The Four Suns in Splendour: A Wars of the Roses Collaborative Timeline
- Thread starter RedKing
- Start date
Shouldn't Richard be the Duke of something else, since York is held by Edmund, Earl of Rutland in this timeline?
Agreed, it makes the TL very difficult to follow and means everyone has to scramble to pick up the pieces. Also, maybe we should make it so there can only be four pregnancies ongoing at once? Might make it easier to keep track of births, or at least making sure who is pregnant with an indication of the birthdate is always at the end of the posts.
Chapter 54 - A New Claimant
April 1470: The Lancastrian cause is like a headless chicken. Their claimant has all but renounced their claim and they are struggling to find a new one. Louis XI grows frustrated, for he needs this revolt in England if he is to push the English out of Normandy and seize Calais. He has spies across England searching for a claimant. Soon they find one, Charles Beaufort, the ten-year-old son of Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset.
Granted, the boy is of questionable legitimacy, but Louis circumvents that quickly. He has Charles and his mother Joan Hill come to France. There Joan testifies that she and Henry had married in 1459 and a English Priest corrobates the claim, saying he wedded them. For Louis and the Lancastrians, it is good enough and they declare him King Charles I of England. Louis has the boy betrothed to his distant cousin, Marie of Orleans and the two are due to marry in 1472. Charles, is kept under guard at a Castle outside of Paris, which becomes a Lancastrian court in exile. Northumberland is selected as his ‘Lord Protector’ and they soon plots a Lancastrian attack.
In a bid to lower English suspicion, Louis coordinates a rebellion in Kent, which seize several towns and castles alongside the aid of French Knights. It is quickly put down, but the rebellion does succeed in lowering English suspicions, while Louis plots his allies’ campaign in England.
May 1470: The French army marching in Juana’s name seized several towns and castles in northern Castile and fight off any resistance. Alfonso, now of age, raises an army and marches to meet the French.
Granted, the boy is of questionable legitimacy, but Louis circumvents that quickly. He has Charles and his mother Joan Hill come to France. There Joan testifies that she and Henry had married in 1459 and a English Priest corrobates the claim, saying he wedded them. For Louis and the Lancastrians, it is good enough and they declare him King Charles I of England. Louis has the boy betrothed to his distant cousin, Marie of Orleans and the two are due to marry in 1472. Charles, is kept under guard at a Castle outside of Paris, which becomes a Lancastrian court in exile. Northumberland is selected as his ‘Lord Protector’ and they soon plots a Lancastrian attack.
In a bid to lower English suspicion, Louis coordinates a rebellion in Kent, which seize several towns and castles alongside the aid of French Knights. It is quickly put down, but the rebellion does succeed in lowering English suspicions, while Louis plots his allies’ campaign in England.
May 1470: The French army marching in Juana’s name seized several towns and castles in northern Castile and fight off any resistance. Alfonso, now of age, raises an army and marches to meet the French.
Chapter 55 - Victory and Defeat
June 1470: Charles the Bold finally reestablishes a power base and drives the Italian army out of Burgundy. Alfonso, meanwhile, is not quite as lucky. While the French army was defeated, he is badly injured after fighting in the front line.
Chapter 56 - Victory in Calais
Burgundy, June/August 1470: Anne, Duchess of Burgundy finally returns to her husband, Charles, with her children. What she expects to be a joyful reunion is instead turned into a tempestuous storm. Charles' is still insulted that Edward used his own wife and children against him as a weapon, and he secretly communicates with Louis that he wants an end to the war. Louis is only eager to accept, finally win the Burgundians to his side, and put a permanent stake in Burgundian-English relations. He tells Charles that he must surrender Ducal and Comital Burgundy to him, but Charles will be allowed to keep Calais for himself, and Louis will support Charles' endeavours in conquering the Netherlands and expanding into the Empire. Charles, knowing Burgundy proper has long been lost, accepts.
When the French armies arrive at Calais, the English are crushed as Charles the Bold betrays them from inside the city. Edmund, Duke of York, who had been leading the English troops during the absence of his brother, King Edward, who is in London with his new, Neapolitan wife, is captured and held as hostage for peace. Louis is rather content and breathes a sigh of relief that it seems, to all be finally over. The Burgundians and the French meet after the battle and the following treaty is drafted:
- The King and the Duke recognized each other as cousin, kin, and the two most powerful members of the House of Capet. Thus, they declare that they shall not take arms, justly or unjustly, against one another for at least 10 years.
