Edward IV’s Bourbon Bride: A Collaborative Timeline
- Thread starter RedKing
- Start date
Nor did I until I read this! This is fabulous!This is hilarious 😂
Also this 🤣
is it weird that I hope they manage a kid before he dies? I feel like it is but that would shift so many peoples plans around.
I want them to have a kid too!!! Preferably a son since that would really mess up John of Portugal’s plans.
The Beginning of a Reign
January 1487: With the regency of his nephew Ferdinand II of Naples over, Prince Frederick sails to the city of Durrës, where he is proclaimed as King of Albania on January 29, 1487.
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The Birth of an Iberian Union
February-July, 1487: As Enrique I of Aragon truly begins to slip away, Juana I of Castile begins to spread the word that the marriage has been consummated. In a letter to the King of Portugal, as part of her hopes for Iberian alliance, she outlines how his brush with death made him a man, and suggests that she may already be pregnant. John writes back, offering one of his sons or daughters for the child, and wishing her a safe delivery when the time comes. The fact that Juana doesn't actually know if she's pregnant yet means very little. The marriage has been consummated. That itself is further than anyone assumed would or even could happen. Thus, when Enrique dies on the 12th of March, Juana shortly after officially confirms her first pregnancy. As her belly swells and her confidence grows, she prepares for the birth of her heir.
John II of Portugal, meanwhile, has essentially lost out on Claude of France. Louis XII, even as the Portuguese emissaries attempt to salvage the alliance, has her marriage set back on track for England. In a historic meeting between the Kings of England, Scotland and France, Henry VII, now not quite a man at 14, arrives in Calais with an entourage of nearly 200 men and women, along with his sister, Margaret of Lancaster, and the Duke of Somerset as his main handler. Henry and Louis exchange niceties, and the marriages of the English and Scottish Kings are done. Claude of France finally gets to meet the man she has been pining for. He's not very impressive.
Henry VII of England, at 14, is short and rather fat. With large grey eyes and thin blonde hair, he looks more like a man of the Church than a gallant knight. He's not necessarily lacking charm, she certainly enjoys the chivalric poetry he recites to her at dinner, but he's distinctly lacking in romance for her. The fact that he is accompanied by a retinue of some of the most attractive men in England makes the disappointment all the more...disappointing. But her groom is, in many ways, less impressed than she is.
The Princess Claude of France is tall. Very tall. Now, it's not that Henry of Lancaster is against tall women. His sister is taller than him and even the young Anne of Burgundy, the heiress to the Countess of Warwick, stands a few inches above him. Most women do. He's still growing, hopefully. But Claude has more than a hands-width over him. And so when she looks down at him and gives him a pitying smile, he's suddenly aware of how women might see him. It's frankly a little disturbing. But more than just tall, she's just kind of an unappealing presence. Bad teeth under pinched lips. Terrible breath. A tendency to spit as she talks. And worst of all, she's completely vapid to him. He's one of the best educated Princes in Europe, she finds his discussions of science and economics boring.
That being said, no one really cares that the two teenaged royals find each other unfortunate. The weddings go ahead as planned, England than Scotland. For their part, James IV of Scotland and Margaret of Lancaster find each other just fine. She's a pretty enough girl with an interest in hunting, he's a boy eager for companionship on his hunts. Anne Neville, back in England (where she awaits what will ultimately be the birth of a healthy son, William Beaufort) warned the Princess that her husband might not be the ideal man, but she must cherish his flaws as well as his attractions. Henry and Claude have received no such instruction. But regardless, they are wed, and return to London.
Catherine of York, meanwhile, is back in Italy and this time, in Venice. There feted by the the Venetians, she finds herself a new beau. Eugene of Lusignan, bastard son of a bastard son who became King of Cyprus, brings forward a unique opportunity. Wanting to become King of Cyprus himself, as it's currently under the control of his father's widow, he offers to marry Catherine and lead an army paid for by Venice to take England back. Then, they'll return with English troops and take Cyprus. While a flattering and romantic plan, Catherine is truly unconvinced. Firstly, she's aware of Charlotte of Cyprus in Rome, having sold her rights to the nation to the Duke of Savoy, and doesn't feel like sticking the knife in deeper for the poor woman. But secondly, and more importantly, the plan is STUPID. He's a handsome young man, and Catherine briefly considers abandoning her English dreams for him, but ultimately her goal is not power. It's England. She leaves Venice and heads to Montferrat, where Beatrice of Naples has just give birth to a daughter named Theresa of Montferrat. There, she suggests that Beatrice might like to visit her nephew and suggests that..just maybe he might need a bride still. Eleanor of Portugal still hasn't been locked in yet.
Beatrice will do no such thing, and suggests that her visitor might do better as a nun like everyone intended. Not only is Catherine a bother to her personally, but she's a threat to the legitimacy of Margaret of York's inheritance. Beatrice's next move will be to return to France and retrieve her daughter as soon as she can. Louis XI of France has sent her updates on the young girl's health, and it bodes well for her.
September-November, 1487: In Brittany, Anne of Savoy gives birth to a daughter, Eleanor of Brittany, who dies hours after the birth. The court goes into mourning, seemingly so soon after the exciting news that Marie of Brittany has given birth to a son, Francis of Bourbon. There is a Bourbon Prince! Marie, unhappy in her marriage, hopes that this might be the last time she's forced to do this for that man, but accepts the accolades regardless. She's one of the highest women in the realm. She needs to bask in it.
The Duke of Alencon, meanwhile, sees his prospective bride in Yolande of Lorraine snatched when the Duke of Orleans gets to her first. Charles, having shown himself faithful to the King, is granted the special treatment fo Louis advocating on his behalf for Yolande, currently her brother's heiress after the unfortunate death of his second wife. Alencon isn't fully forgotten, however, as he marries her younger sister. The men are thus, technically, brothers, although neither are found of the other. To Alencon, Orleans is a sycophant, and the same is returned, except with less jealousy.
Juana of Aragon, the Duchess of Anjou gives birth to another daughter, Suzanne of Anjou.
Anne d'Orleans, wife of Jacques of Foix, is pregnant.
As Juana I of Castile prepares for her labour, rumours begin to swirl. Firstly, they suggest that Maria of Castile, suddenly legitimate and yet, without the intended spouse, will be disinherited in favour of the Portuguese King. Or that Juana has brought the d'Este girls to be her heiresses. Or that Isabel of Aragon shall ascend to the throne in a messy Regency. The truth is, Juana has no contingency plans. Maria is technically her heiress, but she's refused to make her the Princess of Asturias. She won't allow any discussions of her child not surviving. Or herself. This is the future.
And so, when the swelling in her belly deflates and Juana is left unpregnant, without a child and humiliated, it's quite frankly a bit shocking.
Everything had seemed so perfect. But when people in the court less loyal to Juana recount the pregnancy, it sounds a little different to the sparkling story of perfect motherhood the Queen has been peddling in. The biggest tell was the continued menstral cycle. Also, the lack of proof of consummation. But at the end of the day, everyone wanted to believe. It would have been so poetic for the King to revive just long enough to impregnate his Queen. Too perfect, it seems, and Juana not only returns to her position without an heir, but having to face the prospect of telling the world her child was an illusion. Instead, she lies. Juana rewrites the events of her lying in to state that she miscarried a son. The rest of Europe isn't sure whether to buy it (Jacques of Foix especially labels it as a lie and a ruse for obvious reasons) but what's clear is Juana is back on the market and available to give any Prince two whole Kingdoms. Ferdinand II of Naples seems an obvious choice to her, but she's holding off for the time being. She needs to heal, both physically and mentally, from this ordeal.
John II of Portugal, realising his hoped for marriage to Juana isn't going to happen, looks instead inwards. While foreign brides might be interesting, too many powerful relatives abroad could spell trouble for his future children and, truly, he thinks he might have found love again. Guiomar of Braganza's sister, Beatriz of Braganza, has a teenaged daughter that's the spitting image of her aunt. Joana de Noronha is just the type John has been looking for...in a mistress. But the teenaged girl, frightened of her father and God, refuses to even consider going to bed with the King. Her modesty isn't really what attracts him, however. It's her affection for his children. Having been part of the household for the Infanta Beatriz since her birth in 1479, the young woman is practically part of the family. Even Margaret of York likes her (although much less considering what's about to happen). Thus, John decides he needs to move on quickly now that Claude and Juana are off the table, and marries the young woman in a private ceremony before settling her in as Queen. Everyone is a little shocked.
In England, the newlyweds are proving particularly distant. Claude is granted the full Queen's dower and households as promised, but kept close in London by Anne Neville as she's adjusting to the English way of life. It's not significantly different from France, but it just isn't home. That might actually be a benefit, if anyone was willing to befriend her. The Countess of Warwick finds her cloying and mean, but she at least recognises that this is a young girl trying to find her footing. Jasper Tudor, less kind, privately laughs with his wife that the Queen is the mistake he assumed she was (that he never fought against the marriage, but the contracts, isn't really important) and Henry VII truly enters manhood by taking a woman to bed. Not the Queen. They meet semi-frequently but not enthusiastically. No, young Henry has a flirtation with the sister of a favoured knight, Anne Boleyn. Many assume the young girl is his full blown mistress already. Even if not, she's certainly a thorn in Queen Claude's side, who complains loudly that her ladies are "too gaudy",
December, 1487: The Duke of Brittany is dead. Francis II of Brittany dies in his sleep, to the shock and horror of his wife and 4 surviving children. Marie of Brittany, bitterly pregnant again already, abandons her husband and infant son to be with her stepmother and siblings. The young Count of Montfort is now Francis III, Duke of Brittany. Anne of Savoy steps in as Regent for her stepson. The Bretons are a close family, and all seems like it will be well for them.
Not so in Foix, where the titular Queen of Aragon is at war with her mother-in-law.
Eleanor of Trastamara, upon hearing of Juana I of Castile's current run of things, sees a way forward. If Jacques was just free to marry, now that Enrique is gone, she might decide to settle this feud and unite their claims. Anne d'Orleans, Jacque's pregnant wife, is oddly offended by this plan and her husband's seeming interest in it. When Eleanor suggests that she's replaceable, there's sparks. When Eleanor suggests the alliance she brings is a waste, there's flames. When Eleanor states plainly that she's a glorified mistress and will be set aside the moment she's of no use to her, there's an explosion. It's not sure who hits who first, but there is a brawl in Foix and by the end of it, Anne is bruised and Eleanor has to be held up. Realising her husband will not pick her side, she leaves. Anne d'Orleans runs back to her brother's house, pregnant, and refuses to return home. Which is fine with Eleanor. More of Jacques' time and energy is available to her. The man in question is miserable and rightfully so.
In England, Cecily Bonville announces her first pregnancy. Jasper Tudor, deeply affected by his first wife's loss, retreats with Cecily to protect and care for her during these coming months. Anne Neville sends them off with well wishes and relics she believed helped her deliver her son.
In Scotland, Margaret of Lancaster is popular for her riding skills and gentle manners.
Beatrice of Naples sets off for Paris, where she wants to get her daughter back. Her husband agrees to 3 months, nominally to retrieve monies owed from her second husband's family. He's just delighted in their little Theresa and wants his wife happy before they start trying for a son again. Happy wife, happy life.
Catherine of York arrived in Milan with the same plan she always has. She's beautiful, and heiress, and charming. It shouldn't be hard to find a rich Prince who wants the glory of saving England. And she finds someone who wants her. Maybe not England, but definitely her. The Duke of Bari, Ludovico Sforza, is rich, has the might of Milan theoretically at his disposal, and unlike the last man with these types of qualifications, is actually willing to marry her. Catherine, sensing victory, marries the Duke days before Christmas. They celebrate and Catherine writes to her aunt in Portugal, telling her of her coup and asking that she sanction the marriage hoped for between the Duke of Milan and one of her daughters. Margaret is happy for her niece and excited that the Yorkists are getting somewhere. She sanctions her daughter's betrothal, but sets the date 3 years hence. Her twins are all she has left. They need to be grown before they leave her.
11th of January, 1488: Juana I of Castile is married to Ferdinand II of Naples. They both travel to Sardinia for the ceremony.
John II of Portugal, meanwhile, has essentially lost out on Claude of France. Louis XII, even as the Portuguese emissaries attempt to salvage the alliance, has her marriage set back on track for England. In a historic meeting between the Kings of England, Scotland and France, Henry VII, now not quite a man at 14, arrives in Calais with an entourage of nearly 200 men and women, along with his sister, Margaret of Lancaster, and the Duke of Somerset as his main handler. Henry and Louis exchange niceties, and the marriages of the English and Scottish Kings are done. Claude of France finally gets to meet the man she has been pining for. He's not very impressive.
