundy (b.1482: d.1482)
Catherine of Bourbon (b.1440) m. Edward IV -Yorkist Claimant-, King of England (b.1442: d.1474) (a), Arthur Neville (c.1460) (b)
- issue by first husband detailed in the Yorkist section
1b) Anne Neville (b.1480)
--
The Trastamaras
John II, King of Aragon (b.1398: d.1465) m. Blanche I, Queen of Navarre (b.1487: d.1441) (a), Juana Enriquez (b.1425: d.1468) (b)
1a) Charles IV, King of Navarre (b.1421: d.1461) m. Agnes of Cleves (b.1422: d.1448) (a)
- had no issue
2a) Joan, Princess of Navarre (b.1423: d.1425)
3a) Blanche II, Queen of Navarre (b.1424: d.1464) m. Enrique IV, King of Castile (b.1425: d.1474) (a) -annulled 1453-
- had no issue
4a) Eleanor I, Queen of Aragon and Navarre (b.1426) m. Gaston IV, Count of Foix (b.1422: d.1469) (a)
- had issue, shown below
5b) Ferdinand II, King of Aragon (b.1452: d.1468)
- never married, had no issue
6b) Juana, Infanta of Aragon (b.1455) m. John of Lorraine (b.1445: d.1468) (a) -never met in person-, Charles, Duke of Berry (b.1446) (b), Charles IV, Duke of Anjou (b.1446) (c)
1b) Marie of Berry (b.1477)
2b) Miscarriage (c.1478)
3c) Rene of Anjou, Count of Maine (b.1482)
Eleanor I, Queen of Aragon and Navarre (b.1426) m. Gaston IV, Count of Foix (b.1422: d.1470) (a)
1a) Marie of Foix (b.1443: d.1467) m. William VIII Palaiologos, Marquis of Montferrat (b.1420) (a)
- had no issue
2a) Gaston, Prince of Viana (b.1445: d.1470) m. Magdalena, Princess of France (b.1443) (a)
1a) Francis Phoebus, Prince of Girona and Viana (b.1466: d.1480) m. Juana I, Queen of Castile (b.1462) (a)
- had no issue
3a) Peter, Infante of Aragon (b.1449: d.1474)
- never married, had no issue
4a) John III, King of Aragon and Navarre (b.1450) m. Louise d'Albret (c.1460) (a)
- had issue, shown below
5a) Jeanne of Foix, Infanta of Aragon (b.1454: d.1476) m. Jean V, Count of Armagnac (b.1420: d.1474) (a)
1a) Guy, Count of Armagnac (b.1473)
2a) Catherine of Armagnac (b.1474: d.1479)
5a) Margaret of Foix (b.1458: d.1471)
6a) Catherine of Foix, Infanta of Aragon (b.1460: d.1474) m. Francis II, Duke of Brittany (b.1433) (a)
- had issue, seen in Breton Section
7a) Isabella of Foix, Infanta of Aragon (b.1462) m. Maximilian, Archduke of Austria (b.1459) (a)
8a) Jacques of Foix, Infante of Aragon (b.1463)
9a) Anne of Foix (b.1464: d.1464)
Enrique IV, King of Castile (b.1425: d.1474) m. Blanche II, Queen of Navarre (b.1424: d.1464) (a) -annulled 1453-, Joan, Infanta of Portugal (b.1439) (b)
1a) Juana I, Queen of Castile (b.1462) m. Francis Phoebus, Prince of Girona and Viana (b.1466: d.1480) (a), Enrique, Infante of Aragon (b.1469) (b)
2a) Maria, Infanta of Castile (b.1473) - legal bastard
Alfonso II, King of Naples (b.1448: d.1479) m. Ippolita Maria Sforza (b.1445) (a)
1a) Ferdinand, Duke of Calabria (b.1467)
2a) Isabel, Infanta of Sicily (b.1470: d.1482) m. Casimir I, King of Hungary (b.1458) (a)
1a) Mary, Princess of Hungary (b.1481)
3a) Pietro, Prince of Rossano (b.1472)
Beatrice, Infanta of Naples (b.1457) m. Richard of York, titular King of England (b.1452: d.1478) (a), Louis II, Duke of Orleans (b.1462: d.1482) (b)
1a) Margaret of York (b.1477)
--
The Avis
Alfonso V, King of Portugal (b.1432) m. Isabel of Coimbra (b.1432: d.1455) (a), Margaret of York (b.1446) (b) -annulled 1474, reinstated 1476-
1a) John, Prince of Portugal (b.1451: d.1451)
2a) Joan, Infanta of Portugal (b.1452)
3a) John, Prince of Portugal (b.1455) m. Isabella of Viseu (b.1460: d.1476) (a), Guiomar of Braganza (b.1450: d.1481) (b)
1a) Alfonso, Infante of Portugal (b.1475)
2b) Beatriz, Infanta of Portugal (b.1479)
3b) Diego, Infante of Portugal (b.1479)
4b) Isabel, Infanta of Portugal (b.1480)
5b) Guiomar, Infanta of Portugal (b.1481)
4b) Eleanor, Infanta of Portugal (b.1474)
5b) Isabel, Infanta of Portugal (b.1474)
6b) Duarte, Infante of Portugal (b.1479: d.1479)
7b) Duarte, Infante of Portugal (b.1481: d.1482)
8b) Miguel, Infante of Portugal (b.1481: d.1482)
Peter V, King of Aragon (b.1429: d.14) m. Isabella, Infanta of Castile, titular Queen of Castile (b.1451: d.1473) (a)
1a) Enrique, Infante of Aragon (b.1469) m. Juana I, Queen of Castile (b.1462)
2a) Joao, Infante of Aragon (b.1470: d.1470)
--
The Valois
Louis XI, King of France (b.1423) m. Margaret Stewart, Princess of Scotland (b.1424: d.1445) (a), Charlotte of Savoy (b.1441: d.1481) (a)
1a) Louis, Dauphin of France (b.1458: d.1460)
2a) Joachim, Prince of France (b.1459: d.1459)
3a) Louise, Princess of France (b.1460: d.1460)
4a) Anne, Princess of France (b.1461: d.1476)
- never married, had no issue
5a) Jeanne, Princess of France (b.1464) m. John II, Duke of Bourbon (b.1426) (a)
6a) Louis, Dauphin of France (b.1465) m. Kunigunde of Austria (b.1465) (a)
1a) Charles Frederic, Prince of France (b.1481)
7a) Claude, Princess of France (b.1471)
8a) Charles, Duke of Berry (b.1473)
Philippe III, Duke of Burgundy (b.1396: d.1466) m. Michelle, Princess of France (b.1395: d.1422) (a), Bonne of Artois (b.1396: d.1425) (b), Isabella, Infanta of Portugal (b.1497: d.1471) (c) Margaret of York (b.1446) (d)
1c) Antoine of Burgundy, Count of Charolais (b.1430: d.1432)
2c) Josse, Count of Charolais (b.1452: d.1432)
3c) Charles, Count of Charlois (b.1433: d.1466) m. Catherine, Princess of France (b.1428: d.1446) (a), Isabella of Bourbon (b.1434: d.1465) (a)
1a) Marie of Burgundy (b.1457: d.1476) m. Edward IV -Lancastrian Claimant-, King of England (b.1453: d.1476) (a)
- had issue, shown above
4d) John II, Duke of Burgundy (b.1466: d.1482) m. Anna of Julich-Berg (c.1460) (a)
1a) John III, Duke of Burgundy (b.1482)
Louis II, Duke of Orleans (b.1462: d.1482) m. Beatrice of Naples (b.1457) (a)
1a) Miscarriage (c.1481)
Charles de Valois, Duke of Berry (b.1446: d.1478) m. Juana, Infanta of Aragon (b.1455) (a)
1a) Marie of Berry (b.1477)
2a) Miscarriage (c.1478)
--
The Anjous
Nicholas I, Duke of Lorraine (b.1448: d.1482) m. Maria of Savoy (b.1460: d.1482) (a)
1a) Stillborn Son (c.1482)
Charles IV, Duke of Anjou (b.1446) m. Juana, Infanta of Aragon (b.1455) (a)
1a) Rene of Anjou, Count of Maine (b.1482)
--
The Bretons
Francis II, Duke of Brittany (b.1433) m. Margaret of Brittany (b.1443: d.1470), Catherine of Foix, Infanta of Aragon (b.1460: d.1474) (b), Anne of Savoy (b.1455) (c)
1a) Jean, Count of Montfort (b.1463: d.1463)
2a) Marie of Brittany (b.1470)
3b) Francis, Count of Montfort (b.1474)
4c) Francoise of Brittany (b.1477: d.1477)
5c) Charlotte of Brittany (b.1479)
--
The Stewarts
James III, King of Scotland (b.1452) m. Margaret, Princess of Denmark (b.1456) (a)
1a) James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay (b.1475)
2a) Robert Stewart, Duke of Ross (b.1478)
3a) Margaret Stewart (b.1481)
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He died. His son became king with the King's brother Fredrico as regent. They were on a bit of a role.
Beatrice was pregnant at one point.
i also had no idea Loraine and Naples were allies. I was under the impresion that Neopolitan troops conquered all of Sardinia.
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The False Pretender
November 1482: As the war in Aragon slowly comes to a close, John begins planning the reconquest of Sardinia piecing together a force of 14,000 men and 100 ships to launch the campaign. He soon kicks the last of the Neapolitian forces out of Aragon and turns his head to the Castilians who are preparing a second invasion force. John strikes first however and begins raiding Castilian border forts, though he doesn't launch an all out siege yet, for he is hopeful that he can negotiate a truce that would allow him to focus on his upcoming Neapolitian campaign, he is also delighted to hear that Louise is pregnant yet again. John is convinced that this time, he will get his Prince of Girona.
Meanwhile in Castile, Juana is enraged, her campaign has gone completely wrong and she now finds herself in a prolonged war, rather than the quick and easy victory she had been hoping for. She vents her frustration to her husband and councillors for hours on end ignoring their suggestions to make peace or to focus on the campaign. But towards the end of November some good news reaches Juana, a seasoned French commander, Philibert de Chandée arrives in the Castilian Court alongside some of his soldiers. He offers to defect to Castile and provide them with key intel in exchange for being made an honorary citizen and peer of Castile. Some are sceptical of Philibert and believe that the French have sent him to sabotage them, but Juana 100% believes him, granting him Castilian citizenship and creating him the Count of Cadiz. Juana also begins planning a two pronged attack into Aragon, with a force of 20,000 men marching for Zaragoza and a smaller force of 14,000 marching for Valencia. Juana hopes this will catch the Aragonese off guard and lead to their defeat. Her military advisors are divided on whether this is a good plan or not. Some claim it has its merits and that is might just work, while others call it a fool's crusade and a waste of money. Juana ignores the naysayers and ploughs on, hoping to launch the campaign in late March or early Spring. In the meantime she spends time administering her realm, performing diplomacy and entertaining foreign ambassadors as well as spending time with her husband.
