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Westminster, January 1452
The hour grew late, but Queen Margaret was not ready for rest. Her husband King Henry had presided over a fine feast but begged off to bed an hour prior. Now it remained just the Queen and the Earl of Douglas from Scotland as well as some few hangers on and the watchful eye of Pierre de Brézé. The music had stopped and she sat to a settle with her very able coquettish eye.
“I am pleased that we have this time to speak...just we two,” Margaret cooed, “I am most intrigued by your travels and am most sad that His Grace did not ask you about them.”
Her intended conquest was only slightly older than she, and handsome. His Scottish brogue intrigued her and he knew it. Lazing back upon his own settle, he grinned, “I’ve seen the sights of Rome, madam. And the Holy Father. And now I come to a far greater sight here within England. I think not to wish a return to my homeland.”
Margaret batted her eyes, “I am young, my Lord. Yet I am not stupid. I know well enough why you may not wish a return. Your life may mean more than your country.”
Earl William shifted to sit up and leaned forward to her with a grin, “There are many things in life that are wished. I should wish no thing more than the now.”
“You flatter,” she replied.
He was just as quick to respond, “You deserve it.”
“My husband the King is barely abed, my Lord,” Margaret answered him, “Is this how things are done to Scotland? No wonder that you may fear for your life.”
The Earl of Douglas brushed a hand to her knee, “The lands of the north are complicated, my Lady. Mayhap as complicated as yours. I would be a champion...”
Margaret smiled as she shifted away from his touch, “You should have to live first...my Lord.”
“What is all this complication?” William questioned as he moved to pour himself another drink and then sat back with a curious eye, “A fine kingdom here...have bested mine own to the north and to Ireland. It would seem a stable steward that you hold...at the least far better than we may see. Does the French King trouble you so much as that?”
“Did you have chance to see that Lord as you progressed through those lands?” she questioned.
He grinned, “I sailed right round, my Lady. I have some expertise at maneuvers.”
“I imagine that you do,” Margaret replied as she moved to sit next to him with an eye to Pierre, “I am told awful things that do occur to the north. Your father...others. Your House. Your King even...he would seem to like you not. It is all quite beastly. I think that why you are here rather than to there.”
The Earl traced a finger to her arm, “It is cold to the north, madam. Far warmer to here.”
“You might be surprised,” Margaret watched as Pierre de Brézé ushered all else from the great hall, “The chill to here can be...quite frigid.”
“I find that very difficult to believe,” William answered as he leaned into her, “How could it be so cold when the sun shines like this?”
Margaret stood affecting a shock, “Now you are forward, sir!”
“Am I?” the Earl of Douglas questioned as he stood and took the wine from her hand to refill her cup, “I think you to want some thing...my Lady.”
“I desire a great many things...my Lord,” she turned to him and leaned in.
“And so what would you use me to do?” he questioned as their lips nearly touched.
Margaret in no way moved her head and felt his breath as it mingled with hers, “I am certain that I do not know what you mean.”
“You would not?” he whispered, “You require, madam. And I would be...of use.”
Holding firm hands to his shoulders, Margaret pushed away, “I know not what a Scottish Lord may do for an English Queen!”
William allowed a laugh, “You play as your people do. It is called alliance, but the French would have us do all the effort. I know your state and...dare I say, my Lady...it is rather a tease.”
She turned away from him with a feigned hostility, “You would dare to insult?!”
“I would dare to speak the truth,” he replied quickly and pulled her back around to him, “You want and I may have. In truth, I know it. Yet you shall have to be clear because this act of yours...”
When Margaret showed tears, the Earl was quick to back away. She felt behind her to find the settle and sobbed for more than a moment before giving him sad eyes, “I have...been unable...to provide. All of these years...and there is still no heir. You must know how important that is!”
The Earl was disarmed, “You are young. There...is always time.”
“I have it not!” she sobbed, “My husband...the Lord...the King...he holds a rival as you well know on your own. And he would not be without as his wife...very fertile and giving issue. I’m told another arrives soon enough. And yet I may not find seed planted in mine own garden.”
“I...am not sure...” William questioned.
Margaret stood to embrace him, “I ask not for the ultimate...but I needs must know that you are true! I am fearful for mine own life!”
“I would, of course...protect you, my Lady...” the Earl responded, “...Yet I am unsure of what you ask?”
She kissed gently to his cheek, “A trust. A knowing that...if I should fear...then you should wish to assist me.”
