[Henry VIII] Tudor Crown

The center of power of the Stanley family is in Cheshire in the northwest of England. Its geographical location is not superior, but when William Tudor took over Wales and Ireland, the Earl of Derby had the possibility to lead the family out of poverty and become rich.

Because Cheshire is between the Pennines and the heights of northern Wales, like his old neighbors, across the sea from Ireland.Therefore, the irrigation system built by William Tudor in Wales was bound to pass through Cheshire, which also led to frequent exchanges between the people of the two places. Even after the introduction of potatoes in Wales, the people of Cheshire also planted vegetables and fruits shipped from America, and then regularly Go to the Welsh port for material sales.

If things go on like this, it will not be impossible to find an interface to talk to the Prince of Wales. Even when the Duke of Norfolk questioned him, the Earl of Derby had the confidence to respond.

After all, money belongs to money, and political positions belong to political positions.

Could it be that the Duke of Norfolk will support his family if the Earl of Derby does not do business with the Prince of Wales?

However, the Earl of Derby at that time did not confront the Duke of Norfolk in the open.

But it's different now. If the Earl of Derby doesn't raise the banner against the Duke of Norfolk, then he will be completely cold.

"Why, is Lord Stanley (referring to the Earl of Derby) regretting it now?" William Tudor, who was judged missing, noticed the distraction of the Earl of Derby, and said with a hidden knife in a smile: "It's too late to claim credit for the Duke of Norfolk. , but Brother Seymour, I'm afraid you have to explain it carefully."

The Earl of Derby clenched the handle of his saber at his waist, and lowered his proud head towards the Prince of Wales who was in charge of everything: "Your Highness, please don't make fun of me. I have always been His Majesty's most loyal servant, how could I stand in front of you?" In the camp of the traitors."

At this moment, Earl Derby thought of those Seymour soldiers who died at his hands.

Because the Earl of Derby is the adopted son of the Duke of Norfolk, after the collapse of Howard's mansion, he had to use one after another to obtain the temporary good looks of the Prince of Wales and His Majesty the King, and then logically wash off his body. Suspected of treason.

In this way, the Earl of Derby completely cut off his retreat, and at the same time experienced the taste of being roasted by fire.

"When I see His Majesty the King, Lord Stanley may be able to get the Knight of the Garter Medal." William Tudor stepped on the horse led by his entourage, giving Earl Derby a reassurance: "Don't worry, I'm there, you There will only be meritorious deeds, no faults.”

"Then I would like to thank His Royal Highness for your kindness first." The confused Earl of Derby was not comforted by William Tudor, but thinking about all the things that happened after he surrendered to William Tudor, he couldn't help but sweat Yu turned to the 15-year-old crown prince and asked for confirmation: "Your Majesty, you would not have predicted today's situation when you arranged for me to go to Ireland."

Because the quality of members of the Howard family varies from good to bad, Henry VIII would never think that it was Catherine Howard's father and brother who helped the Duke of Norfolk raise money in Ireland, but he would habitually put the account on the Earl of Derby's head superior.

At that time, even if the Earl of Derby had a thousand mouths, he would not be able to explain it clearly.

After all, the Welsh port is William Tudor's word, as long as he has the heart to make a false account, plus Thomas Cromwell and the enemy of the Howard family-Sir James Butler will fill up the local and parliamentary accounts of Ireland Well, if the Earl of Derby hadn't done it, William Tudor could have made it look real.

Therefore, William Tudor never trusted the Earl of Derby from the beginning.And the dilemma of the Earl of Derby did not start from the Scottish war at all, but he lost the moment he accepted the position of Ireland.

The current situation is just that the Earl of Derby followed his family precepts and made the only choice that could save his life.

Even if he did not forcefully save the Prince of Wales from the hands of the Seymour brothers, the latter would force him to do so, or join forces directly with the Protestant William Cecil of the North (who had surrendered to Princess Juana), He and the Seymour brothers were beheaded on the spot for treason, and even the reasons were ready-made.

"I thought that if you didn't come to rescue me, Northumberland was also prepared to rescue me." William Tudor's words made Earl Derby's cold sweat drip directly on the back of the hand that controlled the rein, and his veins bulged His rough skin was as pale as a woman's hand.

"Brother Seymour should have talked to the Percy family (Earl of Northumberland) very early, otherwise they would not have been able to slip in to assassinate me under Sir Cecil's nose. And here, plus How much has Bishop Dana pulled the strings, and how much effort has been made. I think you will tell me clearly before I ask you in the future."

In the eyes of the hairy Earl of Derby, the figure of William Tudor transformed into a poisonous octopus spider, firmly controlling him in the fine conspiracy web, just waiting for the moment to start the meal.

