Edmund Tudor query

1535: As he marches toward Hungary, Charles is formally confirmed as King of Bohemia and recognised as such by all the estates, this fills a ten-year gap after the death of Louis II. With this added bonus, Charles advances on Hungary, where he tries to bolster John Zapoyla's flagging defences. He strikes one or two quick victories before having to retreat back into more defensive manoeuvres something that frustrates him. Though the promise of aid from other European powers bolsters confidence.

In England, King Edmund continues on his royal progress, visiting places such as York, Lancaster and other developing towns. He is mobbed by crowds anxious to get a look at the royal person, and the fact he has his wife and children with him as well only adds to the ceremony and madness. the Prince of Wales, Prince George, is growing into a handsome and curious young lad, who draws the eyes of many a girl, woman and even young man. The Prince is somewhat protected by his father and mother, but has a way with people, creating quite the stir when he travels with a light guard through the streets of York himself to see the people.
 
1536: In Hungary, the forces of the Emperor clash against the forces of the Turk, again and again they run through one another, and again and again the Emperor emerges somewhat triumphant. However, there are growing gaps in how things can progress. Charles is running out of money to pay his troops, and his supply lines are stretched almost to breaking point. Furthermore, he is increasingly growing irritated with John Zapoyla, the man who in his mind is standing in the way of everything he wishes to achieve. The Ottomans are slowly growing a spine, though they might well be facing opposition from the Persians, who are themselves looking to make a name in the wider world.

In India, Sher Shah Suri marches southwards, to try and wrest control of Agra away from Humayun, the Mughal Emperor. In a brief but bloody exchange, the Mughals emerge triumphant, and Sher Shah Suri is himself killed during the scramble. His head is mounted on a spike in Agra, and there are some celebrations. However, the good feeling within the Emperor's court is somewhat lessened when word comes of the sack and destruction of Gaur, the second city in the Empire.
 
1537: John Zapolya dies during the Battle of Mohacs, a crushing blow to some, and a boon for the Emperor. Charles through a quick piece of negotiation ensures that Anne of Bohemia and Hungary secedes her claims to him and his family, through doing this, in the Treaty of Buda, Charles is then recognised as King of Hungary and Bohemia by all the estates of the two realms. With added incentive, he pushes forward to try and carve the Turk down to size. A victory during the Second Battle of Mohacs results in the Turks being driven to the very south of the kingdom.

In Scotland, the birth of a son to the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay is greeted with much joy. The child is named James and helps bring about a reconciliation between father and son. James IV is sixty-four now, and is slowly losing his will to continue fighting. He entrusts his son with the task of reforming the treasury. and ensuring the nobility are bent and broken. As he retires to Linlithgow Palace for some rest. The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay establish themselves and their three children in Edinburgh Castle, and their first objective, to stamp out the developing Protestant heresy.
 
1538: As if to continue their good fortune, another son is born to the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, this time named Alexander. However, this birth leaves the rather ill Duchess bed ridden for most of the rest of the year. Surprisingly, though there are a great many people throwing their daughters and sisters at him, the Duke resists their temptation and instead focuses on finding out exactly who and where the heretics are. Many lesser nobles are rounded up and burned at the stake, and the Duke issues a series of proclamations in his father's name that change the shape and course of education within Scotland. He also meets with his father once or twice to properly discuss what will happen when the old man dies.

In Hungary, Emperor Charles negotiates a settlement with the Ottomans. They keep lower Hungary from Pecs, and the tribute that the previous Kings of Hungary had to pay is rescinded. Charles is not entirely happy about this, but he takes it for a victory and begins a progress of his new realm, facing the prospect of how to actually effectively administer these territories. He decides that when the time comes he will need to partition the Empire to make it more viable as an entity.

In England, King Edmund orders the arrest of one William Carey, a man known to the King through family acquaintances. Carey is charged with corresponding with French diplomats and sharing things that he should not be. Carey is tried for treason and executed. His estates declared forfeit. The King then sets about changing everything about his policy in regards to France, to confuse the diplomats and everyone but himself, his wife and the Duke of Norfolk. He also arranges a temporary betrothal between his son and heir, Prince George and Princess Maria of Portugal.
 
