Mary Su Stuart

The new governor of the Netherlands, the famous Spanish general Alva, finally arrived in Antwerp with his [-] elite troops.There are three fires for a new official, not to mention the purpose of his coming here is to burn out heresy.

The "Anti-Violence Committee" established by him can find out hundreds of rebellious parties in a day.Whoever refuses to obey discipline is treason.No matter Catholic or Protestant, everyone shivered under the shadow of killing.Burning, gallows, shooting... The stench of corpses floated over the town, and it was almost dark.

A large number of Protestant civilians were arrested and killed, and the nobles were not much better.Alva's former colleague, William of Orange-Nassau (who had visited France together to celebrate the royal wedding in the service of Philip II), was also declared a criminal.But William was astute, and finding the new governor unstoppable, fled in time to his German relatives and friends.

While the Netherlands was howling, a grand wedding ceremony was being held in Paris, France.This is another marriage between Valois and Habsburg (it did not affect their mission to Spain at the same time, and the intrigue with the bride's cousin Philip).Of course, everyone is quite satisfied with the wedding so far.

Right now, Henry II's keen jousting is about to begin.Queen Catherine sat in the box and glanced at her unsuitable sons—François was a little weak, Charlie was worse and was a groom, Henry and Egur were young and undertrained—and felt that her husband was the most heroic.However, the queen's good mood didn't last long, because she saw that Henry II raised his usual drop-shaped shield——

She knew that on it, between the decorations of H (Henry) and C (Catherine), there were obviously a lot of D and crescent (the moon and the goddess of hunting Diana) patterns mixed in.

Not only that, he also used the black and white two-color flag representing Mrs. Valentinoy, and frequently waved to his beloved lover.

Mary, who was very close to the queen, caught a trace of her mother-in-law's haze.Ahem, she understands.It is really unpleasant that the husband is stamped with the brand of mistress.It is even more uncomfortable to consider that the lady is already very old, but she can still occupy such an important seat in the heart of the young king.

Henry II was full of ambition.He felt that he was still very young and still in good shape.At this point he has defeated two knights in a row.He looked at Madame Valentinoy in the stands.The beauty of his beloved was gone, but she was still understanding, considerate and respectable.Ah, the recent new loves, although they have youthful bodies (;); but Diana's chief position can never be surpassed.

Perhaps it was because Diana's smile was so charming that the king was a little carried away.Therefore, when he faced the third knight, the extremely brave Earl of Montgomery, his negligence caused the stirrup to be knocked off, and he failed to win.

Henry II took a deep breath, feeling a little annoyed.

Persuaded by the Duke of Nemours, he decided to take a break.The king glanced across his court - Diana's eyes were bright and full of affection; the queen accompanied the bride Anna, talking and laughing, and seemed to be in harmony with other ladies; On the coat of arms, the crown of England is also painted.

Henry II took a good look at the magnificent pattern.The day when Valois ruled England, Wales, and Ireland seems not far away.As long as Elizabeth has no descendants, his eldest daughter-in-law can inherit her inheritance peacefully, and his eldest son will also take over Britain and Ireland as a matter of course...

Although the crown prince and the princess have not had a child for eight years; but he himself, when he was young, also experienced a long period of emptiness below his knees...

With the dazzling sun shining on him, Henry II felt that everything was thriving.

At this time, the young Duke of Guise came over.He complied with the crown prince's routine request, and expressed the queen's earnest concern: "Your Majesty, you have competed for three rounds, and you are truly heroic. The ladies have been looking forward to you for a long time, and they are all eager for your company."

Henry II's gaze returned to Diana.Madame Valentinoy, who was watching him from afar, made a gesture of encouragement.

"Prince Condé is still on the field." Henry II's eyes swept over the bravado--he also defeated the opponent just now.The King of France was immediately in high spirits and decided to have another match. "Let someone prepare for me. I still have enough strength."

The Duke of Guise was a little surprised. "But, Your Majesty..."

His "stepfather", the Duke of Nemours also dissuaded him: "Your Majesty, it's already late, you can leave the opportunity to those, uh, younger generations..."

