1577, summer

London

The heated discussion between King Edward VII and the congressmen of the English Parliament on the enactment of the Constitution was going on at the English Parliament.

“Constitution is the highest law, the law above all the laws. I've learned from the precedents of the Roman Empire, that even the Five Good Emperors of the Roman Empire - Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius - were not perfect. Even Marcus Aurelius made a mistake of repressing the good Christians and following the Pagan traditions. So, how could a normal person, like me be always correct?”

“It would be arrogance and would not be acceptable to God!

So, I suggest that we should make a Constitution to regulate all rights and duties of every people in this Kingdom, including myself.”

The real reason for this suggestion? I do not want any other noble or foreign king to try to steal my domain - Great Britain(England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales) and the Netherlands - with the claim of him being my great cousin or whatsoever. For that, I had to turn this kingdom from my personal possession to the shared property of the king, nobles and the gentry of this kingdom. Therefore, I need to expand the number of the congressmen in the House of Commons and enact a Constitution, which will be a 'Melting Pot' that can merge England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Netherlands in one country.

On the other hand, this means I'll shrink the scepter (royal rights) myself because it's similar with turning the private company into an Ltd, which shrinks the rights and powers of the CEO.

And that made the congressmen pleased, but at the same time, perplexed. Because the 2 things I suggested, enacting the Constitution and the increase of the number of the Congressmen were the things the parliament used to do when they were threatening the incompetent king like King John, not the things the king would suggest - normally.

In short, they were wondering

'Why is that boy king, trying to tie his own hands?'

So, one senator said

”We're really grateful your majesty, that you're listening to our opinion, but isn't enacting the Constitution a bit too early?”

And one gentry from the House of Commons said

“Yes, your majesty. Defining and regulating all rights and duties of every people in this Kingdom, can't be done by a few people in a blink!”

Oh, that's where you pick a bone with me?

'Why did you, the boy king and few scholars from the Holy Roman Empire - whom I have invited to England with the help of my wife, Maria, the Austrian princess - made the draft of the Constitution all by yourselves?'

“You have a point. Ok, then I'll leave the task of enacting the constitution and the reorganizing constituencies to the Parliament. I'll give you half a year. Just make sure that you complete it until I held a coronation as a King of Great Britain(England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales) and the Netherlands. I'm counting on you.”

“Long live King Edward VII! Hooray!!!”

Although I know that the draft will be distorted in the process, I've saved their face. Since they're also humans just like me, they too would want to express their opinion and would bring home more bacon. But, because I've conceded first, and the current era is the Middle Age and I'm their king, they would at least have a guilty conscience of not violating the scepter (royal rights) too much.

At that year(1577), fall, the Queen of England(My wife), Maria was once again pregnant.

She again made a wry smile, saying

“I really wish that this time, it's a healthy prince, my king.”

And I replied

“It's okay, my love. In Britain, recently, there was my mother(Queen Mary) and in ancient times, there was Queen Boudica. Another princess is fine. Just take care of yourself.”

Maria looked surprised at my words, first with her eyes rolling and then turned her head sideways and giggled.

Next year(1578) spring, the draft of the Constitution, which was enacted by the House of Commons was handed to me after it passed the House of Lords.

One thing was sure in that draft. It takes two to quarrel.

The House of Commons and the House of Lords were fighting to the death, over how much which side will gain more power, I - the King - have conceded.

The most amazing issue was one gentry from the House of Commons and a marquis of the House of Lords had a duel at the backyard of the Westminster Palace. The gentry was dead and the marquis's face was severely damaged that he had to wear a mask for his life.

And that was the tip of the iceberg of the quarrels of the two Houses, and although I didn't intend at first, it was 'Divide and Conquer' tactic. So, I was just watching their dispute, only interfering when it goes too serious.

1578, Easter

London

“I hereby proclaim that the British Isles are united and England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are now one kingdom - Great Britain!”

“God save Great Britain! Long live King Edward VII!!!”

As I have announced before, I held a coronation as king of Great Britain. Of course, Ireland wasn't still fully under control, but since the King of England is also the King of Ireland, it's the same. I plan to take control of Ireland with a carrot - self-ruling parliament - and stick - England's mighty military prowess, just like I did in the Netherlands and in Scotland during my rule.

