The Four Suns in Splendour: A Wars of the Roses Collaborative Timeline

[EdwardRex]

February 1476: The Pope senses the tension between England and France and writes to both. He reminds them of the treaty they had made. Margaret of York has recently betrothed her daughter to Juan, Prince of Girona, so Louis XII is free to marry. The Pope strongly suggests Louis be married to Magdalene of England. And frankly the French regents just want peace.

March 1476: And, though Edward’s very sad to see her go, Magdalene is married by proxy. She will leave in June. It’s been arranged that her sister, Elizabeth Fitzroy, will go to live with her in France as her companion. Catherine Coriano gives birth to a stillborn son.

April 1476: Catherine, Queen of Castile suffers a miscarriage. Her husband Alfonso is very frustrated at the lack of a son. He doesn’t want a repeat of Juana la Beltraneja. Juana is still living in France. She’s practically a prisoner. She can’t leave court, and is very unhappy. But she asks the King if she can marry the Duke of Bourbon, and he agrees (she signs away her rights to Castile). She becomes the Duchess of Bourbon and is very happy.

May 1476: Scotland sees an update. James III has finally slept with his wife (just once, when they were both drunk). Joan’s pregnant. But the Scottish couple have completely separated. Joan’s happy to be a mother, but she’s very unhappy to be married to James. Finally, Joan feels like the Scottish court really isn’t her forte and she deserves a better marriage. She gets a letter over to her brother, but Edward isn’t sympathetic. Joan wanted the marriage to begin with and at least she’s a Queen. On the other hand, Richard of Gloucester and his wife are completely infatuated with one another and are more than glad to announce a pregnancy.

June 1476: The Dowager Duchess of Burgundy gives birth to a final child, named Charles after his father. Both mother and child are healthy. Magdalene of England leaves England.

July 1476: Magdalene of England arrives in France and is married to Louis XII. The marriage is consummated once so it can’t be annulled (Magdalene isn’t pregnant), and then they will wait until 1479. Louis however, is very mature for his fifteen years. He has the appearance and demeanor of a young man of 17 or 18. He does show a remarkable interest in Elizabeth Fitzroy, however. She reciprocates his feelings.

Births:
Stillborn Son of Catherine Coriano
Miscarriage of Alfonso of Castile and Catherine of Navarre
Charles of Burgundy, son of Charles, Duke of Burgundy and Anne of York

Pregnancies:
Marie of Orleans, Duchess of Milan, still due August 1476
Joan of York, Queen of Scotland, due November 1476
Margaret of Scotland, Duchess of Gloucester, due November 1476

Marriages:
Louis XII of France and Magdalene of England

 

[Prince of Permsia]

Did someone volunteer for the 1475 family tree?

 

[EdwardRex]

Yes, @eliamartin65 did.

 

[Reyne]

Claiming.

 

[Reyne]

August-December, France 1476: The French regency council that Louis, even if only aged 14, is more than able to take the reigns of state in his own hands. Louis' education has payed out, as the young man is everything a King should be. King Louis is coronated in Reims, alongside his young wife, and the two embark on a tour of France. They travel throughout the whole of Northern France, starting in Brittany, where they are well received by the young Duke's regents. Jean and Louis confront each other, and young Jean, who had so bombastically challenged the crown, is rather meek in front of Louis. Louis, is, however, a charmer, and both him and Jean develop an understanding. Both men have an immense love for chivalry, and Jean cannot help but see in Louis everything he wants to be. Louis, rather content to have another of his powerful vassals counted as one of his close friends, invites Jean to accompany him and his wife the royal tour.

The trio travel through Normandy, where they are joined by Louis' younger brother, "Charly", the Duke of Valois, who, despite being ten, attempts his best at emulating the two older boys. They then travel to Burgundy, where they are well received by Anne of York, but the reunion of Phillipe and Louis is recalled as especially touching, as the two view themselves as brothers and kindred spirits. They are soon joined by more French princes - Nicholas, heir of Lorraine and his wife, Anne of France, soon join them, and so does Charles of Angoulême. A portrait of this assembly is painted by Hans Memling, and the portrait soon spreads through France. France looks upon these young men and women as their future, and due to their many talents, they are collectively called the "Ilustrious Generation".

