Why is Edward Iv called the ‘Soldier King’ in this timeline? Don’t feel like he has gone into much wars to earn that name.
Emma, Duchess of Brabant - An Austro-Burgundian TL
- Thread starter eliamartin65
- Start date
It’s more because of his chivalric image as the “reborn” King Arthur than about his actual conquests.
Thanks!
Glad to hear you like him. Why so in particular?
Hmm, we’ll see. She is in a bit of low period right now.
Love to read a time where an Iberian King takes the reconquista to North Africa and is suscesfull. will there be conversions as well?
He seems to be administering his realm very well, and Portugal is undergoing a golden age
Chapter 45: Denmark and England
Copenhagen, January 1501: The son and heir of King Fredrick and Queen Cecily, Prince John, marries the youngest daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor, Archduchess Johanna. A tall, light, very war-like young man, John is in clear contrast to his dark-haired petite wife. But both are lively and Johanna enjoys cheering on her husband during his jousts.
Ludlow, April 1502: The Prince of Wales, Richard, son of the estranged King William and Queen Radegonde, lives a peaceful live outside of the court drama. The spitting image of Edward IV, it is presumed he will do great things for England. This comes crashing down as the entire Ludlow Castle falls ill with the mysterious sweating sickness. Queen Radegonde comes running to her ailing son. She will never forgive William for not doing the same.
She comes just in time to attend the funeral of William, heir of the Duke of Somerset. Her son seems to be dying, just like his best friend. Doctors are pessimistic. But the loving mother refuses to give up, spending hours on her knees in the chapel, praying the Rosary over and over again. Her mother-in-law, Dowager Queen Margaret, had received miracles time and time again. Should she expect the same?
Richard does manage to make it through the illness this time, but he’s left weak. Any physical activity more strenuous than walking causes him to faint. He complains of heart pains and palpitations.
That same day that Richard recovers, Louise Smith, last surviving of the little seer children of Nottingham, claims to have received a message from the Mother of God that Richard would be the father of one of the greatest monarchs England will ever see. Mary also assures her that, because of the increased devotion of the common people and nobility alike, that England will be blessed among all nations. A golden age for England, and maybe for all of Europe, if they obey God, will be ushered in. Mary repeats what she told Saint Dominic in 1214: “Through the Rosary and Scapular, I will save the world.”
Savoy, August 1502: Duchess Margaret gives birth to a daughter named after herself. Louis and Margaret have a deeply passionate love for one another and their daughters. Tragically, little Margaret dies in her crib from a fever in November. Margaret is bereft, especially after a miscarriage the year previous.
Margaret also has the task of actually ruling Savoy, while her husband focuses on leisurely pursuits such as hunting and reading. Louis is, if anything, a practical man, and he understands that his wife is the smarter person in the marriage.
Rothesay, October 1502: In Scotland, Prince Edward’s mental instability has grown exponentially. He enjoys abusing animals and throwing knifes at his servants. The common thought at court is that he is demonically possessed. The culmination of his behavior is reached when he actually stabs one of his French tutor. Forcibly locked in his room, George finally takes action and begins proceedings to declare Edward illegitimate and confine him for the rest of his life.
The situation actually resolves itself when Edward lights a tapestry on fire and allows himself to be burnt to death in his rooms. The flames are extinguished, and the Duke of Rothesay is given a small funeral, and is placed beside his mother in the royal crypt.
Within a month, Queen Catherine has given birth to a son, the new Duke of Rothesay. Christened James, the child will fortunately not have the mental condition that affected the Stewarts.
Saxony, June 1503: Speaking of Scottish royal family members and their mental illness, Duchess Edith of Saxony (sister of King George of Scotland), an entirely mad woman who believes she is made out of glass, welcomes a daughter-in-law. The lady in question is Louise of Cleves, an important heiress and granddaughter of the King of France.
The groom is Henry of Saxony, the only child of Duke George of Saxony and Edith of Scotland. A wedding night baby, born in 1488, his parents had only spent three months together until the extent of Edith’s problems became apparent. Locked in a remote castle, Edith was remembered as the “hidden duchess”. Duke George, very pious, refused to annul the marriage.
