#windenburghistory

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The Children of James V & Ophelia

1. James VI, King of Windenburg & San Myshuno (1636-1676) 2. Charles III, King of Windenburg & San Myshuno (1638-1680) 3. Louise, Queen Consort of Almeria (1641-1679) 4. Henrietta, Princess Consort of Brichester (1642-1673) 5. Prince George, Duke of Henford (1647-1666) 6. Sophie, Dauphine of Magnolia (1650-1672)

After the death of King Charles III, his daughter, Matilda, ascended the throne as Queen Matilda II. She reigned until 1714 and left an unclear plan of succession, causing the War of Windenburgian Succession which lasted from 1714-1720. Carlos I of Almeria attempted to claim the Windenburgian throne through the claim of his mother, Princess Louise, the eldest daughter of James and Ophelia. Many people did not consider Carlos's claim valid, because he was Jacoban. George Heinrich, Elector of Wittenburg and his wife, Princess Adelaide of Brichester, both grandchildren of Windenburgian Princesses, were the other claimants to the throne who were supported by the Peteran Kingdoms. The bloody war tore the Simtinent up and almost destroyed the Windenburgian Empire. In the end. George Heinrich and Adelaide's son, Joseph, would ascend the throne.

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Wilhelmina of Platz, Queen Consort of Windenburg & San Myshuno

had to make a render with my late 1600s/early 1700s sim after @sychik @denerdnr new beautiful dresses!

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 2 - Marriage

Ophelia grew up to become a beautiful princess, one of the most desirable brides on the continent. It was proposed that Ophelia be a bride to her cousin, Victor Emmanuel, Crown Prince of Tartosa, or Prince Louis, Duke of Vendome. King Louis IX wanted Ophelia to marry his grandson, Prince Louis Duke of Vendome, however, Prince Louis wanted to marry an Infanta of Almeria. The Grand Duke of Sienna courted Ophelia in 1634, however marriage negotiations fell through over disagreements about her dowry. 

In 1634, James, Prince of the Isle, heir to Windenburg, visited Lausanne on his way back from Tartosa. James had desired the hand of Princess Anna of Tartosa, however, the marriage negotiations failed. Windenburg had desired peace with the Jacoban Kingdoms after fighting against them for the last thirty years, with the peace being cemented through marriage. After the rejection of the Tartosan marriage, James suggested a Magnolian match in order to forge a new alliance with Magnolia. James stayed at Chateau Moren for three nights on his journey back Windenburg. James had traveled incognito under the name "The Earl of Ely" and was invited by Ophelia's father. James met Ophelia and was instantly enchanted with her grace and beauty. James and Ophelia were only one year apart in age and were smitten with one another. James immediately wrote to his father, the King of Windenburg, asking for his approval, which he relented. On his way back to Windenburg, James stopped in Magnolia to negotiate with King Louis IX of Magnolia and Ophelia's father, Prince Louis Henri for her hand in marriage. King Louis gave Ophelia a dowry of 1.8 million livres along with a trousseau of 150 garments. Ophelia brought an entourage of 40 servants, 12 ladies in waiting, 4 clergymen, and 10 noblemen. James returned to Windenburg, while Ophelia married James by proxy in Magnolia on January 5th, 1635. Ophelia traveled to Windenburg where the official ceremony took place at St.Michael’s Cathedral on February 16th. A private Jacoban service was officiated in the Salon of Diane at Windslar Palace.

Elaborate celebrations followed the marriage of James and Ophelia. Later that night, a lavish banquet was held at the Great Hall of Windslar Palace. A medieval costume ball was held the next day followed by a firework display in the gardens. A festival honoring Ophelia and her entourage was hosted the day afterward which featured ballerinas and dancing animals in the gardens of Windslar. A play depicting the love of Cupid and Psyche was performed in the gardens. A jousting tourney was held at Verdun Palace on the third day of celebrations. Several more banquets were held throughout the capital hosted by multiple nobles including the Duke of St.Germaine and the Earl of Warwick.

