Henry IXth (The Great.), 1594 - 1662
Long recognised as one of the greatest monarchs the united kingdoms of England and Scotland has produced this was a man seemingly destined from birth to be one of the great movers and shakers of history.
Born in Scotland (19th February 1594) at Stirling castle, the son of James VI of Scotland and Anne of Denmark. He was christened at midsummer and it is said that the central event in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, written shortly after, is based on the royal baptismal party.
His father had high expectations of his eldest and in 1598 wrote the “Basilikon Doron” (Royal Gift) Giving guidelines as to how a successful monarch should rule his subjects.
(1594) Henry Stuart born, immediately given titles Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Lord of the Isles, confirming him in the highest of Scottish titles.
(1603) Elizabeth 1st dies and James VI becomes James 1st of England. James confirms Henry as Duke of Cornwall.
(1605) Gunpowder plot.
(1610) Henry confirmed as Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. Bringing the titles together of every male monarch who has subsequently held the throne of Britain. During this time Henry also befriended Sir Walter Raleigh as well as establishing a correspondence with Henry VI of France and Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. Though when his father suggested a French marriage, he answered that he was 'resolved that two religions should not lie in his bed’.
(1611) King James Bible published.
(1612 POD) In November Henry decides to take an unseasonable swim in the Thames, subsequently contracts typhoid and was only saved by the intervention of his friend Sir Walter who despite being in the Tower of London procured some Quinine to break the fever. (OTL Henry dies and Charles became the successor)
(1612 – 1625) During this time Henry added to his increasing popularity by living a fairly austere protestant lifestyle (as opposed to the decadence of the Jacobean court) championing such causes as naval reform and reconstruction, and with an eye to the future,
colonisation especially of Virginia, as well as encouraging various “troublemaking” protestant sects to set up their own colonies in the new world. He also interceded with his Father to stay the execution of his friend and mentor Sir Walter Raleigh. It was during this time that Henry was betrothed in Marriage to Maria Elisabet of Sweden daughter of Charles IX and his second wife Christina of Holstein-Gottorp. The marriage was ostensibly a happy one, though rumours abounded of internal strife between the young couple. Though an initial Friendship with Henry IV of France’s son Louis XIII had been established, this relationship became strained over the years as the influence of Louis mother and her protégé Cardinal Richeleiu dominated Louis life. Henry also became famous for chivalry and his patronage of artists, architects, and men of letters seemed to promise that the reign would be potential golden age for Britain. His friendship with various members of Parliament (Despite James having dissolved it) and his preparedness to listen to reason even if it went against his views frequently brought him into strife with his father. It is thought that at this time that Henry’s later reforms of Parliament and taxation were formulated by his discussions and friendship with William Cavendish, John Byron and the lawyer John Bradshaw, though his knowledge of Robert Cecil’s “Great contract” undoubtedly played a part.
(1618) Henry and Maria’s first child a son James Alexander born.
(1619) Charles married to Elisabeth von Nassau-Siegen.
(1621) Henry and Maria’s second child, a son Robert William born.
(1624) Charles wife dies in childbirth as does the child a daughter.
(1625) Saw the death of James 1st of England, a man who started off in great popularity with the English but who’s actions over the years (His most cherished ambition – the union of England and Scotland – was thwarted by Parliament, who objected to James's wish to rename the joint realm 'Britain'. To Parliament, a new name meant a new kingdom in which James would be free to set himself up as an absolute emperor. In contrast, Parliament would be a mere provincial assembly.
James's reaction was to try to enact the Union symbolically, using his own powers under the royal prerogative. By proclamation he assumed the title 'king of Great Britain'. He then announced a new union currency, royal coat of arms and flag. Not content with symbols, he also practiced a union by stealth by filling his bedchamber, the inner circle of his court, almost exclusively with Scots. James took a more than fatherly interest in Scots lads with well-turned legs and firm buttocks, but recruiting them also suited him politically.
James had inherited a substantial debt from Elizabeth. He also had a large family to maintain and wanted to spend money on his favourites and pleasures. The crown's 'ordinary income' from land and custom duties was hopelessly inadequate, and there was no choice but to ask Parliament for more money. But Parliament saw no reason why tax payers' money should end up in the pockets of Scots favourites.)
Upon his accession, in 1625 Henry was crowned despite Parliaments objections as King of Britain. However one of his first acts as King was to assemble parliament to sort out the Royal finances and despite his inclination towards the divine right of Kings Henry accepted a modified version of the Great Contract allowing his household an income of £250,000 per annum. In return Henry gave up his feudal privileges and despite the occasional bouts of acrimony a working relationship (of sorts) was established. Indeed Parliament saw the need to strengthen the Kingdom both militarily and financially and with the support of the King looked for means to increase commerce and trade in order to pay for naval and military reconstruction.
At this time Henry also dismissed all of James 1st’s favourites from the court including George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham a man whom he distrusted greatly and whom he had prevented inveigling his dying father into declaring war on Spain. Removing several of his titles in the process. Henry appointed the capable John Pym to represent him in France in negotiations with Cardinal Richlieu over concerns with the Huguenot protestants currently in revolt at La Rochelle in France. This Pym managed successfully, despite his disdain for Catholicism allowing an earlier Huguenot exodus to England and Ireland with a corresponding transfer of dissidents in return. The resulting gain to the English and Irish economies further boosted Henry’s attempts to revitalize Britain. Henry also appointed Thomas Wentworth, as his president of the Council of the North after dismissing Emmanuel Scrope, Earl of Sunderland from his position for suspected Catholic sympathies. Henry although like his father being tolerant of other faiths was determined always to have control over the organizations that controlled them. Henry was also able to recruit Ernst Von Mansfeld to advise him on military affairs. This after Maria had persuaded him not to get involved in funding a Danish attempt to seize the Palatinate.
(1626) Henry appoints his brother Charles to represent the “King” at the Scottish parliament. This was meant to free Charles from his entanglements with extreme Protestant groups and isolate him from various influences within the royal court. All this lead to was Charles coming under the influence of James’ old cabal including Buckingham who resented their loss of influence (and wealth) within the “British” court.
(1627) Henry and Maria’s third child, a daughter Christina Elizabeth born. The labour was difficult and the subsequent fever left Maria barren and prone to bouts of weakness though she still remained her husbands enduring love. It was at this time that Henry horrified at the actions of the doctors actively started to seek out “Men of knowledge, science and the arts” It was his desire to see his kingdom as a shining beacon of light and progress.
(1628) By now Henry had consolidated his position as Monarch in England, though still struggling to sort out the nations finances to his satisfaction (and advantage) In order to increase his influence, Henry proposed to Parliament a review of the Magna Carta with a view to “expanding the influence of the realm in its dealings with all good men.” Henry’s main thoughts at the time according to his chronicler were towards increasing the size of parliament by including new boroughs as well as denuding parliament of its rotten ones (and increasing his influence by patronage). He immediately faced opposition in the form of Robert Devereaux 3rd Earl of Essex, a man who had been married to Frances Howard, countess of Suffolk, in 1606, but was divorced by James I so that she could marry his favourite. A man who hated the Stuarts with a passion. Devereaux’s first act was to gather up like minded men in an attempt to limit the Kings power and to tie him to Parliaments tail by causing Henry to dissolve Parliament as his father had and forment dissent within the country. By constant thwarting of debate by means of gerrymandering and prevarication all Devereaux managed to do was isolate himself and his followers from the moderates within Parliament who wanted reform.
Henry himself spent little time debating, being a man of action he was currently using his new wealth to support and finance endeavours abroad as well as having the keels laid of a new generation of warships. Preferring to leave debate in the hands of his confidants William Cavendish, John Byron and the lawyer John Bradshaw. At length though Parliament produced a set of proposals to which the King felt himself able to give assent too.
The main proposals were:
No taxes to be levied without consent of Parliament
No subject to be imprisoned without cause (this reaffirmed the right of habeas corpus)
Enfranchisement of all men having a value in property of over £1000.
