[Henry VIII] Tudor Crown

"Spain should release trade restrictions on France before the end of next year, so Henry II will take the attitude of peace talks with me at this time." Before Guillaume arrived at the Whitehall Palace, William III was Exchange various European intelligence with Francis Walsingham, and calculate the easing point of relations between Spain and France.

"Is there any special situation in Austria?" Although in this era, Charles V abdicated early and was forced to end the Schmalkar War, the internal relations of Habsburg were still "brothers and friends" as always, "Father is kind and son is filial piety".

Because Henry VIII conspired with Enrique II and Francois I to take over the Netherlands, the turmoil caused by the abdication of Charles V in this era made Austrian Archduke Ferdinand I feel that He was very annoyed, and even after the Italian War ended, he openly refused to give half of the ruling power of Burgundy to his nephew, which made Philip II furious and at the same time made the newly abdicated Charles V unable to step down.

"Charles V still bears the name of Roman Emperor, but the German princes don't want Philip II to inherit his throne." Francis Walsingham had a straight face, which made him look William III, who is four years older than him, is even older: "Although according to the agreement between Charles V and the Pope, the Austrian Habsburg family will inherit the throne of the Holy Roman Empire without the vote of the elector. But the German princes didn't want a Spaniard to be their emperor, so after Charles V abdicated, the succession to the throne became the biggest problem in the Christian world."

When Francis Walsingham said this, he glanced at William III specifically. The latter met the newly appointed minister of intelligence, spread his hands helplessly and said, "I don't want to be the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire." Emperor, even though Protestants in the German region accounted for the vast majority, the Holy See and the King of Spain would never allow a Protestant to sit on the throne of the emperor, besides that seat is a red-hot torture... Whoever is the one is unlucky. "

"I thought you would salivate over the crown of the Holy Roman Empire." Francis Walsingham was a little disappointed: "After all, your father fought for this seat, and your mother also supported him so early."

"This is the supreme glory in the Christian world, and it is a temptation for any king."

"But what's the use of an empty crown?" William III sneered. It is impossible for the great emperor to handle the relationship between the Holy Roman Empire perfectly."

In front of Francis Walsingham, William III asserted: "It must not be long before that good cousin of mine will leave the mess of the Holy Roman Empire to his servant brother, and then leave it to Philip. Li II is a huge territory that is clean and easy to manage."

"But Your Majesty, the title of Emperor of Rome was a painstaking effort of Charles V in his early years. Is he really willing to give this honor to the Archduke of Austria?" Francis Walsingham said in disbelief: "Besides, Philip II also Not necessarily willing to accept His Majesty's arrangement, maybe..."

"Perhaps the Archduke of Austria is not very happy to take over the title of Roman Emperor." William III was very sure: "If it were me, I would be more happy to be the Duke of Milan or King of Naples than a torture-like title of Emperor."

William III brushed the dust off the vellum with a quill, giving Francis Walsingham a more vivid idea of ​​the king's mastery.

"You just wait! It won't be long before the Pope will waver between Henry II and Ferdinand of Austria." William III received the letter from the King of France and decided to let his second son follow him. The youngest daughter of the King of France is engaged: "Go and fetch Guillaume, it's time for him to meet his fiancée."

…………… I am the dividing line……………

"Do you think I will have a common language with a child under three years old?" Looking at the portrait sent by Henry II, Guillaume felt that the children in the royal family seemed to share the same face, only in the color of hair and eyes slightly different.

William III didn't care about Guillaume's complaints, because he was not sure whether his second son would be able to marry Princess Margaret of France smoothly.Because in the sixteenth century, engagements and regrets between royal families were commonplace.As long as the marriage is not consummated and the documents of the engagement are not withdrawn, the marriage does not have religious and legal legitimacy.

For example, Princess Marie, before marrying the Duke of Lorraine, was engaged to the eldest son of François I and Charles V successively.Before William III married Queen Juana, Henry VIII also intended him to marry the youngest daughter of Francois I.

"When your brother got engaged to Mary of Scotland, he was only a child of two or three years old." William III knocked down the table, as if he looked at his youngest son again: "Besides, I didn't expect you to marry a milk doll." It's love at first sight, so this blind date in Calais is also a good opportunity for you to increase your knowledge."

"Is it just a trip?"

