Alternate History of Europe Timeline/2

Here is the second part of the Alternate History of Europe Timeline.

1259
Tsar Michael I of Russia promptly begins negotiations with Poland and the Byzantine Empire, to bring the wars with those countries to a end. After months of negotiation, the Treaties of Moscow are signed. In the treaties, Russia secedes to the Byzantine Empire the territories in Beershabia and along the Sea of Azov. Russia also pays the Byzantine court a indemnity of $400,000 Rubles. To Poland, Russia secedes Smolensk, left-bank Ukraine, and Kiev, and pays a indemnity of $800,000 Rubles, but the Polish king drops his claim to the Russian throne and returns any goods taken from Moscow. With peace restored, Tsar Michael can begin to redevelop the devastated Russian lands, still reeling from the Time of Troubles.

Emperor Henry II of Britain sends a petition to the Pope to be able to divorce Empress Catherine, and to be allowed to marry Boleyn. He claims that because Catherine had once been married, for a very short time, to his older brother Arthur before he died, that their marriage was invalid in the eyes of God. The Pope, however, refuses to consider the petition, partly because of threats from King Charles II of Spain, the nephew of Catherine. The Emperor, enraged, will begin drafting plans for breaking away from the Catholic Church.

In Central America, Cortes, under authorization from King Charles II, begins expanding New Spain into the territories of southern Central America. Tribes in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica are subjugated by the Spanish knights. Cortes and his men discover more gold. As such, they establish more gold mines and refineries. Also, King Charles II begins planning a expedition, to be lead by Fransisco Pizarro, a cousin of Cortes, to conquer western South America, ruled by the Inca Empire.

1261
The Protestant Reformation continues to make a impact across Europe. By that time, much of the populations of Bohemia, southern Germany, the Netherlands, and parts of France and Italy had converted to Protestantism. Small Protestant communities in Spain, Portugal, and Rome were also established. The Pope finally removes the excommunication bull on Luther, who comes out of hiding. However, Luther decides to retire from religious affairs. He marries a nun, Catherine da Branza, and begins to a raise a family. Another man, John Calvin, a French lawyer, will become the new figure of Protestantism.

Emperor Henry II of Britain finally breaks away from the Catholic Church. The Emperor issues a series of "Religious Decrees". These decrees break ties with Rome, establish the Church of Britain with Henry II as it's Supreme Governor, and adopts Protestant doctrines. The Emperor dismissed Wolsey and had him arrested. Free from Papal authority, Henry is finally able to divorce Catherine, who is stripped of the title of empress and banished to a nunnery. He then marries Anne, and has her crowned his new Empress. Anne, by the end of the year, is pregnant with Henry's child.

In South America, the Spanish expedition led by Pizarro finally lands in the Inca Empire. The Inca population, like the Aztecs, believe the Spanish are god-like figures, due to their horses, technology, clothing, and armor. Many native tribes honor the Spanish, joining their forces. A civil war is raging in the Incan lands, so Pizarro quickly gains much support. By the end of the year, he has a army of 28,000 native warriors and 200 Spanish knights.

In Prussia, Princess Anna, married to Ludwig, the son of the Elector of Brandenburg, becomes the new Duchess when her father dies. The Princess promptly gives the Ducal throne to her husband. This all but assures the eventual unification of Prussia and Brandenburg into one state.

1262
In Britain, Empress Anne Boleyn gives birth to a daughter, who will be named Elizabeth. Emperor Henry II wanted a son, and was angered, but he still celebrated his daughter's birth regardless. Elizabeth will grow up to be a beautiful and intelligent young woman, and she will eventually become one of Britain's greatest monarchs. Shortly after her birth, Elizabeth is baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury and is given the title of princess. She supersedes Princess Mary as heir to the throne.

In South America, Spanish conquistador Pizarro captured Athacpula, the emperor of the Incas. Pizarro is able to extract a vast amount of gold from the Incas, making them believe he would release their ruler once he received the gold. However, Pizarro had the emperor strangled. With the loss of their leader, the Incas disintegrate, and the Spanish quickly conquer much of western South America. The Viceroyalty of New Granada is established.

The French lawyer John Calvin moves from France to Switzerland. He settles in the city of Geneva. Calvin become a religious scholar and teacher. He published a book, Reflections on Proper Religion. The book describes his views on Church operations, doctrine, and customs, and also introduces the doctrine of predestination, meaning that you are chosen to go to Heaven or to Hell even before you are born. Tens of thousands of copies are printed and circulated, and Calvin gains a heavy following across Europe, from Spain to Hungary, and even in France and Britain. A new religion is organized, known as Calvinism.

