I'd prefer if Prussia and France's positions were swapped. It's nice to see a TL where France avoids most of the turmoil it experienced OTL. But if you do keep it the way it is you could have Louis's grandson overthrow the Hohenzollerns and unite Deutschland. He then Retakes the French throne and recreates the Carolingian Empire. Then he dies in the early 70s at age 80-something.
Washington Burns: A Story of Alternate America
- Thread starter Eckener
- Start date
I'll think about it (I'm a Germanophile so I'm not convinced yet
). Though I'd say this sort of turmoil is not like what they experienced in OTL. And to be fair, they've been stable longer, the restored Bourbons have been on the throne nearly 100 years, so they've already had a better run than OTL. The whole "new carolingian empire" thing is something to toy with, so we will see.
Well, as established, Japan breaks free. India...not yet but Japan's example will come to haunt British India sooner rather than later. Borealia takes greater leadership in helping the mother country recover. South Africa....likely remains "loyalish." Ireland will either be divided, or fully independent.
I'll think about it (I'm a Germanophile so I'm not convinced yet
Though I'd say this sort of turmoil is not like what they experienced in OTL. And to be fair, they've been stable longer, the restored Bourbons have been on the throne nearly 100 years, so they've already had a better run than OTL. The whole "new carolingian empire" thing is something to toy with, so we will see.
Oh yes. Do your own thing. I actually was referring to what has occurred already when expressing my admiration of France's fate so far ITTL. I'm a Germanophile myself, being 1/4 German. But I'm also 1/16 French so I could go either way. Which is why I was pushing for a restored Carolingian Empire. Whatever you choose, just keep up the good writing!
Thank you!
Trying to get this write up on Victoria II and the Regency. Hope to have something by this weekend.
It's an interesting idea, having Prince Georg of Bavaria somehow bring about a restored Carolingian Empire. Not sure if it would work if one part goes communalist at the end of the war, rather Prussia or France.
Chapter 17: Supplemental: The Edwards-Bradley Conspiracy, 1899-1900
--- Supplemental: The Edwards-Bradley Conspiracy (1899-1900) ---
From August of 1899 to early January 1900, Prince Edward and Prime MInister Bradley effectively ruled the British Empire unchallenged through their unwitting puppet the Prince Regent. Troops poured into Dublin and fanned out across Ireland, even after the destructive fire on the third of October. The country was placed under the harsh boot of martial law. The Reign of Fire that began in Dublin spread out across Ireland. In every major city, the IPP leaders and other prominent members were rounded up. Some were summarily executed, the rest placed in camps. It is now clear that the IPP had no plans for revolt when the Queen was assassinated (indeed, we now know that Victoria’s killer was paid by radical British conservatives), but this invasion and oppression birthed such a revolt. Despite British best efforts, some key party leaders were able to escape arrest, such as Noah Brown, Finn O’Keefe, James Maguire, and Olivia O’Connor. These and others began to organize rapidly over the winter of 1899-1900, and began to plan for a rising against the British invasion. On February 5th, the Great Cork Rising began, sparking the revolution that would bring about Irish independence.
Meanwhile in Britain, a number of emergency bills were passed through parliament granting temporary powers to the Prime Minister and the Prince Regent to handle the crisis, especially after Japan broke out in revolt in late November. The Press was censored, and the telegraph tightly controlled. In Edinburgh, the guards at Holyrood Palace had all gradually been replaced with those loyal to Edward and the PM. The doctors tending the Queen were also paid by Prince Edward. We know from the reports of these doctors, both in private documents sent to the Prince and also in the public testimony given in the 1901-1902 Treason Trials, that the Queen showed signs of recovery from her flu in October. At which point, the physicians attending the monarch created a cocktail of drugs to keep her sedated and incapacitated. This was done subtly, and would not be noticed by her husband Prince William for several months. Fatefully, the Prince began to suspect something amiss in early January, and was able to coordinate with friends in the Scottish capital who were in turn able to help smuggle a doctor into the palace. Dr. Sean McIntire, a local physician trusted by the Prince’s friends, concluded that Victoria should be in good health, and that she was being sedated.
