The New Years Prince - A Collaborative Timeline

[EdwardRex]

January 1, 1511: Catherine of Aragon, Queen of England to King Henry VIII, gives birth to a healthy baby boy, christened Henry after his father. The elder Henry is ecstatic to have a son with his beloved wife, especially since he is only 19 years old. Queen Catherine recovers well, especially after the difficulties that were involved in her first pregnancy, which resulted in a dead baby girl. The baby is christened in a grand ceremony on January 5.

February 22, 1511: Prince Henry seems to have suffered from a minor illness, but fortunately recovers and is brought back to live with his parents.

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1. Each post should cover no more than a year, though you can go into as much detail about the events that occurred in said year.
2. No contradicting previous posts.
3. You can make reference to a butterfly that occurred in a previous year, so long as it doesn’t contradict a previous post.
4. You don’t need to cover what’s happening in every country in a year, just write about what you want to or are knowledgeable in.
5. No random killing sprees/family tree extinctions.
6. Please add portraits.
7. You must wait until at least one person has posted after you before posting again.
8. If you mention a pregnancy, you must also mention the result.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

oh hello, my favorite what-if.
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February 1511: While Katherine is being churched, Henry VIII decides to arrange a betrothal for his son. As the French king, Louis XII, has recently had a daughter he decides to arrange an alliance by engagement. His wife will not be happy about it, but it's not like there are girls of suitable age for their precious son on her side of the family. Besides, his youngest sister, Mary is still engaged to Charles of Ghent, Katherine's nephew. She can deal with it, he supposes.

Renée of France, fiancée of Henry of Cornwall
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March 1511: Unfortunately for Henry's French plans, Louis XII has recognized Richard de la Pole as the king of England. Infuriated at this treachery, he decides to look for another potential future Princess of Wales, though he does not yet officially break off the betrothal. Katherine reminds him that they and their son are still young. And she is pregnant again, with hopefully a Duke of York.

 

[RedKing]

April 1511: Henry VIII writes to Emperor Maximilian and King Ferdinand, suggesting a betrothal between Henry, Duke of Cornwall and Catherine of Austria. Both prove receptive to the idea and negotiations move alone smoothly. All the while Henry VIII makes preparations to campaign in France as part of the War of the Leavue of Cambrai. He musters 20,000 men and plans to move to Calais and sweep south taking Boulogne, Ponthieu and Rouen within a handful of months.

May 1511: A handful of Catherine’s hand maidens come down with the flu. The King and Queen grow concerned at the outbreak and move from Richmond Palace to Eltham with their child, bringing new hand maidens with them, in hope of avoiding the illness.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

June 1511: Angered at the slight towards his daughter, Louis XII fights harder, recapturing Mirandola and Bologna. Henry VIII is not deterred, joining a new holy league against France as proclaimed by the pope Julius II. When the city Brescia revolts and garrisons itself with Venetian troops, Henry sends English troops on to help. England also captures Bergamo. Also in this month, Katherine herself falls ill with the flu. Though she would survive, she miscarries her child, which was going to be the Duke of York.

 

[Violet Rose Lily]

July 1511: Despite being eager to set off to war, Henry spends a little time with his wife, partly in hopes of getting her pregnant before he joins his father-in-law and the emperor in their wars against France.

August 1511: Richard de la Pole sends an envoy to Scotland in hopes of convincing the Scottish King to back his claim on the English throne. The envoy suggests finding a new bride of King James as the Tudor girl had proven unable to birth a healthy son. King James is enraged at the slight against his wife, and tells the envoy to leave before he decided to send him back to France in pieces.

September 1511: The treaty of Westminster is signed, confirming England's participation in the war of the League of Cambria. A fortnight later Henry would travel to Calais on his new flagship, the Mary Rose. He would leave Katherine as his regent.

October 1511: Emperor Maximilian was riding his horse at his favorite hunting lodge, only for his steed to stumble and fall, bringing its rider down with it. By the time, the grooms got the horse off the emperor, he was dead.

 

[FalconHonour]

October 1511: Henry VIII strikes out from Calais, aiming to take Amiens and then Rouen so as to distract France from Imperial ambitions in Italy and Navarre. Unfortunately, his troops are soon bogged down in unseasonably damp weather, which critically slows their progress. Katherine writes to her husband from London, informing him that his efforts in the summer have borne fruit and she is around three months pregnant.

January 1512: After much debate, the Electors of the Holy Roman Empire declare that, no matter how talented the young Duke of Burgundy may be, they cannot have an underage Emperor, particularly not in a time of crisis such as this war. As such, they elect Maximillian's nephew William IV of Bavaria, as the new Holy Roman Emperor instead of his grandson Charles. Charles's Regents contest this election.

April 1512: William's election as Emperor is upheld, but Charles's Regents win one major concession. The unmarried William is promptly wed to Charles's thirteen-year-old sister, Eleanor, despite their consanguinity, in order to unite the claims to the Empire. Meanwhile, in London, Katherine gives birth to a healthy baby girl, whom she names Elizabeth after both the child's grandmothers. Henry, waiting out the winter in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, declares himself delighted with the choice of name. However, it will be a while before he meets his new daughter, as the advent of spring means a resumption of hostilties.

