#celestial alliance

[ajays-alt-history]

So just before I post the remaining topics and begin to bring in fiction, I threw together this map of what Europe looked like in 1674. The mixture of states in the middle were the members of the Holy Roman Empire, headed by Austria on the right. I will keep maps like this updated if major changes occur during the timeline.

[ajays-alt-history]

James, Duke of York (1633 - 1701) was the second son of King Charles I and younger brother of King Charles II. Despite being heir to a protestant king, James converted to Catholicism in the early 1670s following the death of his wife, Anne Hyde. This conversion is thought to have spurred Parliament on in regards to the Test Act of 1673, which excluded all Roman Catholics from prominent positions in court and government.

Despite calls to have him excluded from the succession, Charles II refused to allow the divine will of God to be dictated by Parliament. Dissolving the session, Charles II spent the last years of his reign in a state of personal rule using French money to avoid Parliament. James II of England and VII of Scotland succeeded his brother in 1685, it is regarded by historians as one of the smoothest English successions in history. James assured his people that he would bring tolerance to England, and due to his two daughters by Anne Hyde, both protestant, no one worried for the succession.

James’ second wife, Mary of Modena delivered to him a baby son at a time when fear of catholic rule in England was at an all time high. This idea of a restored Catholic monarchy caused seven bishops to issue an invitation to William of Orange, James’ son-in-law, to invade England and restore the protestant monarchy.

Without Mary, James’ daughter, William’s claim to England does not vanish, as James’ own nephew it is possible that this protestant champion may yet rise against England. Will James help his brother succeed in doing the impossible? Will James attempt to force his daughters to turn to the true faith, to safeguard the succession? Who will James take as his second wife, now that Anne Hyde has passed?

[ajays-alt-history]

Louis XIV (1638-1715) was King of France and Navarre from his fifth year until his 76th. One of the longest recorded reigns in western history, he is hailed as Louis the Great, or more popularly, the Sun King. A shining example of absolute monarchy, Louis ruled through regents in his youth who were all bound by a clause, that when Louis reached majority, all their decisions would be evaluated. This tight control led Louis to be raised in an environment where his every whim was taken as gospel. His image of France was as a major world power, the rightful master of Europe. 

Louis, thanks to his mother, was a devout catholic and saw himself as the champion of Catholicism, especially against the protestant Dutch. William of Orange, Louis’ lifelong rival saw himself as the same, but for the Protestant faith. These two great figures of the 17th century would burn out their respective nation’s coffers butting heads continually. The Bourbon dynasty aquired the Spanish Empire during Louis’ reign, in a war known as the War for the Spanish Succession. This war shattered the foundations of dynastic ties in Europe and shifted the balance of power significantly.

Louis’ attempts to have Charles II convert to Catholicism was part of the Sun King’s undying wish to see Europe returned to the Church of St. Peter. Despite failing, Louis lived until he was 76, long surviving the monarchs he had once treatied with. As he lay dying, his great-grandson, the future Louis XV was brought to him, he asked the child, “What do they call you?”, the child replied, “Louis the Fifteenth.” The monarch realized the child was like him in his youth and gave him this advice;

“Soon you will be King of a great kingdom. I urge you never to forget your obligations to God; remember that you owe Him everything. Try to remain at peace with your neighbors. I have loved war too much. Do not copy me in that, or in my overspending. Take advice in everything; try to find out the best course and always follow it. Lighten your people’s burden as soon as possible, and do what I have had the misfortune not to do myself.“

Louis was a warmonger, a zealot and in some cases, vindictive. However he loved France and her people, his goal to expand the lands of France was for the prosperity of his subjects, and his own prestige. His palace at Versailles is one of the architectural wonders of the 17th century and is an icon of the monarchy that once rules over all France.

The Sun King’s celestial Alliance however, will shape Europe very differently. With the British navy at his side, can France defend her vulnerable cousin to the North while still facing the looming threat of the Spanish succession? Will Louis follow through with his promises to Charles? Or will he see another member of his family face the block?

[ajays-alt-history]

Fiction Begins Shortly

Already I have set out a lot of the storyline for this alt history, however first I would like to introduce you to some people and some events of Charles II’s world. These key facts, as well as intriguing questions will set the stage for the first piece of alternative history which will come shortly after the final profile. I intend to do the following before sharing the first story;

James, Duke of York             

Louis XIV, King of France

William, Prince of Orange

The Cabal Ministry and the Cavalier Parliament

England, Scotland and Ireland. One King, Three Kingdoms.

