Reign of the Miracle King 2.0: Changing the Fate of the Bourbon Dynasty

Chapter Four: The New regime part II
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The Royal Family enters Paris after the July Revolution

On August 10th, with Paris finally calm, the royal court can finally return to Paris. Both the Duchesse d’Angouleme and the Dowager Duchesse de Berri are worried that it’s too soon to return and are fearful of Henri‘s safety, however none of their worries come to pass. The people are thrilled to see their new King, for there have been rumors that he was removed from the country, to either England or Spain. Now these rumors have been squashed. The cavalcade of carriages heads to Notre Dame de Paris where the royal family, court and new ministers here a Te Deum celebrating the safe return of the Royal Family to Paris. The Archbishop of Paris, the moderate Hyacinthe-Louis De Quelen, praises the ascension of Henri V, as a child of miracles and peace. Even though Henri has only been king for a few weeks, clearly the people of Paris, if not the people of France, is penning their hopes on him. After the service the royal family takes up residence in the Palais des Tuileries, the Paris residence of the Royal house and court. Now that the Court and King are back in Paris, the work of reforming the government can finally begin.
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The Palais des Tuileries and the Jardin des Tuileries
 
Chapter Five: The Great Debate Part I
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The Chambre des Deputies debating the new Charter of 1830

On August 15th the Parliament of France began its new session, summoned by the Regent. The main order of business is the Constitutional Charter of 1814. The charter was essentially revoked by the July Ordinances, however the ordinances themselves where repealed after Henri V ascended to the throne. Now three separate factions now emerge in the deputies. The first, led by the legitimists, want to keep the 1814 charter as it stands, with no changes and a chance to restore the Ancien Régime after the “peasant rabble” have calmed down. The second led by Louis Berard and the radical left, wanted to create a popular monarchy, similar to the constitution of 1791. Finally the third faction, led by the centralist constitutionalist and doctrinaire parties, want a combination of the two, with the king the “source of legitimate authority” but some power given to the people or in short, a moderate, but powerful monarchy. The political significance of this debate is summarized by a brief exchange between Francois Guizot, a Doctrinaire, and Berard before entering the meeting room:
You had wanted, Berard said, to the legitimacy, I went into the making of true theft.
- You have the greatest harm, Guizot replied, we do not forgive you.
- I do not know if you will forgive me, but what I know is that with me, we ascend a throne which, with the way you do, it could have been excluded forever.

On August 19th the Regency Council finally intervenes and orders the Charter of 1814 to be revised. On the outside the council’s decision seems to be unanimous, but behind the scenes there is much friction. The Dowager Duchesse de Berri, supported by the Prince de Condé is bitterly opposed to what she thinks is a usurpation of her son’s powers. The Duc d’Angouleme, along with the Duc d’Orleans and the Duc de Chartres, support changing the charter as a necessary evil that will hopefully restore the Bourbon Dynasty’s popularity and the people’s confidence in the government. Only the Duchesse d’Angouleme is neutral. On one hand, she is bitterly opposed to giving more power to the fickle people who murdered her parents and aunt. On the other hand Marie-Therese has experienced revolution and nineteen years of exile and has no desire to do so again. Eventually, to the delight of her husband and cousin, and the anger of her sister-in-law, Marie-Therese votes to change the charter.
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Marie-Therese Charlotte, Duchess d’Angouleme
Also being debated is the flag of France. The Radicals want to restore the revolutionary tricolor. The centralists, shockingly siding with the Legitimists, want to keep the flag the same. Though to most an argument over a flag would seem trivial and pointless, it is essentially a behind the scenes debate over the type of government France will have. On August 22nd, three days after the Flag debate begins a compromise comes from an unexpected source.
A few of the servants of the Royal Household are talking about the debate when Henri V overhears. He asks his aunt why people want to change the flag. She replies
“It is not the flag that they are fighting over but rather which way France should go. The ones who want the tricolor want to weaken the monarchy while those who support the Fleur-de-lis flag want to support the monarchy.
“Then would it not be better, Henri asks, “to compromise so everyone is happy?”
“If that was possible, it would be wonderful”
So Henri decides to create a way for everyone to be happy. After working all through the night and creates a new flag. In the morning he shows it to his aunt, declaring, that now everyone can be happy, and shows his drawing to her. Marie-Therese is shocked and looking at the flag, starts considering the possibility that it really could be a compromise. She takes it to the council, which after a few hours of debate, decides to present it to the chamber des deputies as a compromise from the King himself.
The Duc d’Orleans, shows the drawing to the deputies, proposing that it be made the new flag of France, while the old Fleur-de-lis flag be retained as the King’s personal Standard, to be flown over the various royal palaces when the King is in residence. After a fierce debate the deputies accept. For the moment, compromise has won. It remains to be seen if compromise will win out over the revised charter.