December-March 1482: In France, Louis XI places Beatrice of Naples under house arrest on grounds of supporting rebels against the English King, who may well become his own-son-in-law one day. Louis then turns his head to securing the betrothal between Princess Claude and King Henry VII, promising the Counties of Boulogne and Ponthieu as part of her dowry, as to whether Louis intends to live up to these promises, no one knows, but is enough for Jasper to agree to the betrothal. Jasper also begins writing to his cousin regularly, wanting to stay on good terms with him so that he or his son don't get any ideas about pressing Margaret of York's claim. Jasper is not the only one writing to Louis, for he soon receives an offer from Charles of Anjou asking for assistance in pressing his claim to Naples, promising that he will be a good French and Aragonese ally and that should he gain the Neapolitian crown, his second son or eldest daughter will inherit his French lands, thus preventing a second Burgundy from being born. Louis XI is intrigued by this proposal and writes to Charles to evaluate whether this enterprise will be beneficial or not. The Dauphin is all for the campaign, believing that a French ally in Italy would be quite useful in a Crusade to retake the Holy Land. Soon the Dauphin also writes to Louis XI pleading him to launch the campaign. Louis XI begins seriously considering this campaign, though he does still spend months thinking it over.
In England, Jasper is alarmed when there are reports of a boy in Ireland claiming to be the long dead, Richard, Prince of Wales, son of Edward IV (of York) and the rightful King of England. The boy is, in actuality the son of an English merchant who happens to resemble Edward IV (of York) to the point where some diehard Yorkists think he could be a viable pretender. To some he is, as several minor Irish noblemen, some diehard Yorkists, and Beatrice of Naples's soldiers in Wales rally behind the boy and proclaim him King Richard III in Waterford. Jasper quickly writes to the Earls of Kildare, Desmond and Ormond ordering them to arrest the boy and bring him to London. All three Earls receive the order, but is the Earl of Ormond who seizes the initiative and sends a force to arrest the boy. However, when the force arrives in Waterford they find that the boy and his supporters are gone, having left for Brittany where they hope to shore up more support. Jasper decides to prove the boy a liar, by digging up the real Richard, Prince of Wales' grave and putting his corpse on display in London, an action that nearly everyone deems effective as well as quite morbid.
'Richard' doesn't give in however, and claims that as a child he was kidnapped by three Lancastrians and sent to a monastery, while they placed an already dead child in his crib. This story is obviously insane and many foreign rulers and royals dismiss 'Richard' as a fraud and refuse to entertain him. That is except for one in particular, the Queen of Portugal, Margaret of York. She claims that the the boy is indeed Richard and that he is indeed the rightful King of England. This annoys her husband, Alfonso V and angers George of York, who thinks he is the rightful King. Margaret of York ignores them and invites 'Richard' to Lisbon. 'Richard' accepts and lands in early March, where he greets his 'Aunt' and is formally recognised by her as her nephew. John, Prince of Portugal is almost entirely uninterested in the boy and leaves her to her own devices, meeting the boy only once and even then he is believed to have called him a fraud. Despite this, Margaret remains undeterred and declares her support for 'Richard' gifting him three thousand pounds to use against the Lancastrians and promising him safe refuge in Lisbon. Alfonso V objects to the latter promise, as he does not want to damage Anglo-Portuguese relations, but before he can but an end to his wife's games, he passes away due to natural causes. John ascends the throne as John II of Portugal and signals to his Step-Mother that so long as she doesn't bother him, he will let her on with this. For Margaret this is perfect and in late March she bids farewell to 'Richard' who sets sail for Ireland, where he plans to officially take arms against the Lancastrians. Not long after, George of York and his family leave the Portuguese court having been insulted by his sister's treachery to him. He moves to the Duke of Beja's court where he befriends the Duke and becomes his Master of the Horse.
Meanwhile, in Castile Juana launches her two pronged campaign, personally leading the smaller force herself, while Philibert leads the larger one. Enrique stays behind in Toledo due to his age and in quiet many begin discussing what the Regency for Enrique will look like, for they do not believe Juana will return. John is caught off guard by this attack and quickly mobilise his and his allies troops to fight off the attackers. It seems as though the final showdown has begun.
Meanwhile in Castile, Juana is enraged, her campaign has gone completely wrong and she now finds herself in a prolonged war, rather than the quick and easy victory she had been hoping for. She vents her frustration to her husband and councillors for hours on end ignoring their suggestions to make peace or to focus on the campaign. But towards the end of November some good news reaches Juana, a seasoned French commander, Philibert de Chandée arrives in the Castilian Court alongside some of his soldiers. He offers to defect to Castile and provide them with key intel in exchange for being made an honorary citizen and peer of Castile. Some are sceptical of Philibert and believe that the French have sent him to sabotage them, but Juana 100% believes him, granting him Castilian citizenship and creating him the Count of Cadiz. Juana also begins planning a two pronged attack into Aragon, with a force of 20,000 men marching for Zaragoza and a smaller force of 14,000 marching for Valencia. Juana hopes this will catch the Aragonese off guard and lead to their defeat. Her military advisors are divided on whether this is a good plan or not. Some claim it has its merits and that is might just work, while others call it a fool's crusade and a waste of money. Juana ignores the naysayers and ploughs on, hoping to launch the campaign in late March or early Spring. In the meantime she spends time administering her realm, performing diplomacy and entertaining foreign ambassadors as well as spending time with her husband.
December-March 1482: In France, Louis XI places Beatrice of Naples under house arrest on grounds of supporting rebels against the English King, who may well become his own-son-in-law one day. Louis then turns his head to securing the betrothal between Princess Claude and King Henry VII, promising the Counties of Boulogne and Ponthieu as part of her dowry, as to whether Louis intends to live up to these promises, no one knows, but is enough for Jasper to agree to the betrothal. Jasper also begins writing to his cousin regularly, wanting to stay on good terms with him so that he or his son don't get any ideas about pressing Margaret of York's claim. Jasper is not the only one writing to Louis, for he soon receives an offer from Charles of Anjou asking for assistance in pressing his claim to Naples, promising that he will be a good French and Aragonese ally and that should he gain the Neapolitian crown, his second son or eldest daughter will inherit his French lands, thus preventing a second Burgundy from being born. Louis XI is intrigued by this proposal and writes to Charles to evaluate whether this enterprise will be beneficial or not. The Dauphin is all for the campaign, believing that a French ally in Italy would be quite useful in a Crusade to retake the Holy Land. Soon the Dauphin also writes to Louis XI pleading him to launch the campaign. Louis XI begins seriously considering this campaign, though he does still spend months thinking it over.
In England, Jasper is alarmed when there are reports of a boy in Ireland claiming to be the long dead, Richard, Prince of Wales, son of Edward IV (of York) and the rightful King of England. The boy is, in actuality the son of an English merchant who happens to resemble Edward IV (of York) to the point where some diehard Yorkists think he could be a viable pretender. To some he is, as several minor Irish noblemen, some diehard Yorkists, and Beatrice of Naples's soldiers in Wales rally behind the boy and proclaim him King Richard III in Waterford. Jasper quickly writes to the Earls of Kildare, Desmond and Ormond ordering them to arrest the boy and bring him to London. All three Earls receive the order, but is the Earl of Ormond who seizes the initiative and sends a force to arrest the boy. However, when the force arrives in Waterford they find that the boy and his supporters are gone, having left for Brittany where they hope to shore up more support. Jasper decides to prove the boy a liar, by digging up the real Richard, Prince of Wales' grave and putting his corpse on display in London, an action that nearly everyone deems effective as well as quite morbid.
'Richard' doesn't give in however, and claims that as a child he was kidnapped by three Lancastrians and sent to a monastery, while they placed an already dead child in his crib. This story is obviously insane and many foreign rulers and royals dismiss 'Richard' as a fraud and refuse to entertain him. That is except for one in particular, the Queen of Portugal, Margaret of York. She claims that the the boy is indeed Richard and that he is indeed the rightful King of England. This annoys her husband, Alfonso V and angers George of York, who thinks he is the rightful King. Margaret of York ignores them and invites 'Richard' to Lisbon. 'Richard' accepts and lands in early March, where he greets his 'Aunt' and is formally recognised by her as her nephew. John, Prince of Portugal is almost entirely uninterested in the boy and leaves her to her own devices, meeting the boy only once and even then he is believed to have called him a fraud. Despite this, Margaret remains undeterred and declares her support for 'Richard' gifting him three thousand pounds to use against the Lancastrians and promising him safe refuge in Lisbon. Alfonso V objects to the latter promise, as he does not want to damage Anglo-Portuguese relations, but before he can but an end to his wife's games, he passes away due to natural causes. John ascends the throne as John II of Portugal and signals to his Step-Mother that so long as she doesn't bother him, he will let her on with this. For Margaret this is perfect and in late March she bids farewell to 'Richard' who sets sail for Ireland, where he plans to officially take arms against the Lancastrians. Not long after, George of York and his family leave the Portuguese court having been insulted by his sister's treachery to him. He moves to the Duke of Beja's court where he befriends the Duke and becomes his Master of the Horse.
Meanwhile, in Castile Juana launches her two pronged campaign, personally leading the smaller force herself, while Philibert leads the larger one. Enrique stays behind in Toledo due to his age and in quiet many begin discussing what the Regency for Enrique will look like, for they do not believe Juana will return. John is caught off guard by this attack and quickly mobilise his and his allies troops to fight off the attackers. It seems as though the final showdown has begun.
The Triumph of Juana of Castile
March 1483: News spread fast from the fields of Teruel. Juana of Castille and her firmest general, Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba, a supporter of Isabel before her death and now her supporter through her husband, Enrique,, surprisingly smash over the Aragonese army. The newly styled Tercio armies of Castille destroy the Aragonese army through a combination of artillery, firepower and sheer determination. Brave John of Foix's corpse stinks the airs of his Kingdom, and the body of the deceased King and over three dozen Aragonese nobles are either killed or captured. It is an immense victory that sets Europa to turmoil.
The Count of Cadiz defeats Louis' french reinforcements and is given the keys of Barcelona news reach the city of the death of the King. Queen Louise is captured, and her babe, the would-be Prince of Girona is born early from the stress of the capture and does not survive. It seems Castillian victory is inevitable, and the court in Toledo holds feasts celebrating the unification of the two Kingdoms under the aegis of their rightful heirs, Joanna and Enrique.
