If you're having trouble seeing the screenies, try following this link instead...
All four pictures here
All four pictures here
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Hi Mr. T
Great update, at least Denmark is still alive.
I, for some reason can see all four pic's without rightclicking or anything, so whatever trouble you have seems not to be universal. And believe me attending forums through a strict company firewall usually wreaks havoc on all sophistication
Thanks again
V
Great update, at least Denmark is still alive.
I, for some reason can see all four pic's without rightclicking or anything, so whatever trouble you have seems not to be universal. And believe me attending forums through a strict company firewall usually wreaks havoc on all sophistication
Thanks again
V
That's really starting to annoy me...
What if you just type in: http://chris__s.tripod.com instead of clicking on the link. do you get anything?
(note that there are two "_" symbols, not one)
What if you just type in: http://chris__s.tripod.com instead of clicking on the link. do you get anything?
(note that there are two "_" symbols, not one)
I can see your screenshots perfectly in the above posts, so My guess is that is something else than your provider
Originally posted by Dan Cook
No, CARLOS doesn't know what he's talking about.
Go read Backpacker's sig in stead of harassing me.
Pics work for me
Well, Henri's certainly made of some stern stuff. But he made no mention of any laws regarding Catholic and Protestant rights (historically, of course, you had the Edict of Nantes). So, what's the policy? I doubt that the lords will just sit idly by once they get home if there's been no policy change, and they've been fighting over it for decades.
Well, Henri's certainly made of some stern stuff. But he made no mention of any laws regarding Catholic and Protestant rights (historically, of course, you had the Edict of Nantes). So, what's the policy? I doubt that the lords will just sit idly by once they get home if there's been no policy change, and they've been fighting over it for decades.
Originally posted by Sharur
Pics work for me
Well, Henri's certainly made of some stern stuff. But he made no mention of any laws regarding Catholic and Protestant rights (historically, of course, you had the Edict of Nantes). So, what's the policy? I doubt that the lords will just sit idly by once they get home if there's been no policy change, and they've been fighting over it for decades.
I was just getting to that but I was nearing the bottom of the fifth page in the Word document so I thought I had better leave it to next time.
It will be a rather unique solution (or at least I hope you end up thinking so) that is far more effective than the Edict of Nantes. Mind you it will take another twelve years...***
I wish I understood why some of you can see the screenies with no trouble and others simply can't. It's really too bad since there are some good ones to come.
I also cannot see any of the pictures and when i try to go to the links it says page cannot be displayed and last time it closed my internet down although that may be because of my crappy connectiopn but you never know
although that may be because of my crappy connectiopn but you never know 
I get all the screenies.
Just checking in here and wow. It's been a while and I can't believe after all the volumes of posts you're still in the 16th century. How you stay committed to this (in terms of quality as well as time) on top of your committments to other threads is really beyond me. I don't know whether to say "well done" or be very afraid.
Yes I do.
Well done.
EF1
Just checking in here and wow. It's been a while and I can't believe after all the volumes of posts you're still in the 16th century. How you stay committed to this (in terms of quality as well as time) on top of your committments to other threads is really beyond me. I don't know whether to say "well done" or be very afraid.
Yes I do.
Well done.
EF1
I'll add a quick note on the screenies, in case it's helpful to others. I see them just fine at home , but can't see them under any circumstances at work . It turns out the server my employer uses to access the web does not accept web addresses with any underscores _ _ _ in the domain. Perhaps others who are having difficulties are in a similar situation.
Oh, and excellent work as usual MrT. I've lurked on several of your productions, and have been entertained every time. This one is no exception!
, but can't see them under any circumstances at work . It turns out the server my employer uses to access the web does not accept web addresses with any underscores _ _ _ in the domain. Perhaps others who are having difficulties are in a similar situation.Oh, and excellent work as usual MrT. I've lurked on several of your productions, and have been entertained every time. This one is no exception!