It would take some doing, but Prince William was able to successfully confront the government-appointed doctors with their trick, which they admitted to, after Holyrood Palace was stormed with loyal local troops on February 19, 1900. The Edwardian guards were so shocked that the offered no resistance. Prince William and his supporters, a mix of local politicians and nobility, announced that the city of Edinburgh was under martial law, and that the Regency government in London was committing treason and illegitimate. All the papers in Edinburgh told of the attempts to poison/sedate the Queen the following day, and the citizens rallied to their monarch. Within days, the news travelled across Scotland, and the region broke out in revolt. The London government suppressed the news, having almost complete control over the telegraph network. On February 22, the Prime Minister announced that Communalist rebels had stormed Holyrood Palace and had taken the Queen hostage, and that Scotland had declared itself in revolt. London papers ran with wild stories of mass executions at the hands of the so-called communalist traitors, and the common people feared for their Queen’s safety. Prince Regent Victor William addressed Parliament at his uncle’s urging, calling on the government to go and save the Queen. Troops began to be recalled from Ireland, where the Cork Rising continued to burn. On March 2, Queen Victoria II addressed adoring crowds in Edinburg. Her words were distributed as widely as possible, including on ships bound for Borealia and the United States. The Queen decried the usurpation of her rule as treason of the highest order, and she called on all loyal Britons to rise up and defend liberty and tradition. And rise they did.
Doughty, Dr. Virgil. The Reign of Fire: The Irish Revolution and the Bradley-Edwards Conspiracy. Oxford: Cambridge University Press, 2005.
---
BRITAIN IN CHAOS
EDINBURG - Now being confirmed by multiple sources, it appears that Queen Victoria II is alive and well, not on the verge of death as had been reported by government doctors for months. The Queen emerged to address her subjects in the capital of Scotland several days ago, with her husband Prince William at her side, calling on Britons everywhere to rise up against the so-called Regency Government in London, being led, at least officially, by the Queen’s son, Crown Prince Victor William, who was named Regent back in August of last year. Many actually believe that the Prince Regent is being used by his uncle, Prince Edward, but this has not been confirmed. While Southern England remains in control of the London-based regency, much of the country is flocking to the Queen. Some fear open conflict may be on the horizon, if the Regency government in London refuses to step down quietly. So far though, despite threats to the contrary, no military action has been taken by London against the Queen and her supporters in Edinburgh.
There is discussions going on in Victoria City, the capital of Borealia, about how to respond to the recent events unfolding in Britain. A sizeable number of representatives in Borealia’s Parliament are calling on sending military force to aid the Queen. At the very least, it is expected that Prime Minister Winston Kirkland will make a formal declaration of loyalty on behalf of his nation in support for the Queen and her nascent government forming in Edinburg.
“Britain in Chaos,” Brooklyn Standard, March 9, 1900.
---
By late of March, 1900, the end of the Regency government had begun. Borealia declared for the Queen and her newly appointed Prime Minister, Jason McBride of the British People’s Party, on March 15th. Three days later, the Borealian’s voted to send military aid to the Queen. The United States, under the outgoing administration of President Colin Beck, refused to get directly involved. However, on April 1, President Beck informed the British Ambassador that the American government would no longer negotiate with the Regency government. On April 19, Victoria’s court in Edinburgh moved to York, which had declared for the Queen and since cleared out Regency officials.
It is unclear at exactly what point Prince Victor William realized that his uncle had been lying to him about his mother’s health and everything else that had been going on, but by the end of April, records show that the Prince was under house arrest by the time the Queen was in York. This likely would have been enough to help exonerate the Crown Prince in the treason trials that followed the crisis, the events of the summer of 1900 would make this unnecessary. The first of the two so-called battles of the Regency period took place on May 9-10, 1900, at the city of Cambridge. Pro-Regency forces had gathered in the city to prevent the Queen’s loyalists coming down from York. The fighting overnight had several intense moments, but by noon on the 10th, the city was in Loyalist hands. On May 18th, Regency forces put up their last stand on the outskirts of London. They held the Loyalists at bay for two days, but finally collapsed and retreated into the city. The populace was in an uproar by this point, and it became clear that Prince Edward and Prime Minister Bradley’s time were about to run out.