Henry VII of England, at 14, is short and rather fat. With large grey eyes and thin blonde hair, he looks more like a man of the Church than a gallant knight. He's not necessarily lacking charm, she certainly enjoys the chivalric poetry he recites to her at dinner, but he's distinctly lacking in romance for her. The fact that he is accompanied by a retinue of some of the most attractive men in England makes the disappointment all the more...disappointing. But her groom is, in many ways, less impressed than she is.
The Princess Claude of France is tall. Very tall. Now, it's not that Henry of Lancaster is against tall women. His sister is taller than him and even the young Anne of Burgundy, the heiress to the Countess of Warwick, stands a few inches above him. Most women do. He's still growing, hopefully. But Claude has more than a hands-width over him. And so when she looks down at him and gives him a pitying smile, he's suddenly aware of how women might see him. It's frankly a little disturbing. But more than just tall, she's just kind of an unappealing presence. Bad teeth under pinched lips. Terrible breath. A tendency to spit as she talks. And worst of all, she's completely vapid to him. He's one of the best educated Princes in Europe, she finds his discussions of science and economics boring.
That being said, no one really cares that the two teenaged royals find each other unfortunate. The weddings go ahead as planned, England than Scotland. For their part, James IV of Scotland and Margaret of Lancaster find each other just fine. She's a pretty enough girl with an interest in hunting, he's a boy eager for companionship on his hunts. Anne Neville, back in England (where she awaits what will ultimately be the birth of a healthy son, William Beaufort) warned the Princess that her husband might not be the ideal man, but she must cherish his flaws as well as his attractions. Henry and Claude have received no such instruction. But regardless, they are wed, and return to London.
Catherine of York, meanwhile, is back in Italy and this time, in Venice. There feted by the the Venetians, she finds herself a new beau. Eugene of Lusignan, bastard son of a bastard son who became King of Cyprus, brings forward a unique opportunity. Wanting to become King of Cyprus himself, as it's currently under the control of his father's widow, he offers to marry Catherine and lead an army paid for by Venice to take England back. Then, they'll return with English troops and take Cyprus. While a flattering and romantic plan, Catherine is truly unconvinced. Firstly, she's aware of Charlotte of Cyprus in Rome, having sold her rights to the nation to the Duke of Savoy, and doesn't feel like sticking the knife in deeper for the poor woman. But secondly, and more importantly, the plan is STUPID. He's a handsome young man, and Catherine briefly considers abandoning her English dreams for him, but ultimately her goal is not power. It's England. She leaves Venice and heads to Montferrat, where Beatrice of Naples has just give birth to a daughter named Theresa of Montferrat. There, she suggests that Beatrice might like to visit her nephew and suggests that..just maybe he might need a bride still. Eleanor of Portugal still hasn't been locked in yet.
Beatrice will do no such thing, and suggests that her visitor might do better as a nun like everyone intended. Not only is Catherine a bother to her personally, but she's a threat to the legitimacy of Margaret of York's inheritance. Beatrice's next move will be to return to France and retrieve her daughter as soon as she can. Louis XI of France has sent her updates on the young girl's health, and it bodes well for her.
September-November, 1487: In Brittany, Anne of Savoy gives birth to a daughter, Eleanor of Brittany, who dies hours after the birth. The court goes into mourning, seemingly so soon after the exciting news that Marie of Brittany has given birth to a son, Francis of Bourbon. There is a Bourbon Prince! Marie, unhappy in her marriage, hopes that this might be the last time she's forced to do this for that man, but accepts the accolades regardless. She's one of the highest women in the realm. She needs to bask in it.
The Duke of Alencon, meanwhile, sees his prospective bride in Yolande of Lorraine snatched when the Duke of Orleans gets to her first. Charles, having shown himself faithful to the King, is granted the special treatment fo Louis advocating on his behalf for Yolande, currently her brother's heiress after the unfortunate death of his second wife. Alencon isn't fully forgotten, however, as he marries her younger sister. The men are thus, technically, brothers, although neither are found of the other. To Alencon, Orleans is a sycophant, and the same is returned, except with less jealousy.
Juana of Aragon, the Duchess of Anjou gives birth to another daughter, Suzanne of Anjou.
Anne d'Orleans, wife of Jacques of Foix, is pregnant.
As Juana I of Castile prepares for her labour, rumours begin to swirl. Firstly, they suggest that Maria of Castile, suddenly legitimate and yet, without the intended spouse, will be disinherited in favour of the Portuguese King. Or that Juana has brought the d'Este girls to be her heiresses. Or that Isabel of Aragon shall ascend to the throne in a messy Regency. The truth is, Juana has no contingency plans. Maria is technically her heiress, but she's refused to make her the Princess of Asturias. She won't allow any discussions of her child not surviving. Or herself. This is the future.
And so, when the swelling in her belly deflates and Juana is left unpregnant, without a child and humiliated, it's quite frankly a bit shocking.
Everything had seemed so perfect. But when people in the court less loyal to Juana recount the pregnancy, it sounds a little different to the sparkling story of perfect motherhood the Queen has been peddling in. The biggest tell was the continued menstral cycle. Also, the lack of proof of consummation. But at the end of the day, everyone wanted to believe. It would have been so poetic for the King to revive just long enough to impregnate his Queen. Too perfect, it seems, and Juana not only returns to her position without an heir, but having to face the prospect of telling the world her child was an illusion. Instead, she lies. Juana rewrites the events of her lying in to state that she miscarried a son. The rest of Europe isn't sure whether to buy it (Jacques of Foix especially labels it as a lie and a ruse for obvious reasons) but what's clear is Juana is back on the market and available to give any Prince two whole Kingdoms. Ferdinand II of Naples seems an obvious choice to her, but she's holding off for the time being. She needs to heal, both physically and mentally, from this ordeal.
John II of Portugal, realising his hoped for marriage to Juana isn't going to happen, looks instead inwards. While foreign brides might be interesting, too many powerful relatives abroad could spell trouble for his future children and, truly, he thinks he might have found love again. Guiomar of Braganza's sister, Beatriz of Braganza, has a teenaged daughter that's the spitting image of her aunt. Joana de Noronha is just the type John has been looking for...in a mistress. But the teenaged girl, frightened of her father and God, refuses to even consider going to bed with the King. Her modesty isn't really what attracts him, however. It's her affection for his children. Having been part of the household for the Infanta Beatriz since her birth in 1479, the young woman is practically part of the family. Even Margaret of York likes her (although much less considering what's about to happen). Thus, John decides he needs to move on quickly now that Claude and Juana are off the table, and marries the young woman in a private ceremony before settling her in as Queen. Everyone is a little shocked.
In England, the newlyweds are proving particularly distant. Claude is granted the full Queen's dower and households as promised, but kept close in London by Anne Neville as she's adjusting to the English way of life. It's not significantly different from France, but it just isn't home. That might actually be a benefit, if anyone was willing to befriend her. The Countess of Warwick finds her cloying and mean, but she at least recognises that this is a young girl trying to find her footing. Jasper Tudor, less kind, privately laughs with his wife that the Queen is the mistake he assumed she was (that he never fought against the marriage, but the contracts, isn't really important) and Henry VII truly enters manhood by taking a woman to bed. Not the Queen. They meet semi-frequently but not enthusiastically. No, young Henry has a flirtation with the sister of a favoured knight, Anne Boleyn. Many assume the young girl is his full blown mistress already. Even if not, she's certainly a thorn in Queen Claude's side, who complains loudly that her ladies are "too gaudy",
December, 1487: The Duke of Brittany is dead. Francis II of Brittany dies in his sleep, to the shock and horror of his wife and 4 surviving children. Marie of Brittany, bitterly pregnant again already, abandons her husband and infant son to be with her stepmother and siblings. The young Count of Montfort is now Francis III, Duke of Brittany. Anne of Savoy steps in as Regent for her stepson. The Bretons are a close family, and all seems like it will be well for them.
Not so in Foix, where the titular Queen of Aragon is at war with her mother-in-law.
Eleanor of Trastamara, upon hearing of Juana I of Castile's current run of things, sees a way forward. If Jacques was just free to marry, now that Enrique is gone, she might decide to settle this feud and unite their claims. Anne d'Orleans, Jacque's pregnant wife, is oddly offended by this plan and her husband's seeming interest in it. When Eleanor suggests that she's replaceable, there's sparks. When Eleanor suggests the alliance she brings is a waste, there's flames. When Eleanor states plainly that she's a glorified mistress and will be set aside the moment she's of no use to her, there's an explosion. It's not sure who hits who first, but there is a brawl in Foix and by the end of it, Anne is bruised and Eleanor has to be held up. Realising her husband will not pick her side, she leaves. Anne d'Orleans runs back to her brother's house, pregnant, and refuses to return home. Which is fine with Eleanor. More of Jacques' time and energy is available to her. The man in question is miserable and rightfully so.
In England, Cecily Bonville announces her first pregnancy. Jasper Tudor, deeply affected by his first wife's loss, retreats with Cecily to protect and care for her during these coming months. Anne Neville sends them off with well wishes and relics she believed helped her deliver her son.
In Scotland, Margaret of Lancaster is popular for her riding skills and gentle manners.
Beatrice of Naples sets off for Paris, where she wants to get her daughter back. Her husband agrees to 3 months, nominally to retrieve monies owed from her second husband's family. He's just delighted in their little Theresa and wants his wife happy before they start trying for a son again. Happy wife, happy life.
Catherine of York arrived in Milan with the same plan she always has. She's beautiful, and heiress, and charming. It shouldn't be hard to find a rich Prince who wants the glory of saving England. And she finds someone who wants her. Maybe not England, but definitely her. The Duke of Bari, Ludovico Sforza, is rich, has the might of Milan theoretically at his disposal, and unlike the last man with these types of qualifications, is actually willing to marry her. Catherine, sensing victory, marries the Duke days before Christmas. They celebrate and Catherine writes to her aunt in Portugal, telling her of her coup and asking that she sanction the marriage hoped for between the Duke of Milan and one of her daughters. Margaret is happy for her niece and excited that the Yorkists are getting somewhere. She sanctions her daughter's betrothal, but sets the date 3 years hence. Her twins are all she has left. They need to be grown before they leave her.
11th of January, 1488: Juana I of Castile is married to Ferdinand II of Naples. They both travel to Sardinia for the ceremony.
A Brewing Storm
February-April 1488: Juana of Castile (or Iberia as she is now styling herself) enjoys a splendid ceremony with her new husband Ferdinand. Though she still grieves Enrique, she finds her new husband suitable replacement and the two are growing quite fond of one another. So it is to no one's surprise that she is pregnant within weeks of the marriage. Both Juana and Ferdinand take extra care with their child, for should it be a boy, he will be the heir to House of Trastamara and to two Kingdoms. Juana also turns her attention to her sister, Infanta Maria. By now she is a fine young lady who would be one of the most prestigious brides in Europe, if it weren't for the fact nearly everyone believes her to be a bastard. The fact that the circumstances of her legitimisation were wonky to say the least doesn't help. Needing to do something with Maria, Juana suggests her as a bride to the Count of Ampurias, Enrique de Aragon y Pimentel, a distant cousin of hers. Enrique is a powerful nobleman, though he remained neutral during the chaotic, Aragonese Civil War. It is for this reason, Juana suggests the match, a match which Enrique excepts, provided his rank as a peer is raised. Juana obliges and creates him the Duke of Segorbe. A fortnight later the pair are married in a splendid ceremony. With her sister's marriage arranged, she turns her attention to her pregnancy, as she is eager to see it through.
Meanwhile in England, Henry VII is annoyed at the news of Catherine of York's marriage to the Duke of Bari, as not only can she now produce Yorkist heirs, but she has a husband who can fight for her rights. His aggravation is only increased upon hearing the news that the Duchess and so-called Queen is pregnant. Not wanting to be out done, Henry VII does the unthinkable, he takes a break from tending to Anne Boleyn and spends time with his wife Claude. Surprisingly the two find a common interest in the games cards and chess, which they quickly bond over. They also spend time riding across the Palace Gardens and hunting areas. Many remark that it seems the pair are actually happy together, especially when it becomes clear Claude is pregnant with child. Court activity begins to bustle as many await for the birth of a Prince of Wales, which would be the first in 15 years!