Constituency reform in that all voting boroughs shall have an equal number of voters.
Parliament to be increased to represent the new enfranchises.
At this time Parliament agreed to properly finance the King in order to expand the Navy, in return the King would give up his right to the Sea Tax, Knights tax and various other means monarchs had used to obtain additional income without recourse to Parliament.
Parliament also allowed Henry the tonnage and poundage (customs) income to be allocated towards the navy.
(1629) With a guaranteed income from the state to meet the needs of his modest court and economic growth within the country Henry’s mind was turned to what he saw as the greatest threat to the internal peace of the realm, religion. Though a devout protestant believer himself, Henry had become alarmed over the years at the treatment of other fine men who had other beliefs, indeed he was aware of the possibilities of this treatment driving them into the arms of those extremists who wanted a Catholic takeover.
Yet the Protestants had very good reason to fear foreign Catholic powers and their influence.
In the 1550’s Bloody Mary had burned nearly 300 Protestants.
1558, There was the Spanish Armada and Elizabeth herself had dealt with several Catholic plots against her. The Spanish Inquisition was still a force to be reckoned with abroad.
1560, The Spanish Duke of Alva had massacred Protestant civilians in the Netherlands.
1573, The St Bartholemew Massacre in Paris where Catholics had murdered 5000 Protestants in cold blood.
There was still the Catholic churches threat to recover all the land stolen from them by Henry 8th.
Indeed his own father had been the subject of the Gunpowder plot. So the fears were very real.
Henry called a conclave of religious leaders to discuss the issues involved hoping for a solution as he himself resolved to make Britain so tough a nut to crack that foreign adventurism would be looked at as an act of desperation by the Catholic superstates of France or Spain.
(1630)The conclave held in York was currently stalemated, often resulting in brawls between various factions and churchmen, that no-one had died was more the result of Henry’s royal guards searching the attendees for edged weapons than any act of God. Many of the Puritan representatives had threatened to boycott the conclave when they were made aware of the need to include some Roman Catholic laymen. Only a personal appeal by the King and Queen brought them unwillingly to the debate.
The first of the new naval craft built by Henry took to sea, looked upon as the most heavily armed ship of its type in the world its duties were to patrol the English channel to deal with various pirates and slavers operating in the area. Others were near completion and would be used to extend British influence both around the islands and in the new world.
(1631) The “Great Conclave” finally yielded results, though they were not to anyone’s great satisfaction they produced a compromise most could live with. The most controversial was the call for a “Freedom of Religion” whereby no man could be forced to worship in a manner he found not to his taste. This would essentially mean that Roman Catholicism would be tolerated again (Though not loved) The Puritan influence within Anglicanism was salved by moves to unite with Lutheranism (The puritans being essentially patriarchal never the less had a great admiration for Henry’s Queen and her “Simple piety”) There was recognition too for such groups as the Quakers and other dissident religious organisations. The downside from Henry’s point of view was that the conclave concluded that he could no longer be the head of Gods church in England. This meant in essence that he was being asked to hand over to the church various religious properties he still held in trust as its head. The downside from parliaments view was the conclave asking them to remove the laws requiring mandatory attendance at an Anglican church. Not that removing a law was difficult, but because of the rancorous debate that followed on the “probable decline in moral standards.” The one thing all agreed upon was the conclaves statement that “All men must come to God, though it is to the weakness of man that God has provided many paths in His church. Yet all good men must be subject to the laws of this land and its King seeking not to undermine that which is good and proper.” And so it was decided, church and state must separate. As later historians put it, “It was not easy and it was not immediate and were it not for Henry’s decision to allow free transport to the new world for those who could not live in peace together then the circumstances which followed would have been so much worse.”
Britain’s fleet at this time had now increased to 60 ships of the line, 10 of which were the new type based on the “Sovereign of the Seas” with a further 15 under construction.
At this time Henry and Parliament also made major investments in the New World, expanding the colonies and building two new shipyards and ship repair facilities. At this time also the colonists came into conflict with those of New France and New Holland a low key war of raid and counter raid commenced with both sides picking off each others outposts and shipping. The British colonists however had the advantage of numbers and infrastructure as their King and Parliament had been encouraging growth and industry in their lands since before he became King.
(1632) France however had other plans for dealing with Britain and its upstart people. Henry’s spies in the French court had gotten wind of plans to invade Ireland. Though this was a ruse to take Henry’s eye off what was about to happen in Scotland. It did mean that the British navy was out in strength around the Irish coast when the real plan was sprung.
Charles his brother under the influence of various Scottish and English nobles, fearful of losing their influence and power was crowned King of Scotland in Stirling. Bankrolled by France and promised French troops in support many (Though not a majority) in Scotland rallied to his side seeking independence. To add to Henry’s woes, the Devereaux uprising began with Essex and Kentish militias seeking to free the counties of pernicious foreign influences (Huguenots) forced on them by the King.
The British Civil war has begun.
(1632) Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex and now rebel against the crown was a seasoned military commander and Parliamentarian, having served 3 times abroad in the Bohemian rebellion and war of the Palatinate (OTL 30 years war). His distaste for the House of Stuart stemming from losing his wife, Frances Howard, countess of Suffolk, in 1606, in divorce by James I so that she could marry his favourite, had hardened into hatred over what he saw as the betrayal of the Palatinate by the refusal of Henry to support any foreign adventures during the time of national rebuilding. Gathering together various disgruntled and ambitious nobles, many who were facing financial ruin due to the inflation of James 1st’s reign by having fixed rents on their land tenants along with poor investments abroad. Taking advantage of a poorly organised local rebellion in Essex and Kent against the Huguenots, Devereaux gathered an army with the intent of marching on London and restoring England’s rightful place in the world. Many historians have argued over the years just what Devereaux’s intentions actually were, was he a republican or just a usurper no one, not even Devereaux seemed to know for sure. Many of the nobles and their personal retinues fighting for Devereaux seemed to have their own agenda, though all seemed to agree this “Merchant” King must go. The Rebellion in Scotland seemed perfect for them to get what they wanted and divide up the spoils after. Unfortunately for them Charles in Scotland’s seeming indecision after taking the Scottish crown (He was in fact waiting for French reinforcements) left them first to face Henry.
Henry however had his own problems, the calling out of the various militias to face Charles and Devereaux was not going well. Though having many loyal supporters, there were also many who had decided to sit on the fence, deciding that a problem in Scotland was not their problem. So it took several months for Henry to assemble a force of 10,000 men to face Devereaux and his 8,000 in Essex.
Henry’s chronicler noted the Kings reactions to the march to face Devereaux. “His majesty is not amused by the damage to his kingdom that the militias perform. Theft, arson, rape, and murder seem to follow in the wake of the armies billeting on the roads to find the rebels. The noble commanders seem to have no control over their men. Indeed many seem not to know where their men are.”
Devereaux led the King a merry dance with his army never engaging until finally some weeks after the Kings army set off, a tired, cold, hungry and increasingly rebellious army faced up to Devereaux’s rested and ready army.
