Thomas Filzroy

"*"loyaulté me lie"*"
―motto of thomas plantagenet

Prince Thomas Plantagenet is the first-born son of King Edward and Queen Isabel and second in line for the English throne. He is a notable philosopher and poet, committed to securing his family's safety and England's advancement as a succession crisis becomes increasingly probable.

## Early life

Everything was great until Is and Ed thought it would be a good idea to legitimize Thom. ***It was not.***

## Lisbon Summit (June to September 1458)

A summer on Portuguese soil brought the bastard prince greater clarity of his potential upon the global stage. And yet, his greatest discoveries occurred in plainclothes by the Tagus River. There, fate brought two people into his sphere: Nikita, Grand Duke of Russia, and Mihrimah, Sultana of the Ottoman Empire. Thomas took the former as his lover, and began to informally court the latter - for his mother, Isabel, was intent upon connecting England with the Ottoman Empire.

In the middle of the summit, a trade fair was held. England - with significant influence from Queen Isabel - brokered an alliance among Russia, Córdoba, and the Ottoman Empire. This trade agreement solidified Anglo connections to the East, and further legitimized Queen Isabel's validity and might as a monarch.

As events concluded, so did Thomas' affair. He and Nikita ended their tryst, agreeing it was better to leave it in Portugal. Despite best efforts, no response was secured from the Vatican regarding papal dispensation for Anne and Richard, the younger Nevilles. Thomas returned to England with the rest of the retinue, receiving word shortly after that France would be hosting the world's nobility once more the following year to witness the Canonization of the late King Ferrante.

## Winter Interlude (September 1458 to February 1459)

Upon return to the isle, the English court continued to shift with the unpredictability and turbulence of their winter winds. As Harry took leave for travels, focused on bolstering England’s military, Thomas was appointed by the King and his Privy Council to carry out the Prince’s titular duties in Wales in his stead. It had been to the great displeasure of *both* Harry and Thomas, but there was little to do about the matter. Thomas felt the strong eyes of the court turn his way as he travelled to Ludlow, and it was not lost on him that some were sharp and suspicious - including Katherine’s. A contained look of pleasure - in contrast - seemed to linger on his uncle’s face, though Thomas told himself it was only pride.

Despite the brevity of the interlude, he found himself entertaining guests whom he had just recently parted from. Jianjun and Yicheng - the esteemed General and the Crown Princess - made stops at both Wales and the larger English court during their European travels. And, in striking serendipity, so did his paramour Nikita - *another Rurik, no less.* Their entanglement, which had once been relegated to their summer in Lisbon, was renewed again.

As Katherine’s reputation grew, so did Thomas’ - a difficult bind for a pair whose success seemed inversely correlated. Favor for the Nevilles had been the cause of his initial appointment, more than his own ability or reputation, but there was little hiding himself now. A popularized heir presumptive and a heavy-handed Rurik princess - they were hazards to each other, polarizing the court with their good intentions.

As France’s celebrations drew closer, this unusual winter ended - as most good things do. In turn, Thomas looked at the pieces at play, watching as Nikita slipped from his grasp and the crown appeared just outside of it. His idealism taken for weakness, Thomas resigned himself firmly to the realities of his role, and he committed to no longer go to them begrudgingly. France is riddled with enemies - but that is no different than English court. He resolved to reenter as an altered man - fixated and despondent - who may yet prove a worthy threat to the throne.

## France Summit (February 1459 to Current)

In what was likely the first peaceful arrival of the English on French soil in years, the Plantagenet retinue crossed the Channel en route to Paris. Along the journey, Thomas and Beatrice's much-improved relationship was showcased through their exchange of mutually-destructive secrets: Thomas' sexuality and Beatrice's affair with King Alfonso. The two made a pact to support each other in France -- Beatrice offering to find a wife for Thomas who will accept him, and in turn, Thomas committing to pushing for her betrothal to King Ferdinand of Naples, and marrying within the new alliance to permit that, if needed.

Nikita's absence was felt particularly hard, and Thomas turned heavily to the bottle, taking up drinking as a means to numb grief and pain. This led to a number of interesting occurrences throughout the first few weeks of festivities.