[Completed] Crowns of the Levant

[Specialist290]

And Historywhiz beat me to my one followup comment, so I have nothing to add except: Seconded!

EDIT: OK, I do have one thing to add: If you are going to check out the original English text of Ivanhoe, be aware that Scott is basically an 18th-19th century author who is deliberately using an archaic 17th century style of English to write dialogue for characters in 11th century England. The King James Bible, which he basically used for his model, was using an antiquated and somewhat formal register even at the time it was written, and at the point where Scott was writing it was still widely read enough that people of the day would have been more familiar with the style than they are now, but even then it was not the sort of English you would encounter every day, and it sounds very stilted to the modern English ear.

It's probably an imperfect analogy, but imagine if Alexandre Dumas had used a contemporary French Bible translation as the model for the dialogue in The Three Musketeers, and you'll probably get an idea of what that reads like.

 

[Historywhiz]

It's probably an imperfect analogy, but imagine if Alexandre Dumas had used a contemporary French Bible translation as the model for the dialogue in The Three Musketeers, and you'll probably get an idea of what that reads like.

Well Dumas was getting paid by the line while writing The Three Musketeers so it already doesn’t sound like how French people speak.

 

[Specialist290]

Hah! Fair point.

 

[Werther]

A hundred or so knights were riding through the canyon at full speed, leaving a great cloud of dust behind them. At the head of the column, the steward, the chancellor and the marshal of Jerusalem were pushing their beasts to their last entrenchment.
​

Chancelor Jean of Shammar, Marshal Etienne Mellent and Steward Barthélémy of Medina​

“With this heat, the horses won't last long," shouted Duke Bartholomy of Medina.

-We must hurry," replied Duke Jean of Shammar. “And we are almost there." He pointed to the Kerak Cstle in the distance.

The imposing fortress of the dukes of Outre-Jourdain was built on a rocky plateau from which it dominated the entire region. It was built by the first duke Gerard I to defend the heart of the kingdom of Jerusalem against the numerous Mohammedan raids. However, Kerak had not guarded the frontier for a long time and it had not been considered necessary to replace its square towers with more modern round ones. The castle was nonetheless impressive and could easily rival the most recent Krak des Chevaliers built in Syria.

The column of knights did not slow down at the foot of Kerak and moved into the gentle slope leading to the gates.

"The marshal! The marshal is here! Open the gates!" shouted the guards on the ramparts. They were quickly obeyed and the three councillors soon entered the fortress.

Etienne pulled sharply on his reins to bring his steed to a trot. He was pleased to discover a lower ward full of soldiers preparing to go on campaign. Not all of them belonged to Duke André, far from it. The prince saw the banners of the dukes of Amman and Tiberias as well as soldiers from Upper Egypt.

The three councillors left part of their retinue behind and then walked through the second wall to the upper ward.

In the centre of the latter stood a large gallows where a dozen men, women and children were swinging from a rope. In front of them were Princess Eve, Etienne's sister, and her son André the Giant, heir to the Duchy of Outre-Jourdain. The young man was a real colossus with hideous features.
​

Princess Eve of Montoire and her son André the Giant​

"We were expecting you earlier, my lords," said the Giant in a stern, deep voice as the councillors dismantled.

“We moved as quickly as we could, nephew," Etienne replied as he carefully removed a packet from his saddlebag. "It was difficult for us to slip away from the council without arousing suspicion. The Greek thinks we've come to levy the hosts in the south.”

“Don't mind my son, brother, he's a brute," said Eve, kissing him. “I'm glad to see you here.”

“And your husband?" asked Etienne.

“In the great hall with his brother Onfroy and the other lords who support their cause. They're probably stuffing their faces," she said with a look of disgust. As her thinness attested, Eve had always had a problem with food.

"Did you have any problems while raising the levies?" asked Etienne, pointing to the gallows.

“Yes," said André the Giant. “Some of the burghers were recalcitrant and one of them even insinuated that my father was not worthy of the Juliers. He had him and his family hanged. The others obeyed without making a fuss," said the colossus in a neutral tone, as if he were reporting a banality.

Eve rolled her eyes and sighed. "My son is no softie, and my husband even less so. There's a reason the peasants call him the Tyrant. The recalcitrant one had little sense, however. Mentioning the house of Juliers, folly! You know the unhealthy relationship my husband has with the mythical dukes of Outre-Jourdain. One day he admires them, the next he is jealous of them. To deny him the right to present himself as their heir is to condemn himself to a certain and painful death."
​

The Dukes of Oultre-Jordain​

The princess shrugged, then invited her brother and his companions to follow her into the keep.

Guided by Eve and André, the three councillors quickly passed through the residence of the dukes of Outre-Jourdain. The only originality of this austere building was perhaps the indecent number of coats of arms of the House of Juliers. They could be found in every room and decorated all the furniture and tapestries. Next to each of them, Duke André had added the Montoire coat of arms.