1264
Emperor Gustavus Adolphus I of Sweden adopts the doctrine of Calvinism, breaking away from the Catholic Church and establishing the Swedish Calvinist Church, with himself as supreme governor. Shortly afterwards, the Emperor dies when he falls off his horse. His young 16-year old daughter, Christina, becomes Empress of Sweden. Although she is beautiful, she has a male-like personality and a strong voice, and is believed by many to be a Lesbian. Despite that, she is crowned with magnificent ceremony in Stockholm.

Tsar Michael I of Russia suffers a horse accident. The tsar becomes a invalid, with a injury of the legs. Due to his injuries, Michael I hands day-to-day governance of Russia to his father, the patriarch Theodore. His father becomes regent and chief adviser, and will govern Russia for the next seven years, in his son's name, until his death.

In Britain, Emperor Henry II begins to have arguments with his wife, the Empress Anne. Anne had become pregnant at least twice since the birth of Princess Elizabeth two years prior. Henry dearly wanted a son. However, the Empress miscarried or gave to a stillborn child both times. As a result, the Emperor begins to despise and hate the same woman he had spent years to try to marry. Henry throws Anne out of his private bedchambers, a prelude to even worse events.

1265
In Britain, Emperor Henry II finally sees his chance to break away from Anne, after she suffers another miscarriage. He and his advisers plant disinformation which frames the Empress for committing treason, witchcraft, and adultery, all of these false charges. The Empress is arrested and placed on a show trial. She is found guilty by a "jury", selected by the Emperor himself, and sentenced to be executed. On the execution block, Anne begs for forgiveness, but is ignored. After she dies, the Emperor strips his daughter, Elizabeth, of the title of princess and has the toddler banished from court. He then marries one of Anne's ladys-in-waiting, Jane Seymour.

In France, King Francis I is deposed from power by his own mistress. For years, she had been gathering support amongst the French nobility, plotting to take the throne for herself. Francis is exiled in a prison, and his mistress becomes Joan I, Queen of France. The other European monarchs, especially Emperor Henry II of Britain and King Charles II of Spain, are alarmed, and plan to restore Francis to power.

In the Americas, gold is discovered in Spanish-held Peru. The Spanish governor, Pizarro, promptly establishes gold mines and refineries. The American-Spanish gold trade intensifies. By now, both Britain and France are beginning to develop colonial ambitions of their own, but it will be several more years before they begin to develop their own colonial empires.

1267


After two years of planning, Spain and Britain jointly invade France, to restore the deposed King Francis I to power. While a British army is defeated at the Second Battle of Agincourt, in the South, the Spanish make rapid progress, capturing much of Aquitaine and reaching as far as Nice. King Charles II then declares that Spain will not stop until Francis I is restored to power. The queen of France, Joan I, is extremely angered.

Meanwhile, in Britain, Empress Jane Seymour gave birth to a stillborn son. She had become pregnant twice before since her marriage to Henry, but both turned into miscarriages. Emperor Henry II, angered at the slow progress, begins looking for a fourth wife. Just like with Anne Boleyn, he kicks Empress Jane out of his private bedchambers and refuses to have any personal contact with her. The Empress however, continues to attempt to get pregnant.

In Russia, the Patriarch Theodore, father of Tsar Michael I of Russia, begins measures to liberalize the Russian society. In one of his most radical acts, the patriarch abolishes the institution of serfdom, considering it to be "against God's will". The landowners protest and threaten to revolt, but they are crushed by the Tsar's army. The patriarch also begins inviting architects, engineers, and writers from Italy, France, and Germany into the borders of the Russian tsardom.

The Byzantine Emperor, Alexius II, begins to reassert Byzantine influence in the eastern Mediterranean. He does this by constructing a new Byzantine navy, imposing control on commerce in that region, and exerting his influence. The Byzantines, controlling the Black Sea and the Bosporus, impose heavy taxes on any European goods passing through that region. This causes the already wealthy Byzantine treasury to explode in money and gold. Spain, despising the wealth of the Byzantines, begins increasing it's concentration on it's colonies in the Americas. Portugal, having for years been idle in colonial affairs, begins to sponsor another expedition to Africa.

