[Henry VIII] Tudor Crown

Gravensteen Castle, Belgium, 1544.

"Your Highness, the letter from England has arrived." Johanna took her cloak from Princess Juana, and then handed her a letter that had not yet been removed with red paint: "The Prince of Wales has signed a trade agreement with the Ottoman Empire. Allow the Levant Company to purchase a certain amount of goods from the Ottoman Empire every year, and then sell part of the goods in England and the Netherlands to the Ottoman Empire by Levant."

"Levant Company?" Princess Juana smoothed her hair disheveled by the hood, opened William Tudor's letter, and then scanned it at a glance: "The Netherlands sold to Levant Company Is the price fair? Will Belgium and Flanders get the same treatment as the Netherlands?"

"The Prince of Wales has won a permanent tax-free license for Belgium and Flanders, and the Duchy of Lorraine also has a 35-year tax-free license." Johanna had a detailed discussion with the English ambassador before Princess Juana returned. Fan, so I know what my mistress cares about: "As for other countries that want to do business with the Ottoman Empire, they have to pay the corresponding handling fee to the Levant Company. Regarding this point, the Prince of Wales is looking for a senior businessman to evaluate The handling fee price of each product, and the products with different weights and packaging methods also have to be subdivided."

"He is always so thoughtful." Princess Juana nodded repeatedly: "What does father say about this?"

"His Majesty the King ordered an agency to be set up in Belgium and Flanders, saying that it can be a bridge for Spanish businessmen here." Johanna continued: "It's just compared to the locals in Belgium and Flanders. Merchants, these Spanish merchants pay double fees."

"Double handling fees should be paid." Princess Juana said without surprise, "If they don't pay this money, it is estimated that they will pay another tax in Spain."

"why is that?"

"Because of Spain's policy towards England and France, and because they sold goods to the Ottoman Empire, it is easy to attract the attention of the Inquisition Bureau." Princess Juana explained: "So what the agency received was not at all Introduction fees, but laundering fees. They mix the goods of Spanish merchants with the goods of Belgian or Flanders merchants, so that Spain can’t speak. After all, Spanish merchants can’t do business with locals here. Then what are they still running around outside?"

"So that's the case." Johanna showed a look of sudden realization, but then frowned again: "But why didn't the Prince of Wales directly give permission, and insisted on appointing a company to handle this matter?"

"It depends on what agreement England signed with the Ottoman Empire." Princess Juana thought carefully: "If it is an additional agreement to the peace treaty like France, then the corresponding laws and regulations must be announced, and it is even possible Rising to the level of grand diplomacy. But narrowing down to company-to-company, or country-to-company is different."

"Unsurprisingly, the Prince of Wales should be the most powerful person in the Levant Company. Not only can he earn fees from merchants from all over the world through the existence of the Levant Company, but he can also isolate English merchants from direct contact with the Ottoman Empire. Thereby reducing property disputes or the possibility of the country being infiltrated by the Ottoman Empire. Moreover, this will not only save the trouble of formulating relevant provisions, but also avoid the need for a big agreement between the two countries that is spurned like France."

"After all, who would blame the King of England for a merchant?"

Johanna stood there dumbfounded.

It wasn't until Enrique II entered the room that she reacted and saluted: "Your Majesty the King."

As Henry VIII's in-laws, Enrique II was only in his early forties. Because of years of exercise and occasional fasting, he still maintained a figure no less than that of a young man.It's just that in the more than ten years since he took the throne, because he was tossed by France and Spain, he consumed too much energy. In addition, Huguenot believers fled to his territory in large numbers and regarded him as a protector.Therefore, even if Enrique II was exhausted physically and mentally, he had to face the predicament vigorously.

The current Enrique II is obviously much more relaxed than when he was in Navarra.

After all, compared with the besieged in the past, France now looks much cuter.

"Father." Princess Juana asked for mulled wine with sage to be brought to Enrique II, who only took a few symbolic sips before letting Johanna back down.

"Time flies. In a blink of an eye, you have been back for more than a year." Enrique II looked at his daughter in front of him, and said with some regret: "In a few days, you have to leave for England."

"But father, are you and mother really okay?" Juana was very worried: "In case France sends someone over again, do you want to meet the French ambassador in person?"

Because of Enrique II's faith issues, and because Belgium and Flanders have always favored their Qin family in the game between France and England, King Francois was very dissatisfied with his brother-in-law. Marguerite of Angoulême was scolded.

Although Enrique II and Margaret of Angoulême were halfway couples, and the latter was nearly 11 years older than the former, Margaret of Angoulême was very humanitarian and reformist. In addition, she was influenced by Renee of France, and she adopted a tolerant and coexistent attitude towards the Huguenots.

