Chapter 15
A New Dynamic (1135-1138)
A few months away from his majority, the Dauphin now sat on the throne. With the coronation of Richard began a new chapter in the dynasty’s history. The young king retained most of the diplomatic skills Guy taught him, but none of his patience. In fact, Richard’s anger bouts soon became legendary in Paris. While the new king remained in good spirits most of the time, he could easily be roused to unimaginable heights of fury if provoked intentionally. Later, Richard would use his own notoriety to warn his political opponents. Those who believed they could bully the young man and get away with it would soon dearly regret their pranks. One source stipulated that when the king’s face “turned as red as his beard”, it was time to get out of his sights.
“Do not tempt the wrath of France. Rousing the king’s ire is most unwise.”
- Richard I "the Just" d'Ivrea, King of France
- Richard I "the Just" d'Ivrea, King of France
With that being said, it’s worth noting that Richard wasn’t remembered for his cruelty, but for his powerful personality. Not many people remained unscathed after crossing the angered king, but Richard seldom attacked without good reason. While he certainly was prone to violent bursts of choleric passions when pushed, Richard never brought undeserved harm to his fellow courtiers or the general populace. Quite the contrary, he lowered city taxes and funded the construction of several cities. As such, he was nicknamed “the Just” by his contemporaries after a particular event happened at one of his feasts. An energetic and driven man, Richard’s courtiers often found him overbearing to the point that they could hardly keep up with his ambitions. Eventually, the Anscarid learned to restrain his enthusiasm years later.
The annexation of Provence
Since his great-grandfather died before the Provence campaign ended, it was now up to Richard to finish it. Actually, he left the invasion plans to his Peers. The king had little interest in leading troops himself, preferring to groom the gardens of his residence in Melun. This particular behaviour piqued the curiosity of his contemporaries. After all, a king was supposed to lead his troops in times of war and train in times of peace. Richard was noted as a competent fighter, though he never led any battles himself. Instead, gardening soon became a dear hobby to Richard; it served as a cooling point whenever he went through one of his red furies, which happened on a frequent basis early in his reign. Eventually, his wisest councillors understood it was for the best not to test his patience.
In August 1135, the combined royal army occupied Vivarais. Next, the Franks proceeded smoothly across Provence, annexing every County without any opposition. The Kaiser had much bigger fish to fry in the east, namely the rebellion in Moravia and Italy.
No Grey Eminence sadly
The king turned 16 in October. Now an adult, Richard sought a worthy spouse. He chose a daughter of the Serene Doge of Venice, named Giulia Dandolo. The young girl earned the reputation of being a genius scholar and a devout Catholic. In addition, Giulia also showed a strong affirmative personality, much like the young man. Himself a fervent believer, Richard asked her hand in marriage, and the betrothal was signed. The marriage concluded in early 1136, sealing an alliance between France and Venice. Giulia soon became pregnant the following summer. Blessed, Richard happily praised his new spouse to his court.
She's the brains, I'm the brawn
“King Richard sure is a curious mix: a beard as red as fire, passionate as a bright flame, strong as a brazier, warm like a gentle bonfire. Mayhap I’ll name him Firebeard in our private moments.”
- Giulia, Queen of France
- Giulia, Queen of France
(It’s worth noting that while Richard was a faithful spouse, he often argued with his strong-willed wife. Reading about his personal interactions, it would have indeed taken a strong woman to live by his side.)
Provence is occupied with a small bonus
The invasion of Provence was complete in December 1136. The Kaiser never sent his army west, barely able to contain his rebelling vassals. Pressed on too many fronts, he ceded the duchy to France. Grateful, Bishop Pons-Guilhèm praised the young king with many blessings. While the Holy Roman Empire shook from within, Richard took the opportunity to usurp the Duchy of Flanders from Prince Sieghard. However, the young king couldn’t celebrate just yet.
Tsk tsk tsk...
Ill rumours were brewing among his vassals. Whispers talked about a possible rebellion against the crown, aiming to install a member of the disgraced Bourgogne dynasty on the throne. The rumours were effectively confirmed by Richard’s spies. The hot-headed king flew into a red rage, demanding the names of the conspirators. The strongest supporter, Duke Bohemond of Orléans, recently fell into disgrace in the eyes of the bishops who requested his excommunication. Having a perfectly valid reason to get rid of him, Richard sent the Durendal to Orléans to arrest him on the spot. Next, Duke Thomas of Valois, the one man who previously supported Guy I’s claim on the throne, now plotted against his great-grandson. The young king was not amused.
