1630 – Unburdened
The new year began with yet another increase to Hispania’s trade presence. The new grandmaster, Jean Gérard de Saint-Pierre, immediately expanded the Genoa fleet to 50 ships and tried drawing in more trade from the New World. More and more wealth was coming in from overseas and a smart grandmaster knew how to tap into that wealth.
One of the greatest experiments in Hispania’s administrative history began with three diplomats sharing the position of chancellor. Felipé de Alvaro, Lúcia Fernanda Manuela de Maia, and Petros Mandromenos coordinated efforts to draft a new plan for the chancellorship. Their initial focus was only improving relations with the colonies and allies while the army recovered, for then Tuscany and Savoy would be the focus. Austria already was coming to trust Hispania more thanks to the three diplomats’ efforts.
Emperor Pere V fully committed himself to his efforts against the Catalan people. While not going so far as to bring down military might on them, the administration was in a mess as all traces of Catalan were removed from local laws and Catalan literature disappeared overnight. Provinces closer to the capital received the most focus, and it proved much trickier to implement such measures up in the north in the mountainous region on the French border.
Over in Nova Hispania, a rebel army attempted to take out Nova Hispania’s tiny army. The small Hispanian force nearby tried to intervene, but they arrived too late. With no infantry to defend the artillery and the cavalry at a disadvantage, a retreat was forced. With only a few artillery left, the army was all but done. Since the emperor had put forth the idea of disbanding one of the Iberian armies to make room for more artillery and with the army’s manpower so low, permission was given to disband the Lisboa Exercit and leave Nova Hispania to fend off its own rebels for now.
On April 5, the leader of the Catholic Church and one of the most influential figures in Hispania, Pope Francis I, passed away. The College of Cardinals chose a Pole as his successor, who chose the name Paulus II. Emperor Pere took the loss quite hard and ordered a massive funeral held in Valencia for the late Juan II de Soneta. Afterwards, he took up the duties of prime minister himself, although it was starting to become clear that the strain was getting to him. ((Sorry
@ML8991, but I guess you need to make a new character. Apparently you’re not allowed to be pope for more than six years.
))
Genoa did not let its loss of its Italian provinces get it down, instead focusing on spreading its presence in the east. It continued its expansion by annexing Astrakhan, stretching its territory to the Caspian Sea.
Even as the leadership of the Church changed hands, the Inquisition continued its efforts in Africa. Both the heathens in Tangiers and Gharb came around to seeing the light of Catholicism, embracing the true faith.
The HRE had been a mish-mash of states for centuries, but consolidation had been occurring during the religious troubles of the past century. Munster was one of the few states excelling in this new environment, taking Hamburg from Lubeck.
The main fleet, neglected for so long, was completely refurbished. 45 of the 60 ships were taken to the dry-docks and outfitted with the latest ship designs. After the upgrades were done, the fleet would be ready to take down any threat.
Byzantium was facing with the first stage of rebellions as the citizens of its new Anatolian provinces rose up. Surprisingly many of these people rallied to the old Ottoman banner, despite the nation having fallen almost a century ago. The army in Mentese was ordered to assist, although it would not arrive until after the smallest army was defeated. Soon they would take on the larger army in Karaman.
As August neared its end, the stress of the past few decades finally got to Emperor Pere. While walking through the hallways of the palace, the emperor collapsed, having suffered a sudden heart attack. Servants carried him to his quarters, where his family and members of his court were able to say their last goodbyes. Before he breathed his last breath, Pere felt the need to unburden himself, and perhaps he unintentionally transferred them to the empire instead.
* * * * *
Emperor Pere lay on his deathbed, struggling for breath. His chest ached, his heart feeling as though it would burst from his chest at any moment. He couldn’t die like this. His children were still out there, captives to some unknown kidnapper. Tears came unbidden to his eyes. He wanted to see his children one last time, but knew that would never happen. He had failed them.
Members of his family started to filter into the room, along with some of the more influential members of court, his council members. He wished Juan II de Soneta was here. That loss still stung him, for the man had served both Hispania and the Christian world well.