In France, the ageing Louis XI decides that he needs to deal with this Iberian Union in the south. To do so he needs to gain allies in Italy and Iberia. Firstly he renews the alliance with Foix, by pledging to place Jacques on the Aragonese throne. Secondly he officially declares his support for Charles of Anjou's claim to Naples, and begins negotiating an alliance with the Duchy of Savoy to further his chances of pressing Charles's claim. Thirdly, he offers his niece, Marie of Berry as a proxy bride to new Duke of Brittany, to assure their neutrality. The Bretons accept and a marriage contract is signed. Lastly, he signs another truce with England promising not to take arms against them for another 10 years. Just as Louis XI begins to prepare an army to fight for his allies' rights, he falls gravely ill with the flu, so much so it is feared he could die at any moment. The Dauphin soon returns to Paris, ready to be crowned at any moment.
Meanwhile in England, Henry VII is annoyed at the news of Catherine of York's marriage to the Duke of Bari, as not only can she now produce Yorkist heirs, but she has a husband who can fight for her rights. His aggravation is only increased upon hearing the news that the Duchess and so-called Queen is pregnant. Not wanting to be out done, Henry VII does the unthinkable, he takes a break from tending to Anne Boleyn and spends time with his wife Claude. Surprisingly the two find a common interest in the games cards and chess, which they quickly bond over. They also spend time riding across the Palace Gardens and hunting areas. Many remark that it seems the pair are actually happy together, especially when it becomes clear Claude is pregnant with child. Court activity begins to bustle as many await for the birth of a Prince of Wales, which would be the first in 15 years!
In France, the ageing Louis XI decides that he needs to deal with this Iberian Union in the south. To do so he needs to gain allies in Italy and Iberia. Firstly he renews the alliance with Foix, by pledging to place Jacques on the Aragonese throne. Secondly he officially declares his support for Charles of Anjou's claim to Naples, and begins negotiating an alliance with the Duchy of Savoy to further his chances of pressing Charles's claim. Thirdly, he offers his niece, Marie of Berry as a proxy bride to new Duke of Brittany, to assure their neutrality. The Bretons accept and a marriage contract is signed. Lastly, he signs another truce with England promising not to take arms against them for another 10 years. Just as Louis XI begins to prepare an army to fight for his allies' rights, he falls gravely ill with the flu, so much so it is feared he could die at any moment. The Dauphin soon returns to Paris, ready to be crowned at any moment.
The Calm before the Storm
May-July, 1488: Anne d'Orleans, titular Queen of Aragon gives birth to a daughter, Michelle of Foix. Her husband, having failed to cajoule her back, demands custody of his wife and daughter but sees some resistance from pretty much everyone involved. Anne remains quite clear that she's willing to return to him if, and only if, he sends his mother away. Eleanor of Trastamara is what is standing between them and not only a reconciliation, but her brother's support. Yes, Orleans has chosen his sister's side in the argument and thus has severed ties with his friend for now. He doesn't see this as something to do with hard feelings. Anne needs something and once Jacques provides, they'll all be hunky-doory. He's already working with the Duke of Anjou to secure Michelle's betrothal to the young Count of Maine, and hopes that one day there might be even more familial ties between them. But for now, he's settled with his sister and niece in his custody, enjoying married life with Yolande.
Further drama in France as the Duke of Lorraine attempts to abduct the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy. Anne of Julich-Berg, who has made it so clear she has no want or need for a second marriage, finds herself grabbed off a horse by a man that turns out to be Rene II of Lorraine. Furious, she kicks him in the face, causing significant damage, and her men do the rest. Rene isn't actually that hurt, but the broken nose marks him for what he has done, and the King of France has him escorted out of Paris and refused entry into his realms again. Frustrated, Rene makes his way back to his realm, and contracts a marriage with Maria of Serbia, an exiled noblewoman, in place of Anne.
But most of the tension in France is settled upon the weakened King of France, lying in his bed, waiting to die. His son visits him daily, and the Dauphine brings their 3 sons (Charles Frederic, Francois and Josse, born the previous year) to see their grandfather from a distance, to spare them from illness themselves. Louis XI, the Spider, languishes while the world waits on bated breathe. His daughter in England, too pregnant to travel, sends him frequent gifts and asks her husband to send a representative in her place. He chooses the Marquis of Dorset (Anne Neville's husband) and sets upon provide Claude with distractions where he can. They're slowly becoming closer, although most note that he still maintains his relationship with Anne Boleyn, who attends to the Countess of Warwick now that the Queen finds her presence uncomfortable.
Louis' death is drawn out over months, until eventually, on one of his visits, his son visits him and finds he isn't breathing. Thus, the King is dead, long live the King. Louis XII of France ascends to the throne. His sons are quickly made the Dauphin, Duke of Berry and Duke of Tourraine. Kunigunde writes to her father personally to deliver the news, and further suggests that maybe her brother and his wife might visit France sometime soon. Plans are already underway to invade Aragon and Naples. They may want in on that.
In England, Cecily Bonville delivers a healthy daughter, Alice Tudor.
August-October, 1488: In Aragon/Castile, the news that France is preparing an invasion despite the recent death of the King is not just unfortunate, it's distinctly unpopular in a nation that's changed hands in wars too frequently to be comfortable in the past few years. Particularly since Juana and Ferdinand have a major problem. Juana declaration that she is Queen of Iberia, which she considered a clever title to distinguish her union between Aragon and Castile, has deeply offended the Portuguese King. John has mostly played nice in the wars surrounding his neighbours, but this represents a major affront to his dignity. As was Juana's refusal of him, and her refusal to marry her sister to his son. In fact, he's finding it harder and harder to allow such a woman to be his neighbouring monarch. And so he agrees to join the French/Anglo/Austrian alliance against Juana, who's stuck waiting for this pregnancy to come to fruition before she can ride out. And Ferdinand isn't much better.
Nicholas of Lorraine's claims to Ferdinand II of Naples' throne were always secondary to his chances for Aragon, but with Charles of Anjou, with his Aragonese bride and his small army of children (added to by Juana late in the month with another son, Louis of Anjou, later in the month) having the support of France behind him, Naples could fall. His grand marriage, his plans, the work his father put into this, they'd all be for nothing. As Juana goes into early labour, giving birth to a stillborn son, Ferdinand leaves for his home country, fortifying his nation against the coming attacks and sending word to his uncle in Albania, begging for military support. He also writes to the King of Hungary, who writes to Milan and asks what they plan on doing. They plan on neutrality.
Untethered by the birth of a son, Edmund of Lancaster, Prince of Wales, Henry VII of England begins rallying his troops for the Aragonese War. Claude of France asks special permission to visit France to visit her father's burial site, but is refused by doctors who fear for her health following a difficult birth. When her husband agrees, she finds her buttons pushed and flies into a rage at him, before sulking in her rooms.
Portugal readies itself for war, and celebrates as the Infanta Isabel (John II's sister, not his daughter) is married by proxy to the Duke of Milan. Margaret of York demands to know why her 3 year date has been pushed forward, only to be warned that the war means they need to bring allies in quickly. The Queen Dowager is now cowed, and threatens to take herself and her remaining daughter into a nunnery if not given the dignity she deserves, which John threatens to agree to. Poor Queen Joana, trying to make peace, offers to help Margaret negotiate with the King for a local match for Eleanor, to keep her close. The Duke of Viseu needs a wife and Eleanor would be a great catch for him. Margaret spits in the Queen's face at such a lowly match for her daughter.
Mascarose of Armagnac, fearful that the coming wars will threaten not just her family but their livelihood in the small lands she hold to care for her three children, writes to the King of France asking desperately for some protections in the coming wars. When he fails to answer her calls, she asks her uncle as Regent to protect her. When that fails, Mascarose ultimately turns to the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy. Their children are cousins, she must have some space in her household for a widow and her young children. Anne of Julich-Berg takes pity on her, and Mascarose arrives in Paris shortly after. There's no admirers, no fanfare, no excitement for the titular Queen Dowager of England, nor her children, the Ladies Margaret and Cecily, and the titular King John II of England. When Louis XII of France suggests the children be sent to ENgland, it is Anne who prevents him, reminding him that they are in her care, not his. Realising this might be her chance, and using her new wards as an excuse, Anne takes her son and retinue to Burgundy. They will send some men, but it's time to take stock of Burgundy itself.
Yet another war for Aragon is afoot.
Further drama in France as the Duke of Lorraine attempts to abduct the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy. Anne of Julich-Berg, who has made it so clear she has no want or need for a second marriage, finds herself grabbed off a horse by a man that turns out to be Rene II of Lorraine. Furious, she kicks him in the face, causing significant damage, and her men do the rest. Rene isn't actually that hurt, but the broken nose marks him for what he has done, and the King of France has him escorted out of Paris and refused entry into his realms again. Frustrated, Rene makes his way back to his realm, and contracts a marriage with Maria of Serbia, an exiled noblewoman, in place of Anne.
But most of the tension in France is settled upon the weakened King of France, lying in his bed, waiting to die. His son visits him daily, and the Dauphine brings their 3 sons (Charles Frederic, Francois and Josse, born the previous year) to see their grandfather from a distance, to spare them from illness themselves. Louis XI, the Spider, languishes while the world waits on bated breathe. His daughter in England, too pregnant to travel, sends him frequent gifts and asks her husband to send a representative in her place. He chooses the Marquis of Dorset (Anne Neville's husband) and sets upon provide Claude with distractions where he can. They're slowly becoming closer, although most note that he still maintains his relationship with Anne Boleyn, who attends to the Countess of Warwick now that the Queen finds her presence uncomfortable.
Louis' death is drawn out over months, until eventually, on one of his visits, his son visits him and finds he isn't breathing. Thus, the King is dead, long live the King. Louis XII of France ascends to the throne. His sons are quickly made the Dauphin, Duke of Berry and Duke of Tourraine. Kunigunde writes to her father personally to deliver the news, and further suggests that maybe her brother and his wife might visit France sometime soon. Plans are already underway to invade Aragon and Naples. They may want in on that.
In England, Cecily Bonville delivers a healthy daughter, Alice Tudor.
August-October, 1488: In Aragon/Castile, the news that France is preparing an invasion despite the recent death of the King is not just unfortunate, it's distinctly unpopular in a nation that's changed hands in wars too frequently to be comfortable in the past few years. Particularly since Juana and Ferdinand have a major problem. Juana declaration that she is Queen of Iberia, which she considered a clever title to distinguish her union between Aragon and Castile, has deeply offended the Portuguese King. John has mostly played nice in the wars surrounding his neighbours, but this represents a major affront to his dignity. As was Juana's refusal of him, and her refusal to marry her sister to his son. In fact, he's finding it harder and harder to allow such a woman to be his neighbouring monarch. And so he agrees to join the French/Anglo/Austrian alliance against Juana, who's stuck waiting for this pregnancy to come to fruition before she can ride out. And Ferdinand isn't much better.
Nicholas of Lorraine's claims to Ferdinand II of Naples' throne were always secondary to his chances for Aragon, but with Charles of Anjou, with his Aragonese bride and his small army of children (added to by Juana late in the month with another son, Louis of Anjou, later in the month) having the support of France behind him, Naples could fall. His grand marriage, his plans, the work his father put into this, they'd all be for nothing. As Juana goes into early labour, giving birth to a stillborn son, Ferdinand leaves for his home country, fortifying his nation against the coming attacks and sending word to his uncle in Albania, begging for military support. He also writes to the King of Hungary, who writes to Milan and asks what they plan on doing. They plan on neutrality.
Untethered by the birth of a son, Edmund of Lancaster, Prince of Wales, Henry VII of England begins rallying his troops for the Aragonese War. Claude of France asks special permission to visit France to visit her father's burial site, but is refused by doctors who fear for her health following a difficult birth. When her husband agrees, she finds her buttons pushed and flies into a rage at him, before sulking in her rooms.
Portugal readies itself for war, and celebrates as the Infanta Isabel (John II's sister, not his daughter) is married by proxy to the Duke of Milan. Margaret of York demands to know why her 3 year date has been pushed forward, only to be warned that the war means they need to bring allies in quickly. The Queen Dowager is now cowed, and threatens to take herself and her remaining daughter into a nunnery if not given the dignity she deserves, which John threatens to agree to. Poor Queen Joana, trying to make peace, offers to help Margaret negotiate with the King for a local match for Eleanor, to keep her close. The Duke of Viseu needs a wife and Eleanor would be a great catch for him. Margaret spits in the Queen's face at such a lowly match for her daughter.
