Valencia Orange
Alasia, the Duchess of Savoy: ‘Ok, so, as for the peace treaty with Aragon, I take it we’re in agreement on Valencia? We have Her Most Catholic Majesty, your mother’s acceptance.’
Isabela, the Princess and Heiress-Presumptive of Castile and Leon: ‘Er, well, just a minute, wouldn’t it be a good idea to talk the conditions of the continuation of our alliance before we go any further?’
Alasia: ‘Yes, of course. But in principle you’ll have to accept the city and its surroundings belong to the House of Savoy, right?’
Isabela: ‘Er, well, in principle, yes, Valencia is under Savoyard occupation…’
Alasia: ‘Whatever you call it, that’s settled than.’
Isabela: ‘…But, look, getting back to the alliance issue, so far it has served both of our Houses well, and I take you’re willing to prolong it?’
Alasia: ‘It served splendidly, why don’t we prolong it on the same terms? Shall we settle it then and move on?’
Isabela: ‘But, look, getting back to the alliance terms. The question of Valencia actually has a lot to do with that. And I’m afraid we are not thrilled at all at the prospect of the region going to you. As mediators in these peace talks we urge you to concede and settle for Catalonia. Valencia has been in our sphere of interest since the advent of reconquista, that’s why I believe you should cross it out from your list of demands.’
Alasia: ‘I can see your point of view, but… Never.’
Isabela: ‘But aren’t the drafted peace terms generous enough?’
Alasia: ‘And what did you or, for the matter, your mother, Queen Juana I, do to exert her pressure to control the region? Nothing. Save, two-facedly, marrying into the Aragonese Royal House and raising their false hopes. While we’ve been maintaining peace and order there for over a decade.’
Isabela: ‘Having started the war and brought famine and poverty there first. Listen, there seems to have been a slight misunderstanding. What made you think that the Crown of Castile and Leon would accept slipping Kingdom of Valencia out of its grasp into the greedy hands of your House, which, this can’t be emphasised strong enough, has no legal or historical rights to the title.’
Alasia: ‘What! Don’t you start on that! You wouldn’t like to dwell on the issue of legitimacy, would you? As with your mother’s aunt and your namesake…’
Isabela: ‘Don’t you dare!’
Alasia: ‘Calm down. Our claims to Valencia and Majorca, unlike yours, are justified and date back to Isabela, Queen of Majorca and even further to James II.’
Isabela: ‘You may have some vague and uncertain claims to Majorca, true. But the claim to Valencia is all but falsified!’
Alasia: ‘Oh! But remember it wasn’t Savoy, it was Aragon that started the war. Valencia has never been under your control and effectively the city voluntarily…’
Isabela: ‘Voluntarily?!’
Alasia: ‘Yes. Voluntarily pledged to the House of Savoy years ago. Your Highness, I’m sure we’ll find some middle ground. Aren’t we allies after all?’
Isabela: ‘For now, yes. But, you also dare to insist on your claim to the Kingdom of Majorca. This is both ridiculous and unacceptable!’
Alasia: ‘Is this meant to be some kind of joke or something? These very claims made my ancestors persevere with this war for so many years. By the time we’ve finally been recognised as rightful Princes of Catalonia, you realise, we could have settled for Sardinia and Navarre many a time. It’s the Aragonese Crown’s stubbornness, and it’s the Peoples’ of Aragon free choice, and it’s the bucketloads of blood spilt over the area which entitle the House of Savoy to the lands and title of Valencia. What am I supposed to tell my people who spent years fighting for and holding onto these lands? What am I supposed to tell the Valencians who welcomed our rule hoping for peace?’
Isabela: ‘You’ve gone too far now. With all due respect, my dear Duchess, Castile and Leon are ancient kingdoms with God-given rights to free the peninsula from infidels and your House, of obscure origin and dubious claims, depends on the Emperor’s whims and, there’s no denying, you and your husband are just greedy for a kingship. Hoping such title will legitimise your questionable, shaky reign. Don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes. We’ve seen through your game!’
