The Marriage Game

I believe the Earl will quite enjoy Denmark! I am so very excited!
*blushes*

Lady Anne *bows*
Would you wish me to consult with the Department of Relatives and see who I can find for you? I seem to have become matchmaker-in-chief.

Dear Aunt of Cleeves, why didst thou not say so sooner?! My court is full of fine husbands who I insist do not allow wives at court and are given lands far off to house their families in. Wudst one or many of those do?!

'tis a pity we had John Dudley executed really. I find those Dudleys most fun and they are good at cards, parties and the drinking of ale.

Hast thou any suggestions for mine lovely aunt your Imperial Majesty? Alas she ist much like myself and hath not yet been graced with good husband. I fund her most fun and she ist the most buxom lady of our court... which I hear tell men doth like, though my father liked it not.

To Anne of Cleves:
I recommend unto you any of Ferdinand's boys. Particularly his son Ferdinand the Younger. Who has made a most inappropriate marriage and would be much better suited.
Sigismund August of Poland.
Adolf, duke of Holstein-Gottorp, a relation of my niece Christina's father.
Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy has a silly name but would like to be on my good side.
My own son, Phillip II.

The Department of Relatives? How fascinating. That sounds rather nice, although I must warn that I am disinclined to any sort of marriage arrangement, as I value my standing and allowances too greatly. I need someone who will not cause the King to feel...uneasy and who is comfortable with a casual sort of acquaintance.

Dear Elizabeth, I think I should feel terribly guilty to carouse with a married man...the influence of Cleves doth linger persistently.

Further:
Johann Friedrich, Duke of Pomerania
John George, the Elector of Brandenberg

In fact, if any German duke strikes your fancy, merely let me know. I do carry some influence in that part of the world and am quite enjoying this matchmaking business.

Pomerania and Brandenburg sound pleasant...do you have pictures?

The great "Ironhead" wast once fine suitor to my good self I remember.

I found I quite liked the name Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, it sounds most... English. Tis most fine in it's Italian version too. I find most things better in Italian.

"Alex Littletub" hath not the same air about it as "Alesandro Botticelli" for instance.

Emmanuel Philibert looks pleasant, but his wife is most well-connected. That could be trouble.

Give me a moment, good lady.
*sends clerk to the Department of Portraiture*


That is Johann Frederich.


And this is the elector.

And that, my daughter to be, is why I speak Italian to women.

Bonne nuit Charles and friends!

*smiles*

Your Majesty, thou art truly wise indeed.

Good night maman.

Though I do greatly enjoy your wise council my lord and am finding this matchmaking most diverting I too shudst take to mine bed. I have most weighty business to partake in on the morrow, the the following day I do begin upon my short progress. Therefore, alas, this lady doth need her sleep.

Your Imperial Highness, dear Aunt Anne, I wudst take my leave of you. I bid thee a good evening and hope to see thee upon mine return if not sooner.

The elector looks very gruff; that beard reminds me somehow of my husband. Johann Friedrich, however, looks potentially quite agreeable. How is his disposition?

The Duke of Pomerania is quite Lutheran, but in good service to the empire. I must confess I've never met the fellow.

Elizabeth, I cannot wait for us to become family! Don Juan writes he is most eager to make your acquaintance in person- and as for me, I cannot wait to meet mine own Wizard Earl!

I am not too picky about matters of religion; besides, I was raised Lutheran, so it is not strange to me. If Johann Frederich liketh good ale, nice parties, and friendly conversation in German, then we might arrange for him to visit England some time soon.

Other Anne thou art so fabulously wealthy, thou art one of the wealthiest women in all of England, why dost thou not go on a singles cruise. I hear the Mary Boleyn makes the channel crossing with all you can drink for one low price! Many eligible French and English bachelors avail themselves of this cruise to meet comly single women such as yourself.

I am quite sure he likes all those things, as he is German of course!
I shall send word to good Duke Johann to meet Don Juan in Bilbao to sail to these fair shores.

*brushes off hands*
There is Elizabeth, Anne, and Christina well settled. And Marie's son. Who's next?

I wonder thou wouldst choose for moi your majesty? I am not an easy lady to match! I will be a quite a challenge for your matchmaking skills!

You would be indeed!
Let's see... the man for Lady Anne must be intelligent, confident, with great personality, and above all- rich.
It is a tricky one.

My younger brother Ferdinand is currently without a wife...and already has 15 children, so you would not be pressured to produce and heir.

*to self: my answer yesterday would have been different*