I Am Louis XIV

Chapter 376 The Habsburg Princesses

There is not much to say about the Henry VIII that people know. He was a cruel but yet holy monarch. Although the Protestant sect was developing in full swing before, like Henry VIII, as a king, he also declared himself to be the highest religious leader in England. ... He is still the first, and possibly the last. The issue of his successor may be what this arrogant and arrogant king has been worrying about his whole life.

Henry VIII was not that crazy at the beginning. He married his brother's wife Catherine of Aragon at the age of sixteen. Although his wife was several years older than him, young people loved plump fruits most, and there was a period between them. In the days of tender love, it was not until more than twenty years later that Catherine gave birth to several children for Henry VIII, but there was still only one daughter who survived, which was the future Bloody Mary. Henry VIII, who was nearly forty years old, finally began to panic. His eyes frequently fell on young ladies. However, although a king can have countless lovers, in order for their children to have inheritance rights, they must have a marriage recognized by the church. Okay, otherwise the English court would definitely be in turmoil a hundred years after Henry VIII.

Later, as recorded in history, in order to dissolve Catherine's engagement with himself, Henry VIII did not hesitate to completely cut off ties with the Roman Church. He established his own Protestant church and served as its leader. This incident shocked the entire Christian world. Because there were kings who regretted not having a biological heir before, but in the end they all decided to leave the matter to his widow and ministers to resolve - generally speaking, they would trace the source and find confirmation in canon law and inheritance law. Another king, or the king's son, becomes king.

But Henry VIII was like this, and others could not blame him, but his subsequent behavior also made people more suspicious - the death of the second queen, Anne Boleyn, could be said to be because she was too frivolous and did not give birth to a son. So after Jane Seymour, Queen Seymour had already given birth to a son for Henry VIII, but he seemed to be unable to be satisfied with it because Queen Seymour died in childbirth and he married Cleves. Anne, Anne became the king's "sister" within a few months of her marriage. Henry VIII's wife was replaced by the beautiful Catherine Howard, but not long after, Catherine Howard was executed for adultery like Anne Boleyn, and the king's queen became a widow, Catherine Parr. .

In the end, except for Anne of Cleves and Catherine Parr, who actually did not wear the crown, four of Henry VIII's six queens died unexpectedly - even the original Catherine of Aragon Likewise, she died alone in the monastery. According to the official article, the queen was depressed because of old age and serious illness, but...

"But wizards all know that is not the case." The tall and thin dark wizard said happily: "You often say that all things are arranged by God, and we say that all things are arranged by Merlin, but in fact, only Destiny can control everything - have you heard some legends?" He turned to look at Queen Mother Maria, "In your legends, witches often appear, and they can tell someone's future fate at a glance, especially It's the big shots, because the traces they leave in the long river of time will be very thick and indelible, and there are women - mainly marriage and children." He gestured: "This is not a lie, it's just... ..." He suddenly paused: "In short, for a person like Henry VIII, someone will definitely tell him that he will die unless..."

"Just say what you want to say." Queen Mother Maria shouted unhappily.

"The British wizards also have a long history. Merlin belongs to them," the tall and thin dark wizard said. "They must have some tricks that we don't know about. But as Bosch once guessed, the heir to Henry VIII It must be exchanged for noble blood." He smiled, and this smile made everyone present shudder. "Of course, when it comes to the sacrifices placed on the altar, those with flesh and blood are better than those without flesh and blood. Those who are dead are better than those who are dead, and those who are noble are better than those who are humble." He touched his chin: "In Britain at that time, apart from the king, the most noble person was the queen. He used Catherine of Aragon, a glorious Bloodline was the first sacrifice, but unfortunately it was not enough, so Anne Boleyn was added. Anne Boleyn's painful death finally allowed Queen Seymour to give birth to a son... Queen Seymour is the third."

"So you are talking nonsense," Patiño interrupted: "In that case, what happened to the subsequent queens?"

The tall and thin dark wizard just shrugged: "Obviously, Henry VIII knows how to eat marrow, and he also wants a Duke of York."

