[Henry VIII] Tudor Crown

Since Portugal has married Spanish princesses for several generations, Joao III's widow is also the aunt of her daughter-in-law. After the death of Joao III, there was inevitably a power struggle between the two.

Although all countries agree that the mother of the king enjoys the priority regency among female relatives, because the father of the little king of Portugal did not inherit the throne, and his mother was only 19 years old when his father died, he could still sign a treaty for Spain. The next alliance relationship, so Charles V recalled the youngest daughter to Spain, avoiding the power struggle between the younger sister and the younger daughter, and at the same time looking for the next husband for the younger daughter.

It's a pity that Charles V wanted to kill two birds with one stone, but he didn't expect that he didn't find a suitable husband for his youngest daughter before his death, and after the death of Charles V, Portugal also supported the little king's uncle Bishop Enrique to replace Catherine The regent status of the queen (the widow of João III) was directly defeated by Charles V's arrangement, and nothing was obtained.

So that whenever Philip II thought of this matter, he only had one feeling, that is, regret, very regret.

Had they known today, they shouldn't have allowed Juana from Austria to return home so soon.And now Spain can't put the widowed Princess Juana back!This does not directly tell Portugal that we are here to fight for the Regency.

At the behest of William III, Francis Walsingham sent additional intelligence personnel to Portugal, so he reported a lot more news to William III than before: "Queen Catherine and Bishop Enrique's foreign relations in Portugal There have been many disputes on the Internet, and you also know that Bishop Enrique has always been displeased with Joao III's overreliance on Spain's strong power. In addition, Queen Catherine is not like Maria of Aragon, a tradition that focuses on religion rather than politics. Women, so the conflict between Bishop Enrique and Queen Catherine is also accumulating day by day, just waiting for the final flashpoint."

William III knocked on the desk, and said thoughtfully: "Where do you think the explosive point of these two people is?"

"In terms of King Sebastiao's training policy." Francis Walsingham said without hesitation: "Leaving aside the religious standpoint, Bishop Enrique has inherited Manuel I's open mind and is committed to To let King Sebastian accept the advanced ideas and humanism of Italy, and even allow the little king to read some books that are not recognized by traditional Catholics. This is undoubtedly a provocation to Catherine of Austria."

Francis Walsingham saw that William III nodded, so he continued with great encouragement: "Seeing King Sebastian grow up day by day, Catherine of Austria must be worried about her grandson's cheap faith, Even under the teaching of Bishop Enrique, the traditional alliance with Spain was not favored."

"Allies are those who can make money together. Portugal is no longer the land of wealth led by the 'lucky man' Manuel I. Their treasury has long been consumed by the huge ocean-going fleet and the guns and ammunition used to fight the Turks." It is completely clean, and it is even far better than Spain in terms of the loss of people traveling far.” The reason why William III did not want to colonize overseas was that he did not want to do evil deeds that would be dug up and flogged by the equalizers a hundred years later. On the other hand, the huge cost, number of personnel, and technical support required for overseas colonization are not what England can afford now.

Take Spain as an example. Even though Isabella of Castile financed Columbus's trip, did she really do the overseas colonization?No, because she also had to deal with the legacy of the Moors and Turks.

As for Charles V, who inherited the throne of Castile, although he sent people to conquer the Aztecs, the unacceptable conditions in the foreign land and during the expedition directly dragged down Spain's already poor finances, and A large population of young adults.

Even the "lucky man" Manuel I, who relied on spices to make his fortune, owed several debts under the double pressure of war and overseas colonization after enjoying a short-lived trade dividend and making Portugal the wealthiest country in Europe. A huge debt of one hundred thousand krudoza.

If they had caught up with the first industrial revolution, with the addition of steam engines and medical technology, then Spain and Portugal would not have fallen into such a situation.

It's a pity that the father of the steam engine was born in the eighteenth century, and with the current productivity, creativity, and progress of the religious reform, it is impossible to support the birth of the first industrial revolution.

Even if William III tried his best to shorten the time gap with the real history, he could only ensure that England's Industrial Revolution would be 50 years earlier-this is still on the assumption that Watt was born earlier, or someone could create a steam engine before Watt Down.

As for why William III didn't immediately study the steam engine...

It's still the old saying that productivity doesn't allow it.

It takes money to engage in technology, and just like training the army, it needs to continuously invest money in it for more than ten years or even hundreds of years before it is possible to produce results.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Francis Walsingham called out in a low voice, seeing that William III hadn't responded for a long time, thinking that His Majesty the King had fallen asleep.