The battle of Braintree (September 1632) was a victory for the Royal forces, however to Henry as recorded by his chronicler it was at best a draw, with fortuitous circumstances at the end. Both sides faced each other on each side of a small valley with mixed musketeer and pikemen regiments to the fore, cavalry on the wings and heavy cannon to the rear. At 11:am the Royal army advanced to engage the centre of the rebels only to find their advance studded by caltrops causing their squares to break formation. Devereax having more heavy cavalry swung around them to outflank the foot soldiers only to face Henry’s artillery and cavalry reserve, a general melee ensued. During which Henry attempted to extricate his mixed musket and pikemen. It was at this stage that Devereax’s cavalry broke through to engage the Royal party itself. Henry was only saved by a small troop of volunteer cavalry from Huntingdon lead by a small landowner named Oliver Cromwell throwing themselves into the fray and allowing Henry’s men to seek safety within the regiments of foot. Seeing the disarray his army was facing Henry determined to go down fighting. Removing his lower armour (quite a feat in itself) he moved his Royal guard to the front of the regiment, had his royal banner unfurled and sounded the advance. To the astonishment of Devereaux the entire front line of Henry’s army followed their king into the face of a torrent of artillery and musket, not marching but advancing at a run. Seeing the royal banner and the maddened Royals bearing down upon them the rebels despite seemingly looking like winning the day broke and fled. Devereaux himself was carried off the field by his personal guard cursing and struggling and eventually ended up joining the Army of Charles in Scotland having set sail from Ipswich. Many of the rebel officers were cut down by their own men as they made vain attempts to rally them. Others though abandoned their men and fled north to join Charles, some making it, but many caught and hung by loyalist sheriffs as they tried to avoid Henry’s men’s wrath.
The aftermath was quite as bad as Henry thought; He’d lost over 3000 men with more sure to die from their wounds. Henry himself had lost the tip of an ear though he had no recollection how. The rebels however had dissolved, losing somewhere in the region of 2500 men though the majority having scattered back to wherever they came from and weren’t to be a threat again, though the area suffered from brigandage for a number of years after.
Henry’s further thoughts on the matter are well known. His next move was to request Parliament to finance a standing army, with a properly organised commissary to stand in defence of the realm. He also offered royal commissions to one John Mc Gregor to sort out the Kings Highways to a standard fit to march an army over. Mc Gregor had approached the King years before with such a proposal using a cut stone base with crushed gravel for road surfacing graded to a constant size of chippings (Similar to Roman roads). This the king had put on the back burner for years, simply not having the means to finance it. This parliament agreed to finance using the seized holdings of the “Traitors” along with captured prisoners to actually do the work. Although Henry was never able to march to war over such a road, within 10 years the travel times in Britain had been cut by 2/3rds.
Henry also commissioned a survey of Britains coastal defenses with the long term view of keeping the Islands secure. Other measures taken were the building of “Manned light-towers” to guide shipping into the harbours of the realm safe from rocks and shoals. A request to Jeremiah Horrocks to see if any improvements on spyglasses could be made. William Harvey was also asked to see to the setting up of an army corp of surgeons. Many great scientists were also moving to Britains universities attracted by Henry’s support of the sciences, including Johann Baptista van Helmont, William Oughtred, Hans Janssen; and his son, Zacharias. Who brought with them their first crude microscope.
Further honours went to Oliver Cromwell, knighted on the field of battle and given the title of Earl of Essex for saving the Kings life. He and the King became fast friends, Henry liking the mans practical turn of mind. Allowed him, Sir Thomas Fairfax and Ernst Von Mansfeld to build and standardise the “New British Army.” It was Cromwell who solved the age old problem of pikemen sawing off the last 2 foot of pike to make carrying it easier by introducing a socketed pike that could be split in half for transport. It was Mansfeld who oversaw the introduction of a socket bayonet to fix onto the New Armies flintlocks giving them defense as well as the ability to reload and fire. Both Musketeers and pikemen were given a steel helmet as well as a steel frontplate. No backplate was supplied, the reasoning being that this army would never retreat.
The army consisted of a total of 22,500 men, broken down in the following way:
Infantry regiments 12, 1200 men in each regiment
Cavalry regiments 11, 600 men in each regiment
Dragoon regiments 1, 1000 men in each regiment
Artillery regiments 5, 100 men in each regiment
The infantry were issued with royal blue uniforms to replace their existing regiment's colour. Cavalry were issued with light headpieces, armour front & back, and a buffcoat of leather.
The pay was set at eight pence a day for infantry, and two shillings a day for cavalry. Those in the cavalry had to provide their own horse. Promotion was now done strictly on military prowess, and no longer on a family or monetary basis. Henry was commander in chief, Fairfax and Mansfeld his generals, with Cromwell his Quartermaster General a task he seemed born for.
Further developments this year were Henry removing Thomas Wentworth from his position as Lord-President of the Council of the North and sending him to Ireland as lord-lieutenant with the instruction to keep them under control. Wentworth had evolved the policy known as "Thorough" by which he managed the Northern nobles for the administration of the State before the period of The British civil war. Wentworth systematically applied this policy in Ireland. He dominated the main power groups by clever manipulation of the Irish Parliament and by securing firm control of the army in Ireland. Schemes were introduced to develop trade and industry of every kind: financial reforms to increase Ireland's revenue were enforced; the piracy that was rife around the Irish coast was suppressed. The interests of the Crown and the British Parliament were his priority, at the expense of all private interest and many indeed thought Wentworth's methods were ruthless and despotic. He alienated the predominantly Catholic "Old English" aristocracy in Ireland by promoting the interests of the new wave of Protestant English and Scottish settlers. The policy of driving the native Irish population from their lands was continued and extended under Wentworth's administration and under instruction from Henry none were allowed to the New World but were permitted to “escape” to France.
In the port of Calais 70 French merchantmen escorted by 25 ships of the line set sail for Dunbar carrying 3000 hardened troops, a siege train and a war chest of £200,000. Caught out of position, elements of the British fleet could only play catch up as the French steadily made their way north towards Charles.
(1632) The weather and winds favoured the French fleet and in September they lay off the coast of Scotland and began disembarking men, arms and money. Within days the Rebel forces had made contact and moved to link up with their French allies. For all Charles figured prominently in the campaign to free Scotland, he was not a particularly happy man. The terms of French aid included a marriage to a French princess and separate command of the French forces to a French commander. Spending a few weeks to sort out various command differences the rebel army split, one set (15,000) south for Edinburgh with Charles, the other smaller (12,000) set out for Glasgow under the command of the Duke of Argyll. The idea being to secure both cities and then link up through the midland valley of the Forth and Clyde. On reaching Edinburgh, Charles had his first major setback in that the gates were shut in his face and the wall manned with the city militia. The Scottish rump Parliament having decided that Charles was no “King o’ theirs”. Discussions with his commanders ensued and a siege was initiated. The French siege train was brought up and defensive lines were dug to protect the army, whilst off the Forth the French men of war gathered to close off any seaborne aid. After 2 weeks of relentless shelling a breach in the Flodden Wall was made and enlarged. At dawn on October 2nd an assault was made on the city. Despite the valiant efforts of the defenders the maddened Highlanders seized the walls and poured into the city killing raping and looting. Whole swaths of the Old town were burnt to the ground, including the Parliament building. It is estimated almost 9000 people died in the siege and ensuing atrocities out of a population of around 25,000, driving a permanent wedge between relations of the Lowland and Highland Scots. Only the Castle on its promontory still held, though its commander was forced to surrender 5 days later when hope of relief was dashed by the retreat of the Earl of Newcastle’s relieving army who were outnumbered by the rebels almost 2 to 1.
The Argyll lead army had better luck when Glasgow opened its gates to prevent a siege and possible atrocity. Leaving a garrison behind, Argyll marched east to join with Charles who was moving to lay siege to Berwick.
(1633) The siege of Berwick was lifted after winter set in and Charles army retreated to the Midland valley to billet and winter in (relative) comfort. Over the border in England there was panic in many towns who feared the Scots were just over the horizon as well as frantic repairing of town and city walls, even as far south as Stamford. Questions in Parliament were raised as to the competency of the Earl of Newcastle, though much of the debate was stifled by Francis Pym who declared that any member who wished to lead an army north against a much greater foe was more than welcome to the command. This was the cause of one of the few rifts with Parliament Henry had, as he was under the impression it was “his” army.