May 1483: The French King is truly furious. His ambitions are constantly being twarted by both his allies and enemies, and the apparent loss of Aragon only infuriates him further, to him, the times of risks and petty schemes is over, and the Spider awakes. He sends his son, young Louis the imaginative, to secure the regency of Burgundy once more. He joins the Bourbonese-led Army of Flanders at the start of may and attempts to secure the regency in the name of his father. Anne, would-be regent of Burgundy, however, is not toothless, and reacts badly to the news by sending many of her retinues and almost three thousand levies against the army of Flanders. It is, obviously, decimated, but the young Dauphin is brought down from his horse during the battle and almost killed by a walloon peasant. After the battle, Bourbon writes back to Louis the XI, reading ".... It is good that your son has tasted blood, your majesty, for he has seen that dreams and folly mean nothing when a man gorges on blood...".
June 1483: The Aragonese fleet, hearing of the news of the death of the King, demoralizes after it's landing, and is subsequently defeated by the Sicilian armies. Alfonso, master of the United Kingdom of Sicily and Sardinia (Per himself) insists on peace and preassures the pope to force the crowned heads of Europe to recognize his rank. He promises to lead a crusade against Tunis in reparation.
The Count of Cadiz defeats Louis' french reinforcements and is given the keys of Barcelona news reach the city of the death of the King. Queen Louise is captured, and her babe, the would-be Prince of Girona is born early from the stress of the capture and does not survive. It seems Castillian victory is inevitable, and the court in Toledo holds feasts celebrating the unification of the two Kingdoms under the aegis of their rightful heirs, Joanna and Enrique.
May 1483: The French King is truly furious. His ambitions are constantly being twarted by both his allies and enemies, and the apparent loss of Aragon only infuriates him further, to him, the times of risks and petty schemes is over, and the Spider awakes. He sends his son, young Louis the imaginative, to secure the regency of Burgundy once more. He joins the Bourbonese-led Army of Flanders at the start of may and attempts to secure the regency in the name of his father. Anne, would-be regent of Burgundy, however, is not toothless, and reacts badly to the news by sending many of her retinues and almost three thousand levies against the army of Flanders. It is, obviously, decimated, but the young Dauphin is brought down from his horse during the battle and almost killed by a walloon peasant. After the battle, Bourbon writes back to Louis the XI, reading ".... It is good that your son has tasted blood, your majesty, for he has seen that dreams and folly mean nothing when a man gorges on blood...".
June 1483: The Aragonese fleet, hearing of the news of the death of the King, demoralizes after it's landing, and is subsequently defeated by the Sicilian armies. Alfonso, master of the United Kingdom of Sicily and Sardinia (Per himself) insists on peace and preassures the pope to force the crowned heads of Europe to recognize his rank. He promises to lead a crusade against Tunis in reparation.
As one Pretender ends, a new Pretender begins
July, 1483: Louise d'Albret, Queen Dowager of Aragon and Navarre, enters a convent at the behest of Juana I of Castile and her husband, Enrique I of Aragon. Her daughter is kept at the court as a ward of the Queen's, with plans to potentially marry her to the inevitable Prince of Asturias, once the King has finished maturing. Juana's willing to wait for her cousin to finally enter manhood, but at 21, she's beginning to feel the burden of marrying such a young man, particularly when he's failing to mature as rapidly as she might have hoped. In fact, Enrique's abilities have become less encouraging in the past few years, not more so. His walking is stiffer, his body thin. But he's so excited at the prospect of a coronation, she lets him focus on that. Maybe the duties of manhood will allow him to thrive. For now, her enemy's are vanquished, her victory is secured, and her power theoretically infinite. Well, almost.
Jacques of Foix, nominally now King of Aragon and Navarre (he considers his niece a non-entity in his own pretensions) has managed to escape capture by the Castilian troops and made it to Pampalona. Here, tired but not defeated, he assumes his role as King of Navarre, although he accepts that essentially he'll be ruling Foix and not much else for the time being. But he's in France, where his allies are, and now is the time for alliances. The new Duke of Orleans has an unmarried sister the right age, a sizeable fortune, and a taste for warfare not yet satisfied. The King has been on their side for so long, this must surely be a chance for victory.
The Foix Dynasty shall never truly fall!
Isabella of Foix, in contrast, is less than interested in her family's sudden fall. She's finally pregnant by her husband of four years and while she's excited to finally enjoy the fruits of motherhood, her mother's insistence on playing a part in the court and her household is especially annoying as the Foix fortunes fall. While Queen, her ego had space to grow and now, as a wandering exile, it's all focused on her and her new friends. One, a cousin of her husband's (Margareta of Badden-Badden, an abbess who regularly visits the Austrian Court), has to forcibly remove Eleanor when Maximilian makes a visit to her chambers to reunite after a long trip away. But Eleanor's anxieties about her family are mounting. Sure, her youngest daughter is doing fine, but her sons are near all dead, her other daughter's dead in childbirth, and her crown over to the bastard child of a usurper she defeated decades ago. And so, not wishing to outlive her last two children, she's going to work her hardest to ensure Isabella has a safe delivery, and then return to her baby boy and make sure he doesn't make any mistakes. The crown might be their's again.
Marie of Cleves finally makes it to the French court, and finds her elderly husband more distracted from his young, pretty bride than she might have expected. Some of it is the business of running the nation. Some is the fallout of the changeover of power in Aragon. But a lot of it is the sudden illness of the Duke of Berry. 10 year old Charles, so full of life previously, is growing weaker by the day. The doctors can't figure out how to cure him, and their medicines seem to be making him worse. He's not got any discernible illness, he's just getting weaker and weaker. Marie, hoping to ingratiate herself with her new family, offers to nurse him herself, but her husband simply sends her away. The young German girl is isolated and lonely. Her only support is the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy, herself alone at court, separated from her precious son, alone but less afraid. She's got a plan for herself. The Regency could still be hers.
August, 1483: Catherine of Bourbon dies, sending the royal court into mourning and, seemingly, severing the ties that had previously kept the Princess Catherine in her cage at the convent. News that the Yorkist Princess has left send the court into a spiral, and Anne Neville sends her best men to find the young woman. But Catherine of York is a crafty girl, and soon enough, is in France. Why? She has family there. Arriving at the court of her uncle, she demands his aid in getting her crown back. What she finds instead is a household run by a woman roughly her age (wife of her other uncle, the Count of Beaujeu), an elderly man (the Duke of Bourbon), and his squire...her brother. That's right, Henry Fitzroy, the result of her father's ongoing affair with Elizabeth Woodville, is beside her uncle when the Yorkist Princess dramatically enters their lives. The two quickly develop a friendship, needed when Catherine quickly figures out that there are no promises to be made here. The French King is firmly Lancastrian. Her uncle is too old to be much help. Too loyal to the King. She needs allies who are willing to stand up to the Lancastrians. She disappears from France as quickly as she arrived. And so does her brother.
In Portugal, George of York sees the birth of a son. Little John of York, named for the Portuguese King, is a healthy infant that finally completes George's picture of his future royal family. The fact that he's currently essentially an employee to a foreign Duke means very little to him. His sister's sudden fondness of the pretender boy she hasn't actually met mean nothing to him. Margaret is not much use anymore. She's a widow with no real influence over the current King. Her wealth isn't enough to support an invasion on it's own. George needs allies. And so he writes to the Queen of Castile, who's stance on England has remained neutral. The French backing of the Foix against her might have made her anxious to hit back. He's finally thinking of the future.
Meanwhile, Eleanor of Viseu is formally pardoned of all crimes put against her and given leave to return to England, which she makes plans to do. She's not truly been under house arrest since the King's passing, which upset Margaret (who maintains the Dowager Countess of Richmond killed her sons), so she's spent the past few months chasing up her dowry and stockpiling money to bring with her to England. She's not a popular figure in Lisbon at all, but she's richer for the visit and even receives a promise from the King of Portugal that, while he cannot stop the Queen Dowager from her mess, he has no plans on supporting any Yorkist uprising in England, and even makes an offer to marry the younger of his twin sisters, Isabel, to the King of England to sure up their alliance. Eleanor's counter offer of both Infantas, one for the King and one for her son the Duke of York, is not accepted, but is actually considered. She prepares to leave before Christmas.
November, 1483: Catherine of York and Henry Fitzroy turn up in Naples and receive minimal applause or support from the Regent. The Yorkist cause was a nothing plan by his father and Catherine's arrival actively hinders his attempts to retrieve his sister from France. But someone who is incredibly interested in the young, beautiful Catherine is the King of Naples. Ferdinand, entering manhood, finds the tall, athletic Catherine tantalising, particularly when you add on stories of a harrowing escape and a long lost brother. And so the King, on the verge of his Regency ending, begs her to be...his mistress. Catherine is firmly insulted. Her entire purpose is to raise an army for her brother. Or find a husband willing to do the same. If Ferdinand won't put a ring on it or launch a thousand ships in her honour, then it's no dice. Once again she moves on. This time further East.
December, 1483 - March, 1484: England's little faux-Richard problem comes to it's inevitable conclusion when the young man is captured in battle against the Earl of Shrewsbury, who is quite frankly a little insulted in how easy it was to defeat the army behind the pretender and says as such to Jasper Tudor when he returns to London. The Earl of Ormond is by his side, but Jasper Tudor makes note that Kildare and Desmond did not personally travel to meet with him. But there's little time for that now. Once a confession is made of where the boy (who identifies himself as Arthur Broome of Cork after minimal torture) began his adventures from, he's executed as a common criminal to highlight his mundanity. But what actively angers him is the discovery of who actually started the plot. It was the Earl of Desmond, James FitzGerald, who played at treachery and Kingmaking.
The furious Regent has the man dragged into custody as he arrives, clueless, in London. Young Henry VII of England, in one of his first independent actions as King, attends and overseas the hearing, where Desmond initially pled innocence, until eventually pleading that he was tricked by the boy and his stories. The Earl of Pembroke, with the consent of the 10 year old King, sees him judge guilty of treason, his lands stripped, his titles forfeit and his execution scheduled for a week following the verdict. The young King does his duty in the moment, but is later seen crying for his part in another man's death. Duty is hard, but it must be done.
In Austria, Isabella of Foix gives birth to a healthy son, Francis of Austria. Eleanor of Trastamara, thrilled, stands as godmother and shortly after, departs. Her welcome has been well and truly overstayed, her time has come. And so, she begins her journey to Paris, where her son has set up shop.
