The Future is most Fair for you my Prince- A TL
This Timeline shall deal with the successful birth of Prince Juan of Asturias and Princess Margaret of Austria’s daughter and the death of Duke Philip the Fair’s wife Duchess Joanna delivering their daughter Eleanor of Austria
1497:
On October 4 Prince Juan of Asturias dies from reported overexertion in the bedroom with Princess Margaret of Austria. Modern Historians now believe that the young Prince died of Tuberculosis. Princess Margaret is left widowed but pregnant.
Princess Margaret of Austria successfully delivers a baby girl christened Isabella after her grandmother the queen of Castile. This young child should she survive to adulthood was guaranteed the Castilian Throne but the Aragonese Throne was a different matter entirely. Princess Margaret is returned to her father Maximillian.
Girolamo Savonarola and his followers called “The Weepers” begin to start the Bonfire of the Vanities in Florence, in which his followers burned their most prized position in the hope of securing the favor of God. This will lead to Girolamo’s excommunication. Girolamo will be burned at the stake as a heretic. Temporarily ending any reform movement of the Church gaining steam in Italy.
King Manuel I of Portugal following the similar policy of Isabella and Ferdinand issues an edict, which all Jews in Portugal must either convert to Christianity to leave the country.Many Jew decided to convert but a sizable portion of Jews retain their Jewish religion underground as King Manuel doesn't aggressively enforce the edict
1498:
Queen Isabella of Portugal, daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, dies in Childbirth delivering her child Miguel De Paz.
King Henry VII of England begins discussions with the Most Catholic Monarchs about his son Prince Arthur marrying either Infanta Maria or Catharine. This is largely a move to gain recognition for the Tudor Dynasty by marrying into Europe’s most prestigious Royal Family. A loose agreement is reached for the future marriage of Prince Arthur of Wales and Infanta Maria.
On November 15 Duchess Joanna of Spain dies giving birth to her daughter Eleanor of Austria much like her sister Queen Isabella of Portugal had in 1498. This effectively ended the Marriage Alliances between the House of Trastámara and Hapsburg but that didn’t end either Houses fear of the French. Philip the Handsome was distraught about the death of his wife, with whom he was said to deeply love.
1499:
The Battle of Dornach ends in an Imperial Victory, which was aided by the inability of the Canton of Lucerne’s troops from arriving at the battle. This battle resulted in Maximillian securing much of the Northeast Cantons. Maximillan sensing an opening to end the Swiss Confederation quickly sends more troops, which don’t arrive until 1500.
The Battle of Schoren results in a huge Imperial defeat after the Swiss Ambush. This battle ends any further thrusts into Switzerland by the Hapsburgs, who instead focus upon securing what they already control.
The Treaty of Basel is signed with the Swiss Confederation granting De-facto Independene to the Swiss in exchange for recognition of Imperial control over the Cantons of Zurich, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, St. Gallen and Graubunden
Louis XII marries Anne of Brittany as a result of the will created by his predecessor Charles VIII. This required Papal Annulment as Louis XII had been previously married but it is quickly given due to Papal Favor toward Louis XII.
Discussions are started between Portugal and ‘Spain’ about arranging the marriage of Miguel De Paz to his cousin Princess Isabella of Asturias. This would unify all of Spain as Miguel was the heir to the thrones of Portugal and Aragon whereas Isabella was heir to her Grandmother’s throne in Castile.
Louis XII invades Northern Italy at the urgings of the Republic of Venice and is successful in defeating Ludovico Sforza’s “The Moor” armies outside Milan and gaining control of the city. Ludovico is able to escape the battle and plot his return to power.
1500:
A Marriage Treaty is arraigned for Duke Philip the Handsome to marry the young Margaret Tudor. The marriage will be consummated in 1503 but Margaret shall be raised in the court of Philip in Brussels from now on. This is a major diplomatic coup for Henry VII as he has legitmaized the Tudor Dynasty by marrying into two of Europe’s most prestigious Royal Families. Philip in the treaty has agreed to control Margaret of York, dowager Duchess of Burgundy from aiding any pretenders to the English Throne.
Ludovico Sforza defeats the French occupation Army and once again returns to Milan in triumph. Ludovico executes all major Milanese figures that sided with the French government. Ludovico seizes a portion of the land of executed traitors so fund his Mercenary Army as well as purchase more. King Louis XII raises another Royal Army, in which, he personally leads the Army to defeat this despot.
Ludovico is defeated but the battle is to close for comfort but fate has it that Ludovico is captured during the retreat as is sent to Paris, where he will die within the year. King Louis XII having restored confidence in French Military Power installs Francesco Sforza as his puppet Duke of Milan. Francesco Sforza is betrothed to Louis XII daughter Claude of Brittany in insuring his loyalty to France.
