The Empress of Silver and Gold: A Mary of Burgundy timeline

[Prince of Permsia]

1487
Burgundy
Maximilian smells blood. The French are close to breaking and he knows it. Something else is bleeding in Burgundy. The state finances. Maximilian shows little concern over this but Mary has to deal with the irate nobility and furious bourgeoise. Increasingly the estates feel like they have the right to demand an end to the war and the exploitation of their wealth. Even Mary cannot hold back their wrath for much longer.

Max decides to compromise. Instead of another massive offensive to link up with the Duke of Brittany, he will take a smaller force to reclaim Dijon.

This plan succeeds. A much smaller French force is defeated and Dijon is reclaimed. Maximilian makes a triumphant entry into the old ducal capital, accompanied by Mary and their children. The first thing they do is pay their respects at the tombs of Charles the Bold and the other Dukes of Burgundy.

Maximilian vows to reclaim all of his wife’s inheritance.


France
Anne de Beaju presses home the war against the Dukes of Orleans and Brittany. An army of over 15,000 led by the King and regent themselves marched into Brittany to link up with Duke Francis’s enemies. Charles is eager for his first chance at battle, and disappointed when he learns his sister will keep him away from the front, Still he keenly studies military affairs.

The French army sweeps through Brittany, clashing with and defeating the forces of the Duke and his allies. Positions throughout the Duchy fall and it seems like the French are on the verge of conquering Brittany in total. However news of Maximilian’s unexpected capture of Dijon forces Anne to send a contingent away. The winter also leads Anne to return to Paris with the King and the majority of her forces. Duke Francis counterattacks with the remainder of his forces and manages to retake most of what was lost.

The fall of Dijon is a serious blow in many ways. Many, including her husband, urge Anne to cut a separate peace with either the Duke of Brittany or Maximilian but she is unyielding. God will grant France victory.

Spain
Juana la Beteljrana falls pregnant by her husband Francis Fobeus. The King is overjoyed. Juana hopes that as soon as she bears a son Francis will declare war on Castile on behalf of her claim. However, the King is cautioned by his mother. Queen Magdalena is not keen on Juanna. Politically she views the alliance as a dangerous provocation against the King of Castile, all the while turning her son away from her preferred alternative of a French match. On a personal level, she views the former Queen of Portugal as an arrogant temptress who is leading her son down the wrong path.

Isabella of Castile is not overjoyed by her niece’s pregnancy. Not at all. Her husband Ferdinand increases his pressure on Navarre. Francis makes a visit to Pamplona together with his mother and wife. Together they rally the nobility of Navarre around the monarchy, charming all but the most hardcore Beumont partisans. Joanna suggests that their child, who she is certain is a boy, be born in Pamplona, in order to win the allegiance of the nobility of Navarre.

At the end of the year, the Queen gives birth to a boy. Juana wants to name him Henry, after her father, a clear jab in the eye of the Catholic monarchs. Magdalena insists the boy be named Gaston after her husband, Francis’s father. In the end, the King chooses his mother over his wife. Juana now presses for war, but the King, for once, shows caution. Their French allies are bogged down and Portugal is interested in balancing the Catholic monarchs not crushing them.

As his wife gets argumentative Francis snaps at her to remember her duties as a mother and let him worry about politics. Juana lets her husband know what she thinks by flinging a plate at him as he closes the door.

When she hears of this Magdalena smiles. It seems her daughter-in-law is beginning to learn her place.

England
Young Edward of Warwick takes ill and dies. His grief-stricken sister Margaret is now in possession of one of the great fortunes of England.

The losses suffered by the Duke of Brittany are of great concern to the regency council. Should the war end in a decisive French victory, England's leverage will be lost. Richard of York begins preparing to intervene. In the meantime, English volunteers and mercenaries are permitted to take service with both Duke Francis and Maximilian.

 

[lost_in_night_dreams]

It looks like there will be war between Castile and Navarre. And I hope Max gets all of Mary's inheritance back.

