Louis is still in control of Brittany. He just let Francis stay there
The Four Suns in Splendour: A Wars of the Roses Collaborative Timeline
- Thread starter RedKing
- Start date
But why? If Francis is in Brittany he could plot a rebellion or similar, wouldn’t it make more sense for him to go into exile?
As stated in my post, Francis is in Brittany but his children are in France, so he will NOT attempt rebellion for fear of losing his heirs. This way was crueler for Louis to give Francis what he said he wanted (to return to Brittany) without actually giving him what he wanted (power, title, wealth and his children)
Chapter 36 - Treaty of Calais
September 1467 - Margaret of York, Dowager Queen of Portugal, gives birth to a healthy son. He is named Duarte for both her brother and the Philosopher King. Ferdinand rages, and Margaret prepares to fight for her regency.
November 1467 - while success after success had greeted the King of France in early 1467, the end of the year seems to offer less optimistic tidings. Francis, the former Duke of Brittany, has incited a rebellion against Louis' rule there. Ever set on their own independence from France, an astounding amount of Breton men pick up arms - whether they be a trained soldier, a serf or a landowner. Together, they back the man they still consider their Duke, and throw out the officials of Louis the Spider placed in Brittany. Of course, Louis uses his own trump card - the children of the Duke, still in his wife's custody. For many days, it seems as though the resistance of the Bretons has ended as soon as it started. That is until news from England comes - the King of Scotland has been captured! The Spider is given the choice: become distrusted by his Allies by forsaking his longest standing and closest ally, or recognise Brittany's independence and Francis' leadership, as well as releasing the Duke's children from his custody.
December 1467 - the Spider, extremely reluctantly, folds. The Treaty of Calais is drawn up. The children of Elizabeth of York and the Duke of Brittany are returned to their father's custody, with Francis back in control of his Duchy. However, to keep some semblance of control, he betroths a daughter of Francis to his second son, allowing him to keep custody of her. Feeling much more secure with the Treaty, the Duke of Burgundy requests the presence of his wife and children back in Burgundy. Despite this, all know that this is not the last they will hear of France. Cause for celebration is necessary when it becomes evident that Queen Magdalena is pregnant! It is estimated that she is already four months through. Of course, this new pregnancy leads to Edward bringing the Lady Elizabeth back to court.
January 1468 - the King of Scotland, in terms with the Treaty of Calais, is escorted back to Holyrood Castle. His treatment on the journey some consider rather lacklustre. Moreover, desiring further allies against the French, Edward IV begins to look for betrothals for his legitimate children: Princess Magdalena, Prince Lionel (who is set to be formally invested as the Prince of Wales the following month) and Prince Edmund. His main interest in allies include Spain and those within the Hanseatic League. At the end of the month, Isabel Neville gives birth to a daughter - named Margaret, in thanks for all of her step-mother's help during the pregnancy. The daughter is sickly for a few weeks, but quickly improves and begins to thrive.
February 1468 - the power struggle between Margaret and Ferdinand in Portugal continues, the regency of Duarte II causing much contention. Meanwhile, Queen Magdalena is delighted that her pregnancy has reached the sixth month successfully and that her good friend, the Duchess of York, is also with child. However, she is less than impressed that the Countess of Winchester also appears to be with child. Some of this dissatisfaction, however, is alleviated by watching her eldest son be invested the Prince of Wales, and her younger son the Duke of Gloucester.
Children Born:
Duarte II of Portugal - to Margaret of York and Alfonso V.
Margaret of Clarence - to Isabel Neville and George, Duke of Clarence.
Pregnancies:
Queen Magdalena - six months (due in May). (If ordinarylittleme goes after me - please let this one live, for all our sakes).
Margaret, the Duchess of York - three months (due in August).
Elizabeth, Countess of Winchester - two months (due in September).
To keep in mind for next part:
The power struggle in Portugal.
EDIT: added in betrothal.
November 1467 - while success after success had greeted the King of France in early 1467, the end of the year seems to offer less optimistic tidings. Francis, the former Duke of Brittany, has incited a rebellion against Louis' rule there. Ever set on their own independence from France, an astounding amount of Breton men pick up arms - whether they be a trained soldier, a serf or a landowner. Together, they back the man they still consider their Duke, and throw out the officials of Louis the Spider placed in Brittany. Of course, Louis uses his own trump card - the children of the Duke, still in his wife's custody. For many days, it seems as though the resistance of the Bretons has ended as soon as it started. That is until news from England comes - the King of Scotland has been captured! The Spider is given the choice: become distrusted by his Allies by forsaking his longest standing and closest ally, or recognise Brittany's independence and Francis' leadership, as well as releasing the Duke's children from his custody.
