Stories by @dillpickle

Joan II

After the death of the Pope, Cardinal Dahlia, a Sudanese nun who was appointed to be a cardinal by the late Pope in his final year of life in a break from doctrine and tradition, strives to win the Papal Conclave to become the first female Bishop of Rome since the legendary Pope Joan.

The Tudor Dynasty

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Roses Season 8: Revolt of Two Roses

Spanning from 1448 to 1457, Season 8 shows the leadup and beginning of the Wars of the Roses. Richard de Mortimer, Duke of York, plots out his revolt, having control of Ireland and forming an alliance with Duke Philip of Burgundy. Drawing on unrest in Wales that has persisted since the rebellion against Henry IV that occured there more than thirty years ago, Richard de Mortimer gathers a powerful alliance to take on Henry VI and the House of Lancaster. Luckily for Henry VI, negotiations with the monarchy of France are successful and they form an alliance to defend against the Yorkist forces. As England is trust into civil war, France too finds itself in another civil war as they fight against the Duchy Burgundy once again. When Richard de Mortimer, Duke of York, and his leading general, Richard "Warwick" Neville, Duke of Warwick, launch their revolt and murder Henry VI's chief negotiator, Edmund Beaufort, the Wars of the Roses begin and many die within the first couple years of the bloody conflict, including Edmund Beaufort's son from an affair with Catherine of Valois (Former Queen Regent of England and mother of Henry VI), Edmund 'Tudor'.

Roses Season 7: Ascension to Governance

The season opens with Henry VI ascending to full government, while his mother and regent Catherine of Valois is gravely ill. After Catherine does with Henry VI at her side in the first episode, Henry takes a different approach from past rulers and attempts to avoid more death a bloodshed with a pacifist governance. With his allies, the Duke of Somerset, his Step-father from the noble family of Tudor, the Duke and Duchess of Anjou, as well as the Lord Chancellor of England all on his side, Henry VI's rule seems sound and he marries his closest friend, the genius noblewoman Margaret of Anjou. With his allies, the King has four key advisors in his wife Margaret of Anjou, the Duke of Somerset Edmund Beaufort, his stepfather Owen Tudor, and the Lord Chancellor Katherine de Arundel. Despite Henry VI's new approach to leadership and abundance of allies, the House of York builds it's armies in preparation for a full scale rebellion as the Duke of York continues to clash with nobles loyal to the throne and sees a path to take the crown himself. Season 7 spans from 1437 to 1347 and shows the early rule of Henry VI and buildup to the Wars or the Roses.

Roses Season 6: The French Queen

Taking place from 1428-1437, Season 6 focuses on the Regency of England while Henry VI is in his minority. With Henry VI's mother, Catherine of Valois - a French princess - ruling as England Regent with the guidance of France's Queen Dowager Isabeau - who has a reputation for her malicious cunning - unrest against the monarchy grows as more flock to support Yorkist claims to the throne. Richard, Head of Houses York and Mortimer now positioning himself as an English nationalist to gain the loyalty of those unhappy with French rule. In an attempt to appease English nationalists, Catherine appoints Thomas Hoccleve, a famous English writer, and his wife, Bonne, an advisor to Isabeau, as the Duke and Duchess of Anjou. Meanwhile the holder of the French Crown remains disputed between Catherine of Valois' young son, King Henry VI if England, and her older brother, Charles VII of France. Near the end of the season Isabeau passes away and Catherine falls ill. With growing unrest in England, season 6 sets in motion the events that eventually lead to the Wars of the Roses.