Good news came with the news that Admiral Hamilton had finally driven off the French fleet from the coast of England; the survivors had fled north to safety at Edinburgh, the British fleet losing 2 ships to the French’s 7. Hamilton docked at Newcastle to a hero’s welcome for all he was a Scot; he was a loyal Scot as the mob hailed him. News also came from the Caribbean that the French colony sharing the Isle of St Kitts had surrendered to Britain’s North American flotilla. Admiral Wood had installed a British governor and had sent the French governor and his staff packing on the remaining French merchantman. The flotilla had then set out to interdict any French shipping it could find and had surprised the French Man of war Couronne, capturing her and two escorts. As they lay becalmed just off the coast of OTL Maine.
(1633) Was also the year known as the great Spanish swindle, in which Spain lost one of her prize Caribbean possessions and ended up in a European war with France. Later historians were able to put together the pieces of the actual events, though the machinations of the parties involved were very obscure at the time. During 1628 a British privateer (on detached duty from the North American flotilla) patrolling the Caribbean ran across a Danish man of war. This unusual event was noted by the Captain and further investigation soon uncovered a series of discrete Danish colonies in the Virgin Islands. (Ostensibly claimed by Spain, though of little consequence as Spain still claimed the entire Caribbean.) The Danes had been quietly shipping their colonists up to Iceland, using it as a staging post and then moving them south, thus avoiding notice in the English Channel. It was the Dutch Netherlands who made the initial approaches to Denmark and Britain. They were desperate to relieve the siege of their homelands and had approached France in the hopes of intervention and the French seeking to end Spanish dominance of Europe had agreed, for a price, 40 million ducats, an amount that would have bankrupted Holland. However the staatholders had come up with a means to overcome this, if only Denmark and Britain would agree. It was known the Spaniards used Puerto Rico as a staging post for transporting silver and gold from their overseas colonies en-route to Spain. The Dutch had previously attempted to seize the Island back in 1625 under General Boudewijn Hendrick and now thought to try again. The first moves were the transportation of a Danish regiment and siege train to Britain (It was assumed they were mercenaries to fight the Scots) Disembarking in Dover, they were marched overland to Bristol ostensibly to be re-embarked on transports to liberate Glasgow. The Danes however were embarked on British colonial transports (Expansion in the New world had given Britain a lot of expertise in transporting large numbers of people to the Americas) to join an Anglo Dutch fleet off the coast of Puerto Rico. The Plan was simple, to seize the Island including the fort of San Felipe del Morro by means of landing at Santurce, crossing the San Antonio bridge (from an area known today as Condado) into the islet of San Juan. Whilst the Dutch fleet with British aid blockaded the harbour keeping the treasure fleet from sailing out. This was accomplished and the Dutch with the help of Danish and British “mercenaries” were able to seize the Jewel in Spain’s Caribbean crown. The Spanish governor and troops were rounded up by Dutch regulars and were kept unaware of a British or Danish presence and sent back to Spain on the slowest galleon that could be found. The British then withdrew also, having no desire to be involved in a war with Spain. The Dutch then “sold” Puerto Rico to the Danes for 40 million Ducats, minus the booty in the treasure fleet captured at anchor. And withdrew themselves. Though they did keep their fleet in the area to prevent any Spanish vessels getting too close to notice the change of ownership. Three days after the Dutch deposited 40 million Ducats with the Fuggers Bank in Augsburg, French troops moved in to seize the Palatinate isolating the Northern Spanish army from Italy. Henry’s chroniclers parsed it perfectly. The Dutch wanted to be free, the Danes had the money, We had the transport. We got New Amsterdam and New Haarlem, Denmark got Puerto Rico by legal sale and the Dutch got their chance at freedom. Indeed, when Spain finally got round to sending back an invasion fleet to retake Puerto Rico, they found a Danish flag and fleet waiting for them. The situation in Europe being bad enough for Spain at the moment, the Spanish commander not wishing to bring Denmark into the European war, decided to withdraw back to Spain.
(1633) Having wintered in and around Edinburgh, Charles army forged south again in the Spring of that year meeting little opposition. Deciding to bypass Berwick (a very tough nut to crack) the rebels moved south to take Newcastle meeting and defeating the Earl of Newcastle’s army just outside of Morpeth. Outnumbered and Outgunned the Earl felt obliged to at least try and draw the sting from the rebel army. The worst failings of pre-war militia training came to the fore in the ensuing battle with the experienced French troops in the centre cutting to pieces the British squares who though they tried were simply outclassed by the discipline showed by the rebel army. The resulting rout from the field caused the most casualties as the British were overtaken by both rebel cavalry and lightly armed Highlander swordsmen. The rebel army took light casualties of only 354 men, whilst the earl of Newcastle’s army of 12,000 lost over 8,000 in the ensuing battle and rout, the rest dispersing to flee to their homes. The Earl of Newcastle was captured too and having refused to swear fealty to Charles was executed on the spot. 2 days later the City of Newcastle was captured, its citizens fearful of another “Edinburgh” had they not opened their gates and surrendered. At this time Charles sent diplomats to negotiate with Henry, promising to withdraw should Henry recognise Scotland as a separate Kingdom again and Charles as its King. Henry’s reply is unknown, the negotiators apparently taking one look at his face fled in fear of their lives.
The New British Army (NBA) at this stage had been drilling and practicing with new tactics and disciplines. Unlike most European armies at this stage Henry from his correspondence with Gustav Adolphus had decided to opt for having 2 musketeers to 1 pikeman (it was usually the other way round) and forming his men in line as opposed to in block giving a much larger firing front. This along with Mansfeld’s new fangled bayonets gave Henry hope that this inexperienced army could hold its own against Charles’ veterans. Shortly after dismissing Charles’ attempt at diplomacy, the New British Army headed north to its first engagement.
Charles, having heard of Henry’s refusal to talk and the news that Henry’s army was on the move took counsel with his advisors, left a small garrison to hold Newcastle and headed south to what he hoped might be his destiny as King of Britain as well as Scotland.
The two armies met at the small village of Shipton just North of York, Henry having pushed his army hard to avoid the City of York falling to Charles. The rebel army numbered some 25,000 men with the New British Army standing at about 20,000.
The Battle of Shipton was the first engagement of the fledgling New British Army and wasn’t an auspicious start. Deploying into their line before the ranks of the rebel army many were overcome with nerves at the sight of the disciplined blocks of men facing them and the seeming fragility of their own line. Battle commenced at 10 and the rebels advance on the NBA centre taking casualties from the musketeers at about 300 yards, The Duke of Argyll sent his cavalry to probe at the right wings of the NBA gaining some success as the inexperienced NBA cavalry gave ground being pushed away from the centre opening a gap between the foot and the cavalry in which a massed charge by a Highlander regiment was able to exploit. With a breach in his battle line already opened Henry ordered the foot regiment to wheel in place something that had only been practiced on the parade grounds with limited success and on the field of battle a complete disaster. The regiment broke, however the delay allowed Henry time to bring his cavalry reserve down on the now isolated highlanders routing them from the field. Elsewhere success in the centre as the longer line of Henry’s musketeers took a deadly toll on the French regulars. On the NBA left though an advance had been stalled by broken ground and a series of hedges and ditches and so the regiments were unable to support each other. Here the rebels were able to catch and attack Henry’s foot regiments piecemeal causing a great many casualties. Only the bringing forward of the Dragoon regiment prevented a rout by finally enabling the NBA left to withdraw. Faced with both wings of his army badly mauled Henry withdrew the army backwards one foot at a time always keeping them facing the menacing Rebel advance. The bayonet wall keeping the Rebel cavalry and Highlander irregulars at bay whilst the second rank were able to reload.
The armies finally parted company shortly before dusk of a very long day. It was declared a rebel victory, though at no stage an overwhelming one as Henry’s army was able to retreat back under the walls of York with its covering cannon fire. NBA casualties stood at 5000 dead with the rebels losing 4500. However most casualties were in the French regulars who it is estimated lost almost 1100 men to the NBA line. The next day Charles and his commanders were more than eager to resume the battle; however the commanding general of the French said non! His forces had been badly mauled and without their support this rebel army would lose. After much bitter argument and recrimination the rebel army withdrew north, back to Newcastle.
