Loving Isabella (2018 film)

Theatrical release poster

Edward Meander;
Gabriella Bsiela;
Sabre Nasleby;
Evie Laseia;
Daisy Everlaria;
Theo Thumbling;

***Loving Isabella*** (Genovianese: *Lovelissia Isabelisse*) is a 2018 period drama film written and directed by Isabelisse Verliasla (an Isabella herself) starring Ellie (Genovianese: *Ellielisse*) Meckleflower and Joe (Genovianese: *Joeris*) Cradlestone. The plot follows the love story between Isabella of Genovia and Philip the Handsome, Duke of Burgundy. It also shows their struggle for the Genovian Crown and feuds with different factions and royals.

## Cast

Ellie Meckleflower as Isabella of Genovia

Joe Cradlestone as Philip IV of Burgundy

Edward Meander as Richard V of Genovia

Gabriella Bsiela as Charlotte of Savoy and Mary of Burgundy

Sabre Nasleby as Mary Elisabeth of Genovia

Evie Laseia as Constance of Genovia

Daisy Everlaria as Constance IV of Genovia

Theo Thumbling as John of Portugal and Maximilian of Austria

Esmay Illalissa as Catherine of Heralistle

## Plot

Relante, 1479. Constance IV of Genovia and John of Portugal are admiring their one-year-old daughter Isabella Anna of Genovia and are already contemplating marriage for her. Flanders, 1479. Mary of Burgundy and Maximilian of Austria are admiring their one-year-old son Philip of Burgundy and are already contemplating marriage for him.

In 1482, Isabella Anna of Genovia, then only 4, is suggested as a bride for the then 3-year-old Philip IV of Burgundy. One girl is also chosen alongside her: Catherine of Heralistle, daughter of Albert II of Heralistle and Marija Cheksitia. Whilst Isabella is the daughter of Constance IV, Catherine in the niece of Queen Maria of Hungary. The negotiations are a success and the two girls remain as potential suitors until 1488. In 1488, Maximilian of Austria and his sister-in-law Cecily of Burgundy visit Genovia to see the 10-year-old Isabella and the 9-year-old Catherine. Upon their visit, they select Isabella as Philip's bride and she is formally betrothed by proxy to him on 4 March 1489.

Isabella is still in Genovia when she hears of her mothers death. She is immediately confined to her rooms by her elder brother Richard V of Genovia until he is comfortable letting her out. Whilst in confinement, she corresponds with Philip, who is facing revolts in Burgundy. During this time, Isabella and Philip gain mutual feelings towards each other whilst writing in confinement.

Richard finally releases Isabella on 4 November 1490 and she is declared Princess of Genovia on the same day. Richard then immediately draws up plans to have her sent to Flanders for marriage. Isabella ends up corresponding with her sisters Mary and Constance about marriage, but they give no useful advice for Isabella. She sets off from Napolist on 1 December 1490, hoping to arrive in Flanders by January 1491.

Isabella does arrive in Flanders, but way later than she had intended. She is smitten by her new homeland, but immediately gets homesick and pleads to return to Genovia. Her requests are denied. Whilst in Flanders, Isabella finally meets Philip and the two are extremely pleased with each other, although Philip admits it is weird after corresponding with her through letters whilst she was in Genovia. The two get married the next day, 2 February 1491. They are too young to consummate their union, however the political part of the agreement is done and the alliance has been sealed. Isabella then gets a tour of Flanders, which ends in her being sick due to the 'seasickness' of her boat which had arrived a day before.

The next day, Isabella's marriage agreement gets read out to the Burgundian Court. She is shocked when she finds out she is to inherit the Throne of Genovia at the age of fourteen. The agreement bypasses Mary and Constance, Isabella's elder sisters, who she immediately feels sorry for. She then corresponds with her brother Richard and pleads him to annul the marriage agreement. He is tempted, but denies when he realises it was their mother's last wish. Isabella is left as the 12-year-old heir to the Genovian Throne, however she is clueless on her position.

