The Noble Lives: A Chronicle of the Kingdom of Castile

[Secret Master]

Once again, the king was holding court with all of his duques. Even Toledo tore himself away from the training of the men to attend this meeting. It was said that an effective compromise had been reached that would allow the king to marry.

The king sat upon his throne, idly strumming his fingers on the armests. Once the duques had filed in, he began to speak.

"After much thought and discussion, we have come to a decision regarding our marriage. We will marry the lovely sister of the Duque de Granada..." At this point, Cantabria was nodding his assent. "... and also, the Duque de Cantabria has announced a betrothel of his infant son to the Duque de Galacia's infant daughter. Now this is a cause to celebrate."

"My dreaded liege, may I speak?"

"Please do, noble Africa Norte."

"My dreaded liege, I regret to say that I find this compromise unacceptable."

Juan managed not to give him an ugly look.

"Why do you sadden me this way, Africa Norte? What possible objection could you have to this?"

"My dreaded liege, while I do respect the Duques de Cantabria and Galacia, they are not empowered to broker any deal by themselves. I do not just oppose your marriage, but also that of Cantabria and Galacia's children. It is quite possible that the lands of Cantabria and Galacia could be united, just as the crown's lands could be united with Granada. Both situations would prove to be unacceptable."

"Does anyone else feel the same way as you?"

"Yes, my dreaded liege."

At this point, the Duques de Azores, Sicily, and Sardinia stood behind Africa Norte. After a moment's hesitation, Toledo moved to join them. Juan could not help but show his feeling of betrayal.

"My dreaded liege, perhaps we should discuss this in your private chambers."

Juan looked at Toledo with a blank stare, before replying.

"Yes, come speak with me. You are all dismissed."

When they were alone, Juan turned towards his old friend.

"Of all the people to oppose me, I never expected it to be you. What was your price for selling out my cause today? What possible amount of gold or power could replace our friendship?"

"Nothing could, old friend. Especially when I see that you are being mainuplated into doing something dangerous."

"What are you talking about?"

"My dreaded liege, and my good and dear friend, you have been a soldier most of your life and the political aspect of life is still new to you, even as it is to me. But think about the long-term consequences of your actions. What happens if the precedent is set for duques to routinely unite their houses by marriage? Or even worse, what happens if the king routinely marries into and inherits duchies from this duques."

"The king might grow too powerful, but you know I would never allow that to happen. I would grant the land in question as a duchy to another family. I am not a power-monger!"

"I know. But consider the short-lived tyrant Juan Felipe de Albrect. Would he be upright enough to do so? Or would he even be willing to engage in murder to secure inheritances and increase his power?"

"Well, yes. He is no longer upon the throne and he was easily dealt with."

"Yes, he was. But even you have to admit he was rather stupid. What if a clever tyrant used the same strategy. We might not have defeated him without ripping the kingdom apart."

"But who would manipulate me for this purpose? You make it sound as if only the problem concerns crown lands."

"What would happen if a duque gained more land at his direct command than the king?"

"Why, that duque would be more powerful in some ways than the king."

"Exactly. And that is a recipe for disaster. This is why Cantabria's possible uniting with Galacia is also unacceptable. Even though it might never happen, he is likely betting on the possibility. He knows damn well that normally we might balk at such a proposal. But if he makes it look like it is a concession won from you, the duques will not oppose either set of marriages. Yet, the ultimate outcome of all this is that in a century or two, the entire fabric of our system of rule would be unraveled and power would devolve into an oligarcy of two or three families. That would be a gross violation of the aristocracy we have so lovingly upheld over the years. It is a formula for tyranny."

Juan paused for a moment, thinking over Toledo's words.

"You know, I have enough support to overcome the objections raised by yourself and the other duques. You do not come close to forming a majority."

"I know, old friend. But I'm not here to haggle politics with you. I am here to give good advice. You are still the king and can do what you will. You have more than enough political support to do whatever you choose in this matter."

"I'm curious, why did you side with the non-Iberian duques on this matter. Why did you not just come to me before the meeting."

"I didn't know of your plans until you announced them in the audience chamber. I would have come to you in private had I known. Siding with them was just fortuitous. I have no idea why they really oppose this action. They may just be spiting Cantabria for the fun of it. Who knows."

"Wait, so you don't speak for them?"

"No, of course not. Even I have standards. If I didn't think this was very important, I wouldn't be caught dead siding with upstarts such as Sicily and African Norte."

