The Union of the White and Red Roses - A Collaborative Timeline
- Thread starter EdwardRex
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A New Burgundian Heir
May 1475
Peter of Beaju succumbs to an illness, the result of a chill caught while riding a mission for his father-in-law. His young wife Anne is devastated but while Lousi is displeased to lose a reliable servant, he relishes the opportunity to secure a better match for his daughter. Anne is betrothed to Charles of Maine, the heir to Anjou.
October 1475
News of Charles the Bold's shocking victory arrives at the wedding of Charles of Maine and Anne of France. While the court is in uproar Louis keeps a calm head. Charles has no male heir for his hypothetical Kingdom, is detested by his estates, is low on money, and the Swiss are thrusting for revenge. The spider returns to weaving his web.
Returning from his victory Charles is greeted with yet another triumph. Though his wife Margaret had gone into premature labor and nearly died, she managed to deliver a live, if somewhat sickly, boy. The child is immediately baptised Philip, to keep him out of limbo. His sisters are besotted with him, and Margaret will not let the little boy out of her sight.
November 1475
Elizabeth Woodville gives birth to a healthy daughter, christened Anne of York.
December 1475
Ludovico Duke of Milan weds Marie of Orleans in a splendid ceremony. Ludovico is infatuated with his young bride. While Marie appreciates his kindness and attention, she cannot help but remember this marriage is the end of her brother's political hopes, and that casts a cloud over their union. Despite this Marie is keen to take up her duties as the new mother to Ludovico's daughter Bonna, for she feels like she shall be a mother in her own right in due time.
Anne of France announces her first pregnancy. Queen Charlotte is elated at being a grandmother, though concerned about her daughter conceiving at such a young age. Louis for his part thinks such concerns womanly, though his closest confidants notice him smile a tiny bit when speaking of Anne and her impending child.
Peter of Beaju succumbs to an illness, the result of a chill caught while riding a mission for his father-in-law. His young wife Anne is devastated but while Lousi is displeased to lose a reliable servant, he relishes the opportunity to secure a better match for his daughter. Anne is betrothed to Charles of Maine, the heir to Anjou.
October 1475
News of Charles the Bold's shocking victory arrives at the wedding of Charles of Maine and Anne of France. While the court is in uproar Louis keeps a calm head. Charles has no male heir for his hypothetical Kingdom, is detested by his estates, is low on money, and the Swiss are thrusting for revenge. The spider returns to weaving his web.
Returning from his victory Charles is greeted with yet another triumph. Though his wife Margaret had gone into premature labor and nearly died, she managed to deliver a live, if somewhat sickly, boy. The child is immediately baptised Philip, to keep him out of limbo. His sisters are besotted with him, and Margaret will not let the little boy out of her sight.
November 1475
Elizabeth Woodville gives birth to a healthy daughter, christened Anne of York.
December 1475
Ludovico Duke of Milan weds Marie of Orleans in a splendid ceremony. Ludovico is infatuated with his young bride. While Marie appreciates his kindness and attention, she cannot help but remember this marriage is the end of her brother's political hopes, and that casts a cloud over their union. Despite this Marie is keen to take up her duties as the new mother to Ludovico's daughter Bonna, for she feels like she shall be a mother in her own right in due time.
Anne of France announces her first pregnancy. Queen Charlotte is elated at being a grandmother, though concerned about her daughter conceiving at such a young age. Louis for his part thinks such concerns womanly, though his closest confidants notice him smile a tiny bit when speaking of Anne and her impending child.
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French Affairs
Auvergne, 14 June 1476: Jeanne de France, Duchess of Bourbon, has developed a highly sophisticated court dedicated to literature and education, as she wishes for her son, Louis, to grow up in such an environment. Princes from all over France and even beyond come to the Duchess’ court, one of them being Friedrich of Saxony. Though Friedrich’s great uncle, Emperor Frederick III, protested him being sent to France, Elector Ernst remained unswayed.
Anjou, 9 July 1476: Anne of France gives birth to a daughter, who is christened Charlotte, in honor of her maternal grandmother. Duke Charles is peeved at not having a male heir, though he hides his feelings well in the presence of King Louis and Queen Charlotte.
Anjou, 9 July 1476: Anne of France gives birth to a daughter, who is christened Charlotte, in honor of her maternal grandmother. Duke Charles is peeved at not having a male heir, though he hides his feelings well in the presence of King Louis and Queen Charlotte.