 

[Nuraghe]

really well written story for the moment, very interesting how England is developing and also how the Habsburgs are dealing with the various situations in Burgundy ( I'm sure that with Maria still alive, it will be extremely easier to continue the process of state centralization undertaken by the previous Valois dukes, which will also simplify Max's situation within the HRE ( both in Germany and Italy, in this case not having to deal with the political chaos caused by Philip's rebellion/regency can allow us to use the resources wasted in Otl to deal with the situation, to support Max's Italian aspirations ( incoronation in Rome first and foremost, and subsequent implementation of the Otl imperial reforms in the region ) just as I see a previous conquest and subjugation of Guelders and the surrounding territories and also considering the widespread popular uprisings in southern Germany in this period ( also called Bundschuh, which began in earnest in 1493 until 1517 ) it may be that Maximilian decides to exploit them to try to obtain territorial gains at the expense of the minor imperial princes ( perhaps inciting the rebels through his infiltrators, who in doing so politically divert the revolt, in favor of the imperial power, perhaps with the capture of minor fiefdoms which are personally donated to the emperor, certainly such a thing will have to be well prepared to prevent the princes from suspecting something, but I think it is feasible )


p.s

finally, I believe that Maria should make a little speech to her dear husband, that perhaps it would be appropriate to also focus on what is happening in Vienna, given that technically it would be a usurpation / direct attack on the prestige of her dynasty, and not listening to her father's requests they could compromise his image in the eyes of the princes of the Reich, so going to help him wouldn't be a bad thing

 

[Nuraghe]

really well written story for the moment, very interesting how England is developing and also how the Habsburgs are dealing with the various situations in Burgundy ( I'm sure that with Maria still alive, it will be extremely easier to continue the process of state centralization undertaken by the previous Valois dukes, which will also simplify Max's situation within the HRE ( both in Germany and Italy, in this case not having to deal with the political chaos caused by Philip's rebellion/regency can allow us to use the resources wasted in Otl to deal with the situation, to support Max's Italian aspirations ( incoronation in Rome first and foremost, and subsequent implementation of the Otl imperial reforms in the region ) just as I see a previous conquest and subjugation of Guelders and the surrounding territories and also considering the widespread popular uprisings in southern Germany in this period ( also called Bundschuh, which began in earnest in 1493 until 1517 ) it may be that Maximilian decides to exploit them to try to obtain territorial gains at the expense of the minor imperial princes ( perhaps inciting the rebels through his infiltrators, who in doing so politically divert the revolt, in favor of the imperial power, perhaps with the capture of minor fiefdoms which are personally donated to the emperor, certainly such a thing will have to be well prepared to prevent the princes from suspecting something, but I think it is feasible )


p.s

finally, I believe that Maria should make a little speech to her dear husband, that perhaps it would be appropriate to also focus on what is happening in Vienna, given that technically it would be a usurpation / direct attack on the prestige of her dynasty, and not listening to her father's requests they could compromise his image in the eyes of the princes of the Reich, so going to help him wouldn't be a bad thing

certainly this process could lead to a slightly more centralized HRE but which still remains federalist in nature, with the Electors ( which could be expanded, bringing the number to 9, so as to gain allies in important strategic regions within the Reich ) acting as a balance to the imperial power, but which in any case sees the institutions of the HRE not remaining confined only to Germany as in Otl ( given that I imagine that Max will try to introduce a purely Italian Kreis in the future anyway )

 

[Dragonboy]

@Prince of Permsia Happy Easter! God bless you!

A good victory for Maximilian! And May britanny hold on.

Dear lord may la beltraneja stay content with navarre.

Hope the best for Richard too, may he secure his future wive's inheritance.

 

[EdwardRex]

Happy Easter! This timeline is great!

 

[Awkwardvulture]

Francis is right to be careful, Spain could snuff him out quite easily.

 

[Dragonboy]

Francis is right to be careful, Spain could snuff him out quite easily.

He better be content on his small kingdom.

 

[Andristan]

France remains dangerous but the death by a thousand cuts continues! Although our heroes are dangerously overextended, the english volunteer force to Brittany should be helpful, and maybe Max can offer Boulogne to Ed to sway him to an official expedition on his northern front.