 

[isabella]

October 1511: Henry VIII strikes out from Calais, aiming to take Amiens and then Rouen so as to distract France from Imperial ambitions in Italy and Navarre. Unfortunately, his troops are soon bogged down in unseasonably damp weather, which critically slows their progress. Katherine writes to her husband from London, informing him that his efforts in the summer have borne fruit and she is around three months pregnant.

January 1512: After much debate, the Electors of the Holy Roman Empire declare that, no matter how talented the young Duke of Burgundy may be, they cannot have an underage Emperor, particularly not in a time of crisis such as this war. As such, they elect Maximillian's brother-in-law, William IV of Bavaria, as the new Holy Roman Emperor instead of his grandson Charles. Charles's Regents contest this election.

April 1512: William's election as Emperor is upheld, but Charles's Regents win one major concession. The unmarried William is promptly wed to Charles's thirteen-year-old sister, Eleanor, despite their consanguinity, in order to unite the claims to the Empire. Meanwhile, in London, Katherine gives birth to a healthy baby girl, whom she names Elizabeth after both the child's grandmothers. Henry, waiting out the winter in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, declares himself delighted with the choice of name. However, it will be a while before he meets his new daughter, as the advent of spring means a resumption of hostilties.

Two things: William is the nephew of Maximilian NOT his brother-in-law (and as the Holy Roman Empire was fully elective, I believe who the better compensation for Charles would be being elected soon as King of the Romans aka next Holy Roman Emperor NOT making his sister Empress)

 

[ordinarylittleme]

May 1512: Infuriated at the denial of what he sees as his birthright, Charles decides to go to Spain where he is received by his grandfather and brother, both named Ferdinand. He offers support to his brother but this is not well seen by his grandfather, who distrusts him. The young boy works hard to charm his old grandfather and younger brother with mixed results. Meanwhile, Eleanor of Austria, Holy Roman Empress has experienced her first menstrual cycle. Due to her small stature, it is feared that she could possibly die in childbirth, but proof of fertility is celebrated. Over in England, Katherine as regent has proved remarkably competent, except for the fact that she has constant conflicts with the Dukes of Norfolk and Buckingham, as well as her husband's favorite, the cardinal Wolsey. Though she appreciated Wolsey's competence and talent in both military and foreign policy, she felt very threatened by his prominence as well as the fact that the turnover of rulers threatened to diminish England's importance.

June 1512: The queen of France, Anne of Brittany, gives birth to twin sons christened Louis and Charles, respectively. This infuriates Louise of Savoy and her son, the young and ambitious Francis of Angouleme, who had been rumored to use witchcraft to kill Anne's previous sons. Despite the twins' sickliness, they cling to life. Thus, Louis XII arranges a marriage for his young cousin to Anne of Navarre. Spain begins its conquest of the Iberian part of Navarre, while the troops of the Holy League successfully drive French troops out of Milan. However, they reclaim Brescia.

 

[isabella]

May 1512: Infuriated at the denial of what he sees as his birthright, Charles decides to go to Spain where he is received by his grandfather and brother, both named Ferdinand. He offers support to his brother but this is not well seen by his grandfather, who distrusts him. The young boy works hard to charm his old grandfather and younger brother with mixed results. Meanwhile, Eleanor of Austria, Holy Roman Empress has discovered that she is pregnant. Due to her small stature, it is feared that she could possibly die in childbirth. Over in England, Katherine as regent has proved remarkably competent, except for the fact that she has constant conflicts with the Dukes of Norfolk and Buckingham, as well as her husband's favorite, the cardinal Wolsey. Though she appreciated Wolsey's competence and talent in both military and foreign policy, she felt very threatened by his prominence as well as the fact that the turnover of rulers threatened to diminish England's importance.

June 1512: The queen of France, Anne of Brittany, gives birth to twin sons christened Louis and Charles, respectively. This infuriates Louise of Savoy and her son, the young and ambitious Francis of Angouleme, who had been rumored to use witchcraft to kill Anne's previous sons. Despite the twins' sickliness, they cling to life. Thus, Louis XII arranges a marriage for his young cousin to Anne of Navarre. Spain begins its conquest of the Iberian part of Navarre, while the troops of the Holy League successfully drive French troops out of Milan. However, they reclaim Brescia.

Eleanor is still 13, is way too early for her being pregnant….

 

[FalconHonour]

Two things: William is the nephew of Maximilian NOT his brother-in-law

Quite right. This is what I get for writing half-asleep. Edited. And you're right, Charles will probably end up as King of the Romans when he's of age, but I didn't think they'd elect an eleven-year-old to the position in a time of war...

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Eleanor is still 13, is way too early for her being pregnant….

Consummation for girls is allowed at age 12 and Margaret Beaufort gave birth at 13...

 

[FalconHonour]

Consummation for girls is allowed at age 12 and Margaret Beaufort gave birth at 13...

Yes, but it's a very high risk strategy, and with William only eighteen himself, I doubt they'd have any fears about waiting a couple of years...