Europe of the 17th Century

Point of Divergence - June 1673

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Catarina de Bragança, (English: Catherine of Braganza, 1639-1705) was Queen of England as the consort of Charles II. A daughter of King João IV of Portugal, her marriage to Charles was an extension of a longstanding friendship with England. A rather tragic figure, Catherine had at least three recorded miscarriages during her marriage to the King, it is theorised she was in fact barren due to an illness earlier in life. Despite her situation, Charles remained loyal to her and the sanctity of their marriage (though not faithful in actuality, Charles had more than 10 illegitimate children), even when his parliament called for her expulsion from the country during the Popish plot, (an anti-catholic conspiracy in the mid 1670s, post-Treat of Dover).

Catherine’s life as an advisor to Kings continued after Charles’ death when she returned to her home to act as caretaker for her nephew, the future João V. She also acted as regent for her brother Pedro II. Her existence was a series of quiet words whispered into the right ear, and her eagerness for Charles to embrace the Catholic faith was well known. The way the English people treat Catherine will severely test the now unsure Charles II in his bid to change his faith, and his Kingdom. Will Catherine play a major role? Or will her historical legacy as a backstage player prevail?

[ajays-alt-history]

The Secret Treaty of Dover was a treaty signed between Charles II of England and Louis XIV of France on June 1, 1670. Within it was a promise that Charles would convert to catholicism in exchange for two million francs and the promise of military aid from France. The cost of conversion was also to destory the triple protestant alliance of the Netherlands, Sweden and England, in fact, England had to declare war on the Netherlands, ruled by Charles’ nephew, William of Orange.

The treaty was a precaution on the part of Charles who was unsure if he would have to engage England in a civil war, like his father before him. Thankfully he did not and the treaty was a well kept secret. Charles’ sister Henrietta was the conduit through which the two kings communicated as she was the King of France’s sister in law.

The Treaty of Dover was signed by the full Cabal Ministry, Charles’ inner cabinet and closest advisors. In signing the treaty of Dover, Charles’ went back upon his restoration promise to work with Parliament, with Louis’ money he could rule independently. This treaty is our divergence point, Charles’ use of it within this alternative timeline will see England’s position on Catholicism challenged. What followed this treaty was a set of acts indoctrinating Catholic and non-Protestant hatred into English law. How will Charles handle his kingdom when they are confronted by a catholic king at the head of a French army?

[ajays-alt-history]

His Majesty, Charles the Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. 

Charles Stuart (1630-1685) ruled England after his dynasty’s restoration in 1660 following the death of the Lord-Protector of the English Commonwealth, Oliver Cromwell. Charles’ consort Catherine of Braganza gave him no heirs, despite his multitude of illegitimate children. A crisis occured during his reign which led to anti-Catholic sentiment to peak in England, even leading to talk in parliament of baring Charles’ Catholic brother, James, Duke of York, his legal heir, from succession. Louis XIV, the ‘Sun King’ of France, the model of absolutism offered Charles French money and troops if he converted from the Church of England to the Roman Catholic Church.

Charles despite promising to do so, did not convert. There are reports he converted on his deathbed, and many said he favoured the catholic faith throughout his life. Charles’ refusal to bar the future James II & VIII from the throne would eventually lead to James’ deposition and the installation of William, Prince of Orange as King William III alongside James’ own daughter, Mary II.

William’s tenure as King shattered the instituion of monarchy in England in terms of its powers and prerogatives, sold to parliament for money to wage conflicts in Europe against Catholic France. William’s ascension would set the stage for the modern British state, and would forever curb the power of Kings in England. It would also instil a cultural distrust of the Catholic Church, an influence which continues to affect modern law.

What if however, Charles’ deception wasn’t a reality? Charles was an intensely passionate man, and prone to great gestures of bravery on behalf of those he cared for. Could this man bring a nation to heel, when his father lost his head for it? This Alternate Timeline will explore a world in which Charles II accepted the friendship and help of Louis XIV, the Sun King, forming a celestial alliance that would shake England, and Europe.