Kirkland III, Dr. Winston. The Traitor Prince: Prince Edward and the Regency Government of 1899-1900. Victoria, BCD: Vesperia Press, 1956.
---
[interior, old Buckingham Palace. Prince Edward, Prime Minister Bradley, General Camden, and Exchequer Vincent Paller are gathered in conference. Outside, gunshots can be heard.]
BRADLEY: Your Royal Highness, it is over. We must surrender now before there is actual fighting in London.
EDWARD: Never. I will not surrender to my sister and her populist allies. I’d sooner die.
BRADLEY: Sir if we do not, the people are likely to storm the palace within hours anyway.
CAMDEN: He’s right. Even our most loyal, aristocratic units are seeing large defections now. It is only a matter of time before it all collapses.
PALLER: And there’s no way of using our assets to escape. Might as well surrender like gentlemen and face the music.
EDWARD: Cowards!
[a door bursts open, and in walks a tired looking Prince Victor William]
VICTOR: Uncle, how dare you have locked up. You’re nothing but a damn trait...
EDWARD: Silence you young fool. You were too busy with your studies to notice what was going on all this time, and now you act like you have a spine? Get out!
BRADLEY: You had the Prince Regent locked up?! [turning to Victor] Your Majesty I had no idea...
EDWARD: Bradley be quiet. You knew. We all did. Victor has been a means to an end this whole time.
VICTOR: You fiend! How could you destroy this country, and for what? For your ego? You’re nothing but a trait...
[a shot rings out, Prince Victor William crumples to the floor. Camera pans back to Prince Edward, holding a smoking gun and looking smug]
EDWARD: And that will be enough of that.
BRADLEY: You just shot..
CAMDEN: I can’t be a part of this anymore!
PALLER: Nor I. Highness, you’ve gone too far.
EDWARD: Go then! There’s the door. Surrender to the populists. Let them guillotine you in Trafalgar Square! I will NEVER surrender to those fiends.
BRADLEY: Good day, your Highness. And may God have mercy on you.
[camera switches to the hall outside the room, panning out as the three leaders march away, Prince Edward standing defiantly in the doorway]
EDWARD: Cowards! Good riddance!
[wide shot from St. James’s Park, showing old Buckingham Palace, suddenly an explosion erupts from the palace and engulfs the building]
Conspiracy. Screenplay by Jacob L. Mulligan. Performed by Aiden Plumblee, Jason Seabolt, Leighanne Love. United Kingdom: Imperial Studios, 2008. Transcript.
---
VICTORIA II RESTORED IN LONDON
LONDON - After a almost 10 months, Queen Victoria II has been restored to the throne in London, after an attempt by her brother, the late Prince Edward, to seize power following the assassination of Queen Victoria I last year in Dublin. The restoration comes at a heavy price. Thousands are believed to have died in the battles fought between Loyalist and Regency supporters over the past month as the Queen and her forces headed south towards the capital. The Crown Prince, Victor William, who was used by his uncle as a puppet from which to rule behind, was reportedly killed by Prince Edward May 21st, the same day that the Queen’s brother later killed himself in dramatic fashion by blowing up Buckingham Palace.
Her Majesty is set to address the British Parliament next week and formally install Jason McBride as Prime Minister. Former Prime Minister Jonathan Bradley of the Conservative Party tendered his resignation on May 21st (not long after the demise of Prince Edward and the Palace), and surrendered to Loyalist forces. It is reported in the London press that Bradley and his ministers are being held in the Tower of London.
“Victoria II Restored in London,” Franklin Observer, May 26, 1900.
---
TRUCE IN IRELAND
LONDON - A representative of the Queen’s government reportedly met with men representing the so-called People’s Republic of Ireland, the government of the rebellion that began in Cork in February of this year, and has managed to take control of most of the west coast of Ireland, including Cork, Limerick, and Galway. In this meeting, a general truce was agreed to between the rebels and the British government. As it stands now, until more formal discussions can take place, the territory controlled by the PRI will remain under their control, while the rest of Ireland will remain under Crown rule. Administrators in the ruined city of Dublin state that martial law will remain in effect, but the exact nature of that administration will be eased compared to what existed during the so-called Reign of Fire.