Juan chuckled.

"I have missed your counsel. Court is like a nest of vipers compared to being in the field. And I agree with you. There is a potential for disaster in these actions. I think the duques will follow my lead no matter what action I take. Still, I will not have it look like I caved in to the minority on this matter, for it makes me look weak."

"Just blame it on me. Tell the duques you were lacking in some critical piece of information that I delivered too slow. That will make you look like you are not weak. Since I'm not king, I could care less about looking weak. I'm too busy training my men anyway."

"So I noticed. How goes the new philosophy of war?"

"We have made new strides since I was last in Madrid. Carlos is a real master of the classics. He knows Aristotle and Plato like the back of his hand. He is crafting men who not only will fight well, but who will also be honourable warriors."

"That much is good at least."

"You are not happy?"

"No, not really. I grasp the wisdom of your words. But it means I must now find another wife. You have no idea how trying it is to find a good wife these days."

Toledo laughed.

"I will have to find out soon enough. I need to get married soon so I can have some heirs. Honestly, I wish there was an easier way than to spend the time and effort to get married."

Juan grinned.

"You could always form an heir from the clay of the Earth. It's what God the Father did, you know."

Toledo pondered for a moment, then spoke.

"Then the joke is on us, old friend. It took God one day to create Adam, and the Holy Spirit only took one day to come upon Mary to create Christ. Yet, for us it takes years to find a wife. Then it takes years of supporting her, dealing with her relatives, and then it takes years to raise your son, if you even produce one, just in time to take over your wealth before you enjoy it. All that effort just to do what it took God to do in a few simple steps."

Juan shook his head.

"My old friend, you must be getting old. Do not forget the fun in the act of conception! At least that is enjoyable."

"Well, in that case, then scratch everything I just said. It's all worth it just to practice the act of conception. And to practice it again. And again. And again..."

The old friends poured some wine and found each other pleasing to be around once more.

 

[unmerged(3999)]

Finally got re-caught up after missing a bunch of pages, and I have to join the chorus. The dialogue in this one is some of the best I've read yet. Keep it up.

 

[Sharur]

Yay! A return to the days of intrigue!

I really enjoy the way you analyze the internal situation as you have just done. It's a very realistic thing to have happened. And, as mentioned, the dialogue is wonderful!

 

[unmerged(6816)]

Excelent update. Juan shows himself to be truely great king by actually listening to his advisors without getting angry. A thing a good monarch always should do even if he ignores the advice.

 

[unmerged(6777)]

Yes indeed...though now we return to the burning question: Who will he marry? I don't suppose there are any Habsburg lasses with big...endownments ...who'd care to give it a whirl are there?

 

[HJ Tulp]

I think that she will be Italia.

 

[Castellon]

I think he should force convert the Aztecs and marry a nice Aztec princess She would definatley have a big dowrey, I do not know about the "Endowments"

 

[Secret Master]

Hmmm... who will he marry? The duques have been pretty clear that he shouldn't marry a domestic lass with huge tracts of land... Which is, in itself, quite sad since both Juan and I share the same opinion that large tracts of land are alot of fun.

Marry into the Habsburgs? Nah, we can pretty much throw that out. Juan is on a CB lookout to get revenge over the Naples thing. (Besides, Castile already is married to them anyway... grrr)

Itallian girls... Well, that is a good possible choice.

An Aztec princess... Hmmmm... That might work, but the problem is that Castile still only has the same maps she had 40 years ago.

Of course, an even better question is who will Toledo marry. And, along those same lines, who will Carlos try and marry? No point being knighted if he doesn't bother to pass it down...

 

[unmerged(6816)]

Originally posted by Secret Master
Of course, an even better question is who will Toledo marry. And, along those same lines, who will Carlos try and marry? No point being knighted if he doesn't bother to pass it down...

That depends on if his knighthood can be inherited, some knighthoods could not be passed on.

 

[Secret Master]

The peasant-soldiers sat down upon the ground. They were more tired than usual, for this week had seen Carlos and Toledo having them practice fighting from coming off the march. The training was simple, but difficult. They would assemble early the morning, then march for about 20 to 30 miles, then deploy and fight a mock battle. This was repeated for several days, and they were near the point of complete exhaustion. Still, it was considered good training, for both Carlos and Toledo knew that the worst time to fight is right after having been on the move. Now that the men had learned how to do that, they were stronger for it.