Mascarose of Armagnac, fearful that the coming wars will threaten not just her family but their livelihood in the small lands she hold to care for her three children, writes to the King of France asking desperately for some protections in the coming wars. When he fails to answer her calls, she asks her uncle as Regent to protect her. When that fails, Mascarose ultimately turns to the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy. Their children are cousins, she must have some space in her household for a widow and her young children. Anne of Julich-Berg takes pity on her, and Mascarose arrives in Paris shortly after. There's no admirers, no fanfare, no excitement for the titular Queen Dowager of England, nor her children, the Ladies Margaret and Cecily, and the titular King John II of England. When Louis XII of France suggests the children be sent to ENgland, it is Anne who prevents him, reminding him that they are in her care, not his. Realising this might be her chance, and using her new wards as an excuse, Anne takes her son and retinue to Burgundy. They will send some men, but it's time to take stock of Burgundy itself.
Yet another war for Aragon is afoot.
The Burgundian Decline
January 1489: Louis XII of France was having a fine day, preparing his invasion of Aragon when the news of Anne of Julich-Berg and her escapade to Burgundy reach him. The French King, remembering the scars he got from Anne's supporters after the death of the previous Duke of Burgundy, is well, enraged, that this "guest" of his would simply sit up and leave. And so is everyone in the Duchy of Burgundy, essentially. The machinations of Anne and the previous regents, especially the females, of the Duchy of Burgundy have brought only trouble to the Duchy, especially to Wallonia and Flanders, most often the stages of the wars fought. So, Burgundy's northern Counties and Duchies demand the King to do something. And so he does, his generals in Burgundy proper capturing Anna and the young John the III a few miles from Dijon. Her yorkist wards, too, fall once more into the grace of the French King.
Anne of Julich-Berg is a clever woman, and her charm was perhaps her greatest attribute. Indeed, many had once whispered that she and Louis had an affair, but Louis is about to commit to the roughest breakup one could think. Condeming the Burgundians for treason, and with the support of much of the Flemish and Walloon nobility, Louis revokes most of John's titles as punishment for Anne's treason. Flanders, Vermandois, Ponthieu, Boulogne, Hainaut, Brabant, Zeeland, Namur, Limburg, Luxembourg, Artois, all of them enter into Louis' rather long list of possessions. Louis, taking John as his ward, allows the boy to keep both Ducal and Palatine Burgundy, in his own words "In the mercy of my love for my dear cousin, who commited crimes not his". The Emperor, despite being Louis' father-in-law and ally, is utterly shaken at the news that Louis just revoked such massive ammounts of Imperial land from a Imperial Prince, although, technically, Louis was indeed liege over the land...
Louis also keeps Holland for himself, but he sends an offer to England: His sister Claude shall receive the County of Holland and it's possessions, if the English will only give him Calais...
In the Lower Netherlands, there is jubilation. Merchants cross from the Empire, to Holland, to Flanders, to Champagne, to Paris, to Aquitaine freely, and the money flowing into the French treasury becames rather... immense. The pope, worried about the balance of power, sends pleas to Paris that Louis cease his advances against Iberia but join arms with Iberia and Sicily to bring the infidels of North Africa to heel...
Anne of Julich-Berg is a clever woman, and her charm was perhaps her greatest attribute. Indeed, many had once whispered that she and Louis had an affair, but Louis is about to commit to the roughest breakup one could think. Condeming the Burgundians for treason, and with the support of much of the Flemish and Walloon nobility, Louis revokes most of John's titles as punishment for Anne's treason. Flanders, Vermandois, Ponthieu, Boulogne, Hainaut, Brabant, Zeeland, Namur, Limburg, Luxembourg, Artois, all of them enter into Louis' rather long list of possessions. Louis, taking John as his ward, allows the boy to keep both Ducal and Palatine Burgundy, in his own words "In the mercy of my love for my dear cousin, who commited crimes not his". The Emperor, despite being Louis' father-in-law and ally, is utterly shaken at the news that Louis just revoked such massive ammounts of Imperial land from a Imperial Prince, although, technically, Louis was indeed liege over the land...
Louis also keeps Holland for himself, but he sends an offer to England: His sister Claude shall receive the County of Holland and it's possessions, if the English will only give him Calais...
In the Lower Netherlands, there is jubilation. Merchants cross from the Empire, to Holland, to Flanders, to Champagne, to Paris, to Aquitaine freely, and the money flowing into the French treasury becames rather... immense. The pope, worried about the balance of power, sends pleas to Paris that Louis cease his advances against Iberia but join arms with Iberia and Sicily to bring the infidels of North Africa to heel...
Waning alliances
13th of February, 1489: Mary, Princess of Hungary dies of an illness.
February-April, 1489: Anna of Julich-Berg, accepting this defeat initially, turns to the Queen for support. She believes that her husband is wrong for taking all his cousin's lands away, and furthermore, she's extremely fond of the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy. Kunigunde, pregnant with baby number four (a daughter, Madeleine, to be born mid-April) asks her husband to show grace to the young woman. Pleading on her knees, a sight for the court with the extremely pregnant Queen, she asks for Louis to restore John's inheritance. When he refuses, she cries publicly, and the two show the first signs of distrust between them that have been seen yet. There is no common enemy in the King anymore. It is her husband's will alone, and the Queen has to bitterly accept that she cannot help her friend. Instead, she offers to try and broker a betrothal between her daughter and the young Duke.
Louis, meanwhile, is privately ashamed of how he let his wife down. But the trouble isn't that he doesn't want her to be happy. But he was able to put down a nuisance and bring in some money to their coffers. And if this Iberian plan goes well, they're going to go down in history.
The Plan goes as follows:
Except the rest of Europe aren't really into this whole thing.
England is probably the least offended. John III of Burgundy was a Yorkist opponent and having him made less threatening works out great. But quite frankly, Holland is not where they want to be. Normandy is the goal. At minimum they want something on the mainland. So Henry VII sends men to negotiate to include the counties of Flanders and maybe Artois in this deal. Give Claude a big ol' dowry. Then they might give up Calais.
Austria is probably the most worried. Not only does this encroach on their territory, but now that Naples and Hungary are less interested in each other due to the Princess Mary's death, they don't feel super threatened by what's going on. A Foix Aragon means nothing if they're just a French puppet state. Eleanor as Queen at least had some level of independence. This new theoretical King is young, in the pocket of the French, and can't even control his wife. Juana I of Castile even seems somewhat interested in allying with them. This doesn't have to mean the insanity it currently holds.
Brittany is just plain scarred. The Duke is young, their main alliance is with the Bourbons, who aren't going to be much help (Marie of Brittany's obvious distaste for her husband has made her no friends there), and they just don't have the resources to withstand the French at this power level. Anne of Savoy is grateful that they're playing nice for now, but doesn't trust the King. And so she writes to the King of England and asks if they would be interested in having the wardship of her daughter Charlotte, who is after all set to marry the Duke of York. They agree.
And finally, Juana I of Castile is just tired. A second pregnancy ends in miscarriage at 6 months, her husband is so focused on maintaining his own country (fair enough) that she's been left all alone. The Portuguese are now only really supporting her out of fear of the French getting too close. The English aren't playing along. Her sister's marriage is going terribly already (Maria is reportedly sleeping with a priest, like her mother used to).
Then the Austrian emissaries arrive.
They don't want France to take over everything and they're willing to play ball. Frederick's suggestion? Give up Aragon, even for a while, to prevent conflict while they figure this all out. Or just Navarre. Something to satisfy the French and Foix while they decide how to limit Louis XII of France as best as possible. They just can't have him win this yet. Now, Juana isn't going to do that. But an Austrian invasion of Brabant and Luxembourg while she's protecting what's her's sounds like a good plan. An expensive one, but a good one. She even writes to the English and suggests that they could totally take Normandy if they wanted to.
June, 1489: The Count of Armagnac is a young, handsome man with very little interest in the court politics at play. Thats' why when he shows up to Paris, everyone is so shocked. But he has his agenda. Not only is he hoping to betroth himself to the new Princess, but mostly, he wants in on this whole "invade Aragon" thing. Not for his uncle's sake. Jacques is not a man he finds smart, funny, or interesting. No, he wants Navarre. He's willing to invade himself if need be. But he'd love his liege's support. He also wants to meet with his grandmother before she ultimately dies.
No one takes the young man seriously, and he leaves after a week. His uncle promises him that next time will be different.
Isabella of Foix gives birth to a second son, John of Austria.
Yolande of Lorraine, Duchess of Orleans gives birth to a daughter, Marguerite d'Orleans.
Marguerite of Lorraine, Duchess of Alencon, miscarries a son.
Anne d'Orleans, Countess of Foix, agrees to return to her husband shortly.
August, 1489: Eleanor of Trastamara dies. Her son mourns deeply. It's rumoured that her daughter-in-law did it.
February-April, 1489: Anna of Julich-Berg, accepting this defeat initially, turns to the Queen for support. She believes that her husband is wrong for taking all his cousin's lands away, and furthermore, she's extremely fond of the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy. Kunigunde, pregnant with baby number four (a daughter, Madeleine, to be born mid-April) asks her husband to show grace to the young woman. Pleading on her knees, a sight for the court with the extremely pregnant Queen, she asks for Louis to restore John's inheritance. When he refuses, she cries publicly, and the two show the first signs of distrust between them that have been seen yet. There is no common enemy in the King anymore. It is her husband's will alone, and the Queen has to bitterly accept that she cannot help her friend. Instead, she offers to try and broker a betrothal between her daughter and the young Duke.
Louis, meanwhile, is privately ashamed of how he let his wife down. But the trouble isn't that he doesn't want her to be happy. But he was able to put down a nuisance and bring in some money to their coffers. And if this Iberian plan goes well, they're going to go down in history.
The Plan goes as follows:
- Place the Count of Foix on the Aragonese Throne
- Place the Duke of Anjou on the Neapolitan throne
- Destroy Juana I of Aragon and Castile's hold over Castile and replace her with someone on his side. Most likely Isabel of Foix married to one of his sons, or maybe Maria of Castile and her husband.
- Use this alliance to dominate Europe and dispel the heretics from Iberia.
Except the rest of Europe aren't really into this whole thing.
England is probably the least offended. John III of Burgundy was a Yorkist opponent and having him made less threatening works out great. But quite frankly, Holland is not where they want to be. Normandy is the goal. At minimum they want something on the mainland. So Henry VII sends men to negotiate to include the counties of Flanders and maybe Artois in this deal. Give Claude a big ol' dowry. Then they might give up Calais.
Austria is probably the most worried. Not only does this encroach on their territory, but now that Naples and Hungary are less interested in each other due to the Princess Mary's death, they don't feel super threatened by what's going on. A Foix Aragon means nothing if they're just a French puppet state. Eleanor as Queen at least had some level of independence. This new theoretical King is young, in the pocket of the French, and can't even control his wife. Juana I of Castile even seems somewhat interested in allying with them. This doesn't have to mean the insanity it currently holds.
Brittany is just plain scarred. The Duke is young, their main alliance is with the Bourbons, who aren't going to be much help (Marie of Brittany's obvious distaste for her husband has made her no friends there), and they just don't have the resources to withstand the French at this power level. Anne of Savoy is grateful that they're playing nice for now, but doesn't trust the King. And so she writes to the King of England and asks if they would be interested in having the wardship of her daughter Charlotte, who is after all set to marry the Duke of York. They agree.
And finally, Juana I of Castile is just tired. A second pregnancy ends in miscarriage at 6 months, her husband is so focused on maintaining his own country (fair enough) that she's been left all alone. The Portuguese are now only really supporting her out of fear of the French getting too close. The English aren't playing along. Her sister's marriage is going terribly already (Maria is reportedly sleeping with a priest, like her mother used to).
Then the Austrian emissaries arrive.
They don't want France to take over everything and they're willing to play ball. Frederick's suggestion? Give up Aragon, even for a while, to prevent conflict while they figure this all out. Or just Navarre. Something to satisfy the French and Foix while they decide how to limit Louis XII of France as best as possible. They just can't have him win this yet. Now, Juana isn't going to do that. But an Austrian invasion of Brabant and Luxembourg while she's protecting what's her's sounds like a good plan. An expensive one, but a good one. She even writes to the English and suggests that they could totally take Normandy if they wanted to.
June, 1489: The Count of Armagnac is a young, handsome man with very little interest in the court politics at play. Thats' why when he shows up to Paris, everyone is so shocked. But he has his agenda. Not only is he hoping to betroth himself to the new Princess, but mostly, he wants in on this whole "invade Aragon" thing. Not for his uncle's sake. Jacques is not a man he finds smart, funny, or interesting. No, he wants Navarre. He's willing to invade himself if need be. But he'd love his liege's support. He also wants to meet with his grandmother before she ultimately dies.