I too can see the pictures MrT, both here at work and at home.
(And I have the same problem with my own AAR, I can see them, but not all my reader's. Argh, it's getting annoying)
(And I have the same problem with my own AAR, I can see them, but not all my reader's. Argh, it's getting annoying)
MrT,
Just wanted say that you're really doing a great job on this AAR. One thing I enjoy is the level of included detail regarding the actual goings on in your game, apart from the narrative.
It's just a personal thing, but I tend to like AARs where there's a fairly strong connection to what things you're doing in the game. But what you do include is the right amount of information, not too little, and not too much boring details.
That being said, the narrative in this AAR is awesome. Some interesting narrative is obviously required to keep people coming back to find out what will happen. Without this, it wouldn't be so interesting or suspenseful, now that France is so powerful.
Oh, and the screenies are great (and working just fine on this end )
Just wanted say that you're really doing a great job on this AAR. One thing I enjoy is the level of included detail regarding the actual goings on in your game, apart from the narrative.
It's just a personal thing, but I tend to like AARs where there's a fairly strong connection to what things you're doing in the game. But what you do include is the right amount of information, not too little, and not too much boring details.
That being said, the narrative in this AAR is awesome. Some interesting narrative is obviously required to keep people coming back to find out what will happen. Without this, it wouldn't be so interesting or suspenseful, now that France is so powerful.
Oh, and the screenies are great (and working just fine on this end
)
Originally posted by Whirlwind
I'll add a quick note on the screenies, in case it's helpful to others. I see them just fine at home
Oh, and excellent work as usual MrT. I've lurked on several of your productions, and have been entertained every time. This one is no exception!
Hey, thanks Whirlwind! It's great to her from you.
Now that's interesting re the "_" issue. I'll go back and edit the filenames and see if that resolves the issue. Give me about 30 minutes and then let's cross our fingers.
EF1: Thanks. I must say that I have to be in the mood...hence the relatively slow posting rate of only two or three instalments a week. Sometimes it just seems to flow completely without effort, and sometimes it's a real struggle. The most recent example is a case in point: had a tough time writing it and I think it shows since it's certainly far from being the best instalment in this thread (it probably borders on being the worst, really). I have absolutely committed myself to finishing this AAR (since the game was finished ages ago) and I'm fairly disciplined when I put my mind to it.
Glad you're still reading.Edit: Okay I've tried changing the names so as not to include a "_" in them. Trouble is, the web site they're on is my tripod account which is http:chris__s.tripod.com so that may not resolve the problem at all.
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1589 - 1590: The First New Answer to the Question of Religion
On the heels of the Henri IV bringing a forcible end to the wars of religion at the walls of Paris and accepting the surrender of a number of Danish territories, the King and I were to sit down for a long conversation in December of 1589. The Yuletide ceremonies and festivities were taking place throughout the city – and indeed throughout the realm – as the people rejoiced that there was peace on earth and good will towards all men once again…or at least there was in the Empire of France.
“Your Majesty this solution can only be, as we have discussed on several occasions in the past, only a temporary measure. We may have cowed the nobility into ceasing their bickering, but the serfs and the growing middle class will not be satisfied. I know that we have urged the prelates to preach great tolerance for the Protestants and eternal hellfire to the Moslems, but as time goes by this will still cause internal strife.”
“What more would you have me do?”
“I can think of several things. The easiest would be to issue an edict that formalises the national Religious policies. It is one thing to ask the Church to urge tolerance, it is another altogether to lay it out in a policy for all to read and hear.”
“An edict, you say? And what would be the essence of such a document – the meat, so to speak?”
“Well, I can think of several things of prime importance. It must be made abundantly clear that those who practice this Reformed Protestant faith are accorded the same rights and freedoms as those true and pure Catholics. They must be allowed to build places of worship. They must be given the right to govern, saving that they submit to your Majesty’s overall governance. They must be allowed the freedom of taxation – again provided that they remit the Crown’s share in a timely and expedient fashion. Essentially this must be an Edict that clearly states the Crown’s position, so that those Protestants may feel comfortable and secure in their holdings.”