Long recognised as one of the greatest monarchs the united kingdoms of England and Scotland has produced this was a man seemingly destined from birth to be one of the great movers and shakers of history.
Born in Scotland (19th February 1594) at Stirling castle, the son of James VI of Scotland and Anne of Denmark. He was christened at midsummer and it is said that the central event in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, written shortly after, is based on the royal baptismal party.
His father had high expectations of his eldest and in 1598 wrote the “Basilikon Doron” (Royal Gift) Giving guidelines as to how a successful monarch should rule his subjects.
(1594) Henry Stuart born, immediately given titles Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Lord of the Isles, confirming him in the highest of Scottish titles.
(1603) Elizabeth 1st dies and James VI becomes James 1st of England. James confirms Henry as Duke of Cornwall.
(1605) Gunpowder plot.
(1610) Henry confirmed as Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. Bringing the titles together of every male monarch who has subsequently held the throne of Britain. During this time Henry also befriended Sir Walter Raleigh as well as establishing a correspondence with Henry VI of France and Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. Though when his father suggested a French marriage, he answered that he was 'resolved that two religions should not lie in his bed’.
(1611) King James Bible published.
(1612 POD) In November Henry decides to take an unseasonable swim in the Thames, subsequently contracts typhoid and was only saved by the intervention of his friend Sir Walter who despite being in the Tower of London procured some Quinine to break the fever. (OTL Henry dies and Charles became the successor)
(1612 – 1625) During this time Henry added to his increasing popularity by living a fairly austere protestant lifestyle (as opposed to the decadence of the Jacobean court) championing such causes as naval reform and reconstruction, and with an eye to the future,
colonisation especially of Virginia, as well as encouraging various “troublemaking” protestant sects to set up their own colonies in the new world. He also interceded with his Father to stay the execution of his friend and mentor Sir Walter Raleigh. It was during this time that Henry was betrothed in Marriage to Maria Elisabet of Sweden daughter of Charles IX and his second wife Christina of Holstein-Gottorp. The marriage was ostensibly a happy one, though rumours abounded of internal strife between the young couple. Though an initial Friendship with Henry IV of France’s son Louis XIII had been established, this relationship became strained over the years as the influence of Louis mother and her protégé Cardinal Richeleiu dominated Louis life. Henry also became famous for chivalry and his patronage of artists, architects, and men of letters seemed to promise that the reign would be potential golden age for Britain. His friendship with various members of Parliament (Despite James having dissolved it) and his preparedness to listen to reason even if it went against his views frequently brought him into strife with his father. It is thought that at this time that Henry’s later reforms of Parliament and taxation were formulated by his discussions and friendship with William Cavendish, John Byron and the lawyer John Bradshaw, though his knowledge of Robert Cecil’s “Great contract” undoubtedly played a part.
(1618) Henry and Maria’s first child a son James Alexander born.
(1619) Charles married to Elisabeth von Nassau-Siegen.
(1621) Henry and Maria’s second child, a son Robert William born.
(1624) Charles wife dies in childbirth as does the child a daughter.
(1625) Saw the death of James 1st of England, a man who started off in great popularity with the English but who’s actions over the years (His most cherished ambition – the union of England and Scotland – was thwarted by Parliament, who objected to James's wish to rename the joint realm 'Britain'. To Parliament, a new name meant a new kingdom in which James would be free to set himself up as an absolute emperor. In contrast, Parliament would be a mere provincial assembly.
James's reaction was to try to enact the Union symbolically, using his own powers under the royal prerogative. By proclamation he assumed the title 'king of Great Britain'. He then announced a new union currency, royal coat of arms and flag. Not content with symbols, he also practiced a union by stealth by filling his bedchamber, the inner circle of his court, almost exclusively with Scots. James took a more than fatherly interest in Scots lads with well-turned legs and firm buttocks, but recruiting them also suited him politically.
James had inherited a substantial debt from Elizabeth. He also had a large family to maintain and wanted to spend money on his favourites and pleasures. The crown's 'ordinary income' from land and custom duties was hopelessly inadequate, and there was no choice but to ask Parliament for more money. But Parliament saw no reason why tax payers' money should end up in the pockets of Scots favourites.)
Upon his accession, in 1625 Henry was crowned despite Parliaments objections as King of Britain. However one of his first acts as King was to assemble parliament to sort out the Royal finances and despite his inclination towards the divine right of Kings Henry accepted a modified version of the Great Contract allowing his household an income of £250,000 per annum. In return Henry gave up his feudal privileges and despite the occasional bouts of acrimony a working relationship (of sorts) was established. Indeed Parliament saw the need to strengthen the Kingdom both militarily and financially and with the support of the King looked for means to increase commerce and trade in order to pay for naval and military reconstruction.
At this time Henry also dismissed all of James 1st’s favourites from the court including George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham a man whom he distrusted greatly and whom he had prevented inveigling his dying father into declaring war on Spain. Removing several of his titles in the process. Henry appointed the capable John Pym to represent him in France in negotiations with Cardinal Richlieu over concerns with the Huguenot protestants currently in revolt at La Rochelle in France. This Pym managed successfully, despite his disdain for Catholicism allowing an earlier Huguenot exodus to England and Ireland with a corresponding transfer of dissidents in return. The resulting gain to the English and Irish economies further boosted Henry’s attempts to revitalize Britain. Henry also appointed Thomas Wentworth, as his president of the Council of the North after dismissing Emmanuel Scrope, Earl of Sunderland from his position for suspected Catholic sympathies. Henry although like his father being tolerant of other faiths was determined always to have control over the organizations that controlled them. Henry was also able to recruit Ernst Von Mansfeld to advise him on military affairs. This after Maria had persuaded him not to get involved in funding a Danish attempt to seize the Palatinate.
(1626) Henry appoints his brother Charles to represent the “King” at the Scottish parliament. This was meant to free Charles from his entanglements with extreme Protestant groups and isolate him from various influences within the royal court. All this lead to was Charles coming under the influence of James’ old cabal including Buckingham who resented their loss of influence (and wealth) within the “British” court.
(1627) Henry and Maria’s third child, a daughter Christina Elizabeth born. The labour was difficult and the subsequent fever left Maria barren and prone to bouts of weakness though she still remained her husbands enduring love. It was at this time that Henry horrified at the actions of the doctors actively started to seek out “Men of knowledge, science and the arts” It was his desire to see his kingdom as a shining beacon of light and progress.
(1628) By now Henry had consolidated his position as Monarch in England, though still struggling to sort out the nations finances to his satisfaction (and advantage) In order to increase his influence, Henry proposed to Parliament a review of the Magna Carta with a view to “expanding the influence of the realm in its dealings with all good men.” Henry’s main thoughts at the time according to his chronicler were towards increasing the size of parliament by including new boroughs as well as denuding parliament of its rotten ones (and increasing his influence by patronage). He immediately faced opposition in the form of Robert Devereaux 3rd Earl of Essex, a man who had been married to Frances Howard, countess of Suffolk, in 1606, but was divorced by James I so that she could marry his favourite. A man who hated the Stuarts with a passion. Devereaux’s first act was to gather up like minded men in an attempt to limit the Kings power and to tie him to Parliaments tail by causing Henry to dissolve Parliament as his father had and forment dissent within the country. By constant thwarting of debate by means of gerrymandering and prevarication all Devereaux managed to do was isolate himself and his followers from the moderates within Parliament who wanted reform.
Henry himself spent little time debating, being a man of action he was currently using his new wealth to support and finance endeavours abroad as well as having the keels laid of a new generation of warships. Preferring to leave debate in the hands of his confidants William Cavendish, John Byron and the lawyer John Bradshaw. At length though Parliament produced a set of proposals to which the King felt himself able to give assent too.
The main proposals were:
No taxes to be levied without consent of Parliament
No subject to be imprisoned without cause (this reaffirmed the right of habeas corpus)
Enfranchisement of all men having a value in property of over £1000.