"Huh? Where did we just talk?" William III, who woke up from his contemplation, rubbed his temples and tried to recall: "That's right! We talked about Portugal."

William III frowned and said: "In Portugal, you can send the English ambassador to Portugal to communicate with Bishop Enrique, and try to get Portugal to agree to negotiate spices with England."

Because of the rise of Mediterranean trade and Portugal's habit of the economic advantages of Manuel I, everyone from the nobles to the common people pursued timely enjoyment, as if they were brainwashed by consumerism.This has also led to a continuous decline in Portugal's domestic productivity and growing dependence on imports, directly wasting the advantages of trade dividends.

And after Bishop Enrique took over the riddled Portugal, he was also working hard to correct the extravagant atmosphere in the country, and even took the lead in frugality with the little king, advocating a simple religious life.

However, the Portuguese did not take this at all, and the precious metals shipped from America from Spain continued to pour into the Portuguese market.

Even if William III hadn't done his research, he could have imagined that Portugal's inflation was no less than that of profligate Spain.

In this case, Philip II also wanted to marry a Portuguese princess for the Prince of Asturias?

Let his daydreams go!

He also didn't think about how many Portuguese princesses Spain had married since Juan II of Castile, the father of Queen Isabella?Don't they know how much dowry money they took?

Bishop Enrique can't wait to force the whole country to tighten their belts. How can they get the dowry money of the Portuguese princess?

Presumably at this time, William III proposed spice negotiations to Portugal, and it would not be rejected as it was when Joao III was in power.

"I will report this matter to Sir Cecil, and discuss it with the lords of the Privy Council." Francis Walsingham bowed to William III and planned to test the Portuguese ambassador later. tone of voice.

William III had been busy for so long before he remembered to ask about the preparations for the wedding.

The Countess of Nottingham, who happened to help the Duke of Richmond take care of Wales, returned to London, so William III simply handed over the chores of the wedding to his niece, saving Queen Juana from taking care of everything by herself.

It's been a long time, the Countess of Nottingham is more confident than before, and she has a more mature charm.

William III also heard some gossip about the Countess of Nottingham, but he didn't think his niece was a person who didn't know what to do. Besides, the Countess of Nottingham didn't delay her job, so it doesn't hurt to have some fun in life matter.

It's just that William III still had to remind the Countess of Nottingham to restrain herself a little.

At least don't put the relationship on the surface.

"Do you still have contacts with the Boleyn grandson of the Stafford family?" William III had someone pour a cup of coffee for the Countess of Nottingham, with more milk and honey added to it, and it tasted no different from sugar water.

"That kid wants to marry you wholeheartedly. It seems that the Boleyn family's opportunism is deeply rooted in their bones." William III said casually: "He is already 24 years old. If he doesn't get married again, the elders of the Stafford family and His own upward pressure will force him to do bad things to you.

"If he can't marry you or a country lady similar to him at the best age, then as a commoner in the Stafford family, your little lover doesn't have many choices." William III will Nottingham The countess looked her up and down and asked, "Are you still a virgin?"

The Countess of Nottingham was taken aback by her uncle's straightforwardness, but she knew that William III's question was definitely not out of obscene fantasies, so she didn't have to hide it: "I'm already an adult woman, do I still have to guard myself like a nun? "

After all, the Countess of Nottingham said a little uneasy: "I know you don't want me to have sex with others before marriage, so your accusations against me are understandable."

"I didn't want you to have sex before marriage. On the one hand, you were too young and easy to be manipulated by others. On the other hand, if the other party used this as a threat to ruin your reputation, then deal with it." It will also be troublesome." William III explained: "If you have the confidence to control the other party, and you can get together with the other party after the relationship is over, then I will not stop you from enjoying your life. After all, there are not many in this world. A saint of absolute loyalty to God."

And with the current wealth and status of the Countess of Nottingham, let alone living with others, even if she openly raises male favourites, there are still some nobles who want to step up to the sky and pursue her persistently.

It's just that the Countess of Nottingham doesn't want to be bound by marriage after enjoying enough freedom.Besides, she didn't have the pressure to continue the family lineage, and she didn't have to worry about her cousin or uncle not taking good care of her children because they were all illegitimate children.

Not to mention that he would not allow himself to be bound for more than ten years in order to pass on the title.