In the corridor leading to the great hall, the personal arms of each of the dukes had also been hung on the wall. Etienne noticed, however, that those of Robin of Franche-Comté had been removed. The fourth duke, grandson of Gerard III, was one of the Three Traitors. Eighty years ago, Robin and two other lords had rebelled against King Hugues II the Broken. The Traitors had not hesitated to crown Hugues the Frank, the king's uncle, hence the name of the First Frankish War. Etienne could not help but smile as this story resonated with the current situation.
​

The Three Trairots in 1225, to the right: Robin of Franche-Comté ​

His throat tightened, however, as he recalled the end of the story. The loyalists had won and the Three Traitors had been imprisoned. Robin had never seen the light of day again, except once, nine years after his rebellion, at the judgment of Nablus that had ended the Second Frankish War. Robin was dragged before Crown Prince Henri the Black and stripped of his lands. He was then sent back to the dungeon to finish his days. Etienne quickened his pace, determined not to end up like the Traitor.
​

Robin of Franche-Comté (left), at the Judgment of Nablus (1239)​

The doors of the great hall opened with a bang before Etienne. Two large tables had been set up on either side of the room and the lords stood up in respect. There were all the leading barons of the noble party.
​

Fron left to right: Duke Josselin of Homs, Duke Onfroy II of Al-Wahat, Duke Hamelin III of Amman, Duke Payen III of Al-Saïd, Duke Philippe of Palmyra, Duke Alain III of Tiberias and Duke Guichard of Alexandria​

The three councillors moved to the centre of the room, while Eve joined her husband on the dais. The Duke of Outre-Jourdain shared the high table with Duke Onfroy du Désert and his family.
​

At the centre of the high table: Duke André the Tyran of Oultre-Jordain and his brother Duke Onfroy of the Desert​

"Here you are at last, Prince Etienne," said the Duke of Outre-Jourdain without preamble.

“André!" laughed Onfroy. “Where are your manners? Our good cousin has surely been riding all day in this cursed heat. You should not blame him, but offer him a glass of chilled wine, I heard he loves it. And it will make a change from the Greek's goat's milk.""

He let out a long, fat laugh and some of the lords followed suit, probably out of pure sycophancy. Onfroy waved to one of the maids and took the opportunity to grab her buttocks.

The gesture hardly shocked his wife, Theocariste Komnenos, who was sitting next to him. Perhaps she was used to it, or perhaps she simply did not understand the situation. The result of generations of incestuous relationships, the duchess was sickly and foolish. Looking at their children, Etienne wondered if they would not have been successful at the fairs. Only Hildegarde was more or less normal, her sister Ermengarde was born with red eyes and white hair and her brother Baudouin was a dwarf.
​

Duchess Theocariste Komnenos and her children Ermengarde, Baudouin and Hildegarde​

“So?" asked Duke Guichard of Alexandria. “Has the emperor given up his foolish plans?”

“No," said Etienne. “He won't listen to reason. He plans to leave for Constantinople before Easter.”

“You should have insisted," said Duke André, "it is your role as Marshal. As I said, iI should have been chosen at the High Court a year ago. I'm sure he would have listened to me as Duke of Outre-Jourdain and hero of the Blachernae Gate."

Therein lay the root cause of Duke André's animosity towards Etienne. The three Gerards of Outre-Jourdain had been given the marshalate and he felt that the position was his. He also had a high opinion of himself and his - exaggerated - achievements during the siege of Constantinople.

"Allow me to doubt it, cousin," replied Etienne. “My nephew has a certain tropism for Greek affairs.”

“We must not bleed again to save the Greeks!" intervened Duke Philippe of Palmyra. From the battle of Constantinople, he had brought back a nasty wound and several scars. This was the reason why he had joined the nobles’ party.

"And even less for a bastard," said Duke Alain III of Tiberias. During the Greek campaign, he had become close to Onfroy, and never missed an opportunity to show himself as his most loyal supporter.

"Like many of the children of our late emperor," added Onfroy.

“Only the children of Maria Komnenos," said Eve, who clearly had no desire to be accused of bastardy. "As for Agathe, she deserves our respect." If Eve abhorred the other children of Queen Maria, she strangely had a certain tenderness for her hal-siblings Agathe and Henri.
​

Eve's friend​

"My brother did not mean to offend you, woman. No one here questions the legitimacy of Empress Athanasia's children," Duke André lied. In fact, many barons did not hesitate to regard children of the second marriage as bastards. Etienne and Eve's mother had been caught in bed with Duke Guichard of Cairo, and would have ended up like Maria Comnenus if she had not fled.
​

The Athanasia Bryennios scandal (1281)​

“As for Agathe," continued the Duke, "whatever her qualities, there is little doubt that she is an illegitimate child, as was Hugues the Dark.”

“And once again, it is for bastards and Greeks that we will have to fight”, said Duke Hamelin III of Amman.

“No," Etienne simply replied. He went to stand in the centre of the room so that he can address the barons.

"My Lords, if the Dukes of Shammar and Medina and I have gathered you here, it is not to join the imperial host. We decided it was time."

A certain tension fell over the room. Onfroy was staring at him. His eyes were shining with pleasure and he could not hold back a toothy grin.

"We suspected that the Greek would refuse to change his plans," continued Etienne, "but now we are certain. His heart is in Constantinople, so be it. But it is time for us to choose a true Outremer to guide us as king of Jerusalem.”

“You?" asked Duke André, who, unlike his brother, did not trust Etienne.

“No, my lord," the prince replied firmly. “I know that many of you have doubts about the legitimacy of the children of the Glorious, and I do not wish to become King of Jerusalem."

I prefer to leave that honour to a man less ambitious than me, he added to himself.

"Therefore, I, Etienne Mellent, renounce for myself and my heirs all rights to the kingdom of Jerusalem.”
​

The Mellent Branch​

“So who do you propose?" said Onfroy, standing up and walking towards the centre of the room.

“You, Sir! There is no doubt about your legitimacy, you are a true descendant of Hugues I the Great. Moreover, you are a true Outremerprince, and have never ceased to defend the interests of the barons.”
​

The faction for Onfroy​

He turned to the lords. "Duke Onfroy is without doubt the true heir to the crown. I appeal to you, lords of the Holy Land. Join this new Council of Crusaders and elect this gallant Hierosolymitan prince as the head of the Kingdom of Jerusalem!"

