Early Stuart England

Ernst von Mansfeld's mercenary army is paralyzed by conflicting orders from England.  James directs Mansfeld to the Palatine, while Charles and Buckingham urge him towards Breda.  The impasse is broken when the King suddenly falls ill.

Autumn 1624

After using parliamentary pressure to get James to break off negotiations with Spain, Charles and Buckingham prepare for England's first war in a generation.  But who and where England will be fighting remain open questions, capable of dividing Charles and Buckingham's political coalition.

Spring 1624

Charles and Buckingham attempt to navigate their way through a parliament.  They have to convince James to adopt a war policy without violating his jealously guarded prerogatives, while at the same time convincing parliament that they can trust the King.  Standing in their way is the greatest advocate of peace, Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex.

1623-1624

Charles and Buckingham are met with popular celebrations upon their return to England.  They immediately begin work assembling a popular anti-Spanish coalition in order to force James into war.  Standing in their way are the entrenched interests of the court.

Summer 1623

Charles and Buckingham plot to return home from Madrid, by any means necessary.  In the mean time, Buckingham plans a diplomatic break with Spain, and a re-branding of himself as the Protestant saviour of Europe.

Spring 1623

Charles and Buckingham arrive in Madrid, where they find themselves in over their heads in a world of geo-political intrigue.  The men who had been picking through the marriage negotiations (John Digby, Earl of Bristol and Count-Duke Olivares) struggle to adapt to the new circumstances.

Meanwhile, back in England, Buckingham's rivals take advantage of his absence, and challenge his political position.

The Earl of Buckingham and Prince Charles embark on a secret voyage to Madrid to complete the marriage treaty between Charles and the Infanta of Spain.  Confusion and fear reigns in England when the news breaks that the heir to the kingdom has walked into the heart of Spain.

After the failure of the 1621 parliament, James turns to a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Europe.  He hopes to use a royal marriage between his son Charles, and the Spanish Infanta (Princess Maria Anna) to broker a peace in the Empire.  However, this plan meets with popular resistance in England, where anti-Catholic and anti-Spanish sentiment runs high.

1622

The Earl of Buckingham and Lionel Cranfield (Earl of Middlesex) battle for supremacy in Ireland.  After Cranfield managed to convince James to set up a commission to investigate corruption in Ireland, and Buckingham does his best to undermine the project.

Autumn 1621

After receiving the support of his subjects in the spring session of parliament, James tries one last time to solve the European crisis through diplomatic pressure.  When he fails, an emergency fall session of parliament reveals the fragility of England's unity.