1611 Fall
A messenger, who tried to escape from the surrounded Orléans to the Union of Aragon and Two Sicilies, with Elizabeth's secret message was caught in the act. And it read
"If you help me return to Paris, I'll help you reclaim your rightful throne of Castile."
"In your dreams, my girl!"
The Union, taking part in this war, at this point? Well, in her shoes, it had more chances to help her than the Holy Roman Empire, which is currently in a civil war.
But that's all. The Union's troop will probably be shattered, with Italy's urban patricians, fighting for their own city's war performance.
At this point, the war was almost coming to an end. 10,000 French troops that confronted the British troops at Calais were defeated. Without the Lioness's command, they were just outnumbered by the British troops. And 4,000 soldiers who were keeping Paris abruptly raised the white flag, the moment the rightful king, Louis XIII returned.
In the end, the Lioness had only 10,000 who were locked up in Orléans with her.
So, Elizabeth gave a last-ditch. She opened the gates of Orléans castle and led 10,000 troops herself. At the same time, the Tercio - Iberian troops - immediately fought back, with 72,000 Iberian soldiers surrounding the French soldiers in 5 layers.
The 1st layer was abruptly shattered. The 10,000 troops, who were all fired up, fought till their last breath. So, hundreds from the 1st layer crushed to death as they ran to the 2nd layer for their lives.
The 2nd layer lasted longer than that but also broken through. Even though it was thicker than the 1st layer - after including survivors from the 1st layer - they couldn't stop the Lioness's once-in-a-lifetime charge for survival. So, survivors from the 1st and 2nd layer flee to the 3rd layer.
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When the Lioness' troop reached the 3rd layer, it was reduced into 5,000 - half of the beginning. On the other hand, the 3rd layer of the Tercio - gathered survivors from the 1st and 2nd layer and became 50% thicker than the 2nd layer. The last survivors of Elizabeth's calvary were annihilated at this layer. Troopers' charge was useless against the spears of Tercio troops, just like Kamikazes in WW2 did to Enterprise.
However, the 3rd layer couldn't withstand the Lioness's power and had to flee for their lives. Henry, the Duke of Cambridge - my grandson and Elizabeth's nephew - later told me
"After she fell from her horse, aunt Elizabeth threw the body of the dead horse to the Tercio, and charged to them, slashing her sword."
Of course, since he was in the final layer's last line, he was probably mistaken. But why do I get the feeling that she threw the dead horse, only by herself?
Anyway, when the 3rd layer was on the brink of collapse, they were ordered to retreat, and they soon joined the 4th layer. Meanwhile, the Lioness had only 500 soldiers with her.
At that point, Marquis Don Juan, the commander of the Tercio - Iberian troops - suggested the Lioness to surrender, just as I've told him earlier
"Queen Mother of France, Elizabeth! Your name is famous in entire Europe, and your feat is incomparable with anyone! However, your luck has come to an end now. So, I humbly suggest you surrender and save your life!"
And her answer to his words was
"Bullshit!"
Since she said those words, not in French - which the House of Tudor, the royal family of United Kingdom and most other nobles in Europe spoke - but in English, both Marquis and Henry couldn't understand what she meant and only delivered pronunciation to me.
Oh, what a nasty girl she was!
Anyway, although Marquis didn't understand what she said, it was clear that she refused to surrender. So, the battle restarted. Unlike the 3 charges before, both forces - Tercio and the remaining French soldiers - charged with full power.
At the first clash, the Lioness lost most soldiers, and only dozens left, trying to keep her till death last breath. Most light infantries were killed or deserted in the previous layers, only heavy infantries - who were wealthy bourgeoisie - remained. Since they survived after fighting against 3 layers of Tercio - they were the best of the best.
But their battle experience was incomparable with the Tercio. As the battle became a brawl, Castilian Rodeleros came to the front. And Rodeleros quickly pierced their enemies' armor joints and incapacitated them.
In the end, only Elizabeth and 3 knight - who fell from their horses and fought in the foot - left.
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"If Elizabeth refuses to surrender - which she probably would - don't try to catch her, but kill her."
"U, understood, your majesty."
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So, Marquis Don Juan ordered the Rodeleros to pierce the Lioness' neck, but in vain. The moment soldiers charged to her, they were instantly slashed by Elizabeth's sword. So, they became terrified and no one dared to come close to her.
"...Espadachines (=Rodeleros), retreat! Musketeers! Fire!"
'Bang' 'Bang' 'Bang'
'Thud'
After being hit with dozens of bullet, the Lioness fell to the ground.
Finally, the French Civil war was over.