Eleanor of Viseu, meanwhile, arrives wealthy and more than a little excited to have missed the drama. Her own business now, finding a bride for her son and retaking her role in the Regency, is stifled when she realising how much she has actually missed. Furthermore, the murder of Baldwin of Burgundy has proven how unpopular the foreign aspect to the Lancastrian Regency has been. After over 2 years of absence, she's on the sidelines again. Her son barely even recognises her. Furthermore, even the Countess of Warwick isn't as interested in her friendship anymore. Since the death of her husband, Anne Neville (who has taken custody of her namesake, Catherine of Bourbon's daughter) has become a much colder presence at the court. Her daughters are mostly kept away from London, in a country estate, and she's less interested in the Portuguese Infanta's stories than she is her news that Portugal won't invade. Preparations are being made for the eventual arrival of the Princess Claude, and they need England as safe as possible to have that work out. Eleanor's feeling can be hurt for a while longer if need be.
Catherine of York has shown up on Hungary. This time, she has a little more of a hook on her hands. While the Hungarian King has little interest in her as anything other than a diversion (his own martial interest remains Italian, in the form of Bianca Maria Sforza, daughter of the reigning Duke of Milan), but the Palatine of Hungary, Stephen Bathory, is another question. Recently having lost his wife, childless, Bathory is rich and respected. Enough so that he makes promises of soldiers and support from not just King Casimir, but the Polish King, and maybe even Naples. She isn't sold just yet, but she's intrigued. A Kingmaker for her brother William, who can provide her with such luxury. Henry Fitzroy, meanwhile, becomes a close friend of the Hungarian King, who finds the handsome young man charming.
April, 1484: Finally, the Queen of France is pregnant. But that cannot be true. Louis XI of France has spent the past few months fretting over his dying son, and while the marriage was consummated months ago, it's been at least 3 months since the two have shared a bed. Marie is adamant it's the King's but the timeline doesn't work out. But people note she has had two close men nearby her...the Duke of Orleans and the Count of Foix, who recently celebrated his marriage to Joan of Orleans. If they aren't the father, they should know who is. Both are brought into questioning. Eventually a young man named Francois Allard is brought in for questioning. All is kept quiet.
In Brittany, Anne of Savoy has given birth to a son, Louis of Brittany, who the Duke sets upon to become the Count of Étampes. It's been a while since her last pregnancy, but the Duchess recovers well and celebrates heartily. Her eldest stepdaughter, meanwhile, prepared for her own marriage, to the elderly Duke of Bourbon, having lost his wife almost 2 years previously. While her father had dreamed of the Duke of Berry, the Bourbon match was too good to pass up. Her sister Charlotte, meanwhile, is officially betrothed to the Count of Armagnac, and her brother is supposed to get the dream match with Marie of Berry. The Breton fortunes are looking good for the coming year.
Juana of Aragon, Duchess of Anjou miscarries a son. She recovers, but it is an upsetting time for the House of Anjou, so fragile.
William of York is brought to court to confirm his choice to remain in the Church. He speaks to the Regency Council of his tranquility as a man of god, meets his half-sister, and acknowledges Owen Tudor as Duke of York. His visit is short but vital.
Beatrice of Naples returns to the Neapolitan court. She's 27, twice widowed and has lost custody of her surviving daughter to the King of France. Things can't get much worse until her brother gives her a heads up that he plans on getting her married off again...immediately. The Marquis of Montferrat, an old man with no son, needs an heir quick. Beatrice is a hard sell, but she's had a healthy daughter and a recent pregnancy. So off she goes to a third marriage, the first she's had no agency in making, and she's not too happy about it. But it takes her closer to France, to her daughter, and maybe to freedom once again. Maybe even the crown for her daughter.
3rd of May, 1484: Charles de Valois, Duke of Berry, at 10 years old, passes away. The court goes into mourning. The young Queen is noticeably absent. The rumours begin to truly fly.
Jacques of Foix, nominally now King of Aragon and Navarre (he considers his niece a non-entity in his own pretensions) has managed to escape capture by the Castilian troops and made it to Pampalona. Here, tired but not defeated, he assumes his role as King of Navarre, although he accepts that essentially he'll be ruling Foix and not much else for the time being. But he's in France, where his allies are, and now is the time for alliances. The new Duke of Orleans has an unmarried sister the right age, a sizeable fortune, and a taste for warfare not yet satisfied. The King has been on their side for so long, this must surely be a chance for victory.
The Foix Dynasty shall never truly fall!
Isabella of Foix, in contrast, is less than interested in her family's sudden fall. She's finally pregnant by her husband of four years and while she's excited to finally enjoy the fruits of motherhood, her mother's insistence on playing a part in the court and her household is especially annoying as the Foix fortunes fall. While Queen, her ego had space to grow and now, as a wandering exile, it's all focused on her and her new friends. One, a cousin of her husband's (Margareta of Badden-Badden, an abbess who regularly visits the Austrian Court), has to forcibly remove Eleanor when Maximilian makes a visit to her chambers to reunite after a long trip away. But Eleanor's anxieties about her family are mounting. Sure, her youngest daughter is doing fine, but her sons are near all dead, her other daughter's dead in childbirth, and her crown over to the bastard child of a usurper she defeated decades ago. And so, not wishing to outlive her last two children, she's going to work her hardest to ensure Isabella has a safe delivery, and then return to her baby boy and make sure he doesn't make any mistakes. The crown might be their's again.
Marie of Cleves finally makes it to the French court, and finds her elderly husband more distracted from his young, pretty bride than she might have expected. Some of it is the business of running the nation. Some is the fallout of the changeover of power in Aragon. But a lot of it is the sudden illness of the Duke of Berry. 10 year old Charles, so full of life previously, is growing weaker by the day. The doctors can't figure out how to cure him, and their medicines seem to be making him worse. He's not got any discernible illness, he's just getting weaker and weaker. Marie, hoping to ingratiate herself with her new family, offers to nurse him herself, but her husband simply sends her away. The young German girl is isolated and lonely. Her only support is the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy, herself alone at court, separated from her precious son, alone but less afraid. She's got a plan for herself. The Regency could still be hers.
August, 1483: Catherine of Bourbon dies, sending the royal court into mourning and, seemingly, severing the ties that had previously kept the Princess Catherine in her cage at the convent. News that the Yorkist Princess has left send the court into a spiral, and Anne Neville sends her best men to find the young woman. But Catherine of York is a crafty girl, and soon enough, is in France. Why? She has family there. Arriving at the court of her uncle, she demands his aid in getting her crown back. What she finds instead is a household run by a woman roughly her age (wife of her other uncle, the Count of Beaujeu), an elderly man (the Duke of Bourbon), and his squire...her brother. That's right, Henry Fitzroy, the result of her father's ongoing affair with Elizabeth Woodville, is beside her uncle when the Yorkist Princess dramatically enters their lives. The two quickly develop a friendship, needed when Catherine quickly figures out that there are no promises to be made here. The French King is firmly Lancastrian. Her uncle is too old to be much help. Too loyal to the King. She needs allies who are willing to stand up to the Lancastrians. She disappears from France as quickly as she arrived. And so does her brother.
In Portugal, George of York sees the birth of a son. Little John of York, named for the Portuguese King, is a healthy infant that finally completes George's picture of his future royal family. The fact that he's currently essentially an employee to a foreign Duke means very little to him. His sister's sudden fondness of the pretender boy she hasn't actually met mean nothing to him. Margaret is not much use anymore. She's a widow with no real influence over the current King. Her wealth isn't enough to support an invasion on it's own. George needs allies. And so he writes to the Queen of Castile, who's stance on England has remained neutral. The French backing of the Foix against her might have made her anxious to hit back. He's finally thinking of the future.
Meanwhile, Eleanor of Viseu is formally pardoned of all crimes put against her and given leave to return to England, which she makes plans to do. She's not truly been under house arrest since the King's passing, which upset Margaret (who maintains the Dowager Countess of Richmond killed her sons), so she's spent the past few months chasing up her dowry and stockpiling money to bring with her to England. She's not a popular figure in Lisbon at all, but she's richer for the visit and even receives a promise from the King of Portugal that, while he cannot stop the Queen Dowager from her mess, he has no plans on supporting any Yorkist uprising in England, and even makes an offer to marry the younger of his twin sisters, Isabel, to the King of England to sure up their alliance. Eleanor's counter offer of both Infantas, one for the King and one for her son the Duke of York, is not accepted, but is actually considered. She prepares to leave before Christmas.
November, 1483: Catherine of York and Henry Fitzroy turn up in Naples and receive minimal applause or support from the Regent. The Yorkist cause was a nothing plan by his father and Catherine's arrival actively hinders his attempts to retrieve his sister from France. But someone who is incredibly interested in the young, beautiful Catherine is the King of Naples. Ferdinand, entering manhood, finds the tall, athletic Catherine tantalising, particularly when you add on stories of a harrowing escape and a long lost brother. And so the King, on the verge of his Regency ending, begs her to be...his mistress. Catherine is firmly insulted. Her entire purpose is to raise an army for her brother. Or find a husband willing to do the same. If Ferdinand won't put a ring on it or launch a thousand ships in her honour, then it's no dice. Once again she moves on. This time further East.
December, 1483 - March, 1484: England's little faux-Richard problem comes to it's inevitable conclusion when the young man is captured in battle against the Earl of Shrewsbury, who is quite frankly a little insulted in how easy it was to defeat the army behind the pretender and says as such to Jasper Tudor when he returns to London. The Earl of Ormond is by his side, but Jasper Tudor makes note that Kildare and Desmond did not personally travel to meet with him. But there's little time for that now. Once a confession is made of where the boy (who identifies himself as Arthur Broome of Cork after minimal torture) began his adventures from, he's executed as a common criminal to highlight his mundanity. But what actively angers him is the discovery of who actually started the plot. It was the Earl of Desmond, James FitzGerald, who played at treachery and Kingmaking.
The furious Regent has the man dragged into custody as he arrives, clueless, in London. Young Henry VII of England, in one of his first independent actions as King, attends and overseas the hearing, where Desmond initially pled innocence, until eventually pleading that he was tricked by the boy and his stories. The Earl of Pembroke, with the consent of the 10 year old King, sees him judge guilty of treason, his lands stripped, his titles forfeit and his execution scheduled for a week following the verdict. The young King does his duty in the moment, but is later seen crying for his part in another man's death. Duty is hard, but it must be done.
In Austria, Isabella of Foix gives birth to a healthy son, Francis of Austria. Eleanor of Trastamara, thrilled, stands as godmother and shortly after, departs. Her welcome has been well and truly overstayed, her time has come. And so, she begins her journey to Paris, where her son has set up shop.