“My knowing you is so soon...” he attempted to say but she stopped him with a finger to his lips.
“I know of Richard of York,” she answered him as she leaned in close, “He will never cease in his attempts. To gain this crown. To remove myself. To remove my husband. I should like to know...if you are friend to me...would you...come to my aid?”
He stumbled a bit but answered, “I would...protect...”
“And if you should...” Margaret replied with her lips again close to his, “...I would think that we...ours...would protect you when your time does come to Scotland.”
The Earl held off from kissing her, “I...might have that assurance?”
“If I might have yours,” Margaret brushed at his cheeks with care, “If York fields an army...we shall need...more.”
As their lips finally met with a passionate kiss, she was the one that pulled back first, “I would place my trust in you...my Lord. For England. For Scotland.”
His words became muffled by their mutual affection. After another deep kiss, he looked lovingly into her eyes, “I fear that you may underestimate the hatred of my people to the north. It would not be an easy thing that you ask?”
“Yet Scotland and France have found a closeness for some time,” she cooed to him, “I know not their feelings to the north, but my French blood is already warm to you and yours.”
“Do you not fear that your husband would disapprove?” he asked as he kissed softly to her slender neck.
She daintily laughed as his beard tickled her, “I could not know for he is not here at the moment to ask.”
“Then let us not burden him for the now,” the Earl returned to kiss her lips.
Their coupling lasted far longer into the night and clearly her words had moved him. He was to give her the largest bow when he left to return to Scotland in the morning. Their pact made, if in fact one may call it that, was short lived. She would carry on. He would be dead within the year at the hands of his own King. They had both misjudged their power or ability. Margaret especially. When news of it leaked, many parties were quick to accuse her of all manner of things. Richard of York most of all.
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Silly woman. As if York needed more excuses to rail against rhe King. Now his wife is unfaithful, he is 'impotent' in all things and France lies as unruffled as his own queen.
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Reading about her fear of being replaced, made me stop and listen to Henry The VIII, I Am by Herman's Hermits. A plan for Henry VI, ship Richard of York and Margaret of Anjou to the chopping block and marry Elizabeth of York. Cecily for mother-in-law is not a great plan, but it is a plan. Thank you for the update.
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Well. That settles it. Time to place York on the throne, if only for the survival of the royal house of Plantagenet.
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To all - I must say that love scenes are among the most difficult for me to write. It is not that I'm a prude or any such thing but intimate moments like the above are somewhat uncomfortable to describe because they are, by definition, generally very private and work at their own pace and with their own chemistry. That said, I was really quite proud of the above scene as I thought I captured well enough the kinetic connection between the two parties.
I did feel poorly for putting Margaret in this position as I have thus far shied away from describing her as the whore and harridan she was named historically, most especially by Richard of York. But the "pact" suggested above was a real thing in history and did Margaret no favors when it was found out. There is no evidence that she slept with the Earl of Douglas or had any romantic liaison whatsoever with him, but she did ask him to come to her aid should it be required and he did say yes. To quote Alison Weir (who I depend upon quite a lot in my research for this era) - "A single-minded woman, she was unable to perceive that, although to her the Scots represented a much needed ally, to her husband's subjects they were traditional enemies, whose military presence on English soil had for centuries been feared and resisted."
As to the Earl, well reading about him was entirely fascinating. Those with a better grasp of Scottish history can certainly elucidate, but he was quite literally killed by James II (stabbed to death by the King's own hands it is suggested.) That was all a bit too rich to leave out of the narrative and it just made sense to create the above scene. He is incidental to the story, but her actions will most certainly effect the ongoing struggle.
Back tomorrow or the next day with the next scene (still need to do some work) and thank you all very much for reading and giving comment! It makes all the difference.
Careful. Your 15th century misogyny card is showing
But forgiven for this wonderful turn of phrase. Well done!
Now that would be a trick since Elizabeth of York was not born historically for another 14 years. Goodness, her would be father Edward is still only 10. Now if you mean Elizabeth Plantagenet (York and Cecily's 2nd daughter), she is already around and about 8 years old. I suppose that's doable in 1452.
From your lips to York's ears.
To all - I must say that love scenes are among the most difficult for me to write. It is not that I'm a prude or any such thing but intimate moments like the above are somewhat uncomfortable to describe because they are, by definition, generally very private and work at their own pace and with their own chemistry. That said, I was really quite proud of the above scene as I thought I captured well enough the kinetic connection between the two parties.
