King Juan began the year of 1519, having had another successful year with the colonies, with much gold and silver coming in. He had sent more expeditions throughout the years, having inherited his mother's exploration spirit.
On 12 January 1519, the whole of Europe lost a powerful man, with the death of Maximilian I, the Holy Roman Emperor. Now, the hunt was on for the new Holy Roman Emperor. Naturally, Archduke Philip looking to claim the Imperial Throne for himself. King Juan supported his brother-in-law, due to him being the biological heir, despite the Imperial Throne being an elected Title. The other two candidates were King Francis of France and Frederick III of Saxony. Nothing would be decided right away.
In Poland, Queen Joanna gave birth to her first child, a healthy baby girl, on 18 January 1519 in Krakow. Although the child was not the son that King Sigusmund wanted, the new Princess was strong and healthy. Queen Joanna was happy, that at 27, she was finally a mother. The new Polish Princess was named Isabella, after the mighty Isabella of Castile.
King Juan was thrilled at the birth of his first grandchild. He wrote a letter to his daughter, telling her he was proud and thankful to the Lord for her safe delivery. He sent her a gift of gold and silk from Granada.
In Granada, Infante Diego and his wife, Lady Juana, were in an unhappy marriage. Despite their three children, great wealth, gorgeous home, they were not happy. Infante Diego had kept a mistress and now had an illegitimate child. King Juan wrote to his brother to reconcile with his wife, stating that he had a duty as a husband and to put aside his “personal and frivolous pleasures” aside and reunite with his true wife. Infante Diego, unfortunately, did not seem to want to listen to his brother and King.
In Burgundy, Archduke Philip and Archduchess Maria were celebrating the marriage of their eldest son, Archduke Charles and Princess Anne of Bohemia and Hungary on the 10 March 1519. The young Archduke was 17 years old and Princess Anne was now 16 years old. The marriage was celebrated nearly for a week and Princess Anne seemed to bond well with the new Court and the young couple consummated their marriage and Princess Anne also developed a a close relationship with Archduchess Maria.
In Florence, Cristina, Duchess of Urbino, gave birth to a healthy baby girl on 19 April 1519. Duke Lorenzo was excited, as if his wife had given birth to a healthy heir. He rushed to his wife's Bedchamber and pronounced his love for his wife and his daughter. Duchess Cristina wrote to her father about the birth of his second granddaughter and she was proud of being a mother. The baby girl was named Catarina, after the late Queen Catherine of Navarre.
Finally, on 28 June 1519, Archduke Philip received the news that he was elected as Holy Roman Emperor. The forty-one year old was proud and happy and instantly informed his wife that they are moving their Court and respective households to Vienna, as he had to hold the Imperial Court. Maria, the new Holy Roman Empress, agreed to this. Emperor Philip announced that Charles and his new wife, Archduchess Anne, would remain in Burgundy.
In England, sixteen year old Princess Elizabeth, the youngest sister of King Arthur, was preparing for her departure to Portugal to marry the Crown Prince of Portugal. Queen Catherine, with her sister being the Queen of Portugal, taught Princess Elizabeth how to speak Castilian , since the Portuguese Court was bilingual.
Elizabeth of York, the Queen Mother, was proud, yet sad that her youngest child and namesake was going to depart forever. Queen Joanna of Portugal had written to the Dowager Queen and assured her that Princess Elizabeth would be treated like her own daughter and that her son was a gentle and kind Prince. Now that she was fifty-three years old, the Dowager Queen decided not to travel with her daughter, so instead Charles Brandon and Princess Mary, the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk, accompanied the Princess to the Royal Ships.
Princess Elizabeth of England arrived in Lisbon on the 18 July 1519. The journey, thankfully, was calm and peaceful. Princess Elizabeth was amazed by the beautiful city. She was met by Portuguese nobles, including the Mayor of Lisbon and she was processed to Sintra Palace.
The Princess met King Manuel and Queen Joanna in the Throne room and bowed deeply to them. She was astonished at how similar in appearance Queen Joanna had with Queen Catherine of England, although Queen Joanna had brown eyes and Queen Catherine had blue eyes.
Soon after, she actually met her betrothed, John, Crown Prince of Portugal. He was an extremely good looking young man and they were able to communicate, due to her language knowledge of Castilian. They seemed to get along well and Queen Joanna of Portugal wrote to her sister, the Queen of England and stated that it made her happy to see her beloved son in a potentially happy marriage.
John, Prince of Portugal and Princess Elizabeth of England were married on 25 July 1519 in the Cathedral of Lisbon. The couple were dressed in all white and they then processed to the Palace and Princess Elizabeth insisted on giving alms. After a grand feast, the couple were out to bed and instantly consummated their marriage. King Manuel and Queen Joanna seemed satisfied with the match and prayed for a grandson, with haste.
In Castile, King Juan kept his daughters, Catherine and little Isabel, closely with him. He was known to be a quiet and sensible King and was focused on his family and making sure they were all comfortable. He was still rejecting marriage proposals. He briefly entertained it, as his youngest child was still in the Royal Nursery, however his sister and daughter, Catherine cared for little Isabel. He also wrote to the council in Navarre, making sure his son's reign was secure and he also wrote to his sister, Queen Joanna of Portugal and said that her daughter, Infanta Isabel, should be sent to Navarre soon, which she agreed.