alternatehistory.com

Hi all my first attempt but something i've been longing to do for ages! Comments thoughts appreciated!

The Sunne in Splendour:
It has long been accepted that the "modern" age as we know it began in the 15th Century. In most English-speaking nations the date given for that is the restoration of Edward IV after the re-adaption of 1471 and his reign which continued until his death in 1492. He is also regarded as the monarch who finally put an end to the dynastic squables that had dogged the English during the mid 15th century and assisted in ending their ambitions in France. He is also the man whose ambition and dynastic planning saw a revival in England's continental ambitions. At his death his family were connected by blood and marriage to the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdoms of Castille and Aragon, the Kingdom of Scotland and the Duchy of Brittany and the Duchy of Brabant.
1483:
King Edward IV of England falls suddently and seriously ill since his recovery of his throne he's lived well and it has taken a toll on his health however carefully tended by his wife Queen Elizabeth Wydeville and his doctors, he eventually recovers his health. Pushed by his wife and by his brother Richard of Gloucester who returned to court after his brother's illness the King turns his attention to affairs of state. In contrast to his apparent life of ease he re-entered government in full command - as one chronicler noted it was as if his brush with death had made him more determined to ensure the glory of his house.
It might also be true that the King was fired by anger after his old rival Louis XI of France abandoned plans to marry his heir Charles to Edward's eldest and much loved daughter Elizabeth. Angry over so public a humiliation he welcomed back to court his sister Margaret the Dowager of Burgundy, she arrived in London in September ostensibly to remonstrate with her brother over her English dower lands, the King willingly listened to the Duchess' suggestions that an alliance with her step son in law the widowed Maximilian of Austria would be to everyone's advantage. The King is impressed with his sister's ideas and agrees to a formal treaty - the widowed Maximilian would now marry the jilted Elizabeth of York whilst his son Philip Duke of Burgundy would be betrothed to the King's younger daughter Anne of York.
Although Louis XI died that summer - in the months before his death he'd forced Maximilian of Austria, whose wife Mary of Burgundy had died the year before, into a humiliating treaty at Arras. The treaty saw Maximilians daughter Margaret of Austria betrothed to the French Dauphin and saw Maximilian ceede numerous Burgundian possessions in France to Louis - Maximillian was humiliated as the abandonment of the lands saw his already shaky hold on his late wife's possessions in the low countries (which he held for his son Philip) decline even further...the independent estates refusing to sanction war or funds.
1484:
The Treaty of Bruges is signed in January (ratified by Edward in February and by Maximilian in April). Both guarantee to protect the other in the event of an attack by a third party (clearly intended to be France) though there is a sub-clause in the treaty which stated that the two owed no aid to the other if they initiated an attack on a third party. In addition it confirms the marriage of Elizabeth of York to the widowed Maximilian I it further agrees to the marriage of Philip Duke of Burgundy and Anne of York.
French chroniclers of the time reported the fury of the French Regent Anne to the news believing the treaty to be directly aimed at France and even worse a distinct betrayal of earlier treaties with England and the treaty of Arras confirmed only a year earlier.