Two years later, on 23 February 1493, Isabella turns fourteen and therefore is ready to receive the Genovian Throne. Throughout the three years of them being married, Philip has fallen deeply in love with his Genovian Bride, and Isabella returns those feelings towards him. Upon hearing that it is her birthday, Philip writes to Richard to tell him of it, but Richard already knows it is Isabella's birthday and is not willing to give up his throne until Philip and Isabella travel to Genovia themselves. Upon hearing the news, Isabella is excited about returning to her homeland and is even more excited to be taking Philip with her. They set off from Lier on 20 June 1493 and arrived in Relante on 4 August 1493.

Isabella is very happy to be back in Genovia, and upon their arrival she shows Philip around the City of Relante, her birthplace. He is very fascinated by the Genovian City. They then make their way to the Palace of Relante where they meet Isabella's brother Richard and his wife Charlotte of Savoy, who is also coincidentally Philip's first cousin. Charlotte then tries to talk to Isabella in Sicilian, to which she cannot understand. Philip however can understand Sicilian and corresponds with his sister-in-law for Isabella.

Upon starting negotiations, Richard denies Isabella the crown. Two opposing factions have also been gathering in the Genovian Court, one Flemish, one Genovian. The Flemish faction support Isabella and Philip whilst the Genovian faction supports Richard and Charlotte. Isabella is offended when the Genovian faction declare their support for her brother, and she is even more offended by her power-hungry brother who wants to keep hold of the kingship. What's even worse is now Richard is bypassing Isabella completely and is instead offering the throne to her elder sisters Mary and Constance.

Whilst in Genovia, Isabella finds an unlikely ally in Catherine of Heralistle, her childhood friend who had been considered as a bride for Philip in 1482. Catherine pledges to support her rightful queen, Isabella. Catherine is not that powerful then she used to be, her aunt Maria of Heralistle having died in 1488 and her uncle Matthias having died in 1490. A friendship between Isabella and Catherine forms and Catherine joins the Flemish faction as Isabella's ambassador.

Meanwhile, Philip has started a revolt against Richard V without Isabella's knowledge. He does this in protest for negotiations failing between Richard and Isabella for the Crown of Genovia. Richard does not like the behaviour of his brother-in-law, however fails to convince Philip to stop the revolt. Richard is forced into submission and surrenders to Philip. Richard is then forced to re-enter negotiations with Isabella. Isabella however cannot seem to persuade Richard into handing over her marriage right. Philip threatens to burn down the Palace of Relante if Richard doesn't hand over the Crown. Richard still declines and Philip nearly orders all of the Flemish faction to burn the castle until Isabella stops him. Isabella and Philip then agree to a compromise; they'll talk to Charlotte instead.

Charlotte of Savoy is more than happy to help Isabella and Philip take the Crown. She pledges to help them in anyway possible. Philip tells her to talk to Richard, as she can persuade him easily because she is his wife. Charlotte promises she will, and her words leave Isabella extremely happy and content. Charlotte ends up speaking to Richard, who is now forced into submission. He is persuaded to talk to Isabella, who is skeptical but allows him to enter negotiations with her. This time the negotiations are a success, and Richard is forced to abdicate in favour of his younger sister. He is forced to sign the Treaty of Relante, which yields his power in name over to Isabella and Philip. He signs it on 31 October 1493, with it coming into affect on 13 November 1493. On 13 November 1493, Richard V of Genovia finally abdicates and Isabella and Philip are declared King and Queen of Genovia. The Genovian faction aren't happy with this and attempt to revolt against the new monarchs, however all their attempts are crushed.

The new King and Queen now have to reside in Genovia permanently, which is a problem for Philip. He offers to travel back to administer Burgundy however Isabella wants him to stay with her in Genovia as long-distance correspondence will ruin their relationship. Philip assures Isabella that he still loves and is attracted to her and that long-distance will not affect their relationship. Isabella eventually agrees but wants him to visit her in Genovia. Philip promises that he will be back in a few months before their coronation with his court and Burgundy will be ruled by a regent. This makes Isabella extremely happy. Philip sets off from Relante on 4 December 1493, leaving Isabella in charge of her kingdom.

During the time Philip is away, Isabella is having continuing difficulties with the Genovian Faction of her government, who want the restoration of Richard V of Genovia, who is now living in Sicily as King of Sicily. She writes to Philip about the issue, and he promises Isabella he will deal with the faction himself when he returns. Isabella is nervous Philip won't return in time. Philip returns on 3 January 1494 from Burgundy, and even he himself is having issues with the Genovian Faction.