“Truce in Ireland,” Manhattan Gazette, June 1, 1900.
---
TREASON TRIALS BEGIN FOR BRADLEY GOVERNMENT
LONDON - At the Royal Courts of Justice, proceedings against former Prime Minister Jonathan Bradley, who helped orchestrate a coup attempt with the late Prince Edward, began today. In opening arguments, the defense lawyers for Mr. Bradley stated that the now disgraced leader merely acted upon the information given to him by Prince Edward, and tried to act accordingly. According to the statement, Bradley claims he had no knowledge of the late Prince’s attempts to drug his sister to prevent her from taking the throne, and believed the Queen to be genuinely incapacitated by illness.
This is just one of dozens of trails starting this week against leaders of the Regency Government, with members of Parliament, the administration, and the army all set to stand trial for treason. In most cases, the government is seeking the death penalty.
“Treason Trials Begin for Bradley Government,” Boston Eagle, August 1, 1900
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized that this really should have been a part of the last update, but since it is kind of it's own thing, I figured I would treat it as such instead of adding it back there.
Starting to map up for the next update, which will cover the "Great War," the Irish Peace Settlement, and the early stages of the European Communalist/Populist revolts.
From August of 1899 to early January 1900, Prince Edward and Prime MInister Bradley effectively ruled the British Empire unchallenged through their unwitting puppet the Prince Regent. Troops poured into Dublin and fanned out across Ireland, even after the destructive fire on the third of October. The country was placed under the harsh boot of martial law. The Reign of Fire that began in Dublin spread out across Ireland. In every major city, the IPP leaders and other prominent members were rounded up. Some were summarily executed, the rest placed in camps. It is now clear that the IPP had no plans for revolt when the Queen was assassinated (indeed, we now know that Victoria’s killer was paid by radical British conservatives), but this invasion and oppression birthed such a revolt. Despite British best efforts, some key party leaders were able to escape arrest, such as Noah Brown, Finn O’Keefe, James Maguire, and Olivia O’Connor. These and others began to organize rapidly over the winter of 1899-1900, and began to plan for a rising against the British invasion. On February 5th, the Great Cork Rising began, sparking the revolution that would bring about Irish independence.
Meanwhile in Britain, a number of emergency bills were passed through parliament granting temporary powers to the Prime Minister and the Prince Regent to handle the crisis, especially after Japan broke out in revolt in late November. The Press was censored, and the telegraph tightly controlled. In Edinburgh, the guards at Holyrood Palace had all gradually been replaced with those loyal to Edward and the PM. The doctors tending the Queen were also paid by Prince Edward. We know from the reports of these doctors, both in private documents sent to the Prince and also in the public testimony given in the 1901-1902 Treason Trials, that the Queen showed signs of recovery from her flu in October. At which point, the physicians attending the monarch created a cocktail of drugs to keep her sedated and incapacitated. This was done subtly, and would not be noticed by her husband Prince William for several months. Fatefully, the Prince began to suspect something amiss in early January, and was able to coordinate with friends in the Scottish capital who were in turn able to help smuggle a doctor into the palace. Dr. Sean McIntire, a local physician trusted by the Prince’s friends, concluded that Victoria should be in good health, and that she was being sedated.
It would take some doing, but Prince William was able to successfully confront the government-appointed doctors with their trick, which they admitted to, after Holyrood Palace was stormed with loyal local troops on February 19, 1900. The Edwardian guards were so shocked that the offered no resistance. Prince William and his supporters, a mix of local politicians and nobility, announced that the city of Edinburgh was under martial law, and that the Regency government in London was committing treason and illegitimate. All the papers in Edinburgh told of the attempts to poison/sedate the Queen the following day, and the citizens rallied to their monarch. Within days, the news travelled across Scotland, and the region broke out in revolt. The London government suppressed the news, having almost complete control over the telegraph network. On February 22, the Prime Minister announced that Communalist rebels had stormed Holyrood Palace and had taken the Queen hostage, and that Scotland had declared itself in revolt. London papers ran with wild stories of mass executions at the hands of the so-called communalist traitors, and the common people feared for their Queen’s safety. Prince Regent Victor William addressed Parliament at his uncle’s urging, calling on the government to go and save the Queen. Troops began to be recalled from Ireland, where the Cork Rising continued to burn. On March 2, Queen Victoria II addressed adoring crowds in Edinburg. Her words were distributed as widely as possible, including on ships bound for Borealia and the United States. The Queen decried the usurpation of her rule as treason of the highest order, and she called on all loyal Britons to rise up and defend liberty and tradition. And rise they did.
