Spain: The Establishment

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

An Introduction

There was once a King whom had a vision to unfiy two kingdoms beneath one crown. It was an ambition many men had. Him, not being the first nor the last, sought to do this with a particular woman of France. She, too, had her ambitions. In a famed marriage that lasted a day but is still whispered about years later, it is said she left with the crown of Aragon upon her beautiful head. His respect for his one day wife warrants her the title of Princess of Corsica, where in the life she returned to in Scotland some call her the Lady Inveryne, Rosalind Avalle. Still, this would give him a French ally that lived on Scottish soil, but not the wife he sought to solidify part of his stance.

Queen for a number of Days, Remembered so Fondly: On Civility

The Spanish are frought with a plague of Moors to be rid of, two kingdoms in one land, and a Europe that is changing quicker than most can attest to. Alfonso IV, the King of Aragon, seeks to be at the forefront of this change. He wishes to crush the last Muslim strongholds around Iberia. He is pragmatic, intelligent, witty, and all that a ruler ought be. It does not compensate for what said ruler lacks.

A wife.

He is not lacking sons nor daughters. He is not lacking heirs nor items to barter, yet the presence of a Queen is one of the necessities a true monarchy ought not to lack. After the end of his time with Rosalind he sought for himself a woman of Castille to make unifying crowns a little easier. This is not to say his search was not as expansive as his own amition. It was hard to say whether Aragon delighted at his choice of bride, or Castille delighted further for her absence. It was even harder to say if they welcomed the chance to increase their holdings or bawked at the story, so public, that followed. Still, pedigrees speak louder than discontent. A choice was made to allow him his ease, but he took nails wrapped in beautiful jewels knowing what he recieved. He took a woman, whom in being trod upon, had become the snake at the heel. Still, like his former one-day bride she was well spoken, honest, yet still able to surrender herself to the world of men. Her imposistions were even done behind men.

King Alfonso IV took to wife Isabelle of Castille.Formerly, his lovely bride was Queen of England, Matriach of the House of Plantagenet. At the time of their union, it was no undisputed fact among the pair that she was indeed the French She-Wolf of fame, the former lover of Roger Mortimer, or the woman whom would have led a seige against her own husband had not one man ruined that possiblity. From one set of rubble arises new prospect.

With these two kingdoms unified, the remaining come to fall in line beneath them for gain or glory. Ruin is not in the mindset of the King nor is it in the midset of a woman whom has taken Salic Law to wield as a weapon. What do the houses of Aragon and Castille think of this, or the other Kingdoms who now fall under a thing called Espania?

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

(NPC's could be open for shared play & eventual character movement, refer to MST Livie for all information and permission regarding them. Final approvals and restrictions are subject to the MST)

King: King Alfonso IV of Aragon, now the King of Epania: (see above for information)

Queen: Queen Isabelle of Castille, formerly Isabelle of England(as written by the Creator of Skye, Beathag)[/b], A She-Wolf in true fashion she has been the spurned only to become the teeth ripping out the Achilles' tendon of her oppressors. She needs nothing of old English peerage, nor French familial connection to ascertain her means. Why, even the love of Roger Mortimer waxes and wans with the moon. If she were a gift of peace to England and to Roger was a step toward the throne, what is she now to Aragon and Castile?

The People

Lord Chamberlain(As Written by the Creator of Skye, Adam): Lord Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March is the infamous man who took up as the lover of Queen Isabelle and launched a revolt to remove the former King of England from power to be replaced by his son, which would mean Roger would have had the regency. If only not for the Mo'r Triath's crushing of it and all English tradition, he would have been undisputed King. For no less than a year he kept bed neither with his displaced Queen or his cast away wife, but all things have changed under the Spanish sun. Utlizing his knowledge of Europe and the inner workings of the foundling Celtic kingdom, Mortimer finds his star increasing as the King seeks his word.