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 4 - Relationship with James & Family Life

Ophelia and her husband James had a loving relationship with one another. Although they went through many rough patches during their first few years of marriage, the couple remained devoted to one another throughout their lives. Ophelia and James bonded over their shared love of music and art. Although James was frugal, he supported his wife’s artistic patronage. Despite Ophelia largely staying out of politics, James often sought her advice during his reign. James took no mistresses and often slept in Ophelia's bedchamber, which was very uncommon for the time.

In 1636, Ophelia became pregnant and would later give birth to her first child, Prince James Henry, Duke of Witham. The labor was long and difficult, prompting Ophelia to hire midwives to assist with the birth of her following children. Ophelia would have five more children; Prince Charles (1638), Princess Louise (1641), Princess Henrietta (1642), Prince George (1647), and Princess Sophie (1650). She experienced miscarriages in 1643, 1645, and 1654 and gave birth to a stillborn son in 1655. Ophelia’s children were raised in the Peteran faith, with their educations supervised by Elise Shay, Countess of Brookhaven.

Ophelia had a close relationship with her children, visiting them in their nursery two to four times a day. James made sure that their children received a strict Peteran upbringing to ensure they would not grow up to be Jacoban like their mother. Ophelia had no power when it came to her children’s education, which her husband and his advisors entirely managed. Ophelia tried many times to influence her children’s religion, causing backlash from her husband and his family. In 1645 she attempted to take her son, Prince James, to a Jacoban Mass, however, they were stopped by the King.

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 3 - Life at Court

Following the couple’s marriage, Ophelia and James occupied Hertford Castle while maintaining apartments at Windslar Palace and Verdun Palace. While James and Ophelia remained devoted to one another and had a loving relationship, Ophelia felt isolated in court. After the conclusion of their wedding celebrations, Ophelia found the courtiers cold and hostile. Ophelia found solace in her Magnolian ladies-in-waiting whom she conversed with in her native language. Ophelia never fully assimilated into Windenburgian Society, and never learned to speak Simlish properly. Ophelia and her husband spoke Magnolian with one another, often in public, causing people to be suspicious of the couple. Many accused Ophelia of being a Jacoban spy who plotted with Jacoban insurrectionists.

Ophelia largely stayed in the company of her Magnolian household for the first two years of marriage. James was forced to dismiss them when rumors spread that Ophelia’s lady-in-waiting, Madame Villiers, was spying on the royal couple for the King of Magnolia. Ophelia was allowed to keep two of her ladies-in-waiting, Angelique de Rohan and Helene de Penthièvre. However, in 1635, Helene was accused of poisoning Adelaide of Schwerin and was later executed. James did nothing to stop this, infuriating Ophelia for a few months.

Over the next few years, Ophelia would develop a new household and close circle of friends including Lady Pauline Charleston and Cecelia Bentwick, Countess of Harren. Ophelia would develop life-long friendships with Pauline and Cecelia, who would remain her constant companions at court. Francine Withers, Duchess of Norwich was appointed her mistress of the robes, with her sisters, Lady Georgiana Burley and Lady Henrietta Burley serving as Ladies of the Bedchamber. Ophelia’s favorite at court, Vincent Williams-Bulwick, 2nd Earl of Winthrop, was appointed her chamberlain. James appointed his close friend, Sir Thomas Grenoble as his wife’s treasurer to control her finances. Ophelia’s constant overspending throughout the first years of marriage made her unpopular. Her expensive and grand wardrobe along with her large household led to her going into debt as early as 1637. 

With the news of Ophelia’s first pregnancy in 1636, she was gifted Courland Palace by her father-in-law, King Charles. Ophelia and her husband often traveled to Courland Palace during the summertime. Ophelia cultivated a series of residences that included Verdun Palace, Hertford Castle, Glencraig Castle, and Barley House. Ophelia had her residences refurbished and renovated, much to the dismay of her frugal husband. Ophelia collected a large number of pets including 12 dogs, 5 cats, and many exotic pets such as peacocks, parrots, and zebras. 