Alasia: ‘Your Highness, to be honest, there’s no way we’ll give back our hard-fought gains. I’m afraid there really is no compromise here. It was Savoyard and not Castilian blood, first sacrificed in defence of Navarre’s and Sardinia’s freedom, than spilt to secure peace and order in the lands of Aragon. It was our and not your House, Foralists turned to for help and offered the crown of the Prince of Catalonia. You haven’t even lifted a finger. And now you demand the spoils?’
Isabela: ‘Do you really want to jeopardise our alliance?’
Alasia: ‘I’m afraid there’s no compromise about Valencia.’
Louise, the Countess of Angoulême: ‘Let’s try again, shall we?’
Isabela: ‘OK, I tell you what. We’ll prolong our alliance treaty with Savoy. And I’ll accept your punishingly hard terms you want to impose on Sanç II. If you ease up on Valencia, we can agree on you incorporating the whole Catalonia, up north to the Pyrenees and we’ll throw in Roussillon too. Now, with recognising your grandmother’s Sardinian claims, dear Duchess Alasia… by the way how is she? I hope the fresh air and tranquillity on her cloister garth walks serve her well. But getting back to what I was saying, so we are ready to recognise your grandmother’s claim to Sardinia as well. I can’t say fairer than that, now can I? Of course, that’s only if you relinquish your claims to Valencia and return the province to Aragon.
Alasia: Well, we appreciate your commitment and your efforts, Princess Isabela, but to be honest with you, what we’d really like to see on your part is admitting the facts. Valencia is ours. With or without your blessing. However, we are ready to renew our alliance and help you fight the infidels and conclude the reconquista.’
Isabela: ‘Oh, come on! You’ll have to do a lot better than that, Duchess Alasia. Savoy is not the only, hmm… medium-power around we might be willing to ally.’
Louise: ‘Hold on, Your Highness. Let’s go over your issues slowly once again.’
Alasia: ‘Frankly, I think we’re wasting each other’s time here.’
Louise: ‘Now, wait a minute, wait a minute. Isabela, my dear Princess, Alasia, my beloved sister-in-law; surely, we can sort something out here. I’m sure you two can meet somehow halfway.’
Isabela: ‘How do you mean?’
Louise: ‘May I call a short time-out? Look. Can you see these, nomen omen, Valencia oranges? Ripe, juicy and sweet. Take one. Supposing, both of you want it, what would be the best way to divide it?’
Isabela: ‘Into two halves…? Ah, obviously…’
Alasia: ‘If you’re suggesting splitting the Valencian territory, this is a big no-no.’
Louise: ‘My dear Ladies, why don’t you ask the vital question, before we divide the orange. That is, why do you want it? Or, what do you need it for?’
Isabela: ‘I don’t quite get what you’re getting at.’
Louise: ‘If you want to drink some juice, you’ll do with just the inside, the core of the orange. But if you want to make marmalade, what you need is the rind, isn’t it? So actually, it’s possible to get what you want anyway, and to get more than in case of half-half division. By the way, have you tried that delicious Portuguese marmalade they serve here? If not, I invite you for refreshments after this parley. You won’t be disappointed.’
Alasia: ‘A nice metaphor, Madame, but what it has to do with our current situation? I see no similarities, no connection.’
Louise: ‘On the contrary; this is the classic orange situation. Let’s look at the Valencia issue this way. Savoy has been holding on the land and wants to keep it. Castile feels entitled to the kingship title. A compromise could be: Savoy keeps the land and forfeits the title, Castile accepts the forfeiture of the title and a new one, for example the Kingdom of Murcia, or better still, after the conquest of Granada, the Kingdom of Andalusia could be created. I believe the renewal of your alliance would bode well for Christian Iberia and the future of this new title. The Pope is bound to support such a righteous cause. And even my king, Louis XII, might be persuaded to join such a God-inspired alliance.’
Alasia: ‘Well, we might be in position to forget about our ancestors’ heritage: the Kingdom of Valencia, if Castile promised never to bring back the question of the said kingdom. Technically, we might incorporate its present lands into the Principality of Catalonia and, so as not to offend the local people shift the Bishop’s seat from Segorbe to Valencia.’