"Take it as a trip." William III put it in a more relaxed way: "Not only you and Alexander, but also Joan when he grows up, shouldn't live in London, but take advantage of the best time." Time to see more outside."

William III recalled the busyness and running around England when he was a child, and he showed a look of nostalgia: "I always think that children should learn more when they are young, so that when they are young and ignorant, they will not be taken for a small profit." Bewitched the mind."

After listening to his father's words, Guillaume also relaxed his nervousness about meeting his fiancée. He ate, drank and stopped along the way, just as if he was here to travel.

Because the two parties on the blind date were the Prince of England and the Princess of France, Princess Marie was naturally the matchmaker—after all, she was Guillaume's aunt, and she and Henry II were in-laws.

Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, Guillaume also met his cousin in Lorraine.

Because the Duke of Lorraine, Antoine William de Lorraine, was the godson of William III and had the same birthday as his uncle, his nickname at home was also Guillaume, to distinguish his grandfather with the same name.

Princess Mary's husband is a weak and sickly gentle man. After giving birth to a son and a daughter with his wife, he has no other blood. Therefore, the future of the Duke of Lorraine rests on the young Duke of Lorraine who is as weak as his father. It also made Princess Mary very worried, and even after the little Duke of Lorraine was ten years old, he was not allowed to take off the amulet on his body.

Fortunately, although the little Duke of Lorraine was weak, he was much stronger than his bedridden father.

Because Guillaume wanted to meet Princess Margot, the Duke of Lorraine also brought his fiancée, Princess Margot's second sister, Princess Claude de Valois.

In view of the eight-year age difference between the second daughter of Henry II and the Duke of Lorraine, the Duke of Lorraine will have to wait eight years before he can officially marry his fiancée, which also makes Princess Mary feel very depressed.

After all, mothers always want to hug their grandchildren as soon as possible.

The succession crisis of the Duke of Lorraine should not be underestimated. After all, the Duke of Lorraine has two younger brothers and a cousin of the Guise family, who are eyeing the Duke of Lorraine's seat.

Looking at it this way, Guillaume also realized that he was not the worst one in the royal family.At least compared to the little Duke of Lorraine who has already been settled, his marriage with Princess Margot is still in the stage of negotiation.Even if it can be settled within today, the two countries have 12 years to repent.

Because Princess Margot is a two-year-old child, after meeting Guillaume in her arms, the nanny took her back to the carriage in France. Queen Catherine's confidant maid represented Princess Margot and the English envoy Negotiate the details of marriage and even engagement.

Taking advantage of the time when the adults were talking, the Duke of Lorraine took on the responsibility of the elders and introduced Guillaume to the peers who attended the banquet.

"This is the little Duke of Vendôme of Bourbon. His mother is Princess Christina of Denmark, the niece of the Roman emperor, and your distant cousin." The little Duke of Lorraine led Guillaume to meet someone his age. The latter didn’t know that the father of the little Duke of Vendôme was the person his mother had actually married in history, so he said in a polite and distant manner: “Your Excellency, it’s a pleasure to meet you, and I hope you can have a good time at today's banquet."

The Duke of Vendôme, who was about the same age as Guillaume, took off his hat substandardly, trying to look like a mature nobleman: "Your Highness, I welcome your old age in every way, and it is an honor to join you and Margot Princess Lite's engagement ceremony."

The little Duke of Lorraine pointed to a child dressed as a Spanish aristocrat. The latter was much taller than Guillaume, and his facial features gradually developed. It is estimated that when he grows up, he will be a handsome man who will break the hearts of countless ladies.

"This is Jeromin of Barcelona. His adoptive father is the envoy of the Roman Emperor. On behalf of our uncle, he wishes to send blessings for your marriage with Princess Margot." Although the little Duke of Lorraine introduced this, but he After all, he is the heir to the principality who has started to get involved in government affairs, so from his mother's attitude, he can understand that this Jeromin of Barcelona is not an ordinary Spanish nobleman, and may even have a deep connection with the Spanish royal family.

At this time, Guillaume still didn't know that this Spanish boy who was three years older than him would one day become one of the greatest generals of the sixteenth century, and even had inextricable ties with the Tudor family contact.

But now they are just bored children at the blind date banquet.Even after today, you will forget the appearance of the other party.