monarch

The Earl of Hertford played with the Order of the Garter in his hand, "This is really unexpected." He murmured, he thought it would be a satisfactory result not to be punished by the king, but he did not expect that the king's messenger sent Not a letter of rebuke from the king, but a commendation of the Order of the Garter.

"Indeed, thanks to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince," Robert said.

The count gave him a meaningful look, and he was indeed a loyal man.But this time he did owe the crown prince a big favor, "You are right, and I haven't congratulated you yet, Viscount." Along with this came a commendation order for the senior officers of the entire army, and Robert also received it. Although the title of Viscount Rosyth is just a title without a corresponding fiefdom, it still shows everyone how popular this teenager is, whether it is with the king or the crown prince. "We can call you Lord Robert from now on!"

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Robert said lightly, without showing any complacency, and the Earl raised his evaluation of him to another level in his heart.

"Okay, let's get back to business, you have seen His Majesty's order." The count took out the king's decree just sent by the messenger, "Frankly speaking, I am very surprised by His Majesty's decision, but I must admit that the crown prince did propose a Good advice." He took a sip of the wine in front of him, "The Scottish problem is really annoying, and it's time to solve the northern problem once and for all."

"I don't think the Scottish Parliament will be a problem," Robert said.

"Ah, indeed, they are very good at listening to opinions, especially when the sword is on their necks." The earl smiled, "The point is the possible rebellion, there are still sporadic resistance forces in the Highlands, and there are also secret societies in Edinburgh related reports. If all goes well, the King will arrive in Edinburgh next month for the coronation ceremony, and His Majesty's safety is our most important task."

"Yes, sir." Robert bowed and saluted.

"Okay, now you can deliver my order. The Scottish Parliament will be convened as soon as possible, and the time is set for this Friday." The earl looked at the calendar on the table, "Three days is enough time for us to let these respondent Our baton was played."

……

The composition of the Scottish Parliament is similar to that of France's three-level conference, with representatives from different estates.Unlike France, each MP in Scotland has a vote, whereas in France each estate has only one vote.

At the door of St. Giles' Church, where the Parliament was held, the representatives of the various estates met according to the estate to which they belonged.Priests of the first estate wore their purple cassocks, nobles of the second estate wore gowns trimmed with gold.The burghers and squires, who made up the third estate, wore plain black frock coats.

The delegates chatted among themselves, many with worried looks on their faces.Everyone was aware of the meeting's agenda, yet all but the extreme Anglophiles lacked enthusiasm for a Commonwealth with England.The bishops were terrified of Henry VIII's religious brutality and arbitrariness, and many feared that the king would enforce the Anglican Church and completely destroy the Scottish Presbyterian Church.The status of the nobles was also threatened, and it was clear that the future king would stay in London instead of Edinburgh. Their status would undoubtedly be marginalized, and the London court regarded them as bumpkins.Merchants and craftsmen in the third estate worried that England's developed industry and commerce would completely ruin their business, and the country gentlemen opposed the merger with simple patriotic enthusiasm.

Yet disgruntled, most were determined not to say a word in today's Parliament, and even more so when they saw the English soldiers surrounding the church.

"They've brought all the cannon!" said a grizzled squire to his companion.The MPs were making their way in, while in the street across the hall the English troops had set up their cannon, pointing their guns at the cathedral spire.

"They mean it clearly," replied his companion. "I just want to vote yes now and go home."

"But that means we're annexed."

"I don't care at all what this damn bill means, even if King Henry wants to make himself the ruler of the universe."

The squire frowned, "Maybe you're right." He sighed, "There's nothing we can do."

Representatives of the three ranks sit in the church according to their respective ranks.

The bell on the clock tower rang, and Earl Lennox walked to the side of the altar, "Members of Parliament, the parliament is now open."

A buzz erupted from the crowd. "Excuse me, what name are you standing here for? You're not the speaker!" A member of parliament stood up and asked.

"The speaker has been charged with treason and has been arrested. I will serve as the interim speaker."