He was still young, and Henry II felt a sense of pride in his heart.He said stubbornly: "I swear in the name of the French monarch, as long as I am willing, I can continue to fight. I believe that no one can stop me."

He sent for Montgomery. "Count, you are a very good knight. The best way for you to repay His Majesty the King is—let's have another match."

Mary had a happy chat with Francois, and Catherine and Anna, who had just entered the door, also talked speculatively; they were the first to notice the strange movement on the sidelines, and asked, "What's going on with the king?"

The attendant rushed back to report: "Your Majesty asked the Earl of Montgomery to compete with him again. But the Earl didn't seem to be happy. His Majesty was about to get angry, and he is giving orders sternly."

This is not happy news.Both the queen and the crown prince were a little worried. "Since it's getting late, don't force yourself. Your Majesty should be tired, or ask him to rest, tomorrow..."

Madame Valentinoy, nearby, looked up at the setting sun. "Here, Your Majesty wants to finish the last match and end it with a hearty victory."

Mary was stunned by Montgomery's name.

The long-standing memories were all revived in an instant, and she suddenly thought of something very bad.

"Your Majesty has already competed with Earl Montgomery before? This time, the opponent is 'still' him?!"

After being confirmed by the attendant, Mary immediately grabbed Francois' hand and said in a trembling voice, "Let's stop it..."

However, the will of the king cannot be violated.The dissuaders sent by his wife and children clearly had the opposite effect: Henry II seemed to be afraid that someone would come and hinder him, so he hurried on his horse without looking back.

Everything seems to be preordained.At the urging of the king, the horn of the game sounded.

The two fighting horses raised their guns and rushed towards each other.

However, (in a one-on-one fight) King and Montgomery fought and charged, and he didn't seem to be able to gain the upper hand.Even after the two stabbed each other, everyone suddenly discovered that the king had lost again. (The young lion triumphs over the old)

What exactly happened at that moment, in fact, the audience did not see very clearly.However, after the "bang bang", both spears fell out of their hands.Montgomery was pulling the rein sluggishly, but Henry II was staggering, as if he was about to fall down—and the king's mask fell to the ground.

Seeing this, relatives and nobles around hurriedly rushed forward.In a panic, they went to help Henry II, who had almost fallen off his horse, and saw that his face was flushed, and blood was continuously pouring out from the hole in his right eye. There was still half a piece of splinter on it, obviously it came from Montgomery's weapon. (Piercing the eyes in the golden cage.)

Incredible chaos followed, with shouts and shouts.Mary's mind was "buzzing", and she almost collapsed on the chair.Catherine and Diana fainted directly.François rushed to his father, stumbled and almost fell.Charlie shivered and went to help his mother, along with the newlywed Anna.Henry and Egur were a little overwhelmed, and finally jumped to chase their elder brother.Princess Margaret was crying with other court ladies.

Henry II was soon carried back to the Louvre.

Along the way, His Majesty the King regained consciousness for a short time, but passed out again after a while.Montmorency and the Duke of Nemours hurried, while the Duke of Guise protected the Dauphin who followed him.Everyone is worried and worried.

Amidst a lot of urging, the imperial physician finally arrived in a hurry.Without further ado, they quickly debride the king and remove the fragment.They used all the wound medicine they could use on His Majesty, until he finally woke up, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Henry II felt better.His right eye was wrapped in gauze, but he could still see through his left eye.The first thing he noticed was that the Earl of Montgomery was kneeling beside his bed, terribly remorseful and in agony.

"I beg Your Majesty the King, be sure to cut off my head to forgive my crime." He whispered.

"This shouldn't be..." Henry II's voice was gentle but weak. "What you have done... You participated in the competition and completely obeyed me. You also performed brave enough in the arena. Knight, you did nothing wrong, so there is no need for forgiveness, let alone punishment."

Catherine was crying beside his pillow, and Diana was also crying.Henry II swung Montgomery back, and forced a smile at his wife and mistress.

"At most one eye will be lost."

The strong sovereign turned his gaze to his eldest son, and to Montmorency beside him. "Remember the wedding banquet, it will continue...I don't want to damage this happy atmosphere because of my little injury."