Henry and Louise themselves with have three children: Johann Fredrick (b. 1504), Maria (b. 1507) and Magdalena (b. 1511).
Northern Europe, 1504: To start off the year, Lionel, Duke of Bedford, surrenders his title as he becomes Bishop of Winchester. Deciding on a monastic life years ago, Lionel focuses on charity, promoting literacy, and encouraging devotion through the Bible, Rosary and Brown Scapular. His mother, Margaret, is there every step of the way.
Meanwhile in Scandinavia, Swedish and Norwegian rebels align and start a rebellion against their Danish overlords. Without going into too much detail, as war is not the main focus of this chronicle, the war lasted the whole year and was terribly bloody. Prince John fought valiantly, as did the rebels. Eventually, a ceasefire was signed and the parties met at Oslo to discuss the fate of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
It was Queen Cecily who suggested what would come to be known as the Treaty of Oslo. Denmark, Sweden, and Norway will be split into 3 kingdoms. Denmark shall remain as is, with King Fredrick and Queen Cecily at the helm (and Prince John and Princess Johanna to succeed them). The new King of Sweden is Prince Fredrick, and the new King of Norway is Prince Edward. Both will be held by regency council members, all from mostly rebellious families, until the boys reach majority.
In Scotland, the news of the Scandinavian war comes via letters from the Queen’s cousin. Catherine herself is in mourning for a stillborn daughter, born two months prematurely.
Savoy, September 1504: Duke Louis of Savoy dies from pleurisy. Duchess Margaret is so bereft that she attempts to throw herself out of a window. Only four months pregnant at the time of her husband’s death, she enters confinement reluctantly at the end of the year, fearing what Charles of Savoy and his ambitious wife, Elizabeth of Greece, have planned.
Copenhagen, September 1505: Princess Johanna of Denmark gives birth to a son, whom is named Maximilian after the Emperor.
Ludlow, April 1502: The Prince of Wales, Richard, son of the estranged King William and Queen Radegonde, lives a peaceful live outside of the court drama. The spitting image of Edward IV, it is presumed he will do great things for England. This comes crashing down as the entire Ludlow Castle falls ill with the mysterious sweating sickness. Queen Radegonde comes running to her ailing son. She will never forgive William for not doing the same.
She comes just in time to attend the funeral of William, heir of the Duke of Somerset. Her son seems to be dying, just like his best friend. Doctors are pessimistic. But the loving mother refuses to give up, spending hours on her knees in the chapel, praying the Rosary over and over again. Her mother-in-law, Dowager Queen Margaret, had received miracles time and time again. Should she expect the same?
Richard does manage to make it through the illness this time, but he’s left weak. Any physical activity more strenuous than walking causes him to faint. He complains of heart pains and palpitations.
That same day that Richard recovers, Louise Smith, last surviving of the little seer children of Nottingham, claims to have received a message from the Mother of God that Richard would be the father of one of the greatest monarchs England will ever see. Mary also assures her that, because of the increased devotion of the common people and nobility alike, that England will be blessed among all nations. A golden age for England, and maybe for all of Europe, if they obey God, will be ushered in. Mary repeats what she told Saint Dominic in 1214: “Through the Rosary and Scapular, I will save the world.”
Savoy, August 1502: Duchess Margaret gives birth to a daughter named after herself. Louis and Margaret have a deeply passionate love for one another and their daughters. Tragically, little Margaret dies in her crib from a fever in November. Margaret is bereft, especially after a miscarriage the year previous.
Margaret also has the task of actually ruling Savoy, while her husband focuses on leisurely pursuits such as hunting and reading. Louis is, if anything, a practical man, and he understands that his wife is the smarter person in the marriage.
Rothesay, October 1502: In Scotland, Prince Edward’s mental instability has grown exponentially. He enjoys abusing animals and throwing knifes at his servants. The common thought at court is that he is demonically possessed. The culmination of his behavior is reached when he actually stabs one of his French tutor. Forcibly locked in his room, George finally takes action and begins proceedings to declare Edward illegitimate and confine him for the rest of his life.
The situation actually resolves itself when Edward lights a tapestry on fire and allows himself to be burnt to death in his rooms. The flames are extinguished, and the Duke of Rothesay is given a small funeral, and is placed beside his mother in the royal crypt.