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Yes, but it's a very high risk strategy, and with William only eighteen himself, I doubt they'd have any fears about waiting a couple of years...

That is true, I will edit it out then

 

[isabella]

Consummation for girls is allowed at age 12 and Margaret Beaufort gave birth at 13...

And that had bad consequences. Anne of Brittany was slight older and a little luckier (amd her husband needed to consummate and cared little for her life) so I doubt William will be Eleanor before she is at least fifteen or ready, considering her corporature

 

[ordinarylittleme]

And that had bad consequences. Anne of Brittany was slight older and a little luckier (amd her husband needed to consummate and cared little for her life) so I doubt William will be Eleanor before she is at least fifteen or ready, considering her corporature

Charles needed to consummate but William doesn't?

 

[isabella]

Charles needed to consummate but William doesn't?

Charles VIII practically forced Anne of Brittany to marry him and would still get her lands if she died in childbirth (and her previous wedding, and possibly his own, was not yet annulled) so he needed to consumate immediately…
William need to be much more careful with his bride, like James IV had done with Margaret Tudor (they married when she was 13, he had not consummated the wedding for at least two years and possibly three as their first child was born when Margaret was already seventeen) and he was much older than William…

 

[EdwardRex]

Charles VIII practically forced Anne of Brittany to marry him and would still get her lands if she died in childbirth (and her previous wedding, and possibly his own, was not yet annulled) so he needed to consumate immediately…
William need to be much more careful with his bride, like James IV had done with Margaret Tudor (they married when she was 13, he had not consummated the wedding for at least two years and possibly three as their first child was born when Margaret was already seventeen) and he was much older than William…

I had always read that James consummated the marriage on the night of the wedding, but did not return to the marriage bed until 1506.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Charles VIII practically forced Anne of Brittany to marry him and would still get her lands if she died in childbirth (and her previous wedding, and possibly his own, was not yet annulled) so he needed to consumate immediately…
William need to be much more careful with his bride, like James IV had done with Margaret Tudor (they married when she was 13, he had not consummated the wedding for at least two years and possibly three as their first child was born when Margaret was already seventeen) and he was much older than William…

Got it, I have edited

 

[Reyne]

June to November 1512: Having been stuck in Pas-de-Calais for months, Henry seethes with rage at the inability of his allies in Germany and Spain to proppel his success. Having been defeated at the Battle of Rouen by Francis, Henry is forced to retreat back to the Pale of Calais, but he is not without his victories. Having secured French Artois with his conquest of Boulogne, Arras and Lens, the English use this region as a way to bridge the resource gap into Amiens, which, having been rapidly fortified by engineers coming from England, is able to hold back a French assault. Henry, proud and arrogant at having managed to hold off against Francis leaves the security of Amiens with 25000 men. On the field of battle, the massed French army once more defeats the English one although they are able to retreat in good order, but forward positions such as Péronne and Montdidier are lost. Henry, weaning off his injuries in Calais with a young Flemish noblewoman, the English are given respite from the French as Louis shifts his forces to face Ferdinand of Aragon in Navarre.

Henry's advisors and some new-faces at the English court, such as the Boleyns but especially Henry's eternal companion, Charles Brandon, newly made Duke of Suffolk and Baron of Montreuil, convince the King that perhaps the war against France is no longer profitable enough any longer - but right up North, traitorous Burgundy (whom "left" the war after the death of Emperor Maximilian) lies very open indeed. Giving command of operations to the Duke, the English quietly take and siege many cities in western Flanders, establishing a line from the coast to Dunkirk to Lille, while a bridge is established in Hainault, with cities such as Tournai and Antoing falling. The Burgundians resist heavily, and Henry is unable to push further in any front. He has expanded the Pale of Calais greatly, but now he must hold it, and both Burgundians and French circle around it.

Queen Catherine of England, with a heavy heart, sends a letter to Henry that he must seek peace with France as England's funneling of resources into their continental holdings is creating a small crisis. Henry accepts, and sends emissaires to Paris, but his return to London is cool - Catherine is not happy at all at Henry's betrayal of her nephew Charles.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

December 1512: The deaths of Louis XII of France and Ferdinand II of Aragon send shockwaves across Europe, as now France and Spain are ruled by underage kings: the newly coronated Louis XIII of France and Charles I of Spain. Queens Anne of France and Katherine of England are also pregnant again. Meanwhile, Francis of Angouleme marries Anne of Navarre while his sister, Margaret of Angouleme, announces her first pregnancy with her husband Charles of Alencon. The young infanta Isabella of Portugal, daughter of Manuel I and Maria of Aragon, contracts a high fever.

January 1513: Princess Mary Tudor is shipped over to Spain in order to marry her betrothed, Charles I of Spain. Despite the age difference, the couple found each other very attractive and got along well. The mysterious disappearance of the confined Queen Joanna causes a mild crisis as nobody is willing to admit fault for the event. Queen Maria of Portugal prematurely gives birth to a small baby girl who is named after herself. The newborn infanta is betrothed to the prince of Wales instead of the older Catherine of Austria.