With tears in his eyes, Francois held his father's hand and nodded silently.Montmorency gritted his teeth and agreed.

Henry II's lips moved, wanting to say something, but in the end, only a sigh escaped.

Not long after, he was so tired that he fell asleep again.

Everyone thought he was too tired and comforted each other.But starting the next day, they found that the king was hot all over and often fell into a coma.

The dignitaries did not dare to neglect, and the doctors were in a hurry.After careful inspection again and again, they were finally helpless. "Probably the spread of the infection, involving the brain. There is no medicine to control it... Your Majesty, I am afraid that time is not long..."

After the bad news was announced, the women's family, headed by Queen Catherine, had red eyes and tears; but they all abided by etiquette and did not cry loudly.Madame Valentinoy, however, was the first to be carried out because of a sudden faint.

A miserable atmosphere quickly filled the court—however, the wedding of Charles, Duke of Orleans, had not yet been completed.Montmorency was very busy trying to coordinate with his anxiety.The old enemy, the Cardinal of Lorraine, is absent, and his nephew Henry is not yet seasoned, and the Guise family cannot steal the limelight-this makes the royal steward wonder whether he should be grateful.

Since then, the queen has insisted on staying by her husband's bedside, refusing to leave even one step.

Still hoarse, she ordered: "Madame Valentinoy must not enter the king's chambers again."

Daylight and darkness, dawn and dusk.In just a few days, Henry II's health became worse and worse.Francois's heart was extremely heavy. He wandered around in his father's bedroom, almost without sleep.The Duchess of Nemours came to visit the princess in person and suggested:

"Quickly call Cardinal Lorraine back."

Mary was rather out of her mind.She is grateful for the reminder from her former aunt. "I sent people over the day before yesterday, but the journey will take some time. As for...you should have seen that Henry has just dispatched a group of heavy cavalry to protect the periphery."

"Yes, this is very good." The Duchess looked earnestly. "Be sure to ensure the safety of the crown prince."

"Yeah." Mary said softly. "You also know that Count Reis, the crown prince's chief courtier, is from Italy and is from the queen's hometown. As for the bedroom here, I also ordered that no one else be allowed to enter or leave."

"Recently the court affairs are complicated, please be careful." Mrs. Nemours seemed to hesitate to speak. "The Earl of Montgomery, he used to be your captain of the guard, and he stayed in Scotland for a long time..."

After a few words, the Duchess of Nemours solemnly left.Mary was stunned for a while.

The former aunt had always had a good relationship with her, and at this time, mentioning Montgomery, who had just been sent back to his hometown, did not seem to be aimless.

Is she paralyzed?Perhaps, the generous forgiveness of the victim Henry II does not mean that Montgomery is "innocent"?Perhaps, as the princess who has a close relationship with him, she should also guard against some kind of "involvement"?

Mary felt that she needed to discuss it with Francois.

However, the crown prince never left the king's bedroom that night.The doctors regretted that Henry II was about to die.Marie had to come hastily, with François, by his side, ready to hear what might be the final instruction from the King of France.

The long night is long and the candles are flickering.Death's footsteps were barely audible, but they were... getting closer.

In the early hours of the morning, Henry II, who continued to have a high fever, woke up for a rare moment.

At this time, the king's self-consciousness prevailed.

He tilted his head slightly, softly called Francois' name, and asked him to hold his hand.

"Son, soon, you will lose your father... But, at least, you still have his most sincere blessing for you. I will pray to God, may the Lord, make you happier and more fulfilled than me."

The rest of his children also gathered at this time.The new daughter-in-law, the princess of Habsburg, was a little at a loss, and the princess couldn't help but help her up.Henry II paid special attention to his two daughters-in-law, he let out a long sigh:

"Marie, I've watched you grow up. You're fine, you brought something precious to Valois..."

"Anna, you come from a great family, and you matter. Take care of yourself, take care of Charlie...I feel lucky for your wedding..."

His voice became weaker and weaker.

Charlie and the others waited obediently, but they didn't wait for their father's words.Catherine touched Henry II's warm hand and listened to his breathing, a little indifferent and dazed. "Your Majesty has fallen asleep again."