His words convinced the last recalcitrants, and the barons unanimously acclaimed Onfroy.

Jean of Shammar stood behind Onfroy and passed him a cloak with the arms of Jerusalem, while Barthélémy of Medina handed him the sword of Henri III. Etienne finally revealed the contents of his package, the crown of Henri I the Wise. He had stolen it that morning from the imperial palace. He placed it on Onfroy's head.
​

King Onfroy​

The lords stamped their feet and cheered the new king as Patriarch Leonard of Alexandria advanced towards him. It had been fortunate that his de jure and de facto lords, Guichard of Alexandria and Josselin of Homs, were, despite their rivalry, both members of the nobles’ party. The patriarch blessed Onfroy, eliciting another ovation from the barons.
​

Patriarch Leonard of Alexandria and his de lure lord Duke Guichard of Alexandria and de factor lord Duke Josselin of Homs​

When the lords finally calmed down, Duke André, who had not left his seat, asked sternly. "And the emperor?”

“We will inform him of the will of the Council of the Barons," replied Etienne.
​

Etienne's letter to Emperor Jean the Greek: To my liege lord, To rule over Jerusalem is a divine right that belongs to Duke Onfroy of the Desert, and we have the necessary backing to enforce it. Accept this fact peacefully or we will use force!​

“And if he refuses?”

“Then it will be war," said the prince as the barons drew their swords.​

 

[Historywhiz]

Well they wasted no time at all. And most of the lords of Jerusalem and Syria combined is a heck of a force. To steal the Crown of Jerusalem from under the emperor would be both a massive blow to imperial authority and still a pretense of loyalty, if they are successful.

But if Jean resists and wins, he’ll make the Judgement of Nablus look merciful…

 

[Werther]

Well they wasted no time at all.

They still waited a whole year (I just added a remark to clarify). What patience for such ambitious men!

And most of the lords of Jerusalem and Syria combined is a heck of a force.

And the lords of Upper Egypt! An impressive army.

To steal the Crown of Jerusalem from under the emperor would be both a massive blow to imperial authority and still a pretense of loyalty, if they are successful.

But if Jean resists and wins, he’ll make the Judgement of Nablus look merciful…

We will be in Nablus in chapter 25, but not quite in the same circumstances (but of course the Judgement will be on everyone's mind).

-----
For those who want to see what Kerak Castle looks like, unfortunately less known than its Syrian cousin:

Spoiler: Kerak

To write these chapters, I try to learn as much as possible about the places and monuments to describe them more or less correctly. I should one day show some photos and plans of these places. If you are interested, I could perhaps write a short text on the parallels between this AAR and history.

 

[Werther]

Well Dumas was getting paid by the line while writing The Three Musketeers so it already doesn’t sound like how French people speak.

Sorry, didn't see your posts Specialist and Historywhiz.

Yes, and Dumas hired an assistant, Auguste Maquet. Poor Maquet had to write hundreds of pages and Dumas would come later to edit everything, so the text published in Le Siècle would be more dynamic.

These serial novels have a great quality, their sustained rythm and their cliffhangers, but a huge problem when you read the book in one go: uninteresting filler chapters written to make a successful series last longer. The worst being The Count of Monte Cristo. There are thousands of completely useless pages with uninteresting narrative arcs ("Do you want to see Dantes take revenge on this character? Okay, but first, read these 5 chapters on the romance of these two minor characters who have no connection to the main plot"). I think the English version is more fluid because it has been (thankfully) shortened.

 

[Historywhiz]

Sorry, didn't see your posts Specialist and Historywhiz.

Yes, and Dumas hired an assistant, Auguste Maquet. Poor Maquet had to write hundreds of pages and Dumas would come later to edit everything, so the text published in Le Siècle would be more dynamic.

These serial novels have a great quality, their sustained rythm and their cliffhangers, but a huge problem when you read the book in one go: uninteresting filler chapters written to make a successful series last longer. The worst being The Count of Monte Cristo. There are thousands of completely useless pages with uninteresting narrative arcs ("Do you want to see Dantes take revenge on this character? Okay, but first, read these 5 chapters on the romance of these two minor characters who have no connection to the main plot"). I think the English version is more fluid because it has been (thankfully) shortened.

Ah, but for The Count of Monte Cristo, he was paid by the word, not the line, hence the paragraphs and paragraphs of exposition. I think the Hunchback of Notre Dame/Notre Dame de Paris was a similar arrangement, which is how we got the whole description of how the Paris sewers work.

Really the whole of French literature of the 19th Century can be defined by the authors milking the publishers for all they could, much as contemporary Russian literature is marked by existential despair, German literature by rabid nationalism, American literature by morality plays, and British literature by all of the above plus the discovery of drugs.

 

[Werther]

"Andrinople is still supplied," Duke Narses announced. The imposing marshal tapped the map with his pudgy finger. "With the Usurper holding Thrace, her supporters have no trouble getting their convoys through the Eastern Gate.”
​

Duke Narses Taronites, Marshal of the Empire​

“Why not dig a trench to the east?” asked Agathe.

“We are already having trouble garrisoning our positions," replied the duke. “We don't have enough troops to surround the city.”

The empress sighed, then poured herself another glass of wine. This siege was never ending, but it was essential to retake the city in order to enter Thrace and break the encirclement of Constantinople.
​

The siege of Andrinople​

She was about to propose a new strategy when her aide-de-camp burst into the tent. The young man was out of breath and clearly panicking.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! The Basileus... He... The Basileus is here!"