The Battle of Hemmingstedt ends with a Royal victory for King Johan against the Peasants republic in Holstein. This gives King Johan the necessary prestige to deal with the nobles and reach an agreement to protect the Union of Kalmer.
Treaty of Grenada signed between Ferdinand II of Aragon and Louis XII of France agrees to divide the Kingdom of Naples in half. Ferdinand will gain the Kingdom of Sicily and parts of Southern Naples while Louis will gain the rest of the Kingdom of Naples. The Kingdom of Naples quickly falls but France and Aragon nearly come to war between each other but Pope Alexander VI worried about it spilling over into central Italy, where he is creating a Borgia controlled Kingdom, negotiated a peace.
Professor William Van Buren
Professor of History at the University of Amsterdam
Duke Philip the Handsome had in theory been Duke of Burgundy from the death of his mother Mary in 1482, when Philip was 4 years old. This resulted in the unpopular Maximillian, King of the Romans, serving as regent. This resulted into a series of disputes between supporters of Maximillian and largely the cities of Flanders. The Young Philip was actually captured and held prisoner briefly by the city of Burges. This conflict ended in 1494, when Philip turned sixteen and his regency ended. The Young Duke was aggressive in showing his independence from his father and placed his seat of power in the city of Brussels. Brussels would soon become a center of chivalry. Philip was extremely involved in Jousting had a quick wit and was pleasing to the eyes and as a result Philip began to be viewed as the ideal King by many writers and lords that visited his court. Two such Lords were his brother-in-laws King Arthur II of England and Henry of Canterbury (More in Later Chapters). Philip the Handsome was used by his father Emperor Maximillian to further an anti-French alliance was married to Infanta Joanna in 1497. Philip was said to be so struck by her beauty that like his mother and father found the first priest they could find so that he could bed her immediately. The marriage especially loved for an arranged marriage but tragedy struck in 1498 as Joanna died delivering Philip’s daughter Eleanor of Austria, for the time Heir Presumptive of Burgundy. Philip was so filled with grief that he refused to have contact with Eleanor for a period of four years. Philip began to recruit humanist writer and artists to Brussels and his court attracted numerous Italians the most famous would be Sandro Botticelli, who would serve as court artist for Burgundy till his death in 1512. Burgundian Forces would aid his father’s Imperial forces in defeating the Swiss avenging his Grandfather’s defeat decades previous. Besides becoming a major patron of Arts and making his court a center of chivalry Philip’s early reign as Duke was largely quite. This would change with the arrival of his new bride Margaret Tudor.
This Timeline shall deal with the successful birth of Prince Juan of Asturias and Princess Margaret of Austria’s daughter and the death of Duke Philip the Fair’s wife Duchess Joanna delivering their daughter Eleanor of Austria
1497:
On October 4 Prince Juan of Asturias dies from reported overexertion in the bedroom with Princess Margaret of Austria. Modern Historians now believe that the young Prince died of Tuberculosis. Princess Margaret is left widowed but pregnant.
Princess Margaret of Austria successfully delivers a baby girl christened Isabella after her grandmother the queen of Castile. This young child should she survive to adulthood was guaranteed the Castilian Throne but the Aragonese Throne was a different matter entirely. Princess Margaret is returned to her father Maximillian.
Girolamo Savonarola and his followers called “The Weepers” begin to start the Bonfire of the Vanities in Florence, in which his followers burned their most prized position in the hope of securing the favor of God. This will lead to Girolamo’s excommunication. Girolamo will be burned at the stake as a heretic. Temporarily ending any reform movement of the Church gaining steam in Italy.
King Manuel I of Portugal following the similar policy of Isabella and Ferdinand issues an edict, which all Jews in Portugal must either convert to Christianity to leave the country.Many Jew decided to convert but a sizable portion of Jews retain their Jewish religion underground as King Manuel doesn't aggressively enforce the edict
1498:
Queen Isabella of Portugal, daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, dies in Childbirth delivering her child Miguel De Paz.
King Henry VII of England begins discussions with the Most Catholic Monarchs about his son Prince Arthur marrying either Infanta Maria or Catharine. This is largely a move to gain recognition for the Tudor Dynasty by marrying into Europe’s most prestigious Royal Family. A loose agreement is reached for the future marriage of Prince Arthur of Wales and Infanta Maria.
On November 15 Duchess Joanna of Spain dies giving birth to her daughter Eleanor of Austria much like her sister Queen Isabella of Portugal had in 1498. This effectively ended the Marriage Alliances between the House of Trastámara and Hapsburg but that didn’t end either Houses fear of the French. Philip the Handsome was distraught about the death of his wife, with whom he was said to deeply love.
1499:
The Battle of Dornach ends in an Imperial Victory, which was aided by the inability of the Canton of Lucerne’s troops from arriving at the battle. This battle resulted in Maximillian securing much of the Northeast Cantons. Maximillan sensing an opening to end the Swiss Confederation quickly sends more troops, which don’t arrive until 1500.