Carlos paced before them, eyeing them as they sat and tried to rest.

"Can someone tell me what weapons our army has at its disposal?"

"Halbdreds, sir."

"Short swords as a side arm, sir."

"Arquebuses, sir."

"Various lances for the cavalry, sir."

Carlos paused and gave them a look of disappointment.

"What kind of answers are those? I ask for weapons and you recite an accountant's list of equipment our army carries. I ask again, what weapons does our army use against it's enemies?"

The peasant-soldiers were silent as they looked upon Carlos.

"Look around you. Your hands can be used to strangle a man. Your helmet can bash someone's brains. The dirt upon the ground can be thrown in the eyes of someone to blind them. A horse can trample a man to death. The carcass of a dead animal can spread disease inside an enemy fortress. A torch can burn an enemy's maps to nothing or deny the enemy the use of our communications. In short, everything is a weapon in the hands of a true warrior. Even the weather and the sun can be harnessed to do battle with your enemy. Mastery of this will mean that you are never defenseless against the enemy. Think on this during our exercises tomorrow. Now, get some rest."

The peasant-soldiers filed away while Toledo moved up to speak to his friend.

"Carlos, you look as if you need some rest yourself."

"Me? Oh no, sir. They are but simple men of poor constitution. I am in no more need of rest than I am of a hole in my head. Besides, you are fresh and rested yourself, and so I must be."

"Carlos, I just got back from court. I have done nothing but eat, drink, and be merry for over a month."

"Yes, but you were at court. I was in the field. Considering that, I do feel that I should be the more rested of the two of us, sir. After all, I was the one having all the fun."

"If I forced you to take a vacation, what would you do? Do you not have some family to go and see? What of your father or mother?"

Carlos looked down upon the ground as he spoke.

"My father and my mother are long dead. I have only my sister."

Toledo brightened at this prospect.

"A sister? Well, why didn't you say something earlier? Had I known you had a sister, I would have told you to bring her to my estate. Tell me about your sister."

Carlos brightened somewhat himself as he spoke of her.

"She is not just any sister to me. She is my twin, in fact. We were both birthed by our mother on the same day, though I am the eldest by a few moments. She is very smart and witty, making her the spitting image of me in her mind, though she looks very different from me. In thinking upon her, I am reminded that I have not seen her in many years. We correspond by letters often but my duty has prevented me from visiting her."

"And where does she live?"

"In Gibralter, sir."

"In that case I think I shall order you to go on a vacation. Since you have only your sister left in the world, it is important that you spend time with her. So important, in fact, that I would be very much offended if she did not come and visit us here for a season or two."

"I... I don't really know what to say."

"Say what you aught to say. Say, 'Yes, sir.'"

Carlos paused, grinned, and said, "Yes, sir."

 

[Storey]

Hmm, do I see a love interest for Toledo coming into the story?

Joe

 

[unmerged(6816)]

If Carlos's sister is anything like him then Toledo and maybe even Spain as whole should settle in for a wild ride.

 

[Sharur]

Storey, I think Toledo's smart enough not to let someone as smart as Carlos run not just his military life, but his personal life as well

I think that this may have more to do with Carlos's background.

 

[Secret Master]

Carlos dismounted his horse and tied it to the hitching post in front of a small cottage at the edge of the city of Gibralter. He was dressed in his normal uniform as a knight, which made him look quite handsome. Many ladies had made quiet remarks to themselves as he rode through the streets of the town. Their whispers drew more frenzied when they saw him stop at this small cottage. What business could a dashing knight have at such a poor residence? The stench from that general part of the city was more than most gentile or respectable people could bear.

For his part, Carlos noticed nothing unusual. He was only a few steps from seeing his sister, whom he missed dearly. The cottage was in worse repair than when he had last seen it, and the street sweepers did not often come by this part of town to deal with the horse droppings. In short, it was the same, squalid, miserable place as when he had last left it. It felt like home.

He moved up and knocked loudly upon the door. Movement was heard within, and a young woman that was his age opened the door.

"Juanita! I am so glad to see you! I have missed you dearly...." Carlos held out his arms for an embrace.

"Hmpf." Juanita turned away from him and walked into the cottage.

Carlos was somewhat confused.

"What is wrong, dear sister?"

Juanita was still not facing him.

"You think you can just stroll in here after all these years, wearing your little uniform, dressed all nicely, and call me your dear sister? Are you mad? Or has being in the military fried your brains?"