Isabela: ‘The Kingdom of Andalusia you say, Madame. Hmm, we might be able to reconsider this proposal, but we’d need to see more flexibility on the other worrying issue, that is Savoyard claims to the Kingdom of Majorca.’
Alasia: ‘Madame, don’t look at me like that. I suppose there may be some room for manoeuvre there, but I’d need to consult with my husband and the lords of my realms.’
Louise: ‘There’s one more question still.’
Alasia: ‘I know, you mean Navarre. I side with you, Madame. After all this was the reason why Savoy had gone to war. And it was my family who protected and provided shelter for Blanca, the unfortunate Queen of Navarre.’
Isabela: ‘And I hear Blanca and Jean’s son aspires to marry your daughter, Madame.’
Louise: ‘That is true. Remember, Aragon’s hold on Navarre was the devious act that initiated this war. This question has to be put right.’
Alasia: ‘I’m afraid, Sanç II still clings to his Navarrese title. All I can promise is to bring this matter up in the next week session of these peace talks when the Aragonese delegation with the King’s authorisation and the royal seal returns here. We also hope this will be the last round of talks.’
‘Antoinette, Are you sure Justine reached the young pretender’s headquarters in Pamplona? I’m sick and tired of pretending we want this war to be over,’ whispered Louise to her loyal confidante, surveying the room, and sending lukewarm polite smiles here and there. Amidst the murmur of small talk, the delegations had grouped in clusters: the Castilians envoys on one side, Alasia with her advisors by the long table and her own ladies gathered around her. Only the Aragonese representation, as it was undermanned to the point it was just the Bishop of Tereul, could not confer. Everybody was nervously waiting for the envoys of Sanç II. The final stage of the peace talks was about to commence. ‘We’ve been receiving most encouraging reports recently, Madame. Patience. I dare say, we can expect a courier any time soon,’ answered Antoinette.
As if to illustrate her words the door opened and a group of men burst in. ‘Ildefons d’Aragó,’ one of them introduced himself, bowing courteously, ‘on behalf of King Alfons VI I’m here to inform all the parties concerned that the new King of Aragon will never accept the humiliating conditions his father had preliminarily conceded to. The kingdom hasn’t fallen yet.’ With these words he approached Lady Alasia, the Duchess of Savoy and handed her in a scroll of parchment; sealed with the royal seal of Aragon. The Aragonese party stormed out of the room. In the silence that filled it instantly an observant eye might spot a flicker of relief on Madame’s face. The Castilian delegation didn’t even try to hide its consternation and confusion; Alfons was Isabela’s brother-in-law after all.
France may be suffering from Times of Troubles; it can still humiliatingly beat the Emperor. Genoa wiggled out unscathed. But as you can see, someone else is making the most of the long wait strategy:
The event-driven Reconquista did fire again in 1508. Savoy proved the only ally to stick to Castile, the French were to busy somewhere else. Due to Malta issue Castile is unable to pull it off again. Sigh. As you can see it’s 1510 now and Granada had already (early 1509 I think) peaced out of the conflict; so we’re at war with half a dozen of Muslim states, as a result the piracy scare is on the increase again. I don’t know if it’s because I’m not the alliance leader but I can’t see any battles fought in this war(?); well, I didn’t fight any.
One good thing which happened amongst this is this alliance offer from Portugal. Gladly accepted.
A few interesting oddities.
Look at Georgia in 1507:
I was startled to see Sweden as the alliance leader, and actually sending its men all the way down there to help Georgia fight infidels! By 1510 Georgia had lost Astrakhan and Lugansk to… Golden Horde. Don’t ask me how, but for sure Lugansk in 1507 was taken by nomad warriors, so pbly the prov(s) simply defected?!
The Balkans look interesting now that Poland annexed its vassal. Polish Wallachia is not maybe strange per se (I mean historically) as Poland tried to exert its power there. But I wonder what will happen there now with this new Polish-Ottoman border established. Also, with its Balkan interests Poland is almost bound to ignore TO altogether.
Finally, this little curiosity needs no comment I think. Armenia:
Quiz time:
Picking up on the oddities: Guess who Venice is allied to?
