How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony
Chapter 277: Eternal Rest (2)

Chapter 277: Eternal Rest (2)

Elizabeth, in her twilight years, could pursue bold and sometimes reckless policies without concern for dynastic repercussions. She acted with the freedom of one who knew her lineage would end with her final breath. There would be no Tudor heirs to inherit the consequences of her actions, no Tudor children to face retribution for her choices. This liberation from dynastic responsibility had emboldened her to take risks that a younger monarch, or one with direct descendants, might have avoided.

James, by contrast, had been stability-oriented throughout his reign in Scotland, cautious and deliberate in his decisions. His every action was made with the knowledge that his sons and their sons after them would inherit both his throne and the consequences of his governance. The Stuart line stretched before him like a chain of obligation, each link binding him to prudence.

After holding a splendid funeral for his political rival – a ceremony of such grandeur that it nearly emptied the royal treasury, with black-draped processions winding through London streets and nobles from across Europe in attendance – James moved with remarkable swiftness. The body of Elizabeth had scarcely cooled when a messenger, riding day and night with fresh horses at every post, delivered news of the Queen’s passing. This herald traveled the long and treacherous route from James’s court in Glasgow to Madrid, where the Spanish king resided in his imposing Alcázar palace.

Felipe III, the young Spanish monarch still living in the shadow of his formidable father Philip II, and his chief minister the Duke of Lerma, who had recently returned to Madrid from the new capital Valladolid, received the news through the messenger from Glasgow. The implications were immediately clear to both men as they exchanged knowing glances across the ornate council chamber. The chessboard of European politics had been upended with the removal of its most cunning queen.

The responsible party for the war had changed.

The Spanish immediately dispatched Duke of Frías, Juan Fernández de Velasco y Tovar, to Glasgow.

For peace negotiations.

"Spain recognizes that England is a Protestant country and shall not attempt to revive Roman Catholicism in England."

"Also, England shall cease all interference and obstruction of Spain’s Atlantic navigation and colonial establishment, and open the English Channel."

"Ships of both countries may use each other’s ports for repairs, refuge, and food supply. Fleets of fewer than eight ships need no permission."

Various provisions were added by the diplomatic envoys of both countries.

From James’s perspective, this war, sparked by Elizabeth’s stubbornness, had brought only harm to his kingdom.

It had not only ravaged Ireland but essentially turned it into an independent state.

Not to mention the serious disruptions to maritime trade in the British Isles caused by the occupation of Ireland.

Moreover, the endless amount of war expenses incurred from facing that great power couldn’t be covered even with the vast treasures flowing in from Virginia.

From Spain’s perspective, continuing the conflict with England was not just unprofitable but harmful.

The ceaseless piracy of the English was terrible, and resources that should have gone to more important conflicts were consumed here.

Thus, the two kingdoms signed the Glasgow Treaty, putting an end to the long war.

"Ending the war like this? After winning so much, not receiving a penny in reparations makes no sense!"

And from there, the seeds of new conflict began to sprout.

From the beginning, it was a treaty James made to focus on domestic politics and put an end to the war. The content of the treaty couldn’t be favorable to England.

James thought he could finally fully claim England.

Now that the frustrating obstructor was gone, he believed he could completely dominate the British Isles.

And...

"We cannot recognize such a treaty! This is humiliation!"

England was in turmoil.

"Right! This is absurd! Not even being able to punish Catholic traitors...? How can this make sense!"

"Ignoring the slave trade is the shame of a civilized nation! We haven’t waged war for so long to achieve this immoral peace!"

The Protestants moved first.

There was a man shouting loudly before them.

"That’s right, Cromwell! Your words are true!"

"We must protest loudly! This is tyranny!"

Robert Cromwell.

He stood with his young son, Oliver Cromwell, beside him and said:

"We want our children to live in a pious and holy England! Not in a land full of dishonor, immorality, and tyranny!"

"Wooaahhh!"

"We will protest! We will firmly demand our rights from King James!"

They, the ’Liverpool faction’ that Elizabeth had joined hands with and recognized, resolved to disobey James.

On the other hand...

"We Catholics have been defeated. That mad witch is dead, but the Scottish bumpkin still reigns over us, trying to spread the wrong faith."

"We must rise up!"

"Right! Right!"

Someone was inciting the Catholics.

They gathered gunpowder, people, and firearms.

Using the brief peace, they organized conspiracies and retreated into the depths.

They cheered.

They cheered the name of the energetic agitator, Guy Fawkes.

Though James sent envoys throughout England proclaiming his royal decree and demanding oaths of loyalty, none of them listened.

The kingdoms that had been temporarily united when the Queen died were now dividing.

But they dreamed of coming together again someday.

As the Queen had proclaimed.

Someone would break these waves, someone would quell this storm.

Someday these kingdoms would be one again under his feet.

Until then, everyone waited.

Picking up and serving the seeds of ambition that the Queen had sown.

==

"Walter? What will you do with this mansion?"

At Nemo’s words, Raleigh pondered for a moment, then gave a hearty laugh.

"...This mansion? Did Her Majesty leave no specific will regarding it?"

"No. This place is temporarily leased land from the Baron of Roanoke, so it’s yours again. Walter, it’s up to you."

"..."

Walter Raleigh looked up at the mansion of his long-time lover and sovereign... and said:

"I will ensure that no one ever lives here again."

"..."

"And I will preserve it forever."

Raleigh walked toward the terrace for a moment, then kissed the doorpost and said:

"...Rest in peace."

That was the end.