Within a month, Queen Catherine has given birth to a son, the new Duke of Rothesay. Christened James, the child will fortunately not have the mental condition that affected the Stewarts.
Saxony, June 1503: Speaking of Scottish royal family members and their mental illness, Duchess Edith of Saxony (sister of King George of Scotland), an entirely mad woman who believes she is made out of glass, welcomes a daughter-in-law. The lady in question is Louise of Cleves, an important heiress and granddaughter of the King of France.
The groom is Henry of Saxony, the only child of Duke George of Saxony and Edith of Scotland. A wedding night baby, born in 1488, his parents had only spent three months together until the extent of Edith’s problems became apparent. Locked in a remote castle, Edith was remembered as the “hidden duchess”. Duke George, very pious, refused to annul the marriage.
Henry and Louise themselves with have three children: Johann Fredrick (b. 1504), Maria (b. 1507) and Magdalena (b. 1511).
Northern Europe, 1504: To start off the year, Lionel, Duke of Bedford, surrenders his title as he becomes Bishop of Winchester. Deciding on a monastic life years ago, Lionel focuses on charity, promoting literacy, and encouraging devotion through the Bible, Rosary and Brown Scapular. His mother, Margaret, is there every step of the way.
Meanwhile in Scandinavia, Swedish and Norwegian rebels align and start a rebellion against their Danish overlords. Without going into too much detail, as war is not the main focus of this chronicle, the war lasted the whole year and was terribly bloody. Prince John fought valiantly, as did the rebels. Eventually, a ceasefire was signed and the parties met at Oslo to discuss the fate of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
It was Queen Cecily who suggested what would come to be known as the Treaty of Oslo. Denmark, Sweden, and Norway will be split into 3 kingdoms. Denmark shall remain as is, with King Fredrick and Queen Cecily at the helm (and Prince John and Princess Johanna to succeed them). The new King of Sweden is Prince Fredrick, and the new King of Norway is Prince Edward. Both will be held by regency council members, all from mostly rebellious families, until the boys reach majority.
In Scotland, the news of the Scandinavian war comes via letters from the Queen’s cousin. Catherine herself is in mourning for a stillborn daughter, born two months prematurely.
Savoy, September 1504: Duke Louis of Savoy dies from pleurisy. Duchess Margaret is so bereft that she attempts to throw herself out of a window. Only four months pregnant at the time of her husband’s death, she enters confinement reluctantly at the end of the year, fearing what Charles of Savoy and his ambitious wife, Elizabeth of Greece, have planned.
Copenhagen, September 1505: Princess Johanna of Denmark gives birth to a son, whom is named Maximilian after the Emperor.
Thank you. Yes, he’s got a rough time ahead, but I will say that the Virgin’s words are true.
Go Johanna, go!
Also, hang tight, Meg. Your father and mother are coming to help you.
Also, hang tight, Meg. Your father and mother are coming to help you.
I believe Margaret can handle the situation herself, she’s quite capable you know.
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Chapter 46: France in 1480-90
1481: Blanche of Berry, daughter of the Duke of Berry and his Italian wife, is married to Louis, Duke of Orleans. The new Duchess is a cultured and well-read woman, the favorite of her father. The wealthy Queen Dowager, Elizabeth of York, hosts the wedding at Chinon. After the ceremony she takes King Louis aside, still dressed in black, mourning his long-dead bride, Catherine of Bourbon, aside. Portugal has offered the Infanta Isabella to the King with a large dowry and trade benefits.
Louis is hesitant to accept. It’s a great deal; Portugal is the wealthiest kingdom in Europe. But he’s loathe to remarry, having been thrice widowed. But Elizabeth finally convinces him. The marriage is set for May of 1482.
1482: While Charles of Berry is in Italy, fighting the war valiantly, Louis XI is married to Isabella of Portugal. Louis is cold to her, rarely visiting his new wife. Isabella isn’t blind and understands he still loves his dead wife. She herself never expected this sudden match to appear, at 27 she had figured that she was set to be a spinster. Sensing her loneliness, Elizabeth welcomes her into her private circle of English and French ladies at court. The new Queen appreciates the gesture and the reassurance that her place at court is indeed secure.
