monarch

The Roman poet Juvenalis in the second century once summed up the art of controlling the people of the Roman Empire as "bread and circuses". The emperors filled the stomachs of the common people with free relief food, and at the same time held gladiator performances at their own expense to please them.In the 300 years since then, the rulers on this continent have changed crops like crops, but the core of the rule has never changed: when people are hungry, give them food; When bored, let them relax.

Having said that, 300 years have brought about some changes after all.In this so-called civilized age of the Renaissance, the means by which monarchs distract their subjects is no longer by letting gladiators spill blood on the yellow sand of the Colosseum, or driving a golden carriage and dragging the With the foreign monarchs passing under the Arc de Triomphe.Instead, there are festivals held by the monarchs at various festivals every year. These events no longer require blood to cheer up the fun, but replaced by gorgeous clothes, impressive celebrations, and free food distributed after the celebration.

One of the biggest celebrations in the Kingdom of England in a normal year is the King's birthday celebration.At noon on this day, church bells all over England will ring in unison to congratulate His Majesty on his birthday.And the common people in the city of London will also receive free food carried out from the palace. Compared with their daily rations, these foods are undoubtedly considered delicacies.For the nobles, the grand ball held on this night is undoubtedly one of the climaxes of a year's social life, and an invitation to His Majesty's birthday ball has also become a symbol of power and status.

On the morning of August 1553, 8, before dawn, the Whitehall Palace was already crowded with people.Today is King Edward VI's 17th birthday. Unlike previous years, the king will ride to the cavalry review ground this morning to participate in the review of the guards held there.So from three days ago, on the only way from Whitehall Palace to the cavalry inspection field, loyal subjects from other places had already set up camp, and on the eve of the ceremony, there were even more people on both sides of the road.Many people lay on the ground here for three whole days, just to see His Majesty the King's demeanor up close.

The sun was rising above the horizon, and it was a clear, cloudless summer day, pouring down soft rays of light on the newly decorated city of London.There was a cool breeze on the Thames: three years ago, by order of the King, dumping rubbish and excrement into the river was punishable by heavy fines.Although the river is still not clear to the bottom, it is not as smelly as it was back then.

Compared with five years ago, the whole city does not look completely new, but if a traveler who has not returned to his hometown for a long time sets foot on this land again, he will certainly notice the great changes in the city.There are fewer wooden buildings in the city, and more marble buildings; the slums that were burnt to the ground five years ago have been revitalized, the roads have been widened, and those cobweb-like alleys have been widened. The streets were replaced, and by order of the King, the new streets had to be able to accommodate two carriages abreast.

The ugly buildings in the East District that caused the fire were replaced by some small square three-story buildings with similar styles.These were so-called "welfare housing" designed by the king's architects, all of a uniform design and materials to reduce costs.The bricks, tiles and wood used in the building are uniformly ordered by the government, so as to keep the cost to a minimum, so that the vast majority of civilians can afford a shabby room.Although it was ridiculed by the dignitaries as a "square birdcage", for the poor in the eastern district, such a house that does not leak or leak is already a superior residence that they never imagined before.Because of this, among the common people, King Edward VI was so admired that many families would save for a few months to buy a small mimeographed portrait of the king to be placed next to the Bible and the cross. Together, pray for His Majesty every day, wishing him good health and long life and long reign.And now among the crowds crowded on both sides of the road, these people are the most numerous.

However, compared with the fanatical common people, the nobles were quite critical of King Edward's policies: in politics, the new king was more arbitrary than King Henry VIII.The kings of England have spared no effort to weaken the power of the nobility and strengthen the royal power. After the efforts of the three generations of Tudor monarchs, the balance between the royal power and the privileges of the nobility was finally completely broken.The king held the gold in the inner treasury in one hand, and in the other hand the Janissaries built out of his own pocket. At the same time, he was supported by the common people, making the nobles helpless.The king crammed a large number of highly educated professional bureaucrats of civilian origin into positions traditionally held by nobles, further reducing the influence of the nobles.