In Brittany the treaty of marriage between Anne of Brittany and Edward Prince of Wales which had been discussed for many years still looks the best deal to retain some independence for the Duchy, despite increasing pressure from France. Duke Francis had also suggested that his daughter marry Maximilian of Austria but Maximillian appeared reluctant to marry the young Anne and it came to nought. Reluctanctly Duke Francis despatches his ambassador to London determined to hammer out and confirm a marriage agreement with Edward IV. However many in the Breton nobilty are concerned and the french regent stirs up opposition to the Duke's plans.
Treaty of Eltham October 1484: Anne of Brittany is formally betrothed to the Prince of Wales. In the event of Anne's death Edward would marry her younger sister Isabelle should Edward die then Anne would marry his brother Richard Duke of York and Norfolk. The Treaty also settles the future of Brittany - the Dukedom would pass to Edward and Anne's second son. If Anne and Edward were to die childless, Edward was to guarantee that he would support the claims of Isabelle of Brittany to the Duchy. The Treaty also guaranteed that Isabelle of Brittany would not marry without the consent of both the Breton Duke and the King of England. What wasn't publicised at the time was that in the event of Anne and her sister dying without issue, the Dukedom would pass to Edward IV's descendants. Edward also guaranteed that he would defend the Duchy in the event of a French invasion. To ensure that Duke Francis couldn't be forced to surrender his daughter to French control, Anne would come to England and be educated with Edward's younger daughters when she reached the age of 10 (in 1487).
Edward ratified the treaty within days and began pressing Duke Francis to do so - however he waivered and pursued other options including the marriage of his daughter to Maximillian and to the all ready married Duke of Orleans - he also offered support to the Duke of Orleans in his attempts to wrest the French Regency from Anne of France.
In November in fullfillment of his obligations under the Treaty of Bruges Edward's daughter Elizabeth of York leaves England with numerous English lords and ladies for Burgundy - she is greated with great estate by the Dowager Duchess her Aunt - she and Maximillian are married at Mechelin that same month. The couple seem happy and Elizabeth soon becomes fond of her stepson the young Philip of Burgundy - Maximillian though remains unpopular with the Burgundian subjects of his first wife and the couple face continuing disturbances within the low countries.
1485
The Duke of Brittany formally comes to a truce with the French regent Anne and publicly refuses to ratify the Treaty of Eltham - He and Orleans continue to intrigue though and he continues to imply to the English representatives at his court that he still contemplates ratifying the Treaty of Eltham.
1486
In January it was announced that Edward's daughter Elizabeth had given birth to her first child a healthy boy - the Archduke Frederick, was named for his grandfather the Emperor Frederick III. Elizabeth accompanied her husband to Aachen later that year for his election and coronation as King of The Romans.
Towards the end of the year rebellion again breaks out in France fostered by the Duke of Orleans who is still attempting to gain control of the young King - Maximillian I decides to invade desperate to regain territories he was forced to cede to France at the Treaty of Arras (Artois and French Burgundy in particular) though he is pushed back by the French and faces criticism from the dutch estates over his actions.
1487;
In January facing rebellions at home and the constant threat of a French invasion - The Duke of Brittany still fighting a sporadic battle with France finally formally ratifies the Treaty of Eltham and in March the ten year old Anne of Brittany arrives in England - her entry into London is watched and celebrated by a large crowd - much pleasure is found in the touching greeting offered to the young girl from her future husband the 17 year old Prince Edward. After the ceremonials Anne, now referred to as Princess of Wales and with precedence immediately after the Queen, joins the rest of the Royal children at the Queen's favourite Palace at Eltham. Prince Edward returns to Ludlow and his governance of Wales under the guidance of his favourite Uncle the Queen's brother Anthony Earl Rivers.
In the Autumn the 12 year old Anne of York followed her elder sisters journey across the channel it had been decided that she should be placed in the household of her sister so as to better know her future husband Philip Duke of Burgundy - her father was also anxious that Maximillian have no chance of repudiating the match at a later date. The young couple appear to get on - considered a good sign by all. Anne of York, now formally styled Duchess of Burgundy etc arrives in the low countries in time for the birth of her sister's second child, the Archduchess Eleanor of Austria.
1488
In France the situation continues to decline - the Duke of Brittany and the Duke of Orleans are declared rebels by the Parlement of Paris in January 1488. The situation though has changed and France is now encircled by enemies - Anne of France faced with revolts invades Brittany determined to force the Bretons to repudiate the English betrothal - Edward IV determined to prevent that happening despatches an English Army to support the forces of Francis II of Brittany under the command of Richard Duke of Gloucester and his brother in law Anthony Lord Rivers. A vast English force led by the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl Rivers break a french blockade of the channel and land at the port of St Malo in early July. A few weeks later - the larger English/Breton Army defeats the French at the Battle of Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier.
In late August the French agree to the Treaty of Saint Malo fearing that if the war continues Edward's other ally Maximillian of Austria might again invade (they promote a rebellion in Flanders to distract him) - the French are forced to resume payments of their large pension to Edward IV in return Edward is forced to guarantee that Brittany wouldn't be absorbed into the English Throne and that it would continue to be regarded as a French vassal not an English one. The Treaty of St Malo is regarded as a final settlement but Anne of France's intervening capture and imprisonment of the Duke of Orleans means most observers regard it as a temporary one.
The King's brother Richard warns the King that any attempt to hold Brittany will almost certainly mean continual disputes with France urges him to press their advantage and crush the French. The King prefers his pension and the Duke is again frustrated by his brother's lack of understanding the situation in France.
Edward re-opens negotiations with Ferdinand and Isabella for the marriage of Juan of the Asturias to his younger daughter Catherine - negotiations have been ongoing since her birth in 1479 but had been postponed on numerous times largely over the size of her dowry..Edward now believes that expanding the anti French alliance might help and he is aware that Ferdinand in particular has an interest in regaining Rousillon for the Crown of Aragon.
In September the Duke Francis II of Brittany dies and Anne is confirmed as Duchess in the January of 1489. Edward determined to maintain his hold on the Duchy despatches his brother in law Anthony Earl Rivers to govern the Duchy on behalf of the young Duchess. Lord Rivers is well respected both at home and abroad but the Bretons resent being ruled by an Englishman almost as much as they would had he been French.
Also that year James III of Scotland is killed and his 15 year old son James is proclaimed James IV - Edward whose relationship with Scotland has been a story of intermittant wars and border clashes sees an opportunity to revive a peace deal - he offers the young King the Princess Cecily as his wife. James hedges things though and looks to the old ally France. The French regent is keen to revive an alliance with Scotland as she fears the continuing encirclement of France by nations opposed to her. The Regent also opens negotiations with the Spanish Monarchs for the marriage of Charles VIII to one of the infantas implying her willingness to break his betrothal to Margaret of Austria...Ferdinand's demand for Rousillon to be restored to the Aragonese Crown though delays negotiations.
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