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Introduction
Below, you'll find all the "history" that anyone in the game needs
to know, together with other miscellaneous background information. Don't
Panic!
- It looks like an awful lot in HTML ... but it's not really.
- You don't need to know most of this stuff (and you certainly won't
be tested on it afterwards!)
- If anything is really relevant, it'll be on your character sheet.
(It's all AJ's fault, in this case. He was the one who
said that the game would be "self-contained", and that no-one would have
to read any history books. Then he realised that he would end up summarising
100 years of English history. Ooops!).
For those who do know this period well, note that a few of the
dates have been altered, some things have been simplified, and one or two
of the characters mentioned are fictitious. In case of conflict, this
is the "official" game history.
Disclaimer: do not use this summary for writing history papers.
You have been warned!
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"Pre-history" (with apologies to
"1066 and All That")
King Richard III tried to secure his own succession by killing
the Yorkist heirs to the throne - the so-called "Princes in the Tower".
(No-one was convinced by his story that the two small boys "disappeared" while
"in the Tower of London for their own safety"). A civil war - "The
Wars of the Roses" - raged, only ending with Richard's death at the Battle
of Bosworth Field in 1485.
Henry VII, the first Tudor king, ascended to the throne. During
his austere reign, he attempted to rebuild a divided country (and - not incidentally
- refill the nation's coffers).
He was succeeded by Henry VIII, father of the present Queen.
His first marriage, to Catherine of Aragon, caused a rift with the
Pope, who refused to grant a divorce. Henry angrily dissolved the monasteries
and founded the Church of England, with himself - rather than the
Pope - as its ultimate representative on Earth. His six marriages
resulted in 3 children who would be monarchs after him: Mary, Elizabeth and
Edward.
Edward VI's brief reign was followed by that of Mary Tudor
- "Bloody Mary" - who firmly re-embraced Catholicism. Mary married
King Philip II of Spain; at his prompting, England waged
an unsuccessful war against France, losing its last French holding, Calais.
During Mary's reign, Protestants were brutally oppressed - some notable
martyrs were burnt at the stake for their beliefs. In 1554 she went
so far as to have her younger sister, Elizabeth, imprisoned in the Tower
of London.
Mary Tudor died in November 1558. Elizabeth was crowned Queen
of England and Ireland in January 1559.
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Meanwhile, in France ...
Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots and a potential claimant of the
English throne, married Dauphin ("heir to the throne") Francois of France
in April 1558. On Mary Tudor's death later that year, King Henri II
declared Mary Stewart to be rightful Queen of England and Ireland. The
following year, her husband became King Francois II of France - they further
claimed the title "King & Queen of England and Ireland".
In 1560, the Treaty of Edinburgh (between England and Scotland)
formally nullified Mary Stewart's claim to the English throne. Unsurprisingly,
Mary refused to sign it ...
King Francois died on 5th Dec 1560. A clause of his wedding
contract to Mary Stewart revealed that if she died childless, the Scottish
throne & her right to the English throne would both revert to France.
Mary became dowager queen of France, the land in which she had grown
up. Charles IX was crowned King, with Catherine de Medici
as his regent. Mary returned to her native Scotland in Aug 1561.
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Trouble in Scotland
In 1566, Mary Stewart produced an heir, James, with Lord
Darnley (whom had she married the previous year). Mary's secretary,
David Rizzio, was murdered in uncertain circumstances.
Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, was blown up at Kirk o' Field, near Edinburgh
in 1567. Within months, Mary married the Earl of Bothwell. Following
the scandal surrounding Darnley's murder, Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven
castle. She was forced to sign an Act of Abdication in favour of
her infant son (the current James VI of Scotland).
Mary escaped from Loch Leven castle in 1568. When her supporters
were defeated in battle, she fled to England. Queen Elizabeth, her
cousin, ordered an enquiry to decide Mary's fate.
The following year, Elizabeth decided that Mary must be returned
to Scotland. James VI's regent, the Earl of Moray, refused to accept
her back (!). The northern English nobles rebelled, but were defeated
and forced across the border into lowland Scotland. An unknown assassin
then murdered the regent Moray.
Mary was moved from castle to castle, ending up in Fotheringhay in
1582. The Queen continues to resist calls for Mary's execution, but
neither will she free her. Several of the northern nobles - and, so
rumours suggest, some among the Privy Council - are unhappy with
the current impasse.
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On the Continent, Foreign Affairs
Worsen
The (staunchly Catholic) Duc de Guise instigated a massacre
of Protestants in Vassy, France, in March 1562. This proved to be
the opening move in the French Wars of Religion. 10 years later,
on 24 Aug 1572, the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre shook Paris -
tens of thousands (by no means all Protestant) died in several days of bloodletting.