Ophelia had a warm relationship with her father-in-law, King Charles II, who often showered the couple with gifts. Meanwhile, Ophelia had a strained relationship with her mother-in-law, Matilda Carlton, and her grandmother-in-law, Adelaide of Schwerin. Matilda, a staunch Peteran, found Ophelia’s devout Jacobanism repulsive. While, Adelaide’s dislike of Ophelia came down to family disputes, as the Duchy of Schwerin was ransacked by Magnolia in 1605. Although Matilda and Adelaide detested one another, they worked together to ostracize Ophelia. Matilda and Adelaide would openly snub Ophelia by ignoring her at court and not inviting her to their entertainments. 

Ophelia’s open practice of her Jacoban faith was largely unpopular with the court and the public. Pamphlets were constantly dispersed slandering Ophelia and her faith, claiming she was a Jacoban spy. Ophelia’s sympathy toward Jacobans didn’t help her position at court either. In 1636, when the court was traveling to Dunkeld Palace, Ophelia had the court stop at the town of Aylesbury to pray for the persecuted Jacobans who were murdered by a Peteran mob. This greatly annoyed the court who had no sympathy for the murdered Jacobans.

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 1

Hey guys! So over the last three months I've been working on the life story of Ophelia of Lausanne, one of the Queen Consorts of Windenburg during the 1600s and I've made a LOT of renders of her so I just thought I should share about her life :)

read about her BELOW

Princess Ophelia Thérèse Marie Hélène Françoise of Lausanne was born on August 27th, 1620, to Louis Henri II, Prince of Lausanne, and Princess Marie Thérèse of Magnolia. Ophelia’s paternal grandparents were Charles Joseph, Prince of Lausanne, and Princess Isabella of Calabria. Her maternal grandparents were King Louis IX of Magnolia and Princess Elizabeth of Windenburg.

 Ophelia was born at Chateau de Angouleme, King Louis IX’s favorite country residence. At the time of Ophelia’s birth, her father had been overthrown as Prince of Lausanne and sought sanctuary at his father-in-law’s court. Ophelia’s mother, Princess Marie Thérèse, was King Louis' favorite daughter. The King was delighted with the birth of his granddaughter and organized several court entertainments in honor of her birth. Ophelia and her family initially lived with the King and traveled with the court between the King’s numerous residences. The Royal Governess, Marie Charlotte de Rohan, cared for Ophelia and her cousins during her infancy. 

Throughout the 1600s, religious conflicts had plagued the continent which resulted in Lausanne being occupied by Peteran Forces. In 1623 after the conclusion of the War of Religion, the Treaty of Emden restored Ophelia's father to his throne. Ophelia and her family returned to Lausanne later that year and resided at the Chateau Moren. Ophelia was joined by two younger siblings who survived to adulthood, Prince Henri, and Prince Maurice. Despite residing in Lausanne, Ophelia, and her family often visited her grandfather, the King of Magnolia. Princess Marie Thérèse appointed her close friend and childhood companion, the Marquise de Villars, as governess of her children. Ophelia had a simple education, very typical of princesses of the time. Ophelia learned multiple languages, was a skilled musician and dancer, and learned horseback riding. She had a strict Jacoban education, overseen by the Bishop of Lausanne. Ophelia had a close relationship with her brothers who she would correspond with for the rest of her life. Many letters survive between her and her grandfather, detailing their close relationship with one another. On her 13th birthday, her grandfather, the King of Magnolia, gifted her ten stallions and a golden state carriage which currently is in the Windenburg Royal Collection and is used during official events.

Ophelia was considered beautiful and intelligent. She was a skilled musician and singer, enjoyed reading, and spoke seven languages. She was an accomplished woman for her time period and was extremely athletic. As a granddaughter of the King of Magnolia, she was considered a desirable bride by the Jacoban monarchs of the continent.

