In 1515, Francois becomes King of France after the death of his cousin. His reign begins with a victory, reestablishing French control over Milan. His wife Claude gives birth to two daughters, Louise and Charlotte before giving birth to a son, Francois, in 1518 and a second son in 1519. Unlike his cousin, Francois is not quite sure about the English alliance, fearing that with Queen Margaret's sister as future Holy Roman Empress, not to mention the fact that Queen Margaret insists on using the title Queen of France, despite the absurdity of that notion, they might decided to side with France's enemies. However, despite his misgivings, he renews the betrothal agreement between Reene and Prince James and wholeheartedly agrees to meeting the British monarchs.
On October 8, 1516, Margaret gives birth to another daughter who she names Mary after her sister. With four sons growing strong in the nursery, all of Britain is ecstatic to welcome the new Princess none happier than King James himself who would call Mary the pearl of his world. As she is the couple's last child, she is doted up greatly.
Wanting to expand Britain's riches, King James and Queen Margaret began to invest in explorers, compelling them to search for new land to colonize. They also expend their trading routes and looking for new alliances to make and finding dynastic matches for their younger children.
In 1518, the two monarchs travel to France for the Field of the Cloth of Gold where they met the new King Francois, his wife Queen Claude and Prince James' fiancee, Princess Renee. The meeting in France goes splendidly, with Prince James, a boy of eleven, treating his bride to be warmly. It is decided that Princess Renee will take the French Ambassador, Thomas Boleyn's daughters as her companions so she can learn about English culture while she is still in France. Renee will especially become friendly with younger daughter, Anne.
When King Ferdinand of Spain becomes ill, his grandson Charles tries to convince him to declare him heir instead of his younger brother. However, his aunt Catherine, knowing that her younger nephew is the preferred heir among the Spanish people, quickly takes steps to stop his efforts. First, she sends a letter to her former sister, now niece, Mary, asking for her help in convincing Charles that this isn't a good idea. She then sends a letter to Maria, reminding her that if Ferdinand became King of Spain, Isabel would become his Queen so perhaps Portugal might want to support him. Then she, Maria, and Joanna, who has grown quite close to her second son, tag team their father, strong-arming him into agreeing to call his second-born his heir. When the old king dies, Infante Ferdinand is quickly crowned with his mother, becoming King Ferdinand VI of Spain, marrying his cousin Isabel just a few months later. Catherine continues to work with her sisters to strengthen the bound between the countries of Iberia. Unfortunately, the Aragon Trinity is cut short by a heartbreaking loss.
In Portugal, Maria of Aragon dies in 1517, shortly after the wedding of her eldest daughter and the new King of Spain. After spending a long time in mourning, King Manuel searches for another wife. He suggests marrying Catherine of Aragon, having become fond of her when she and her sister were reconnecting. Another option was Bona Sforza, granddaughter of the King of Naples, a suggested bride of the King of Poland before he married Eleanor of Austria. Despite keeping a warm friendship with Catherine, Manuel decided that his third wife would be the younger Bona Sforza.
The Holy Roman Emperor knew his grandson was not pleased that he had been passed over in his inheritance of Spain, and worked extra hard to make sure Charles succeeded him, making him the King of the Romans and having him meet with the electors of the empire so they could get to know their future monarch. Charles's temper was also cooled by his loving wife who gave birth to a son in 1516, named Maximiliano after his great-grandfather. She also gave birth to a daughter, who they chose to name Anna, after Charles' step grandmother.
Emperor Maximilian died in 1519, leaving Charles and Mary to become the Emperor and Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. The young couple were completely devoted to each other even though Charles would often be away at war. Mary would often be trying to keep the peace between her husband and his brother, she would also try to maintain warm relations with England despite them becoming decidedly friendly with France.
The Dowager Holy Roman Empress, Anna of Hungary and Bohemia, was now a sixteen-year-old widow. At first her relationship with her step grandson was warm and he promised her that he would find a suitable husband for her, something he would regret being lax about seven years later when Anna eloped with an unlikely suitor.