“I’ll have you covered in chains by the Durendal himself if you do not stop your little scheming! We are the voice of France, bestowed by God! Do you dare oppose the Divine Grace?!”
- Richard I "the Just" d'Ivrea, King of France
- Richard I "the Just" d'Ivrea, King of France
The Duke of Valois submits to Richard
According to the records of the Anscarids, Richard personally visited the duke without announcing himself. When he arrived, the king’s anger only grew as he forcibly threatened Thomas to cease his scheming against him. The older and much physically stronger duke recoiled in front of the wrathful king. Richard made it clear that he would not be intimated by his vassals under any condition. Furthermore, he told the duke that he already arrested Bohemond on charge of excommunication and possible treason. Thomas agreed to bend the knee, demanding pardon. Richard’s anger then disappeared, forgiving his fickle vassal. Anger is a short folly, as they say. Nevertheless, the king’s anger discouraged his other vassals from plotting against him, at least, for the time being.
The Dauphin is born
In January 1137, Giulia gave birth to a son, André. France welcomed her new Dauphin warmly. With the succession strengthened and his vassals pacified, Richard now intended to start what his predecessor couldn’t: re-conquer the southern cities under Genoa’ jurisdiction.
Genoa avoids combat while the Paladins continue east
With the arrival of spring, Genoa met with unexpected visitors: the Paladins. Béziers came under attack in March, hardly pressed against the young king’s forces. The Doge retaliated the following month, gathering his troops and preparing for the inevitable confrontation. With the city firmly under control, the Paladins withdrew, waiting for the main host to join them in Rouergue. Curiously, the Italians marched past Béziers, advancing further south in Iberia. The way east was now clear. Roland’s Chosen advanced to Nîmes, who fell in July. The Franks crossed the kingdom’s border into Nice. Seeing an overwhelming force nearing Genoa, the Doge hastily surrendered to Richard. Béziers was brought back into France’s suzerainty.
Genoa is like a fly buzzing around my head
Curses!
Unsatisfied, the young king sought a bigger challenge. One County remained under control of the united crowns of England and Norway: Eu. Once more, France gathered her forces to march north. With the hostilities properly given against Erlend I, Richard anticipated a fierce confrontation soon. Of course, he was confident that he would prevail just like his great-grandfather did years ago. Then, words of disaffection reached his ears. Count Alphonse of Charolais rallied some anti-royalist partisans in his stronghold, plotting secretly against Richard. As soon as he caught wind of the rumours, the king hastily acted. He sent the Durendal to Charolais, ordering him to bring back Alphonse to Paris in chains. The Count outmaneuvered the marshal and skillfully evaded capture. Now branded a traitor by the crown, Alphonse’s days were in short supply.
“How dare the Count of Charolais hinder my northern campaign! He will soon learn that the king’s wrath seethes and never let go of his enemies!”
- Richard I "the Just" d'Ivrea, King of France
- Richard I "the Just" d'Ivrea, King of France
The campaign for Eu underway
Confident he could prevail against Norway and his traitorous vassal, Richard charged forward. A smaller contingent was promptly dispatched to Charolais while the main host assaulted Eu. The meager Count assembled a ragtag force, but found itself quickly cornered against the secondary royal army. At the battle of Autun, the Count’s army was routed effortlessly. Charolais was now under siege by Richard’s army.
The united crowns of Norway and England are now divided
More good news arrived in Paris. King Erlend I died on the 14th of December 1138. His only son being already dead, Norway passed to his daughter Sigrid. However, England’s succession laws forbade a woman to inherit the crown. As such, England’s new king was now Arnkjell, his infant grandson. Richard dutifully observed what his great-grandfather Guy warned him about: the division of land between successors. Norway lost a solid fraction of its territories and manpower due to different succession laws between crowns. Richard learned the lesson well: he vowed to modify the Salic law as was strongly suggested in the Will of the Anscarids. France could not afford to repeat the same mistake, especially with a neighbor as strong as the Holy Roman Empire.
Had I known, I would have waited and married this young beauty instead...
“Great-grandfather had been right. As Clovis' sons reigned over divided lands, so shall Norway's strength be divided among his children. I will not make the same mistake."
- Richard I "the Just" d'Ivrea, King of France
- Richard I "the Just" d'Ivrea, King of France