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 9 - Exile & Restoration

Ophelia remained in Brichester for two months following her husband’s execution. Parliament was infuriated with Ophelia’s escape while royalists declared her a heroine. Ophelia had snuck the Crown Jewels and other valuable jewelry with her to Brichester which she stored in her vault at the Bank of Brichester. After two months, Ophelia decided to return to her native Magnolia as a guest of her cousin, King Louis XI. Ophelia was given apartments at the Palace of Blois and the Chateau de Vincenau. Ophelia established her court-in-exile at the Chateau de Vincenau which became a center for Windenburgian politics. Hundreds of Windenburgian courtiers resided at the Chateau de Vincenau with Ophelia, including Lady Pauline Charleston and Cecelia Bentwick. Ophelia’s lady-in-waiting and confidante, Lady Henrietta Burgley died at the Chateau de Vincenau on January 19th, 1659. The death of Burghley deeply saddened Ophelia who had regarded her as a sister. Ophelia kept a lock of Henrietta’s hair in a pendant she wore for the rest of her life.

Ophelia’s children took up residence with her at Chateau de Vincenau. Ophelia devoted her time to the education and upbringing of her younger children, Prince George and Princess Sophie. Ophelia attempted to raise her son George as  Jacoban, but this was immediately stopped by Prince James. However, he permitted his sister, Princess Sophie to be raised as a Jacoban. Ophelia was able to recreate court life in Windenburg at the Chateau de Vincenau, observing the same ceremonies as she did five years ago. During this time, Ophelia developed close relationships with her daughters-in-law, Caroline and Augusta. Ophelia particularly doted on Augusta’s daughter, Princess Matilda who was raised alongside George and Sophie. 

From 1658 onward, Windenburg was thrown into chaos. Parliament had dealt with a massive revolt from the Isle and Victoria and peasant revolts across the country. Windenburg had been heavily sanctioned during the years in which Parliament controlled the country, causing the economy to slip into despair.  After 4 tumultuous years and the death of the Duke of Dartmouth, a newly formed Parliament offered the throne to Ophelia’s son, Prince James. James sailed to Victoria on September 18th, 1662, and landed in Dunkeld. James accepted the throne of Victoria with the nobility pledging their loyalty to the King. James traveled to Windenburg along with the Victorian army and received the Crown of Windenburg on October 1st, 1662. James promised to uphold and cooperate with the new reforms Parliament made in September of 1662. This new parliament was largely Royalist, Peteran, and Liberal. One of the new reforms they had adopted a month prior included Freedom of Religion, finally ending the Religious Wars in Windenburg. 

With the accession of James VI, Ophelia, and her court-in-exile returned to Windenburg. Ophelia returned to Windenburg on October 28th, 1662, expecting a warm welcome at court. Ophelia found Windenburg to be hardly different and still felt like an outsider after 30 years. Ophelia did not attend the coronation of her son but hosted a large banquet in his honor at Hertford Castle. Ophelia was given an allowance of 160,000 pounds a year along with the use of any royal residence. Ophelia chose Hertford Castle and Stonesby Hall as her dowager residences. Ophelia lived a relatively quiet life in Windenburg, only attending official functions at court. Ophelia acquired Devonshire Abbey and Howard Hall in 1664 which she refurbished for personal use. Ophelia often invited her children and the rest of the court to Howard Hall in the autumn for hunting.

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 6 - Early Revolutionary Years

Despite the alliance with Almeria and their generous trade agreements which improved the economic situation in Windenburg, the people were angered by a Jacoban marriage. The people believed that Ophelia had been behind the marriage and blamed her for corrupting the Royal Family. In 1654 revolts against the gentry began known as the Flour Rebellions. Due to famine, farmers couldn’t pay their landlords and were falling behind on their rent. The Gentry did not relent and were met with angry hostile mobs which burnt country homes across the kingdom. Ophelia advised her husband to support the gentry against the peasants, but instead, James listened to the peasants on the advice of his favorite, the Duke of Berkeley. The gentry was forced to lower their rent in favor of the peasants in 1655. 

The tension between the people and the King calmed down, but the nobility enraged. By 1656 most of the nobles left court, deserting the royal family, signaling the start of a rebellion. In February of 1656, Parliament assembled in the presence of the King and stated their grievances. Ophelia was at her husband’s side when he dissolved parliament at Windslar Palace and did not install a new government. Following the dismissal of parliament, James was warned that the Duke of Dartmouth, the Duke of Kinghorn, and the Earl of Franklin would raise an army in Witham. To prevent this, James ordered their arrest the same day, however, he failed and the trio had already fled the capital. 