In terms of economy, on the one hand, the king vigorously supported the merchant class, granting them a large number of privileges that belonged only to the nobles in the past, allowing them to compete with the nobles.At the same time, the king continued the policy of the Lord Protector who was executed by him, severely restricted the enclosure movement, and abolished the notorious anti-vagrant law two years ago.From the perspective of the aristocracy, the king now intends to manage the country with an efficient governing machine composed of professional bureaucrats like the Eastern monarchs, while the aristocrats will be marginalized, and they will either join the king's family and become members of the bureaucratic team, or they can only Sit back and watch their influence disappear as quickly as snow in spring, and they themselves can only rely on the king's breath. The best way out in the future is just to be a vase for the king's appearance.For the nobles, such a result is completely unacceptable. In the past year, the king's spies have collected a large number of disrespectful remarks in salons and gatherings. Conspiracy, as soon as the king shows his flaws, he must immediately counterattack and reckon?

At 02:30 in the afternoon, when the gates of Whitehall Palace opened, members of the City Watch were holding hands, forming a thin embankment, trying to hold back the flood of people pouring into the middle of the road.The wild cheers were deafening, and the glass windows of the rich and noble houses on both sides of the road trembled slightly because of the thunderous shouts.

A handsome black-haired young man rode a white Andalusian horse and galloped out of the gate.When his figure appeared in front of the cheering crowd, the shout of "Long live Your Majesty" was many times louder than before, as if it could be heard clearly by the French on the other side of the strait.

King Edward VI wore a dark blue velvet gown, woven with dense gold threads in repeated patterns.It took the chief tailor of the royal family a month to make this dress, and the slightly dull tone highlighted the king's fair complexion, making His Majesty look even more handsome.

Michelangelo, the Italian master who visited England two years ago to paint the king, said that the king had an "angel's face" after seeing His Majesty, "Anyone who stares at the King of England for more than half a minute will drown in that clear ocean." in blue eyes".Since then, news of the King of England's extraordinary beauty has spread throughout Europe.In fact, the celebrations attended by the king are always full of people, and a large part of them are to witness the legendary demeanor of His Majesty with their own eyes. If it were His Majesty's father, King Henry VIII, it would be a completely different scene up.

A few feet behind the king, a knight on a chestnut horse stared at the king's back, keeping a distance of two or three horses from His Majesty.The second protagonist of today's grand ceremony, Robert Dudley, although only 21 years old, has already been made the Earl of Leicester and at the same time serves as the commander of the Guards.The king's childhood friend is recognized by everyone as His Majesty's most trusted minister.He was wearing a red Guards uniform, with an Order of the Garter on his chest, and under a hat with a white feather, was a handsome face between a youth and an adult.Compared with the king, this face is more angular, so it does not have the soft and beautiful feeling of His Majesty, but looks rather cold.Beneath his robe and tights, the lines of rather toned muscles were clearly visible.For the ladies in the court, His Majesty's status is too noble, but the promising Robert is more sought after by the ladies.

Behind them came a troop of cavalry in breastplates, their breastplates gleaming in the sun.The cavalry lined up in two neat formations, holding the royal banner, and followed behind the king.

His majesty was not riding fast. With a smile on his face, he nodded to the cheering crowd all the way.From the balconies on both sides of the road, the ladies threw petals wildly downward.Most of the more rational spectators were also infected by the fanatical atmosphere at this time, and joined the cheering crowd.Therefore, the cheers were louder and louder, like a storm intensifying on the sea.

When His Majesty arrived at the cavalry review ground, the viewing platform was already full of guests, and the imperial guards had already lined up.The representatives of the merchants and the civilian class also gave warm cheers to His Majesty's arrival, while those representatives of the nobles who were dressed in gorgeous clothes seemed reserved, and the cheers sounded a bit perfunctory.

In the center of the viewing platform is a luxuriously decorated royal box.The boxes are hung with red and white drapes, the two colors that make up the Tudor family crest - the famous Tudor rose.

In the center of the box is the king's throne, and the two princesses sitting on both sides of the throne are also dressed in red and white, as if echoing the theme of the room.Princess Mary wore a blood-red riding dress, still embroidered with her favorite Spanish pomegranate.Princess Elizabeth wore a long white dress with white roses embroidered with gold thread.

Although there is only a chair between the two sisters, both of them act as if the other does not exist. Sometimes they look forward, and sometimes they talk to the attendants and maids around them, but they turn a blind eye to their elder sister or younger sister.