This same year, Henri, Duke of Aquitaine, and his wife, Constance of Brittany, have their first child. It’s a son, named Francois after Henri’s twin brother and Constance’s father. Despite being both shy and reserved, the two get along quite well, and are beloved in Bordeaux for having returned that city to its former glory.
Meanwhile, the Orleans Ducal couple also welcome a son. Little Philippe of Orleans is the first grandchild of the Duke of Berry, whose victories in Italy are praised in letters from his daughter. It would be wrong to say that Louis and Blanche were close, or that they even really liked each other, but the two did share ambition and a desire to further their standing at court.
1483: Princess Margaret of England, eldest daughter of Edward IV by Margaret of Lancaster, arrives to be married to the Dauphin. The young girl is surprised when she finds the group on the shoreline waiting for her is dressed entirely in the white mourning garb of French royals. When the attendants address her as Reine instead of Dauphine, she knows her soon-to-be father-in-law has died.
Indeed, Louis XI died from a heart attack on his way to dinner one day in August. His wife, Isabella, was not pregnant, much to her chagrin. Dauphin Jean had ascended to the throne as King Jean III. Jean was only fourteen, and Elizabeth of York had assumed the regency. Protected by her aunt, the new bride gets to know her husband, and sees he’s frightened by this new power, and perhaps a bit spoiled. Margaret also befriends Dowager Queen Isabella, who took her on as a personal charge. Isabella needed a distraction from all the disappointment France had brought her.
1484: After Christmastide celebrations at court, where the seemingly perpetual mourning is finally broken, King Jean falls ill. At first it seems like a bad cough. Regent Elizabeth worries, Jean’s always been sickly. His wedding, set for March, is delayed until July. Soon, Jean’s coughing up blood. He has tuberculosis. Dying on the date set for his wedding, the teenage king’s death throws the entire court into a fit of chaos.
Perhaps it hadn’t been for Elizabeth of York, France would have fallen again to civil war. Charles of Berry, fortunately in France, rushes to the capital and is proclaimed King by the regency council. He is crowned quickly, in August, on the date set for Jean’s coronation. Elizabeth throws her full support behind him.
After King Charles VIII is crowned, he bestows titles to some of his most faithful supporters. Henri, Duke of Aquitaine is instructed to move to Italy to be King of Naples. This surprised Henri, but he accepted his half-brother’s instructions dutifully.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth of York, now longer Dowager Queen, is given the title Duchess of Aquitaine, a title which will return to the crown upon her death. Charles has always had a deep, almost-sibling like affection for the Valois matriarch, and the title is a reward for her devoted years of service. Isabella of Portugal, somewhat lost at a court she never really cared for, is given her own title: Countess of Toulouse. Her administrative skill will be useful in ruling a county.
Finally, Princess Margaret of England, a quiet and bookish young girl, is betrothed to Dauphin Philippe, who is equally reticent and educated. The two get along well, though Margaret demands time alone to contemplate and pray over the recent events that have shaken her emotionally.
1485: Dauphin Philippe and Princess Margaret are married at Saint Denis Cathedral in a resplendent ceremony. The wedding of the two handsome young people restored the atmosphere of jubilance and sophistication missing from the Royal court of France since 1476, when Queen Catherine of Bourbon died.
Later that year, Princess Radegonde, Charles and Ippolita’s younger daughter, departed France and married the Prince of Wales, William. In Naples, King Henri and Queen Constance have their first daughter (and first child born in Italy), Princess Elizabeth, named, of course, for Henri’s mother. The King and Queen have a steadily growing popularity in Italy, likely due to their rebuilding from the war and charitable donations.
1486: In the Chateau d’Amboise, Dauphine Margaret settles in to await the birth of her first child. Despite a difficult first labor that nearly cost the English Princess her life, a healthy son, christened Charles after the Dauphin’s father, is born. A child born so soon to Philippe and Margaret helps the two grow closer together. Meanwhile, at court, King Charles is more than glad to have a secondary heir, despite being only 40.