1268
By this point in time, all of Central America and most of South America (except Brazil), is under Spanish rule. As a result, Spain has become very wealthy and powerful. King Charles II is extremely pleased. He rewards Cortes and Pizarro (the conquerors of the Aztec and Inca Empires, respectively), with titles of nobility, a hoard of money, thousands of Indian servants, and estates in both the Americas and in Spain, as well as Sicily. The king also begins planning for a Spanish expedition to Africa.

In France, Queen Joan I is strangled by a bodyguard loyal to King Francis I. Shortly after this, Francis, with the assistance of Spanish spies, is able to escape from confinement and he retakes the French throne. With Francis back on the throne, both Britain and Spain withdraw, returning most of their conquered territories. However, Britain will retain Calais and Spain will retain French Andorra.

In Britain, Emperor Henry II meets Princess Anne of Cleves, the daughter of the Duke of Cleves, in the Holy Germanian Empire. The Emperor is promptly attracted to the beautiful and intelligent young princess, who was only 17 years old. With Empress Jane's attempts at becoming pregnant failing, the Emperor divorces her and kicks her out of the Royal Court, marrying Princess Anne. The new Empress Anne becomes pregnant by the end of the year.

Patriarch Theodore of Russia, regent for the invalid Tsar Michael I (also his son), commissions the construction of St. Basil's Cathedral, a religious cathedral meant to celebrate Russia's recapture of Moscow and the ascension of it's first tsar. The cathedral is designed by Byzantine and German architects, and is a beautiful piece of work. The cathedral will be completed by 1272, and will become the official center of the Russian Orthodox Church and the coronation place for the tsars.

1269
In Britain, Empress Anne of Cleves gives birth to Henry's first, and only son, who is named Edward by his father, after Britain's first emperor and Henry's grandfather. However, the Empress comes down with a severe flu, which is called "childbirth sickness" by the Emperor's personal doctors. For days, the doctors try everything in their power to save her, but their efforts are futile. The Empress dies on 8 April. Emperor Henry II mourns deeply, largely because she was (and would) be his only wife to give birth to a son.

In Spain, King Charles II, after a reign of twenty-five years, falls ill and dies. Under his rule, Spain's colonial empire had expanded considerably, to encompass most of Central America and much of South America. The king is succeeded by his son, who becomes King Philip I of Spain. Philip will not be as successful a monarch as his father. He will also be paranoid and cruel. Philip is crowned by the Archbishop of Seville in Madrid.

In France, King Francis I of France becomes increasingly ill and weak. The aging king's health had been worsened due to the events concerning the now deposed "Queen" Joan. Francis I begins grooming his only child, Joanna, for succession to the throne.

1271


Empress Christina of Sweden, pressured by her war-hawk advisers, declares war against Poland, to extend the boundaries of the Swedish Empire. The new Polish king, Charles Vasa, responds in force. He organizes a army of 40,000 and sends it against the Swedish dominions of Hasenatic, Livonia, and Estonia. This army, however, is repelled in force by local Swedish defense forces. The Swedes then begin planning a invasion of northern Poland.

King Francis I of France, after a reign of thirty-five years, succumbs to disease and dies in his chambers. His daughter, Joanna, becomes the new Queen of France. She will become one of France's most ambitious and determined monarchs. She and Philip I of Spain will become the eventual rival monarchs to Empress Elizabeth I of Britain, who will not ascend the British throne until 1285. Queen Joanna is crowned at Notre Dame Cathedral.

John Calvin publishes his second book on religion, The Doctrines of Calvinism. This book was a expanded and revised edition of his first book, Reflections on Religion. In the Doctrines, Calvin added five new chapters, which described the history of the Protestant Reformation, laid out Calvin's ideas about the Bible, and told about how monarchs were supposed to follow the doctrines of "God's will". A appendix, containing a reproduction of Martin Luther's 95 Theses, was also added. Like the first book, the Doctrines is reproduced by the tens of thousands and widely circulated.

King Philip I of Spain sponsored and financed a long-awaited Spanish expedition to Africa. This expedition was lead by the aging Hernan Cortes, who had resigned as governor of New Spain the previous year (1270). The expedition landed just south of the territory of the Dominion of the Almohads (Morocco). Cortes established a military base, called El Philipe (named after the king), claimed the coastal territory for Spain, and established relations with the native states. He also began exploring the possibility of using the local Africans as slave labor.

In Russia, Patriarch Theodore, the de facto ruler of Russia, suffered a heart attack and died. As a result of his death, a council of government officials assumed governance of Russia, since the Tsar, Michael I, was disabled. They would rule Russia collectively until the end of Michael's reign, which will come in 1285.