Since the Lord Protector's downfall, many of his party members have voted for the king. However, some Protestant fanatics are quite disapproving of the king's policy of religious reconciliation and equality. After the death of the Lord Protector, they gradually began to form groups. A force that cannot be underestimated has been formed, and the core of this force is Princess Elizabeth who has been involved in politics in recent years.As the daughter of Protestant Anne Boleyn, Princess Elizabeth, in the eyes of these devout Protestants, was more loyal to the ideals of the Reformation than her own brother.The nobles called her the "Protestant Princess" and her sister the "Catholic Princess"; but among the common people, these titles were replaced by more catchy titles - "Red Princess" and "White Princess", Their supporters are also known as the "Red Party" and "White Party". Princess Mary's supporters often wear a pomegranate brooch on their chests, while Princess Elizabeth's supporters wear a rose brooch on their chests.These two forces, together with the King's "Blue Party", constitute the largest three forces in the political arena.

Half a year ago, the king and Spain finally reached an agreement that Spain's crown prince, Philip, would marry England's princess as Spain's crown princess.In the eyes of everyone, this marriage is undoubtedly a perfect marriage for Princess Mary who is over [-] years old.However, after starting to discuss specific matters, the Spanish ambassador began to evade his words.Finally, when the king was about to lose interest in negotiations, Spanish diplomats finally said something: Emperor Charles V was quite critical of Princess Mary's age-he even engaged his cousin when he was young. Married.In the eyes of the Emperor, Princess Marie was past her reproductive prime, and her prospects of bringing an heir to the Spanish Habsburg dynasty looked bleak.The emperor hoped that his son could marry the princess of England, but in his eyes, the more perfect choice was obviously the younger princess-Princess Elizabeth.

For Princess Mary, Spain, her mother's country, has always been regarded as her second home, and the behavior of her cousin, whom she has always relied on, is tantamount to a slap in the face.Although Princess Elizabeth stated that she had no intention of interfering, the gossip still made Princess Mary blame her for the whole incident.When Princess Mary fell ill because of this, the king finally told the Spanish ambassador bluntly that Spain would either marry Princess Mary, or the marriage contract would fall through, which made the emperor reluctantly sign his name on the marriage certificate.Now Philip of Spain has left Madrid and will soon arrive in England to get married. However, the rift between the two princesses can never be healed.

The king reined in his horse before the stairs of the royal box, and a royal servant who had been waiting here quickly grabbed the reins.At this time, Robert, who was following the king, also stopped his horse. Without waiting for others to dismount him, he jumped off the horse and rushed to the king, just in time to help the king dismount, and His Majesty accepted it logically. Robert's arm, obviously used to this kind of thing.

His Majesty took off his hat to the cheering crowd, turned around, and stepped onto the reviewing stand.At the entrance to the royal box, the Chief Minister, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, was already waiting with his cabinet members.When His Majesty's figure appeared at the end of the stairs, the cabinet ministers immediately bowed deeply, so as not to appear to be looking down on His Majesty from a height, and did not raise their heads until the King climbed the stairs and stood before them.

"Your Excellency the Duke." The king took off his gloves and handed his hand to the chief minister.

The Duke of Northumberland quickly took that hand and kissed it.

"On behalf of His Majesty's loyal cabinet, I would like to wish Your Majesty a happy 17th birthday. May Your Majesty live a long and prosperous life, and may your reign last forever," said the Duke of Northumberland.

"Thank you, Your Excellency." The king nodded.

The Duke looked at Robert again, briefly shook hands with his son, and stepped back into the line.

Next was Bishop Gardiner, who came forward with a smile on his face, looking like a blooming sunflower, "God bless Your Majesty! Happy birthday to you."

The king also nodded, "My lord bishop."

The cabinet members came forward one by one, all with expressions of trepidation on their faces.Today's cabinet has replaced the Privy Council as the political center of the kingdom.In this institution, however, it is not the Chief Minister who plays the leading role, but the King himself.The cabinet is nothing more than His Majesty's secretarial team, and the chief minister is at most the chief secretary. The cabinet members' fate depends entirely on His Majesty's whim, and King Edward also likes to reorganize the cabinet from time to time, so that these ministers are busy grabbing chairs Therefore, it is very important to make a good impression in front of His Majesty.

