Treaty of Noyon
King Francis I of France and King Charles I of Spain are negotiating the terms of the Treaty of Noyon, a pivotal peace agreement following the Italian Wars. The grand hall of Noyon Cathedral serves as
Setting
Grand hall of Noyon Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with towering ribbed vaults and stained glass windows casting colorful patterns on the stone floor. The space is vast, with high ceilings and long, narrow windows that let in the afternoon light. The hall is adorned with tapestries depicting religious and royal scenes, and the walls are lined with wooden benches for the gathered dignitaries.
Characters
King Francis I of France
primary
A tall, athletic man in his early twenties with auburn hair worn shoulder-length, a well-groomed beard, and piercing blue eyes. His features are refined yet strong, with a prominent nose and high cheekbones that give him a regal bearing. His hands are elegant but show signs of sword calluses.
King Charles I of Spain
primary
A tall, slender young man of 16 years with a pale complexion, a prominent Habsburg jaw, and piercing blue eyes that betray his youth yet carry the weight of his royal lineage. His light brown hair is cut short in the fashion of the Burgundian court, and he moves with deliberate, measured grace.
French Diplomat
secondary
A middle-aged man of slight build, with sharp, observant eyes and a neatly trimmed beard. His face bears the lines of years spent in courts and negotiations, and his posture exudes quiet confidence.
Spanish Diplomat
secondary
A middle-aged man of slight build, with sharp, observant eyes and a neatly trimmed beard. His posture is upright, exuding quiet confidence and experience in the art of diplomacy.
Scribe
background
A middle-aged monk with a lean frame and a slightly hunched posture from years of bending over manuscripts. His face is clean-shaven, with deep-set eyes that squint slightly from prolonged focus on his work. His hands are stained with ink, and his fingers are calloused from holding a quill.
Dialog
King Francis I of France
By Saint Denis, Charles! Must we haggle like fishwives over every clause? Your obstinacy tries even the patience of saints!
King Charles I of Spain
We find patience a virtue when discussing lands that have belonged to our ancestors since the days of Charlemagne.
French Diplomat
Your Majesty, perhaps we might consider the precedent set by the Treaty of Cambrai regarding Milanese succession...
King Francis I of France
Precedent? Bah! I care not for dusty parchments when French blood waters Italian soil!
Spanish Diplomat
If it please Your Catholic Majesty, the French king's passion might be... redirected toward mutual advantage regarding Navarre.
King Charles I of Spain
Let us then discuss borders rather than blood. The Pyrenees make natural boundaries, do they not?
King Francis I of France
Natural boundaries? Like the Alps that failed to contain my cavalry at Marignano!