“But is that not contrary to what we want? Do we not desire a unified faith under God? Why else spend so many francs on the conversion of these wayward subjects?”
“Indeed it is – but they need not know that. We must hire a new type of inquisitor for the provinces of the realm, ones that rely not on torture, seizures and fear, but one who uses the gentle and subtle arts of persuasion.”
“That’s not likely to go very far.”
“True, but it’s worth a shot since the few provinces that have not yet converted back to our way have already demonstrated their resilience to our previous methods.”
“That still doesn’t address the other issue.”
“I concur. The greatest problem right now is that no one really trusts the Church hierarchy. When you look at it, it’s not that the Huguenots have been preaching the doctrine of a different God, or are using a different bible or vastly different scriptures. They are merely suspicious of the Godliness of the Church of St. Peter, and in the descendants of the Apostles. They rebel not against God, but against the Church here on earth. To bring them back into the fold, one need only institute a complete reform of the Church and clean house – ending all the corruption and avarice that has driven part of the fold away.”
“And how do you propose to do that.”
“I can think, at present, of only one way.”
“And that is?”
“Something for another day. Let’s begin with the edict.”
It would take until May 20th, 1590 for the final draft of the complete document to be prepared and enacted at a council held in Nantes; and a little longer for it to be circulated throughout the realm. It was greeted at first with great suspicion, but in time it did tend to draw the populous somewhat closer together, and nearer to God.
While it is not practical to recite the entire Edict to you, perhaps you will permit a few excepts from its more important paragraphs:
The Edict of Nantes
Henry, By the Grace of God, King of France, To all Present, and to Come, greeteth. Among the infinite Mercies that God hath pleased to bestow upon us, that most Signal and Remarkable is, his having given us Power and Strength not to yield to the dreadful Troubles, Confusions, and Disorders, which were found at our coming to this Kingdom, divided into so many Parties and Factions, that the most Legitimate was almost the least, enabling us with Constancy in such manner to oppose the Storm, as in the end to surmount it, reducing this Estate to Peace and Rest; For which, to Him alone be given the Honour and Glory, and us the Grace to acknowledge our obligation, in having our Labours made use of for the accomplishing so good a work, in which it hath been visible to all, that we have not only done what was our Duty, and in our Power, but something more than at another time, would (peradventure) have been agreeable to the Dignity we now hold; as in not having more Care, than to have many times so freely exposed our own Life.
And in this great concurrence of weighty and perilous Affairs, not being able to compose all at one and the same time, We have chosen in this order, First to undertake those who were not to be suppressed but by force, and rather to remit and suspend others for some time, who might be dealt with by reason, and Justice: For the general difference among our good Subjects, and the particular evils of the soundest parts of the State, we judged might be easily cured, after the Principal cause (the continuation of the Civil Wars) was taken away, in which we have, by the blessing of God, well and happily succeeded, all Hostility and Wars through the Kingdom being now ceased, and we hope he will also prosper us in our other affairs, which remain to be composed, and that by this means we shall arrive at the establishment of a good Peace, with tranquility and rest, (which hath ever been the end of all our vows and intentions) as all the reward we desire or expect for 80 much pains and trouble, as we have taken in the whole course of our Life.