- The Duke of Burgundy cedes Ducal and Comital Burgundy to Louis XI. In turn, Louis elevates the county of Flanders to the standing of a Duchy, and vows to recognize Charles as Lord of the Netherlands, even if the Emperor will not.
- The Duke of Lorraine is recognized as Duke of Luxembourg, who pass into his possessions.
- Duke Charles of Flanders is made Comte of Calais.
- France shall pay monetary compensation to his Grace, the Lord of the Netherlands, for the vile actions of pillaging that have been inflicted on the Lower Netherlands.
France, August 1470: Louis is overjoyed. He decides that perhaps, being not so heavy handed is the way to do it and he enters negotiations with the Comte of Rohan. Rohan, who claims to be Duke of Brittany, is stuck as neither the English nor the French recognize him as Duke. Louis accepts to recognize Jean as Duke of Brittany as long as Jean accepts to recognize Louis as suzerain, even if a distant one. Jean, who is lacking in legitimacy, accepts, finally bring France peace on the domestic front. Louis contents himself with holding the Duke of York prisioner and fomenting revolts in England. He has not interest in really invading England, and instead prefers to focus on Castille.
England, September 1470: A great peasant revolt erupts in Northern England due to the famine and war taxes imposed by Edward the IV. While it starts as a peasant revolt, it rapidly swells as the Lancastrians, led by Baron Clifford and Henry Percy take control of the revolt. Many towns and castles of Northern England fall to the sack.
May, Cyprus 1470: Queen Charlotte gives birth to a girl who is given the name Sybille of Savoy. Queen Charlotte decides that the best way to rapidly enrich her country is to turn it into a naval fortress, and invites many Italian, Iberian and French captains to serve under her. She gives them out orders to start piracy on the shores of the Ottoman and Mamluk sultanates.
Bohemia, November 1470: The King of Bohemia dies, leaving the throne to Matthias Corvin. The Hussites, expectedly, revolt again, and Matthias starts quelling the rebellion, but Poland, on the other side of the border, looks hungrily as the Hussites reach out to them...
Castille, November 1470: Alfonso, King of Castille, despite the war ending on the Burgundian and Breton fronts, decides to continue the war. This is for various reasons, mainly for the opportunity to sack rich Southern France but also to gain legitimacy against Juana. He meets the French armies of the Duke of Bourbon at Burgos in November, but the battle is a timid victory for the French, who force the Castillians to stand off.
Portugal, September/December 1470: Margaret of York, Queen Regent of Portugal, is finally somewhat secure in her post, but finds herself very isolated from Portugal outside of Lisbon. While she has gained the favor of the court, there are many outside of Lisbon who still doubt her. The House of Aviz-Beja, who so quarreled with her, are reduced to an infant, Duke Dinis, and his widowed mother, Beatriz of Portugal. The irony is not lost on Margaret who attempts to meet with Beatriz, who has not been seen at court since the executions of her oldest sons. Duchess Beatriz responds to Margaret's entreaties with a stern "fuck off, bitch" for Margaret is responsible for the deaths of most of her family. Nonetheless, the Duke of Braganza, Fernando, the only senior,adult Duke left in Portugal and the King's oldest relative, travels to Lisbon with an entourage of representatives of the "High Nobility" to discuss the return of their priviliges and rights, which had been taken away by the Aviz monarchy.
When the French armies arrive at Calais, the English are crushed as Charles the Bold betrays them from inside the city. Edmund, Duke of York, who had been leading the English troops during the absence of his brother, King Edward, who is in London with his new, Neapolitan wife, is captured and held as hostage for peace. Louis is rather content and breathes a sigh of relief that it seems, to all be finally over. The Burgundians and the French meet after the battle and the following treaty is drafted:
- The King and the Duke recognized each other as cousin, kin, and the two most powerful members of the House of Capet. Thus, they declare that they shall not take arms, justly or unjustly, against one another for at least 10 years.
- The Duke of Burgundy cedes Ducal and Comital Burgundy to Louis XI. In turn, Louis elevates the county of Flanders to the standing of a Duchy, and vows to recognize Charles as Lord of the Netherlands, even if the Emperor will not.
- The Duke of Lorraine is recognized as Duke of Luxembourg, who pass into his possessions.
- Duke Charles of Flanders is made Comte of Calais.
- France shall pay monetary compensation to his Grace, the Lord of the Netherlands, for the vile actions of pillaging that have been inflicted on the Lower Netherlands.
