Kerne Theory

Chapter I

Part I: The Conqueror’s Enemies



Duke Hoel Kerne of Brittany​

“Two dispatches, my Lord Hoel.”

The messenger spoke flat and calm, just audible above the sound of driving rain pounding the roof above them. Though his inability to take his eyes off the Dukes cleft lip was obvious, Hoel returned the tone in kind-

“Good, leave them here with me.”

After the man briskly left the room, Duke Hoel Kerne examined the letters laying before him with a solid gaze. Though one was clearly marked with the writing of a Breton, the Duke sighed deeply as he noticed the other bore the seal of his ally, William of Normandy, the new King of England.

“Might as well get this over with.” He mumbled, before his hand pounced savagely on William’s letter.

Hoel leaned back, taking yet another moment to relish another quick sigh. Hoel plucked what he knew of the French language from the cellars of his mind and before long, the assortment of symbols began to become legible-

My good friend Hoel, Duke of Brittany and the Bretons.​

You have no doubt heard of my excommunication by that wretch in Rome. The boorish imbecile assumes that because he offered his rag of a banner in confidence of my invasion, that I am some how in debt! The Pope now seems to take great pleasure in watching the realm he helped bring under my control fall to the whims of rebellious Counts and Dukes.

The wars have, at least, given me time to tour my new country. I enjoyed raiding the coasts of Ireland, throwing those savages in Northumberland off the battlements of York and teaching my son Robert exactly how to fight rebellious subjects in Normandy. But now my friend, I need your aid in Cornwall. The brutes there I once trusted as my vassals have now burned countless villages and are making a mockery of the true God anointed Kings, like ourselves. I still may not be able to respond to their attacks for months, as my forces are tied up in the north. Rationing is terribly low and I have even set aside my own for the good of my soldiers. As a tribute to our friendship, one which has long been maintained by us both, I ask only for your aid in Cornwall. Please respond with haste.

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“You’re not the only one who’s hungry, William.” Hoel grunted mockingly. He knew his help was far from crucial in Williams civil wars and so he would not participate. It didn’t help that William was suspected of assassinating his predecessors – with poisoned riding gloves, no less!

After tossing William’s letter aside with contempt, Hoel moved on to the second. Soon after examining it he realized it was from his son, sent far off to Paris to learn from the court of King Philippe. The combination of language finesse and childish handwriting amused the Duke as he dug into the letter-

Dear Father.​

The journey to Paris was long but not difficult. His highness King Philippe has proven himself a fine host for me and his skilled Marshals are eager to show me the ways of war. Paris is a glorious place and I’ll have more to write about in the future. I thought I may inform you on the conversations of this court. King Philippe has taken a great effort to express his disdain for King William of Normandy. As your trusted friend, he is also mine, and I am concerned about the well-being of his realm, at the hands of King Philippe.

Sincerely, Alan Fergant Kerne​

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The Duke set the letter down gently, still smirking at the phrase “trusted friend.” He tilted his chin, rubbing the unkempt stubble that protruded from it. He was a little disappointed in the briefness of Alan’s letter but the young boy was already learning how to be useful. Perhaps Philippe’s plans against William was worth keeping an eye on. Just the thought of claiming the relatively rich border regions of Normandy sent Hoel into deep contemplation of what might be in store for him.​

Part II: Storms Across the Channel



Anne Morena's The Bretons

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One year after the momentous Byzantine defeat at Constantinople in 1074, King Philippe of France began to pillage the outlying regions of Normandy. The excommunicated William the Conqueror was busy quashing rebellions of all types across England and beyond. At first, William looked unwilling to respond and Philippe, sensing weakness, was only emboldened to go further. Towards the end of summer in 1075, Philippe launched his largest raid yet. Williams son and Duke of Normandy, Robert of Normandy, sent a furious wave of letters to William requesting help. It was about this time, perhaps even due to the menacing French raids, that the young Duke was beginning to go mad. We can only imagine the confused gibberish William was forced to decipher.

A sketch of King Philippe I​

Nonetheless, William came to the aid of his first-son and declared war on France. The resulting conflict went on for many years but William would never set foot in Normandy. He wouldn’t even get off the English coastline. Instead, Philippe bypassed Normandy all together and with the bulk of his forces, invaded the British Isles. It was as startling repeat of 1066. William was forced back again and again until London itself fell. Crippled by renewed uprisings in Northumbria and fearful of prolonging the conflict, William grudgingly gave up the southern English coast to the French Crown. The humiliation of “The Conqueror” sent England into yet another deadly spiral of intrigue and rebellion.