Amongst our said affairs (towards which it behooves us to have patience) one of the principal hath been, the many complaints we received from divers of our Provinces and Catholic Cities, for that the exercise of the Catholic Religion was not universally re-established, as is provided by Edicts or Statutes heretofore made for the Pacification of the Troubles arising from Religion; as also the Supplications and Remonstrances which have been made to us by our Subjects of the reformed Religion, as well upon the execution of what hath been granted by the said former Laws, as that they desire to have some addition for the exercise of their Religion, the liberty of their Consciences and the security of their Persons and Fortunes…
For this cause, acknowledging this affair to be of the greatest importance, and worthy of the best consideration, after having considered the papers of complaints of our Catholic subjects, and having also permitted to our Subjects of the Reformed Religion to assemble themselves by Deputies, for framing their complaints, and making a collection of all their Remonstrances; and having thereupon conferred divers times with them, viewing the precedent Laws, we have upon the whole judged it necessary to give to all our said Subjects one general Law, Clear, Pure, and Absolute, by which they shall be regulated in all differences which have heretofore risen among them, or may hereafter rise, wherewith the one and other may be contented, being framed according as the time requires: and having had no other regard in this deliberation than solely the Zeal we have to the service of God, praying that he would henceforward render to all our subjects a durable and Established peace. Upon which we implore and expect from his divine bounty the same protection and favour, as he hath always visibly bestowed upon this Kingdom from our Birth, during the many years we have attained unto, and give our said Subjects the grace to understand, that in observation of this our Ordinance consisteth (after that which is their duty toward God and us) the principal foundation of their Union, Concord, Tranquility, Rest, and the Re-establishment of all this Estate in its first splendor, opulency and strength.…
And not to leave any occasion of trouble and difference among our Subjects, we have permitted and do permit to those of the Reformed Religion, to live and dwell in all the Cities and places of this our Kingdom and Countreys under our obedience, without being inquired after, vexed, molested, or compelled to do any thing in Religion, contrary to their Conscience, nor by reason of the same be searched after in houses or places where they live, they comporting themselves in other things as is contained in this our present Edict or Statute…
We also permit to all Lords, Gentlemen and other Persons, as well inhabitants as others, making profession of the Reformed Religion, having in our Kingdom and Countries under our obedience, high Justice as chief Lord (as in Normandy) be it in propriety or usage, in whole, moiety, or third part, to have in such of their houses of the said high Justice or Fiefs, as above said (which they shall be obliged to Nominate for their principal residence to our Bailiffs and chief Justice each in their jurisdiction) the exercise of the said Religion as long as they are Resident there, and in their absence, their wives or families, or part of the same. And though the right of Justice or whole Fief be controverted, nevertheless the exercise of the said Religion shall be allowed there, provided that the above said be in actual possession of the said high Justice, though our Attorney General be a Party. We permitting them also to have the said exercise in their other houses of high Justice or Fiefs above said, so long as they shall be present, and not otherwise: and all, as well for them, their families and subjects, as others that shall go thither…
In the Houses that are Fiefs, where those of the said Religion have not high Justice, there the said Exercise of the Reformed Religion shall not be permitted, save only to their own Families, yet nevertheless, if other persons, to the number of thirty, besides their Families, shall be there upon the occasion of Christenings, Visits of their Friends, or otherwise, our meaning is, that in such case they shall not be molested: provided also, that the said Houses be not within Cities, Burroughs, or Villages belonging to any Catholic Lord (save to Us) having high Justice, in which the said Catholic Lords have their Houses. For in such cases, those of the said Religion shall not hold the said Exercise in the said Cities, Burroughs, or Villages, except by permission of the said Lords high Justices…
We permit also to those of the said Religion to hold, and continue the Exercise of the same in all the Cities and Places under our obedience, where it hath by them been Established and made public by many and divers times, notwithstanding all Decrees and Judgments whatsoever to the contrary…(and) we grant to those of the said Religion power to build Places for the Exercise of the same, in Cities and Places where it is granted them...
To the end to reunited so much the better the minds and good will of our Subjects, as is our intention, and to take away all complaints for the future; We declare all those who make or shall make profession of the said Reformed Religion, to be capable of holding and exercising all Estates, Dignities, Offices, and public charges whatsoever, Royal, Signioral, or of Cities of our Kingdom, Countries, Lands, and Lordships under our obedience, notwithstanding all Oaths to the contrary, and to be indifferently admitted and received into the same, and our Court of Parliament and other Judges shall content themselves with informing and inquiring after the lives, manners, Religion and honest Conversation of those that were or shall be preferred to such offices, as well of the one Religion as the other, without taking other Oath of them than for the good and faithful service of the King in the exercise of their Office. . . .