Doughty, Dr. Virgil. The Reign of Fire: The Irish Revolution and the Bradley-Edwards Conspiracy. Oxford: Cambridge University Press, 2005.
---
BRITAIN IN CHAOS
EDINBURG - Now being confirmed by multiple sources, it appears that Queen Victoria II is alive and well, not on the verge of death as had been reported by government doctors for months. The Queen emerged to address her subjects in the capital of Scotland several days ago, with her husband Prince William at her side, calling on Britons everywhere to rise up against the so-called Regency Government in London, being led, at least officially, by the Queen’s son, Crown Prince Victor William, who was named Regent back in August of last year. Many actually believe that the Prince Regent is being used by his uncle, Prince Edward, but this has not been confirmed. While Southern England remains in control of the London-based regency, much of the country is flocking to the Queen. Some fear open conflict may be on the horizon, if the Regency government in London refuses to step down quietly. So far though, despite threats to the contrary, no military action has been taken by London against the Queen and her supporters in Edinburgh.
There is discussions going on in Victoria City, the capital of Borealia, about how to respond to the recent events unfolding in Britain. A sizeable number of representatives in Borealia’s Parliament are calling on sending military force to aid the Queen. At the very least, it is expected that Prime Minister Winston Kirkland will make a formal declaration of loyalty on behalf of his nation in support for the Queen and her nascent government forming in Edinburg.
“Britain in Chaos,” Brooklyn Standard, March 9, 1900.
---
By late of March, 1900, the end of the Regency government had begun. Borealia declared for the Queen and her newly appointed Prime Minister, Jason McBride of the British People’s Party, on March 15th. Three days later, the Borealian’s voted to send military aid to the Queen. The United States, under the outgoing administration of President Colin Beck, refused to get directly involved. However, on April 1, President Beck informed the British Ambassador that the American government would no longer negotiate with the Regency government. On April 19, Victoria’s court in Edinburgh moved to York, which had declared for the Queen and since cleared out Regency officials.
It is unclear at exactly what point Prince Victor William realized that his uncle had been lying to him about his mother’s health and everything else that had been going on, but by the end of April, records show that the Prince was under house arrest by the time the Queen was in York. This likely would have been enough to help exonerate the Crown Prince in the treason trials that followed the crisis, the events of the summer of 1900 would make this unnecessary. The first of the two so-called battles of the Regency period took place on May 9-10, 1900, at the city of Cambridge. Pro-Regency forces had gathered in the city to prevent the Queen’s loyalists coming down from York. The fighting overnight had several intense moments, but by noon on the 10th, the city was in Loyalist hands. On May 18th, Regency forces put up their last stand on the outskirts of London. They held the Loyalists at bay for two days, but finally collapsed and retreated into the city. The populace was in an uproar by this point, and it became clear that Prince Edward and Prime Minister Bradley’s time were about to run out.
Kirkland III, Dr. Winston. The Traitor Prince: Prince Edward and the Regency Government of 1899-1900. Victoria, BCD: Vesperia Press, 1956.
---
[interior, old Buckingham Palace. Prince Edward, Prime Minister Bradley, General Camden, and Exchequer Vincent Paller are gathered in conference. Outside, gunshots can be heard.]
BRADLEY: Your Royal Highness, it is over. We must surrender now before there is actual fighting in London.
EDWARD: Never. I will not surrender to my sister and her populist allies. I’d sooner die.
BRADLEY: Sir if we do not, the people are likely to storm the palace within hours anyway.
