[Henry VIII] Tudor Crown

The foreign policy of William III is very simple, that is to try to provoke the relationship between the Habsburg family and the Valois family, making it impossible for France and Spain to form an effective alliance, and at the same time alienating the internal relations of the Habsburgs.

Although Charles V is the chosen son of this era, relying on his grandfather's marriage policy, he sits on a huge territory and the colony left by the Catholic double kings, but what follows is the inappropriate internal relationship and The countless foreign enemies left by the previous generation.

Even if Charles V is regarded as the best among the emperors of all dynasties, whether it is politics, military affairs, or diplomacy, he has surpassed Henry VIII and Francois I to a certain extent, but even he cannot take care of both internal and external construction. A dream catholic Habsburg dynasty.

William III aimed at the discrepancy between Charles V's ambition and his actual ability to achieve it. In addition, although his only son, Philip II, was no less diligent than his father in terms of diligence and prudence, he was not as good as he had experienced. Succeeded to the ordeal of Charles V.

In the words of William III, Philip II was protected too well by Charles V, so he never experienced major hardships from birth to succession.If he were asked to change his growth environment with William III, he would probably be suspicious of his life by the atmosphere in the Tudor court.

It is precisely because of this that Philip II could not implement a relaxed management policy for vassals like Charles V.

If it were Charles V, it is estimated that after the situation in Italy stabilized, he would support Cosimo I as the agent of the Habsburg family in Italy, and then let him join forces with another Italian family that surrendered to Spain—Fare Nese ruled side by side with each other.

It's a pity that Charles V's policies in Italy were not accepted by his heirs.

For Philip II, who was very suspicious and eager to control, allowing Cosimo I to establish the Grand Duchy would undoubtedly weaken Spain's control over Florence, so he reached an agreement with Paul IV to support Paul IV On the grounds that his confidant became the Pope, he negotiated peace with France and postponed Cosimo I's becoming the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

For Cosimo I, who had fought for this all his life, this was undoubtedly the greatest point of humiliation and anger, which made him wish to turn his face against Spain immediately.

Seeing this, the English ambassador also took advantage of the victory to add fuel to the fire: "If it wasn't for the delay in getting a response from the Spanish emperor, I don't think you would be so eager to make a Medici the new pope."

"It seems that William III of England knows the thoughts of the Spanish king better than I do." Cosimo I laughed at himself: "I don't know if your Excellency has told me for so long, whether it has brought England's desire to marry the Medicis. What do you mean? Since Spain looks down on our Medicis, does England’s William III, like the arrogant Spaniards, still look at the Medicis from hundreds of years ago.”

The English ambassador shook his head regretfully when he heard this: "His Majesty the King does not have a suitable marriage partner. Although His Majesty's niece, the Countess of Nottingham, is at a young age, considering religious reasons, the Countess of Nottingham has to replace Richmond. The Duke governs Wales, so His Majesty the King does not want her to marry far away."

Speaking of this, the English ambassador also said meaningfully: "Besides, the alliance formed by marriage ultimately depends on the interests, right?"

"This is the truth." Cosimo I agreed very much: "If Spain has any movement in Italy, I will tell William III in time. I also ask the king of England not to be stingy with the friendship between the two countries, and to support the United States. The Ditch family."

This is what it means to ask William III to give more money and not rush to collect debts.

When Cosimo I said this, he did not forget to emphasize his value to William III: "The young Duke of Palmer of the Farnese family has been sent to the Spanish court. I think your Majesty the King will be very worried about the Netherlands. s future."

Seeing that Florence will continue to cooperate with England for a long time, Cosimo I decided to sell a favor to William III: "Philip II never concealed his ambition to take back the Netherlands, and Henry The II also resented France for losing Calais and other places."

Cosimo I's words caused the English ambassador's face to change a little, but he quickly returned to normal and thanked: "I will bring your words to His Majesty the King, and at the same time give you a small suggestion."

Before leaving, the English ambassador deliberately said: "The Archduke Ferdinand of Austria is also dissatisfied with Philip II. If you can form a family with the Archduke Ferdinand, then His Majesty the Emperor who has abdicated may realize that you dissatisfaction."

Cosimo I tightened his clasped hands on his knees slightly, as if he was considering the words of the English ambassador.

"Our Majesty the King has a famous saying, 'Crying children have candy'." The English ambassador smiled and said, "I hope you can think about it."

Cosimo I nodded, and while sending the English ambassador away, he also gave William III a generous gift.

When the work of Leonardo da Vinci collected by the Duke of Florence - "The Virgin of the Blossoms" arrived at the Whitehall Palace of William III, he just received the news of the successive deaths of Enrique II and Francis Rabelais.