Eleanor of Viseu, meanwhile, arrives wealthy and more than a little excited to have missed the drama. Her own business now, finding a bride for her son and retaking her role in the Regency, is stifled when she realising how much she has actually missed. Furthermore, the murder of Baldwin of Burgundy has proven how unpopular the foreign aspect to the Lancastrian Regency has been. After over 2 years of absence, she's on the sidelines again. Her son barely even recognises her. Furthermore, even the Countess of Warwick isn't as interested in her friendship anymore. Since the death of her husband, Anne Neville (who has taken custody of her namesake, Catherine of Bourbon's daughter) has become a much colder presence at the court. Her daughters are mostly kept away from London, in a country estate, and she's less interested in the Portuguese Infanta's stories than she is her news that Portugal won't invade. Preparations are being made for the eventual arrival of the Princess Claude, and they need England as safe as possible to have that work out. Eleanor's feeling can be hurt for a while longer if need be.
Catherine of York has shown up on Hungary. This time, she has a little more of a hook on her hands. While the Hungarian King has little interest in her as anything other than a diversion (his own martial interest remains Italian, in the form of Bianca Maria Sforza, daughter of the reigning Duke of Milan), but the Palatine of Hungary, Stephen Bathory, is another question. Recently having lost his wife, childless, Bathory is rich and respected. Enough so that he makes promises of soldiers and support from not just King Casimir, but the Polish King, and maybe even Naples. She isn't sold just yet, but she's intrigued. A Kingmaker for her brother William, who can provide her with such luxury. Henry Fitzroy, meanwhile, becomes a close friend of the Hungarian King, who finds the handsome young man charming.
April, 1484: Finally, the Queen of France is pregnant. But that cannot be true. Louis XI of France has spent the past few months fretting over his dying son, and while the marriage was consummated months ago, it's been at least 3 months since the two have shared a bed. Marie is adamant it's the King's but the timeline doesn't work out. But people note she has had two close men nearby her...the Duke of Orleans and the Count of Foix, who recently celebrated his marriage to Joan of Orleans. If they aren't the father, they should know who is. Both are brought into questioning. Eventually a young man named Francois Allard is brought in for questioning. All is kept quiet.
In Brittany, Anne of Savoy has given birth to a son, Louis of Brittany, who the Duke sets upon to become the Count of Étampes. It's been a while since her last pregnancy, but the Duchess recovers well and celebrates heartily. Her eldest stepdaughter, meanwhile, prepared for her own marriage, to the elderly Duke of Bourbon, having lost his wife almost 2 years previously. While her father had dreamed of the Duke of Berry, the Bourbon match was too good to pass up. Her sister Charlotte, meanwhile, is officially betrothed to the Count of Armagnac, and her brother is supposed to get the dream match with Marie of Berry. The Breton fortunes are looking good for the coming year.
Juana of Aragon, Duchess of Anjou miscarries a son. She recovers, but it is an upsetting time for the House of Anjou, so fragile.
William of York is brought to court to confirm his choice to remain in the Church. He speaks to the Regency Council of his tranquility as a man of god, meets his half-sister, and acknowledges Owen Tudor as Duke of York. His visit is short but vital.
Beatrice of Naples returns to the Neapolitan court. She's 27, twice widowed and has lost custody of her surviving daughter to the King of France. Things can't get much worse until her brother gives her a heads up that he plans on getting her married off again...immediately. The Marquis of Montferrat, an old man with no son, needs an heir quick. Beatrice is a hard sell, but she's had a healthy daughter and a recent pregnancy. So off she goes to a third marriage, the first she's had no agency in making, and she's not too happy about it. But it takes her closer to France, to her daughter, and maybe to freedom once again. Maybe even the crown for her daughter.
3rd of May, 1484: Charles de Valois, Duke of Berry, at 10 years old, passes away. The court goes into mourning. The young Queen is noticeably absent. The rumours begin to truly fly.
Plots & Spies
June-November 1484: Due to the defeat of his Aragonese and the adultery of his wife, Louis XI collapses during a council meeting, sparking fears that the King has died. A few hours later, Louis XI recovers and is seemingly full of more energy than ever before. He organises a splendid feast in Paris, which is held in July. There, Louis officially recognises Jacques as the rightful King of Aragon, and vows to fight for his cause, showing his commitment to the Aragonese-French alliance. He also dismisses some diplomats sent by Juana, angering the Queen who had hoped to negotiate a peace with France. It does not help that her spies tell her the Dauphin also supports Jacques cause and believes his Father should mobilise a force immediately to fight for his cause. Fortunately, Louis isn't willing to lead a campaign just yet, as his army needs to rest and he himself is focusing on other matters, primarily trying to get his hands on Catherine of York, so that he can use her to secure the Anglo-French alliance.
Juana uses this time to consolidate her and her husband's position. At the Cortés in Castile, Juana declares Enrique her co-monarch, while at the Cortés in Aragon, Enrique declares Juana his co-monarch. They also pass an act, declaring that all citizens of Aragon will be given rights equal to that of citizens of Castile. They also cut taxes in Aragon and increase it's army's pay so that they may secure their loyalty in the Kingdom, where there is still plenty of Foix sympathisers. Juana also writes back to George of York agreeing to support his cause and inviting him to her court in Castile. George and his family arrives for Michaelmas and at a feast in front of much of Castile's peers, Juana affirms her support for the Yorkist cause, supplying George with a large sum of money and 1,500 men to fight for him. George is over the moon at this as it finally seems like he will reclaim his rightful throne and see his homeland again after all these years. They soon draw up plans for an invasion, with George to land in the lands of the Duchy of York where his family is still popular and where he is likely to recruit the most men possible. George also writes to King James III of Scotland, suggesting a marriage between the Duke of Rothesay and his daughter, in exchange for James's support. James declines, having not forgotten how the last two invasions went. Despite this, George and Juana remain optimistic that this time will be different and that the House of York shall triumph at last. They plan to launch the invasion in Springtime, when the winds will be favourable for George's voyage. That October, Mascarose falls pregnant yet again, ideally a second son, so that the House of York may be secured at last.
In England, Jasper negotiates his remarriage to the recently widowed, Cecily Bonville, a wealthy heiress, who is close to Jasper. The two are soon married at a private ceremony at the Chapel of Pembroke Castle. Jasper is immediately smitten with his new wife and prays regularly for his, her and any children they may have health. He also begins searching for a bride for his Grand-nephew the Duke of York. Meanwhile, the King of England begins writing to his bride to be Claude, who is impressed by his level of writing, especially considering he is only 11. The two begin to write letters to each other regularly, and despite the fact that they have never met, they are madly in love with each other by 1486.
Back in France, evidence arises that suggests, Marie played a role in the death of the Duke of Berry. This angers, Louis XI who is growing tired of his scandalous German wife. He begins to spy on her, to see if she is plotting against him and spends less and less time with her. Marie is also growing tired of her husband, who is much older than her and isn't exactly as healthy as he used to be. As their relationship becomes more and more strained, news reaches them that the Dauphine is pregnant yet again. They begin to pray for her and her child's good health, as the Dauphin and Charles Frederic begin to dote on her.
Juana uses this time to consolidate her and her husband's position. At the Cortés in Castile, Juana declares Enrique her co-monarch, while at the Cortés in Aragon, Enrique declares Juana his co-monarch. They also pass an act, declaring that all citizens of Aragon will be given rights equal to that of citizens of Castile. They also cut taxes in Aragon and increase it's army's pay so that they may secure their loyalty in the Kingdom, where there is still plenty of Foix sympathisers. Juana also writes back to George of York agreeing to support his cause and inviting him to her court in Castile. George and his family arrives for Michaelmas and at a feast in front of much of Castile's peers, Juana affirms her support for the Yorkist cause, supplying George with a large sum of money and 1,500 men to fight for him. George is over the moon at this as it finally seems like he will reclaim his rightful throne and see his homeland again after all these years. They soon draw up plans for an invasion, with George to land in the lands of the Duchy of York where his family is still popular and where he is likely to recruit the most men possible. George also writes to King James III of Scotland, suggesting a marriage between the Duke of Rothesay and his daughter, in exchange for James's support. James declines, having not forgotten how the last two invasions went. Despite this, George and Juana remain optimistic that this time will be different and that the House of York shall triumph at last. They plan to launch the invasion in Springtime, when the winds will be favourable for George's voyage. That October, Mascarose falls pregnant yet again, ideally a second son, so that the House of York may be secured at last.
In England, Jasper negotiates his remarriage to the recently widowed, Cecily Bonville, a wealthy heiress, who is close to Jasper. The two are soon married at a private ceremony at the Chapel of Pembroke Castle. Jasper is immediately smitten with his new wife and prays regularly for his, her and any children they may have health. He also begins searching for a bride for his Grand-nephew the Duke of York. Meanwhile, the King of England begins writing to his bride to be Claude, who is impressed by his level of writing, especially considering he is only 11. The two begin to write letters to each other regularly, and despite the fact that they have never met, they are madly in love with each other by 1486.
Back in France, evidence arises that suggests, Marie played a role in the death of the Duke of Berry. This angers, Louis XI who is growing tired of his scandalous German wife. He begins to spy on her, to see if she is plotting against him and spends less and less time with her. Marie is also growing tired of her husband, who is much older than her and isn't exactly as healthy as he used to be. As their relationship becomes more and more strained, news reaches them that the Dauphine is pregnant yet again. They begin to pray for her and her child's good health, as the Dauphin and Charles Frederic begin to dote on her.
Cracks in the Anglo-French Alliance
December, 1484: Bianca Maria Sforza arrives in Hungary to marry the King. Casimir, having found himself increasingly unpopular due to his wife's early death and the blame placed on him is happy to distract with a new Queen. Bianca, beautiful but immature, finds herself in a country filled with people that don't want to get to know her, a husband who's not truly interested in her, and a stepdaughter who screams every time she sees her. Yes, life isn't exactly grand.
Except for Catherine of York.
Her flirtation with Stephen Zapolya has gone well enough, and her brother has slotted right into the Hungarian court, but she needs a man who will cross the ocean and restore her brother to his throne. Once it's clear that Casimir and Stephen both find the idea somewhat ludicrous, she begins to prepare to travel to Poland. There, with the support of Casimir, she'll meet the King and his sons. Maybe one will hear her plight.
In France, Marie of Cleves is formally charged with adultery and placed under strict house arrest. Her infant son, unclaimed without a father, is placed under the care of the church, and the French King begins the process of seeking an annulment.
January-March, 1485: Preparations for the Princess Claude of France to travel to England begin in earnest, with hopes to have her in England by the end of the year. Louis remains mostly unemotional concerning his daughter, focusing his energy on dowry negotiations with England. In this, unlike most of his current policies, Jasper Tudor becomes bold. He doesn't just want money, he wants either Normandy or Aquitaine...maybe both. It is his King's birthright.