The group all accept Louis' offer to spend Christmas in the Loire, in one of his many palaces by the river, and it is a grand celebration that is eternalized in many paintings. Nicholas of Lorraine and Anne of France, especially, have a joyous christmas, as Anne returns to Lorraine pregnant. Louis and Magdalene have a touching moment too - Magdalena confesses that she has seen the "looks" between Louis and her sister, and that she knows where it's going. While Magdalena is not ugly, Elizabeth Fitzroy is Venus reincarnated, and she cannot help but feel lesser towards her sister. Louis, who despite having a growing affection for Elizabeth, does not want to start his marriage on the wrong foot, decides to end his budding relationship with the Fitzroy. Magdalena is given a new host of french ladies, and the two sisters reconcile. She confesses, though, that she is loving France and does not want to go back to England - Louis promises to find her a good husband from amongst his captains and barons.

October-November, Portugal 1476: The Portuguese Crusade to the Rif is finally at hand, reinforced by many English and Castillian volunteers. Ferdinand of Braganza subdues Tangier and conquers the whole of the Rif, while Portuguese ships harass the Morrocan coast. The question is whether to risk invading Morocco proper - Fez, the capital of the Saadi state, is open, and with the Moroccans defeated on the field, maybe the time has come to continue the reconquista.

 

[Prince of Permsia]

I claim the next one

 

[eliamartin65]

Yes, @eliamartin65 did.

Actually, scratch that.

I like making trees but this TL is confusing as heck, in tree terms

Sorry.

 

[Prince of Permsia]

It’s ok. My post is almost done. Once it is finished I will go back and work on the 1475 tree.

 

[eliamartin65]

It’s ok. My post is almost done. Once it is finished I will go back and work on the 1475 tree.

OK, cool.

 

[Prince of Permsia]

August-December 1476
The Balkans

The brutal siege of Lepanto continues, with little hope of relief. A ship arrives bearing supplies, reinforcements, and news that Catherine of Corian's child has been stillborn. Venice has commanded that Philip of Savoy hold the fortress at all costs and it seems those costs will probably include his life. He writes letters to all those he loves, has wronged, or both, apologizing for his many sins, and sends them out, knowing they might be his last words to the people he cares about.

With the help of the King of Naples the Albanians see off yet another Ottoman incursion.
The Albanian confederacy has held itself together in the aftermath of Skandebeg's death, but it seems clear that if they are to survive they need a central authority. A King, even if his powers are limited, and even if he is only elected. But who to choose? That is the question they contemplate that December.

December 1476
Central Europe

Mathais Corvinus signs a peace with the Turks. He gains the title King of Bosnia. Now that Hungary is no longer at war with the Turks, and indeed has signed a separate pace, undermining Christendom, Emperor Fredrick and King Casimir prepare to strike. They agree that Frederick shall take Bohemia for his son Maximilian, and gain an electorate, while Casimir shall place his eldest son Vladisalus on the Hungarian throne. They will start the war once the snows thaw.

August-December 1476
Milan

Duke Galezzo Maria suspects plotters everywhere and goes to extreme lengths to uproot them. Even the clergy are not spared from his torturers. Of course this makes the Duke even more unpopular, which only inspires further plots. With Marie entering her confinement he entertains himself with his many favorites including his own squires and Marie's ladies maids. Marie does her best to protect them from her husbands' base urges but in her condition their is only so much that can be done. As always pregnancy is straining for Marie and by her ninth month all she really wants to do is lie down and sleep. The only people she will make time for, accepting the treasures letters her family sends her, are her two little boys. The birth this time is easy. The child is a girl. Her husband wants to name her after Marie's grandmother Violeta Visconti, to signify that his claim to Milan is unquestionable. But Marie reminds him of their firstborn. The memory of her short lived child is even now too painful, and Marie pleads with her husband to name their daughter Bianca Maria, after his mother. The Duke of Milan grants this kindness to his wife.

