Welcome back, class. This lecture will cover the reign of Bertran I, who was only 17 years of age when he ascended the throne. His hold of power was tenuous from day one and he survived his 48 years on the throne by use of much force, beheadings and spread of dread amongst his subjects.
Young Butterfly and Blair! This should be unnecessary to say, but we do
not tolerate bubblegum during lectures, especially when you do
that with it! Silence, now!
Ahem. Right. About the dangers to Emperor Bertran I’s reign, his main rival was his uncle William, a relatively gentle soul that many vassals thought easy to manipulate and a preferable choice to Bertran. This threat would remain for most of Bertran’s reign, and was kept at bay, as mentioned, by executions, imprisonments and other measures spreading dread amongst the nobles.
That is not to say that there was nothing happening during his reign except holding on to power, though. Far from it. Bertran I was measured, patient and powerful and he used it all for his benefit. Early on in his reign, smaller wars were had both in Iberia and Africa. Then, a long time of no wars. People began to question him, calling him “the Foolish” behind his back. Not understanding he was playing the long game.
Then, the whole of the kingdom of Galicia was swallowed whole after years of gathering claims. Not long after, in 1305, he declared war on the king of Andalucia and claimed the throne for his vassal, the duke of Rif. The kingdom thus became a
vassal kingdom, and the Norman presence was greatly expanded in Iberia.
Young Blair! Yes, you! Don’t think I didn’t see it. Hand it back to Mr. Dude. Now.
Right. In a lighting campaign in 1306, Bertran I expanded Normannian influence in Iberia even more. The king of Valencia, a Hauteville, was politely asked to submit as a vassal. The man was stupid enough to not only refuse, but also imply certain things about Bertran’s grandmother and a horse, and was soon set in his place. Thus another kingdom was added to the Normannian Empire.
Then, came another crusade. The queen of Flanders had been a naughty girl and converted to a certifiable non Catholic creed, and the Pope was not amused. The crusade got the full might of Normannia behind it and the whole ordeal was won more or less singlehandedly by Normannian arms. Thus, a new and small Hauteville kingdom was added to Europe, that of Lotharingia.
And then we come to the probably most devastating occurrence in Bertran I’s life. And the moment he did something decidedly not calculated and unwise. His son and heir Lancelin was discovered in bed with his own sister, doing decidedly non-sibling actions. Enraged, the Emperor publicly shamed his son and daughter as fornicators of the worst kind, not only adulterers, but incestuous adulterers. He did, however, keep Lancelin as heir, with all the implications this would have for the future Emperor’s relations with his future vassals.
The last actions of the Emperor was a war with the Empire of Francia, claiming the southern lands that was de jure Normannian. The war went swimmingly well, but the poor Emperor’s health quickly worsened and he died mid war, aged 65. He had ruled for 48 years. His son Lancelin succeeded him on the throne at the age of 44.
And that ends today’s lecture. For next week I implore you to read pages 316 to 355 in Hallisfield. Oh, and Mr. Pip, excellent work on last week’s assignment. If only you all would follow his lead…