No one takes the young man seriously, and he leaves after a week. His uncle promises him that next time will be different.
Isabella of Foix gives birth to a second son, John of Austria.
Yolande of Lorraine, Duchess of Orleans gives birth to a daughter, Marguerite d'Orleans.
Marguerite of Lorraine, Duchess of Alencon, miscarries a son.
Anne d'Orleans, Countess of Foix, agrees to return to her husband shortly.
August, 1489: Eleanor of Trastamara dies. Her son mourns deeply. It's rumoured that her daughter-in-law did it.
Can someone make another family tree. Also can we set a schedule for posts? I've written long posts only to see them prompted. I think some of you might have had the same experience.
Should I post a chapter or wait for us to discuss this?
Should I post a chapter or wait for us to discuss this?
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Family Trees III
I’d say post the chapter!
And for the family tree...
A list of various family trees 2.0:
Please let me know if I missed/messed up anything.
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) m. Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Bari (b.1452) (a)
- pregnancy, unconfirmed child
3a) Cecily, Princess of England (b.1466: d.1470)
4b) Henry Fitzroy (b.1468)
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) m. Gian Galeazzo Sforza, Duke of Milan (b.1469) (a)
4b) Duarte, Infante of Portugal (b.1479: d.1479)
5b) Duarte, Infante of Portugal (b.1481: d.1482)
6b) Miguel, Infante of Portugal (b.1481: d.1482)
George of York, titular King of England (b.1449: d.1486) 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)
3b) John of York, titular King of England (b.1483)
4b) Cecily of York (b.1485)
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) m. Claude, Princess of France (b.1471) (a), p. Anne Boleyn (b.1475)
1a) Edmund of Lancaster, Prince of Wales (b.1488)
3a) Margaret, Princess of England (b.1474) m. James IV, King of Scotland (b.1475) (a)
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), Cecily Bonville, Baroness Harington (b.1460) (b)
1a) Margaret Tudor (b.1481: d.1482)
2b) Alice Tudor (b.1488)
Anne Neville, Countess of Warwick (b.1456) m. Baldwin of Burgundy (b.1446: d.1482) (a), John Beaufort, Marquess of Dorset (b.1441)
1a) Anne of Burgundy (b.1476)
2a) Miscarriage (c.1479)
3a) Catherine of Burgundy (b.1480)
4a) Philip of Burgundy (b.1482: d.1482)
5b) William Beaufort (b.1487)
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)
4c) Miscarriage (c.1484)
5c) Louise of Anjou (b.1485)
6c) Suzanne of Anjou (b.1487)
7c) Louis of Anjou (b.1488)
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)
1a) Francis, Archduke of Austria (b.1484)
2a) Margaret, Archduchess of Austria (b.1486: d.1486)
3a) John, Archduke of Austria (b.1489)
8a) Jacques of Foix, Infante of Aragon (b.1463) m. Joan d'Orleans (b.1462) (a)
1a) Michelle of Foix (b.1488)
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: d.1487) (b), Ferdinand II, King of Naples (b.1467) (c)
1c) Stillborn Son (c.1488)
2c) Miscarriage (c.1489)
2a) Maria, Infanta of Castile (b.1473) m. Enrique de Aragon y Pimentel, Duke of Segorbe (b.1445) (a)
Alfonso II, King of Naples (b.1448: d.1479) m. Ippolita Maria Sforza (b.1445) (a)
1a) Ferdinand II, King of Naples (b.1467) m. Juana I, Queen of Castile (b.1462) (a)
1a) Stillborn Son (c.1488)
2a) Miscarriage (c.1489)
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: d.1489)
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), Boniface III, Marquis of Montferrat (b.1426) (c)
1a) Margaret of York (b.1477)
2b) Miscarriage (c.1481)
3c) Theresa of Montferrat (b.1487)
--
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), Joana de Noronha (c.1470) (c)
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) m. Gian Galeazzo Sforza, Duke of Milan (b.1469) (a)
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: d.1487) m. Juana I, Queen of Castile (b.1462) (a)
- had no issue
2a) Joao, Infante of Aragon (b.1470: d.1470)
--
The Valois
Louis XI, King of France (b.1423: d.1488) m. Margaret Stewart, Princess of Scotland (b.1424: d.1445) (a), Charlotte of Savoy (b.1441: d.1481) (b), Marie of Cleves (b.1465) (c) -annuled 1485-
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. Peter of Bourbon, Count of Beaujeu (b.1438) (a)
6a) Louis XII, King of France (b.1465) m. Kunigunde of Austria (b.1465) (a)
1a) Charles Frederic, Dauphin of France (b.1481)
2a) Francois, Duke of Berry (b.1485)
3a) Josse, Duke of Tourraine (b.1487)
4a) Madeleine, Princess of France (b.1489)
7a) Claude, Princess of France (b.1471)
8a) Charles, Duke of Berry (b.1473: d.1484)
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 in Lancastrian Section
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 II, Duke of Orleans (b.1459) m. Yolande of Lorraine (c.1460) (a)
1a) Marguerite d'Orleans (b.1489)
Rene, Duke of Alencon (b.1454) m. Margaret of Harcourt (c.1455: d.1485) (a), Marguerite of Lorraine (b.1463) (b)
1b) Miscarriage (c.1489)
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)
2a) Miscarriage (c.1484)
3a) Louise of Anjou (b.1485)
4a) Suzanne of Anjou (b.1487)
5a) Louis of Anjou (b.1488)
--The Lorraines
Yolande, Duchess of Lorraine (b.1428: d.1483) m. Frederick II, Count of Vaudemont (b.1428: d.1470) (a)
1a) Peter of Lorraine (c.1450: d.1451)
2a) Rene, Duke of Lorraine (b.1451) m. Jeanne de Harcourt, Countess of Tancarville (b.1455: d.1488) (a) -annulled 1485-, Philippa of Guelders (b.1467: d.1486) (b), Maria of Serbia (b.1466) (c)
3a) Nicholas, Lord of Joinville (c.1455: d.1476)
4a) Jeanne of Lorraine (b.1458: d.1480)
- never married, had no issue
5a) Yolande of Lorraine (c.1460) m. Charles II, Duke of Orleans (b.1459) (a)
1a) Marguerite d'Orleans (b.1489)
6a) Marguerite of Lorraine (b.1463) m. Rene, Duke of Alencon (b.1454)
1a) Miscarriage (c.1489)
--
The Bretons
Francis II, Duke of Brittany (b.1433: d.1487) 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) m. John II, Duke of Bourbon (b.1426) (a)
1a) Francois of Bourbon (b.1487)
2a) Anne of Bourbon (b.1488)
3b) Francis, Count of Montfort (b.1474)
4c) Francoise of Brittany (b.1477: d.1477)
5c) Charlotte of Brittany (b.1479)
6c) Louis of Brittany, Count of Étampes (b.1484)
7c) Eleanor of Brittany (b.1487: d.1487)
--
The Stewarts
James III, King of Scotland (b.1452: d.1486) m. Margaret, Princess of Denmark (b.1456) (a)
1a) James IV, King of Scotland (b.1475) m. Margaret, Princess of England (b.1474) (a)
2a) Robert Stewart, Duke of Ross (b.1478)
3a) Margaret Stewart (b.1481)
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Got it. If i don't have it out by Wednesday, feel free to make your own posts.
You forgot to not the birth of Louis of Anjou in 1488.
You forgot to not the birth of Louis of Anjou in 1488.
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Course of the Iberian War
August 1489- Febuary 1490
In Italy, Anjou-Savoyard's plans to launch an invasion are stopped by the unexpected announcement of a reconciliation between the Pople and Ferdinand of Naples. He agrees to make concessions to his nobility, send ships to assist Venice and the Knights Hospitaller in the Agen, and enter into peace talks with his many enemies, with the goal of a general peace in Christendom and the launching of a great Crusade. While Anjou himself is willing to go ahead with the plan, the other Italian states recoil from the idea of attacking the Pope. Though he still has French support, Charles is talked out of it by his wife, Princess Juana, who fears that her husband's excommunication will bring ruin not only upon him, but upon herself, and more importantly their children. Charels reluctantly accepts, and his wife reassures him that God will provide. Proof of God's grace is seemingly provided that September when Juana delivers yet another son, to be named Charles. The Duke of Anjou remarks that his wife's womb is the only thing in his court that works. The only other bit of good news is that while the Pope is unwilling to let him conquer Naples, he promises to let him be King of Jerusalem should the planned Crusade succeed. More immediately they may oust the newly reinstalled Paleologos in Morea, if they really must have a Kingdom, though they will have to take it before the Turks.
The situation in Italy squared away. Ferdinando prepares to sail for Spain. There is a war in Iberia and a lonely Queen who needs her husband by her side.
The Pope's plan, such as it is, is to legitimize some of the King of France's gains in the low countries in exchange for him ceasing his plans to invade Italy, mollify the Foix with Navarre. His full plan for the low countries is to partition them into spheres of influence controlled by the Holy Roman Emperor, the King of England, and the King of France, with poor little Duke John being allowed to retain some small fraction of his territories as a client of one of the three.
Meanwhile, a birth and two deaths radically shake up the situation in Piedmont. In December, Bonifacio's patience with his wife is rewarded with the birth of a son, christened George. Boniface himself will die the very next month, joined the very next month by his son-in-law Charles I of Savoy, fresh off the successful annexation of Saluzzo. Now Bianca of Naples is regent of Monferrato while her step-daughter, also named Bianca, is regent of Savoy. Both women detest each other. The next decade in Northern Italy will be...intresting.
Spain
The Nassarids of Grenada launch an unexpected incursion into Aragon and Castile, at the behest of France. While the raids into Valencia and Southern Castile are a tactical success, with many towns destroyed and many women and riches carried off, they have the unfortunate side effect of uniting the nobles of Castile and Aragon in a common interest and putting the clergy firmly behind the monarchy. The attack enrages the Pope. How can the King claim to be purging the heretics from Iberia when he encourages them to do something like this? Louis's claims that they are merely seeking to use the Muslims to overthrow an unchristian regime do not hold up. The Pope authorizes queen Joanna and King Ferdinand to collect Crusade taxes.
Meanwhile, the French-Foix army manages to conquer much of Navarre, but is checked near the Castilian border by Juana's experienced commanders. The Queen rallies her subjects to resist the French and Moors, which, to many Spaniards, are one and the same. Increasingly she is know as "La Amazona", instead of "La Beltranjea"
Portugal
The first Skirmishes have gone poorly. However, the threat of a French invasion is enough to scare Juana into dropping her claim as "Queen of Iberia." This, and the despicable actions of the Moors, are enough to convince King John to return to neutrality.
The court is given further reason to celebrate when young Queen Joana gives birth to her first child, a daughter she will name after Queen Margaret of York. This is a monument to the renewed friendship between the two women. While Margret will never approve of her stepson wedding one so beneath his station, she approves how the young Queen mostly keeps out of politics, thus leaving the position of first lady of Portugal open for Margret, and of her piety and gentleness. She also regrets treating her poorly in the past, especially since Joana had always respected her deeply, and so was wounded far more than Guiomar would have been by insults. John for his part is devoted to his little Queen, who he is starting to value as a companion in her own right, and not as a replacement for her Aunt. Joana, for her part, is elated to be a mother in her own right, and throws herself into looking after her daughter, as well as the education of her Aunt's children. Guiomar's children, in turn adore her, and refer to her as their mother. The King's heir Alfonso also cares for her, though in a different way. Closer to her in age than the King, he has been a source of great comfort and kindness. In the mind of Alfonso, she can be treated so much better, and by a much better man himself. Shortly after the birth of Infanta Margareta, he tells her of his feelings. Joana promises to keep his secret, but tells him it can never be and though she will always love him, she can never love him in that way. Time will tell if the young Prince listens to her words.
The Low Countries and Germany
With the French distracted, Maximilian's armies easily overrun Brabant and Luxemburg. With positions all across the former Burgundy under threat, and French armies spread thin, Louis has no choice but to compromise. He agrees to give the English Flanders and Artois. He will not even ask them to give up Calais. He will also give Holland to Anne of Burgundy and her husband, the Duke of Ross. The only conditions for this is for the Kings of England and Scotland to lead their armies to Burgundy and drive off the Imperials.