No sooner had the aide-de-camp announced him than Philippos entered the imperial tent.
​

Emperor Philippos​

The emperor seemed embarrassed by the stench of the tent. After months of campaigning with rough soldiers of questionable hygiene, Agathe paid little attention to the filth. She herself had been wearing her mail for several days and must not have been very presentable. Philippos, on the other hand, seemed to come from a civilised and refined world. He wore beautiful silks, had neatly trimmed hair and beard and smelled of perfume.

"Agathe," greeted Philippos coolly.

“Philippos," the empress said simply. Then she turned to her aide-de-camp and her marshal. "Leave us." The two soldiers bowed to the couple before leaving the tent.

"I am surprised to see you here," said the empress, pouring herself a fresh drink. I didn't think you were capable of risking your life by crossing Thrace.”
​

Thrace​

“That's why I took a ship and landed at Pyrgos," Philippos replied. He pretended to look at the map. "I see the siege is going well.”

“No," said Agathe. “I have at best 5,000 soldiers, but I would need at least twice that number to take the city in time. I need more men.”

“Impossible," said the basileus. “We now control only one fifth of the Empire.”

“Let's hire mercenaries.”

“The coffers are empty," protested Philip.

“Let's borrow some money.”

“We are already up to our necks in debt. To pay back the Pisans we had to pawn the relics of the True Cross and tear out the gold tiles from the Great Palace.”

“If not to bring me swords or gold, why did you leave the comfort of Constantinople?”

“You know why I'm here."

The tension was palpable. Agathe was not surprised to learn that he knew about it, she had suspected it as soon as she had seen him here, far from the pleasures of the capital.

"So you heard about my negotiations with Isaac Komnenos ?" she asked.

“Like half the court," Philippos replied, not concealing his anger. Duchess Pulcheria, your own parakoimomenos, nearly choked on the news. She is threatening to withdraw to her lands and recall her troops. Are you really considering ceding half her lands to that barbarian Akab?”
​

Duchess Pulcheria Doukas, Head of the Household of the Empress (spymaster)​

“Her lands are already lost," replied Agathe.

“They can be taken back!" protested her husband.

“No, and you know it as well as I do. The East is a lost cause.”

“Jerusalem…”

“Will not intervene," Agathe cut him off. “You have heard the news. My brother Etienne and half the Empire have risen up in the name of my cousin Onfroy. My nephew has mobilised his troops and the last I heard, the Hierosolymitans are about to kill each other. We have nothing more to expect from the Levant.”
​

The Hierosomylitan Civil War​

“We must…”

“We must, but we cannot," Agathe said curtly. “You said it yourself, we're broke and I only have a handful of men to fight three rebels and an invader. I have to make a choice.”
​

The Greek Chaos​

“This choice is unacceptable.”

“This is what the previous marshal, Duke Elia of Spoleto, said. I sent him back to his lands and appointed Narses in his place.”

“Duke Elia was right!" Philippos retorted. “You're considering ceding half the Empire!”

“To save the other half! Akab wants land, but Helena wants my crown! And now Chancellor Hippolytos Doukas has betrayed me and risen for Dorothea!”
​

Hippolytos revolt for Princess Dorothea Komnenos, widow of Jean the Heir and mother of Jean I the Greek​

“Princess Dorothea denies supporting him.”

“Never mind the lies of my sister-in-law! All I see are two usurpers who want to take my throne! And I won't let them! Two brothers, a father's love and thousands of my subjects, I have sacrificed too much for this crown and I will do anything to keep it! If I have to tear out every last tile in Constantinople to do so, so be it!”
​

The three claimants for the crown: Dorothea Komnenos, Agathe of Montoire and Helena Komnenos​

“Armenia…”

“Armenia is gangrenous, and to save what is left, I am ready to amputate! I will concentrate my forces against those who want to seize what is rightfully mine!”

“And the Hungarians? Do you also want to give them a quarter of the Empire?”

“My mother-in-law managed to convince the Carpathian Emperor to intervene. He forced Duke Oscar to negotiate." She threw a parchment on the table. "Read! The Hungarians have agreed to end their aggression and keep the status quo. The Empire is saved.”
​

White peace with the Hungarians​

“A great deal! You save a town on the Danube from a Hungarian duke, only to hand over half of the Roman lands to an Arab peasant! “

“Akab is now king," says Agathe. “You are too late, Philippos. I have already given my consent. Nothing else matters but my fight against Helena and Dorothea."
​

Malik Akab and his kingdom​

An icy silence fell.

“You are playing with fire, Agathe," said the Basileus.

“No, Philippos," replied the Empress, downing her glass. “I play with ashes."​

 

[Historywhiz]

That is a beautiful last line

 

[Specialist290]

Constantinople, the poisoned gift that keeps on giving. Agathe has already lost one family to the place, and now it seems her marriage to her beloved Philippos is starting to mirror the state of the wider empire.

In one sense, I do feel a little pity for Agathe, being in the situation she's in now -- but then again, she did also basically burn her bridges behind her when she pushed against her father at the coronation, giving Jerusalem a convenient excuse to break any ties that held them to the Romans in the first place. Jean the Greek likely wouldn't be able to help while dealing with his own internal strife in any case, but if he does turn westward toward his aunt's throne now, I believe it'll be more likely to be at the head of yet another conquering army.

Meanwhile, the newly crowned Malik Akab looks well positioned to become a power broker in the East in his own right, especially while both the empires on his borders are distracted by their own turmoil.

 

[Werther]

That is a beautiful last line

Thank you very much! I'm glad you like it, these sentences are often difficult to write.

Constantinople, the poisoned gift that keeps on giving. Agathe has already lost one family to the place, and now it seems her marriage to her beloved Philippos is starting to mirror the state of the wider empire.