"I... Well... I... I mean, well..." Carlos was at a loss for words.

She was still not facing him.

"And you can't even speak intelligently. Bah! Mama would be so disappointed with you and your fortunes. Mr. I-Am-Now-A-Knight-And-I-Am-Too-Good-To-Visit-My-Twin-Sister."

Carlos looked upon her, and saw that her body language was not consumate with her words.

"Wait, Juanita, what are you talking about? What is this silliness?"

Juanita turned around to her brother with a big grin and a jovial laugh.

"It's a joke! You're supposed to laugh, Carlos. For God's sake, have you been away so long that your wit has shrunk to nothing?"

Carlos waved away her charge, and they embraced for several minutes like the loving siblings they were.

"How long can you stay, my dear brother?"

"I cannot stay for too long, but we will be together for longer than I can stay."

"What do you mean?"

"My patron, the Duque de Toledo, has respectfully requested that you visit his estate for a season or two. He is quite fond of me, and when he heard me talk about you, he was resolved that you should visit."

"How can he be so fond of you? Have you not told him about our family...."

"Hush, Juanita. No, he does not know we are morisquos. Nor does he know about our father..."

Carlos's voice trailed off at the mention of their father. His voice betrayed both fear and contempt, which was mirrored by the features on his twin's face.

"Then he only knows you as Sir Carlos Venegas, a recently elevated knight?"

"Yes. And he knows I have a twin sister. His invitation is really an order. I cannot go back without you."

"But Carlos, look around you. I am as destitute as when you left. I am not presentable in polite company like this. Uncle Enrique would have a fit if he knew that I was going to be in gentile company with this kind of clothing."

"You're right. But I have a remedy for that."

At this, he produced from his pocket a pouch. He opened it and many gold ducats poured onto the floor of his sister's hovel.

"Where did you get all this money? Did you loot this during the war? Uncle Enrique would be irate if he were still alive."

"No, no, dear sister. I receive a small stipend for serving the duque. Since my room and board is free by virtue of my service to him, I have saved the vast majority of the stipend. Now, I finally have a use for it."

"You mean you haven't spent it all on some wench?"

"Of course not. Why spend it on some wench? What could some wench possibly do that would make her comperable to my dear sister?"

Juanita arched her brow.

"Do you want me to tell you all the things a wench can do for you that I cannot, nor would not?"

Carlos paused. For a moment, he tried to compose a witty reply, but he failed. Juanita had won this bout of verbal exchange.

"Oh Carlos, how your wit has suffered while you have been away. I swear, I will have you back in shape before we arrive in Toledo at your master's estate."

"Of course. For the moment, dear sister, why don't we go and get you some nice clothes to make you presentable in polite company."

They moved to the door, while Juanita spoke.

"So, is that the uniform you wear as a knight in your order? I do say, it appears rather drab and unfashionable. Who designed it?"

"The duque and myself designed it."

"Hmpf."

"Dammit, Juanita, we're warriors, not fashion designers!"

They grinned at one another as they left the hovel that was her cottage. Banter aside, it felt good for Carlos to be home.

 

[Sharur]

Shoot, you had me going there for a second, SM! I really thought something was about to erupt

This adds a very nice personal touch to your story. You really have come a long way from the Icy Star Ascendant

EDIT: That would be a blast... and it may be old and silly, but I remember really enjoying it way back when

Oh, and thanks!

 

[Secret Master]

Originally posted by Sharur
Shoot, you had me going there for a second, SM! I really thought something was about to erupt

This adds a very nice personal touch to your story. You really have come a long way from the Icy Star Ascendant

Thanks, Sharur. And I've considered doing a 1419-1492 prequel to that old AAR of mine. Considering the versatility of the event's engine, there is no reason I cannot form the exact situation that was at the beginning of that old, silly AAR of mine.

I even have the Kalmar avatars and shields in safe keeping. They are quite ugly, but I do so love spreading them around Scandinavia!

Psst... Congrats on making Field Marshal.

 

[unmerged(6777)]

Congradulations, Sharur. I'll be there myself in a few more...oh...well...maybe I won't. Never mind. I'd be a FOOLish one anyway.

I like this last pair of instalments, SM. I agree with Sharur's earlier post...this is plot set-up to introduce the Moorish sister and the family background, etc. I'm all of sudded very curious as to the identity of the father. I think you stressed that a little which makes me think there's something a little more than just "dear ol' Moorish dad" behind it. So too uncle Enrique. I'm worried that there could be some long-term trouble brewing and we're just seeing those first few dark clouds on the horizon...

