I think the Kingdom of Burgundy would work, personally, since it's his 'highest' title and the one least likely to offend anybody
Audentes Fortuna Iuvat: A Timeline
- Thread starter pandizzy
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Isn't Burgundy a separate region within France? The Dukes of Burgundy controlled the Low Countries, but the name came from their homeland so I'm not sure that it would apply to a kingdom that doesn't include it. If using "The Netherlands" is politically difficult, perhaps calling it the Kingdom of Belgium would work instead?
Burgundy, Brabant and Luxembourg are all duchies, the same rank.
Yeah, that's why I was so hesitant. I can't imagine Henry III would enjoy his cousin (their mothers are sisters) using a title that technically belongs to the french crown.
I've been trying to read some more on that area's history and apparently, Belgium is an old name for it? Belgium lion, anyone? So I guess that's like a safer safe option.
Chapter Thirty - A Portuguese Regency
The youngest children of King Sebastian I: Henry, Beatrice, and Francis.
At the time of his death, Sebastian’s heir was his second son, Philip, who was only ten years old. Because the new King would have a need for a regency until he turned sixteen, Sebastião wrote out a will declaring that his wife, Margaret, would be given the regency and custody of their younger children. Margaret, however, was French and some courtiers feared a foreign woman holding the reins of power would lead to a decline of the country. Because of this, Sebastian also declared that John I, Duke of Braganza and George of Lencastre, 2nd Duke of Aveiro, high-ranking Portuguese nobles would advise the Queen on all matters, although the marriage of the remaining royal children could only be decided by their mother.
Queen Margaret of Portugal.
Two years younger than his kingly brother, Infante Henry, Duke of Coimbra remained as heir presumptive to the Portuguese crown until Philip had a child with his intended wife, Maria de’ Medici who was still in Florence at the time. Filipe and Henrique had been close since the latter’s’ birth, sharing a tutor and a bedchamber on occasion. Their two younger siblings, Francis and Beatrice, would often be ignored by the two, as Francis was to go to the church, and Beatrice was a girl. In fact, they were so close that the Venetian ambassador wrote, ‘The King has caught a cold. The doctors think the disease to not be serious, and that he will soon recover, but the Queen Regent has thought it best to separate him from the other children, lest they get ill too. His Grace, the Duke of Coimbra found this to be disagreeable to him and made his opinion very clear on the matter.’
Unlike his brother, Henrique was temperamental and headstrong. He had fiery red hair, blue eyes and, by the age of fourteen, had become much taller than his mother. Although he was named after his maternal grandfather, King Henri II of France, many thought he resembled King François I better, and ought to have been named Francisco instead. However, he never became a point of focus for his brother’s enemies, as he was vocally loyal to his King and refused to consider any possibility of him becoming a monarch.
In 1586, the clever Margaret of Valois worked hard to gain the confidence of her son’s lords, ensuring her position as sole regent. She moved the court from the Ribeira Palace to the São Jorge Castle, an old royal residence that had been abandoned by King Manuel I and partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1531. Sebastian I had ordered its reconstruction, intending to use it as his main residence, but it finished only in 1584, two months after the death of Infante John. The mourning court thus never had the chance to move, but Queen Margaret thought it would be more suitable for her son’s childhood, away from the ghost of King Sebastian.
The São Jorge Castle in Lisbon, Portugal.
The royal children still living in Portugal were Filipe, Henrique, Francisco, and Beatriz and they were ten, eight, seven, and six years old respectively. Because of their young age, no one thought it was surprising that the Queen requested that the children of high-ranking nobles be sent to São Jorge Castle as companions and playmates for the Infantes and Infanta. Modern historians, however, believe she did this in order to have hostages against those who could oppose her regency, an action that worked.
More importantly, Margaret arranged the marriage of the Duke of Aveiro’s only surviving child, Lady Juliana, to his cousin and closest male relative, Álvaro of Lencastre, allowing the two to share the title upon his death. Because of this, Jorge de Lencastre felt indebted to the Queen and became her most staunch ally and supporter.
It was Jorge who suggested for Margaret to betroth her son, Henrique, to one of the Duke of Braganza’s daughter, especially Isabel, who was just a year younger than the Infante. More importantly, he also reminded her of the importance of a continuation of the alliance with England, now deep in its own problems.
Thus, Margaret sent gifts to Elizabeth I and Edward Seymour, making Portugal the first catholic country to accept England’s protestant succession. In a personal letter, Margaret advocated for Elizabeth to have Edward be named the Prince of Wales. She also reminded the Queen and her adopted son that her youngest daughter, Beatrice, was still unpromised and would be willing to convert to Protestantism if it was needed for her to marry Lord Edward, second in line to the throne. Queen Elizabeth certainly entertained the idea, as it would give England a fine ally if a War of Succession were to happen, but made no promises. That Princess Beatrice was six years older than her intended was also noted, although this hadn’t held anyone back before.
Thankful to Jorge for his councils and assistance, it wasn’t difficult for her to remember that the Duke, born in 1548, was only five years older than her. Jorge was handsome and clever, beyond being one of the most powerful members of the nobility and, by 1587, the pair were already lovers.
George of Lencastre, 2nd Duke of Aveiro.
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Great update, sad to see Sebastian go but I'm interested to see how Filipe's reign unfolds...
Fabulous update as always - I'm worried Margaret may not be making the smartest choice in her personal life, especially in the Catholic 16th century... can't wait to see what happens to the Portuguese infantes!
And Portugal really isn't the most progressive country at the moment. But I'm afraid Margaret Valois will be Margaret Valois, no matter which European country she is.
Sadly, everyone, I have been diagnosed with covid-19. I'm still at home, and doing okay, but I'm extremely tired, and don't have enough strength in me to sit in front of my computer to write. I don't have a laptop, so I can't even write while laying down. We might be looking at a week or two without any updates, or maybe, since my college is return 02/08, a little bit more time. I don't intend to abandon this TL, since I really enjoy writing it, but we might be a while without any new chapters </3
Oh, dear! I am sorry to hear that! I hope you get better soon
And don't worry about the TL meanwhile. We'll be here when you get better
As melhoras. Get well soon and don't worry if it takes too long to get an update out, first is your health.
Thank you and obrigada to everyone <3 <3
I'm keeping myself hopeful and optimistic. I've had some bumps in the road, but fortunately I live with someone who is a doctor for over 30 years, has seen many cases and knows exactly what to do. I'm sure I'll find myself back to health in no time.
I'm keeping myself hopeful and optimistic. I've had some bumps in the road, but fortunately I live with someone who is a doctor for over 30 years, has seen many cases and knows exactly what to do. I'm sure I'll find myself back to health in no time.
Would it be pushing too much to have this match happen? Taking advantage of my bedrest to sort out my notes and the marriage game.
Making an alliance with a protestant power makes more sense, but poor Beatrice has few other marriage options.
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Well, with the anti Spanish stance that Portuguese have been taking, it might make sense. Also, Margaret better tread carefully re:her affair with the Duke of Aveiro.