The History

England 1505
The death of Arthur, Prince of Wales, had not been predicted by anyone. His death was sudden, and rippled through the upper crusts of English nobility as his younger brother, Henry (later to be titled the VIII), was thrust into a new facet of society. Having trained for a life in the clergy, the young Henry took time to adapt, but adapt he did. The widowed wife of his brother was believed to be set up for him the marriage, and although much arrangement went into their pairing, with expensive courting and even a letter to the Pope requesting a void of Katherine of Aragon's previous marriage to Henry's brother, Arthur, the King decided against it. In the years that had passed Henry VII had lost interest in the alliance, turning his attention elsewhere. The young Prince was only starting out in his political career though, and there would be plenty of opportunities to elevate himself on the world stage.

England 1511
The King is dead, long live the King. Henry VIII was crowned having gotten a good few years experience at court. At twenty-two the young King was perfect for the new look England that he wished to introduce; handsome, confident and adventurous. However, not everyone thought such. The Tudors were a family not of Royal lineage, and there were plenty that were keen to remind people of that fact. Rumours spread, aided by the recent memories of people of how it had been before Henry VII, their King's father. War had only just ended before it appeared to be raising it's ugly head once again. Civility was dying once again, and there seemed to be little Henry could do about it. Rebellions rose up against him, stating his blood as unfit for the throne, but they weren't to stop the audacious King so easily. Like any ruler, he struck back with force, and plenty of it, showing his strength and resolve straight from the off.

France 1511
However, there was somewhere his armies found it much harder to march to. A region of his Kingdom that was isolated from all others, ruled by a man said to be the second most powerful Englishman after the King himself. The Duke of Aquitaine held dominion over a territory deep in the heart of France, right on the border with Spain, and the raging seas of the Atlantic cutting against it's shores. This was a land separated by miles of harsh terrain from the rest of their English brethren, a place where the Duke reigned supreme. With such problems, and so many harassing the King as the crown was passed from his dead father to be placed on the head of Henry VIII, the Duke of Aquitaine took his chance. Amidst the scuffle, the Duke took control of his land for good. Proclaiming himself King over the Kingdom of Aquitaine he cut all ties with the English nobility, with the English court and with his English King. Many say this was the first instance they saw the King of England lose that famed calm temperament he had managed to maintain throughout his battle for the throne.

France 1514
Now the Kingdom is well established as a state within the muddle that is Europe, the first King of Aquitaine comfortably securing his power with each passing month. The young King of England is indeed Henry VIII, and needless to say relations with England remain strained. However, having garnered the favour of the Spanish, there is little for the English to do. Although no solid agreement has been secured with their Iberian neighbours, the King of Aquitaine is comfortable that the existence of this small independent state, when compared to the English controlled territory, is much more advantageous for the Spanish currently. That isn't the say that more won't be needed.

The French continue to harass and invade at every opportunity, sure that the land that this new Kingdom is built upon is rightfully theirs. However, their forces are average, and the Aquitines standing army, left by the King of England for the defense of the realm, is strong enough to repel most major insurgents. The economy is steadying, the people growing more assured in the prolonged peace. Things seem to be going well, but as with any country, behind the scenes is a different story.