Therefore, not only Enrique II, but even some Huguenots liked her very much, and even eased the conflict with moderate Catholics under her influence.

Princess Juana knew that because of the relationship with the Huguenots, the French nobles headed by Renee of France (Duchess of Ferrara, daughter of Louis XII) were suppressed and even imprisoned to varying degrees, and even Francois I He also deprived his sister-in-law Renee (whose sister is the eldest daughter of Louis XII, Claude of France) of the custody of his sister-in-law and forced her to convert to Catholicism in prison.

Marguerite of Angoulême did not suffer such harsh treatment because of her special status, but the attitude of King François also put her in a dilemma and exhausted her body and mind.

Even behind King Francois, Henry II, the crown prince, strongly supported his father's move, and even declared that after he succeeded to the throne, he would adopt a more stringent policy of suppression.

"It's not just a matter of a day or two that your uncle has opinions on me. As for your mother, she has also reached the age of preparing to meet God, so you don't have to worry about us." Enrique II liked the Renaissance very much under the influence of his wife The various works at that time included the "Divine Comedy", which was banned by the pope and the major monarchs, so the husband and wife adopted a calm and peaceful attitude towards death, and did not regret their lives to the point of bloodletting every week and go crazy in the church like other nobles The point of throwing money.

"The Prince of Wales tied up two French traitors who were active in Scotland some time ago, and handed them over to your uncle." Enrique II was still worried when he saw Princess Juana, so he continued to comfort him: "It is estimated that your uncle is now Busy dealing with the Duke of Montmorency and a bunch of messy things about the Guise family, maybe your cousin Henry is also involved."

"This is also God's reward to uncle." Princess Juana still remembers that King Francois tried to interfere in her marriage to get the old affairs of the Principality of Herde, so she was not polite in irony: "There is such a hardworking The heir, uncle should be happy."

"Okay, just say a few words at home. When you go outside, remember to keep your mouth shut." Enrique II didn't like his brother-in-law either, but his long-term oppression made him very cautious in doing things. : "Your mother will be taken care of by me. She is my wife, and of course it is my responsibility. Besides, after moving to Belgium, your mother's life is much more comfortable than when she was in Navarra. The atmosphere in the Netherlands is very Well, and your mother recently brought François Rabelais to Belgium, and opened her literary salon and sponsorship activities."

Long before marrying Enrique II, Marguerite of Angoulême was keen on the cultural salon business, not only imitating the idol Boccaccio's "Ten Days Talk" and wrote a "Seven Days Talk" , and even imitated some Italian nobles and became the protectors of many writers and artists.

François Rabelais, who wrote "Gorconda" and "Pagnaguel" (which was later compiled as "The Giant") was one of the protectors of Marguerite of Angoulême.With the support of this lady, Francois Rabelais not only perfected his language learning, but also received a special pardon from King Francois, so that his great works would not be reduced to a world that might be lost at any time. banned books.

Because of the Sorbonne's accusation against Francois Rabelais, and the fact that the crown prince of France is a radical xenophobic element, Francois Rabelais, under the persuasion of his wife, accepted Angou At the invitation of Margaret of Lyme, the family moved to Belgium to continue writing the third giant work.

Princess Juana was also a fan of François Rabelais, and even mentioned the author in William Tudor's correspondence, and sent the French version of "Gorconda" and "Pargaguer" together. To William Tudor, only to receive a letter from her husband addressed directly to François Rabelais.

It is full of praise and exclamation to François Rabelais, and by the way, it also satirizes some people's ignorance.Then at the end of the letter, he asked the master if he would like to move to England, and even promised to publish books for him himself, and would not ban any of his works in England.

What surprised Princess Juana the most was that William Tudor also made a strange request, that is, he was willing to buy the original manuscripts of "Gorconda" and "Pargongue" for [-] pounds.And if François Rabelais republishes books, William Tudor is also willing to pay a price of five hundred to eight hundred pounds for the original manuscript of each of his works.

Princess Juana still remembers that when the courier delivered the letter of the Prince of Wales to Francois Rabelais, the old gentleman twisted his arm twice, making sure that he was not dreaming, and sent his original letter to Francois Rabelais. The manuscript was packaged and sent to William Tudor, who did not accept the £[-] sent along with the letter, but only replied that William Tudor would publish his work in England.

As for moving again...

Francois Rabelais thanked the Prince of Wales for his appreciation, but said that he was used to the current life and did not want to move to the opposite island, so as not to have difficulty communicating with his French family.