Richard of York’s Tragedy
February 1476
Tragedy strikes the House of York. Margaret Stewart Duchess of Gloucester suffers a fall while heavily pregnant. She gives birth to a premature son, who suffers deformities like a hunchback and shriveled arm. Shortly thereafter, after saying goodbye to her husband and pleading with him to love and cherish all their children, Margaret Stewart dies. Richard is beside himself with grief and is unable to attend court functions. Queen Elizabeth Woodville arranges for his children to be raised in the royal nursery alongside their cousins.
May 1476
At the insistence of his father-in-law, Charles of Maine plots to reclaim Loraine on behalf of his Uncle Rene. The Swiss, fearful that Duke Charles will come for them next are also up for another round.
Charles of Burgundy strengthens his alignment with the Savoyards by betrothing his second daughter, Emma, to their young Duke Philberto. His brother Charles is betrothed to little Bonna of Milan, in hopes of mending relations with the Sforza.
September 1476
Marie de Orleans gives birth to her first child, and it is a healthy boy, named Ludovico after his father. Marie and Ludovico have grown fond of one another, despite Marie's, accurate, suspicions that her husband has not been entirely faithful to his marriage vows. The duke orders celebrations for the birth of a healthy son.
Her brother Louis meanwhile weds Joan of France. The Duke is displeased to be marrying an ugly and infertile child, but 12 year old Joan is infatuated with her husband and vows to do everything in her power to be a good wife to him. Joan is comforted by her mother and her sister Anne, who is expecting once again.
In England, Elizabeth Woodville is once again pregnant. Edward seeks to balance relations between France and Burgundy by betrothing his newest daughter Anne to little Philip.
Tragedy strikes the House of York. Margaret Stewart Duchess of Gloucester suffers a fall while heavily pregnant. She gives birth to a premature son, who suffers deformities like a hunchback and shriveled arm. Shortly thereafter, after saying goodbye to her husband and pleading with him to love and cherish all their children, Margaret Stewart dies. Richard is beside himself with grief and is unable to attend court functions. Queen Elizabeth Woodville arranges for his children to be raised in the royal nursery alongside their cousins.
May 1476
At the insistence of his father-in-law, Charles of Maine plots to reclaim Loraine on behalf of his Uncle Rene. The Swiss, fearful that Duke Charles will come for them next are also up for another round.
Charles of Burgundy strengthens his alignment with the Savoyards by betrothing his second daughter, Emma, to their young Duke Philberto. His brother Charles is betrothed to little Bonna of Milan, in hopes of mending relations with the Sforza.
September 1476
Marie de Orleans gives birth to her first child, and it is a healthy boy, named Ludovico after his father. Marie and Ludovico have grown fond of one another, despite Marie's, accurate, suspicions that her husband has not been entirely faithful to his marriage vows. The duke orders celebrations for the birth of a healthy son.
Her brother Louis meanwhile weds Joan of France. The Duke is displeased to be marrying an ugly and infertile child, but 12 year old Joan is infatuated with her husband and vows to do everything in her power to be a good wife to him. Joan is comforted by her mother and her sister Anne, who is expecting once again.
In England, Elizabeth Woodville is once again pregnant. Edward seeks to balance relations between France and Burgundy by betrothing his newest daughter Anne to little Philip.
This betrothal will be broken in 1480, FYI. Emma will have a different husband ITTL.
I suppose Marie's son will have to have a different name here.
The Burgundian Victory
Nancy, 5 January 1477: Having begun in August of the previous year, Charles of Maine’s march into Lorraine has gone astonishingly well. Aside from a few skirmishes, his force has gone mostly unmolested through the duchy. Until, his planned glorious march on Nancy becomes a bloodbath when he is ambushed and encircled by a Burgundian force. The Burgundians achieve victory, and Charles of Maine’s mutilated body is discovered three days later. Charles of Burgundy writes to his wife, telling her he will take Maine’s bloody cloak as a token of his victory.
Châtellerault, 3 March-15 May 1477: Devastated at being widowed again, Anne of France retreats to the court of her aunt, Jeanne, Duchess of Bourbon. It is there that, in the middle of May, she will bear her husband’s posthumous child: another daughter named Jeanne. It is also there that Anne strikes up a ‘friendship’ with her aunt’s ward, Friedrich of Saxony. In the interest of her niece’s happiness, Duchess Jeanne herself will encourage the relationship.
Turin, 14 July 1477: With his daughter Anne widowed again, Louis XI schemes to marry her into Savoy. His ambassadors offer a staggering dowry of 300,000 crowns in the hopes of getting Duke Philibert’s betrothal to Emma of Burgundy broken. The scheme works, and Philibert announces his intentions to wed Anne.