At the coronation, the Pope's message which was straight from the Vatican was read aloud by the Cardinal James - the successor of Cardinal Reginald. And Great Britain's crown which was made by craftsmen of Italy was put on my head by him, while I was praying with my knees bent. Four crowns of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales were melted for it.

It was a symbolic ritual showing that not only England but the entire British Isles were 'reconquered' by the Catholic church. Thus, several Catholic kings and lords across entire Europe showed up at the coronation. It was to save the Catholic Church's face and to show that the Catholic kingdoms' Holy Alliance was still in order to the Protestant heresy.

The major guests were Rudolf II, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire who was my wife's - Maria's - brother and Felipe II, the King of Spain and my father and Sebastiano Venier, the hero of the Battle of Lepanto and the Doge of Venice, and lords of small kingdoms in Germany and Italy, and so on.

They were VIPs that you can't see easily at one party in the Middle Age, so citizens of London, who were the country mouse of Europe were bewildered at the size and the luxuries of their followers. Of course, I, who was their king, prepared fantastic parades and festivals as well.

Anyway, what surprised me at the coronation was that Henry III of France was also among the Catholic kings who came here.

'Is hell freezing over? Why on earth would the King of France himself come to congratulate on his long rival's - King of England's - party? Isn't the unification of the British Isles bad news to France?'

Of course, I knew he found some time for diplomacy since I heard from the

Catholic Church that the Huguenots Wars was temporary at a ceasefire for now.

So, I slightly beat around the bush.

“Thank you for your visit, your highness. I do hope that France will stabilize under the rule of legitimate, Catholic Faith soon”

It was a satire, which was a mixture of hello and ridicule that France's situation was going to the dogs.

But his reply was different from what I've expected.

“It sure is young King of England. I really feel relieved to have a trustworthy brother of faith like you.”

'Okay...so you need, want, expect GB's help in Huguenots Wars, huh?'

But, I couldn't say 'Yes' on the spot, so I quickly changed the topic into petty little things like weather, women, and so on.

The party, which was held after the coronation, lasted for a month. It was to exaggerate the firmness of the Catholic Holy Alliance and to brag England's power. Although in reality, most of the budget for this party was from Netherland's religious tax, which was paid by Dutch Protestants and Jews.

How ironic!

Anyway, my father - Felipe II - returned to Spain after 2 weeks. Father and son didn't even exchange business style hello. He still didn't like my presence and I couldn't forgive the fact he deserted my mother - Queen Mary.

But he was not the first to leave the party. The Venice delegates stayed less than a week, however, I couldn't criticize them of being rude, because their Doge, Sebastiano Venier had died of old age.

On the other side, Rudolf II - the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire - was the last to leave the party. Compared with his father, Maximilian II, who died 2 years ago(in 1576), he was lazy as a sloth and stupid as a worm. So, he tried to forget all those difficult stuff of governing and indulged on eating and drinking at the party - for a month.

Whatever the reason was, the fact that the emperor showed up till the last moment was helpful to London's economy and boosted London's pride made me like his secretary - his varlet or clown to be exact - until the final day.

After the Sack of Rome, the Vatican's pride was long gone,

so the most influential person in Europe was the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire

and even the King of Spain was below him.

And since I was his brother-in-law

by marrying Maria - his sister - I had the honor of serving him as my guest, so I had to treat him until the end.

“I was very delighted. I'll remember your favor. Please tell me when you're in a tight spot. I'll gladly give you a hand!”

With smiling Rudolf II and his followers gone, the long coronation and the after party was over. Then, I remembered that Henry III of France asked me for help on the first day of the party, but it was too late. He already left to France long before Rudolf II.

So, after seriously contemplating for a while, I've decided to discuss this matter - whether to take sides in Huguenots Wars - with the Parliament.

1578, Summer

Maria gave birth to a boy. He was a stillborn child.

After 4 days of being sick, Maria was also dead.

The cause of death was a puerperal fever.

* The current domain of Edward VII - Great Britain(England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales) and the Netherlands

* The Netherlands also include nowadays Belgium and Luxembourg