When the king walked into the royal box, the two princesses stood up at the same time, walked to the king from left to right, and bowed their knees.

His Majesty first helped Princess Mary, and then stretched out his hand to help Princess Elizabeth.

"Happy birthday to you, Your Majesty." Princess Mary said.

"Bless you, Your Majesty." This is what Princess Elizabeth said.

The king nodded to them, "Thank you very much."

The king walked to the armrest of the royal box. Behind him, it seemed that an invisible hand was directing the crowd. The crowd was arranged in order from near to far from the king according to their status. They surrounded the king like planets. Orbiting around the stars.

A guard waved a small blue flag towards the Praetorian ranks, and the parade began.

Five years ago, the Imperial Guard was only a 500-man guard, but five years later, the army had reached 1 people, becoming the de facto standing army of the kingdom.When the king has a great force in his hands, he can use it to concentrate power from the parliament; Virtuous circle.

The Guards marched through the reviewing stand, carrying the royal banner and their uniforms embroidered with Tudor roses instead of the lions of the Kingdom of England.

The three infantry phalanxes first passed the reviewing stand. The spears in their hands gleamed coldly in the sun, and the muskets in the hands of the musketeers were all brand-new products of Bohemian craftsmen.These infantrymen made up the vast majority of the Praetorian Guard, numbering 7000 in total, enough to nip any rebellious plot in the bud.

Close behind came a detachment of cavalry, led by Mr. Ponsonby, now Lord Ponsonby.Five years ago he was a Catholic who lost everything in the Great Fire of London, and five years later he was a cavalry commander in the King's Guard.For Catholics, this undoubtedly sends a signal-the king treats his subjects equally, as long as they are loyal to His Majesty, no matter what religion they believe in, they can gain His Majesty's trust.

At the end was an artillery detachment, which caused a stir when they entered.Unlike those heavy artillery that require many people to serve, the artillery used by the Guards is extremely light, and only one horse can easily pull the artillery cart forward.Three years ago, His Majesty established the Royal Academy of Sciences out of his own pocket, and this is one of the profits from this investment.

The faces of many nobles sitting on the reviewing platform looked a bit unwell, and the muscles on their faces were twitching stiffly.If some of them had had a treasonous thought in their hearts before, presumably today's demonstration was enough to dispel those absurd thoughts in their minds.

On the other side of the table for diplomats, many ambassadors seem to have difficulty maintaining that stylized smile.The Spanish ambassador had been deliberately given the best position today, so his face looked darker than the others.There was no doubt that such a ceremony had a demonstrative quality at the time when Philip of Spain was about to arrive in England.Anyone can see that the king is not satisfied with the dishonorable behavior of Spain in matters of marriage.The French ambassador sitting in the back gloated at his Spanish opponent—according to the current situation, this marriage is far from the England and Spain alliance that Emperor Charles V expected to fight against France. there's still a long way to go.

When the inspection ceremony was over, the king nodded towards the crowd. Amidst bursts of cheers, His Majesty stepped off the inspection platform, rode on his own car, and headed to the barracks of the Imperial Guard.Half a month ago, His Majesty announced that he would not hold a birthday dinner, but would go to the barracks of the Imperial Guards to have dinner with the soldiers of the Imperial Guards. After that, His Majesty's birthday party would also be held in the barracks of the Imperial Guards.The guests who participated in the ball included two hundred civilians and representatives of the Imperial Guard soldiers invited by His Majesty. This number already exceeded the number of nobles who were invited to the ball.This shocking move shocked the entire kingdom. Many nobles who had been replaced by ordinary people seemed frustrated, while those nobles who received the invitation letters seemed hesitant, but in the end, no one dared to refuse His Majesty's invitation.

Those civilians who were lucky enough to be invited happily took the invitation letter and followed His Majesty on foot, like a group of schoolchildren attending a garden party.The nobles boarded their carriages with gloomy faces. Those nobles who were invited seemed preoccupied and hesitant. Club, prepare to vomit the bad breath accumulated in your heart.

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cloakanddagger "cloak and dagger", itself has the meaning of conspiracy in English