1539: Sensing the ever growing need for the Tudor dynasty to expand, King Edmund and King John of Portugal agree that the marriage ceremony between the Prince of Wales and Princess Maria shall take place this year. The marriage occurs at Westminster Abbey, and before the year's end the Princess of Wales is said to be heavy with child. King Edmund also issues summons for Parliament, where the main issues discussed are financing the expanding road project, that the King wants to use to expand the connectivity between the various people in England. It is agreed that a further £300,000 for the venture.

In the Holy Roman Empire, sensing his ever growing mortality, the Emperor formally has his second born son Carlos declared King of the Romans, the first step in a long line of steps to split the Habsburg inheritance and prevent such a massive burden falling on anyone else's shoulders. Charles also receives good news in the fact that the betrothal between his son and heir Philip, Prince of Asturias, and Eleanor of Portugal has gone through. With this solidified, Charles feels confident in the security of his dynasty.
 
1540: In Scotland, James IV aged sixty-seven dies. Having reign for fifty-two years, the King leaves behind an interesting legacy. His son, the Duke of Rothesay succeeds him as King James V and immediately continues purging anyone he deems to be a heretic. His father is buried in the ground and prayers are said for the man's soul, but the new King is more focused on rooting out heresy than in thinking about the loss of such an imposing figure. James orders the arrest of the Earl of Arran for suspected heretical activities, and when documents are found on the Earl's manservant expressing sympathy with heretical clerics in hiding, the man is burned at the stake.

In England, King Edmund buoyed by the birth of a grandson, named Edmund, continues the road construction project, but also takes a leaf out of his cousin's book across the border and begins properly persecuting Protestants. Edmund had been willing to let them do what they wished so long as they did not cause too much trouble, but having learned that many Protestants in the south-east, are refusing to pay higher contributions for the great road network, the King has lost patience and has therefore begun carving into them. There are a great many burnings and trials. Lots of land and property is seized and kept by the crown.
 
1541: Despite the victory over the Turk a few years ago, all is not completely well within the Holy Roman Empire. The growing Protestant heresy is something that continues to trouble Emperor Charles, and keeps him up at night, having to travel between Brussels and Prague is also starting to take a strain on his health. Summoning another diet to meet in Prague, Charles orders the princes and the priests and clergy to discuss their concerns until the issue is resolved. The meeting lasts for the whole year, before Charles ends it in disgust, frustrated, he retires to Brussels, where his wife waits for him as do his remaining children.

In Portugal, King John issues several decrees that limit the power of the nobility to raise taxes in their own private lands without the consent of the King. He also ensures that the tax collectors have the proper authority to take what can and cannot be done with regards to the taxation due from the higher ranking nobles. John also appoints several new members of the nobility to positions over power in the Portuguese colonies.
 
1542: In Scotland, King James V summons a meeting of Parliament, it has been some years since last Parliament met and the new King wishes to know the lay of the land. What he gets is a series of letters and formal speeches by lords and lairds and merchants alike asking the King to reduce the taxation level from what many see as a crippling 25% to a more reasonable 20%. They argue that the Treasury has more than enough money to see it through without the reduction of taxation denting the coffers too much. They also argue that the prosecution of heretics is something that must continue without end, for then and only then will they truly be clear of his father's sins. James listens to this, he refuses to lower taxation but does agree to continue the persecutions.

After a few mistarts, a child is born to the Prince and Princess of Asturias, the child is thankfully for the Prince a boy, named Carlos in honour of his grandfather. The Prince of Asturias soon settles into administration, finding new ways of levying funds for redecorating El Escorial as well as improving the roadways and sewage systems throughout Spain. Despite the abundance of gold and silver coming in from the new world, the Spanish are finding it hard to keep their finances properly in check.
 