The war between Philippe and William would set the stage for Hoel to make a move for his own ambitions in the region. Though he was delayed nearly ten years for a variety of reasons. Namely, the tenuous grip he had over his vassals in Brittany. In one instance, the Count of Penthievre found himself at war with William of Normandy. Relatives of the reigning Count of Penthievre, Jafrez Boterel Penteur, willed their estates in England to him. Specifically, the county of Somerset in Cornwall. These relatives were also powerful rebels who had arrayed themselves against the English King. In effect, Jafrez inherited the wars of his kin. To avoid having to go through the effort of an invasion, William began negotiations to keep Somerset under the banner of England. After a series of insults by a rambunctious Jafrez, William sent a single letter to Duke Hoel, threatening to attack unless the Count was put in his place.

Hoel responded, by all accounts, with trepidation. He personally traveled to meet Count Jafrez to ask that his title in Brittany be reneged. Jafrez simply mocked the Duke, boasting in the majesty of his armies and predicting his overwhelming victory – all while citing Williams own defeats in England. Though the arrogant Jafrez was sure in his strength, he did not realize the cause for war he had given Hoel. The Duke easily gained the support of most of the Counts of Brittany and mobilized for an invasion of Penthievre. Having a much larger army, Hoel was easily able to brush aside the forces that Jafrez once proclaimed could crush William the Conqueror. After a humbling series of defeats, the Count formally surrendered his title, ending the crisis after only a few months. Jafrez would live out the rest of his days on his family’s estates in southern England. Ironically, the safety and freedom of Jafrez was secured by Hoel in a short series of negotiations with William.

Though the action taken by Duke Hoel received much praise from the nobility, Alain Leon of the County of Leon was horrified. Long had he fought the perilous game of intrigue between his and Hoel’s court, now his own throne could be snatched away to the cheers of his adversaries. Declaring that Hoel had maliciously broken the feudal contract, Alain declared independence. Though like Jarfrez, he stood little chance. He managed to hold out against Hoels forces for several months before the crown of Leon was ripped from his stubborn hands.

With his rule in Brittany solidified, Duke Hoel was now in a prime position to stake his claims in Normandy.​

Part III: The Mad Duke



Duke Hoel Kerne of Brittany​

“My son, how does William’s heir fare these days?”

Hoel’s low and rumbling voice rippled off of the stone walls of his chamber. The now 19 year old Alan was well prepared to answer. His eyes shone brightly in the dim light of the room. Speaking highly and confidently, with all the knowledge of the French court backing him–

“After the conclusion of the war between Philippe and William, Robert's drops of madness became a storm. He regularly imitated birds and demanded his servants do the same. The poor man spent hours drawing up elaborate plans that were mere cacophonies of random shapes and words. Then according to Phillipe’s Court, in a period of terror that no sane man could comprehend, Robert strangled his third son in front of the Court of Normandy. Though convinced he had slain a demon, an act to be praised by all good Christians, the Pope was alerted and an excommunication was swiftly handed down.”

Though Alan had a slightly amused look about him, Hoel was saddened by this tale. The thought of insanity frightened him more than being buried alive. He felt deeply for the poor Duke of Normandy. Hoel’s sympathetic look lifted as his train of thought progressed–

“And you are positive in Normandy’s separation from England?”

Alan responded almost indignantly– “Of course, William has neither the time nor patience to attend to Robert. The Duke is convinced he is Julius Ceasar reborn, destined to rebuild Rome. His administrative abilities are almost non-existent. I’ve even heard that even William awaits a good moment to remove his son from power.”

Hoel seemed to brim with renewed energy and anticipation. While his thoughtful gaze examined the ceiling, the Duke’s cleft-lip took on a ghastly appearance. As Alan winced slightly, Hoel’s gaze came back down upon him and the old Duke began to speak- “Then things will go ahead as planned. We shall wait for Robert to become consumed by the civil war that awaits him, then the strike will come. Why don’t you write the Counts – in Rennes and such; tell them to prepare for a campaign.”

Alan rose swiftly, bowing silently to the hunched figure of Duke Hoel before leaving the chamber.
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