Juan Patiño lowered his head and considered for a while: "In the end, the prince didn't live long."

"Henry VIII died too early," said the lanky dark wizard: "He was too greedy. If he was willing to transfer the sacrifices of the other two wearing crowns to his son, no, it should be said, from Anne of Cleves of the Holy Roman Empire should have had a wizard by her side, so she decided to give up her position as queen so happily, so that Henry VIII had to let her go. However, Catherine Howard was not that good after that. Lucky for you, Catherine Parr is a lucky person..."

"Henry VIII still has time, is that what you mean?"

"Otherwise, although she was very rich, Henry VIII had never cared about how much dowry his queen should have before. She had been married twice before, and her face was dull. When the king decided to marry her, she was dating When Thomas Seymour discussed marriage, people were surprised because she really didn’t seem like the type that Henry VIII would like.”

After the tall and thin dark wizard finished speaking, he returned to Carlos II's room. After Queen Mother Maria and the others looked at each other for a while, she smiled artificially: "We are really talking nonsense together, aren't we, everyone?" .”

No one answered her, and she didn't need to answer. Everyone in the room, including Duke Don Juan, all hoped that Carlos II would be at least as good as other kings in terms of health and longevity, because if Carlos II had no heir If they die, it means that foreign forces will directly replace them with the new king, and this is the case for everyone in the room. The Archbishop of Toledo whispered: "This is the devil tempting us." But he also knew that this was just an extremely weak last struggle. From the first day they invited the dark wizard into the palace, they were destined to be unable to get out of the quagmire. Out.

Queen Mother Maria and Juan Patiño looked at each other. They only felt troubled by the current Carlos II, but they did not feel relieved - because what they wanted at first was a gentle but healthy man. Instead of a crazy but short-lived "king", Carlos II's teachers praised the young king for his superhuman wisdom and his ability to catch up with others' more than ten years of hard work in just a few years, but this... ...This kind of wisdom can only make Carlos II aware of his power but unable to realize his obligations. He is like a naughty child who intentionally behaves recklessly because he clearly knows his status.

He did not come back obediently as ordered by the Queen Mother, but Jose Patiño and Alberoni who were accompanying him mixed Datura in his wine and numbed him before transporting him out of Versailles. , because he insisted on marrying the eldest princess Mary, but not to mention that the French were not very sincere, and it was difficult for the Spanish to agree to sell Friesland to France. After all, Flanders originally owned by the Spanish was shamelessly sold by the French. After taking it away, Spain only had one foothold in the lowlands.

This marriage failed. Some people sighed in disappointment, but others raised their glasses because they were happy. Only a few people knew that the biggest disadvantage of this failed marriage was that it would take at least four or five years for the Spanish royal family to have a daughter. The situation of the orthodox heir, Carlos II, was good and bad, and the unfortunate maid... The Queen Mother and others really had no confidence to guarantee that the next child would be healthy.

Maybe Carlos II also realized this. As far as Jose's return is concerned, the princess has indeed matured completely. She is ready to become a wife and mother. If Carlos II's wife is her, Maybe they will hear the good news in a few months - "Prepare a few more maids for His Majesty the King." Queen Mother Maria sighed: "Tell me, child," she said kindly to Jose: "The French What does the princess look like?" If Carlos II likes that face and body, they don't mind giving him a few. If status is not important, there will be more room for selection.

To be more precise, the Queen Mother no longer plans to prepare a noble lady with status to serve Carlos II. The last one is a relative of Patinho. He can make sacrifices for Spain, but it is difficult for others to say. Those low-status commoners and small nobles would die without anyone noticing - she might as well be like Henry VIII... If we want to talk about noble status, who can compare to the Habsburg princess?

"It is said that the eldest princess Antonia is already a mature woman." Queen Mother Maria said - since the men are unwilling to speak, then as a mother, she can give in: "Since Leopold I intends to advance the marriage ...Everyone, then I am very willing to fulfill his wish." She said, looking at the minister and the bishop calmly.