CAMDEN: He’s right. Even our most loyal, aristocratic units are seeing large defections now. It is only a matter of time before it all collapses.
PALLER: And there’s no way of using our assets to escape. Might as well surrender like gentlemen and face the music.
EDWARD: Cowards!
[a door bursts open, and in walks a tired looking Prince Victor William]
VICTOR: Uncle, how dare you have locked up. You’re nothing but a damn trait...
EDWARD: Silence you young fool. You were too busy with your studies to notice what was going on all this time, and now you act like you have a spine? Get out!
BRADLEY: You had the Prince Regent locked up?! [turning to Victor] Your Majesty I had no idea...
EDWARD: Bradley be quiet. You knew. We all did. Victor has been a means to an end this whole time.
VICTOR: You fiend! How could you destroy this country, and for what? For your ego? You’re nothing but a trait...
[a shot rings out, Prince Victor William crumples to the floor. Camera pans back to Prince Edward, holding a smoking gun and looking smug]
EDWARD: And that will be enough of that.
BRADLEY: You just shot..
CAMDEN: I can’t be a part of this anymore!
PALLER: Nor I. Highness, you’ve gone too far.
EDWARD: Go then! There’s the door. Surrender to the populists. Let them guillotine you in Trafalgar Square! I will NEVER surrender to those fiends.
BRADLEY: Good day, your Highness. And may God have mercy on you.
[camera switches to the hall outside the room, panning out as the three leaders march away, Prince Edward standing defiantly in the doorway]
EDWARD: Cowards! Good riddance!
[wide shot from St. James’s Park, showing old Buckingham Palace, suddenly an explosion erupts from the palace and engulfs the building]
Conspiracy. Screenplay by Jacob L. Mulligan. Performed by Aiden Plumblee, Jason Seabolt, Leighanne Love. United Kingdom: Imperial Studios, 2008. Transcript.
---
VICTORIA II RESTORED IN LONDON
LONDON - After a almost 10 months, Queen Victoria II has been restored to the throne in London, after an attempt by her brother, the late Prince Edward, to seize power following the assassination of Queen Victoria I last year in Dublin. The restoration comes at a heavy price. Thousands are believed to have died in the battles fought between Loyalist and Regency supporters over the past month as the Queen and her forces headed south towards the capital. The Crown Prince, Victor William, who was used by his uncle as a puppet from which to rule behind, was reportedly killed by Prince Edward May 21st, the same day that the Queen’s brother later killed himself in dramatic fashion by blowing up Buckingham Palace.
Her Majesty is set to address the British Parliament next week and formally install Jason McBride as Prime Minister. Former Prime Minister Jonathan Bradley of the Conservative Party tendered his resignation on May 21st (not long after the demise of Prince Edward and the Palace), and surrendered to Loyalist forces. It is reported in the London press that Bradley and his ministers are being held in the Tower of London.
“Victoria II Restored in London,” Franklin Observer, May 26, 1900.
---
TRUCE IN IRELAND
LONDON - A representative of the Queen’s government reportedly met with men representing the so-called People’s Republic of Ireland, the government of the rebellion that began in Cork in February of this year, and has managed to take control of most of the west coast of Ireland, including Cork, Limerick, and Galway. In this meeting, a general truce was agreed to between the rebels and the British government. As it stands now, until more formal discussions can take place, the territory controlled by the PRI will remain under their control, while the rest of Ireland will remain under Crown rule. Administrators in the ruined city of Dublin state that martial law will remain in effect, but the exact nature of that administration will be eased compared to what existed during the so-called Reign of Fire.
“Truce in Ireland,” Manhattan Gazette, June 1, 1900.
---
TREASON TRIALS BEGIN FOR BRADLEY GOVERNMENT
LONDON - At the Royal Courts of Justice, proceedings against former Prime Minister Jonathan Bradley, who helped orchestrate a coup attempt with the late Prince Edward, began today. In opening arguments, the defense lawyers for Mr. Bradley stated that the now disgraced leader merely acted upon the information given to him by Prince Edward, and tried to act accordingly. According to the statement, Bradley claims he had no knowledge of the late Prince’s attempts to drug his sister to prevent her from taking the throne, and believed the Queen to be genuinely incapacitated by illness.