As she recovers the political situation in Milan deteriorates. Gradually, and with the encouragement of her brother in law Ludovico, Marie realizes that though she wants noting more than to follow God's command to devote herself to her household and children, she cannot protect those she loves without engaging in the politics of the court. Reluctantly she steps out of her shell and begins forming alliances.

That December the Duke collapses in the middle of a Christmas ball. He dies in the arms of Marie who despite his years of mistreatment, weeps and wails and begs for him to wake up. The children need him. She needs him but alas he does not wake. Both the Duchess and Ludovico suspect poising from one of the Duke's many enemies. The regency for young Gian Galeazzo Sforza will be a tense time indeed.

August-December 1476
Scotland

The Duke of Gloucester and Margret of Scotland travel to the Scottish Court for the birth of their first child. King James demands that Joan give birth at court. The heavily pregnant Queen makes a miserable journey back to her husband. Her mother journeys to Scotland to be with her in her time of need. At court she enters into confinement together with her sister in law Margret of Scotland. The two women get along fabulously with Margret acting as an older sister to the young mother to be while also preparing for the birth of her own child.

The King for his part shows his sister Margret much more attention and affection than his wife, sparking absurd rumors that both children are his. Still he is kinder to the young Queen and cannot help but be touched by her obvious love for his child.

Margret's baby is born first, a plump little boy that she and her husband will name James in the Scottish King's honor. This raises some eyebrows at court but none from the Royal Couple. Plenty of relatives have the same name and in any case Joan is convinced she is expecting a girl. The Queen is proven right. The couple agree to name their daughter Margret. After the King's sister and after his first wife. She is adored by both her parents but alas, not a boy. Joan is conflicted. She loves her daughter, and because she is a girl Joan knows she will have more control over her upbringing. But without a son she knows she will have to sleep with her husband again.


August-December 1476
France

With the tensions with England resolved preparations resume for the Crusade against Algiers, which shall launch next Spring.

Princess Anne believes she may have found a good choice of husband for Elizabeth in Rene the count of Vaudmont, a cousin of her husband (otl Rene duke of Loraine). Young Rene is a skilled commander, popular with the regents, and relishes to wed the daughter of a King, even if she is an illegitimate daughter. Elizabeth is happy with him but wants to wait a while. She might have earned the nickname "petite vénus" from court poets, but Elizabeth is still just 13 years old and frightened of sharing the fate of her mother and aunt. Her father and stepmother agree she shall remain unwed until her sixteenth birthday. She thanks King Louis for saving her from her mother's fate and rewards his affection with a chaste kiss on the cheek.

Princess Anne of Loraine has become a treasured source of counsel to both her brother and husband. Nicholas himself is assuming more responsibilities in the Duchies of Loraine and Luxemburg as his father ages into retirement.

A play put on that Christmas December depicts Elizabeth Fitzroy as Venus, Queen Magdalena as Hera, Anne of France as Venus, and Juana the Duchess of Bourbon as Diana. Each of the ladies plays themselves and have fun doing so. It is particularly ironic that Anne plays the Virgin Athena while pregnant, but she had told nobody except her brother, husband, and closest friends, as she fears bringing ill fortune to her child.



Births
James of York
Margret of Scotland
Bianca Maria Sforza

Pregnancies
Anne of France -Due August 1477

 

[EdwardRex]

Claiming next post

 

[EdwardRex]

January 1477: In Milan, Dowager Duchess Marie and the Duke of Bari assumes the regency. Surprisingly, a bride for the Duke is found in England (by the advice of the Pope). Jacquetta Fitzroy, who is almost as beautiful as the famous Elizabeth Fitzroy (whom all of Europe is trying to imitate), is betrothed to be the Duchess of Bari and is in fact very happy about it. The two are married by proxy. She will arrive in 1480. In the mean time, she is instructed by Queen Eleanor, her stepmother who loves her dearly, on how to live respectably and help manage a court.