 

[Nuraghe]

France remains dangerous but the death by a thousand cuts continues! Although our heroes are dangerously overextended, the english volunteer force to Brittany should be helpful, and maybe Max can offer Boulogne to Ed to sway him to an official expedition on his northern front.

actually Boulogne can be a good offer but not so attractive if taken alone, but if other nearby cities are also included then things can get much more interesting for London

 

[Prince of Permsia]

It looks like there will be war between Castile and Navarre. And I hope Max gets all of Mary's inheritance back.

It certainly seems that way. Max is certainly well on his way to regaining the Burgundian inheritance.

really well written story for the moment, very interesting how England is developing and also how the Habsburgs are dealing with the various situations in Burgundy ( I'm sure that with Maria still alive, it will be extremely easier to continue the process of state centralization undertaken by the previous Valois dukes, which will also simplify Max's situation within the HRE ( both in Germany and Italy, in this case not having to deal with the political chaos caused by Philip's rebellion/regency can allow us to use the resources wasted in Otl to deal with the situation, to support Max's Italian aspirations ( incoronation in Rome first and foremost, and subsequent implementation of the Otl imperial reforms in the region ) just as I see a previous conquest and subjugation of Guelders and the surrounding territories and also considering the widespread popular uprisings in southern Germany in this period ( also called Bundschuh, which began in earnest in 1493 until 1517 ) it may be that Maximilian decides to exploit them to try to obtain territorial gains at the expense of the minor imperial princes ( perhaps inciting the rebels through his infiltrators, who in doing so politically divert the revolt, in favor of the imperial power, perhaps with the capture of minor fiefdoms which are personally donated to the emperor, certainly such a thing will have to be well prepared to prevent the princes from suspecting something, but I think it is feasible )


p.s

finally, I believe that Maria should make a little speech to her dear husband, that perhaps it would be appropriate to also focus on what is happening in Vienna, given that technically it would be a usurpation / direct attack on the prestige of her dynasty, and not listening to her father's requests they could compromise his image in the eyes of the princes of the Reich, so going to help him wouldn't be a bad thing

I don't know much about the situation in the HRE. Mary's survival does make managing the Burgundian states easier, but their patience is not limited and this war is driving them to the brink.

certainly this process could lead to a slightly more centralized HRE but which still remains federalist in nature, with the Electors ( which could be expanded, bringing the number to 9, so as to gain allies in important strategic regions within the Reich ) acting as a balance to the imperial power, but which in any case sees the institutions of the HRE not remaining confined only to Germany as in Otl ( given that I imagine that Max will try to introduce a purely Italian Kreis in the future anyway )

I confess I don't know much about Max's efforts to reform the HRE

@Prince of Permsia Happy Easter! God bless you!

A good victory for Maximilian! And May britanny hold on.

Dear lord may la beltraneja stay content with navarre.

Hope the best for Richard too, may he secure his future wive's inheritance.

Thank you. I was down with COVID so I didn't do much for Easter. The Bretons are in a tight fix and really need someone to bail them out.

Happy Easter! This timeline is great!

Thank you

Francis is right to be careful, Spain could snuff him out quite easily.

They could, although in the long run that may cause conflict with France.

He better be content on his small kingdom.

I will say that Francis is not that ambitious. He is mostly focused on hedonism, but that could change as he grows older.

France remains dangerous but the death by a thousand cuts continues! Although our heroes are dangerously overextended, the english volunteer force to Brittany should be helpful, and maybe Max can offer Boulogne to Ed to sway him to an official expedition on his northern front.

The French are also suffering from the strain of war.

actually Boulogne can be a good offer but not so attractive if taken alone, but if other nearby cities are also included then things can get much more interesting for London

Perhaps.

Thank you all for commenting and for reading my story. The next chapter should be up today.

 

[Dragonboy]

@Prince of Permsia . Hope You feel better and take your time

 

[Prince of Permsia]

@Dragonboy I have recovered. Thank you for your concern.

 

[Dragonboy]

@Dragonboy I have recovered. Thank you for your concern.