France, August 1470: Louis is overjoyed. He decides that perhaps, being not so heavy handed is the way to do it and he enters negotiations with the Comte of Rohan. Rohan, who claims to be Duke of Brittany, is stuck as neither the English nor the French recognize him as Duke. Louis accepts to recognize Jean as Duke of Brittany as long as Jean accepts to recognize Louis as suzerain, even if a distant one. Jean, who is lacking in legitimacy, accepts, finally bring France peace on the domestic front. Louis contents himself with holding the Duke of York prisioner and fomenting revolts in England. He has not interest in really invading England, and instead prefers to focus on Castille.
England, September 1470: A great peasant revolt erupts in Northern England due to the famine and war taxes imposed by Edward the IV. While it starts as a peasant revolt, it rapidly swells as the Lancastrians, led by Baron Clifford and Henry Percy take control of the revolt. Many towns and castles of Northern England fall to the sack.
May, Cyprus 1470: Queen Charlotte gives birth to a girl who is given the name Sybille of Savoy. Queen Charlotte decides that the best way to rapidly enrich her country is to turn it into a naval fortress, and invites many Italian, Iberian and French captains to serve under her. She gives them out orders to start piracy on the shores of the Ottoman and Mamluk sultanates.
Bohemia, November 1470: The King of Bohemia dies, leaving the throne to Matthias Corvin. The Hussites, expectedly, revolt again, and Matthias starts quelling the rebellion, but Poland, on the other side of the border, looks hungrily as the Hussites reach out to them...
Castille, November 1470: Alfonso, King of Castille, despite the war ending on the Burgundian and Breton fronts, decides to continue the war. This is for various reasons, mainly for the opportunity to sack rich Southern France but also to gain legitimacy against Juana. He meets the French armies of the Duke of Bourbon at Burgos in November, but the battle is a timid victory for the French, who force the Castillians to stand off.
Portugal, September/December 1470: Margaret of York, Queen Regent of Portugal, is finally somewhat secure in her post, but finds herself very isolated from Portugal outside of Lisbon. While she has gained the favor of the court, there are many outside of Lisbon who still doubt her. The House of Aviz-Beja, who so quarreled with her, are reduced to an infant, Duke Dinis, and his widowed mother, Beatriz of Portugal. The irony is not lost on Margaret who attempts to meet with Beatriz, who has not been seen at court since the executions of her oldest sons. Duchess Beatriz responds to Margaret's entreaties with a stern "fuck off, bitch" for Margaret is responsible for the deaths of most of her family. Nonetheless, the Duke of Braganza, Fernando, the only senior,adult Duke left in Portugal and the King's oldest relative, travels to Lisbon with an entourage of representatives of the "High Nobility" to discuss the return of their priviliges and rights, which had been taken away by the Aviz monarchy.
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Chapter 57 - A Rapid Marriage
By the way, this post does not need to be in 1470 family trees…
January 1471: George, Duke of Clarence, has managed to quiet the revolt in the north. It was an arduous task, one that resulted in the “accidental” death of Henry Percy. But peace is settled and that’s what’s important. Edward IV had fallen ill over Christmas, apparently had some sort of religious vision, and makes a public vow to stay faithful in the marriage bed to his new wife (herself pregnant), who is more beautiful than any of his mistresses. Elizabeth Woodville, the Countess of Winchester, is sent to the countryside and told that her relationship with the King is over. She’s heartbroken, depressed, and four months pregnant with her final child.
February 1471: Margaret of York discusses the rights of the nobility with the new Duke of Braganza (the former Duke, another Ferdinand, died in 1468). Turns out she really likes Braganza and both actually hate the Viseu family. Dowager Duchess Beatriz is politely told to join a convent, and her only son is offered to the church. She completely gives up on life and will die in her convent next winter. Braganza is engaged to Dowager Queen Margaret. He will not be regent, but will still hold power.
March 1471: Alfonso of Castile decides that he needs to marry fast. Very fast. His wound hasn’t healed. Cecily of York is out of the picture, she’s far too young, and his niece Juana is in French custody. He decides to marry the Infanta Juana of Aragon, who is 16 and can have children. So the wedding occurs, in simplicity in March, and Alfonso spends his days plotting revenge and trying to get Juana pregnant.