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The new Flag of the Kingdom of France

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I can't believe I missed your update.:(
But I can't see the new flag for France. I hope you won't give up this timeline.
 
I can't believe I missed your update.:(
But I can't see the new flag for France. I hope you won't give up this timeline.

Don't worry I'm not. However I did post some questions for this that I needed help on under Miracle King TL help, so commenting on them would make the next chapter come a lot faster.
 
I tried posting this separately but got no response so hopefully posting in on the TL would get Help:
I need help with these questions before I can finish so if U want to read the next Chapter help me out.
First: Would U reader rather me include the debating/negotiations over the Charter or just do the summary
Second, an acceptable age of majority. In OTL it was 13 under the Bourbons but there was never another regency with either the Orleans or the Bonapartes so would a acceptable Bourbon age be 16 or 18?
Third, size of the Chamber of Deputies. In OTL it was 306 under both the Bourbon Restoration and July Monarchy and it wasn't extender until the Second Republic to 880. So with an attempted revolution against them would the Bourbons be likely to extend the size of the lower House?
Fourth Voting rights. Would universal suffurage or the Census suffrage of the July Monarchy?

Fifth Royal Brides/Husbands: I know I'm really thinking ahead but with Henri V being the possible end of the line for the Bourbons I feel that they would want him married ASAP. The husband part is for his sister Madame Louise. I doubt she would marry the Duke of Parma's heir in this TL. I already have a list of possibles for both but I'd like Ur opinion on them and if anyone has suggestions that would be awsome (also if someone can tell me how to make a poll that would be great).

Royal Brides

Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaievna of Russia

Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia- Bother daughters of Nicholas I. Olga didn't produce children but it was probably because of her OTL husbands homosexuality. I know that neither one is likely but I'm including all possible Princesses that I found

Princess Adelgunde of Bavaria-OTL she only had one child so I'm a little reluctant with her

Isabel de Borbón, Infanta of Spain

Luisa de Borbón, Infanta of Spain-Both are daughters of Francisco de Paula of Spain, their brother became the King Consort of Isabella II and are the only eligible Spanish Infanta's besides Ferdinand VII's daughters and with both at least 10 years younger then Henri I'm not sure if the French Court would want to weight (though a Franco-Spanish Union does sound Cool) Note: I found my info on them of the Spanish Wikipedia

Princess Maria Carolina Ferdinanda of Bourbon-Two Sicilies

Princess Teresa Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies- Both of these Princesses are Henri's half aunts so I'm reluctant to have a Habsburg kind of marriage and in OTL Maria didn't have any children

Royal Husbands

Prince Ferdinand Philippe of Orléans- In OTL there was the Idea of marrying Louise to her cousin to help heal the breach between the Houses of Bourbon and Orleans.

Victor Emanuel II of Italy/Sardinia-Piedmont- In OTL there was a lot of marriages between the Houses of Savoy and Bourbon and it could be used to lessen Austrian influence in northern Italy

Alexander II of Russia- I know the most unlikely of the bunch. But I can't get over the idea of a double Russian Marriage and a French Empress of Russia. Especially considering the fact that the Russian Court spoke better French then Russian.

Pedro II of Brazil-Another unlikely choice but I can see wanting to establish good relations with the only Monarchy in the Americas.

Charles III of Parma- Her OTL husband

Maximilian II of Bavaria- a possible match though I don't think a french Princes ever married a Wittelsbach.

So thats it but again any Ideas and Comments are very appreciated.
 

Razgriz 2K9

Banned
Okay, lots of questions:

1. Include the debates and negotiations, I would love to see what people would come up with in TTL's Charter of 1830. Chances are what you may have planned will be different from OTL Charter.

2. For the most part, I would probably support the EU3 standard age of majority, which is around 16/17 years of age.

3. I can't really say more people necessarily means a better representation, yet I do think that the 300+ members of the pre-Second Republic Chamber of Deputies is one, albeit minor cause for the 1848 Revolution. So while it is plausible for France to have more members, I do not know if the Bourbons would be willing to let it go.