The failure to capture the three noblemen marked the beginning of the Windenburg Civil War. The Duke of Dartmouth gathered hundreds of Windenburgian Noblemen and Politicians in Witham to raise an army and overthrow the king. Fearing for their family’s life, James and Ophelia fled Windenburg and sought refuge in Glencraig. During this time Ophelia spent time secluded in her chambers with her children and grandchildren. Ophelia rarely left Glencraig Castle, fearing an assassination or kidnapping. 

From February to May, cities across the country declared their allegiance either to the noblemen or to the King. James gathered his forces at Glencraig, with the Duke of Berkley organizing his militias. James gathered supplies from Royalist strongholds such as Coventry and Devonshire, while cities like Roxburghe and Newhaven refused to offer the king ammunition. As both sides began to gather supplies from cities around the country, Ophelia was sent to the continent to raise money for the royalists. Ophelia spent a year and a half abroad at several royal courts championing the royalist cause. Ophelia was able to convince her son-in-law, the Prince of Brichester, to lend two thousand troops to their cause. 

By the summer of 1656, both sides were marching toward each other with armies around the size of 15,000. It was inevitable that the armies would clash, resulting in the Battle of Whitfield. A cavalry led by the royalist Duke of Canterbury defeated a revolutionary army of 1500, approximately twenty miles north of Windenburg. Throughout the early summer, the Royalists defeated the Revolutionaries in several skirmishes and small battles. 

Beginning in the summer, Windenburg became a center of political tension, with protests in favor and against the war. A peaceful rally in favor of the war was met with violence as the Royal Guard fired upon the crowds. Hundreds of people were imprisoned and a curfew was imposed upon the city. James and his troops marched toward Windenburg which was in the hands of the Earl of Coldwell, a neutral force in the war. James along with an army of 4,000 marched toward Windenburg where the Earl handed the city over. For the next year, James remained in Windenburg while armies led by his close advisors, the Duke of Berkley and the Earl of Queensbury consolidated power in Southern Windenburg.

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 7 - Warrior Queen & Arrest

 In March of 1657, Ophelia returned to Glencraig with an army of 2,000 Brichesterian troops. Ophelia returned to Windenburg with her army while recruiting a further 700 troops along the way. Ophelia reunited with her husband after a year at Hertford Castle which they used as their residence for the next few months.

After several defeats including the Siege of Coventry and the Battle of Brandtridge, revolutionary forces were coming toward Windenburg. James sent his children and grandchildren to Ely where they were guaranteed safety and access to passage to Brichester. James remained in Windenburg where he was determined to face the Royalist forces. The Revolutionaries were able to win the Battle of Townsend, killing six hundred royalist soldiers. They besieged Havesham and Henford for the next two months, stealing ammunition from the Royalist forces. 

Ophelia decided to make a desperate attempt at rallying forces in the Isle. Ophelia secretly traveled to the Isle in June of 1657. The Isle was heavily Jacoban and had always been staunch supporters of Queen Ophelia. The Isle were desperate to break away from the nobility and pledged their allegiance to Queen Ophelia after a meeting with the 70 Mayors of the Isle. Ophelia had raised an army of 5,000 Soldiers by July and sailed them across the sea to Witham which she ransacked. Ophelia, not knowing Windenburg would be under siege, took the advice of the Earl of Greenwood and instead sacked Wroxham. On August 8th, Windenburg fell to Royalist forces, however, King James escaped with a retinue of 200 men. James first traveled to Windslar and then rode for Devonshire. Upon hearing the news of the siege of Windenburg, Ophelia’s sons, Prince James and Prince Charles fled to Brichester with their wives and children. Ophelia’s younger children, Prince George and Princess Sophie were stranded in Blythe following a storm that raged for the next few days. After the storm, the Revolutionaries had blockaded the North Sea, preventing George and Sophie from leaving. 