The Duc de Guise, Catherine de Medici & the future King Henri
III of France (crowned 1574) were all implicated in sparking the violence.
However, Queen Elizabeth showed no inclination to embrace Catholicism
and purge the Protestants in her own country. She was excommunicated
by Pope Pius V in 1570.
Meanwhile the Low Countries - claimed and occupied by Spain - went
into open revolt in 1568, led by Prince William of Orange. Spanish
shipping and coastal forts have been raided by the so-called "Dutch Sea
Beggars", a rag-tag naval force. A succession of military governors
has attempted to quash the rebellion; the most recent is Alexander Farnese,
the Duke of Palma, a skilled general and diplomat. Both England
and France are within striking distance of the Duke's armed forces in the
Low Countries ...
Relations with Spain continue to rise and fall. King Philip
II has made many overtures to Queen Elizabeth, some friendly, others less
so. The activities of Elizabeth's mariners (see below) continue to
be a thorn in the King's flesh.
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Turmoil in Ireland
Elizabeth reigns as Queen of England and Ireland (a title
also claimed by her cousin, Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots). Several
times during Elizabeth's reign, parts of Ireland have gone into open revolt,
requiring armed intervention by English armies and Irish allies. However,
fighting in Ireland has more usually been between rival Irish groups: factions,
clans, even families.
In 1584, Elizabeth appointed Richard Bingham as Governor of
Connaught. He is currently the Queen's representative in Ireland,
tasked with keeping the peace and dealing with any transgressors.
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Exploration and the New World
Exploration of the so-called "Spanish Main" (stretching from Mexico,
through the Caribbean down to the northern coast of South America) has made
Spain rich. Many silver mines have been established; the region also
provides gold, pearls and other precious items. Under a treaty with
Portugal, Spain has set up a number of colonies, fortified moorings and
defended towns. Despite this, maps of the region still contain many
blanks - "Here be monsters".
Many men have attempted to combine the life of a English courtier
with that of an explorer. Few have succeeded, at least for any great
length of time. The first, Sir Walter Raleigh, shine brightly
at Court briefly, but then "retired" to obscurity (on his estates in Devon)
in 1570. It was widely perceived that his secret marriage to Elizabeth
Throckmorton, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, sealed his fate.
Trade - in particular, that with the Spanish Main - has made (and
lost) many fortunes. While the original expeditions were funded by
rich individuals (and/or the Crown), many are now backed by companies. Investing
in such a company may not yield the returns of a really successful expedition,
but the risk is significantly lower. One of the longest-established
& most respected - the London-based "Swifte Trading Company"
- is now 20 years old. "Swifte" and the well-regarded "Peter
Bull" company were both originally family enterprises.
Even renowned mariners have found themselves at the mercy of the
elements, unfriendly natives and enemy vessels. The disastrous trading
voyage led by Sir John Hawkins and Francis Drake,
in 1571, is still fresh in many memories. En route to the Spanish Main,
a hurricane blew them off course. When they eventually put in for repairs
at San Juan de Ulua (in Mexico), they were attacked by Spanish ships
and soldiers. Most of the Englishmen were captured or killed, and
the entire expedition was feared lost. Only two ships (the Judith
and the Minion) eventually returned to London.
Drake led several voyages of reprisal against the Spanish, sinking
their ships and - not incidentally - making himself and his backers very
rich. On the proceeds, he was able to outfit the greatest expedition
ever made: a full circumnavigation of the world [1577-80]. Queen Elizabeth
marked his unparalleled achievement in 1581 with a knighthood.
In the following years, it was another sea captain - Stephen Hardy
- who was briefly the Queen's Favourite. However, a scandal (involving
the death of the Earl of Worcester's son in a duel) sealed his fall from
royal favour in 1583. Hardy set sail for the Spanish Main, on a voyage
of exploration.
Later in the same year, Sir Francis Drake led 25 English vessels
into Cadiz harbour, where they destroyed a Spanish fleet bound for the Low
Countries. This act, known in England as "The Singeing of the King
of Spain's Beard" (and probably something less cheerful in Spain) drove
Anglo-Spanish relations to an all-time low. However, Drake was greeted
by cheering crowds when he returned home. Nevertheless, he too departed
for the Spanish Main before the end of the year.
This morning, Sir Francis Drake's The Golden Hind and Stephen
Hardy's Unicorn arrived unexpectedly in London.
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Of Pirates and Privateers
Wherever there are merchant ships carrying valuable cargoes, there
are likely to be pirates. This holds true off the Barbary Coast, in
the Spanish Main, off the west coast of Ireland - even in the English Channel.