In one sense, I do feel a little pity for Agathe, being in the situation she's in now -- but then again, she did also basically burn her bridges behind her when she pushed against her father at the coronation, giving Jerusalem a convenient excuse to break any ties that held them to the Romans in the first place. Jean the Greek likely wouldn't be able to help while dealing with his own internal strife in any case, but if he does turn westward toward his aunt's throne now, I believe it'll be more likely to be at the head of yet another conquering army.

Meanwhile, the newly crowned Malik Akab looks well positioned to become a power broker in the East in his own right, especially while both the empires on his borders are distracted by their own turmoil.

I'm repeating myself, but your analysis are always relevant. Agathe's world keeps falling apart around her and we are far from the triumph of 1302. Her situation is clearly desperate, but with little left to lose, it paradoxically gives her the strength to fight and save what she can.

On the other hand, she knows that there is not much to expect from Jean. He is too busy with the rebels and whatever the outcome of the war the Byzantines are unlikely to get help (a victorious emperor but too weakened to intervene or triumphant rebels who are united in their hatred of the Greeks).

 

[Werther]

From the hill where he could see the whole battlefield at a glance, Jean wondered who had been the first to flee. Was it a pikeman or a simple peasant? The emperor was too far from the battle to tell, but a handful of soldiers in the centre of the rebel army had just dropped their weapons and fled.
​

The battle of Nablus​

From a few dozen, the deserters grew to hundreds, then thousands. The enemy line was disintegrating rapidly, as if sucked into a growing gap. Soon only the wings were left to hold their positions. Faced with the risk of encirclement, they had no choice but to retreat in turn.
​

Duke Guichard II of Cairo, Emperor Jean I the Greek and King Jacques the Red of Arabia​

“It's over," said King Jacques the Red.

“Yes, it is time to start the pursuit," added Duke Guichard II of Cairo.

Jean nodded. He wanted to enjoy this divine spectacle for a few more moments. He wanted to savour his triumph. Look at me, grandfather! Watch me chastise those proud barons!

He drew his sword and turned to his knights who had been waiting for over an hour in the blazing sun. Many of them were eager to join in the carnage.

"Kataphraktoi”, he shouted. “Right here, my ancestors defeated the troops of the Frank, the usurper who wanted to seize the crown of Jerusalem! 71 years later, the army of another usurper is defeated! We have won the second battle of Nablus!” The knights cheered as Jean pointed his sword at the routed army. "Down with the rebels! Not a single one shall escape!"
​

Victory in Nablus​

Jean launched his steed into a gallop, and was quickly followed by the entire reserve.

It was a magnificent cavalcade. Flanked by King Jacques of Arabia and his relative Duke Guichard II of Cairo, Jean galloped across the plain, completely ignoring both allied and enemy foot soldiers. He only had eyes for the enemy cavalry.

The rebels were fleeing at full speed, but their horses were exhausted from a long fight while the loyalists' mounts were still fresh. It was not long before Jean and his companions caught up with them.

Far from surrendering, the Syrians dismantled and regrouped. They were prepared to sell their lives dearly and the emperor had no choice but to order a charge.

The melee was short, confused and brutal. Jacques and Jean were among the first to break the enemy ranks, but their ardour paled in comparison to the savagery of Duke Guichard. Thirsting for revenge since he had learned of the siege of Cairo, the Montoire killed no less than three rebels. He had more difficulty against a knight bearing the arms of the Imamaddin. The two men exchanged a few sword strokes before Duke Guichard took advantage of an opening to unleash a powerful thrust. The sword found the flaw in the rebel's armour at one of the joints, and sank deep into the knight's flesh, who let out a horrible cry of pain.
​

Left: Rebel knights killed
Right: The duel between Duke Guichard II of Cairo and Geoffroy of Tiberias​

The rebels' morale was low. They gathered around a man with a white beard who was defending a young knight as best he could.

"Mercy! Mercy!" shouted the old man who seemed desperate.

“Your Majesty!" shouted James the Red. “They are surrendering! You must stop the massacre!"

Damned Frankish custom! thought Jean, who with a gesture gave the order to stop the fight. It took some time for his knights to obey him, but they eventually disengaged. Surrounded, the twenty or so surviving rebels seemed to be in bad shape. Half of them were wounded, and at least four appeared to be on death's door.

“Who are you?" the emperor asked the man with the white beard.

“I am Richard of Quragir," he replied. “Great-uncle and knight of Duke Josselin of Homs. And this is his son and heir, Josselin the Fine," he said, pointing to the young knight he was protecting.
​

Robert of Quragir and Josselin the Fine​

"Do you surrender, sir Richard?" asked Jean. It cost the empereur to not put the rebels to death, but such was the Frankish tradition.

"We are ready to surrender, Your Majesty, but first you must give us your word that you will not harm us and will treat us with the respect due to our rank. You are also obliged to care for the brave men who fought so valiantly today. Like poor Geoffroy of House Imamadin." He pointed to the knight whom Duke Guichard had pierced earlier. Bathed in blood, the poor man was writhing in pain and moaning pitifully.

“He is the heir of Duke Alain III of Tiberias," said Jacques the Red to the emperor.

“A son of a traitor!” roared Jean. “You are all traitors! How dare you ask for an oath from your legitimate Basileus? You perjurers, who did not hesitate to break yours! I will dispose of you as I wish, even if I want to organise a triumph and drag you behind my chariot through the streets of Nablus!"

This speech sent a chill through the ranks, including the loyalists.

"So what is said about you is true," replied Richard. "You are a Greek tyrant who respects none of our customs!"

Jean clenched his fist, ready to order his men to finish the job.