1543: Louis XIII, bitter and angry with the way his life has progressed and wanting desperately to achieve some sort of fame before he dies starts writing back and forth with certain Navarrese nobles, to stir discontent with Spanish rule, and when he has enough of them riled up, he declares war on Spain and sends a force under the command of the Duke of Bourbon to the south, whilst he himself rides northwards, where a surprise attack catches Charles off guard. In Spain however, the Duke of Bourbon is defeated by the Prince of Asturias-who had been forewarned- and when Bourbon is captured, things do not end well for his men.

In England, King Edmund learns of Louis's invasion of Spain, and sighing to himself and to his wife, summons Parliament. Parliament reluctantly grants him the money to clash with France, he musters an invasion force, leaving his son as regent, he sails to Calais and from Calais, marches northwards. Louis is trapped, but this time having learned from past mistakes, dances around the English, leading them on a merry chase, burning towns and villages as he goes. Edmund frustrated withdraws and holds a position waiting for Charles to stir.
 
1544: Envoys are sent to King James of Scotland, pleading with him to involve himself in the fighting, but hesitant to do anything that might further jeopardise his position within Scotland-not that he need worry- he regretfully refuses to involve himself and instead contents himself with the burning of several heretics, amongst them the Earl of Moray, who had given himself over to lust and wanton ways, in the name of Knox and Calvin. For his work in reducing heresy, the Pope grants James the title Defender of the Faith.

In the low countries, Charles finally stirs, bringing with him a great force. Louis XIII shakes slightly when he learns about the size of the force coming to his doors to hit him. He briefly considers suing for peace, but then changes his mind. He stands his ground, holds firm and brings the battle to the two enemies who he has so hated. The result is as expected, France is utterly defeated, Louis, sticking to his guns, refuses to surrender, refuses to break, and indeed he dies with his sword in hand, a smile on his lips. Louis XIII dies, and his son and successor, Louis XIV, is left to sue for peace.
 
1545: The fallout from the death of Louis XIII reverberates around Europe. The French King had done much during the interwar years, he had built up French defences, he had built up their cities and their industry and artworks, his son Louis XIV is now faced with having to make serious concessions to Charles and Edmund. Calais has the pale extended, Charles gets a greater payoff to prevent him from invading properly, and there are talks even if they are just that, that Burgundy might be returned to him.

In Mainland Europe, the Pope summons another meeting to discuss the issue of the church and reform. The Pope does not seem to have gotten the inkling that the matter has been resolved for many for years now. Yet, Princes, the Emperor and Bishops all attend. The arguments are over transubstantiation, how the Bible is read-meaning what language- and many other things. Nothing gets properly resolved, and the Pope sighs, and the Emperor feels as though this will solve nothing. A few Princes such as the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg meet to discuss what they want.
 
1546: Tired and weary, the Pope summons the meeting for another discussion about Church doctrine. The ties that once held the Empire are gone, too much time has elapsed to make it worthwhile for any of the Princes to seriously consider either returning to the fold or ever allowing heretics back into their homes as anything else than trophies. Sensing this, the Pope decides that enough is enough, he dissolves the meeting and sends the Princes home. Word reaches the Emperor that the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg alongside several other minor Princes have banded together, to form the Solemn League, an organisation set on protecting the rights and liberties of Protestants in the Empire. Charles, tired and angry from the failed meetings orders their arrests, they state he does not have the authority, and the drums of war begin to sound. An initial battle between Saxony and Bavaria forces the Emperor's hand, and after brief peace, war comes to the Empire once more.

In France, Louis XIV, young and nervous greets the news that Francis, Count of Angouleme, who had been a prisoner of the Emperor's for the past thirty years has died, with a shrug, he did not know the man, and now that there is one less troublesome branch of the family around he can rest easy. However, his brothers Charles and Henri are causing issues, demanding proper purses to fund their lifestyles and that of their young families. Louis who is himself unwed, has started looking for a bride, but is not sure just what it is he is looking for.
 