1272


In northern Poland, a Swedish force of 68,000 soldiers, lands, commanded by General Axel Osterina, one of the old generals of Emperor Gustavus Adolphus. Osterina had lead the offensives into the northern Holy Roman Empire during the 1240s and also commanded the operations into Ingria. Promptly, the Swedish army encounters a Polish army, hastily assembled by King Vasa and commanded by him personally, near the city of Schzein, Poland. The Battle of Schzein is a Swedish victory, and King Vasa himself flees from the field of battle. Most of Pomerania fall under Swedish control.

King Philip I of Spain issued a royal proclamation, authorizing the enslavement of Africans and their transportation to the Americas, "for use as labor in the farms, estates, gold mines and refernies, and workshops. They shall be subject to the whim of their masters and shall remain under their strict control." Promptly, Spanish enslavement units landed at El Philippe, where Cortes was informed of the proclamation. The aging conquistador conducted negotiations with local African tribal states, including the small Kingdom of Mali and the Kingdom of Benin, offering gunpowder, iron, whiskey, and other products in exchange for gold and slave labor. Both kingdoms accepted. By the end of the year, the first Africans have been enslaved by the Spanish and shipped to the Americas. Thus the African slave trade and North American slavery had begun.

In Britain, Emperor Henry II marries his fifth wife, a young 18-year old teenage duchess named Catherine Howard. By now, Henry is fifty-two years old. He had reigned for thirty-two years. However, Henry's fifth marriage is very weak from the beginning. Catherine had only married Henry to increase her family's prestige and gain influence at the court. She continued her secret relationship with her pre-marriage boyfriend, Anthony Davidson. This relationship will remain secret for another year.

In Russia, the Regency Council sponsors the second great penetration of Siberia. The first great penetration, which had ended during the Time of Troubles, had extended Russia's boundaries to the Ob River. Now, a Russian expedition, commanded by Cossack General Stenza Razin, one of the men who had thrown the Poles out of Moscow in the late 1250s, penetrated even further into Siberia. It consisted of 16,000 Cossacks, 20,000 Russian infantry, and 5,000 adventurers. By the end of the year, the first Russian settlements and trading posts had been established on the banks of the Yenisey River, and scouting parties had went out as far as Lake Baikal.

1273
In Britain, the Empress Catherine's relationship with Davidson, a guard of honor at the palace, is exposed by the Emperor's spies. Henry II is enraged. He has Catherine arrested on charges of adultery and treason, interrogated and beaten, and then executed by burning at the Tower of London. Davidson is arrested and executed by beheading. The Emperor remains enraged for the rest of the year, and as a result, his health, never really robust, begins to decline.

In western Africa, the Spanish slave trade begins increasing and taking heavy steam. Cortes oversees the first enslavement raids into neighboring tribal states. However, by now he is old and weak, and in April, Cortes dies. The King, Philip I, has him buried in a state funeral in Madrid, and then sends another man, Philipe Alba, to oversee the enslavement campaigns. By the end of the year, more then 8,000 Africans had been captured, enslaved, branded, and then shipped to the Americas. This voyage from Africa to the Americas becomes known as the Middle Passage.

King Charles Vasa is killed in battle with Swedish forces. His grandson, Sigismund Casmir, becomes the new King of Poland. Sigismund is determined to restore peace, and as such, opens peace negotiations with Sweden. After months of arguing, the Treaty of Stockholm is finally signed. By the terms of the treaty, Poland secedes to Sweden the Pomeranian territories, sends 1,000 soldiers to Stockholm as hostages, and pays reparations amounting to 800,000 Swedish krone.

In France, Queen Joanna I announces her intention of truly instigating a French colonial empire, to rival that of Spain. During the 1230s and 1240s, French settlements in Canada had been established, but these had largely been abandoned by the late 1250s. The queen announced her intentions of sending a colonization expedition to Canada, exploring possibilities for colonies in the Caribbean, and opening direct trade with India. The queen's policies will put France on a collision course with Portugal, and, to some extent, Spain.