I did feel poorly for putting Margaret in this position as I have thus far shied away from describing her as the whore and harridan she was named historically, most especially by Richard of York. But the "pact" suggested above was a real thing in history and did Margaret no favors when it was found out. There is no evidence that she slept with the Earl of Douglas or had any romantic liaison whatsoever with him, but she did ask him to come to her aid should it be required and he did say yes. To quote Alison Weir (who I depend upon quite a lot in my research for this era) - "A single-minded woman, she was unable to perceive that, although to her the Scots represented a much needed ally, to her husband's subjects they were traditional enemies, whose military presence on English soil had for centuries been feared and resisted."
As to the Earl, well reading about him was entirely fascinating. Those with a better grasp of Scottish history can certainly elucidate, but he was quite literally killed by James II (stabbed to death by the King's own hands it is suggested.) That was all a bit too rich to leave out of the narrative and it just made sense to create the above scene. He is incidental to the story, but her actions will most certainly effect the ongoing struggle.
Back tomorrow or the next day with the next scene (still need to do some work) and thank you all very much for reading and giving comment! It makes all the difference.
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Careful. Your 15th century misogyny card is showing
Pretty much my thought process as well.
Call up Jabberjock, the filthy little thing. Apparently any type of love scene is within their powers
I was referring to Elizabeth Plantagenet. But in all fairness, I was using Wikipedia (my source for all things semi-factual) and she is referred to as Elizabeth of York in her mother's entry and her entry is titled Elizabeth of York, Duchess of Suffolk. Any of her sisters would work as a possible replacement for Margaret. For Richard, would King Henry as son-in-law be enough or is anything less than King Richard a non-starter.
Has anyone heard from Jabberjock lately? Currently, I would recommend @Revan86 or @Peter Ebbesen for your NSFW scenes.Pretty much my thought process as well.
Call up Jabberjock, the filthy little thing. Apparently any type of love scene is within their powers
Given that I write them for comedy and sheer implausibility (don't try this at home), that might not be wise if they are intended to be taken serious.
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I don't think we have see the great @JabberJock14 since mid last year. He did indeed write some corkers and is indeed missed!
There is no doubt it gets VERY complicated in this era because apparently naming was not creative AT ALL!
I mainly give comment here because I believe this is the first, and only, comment that the amazing @Peter Ebbesen has ever given to one of my many AARs as we have shared these boards over this last 20 years. It is an honor!! I truly mean that, sir. You are a hero!
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Hence the good J-Jock was my pick. Plausible relations between a brother and sister are not beyond their reach. Multiple times.
All it took was 'heh, willies'.
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Bordeaux, March 1452
The sound of the cavalry charge still rang in his head as Edmund Beaufort sat in his tent. The Duke of Somerset was not pleased and why should he be? When he should be to the warm confines of court with all its pretty fare at Westminster, here he was to the field...again...and sitting as caretaker to an old man and a babe. Worse still, the King had given him this charge and told him finally that he himself should lead it.
Thus he was not pleased when the Earl of Salisbury entered the tent, “We may not rest so long to here, my Lord. The enemy is sure to pursue and they have only the river to cross before they do.”
“We had only the river to cross and I recall not so much difficulty,” Somerset remained at his sulk.
Salisbury pressed, “Which is why we should not tarry.”
With a cruel eye, Edmund stared to the elder Neville Earl, “What might you have done so very differently? It was to be your command...until you attempted to beg off. As the King would have none of it, then what should have been your plan?”
“I think not that it matters,” Salisbury answered easily, “It is a thing done and over. All we may do now is protect what is left of our force. Most certainly that of His Grace’s brother Richmond who was injured most cruelly.”
“He will live,” Somerset waved a hand as he moved to pour himself a drink, “Should not have been here either, at any rate!”
The Earl paused for a moment before giving reply, “I did not say that I wished not to lead this campaign, my Lord. I merely suggested to His Grace that the north, at the now, was the better in the taking. Their forces are scattered defending against so many foes, but they can be easily pulled together in the face of our invasion. And as we are so much more away from our base to Calais and across the channel...it was risky at the start.”
“Talbot holds Calais firmly!” Edmund boasted.
Salisbury held his arms behind his back as he calmly answered, “Where he is unlikely to find a foe. Nor would he...or ourselves...to Caen or in Rouen...and not from Orleans or any other such place to the north. Yet here...if we were to move out of our shelter instead of waiting for a besieging army of the French...our supply train and safety were limited. As I recall...this idea of venturing out and into Saintonge was your idea, my Lord. You argued it most vociferously with the King. That...I believe...is why ultimately you were given full command.”