"I object, this is illegal, who gave you the power to proclaim yourself the speaker?" the congressman yelled angrily.

"it's me."

From the shadows of the side porch emerged the figure of the Earl of Hertford, followed by Robert Dudley.

The congressman closed his mouth as if he had been strangled, his face flushed red and even a little purple.

The count ignored him and went straight to the chief seat. "Now, gentlemen, don't let me disturb you."

"This is the Scottish Parliament, Lord Earl." A member stood up, but his voice was obviously an octave lower.

"Who says no." The earl said with a smile, and the English officers and soldiers guarding the hall laughed.

The congressman seemed to want to say something, but suddenly he felt someone tugging at the corner of his clothes. He turned his head and found that his companion was giving him winks.He sighed and sat down.

"My lords, representatives." Earl Lennox resumed what he hadn't finished before, "Today's parliament has two main agendas." He opened the envelope in his hand, which contained two items proposed by the Legal Committee. motion.Bills discussed in the Scottish Parliament must be selected by a nominating committee, and the Earl of Hertford has made sure that the committee is filled with the right people. "The first motion, since Her Majesty Mary I, Queen of Scots, has been unable to perform her duties, and her abandonment of the country has constituted a betrayal of the country, a motion is now proposed to abolish the throne of Mary Stuart."

"Second!" Earl Lennox's henchmen began to clamor loudly.

Not all MPs were so easy to bend, and voices of dissent echoed throughout the hall.

"The Queen is still a little girl, and all the decisions are made by the Regent Council!" A member of parliament with almost white hair shouted, "The Queen has no responsibility! It is enough to replace the members of the Regent Council!" His speech There were bursts of applause, and many people loudly seconded.

"Your Excellency Speaker." The Earl of Hertford spoke again. Although his voice was not too loud, the entire meeting hall fell silent, "Please ask the clerk to record these gentlemen who disrupted the order .”

"It's my right, I'm a member of parliament, I protest this kind of atrocity!" The old member of the assemblyman responded tit for tat, but more people calmed down, sat down in their seats and lowered their heads, hoping that the clerk would not notice them.

"Then the voting begins now," announced Lord Lennox.

Members of Parliament file out from the hall, which has two doors. Those who agree with the motion enter again through the door on the left, and those who oppose the motion return to the venue through the door on the right.

After everyone walked out of the hall, the clerk first closed the two doors, and then reopened them.

As soon as the door was opened, members of the pro-British faction rushed into the hall through the door on the left, lest they fall behind and appear not firm enough.

The gate on the other side seemed deserted. The old congressman straightened his collar. 30 years ago he charged towards the English phalanx on a war horse, and 30 years later he walked proudly through the gate on the right as if charging forward. Entering the hall, several congressmen followed behind him.Many people whispered to each other, undecided, but after everyone else entered the hall, they were forced to choose a door and walked in.

The 450 members of parliament returned to the hall. After counting the ballots, several statisticians signed their names on the document, and respectfully walked up to the speaker with the results.

"Your Excellency, the results of the vote are as follows."

"Affirmative votes, 380 five votes; negative votes, 65 votes."

The count took over the document with the election results, "Thank you, gentlemen." He slammed it with a small hammer in his hand, "The bill is passed!"

There was a burst of applause from the pro-British MPs, and the old MP blushed. He snorted coldly, stood up, and walked out of the parliament hall. A few people withdrew with him, but only a few people .

"Silence!" the Speaker shouted, "Let's discuss the second bill." He picked up another document, "The Legal Committee recommends that the King of England, His Majesty Henry VIII, be invited to become the King of Scotland. The specific legal documents have been discussed before." Received, now to vote..."

"I call for an amendment to be voted before that!" cried a MP. "I call for the election of Lord Lennox as Lieutenant-King of Scotland!"

There was a commotion among the crowd, and the Earl of Hertford turned his face and looked at the interim speaker coldly, "You are so brave."

Earl Lennox was a little chilled by this look, "I don't know anything about this matter." He argued.