Constituency reform in that all voting boroughs shall have an equal number of voters.
Parliament to be increased to represent the new enfranchises.
At this time Parliament agreed to properly finance the King in order to expand the Navy, in return the King would give up his right to the Sea Tax, Knights tax and various other means monarchs had used to obtain additional income without recourse to Parliament.
Parliament also allowed Henry the tonnage and poundage (customs) income to be allocated towards the navy.
(1629) With a guaranteed income from the state to meet the needs of his modest court and economic growth within the country Henry’s mind was turned to what he saw as the greatest threat to the internal peace of the realm, religion. Though a devout protestant believer himself, Henry had become alarmed over the years at the treatment of other fine men who had other beliefs, indeed he was aware of the possibilities of this treatment driving them into the arms of those extremists who wanted a Catholic takeover.
Yet the Protestants had very good reason to fear foreign Catholic powers and their influence.
In the 1550’s Bloody Mary had burned nearly 300 Protestants.
1558, There was the Spanish Armada and Elizabeth herself had dealt with several Catholic plots against her. The Spanish Inquisition was still a force to be reckoned with abroad.
1560, The Spanish Duke of Alva had massacred Protestant civilians in the Netherlands.
1573, The St Bartholemew Massacre in Paris where Catholics had murdered 5000 Protestants in cold blood.
There was still the Catholic churches threat to recover all the land stolen from them by Henry 8th.
Indeed his own father had been the subject of the Gunpowder plot. So the fears were very real.
Henry called a conclave of religious leaders to discuss the issues involved hoping for a solution as he himself resolved to make Britain so tough a nut to crack that foreign adventurism would be looked at as an act of desperation by the Catholic superstates of France or Spain.
(1630)The conclave held in York was currently stalemated, often resulting in brawls between various factions and churchmen, that no-one had died was more the result of Henry’s royal guards searching the attendees for edged weapons than any act of God. Many of the Puritan representatives had threatened to boycott the conclave when they were made aware of the need to include some Roman Catholic laymen. Only a personal appeal by the King and Queen brought them unwillingly to the debate.
The first of the new naval craft built by Henry took to sea, looked upon as the most heavily armed ship of its type in the world its duties were to patrol the English channel to deal with various pirates and slavers operating in the area. Others were near completion and would be used to extend British influence both around the islands and in the new world.
(1631) The “Great Conclave” finally yielded results, though they were not to anyone’s great satisfaction they produced a compromise most could live with. The most controversial was the call for a “Freedom of Religion” whereby no man could be forced to worship in a manner he found not to his taste. This would essentially mean that Roman Catholicism would be tolerated again (Though not loved) The Puritan influence within Anglicanism was salved by moves to unite with Lutheranism (The puritans being essentially patriarchal never the less had a great admiration for Henry’s Queen and her “Simple piety”) There was recognition too for such groups as the Quakers and other dissident religious organisations. The downside from Henry’s point of view was that the conclave concluded that he could no longer be the head of Gods church in England. This meant in essence that he was being asked to hand over to the church various religious properties he still held in trust as its head. The downside from parliaments view was the conclave asking them to remove the laws requiring mandatory attendance at an Anglican church. Not that removing a law was difficult, but because of the rancorous debate that followed on the “probable decline in moral standards.” The one thing all agreed upon was the conclaves statement that “All men must come to God, though it is to the weakness of man that God has provided many paths in His church. Yet all good men must be subject to the laws of this land and its King seeking not to undermine that which is good and proper.” And so it was decided, church and state must separate. As later historians put it, “It was not easy and it was not immediate and were it not for Henry’s decision to allow free transport to the new world for those who could not live in peace together then the circumstances which followed would have been so much worse.”
Britain’s fleet at this time had now increased to 60 ships of the line, 10 of which were the new type based on the “Sovereign of the Seas” with a further 15 under construction.
At this time Henry and Parliament also made major investments in the New World, expanding the colonies and building two new shipyards and ship repair facilities. At this time also the colonists came into conflict with those of New France and New Holland a low key war of raid and counter raid commenced with both sides picking off each others outposts and shipping. The British colonists however had the advantage of numbers and infrastructure as their King and Parliament had been encouraging growth and industry in their lands since before he became King.
(1632) France however had other plans for dealing with Britain and its upstart people. Henry’s spies in the French court had gotten wind of plans to invade Ireland. Though this was a ruse to take Henry’s eye off what was about to happen in Scotland. It did mean that the British navy was out in strength around the Irish coast when the real plan was sprung.
Charles his brother under the influence of various Scottish and English nobles, fearful of losing their influence and power was crowned King of Scotland in Stirling. Bankrolled by France and promised French troops in support many (Though not a majority) in Scotland rallied to his side seeking independence. To add to Henry’s woes, the Devereaux uprising began with Essex and Kentish militias seeking to free the counties of pernicious foreign influences (Huguenots) forced on them by the King.
The British Civil war has begun.
(1632) Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex and now rebel against the crown was a seasoned military commander and Parliamentarian, having served 3 times abroad in the Bohemian rebellion and war of the Palatinate (OTL 30 years war). His distaste for the House of Stuart stemming from losing his wife, Frances Howard, countess of Suffolk, in 1606, in divorce by James I so that she could marry his favourite, had hardened into hatred over what he saw as the betrayal of the Palatinate by the refusal of Henry to support any foreign adventures during the time of national rebuilding. Gathering together various disgruntled and ambitious nobles, many who were facing financial ruin due to the inflation of James 1st’s reign by having fixed rents on their land tenants along with poor investments abroad. Taking advantage of a poorly organised local rebellion in Essex and Kent against the Huguenots, Devereaux gathered an army with the intent of marching on London and restoring England’s rightful place in the world. Many historians have argued over the years just what Devereaux’s intentions actually were, was he a republican or just a usurper no one, not even Devereaux seemed to know for sure. Many of the nobles and their personal retinues fighting for Devereaux seemed to have their own agenda, though all seemed to agree this “Merchant” King must go. The Rebellion in Scotland seemed perfect for them to get what they wanted and divide up the spoils after. Unfortunately for them Charles in Scotland’s seeming indecision after taking the Scottish crown (He was in fact waiting for French reinforcements) left them first to face Henry.
Henry however had his own problems, the calling out of the various militias to face Charles and Devereaux was not going well. Though having many loyal supporters, there were also many who had decided to sit on the fence, deciding that a problem in Scotland was not their problem. So it took several months for Henry to assemble a force of 10,000 men to face Devereaux and his 8,000 in Essex.
Henry’s chronicler noted the Kings reactions to the march to face Devereaux. “His majesty is not amused by the damage to his kingdom that the militias perform. Theft, arson, rape, and murder seem to follow in the wake of the armies billeting on the roads to find the rebels. The noble commanders seem to have no control over their men. Indeed many seem not to know where their men are.”
Devereaux led the King a merry dance with his army never engaging until finally some weeks after the Kings army set off, a tired, cold, hungry and increasingly rebellious army faced up to Devereaux’s rested and ready army.