Roses Season 5: Conquête

Under the governance of Henry V England continues its invasion of France, successfully conquering most of its land and sent Henry V. Isabeau, siding with England against her enemy, John the Fearless, marries off her daughter, Catherine of Valois, to Henry V and appoints the two of them heirs to the French Throne to succeed her husband Charles VI. Isabeau and Charles VI's son, also named Charles, however, has other plans. Having John the Fearless assassinated, he takes the French throne for himself after his father's death while his mother, Isabeau, and her advisors, takes refuge with the English royal family. While holding control of much of France's lands, Henry V attempts to negotiate peace with the aid of King Sigismund of Hungary, but they are at best able to create a fragile truce. The season ends with Henry V's unexpected death and the ascension of his infant son Henry VI under the regency of Catherine of Valois. Takes place from 1418-1427

Roses Season 4: Folie des Rois

Shifting focus toward France, the season opens with Louis I, Duke of Orleans being assassinated publicly by John the Fearless, his second assassination after the one he previously pulled off on Jean de Montagu's lover Jacqueline. While King Charles VI remains in a bout of madness, Isabeau now reigns on her own, but finds her power threatened by John the Fearless who seeks to claim power over the French throne himself by taking the position of Jean de Montagu. As France delves into a conflict between Jean and John, England faces its own clashes as Henry IV contends with multiple rebellions and Yorkist influence grows. Back in France, Jean fights off John's rebellion but is eventually overwhelmed and captured. Despite Isabeau's attempts to prevent an execution, John executes his rival taking even greater power as he does so, even appointing his children as dukes and duchesses. As the state of France grows increasingly dire, England loses its king after Henry IV falls I'll and passes away. With his son Henry taking the throne as Henry V, the season comes to its conclusion with the new English monarch swiftly stamping out rebellion across his country and leading a successful military campaign into France where he defeats the armies of John the Fearless. The season takes place from 1407-1417

Roses Season 3: Death of a King

Season 3 begins with John of Gaunt and his allies launching a full insurrection in an attempt to take the throne from Richard II. In the ensuing conflict Richard II's lover, Robert de Vere, is killed, but the enemy claimant John of Gaunt is also slain. However the French King, Charles VI, falls into madness and his wife, Isabeau forges an alliance with Charles's younger brother Louis. Judging England to be a threat, Isabeau has her daughter, Queen of England Isabella of Valois, abducted while she stages a plot to depose Richard II and place John of Gaunt's son, Henry, on the throne as Henry IV. This plot succeeds and Henry is executed. However not everyone in England accepts the new king's rule and many including the de Vere family and the new king's sister, Elizabeth whom unite under the House of York, descendants of Henry III through Edmund if Langley. Season 3 takes place between 1398-1407.

Roses Season 2: 50 Years at War

Now ten years into his reign, Richard II continues to rule of England while his wife, Anne of Bohemia falls ill and perishes within a few years. In an attempt to de-escalate the war, Charles VI, King of France, marries off his daughter, Isabella of Valois, to Richard II. While accepting the marriage proposal, Richard II begins an affair with his close friend and advisor Robert de Vere. As de Vere becomes increasingly unpopular within the English court and the truce with France crumples as Richard II doesn't produce an heir with Isabella of Valois, the English king attempts to keep stability in his nation. However this comes unsuccessfully as many high ranking nobles side with John of Gaunt with the goal of usurping Richard II. Season 2 takes place between 1388 and 1397.

Roses Season 1: The Young King

Chronicling the English civil war known as the War of the Roses, the series begins with the death of Henry III and ascension of Richard II. With season 1 taking place between 1377 and 1387, the hundred years war is escalating as English and French nobility clash, both claiming to be the rightful claimant of the French throne.

Cleopatra Season 3: Rise of Caesar

After the killing of Pompey backfires on Ptolemy XIII, Cleopatra smuggled herself into the palace, hiding in a bag, and negotiates an alliance with Julius Caesar in secret. With the support of Rome, Cleopatra takes back her throne, but her brother remains co-ruler. However this co-rulership does not last long when under the guidance of Pothinus, Ptolemy XIII starts a civil war against his sister.