Np

 

[Prince of Permsia]

1488


France
In January the Parliament of Paris formally declared the Dukes of Orleans and Brittany to be rebels against the crown. This represents a gauntlet being thrown down by the regent, Anne de Beaju.

The Duke of Brittany responds to the crisis by attempting to raise more men and money. This fails as the Breton nobility, most of whom own lands in France, are not nearly as keen on independence as their duke.

He also continues to play games with the hand of his daughter Anne. In addition to her betrothal to Edward V, and the Duke’s attempts to get Louis of Orleans’s marriage annulled so that he might be given Anne’s hand, Francis writes a letter to Maximilian offering to betroth Anne to his eldest son Philip, if the Duke will only intervene to save him.
The campaign season begins in Spring. Louis la Trémoille leads a powerful French army of 15,000 men into Brittany. Their cannons make quick work of the Duchy's fortifications. Duke Francis decides he has no choice but to give battle, or else have his duchy shot out from under him.
The two forces meet at Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier. The battle is long and bloody, but the results are decisive. The Breton army is crushed. Duke Francis is slain leading a final doomed cavalry charge. Duke Louis of Orleans and Alain of Albret are taken prisoner. There is now nothing stopping the French army from conquering the whole of Brittany. La Tremoville formally declares the new Duchess Anne attendered, and announces the annexation of Brittany by the crown. News of Pierre de Beaju’s defeat interrupts their celebrations.
La Trémoille races back to Paris, just barely reaching the capital before Maximilian can assault the city. Together with the remnants of Pierre’s army, they outnumber Maximilian’s forces. Still, despite the urging of the regent, Louis is reluctant to give battle. Instead, his army stares down Maximilian’s force outside the city.
Anne receives an English ultimatum with trepidation. Her first instinct is to order Trémoille to engage Maximilain’s army and hope for a decisive outcome before the English intervene. However, the King himself overrules her. Anne blames the influence of Elizabeth of York and pleads for her brother to put her aside. Charles will have none of it. His sister will conclude a peace and maybe manage to salvage something from this disastrous war. In the dead of night, after she cried all the tears she could, an idea came to Duchess Anne. That next morning she embraced her sister-in-law Elizabeth, proclaiming her eternal friendship. She had found a way to make peace work for her.



England
The Parliament of Paris’s declaration of the Dukes of Orleans and Brittany as rebels draws concern in England. It is feared this will pave the way for the outright annexation of Brittany. Though England is ambivalent about the Burgundian-Breton goal of neutering the French crown, they are very much not in favor of the end of an independent Brittany, which would hand too much power to the French King, not to mention end Edward’s own hopes of acquiring the duchy via marriage to Duke Francis’s only daughter Anne.
The shattering defeat of the Duke of Brittany changes England's calculations considerably. Edward admits that his Uncle Richard was right and that England has been too cautious. Still, with several years of peace, enough money has accumulated in the treasury that an army can be funded. An ultimatum is sent to the French. Restore Breton independence or face war with England.


Burgundy
Maximilian is eager to accept Duke Francis's offer to wed Anne of Brittany to Philip, but Mary is more cautious. She remains committed to the English alliance. England, she argues, could provide security to Burgundy, whereas the Bretons are coming to them pleading for aid. In addition, acquiring Brittany would commit the Burgundian state to permanent conflict with France, while the current war was straining their finances.
And that is to say nothing of the fact that Maximilian will eventually have to head east to help his father against the Hungarians. Maximilian, as is often the case, sees the wisdom of his wife's arguments and concedes. The couple has further reasons for joy, Mary is pregnant again.
That spring Maximilian begins his campaign in Northern France. His goal is to sweep down and besiege Paris. With La Tremoville off campaigning in Brittany, Maximilian is confronted by a French army led by Anne de Beaju’s husband Pierre de Bourbon. Though a skilled politician and statesman, Pierre is no max for Maximilian in military affairs. His army is routed and the road to Paris is laid open. At the same time, Maximilian hears about the disaster that befell his Breton allies. Racing to Paris, he is confronted by the army of La Trémoille. As the campaign season comes to an end both armies eye one another outside the city.