Lady-in-Waiting, Privy Chamber (As written by the creator of Skye, Beathag) Joan de Geneville, Baroness Geneville, Countess of March. Once the disgruntled cast aside who bore Roger Mortimer no less than 10 children while he took hold of Isabelle, a woman scorned is now a woman brought into the fold when a cast aside mistress of a year's time on her own saw the advantage of women united. Not only would Mortimer return, but he would make up for his great sins by appearing in public with his wife while keeping privy council with his mistress. Stranger things have occured, and with the will of a King no less. The money she holds in English and Irish counties has funded a great deal of Mortimer's dealing. She now has been given hold of some of her own purse strings to appease her. Little does he know she has been funding the Irish cause for true freedom to secure her own way out if need be. She is also in league with the neglected, underestimated wife of Alfonso XI of Castile, The Infanta Maria of Portugal, a neglected woman whom has also been made less to that of a mistress. Joan excells in the art of grace under moral marital seige, and the Infanta has a key to a door that may unlock Joan's ultimate freedom.


Lady Rosalind Inveryne-Lamont, made Princess of Corsica (As played and written by the creator of Rosalind) in honor of the foundness held of Alfonso unto her. The woman impressed him greatly, and while France and Spain danced not long in their marital union, who knows what may come of their frendship. She is a woman whom has inside connections to the French Court and is said to have the same in Portugal. The King considers her a fond, personal friend with whom he is impressed. Also with her comes Scottish history, which can not be ignored as the country has turned all of Europe to look at it.

Ana-Catalina de Cervillion- Princess of Naples, and a Princess of the House of Aragon.( As played and written by the creator of Ana)[/i][/b] Born a woman made lesser in a world ruled by men, she is still an important pawn the world over to those who'd seek her out. To the House of Aragon, she is but a family member who comes with a door to a fascinating world unfurling in Italy. Though family, it could be perilous. It is said there are Aragonese intrigues now that happen in Italy.

Peter IV - Heir of Aragon, now Heir of Espania, the young man was born of the King in his union with Teresa de'Entenca. His brother is the Count of Urgell, James I, and his sister is Constance. Of the three the girl is the older yet valued for whom she weds, the second is the lesser son and as the first born boy, Peter is thrust precarious on the edge of a bold fronteer.

Alfonso XI of Castile, former King of Castile Why would an independent kingdom with an ancient line surrender it's own crown to place it on another's head, let alone that of a woman who is England's failed matriach, and the princess of a house no longer in power in France? Why stylize her of Castile? Some say that this Alfonso has much to gain with the unified Kingdoms and seeks to replace the Alfonso of Aragon. Others speculate that Isabelle has promised him a place in a new line of succession that will merge both royal houses. Others have said that he has his eyes on Portugal, and with a unified Spain might convince the current master to take it for Spain's own, and give it to him. Or will he instead seek the crown and Portugal? He understands his subject enough not to go too far, and it is a trait that the King of the unified naitons admires. Friends though they may be, are they truly united?

He is known for killing for reasons of state without utilizing trials or evidence. He is not as bloody as some, but far more methodical than most. He brings with him a neglected wife and a mistress that will in time beget him no less than 10 children as the years go on.

Maria of Portugal, Infanta Maria of Portugal, Daughter of King Alfonso IV of Portugal The ignored wife of the Castilian King who is ignored in favor of his mistress. Doing what his first wife Constance of Portugal could not, she gave her husband an heir. Still unable to mantain his attention, she is a pebble in his shoe that is sanctified, if anything else. With the world changing, she like other women seeks to change her situation in a unique way that remains wholly female while utilizing the resources surrounding her, such as being a Portuguese Infanta.

Eleanor of Guzman, Mistress to the former King of Castile was a woman who would even give birth to a Castilian King, now a member of the Espania line of succession. She was a mistress whom overthrew a Queen in adoration and perhaps became one of the most public figures in current conversation. The King promised to imprison her in a nunnery under threat of seige, lack of papal support, and loss of Portuguese alliance but it seemed Eleanor's charms were too strong to resist. Beautiful, and plentiful, she has given birth already to three of her lover's children as tokens of his gratitude unto her, all titled and claimed by him much to his wife's chagrin. It remains to be seen what her true objectives are, but it is said that she has given Queen Isabella useful advice. Deemed the Unofficial Castlian Queen, she has her secrets, such as a Jew for a father.