After Ophelia left Wroxham in 1657, as the city rose against the Royalist forces. Ophelia decided to abandon the city and use her troops to retake Courland and Central Windenburg. Ophelia initially won a few victories, recapturing the towns of Sheffield and Mayfield. Ophelia was a guest of the Earl of Cheshire during the Winter of 1657-1658 while staying at Brentwood House. Ophelia continued with her army following the harsh winter to reunite with her husband in Devonshire who had liberated the town of Woodville. Ophelia passionately reunited with her husband for the first time in over a year. While in Devonshire, Ophelia and her husband lodged at the University. Ophelia and her ladies-in-waiting, Cecelia and Pauline enjoyed their time at Devonshire which was heavily fortified. Ophelia felt safe in Devonshire, however, this would soon come to pass as within five months, Ophelia was forced to flee to Canterbury. While on their way to Canterbury in July of 1658, the Royal Entourage was attacked by a Revolutionary Army. The royal guards were slain and Ophelia and James were taken into custody.

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 8 - Captivity & James' Execution

James and Ophelia were taken to Windenburg where they stayed at the Palace of Verdun, closely monitored by Parliament. Ophelia’s youngest children, who she hadn’t seen in three years, were put in the custody of Lady Eugenia Lollard, daughter of the Revolutionary Earl of Litchfield. Ophelia was allowed to send letters to Prince George and Princess Sophie during her confinement. Ophelia and James remained hopeful that they would be liberated. Prince James had been in Almeria convincing his brother-in-law to help reclaim their throne. Royalist insurrections erupted in Coventry, Devonshire, and Glencraig, with a large peasant revolt beginning int he Isle. The Revolutionary Soldiers began rebelling against Parliament when they failed to pay them. Under the Earl of Kentwood, the Victorian Lords started to invade Witham and Courland in September of 1658. 

On October 6th, the Duke of Dartmouth issued a warrant charging the King for treason. The country was in shock, as a King had never been charged before. James was taken from captivity at Verdun Palace and was transferred to Hertford Castle. Ophelia wept the whole time as the guards took James away from her. After a month of trials, Parliament found James guilty of killing 200,000 people and instigating insurrections across the country. James was scheduled to be executed on November 16th. On November 14th, Ophelia, George, and Sophie were permitted to visit James for the last time. James was executed in front of the Palace of Verdun at 4 PM on November 16th, 1658, with Ophelia watching from inside. Ophelia fainted at the sight of her husband’s death. 

Following his execution, James’s head was paraded around the city with the people chanting and singing in the streets. Despite her grief, Ophelia managed to escape the city during this time of celebration. Ophelia, along with Paulina Charleston, Cecelia Bentwick, and Henrietta Burghley, and her ladies-maid escaped the city with assistance from the servants at the Palace. The Queen reportedly crawled through the sewers along with her ladies-in-waiting. After climbing through the sewers, the Queen and her party traveled on the carriage to the docks incognito where they sailed for Brichester. The Queen’s chamberlain, Sir Peter Thompson traveled to Glencraig and smuggled Prince George and Princess Sophie to Brichester. On November 20th, Ophelia arrived at Brichester where she reunited with all of her children aside from Louise. Ophelia reportedly fell into the arms of her children upon embracing them and began crying uncontrollably. 

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 6 - Pre-War Years

In October of 1645, Ophelia and her household were stopped by an angry mob on their way to the Verdun Palace. The angry mob chanted for the death of Queen Ophelia and her children. Several carriages in her entourage were toppled and looted, her Jacoban Priests and Guards were murdered, and two of her ladies-in-waiting were severely wounded. However, Kings Guards, only a block away, saw the insurrection alerted the Palace, and were able to rescue the Queen. Afterward, Ophelia refused to return to Windenburg, preferring to stay at Windslar Palace which was outside the city walls. Although Ophelia never returned to Windenburg, her husband still held court at Verdun Palace during the winter, bringing their children along. 

During the late 1640s, relations with Magnolia soured as Windenburg developed a closer relationship with Brichester. Brichester and Magnolia had become enemies during the religious wars and were seen as trading competitors. During the economic crisis, Windenburg relied heavily on Brichester who openly welcomed this new allyship. Magnolia was enraged by this newfound relationship, causing Ophelia’s place in court to become even more vulnerable. Harassment and anger toward Ophelia grew at court, with many regarding her to be the devil. 