"Do you think I'm a fool, or His Majesty the King is a fool?" The Earl of Hertford sneered, "Do you have a good idea, and want the king to bear a false name, while you hold the real power in Scotland?"

Earl Lennox's palms were slightly sweaty. It was indeed his handwriting. King Henry VIII is in London. His rule over the Kingdom of Scotland will undoubtedly be completed through a representative. Let the king appoint him, a A member of the Scottish royal family is the deputy king, which is undoubtedly the least bad choice for those members of parliament who are not willing to become part of England completely, and can guarantee Scotland's independence as much as possible.Of course, the London side will never be happy, but if he cooks raw rice into cooked rice, the England side will have to carefully consider whether it is worth falling out with him.

"The Speaker agrees to vote on this bill first." Under the murderous gaze of the Earl of Hertford, Earl Lennox made up his mind.

The MPs stood up and walked out. Many MPs planned to vote in favor. After all, the Earl of Lennox was much stronger than a bureaucrat from England.

The gates opened, but MPs were dismayed to find English soldiers standing outside.

"Draw your sword!" shouted the leading officer, and the councilors drew back in horror.

"Cancel this bill before it's too late." The Earl of Hertford walked up to the stunned Earl Lennox, "I'm saving your life. If you want to live, you should do your part."

"You can't do that..." Lord Lennox retorted, "it's..."

"Who do you think you are?" The Earl of Hertford approached the speaker's ear, "Just because you happen to have the same surname as that little queen, Stuart, do you think you are entitled to get your hands on this crown? "The earl sneered, "Only an idiot would think that the throne is obtained by blood. Compared with the current king of London, there are a dozen people who are qualified to inherit the English throne. They are either dead or in exile. Hemsworth won it with knife and sword! And you, what have you got? A couple of lip service politicians, except a good name! You're either crazy or an idiot idiot!"

"Do as I say, or you will regret it in the Tower of London by this time next year, if you live to that time."

"Okay, okay..." Earl Lennox's face was covered with sweat, and he tapped the small hammer in his hand, "Silence! Silence!" His voice became sharp because of nervousness, which seemed a little funny.

"This is not in line with the regulations of the Parliament. Bills can only be proposed by the Law Committee, so this bill...is not included in the agenda." He looked at the Earl of Hertford, whose face softened slightly. "Let's start to vote on the original motion, inviting King Henry VIII to become King of Scotland. Please vote now!" He finished all his lines in one breath, and then slumped on the chair as if he had exhausted all his strength.

"Well done," said the Earl of Hertford. "Pray now, Stuart, that your uncle, His Majesty the King, will forgive your absurd conduct."

Members of Parliament walked out of the hall, the door was closed, and then opened again.However, what was different from last time was that the English soldiers, led by their captain, stood in front of the door on the right, holding swords in their hands, and looked at the MPs coldly.

The Scottish parliamentarians squeezed into the door on the left as if fleeing for their lives, as if they would be pierced through the heart by an English soldier if they entered late.Some were so terrified by the sight that it was up to their colleagues to drag them into the council hall.

The three clerks counted the votes as quickly as possible, "Affirmative votes, 42 votes; negative votes, [-] votes; [-] people did not attend the vote." They quickly handed the documents to the speaker and quickly exited Parliament hall.

Earl Lennox looked at the document in his hand, he felt his fingers trembling, he felt the sweat running down his cheeks, no doubt he must look pale now.The count stretched out his hand and grabbed his gavel, hitting the table.

"The bill is passed." His voice was hoarse, and it hardly seemed like a normal person could make a sound. "I authorize an invitation to His Majesty King Henry VIII of England in the name of the Scottish Parliament." After he finished speaking, he slumped on his chair, turned his head with difficulty, and looked at the Earl of Hertford with pleading eyes.

The Earl of Hertford stood up and patted him on the shoulder. He nodded to the pale speaker with an emotionless social smile on his face, and walked towards the exit of the hall.