December 1467 - the Spider, extremely reluctantly, folds. The Treaty of Calais is drawn up. The children of Elizabeth of York and the Duke of Brittany are returned to their father's custody, with Francis back in control of his Duchy. However, to keep some semblance of control, he betroths a daughter of Francis to his second son, allowing him to keep custody of her. Feeling much more secure with the Treaty, the Duke of Burgundy requests the presence of his wife and children back in Burgundy. Despite this, all know that this is not the last they will hear of France. Cause for celebration is necessary when it becomes evident that Queen Magdalena is pregnant! It is estimated that she is already four months through. Of course, this new pregnancy leads to Edward bringing the Lady Elizabeth back to court.
January 1468 - the King of Scotland, in terms with the Treaty of Calais, is escorted back to Holyrood Castle. His treatment on the journey some consider rather lacklustre. Moreover, desiring further allies against the French, Edward IV begins to look for betrothals for his legitimate children: Princess Magdalena, Prince Lionel (who is set to be formally invested as the Prince of Wales the following month) and Prince Edmund. His main interest in allies include Spain and those within the Hanseatic League. At the end of the month, Isabel Neville gives birth to a daughter - named Margaret, in thanks for all of her step-mother's help during the pregnancy. The daughter is sickly for a few weeks, but quickly improves and begins to thrive.
February 1468 - the power struggle between Margaret and Ferdinand in Portugal continues, the regency of Duarte II causing much contention. Meanwhile, Queen Magdalena is delighted that her pregnancy has reached the sixth month successfully and that her good friend, the Duchess of York, is also with child. However, she is less than impressed that the Countess of Winchester also appears to be with child. Some of this dissatisfaction, however, is alleviated by watching her eldest son be invested the Prince of Wales, and her younger son the Duke of Gloucester.
Children Born:
Duarte II of Portugal - to Margaret of York and Alfonso V.
Margaret of Clarence - to Isabel Neville and George, Duke of Clarence.
Pregnancies:
Queen Magdalena - six months (due in May). (If ordinarylittleme goes after me - please let this one live, for all our sakes).
Margaret, the Duchess of York - three months (due in August).
Elizabeth, Countess of Winchester - two months (due in September).
To keep in mind for next part:
The power struggle in Portugal.
EDIT: added in betrothal.
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That doesn’t matter. He’s still young and can have more children plus Louis wouldn’t execute children, that’d be way too much. Again, why release him on Brittany where he is a wild card, when he can keep him under lock and a close eye?
Lmao well I've already used that to my advantage in my post above. Independent Brittany for the win!
We know that, but Francis would not...as stated by multiple people: Louis controls Brittany, and by taking away Francis' children (and the rightful heirs - even if he had more children by a second wife they'd come after the ones he already has), he ensures he will behave. (Besides, it is not cheap to have a foreign royal as prisoner...)
Chapter 37 - Suspicions
You kill one child...😂
March 1468: The sudden illness of both Dowager Queen Margaret and Infante Ferdinand causes some suspicion. Clearly it is not an action done by either party if both are affected. And yet ONLY those two are affected...the third unknown faction at court is not easy to identify and the erstwhile enemies, both bedridden, are forced to work together to eliminate this new threat. The child king, thankfully, is hale and hearty. Edward IV thinks maybe one of his daughters can be queen of Portugal one day.
April 1468: Henry Tudor, son of Margaret Beaufort, is engaged to Katherine Herbert. Ferdinand II of Aragon marries Isabella of Castile in Valladolid. France once again invades Brittany, trying to force it to a union for once and all. However, the duke of Brittany is no longer the broken man who only wished to join his wife in death. He has found new purpose in life: defending Breton independence by all means. Once again he fights in battle and survives, this time he isn't even captured. It is a good month to be Bretons, especially as England sends over military aid in memory of the deceased duchess.
May 1468: Queen Magdalena gives birth to a daughter. The baby is small but seems to be healthy, she is named Margarita but nicknamed Rita as she was born on the saint's feast day. She is quickly betrothed to the king of Portugal.
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Like three if you count the miscarriages you caused!!
Oh my gosh, does my eyes deceive me? Finally! 😂
Rita is an almost ASB name, even if it’s a saint day. There are a host of Yorkist/English names to choose from.
That works, especially if she’s betrothed to the Portuguese King.