For their part, the Hapsburgs shall not be deterred. The war has served as a unifying force for the various squabbling German princes, who now rally around the Hapsburgs to resist French domination. If anything, making a bad peace would be more dangerous for the dynasty, as the Princes might decide to turn to a monarch who would offer them more security, like say the King of Hungary, Casimir. Though their families are on different sides, Maximilian and Isabella of Foix do not take it personally. She accompanies her husband on campaign and is soon pregnant again.
Ludovico Sforza writes to Frederick, suggesting that they press his son's claim to the English throne, but the Emperor shoots him down. Catherine of York is a card that they will only play if all hopes of reconciling with England are dashed.
Scotland
Queen Margaret gives birth to her first child, a healthy daughter named, what else but Margret. The King makes many a jest about the young Queen's "riding skills". Margret takes it in good humor, suggesting that her husband should get back in the saddle and never get himself another mare or else she will throw him off. Margret got all the beauty in her family, leaving her brother most impoverished in that department. She and her husband get along well and have a relationship marked by fun and banter. More than true love, James views her as his best friend and partner.
By contrast, the Scottish court finds young Anne of Burgundy to be uptight and boring. Margret defends her cousin, promising that after a few months to get over her homesickness, she will be the toast of Scotland. The Duke of Ross doubts that will happen but is overjoyed to be Jure Uroxis, Count of Holland. James accepts the French offer and prepares to lead an army to Flanders. As soon as the Christening of young Margret is completed, he kisses his wife and daughter goodbye and departs for Holland. Margret will serve as regent of Scotland, while Alice and Robert will stay with her until the situation in Holand is resolved.
In England,
King Henry is persuaded to put his Normandy plans to the side for now, accept the French offer, and lead an army to the low countries. This will not be much of a war. Henry has already received word that the Imperials intend to halt before Flanders and Artois and Henry is ok with merely pretending to fight them while he consolidates his position.
Still, the decision has been most pleasing to Queen Claude, who "rewards" her husband by returning to his bed. As the King prepares to leave London, it is announced that Claude is once again with child.
Jasper Tudor, has increasingly been withdrawing from politics to focus on his family. His decision seems vindicated when, on New Year's Day, his wife Cecily delivers a son, to be named Owen in honor of his late father. However, not all is well. While the child himself is healthy, the mother is on death's door.
Meanwhile, Young William of York sets out to write a treatise on the history of Roman Britain. The last thing on earth he wants is to become King. Queen Claude takes an increasing interest in the scholarly young man and invites him to court. There William meets his half sister Anne for the first time. Though William dotes on the young girl, she reminds him of how much he misses wayward Catherine. Alas, all he can do is pray for her poor, wandering soul.
In Milan,
In September Ludovico Sforza and his heavily pregnant wife Catherine preside over the magnificent procession of Infanta Isabella into the city. She and Duke Ludovico are deeply enamored with one another. They share a love of culture, parities, and practical jokes. Chroniclers call them the modern day Antony and Cleopatra. They take it as a compliment.
The couple are already the parents of a daughter, Bianca Maria, who Catherine describes in a letter to Margret of York as, "the most beautiful Princess in all of Christendom." She immodestly suggests that she herself is the second, and that her Aunt Margret is the third, a clear attempt at flatter which Margret dismisses out of hand, though she is touched by how the wild child of the House of York dotes on her child. Though as vivacious and fun loving as ever, Catherine is devoted to her husband, and views herself as settling down. "I think i have finally found my place, ", she writes to her half brother , Henry Fitzroy. Why Milan is such a magnificent city, it is enough to make one forget about England. Almost. Though Catherine is devoted to her husband, and Ludovico does care for her, it does not stop him from seeing other women. One gossiping courtier declares that "when the Queen of England finds out about this, there will be blood."
While Catherine dotes on her young cousin, Isabella, the girl's husband is much less enamored. Ludovico had long ago realized that the best way to keep control over the young Duke was to set him loose in the "Gardens of Venus" and keep him so deep in debauchery as to have no interest in governing his state or siring heirs with a consort. Catherine does feel some guilt about this. She tells Isabella that it is up to her to reform her husband and that "you will be Duchess of Milan when I am Queen of England." She also adds that reformed rakes make the best husbands by far, unaware that her rake is very far from reformed. While young, pious Isabella is horrified by her cousin's unchaste gossip, she graciously accepts her kindness, and looks forward to turning her lout of a husband into a devoted, diligent, and pious husband.
When, a month later, in October, Catherine gives birth to a son, who is Christened Ludovico after his father, young Isbella proudly stands as godmother, along with a much less enthused Gian Galeazzo. And when in February young Duchess Isabella announces her first pregnancy, Catherine displays much more giddy anticipation and joy than the child's own father, who shrugs and goes back to his life of debauchery. Catherine herself is pregnant again, but finds proof of her husband's adultery. Forget the house of Orleans or the Savoyards. Sforza will have a far more dangerous enemy to deal with.
Cyprus and Venice
While his sister Catherine may have turned down Louis of Lusignan's plan to become King of Cyprus, Henry Fitzroy was absolutely smitten with the idea. Instead of Catherine, Louis of Lusignan finds himself wed to Henery's sister Jacquetta, the French deem the natural daughter of a King to be a perfect fit for the natural son of a King, and they do not expect anything to come of Louis's ambitions. Still, Duchess Jeanne of Bourbon is happy to see her longtime ward married.
The bride herself is beautiful, but modest in her personality and conservative in her dress. She views beauty as a curse that destroyed her mother. Things go even better for Louis when the Queen of Cyprus dies. Venice narrowly decides that instead of annexing the island outright, they will impose another puppet monarchy.
Louis, Jacquetta, and Henry are put on a boat to Cyprus. While Louis views Jacquetta as everything he can ask for in a consort, beautiful, pious, and by February 1490, fertile, she lacks a certain charm. For romance, the King turns not to another woman, but to the Queen's brother Henry. The young man is only too happy to oblige. Neither man is completely alienated from the charms of women. In fact, Henry's first bastard child, a daughter, will be born just after they depart from Venice. When he suffers a rare attack of conscience, Henry justifies his relationship with his brother-in-law as necessary to keep Louis focussed on affairs of state, and away from women other than Jacquetta.
For her part, the young Queen is delighted at how close her husband and brother are. The Cypriots are wary of their new rulers, as they are of all the Latins who have oppressed them, but they warm up to Jacquetta. She and her siblings were raised in relative poverty by the Bourbons, at various times sleeping on rags. While it left Henry and Mary with a desire to acquire material things and escape that life, Jacquetta embraced thier "poverty" and grew up to be a sort of Cinderella figure. Jacquetta business herself caring for orphans and the poor and vows to learn the Greek language of her subjects. Observers note that prayers for the health of the Queen and her unborn child are said with far greater fervor than any prayers for the King.
Louis and Henry busy themselves establishing the new administration and preparing to assist Venice with its wars in Morea. They figure killing a few Turks will score them enough good boy points with God to continue their affair.
Albania and the Balkans
Frederico is minimally invested in helping his nephew. He is much more invested in preserving his Kingdom from what he fears will be an inevitable attempt at Turkish reconquest. He journeys to Italy to meet with the Pope and to find a bride. The Pope authorizes him to raise Crusade taxes, and vows to send him funds. As for a wife, Frederico weds the beautiful and intelligent Isabella d'Este. It will provide him with ties in Northern Italy, and a family of fierce commanders to lead his troops should the worse happen. The young Queen finds Albania a boring and uncultured place, and resolves to bring the high culture of her native Ferrara to Albania. Meanwhile, Isabella's sister Beatrice is betrothed to Francesco II Gonzaga.
Meanwhile, Morea fights for its life. The Turkish civil war ended with Sultan Bayazid defeating and slaying his brother Cem, though his sons have fled to Rhodes and now live under the protection of the knights Hospitaller.. Now Bayazid looks to regain all the territories his brother gave away, staring with the restored Paleologos and their Venetian puppet masters.
France
Word of the Emperor's attack on the Low countries brings eruptions of rage in the French court. Poets compare it to the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, except worse. At least Judas was not Christs's brother by law. Calls ring out for Louis to send his Austrian wife to a convent, call off the war in Spain, raise a massive army, and drive the Imperials from the Low countries. Louis will do no such thing. He will send a small number or reinforcements to the former Burgundy, and have them link up with the English and Scots to drive the Germans back.
Meanwhile, a much larger force will be sent to Spain next march to drive the Joanna's forces out of Navarre once and for all, then descend on Castile. He does not yet realize the furor the actions of his Moorish allies have caused in Iberia, and believes that an uprising against Joanna is likely to occur in Aragonn.
While Louis shuns the most spurious attacks on the Queen, he is growing increasingly frustrated with her. Knudigrde keeps speaking of how wrong it was to annex all those territories. Of how her brother and father do have some legitimate reasons to be upset with him, and of how, though his resources are vast, he cannot afford to fight all of Christendom. Louis knows this deep down, but hates hearing it. As fall turns to winter, he suggests that Knudigrde and her children decamp to the Loir, while he remains in Paris with the rest of the Court. Reluctantly, the Queen agrees. Young Prince Charles Fredic detests the way his father is treating his mother. But then Louis detested the way his father treated his mother. And Louis XI detested how his father shunned his wife for Agnes Sorel. It seems history is doomed to repeat itself in the French royal family.
Louis is also deeply concerned about internal matters. In late August, the young Duke of Brittany injured himself during a drunken horse race through the streets of Nantes. His wound became infected, and it is unclear if he shall recover, though his mother, sisters, and betrothed all watch over him and pray for his recovery. His younger brother is also sickly, and frequently on death's door. There are only two weak heartbeats separating the Bourbon from controlling Britany. And with the mysterious deaths of his younger brothers (officially due to sickness, blamed by many contemporaries on poison, more modern historians think they had heart attacks), John is now in control over a far more powerful estate than he had in years past.
Pierre's wife Jeanne is devastated. Pierre had loved her and treated her with respect in spite of her ugly looks, in spite of her (very painful) inability to give him children. At the funeral, she attempts to throw herself into the ground after him and has to be restrained by attending ladies and knights. She resolves to become a nun.
What makes things even worse is John's obvious glee at his brother's misfortune. "They would have done the same for me", he thinks. Besides, to not revel in the grace God has shown him would be an affront to him. By far, the person most enraged at John is his wife, Marie of Brittany. Pregnant for a third time in spite of telling him she wished to cease conjugal relations after two children, forbidden to visit her ailing brothers, and shown about like a trophy by her husband, giddy to use his young feucid wife and growing brood of children as proof of his own virility, and now forced to watch as he chortles in delight while the Saintly Princess Jeanne sobs. Maybe it is the worry for her family, or maybe it is the hormones, but Marie resolves to give her husband a piece of her mind. She publically berates him for not showing appropriate concern for his brothers, and for not comforting Princess Jeanne. She all but accuses him of murdering them and declares that "when God renders his verdict I only pray it falls upon the guilty, and not upon his innocent bride and children." Shamed and shocked, John apologizes to Jeanne and to Marie. He agrees to let her take their children and visit with her family. Something inside him seems to have died. Having achieved his ultimate goal, he can find no joy in it. The Duke of Bourbon passes on New Year's Day 1490. He spends his last few days confessing his sins and writing letters to Brittany, begging Marie to return, or at least to bring thier children. He receives no reply.
Marie does, however, write to the King. She offers to betroth her son, the Duke Francois, to the King's daughter Madeline. Barely twenty, heavily pregnant, widowed with two young children, and with her brothers on death's door, Marie should be terrified. Instead, she thrives.
As the bad news and hard decisions pile up, Louis (discreetly) takes comfort in a familiar pair of arms. Mary Fitzroy, or as she prefers to be called, "Marie du England", had been a lady-in-waiting to Louis's sister Jeanne, who had shown kindness to the York children when most others in Bourbon would have preferred they disappear. Louis had watched her and her sister grow on his many visits to his sister. Though Louis cares deeply for Knudigrde, she has the Hapsburg looks, or lack thereof. Mary, and her sister Jacquetta, have thier mother's famous beauty. And while Jacquetta is modest and pious, Mary is vivacious and eager for social advancement. Louis had learned from his father not to flaunt his affairs. In the past, he had only spent the occasional night with Marie, and only during Knudigrde's last two pregnancies.
Now, however, their relationship is becoming something more. Mary is always there to comfort him when things are bleak. Always ready with a kind word. Always ready to tell him what he wants to hear. "No your Grace, the Germans have no cause to resent you." "Yes, the Aragonese will welcome you as a liberator." "The Pope has no idea what he is talking about. You are the champion of Christendom." Most would see this as an obvious case of a mistress using flattery to advance her station. But Mary genuinely believes she is doing what is best for Louis and for France.