Yes, it seems that, possibly as a way of securing the Lancastrian hold on the nobility, the Regent wants to make some continental gain on behalf of the King. Henry VII is onboard with these requirements, and sees them as the obvious choice. He's the true King of all of France, so returning the small part of his Empire.
Louis XII is, in fewer words, offended. His negotiations with Castile have been mostly to secure the Yorkist pretenders so that he can secure his daughter's crown. He has defended the English against many attempts at foreign invasions. He is their most faithful ally (mostly by accident, but he'll claim it now). What right do they have to demand his Kingdom?
This brings in another suitor for the French Princess' hand who had bid his time, James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay.
Yes, the Scots aren't exactly ready to launch a full scale invasion into England yet. But they can and will certainly work to weaken them wherever they can so when the invasion begins, they've got a fighting chance at getting something for themselves. James III of Scotland isn't a particularly strong man, but he isn't stupid. The Yorkists probably won't succeed, but the Lancastrians are going to lose something. Even if they don't get Claude, they might get Margaret of Lancaster WITH her inheritance rights.
In Portugal, Margaret of York has returned to Lisbon and, as the female head of the household, is working in various marriage alliances she thinks will help get a Yorkist on the throne. As such, she's trying her hardest to block any and all attempts for her stepson to remarry. But she's not too bold to offer out the Infanta Joanna, the 33 year old Princess who's refusal to marry has, until this point, been respected. But if George of York (Margaret has accepted the loss of "her precious Richard") is going to be King, he'll need allies everywhere. And thus, Joanna is offered up to the French King, with the following sales pitch: Joanna is steady, pious and beautiful. She will not conduct an affair.
Joanna, furious, goes to her brother. She will not have her wishes disregarded by the overhigh sister of a usurper. And thus, King John sees what he has to do. He begins to look for his own bride. He's not happy about it. Time has only made the loss of Guiomar stronger. But Margaret is overstepping. He has his sisters placed in the same household as his daughters and suggests that Margaret go visit her grandson.
May, 1485: Mascarose of Armagnac doesn't trust the Castilian Queen at all. While George of York is sure she will take them all the way to London, she misses the security of Lisbon and the support of the King. She and George had friends there. Real blood allies. And at this point, with Catherine of York's appearance, she's not even sure they're rightfully the Yorkist heirs. But George remains obstinent. Juana is on their side.
Juana is not on their side.
The news of renewed support of the claims of Jacques of Foix is deeply upsetting to hear. And thus, with George of York, Juana thinks that maybe she can upset the Anglo-French alliance. Her plan is pretty simple.
June, 1485: Mascarose gives birth to a second daughter, Cecily of York. George, disappointed, continues to shun her, and Mascarose spends most of her time with her children.
In France, Anne of Julich-Berg is working overtime to prevent the Duke of Orleans from continually courting her. She does not want to remarry, and especially isn't looking to drag her toddler son into something so ridiculous as the plots of Orleans and Foix. The Dauphin, noticing her distress, works to protect his cousin's widow, but sparks rumours of his own that he and she are having an affair. Included in believing these whispers is the Dauphine, who hears them while recovering from the birth of her second son, Francois.
August, 1485: Louis XII of France and Marie of Cleves see their brief marriage formally annulled. Marie, in tears, is sent back to Cleves in disgrace. Louis, looking to assert his manhood, looks to Aragon to do so. Eleanor of Trastamara arrives in Paris with money given to her by her daughter, possibly in hopes of getting rid of her.
Juana I of Castile, meanwhile, is worried about the health of Enrique. He's not a regular 16 year old young man. There's the fact that he's weedy and fragile. Prone to coughing fits and migraines. But more worrying is that he simply cannot consummate the marriage. Juana is 23. Not old, but about the age her mother was when she was born. She'd hoped that he may have matured enough by now. Particularly when her first husband was so tall and athletic (even if he was not someone she admired and she would not replace Enrique for him ever). Her advisors are getting worried. They suggest annulment, while she still can find a husband. John II of Portugal is a widower. If not him, maybe his son, who will be of age soon enough and is already rumoured to be twice the man her husband is. Or maybe have Enrique replaced with another Enrique, the Count of Empuries, son of the Duke of Vilenna, and a contender of the throne. He's older than her (40 this year), not yet married and, best of all, he's right here. Waiting. But Juana certain that maturity is coming for her husband soon. It has to be. She cannot have given her all for this to be the result.
In France, Juana of Aragon, Duchess of Anjou gives birth to another daughter, Louise of Anjou. She and her husband celebrate.
In Naples, the Ferdinand II of Naples begins negotiating a marriage to the Infanta Eleanor of Portugal, sister to the King. He also offers, to her surprise, his mother as a bride for John II of Portugal. Ippolita Maria Sforza accepts that this is mostly a stab in the dark by her son, with no available brides to offer. She accepts the rejection easily, and suggests that her niece, Blanche of Montferrat, be an appropriate second option from Naples. Or maybe one the d'Este girls. They're even close by in Castile!
In Poland, Catherine of York has managed to receive real interest from John Albert, currently not necessarily an heir, but an ambitious man nevertheless. And Catherine is, in theory, an heiress. Casimir IV of Poland isn't particularly interested in sending his son off to Western Europe, but Catherine makes the case for herself. Her brother is devoted to the religious life. If, after they free him from the tyranny of the Lancastrian usurpation, doesn't want to rule, then she's Queen. And that'll make John Albert King. Or if not him, Alexander Jaigellon, or even Sigismund Jaigellon. Regardless, his son is already down for this, and influence West would increase his prestige tenfold!
Casimir is still not convinced, but not necessarily against anything. It just seems like a waste of time to him. England is too far removed from much of the politics he is invested in.
November, 1485: Margaret of Harcourt dies of an illness, leaving the Duke of Alencon free to remarry.
Except for Catherine of York.
Her flirtation with Stephen Zapolya has gone well enough, and her brother has slotted right into the Hungarian court, but she needs a man who will cross the ocean and restore her brother to his throne. Once it's clear that Casimir and Stephen both find the idea somewhat ludicrous, she begins to prepare to travel to Poland. There, with the support of Casimir, she'll meet the King and his sons. Maybe one will hear her plight.
In France, Marie of Cleves is formally charged with adultery and placed under strict house arrest. Her infant son, unclaimed without a father, is placed under the care of the church, and the French King begins the process of seeking an annulment.
January-March, 1485: Preparations for the Princess Claude of France to travel to England begin in earnest, with hopes to have her in England by the end of the year. Louis remains mostly unemotional concerning his daughter, focusing his energy on dowry negotiations with England. In this, unlike most of his current policies, Jasper Tudor becomes bold. He doesn't just want money, he wants either Normandy or Aquitaine...maybe both. It is his King's birthright.
Yes, it seems that, possibly as a way of securing the Lancastrian hold on the nobility, the Regent wants to make some continental gain on behalf of the King. Henry VII is onboard with these requirements, and sees them as the obvious choice. He's the true King of all of France, so returning the small part of his Empire.
Louis XII is, in fewer words, offended. His negotiations with Castile have been mostly to secure the Yorkist pretenders so that he can secure his daughter's crown. He has defended the English against many attempts at foreign invasions. He is their most faithful ally (mostly by accident, but he'll claim it now). What right do they have to demand his Kingdom?
This brings in another suitor for the French Princess' hand who had bid his time, James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay.
Yes, the Scots aren't exactly ready to launch a full scale invasion into England yet. But they can and will certainly work to weaken them wherever they can so when the invasion begins, they've got a fighting chance at getting something for themselves. James III of Scotland isn't a particularly strong man, but he isn't stupid. The Yorkists probably won't succeed, but the Lancastrians are going to lose something. Even if they don't get Claude, they might get Margaret of Lancaster WITH her inheritance rights.
In Portugal, Margaret of York has returned to Lisbon and, as the female head of the household, is working in various marriage alliances she thinks will help get a Yorkist on the throne. As such, she's trying her hardest to block any and all attempts for her stepson to remarry. But she's not too bold to offer out the Infanta Joanna, the 33 year old Princess who's refusal to marry has, until this point, been respected. But if George of York (Margaret has accepted the loss of "her precious Richard") is going to be King, he'll need allies everywhere. And thus, Joanna is offered up to the French King, with the following sales pitch: Joanna is steady, pious and beautiful. She will not conduct an affair.
Joanna, furious, goes to her brother. She will not have her wishes disregarded by the overhigh sister of a usurper. And thus, King John sees what he has to do. He begins to look for his own bride. He's not happy about it. Time has only made the loss of Guiomar stronger. But Margaret is overstepping. He has his sisters placed in the same household as his daughters and suggests that Margaret go visit her grandson.
May, 1485: Mascarose of Armagnac doesn't trust the Castilian Queen at all. While George of York is sure she will take them all the way to London, she misses the security of Lisbon and the support of the King. She and George had friends there. Real blood allies. And at this point, with Catherine of York's appearance, she's not even sure they're rightfully the Yorkist heirs. But George remains obstinent. Juana is on their side.
Juana is not on their side.
The news of renewed support of the claims of Jacques of Foix is deeply upsetting to hear. And thus, with George of York, Juana thinks that maybe she can upset the Anglo-French alliance. Her plan is pretty simple.
- Offer a match between Henry VII and her cousin, Isabella d'Este, who she has invited to her court. Have George of York, his children and his wife be part of the dowry.
- Encourage a war for Normandy, Aquitaine, Anjou and everything else by the Lancastrians.
- Invade France and, at minimum, take Navarre whole. Maybe go for everything along the border.
- Profit.
June, 1485: Mascarose gives birth to a second daughter, Cecily of York. George, disappointed, continues to shun her, and Mascarose spends most of her time with her children.
In France, Anne of Julich-Berg is working overtime to prevent the Duke of Orleans from continually courting her. She does not want to remarry, and especially isn't looking to drag her toddler son into something so ridiculous as the plots of Orleans and Foix. The Dauphin, noticing her distress, works to protect his cousin's widow, but sparks rumours of his own that he and she are having an affair. Included in believing these whispers is the Dauphine, who hears them while recovering from the birth of her second son, Francois.
August, 1485: Louis XII of France and Marie of Cleves see their brief marriage formally annulled. Marie, in tears, is sent back to Cleves in disgrace. Louis, looking to assert his manhood, looks to Aragon to do so. Eleanor of Trastamara arrives in Paris with money given to her by her daughter, possibly in hopes of getting rid of her.