Meanwhile in Burgundy Duchess Mary works tirelessly to support her husband’s war efforts, gathering funds from independent-minded estates and managing the recruitment of fresh soldiers. Despite their opposition to the war, many prominent Burghers and nobles sympathize with their Duchess. “Our poor lady is as exhausted as her state”, laments one commentator.
This exhaustion has its costs. While traveling the Duchess collapses from fatigue. Doctors fear for Mary’s life but she is able to recover. However, her unborn baby is not so lucky. The miscarried child was a boy. Grieving, Mary is comforted by her children. Young Philip in particular is very protective of his mother. A tired and grieving Mary writes to her husband and all but begs him to end the war, even if it means not getting everything they want. Both Burgundy and its ruling Lady have been bled white.


Spain.
In an attempt to calm tensions, Marguerite of Valois travels to Castile to meet with Ferdinand and Isabella.
The Catholic monarchs are furious at the King of Navarre’s marriage to Joanna la Beteljrana and say so. Ferdinand all but threatens to declare war and size the Kingdom. Despite her distaste for the woman Marguerite finds herself defending the marriage. Whatever else she may be Juanna is a former Queen of Portugal, and as a sovereign prince her son has the right to conduct marriage policy however he wishes. Her body language says “No matter how unwise that policy may be.” As a fellow mother Isabella has some sympathy for the Queen, though it will not overcome her distaste for her “niece”, nor her sense of political realism.
Magdalena suggests a trust-building measure. Young prince Gaston will be betrothed to Ferdinand and Isabella’s youngest daughter Catherine. In exchange, Francis will formally renounce any claim his wife may have on the Castilian throne.
Isabella and Ferdinand are divided on this question. Though she dislikes her niece and mistrusts the intentions of the Navareese, she does not want her plans for the reconquest of Grenada to be put off by a war with fellow Christians. Ferdinand wants to conquer Navarre, or at least the part below the Pyranise mountains if only to neutralize the threat of Joanna's claim.
Marguerite is sent back to Navarre without a firm answer. However, news of the French victory in Brittany, and the capture of Spain’s proxy Alain of Albret causes the Catholic monarchs to reevaluate their policy.
France is now capable of defending Navarre. The window for an invasion has passed, at least for now. The Catholic monarchs resolve to continue to focus on the war with Greanada and to rely on diplomacy to keep the peace with their Iberian neighbors.
Talks with Portugal confirmed Isabella the Younger’s marriage to Prince Alphonso, and King John’s interest in balance, instead of overthrowing Queen Isabella.
Meanwhile, Prince Juan’s betrothal to Catherine of York ensured an alliance with what was rapidly becoming the pivot state of Europe, this was despite Queen Isabella’s well-known distaste for the House of York.
With this in mind, Princess Catherine was betrothed to young Prince Gaston. All of their bases covered, the Catholic monarchs were able to turn fully to the task of driving the Moors from Iberia.
Magdalena was ecstatic. Joanna was furious. Her precious baby boy was to be bound to the daughter of her great enemy. Worse, her ambitions were to be put on hold, seemingly for good. This only furthers the rupture between husband and wife, with Joanna and Francis no longer even sleeping together. This greatly pleases Magdalena.

 

[Nuraghe]

1488


France
In January the Parliament of Paris formally declared the Dukes of Orleans and Brittany to be rebels against the crown. This represents a gauntlet being thrown down by the regent, Anne de Beaju.

The Duke of Brittany responds to the crisis by attempting to raise more men and money. This fails as the Breton nobility, most of whom own lands in France, are not nearly as keen on independence as their duke.