Cleopatra Season 2: Incarnation of Isis

After assisting her father in retaking his throne, Cleopatra has resigned as Egypt's co-ruler. However he soon passes away and Cleopatra does not get to reign as sole ruler as her brother Ptolemy XIII is made her co-ruler, and technically husband. Tensions rise as Cleopatra and Pothinus (the power behind Ptolemy XIII's throne) seek to claim full co trol of Egypt. Full civil war erupts and Cleopatra is exiled, but as Pompey flees to Egypt, a momentous decision is made that turns the tide back in her favour. Season 2 explores the early years of Cleopatra's reign and her struggle for sole rulership of Egypt against her brother.

Cleopatra Season 1: The Ptolemaic Dynasty

The tale of Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator has been told many times across history, but many view her reign is often misviewed. Season 1 of this biopic series focuses on Cleopatra's life prior to taking the throne and the civil war caused by Berenice IV's insurrection and taking of the throne. Note on casting: There is a lot of controversy surrounding Cleopatra and several of her relatives' ethnicity. Since evidence suggests her paternal grandmother was native Egyptian and the identity of her mother is unconfirmed (but likely Cleopatra V Tryphaena), I will cast Cleopatra with an actress or Egyptian descent and her relatives with actors of mixed race or non-white Mediterranean or Middle Eastern descent.

Clue 3

Two years after the second film, Ms. Peach invites all the former suspects to her wedding with Mr. Brown. When Ms. Peach suddenly dies, suddenly everyone is a suspect once more. Ms. Scarlet, having used her acting skills to take on a new career in the CIA investigates the crime.

Eleanor Season 7: Rise of Castille

Following the death of Eleanor of Aquitaine, only two of her children outlive her: King John of England, and Leonor, Queen of Castille. While John now reigns over England without the guidance of his mother, Leonor works to improve relations between Castille and France. Shifting focus from England to Spain, Season 7 explores the ten years following Eleanor's death taking place from 1205-1214.

Eleanor Season 6: The Lioness

After the death of Constance in England, Richard the Lionheart fights in the Third Crucade, but he too meets his end. Despite being surrounded by tragedy, Eleanor leads England as sole ruler during Richard's absence, and continues to pull the strings even as John ascends to the throne. However, a final threat to Eleanor's legacy remains from the Gloucesters. Annulling John's marriage to Isabella to prevent the family from holding the throne, Eleanor fights her final battle to prevent Henry II and Maud of Gloucester's illegitimate son Geoffrey from seizing the throne. In the final season, covering 1195-1204, Eleanor's health fades away, but she does not allow her legacy to fade with it.

Eleanor Season 5: Dawn of a New Age

Following Young King Henry's unexpected demise, Richard musters the courage to launch a rebellion against Henry II and Maud with the help of Marie's workings within the court. After executing Henry II and Maud, Richard takes the throne and Eleanor, now Queen Mother, assumes a position of great influence. However, while being freed alongside Eleanor, Constance's health begins to fail. Taking place between 1185 and 1194, season 5 shows Eleanor's rise back to power.

Eleanor Season 4: Wall of Dusk

Imprisoned after a failed attempt to overthrow her husband, Henry II, Eleanor's influence still stretches across England and France as she works from the shadows. Young King Henry, having evaded capture, fights to usurp Henry II from the throne, while Eleanor's second son, Richard, bides his time to make a move against his father. Meanwhile, Maud gains increasing power in the English court. Imprisoned alongside Eleanor, Constance loses her ability to hear. Between 1175 and 1184, Season 4 explores the deepening unrest within England and the beginning of Henry II's downfall.

Eleanor Season 3: Rising Storm

Death washes over the English Court as Empress Matilda dies and war between England and France escalates. As Eleanor's marriage to Henry breaks apart, she organizes a rebellion, planning to place her young son Henry on the English throne. Taking place between 1165 and 1174, the third season of Eleanor focuses on rising chaos across western Europe.

Eleanor Season 2: The Court of Love

Now the Queen Consort of England, Eleanor adjusts to the new country and founds the Court of Love, while also ruling the Duchy of Aquitaine in her own right. Taking place between 1155 and 1164, season 2 explores Eleanor's early years as Queen of England.