In Orleans, Philippe’s sister, Duchess Blanche, gives birth to a daughter named Blanche of Orleans.
1487: Louis, second son of King Charles, is awarded the title Duke of Normandy. He is also betrothed to Charlotte of Burgundy, the brother of the Duke of Burgundy.
In more tragic news, Queen Ippolita of France passes away. Late in the previous year, she had noticed a lump on her breast. Cancer takes her in August, and the entire Valois family mourns the lovely Queen.
1488: In Naples, King Henri and Queen Constance put down yet another rebellion from the Trastamaras, and also have a third child: Princess Constance. While ex-King Alfonso manages to evade capture, his daughter by Anne of Savoy, Charlotte, isn’t so fortunate and is hidden away in a remote convent.
In Paris, King Charles announces a marriage that no one was excepting. After receiving a dispensation from His Holiness, Charles had privately married his one-time sister-in-law, Isabelle of Portugal, Countess of Toulouse, in a ceremony that suited both their tastes. Thus, Isabelle found herself as Queen of France once again.
1489: The Dauphin and Dauphine have a second son. This time named Philippe for the baby’s father (whom he resembles very much), the Berry-Valois succession is finally secure. The Duke of Orleans has a second son, Louis, with Duchess Blanche.
1490: Queen Isabella of France gives birth to her first, and only child. This daughter is the third for Charles, and is named Magdalena after the King’s unfortunate sister, who suffered failed betrothal after failed betrothal. Fortunately, this Princess is engaged almost immediately to the heir to Poland, Alexander.
Shortly after Isabella’s churching, Louis, Duke of Normandy, the King’s second son, is married to Charlotte of Burgundy. Unfortunately, Charlotte is not very beautiful, and Louis, always brash, tells her that she isn’t what he expected. Thus the marriage gets off on the wrong foot.
Louis is hesitant to accept. It’s a great deal; Portugal is the wealthiest kingdom in Europe. But he’s loathe to remarry, having been thrice widowed. But Elizabeth finally convinces him. The marriage is set for May of 1482.
1482: While Charles of Berry is in Italy, fighting the war valiantly, Louis XI is married to Isabella of Portugal. Louis is cold to her, rarely visiting his new wife. Isabella isn’t blind and understands he still loves his dead wife. She herself never expected this sudden match to appear, at 27 she had figured that she was set to be a spinster. Sensing her loneliness, Elizabeth welcomes her into her private circle of English and French ladies at court. The new Queen appreciates the gesture and the reassurance that her place at court is indeed secure.
This same year, Henri, Duke of Aquitaine, and his wife, Constance of Brittany, have their first child. It’s a son, named Francois after Henri’s twin brother and Constance’s father. Despite being both shy and reserved, the two get along quite well, and are beloved in Bordeaux for having returned that city to its former glory.
Meanwhile, the Orleans Ducal couple also welcome a son. Little Philippe of Orleans is the first grandchild of the Duke of Berry, whose victories in Italy are praised in letters from his daughter. It would be wrong to say that Louis and Blanche were close, or that they even really liked each other, but the two did share ambition and a desire to further their standing at court.
1483: Princess Margaret of England, eldest daughter of Edward IV by Margaret of Lancaster, arrives to be married to the Dauphin. The young girl is surprised when she finds the group on the shoreline waiting for her is dressed entirely in the white mourning garb of French royals. When the attendants address her as Reine instead of Dauphine, she knows her soon-to-be father-in-law has died.
Indeed, Louis XI died from a heart attack on his way to dinner one day in August. His wife, Isabella, was not pregnant, much to her chagrin. Dauphin Jean had ascended to the throne as King Jean III. Jean was only fourteen, and Elizabeth of York had assumed the regency. Protected by her aunt, the new bride gets to know her husband, and sees he’s frightened by this new power, and perhaps a bit spoiled. Margaret also befriends Dowager Queen Isabella, who took her on as a personal charge. Isabella needed a distraction from all the disappointment France had brought her.
1484: After Christmastide celebrations at court, where the seemingly perpetual mourning is finally broken, King Jean falls ill. At first it seems like a bad cough. Regent Elizabeth worries, Jean’s always been sickly. His wedding, set for March, is delayed until July. Soon, Jean’s coughing up blood. He has tuberculosis. Dying on the date set for his wedding, the teenage king’s death throws the entire court into a fit of chaos.