“I do not recall you arguing so much against it once it was decided,” the Duke turned with scorn.
“I serve, my Lord,” the Earl offered a firm nod, “I would be true to His Grace and his desire.”
Somerset stepped closer, “I think you merely wished to see me find failure, sir. So close with your sister’s husband. Our loss here is to his benefit as much as it is not to mine.”
“It is curious that you put it that way, my Lord,” Salisbury too took a step forward, “I gave my counsel...as I should as a peer...and once it was declared, I offered you no thing but advice for your betterment. You chose not to hear me and instead placed me to the vanguard. I held as best I could but there be little to do when thirty thousand French bastards are pressing down upon you from all sides.”
When the Duke turned away with a huff, the Earl continued, “I might also question...where were you when my forces were attacked? When those of our King’s brother found his misfortune? A bit...late, I’d suggest.”
“You challenge me when you should not, sir!” Edmund spun on him, “I too am from the family of this King and I will have your respect! I think you to remain sore that His Grace gave judgment against your son to my purpose!”
Salisbury remained calm in the face of this fury, “My Lord...you were given thirteen thousand men to do with what you were able. At a time when France is aflame like little else I have ever seen in my adult lifetime. More than anything else...I counseled you patience. I think not that you hold such a virtue. And for the record...I do not disagree that it was a poor judgment against my son by His Grace. Yet it was his decision and as I remain loyal to him and this kingdom, I would not challenge.”
“You may then speak those words to your sister’s husband,” Somerset brooded.
The Earl allowed a nod, “I have done so.”
“And yet you follow him still!” Edmund remained in anger.
“As I have said, I follow and am loyal to His Grace,” Salisbury replied without a doubt, “I should take a care for I think you to hold a mind too full of bitterness.”
Somerset feigned a shock, “Bitter? I am to be bitter as you and yours have consistently held us...my family...away and untrue? Why ever would I hold such a thought?”
“Allow me to be clear with you...my Lord,” the Earl replied with a firm eye, “In short, I care not a whit for you...or your family of Beauforts. Such as they are. Yet as the King seems fit to appoint his cousins to positions of counsel, I would challenge that we too...the rightful lords of this realm...should also hold such position. Most especially His Grace’s true cousin of York. On the Council and with the King’s ear as you do seem to enjoy. That is the end of it. And all of your barking about such other is to no thing but your own overwhelmed mind.”
“Overwhelmed?!” the Duke showed genuine shock this time.
Salisbury held calm, “By the face of it. You would worry about you and yours and then claim it some devilish thing done by another. And at this moment...when we are too challenged to keep what we have left of this force to Bordeaux...you would find your loss and then lash out yet again to another. I am not your enemy, my Lord of Somerset. I have little time or desire to be with the life left to me. I tell you again...I care about the kingdom and His Grace’s force that he has put to the field. Good men of England and ones wasted by your management. THAT...that, sir...is the complaint!”
“And you...so very high and mighty...” Somerset began to say but the Earl held up a hand to stop him.
“The mounts are saddled, my Lord. Should you wish to stay and face what is left of the French thirty thousand...I would not cry but as for myself, I shall not remain. I recommend that you do the same.”
Salisbury did not allow him chance to answer as he walked from the tent. It would be a long and testy travel in their return to England. And their argument was far from finished.
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A thought occurs. If York's army is in France and Somerset's army is in France, and all their commanders are in France...can't the King just crush their estates at home and kill anyone who objects? You'd think it cruel or abrupt but it is:
A) exactly what the King of France did to save his kingdom at the end of the 100 years war.
B) exactly what Henry Tudor is going to do to end the wars of the roses
C) just plain common sense
A) exactly what the King of France did to save his kingdom at the end of the 100 years war.
B) exactly what Henry Tudor is going to do to end the wars of the roses
C) just plain common sense
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First of all, York's "army" is not in France. Only a supporter of his rights (Salisbury.) And that force in Calais is lead by Talbot (who was actually a York supporter as well in many ways before his death.) Most of what will come to bear are still in England, York included.
Second, Henry would have to have the fortitude to do such a thing which thus far he has not proven.
As to your a-b-c - C is, of course, entirely sensible in the grand scheme of things (even if yes, cruel, but that never stopped a ruler.)