Yeah, I'm still angry.

The sons and daughters looked at their mother, not knowing what to say.After a while, the queen called her attendants and told them in a low voice:

"Tell Madam Valentinoy to count out all the jewels presented by His Majesty and return them all."

This juncture!However, the attendant did not hesitate and went to do it immediately.Mary was startled.This was the first time she had seen Catherine wielding her power so conceitedly.And in this room, beside Henry II's sickbed, there was not a single voice of disapproval.

The attendants changed another set of candelabra, and Henry II was still in a coma.The attendants sent out finally came to report:

"The lady was very arrogant and refused to obey orders. She said that as long as His Majesty was still alive, she would have nothing to fear and would not have to obey other people's orders... She also said that if His Majesty passed away, she had no intention of living... and lost All humiliation is nothing compared to the king's pain."

Mary thought Catherine was going to lose her temper.But the queen just said indifferently: "Oh, then let her live for a while. But, warn her, Chenonceau Castle will be cleaned up eventually."

The night is getting darker, and everyone is "waiting".The king's situation is clearly not good, but it has been dragging on.The crown prince and his siblings were finally persuaded by their mothers to leave.Catherine would rather be alone with her husband.She murmured: "How nice, no one is squeezed between us..."

Marie had François on her arm, and both walked very heavily.Francois was silent all the way.Mary wanted to comfort her, but she thought about what the Duchess of Nemours had said, and she spoke several times, but she didn't know how to say it.

When they were about to go back to the room, the attendant came over suddenly and cried, "Your Majesty... I am honored by the Lord's call..."

Francois immediately ran back with his wife.Mary's heart was always "thumping, bang, bang, bang". She had been preparing for it for several days, but when the event came to an end, she still felt...unbelievable.

From the time when Henry II was stabbed and fainted, she seemed to be dreaming and often fell into confusion.now--

In the Kingdom of France, an era is completely over.

In a daze, Mary entered the room.It is said that Henry II just fell asleep like this, and the priest's ceremony was almost not finished...

The newly widowed queen mother is in the deepest grief; she lies down on the floor next to the funeral bed, her eyes are empty, as if her soul has followed her husband and left this world.

Francois looked at Marie for a while, blankly. "The Cardinal of Lorraine is not here, so the Cardinal of Bourbon..."

Then, he remembered the previous "preparations", and with trembling lips, he ordered one by one: "Please ask the Duke of Montmorency, the head of the royal family, to be in charge of preparing the funeral; the Duke of Nemours to assist. Also, please Prince Condé, be sure to take care of the late king." remains……"

When the stars were still shining and the sun was just rising, Lobitard, who had received the news of Henry II's death, had arrived at the Louvre with representatives of the High Court.

Together they congratulated the new king on his enthronement and asked for instructions on funeral preparations.Knowing that Francois had entrusted Montmorency and the Prince of Condé to preside over the funeral, Lobitard asked:

"Your Majesty, what orders do you have regarding the personnel situation?"

Francois speaks of his plans. "I think that's it for now. Whether to make changes or not, I'll wait until the Cardinal of Lorraine and the Duke of Langueville return. I will discuss it with my mother and the queen."

Lobitard looked a little serious.He pondered for a moment, and said, "Your arrangement seems to be appropriate at the moment. However, the head of the royal family is obviously not strict, and some rumors have emerged in the palace. Yesterday, I accidentally heard the Duke of Nevers from the neutral faction, etc. complain--"

The justice paused here. "It's about the queen, the Queen of Scots. Some people think she may be responsible for the death of the late king."

The author has something to say: War in the Netherlands, refer to "Story of Civilization 7"

Death of Henry II, detail referenced in Elaborating Catherine de' Medici and the French Wars of Religion

When some French kings hiccupped their farts, what they said was quite touching.Henry II counts as one.

There was also Louis XIII, when he was critically ill, he saw his eldest son dangling in front of him, and asked him, "What should your name be?"

Little Louis replied: "Louis XIV."

Louis XIII actually smiled and said, "Not yet..."

The father-in-law is dead, and the new king will rule from now on... François II must do a good job!