Another sharp pain brought a hiss forth from his lips, making a few of those nearby gasp. His sister Clara moved to his side and grasped his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. She was trying to hold back tears, trying to remain strong, Pere could tell. His other sister Francesca, was there too, although she was hiding behind her husband, burying her face into his arm. Francesc took it all in stoically, but a sympathetic look crossed his face from time to time. He held his wife close as Pere struggled on a bit longer.
There was so much Pere needed to say, so much left to do. His children came to mind again, but that only brought back more guilt. He still recalled when he had been blackmailed into changing succession to keep them alive. He had lived with that for years, and still after all these years deep down he felt he had gone against his heart. How he loved his children, but so too did he love the empire. Clara would have been a fine empress, and her children and grandchildren would have ruled just as well. Were his children even alive anymore? He had received no word from their captors in over a decade. Perhaps the mere thought of their continued survival kept him in line. Maybe it was time to let go.
Pere struggled for each breath, feeling compelled to take action in these final moments of his life. He squeezed Clara’s hand, eliciting a sad smile from her. “Clara,” he said, his voice parched and raspy.
“I’m here, brother,” Clara said, kneeling down next to him.
“I am so sorry,” Pere said, fighting off a coughing fit. “I should have told you the truth those years ago.”
Clara piqued her head to the side, curious at that last statement, but did not interrupt.
“You asked me why I did not tell you of my changes to succession, and I lied to you.” Pere licked his lips, finding even that small motion tiresome. “I did not want to change the laws, but I had to for my children.”
Clara nodded knowingly. “We discussed this before. I understand the loss of your children hit you hard and I forgave you for that.”
“No, not that,” Pere said, frowning slightly, for she was speaking of his children with Francine, his wife. “I loved another before Francine, and that union bore fruit, ones that did not die young.”
Clara stiffened a bit, glancing around at the others gathered. Pere’s voice was barely a whisper and no one else seemed to have heard. She had heard of rumours of royal bastards, but had seen no validity to those claims, at least until now. “Are you saying you want these children of yours legitimized?”
Pere shook his head, and hissed in pain as the motion made his chest spasm. “Bastards have caused too much trouble for Hispania.” Pere paused to catch his breath, drawing the strength to continue. Tears returned to his eyes as he thought of his children’s fate. “Clara, they have my children.”
Clara suppressed a gasp. “Who does? Do you know where they are?”
Pere held back a sob, needing to maintain some of his composure in this most difficult moment. “I don’t know. I received a letter telling me that if I did not change the succession laws, I’d never see them again, yet I have done so and they still elude me. I fear I have been manipulated in the cruelest sense.”
Clara yet again glanced at those around her. This was some dire news, something she wished she had known earlier. Kidnapping the emperor’s bastard children and holding them hostage to force the emperor’s hand was an outrage, and those responsible had surely committed treason. But if Pere had not heard from whoever was responsible since the succession changes, were his children even alive?
Before Clara could say anything else, Pere twisted in his bed and grasped her hand even more tightly. Speaking loudly enough for all to hear, he said, “Find my children, Clara, please find them. I won’t have them used against me, against the empire.”
Everyone watched Pere as he seemed on the verge of a fit. He fidgeted under the sheets, tugging at the blankets as he fought inner demons. He would not let the kidnappers win. He loved his children, but he would not let them be used against him. A sense of calm washed over him and he settled back down. Everyone watched him, wary that he was ready to pass on at any moment.
“I have been deceived, as have you all,” Emperor Pere said, his voice resonating with strength unbefitting his poor health. “My children were taken from me, and those responsible forced me to change succession. I should have never allowed myself to be manipulated, for a monarch cannot allow himself to be controlled by another.”
Gasps filled the room and a few eyed him as though he had gone mad. Clara’s eyes were wide and Francesca had pulled away from her husband long enough to show the shock on her face. Francesc seemed the calmest in the room, but the sympathetic look from earlier was still there.
The ache in his chest grew with each breath and Pere knew his time was short. He had so much regret and guilt to dispense of. With a deep sigh that make his whole body shake, he said, “Clara should have been my heir.”
Clara moved as though she wanted to respond, but he squeezed her hand and gave her a look that demanded silence. The rest of the room awaited his next words in eager silence. With as much determination in his voice as he could gather, he said, “No, Clara is my heir.”
