Chapter 346 Reform of Succession Law
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At the time when Edward and Mary were happily chatting, the Palace of Westminster and the meeting hall of the Privy Council were extremely lively at this time.
In the conference hall, hung an oil painting of Henry VIII, wearing armor, a crown on his head, and a dagger at his waist. The background was the city walls of Paris, France.
This is not only to show Edward's respect for Henry VIII, but also to remind this group of politicians in the ruling center of England not to forget the long-cherished wish of the former king-France.
In front of the oil painting, there was a long table, smeared with tung oil and shiny. The main seat was empty, which belonged to His Majesty the King, while the deputy seat belonged to the most powerful person under the King of England—the Speaker of the Privy Council.
Thanks to the centralization of power in England, the position of Speaker of the Privy Council has become very popular. Even hereditary nobles with prominent families are also greedy for this position.
This year is His Excellency Faris Alexander's last year as the Speaker of the Privy Council. Therefore, with respect for him, many ministers are still polite to him, at least not as fierce as before.
However, it was still difficult for many ministers to conceal their shock and astonishment when they suddenly heard such a message from His Majesty the King.
Because, at the previous moment, His Excellency Faris personally delivered a message to them, with only one central meaning: His Majesty the King will change the traditional inheritance law of the nobles.
With such a strong impact, many ministers could not calm down the shock in their hearts for a while.
"Your Excellency Speaker, let me ask you a question, how will His Majesty the King change the tradition of noble inheritance?"
At this time, just as the speaker finished speaking, the man sitting on the chair suddenly stood up, his tone was a little anxious, but his movements were still steady, calm, and a gentleman.
Faris looked up and saw a slender middle-aged man with a thin beard and a thin face stood up, lowered his head slightly, bent over, and looked at him suspiciously.
This is William Cecil, the first Mayor of London, former Oxfordshire Sheriff, currently the Deputy Speaker of the Privy Council, the sure successor of the Speaker of the Privy Council, and the candidate appointed by His Majesty the King.
The other ministers did the same, looking at him with doubts on their faces, and the searching look in their eyes was extremely obvious, which made him feel oppressed.
"Cough—" Your Excellency the speaker coughed, and then many ministers restrained their expressions and sat upright.
Glancing at William Selsey, he immediately glanced at the other ministers sitting with a serious expression, and said loudly:
"His Majesty the King summoned me today, and felt saddened by the gradual decline of the noble class. Therefore, he believes that the current noble inheritance law is too strict and needs to be cut down to satisfy the rule of the kingdom!"
"After all, we need to understand that nobility is the basis for maintaining the rule of the entire England. England cannot live without nobility!"
"So, the king asked us to draft a new inheritance law to meet the current situation in England!"
After finishing speaking, many ministers breathed a sigh of relief.
It turned out that His Majesty the King hadn't drawn up the bill yet, and they thought the King was going to be arbitrary again!
They have no right to change the decrees that His Majesty the King has drafted.
But now it is different, if His Majesty the King asks them to draft, then there is some room for change.
On the side, not only Vice President William Cecil breathed a sigh of relief, but the other ministers also relaxed a lot.
The sitting ministers are counted from the left hand side of Faris, followed by Earl Boswell, Vice-President of the Privy Council, Borman Randall, Vice-President of the Privy Council and Lord Seal, Earl Robert, Minister of the Privy Council and Chief Justice, and Earl Robert of the Privy Council. Minister and Secretary of State Don Francis, and Sir Kyle Lance.
These seven people are recognized by His Majesty the King, and they are also ministers who are often summoned by His Majesty the King. They belong to a default state.
Of course, nominally speaking, except for the speaker, the status of other ministers is equal.
"So, honorable Mr. Speaker, what is His Majesty's request?"
This time, it was the turn of the vice-principal, Earl Boswell, to ask questions.
As one of the top figures in England during the Regency Council, Earl Boswell is the most powerful figure in the Privy Council after Faris. It can be said that he is the most suitable successor for Faris.
However, once the emperor and the courtiers, although Edward did nothing, he more or less heard some hints, and said wisely that he would retire with Faris.
Looking at Earl Boswell who looked a little tired, Your Excellency the Speaker said softly:
"At present, it is not uncommon for noble heirs to fall, or only female heirs. We can start with this."
"Then, we can consider legalizing female inheritance. After all, such situations are not uncommon in continental Europe. If it is changed, it will be easily accepted by the nobles!"
William Selsey thought for a while, and immediately proposed, and then fixed his eyes on the speaker.
Faris heard the words and was interrupted just as he was about to speak.
"No, absolutely not!" The Keeper of the Seal Borman Randall denied his proposal, looked at William Selsey seriously, and said firmly:
"It would be better for those titles to be cut than for those women to inherit their titles. This is an insult to the nobility.
What's more, by marrying a woman, one can become a hereditary nobleman, so what is the nobility of our blue blood? Is it not defiled? "
The conservative Minister Borman Randall is a viscount, over sixty years old, and the whole thing is becoming more and more conservative.
The English nobles despise the European habit of inheriting titles by marrying women. For them, the blood of the nobility should not be tarnished.
"I agree, this matter is absolutely not allowed!" "It is not in line with tradition!"
Other ministers also expressed their opposition and rejected the proposal.
"Well, since most people are against it, don't present it to His Majesty the King who allows women to inherit the title!"
Seeing that his proposal was denied, William Cecil smiled nonchalantly and sat down.
He knew that his proposal would be rejected, and the conservative tradition still imprisoned the English.
Even if the other ministers are not nobles, they still oppose his proposal because of their worship of noble titles and belief in noble traditions.
After William Selsey's proposal was rejected, the other ministers fell silent. Obviously, it is hard to think of a way to achieve the best of both worlds.
Seeing this, Faris Alexander suddenly showed an inscrutable smile on his face.
(end of this chapter)