The battle of Braintree (September 1632) was a victory for the Royal forces, however to Henry as recorded by his chronicler it was at best a draw, with fortuitous circumstances at the end. Both sides faced each other on each side of a small valley with mixed musketeer and pikemen regiments to the fore, cavalry on the wings and heavy cannon to the rear. At 11:am the Royal army advanced to engage the centre of the rebels only to find their advance studded by caltrops causing their squares to break formation. Devereax having more heavy cavalry swung around them to outflank the foot soldiers only to face Henry’s artillery and cavalry reserve, a general melee ensued. During which Henry attempted to extricate his mixed musket and pikemen. It was at this stage that Devereax’s cavalry broke through to engage the Royal party itself. Henry was only saved by a small troop of volunteer cavalry from Huntingdon lead by a small landowner named Oliver Cromwell throwing themselves into the fray and allowing Henry’s men to seek safety within the regiments of foot. Seeing the disarray his army was facing Henry determined to go down fighting. Removing his lower armour (quite a feat in itself) he moved his Royal guard to the front of the regiment, had his royal banner unfurled and sounded the advance. To the astonishment of Devereaux the entire front line of Henry’s army followed their king into the face of a torrent of artillery and musket, not marching but advancing at a run. Seeing the royal banner and the maddened Royals bearing down upon them the rebels despite seemingly looking like winning the day broke and fled. Devereaux himself was carried off the field by his personal guard cursing and struggling and eventually ended up joining the Army of Charles in Scotland having set sail from Ipswich. Many of the rebel officers were cut down by their own men as they made vain attempts to rally them. Others though abandoned their men and fled north to join Charles, some making it, but many caught and hung by loyalist sheriffs as they tried to avoid Henry’s men’s wrath.
The aftermath was quite as bad as Henry thought; He’d lost over 3000 men with more sure to die from their wounds. Henry himself had lost the tip of an ear though he had no recollection how. The rebels however had dissolved, losing somewhere in the region of 2500 men though the majority having scattered back to wherever they came from and weren’t to be a threat again, though the area suffered from brigandage for a number of years after.
Henry’s further thoughts on the matter are well known. His next move was to request Parliament to finance a standing army, with a properly organised commissary to stand in defence of the realm. He also offered royal commissions to one John Mc Gregor to sort out the Kings Highways to a standard fit to march an army over. Mc Gregor had approached the King years before with such a proposal using a cut stone base with crushed gravel for road surfacing graded to a constant size of chippings (Similar to Roman roads). This the king had put on the back burner for years, simply not having the means to finance it. This parliament agreed to finance using the seized holdings of the “Traitors” along with captured prisoners to actually do the work. Although Henry was never able to march to war over such a road, within 10 years the travel times in Britain had been cut by 2/3rds.
Henry also commissioned a survey of Britains coastal defenses with the long term view of keeping the Islands secure. Other measures taken were the building of “Manned light-towers” to guide shipping into the harbours of the realm safe from rocks and shoals. A request to Jeremiah Horrocks to see if any improvements on spyglasses could be made. William Harvey was also asked to see to the setting up of an army corp of surgeons. Many great scientists were also moving to Britains universities attracted by Henry’s support of the sciences, including Johann Baptista van Helmont, William Oughtred, Hans Janssen; and his son, Zacharias. Who brought with them their first crude microscope.
Further honours went to Oliver Cromwell, knighted on the field of battle and given the title of Earl of Essex for saving the Kings life. He and the King became fast friends, Henry liking the mans practical turn of mind. Allowed him, Sir Thomas Fairfax and Ernst Von Mansfeld to build and standardise the “New British Army.” It was Cromwell who solved the age old problem of pikemen sawing off the last 2 foot of pike to make carrying it easier by introducing a socketed pike that could be split in half for transport. It was Mansfeld who oversaw the introduction of a socket bayonet to fix onto the New Armies flintlocks giving them defense as well as the ability to reload and fire. Both Musketeers and pikemen were given a steel helmet as well as a steel frontplate. No backplate was supplied, the reasoning being that this army would never retreat.
The army consisted of a total of 22,500 men, broken down in the following way:
Infantry regiments 12, 1200 men in each regiment
Cavalry regiments 11, 600 men in each regiment
Dragoon regiments 1, 1000 men in each regiment
Artillery regiments 5, 100 men in each regiment
The infantry were issued with royal blue uniforms to replace their existing regiment's colour. Cavalry were issued with light headpieces, armour front & back, and a buffcoat of leather.
The pay was set at eight pence a day for infantry, and two shillings a day for cavalry. Those in the cavalry had to provide their own horse. Promotion was now done strictly on military prowess, and no longer on a family or monetary basis. Henry was commander in chief, Fairfax and Mansfeld his generals, with Cromwell his Quartermaster General a task he seemed born for.
Further developments this year were Henry removing Thomas Wentworth from his position as Lord-President of the Council of the North and sending him to Ireland as lord-lieutenant with the instruction to keep them under control. Wentworth had evolved the policy known as "Thorough" by which he managed the Northern nobles for the administration of the State before the period of The British civil war. Wentworth systematically applied this policy in Ireland. He dominated the main power groups by clever manipulation of the Irish Parliament and by securing firm control of the army in Ireland. Schemes were introduced to develop trade and industry of every kind: financial reforms to increase Ireland's revenue were enforced; the piracy that was rife around the Irish coast was suppressed. The interests of the Crown and the British Parliament were his priority, at the expense of all private interest and many indeed thought Wentworth's methods were ruthless and despotic. He alienated the predominantly Catholic "Old English" aristocracy in Ireland by promoting the interests of the new wave of Protestant English and Scottish settlers. The policy of driving the native Irish population from their lands was continued and extended under Wentworth's administration and under instruction from Henry none were allowed to the New World but were permitted to “escape” to France.
In the port of Calais 70 French merchantmen escorted by 25 ships of the line set sail for Dunbar carrying 3000 hardened troops, a siege train and a war chest of £200,000. Caught out of position, elements of the British fleet could only play catch up as the French steadily made their way north towards Charles.
(1632) The weather and winds favoured the French fleet and in September they lay off the coast of Scotland and began disembarking men, arms and money. Within days the Rebel forces had made contact and moved to link up with their French allies. For all Charles figured prominently in the campaign to free Scotland, he was not a particularly happy man. The terms of French aid included a marriage to a French princess and separate command of the French forces to a French commander. Spending a few weeks to sort out various command differences the rebel army split, one set (15,000) south for Edinburgh with Charles, the other smaller (12,000) set out for Glasgow under the command of the Duke of Argyll. The idea being to secure both cities and then link up through the midland valley of the Forth and Clyde. On reaching Edinburgh, Charles had his first major setback in that the gates were shut in his face and the wall manned with the city militia. The Scottish rump Parliament having decided that Charles was no “King o’ theirs”. Discussions with his commanders ensued and a siege was initiated. The French siege train was brought up and defensive lines were dug to protect the army, whilst off the Forth the French men of war gathered to close off any seaborne aid. After 2 weeks of relentless shelling a breach in the Flodden Wall was made and enlarged. At dawn on October 2nd an assault was made on the city. Despite the valiant efforts of the defenders the maddened Highlanders seized the walls and poured into the city killing raping and looting. Whole swaths of the Old town were burnt to the ground, including the Parliament building. It is estimated almost 9000 people died in the siege and ensuing atrocities out of a population of around 25,000, driving a permanent wedge between relations of the Lowland and Highland Scots. Only the Castle on its promontory still held, though its commander was forced to surrender 5 days later when hope of relief was dashed by the retreat of the Earl of Newcastle’s relieving army who were outnumbered by the rebels almost 2 to 1.
The Argyll lead army had better luck when Glasgow opened its gates to prevent a siege and possible atrocity. Leaving a garrison behind, Argyll marched east to join with Charles who was moving to lay siege to Berwick.
(1633) The siege of Berwick was lifted after winter set in and Charles army retreated to the Midland valley to billet and winter in (relative) comfort. Over the border in England there was panic in many towns who feared the Scots were just over the horizon as well as frantic repairing of town and city walls, even as far south as Stamford. Questions in Parliament were raised as to the competency of the Earl of Newcastle, though much of the debate was stifled by Francis Pym who declared that any member who wished to lead an army north against a much greater foe was more than welcome to the command. This was the cause of one of the few rifts with Parliament Henry had, as he was under the impression it was “his” army.