During their time with the Bourbon, the Fitzroy children were subjected to what we would now call psychological abuse. From their earliest days, it was made clear that they were disgusting products of sin and would lead sinful lives, especially the girls. "Little prostitutes in training", is what Duke John called them to their faces. While Jacquetta built her identity on rejecting this, Marie felt there was no hope of escape, and so tried to make the best of her own allegedly tainted blood. Having never known her own mother, it is perhaps not surprising that Marie would gravitate towards the most famous Royal Mistress in French history when forming her identity, Agnes Sorel. While Elizabeth Woodville brought down the Yorks (or that is how the woman blaming historians tell it), Agnes Sorel helped save France by inspiring a lethargic King into action.
So when Louis began to make advances on her, Mary ignored her sister's pleadings, believing that she had been chosen by God to guide the King of France to glory. Though their relationship is still discreet, Mary does not lack influence at Court. She is good friends with Duchess Marie and Princess Jeanne, who despairs at her conduct but still wishes the best for her wayward young ward, and is close to her cousin, young Margret of York, the child of Richard and Bianca.
Despite having been poorly educated as a youth, Mary is immensely curious, often asking her royal lover for books when most mistresses would want gowns or jewelry as a gift. She has been particularly drawn towards the ideas of Church reform that have been gaining ground in Europe in the last few decades. Religious scholars who have been trying to get through to the King for years suddenly find themselves invited to meetings. It turns out having a pretty lady cuddling next to you in bed, whispering in your ear that the Pope is wrong and only you can save Christendom, is far more persuasive than any scholarly argument.
In late February, after much indecision, Louis decides on a new plan for the Spring
-invade Italy again, this time with the intention of capturing Naples and reforming the corrupt Chuch, which will justify military action against the Papal state, and hopefully keep his vassals loyal when he is inevitably excommunicated.
-continue the offensive in Spain. Surely Juana's forces will break any day now.
-use the English and Scottish to hold off Maximilian in the Netherlands
-send an envoy to King Casimir of Poland offering to wed a French Princess of the blood to one of his sons in exchange for an alliance. The goal will be to capture Vienna and force the Hapsburgs to capitulate. Louis is prepared to see them lose the Imperial title, though he would rather they just let him have what he wants. France has spent too long cultivating that alliance to see it completely destroyed.
The first person he tells this plan to is Mary, as they are lying together by a blazing fire on a freezing winter night. Pulling her close for warmth, he tells her that, "you are my wisest counselor as well as my most lovely." Elizabeth of Woodville's youngest daughter cannot help but cry at her Royal lover's kindness. Resting her head on his chest, she chooses this moment to tell him that she might be with child. Louis vows that if that is the case, her child will be honored as any child of the King should be.
In Italy, Anjou-Savoyard's plans to launch an invasion are stopped by the unexpected announcement of a reconciliation between the Pople and Ferdinand of Naples. He agrees to make concessions to his nobility, send ships to assist Venice and the Knights Hospitaller in the Agen, and enter into peace talks with his many enemies, with the goal of a general peace in Christendom and the launching of a great Crusade. While Anjou himself is willing to go ahead with the plan, the other Italian states recoil from the idea of attacking the Pope. Though he still has French support, Charles is talked out of it by his wife, Princess Juana, who fears that her husband's excommunication will bring ruin not only upon him, but upon herself, and more importantly their children. Charels reluctantly accepts, and his wife reassures him that God will provide. Proof of God's grace is seemingly provided that September when Juana delivers yet another son, to be named Charles. The Duke of Anjou remarks that his wife's womb is the only thing in his court that works. The only other bit of good news is that while the Pope is unwilling to let him conquer Naples, he promises to let him be King of Jerusalem should the planned Crusade succeed. More immediately they may oust the newly reinstalled Paleologos in Morea, if they really must have a Kingdom, though they will have to take it before the Turks.
The situation in Italy squared away. Ferdinando prepares to sail for Spain. There is a war in Iberia and a lonely Queen who needs her husband by her side.
The Pope's plan, such as it is, is to legitimize some of the King of France's gains in the low countries in exchange for him ceasing his plans to invade Italy, mollify the Foix with Navarre. His full plan for the low countries is to partition them into spheres of influence controlled by the Holy Roman Emperor, the King of England, and the King of France, with poor little Duke John being allowed to retain some small fraction of his territories as a client of one of the three.
Meanwhile, a birth and two deaths radically shake up the situation in Piedmont. In December, Bonifacio's patience with his wife is rewarded with the birth of a son, christened George. Boniface himself will die the very next month, joined the very next month by his son-in-law Charles I of Savoy, fresh off the successful annexation of Saluzzo. Now Bianca of Naples is regent of Monferrato while her step-daughter, also named Bianca, is regent of Savoy. Both women detest each other. The next decade in Northern Italy will be...intresting.
Spain
The Nassarids of Grenada launch an unexpected incursion into Aragon and Castile, at the behest of France. While the raids into Valencia and Southern Castile are a tactical success, with many towns destroyed and many women and riches carried off, they have the unfortunate side effect of uniting the nobles of Castile and Aragon in a common interest and putting the clergy firmly behind the monarchy. The attack enrages the Pope. How can the King claim to be purging the heretics from Iberia when he encourages them to do something like this? Louis's claims that they are merely seeking to use the Muslims to overthrow an unchristian regime do not hold up. The Pope authorizes queen Joanna and King Ferdinand to collect Crusade taxes.
Meanwhile, the French-Foix army manages to conquer much of Navarre, but is checked near the Castilian border by Juana's experienced commanders. The Queen rallies her subjects to resist the French and Moors, which, to many Spaniards, are one and the same. Increasingly she is know as "La Amazona", instead of "La Beltranjea"
Portugal
The first Skirmishes have gone poorly. However, the threat of a French invasion is enough to scare Juana into dropping her claim as "Queen of Iberia." This, and the despicable actions of the Moors, are enough to convince King John to return to neutrality.
The court is given further reason to celebrate when young Queen Joana gives birth to her first child, a daughter she will name after Queen Margaret of York. This is a monument to the renewed friendship between the two women. While Margret will never approve of her stepson wedding one so beneath his station, she approves how the young Queen mostly keeps out of politics, thus leaving the position of first lady of Portugal open for Margret, and of her piety and gentleness. She also regrets treating her poorly in the past, especially since Joana had always respected her deeply, and so was wounded far more than Guiomar would have been by insults. John for his part is devoted to his little Queen, who he is starting to value as a companion in her own right, and not as a replacement for her Aunt. Joana, for her part, is elated to be a mother in her own right, and throws herself into looking after her daughter, as well as the education of her Aunt's children. Guiomar's children, in turn adore her, and refer to her as their mother. The King's heir Alfonso also cares for her, though in a different way. Closer to her in age than the King, he has been a source of great comfort and kindness. In the mind of Alfonso, she can be treated so much better, and by a much better man himself. Shortly after the birth of Infanta Margareta, he tells her of his feelings. Joana promises to keep his secret, but tells him it can never be and though she will always love him, she can never love him in that way. Time will tell if the young Prince listens to her words.
The Low Countries and Germany
With the French distracted, Maximilian's armies easily overrun Brabant and Luxemburg. With positions all across the former Burgundy under threat, and French armies spread thin, Louis has no choice but to compromise. He agrees to give the English Flanders and Artois. He will not even ask them to give up Calais. He will also give Holland to Anne of Burgundy and her husband, the Duke of Ross. The only conditions for this is for the Kings of England and Scotland to lead their armies to Burgundy and drive off the Imperials.
For their part, the Hapsburgs shall not be deterred. The war has served as a unifying force for the various squabbling German princes, who now rally around the Hapsburgs to resist French domination. If anything, making a bad peace would be more dangerous for the dynasty, as the Princes might decide to turn to a monarch who would offer them more security, like say the King of Hungary, Casimir. Though their families are on different sides, Maximilian and Isabella of Foix do not take it personally. She accompanies her husband on campaign and is soon pregnant again.
Ludovico Sforza writes to Frederick, suggesting that they press his son's claim to the English throne, but the Emperor shoots him down. Catherine of York is a card that they will only play if all hopes of reconciling with England are dashed.
Scotland
Queen Margaret gives birth to her first child, a healthy daughter named, what else but Margret. The King makes many a jest about the young Queen's "riding skills". Margret takes it in good humor, suggesting that her husband should get back in the saddle and never get himself another mare or else she will throw him off. Margret got all the beauty in her family, leaving her brother most impoverished in that department. She and her husband get along well and have a relationship marked by fun and banter. More than true love, James views her as his best friend and partner.
By contrast, the Scottish court finds young Anne of Burgundy to be uptight and boring. Margret defends her cousin, promising that after a few months to get over her homesickness, she will be the toast of Scotland. The Duke of Ross doubts that will happen but is overjoyed to be Jure Uroxis, Count of Holland. James accepts the French offer and prepares to lead an army to Flanders. As soon as the Christening of young Margret is completed, he kisses his wife and daughter goodbye and departs for Holland. Margret will serve as regent of Scotland, while Alice and Robert will stay with her until the situation in Holand is resolved.
In England,
King Henry is persuaded to put his Normandy plans to the side for now, accept the French offer, and lead an army to the low countries. This will not be much of a war. Henry has already received word that the Imperials intend to halt before Flanders and Artois and Henry is ok with merely pretending to fight them while he consolidates his position.
Still, the decision has been most pleasing to Queen Claude, who "rewards" her husband by returning to his bed. As the King prepares to leave London, it is announced that Claude is once again with child.
Jasper Tudor, has increasingly been withdrawing from politics to focus on his family. His decision seems vindicated when, on New Year's Day, his wife Cecily delivers a son, to be named Owen in honor of his late father. However, not all is well. While the child himself is healthy, the mother is on death's door.
Meanwhile, Young William of York sets out to write a treatise on the history of Roman Britain. The last thing on earth he wants is to become King. Queen Claude takes an increasing interest in the scholarly young man and invites him to court. There William meets his half sister Anne for the first time. Though William dotes on the young girl, she reminds him of how much he misses wayward Catherine. Alas, all he can do is pray for her poor, wandering soul.
In Milan,
In September Ludovico Sforza and his heavily pregnant wife Catherine preside over the magnificent procession of Infanta Isabella into the city. She and Duke Ludovico are deeply enamored with one another. They share a love of culture, parities, and practical jokes. Chroniclers call them the modern day Antony and Cleopatra. They take it as a compliment.
The couple are already the parents of a daughter, Bianca Maria, who Catherine describes in a letter to Margret of York as, "the most beautiful Princess in all of Christendom." She immodestly suggests that she herself is the second, and that her Aunt Margret is the third, a clear attempt at flatter which Margret dismisses out of hand, though she is touched by how the wild child of the House of York dotes on her child. Though as vivacious and fun loving as ever, Catherine is devoted to her husband, and views herself as settling down. "I think i have finally found my place, ", she writes to her half brother , Henry Fitzroy. Why Milan is such a magnificent city, it is enough to make one forget about England. Almost. Though Catherine is devoted to her husband, and Ludovico does care for her, it does not stop him from seeing other women. One gossiping courtier declares that "when the Queen of England finds out about this, there will be blood."
While Catherine dotes on her young cousin, Isabella, the girl's husband is much less enamored. Ludovico had long ago realized that the best way to keep control over the young Duke was to set him loose in the "Gardens of Venus" and keep him so deep in debauchery as to have no interest in governing his state or siring heirs with a consort. Catherine does feel some guilt about this. She tells Isabella that it is up to her to reform her husband and that "you will be Duchess of Milan when I am Queen of England." She also adds that reformed rakes make the best husbands by far, unaware that her rake is very far from reformed. While young, pious Isabella is horrified by her cousin's unchaste gossip, she graciously accepts her kindness, and looks forward to turning her lout of a husband into a devoted, diligent, and pious husband.
When, a month later, in October, Catherine gives birth to a son, who is Christened Ludovico after his father, young Isbella proudly stands as godmother, along with a much less enthused Gian Galeazzo. And when in February young Duchess Isabella announces her first pregnancy, Catherine displays much more giddy anticipation and joy than the child's own father, who shrugs and goes back to his life of debauchery. Catherine herself is pregnant again, but finds proof of her husband's adultery. Forget the house of Orleans or the Savoyards. Sforza will have a far more dangerous enemy to deal with.