"Your Majesty," Jacques intervened again. “Even Prince Henri the Black spared his enemies after the first battle of Nablus.”

“He punished the traitors," replied Jean.

“At the Judgement of Nablus," added the Red.

Jean gritted his teeth so hard that he nearly broke his jaw.

“So be it," he finally said. I give you my word that no harm will come to you until you are judged, after my final victory over my uncle. Until then, you will remain my prisoners."

Richard surrendered his arms and was soon followed by his kinsman Josselin and all the rebel knights. The wounded were rushed to help, but it was already too late for Geoffroy of Tiberias.
​

The death of Geoffroy of Tiberias​

Several wagons were brought in to transport the prisoners, the wounded and the bodies of the most illustrious knights. When they were loaded, Jean and Jacques and some of the knights set off towards Nablus.

Despite his victory, Jean was in a sombre mood. He had once again been humiliated and his authority challenged.

“A great victory!" said Jacques the Red suddenly, as if to make the emperor forget the incident. “The Syrians will have no choice but to put an end to their offensive. We should take advantage of this to push further north and repel what remains of their forces.”
​

The situation in early 1310​

“It was only a third of the rebel forces”, Duke Guichard warned. Onfroy and Etienne de Mellent will soon leave Egypt and launch an offensive to the south.”

“All the more reason to prevent the Syrians from joining forces with the Usurper's troops," replied Jacques. “We must push our advantage and crush the threat from the north once and for all.”

“Why does it matter?" Jean asked sourly. “Even if I were to defeat the Syrians, I would not be more respected. I will not be allowed to punish them! How can I win the war with these outdated customs?"

Jacques looked at him in silence before answering.

"Respecting these customs will certainly not win you war, Your Majesty. But they will win you peace."​

 

[Werther]

The funeral of Duke André of Oultrejordain had lasted an eternity. In the heart of the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cairo, the former Al-Azhar Mosque, Patriarch Leonard of Alexandria praised the qualities of a man who was known as a tyrant. Perhaps the clergyman thought he would win the favour of the deceased's brother, King Onfroy. This was a miscalculation, as the king seemed to be unaffected by the death of his brother. Etienne had even caught him dozing off in the middle of the ceremony.

Some said that the king had already mourned his brother. It is true that André's death came as no surprise. The epidemic that had struck the army during the siege of the city had been deadly. Few of the soldiers who had fallen ill had survived, and few thought that the Duke of Oultrejordain would recover.
​

The death of Duke André I the Tyran of Oultrejordain​

For his part, Etienne had another explanation. Onfroy and André had always been allies, but they were linked only by blood and well-understood interests, not by real affection.

It was not until around noon that they were finally able to leave the cathedral and the procession, with the funeral carriage in the lead, set off northwards.

It was not long before they reached the palace complex built by the Fatimid caliphs. Built long before the Crusade, it consisted of two palaces. The small Western Palace was quickly abandoned after the conquest of the city by King Henri I the Wise. The dukes of Cairo preferred the Great Eastern Palace. And it was in this building that King Onfroy had settled after the capture of the city.

Between the two buildings was a large square, called Bayn al-Qaysrqayn by the Arabs, literally Between the Two Palaces. It was in the centre of this square that the funeral procession stopped. The patriarch blessed the body for the last time, and then the carriage continued on its way alone towards the Golden Gate.

"You are not accompanying your father's remains to Kerak?" asked Etienne to Andrew the Giant who was standing next to him.
​

Duke André II the Giant of Oultrejordain​

“Why?" asked the colossus, as if the question were incongruous. “I want to fight."

André the Tyrant was not even regretted by his brute of a son.

"My sister will probably need comforting," said Etienne.” I will send your aunt Beatrice to her." In reality, Eve had never liked her husband, and the prince wondered if she would not welcome the news with a touch of relief. Etienne was especially keen to get rid of his other sister, Beatrice. As the wife of Duke Guichard II of Cairo, she had been held captive since the fall of the city. Etienne had saved her from the dungeon and had managed to have her locked up in her apartments. But she kept pestering him to get her release. This trip to Kerak would do them both a world of good.
​

The Duchess Beatrice of Montoire​

The court then went to the Great Golden Hall of the Great Western Palace. The Mohammedan style of the huge room was a reminder that it had once been the heart of Fatimid power. The conquest of King Henri I the Wise had precipitated the decline of the Great Palace and the Great Golden Hall. Henri II the Coward and Henri III the Younger had ruled Egypt while they were still Crown Princes of Jerusalem, but they had preferred Damietta to Cairo.
​

The Montories of Gizeh​

The palace and the Great Golden Hall had nevertheless regained their former lustre with the installation of the Montoires of Gizeh branch. The founder of the house, Prince Henri the Diligent, was a particularly powerful man who had more or less ruled the kingdom for almost 37 years. The Diligent had marked his status by refurbishing his great hall, and while he had respected the non-figurative style of the room, he had not hesitated to add numerous hierosolymitan works of art and to install a throne comparable to that of a king. Even under the Glorious, the Gizeh family, as Princes of the Blood, had continued to exert real influence on the kingdom... until the scandal of 1281.

That year, Guichard I, the father of the present duke, was caught in bed with none other than Empress Athanasia, Etienne's own mother. Hugues III had not dared to have the duke arrested, but afterwards the Gizehs had fallen into disgrace and had never again returned to the court of the Glorious. Sometimes Etienne wondered if he was the son of Duke Guichard I.
​

The scandal of 1281
Athanasia remains silent and frozen, but I can see in her eyes that my fears were justified. I too am frozen, but my heart is beating fast.
The words finally come out of her mouth: "Please my dear husband, you must forgive me. I beg you! I... I will tell you everything. I shared my bed with your cousin the Duke Guichard. It only happened once, I swear!"​

The prince ended his reverie and came to stand behind the throne of King Onfroy, ready to give his advice to the sovereign.
​

Prince Etienne and King Onfroy​

The audience began with the homage of André II the Giant, the new Duke of Oultrejordain. He was so tall that even on his knees he was still a head taller than his uncle. Onfroy's hands did not even manage to clasp those of his nephew.