He also continues to play games with the hand of his daughter Anne. In addition to her betrothal to Edward V, and the Duke’s attempts to get Louis of Orleans’s marriage annulled so that he might be given Anne’s hand, Francis writes a letter to Maximilian offering to betroth Anne to his eldest son Philip, if the Duke will only intervene to save him.
The campaign season begins in Spring. Louis la Trémoille leads a powerful French army of 15,000 men into Brittany. Their cannons make quick work of the Duchy's fortifications. Duke Francis decides he has no choice but to give battle, or else have his duchy shot out from under him.
The two forces meet at Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier. The battle is long and bloody, but the results are decisive. The Breton army is crushed. Duke Francis is slain leading a final doomed cavalry charge. Duke Louis of Orleans and Alain of Albret are taken prisoner. There is now nothing stopping the French army from conquering the whole of Brittany. La Tremoville formally declares the new Duchess Anne attendered, and announces the annexation of Brittany by the crown. News of Pierre de Beaju’s defeat interrupts their celebrations.
La Trémoille races back to Paris, just barely reaching the capital before Maximilian can assault the city. Together with the remnants of Pierre’s army, they outnumber Maximilian’s forces. Still, despite the urging of the regent, Louis is reluctant to give battle. Instead, his army stares down Maximilian’s force outside the city.
Anne receives an English ultimatum with trepidation. Her first instinct is to order Trémoille to engage Maximilain’s army and hope for a decisive outcome before the English intervene. However, the King himself overrules her. Anne blames the influence of Elizabeth of York and pleads for her brother to put her aside. Charles will have none of it. His sister will conclude a peace and maybe manage to salvage something from this disastrous war. In the dead of night, after she cried all the tears she could, an idea came to Duchess Anne. That next morning she embraced her sister-in-law Elizabeth, proclaiming her eternal friendship. She had found a way to make peace work for her.



England
The Parliament of Paris’s declaration of the Dukes of Orleans and Brittany as rebels draws concern in England. It is feared this will pave the way for the outright annexation of Brittany. Though England is ambivalent about the Burgundian-Breton goal of neutering the French crown, they are very much not in favor of the end of an independent Brittany, which would hand too much power to the French King, not to mention end Edward’s own hopes of acquiring the duchy via marriage to Duke Francis’s only daughter Anne.
The shattering defeat of the Duke of Brittany changes England's calculations considerably. Edward admits that his Uncle Richard was right and that England has been too cautious. Still, with several years of peace, enough money has accumulated in the treasury that an army can be funded. An ultimatum is sent to the French. Restore Breton independence or face war with England.


Burgundy
Maximilian is eager to accept Duke Francis's offer to wed Anne of Brittany to Philip, but Mary is more cautious. She remains committed to the English alliance. England, she argues, could provide security to Burgundy, whereas the Bretons are coming to them pleading for aid. In addition, acquiring Brittany would commit the Burgundian state to permanent conflict with France, while the current war was straining their finances.
And that is to say nothing of the fact that Maximilian will eventually have to head east to help his father against the Hungarians. Maximilian, as is often the case, sees the wisdom of his wife's arguments and concedes. The couple has further reasons for joy, Mary is pregnant again.
That spring Maximilian begins his campaign in Northern France. His goal is to sweep down and besiege Paris. With La Tremoville off campaigning in Brittany, Maximilian is confronted by a French army led by Anne de Beaju’s husband Pierre de Bourbon. Though a skilled politician and statesman, Pierre is no max for Maximilian in military affairs. His army is routed and the road to Paris is laid open. At the same time, Maximilian hears about the disaster that befell his Breton allies. Racing to Paris, he is confronted by the army of La Trémoille. As the campaign season comes to an end both armies eye one another outside the city.

Meanwhile in Burgundy Duchess Mary works tirelessly to support her husband’s war efforts, gathering funds from independent-minded estates and managing the recruitment of fresh soldiers. Despite their opposition to the war, many prominent Burghers and nobles sympathize with their Duchess. “Our poor lady is as exhausted as her state”, laments one commentator.
This exhaustion has its costs. While traveling the Duchess collapses from fatigue. Doctors fear for Mary’s life but she is able to recover. However, her unborn baby is not so lucky. The miscarried child was a boy. Grieving, Mary is comforted by her children. Young Philip in particular is very protective of his mother. A tired and grieving Mary writes to her husband and all but begs him to end the war, even if it means not getting everything they want. Both Burgundy and its ruling Lady have been bled white.