Valencia, 07 April 1507
I
Alasia, the Duchess of Savoy: ‘Ok, so, as for the peace treaty with Aragon, I take it we’re in agreement on Valencia? We have Her Most Catholic Majesty, your mother’s acceptance.’
Isabela, the Princess and Heiress-Presumptive of Castile and Leon: ‘Er, well, just a minute, wouldn’t it be a good idea to talk the conditions of the continuation of our alliance before we go any further?’
Alasia: ‘Yes, of course. But in principle you’ll have to accept the city and its surroundings belong to the House of Savoy, right?’
Isabela: ‘Er, well, in principle, yes, Valencia is under Savoyard occupation…’
Alasia: ‘Whatever you call it, that’s settled than.’
Isabela: ‘…But, look, getting back to the alliance issue, so far it has served both of our Houses well, and I take you’re willing to prolong it?’
Alasia: ‘It served splendidly, why don’t we prolong it on the same terms? Shall we settle it then and move on?’
Isabela: ‘But, look, getting back to the alliance terms. The question of Valencia actually has a lot to do with that. And I’m afraid we are not thrilled at all at the prospect of the region going to you. As mediators in these peace talks we urge you to concede and settle for Catalonia. Valencia has been in our sphere of interest since the advent of reconquista, that’s why I believe you should cross it out from your list of demands.’
Alasia: ‘I can see your point of view, but… Never.’
Isabela: ‘But aren’t the drafted peace terms generous enough?’
Alasia: ‘And what did you or, for the matter, your mother, Queen Juana I, do to exert her pressure to control the region? Nothing. Save, two-facedly, marrying into the Aragonese Royal House and raising their false hopes. While we’ve been maintaining peace and order there for over a decade.’
Isabela: ‘Having started the war and brought famine and poverty there first. Listen, there seems to have been a slight misunderstanding. What made you think that the Crown of Castile and Leon would accept slipping Kingdom of Valencia out of its grasp into the greedy hands of your House, which, this can’t be emphasised strong enough, has no legal or historical rights to the title.’
Alasia: ‘What! Don’t you start on that! You wouldn’t like to dwell on the issue of legitimacy, would you? As with your mother’s aunt and your namesake…’
Isabela: ‘Don’t you dare!’
Alasia: ‘Calm down. Our claims to Valencia and Majorca, unlike yours, are justified and date back to Isabela, Queen of Majorca and even further to James II.’
Isabela: ‘You may have some vague and uncertain claims to Majorca, true. But the claim to Valencia is all but falsified!’
Alasia: ‘Oh! But remember it wasn’t Savoy, it was Aragon that started the war. Valencia has never been under your control and effectively the city voluntarily…’
Isabela: ‘Voluntarily?!’
Alasia: ‘Yes. Voluntarily pledged to the House of Savoy years ago. Your Highness, I’m sure we’ll find some middle ground. Aren’t we allies after all?’
Isabela: ‘For now, yes. But, you also dare to insist on your claim to the Kingdom of Majorca. This is both ridiculous and unacceptable!’
Alasia: ‘Is this meant to be some kind of joke or something? These very claims made my ancestors persevere with this war for so many years. By the time we’ve finally been recognised as rightful Princes of Catalonia, you realise, we could have settled for Sardinia and Navarre many a time. It’s the Aragonese Crown’s stubbornness, and it’s the Peoples’ of Aragon free choice, and it’s the bucketloads of blood spilt over the area which entitle the House of Savoy to the lands and title of Valencia. What am I supposed to tell my people who spent years fighting for and holding onto these lands? What am I supposed to tell the Valencians who welcomed our rule hoping for peace?’
Isabela: ‘You’ve gone too far now. With all due respect, my dear Duchess, Castile and Leon are ancient kingdoms with God-given rights to free the peninsula from infidels and your House, of obscure origin and dubious claims, depends on the Emperor’s whims and, there’s no denying, you and your husband are just greedy for a kingship. Hoping such title will legitimise your questionable, shaky reign. Don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes. We’ve seen through your game!’