Cyprus and Venice
While his sister Catherine may have turned down Louis of Lusignan's plan to become King of Cyprus, Henry Fitzroy was absolutely smitten with the idea. Instead of Catherine, Louis of Lusignan finds himself wed to Henery's sister Jacquetta, the French deem the natural daughter of a King to be a perfect fit for the natural son of a King, and they do not expect anything to come of Louis's ambitions. Still, Duchess Jeanne of Bourbon is happy to see her longtime ward married.
The bride herself is beautiful, but modest in her personality and conservative in her dress. She views beauty as a curse that destroyed her mother. Things go even better for Louis when the Queen of Cyprus dies. Venice narrowly decides that instead of annexing the island outright, they will impose another puppet monarchy.
Louis, Jacquetta, and Henry are put on a boat to Cyprus. While Louis views Jacquetta as everything he can ask for in a consort, beautiful, pious, and by February 1490, fertile, she lacks a certain charm. For romance, the King turns not to another woman, but to the Queen's brother Henry. The young man is only too happy to oblige. Neither man is completely alienated from the charms of women. In fact, Henry's first bastard child, a daughter, will be born just after they depart from Venice. When he suffers a rare attack of conscience, Henry justifies his relationship with his brother-in-law as necessary to keep Louis focussed on affairs of state, and away from women other than Jacquetta.
For her part, the young Queen is delighted at how close her husband and brother are. The Cypriots are wary of their new rulers, as they are of all the Latins who have oppressed them, but they warm up to Jacquetta. She and her siblings were raised in relative poverty by the Bourbons, at various times sleeping on rags. While it left Henry and Mary with a desire to acquire material things and escape that life, Jacquetta embraced thier "poverty" and grew up to be a sort of Cinderella figure. Jacquetta business herself caring for orphans and the poor and vows to learn the Greek language of her subjects. Observers note that prayers for the health of the Queen and her unborn child are said with far greater fervor than any prayers for the King.
Louis and Henry busy themselves establishing the new administration and preparing to assist Venice with its wars in Morea. They figure killing a few Turks will score them enough good boy points with God to continue their affair.
Albania and the Balkans
Frederico is minimally invested in helping his nephew. He is much more invested in preserving his Kingdom from what he fears will be an inevitable attempt at Turkish reconquest. He journeys to Italy to meet with the Pope and to find a bride. The Pope authorizes him to raise Crusade taxes, and vows to send him funds. As for a wife, Frederico weds the beautiful and intelligent Isabella d'Este. It will provide him with ties in Northern Italy, and a family of fierce commanders to lead his troops should the worse happen. The young Queen finds Albania a boring and uncultured place, and resolves to bring the high culture of her native Ferrara to Albania. Meanwhile, Isabella's sister Beatrice is betrothed to Francesco II Gonzaga.
Meanwhile, Morea fights for its life. The Turkish civil war ended with Sultan Bayazid defeating and slaying his brother Cem, though his sons have fled to Rhodes and now live under the protection of the knights Hospitaller.. Now Bayazid looks to regain all the territories his brother gave away, staring with the restored Paleologos and their Venetian puppet masters.
France
Word of the Emperor's attack on the Low countries brings eruptions of rage in the French court. Poets compare it to the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, except worse. At least Judas was not Christs's brother by law. Calls ring out for Louis to send his Austrian wife to a convent, call off the war in Spain, raise a massive army, and drive the Imperials from the Low countries. Louis will do no such thing. He will send a small number or reinforcements to the former Burgundy, and have them link up with the English and Scots to drive the Germans back.
Meanwhile, a much larger force will be sent to Spain next march to drive the Joanna's forces out of Navarre once and for all, then descend on Castile. He does not yet realize the furor the actions of his Moorish allies have caused in Iberia, and believes that an uprising against Joanna is likely to occur in Aragonn.
While Louis shuns the most spurious attacks on the Queen, he is growing increasingly frustrated with her. Knudigrde keeps speaking of how wrong it was to annex all those territories. Of how her brother and father do have some legitimate reasons to be upset with him, and of how, though his resources are vast, he cannot afford to fight all of Christendom. Louis knows this deep down, but hates hearing it. As fall turns to winter, he suggests that Knudigrde and her children decamp to the Loir, while he remains in Paris with the rest of the Court. Reluctantly, the Queen agrees. Young Prince Charles Fredic detests the way his father is treating his mother. But then Louis detested the way his father treated his mother. And Louis XI detested how his father shunned his wife for Agnes Sorel. It seems history is doomed to repeat itself in the French royal family.
Louis is also deeply concerned about internal matters. In late August, the young Duke of Brittany injured himself during a drunken horse race through the streets of Nantes. His wound became infected, and it is unclear if he shall recover, though his mother, sisters, and betrothed all watch over him and pray for his recovery. His younger brother is also sickly, and frequently on death's door. There are only two weak heartbeats separating the Bourbon from controlling Britany. And with the mysterious deaths of his younger brothers (officially due to sickness, blamed by many contemporaries on poison, more modern historians think they had heart attacks), John is now in control over a far more powerful estate than he had in years past.
Pierre's wife Jeanne is devastated. Pierre had loved her and treated her with respect in spite of her ugly looks, in spite of her (very painful) inability to give him children. At the funeral, she attempts to throw herself into the ground after him and has to be restrained by attending ladies and knights. She resolves to become a nun.
What makes things even worse is John's obvious glee at his brother's misfortune. "They would have done the same for me", he thinks. Besides, to not revel in the grace God has shown him would be an affront to him. By far, the person most enraged at John is his wife, Marie of Brittany. Pregnant for a third time in spite of telling him she wished to cease conjugal relations after two children, forbidden to visit her ailing brothers, and shown about like a trophy by her husband, giddy to use his young feucid wife and growing brood of children as proof of his own virility, and now forced to watch as he chortles in delight while the Saintly Princess Jeanne sobs. Maybe it is the worry for her family, or maybe it is the hormones, but Marie resolves to give her husband a piece of her mind. She publically berates him for not showing appropriate concern for his brothers, and for not comforting Princess Jeanne. She all but accuses him of murdering them and declares that "when God renders his verdict I only pray it falls upon the guilty, and not upon his innocent bride and children." Shamed and shocked, John apologizes to Jeanne and to Marie. He agrees to let her take their children and visit with her family. Something inside him seems to have died. Having achieved his ultimate goal, he can find no joy in it. The Duke of Bourbon passes on New Year's Day 1490. He spends his last few days confessing his sins and writing letters to Brittany, begging Marie to return, or at least to bring thier children. He receives no reply.
Marie does, however, write to the King. She offers to betroth her son, the Duke Francois, to the King's daughter Madeline. Barely twenty, heavily pregnant, widowed with two young children, and with her brothers on death's door, Marie should be terrified. Instead, she thrives.
As the bad news and hard decisions pile up, Louis (discreetly) takes comfort in a familiar pair of arms. Mary Fitzroy, or as she prefers to be called, "Marie du England", had been a lady-in-waiting to Louis's sister Jeanne, who had shown kindness to the York children when most others in Bourbon would have preferred they disappear. Louis had watched her and her sister grow on his many visits to his sister. Though Louis cares deeply for Knudigrde, she has the Hapsburg looks, or lack thereof. Mary, and her sister Jacquetta, have thier mother's famous beauty. And while Jacquetta is modest and pious, Mary is vivacious and eager for social advancement. Louis had learned from his father not to flaunt his affairs. In the past, he had only spent the occasional night with Marie, and only during Knudigrde's last two pregnancies.
Now, however, their relationship is becoming something more. Mary is always there to comfort him when things are bleak. Always ready with a kind word. Always ready to tell him what he wants to hear. "No your Grace, the Germans have no cause to resent you." "Yes, the Aragonese will welcome you as a liberator." "The Pope has no idea what he is talking about. You are the champion of Christendom." Most would see this as an obvious case of a mistress using flattery to advance her station. But Mary genuinely believes she is doing what is best for Louis and for France.
During their time with the Bourbon, the Fitzroy children were subjected to what we would now call psychological abuse. From their earliest days, it was made clear that they were disgusting products of sin and would lead sinful lives, especially the girls. "Little prostitutes in training", is what Duke John called them to their faces. While Jacquetta built her identity on rejecting this, Marie felt there was no hope of escape, and so tried to make the best of her own allegedly tainted blood. Having never known her own mother, it is perhaps not surprising that Marie would gravitate towards the most famous Royal Mistress in French history when forming her identity, Agnes Sorel. While Elizabeth Woodville brought down the Yorks (or that is how the woman blaming historians tell it), Agnes Sorel helped save France by inspiring a lethargic King into action.
So when Louis began to make advances on her, Mary ignored her sister's pleadings, believing that she had been chosen by God to guide the King of France to glory. Though their relationship is still discreet, Mary does not lack influence at Court. She is good friends with Duchess Marie and Princess Jeanne, who despairs at her conduct but still wishes the best for her wayward young ward, and is close to her cousin, young Margret of York, the child of Richard and Bianca.
Despite having been poorly educated as a youth, Mary is immensely curious, often asking her royal lover for books when most mistresses would want gowns or jewelry as a gift. She has been particularly drawn towards the ideas of Church reform that have been gaining ground in Europe in the last few decades. Religious scholars who have been trying to get through to the King for years suddenly find themselves invited to meetings. It turns out having a pretty lady cuddling next to you in bed, whispering in your ear that the Pope is wrong and only you can save Christendom, is far more persuasive than any scholarly argument.
In late February, after much indecision, Louis decides on a new plan for the Spring
-invade Italy again, this time with the intention of capturing Naples and reforming the corrupt Chuch, which will justify military action against the Papal state, and hopefully keep his vassals loyal when he is inevitably excommunicated.
-continue the offensive in Spain. Surely Juana's forces will break any day now.
-use the English and Scottish to hold off Maximilian in the Netherlands
-send an envoy to King Casimir of Poland offering to wed a French Princess of the blood to one of his sons in exchange for an alliance. The goal will be to capture Vienna and force the Hapsburgs to capitulate. Louis is prepared to see them lose the Imperial title, though he would rather they just let him have what he wants. France has spent too long cultivating that alliance to see it completely destroyed.
The first person he tells this plan to is Mary, as they are lying together by a blazing fire on a freezing winter night. Pulling her close for warmth, he tells her that, "you are my wisest counselor as well as my most lovely." Elizabeth of Woodville's youngest daughter cannot help but cry at her Royal lover's kindness. Resting her head on his chest, she chooses this moment to tell him that she might be with child. Louis vows that if that is the case, her child will be honored as any child of the King should be.
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Im sorry but aren't we moving into fuck-up territorry now? Louie of France just seems a bit too retarded to me, and so does Maximilian's ability to somehow lead a massive army into the Netherlands. Ya know, Austria was in constant, deep crisis at this point, and Maximilian's OTL efforts against France were financed by the Netherlands, the same Netherlands we already established are financing France. I don't know, I just feel like we are contradicting each other constantly and it is making the story lose more and more sense.
I'll edit it to make more sense. My understanding is that the HRE was powerful, but lacked unity. Also most of the Hapsburgs problems came from Mathias Corvinus and the Turks. One of whom is not in power and the other is distracted. I did mention the Jags as trying to claim the Empire, but the issue is that the French capture of so many Imperial territories has outraged the German Princes, making it difficult for the Jags to openly attack the Hapsburgs. In any case, I may have exaggerated the size of Max's army. His victory was mostly down to France being distracted in Spain and Italy. Provided England and Scotland play ball, I can't see him losing. and nobody has said the merchants approve of the English and Scottish annexations. You could say Louis planned to use them to hold off the Imperials while he conquered Spain and Italy, and will then have the merchants stage a rebellion.
And Louis's irl counterpart was Charles VIII, who I think was even more incompetent. I did suggest earlier that we should all lay out our plans so that we don't trip over each other. As I said, I am willing to make changes.
And Louis's irl counterpart was Charles VIII, who I think was even more incompetent. I did suggest earlier that we should all lay out our plans so that we don't trip over each other. As I said, I am willing to make changes.
The Jagiellonians are even more powerful in this timeline and there were many mentions of Casimir actually competing with the Habsburgs, but it was never really developed. And why would the German Princes be outraged? At this point France has made no pretensions at ever dominating the Empire, this isn't the 18th century. Many states, such as Poland, Hungary, dominated large swaths of land inside the Empire, (Bohemia, for example, which at one point was one of Europe's richest and most important regions) and there was never a reaction of this level. Anyhow, I'll go with the flow in my post.