Isabel knew what Viscount Lyle was going to say next. Before the other could speak, she preemptively said, "Lord Lyle, I remember that I didn't say I was going to attack during the day, did I?" ”

Henry VIII gazed appreciatively at the wise, resolute and confident Baroness Ripley, as if the naval battle of 1514 had appeared before his eyes. In that naval battle more than 30 years ago, he led the newly formed royal fleet from Portsmouth Military Harbour to meet the French fleet, and successfully repelled the French fleet, which consisted of a mixture of armed civilian ships and single-deck ships.

Viscount Lyle looked at Lady Ripley with some surprise, he didn't expect this noble lady to enjoy adventurous battles even more than himself. Hurriedly coughed lightly, "Madam, you mean to carry out the attack at night." However, you have to take into account the weather at sea. In the event of bad weather, the French will be glad to see the weather defeat His Majesty's fleet! ”

"Your Majesty." When Isabel, who was standing on the right side of the long table, looked at Henry VIII behind the table, she noticed that the aging king seemed to be in a state of inattention, and hurriedly called softly, "Your Majesty, are you alright?" ”

"Well, ma'am, I'm listening." Henry VIII blinked a few times.

"Your Majesty, I propose to attack the French fleet at night in order to avoid your fleet being surrounded by the French fleet, do you agree?"

"Madam, your opinion is very good, go on."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Isabel said respectfully, and then looked at Viscount Lyle on the side, "Your Excellency, how long does it take to sail from Portsmouth to Le Havre in France?" ”

Viscount Lyle pondered and replied, "Well, if the weather is good, it will take about 8 to 9 hours. ”

"Well, we will leave in the morning and we will be on the coast of France in the evening." Isabel muttered to herself, then looked at the maritime map on the table, pointed to a prominent piece of coastal land west of Le Havre and asked, "Your Excellency, what is this place?" ”

"Well, this place is called... Munche. ”

"Your Excellency, if bad weather is encountered while sailing to Le Havre that evening, I think that your majesty's fleet may dock at Manche. When the weather improves, attack the French fleet in Le Havre. ”

When Isabel saw that the others had no different opinions and were about to come up with another plan of battle, Henry VIII suddenly said to Viscount Lyle, "John, will you still use a horizontal attack when attacking the French fleet at Le Havre?" ”

It is fair to say that Henry VIII now has a blue-water naval force (the Crown Fleet) capable of carrying out missions in the open ocean for long periods of time and protecting the interests and security of his own country and overseas territory in the vast oceans. However, the tactics used in naval warfare were still horizontal formations (the side guns of the ships of the fleet were aimed at their own ships on both flanks, rather than aiming at the enemy ships in front). Isabel was incredulous about this.

His brow furrowed as he pondered how he could get the spirit-slumped, suspicious and irritable monarch to change the tactics currently used by the fleet. The Duke of Richmond, who was standing beside her, listened to the conversation and paid attention to their expressions. When he noticed Isabel's look, he felt that she might have a different opinion and wanted to say it.

The Duke of Richmond took advantage of his father's conversation with Viscount Lyle, and interjected in time, "Your Majesty, at present, your fleet has gun holes on the side and is equipped with powerful bronze front-loading guns. If the French were attacked in a horizontal formation, wouldn't the first shell fired by the fleet fall on its own ships? ”

Henry VIII leaned back in his chair a little tiredly, lazily looking at his illegitimate son, "Henry, when did you learn the tactics of the fleet?" ”

The Duke of Richmond blinked twice, then said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, this is what Lord Ripley told me. ”

"Madame, do you think the tactics of the horizontal team are not suitable for my fleet?" Henry VIII took a sip of wine and asked Isabel with a high spirit.

"Your Majesty, it is clear from the artillery you have equipped your fleet that you want to use more powerful, longer-range, and safer artillery to defeat the enemy at sea, right?" Isabel was careful not to anger Henry VIII when telling the truth.

Henry VIII couldn't help but nod his head, and a smug smile appeared on his face, "Madam, I hope that my fleet will engage the enemy in a broadside battle after the heavy bombardment. ”

"Broadside? It's still the same tactics of the Spaniards. Isabel did not reveal her contempt for the Spaniards, but said very calmly, "Your Majesty, this is the case. Imagine if the new bronze cannon had damaged the hull of an enemy ship or even sunk it during the engagement, would your sergeants still have to engage in broadside combat? ”

———————————

Of the three nobles who came to Whitehall today to meet Henry VIII, only Isabelle Walton, Lady Ripley, had the honour of being invited by Queen Catherine to the Queen's own luncheon. At luncheon, Queen Catherine Parr warmly inquired about some of Isabelle's parents, family, and domain.

Later, Queen Catherine inevitably talked to each other about her younger brother, William Parr, Earl of Essex. The queen, who had a clear view of the affairs that took place in the court, said tactfully to Lady Ripley: "Isabel, I would love to see William with you, do you understand what I mean?" ”

Isabel's hand holding the knife paused in mid-air, and she nodded as she looked at the queen at the top of the table on the right, "Yes, Your Majesty." Your opinion was mentioned when Lord Essex spoke to me. ”

Queen Catherine glanced at Henry VIII's favourite dish on the table, black pudding (a mixture of pig's blood and minced pork offal, i.e. heart, liver, stomach, lungs and intestines, loosely poured into the pork casing, and made into sausages in sections). Slice and mix with oatmeal, salt, pepper, cardamom, chopped coriander, chopped onion, and finally cook it in water), disgusted on the surface, but calmly continue to eat a lump of fresh beef stewed in red wine on the plate.

After taking a bite of the tender beef, he said kindly to Lady Ripley, "If you are willing to come to me as an unmarried maid, I am sure you will have many opportunities to meet William." ”

The best friend is Her Majesty the Queen, and Isabel was not willing to show disrespect to the Queen, but looked at the Queen and whispered, "Your Majesty, I also believe that a maid beside you thinks so too." ”