Porting Forward…
Primary Source…Detected: SEGA
Secondary Source…Detected: World Chain
Accessing Arch Journal – Volume 1, Chapter 2: The Two Queens – Grace O’Malley
Forewords of the Arch Journal
During my journey with the rewriters, I am able to experience numerous vastly diverse yet remarkably intriguing historic events in person. Those great remnants that joined the rewriters’ cause shared their stories with me; they showed me their goals, ambition, determination and the courage to continue in desperate situation. Knowing that there will be limits on the depth of these heroes’ life being explained, I sought help from T.S.U.K.O.M.I and R.I.S.E.M.A.R.A to create this Arch Journal to show you just a bit more about who they really are and why they have done what they did. May you found knowledge and wisdom while reading these journals.
-Azerith
A lady who dare to love those she deemed worthy, and hate those she disgusted
The Two Queens
Our reunion with Grace since the welcome party was not in a convenient time. As the O’Malleys’ influences in County Mayo spread through the Connacht territory, the English royal family decided to step in and regain control of this royal estate. In this particular period of the 16th centuries, Grace has finally met her archenemy, Sir Richard Bingham, the newly appointed Governor of Connacht. [T.S.U.K.O.M.I: Don’t feel bad Richard, every story needs a villain.]
According to R.I.S.E.M.A.R.A’s archive, the tension between the two naval superpower, England and Spain, grew increasingly unstable in the late 16 centuries. To prevent a "backdoor" attack from the Spanish, Queen Elizabeth I decided to gain control of Ireland before the Spanish gets the upper hand. The majority of the already-existed clans and tribes on Ireland, including the O’Malley, were no more than obstacles to Queen Elizabeth. To ensure Her Majesty’s plan go smooth and sound, Sir Richard Bingham was appointed as the Governor of Connacht and send to resolve the "obstacles".
Just as expected, this arrangement caused great resentments from the local clans and tribes toward both Sir Richard Bingham and his method of governing. Due to the fact that the O’Malleys have the greatest power across Connacht, this easily painted a bullseye mark on their back.
Things became rather ugly on this already forsaken land. The English troops, led by Sir Richard Bingham, was suppressing every village and the residents in it as they travel across Connacht. Anyone who refused to obey the Queen, or "suspected disobeying", would be executed without hearing or court. It was pretty much a living hell for the local folks. [T.S.U.K.O.M.I: Consider this as necessary because the people in Ireland had never been governed properly before, and without order and law, the most efficient way to colonise the mass is by violence and fear.]
Even though Grace didn’t tell us, I learned from R.I.S.E.M.A.R.A’s report that Sir Richard Bingham ruthlessly murdered Grace’s eldest son while Grace was out in the sea trading. [T.S.U.K.O.M.I: Rumor also suggested Grace’s third son betrayed her and joined forces with Sir Richard Bingham to raid his brother’s castle. When Grace found out, she invaded her own son’s castle and cast him away from the family. Grace sworn an oath to never speak to nor see his third son again.] Despite Grace can win small skirmish against Sir Richard Bingham and his men with our help, she knew she didn’t have what it took to drive the entire English troops out of Connacht, so she decided to use wits instead of fists.
What Grace did next had definitely surprised her enemy, I mean, even I was shocked. Before I realised Grace’s true intention, I found myself and the other rewriters on a small boat travelling down south of the Atlantic Sea. As the horizon of the sea became vague and land reappeared far ahead of the boat, I couldn’t believe when Grace told me we were about to land on Greenwich Palace, the residential home of Queen Elizabeth I.
From Grace’s own word, she didn’t like to waste time on formality when it came to foreign affair or other important matters. So here we are, right in the middle of the enemy’s headquarter, demanding an audience with the Queen of England. Of course Grace was well aware of the delicacy of the situation, but from her point of view, she was already on the verge of losing everything she got; things literally couldn’t get worst and would only get better. [T.S.U.K.O.M.I: Fortunate favors the bold!]
After a bit of "waiting", the Queen of England had granted Grace a hearing. For the first time, the two Queens had sat down in front of each other, face to face. Grace started the conversation by explaining she have no intention to defy the order of England and plead Queen Elizabeth to remove the English troops from Ireland.
In return, Grace had promised to serve England and Queen Elizabeth and offer her alliance to England in the upcoming battle with the Spanish Armada. [T.S.U.K.O.M.I: As mentioned before, a war between England and Spain was imminent. Both being naval superpowers, the English was worried about the dominant sea army of Spain. A fleet of 130 battleships named Grande y Felicisima Armada – Great and Most Fortunate Navy. It was said that the Spanish Armada was the biggest and strongest navy force in the 16th centuries.]
Being a smart woman, Queen Elizabeth soon figured out such alliance can help England stand a greater chance against Spain’s invasion, so an agreement had been made. In return for the O’Malleys to serve and fight for England, Queen Elizabeth will remove Sir Richard Bingham from Ireland, on top of that, Elizabeth pardon all the wrong deeds done by Grace and the O’Malleys and granted them "privateer" titles. [T.S.U.K.O.M.I: Literally a license to steal and kill anything that is not under the Queen’s protection. Pretty much like James Bond!]
After our departure from Greenwich Palace, Grace seemed to understand Queen Elizabeth is no normal Queen; she was another extraordinary woman just like herself. Grace also realised if she didn’t prove herself useful in front of Queen Elizabeth in the upcoming battle with the Spanish, whatever agreement she established back there would probably be discarded.
[T.S.U.K.O.M.I: To Be Continued]