Vaasco Sanchiz , The Butcher of Toledo (as written by the Creator of Skye, Adam): Always one step ahead of the Portuguese and Spanish armies, he is a hand that Spaniards have tried to supress while at the same time commissioning him for sanctioned killings or so rumor states. Coin and all manner of resources are being put out to bring Vaasco Sanchiz forward to the attention of Lord Roger Mortimer, the King's Chamberlain.


Goverment and Social

Religion: Catholic
Add'tl faiths: Judaism (Dominant: Sephard), Islam

Current Attitudes/Goals. Now unified, Spain seeks to be rid of all Moorish influence on the Iberian pennisula such as Corsica, Genoa and Sicily. Spain is in the beginning stages of making a bid at continental supremacy. Of the current attitude, the citzenry is mixed between wishing for old independence and seeing the strength in numbers. It is a custom of most European countries to have many seperate kingdoms or city-states that function independent of one another. Alliances and divisions are costly, where as one unified front diminishes some internal factors. Current Spanish goals consist of

- King Alfonso looking among his peer groups to see what might benefit, or harm Spain.
- Settling in his new Queen
- Fortifying his stronghold at home and abroad
-Forming an Agenda based upon the Old Spanish Kingdoms, their desires, and the new way.
- A completion of the Reconquista.
- Italian territory
- The possibility of English territory, as would be his through marriage to his wife.
- To have a pleasing eye turned unto the unity of the country from the Holy Offices.

Secondary Ambitions
- securing power in trade and discovery
- growing in martime authority on the waters
- seeking a potential absorbtion of Portugal into the crown

[Lady Eirian Gwenyth Apollius]

The People, Part II

Arcelia la Coronado & Luiza de la Segovia (As written by the creator of Skye and guest writer) - Born to a glacier and his wife in Madrid, in May of the year 1300. What make the pair exceptional is they share the distinction of being fraternal twins, instead of identical. Ah, features tell lies so well that many do not see beyond the thick dark hair of the green eyes to know the difference. The faces are similiar, yet different. The stature is similiar, yet Arcelia is seperate from Luiza by a distinct inch only compensated for only in heeled shoes. Both women are determined, spectacular, and capable. Both are their own individual beings:

Arcelia: (as written by the creator of Skye, MST Livie) Arcelia la Coronado was once de la Segovia, but as time went on a woman's name is often subject to what her husband will have or what she will make of it. If she makes it herself, she is often too independent for her own good. The glacier's daughter was pretty indeed, the first born of the two. Even among twin sets, the first born is supposed to be the best born, but both of them were not as inclined to this meaning. Arcelia grew to be statuesque young girl and a well endowed woman. These two forms of life influenced later choices.

From an early age, her mother often sat weaving fingers or doting a comb through the hair of her children. For Arcelia, who often stayed awake a little longer for the treatment of which Luiza had little patience for after a time, the woman would tell stories of a Madrid hot with scandal. She told her of how she once knew of a woman that counted her patrons as she counted rosary beads, there were so many! God does not approve of such women, but still they astounded her. Women of all walks tried to emulate the way their Spanish was spoken, the fabric of their clothes, or the way they wore there hair. She told Arcelia:

"Ten thousand stars lived on her head, and made her glow under the light of the candles or the sun. Oh, Arcelia. You and your sister, si. You glow this way. Each of you has a different shine. You will both be the wives of fine men."

