Chapter 22

A lot happened between the Autumn of 1555 and 1556, but I began with what didn't happen for a reason. The Peace of Augsburg is considered by some Historians to be the point, when the Medieval History in Europe ended and the modern Era began. Concepts of "Self-Rule" began to grow with the latin doctrine in the peace treaty, Cuius regio, Euius religio” meaning “To Whose land, To Whom Religion”. Essentially, this is the basis for everything we take for granted in the modern world. Religious freedom became Free Speech, Free Association, and Free Expression later, but this was the first spark and concession. The old concept of Unitary Monarchs and Faith died. However, due to the presence of future intervention and a weapon that can deal 20 Kiloton of TNT worth of explosive power, this event did not occur.

Eli is in a precarious situation, knowing about the firepower that he has to face, while not having the resources to deal with them. There's also the problem of a united front in England that poses risks for his operations. So an elaborate caper had to occur using both his and Robert's abilities with the catalyst of a Golden Cross.

Interesting note, "7" is considered a "divine" number in Medieval Christianity and some denominations of Christians still view 7 as a holy number. That is why Eli specified the Cross to have dimensions based on 7.

As for the historical accounting trick Eli and Robert used to cover themselves and offer a Gold Cross to Mary as bait to steal the even more important blue orbs, I hope those with history background appreciate the trick. I am not sure if anyone other than authors like @Mark Arbour would appreciate the nuance of introducing the "Great Debasement" of English Coinage in my story, but it's actually true as to what happened to English economy. Due to the re-allocation of gold and size of coins within England, there was a period in Mary's reign that saw a lot of economic instability and issues. Due to the lack of standard for gold within coins and size of coins, you could essentially manipulate gold if you had access to the main gold mines of England in Cornwall and Wales, which Eli by the nature of his proximity and ducal authority did. In addition, other metals such as copper and silver were also debased in England due to the varying standards of metas within coins. 

As for the final point, Mary's Progrom against non-English people in her realm. It didn't happen in history, but one can understand why. After Eli's trick and her hatred toward Scotland for the purported theft, she began to blame the issues of her political failures on the ethnic minorities in her realm. As Wales did not gain recognition as equal to English due to Mary's reversal of Henry VIII's laws on Wales, fears of Scottish minority in northern England rebelling, and the constant fighting with Irish clans, it is easy to see why she went in that direction. The worst outcome happened to the Irish population, while English settlement and brutal campaigns are historical in Ireland, the inclusion of modern weapons and knowledge made this far worse. Essentially, in that area, she was conducting ethnic cleansing, aka Genocide. As you know from the connected short story, Charles V or the modern person in his body has no issue with the use of such a tactic for ultimate victory.

This week's law of Power is 37th law, "Create compelling spectacles.", which can be applied as a means of distraction to acquire something far more valuable. Eli implemented thi technique with the Gold Cross, which on the surface appeared quite valuable and priceless, but Gold is just material that can be easily manufactured or mined. In contrast, the blue orbs are an advanced technology that can have many applications including creating military weapons that are on par with nuclear weapons of mass drestruction.

Notes:

1. William Petow is a historical Cardinal, who did not successfully take over Reginald Pole's job and eventually died in a monastery. A little known historic character that I just threw in there for my story.

2. As for the duality reference to Hindu Gods, Indian readers or Hindu follower if there are any, know I am referencing two of the three principle Gods of Hinduism: Brahma (Creator) and Shiva (Destroyer). Interesting note for Hindu readers, I did take inspiration on the head displacing and reappearance of Mary's 1st baby with the Ganesha origin story.

FYI: Eli having some Shiva tendency is paralleled with the mastery of Time as well. Just in case folks want more parallels  while the main conflicts are within Christianity, non-Christian elements are affecting things too.

3. With Mary of Guise losing influence and a french army in Scotland as it did historically, Scotland isn't going to be happy place for long. Despite the long friendship of Scotland and France, the occupation by French forces in the 16th century did sour relations and brought rebellion, especially when there was no royal connection.