novelraw Chapter 34 Entering London
Chapter 34 Entering London
No need to go to Westminster Abbey, no grand parade (;;) ceremony. After New Year's Day in 1563, the Prince Regent of England, under the "following" of the Privy Council, listened to the admonition for a week in the Tower of London; with a piece of paper, he took office.
Oh, in order to take care of the emotions of the Protestant courtiers, Mary, in addition to taking the oath in Latin, also used an English "Bible" under the watchful eyes of the public - not the standardized Latin version of the Holy See.In this way, many dignitaries finally stopped worrying about religious conflicts for the time being.
"The Queen is sick and needs to rest for a long time", "One of the heirs to the throne, Mary Stuart is invited to act as regent temporarily", "Associated by the Privy Council"... The official announcement is concise and clear.Although there are many discussions among the people, the atmosphere is not particularly tense.
At least, it's an improvement over some time ago.
It stands to reason that the new regent should have a public speech.However, due to various reasons, the government chose to keep a low profile and did not arrange a grand appearance for Mary.Mary didn't care.Famous and real, what else is she anxious for?Exaggerated cheers, mindless pursuit?In theory, "Prince Regent" is just a title, as long as she does a good job in practical things.
Of course, seeking the support of the people is also necessary.However, Mary has long been familiar with the principles of "people tend to follow blindly", "groups lack rationality", and "love wants to live, and evil wants to die".Therefore, her current work focus is still on appeasing the powerful and stabilizing the government.
Given that Catholics were more satisfied with Mary's presence in London, religious conflicts in the country had subsided a lot.Therefore, the most important task for the newly appointed Regent, Mary, is to negotiate peace with Spain.
What, counterattack in self-defense?Just kidding, in this era, France, England, Scotland, and the three countries combined, the navy can't beat others.As for the land, um, France suffered a lot in the battle of St. Quentin five years ago. England does not have a standing army and can only rely on the recruitment of temporary troops...
Scotland has a capable army, plus [-] Swiss mercenaries.However, Mary firmly stopped Boswell, who was eager to try.
"I'm alone in London and need your protection badly."
"Moreover, wars within the country's borders can easily affect civilian life and cause a lot of economic losses."
——Well, Mary has a sense of ownership, and soon took the land of England as her own. How could she be willing to go to war to ruin crops, affect fishing and animal husbandry, and destroy production.
This kind of war is really useless.
Mary played hard and soft, and Boswell did not insist.Unruly as he was, when he left the audience room, he just unbuttoned the two buttons on his chest angrily, and kicked the tree trunk in the courtyard.
The breezy guy walking towards him was Mary's secretary, David Lijo.Lucky boy, Boswell curled his lips.This Li Qiao, originally a registered palace servant, won the queen's favor with his good singing voice.In the end, somehow, he was squeezed into the royal study in Edinburgh, and this time was brought to London by Mary, as if he became her confidant secretary.
Boswell thought again of Maitland, who had wanted to part ways with him.That guy, only thinking of him and him as an old minister arranged by the queen mother, but forgot that the lord had started to protect the infant queen as early as in France.Haha, now that Mary has a newcomer, the Queen even praised him as "clear-headed, quick-witted, and brilliant in writing"—seeing how Maitland, who is about to fall out of favor, has the nerve to talk to the commander-in-chief of the Northern Army on the budget of armaments wordy.
Boswell narrowed his eyes.No, Maitland's status is still stable.Otherwise, Mary wouldn't have married her personal maid, Miss Fleming, and let him 'guard the house' with the French crown prince.However, the queen was still a bit on guard. When she came to England, she specially brought his fiancée with her.
After finishing his wild thoughts, Boswell walked back to the guard room.Well, let's get down to business.His Scottish bodyguards are still on the way, and now Whitehall Palace is mixed with English and Swiss Guards, so they should be beaten a lot.
At this time, Li Qiao had already reported a lot of information to the hostess: "... Maitland has already left... His Majesty the King said that if necessary, France will send the navy to help... The shelling of Plymouth has been suspended. ..."
Mary nodded.Even if you have a heart for peace, it is not easy to convince Spain.Philip II actually sent troops to invade and spent a lot of money on the military, but he was betrayed by himself and took the lead. He didn't even touch the edge of London, and he was very dissatisfied.Moreover, the possibility of the Queen of Scotland taking over England is very obvious. The king of Spain is quite angry at the thought that she will also serve as the French crown princess, and that she and her husband may rule the three countries together in the future.
He was so angry that he neglected the queen... Mary pinched the letter from her sister-in-law Elizabeth, guessed the current situation of the couple, and barely suppressed her guilt.
"Li Qiao, help me record these key points."
The secretary nodded, and the quill brushed lightly. "First, do everything possible to avoid bloody wars."
"Second, the bottom line of the peace agreement is that no territory in Britain can be sold."
"Third, strive to negotiate a fixed amount of monetary compensation, rather than an uncertain benefit somewhere."
"Fourth, a fund can be prepared for activities in the Spanish court."
Well, the activity fund is the bribe fee, right?As a passionate Catholic, Li Qiao has a lot in common with the Spaniards, and is expected to become the deputy envoy of this peace mission... The future is bright, and there is even lucrative money to be made. The eyes of the Italian secretary suddenly sparkled.
Mary stared at those big bright and flexible eyes, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "Of course, for this important matter, the Minister of State must be consulted together and His Majesty Elizabeth's opinion must be sought."
Cecil, who was scheduled to be the envoy of the peace talks, heaved a sigh of relief after receiving the summary of the regent's opinions.Well, the other queen he wants to serve seems to be clear-headed, sharp-minded, and has some common points of view with him... In this way, everyone should be able to settle the current pile of troubles together.