Tiny nit/question: my understanding was that "pockets" weren't introduced until very much later in clothing. I couldn't put a precise date on it but certainly not much earlier than the mid 18th century. IIRC, in most of Europe (and...err...Spain/Castile ) in this era you would have seen hose and jerkin or hose and doublet. I'm not sure trews were even "invented" yet. Failing that, a long robe. Money would be kept in a pouch (on belt) or purse (hanging from belt). I'm certainly not an expert though so perhaps I'm thinking only of English/Frech costume and the fashions were different in Iberia.

 

[Secret Master]

Originally posted by MrT


Tiny nit/question: my understanding was that "pockets" weren't introduced until very much later in clothing. I couldn't put a precise date on it but certainly not much earlier than the mid 18th century. IIRC, in most of Europe (and...err...Spain/Castile ) in this era you would have seen hose and jerkin or hose and doublet. I'm not sure trews were even "invented" yet. Failing that, a long robe. Money would be kept in a pouch (on belt) or purse (hanging from belt). I'm certainly not an expert though so perhaps I'm thinking only of English/Frech costume and the fashions were different in Iberia.

All I can say is

I should have known better than this. That is something I did know at some point, but I seem to have forgotten. Pockets in the 16th century? Indeed, I am slipping...

But, you have given me an idea for a wonderful bit of humor to do...

 

[Castellon]

Finally, someone who can put Calos in his place.
I see images of Star Wars 4 in this. Darth Vader is Carlos's father and Uncle Enrique is Obi Wan.

 

[Secret Master]

Carlos and Juanita entered the tailor's shop. He was probably the finest tailor in all of Gibralter, and he was certianly surprised to see a finely dressed knight and a destitute woman walk into his shop.

"Umm, err, can I help you?"

"Yes, good man. I would like you to measure out this lady for the finest dresses you can make."

The tailor regarded both of them with an air of snobbery.

"Sir, this is the most well respected shop in the city. I do not think you can afford it."

Carlos sighed and pulled out his money pouch from the inner pocket of his coat. He poured the gold ducats on the floor in a casual manner, signifying his wealth to the owner. Normally, the owner would have been impressed with the sheer value of the coins he saw, but instead something else intrigued him. He was looking at Carlos's coat and the pocket from which he retrieved the pouch.

"Pray, sir, may I see your coat?"

"What do you mean? Is not all that money enough for your wretched, miserly, shop?"

"Oh, yes it is, good sir knight. But your coat is most curious."

"Why? What are you going on about."

"I've never seen a coat like it."

Carlos took it off and handed it to him. The tailor examined the pocket for several minutes, simply amazed at the novel concept of it. Juanita looked on with incredulity, not sure whether to laugh or complain. For his part, Carlos watched in amazement.

After a few minutes, the man gave Carlos his coat back. Without another word, he furiously went to work on measuring Juanita for several nice, new dresses. At the end of it, Carlos was about to hand him money, when the tailor refused.

"No, good sir knight. Seeing your coat has made everything I have done for this lady well worth my time. If you need any other dresses, do not hesitate to grace me with your request. I shall grant it at once."

Carlos and Juanita gave the usual pleasantries, and left the store.

"Juanita, what was the tailor's problem? What was so unusual about my coat?"

"Dear brother, it has a pocket."

"So?"

"Don't you understand, brother? Uncle Enrique would remind you that the pocket is a Moorish invention from the final years of Muslim rule in Granada. But because of persecution and ignorance of our people's old ways, the knowledge of the pocket was lost. This tailor would never have seen one before, and for him it is a novel concept."

Carlos shook his head.

"That's too bad. I know that pockets will never become popular again, despite this tailor's efforts. It will be one more piece of our heritage that will be lost forever. Oh Juanita, what I wouldn't give just to see one bit of our culture to survive and be seen in the future, even if it is the far future that is centuries from now."

Juanita shrugged.

"Be careful what you wish for, brother. I would not have a piece of our heritage become popular as you would like. The last thing I want to see is our culture used a tool to make profit. But that would likely never happen. Who would really want to use pockets anyway? Belts and pouches are so much more stylish."


OOC Note: Just for you, MrT. I couldn't help myself, for this was an opportunity to good to miss.