Juana I of Castile, meanwhile, is worried about the health of Enrique. He's not a regular 16 year old young man. There's the fact that he's weedy and fragile. Prone to coughing fits and migraines. But more worrying is that he simply cannot consummate the marriage. Juana is 23. Not old, but about the age her mother was when she was born. She'd hoped that he may have matured enough by now. Particularly when her first husband was so tall and athletic (even if he was not someone she admired and she would not replace Enrique for him ever). Her advisors are getting worried. They suggest annulment, while she still can find a husband. John II of Portugal is a widower. If not him, maybe his son, who will be of age soon enough and is already rumoured to be twice the man her husband is. Or maybe have Enrique replaced with another Enrique, the Count of Empuries, son of the Duke of Vilenna, and a contender of the throne. He's older than her (40 this year), not yet married and, best of all, he's right here. Waiting. But Juana certain that maturity is coming for her husband soon. It has to be. She cannot have given her all for this to be the result.
In France, Juana of Aragon, Duchess of Anjou gives birth to another daughter, Louise of Anjou. She and her husband celebrate.
In Naples, the Ferdinand II of Naples begins negotiating a marriage to the Infanta Eleanor of Portugal, sister to the King. He also offers, to her surprise, his mother as a bride for John II of Portugal. Ippolita Maria Sforza accepts that this is mostly a stab in the dark by her son, with no available brides to offer. She accepts the rejection easily, and suggests that her niece, Blanche of Montferrat, be an appropriate second option from Naples. Or maybe one the d'Este girls. They're even close by in Castile!
In Poland, Catherine of York has managed to receive real interest from John Albert, currently not necessarily an heir, but an ambitious man nevertheless. And Catherine is, in theory, an heiress. Casimir IV of Poland isn't particularly interested in sending his son off to Western Europe, but Catherine makes the case for herself. Her brother is devoted to the religious life. If, after they free him from the tyranny of the Lancastrian usurpation, doesn't want to rule, then she's Queen. And that'll make John Albert King. Or if not him, Alexander Jaigellon, or even Sigismund Jaigellon. Regardless, his son is already down for this, and influence West would increase his prestige tenfold!
Casimir is still not convinced, but not necessarily against anything. It just seems like a waste of time to him. England is too far removed from much of the politics he is invested in.
November, 1485: Margaret of Harcourt dies of an illness, leaving the Duke of Alencon free to remarry.
A realignment of alliances
December 1485-February 1486: It seems as though the marriage between King Henry VII and Princess Claude of France is well and truly dead. Louis XI had written to Duke Francis of Brittany suggesting a betrothal between Princess Claude and the Count of Montfort. However, soon another offer, one much more tantalising to Louis arrives, this time from Portugal. John II has offered his hand in marriage to the French Princess, with his terms being rather reasonable. He simply wants 78,000 Francs, a non-aggression pact, and a trade deal to come in Claude's dowry, quite the discount compared to her English dowry. Louis agrees, but John does face two challenges. Firstly, his cousin Juana sees this as a complete and utter betrayal, demanding John drops the match. Meanwhile, Margaret of York is scolding her step-son for such an idea, though John ignores her completely, this is his Kingdom and his choice to make and so far, he's made up his mind. By mid February, the match has been agreed to and is scheduled to occur in April of 1486.
Meanwhile, Jasper begins looking for a new bride for his Grand-nephew, the King. A Breton Princess is out of the question as the Duke of York's betrothal to Charlotte of Brittany is agreed to and a double match with Brittany is pointless. Instead he looks to Portugal for a bride, specifically one of Margaret of York's daughters. Unfortunately he is unable to provide one, as Margaret of York is unwilling to allow such a match to occur, as is a bitter Louis XI. Annoyed, Jasper turns to Juana of Castile and writes to her to ask for an alliance. Juana ever eager to make an ally against the French agrees, but is stuck on who she should offer. Her cousin isn't exactly the best match for a King and her sister is a bastard, if only she wasn't. Then it hits Juana, she's the Queen, she can make Maria a legal Princess once again and offer her to Henry VII. So it is that at the next meeting of the Cortés she requests that Maria be made a Princess again. The Cortés, which is supportive of the Queen agrees and Maria is declared a legitimate Infanta of Castile. Juana then offers her to the English, with a dowry of 75,000 Pounds, George of York and an alliance being offered. Jasper wholeheartedly agrees and a treaty is signed not long after. Maria is scheduled to be sent to England the next year, where she will marry King Henry VII. Juana orders George and his family to be arrested, though annoyingly Mascarose escapes with her kids, having feared something like this may happen. George isn't as fortunate and is captured and is sent on a ship to England, where his fate lies in the hands of Regent Jasper. Within a handful of months the alliance system of Europe has been rearranged, this time tensions are at an all time high.
Meanwhile, Jasper begins looking for a new bride for his Grand-nephew, the King. A Breton Princess is out of the question as the Duke of York's betrothal to Charlotte of Brittany is agreed to and a double match with Brittany is pointless. Instead he looks to Portugal for a bride, specifically one of Margaret of York's daughters. Unfortunately he is unable to provide one, as Margaret of York is unwilling to allow such a match to occur, as is a bitter Louis XI. Annoyed, Jasper turns to Juana of Castile and writes to her to ask for an alliance. Juana ever eager to make an ally against the French agrees, but is stuck on who she should offer. Her cousin isn't exactly the best match for a King and her sister is a bastard, if only she wasn't. Then it hits Juana, she's the Queen, she can make Maria a legal Princess once again and offer her to Henry VII. So it is that at the next meeting of the Cortés she requests that Maria be made a Princess again. The Cortés, which is supportive of the Queen agrees and Maria is declared a legitimate Infanta of Castile. Juana then offers her to the English, with a dowry of 75,000 Pounds, George of York and an alliance being offered. Jasper wholeheartedly agrees and a treaty is signed not long after. Maria is scheduled to be sent to England the next year, where she will marry King Henry VII. Juana orders George and his family to be arrested, though annoyingly Mascarose escapes with her kids, having feared something like this may happen. George isn't as fortunate and is captured and is sent on a ship to England, where his fate lies in the hands of Regent Jasper. Within a handful of months the alliance system of Europe has been rearranged, this time tensions are at an all time high.
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Unfortunately, Marie of Brittany just married the Duke of Bourbon. But Charlotte of Brittany (b.1479) is available and would probably make more sense age wise for the Duke of York anyway.
An English Coup
March-July, 1486: The Princess Claude of France, having spent so much of her life as a future Queen of England, is less than pleased about her Portuguese match suddenly appearing. Marriage to Henry VII of England meant a man near her age, with the possibility of a long lasting and fruitful partnership. The reports of John II of Portugal are much less...romantic. The man is 16 years her senior (although at 31, that isn't ancient, it is a much more significant age gap than a man 2 years younger than her) with 5 children and 2 healthy sons, the elder of which is only 4 years younger than her and, to her, the obvious choice. But the Portuguese King is quite clear: he wants Claude as his own bride. Alfonso, Prince of Portugal is meant for a match much closer to home. Isabel of Aragon is yet to have a husband and if he can, John wants her in Portugal. She's potentially heiress to most of Iberia. But even if she's off the table, Claude is a much less interesting prospect for his son than Margaret of Lancaster. Or even Maria of Castile, suddenly in the running for the throne. No, Claude is a spectacular third wife for a man content that he will never find love again like Guiomar.
But, again, Claude isn't having it.
Knowing she has until April to find an escape route, Claude looks at her two options:
He has to be domestic, preferably at court already. He also needs to be better than Portugal. And there's one such man, near and stupid, who's conveniently been looking for a royal bride. Charles II, Duke of Orleans.
Charles' attempts at courting the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy have proved a failure, and his apparent involvement in the affair of Marie of Cleves (it's alleged that the man she was sleeping with was a member of his household) has left him vulnerable. But deep in his heart, Charles d'Orleans has always believed he's bound for greatness. He wants to ingratiate himself in the royal family. His alliance with Foix was part of this. Thus, when the French Princess shows up in his rooms, attended by only a maid, and begs him to marry her, he's pretty sure this is a test. And it's one that he somehow manages to pass. Promising the young girl that he'll consider the offer and get back to her, he waits all of 10 minutes to rush to the King's side and let him know that his daughter wants to marry him. Louis, obviously, isn't please. Claude's little plan fails.
And then the Portuguese begin stalling.
So, King John saw the French match as a great way of capitalising on the chaos that Juana I of Castile is stirring up and ensuring some level of safety. Particularly as Mascarose of Armagnac's not come back to him, as he assumed, but instead is back at her brother's court in Armagnac, where she has a small amount of money and estates to care for her children. But Castile has just become a lot more interesting, and a lot more lucrative. Enrique I of Aragon has slipped into a coma. And no one is sure when he's going to wake up. Juana is being heavily pressured to annul the marriage and find someone healthier to father her children. The marriage isn't consummated. And John is sending emissaries to keep his name on her mind.
Juana is devastated. There's simply no other way to describe her horror of watching as her husband, her cousin, the young man she's essentially raised (she doesn't read into the weirdness of the situation there) dies before her eyes. He's skeletally thin at this point. Even when awake, he couldn't eat anything heavier than a watered down broth. A finger, broken late the previous year, has healed crooked and painfully. In his sleeping state, he screams every so often for his mother. Juana visits him every few hours, and sleeps in the same bed as him. But he's not going to make it.
Her court breathes a sigh of relief, and she lets her people know the score. When Enrique dies (it's no longer a question of if), she will inherit the throne from him. That's in line with the succession agreements they both signed upon their marriages and coronations. They are each other's heir. But when that happens, she needs support. While the Portuguese King is pursuing her, she wants the Neapolitan King. The match she sought to make years prior. But, until then, they need Portugal on side. Let him think they have a chance.
The April date for Claude and John comes and goes. Louis is given every excuse imaginable, from John's continued grief over Guiomar's passing (somewhat true, he holds a candle for her and has artwork commissioned of their family together), to upping the dowry requests, to finally insinuating that he may have better offers elsewhere. Louis is fed up at these foreign diplomatic games, but has no choice but to wait. Claude suddenly realises that it's better to be wanted than to wait in limbo.
In England, Jasper's popularity has definitely taken a hit as the news of this sudden shift in foreign policy reaches the masses. Yes, regaining Aquitaine and Normandy would be great, but what's better is not pissing off the man who was involved in putting you on the throne. Particularly when you have almost a dozen claimants across Europe, some in very high places, and one is the Queen Dowager to your longest lasting political ally. And it's especially not that great when you're swapping out the legitimate Princess of France for a girl everyone is very sure is a bastard (as is her sister but you can't say too much about a reigning Queen). The person maddest of all is young King Henry. Claude represented not just his adulthood and freedom, but also the continuation of the policies he was told his father wanted for him. She's a true Princess and, on top of it all, Jasper has essentially been promising him that he'd have an Empire with her. And instead, he's to be married to some bastard girl from Castile. Just to take custody of a man still crippled by his injuries a decade past, with a claim to the throne that is usurped by a man still in the young King's custody. Henry is young, but he's not stupid. He knows this is a bad deal for him.