Chapter 38 - Birth and Death
Bohemia, January 1468: Catherine of Podebrady, Princess of Bohemia and Queen of Hungary and Croatia, returns to her home country. The Princess reaches Prague in late January, where she is received by her father, King George, and her husband, King Matthias, who is overjoyed at the sight of his newborn son, Gyorgi (George) of Hungary, named after his Bohemian grandfather. Matthias has successfully stamped out rebellion in Moravia, gaining even many previous rebels to his side who force George to recognize Matthias as his prefered heir. The Bohemian King, emotional at the return of his daughter and slowly dying from an unknown disease, accepts and declares to the Bohemian Estates that Matthias is his preferred heir. Many Hussites, especially the more radical ones, take arms, but the Black Army of Hungary takes to the field and begins a campaign to bring down these rebels.
Cyprus, February 1468: The newly returned Queen Charlotte and her husband, the Count of Geneva, purge the last remnants of the supporters of the deceased James II. The Queen, whom has given birth to a son, Hugh of Savoy-Cyprus, finally feels secure in her reign. Afraid of another Mamluk intervention and despising Venetian influence, the Queen sends diplomats to the courts of Naples, Aragon and France, and also to Milan, Genoa and Florence. She offers access to Cypriot products in exchange of alliances of protection and trade.
Portugal, April 1468: Duke Ferdinand, who has been blessed with another son, Manuel, finally decides he has enough of the Dowager Queen. For all her politicking, he has had enough of her and her attempts at lessening his power. The Infante, who is yet to fully recover from his illness while Queen Margaret has, orders her jailed just as the month begins, despite an attempt by Margaret's retinue at breaking out of the palace. Her English guards are all cut down, while her Portuguese ones, who prefer the Portuguese Infante to the English Queen, betray her and surrender her to Ferdinand. For her actions, Ferdinand declares that Margaret's time is up.
France/England, May/June 1468: Francis of Brittany's time is up. Despite his grand effort of resistance, Charles of Anjou (the younger) finally corners him. The Siege of Lorient is rather quick. Before English ships even arrive to let him escape, the Duke of Anjou orders Lorient's central Keep, where Francis is holding up, to be bombarded. For three days, the French bombard the keep, until eventually the garrison revolts and delivers Francis to the French. Duke Francis attempt to negotiate with Anjou, the French's King's representative, goes awry. Anjou, who captured Brittany in the first place, feels that by breaking his word to not rebel against the French King again, he dishounored him, and he isn't willing to give him that chance. The Breton Estates are summoned, and the Vicomte of Rohan is given the title of Governor of Brittany. One of his first decrees is the execution of Francis the II. Jean, Comte of Montfort, is made Duke of Brittany. The French King hosts the little Duke in Paris, where his Breton entourage is given assurances that Breton autonomy will be respected, although Brittany shall recognize the suzerainty of the crown of Saint Louis. The Bretons accept, tired of war, and a new French campaign is prepared to siege Calais and end once and for all english presence in the continent.
The Duke of Burgundy hears of the news of the birth of his child from afar, as his wife reports that he has a new daughter - Marie of Burgundy. But the Duchess refuses to return, the English say, or King Edward refuses to allow her and her children to return. The defense of Calais becomes quintessential in the English King's mind, who, having already been defeated by the spider's commanders before, does not want to risk Calais on a him. The English emissary to Mechelen tells Charles that he must fight the French on England's behalf, otherwise his wife and children will not be returned to him. Charles, prideful as ever and enraged, beats the English diplomat to death, but is stuck at what to do. Lorraine has submitted Luxembourg and continues to occupy it, while the Dutch cities do not want to finance another war with France. Disgruntled, and wishing to get his children, at least, back, Charles starts levying soldiers for the defense of Calais.
In Paris, the Duke of Berry is "relieved" of his titles. Sentenced for treason, Louis, declaring that he wishes not to put his brother to the sword, instead, forces him to board a small flotilla in Marseille, where many other knights and smaller lords of Brittany and other members of the defeated rebel league are in. The fleet departs for Rhodes, where as pittance for their treason, the men will have to serve as Knights of Saint John, in either Rhodes or Cyprus.
York falls into mourning as the Duchess and the newest babe both die due to stillbirth. The Duke of York mourns, although his brother leaves him no time to do so properly as they must go to Calais, and wage war on France. Both brothers are dumbstruck, though, as just before they embark a Portuguese delegation arrives, hands them their sister Margaret who curses the Portuguese. The King, enraged at the insult to his sister's honour, imprisons the diplomats.
Children Born.
Hugh of Savoy, heir to Cyprus.
George Corvinus, heir to Hungary-Croatia.
Manuel of Viseu-Beja.