When she was fifteen years of age, she did become a wife to a man named de Vega. Senor de Vega was a man poised to rise in the world, and at the age of 35 appreciated the succor a young, beautiful bride would bring him. He was not unkind to Arcelia, yet envious the sister became when instead of wife, Luiza became a mistress. Why should the wife envy the mistress? The mistress was free while the wife was duty bound. The mistress was exhaulted while the wife was merely cherished. Yes, there was a difference. Senor de Vega showered his young bride in gifts worthy of a Queen to adorn a splendor he emphasised so well it spread as rapidly through the region. Senora de Vega was a woman of exquisite beauty the nobles began to gravitate around as if to soak it up for themselves. He was a man who traded in what was called the new worlds of possibility. The promise of what they could be was cut short before the first year when de Vega contracted consumption, leaving his young bride alone in their estate in Leon.

She was sixteen years old, one year behind her sister in the business that cast the name of Luiza de la Segovia in enamored disdain. Unlike Luiza, she was possessed of a legitimate basis. Widowhood was a state of freedom, too. She wore the mourning black in earnest for he was a good man to her. She wore the mourning black while concocting her elaborate plans to emerge a butterfly from the cocoon. First it was to entertain her husband's company, then it was to gather all they knew, and learn what they did not. Next it was to open the chamber door. After this, the rest was history.

No one in Leon could speak of beauty without saying Arcelia, and they say that across Castille she glows like the sun, with the potency of the ten thousand stars brushed in to her hair by her mother. So beautiful was she of this glow they called her 'Coronado, the crowned one', and this was how La Coronado was born. She has only ever loved one man, and for a woman of independent means it is strange she should have cared for a warrior-priest of the Templar. Taken to vows of poverty but by no means destitute, the youth of Peter DeVarauex was before the poor vows, when he was a knight of means dangling on God's service. Now, they both are at a loss of how to pass the time.

5.7
114 lbs
33 years of age

Luiza: (as written by the creator of Skye, MST Will)

Luiza de la Segovia is a notorious courtesan in Madrid. She is renowned for her independence although she’s a kept woman. Luiza had always been proud, honorable, and sticking to her principles. Her version of revenge on the men who have hurt her in the past, as well as life’s cruel circumstances, had pushed her into her current profession. However, it has not changed her character at all. Many times through her life, she chose her protector, bedded him, and then discarded him. When she said goodbye, she did not look back.

"I shall not say why and how I became, at the age of 15, the mistress of Senior Marco Antonio Tapia and on to become Spain’s most notorious courtesan. But the stories after are true… and so it shall be told…" And the account of her life began… the tale full of exuberant self-aggrandizement, in a timeless world in which she was the dazzling sun and all the great men she had known were mere twinkling stars.

It all begins with a childhood memory,walking with her grandmother through the streets of Madrid at night, she realized that a beautiful woman was standing inside a doorway near them, half illuminated by a lamp, half invisible in darkness. As they passed, the woman let her black cloak fall aside to reveal a luxurious assemblage of scarlet undergarments; and instead of hurrying her young charge on, Luiza’s grandmother insisted they pause to admire the woman's beauty. But it was a strange kind of beauty, for the woman seems to have been uncanny and a little provocative.

The tale Luiza told was a composition of light and dark, a landscape rather than a body… the image of a continent divided by a sword's shadow. One side is bright and orderly, the world of decent society, through which a respectable woman walks as if on a path through Turas Lan Gardens. The other is a glowering, tumbled wilderness of precipices and ruins like those of Toledo. Her tale traversed Europe at will, stepping from night to sunlight and back but any woman who once crosses the shadow of the sword can never return.

Ah, the danger and sheer strangeness of a courtesan's life. The life could be grandiose to the point of only limited by sheer imagination, for they were often trendsetters for society, never quite fit to be seen in public…. To the usual fate of aging courtesans… declining into the even shadier world of low-class prostitution followed by early, raddled death.

Despite her entry into the thirties, Luiza’s sensuality is beautiful… and her physical beauty can be altered thru cosmetics… re-introduced to tenderness of the ages through Vaasco’s steeled love for her. Her conflicted thoughts and actions for the future as she tries to deal with a man who lives two sides of a coin.

5.8 inches
115 pounds
33 years of age