“I rather like that,” I said to Henri. “It has a nice, regal ring to it.”
“Thank you, Eminence,” said he – for he had taken the habit of calling me by my assumed name most of the time.
As our conversation turned towards other affairs of lesser import, I found myself thinking that this was, at best, a stop-gap solution. I was not sure how eagerly he might adopt my ultimate plan to bring an end to the situation.
As exploration and colonisation proceeded apace in the New World, a new naval dare-devil named Grammont was commissioned to resume charting the waters of the Western shores of South America. He set sail with a small number of warships in October of 1560 and, after a brief stop to load up with supplies, began to make his way towards the Cape.
Towards the end of the year, Henri formally resigned his position in the army, realizing the danger of remaining in the field during war when he should rather be engaging in strategy and planning from Paris.
For my part, I merely watched and waited, looking for that perfect opportunity to spring my plan upon the king. It is fortunate that I am patient, for it would be ten long years before the time came…
On the heels of the Henri IV bringing a forcible end to the wars of religion at the walls of Paris and accepting the surrender of a number of Danish territories, the King and I were to sit down for a long conversation in December of 1589. The Yuletide ceremonies and festivities were taking place throughout the city – and indeed throughout the realm – as the people rejoiced that there was peace on earth and good will towards all men once again…or at least there was in the Empire of France.
“Your Majesty this solution can only be, as we have discussed on several occasions in the past, only a temporary measure. We may have cowed the nobility into ceasing their bickering, but the serfs and the growing middle class will not be satisfied. I know that we have urged the prelates to preach great tolerance for the Protestants and eternal hellfire to the Moslems, but as time goes by this will still cause internal strife.”
“What more would you have me do?”
“I can think of several things. The easiest would be to issue an edict that formalises the national Religious policies. It is one thing to ask the Church to urge tolerance, it is another altogether to lay it out in a policy for all to read and hear.”
“An edict, you say? And what would be the essence of such a document – the meat, so to speak?”
“Well, I can think of several things of prime importance. It must be made abundantly clear that those who practice this Reformed Protestant faith are accorded the same rights and freedoms as those true and pure Catholics. They must be allowed to build places of worship. They must be given the right to govern, saving that they submit to your Majesty’s overall governance. They must be allowed the freedom of taxation – again provided that they remit the Crown’s share in a timely and expedient fashion. Essentially this must be an Edict that clearly states the Crown’s position, so that those Protestants may feel comfortable and secure in their holdings.”
“But is that not contrary to what we want? Do we not desire a unified faith under God? Why else spend so many francs on the conversion of these wayward subjects?”
“Indeed it is – but they need not know that. We must hire a new type of inquisitor for the provinces of the realm, ones that rely not on torture, seizures and fear, but one who uses the gentle and subtle arts of persuasion.”
“That’s not likely to go very far.”
“True, but it’s worth a shot since the few provinces that have not yet converted back to our way have already demonstrated their resilience to our previous methods.”
“That still doesn’t address the other issue.”
“I concur. The greatest problem right now is that no one really trusts the Church hierarchy. When you look at it, it’s not that the Huguenots have been preaching the doctrine of a different God, or are using a different bible or vastly different scriptures. They are merely suspicious of the Godliness of the Church of St. Peter, and in the descendants of the Apostles. They rebel not against God, but against the Church here on earth. To bring them back into the fold, one need only institute a complete reform of the Church and clean house – ending all the corruption and avarice that has driven part of the fold away.”
“And how do you propose to do that.”
“I can think, at present, of only one way.”
“And that is?”