4. Universal sufferage, retention of the old July Monarchy system was the prime reason for the Revolutions of 1848. So unless you plan on giving the Bourbons the boot in the end...

5. OTL Henri V (Henri, Count of Chambord) married Maria Theresa von Österreich-Este, who was the daughter of the Duke of Modena, Francis IV, and was three years his senior. Isabel and Luisa, despite the ten year or so difference between them and the king, could help to improve relations with the new liberal government in Spain, and I don't think the Two Sicilies relationship would really be necessary.

Essentially it'll boil down to Maria Theresa von Österreich-Este and either of Nicholas I's daughters (since Nicholas I did want to have Olga have a significant dynastic marriage, and wound up marrying the King of Wurttemburg. I suppose it wouldn't be far off if Nicholas sought to have her married off to the King of France and Navarre.

As for the Royal Husbands:

-Pedro II de Braganza of Brazil: He did wind up making a dynastic link with a Bourbon OTL, the Two Sicilies branch to be frank.

-Ferdinand Philippe de Orleans: He would actually be good to repair relations between the House of Bourbon and its cadet branch.

-Vittorio Emanuelle II di Savoia of Sardinia-Piedmont: I do not know how active the Bourbons were in lessening Austria's already dominating influence in North Italy OTL, I know they enjoyed some friendly relations with the House of Orleans when Sardinia-Piedmont was under the rule of Carlo Alberto, but I do know if they are really serious in competing with Austria over Italy...again. Then this marriage would probably be the best choice.

-Alexander II Romanov of Russia: Again, ol Tsar Nick did want a significant dynastic marriage, nothing in the books say that he couldn't get two.

-Charles III di Bourbone-Parma of Parma: OTL might fit, but again, if Henri V or the French government is serious in competing with Austria over Italy, avoid this.

-Maximillian II von Wittelsbach of Bavaria: Well a Bavarian Princess did marry a French Prince (Maria Anna Victoria to Louis, Dauphin of France (father of Philip V of Spain)) but not the other way around (though this is probably attributed to the fact that Bavaria was largely below a station for a French Princess, and was almost always often in the Austrian camp (the only exception being of course, the Napoleonic Wars). I don't think it would really be recommended, unless you're trying to really piss off the Austrians.
 
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Thanks for your analysis Razgriz, I have to say I don't think the Bourbons would profit very well at all by marrying back into their family. If they try to marry with Spain I think the British would think that the French are trying to reunite the their thrones. Britain is still the supreme power and racheting up any tension between France and Britain would be a bad idea.

I think the Bavarian match does make sense as being a very safe choice. I don't know if you can blame the lack of children on Adelgunde after all she was married to one of the most inbred families in Europe.
 
Thanks for your analysis Razgriz, I have to say I don't think the Bourbons would profit very well at all by marrying back into their family. If they try to marry with Spain I think the British would think that the French are trying to reunite the their thrones. Britain is still the supreme power and racheting up any tension between France and Britain would be a bad idea.

I think the Bavarian match does make sense as being a very safe choice. I don't know if you can blame the lack of children on Adelgunde after all she was married to one of the most inbred families in Europe.

That could explain the Bavarian match. In all honesty I was thinking of doing a double or at least one Russian match. Something to apease the still powerful legitimists/ultra-conservatives. I'm kind of liking the idea of an French Empress of Russia. Also, the Orleans marryed into the Spanish royal house, admittedly at the expense of their relations with Britain. However, its not like I'm suggesting Henri marry Isabella II, just one of her cousins.

Edit. Another idea just came to me. Under the last Orleans regency, the daughter made pretty good marriages (ie The King of Spain and the Duke of Parma, Modena and de Berri) So would another regency mean better marriages? I mean in OTL the only royal marriage made by the Orleans Princesses was Louise to King Leopold of Belgium. Would not having the stigma of helping to over-through their cousins help their prospects? Especially considering there was no other french Princesses besides Madame Louise Marie Therese.
 
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I am so sorry that this took so long to right:eek:. I promise the next one won't take this long.