Marie of Burgundy.
Pregnancies:
Elizabeth, Countess of Winchester, is still due in September.
Deaths:
Duke Francis II of Brittany.
Margaret, Duchess of York.
Cyprus, February 1468: The newly returned Queen Charlotte and her husband, the Count of Geneva, purge the last remnants of the supporters of the deceased James II. The Queen, whom has given birth to a son, Hugh of Savoy-Cyprus, finally feels secure in her reign. Afraid of another Mamluk intervention and despising Venetian influence, the Queen sends diplomats to the courts of Naples, Aragon and France, and also to Milan, Genoa and Florence. She offers access to Cypriot products in exchange of alliances of protection and trade.
Portugal, April 1468: Duke Ferdinand, who has been blessed with another son, Manuel, finally decides he has enough of the Dowager Queen. For all her politicking, he has had enough of her and her attempts at lessening his power. The Infante, who is yet to fully recover from his illness while Queen Margaret has, orders her jailed just as the month begins, despite an attempt by Margaret's retinue at breaking out of the palace. Her English guards are all cut down, while her Portuguese ones, who prefer the Portuguese Infante to the English Queen, betray her and surrender her to Ferdinand. For her actions, Ferdinand declares that Margaret's time is up.
France/England, May/June 1468: Francis of Brittany's time is up. Despite his grand effort of resistance, Charles of Anjou (the younger) finally corners him. The Siege of Lorient is rather quick. Before English ships even arrive to let him escape, the Duke of Anjou orders Lorient's central Keep, where Francis is holding up, to be bombarded. For three days, the French bombard the keep, until eventually the garrison revolts and delivers Francis to the French. Duke Francis attempt to negotiate with Anjou, the French's King's representative, goes awry. Anjou, who captured Brittany in the first place, feels that by breaking his word to not rebel against the French King again, he dishounored him, and he isn't willing to give him that chance. The Breton Estates are summoned, and the Vicomte of Rohan is given the title of Governor of Brittany. One of his first decrees is the execution of Francis the II. Jean, Comte of Montfort, is made Duke of Brittany. The French King hosts the little Duke in Paris, where his Breton entourage is given assurances that Breton autonomy will be respected, although Brittany shall recognize the suzerainty of the crown of Saint Louis. The Bretons accept, tired of war, and a new French campaign is prepared to siege Calais and end once and for all english presence in the continent.
The Duke of Burgundy hears of the news of the birth of his child from afar, as his wife reports that he has a new daughter - Marie of Burgundy. But the Duchess refuses to return, the English say, or King Edward refuses to allow her and her children to return. The defense of Calais becomes quintessential in the English King's mind, who, having already been defeated by the spider's commanders before, does not want to risk Calais on a him. The English emissary to Mechelen tells Charles that he must fight the French on England's behalf, otherwise his wife and children will not be returned to him. Charles, prideful as ever and enraged, beats the English diplomat to death, but is stuck at what to do. Lorraine has submitted Luxembourg and continues to occupy it, while the Dutch cities do not want to finance another war with France. Disgruntled, and wishing to get his children, at least, back, Charles starts levying soldiers for the defense of Calais.
In Paris, the Duke of Berry is "relieved" of his titles. Sentenced for treason, Louis, declaring that he wishes not to put his brother to the sword, instead, forces him to board a small flotilla in Marseille, where many other knights and smaller lords of Brittany and other members of the defeated rebel league are in. The fleet departs for Rhodes, where as pittance for their treason, the men will have to serve as Knights of Saint John, in either Rhodes or Cyprus.
York falls into mourning as the Duchess and the newest babe both die due to stillbirth. The Duke of York mourns, although his brother leaves him no time to do so properly as they must go to Calais, and wage war on France. Both brothers are dumbstruck, though, as just before they embark a Portuguese delegation arrives, hands them their sister Margaret who curses the Portuguese. The King, enraged at the insult to his sister's honour, imprisons the diplomats.
Children Born.
Hugh of Savoy, heir to Cyprus.
George Corvinus, heir to Hungary-Croatia.
Manuel of Viseu-Beja.
Marie of Burgundy.
Pregnancies:
Elizabeth, Countess of Winchester, is still due in September.
Deaths:
Duke Francis II of Brittany.
Margaret, Duchess of York.
Not you destroying my Breton independence
They will be back later! I'm not giving up on Brittany yet lmao.
Louis should not have even bothered with Jean. The Count of Rohan has a claim to the Duchy through his wife.
Charles’s previous wife was stated to have died giving birth to a stillborn boy. I assume that was Marie in this timeline