“Something for another day. Let’s begin with the edict.”
It would take until May 20th, 1590 for the final draft of the complete document to be prepared and enacted at a council held in Nantes; and a little longer for it to be circulated throughout the realm. It was greeted at first with great suspicion, but in time it did tend to draw the populous somewhat closer together, and nearer to God.
While it is not practical to recite the entire Edict to you, perhaps you will permit a few excepts from its more important paragraphs:
The Edict of Nantes
Henry, By the Grace of God, King of France, To all Present, and to Come, greeteth. Among the infinite Mercies that God hath pleased to bestow upon us, that most Signal and Remarkable is, his having given us Power and Strength not to yield to the dreadful Troubles, Confusions, and Disorders, which were found at our coming to this Kingdom, divided into so many Parties and Factions, that the most Legitimate was almost the least, enabling us with Constancy in such manner to oppose the Storm, as in the end to surmount it, reducing this Estate to Peace and Rest; For which, to Him alone be given the Honour and Glory, and us the Grace to acknowledge our obligation, in having our Labours made use of for the accomplishing so good a work, in which it hath been visible to all, that we have not only done what was our Duty, and in our Power, but something more than at another time, would (peradventure) have been agreeable to the Dignity we now hold; as in not having more Care, than to have many times so freely exposed our own Life.
And in this great concurrence of weighty and perilous Affairs, not being able to compose all at one and the same time, We have chosen in this order, First to undertake those who were not to be suppressed but by force, and rather to remit and suspend others for some time, who might be dealt with by reason, and Justice: For the general difference among our good Subjects, and the particular evils of the soundest parts of the State, we judged might be easily cured, after the Principal cause (the continuation of the Civil Wars) was taken away, in which we have, by the blessing of God, well and happily succeeded, all Hostility and Wars through the Kingdom being now ceased, and we hope he will also prosper us in our other affairs, which remain to be composed, and that by this means we shall arrive at the establishment of a good Peace, with tranquility and rest, (which hath ever been the end of all our vows and intentions) as all the reward we desire or expect for 80 much pains and trouble, as we have taken in the whole course of our Life.
Amongst our said affairs (towards which it behooves us to have patience) one of the principal hath been, the many complaints we received from divers of our Provinces and Catholic Cities, for that the exercise of the Catholic Religion was not universally re-established, as is provided by Edicts or Statutes heretofore made for the Pacification of the Troubles arising from Religion; as also the Supplications and Remonstrances which have been made to us by our Subjects of the reformed Religion, as well upon the execution of what hath been granted by the said former Laws, as that they desire to have some addition for the exercise of their Religion, the liberty of their Consciences and the security of their Persons and Fortunes…
For this cause, acknowledging this affair to be of the greatest importance, and worthy of the best consideration, after having considered the papers of complaints of our Catholic subjects, and having also permitted to our Subjects of the Reformed Religion to assemble themselves by Deputies, for framing their complaints, and making a collection of all their Remonstrances; and having thereupon conferred divers times with them, viewing the precedent Laws, we have upon the whole judged it necessary to give to all our said Subjects one general Law, Clear, Pure, and Absolute, by which they shall be regulated in all differences which have heretofore risen among them, or may hereafter rise, wherewith the one and other may be contented, being framed according as the time requires: and having had no other regard in this deliberation than solely the Zeal we have to the service of God, praying that he would henceforward render to all our subjects a durable and Established peace. Upon which we implore and expect from his divine bounty the same protection and favour, as he hath always visibly bestowed upon this Kingdom from our Birth, during the many years we have attained unto, and give our said Subjects the grace to understand, that in observation of this our Ordinance consisteth (after that which is their duty toward God and us) the principal foundation of their Union, Concord, Tranquility, Rest, and the Re-establishment of all this Estate in its first splendor, opulency and strength.…