Anne Neville is equally distraught at Jasper's sudden shift in policy. The French alliance was very dear to her. And she's always thought the discussions of Normandy and Aquitaine were flights of fancy. Or at least something to be put forward AFTER the marriage. You know, when France is less likely to upset the balance and replace their King with one of the Yorkists in their pocket? Anne, recently remarried to John Beaufort, brother and heir to the Duke of Somerset (Edmund Beaufort is currently searching for a new bride after his last, Anne Talbot, died in childbirth after miscarrying her last 4 pregnancies), doesn't want this all to be for a waste. And thus, with the support of young Henry, she stages a coup. It's pretty simple, they simply all arrive to the meeting and suggest that Jasper spend some quality time with his wife at his estates in Wales. Jasper is a fighter, but he's also a strategist. Anne is very popular, but she's also a woman. And thus, he asks explicitly that his role as head of the Regency not be taken over by the Earl of Shrewsbury or the Duke of Somerset, but the Countess of Warwick. Anne is flattered, but aware of what he's doing. She agrees, but make sit clear that once she's "unable to attend to her duties" she will take a back seat for the Earl of Shrewsbury. Within a month, she announces her first pregnancy by her new husband, and is back to her role of running the Regency behind the scenes.
Now they just need to get France back on board.
In Austria, Isabella of Foix gives birth to a daughter, Margaret of Austria. The child dies shortly after.
In Lorraine, the new Duchess, Philippa of Guelders, dies after a tragic miscarriage.
August, 1486: Marie of Brittany proves her worth to the elderly Duke of Bourbon by announcing a pregnancy, infuriating the King of France. The whole idea was that the Bourbon line would either die off or come from his daughter. Instead, they're going to be tied to the Bretons if the young Marie has a son. And Jeanne will be stuck as a Countess.
But the status of Jeanne is the less important of his daughter's dilemmas because, as it turns out, waiting on the death of a foreign King to determine your daughter's prospects is exhausting and depressing. Enrique of Aragon won't die but won't wake up. Instead, George of York dies in the custody of Juana I of Castile. She curses the loss of a bargaining chip but is too focused on her husband to care.
November, 1486: Catherine of York finally receives a firm no over her offer to the King of Poland. Annoyed, she abandons Poland and heads for Italy. There's always a rich Prince there with grand plans. Her aunt found success on the foreign market, so can she!
December, 1486: With Enrique I of Aragon still alive, Europe is at a standstill. Juana I of Castile is, potentially, the key to Iberia. Portugal and Naples stand to gain a lot from marriage to her. She stands in the way of the Portuguese-French alliance. England watches to see if it would be worth pulling away.
In other news, December brings joy for the Dauphin and Dauphine as she announces a third pregnancy. Also pregnant is Beatrice of Naples. She's less excited about it.
In Scotland, the King is murdered by rebels, unhappy with his isolation in Edinburgh and his obsession with foreign policy over his domestic duties. The Regency is headed by his Queen, Margaret of Denmark, who has remained popular in spite of her husband's ineffectiveness.
2nd of January, 1487: Enrique I, King of Aragon awakes from his comma. He calls his wife to him and lets her know that he knows he is about to die, but wants to spend his last few weeks/days/hours with her.
But, again, Claude isn't having it.
Knowing she has until April to find an escape route, Claude looks at her two options:
- Enter the church, devote her life to Christ, and enjoy serenity.
- Find another groom.
He has to be domestic, preferably at court already. He also needs to be better than Portugal. And there's one such man, near and stupid, who's conveniently been looking for a royal bride. Charles II, Duke of Orleans.
Charles' attempts at courting the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy have proved a failure, and his apparent involvement in the affair of Marie of Cleves (it's alleged that the man she was sleeping with was a member of his household) has left him vulnerable. But deep in his heart, Charles d'Orleans has always believed he's bound for greatness. He wants to ingratiate himself in the royal family. His alliance with Foix was part of this. Thus, when the French Princess shows up in his rooms, attended by only a maid, and begs him to marry her, he's pretty sure this is a test. And it's one that he somehow manages to pass. Promising the young girl that he'll consider the offer and get back to her, he waits all of 10 minutes to rush to the King's side and let him know that his daughter wants to marry him. Louis, obviously, isn't please. Claude's little plan fails.
And then the Portuguese begin stalling.
So, King John saw the French match as a great way of capitalising on the chaos that Juana I of Castile is stirring up and ensuring some level of safety. Particularly as Mascarose of Armagnac's not come back to him, as he assumed, but instead is back at her brother's court in Armagnac, where she has a small amount of money and estates to care for her children. But Castile has just become a lot more interesting, and a lot more lucrative. Enrique I of Aragon has slipped into a coma. And no one is sure when he's going to wake up. Juana is being heavily pressured to annul the marriage and find someone healthier to father her children. The marriage isn't consummated. And John is sending emissaries to keep his name on her mind.
Juana is devastated. There's simply no other way to describe her horror of watching as her husband, her cousin, the young man she's essentially raised (she doesn't read into the weirdness of the situation there) dies before her eyes. He's skeletally thin at this point. Even when awake, he couldn't eat anything heavier than a watered down broth. A finger, broken late the previous year, has healed crooked and painfully. In his sleeping state, he screams every so often for his mother. Juana visits him every few hours, and sleeps in the same bed as him. But he's not going to make it.
Her court breathes a sigh of relief, and she lets her people know the score. When Enrique dies (it's no longer a question of if), she will inherit the throne from him. That's in line with the succession agreements they both signed upon their marriages and coronations. They are each other's heir. But when that happens, she needs support. While the Portuguese King is pursuing her, she wants the Neapolitan King. The match she sought to make years prior. But, until then, they need Portugal on side. Let him think they have a chance.
The April date for Claude and John comes and goes. Louis is given every excuse imaginable, from John's continued grief over Guiomar's passing (somewhat true, he holds a candle for her and has artwork commissioned of their family together), to upping the dowry requests, to finally insinuating that he may have better offers elsewhere. Louis is fed up at these foreign diplomatic games, but has no choice but to wait. Claude suddenly realises that it's better to be wanted than to wait in limbo.
In England, Jasper's popularity has definitely taken a hit as the news of this sudden shift in foreign policy reaches the masses. Yes, regaining Aquitaine and Normandy would be great, but what's better is not pissing off the man who was involved in putting you on the throne. Particularly when you have almost a dozen claimants across Europe, some in very high places, and one is the Queen Dowager to your longest lasting political ally. And it's especially not that great when you're swapping out the legitimate Princess of France for a girl everyone is very sure is a bastard (as is her sister but you can't say too much about a reigning Queen). The person maddest of all is young King Henry. Claude represented not just his adulthood and freedom, but also the continuation of the policies he was told his father wanted for him. She's a true Princess and, on top of it all, Jasper has essentially been promising him that he'd have an Empire with her. And instead, he's to be married to some bastard girl from Castile. Just to take custody of a man still crippled by his injuries a decade past, with a claim to the throne that is usurped by a man still in the young King's custody. Henry is young, but he's not stupid. He knows this is a bad deal for him.
Anne Neville is equally distraught at Jasper's sudden shift in policy. The French alliance was very dear to her. And she's always thought the discussions of Normandy and Aquitaine were flights of fancy. Or at least something to be put forward AFTER the marriage. You know, when France is less likely to upset the balance and replace their King with one of the Yorkists in their pocket? Anne, recently remarried to John Beaufort, brother and heir to the Duke of Somerset (Edmund Beaufort is currently searching for a new bride after his last, Anne Talbot, died in childbirth after miscarrying her last 4 pregnancies), doesn't want this all to be for a waste. And thus, with the support of young Henry, she stages a coup. It's pretty simple, they simply all arrive to the meeting and suggest that Jasper spend some quality time with his wife at his estates in Wales. Jasper is a fighter, but he's also a strategist. Anne is very popular, but she's also a woman. And thus, he asks explicitly that his role as head of the Regency not be taken over by the Earl of Shrewsbury or the Duke of Somerset, but the Countess of Warwick. Anne is flattered, but aware of what he's doing. She agrees, but make sit clear that once she's "unable to attend to her duties" she will take a back seat for the Earl of Shrewsbury. Within a month, she announces her first pregnancy by her new husband, and is back to her role of running the Regency behind the scenes.
Now they just need to get France back on board.
In Austria, Isabella of Foix gives birth to a daughter, Margaret of Austria. The child dies shortly after.
In Lorraine, the new Duchess, Philippa of Guelders, dies after a tragic miscarriage.
August, 1486: Marie of Brittany proves her worth to the elderly Duke of Bourbon by announcing a pregnancy, infuriating the King of France. The whole idea was that the Bourbon line would either die off or come from his daughter. Instead, they're going to be tied to the Bretons if the young Marie has a son. And Jeanne will be stuck as a Countess.
But the status of Jeanne is the less important of his daughter's dilemmas because, as it turns out, waiting on the death of a foreign King to determine your daughter's prospects is exhausting and depressing. Enrique of Aragon won't die but won't wake up. Instead, George of York dies in the custody of Juana I of Castile. She curses the loss of a bargaining chip but is too focused on her husband to care.
November, 1486: Catherine of York finally receives a firm no over her offer to the King of Poland. Annoyed, she abandons Poland and heads for Italy. There's always a rich Prince there with grand plans. Her aunt found success on the foreign market, so can she!
December, 1486: With Enrique I of Aragon still alive, Europe is at a standstill. Juana I of Castile is, potentially, the key to Iberia. Portugal and Naples stand to gain a lot from marriage to her. She stands in the way of the Portuguese-French alliance. England watches to see if it would be worth pulling away.
In other news, December brings joy for the Dauphin and Dauphine as she announces a third pregnancy. Also pregnant is Beatrice of Naples. She's less excited about it.
In Scotland, the King is murdered by rebels, unhappy with his isolation in Edinburgh and his obsession with foreign policy over his domestic duties. The Regency is headed by his Queen, Margaret of Denmark, who has remained popular in spite of her husband's ineffectiveness.
2nd of January, 1487: Enrique I, King of Aragon awakes from his comma. He calls his wife to him and lets her know that he knows he is about to die, but wants to spend his last few weeks/days/hours with her.