The Battle of Schoren results in a huge Imperial defeat after the Swiss Ambush. This battle ends any further thrusts into Switzerland by the Hapsburgs, who instead focus upon securing what they already control.
The Treaty of Basel is signed with the Swiss Confederation granting De-facto Independene to the Swiss in exchange for recognition of Imperial control over the Cantons of Zurich, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, St. Gallen and Graubunden
Louis XII marries Anne of Brittany as a result of the will created by his predecessor Charles VIII. This required Papal Annulment as Louis XII had been previously married but it is quickly given due to Papal Favor toward Louis XII.
Discussions are started between Portugal and ‘Spain’ about arranging the marriage of Miguel De Paz to his cousin Princess Isabella of Asturias. This would unify all of Spain as Miguel was the heir to the thrones of Portugal and Aragon whereas Isabella was heir to her Grandmother’s throne in Castile.
Louis XII invades Northern Italy at the urgings of the Republic of Venice and is successful in defeating Ludovico Sforza’s “The Moor” armies outside Milan and gaining control of the city. Ludovico is able to escape the battle and plot his return to power.
1500:
A Marriage Treaty is arraigned for Duke Philip the Handsome to marry the young Margaret Tudor. The marriage will be consummated in 1503 but Margaret shall be raised in the court of Philip in Brussels from now on. This is a major diplomatic coup for Henry VII as he has legitmaized the Tudor Dynasty by marrying into two of Europe’s most prestigious Royal Families. Philip in the treaty has agreed to control Margaret of York, dowager Duchess of Burgundy from aiding any pretenders to the English Throne.
Ludovico Sforza defeats the French occupation Army and once again returns to Milan in triumph. Ludovico executes all major Milanese figures that sided with the French government. Ludovico seizes a portion of the land of executed traitors so fund his Mercenary Army as well as purchase more. King Louis XII raises another Royal Army, in which, he personally leads the Army to defeat this despot.
Ludovico is defeated but the battle is to close for comfort but fate has it that Ludovico is captured during the retreat as is sent to Paris, where he will die within the year. King Louis XII having restored confidence in French Military Power installs Francesco Sforza as his puppet Duke of Milan. Francesco Sforza is betrothed to Louis XII daughter Claude of Brittany in insuring his loyalty to France.
The Battle of Hemmingstedt ends with a Royal victory for King Johan against the Peasants republic in Holstein. This gives King Johan the necessary prestige to deal with the nobles and reach an agreement to protect the Union of Kalmer.
Treaty of Grenada signed between Ferdinand II of Aragon and Louis XII of France agrees to divide the Kingdom of Naples in half. Ferdinand will gain the Kingdom of Sicily and parts of Southern Naples while Louis will gain the rest of the Kingdom of Naples. The Kingdom of Naples quickly falls but France and Aragon nearly come to war between each other but Pope Alexander VI worried about it spilling over into central Italy, where he is creating a Borgia controlled Kingdom, negotiated a peace.
Professor William Van Buren
Professor of History at the University of Amsterdam
Holy Roman Emperor Philip the Handsome – The Early Ducal Years
Duke Philip the Handsome had in theory been Duke of Burgundy from the death of his mother Mary in 1482, when Philip was 4 years old. This resulted in the unpopular Maximillian, King of the Romans, serving as regent. This resulted into a series of disputes between supporters of Maximillian and largely the cities of Flanders. The Young Philip was actually captured and held prisoner briefly by the city of Burges. This conflict ended in 1494, when Philip turned sixteen and his regency ended. The Young Duke was aggressive in showing his independence from his father and placed his seat of power in the city of Brussels. Brussels would soon become a center of chivalry. Philip was extremely involved in Jousting had a quick wit and was pleasing to the eyes and as a result Philip began to be viewed as the ideal King by many writers and lords that visited his court. Two such Lords were his brother-in-laws King Arthur II of England and Henry of Canterbury (More in Later Chapters). Philip the Handsome was used by his father Emperor Maximillian to further an anti-French alliance was married to Infanta Joanna in 1497. Philip was said to be so struck by her beauty that like his mother and father found the first priest they could find so that he could bed her immediately. The marriage especially loved for an arranged marriage but tragedy struck in 1498 as Joanna died delivering Philip’s daughter Eleanor of Austria, for the time Heir Presumptive of Burgundy. Philip was so filled with grief that he refused to have contact with Eleanor for a period of four years. Philip began to recruit humanist writer and artists to Brussels and his court attracted numerous Italians the most famous would be Sandro Botticelli, who would serve as court artist for Burgundy till his death in 1512. Burgundian Forces would aid his father’s Imperial forces in defeating the Swiss avenging his Grandfather’s defeat decades previous. Besides becoming a major patron of Arts and making his court a center of chivalry Philip’s early reign as Duke was largely quite. This would change with the arrival of his new bride Margaret Tudor.