Alasia: ‘Your Highness, to be honest, there’s no way we’ll give back our hard-fought gains. I’m afraid there really is no compromise here. It was Savoyard and not Castilian blood, first sacrificed in defence of Navarre’s and Sardinia’s freedom, than spilt to secure peace and order in the lands of Aragon. It was our and not your House, Foralists turned to for help and offered the crown of the Prince of Catalonia. You haven’t even lifted a finger. And now you demand the spoils?’
Isabela: ‘Do you really want to jeopardise our alliance?’
Alasia: ‘I’m afraid there’s no compromise about Valencia.’
National pride (which is not working: no +1 prestige boost)
Valencia, 09 April 1507
II
Louise, the Countess of Angoulême: ‘Let’s try again, shall we?’
Isabela: ‘OK, I tell you what. We’ll prolong our alliance treaty with Savoy. And I’ll accept your punishingly hard terms you want to impose on Sanç II. If you ease up on Valencia, we can agree on you incorporating the whole Catalonia, up north to the Pyrenees and we’ll throw in Roussillon too. Now, with recognising your grandmother’s Sardinian claims, dear Duchess Alasia… by the way how is she? I hope the fresh air and tranquillity on her cloister garth walks serve her well. But getting back to what I was saying, so we are ready to recognise your grandmother’s claim to Sardinia as well. I can’t say fairer than that, now can I? Of course, that’s only if you relinquish your claims to Valencia and return the province to Aragon.
Alasia: Well, we appreciate your commitment and your efforts, Princess Isabela, but to be honest with you, what we’d really like to see on your part is admitting the facts. Valencia is ours. With or without your blessing. However, we are ready to renew our alliance and help you fight the infidels and conclude the reconquista.’
Isabela: ‘Oh, come on! You’ll have to do a lot better than that, Duchess Alasia. Savoy is not the only, hmm… medium-power around we might be willing to ally.’
Louise: ‘Hold on, Your Highness. Let’s go over your issues slowly once again.’
Alasia: ‘Frankly, I think we’re wasting each other’s time here.’
Louise: ‘Now, wait a minute, wait a minute. Isabela, my dear Princess, Alasia, my beloved sister-in-law; surely, we can sort something out here. I’m sure you two can meet somehow halfway.’
Isabela: ‘How do you mean?’
Louise: ‘May I call a short time-out? Look. Can you see these, nomen omen, Valencia oranges? Ripe, juicy and sweet. Take one. Supposing, both of you want it, what would be the best way to divide it?’
Isabela: ‘Into two halves…? Ah, obviously…’
Alasia: ‘If you’re suggesting splitting the Valencian territory, this is a big no-no.’
Louise: ‘My dear Ladies, why don’t you ask the vital question, before we divide the orange. That is, why do you want it? Or, what do you need it for?’
Isabela: ‘I don’t quite get what you’re getting at.’
Louise: ‘If you want to drink some juice, you’ll do with just the inside, the core of the orange. But if you want to make marmalade, what you need is the rind, isn’t it? So actually, it’s possible to get what you want anyway, and to get more than in case of half-half division. By the way, have you tried that delicious Portuguese marmalade they serve here? If not, I invite you for refreshments after this parley. You won’t be disappointed.’
Alasia: ‘A nice metaphor, Madame, but what it has to do with our current situation? I see no similarities, no connection.’
Louise: ‘On the contrary; this is the classic orange situation. Let’s look at the Valencia issue this way. Savoy has been holding on the land and wants to keep it. Castile feels entitled to the kingship title. A compromise could be: Savoy keeps the land and forfeits the title, Castile accepts the forfeiture of the title and a new one, for example the Kingdom of Murcia, or better still, after the conquest of Granada, the Kingdom of Andalusia could be created. I believe the renewal of your alliance would bode well for Christian Iberia and the future of this new title. The Pope is bound to support such a righteous cause. And even my king, Louis XII, might be persuaded to join such a God-inspired alliance.’
Alasia: ‘Well, we might be in position to forget about our ancestors’ heritage: the Kingdom of Valencia, if Castile promised never to bring back the question of the said kingdom. Technically, we might incorporate its present lands into the Principality of Catalonia and, so as not to offend the local people shift the Bishop’s seat from Segorbe to Valencia.’