When this was done, Catherine of Batarnay, widow of Hugues II the Dark and mother of Hugues III the White, was summoned. Etienne and his sister-in-law had never liked each other and he wondered what she could possibly want from Onfroy.
​

Queen-dowager Catherine of Batarnay​

"Cousin," she said to the king, a clever spin that allowed her to avoid using his royal or ducal title. “I am glad to see you.”

“So do I, Queen Catherine," replied Onfroy, who was staring at her. “It is a long time since I had the honour of speaking to you. Wasn't it the day you left Egypt, when you were preparing to marry the Dark? Anyway, what brings you before me?”

“I am here to visit my brother Duke Guichard of Alexandria, one of your most loyal supporters. It would have been inappropriate not to introduce myself to you.”
​

The Batarnay family​

“Quite right, Madam," replied the king as his gaze lingered on her chest. “I am happy to welcome you to my court."

Clever, thought Etienne. But she thinks Onfroy to be more subtle than he is. He touched the king's shoulder, which allowed him to intervene.

"Is my good nephew King Hugues the White with you?" asked Etienne.

“I myself insisted that King Hugues III visit his maternal uncle”, Catherine replied. “But he did not wish to undertake the perilous journey from Al-Salman to Cairo. These are not safe times.”

“Perhaps he prefers Jerusalem?" insinuated Etienne.

“Your half-brother, Prince Henri, has indeed advised him to visit the Holy Sepulchre, but as I told you, he prefers to stay in Mesopotamia.”

“I am told that he has sent some of his vassals to the capital," said Etienne.

“Only a few," said Catherine. “He prefers to keep most of them with him... in case he is threatened."

The message was clear enough now, but Onfroy, whether he did not understand or did not care, thought it best to divert the conversation.

"They say that Hugues the White thinks he is a sultan. Is it true that he walks around with a Mohammedan turban on his head?"
​

King Hugues III the White of Mesopotamia​

The king and his sycophants burst out laughing, which was not to the liking of the queen dowager.

"At least he does not think he is a Greek, and does not sell Jerusalem to his aunt."

From Catherine's hateful look, Etienne finally understood why she, who did not appreciate the rumours of bastardy spread by Onfroy's supporters about her late husband, was so favourable to them. She didn't care about Onfroy and Jean. But by supporting Agathe, the emperor had alienated her. The rivalry between the two women was long-standing, but the death of Hugues the Dark to conquer Agathe's crown seemed to have reinforced Catherine's hatred for her sister-in-law.

"Your Majesty," said Etienne, careful to tickle his pride by using that title. I can assure you that my nephew has nothing to fear from King Onfroy. After his victory, he will receive all the honours that are due to him."

Catherine seemed satisfied, curtsied and withdrew.

The next applicant was none other than Duke Jean of Shammar. The former steward of the Empire seemed to have difficulty containing his anger.

"Sire," he began without bothering to kneel. “The governor of Aqaba has just informed me that bannermen of Your Majesty have presented themselves to him and requisitioned the fortress in your name."
​

Duke Jean of Shammar and Aqaba​

Etienne could not help but sigh inwardly. He had done everything to dissuade the king from taking Aqaba.

"Yes, my dear duke," replied Onfroy. “I remind you that these lands should normally have belonged to my father.”

“Infamy!" shouted the Duke. “This is a tyrannical act, not even the Greek would have dared! Yet I am one of your most loyal supporters. I did not hesitate to give up a place on the emperor's council to defend your cause, I have…”

“You obeyed your king," Onfroy cut him off.

“Your Grace," Etienne hastened to intervene to prevent the situation from getting out of hand. “As you know, since the peasant Akab has been recognised as king, he has forbidden us to cross the Sinai to please my sister. Aqaba is essential for our offensive against Jerusalem. The king has seen fit to take temporary control of this castle. You will be compensated and, I promise you, the place will be returned to you as soon as the war is over."

He hastened to touch the king's shoulder, who was about to deny it. Jean of Shammar remained suspicious, but he accepted after obtaining a large sum of money. When an agreement was reached, he withdrew.

The king was about to receive a new request, when a man in chain mail burst into the palace. Covered in sand and obviously exhausted, the man made his way to the throne.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! A most important message!" He completely ignored the line of petitioners and continued. "The Greek successively crushed the troops of Duke Philippe of Palmyra and Duke Alain of Tiberias at Busra and then Jarrash.”
​

Jean the Greek victories​

“Did they make it?" asked Etienne.

“Yes, my prince," replied the messenger. “The last I heard, the dukes of Palmyra and Tiberias had managed to gather the survivors and were heading north to rally the Duke of Homs and put Syria on the warpath. The Greek's men seem to want to launch an offensive in the north.”

“I had forbidden them to try anything after their defeat in Nablus!”, exclaimed Onfroy.

“Duke Philippe recalled it to Duke Alain, Sire," said the messenger, clearly uncomfortable. “But the duke of Tiberias wanted to avenge the death of his heir and…”

“A great deal!" said the king. “His honour is not cleared, his heir has not risen from the dead and we have lost several thousand men! I should leave them to fend for themselves against the Greek.”

“Your Majesty," intervened Etienne. “The fall of Syria would be a disaster.”

