Later, in what the Duke of Richmond told Isabel Walton, she learned that Henry VIII had finally decided to kill the northern nobles who had political, economic, military, administrative, and judicial privileges. In fact, as early as the time of Henry VII, the first king of the Tudor dynasty, the Northern Council was re-established in 1489 and chaired by Henry VIII's brother Arthur Tudor in order to strengthen the administration and control of the northern region. But with Arthur's death, the committee's role diminished.

When the time came in 1504, Henry VII promulgated the "Abolition of the Law of War". Although the statute was repealed in 1509, it dealt a certain blow to the northern aristocracy, who had long held military privileges. By 1525, when Baron Thomas Dyck had been charged with misgovernance, fined and stripped of his control over the western frontier, Henry VIII appointed the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Cumberland, who were only six years old at the time. It should be said that this was the first military, administrative and judicial local high-level office that Henry Fitzroy had held since his birth.

Isabel was so amused when she heard this that she almost dropped her glass on the floor. Gripping the wine glass, he looked at the duke sitting on the throne and said, "Henry, you never felt that Your Majesty had ever sheltered you before. In fact, when you were just sensible, you held a position that everyone would be jealous of. ”

The Duke of Richmond himself thought it was funny, and he almost spit out the wine in his mouth. After quickly swallowing the wine, he smiled and said, "Isabel, you are quite right. At that time, I didn't even know which county my estate was in, and how could I know where the western border was. ”

"So, what about later?"

"Lord Thomas Dyck was only accused of maladministration and not guilty of treason. Therefore, His Majesty soon returned the control of the western frontier to the family. ”

The Duke continued: "The year before last, his eldest son, William, was charged with treason, and the family lost its custody. His Majesty then handed over the control to Baron Carlisle, who had been guarding the border for a long time, and made him viscount. ”

Isabel thought and whispered, "So, after this suppression of the rebellion, His Majesty the King will grant you the right to supervise the western border?" ”

"When I spoke to His Majesty in the court, His Majesty said that in June last year Secretary of State Thomas Cromwell had called for the establishment of the Northern Council in a document. Therefore, His Majesty wishes to let me re-establish the Northern Council for the third time in his name next year, and to govern the more important counties of Yorkshire, Westmoreland, Cumberland, Northumberland, and Durham. ”

"Northern Council! But are there only 5 counties? What about Richmondshire, Lancashire and Hexhamshire? ”

"Hahaha... Isabel, you have more power than I do. Richmond County was originally a royal domain, and I was still worried that I would not be able to control it? Lancashire is too poor to have the capital to rebel even if it wants to. As for County Hexham, it is too small and attached to County Durham. Therefore, His Majesty thinks that it is enough to control these important counties. ”

Isabel turned her face sideways and squeezed at the gray-backed falcon standing on the wooden frame, and the small female bird of prey actually let out a begging cry at her. The Duke of Richmond also looked at the grayback falcon and smiled lightly: "It seems that she likes you very much." ”

"Well, it's still a female grayback falcon. Only, how did you think to buy a female? ”

"Isabel, have you ever seen that her white eyebrow lines are beautiful? Such beautiful eyebrow lines reminded me of you, so I chose a female one from two gray-backed falcons, one male and one female. ”

"Wouldn't it? I'm just a grayback falcon in your mind? ”

The Duke of Richmond shook his head: "You are more beautiful than a grayback falcon or an eagle." No, you will never be a falcon in my mind, but a free-flying eagle. ”

"Eagle? It would be even better if it was a bald eagle, at least the national bird of the United States is the bald eagle. Isabel said to herself in her heart, smiling and saying, "Henry, did you name her?" ”

"Not yet, because it was given to you, it should be up to you to pick it up."

"Well, I'll come up with a nice, beautiful name."

Isabel then turned the subject back to the question she had just asked: "The committee? In other words, there will be a lot of people who can become a commissioner? ”

The Duke of Richmond nodded: "At present, His Majesty has only decided on the list of 16 members. The Northern Council, chaired by the Earl Bishop of Durham, including me, was made up of the Northern Council by Lord Westmoreland, Lord Cumberland, and 5 knights, 3 lawyers, 3 citizens, and 1 secretary. ”

After hearing this, Isabel said with some strange feelings: "How could His Majesty the King make the Earl Bishop of Durham the chairman?" ”

"I think you are aware of the position and power of the Earl Bishop in County Durham, so His Majesty has no intention of removing him at this time."

"I see, on the surface the Earl Bishop is the chairman of the committee, but in reality you are the real chairman."

The Duke smiled and just said, "One more thing, after the establishment of the Northern Council, His Majesty also intends to replace some members of the Northern Security Council. He felt that the magistrates of the northern counties must have something to do with the rebels in this rebellion. ”

Isabel thought of her father, who had just become a county magistrate, and thought, "What about my father?" His Majesty doesn't think my father has something to do with the rebels, does he? ”

"Don't worry, Sir is the magistrate of the county in the royal domain, and His Majesty will not remove him."

Isabel laughed: "What's next, what does His Majesty want you to do?" ”

The Duke stood up and paced, relaxed his body and said, "Christmas and New Year." ”

"It's as simple as that, Christmas and New Year? Doesn't His Majesty want to find out the cause of the rebellion? ”

"Isabel, Your Majesty has said that if there is no more rebellion in the North after Ash Day in February, Your Majesty will make me and the Duke of Norfolk, and 10 other members, form a council to investigate the effects of the rebellion."

The Duke of Richmond referred to "Ash Day" as the first day of the pre-suffering period. Also known as the Feast of Suffering or Lent, it is the period of preparation for the important festival of Easter.

"Okay. However, since His Majesty has decided to make you the chairman of the Northern Council, you don't want me to go with you, do you? ”

"Isabel, I want you to oversee Richmondshire and my castle for the period of overseer... Until His Majesty appoints the next Chairman of the Committee. Your title remains Privy Counsellor and Duke Secretary, and the annual honorarium is increased to £210, do you agree? ”

With an annual income of £210, Isabel can invite 700-800 people to dinner and dinner for 15 consecutive days. At first glance, it seems that a lot of people eat two meals a day, but in fact they only spend about 14 pounds a day. However, it's not just about salary, it's about everything.