Spain.
In an attempt to calm tensions, Marguerite of Valois travels to Castile to meet with Ferdinand and Isabella.
The Catholic monarchs are furious at the King of Navarre’s marriage to Joanna la Beteljrana and say so. Ferdinand all but threatens to declare war and size the Kingdom. Despite her distaste for the woman Marguerite finds herself defending the marriage. Whatever else she may be Juanna is a former Queen of Portugal, and as a sovereign prince her son has the right to conduct marriage policy however he wishes. Her body language says “No matter how unwise that policy may be.” As a fellow mother Isabella has some sympathy for the Queen, though it will not overcome her distaste for her “niece”, nor her sense of political realism.
Magdalena suggests a trust-building measure. Young prince Gaston will be betrothed to Ferdinand and Isabella’s youngest daughter Catherine. In exchange, Francis will formally renounce any claim his wife may have on the Castilian throne.
Isabella and Ferdinand are divided on this question. Though she dislikes her niece and mistrusts the intentions of the Navareese, she does not want her plans for the reconquest of Grenada to be put off by a war with fellow Christians. Ferdinand wants to conquer Navarre, or at least the part below the Pyranise mountains if only to neutralize the threat of Joanna's claim.
Marguerite is sent back to Navarre without a firm answer. However, news of the French victory in Brittany, and the capture of Spain’s proxy Alain of Albret causes the Catholic monarchs to reevaluate their policy.
France is now capable of defending Navarre. The window for an invasion has passed, at least for now. The Catholic monarchs resolve to continue to focus on the war with Greanada and to rely on diplomacy to keep the peace with their Iberian neighbors.
Talks with Portugal confirmed Isabella the Younger’s marriage to Prince Alphonso, and King John’s interest in balance, instead of overthrowing Queen Isabella.
Meanwhile, Prince Juan’s betrothal to Catherine of York ensured an alliance with what was rapidly becoming the pivot state of Europe, this was despite Queen Isabella’s well-known distaste for the House of York.
With this in mind, Princess Catherine was betrothed to young Prince Gaston. All of their bases covered, the Catholic monarchs were able to turn fully to the task of driving the Moors from Iberia.
Magdalena was ecstatic. Joanna was furious. Her precious baby boy was to be bound to the daughter of her great enemy. Worse, her ambitions were to be put on hold, seemingly for good. This only furthers the rupture between husband and wife, with Joanna and Francis no longer even sleeping together. This greatly pleases Magdalena.

Ahia, Brittany and the Orleans have fallen under the blows of the royal court, this is an immense boost for the morale of the French, even if the front against Burgundy is the most worrying ( so much so that it can easily besiege Paris itself ) and London could smell the blood in the water, and want to take part in the conflict ( I imagine with two objectives, liberating Brittany and gnaw some territory around Calais ) naturally compliments to Margaret for having convinced Isabella and Ferdinand not to enter the conflict, a risky but brilliant political move, finally Max has to decide whether to continue or try to negotiate from an advantageous position ( I hope for the latter, given that resources are starting to run out, but at least this way he will also be able to concentrate on his eastern front, what a necessity for his presence, but at least his renewed military prestige will make it easier for him to summon new troops from the archducal territories and the various minor princes of the Empire ) finally, I'm sorry for the loss of Maria's little unborn child, but at least she's still alive and you can always hope that in the future she can get pregnant again

Oh by the way, how is Innocent VIII in terms of health ?, given that in Otl I began to often feel ill from 1489 onwards, with a period in which he was excessively very close to death between 1490 - 91, so it's it is probable that Rodrigo Borgia becomes pontiff with a few years earlier before Otl

 

[Dragonboy]

Amazing chapter. Hope that max reaches a good peace with France. poor Mary.

And a good idea For little Catherine.

 

[Awkwardvulture]

So there is peace between Spain and Navarre, at least for now...

 

[Andristan]

Poor Mary, I feel for her. Great job Max, nows a good time for Peace, you have other problems in Germany and points east. Alas poor Francis, and poor Anne now fatherless, hopefully the English assistance will give the Bretons some independence, maybe as an Englsh dependency? or the Breton nobles get to be independent but all their French land is confiscated to the crown, unless they quit Brittany, or something like that.

 

[Liminia1]

The legend is back