This is just one of dozens of trails starting this week against leaders of the Regency Government, with members of Parliament, the administration, and the army all set to stand trial for treason. In most cases, the government is seeking the death penalty.
“Treason Trials Begin for Bradley Government,” Boston Eagle, August 1, 1900
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized that this really should have been a part of the last update, but since it is kind of it's own thing, I figured I would treat it as such instead of adding it back there.
Starting to map up for the next update, which will cover the "Great War," the Irish Peace Settlement, and the early stages of the European Communalist/Populist revolts.
Last edited:
Questions for everyone as I start to work on the next segment:
1) What should happen with Ireland? I'm leaning towards either full independence, or possibly a partition along the truce line.
2) Buckingham Palace: rebuild it, tear it down and build a new palace in its place, tear it down and build a memorial there, and move the Royal Residence to another location (St. James's Palace?)
1) What should happen with Ireland? I'm leaning towards either full independence, or possibly a partition along the truce line.
2) Buckingham Palace: rebuild it, tear it down and build a new palace in its place, tear it down and build a memorial there, and move the Royal Residence to another location (St. James's Palace?)
- I'm going with full independence. I like to think that reveal of the subversion of the monarchy could possibly even alienate the local Irish Protestants. Maybe they'd be more willing to work with a Dublin government they trusted than a monarch in London that could possibly be subverted by a power-hungry figure. Plus anything that can butterfly away The Troubles is good in my book.
- How badly damaged is it? Because if it's unsalvagable you should demolish it and build and build a museum in its place. One of the exhibits being a piece of the Buckingham Palace's rubble. Saint James's Palace works as a replacement.
I'd say local rule, perhaps becoming a Dominion ala Canada and such. Given the conservative movement, many of whom I suspect owned land in Ireland are busy playing the "Please don't cut my head off" game, this could sour any attempts to hold Ireland as a little colony, especially since I suspect Ireland, once they hear how a fanatic got bribed into it, are not going to be happy with England being their nominal superior.
Make it into a museum with memorial, move Royal Residence to Kensington Palace or St James while a new palace, one that is reasonably sized is built. Simply put, staying there could be taken badly, and it allows a fresh start for the Royalty.
Well the People's Party has set up a government of sorts, and it is very populist, with communalist leanings. Not as radical as what is about to be released on the continent, but still, not likely to be very pro-Monarchy. Though, the leaders may be somewhat sympathetic to Victoria II and be less hostile in negotiations.
Fairly bad. The Prince made sure plenty of powder was in the palace (officially, in the requisitions, to make a possible last stand against the Loyalists). The explosion severely damaged the state rooms and private apartments. The newer "east" wing" wasn't destroyed in the blast, but was damaged by fire, along with all of the state rooms. It would take quite a lot of work to rebuild, and much of the "rebuild" would have to be from scratch. And with the country being in crisis mode, with higher priorities for the state finances than rebuilding the palace.
Odds are, the political environment would not support a major rebuilding effort, at least not right away. And the longer the building sits in ruin, the harder it will be to rebuild later.
Knightmare, what is your idea of a "reasonably sized" palace? Smaller than Buckingham, larger? And if they moved into Kensington or St. James, would they just end up staying rather than building something new? And where would a new palace be built?
I'd say smaller then Buckingham, and well, it depends on how it's justified.
Truman moved out of the White House while it was being made.... livable (Seriously, the thing was held together by prayer until 1947, given how the support beams had been cut into so many times), so it's plausible.
As for where? One or two of those traitors had to own some property in London, why not there? If not.... I'm sure they can find a new place to build it.
Maybe they'd be receptive to an alliance to the Brits as an independent republic. The presumably secular nature of the Populists would make it more likely that the Protestants wouldn't see independence as Rome Rule.
Then they should demolish the irreparably damaged portions and focus on the less damaged East Wing. That should be a less labor-intensive task than trying to rebuild much of the palace from scratch. There's just precedent for the British to preserve what they can of the royal residence when it's destroyed. The "east" wing should be repurposed as a museum and a park/memorial built where the demolished parts of the palace stood. "Buckingham Memorial Park" has a ring to it.