After the death of Marguerite of Angoulême, Enrique II's health declined suddenly, and even after Guillaume returned to England, he was so serious that he needed to be bedridden.

Although William III asked Cardano to accompany Queen Juana back to Belgium, but limited by the science and technology of this era, Enrique II's health still did not improve, and finally passed away in Belgium in May 1555. His only daughter, Queen Juana, presided over his funeral and read the will of Enrique II in public.

According to the last words of the King of Belgium, his kingdom will be inherited by Queen Juana and her descendants.Should Queen Juana die in her prime, the Duke of Richmond would succeed him as King of Belgium and Count of Flanders, and his father William III would act as Regent until he came of age.

And if the Duke of Richmond, Guillaume, and Joan all die without heirs, then the inheritance rights of Belgium and Flanders will be inherited by Enrique II's sister Isabella and her descendants.

It can be said that Enrique II's will blocked all the retreats of the Belgian nobles who wanted to fight for independence, so that they had to make a painful choice between France and England.

Of course, if the Belgian nobles still want to fight for independence, then Italy is a good reference object-after all, every war between Spain and France will involve Milan and Venice.

Since a war is going to start, it must be started in someone else's house, rather than cleaning up the mess in one's own house.

And Belgium is stuck between England and France, and now it can maintain peace, half of which is due to foreign trade, and the other half is naturally due to the relationship between Queen Juana and England.

You must know that Henry II did not dare to fight Belgium, but he was afraid that after defeating Belgium, William III would join forces with Spain to fight him.

Besides, not all people in Belgium are fighting for independence. After all, trade is frequent, and the number of immigrants in the country will naturally increase. At the same time, it will also separate the voice of the traditional nobles.

Some long-sighted nobles knew very well that Belgium could not maintain absolute independence in war-ridden Europe.Because neither England nor France will allow it to become a permanent neutral country like Switzerland, how to choose a master who can bring benefits to itself is what Belgium should do most at present.

"Your Majesty, are you really not going to attend the funeral of Enrique II?" Richard Cromwell looked at William III, who was writing hard, and asked cautiously after hesitation: "Her Majesty is Enrique II?" The only heir of King Ke II, presumably his death will cause great sorrow to Her Majesty the Queen."

"It was because Juana was in grief that I gave her room to collect." William III was only a six-year-old child when his mother died, and because of Henry VIII's arrangements, he did not Chance has cultivated a deep relationship with his parents, so he can't feel the pain of parting from his parents.

"Besides, if I go to Belgium now, it will only bring pressure to Juana." Of course, William III considered the funeral situation of Enrique II, so he asked the governor of the Netherlands to go to Belgium to express condolences instead of him. Amiens, and the garrison at Calais, prevented France from taking the opportunity to harass the frontiers of Belgium and Flanders.

"The nobles of Belgium will not welcome me at this time." William III blew on the sundries on the kraft paper, and said calmly to Richard Cromwell: "They will only think that I want to take the opportunity to control The regimes in Belgium and Flanders have made Juana a puppet queen."

"I don't think you would do that." Richard Cromwell and Sir Cavendish were closest to William III, so it was clear that William III had no intention of getting involved in the Belgian regime.

Even looking at the whole of Europe, William III can be called the best king and husband.

Although his relationship with Queen Juana is not close to the point of life and death, William III definitely put Queen Juana in the closest position, and there has been no scandal at all since their marriage.

This is almost impossible for aristocrats, especially male aristocrats, who have a dissolute private life.

Richard Cromwell always felt that William III was too rational, so that many times, he could not feel the personal emotions possessed by his monarch.

This is both an advantage and a disadvantage for the ruler.

In short, Richard Cromwell could not tell whether William III handled it properly.

It's just that after receiving the letter from William III, Queen Juana was only slightly disappointed for a while, then wiped away her tears, and calmly strengthened the border garrisons of Belgium and Flanders, so that people always pay attention to the movements of France.

"Your Majesty, according to your request, I have sent one hundred pounds to Mr. Rabelais's family, and promised his wife and children to receive dividends from Rabelais' works every year." Johanna, dressed in mourning, finished dealing with the nobleman. After their letter, they reported recent important events to Queen Juana: "In addition, both France and Spain have sent envoys of condolence. Are you going to meet them?"

"Go and arrange their lodgings, and be careful not to let those swinging nobles come into contact with them." Queen Juana carefully received the letter from William III, and at the same time ordered: "Let Alexander go to meet the two countries on my behalf. messenger."

"Since my eldest son is the second-in-line heir appointed by my father, it is necessary to strengthen Alexander's succession rights in funerals and diplomacy."