Isabela: ‘The Kingdom of Andalusia you say, Madame. Hmm, we might be able to reconsider this proposal, but we’d need to see more flexibility on the other worrying issue, that is Savoyard claims to the Kingdom of Majorca.’
Alasia: ‘Madame, don’t look at me like that. I suppose there may be some room for manoeuvre there, but I’d need to consult with my husband and the lords of my realms.’
Louise: ‘There’s one more question still.’
Alasia: ‘I know, you mean Navarre. I side with you, Madame. After all this was the reason why Savoy had gone to war. And it was my family who protected and provided shelter for Blanca, the unfortunate Queen of Navarre.’
Isabela: ‘And I hear Blanca and Jean’s son aspires to marry your daughter, Madame.’
Louise: ‘That is true. Remember, Aragon’s hold on Navarre was the devious act that initiated this war. This question has to be put right.’
Alasia: ‘I’m afraid, Sanç II still clings to his Navarrese title. All I can promise is to bring this matter up in the next week session of these peace talks when the Aragonese delegation with the King’s authorisation and the royal seal returns here. We also hope this will be the last round of talks.’
They will accept the peace offer
Valencia, 16 April 1507
III
What are the real French diplomacy interests?
‘Antoinette, Are you sure Justine reached the young pretender’s headquarters in Pamplona? I’m sick and tired of pretending we want this war to be over,’ whispered Louise to her loyal confidante, surveying the room, and sending lukewarm polite smiles here and there. Amidst the murmur of small talk, the delegations had grouped in clusters: the Castilians envoys on one side, Alasia with her advisors by the long table and her own ladies gathered around her. Only the Aragonese representation, as it was undermanned to the point it was just the Bishop of Tereul, could not confer. Everybody was nervously waiting for the envoys of Sanç II. The final stage of the peace talks was about to commence. ‘We’ve been receiving most encouraging reports recently, Madame. Patience. I dare say, we can expect a courier any time soon,’ answered Antoinette.
Or maybe they won't accept the peace offer after all
As if to illustrate her words the door opened and a group of men burst in. ‘Ildefons d’Aragó,’ one of them introduced himself, bowing courteously, ‘on behalf of King Alfons VI I’m here to inform all the parties concerned that the new King of Aragon will never accept the humiliating conditions his father had preliminarily conceded to. The kingdom hasn’t fallen yet.’ With these words he approached Lady Alasia, the Duchess of Savoy and handed her in a scroll of parchment; sealed with the royal seal of Aragon. The Aragonese party stormed out of the room. In the silence that filled it instantly an observant eye might spot a flicker of relief on Madame’s face. The Castilian delegation didn’t even try to hide its consternation and confusion; Alfons was Isabela’s brother-in-law after all.
Successful coup of the young pretender (barricaded in Navarre, the only province not occupied by his enemies; ironic, isn't it?)
***
France may be suffering from Times of Troubles; it can still humiliatingly beat the Emperor. Genoa wiggled out unscathed. But as you can see, someone else is making the most of the long wait strategy:
The event-driven Reconquista did fire again in 1508. Savoy proved the only ally to stick to Castile, the French were to busy somewhere else. Due to Malta issue Castile is unable to pull it off again. Sigh. As you can see it’s 1510 now and Granada had already (early 1509 I think) peaced out of the conflict; so we’re at war with half a dozen of Muslim states, as a result the piracy scare is on the increase again. I don’t know if it’s because I’m not the alliance leader but I can’t see any battles fought in this war(?); well, I didn’t fight any.
A few interesting oddities.
Look at Georgia in 1507:
The Balkans look interesting now that Poland annexed its vassal. Polish Wallachia is not maybe strange per se (I mean historically) as Poland tried to exert its power there. But I wonder what will happen there now with this new Polish-Ottoman border established. Also, with its Balkan interests Poland is almost bound to ignore TO altogether.
Finally, this little curiosity needs no comment I think. Armenia:
Quiz time:
Picking up on the oddities: Guess who Venice is allied to?