Honestly the Buckingham Palace explosion is a bit to super villain esq for my liking.
The ol' piano through the floor fiasco.
Yeah, this is true.And not a bad idea about property being seized. I'll keep that in mind.
Good take, about the more secular nature of populism being more palatable by Protestants in Northern Ireland.
I also agree that "Buckingham Memorial Park" does have a nice ring to it. The way I'd figure it, the severely damaged parts of of the palace would be demo'd and the rubble cleared away, but "repair" would be stalled for some time, which would lead to decay due to exposure. The East Wing might be salvageable, but it may not be something that would be truly restored as the Royal Palace.
That said, St. James's Palace was not maintained as a residence, so I can't see it lasting long as is. It will either see a major overhaul, or the Queen will decide to move elsewhere. And both St. James's and Kensington are rather underwhelming in stature when compared to Buckingham, so if either of those become the permanent residence, I foresee major renovations to both the interiors and the exteriors.
Alternatively, as has been suggested, there could be the construction of something wholly new.
Fair critique.
My original plan had been for London to be damaged by civil war. Having the Palace destroyed is a much scaled back remnant of my original plan.
Yeah, not a big deal to me. I mean honestly some pretty weird shit has happened OTL so it's not ASB or anything.
Very true!
Also, keep in mind, the excerpt from the film that I used in this update isn't necessarily the most accurate portrayal of events (is it so shocking that movies in an ALT would be any less worried about historical accuracy as in our own TL?
). The events surrounding the destruction of the Palace, and the murder of Prince Victor William, became sensationalized almost immediately, and have remained as such ever since.
The idea that the populist government would be responsible to the people of Ireland would be enough to make the people of Ulster feel sure that the government in Dublin won't be made a puppet of the Pope in Rome.
It shouldn't be too expensive to stabilize the remains of the East Wing until the war was over. The memorial would be built using rubble from the demolished portions of the palace to save on costs and for the symbolism of it. I didn't say to restore it as a royal residence. I said to restore it as a museum. The East Wing would be as much of a historical monument as the actual monument. Like the Whitehall Banqueting Hall.
Would Hampton Court work? The Tudor architecture might work as a royal residence. And I'd think that using a preexisting palace or appropriated traitor estate would cost less than building something right from scratch.
Very true!
Also, keep in mind, the excerpt from the film that I used in this update isn't necessarily the most accurate portrayal of events (is it so shocking that movies in an ALT would be any less worried about historical accuracy as in our own TL?
The events surrounding the destruction of the Palace, and the murder of Prince Victor William, became sensationalized almost immediately, and have remained as such ever since.
What if the explosion was an accident? They were storing large amounts of black powder in a building not intended as an arsenal. Accidents happen. This'll be a point of debate for years to come.
Exactly. And with Dublin badly damaged after the conflict, the new city could be built to better reflect the inclusiveness of all Ireland. OR.....maybe as a unifying gesture, the People's government relocates to Belfast? Or they build a new, neutral city to be the capital of a newly independent, more secular Ireland? (I mean, this IS a TL built around the idea of new capitals
)Definitely like the idea of the East Wing becoming a museum of some sort (and/or possibly a government ministry? Would it be too ostentatious to serve as the residence/office of the Prime Minister?)
Hampton Court is definitely more impressive (IMO) than Kensington or St. James's, but it is fully outside the city. I'm not sure the Queen would want to be too far from the rest of the government. I was actually considering Lancaster House, which is next to St. James's, built between 1825-1840. At least as a temporary residence, to start with.
I actually love this, and it would be hard to prove either way. I can just see TTL's equivalent of a History Channel or Discovery Channel doing a documentary about the "truth of the Buckingham Palace explosion" as part of some sort of "history's unsolved mysteries" series.
Honestly I think the new palace would have to be the same size as Buckingham Palace or bigger just to show strength and power. It might look bad for the monarchy if they are seen as having to downsize after a major challenge to royal authority.