Mechelen, 9 September 1477: Charles of Burgundy rages at the insult done to his daughter, Emma, by Duke Philibert and King Louis. Fortunately for him, a way to get back at Louis will quiet literally fall into his lap, in the form of Anne of France showing up to his court with her two daughters, and her new husband, Friedrich of Saxony, in tow. Charles initially plans of sending Anne back to her father. It is the pleading of his daughter, Marie, newly married to Friedrich’s cousin, Archduke Maximilian, that changes his mind. Anne, her daughters, and Friedrich are granted sanctuary in the Burgundian court until the weather conditions permit them to travel to Saxony.
Châtellerault, 3 March-15 May 1477: Devastated at being widowed again, Anne of France retreats to the court of her aunt, Jeanne, Duchess of Bourbon. It is there that, in the middle of May, she will bear her husband’s posthumous child: another daughter named Jeanne. It is also there that Anne strikes up a ‘friendship’ with her aunt’s ward, Friedrich of Saxony. In the interest of her niece’s happiness, Duchess Jeanne herself will encourage the relationship.
Turin, 14 July 1477: With his daughter Anne widowed again, Louis XI schemes to marry her into Savoy. His ambassadors offer a staggering dowry of 300,000 crowns in the hopes of getting Duke Philibert’s betrothal to Emma of Burgundy broken. The scheme works, and Philibert announces his intentions to wed Anne.
Mechelen, 9 September 1477: Charles of Burgundy rages at the insult done to his daughter, Emma, by Duke Philibert and King Louis. Fortunately for him, a way to get back at Louis will quiet literally fall into his lap, in the form of Anne of France showing up to his court with her two daughters, and her new husband, Friedrich of Saxony, in tow. Charles initially plans of sending Anne back to her father. It is the pleading of his daughter, Marie, newly married to Friedrich’s cousin, Archduke Maximilian, that changes his mind. Anne, her daughters, and Friedrich are granted sanctuary in the Burgundian court until the weather conditions permit them to travel to Saxony.
Burgundian Affairs
Lier, 2 January 1478: During her stay in Burgundy, Anne of France becomes close friends with the two Burgundian princesses, Marie and Emma. Marie seeks advice from Anne on going through pregnancy, while Emma is fascinated by Anne’s two daughters, and often remains close by the older princess’ side as she looks after them. As Anne prepares to travel to Saxony, young Emma is devastated, but Anne promises to regularly write to her, and invites her to visit Saxony whenever she wants.
Franche-Comté, 12 February 1478: After the departure of Princess Anne and with her betrothal to Philibert of Savoy now broken, the five-year-old Emma of Burgundy's dreams of becoming a great lady seem shattered, and she begins to idolise her sister Marie’s handsome husband, Archduke Maximilian of Austria. Aside from her governess – an Italian maiden named Giovanna – it is the Archduke who encourages the little princess’ artistic pursuits, and when he gives her a pony, she’s quick to give him a most peculiar name.
“Grani.” The little girl says with a bright smile.
Archduke Maximilian’s blue eyes widen at that. “Pardon, my lady?”
“Siegfried had a horse named Grani in the stories. At least that’s what Lady Giovanna says. I can’t read German, but she can.”
“Well, Lady Emma, would you like me to teach you?” Maximilian asks. “Your sister is teaching me French….”
“Oh, yes, please!” The little girl nods, taking Maximilian’s hand as he leads her into the library. She looks back just enough to see Filip, the stableboy, lead Grani into his own little spot.
Franche-Comté, 12 February 1478: After the departure of Princess Anne and with her betrothal to Philibert of Savoy now broken, the five-year-old Emma of Burgundy's dreams of becoming a great lady seem shattered, and she begins to idolise her sister Marie’s handsome husband, Archduke Maximilian of Austria. Aside from her governess – an Italian maiden named Giovanna – it is the Archduke who encourages the little princess’ artistic pursuits, and when he gives her a pony, she’s quick to give him a most peculiar name.
“Grani.” The little girl says with a bright smile.
Archduke Maximilian’s blue eyes widen at that. “Pardon, my lady?”
“Siegfried had a horse named Grani in the stories. At least that’s what Lady Giovanna says. I can’t read German, but she can.”
“Well, Lady Emma, would you like me to teach you?” Maximilian asks. “Your sister is teaching me French….”
“Oh, yes, please!” The little girl nods, taking Maximilian’s hand as he leads her into the library. She looks back just enough to see Filip, the stableboy, lead Grani into his own little spot.