1275
In Britain, Emperor Henry II marries his sixth, and final, wife, the noblewoman Catherine Parr. By this time, the aging Emperor has given up any hopes he would have any further male children. His new wife, Catherine, was thirty-six years old, closer to his age then the rest of his wives since Catherine of Aragon, who had died in 1263. She was a kind, intelligent, and beautiful woman. Catherine convinces her husband to restore his relationship with his daughter Elizabeth, who had been living out of court since she was banished in 1265. Elizabeth, now 13 years old, had, regardless, been given a excellent education, learning Latin, Greek, Italian, German, French, theology, astronomy, history, mathematics, and artistry. She was a beautiful and intelligent girl, with flowing fire-red hair which matched that of her father's.

In Sweden, Empress Christina abdicates, at the age of twenty-five. She was simply tired of the responsibilities of governing a empire such as Sweden. However, she still owned vast amounts of property, and was given a royal compensation, thus insuring her financial security for the rest of her life. She moved to Rome, converted to Catholicism, and settled into the role of arts patron and party-holder. Christina's cousin, Charles Augustus, became the new Emperor.

France launches a expedition to Canada, commanded by Nicholas Cartier, the son of Jacques Cartier. The expedition, consisting of five ships and 800 men, crosses the Atlantic, landing along the Saint Lawrence in Canada. There they find the remnants of the first French settlements in Canada. Cartier explores much of what will become Quebec, claiming the area for France and giving the country it's name.

Portugal, having remained idle from the business of colonial empires for decades since the death of Henry I the Navigator, once again becomes active. The Portuguese king, Pedro I, launches another expedition to India, and begins planning for a second expedition to Africa.

1278


The Portuguese expedition to Africa is finally launched. The expedition consists of 20 warships and 23 galleys, a relatively large fleet for a exploratory mission. The expedition, instead of landing on the upper western African coast as planned, is blown off course by winds and lands in southern Africa, in what will become Angola. Promptly, Hugo Magellan, the grandson of Ferdinand Magellan, claims most of Angola for Portugal and establishes a major Portuguese military base there.

In Brandenburg, the prince named George Frederick becomes the new Elector of Brandenburg. Shortly afterwards, he also becomes Duke of Prussia. George Frederick also inherits the duchies of Cleves and Ravensberg in the Rhineland. Thus the Electorate of Brandenburg-Prussia is established. George Frederick will only reign in both territories until 1285, but he will become notable as the first Hohenzollern ruler of both Prussia and Brandenburg. His successor, his son Frederick William, will become one of Prussia's greatest rulers.

Emperor Henry II of Britain by now is extremely feeble and weak. The aging emperor had reigned for thirty-eight years by that point. He was fifty-eight years old. By now, he needed the help of servants to walk and because of his nearly 300-pound weight, had to be lifted by a pad onto his throne. The Emperor, regardless, begins grooming his son, Edward, only nine years old, for the throne. He also appoints a Regency Council to govern Britain until his son would turn eighteen.

In Russia, the second great penetration resumes course. Razin leads exploration forces past the Yenisey and to the western side of Lake Baikal. Further settlements, including a city called Micahelius, named in honor of the ailing Tsar, are established. By the end of the year, more then 80,000 Russian settlers will live east of the Ural Mountains. The penetration will conclude in the 1280s.

1279


In Britain, the ailing Emperor Henry II suffers a devastating heart attack. His doctors and physicians try every method in their power to keep him alive, but at this point, medicine and science is still relatively primitive compared to modern times. Henry II of Britain dies on 14 March 1279, at the age of fifty-nine, after a reign of almost 40 years. His only son, ten-year old Edward, is proclaimed Edward III, Emperor of Britain. Henry II is buried in Westminster Abbey and the Regency Council comes into existence. It will rule until Edward's death from tuberculosis in 1285, at the age of sixteen.

Queen Joanna I, seeing a chance at the death of Emperor Henry II of Britain, launches an offensive onto British-held Calais, which had been in British hands since the late 1260s. A French force of 18,000 bombards the British garrison of 2,000 into submission, and thus, Britain's only stronghold in France falls. The Regency Council, although regretting the loss of Calais, do nothing about it, not wanting to go to war, and sign the Treaty of Boulgone, with France, recognizing French possession of the city.

In the Netherlands, a sort of political upheaval occurs. The Dutch princes engage in a civil war with eachother, and anarchy settles over much of Holland. King Philip I of Spain, seeing a chance to extend Spain's power, intervenes in the civil war and claims the Netherlands for himself, restoring the old Duchy of Burgundy. The Netherlands will remain under Spanish rule until the early 1300s.