Good news came with the news that Admiral Hamilton had finally driven off the French fleet from the coast of England; the survivors had fled north to safety at Edinburgh, the British fleet losing 2 ships to the French’s 7. Hamilton docked at Newcastle to a hero’s welcome for all he was a Scot; he was a loyal Scot as the mob hailed him. News also came from the Caribbean that the French colony sharing the Isle of St Kitts had surrendered to Britain’s North American flotilla. Admiral Wood had installed a British governor and had sent the French governor and his staff packing on the remaining French merchantman. The flotilla had then set out to interdict any French shipping it could find and had surprised the French Man of war Couronne, capturing her and two escorts. As they lay becalmed just off the coast of OTL Maine.
(1633) Was also the year known as the great Spanish swindle, in which Spain lost one of her prize Caribbean possessions and ended up in a European war with France. Later historians were able to put together the pieces of the actual events, though the machinations of the parties involved were very obscure at the time. During 1628 a British privateer (on detached duty from the North American flotilla) patrolling the Caribbean ran across a Danish man of war. This unusual event was noted by the Captain and further investigation soon uncovered a series of discrete Danish colonies in the Virgin Islands. (Ostensibly claimed by Spain, though of little consequence as Spain still claimed the entire Caribbean.) The Danes had been quietly shipping their colonists up to Iceland, using it as a staging post and then moving them south, thus avoiding notice in the English Channel. It was the Dutch Netherlands who made the initial approaches to Denmark and Britain. They were desperate to relieve the siege of their homelands and had approached France in the hopes of intervention and the French seeking to end Spanish dominance of Europe had agreed, for a price, 40 million ducats, an amount that would have bankrupted Holland. However the staatholders had come up with a means to overcome this, if only Denmark and Britain would agree. It was known the Spaniards used Puerto Rico as a staging post for transporting silver and gold from their overseas colonies en-route to Spain. The Dutch had previously attempted to seize the Island back in 1625 under General Boudewijn Hendrick and now thought to try again. The first moves were the transportation of a Danish regiment and siege train to Britain (It was assumed they were mercenaries to fight the Scots) Disembarking in Dover, they were marched overland to Bristol ostensibly to be re-embarked on transports to liberate Glasgow. The Danes however were embarked on British colonial transports (Expansion in the New world had given Britain a lot of expertise in transporting large numbers of people to the Americas) to join an Anglo Dutch fleet off the coast of Puerto Rico. The Plan was simple, to seize the Island including the fort of San Felipe del Morro by means of landing at Santurce, crossing the San Antonio bridge (from an area known today as Condado) into the islet of San Juan. Whilst the Dutch fleet with British aid blockaded the harbour keeping the treasure fleet from sailing out. This was accomplished and the Dutch with the help of Danish and British “mercenaries” were able to seize the Jewel in Spain’s Caribbean crown. The Spanish governor and troops were rounded up by Dutch regulars and were kept unaware of a British or Danish presence and sent back to Spain on the slowest galleon that could be found. The British then withdrew also, having no desire to be involved in a war with Spain. The Dutch then “sold” Puerto Rico to the Danes for 40 million Ducats, minus the booty in the treasure fleet captured at anchor. And withdrew themselves. Though they did keep their fleet in the area to prevent any Spanish vessels getting too close to notice the change of ownership. Three days after the Dutch deposited 40 million Ducats with the Fuggers Bank in Augsburg, French troops moved in to seize the Palatinate isolating the Northern Spanish army from Italy. Henry’s chroniclers parsed it perfectly. The Dutch wanted to be free, the Danes had the money, We had the transport. We got New Amsterdam and New Haarlem, Denmark got Puerto Rico by legal sale and the Dutch got their chance at freedom. Indeed, when Spain finally got round to sending back an invasion fleet to retake Puerto Rico, they found a Danish flag and fleet waiting for them. The situation in Europe being bad enough for Spain at the moment, the Spanish commander not wishing to bring Denmark into the European war, decided to withdraw back to Spain.
(1633) Having wintered in and around Edinburgh, Charles army forged south again in the Spring of that year meeting little opposition. Deciding to bypass Berwick (a very tough nut to crack) the rebels moved south to take Newcastle meeting and defeating the Earl of Newcastle’s army just outside of Morpeth. Outnumbered and Outgunned the Earl felt obliged to at least try and draw the sting from the rebel army. The worst failings of pre-war militia training came to the fore in the ensuing battle with the experienced French troops in the centre cutting to pieces the British squares who though they tried were simply outclassed by the discipline showed by the rebel army. The resulting rout from the field caused the most casualties as the British were overtaken by both rebel cavalry and lightly armed Highlander swordsmen. The rebel army took light casualties of only 354 men, whilst the earl of Newcastle’s army of 12,000 lost over 8,000 in the ensuing battle and rout, the rest dispersing to flee to their homes. The Earl of Newcastle was captured too and having refused to swear fealty to Charles was executed on the spot. 2 days later the City of Newcastle was captured, its citizens fearful of another “Edinburgh” had they not opened their gates and surrendered. At this time Charles sent diplomats to negotiate with Henry, promising to withdraw should Henry recognise Scotland as a separate Kingdom again and Charles as its King. Henry’s reply is unknown, the negotiators apparently taking one look at his face fled in fear of their lives.
The New British Army (NBA) at this stage had been drilling and practicing with new tactics and disciplines. Unlike most European armies at this stage Henry from his correspondence with Gustav Adolphus had decided to opt for having 2 musketeers to 1 pikeman (it was usually the other way round) and forming his men in line as opposed to in block giving a much larger firing front. This along with Mansfeld’s new fangled bayonets gave Henry hope that this inexperienced army could hold its own against Charles’ veterans. Shortly after dismissing Charles’ attempt at diplomacy, the New British Army headed north to its first engagement.
Charles, having heard of Henry’s refusal to talk and the news that Henry’s army was on the move took counsel with his advisors, left a small garrison to hold Newcastle and headed south to what he hoped might be his destiny as King of Britain as well as Scotland.
The two armies met at the small village of Shipton just North of York, Henry having pushed his army hard to avoid the City of York falling to Charles. The rebel army numbered some 25,000 men with the New British Army standing at about 20,000.
The Battle of Shipton was the first engagement of the fledgling New British Army and wasn’t an auspicious start. Deploying into their line before the ranks of the rebel army many were overcome with nerves at the sight of the disciplined blocks of men facing them and the seeming fragility of their own line. Battle commenced at 10 and the rebels advance on the NBA centre taking casualties from the musketeers at about 300 yards, The Duke of Argyll sent his cavalry to probe at the right wings of the NBA gaining some success as the inexperienced NBA cavalry gave ground being pushed away from the centre opening a gap between the foot and the cavalry in which a massed charge by a Highlander regiment was able to exploit. With a breach in his battle line already opened Henry ordered the foot regiment to wheel in place something that had only been practiced on the parade grounds with limited success and on the field of battle a complete disaster. The regiment broke, however the delay allowed Henry time to bring his cavalry reserve down on the now isolated highlanders routing them from the field. Elsewhere success in the centre as the longer line of Henry’s musketeers took a deadly toll on the French regulars. On the NBA left though an advance had been stalled by broken ground and a series of hedges and ditches and so the regiments were unable to support each other. Here the rebels were able to catch and attack Henry’s foot regiments piecemeal causing a great many casualties. Only the bringing forward of the Dragoon regiment prevented a rout by finally enabling the NBA left to withdraw. Faced with both wings of his army badly mauled Henry withdrew the army backwards one foot at a time always keeping them facing the menacing Rebel advance. The bayonet wall keeping the Rebel cavalry and Highlander irregulars at bay whilst the second rank were able to reload.
The armies finally parted company shortly before dusk of a very long day. It was declared a rebel victory, though at no stage an overwhelming one as Henry’s army was able to retreat back under the walls of York with its covering cannon fire. NBA casualties stood at 5000 dead with the rebels losing 4500. However most casualties were in the French regulars who it is estimated lost almost 1100 men to the NBA line. The next day Charles and his commanders were more than eager to resume the battle; however the commanding general of the French said non! His forces had been badly mauled and without their support this rebel army would lose. After much bitter argument and recrimination the rebel army withdrew north, back to Newcastle.