In 1650, Ophelia’s son, Prince James, was officially invested as Prince of the Isle in Windenburg. The public investiture was met with celebration by the public who rejoiced in the Peteran ceremony. Ophelia refused to attend the ceremony due to the Peteran service, as well as the fact that it took place in Windenburg. 

Ophelia had always desired her eldest daughter, Princess Louise, to marry her cousin’s son, the Duke of Reims, who would be the future King of Magnolia. However, these plans were spoiled by the King and his councilors who despised the match. Other potential suitors for Louise included the Duke of Schwerin, the Prince of Brichester, and the Crown Prince of Vasa. The Duke of Schwerin wasn’t suitable for the eldest daughter of the King, the Prince of Brichester was too old, and the Crown Prince of Vasa wanted a larger dowry. In 1652, negotiations began for Louise to marry King Felipe II of Almeria who was one year her senior. Although Felipe was Jacoban, the match was seen as favorable due to their anti-Magnolian sentiment. Felipe’s mother and regent, Queen Antonia, had waged two wars against Magnolia during her rule. In 1653, Louise was married to Felipe by proxy at the Windslar Palace Chapel. Ophelia reportedly wept through the whole ceremony. Ophelia was devastated by the marriage of her daughter as she would never see her again. Ophelia accompanied Louise to Glencraig where she departed from for Almeria. Ophelia would continue to correspond with her daughter weekly for the rest of her life, writing around 3,000 letters. 

In 1654, her sons James and Charles married Princess Caroline of Mannheim and Princess Augusta of Augsburg in a double marriage ceremony. The marriage of the princes to religious Peteran Princesses was meant to calm the general public. The marriages were widely celebrated throughout the country. Although the marriages were considered great successes for James and his advisors, Ophelia detested the matches. Ophelia would have preferred a marriage to one of her nieces or any other Jacoban Princess.

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 5 - Queen

On September 30th, 1640, King Charles II succumbed to consumption, leaving the throne to James. James ascended the throne as King James V of Windenburg. James and Ophelia had been at Hertford Castle when the King died. James and Ophelia rode for Windslar Palace as soon as they heard the news and were proclaimed King and Queen by the new privy council. James and Ophelia were crowned at St.Michael’s Cathedral in Windenburg two months later. The coronation celebrations that followed the ceremony were elaborate and costly, causing great unrest among the people. James and Ophelia were already wildly unpopular due to her Jacoban faith, with the extravagant cost of court entertainments adding to the fuel of their unpopularity. 

James and Ophelia made Windslar Palace and Verdun Palace their main residences during their reign. With Ophelia becoming queen, her mother-in-law, Matilda Carlton, left court and retired to Wroxham Castle. As Queen Consort, Ophelia gained more influence at court. During her tenure as Queen, she converted hundreds of people to Jacobanism, including her lady-in-waiting, Sarah Fairchild, Countess of Wixby. By 1650 around 400,000 Jacobans were living in Windenburg, Victoria, and San Myshuno. Ophelia ordered the construction of a Jacoban Church near Windslar with the support of her husband, however in 1643, the church was burned down by a large Peteran mob. Ophelia was horrified and shocked by the news, asking her husband to arrest the men who had done this. However, James was forced to side with the Peterans and did not condemn the attacks. 

James aimed to create a state of religious tolerance, but the rivalry between the Jacobans and the Peterans forced him to side with the Peterans in most situations due to his precarious position as king. James was empowered by the Peteran Lords, and despite his sympathies toward Jacobans, he could never defend them like Ophelia wanted. Peterans still felt the effects of the Jacoban Revolts that tore the country apart in the 1620s and feared a foreign Jacoban Queen. 

Throughout the 1640s, the economy of Windenburg and San Myshuno continued to become worse, with the price of flour becoming more expensive. Peasants began to blame their Jacoban Queen, Ophelia, who was well-known for her overspending. Peteran lords had pamphlets distributed to the peasants blaming the Queen for their troubles. In actuality, Windenburg was plagued by the wars in the continent which caused trade to decline and their economy to crash.