Pirates have been particularly prevelant in the Spanish Main, mainly
preying on the Treasure Fleets carrying silver (and other precious items)
home to Spain. In the early days of Elizabeth's reign, English and
French "Sea Dogs" cooperated to raid Spanish shipping. More
recently, Spain's Treasure Fleets have become larger and better protected.
Privateers are sanctioned by the State. Letters of
Marque entitle the holder to attack and seize the cargoes of ships of
enemy nations (against whom one is at war). Letters of Reprisal
are issued by a court to "right a wrong"; the holder may inflict a certain
(monetary) level of "reprisal" against the person/nation named judged to be
"in the wrong".
[NB: This game refers to Letters of Marque and Reprisal as a
single entity, and doesn't draw a distinction between them. The only
legal distinction between a "pirate" and a "privateer" is possession of such
Letters].
While the inhabitants might not admit it publicly, piracy and smuggling
are a vital part of the economy of the West Country (ie south-west England).
Some of England's finest mariners - Sir John Hawkins, Sir Walter Raleigh,
Sir Francis Drake and Stephen Hardy among them - were born & raised in
this part of the country. When the envoy carrying a christening gift
to the French Court was attacked in the English Channel in 1573, Elizabeth
was forced to act. She sent a fleet and soldiers into the West Country,
to round up and bring to trial over a hundred offenders. The long-term
effectiveness of this act is, however, debatable at best.
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Of Plays and Playwrights
The courtier, scholar and playwright Francis Bacon was at
the height of his literary fame in 1581. When his newest play, "The
Boy of Seville", called for a junior lead, actor-manager Richard
Burbage took the unprecedented decision of casting a boy (rather than
an adult actor) in the role. The experiment was a resounding success,
establishing Robert Floode as the newest member of the
"Lord Admiral's Men" (company of actors).
William Shakespeare began staging his historical plays, starting
with "Richard III", shortly after he arrived in London that same year.
While clearly flattering to the Tudors (and hence the Queen), this
matched the popular mood in the city. However, by the end of the following
year, his "history plays" were beginning to feel tired and formulaic; the
fickle crowds began to lose interest.
Christopher (Kit) Marlowe's first play, "The Jew of Malta",
shocked the Establishment but drew the crowds. In 1583, Shakespeare
responded first with "The Merchant of Venice", then the comedy "Much
Ado About Nothing". This change of pace sat well with the Court
and the common people. Through the following two years, the two playwrights
enjoyed a friendly rivalry, all the while delighting the London audiences.
(A performance by royal command is still the highest accolade
affordable to a play).
Last week, Marlowe's last and greatest play, "Doctor Faustus",
opened at the Swan Theatre. The venue has filled to capacity for every
performance. Richard Burbage is again being applauded for his
acumen at casting - relative newcomer Charles Kemp has added significant
depth to the role of "Helen of Troy".
Tonight, Sir James Frost (in his capacity as "Official Censor
to the Queen's Privy Council") is due to accept submissions for new plays,
and to grant official approval to the one he feels most merits it.
Meanwhile, the theatre-going public mourns the death of Kit Marlowe, found
poisoned today in a local tavern.
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On Ruling England
Elizabeth rules as absolute monarch. Currently she is unmarried
and has no named heir. As such, the succession is (perilously) uncertain.
The Queen is advised by her Privy Council, which deals with
many of the day-to-day tasks of running a country. Perhaps best-known
of the Privy Councillors is Sir James Frost, the Lord Chamberlain.
He is ultimately responsible (to the Queen) for all that goes on within
England's shores. He is also the Official Censor, vetting all plays
to ensure that they will not give offence to the Queen, nor encourage lawlessness
and public disorder.
The responsibility for all Foreign Affairs lays with the infirm Lord
Peter Harwood. Owing to his current ill-health, his role is ably filled
by his wife, Lady Constance Harwood. It is widely understood
that if her support can be gained, her husband's vote will surely follow.
The shadowy figure of Sir Francis Walsingham lurks at the
back of the Privy Council. He is rumoured to have responsibility for
all matters of Intelligence - spying, spy-hunting and other unsavoury activities.
However, his name is spoken in whispers, if at all; "an invitation
from Sir Francis" is likely to mean imprisonment, torture, even death.
Many have attempted to involve the Privy Councillors with their schemes.
However, this path is fraught with danger. The Privy Council
has a habit of supporting its own aims, not those of petitioners.
The Privy Council is drawn from among the Royal Court. Courtiers
vie for the Queen's attention and support, as a route to advancement. Many
have - or wish to have - the ear of the Queen. Competition among the
more ambitious is fierce, with much to gain but everything to lose.
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Further Information
Return to the index page
(This page was last updated on 17-October-2008).
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