February/March 1477: The Queen of Castile finally gives birth to a son, christened Juan. Catalina is relieved, but notices that her son is abnormally small, he isn’t growing, and finally, one sad day in April, his little body is found in his crib. Catalina and Alfonso are devastated. On the contrast, the Queen of Aragon gives birth to a thriving daughter named Juana. Castilian/Aragonese relations are chilled when Alfonso refuses to be godfather to Juana.

April 1477: Louis XII and the top generals of France depart from the south of France to try to conquer Algiers. Noticeably, it is Elizabeth Fitzroy who is there to wish him goodbye. Rumors fly that the two have had an affair. In fact, Queen Magdalene wasn’t mad at her husband, she was just sick with a case of stomach flu (she recovers fine). And Elizabeth Fitzroy, despite having feelings for Louis, hasn’t done anything.

May 1477: Emma of Burgundy, at 19, is finally married to Maximilian. She’s immediately pregnant and announces this to the Austrian court in July. Her cousin Marie writes to her a congratulatory letter from her remote convent.

June 1477: The Duchess of Guelders gives birth to a daughter named Catherine. Her sister, Eleanor, is married to the Earl of Norfolk. Anne of France, Duchess of Lorraine gives birth to a son named after her brother. Speaking of Louis, his campaign in Algiers is going very well.

Births:
Juan, Prince of Asturias, son of Alfonso of Castile and Catherine of Navarre
Juana, Infanta of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile
Catherine of Guelders, daughter of Adolf of Guelders and Anne Neville
Louis of Lorraine, son of Nicholas, Duke of Lorraine and Anne of France

Marriages:
Ludovico, Duke of Bari to Jacquetta Fitzroy (proxy)
Maximilian of Austria to Emma of Burgundy
Eleanor Neville to Thomas de Mowbray, Earl of Norfolk

Pregnancies:
Emma of Burgundy, due January 1478

 

[EdwardRex]

Um while 13-14 year olds might have children as part of a political marriage I have difficulty believing they would be allowed to get drunk enough to fall into bed with a monarch. If that were the case their would probably be someone much older than them pulling the strings.

It’s important to remember that 1) Louis and Elizabeth might be 14, but they are physically closer to about 17 2) Teenagers make dumb decisions sometimes. But if you think it’s ASB, it can easily be removed.

 

[Prince of Permsia]

It’s important to remember that 1) Louis and Elizabeth might be 14, but they are physically closer to about 17 2) Teenagers make dumb decisions sometimes. But if you think it’s ASB, it can easily be removed.

I mean a lot of what we do is Asb. If it stays I think it should be a case of Louis being pushy, with the consent of the whole thing being pretty questionable. Perhaps an anti English advisor wanted to fuck up the King’s marriage. It’s your call about removing it.

One thing I do think is Asb is that she was able to conceal the pregnancy for five months even though she didn’t know about it.

 

[Reyne]

I mean a lot of what we do is Asb. If it stays I think it should be a case of Louis being pushy, with the consent of the whole thing being pretty questionable. Perhaps an anti English advisor wanted to fuck up the King’s marriage. It’s your call about removing it.

Do we really want to make Louis a rapist? No, I don't think we should.

 

[Prince of Permsia]

Your right.

 

[Prince of Permsia]

We could move this plot line forward a year or two

 

[Reyne]

Claiming.

 

[EdwardRex]

July 1477: Elizabeth Fitzroy prematurely gives birth to a stillborn daughter while praying in a convent. She is secretly relieved, as she was due to marry soon. She cleans up the bloodied mess while weeping, but when she marries the Count, she is all smiles and the prettiest woman at court.

You never claimed before posting.

 

[EdwardRex]

I mean a lot of what we do is Asb. If it stays I think it should be a case of Louis being pushy, with the consent of the whole thing being pretty questionable. Perhaps an anti English advisor wanted to fuck up the King’s marriage. It’s your call about removing it.

One thing I do think is Asb is that she was able to conceal the pregnancy for five months even though she didn’t know about it.

Do we really want to make Louis a rapist? No, I don't think we should.

We could move this plot line forward a year or two

Agreed, I’ll remove everything about Elizabeth in my post, but the storyline can be pushed forward.