A is debatable. While too simplistic, to be sure, the flower of much French nobility was destroyed at Agincourt. It took them some time to rebuild and they were given that time thanks to the minority government of Henry VI and his bickering uncles. However, once they did is what you see to begin this work. I am not sure it is accurate to say that the French King crushed his estates to save his kingdom. You don't get an all encompassing French sovereign until Louis XIV. As the map included above shows (and I think mostly well modeled in the game) the French lords are quite sovereign on their own, even if they can come together to defeat this English army (which was surprising but not entirely unexpected.)
And finally B - Tudor had seen much of the work done for him already by the time he reached the throne as many rivals had already killed each other during the WOTR. There is no doubt that he was ruthless in hunting down anyone else that might threaten, but those were few and far between by the late 1480s.
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Mm. Very much a large civil war on the cards then.
I would say the French Lords got a lot richer and more powerful over the course of the century, culminating in finally pushing the English and Burgundian out, securing all the borders of France, making a deal with both the English and Burgundian to stay out and not come back (which worked surprisingly well), and finally annexing Brittany. At the time of Henry 7th, France was strong basically because instead of several thousand feudal lords with limited powers, they had around 100 very rich and powerful lords mostly dedicated to holding the kingdom together. Such a small number holding almost everything not owned by the Church made them ripe for picking by a clever monarch (or clever royal court before then, French Cardinals are the infamous examples of that).
Once they've done consolidating their own lands, they will be coming for Brittany, Aquitaine and Burgundy. Aquitaine is the largest bit, and easiest to take, but the poorest. Brittany removes a military and cultural rival. Burgundy holds the single wealthiest county and duchy in the Medieval world, along with various other holdings that are rightfully split between the HRE and the French Crown.
If I were France, or the eventual council of nobles looking to rebuild it, I'd probably proceed similarly to OTL. Get the English out, annex Brittany, and find someone to help out against Burgundy.
Henry 7th is one very overlooked monarch. He was very lucky in that every single rival of his was already dead when he took the throne, and the aristocracy was depleted enough he could get away with an awful lot of stuff...but his accomplishments and court are nonetheless remarkable. Before he was even king, he negotiated a treaty with the French, the Bretons and the Burgundians, where all of them basically said they'd recognize his rule, aid him in getting his throne, and provide resources to get England back on its feet.
After getting the throne, he gets the remaining York family to at least swallow his rule by marrying one of them. He declared his rule began before Bosworth, so he could arrest, try and size the lands of anyone who wouldn't bend the knee. With this initial capital, both financial and political, he banned private land armies and centralized tax collection (effectively ending feudalism in England). He then took advantage of his three continental allies fighting with each other to get separate non-aggression pacts with each, and large bribes to not go to war with any of them.
Then, with this large pile of money, he rebuilt London, the navy and the army, crushed Wales and finalized it's annexation into England (so no one else could invade the same way he had) and finally, set in motion two marriages that would bring England to the big leagues of European Power for the first time in a century, and lead to Scotland being subsumed by England. And he crushed two major rebellions, one which had the backing of most of Ireland, using the excuse to grab more of the island for himself.
He was an astonishingly successful monarch in most respects, if not very popular.
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Well, it seems as if those accusations of Margaret cheating on the King aren't untrue...
The situation in England grows more volatile, but France is in a very dire position.
The situation in England grows more volatile, but France is in a very dire position.
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Do my eyes deceive me or is that a two-star French General with thirty-thousand high elan troops getting his butt by a one-star in-bred English General with twelve-thousand English troops that are busy fighting each other to get on a boat and sail somewhere, anywhere? Thank you for updating.
Didn't actually see the map. Christ, France is in a bad way. Might actually be better to leave and avoid the clusterf*ck coming to that part of Europe as everyone fights over scraps. Instead, take something defensible like Brittany, or attack someone else whilst distracted, like Castille or Scandinavia?
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You are certainly not wrong about that.
Or that, if they can get back to that position.
Or that! Miserly and ruthless he was, but we aren't there yet (if we ever do get there.)
Great to see you return and see above in regards to Margaret. I really did feel bad about placing her in such a position but it made sense.
The screenshot may be deceiving. I suspect that the French morale was already down but they in the end defeated the English there and we were forced a scattered retreat all the way to Castile. I decided to avoid that last bit in the narrative. It was a promising move, but ultimately a failure (which, of course, does work for the narrative.)
Yes they are which made the loss in Saintonge all the more disappointing. Was hoping to take at least some advantage there.
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