Marriages:
Alfonso of Castile to Juana of Aragon
Engagements:
Margaret of York to Ferdinand, Duke of Braganza
Pregnancies:
Elizabeth Woodville, due May 1471
Eleanor of Naples, due July 1471
January 1471: George, Duke of Clarence, has managed to quiet the revolt in the north. It was an arduous task, one that resulted in the “accidental” death of Henry Percy. But peace is settled and that’s what’s important. Edward IV had fallen ill over Christmas, apparently had some sort of religious vision, and makes a public vow to stay faithful in the marriage bed to his new wife (herself pregnant), who is more beautiful than any of his mistresses. Elizabeth Woodville, the Countess of Winchester, is sent to the countryside and told that her relationship with the King is over. She’s heartbroken, depressed, and four months pregnant with her final child.
February 1471: Margaret of York discusses the rights of the nobility with the new Duke of Braganza (the former Duke, another Ferdinand, died in 1468). Turns out she really likes Braganza and both actually hate the Viseu family. Dowager Duchess Beatriz is politely told to join a convent, and her only son is offered to the church. She completely gives up on life and will die in her convent next winter. Braganza is engaged to Dowager Queen Margaret. He will not be regent, but will still hold power.
March 1471: Alfonso of Castile decides that he needs to marry fast. Very fast. His wound hasn’t healed. Cecily of York is out of the picture, she’s far too young, and his niece Juana is in French custody. He decides to marry the Infanta Juana of Aragon, who is 16 and can have children. So the wedding occurs, in simplicity in March, and Alfonso spends his days plotting revenge and trying to get Juana pregnant.
Marriages:
Alfonso of Castile to Juana of Aragon
Engagements:
Margaret of York to Ferdinand, Duke of Braganza
Pregnancies:
Elizabeth Woodville, due May 1471
Eleanor of Naples, due July 1471
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Chapter 58 - Rebellion in Wales
April 1471: Prompted by Edward Tudor, a large revolt begins in Pembroke. 4,850 Welshmen seize Pembroke Castle and surrounding towns and fend off attempts by local soldiers to retake them. Edward organises men across Wales to launch hit and run attacks on any English army who comes to defeat him. Edward himself commands from behind the front lines, while more seasoned soldiers lead the troops. Simultaneously, the Baron of Clifford harasses English ships with a sizeable fleet that Louis XI lended to him.
Edward IV doesn’t pay heed to them. He is fuming at the betrayal of Charles the Bold and secretly plots war on him to retake Calais. However, he mostly plans a two front attack on France. A southern attack on Gascony which William Hastings, Baron Hastings shall lead and an attack on Rouen which he shall lead. George, Duke of Clarence shall serve as Regent of England in his absnece. He amassed 18,000 men for the Gascony campaign and 26,000 for the Rouen campaign.
In Castile, Alfonso focuses on fortifying his territories to prevent the French from advancing. At the same time, Juana falls pregnant with child, much to Alfonso’s delight.
May 1471: A force of 500 Welshmen seize the town of Denbigh on Edward Tudor’s orders. At the same time, many of Edward IV’s officials are kidnapped and held for ransom, so that the Welshmen may gather revenue for their campaign.
Back in France, Sir Ralph Percy and Andrew Trollope over see Charles Beaufort’s education. The young claimant is noted to be bright and fascinated with military history and strategy. Louis in particular becomes fond of the boy and imagines him as an ally of France.
Edward IV doesn’t pay heed to them. He is fuming at the betrayal of Charles the Bold and secretly plots war on him to retake Calais. However, he mostly plans a two front attack on France. A southern attack on Gascony which William Hastings, Baron Hastings shall lead and an attack on Rouen which he shall lead. George, Duke of Clarence shall serve as Regent of England in his absnece. He amassed 18,000 men for the Gascony campaign and 26,000 for the Rouen campaign.
In Castile, Alfonso focuses on fortifying his territories to prevent the French from advancing. At the same time, Juana falls pregnant with child, much to Alfonso’s delight.
May 1471: A force of 500 Welshmen seize the town of Denbigh on Edward Tudor’s orders. At the same time, many of Edward IV’s officials are kidnapped and held for ransom, so that the Welshmen may gather revenue for their campaign.
Back in France, Sir Ralph Percy and Andrew Trollope over see Charles Beaufort’s education. The young claimant is noted to be bright and fascinated with military history and strategy. Louis in particular becomes fond of the boy and imagines him as an ally of France.
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I mean you could say the same for otl plus it is the result of Louis’s machinations.
Plus back in Edward IV’s Bourbon Bride we had the Yorkist cause still going, even when it’s claimants were a mad guys kid and Richard’s daughter who married an Italian noble. I don’t see why we can’t have that here.
I mean I always took it as the claim was a joke and the characters had mostly moved on.