Chapter Six: The Great Debate Part 2
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The Chambre des Peers​

With the Flag debate over the deputies can get back to the
constitutional debate. With the Chambre des Deputies so bitterly divided, it is suggested by some Legitimist deputies that the Chambre des Pairs should be put in charge of the Charter’s revision. The very idea that the hated aristocrats would decide their future seemed to scare the Deputies’ or at least the Constitutionalists and Doctrinaires. Fearing a return to the semi-absolute monarchy of Charles X and doubting that the radical left can create a capable government, the leadership of both parties decides to attempt to create a
compromise that will restore a stable government to France. What follows will become known as Le Grand Compromis or the great compromise.
On August 25th, Prime Minister Lafayette, Prince Talleyrand, the Duce de Broglie, Francois Guzot, Pierre-Paul Royer-Collard, Étienne-Denis Pasquier and Joseph-Henri-Joachim Lainé meet at the Hôtel de Ville, in an attempt to hammer out a new Constitutional Charter. Guzot, Royer-Collard and de Broglie represent the Doctrinaires party while Pasquier and Lainé represent the Constitutionnels. Lafayette and Talleyrand, having been on the outs in Politics for the better part of fifteen years, are neutral or only affiliated with the Regency Council, to whom they owe their current positions too. All men are in agreement that France must change, and fast, before the nation is pulled into another revolution, or worse, a civil war. The only thing they disagreed on was the method. While both parties are loath to give up power to “the ignorant masses” and would rather see the old charter restored, the Constitutionnels are willing to reform, at least partially, the Census suffrage and poll tax, while the Doctrinaires would rather just see the law of the Double Vote, in which the votes of the Wealthiest are counted twice, be abolished. On the other hand, Doctrinaires want Freedom of the press and abolishment of certain laws passed under the Ultra-Royalist governments, especially a law that gave compensation to émigrés whose property was nationalized during the Revolution. The total amount promised to the émigrés was 988 million francs, a staggering number, especially considering France’s weakened economy. A third demand included the abolishment of hereditary peers. Naturally this was rejected. However, knowing that the nation was depending on them, Talleyrand suggested that that each party work together and accept each other’s “requests”.
While there is grumbling from both sides, the idea is sound and they accept the suggestion. Talleyrand further suggests that sense the two parties are so similar, they should merge into one political bloc. Guizot and Pasquier are uneasy about the idea, and say it should be tabled until the new charter is passed. With both sides pledged to work together, the actual writing can begin. Both sides now agree to expand the electorate, grant freedom of the press, support continued Freedom of religion ,though Catholicism will remain the official state religion, abolish the double vote, repeal the ultra-royalist laws passed and, in a surprise suggestion by Lafayette, to expand the membership of the Chambre des Deputies from 378 to 675. Though the charter is coming along, Talleyrand and Lafayette insist any parts addressing the royal House be added by the Regency Council. Thus on August 26th, the mostly-finished document is presented to the Council by Lafayette in the Palais des Tuileries.

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The Hôtel de Ville during the events of the July Revolution, location of Le Grand Compromis

 
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To my readers, hopefully there are a few of you left after I essentially abandoned this TL, good news! I am finally had the time to return to the Reign of the Miracle King:D. Again I am so sorry it has taken me this long to go back to this TL:eek:. School got really busy, my laptop died and I'm still scrapping together money to buy the new Microsoft office but rest assured there will be an update in either late may or early June. Well hopefully.

I plan to finish out 1830 in my current righting style but I would like to ask my readers their opinions. Should I continue with my current style (chapters) or switch to each chapter being a year, with more important events covered in detail? Feedback would be very much welcomed. Also, if anyone can recommend a book or website on the July Monarchy that's in English that would be a huge help.
 
School got really busy, my laptop died and I'm still scrapping together money to buy the new Microsoft office...

May I recommend LibreOffice? 98% of the functionality for 0% of the price.

One other suggestion. When you post a chapter, preview it. A couple of times you centered an image, and then center-justified a lot of adjacent text. That's easy to fix.

Also, images are nice, but enormous images cause text to spread out off the screen and become very hard to read. Cut 'em down to 800 pixels wide. Not all of us have 22" monitors.

I look forward to future updates!
 
May I recommend LibreOffice? 98% of the functionality for 0% of the price.

One other suggestion. When you post a chapter, preview it. A couple of times you centered an image, and then center-justified a lot of adjacent text. That's easy to fix.

Also, images are nice, but enormous images cause text to spread out off the screen and become very hard to read. Cut 'em down to 800 pixels wide. Not all of us have 22" monitors.

I look forward to future updates!

Thanks for the suggestions:D.

A lot of times with the images they are much smaller on Word and when they are inserted here the size is vastly changed. And I'll have to look into LibreOffice. Again thanks.
 
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