Alas, though England's present troubles are largely connected with her.But in any case, we must clean up the mess first, and then plan for future affairs.
Cecil then went to make a routine report to his queen.Elizabeth has always been diligent in politics, but now she is forced to take time off to "recover from illness", and her heart is really desolate.But she would not relax.Cecil came to visit and ask her for advice, which made Elizabeth very refreshed.After gesticulating and saying something, the Queen of England let go of the Minister of State and turned to care about Dudley's appointment.
On the other side, Francois was directing Maitland to and from the Spanish camp and the Anglo-Soviet border.
The French crown prince had limited entourage and no civil servants, so he "requisitioned" his wife's chief secretary.Thus, William Maitland, a native Scot, was seconded by the Queen of Scots to work for the King of Scotland. After running around, he clearly "stands on the French side" and speaks all in French.
Relying on an unfamiliar messenger to deliver the message for himself, Francois gave thousands of instructions, still a little uneasy, and wrote a letter to the Spanish side in his own hand:
"We, like you, belong to the same camp of staunch Catholics, and we also hope that the Pope will restore his majesty on this island. Today, the queen with Protestant leanings has retreated into the background. My wife, a queen of staunch faith, is empowered to rule. The English government. This is just a phased victory for the Holy See."
"I can guarantee that England will return to the embrace of Catholicism in the future. Now that your strategic goal has been achieved; then, we should calm down and consider the next step, how to make the fruits of victory last."
Francois entrusted his French compatriot, Earl Montgomery, to contact his hometown. "Although the "Treaty of Edinburgh" stipulates that France is not allowed to garrison Scotland, our navy has the obligation to assist Queen Mary and the Regent of England."
As it was written, Francois' face was a little feverish.Some time ago, Henry II thought he didn't hold his wife well, and warned that there was a risk of divorce.Now, he has consummated his marriage with her, and the two of them are in harmony in the bedroom, and the bed is harmonious and happy... Father should no longer have any objections.
Where did Henry II have any objections, he was very proud and very happy!
Together with Queen Catherine, the eyes are also bent into a slit.The eldest son finally got the hang of it, very good.Well, it's time to count the second son's marriage, right?
——Oh my god, Charlie is only 12 years old, the queen is so anxious.
But Catherine still mentioned it.
"Queen of England, hitherto unmarried..."
Henry II vetoed it.The age gap is too large, this is the first problem. (He himself is obviously infatuated with Madame Valentinoy.) This woman is tough, cautious and shrewd, which is the second problem.Her smallpox disease, with severe sequelae, may be quite unappetizing, and this is the third problem.
Above all, England seemed to be in the hands of the eldest daughter-in-law.The eldest son and his descendants had a good chance of getting the crown.Then there is no need to sacrifice the second son to marry a disabled person.
"Besides, the Spanish side also needs to explain." Although the King of France loved Diana more, and the "H&D" signature was everywhere on the documents; Women talk politics. "In short, Philip II sent troops rashly this time, but was taken advantage of by Mary; I am afraid that this tone will be difficult to swallow for a while."
Catherine suddenly thought of her daughter. "Then Liz?"
Henry II was very generous. "It's okay, she has been in the deep palace for a long time, so she doesn't have that much energy."
He said with a smile: "Spain, maybe they will continue to attack, or they may want to make an idea of the unmarried Elizabeth."
Catherine, who was also patriarchal, only sighed. "If Philip II refuses to let it go, I'm afraid that Francois will have a hard time in Scotland."
Henry II was full of confidence. "Don't worry. I think Mary's child has a good idea. It's good luck that she can push Elizabeth to this point, and it's because of her preparation."
Catherine stretched out her hand and slowly grasped the cross on her chest.She thought of Nostradamus, the prophet who had retired to his hometown.Mary, also had a lot of wonderful information and made accurate predictions; she occasionally babbled and fiddled with some unexpected things... So, she is really a person favored by God?
Her husband was analyzing the situation pragmatically. "Prince Don Carlos of Spain and the Queen of England... Heh, they seem to be a perfect match. However, both of them are in poor health, and neither of them is suitable for relocation. This matter is impossible."
Catherine muttered: "There are other partners. The Holy Roman Empire, the second son of Ferdinand I, Grand Duke Charles, has talked about marriage before..."
The French court is speculating on the terms of Spain's withdrawal.In the palace of England, Mary was also trying to figure out her opponent's intentions.
She saw a letter from Spain describing that Prince Don Carlos was in poor condition recently and seemed to be having an epileptic seizure. "Dizziness and falling to the ground, spasms of limbs", "emotional instability, irritability", "foaming at the mouth, memory loss and incontinence".In short, my sister-in-law's stepson is getting worse and worse, which makes people feel very worried.
In this way, Philip II will not push him out to marry Elizabeth, right?He never thinks that a blind man and a lunatic are a perfect couple?
However, I heard that Austria also has some intentions for England.Also belonging to the Habsburg family, Philip II had a good relationship with his uncle. Perhaps, he pushed his cousin out?
They are all kings of a country, and everyone thinks alike.It didn't take long for Mary to know the "recommended candidate" put on the negotiating table—it really was Charles.
The author has something to say: Historically, the French prince who had an affair with Elizabeth was Henry, Duke of Anjou.Later it was his younger brother Egur François (first Duke of Alençon, later Henry became Henry III, he was named Duke of Anjou).
The face behind is also 20 years old.They have been in correspondence for a long time, and this Francois even went on a date with Elizabeth in London... The two of them have been living in harmony...
I'm afraid it's not inherited from my father...
For the introduction of Don Carlos' condition, please refer to Du Niang Encyclopedia.
In other words, I may find time to catch bugs in the past two days... The update time is six o'clock, and the rest of the time is ignored~