This is the fate of the Habsburg princess - she said this while clenching her handkerchief involuntarily. There was no time when she could be more jealous of her stepdaughter, Queen Theresa of France, than now. , although she is also a Habsburg princess, how lucky she is to have a husband who respects her and is willing to protect her, two healthy and lovely children, and I heard that she is pregnant again...

——————

While the marriage negotiations between the Crown Prince of Prussia and the daughter of the Duke of Orleans in France were in full swing, the marriage negotiations between King Carlos II of Spain and Princess Antonia, the daughter of Emperor Leopold I of the Holy Roman Empire, were also officially in progress. was put on the agenda, and this matter undoubtedly required the papal dispensation. However, since Leopold I claimed that the princess was already a woman, the marriage was not without the possibility of change, so in the county While the Lord was still happily savoring the sweetness of love and youth, Antonia had already been sent on a ship to Spain.

It is said that the witnesses in the room at that time turned their heads and could not bear to witness the tragic scene - although Queen Mother Maria and the Archbishop of Toledo warned Carlos II not to do anything to his bride... but that one The Beast had never meant to keep his promise, and after being pulled away after his attempted violence, he howled angrily and raged, thinking he had the right to do anything to his bride.

Philip, Duke of Orleans, who learned about this a few days later, looked at the corner of the sheet that was torn off as evidence, and felt as cold as the former princess. He ran into the king's room and knelt at Louis' feet. , kissed his brother's face, and almost made Louis turn over from the chair - "What's wrong with you?" Louis asked. Although the brothers are close, they are now almost grandfathers... Philip can still Doing this... Well, he touched his face suspiciously, wondering if his brother was playing a prank on him. Not to mention, after the situation became more relaxed, not only him, but also Phillip became more careless than when he was a teenager. .

Others didn't dare to play tricks on the king, but it was hard for Philip. At the last dinner, he even shared a piece of white meat sausage with yellow mustard to the king.

"I am sighing," said the Duke of Orleans, "it is a good thing that you sometimes do not look so much like a king."

"Who said that? There are always people who complain that I am too king and dislike me because of it." Louis said, "But I know, you are doing it for that matter." Of course he had also seen the intelligence, but he Look further than the Duke of Orleans.

"Yes," said the Duke of Orleans.

"This is why, if there is even a chance, I don't want Mary to marry to Spain." Louis said: "Just in time, my special guard leader and my doctor Vesalius will come to talk to me in a few minutes. Report some findings, and you should listen together."

The opinions of the French wizards are no different from those of the Spanish dark wizards. Although ordinary wizards are not as proficient in those evil spells as the dark wizards, the big family will at least know a little bit. They took turns sniffing, tasting and testing the sheet with magic to confirm Carlos II probably lived no more than five years, seven to eight years at most.

"Is it possible that he will have children?" asked the Duke of Orleans.

"Yes." The wizard said: "But you have to know that to make such a patient healthy, they must have used a lot of bad blood - the blood of werewolves or vampires. Wizards have tried it before, after all. ," he hinted implicitly: "Who doesn't like strong, youthful and long life, but the worst effects will soon appear. As you can see, werewolf blood can make people become violent, vampires The blood will make people crazy..." He spread his hands: "Otherwise, your positions with us will have to be switched now."

Vesalius coughed.

***

Last time a reader didn't quite understand why Frederick peeled the sausages - I'm here to make a point.

That kind of sausage is called Munich or Bavarian Weisswurst, which is made from veal, pork back fat, smoked pork and seasonings such as chopped onions, parsley, cardamom, etc. The more sophisticated ones will also add roasted calf scalp.

Weisswurst is similar to Frankfurter sausage. It is usually boiled in hot salt water. You need to remove the casing and eat it with slightly sweet yellow mustard. Pair it with Brezel and white beer for an authentic South German meal. breakfast. When making sausages, the choice of fat is more important than lean meat. Pig back fat is usually used. It has the advantage of having a light smell, sufficient hardness and a high melting point. The fat will not melt when minced at room temperature, and it will not feel grainy or mushy when eaten cold. shape.

I put a picture of white sausage on the Easter egg chapter... Everyone must have had dinner...