That elicited gasps from nearly everyone in the room. Clara backed away and Francesca nearly toppled over, Francesc having to quickly grab her before she could faint. The room filled with excited whispers, for the implications of those words were deep indeed. Pere knew he may have well set up the empire for a succession crisis, perhaps even a civil war, for he had just gone against the very succession laws he had written into law and declared his own heir. Despite that, he knew it was the right thing to do. Perhaps his children would die for it, or perhaps they were already dead. He would not be used again. And with that burden released, he lay back and let the sweet embrace of death take him.
When those gathered realized what had just happened, that the emperor had named an heir and then died, they all went silent at the gravity of the situation. Everyone was staring at Francesc and Clara, for the two had inadvertently been set up as Pere’s successors. Neither moved or said anything, the two just staring each other down. Clara was still visibly upset from her brother’s passing, while Francesc seemed more confused than anything.
It was Francesca that decided to speak first. She tugged on Francesc’s sleeve and pointed at her sister, glancing at some of the guards in the room. “What are you waiting for? Arrest her.”
Clara’s mouth dropped wide open and even Francesc eyed his wife with shock. “You would see your sister arrested?” Francesc asked.
“She’s a claimant to your throne,” Francesca said. “You cannot let her go.”
Francesc and Clara eyed one another for some time. Tension filled the room, and Francesca seemed ready to stir up a frenzy if it continued for too long. Eventually Francesc sighed and then said, “Have Empress Dowager Clara escorted to her quarters, where she shall remain under guard until transport can be arranged for her back to Constantinople.” Francesc glanced at the fresh corpse of the late emperor and added, “After she has attended her brother’s funeral, of course.”
Following directions from the fiery Francesca, the guards gently guided Clara from the room. The woman glanced at her brother’s body as she left, holding back tears.
The various people that had come to visit the emperor on his deathbed slowly filtered from the room until only Francesc was left. He approached the late emperor and gave a wry smile. “I suspect you did not intend to insult me on purpose with your last words, and I do not fault you for your decision. You have certainly made the start of my reign an interesting one. I may not be your preferred heir, but I am your heir by law. I shall do my best to exceed the high standards you have put in place.”
Without another word, Francesc turned on his heels and left. The servants immediately went to work preparing Emperor Pere’s body for his funeral.
* * * * *
Presenting His Imperial Highness, Francesc I de Trastámara, Emperor of Hispania, Caesar of Rome, and Protector of the Greeks. ((Cynical, Ambitious, Strong))
We have lost a great man this day. Emperor Pere V ruled over Hispania for over 30 years, reigning as monarch back when Hispania was still a mere kingdom. He left his mark on our nation, and the world at large. It is a difficult reign to follow, but I will strive to rule as greatly as my predecessor.
I am certain that rumour has reached you all at court of the emperor’s final moments. I will be the first to admit that he did indeed name his sister Clara as his heir, but I ask you not to place any credence to this claim. Pere was on his deathbed, and surely the guilt for having denied her succession all those years ago must have troubled him so, for everyone knew that he cared deeply for his sister. I fear that he made the statement without a clear mind, and in opposition to the very succession laws he himself put into law. Clara herself has not come forth and laid claim to the throne, and neither should she. We must remain united and follow succession as dictated by our laws, laws that were supported by the court a decade ago.
Now it is time to mourn the loss of our late emperor, a man who shall be remembered for generations to come.
((Of course Pere decides to kick the bucket less than a year into the update. Typical.
Anyway, just wanted to clarify that the scene I wrote up is public knowledge, with perhaps the exception of the whispered words between Pere and Clara. Use that information as you wish. If you are a member of the council, feel free to write IC of your perspective of the scene. Everyone else can discuss the possible threat to succession.
On to business. Players have until
Sunday at 6PM PST to propose laws and such. Ministers don’t have to worry about plans because we didn’t get far enough for them to require changing, and also since Francesc will be required to appoint a new PM and thus a new council. Also, I will be heading to Vancouver on Friday and won’t be available until Sunday night, unless the hotel has free wifi, so I might not be able to respond to comments or questions. Yet again, the ruler dies at such an inconvenient time.))