Perhaps it hadn’t been for Elizabeth of York, France would have fallen again to civil war. Charles of Berry, fortunately in France, rushes to the capital and is proclaimed King by the regency council. He is crowned quickly, in August, on the date set for Jean’s coronation. Elizabeth throws her full support behind him.
After King Charles VIII is crowned, he bestows titles to some of his most faithful supporters. Henri, Duke of Aquitaine is instructed to move to Italy to be King of Naples. This surprised Henri, but he accepted his half-brother’s instructions dutifully.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth of York, now longer Dowager Queen, is given the title Duchess of Aquitaine, a title which will return to the crown upon her death. Charles has always had a deep, almost-sibling like affection for the Valois matriarch, and the title is a reward for her devoted years of service. Isabella of Portugal, somewhat lost at a court she never really cared for, is given her own title: Countess of Toulouse. Her administrative skill will be useful in ruling a county.
Finally, Princess Margaret of England, a quiet and bookish young girl, is betrothed to Dauphin Philippe, who is equally reticent and educated. The two get along well, though Margaret demands time alone to contemplate and pray over the recent events that have shaken her emotionally.
1485: Dauphin Philippe and Princess Margaret are married at Saint Denis Cathedral in a resplendent ceremony. The wedding of the two handsome young people restored the atmosphere of jubilance and sophistication missing from the Royal court of France since 1476, when Queen Catherine of Bourbon died.
Later that year, Princess Radegonde, Charles and Ippolita’s younger daughter, departed France and married the Prince of Wales, William. In Naples, King Henri and Queen Constance have their first daughter (and first child born in Italy), Princess Elizabeth, named, of course, for Henri’s mother. The King and Queen have a steadily growing popularity in Italy, likely due to their rebuilding from the war and charitable donations.
1486: In the Chateau d’Amboise, Dauphine Margaret settles in to await the birth of her first child. Despite a difficult first labor that nearly cost the English Princess her life, a healthy son, christened Charles after the Dauphin’s father, is born. A child born so soon to Philippe and Margaret helps the two grow closer together. Meanwhile, at court, King Charles is more than glad to have a secondary heir, despite being only 40.
In Orleans, Philippe’s sister, Duchess Blanche, gives birth to a daughter named Blanche of Orleans.
1487: Louis, second son of King Charles, is awarded the title Duke of Normandy. He is also betrothed to Charlotte of Burgundy, the brother of the Duke of Burgundy.
In more tragic news, Queen Ippolita of France passes away. Late in the previous year, she had noticed a lump on her breast. Cancer takes her in August, and the entire Valois family mourns the lovely Queen.
1488: In Naples, King Henri and Queen Constance put down yet another rebellion from the Trastamaras, and also have a third child: Princess Constance. While ex-King Alfonso manages to evade capture, his daughter by Anne of Savoy, Charlotte, isn’t so fortunate and is hidden away in a remote convent.
In Paris, King Charles announces a marriage that no one was excepting. After receiving a dispensation from His Holiness, Charles had privately married his one-time sister-in-law, Isabelle of Portugal, Countess of Toulouse, in a ceremony that suited both their tastes. Thus, Isabelle found herself as Queen of France once again.
1489: The Dauphin and Dauphine have a second son. This time named Philippe for the baby’s father (whom he resembles very much), the Berry-Valois succession is finally secure. The Duke of Orleans has a second son, Louis, with Duchess Blanche.
1490: Queen Isabella of France gives birth to her first, and only child. This daughter is the third for Charles, and is named Magdalena after the King’s unfortunate sister, who suffered failed betrothal after failed betrothal. Fortunately, this Princess is engaged almost immediately to the heir to Poland, Alexander.
Shortly after Isabella’s churching, Louis, Duke of Normandy, the King’s second son, is married to Charlotte of Burgundy. Unfortunately, Charlotte is not very beautiful, and Louis, always brash, tells her that she isn’t what he expected. Thus the marriage gets off on the wrong foot.
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Thank you, and fixed.
France and Naples are in for very different fates.