And not to leave any occasion of trouble and difference among our Subjects, we have permitted and do permit to those of the Reformed Religion, to live and dwell in all the Cities and places of this our Kingdom and Countreys under our obedience, without being inquired after, vexed, molested, or compelled to do any thing in Religion, contrary to their Conscience, nor by reason of the same be searched after in houses or places where they live, they comporting themselves in other things as is contained in this our present Edict or Statute…
We also permit to all Lords, Gentlemen and other Persons, as well inhabitants as others, making profession of the Reformed Religion, having in our Kingdom and Countries under our obedience, high Justice as chief Lord (as in Normandy) be it in propriety or usage, in whole, moiety, or third part, to have in such of their houses of the said high Justice or Fiefs, as above said (which they shall be obliged to Nominate for their principal residence to our Bailiffs and chief Justice each in their jurisdiction) the exercise of the said Religion as long as they are Resident there, and in their absence, their wives or families, or part of the same. And though the right of Justice or whole Fief be controverted, nevertheless the exercise of the said Religion shall be allowed there, provided that the above said be in actual possession of the said high Justice, though our Attorney General be a Party. We permitting them also to have the said exercise in their other houses of high Justice or Fiefs above said, so long as they shall be present, and not otherwise: and all, as well for them, their families and subjects, as others that shall go thither…
In the Houses that are Fiefs, where those of the said Religion have not high Justice, there the said Exercise of the Reformed Religion shall not be permitted, save only to their own Families, yet nevertheless, if other persons, to the number of thirty, besides their Families, shall be there upon the occasion of Christenings, Visits of their Friends, or otherwise, our meaning is, that in such case they shall not be molested: provided also, that the said Houses be not within Cities, Burroughs, or Villages belonging to any Catholic Lord (save to Us) having high Justice, in which the said Catholic Lords have their Houses. For in such cases, those of the said Religion shall not hold the said Exercise in the said Cities, Burroughs, or Villages, except by permission of the said Lords high Justices…
We permit also to those of the said Religion to hold, and continue the Exercise of the same in all the Cities and Places under our obedience, where it hath by them been Established and made public by many and divers times, notwithstanding all Decrees and Judgments whatsoever to the contrary…(and) we grant to those of the said Religion power to build Places for the Exercise of the same, in Cities and Places where it is granted them...
To the end to reunited so much the better the minds and good will of our Subjects, as is our intention, and to take away all complaints for the future; We declare all those who make or shall make profession of the said Reformed Religion, to be capable of holding and exercising all Estates, Dignities, Offices, and public charges whatsoever, Royal, Signioral, or of Cities of our Kingdom, Countries, Lands, and Lordships under our obedience, notwithstanding all Oaths to the contrary, and to be indifferently admitted and received into the same, and our Court of Parliament and other Judges shall content themselves with informing and inquiring after the lives, manners, Religion and honest Conversation of those that were or shall be preferred to such offices, as well of the one Religion as the other, without taking other Oath of them than for the good and faithful service of the King in the exercise of their Office. . . .
“I rather like that,” I said to Henri. “It has a nice, regal ring to it.”
“Thank you, Eminence,” said he – for he had taken the habit of calling me by my assumed name most of the time.
As our conversation turned towards other affairs of lesser import, I found myself thinking that this was, at best, a stop-gap solution. I was not sure how eagerly he might adopt my ultimate plan to bring an end to the situation.
As exploration and colonisation proceeded apace in the New World, a new naval dare-devil named Grammont was commissioned to resume charting the waters of the Western shores of South America. He set sail with a small number of warships in October of 1560 and, after a brief stop to load up with supplies, began to make his way towards the Cape.
Towards the end of the year, Henri formally resigned his position in the army, realizing the danger of remaining in the field during war when he should rather be engaging in strategy and planning from Paris.
For my part, I merely watched and waited, looking for that perfect opportunity to spring my plan upon the king. It is fortunate that I am patient, for it would be ten long years before the time came…
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