Chapter 27

Mary, Queen of Scots's intention to choose a second husband and enter into another marriage caused a sensation throughout Europe, no exaggeration.

In this era, marriage was the most important political tool, and the resulting royal bloodline and offspring could either promote peace or lead to war.

Marrying an ordinary princess only brings the right to inherit a country or offspring of noble blood, but marrying the ruler of a country brings the entire country.

What could be a more tempting dowry than this?

No.

Moreover, this does not only represent the rights of a small country, but also signifies a deeper level of religious struggle.

If the Queen of Scots were to marry into another powerful nation, one strong enough to give Scotland the upper hand in its struggle against England, it could very well bring the entire British Isles back into the embrace of Rome and Catholicism.

If Queen Elizabeth I of England had also decided to marry and then acquire Scotland by force, it would have meant that Protestantism would have completely replaced Catholicism in Great Britain.

After the Scottish Parliament officially relayed the news, countless people rode swiftly out of Edinburgh, then traveled by ship or land to report the news to the royal families or lords of various countries.

Following this, European nobles of marriageable age began to travel to Scotland in person, hoping to win the Queen's favor, or sending their most eloquent confidants with generous gifts in an attempt to secure the marriage through a transaction.

Other female rulers also turned their attention to this northern island nation, paying close attention to the Queen of Scots' marriage, as it was also related to their own interests.

Of course, the one who is of most interest is Elizabeth I.

...

Mary, who started this storm, is opening the letter.

In just over a month after the news broke, she received more letters than she had in the previous year. Most of them were greetings from royal families or nobles of various countries, while a few were so-called advices with earnest wording, full of seemingly sincere opinions.

For example, the letter she is holding now is from the Medici Queen Mother of France.

Queen Dowager Medici and she had a long-standing strained relationship, but upon hearing the news, she immediately wrote to advise her that if she were to choose a husband, she should not choose a Protestant from England. If possible, she should choose a nobleman from France or Italy, such as a young man from a collateral branch of the royal family or a young man from the Medici family.

In the letter, Queen Mother Medici skillfully assured her that if she were willing to marry into the Italian family, her husband would definitely bring a dowry of no less than 200,000 gold florins to live in Scotland. At the same time, she implied that a husband of low status would not compete with her for power, and that Italy would continue to provide financial support in the future.

After reading the letter, Mary couldn't help but be tempted for a few seconds by the prospect of 200,000 gold florins.

“As expected of a commercial family from an Italian city, they talk about 200,000 gold coins so easily. That’s more than Scotland earns in ten years,” Mary said.

After Fleming left, Miss Emma Wilson, who took over the vacant lady-in-waiting duties, said: "This is a fair and reasonable deal. As a merchant family, the Medici can greatly enhance their status in Europe, and you can have a steady stream of money."

Emma, ​​who also came from a merchant family, knew all too well how nobles looked down on merchants. No matter how wealthy they were, in the eyes of pure-blooded nobles, they were still lowly people reeking of money. If one could win the heart of a queen with money alone, it would be an incredible windfall.

“Even so, I can’t accept it… Although they are a banking family, the Medici’s status is still too low. If I were to marry into their family, the royal families of various countries would laugh at me to death,” Mary said, casually tossing the letter into the fireplace.

The next letter came from the ruler of the Duchy of Lorraine—her uncle, Duke Guise, and two other cardinal uncles.

The Duke of Guise strongly urged her to carefully choose her second husband, and absolutely not to choose a husband from England. Although the Medici Queen Mother was unwilling, some ministers in the French court still set their sights on her, wanting Charles IX to marry his widowed sister-in-law. They wanted to give it a try first, and if that didn't work out, they would turn their attention to large countries like Spain or Austria.

“My uncle still hasn’t given up on my marriage to the King of France…” Mary sighed, then threw the letter into the fireplace.

The next letter came from Pope Pius IV in Rome.

Compared to the previous ones, this Holy Father's request was much more reasonable. He only required that the Queen of Scotland marry a fellow Catholic before he would bestow his blessing.

“It depends. If the benefits of marrying a Protestant are enough, I might consider it,” said Mary, a not-so-devout Catholic.

The Queen rested her chin on her hand, her face beneath her thick black hair displaying a cold expression, a stark contrast to the pious fervor she displayed when facing the papal envoy.

The next few letters were all marriage proposals.

"The King of Denmark, the King of Sweden, the Grand Duke of Ferrara of Italy, the Grand Duke of Savoy, His Majesty Ferdinand of Austria..." Miss Emma called out one by one, and couldn't help but be amazed by the number and caliber of the suitors.

Some of these people only sent messengers, while others were already on their way, such as the Duke of Ferrara, who seemed determined to win the Queen's heart.

After reading the name aloud from the letter, Emma looked up, expecting to see Her Majesty the Queen's satisfied smile, but instead saw only a displeased frown.

Emma couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, don't you like any of these suitors?"

Mary ran her hand through the letters, pushing aside all the letters from the lords of the small countries and regions, and then took out only the letter from the Austrian envoy.

“For the Queen, saying ‘I like her’ is too much of a luxury. Actually, Ferdinand is a good marriage prospect, although he is a bit old. But Austria is too far from Scotland. I can’t marry into Austria and become Queen, and he can’t stay in Scotland to be my husband. If there is a conflict with England, Austria, which is too far away, won’t be able to help in time…” Mary shook her head as she spoke and threw the letter into the fire.

"Any letters from Spain?" Mary asked.

“Yes,” Emma said, pulling out a letter from King Philip II of Spain.

Philip II was the husband of Mary I, Elizabeth's sister. After Mary I's death, he even considered marrying Elizabeth I, but she politely declined.

In this marriage proposal, he finally didn't personally propose, but instead hinted at a possible connection between Mary and the Spanish Crown Prince—his son, Don Carlos.

The implication was that he had not yet made up his mind and that Philip II would only agree to his son marrying the Queen of Scots after the envoys negotiated and reached mutually satisfactory terms.

As one of the leading powers in Europe, Spain has the confidence and strength to back it up.

Mary Seton was horrified when she heard the prince's name.

"It is said that Don Carlos has a mental illness and a very violent temper. Your Majesty, you will definitely not be happy if you marry him," Seton said worriedly.

“But he is the heir to the Spanish throne, so let’s put him on the list for consideration first,” Mary said calmly.

...

A marriage alliance is a major decision that cannot be made in a short time; it could take several years of negotiation, not to mention the need to consider the opinions within Scotland.

Mary quickly gathered information on the opinions of various countries, and then turned her attention to Elizabeth's reaction.

Elizabeth I's reaction was just as intense as that of her predecessor.

She quickly sent a messenger to Mary, conveying her cousin's opinion on her marriage.

If Mary, Queen of Scots, were to accept a marriage proposal from a major European power such as Austria, France, or Spain, and marry their crown prince or king, she would consider it an act of hostility and would not hesitate to go to war!