"The danger of you doing this is really beyond my imagination." The Earl of Derby found his voice with great difficulty, and turned his head away from the eyes of the Prince of Wales: "The life of the heir to the throne is very valuable. Don't you worry about dying at the hands of Brother Seymour?"

"Then what do you think I should do?" William Tudor didn't like this kind of nonsense very much: "A person who is afraid of death can't ascend to the throne, and who is not a gambler who seeks wealth in danger?"

The Earl of Derby had no answer.

The group arrived in London a day and a half later.

…………… I am the dividing line………………

As promised by William Tudor, the Earl of Derby, who escorted the crown prince safely back to London, received a fake goodwill from Henry VIII, and even had the honor of having dinner with his majesty.

"My lord Stanley, I'm glad you didn't collude with the abominable Howard family, but stood on your monarch's side." Now that William Tudor returned safely, Henry VIII had nothing to worry about. The Scottish war was entrusted to John Dudley and Sir Cecil, and then returned to London with his entourage and the seriously injured Duke of Suffolk.

It is said that good people don't live long, while evils last for thousands of years.

The Duke of Suffolk was not dead when his lower body was hit by the ceiling, but he waited for the mercy of Henry VIII, and won the Earl of Surrey for himself and Catherine Willoughby's eldest son.

As for the much-anticipated Duke of Norfolk...

Henry VIII did not intend to grant it until the Howards were liquidated.

At the same time, when the Earl of Derby entered the city, he already knew that most of the Howard family had been imprisoned in the Tower of London. Only a few high-ranking female relatives were specially supervised in a remnant monastery, guarded by Henry VIII's personal soldiers, but far away. It is more comfortable than living in the Tower of London.

"Your Majesty, your words really make me feel uneasy." Before entering the palace, the Earl of Derby had already seen Bishop Gardiner's anxious look of begging to see the king in vain, so he drank half a glass of wine with a dry throat, but did not quench his thirst. Feeling: "You and God know that the Stanley family has always been a supporter of the royal family. It is impossible for us to do things that are collaborating with the enemy and treason."

The Earl of Derby wanted to use the blessings of his ancestors to remind Henry VIII of how much they had contributed to the Tudor dynasty.However, in the ears of the unhappy Henry VIII, it became the Earl of Derby's revenge. He even suspected that the Earl of Derby rescued William Tudor from Northumberland because he was not dead. county, otherwise...

"Dear Lord Stanley, of course I understand that your loyalty to the Tudor Dynasty can be traced back to the War of the Roses." Henry VIII shook his glass, feeling that everything in front of him had changed, which made him more irritable: "So the trial You and Mr. Cromwell are jointly responsible for Thomas Howard!"

When Henry VIII mentioned the "War of the Roses", the Earl of Derby's face had become paler than the wall, and he relied entirely on alcohol to maintain a trace of ruddy.

"I remember that the Viscountess of Rocheford acquired a lot of property after the collapse of the Boleyn family, and now she has committed treason. Who do you think these properties should belong to?" Henry VIII wanted to test how smart the Earl of Derby was. .After all, after the Duke of Norfolk betrayed him, Henry VIII reflexively doubted everyone's loyalty.

"Your Majesty, traitors do not enjoy any power, and everything they own belongs to you." The Earl of Derby didn't have much affection for the Viscountess of Rocheford, so he sold her without hesitation: "Even everything in the Howard family belongs to you." It belongs to you, there is no dispute."

Henry VIII finally showed a satisfied smile, which can be said to be one of his few real smiles in the past few days.Even the Earl of Derby could clearly tell that the king's tone was much lighter, which made him greatly relieved.

"Your Excellency, you are a just and loyal Englishman, so I don't need to say what to do in the noble trial." Henry VIII asked someone to pour him a glass of wine again, and the fresh peach flavor in it made the king's brows relax Quite a lot.

The Earl of Derby knew that His Majesty was testing him.

As the adopted son of the Duke of Norfolk, if he accused his adoptive father at the trial, he would soon be branded as untrustworthy.After that, there is no other way out except to live with the thighs of the king and the crown prince.

Having figured this out, the Earl of Derby quickly calculated the future in his mind, and his face still had an expression of being moved to tears: "Your Majesty, thank you for entrusting me with important tasks at such a difficult time."

"Because it is a difficult time, Lord Stanley is the good minister I need." Henry VIII knew the strategy of employing people with a stick to a sweet date, but it was only limited to those ministers he could fully control.

For a jumper like Edward Stanley, it's better to tighten the rope.

"After the trial is over, Lord Stanley will also be responsible for supervising the Howard family serving their sentences." Henry VIII wrote lightly: "After all, Thomas Howard is also Lord Stanley's adoptive father. You should send him the last time, and then remember what he has committed. mistake, right?"

"Yes." Earl Derby lowered his eyes, as if he had aged ten years in the past few days.