1281
A group of French merchants, sponsored by Queen Joanna I, establish the French East Indies Company. This company is meant to coordinate French trade with India, but in reality, it is to assert French dominance on the continent. Portugal protests heavily, citing interference in it's interests, but France ignores the small nation. By the end of the year, the Company will establish it's first base in India, named Pondchiray.

King Philip I of Spain claims the small island of Gibraltar, not far from the coast of northern Africa, for Spain. This is meant to increase Spain's strength in the region and to establish a firm naval outpost. The Almohad Dominion, the Muslim state encompassing Morocco and much of North Africa, protests, but is ignored.

In Britain, the young Emperor Edward III begins to decline in health. His health had always been on shaking ground since his complicated birth in 1269.

1284
In Russia, the first scouting party, lead by the now ailing General Razin, reaches the Pacific coast. Thus, Russia became the largest country on Earth. Razin claims all of "Siberia", as he calls the lands the Russians have scouted, for the Tsar. Meanwhile, in Moscow, Tsar Michael's already frail health takes a alarming downturn. The Russian Regency Council is worried, and begin preparing the tsar's young son, sixteen-year old Alexis, to take the throne.

In Britain, the health of Emperor Edward III likewise suffers. The young emperor falls sick eight times within three months. The Regency Council begins preparing for the handover of power to Henry's only other surviving child, his youngest daughter Elizabeth (eldest daughter Mary had died from breast cancer in 1270). Elizabeth is allowed to move to near the emperor's personal quarters, and she begins preparing for her accession. By now twenty-two years old, and now more mature, but still beautiful, the princess (her title had been restored in 1277) begins gathering a group of advisers who will become the new Privy Council when she became Empress. These included Sir William Cecil, who had been in government since the late 1260s, and Sir Francis Walsenham, a spymaster who had went on missions in France, Spain, Portugal, and the Byzantine Empire.

Queen Joanna I launches expeditions to the Caribbean in the Americas. The expeditions cross the Atlantic Ocean in four months, reaching a Caribbean island called Martinique, which remained unclaimed by Spain. The expedition lands on the island, claiming it for France. It is found sugar and spices would grow well on the island. The Queen is very pleased and promptly organizes the government for France's second colony.

1285
In Britain, Emperor Edward III, barely sixteen years old, comes down with a deathly illness, tuberculosis. Ever since he was a toddler, his health had remained relatively weak. The young Emperor's doctors and physicians again try everything in their power to nurse him back to health, but their efforts are in vain. Edward III dies on March 5, 1285, after a reign of barely six years. When Elizabeth, by then twenty-three years old, received the news of her brother's death and her ascension to the throne, she became very solemn, but knew the duty which was to fall upon her. The Regency Council promptly disbanded, proclaiming her Elizabeth I, Empress of Britain. Her reign thus begun, which would last for the next forty-six years. She will become one of Britain's greatest rulers. The new Empress is crowned and coronated at Westminster Abbey on 18 November.

In Brandenburg-Prussia, Elector George Frederick I falls deathly ill from plague. His doctors try everything to save him, including bleeding him, but this only worsens his condition. After weeks of futile struggle, the Elector dies on 5 May. His elective reign had lasted only seven years. George Frederick's son, Frederick William, becomes the new Elector-Duke of Brandenburg-Prussia, as Frederick William I of Prussia. He will reign just as long as Empress Elizabeth I: forty-six years. And just like Elizabeth, he will become a great monarch. Frederick William is ordained in Berlin in December.

In Russia, Tsar Michael I, who had been a invalid since his horse accident in 1264, twenty-one years prior, becomes sick with high fever and a debilitating flu. Although doctors do everything in their power to nurse him back to appropriate health, his chances of survival are very slim. The Regency Council begins preparing for the transfer of power to Micahel's son Alexis. Finally, on June 15, 1285, the Tsar died, at the age of forty-three, after a reign of twenty-seven years. Sixteen-year old Alexis becomes the new Tsar, as Alexis I of Russia, and will reign for the next thirty years.

In the Byzantine Empire, a series of events occur at the Imperial Court. The current Emperor, Alexius III, who had succeeded Alexius II in the mid 1260s, was corrupt and greedy. He oppressed the people, taxing them heavily, while all the while building up his own wealth. It was rumored he had a group of 900 concubines and more then 400 wives, a large and heinous number. As a result, a coalition of nobles, lead by Prince Justinian Spectleus, engage in a coup against the Emperor, overthrowing him. Justinian ascends the throne as Emperor Justinian IV of Byzantine. He will become one of the most well known monarchs of the next twenty years.