Charles' Diary – Jennifer Townsend
….I accompanied Buckingham to the gardens and pondered King Philip's conditions [1] from the day before. I had always felt drawn by Catholicism, but to convert so as to marry Maria would not be allowed by parliament, there would be open rebellion, Buckingham had told me as much. He felt he had let my father down, and he had always thought of King James dearly.
He had been in a foul mood all day, and as such had probably drunk a touch too much wine at dinner. As we sat down in the walled garden, I attempted to raise his spirits, joking about what a poor wife the Infanta would make. Perhaps I went too far. I forget the details, but from over the wall we heard a cry of rage and were promptly greeted with the image of the prince Philip, sword drawn.
“You dare insult the royal family of Spain, rulers of the world. You shall pay dearly for your remarks,” growled the prince-ling.
In a rashness, no doubt compounded by the alcohol coursing through his veins, Buckingham stood, drawing his own sword. “By the grace of God I shall put you back in line, you Spanish dog.”
And with those as his last words, Buckingham launched into the duel. It was cruelly short. The valiant duke had both his age and drink against him. After a couple of parries, Philip piece him through, and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham fell to the ground, dead.
Realising too late what his impetuousness had caused, the prince dropped his sword and called....
The Spanish Match – George Parring
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, took it upon himself to conclude negotiations for the marriage to the Infanta Maria, and travelling incognito with Prince Charles, went to Spain in 1623. It was quickly realised that King Philip III would only agree to the marriage if Charles converted to Catholicism. This of course was unacceptable. However events took an unexpected turn when Buckingham was killed in a duel with the prince of Spain, Philip [2]. Charles was unceremoniously packed onto a boat and shipped back to England. Both king [3] and prince took the death of the court favourite badly, however many at the court and in parliament saw his death as a blessing.
Immediately calls for war were heard, mostly encouraged by Prince Charles, with Parliament insisting heavily that any war should be focused on attacking the Spanish colonial empire. James at first refused to declare war. He had maintained a policy of peace throughout his reign, and no longer felt fit to lead a war. However, with the lack of any favourite at court, James was becoming increasing influence by his son, who's sudden hatred of the Spanish was all being channelled into efforts for war.
Even before war was declared, Charles persuade Vice-Admiral Henry Mainwaring to take up his old profession of piracy [4] and commissioned an attack on Cadiz. Landing further up the coast, he and his men marched on the city [5]. They occupied the port long enough to burn the fleet harboured there, plundering all they could and sailing off before any reinforcements could arrive. Mainwaring returned to England a hero, but the attack was not without consequence. The Spanish claimed, correctly, that the. Charles used the plunder from the raid to raise and army on the continent, while parliament commissioned a fleet, under the now Lord High Admiral Mainwaring, to sail to America.
With his state of health rapidly declining, and control of policy now in the hands of Charles, James stopped appearing in court. He died soon afterwards from a stroke in November 1624 [6].
[1] Philip of Spain insisted on Charles converting to Catholicism and also to remain a year in Spain as an effective political hostage
[2] It has been suggested that the rudeness of Buckingham jeopardised the entire Spanish match, I merely imagined him going further
[3] According to some Buckingham and King James were lovers
[4] A former pirate, so feared by the Spanish that he was pardoned by them in return for leaving them in peace, he eventually joined the Royal Navy and rose to the rank of Vice-Admiral, which he remained in OTL.
[5] This was the OTL plan of Buckingham's attack on Cadiz. However his men were unruly, and finding a warehouse of wine, promptly got themselves drunk.
[6] OTL he died in March 1625, however the death of Buckingham has hit him hard.
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As you can see the POD is the death of the Duke of Buckingham in Spain. You can expect great changes during the 30 years war, and of course the English Civil War (if it even happens
). And lots of other things too...
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As you can see the POD is the death of the Duke of Buckingham in Spain. You can expect great changes during the 30 years war, and of course the English Civil War (if it even happens