1547: In England, King Edmund summons Parliament, this time to discuss the Pale of Calais and the new areas that were given over during the peace settlement of 1545. Top on his list of concerns is sending people there to live and work in the fields and in the towns and villages. Edmund bluntly states that he does not trust the French people living in the newly occupied towns and would feel a lot safer and happier if the English were in what are now English towns and villages. Parliament agrees and grants a large fund to be given to anyone who wishes to make the journey across the channel, which sees a few thousand people travel across. In family matters, the King becomes a grandfather once more, when his daughter in law gives birth to twins, a boy named Henry and a girl named Isabella.

In Scotland, James V continues to hunt down heretics with a zeal that scares even some of the most fanatical Catholic lords in the realm. Almost daily there are countless burnings of one heretic or another, families are left torn in half, and villages are left bereft of people. Some consider pleading with the King to stop such a mad dash for such religious fervour, but do not do so for fear of incurring the King's wrath themselves. The King also has his sons taught the truth of the religion they are persecuting as well as the need for ensuring that if never spreads. Alexander takes more easily to the King's philosophy.
 
1548: The war tearing through the Empire is leaving many without homes, food or land. The Emperor has taken on a new approach. Having seen that the Protestants are not willing to sit down and talk, and having grown tired of talking himself, the Emperor has decided to settle this matter with the sword and gunpowder. Foreign powers such as Denmark and France are slowly getting involved, funding one side or another, and the Emperor continues to fight and win, the unstoppable nature of the Catholic powers is something that terrifies the Elector of Saxony, but now he has sealed his fate he cannot change course.

Sensing an opportunity to cause more trouble, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire begins secret meetings and negotiations with the Protestant Princes and sends men northwards toward Hungary. When the Emperor warns him against doing anything he might later regret, the Emperor glibly responds that he is merely doing what any sane man would do during a time of trouble on his border, he is protecting his lands and people.
 
1549: In the Pale of Calais, settlers arrive by the drive, bringing with them the English language and new techniques for farming and water production that the settlers in Calais have never seen before. The Captain General of Calais, one Richard Rich writes to the King that "The settlers are quickly adapting to their new environment, and are bringing with them a great many new revolutions that others might not have previously seen or experienced before. It is to our benefit, Sire, that these people are here." Needless to state when he reads that, King Edmund feels very content. He feels so good, he does not notice the lump forming on his back.

In Ireland, the nobles and the clans are clashing over one issue or another. It seems that there are some who wish to bring more innovations to the island, whilst there are those who wish for nothing of the sort to happen. London gets involved, and tries to resolve the matter peacefully, but eventually, realises that only force can soothe the problems that are growing within the island.
 
1550: Ireland resolves itself through the murder of several belligerent clan chiefs. New men come in and are enticed to stay true to London and the things that their forefathers would never have consented to. For doing this, the Pope grants Edmund the title King of Ireland, thus showing that his authority is now absolute. Edmund celebrates, but the growing pain on his back, forces him to delegate more council meetings and authority to the Prince of Wales.

In the Empire, the Emperor is being pushed onto the back foot, the rebels are gaining ground mainly by winning the PR war that the Emperor is failing to pick up on, and as such the more peasants and merchants who flock to the rebels, the harder it is for the Emperor to find out just what needs to be done to truly rout the heretics.
 
1551: In England, King Edmund signs off on several bills that protect royal forests and land from encroachment and also ensures that land in Ireland is properly protected from warring clan chiefs. He then gives over the privy seal to his son and the coronation robes and crown before retiring to his rooms. The next morning he is found by his valet dead. The growth on his back had grown and eventually resulted in his death, cancer of the highest degree. The King who for nearly forty years had ruled England with a firm and compassionate hand is dead, his son is proclaimed George I of England, and the country goes into mourning.

Whilst England mourns, Emperor Charles manages to finally defeat the Protestant heretics, and in the ensuing Peace of Augsburg enforces strict terms on them. In the privacy of their own chambers they might follow whatever religion they want, but in public within their domains they must follow the Catholic faith as must their subjects. There is some grumbling, but the Emperor reminds them that the Turk is just around the corner waiting to pounce, and therefore they need to put up or shut up. Most decide to shut up and agree to the reasonable terms.
 
Top