“And what do you suggest? To come to the aid of Dukes Philippe, Alain and Josselin?”

“No," said Etienne. “I think it's time. Time to march on the Holy City."​

 

[Specialist290]

André the Giant -- I wonder if he's ever traveled the kingdom incognito in the company of an infamous Sicilian and a world-renowned left-handed swordsman

Etienne is making quite the gamble, especially with Jean the Greek's successive victories undoubtedly emboldening his forces. Then again, I suppose he wouldn't be worthy of the Montoire name if he didn't display some measure of audacity.

 

[Werther]

André the Giant -- I wonder if he's ever traveled the kingdom incognito in the company of an infamous Sicilian and a world-renowned left-handed swordsman

Etienne is making quite the gamble, especially with Jean the Greek's successive victories undoubtedly emboldening his forces. Then again, I suppose he wouldn't be worthy of the Montoire name if he didn't display some measure of audacity.

 

[Werther]

Jerusalem had always been overpopulated. Its walls were like a youthful dress that this fat old lady insisted on wearing. The approach of the enemy army had only made matters worse. For several days, thousands of peasants and inhabitants of the suburbs had been taking refuge behind its walls. The narrow streets of the city were so crowded that it took Jean well over an hour to reach the Zion Gate, south of Jerusalem.

His wife Theodora and their eldest son, Crown Prince Jean, were waiting for him at this gate. Like any Greek, the emperor had learned to read with the Iliad, and he could not help but think of that scene in Canto 6, where Andromache and Astyanax bid farewell to Hector before he left to defend his city.
​

Empress Theodora and Crown Prince Jean​

“Father!" Prince Jean shouted as he ran towards him. “Let me come with you! I want to slaughter some rebels!”

“You are too young," Theodora intervened. “You are not yet old enough to abandon me like your father.”

“Your mother is right," said Jean the Greek, to the great displeasure of his son, who began to sulk. “You can still see the battle from the ramparts.” He pointed to the top of the walls where hundreds of onlookers had already gathered to watch the spectacle.

“You will have a front row seat to see your father killed," Theodora pursued her lips.

“You know that duty calls me, woman," said Jean. “The enemy is at our gates and I must repel them for the good of the Empire.”

“For the good of the Empire?" asked Theodora tartly. “For a kinglet’s crown, you mean? Onfroy doesn't want to be emperor. Is it worth getting killed, leaving me alone in this foreign land?"

This is quite different from the moving separation between Hector and Andromache, the emperor thought.

"I will win," Jean said simply before leaving her without a final goodbye.

After passing through the gate, the emperor quickly crossed the deserted outskirts of the city to the plain where the imperial host was already in battle order. He moved towards the knights in the second line. While some were adjusting their chain mail with the help of their squires, others were receiving communion from Patriarch Gilbert himself.

"Any movement?" asked Jean when he joined Duke Guichard II of Cairo and King Jacques of Arabia.
​

Duke Guichard II of Cairo, Emperor Jean the Greek and King Jacques the Red of Arabia​

“They haven't moved since dawn," replied Guichard.

“Are we ready?”

“Everything is in place," the duke assured him.

“Your Majesty," intervened Jacques, "I still think it's a bad idea. A very bad idea.”

“Are you afraid, the Red?" laughed Guichard, who had deliberately not used his title of king.

“It's not too late," Jacques continued, completely ignoring the duke. “We can still take refuge behind the walls and prepare the defence of the city.”

“You're like my wife," said Jean. “No, it's too late. I will not cower behind my walls like a coward. Onfroy's army is almost equal to ours, and I intend to crush it here and now. You will command the left and Guichard the right. I will take charge of the centre.”

Jacques James frowned, but as a good soldier, he bowed to his emperor. He and Guichard gave a few orders and then left to take up their position with some of the knights.
​

“I will pray for your victory, Your Majesty," said the patriarch, approaching the emperor.

“I thank you, Your Holiness," Jean replied. “Did you bring what I asked for?”

“Yes, Sire," Gilbert summoned a cleric carrying a large banner with the arms of Jerusalem. “It belonged to Hugues the Great himself. I have had the Greek Beta sewn into it, as you requested.”
​

Patriarch Gilbert and the Jerusalem banner​

Jean took hold of it with one hand and admired it for a few moments.

“Good, Gilbert," he finally said. “You should take refuge inside, it will soon become dangerous.”

“Yes, Your Majesty," replied the patriarch. “I will observe you from the ramparts. I want to witness your triumph so I can write about it in my chronicles.”

When the patriarch left, Jean went alone to stand before the army. Holding up the banner, he recited the speech he had prepared.

"Soldiers of the Empire of Jerusalem! Brutus and his cronies are here! They did not hesitate to betray me and insult the Empire! But today you will punish them! Like Caesar's legionaries avenging his death at Philippi, like Augustus' soldiers punishing the cursed Antony at Actium!"

His speech did not have the desired effect. The few men who heard him seemed not to understand a word he said.

"Whatever," the emperor grunted. He handed his banner to his squire and then joined his knights in the second line. He ordered them to dismount. The terrain was flat and ideal for a cavalry charge, but the latter might destabilise his own lines.

The two armies watched at each other for a while. The rebels sent out volleys of arrows, hoping to lure some loyalists. But not one of Jean's soldiers moved. The emperor wondered whether he should be proud of their discipline, or worried that they were so reluctant.

Onfroy's troops had no choice but to launch an assault. Jean had expected a complicated manoeuvre, worthy of the great ancient battles he had devoured since his childhood. But the enemy commander decided to rely on brute force, sending his centre and wings crashing into the loyalist lines.
​

The shock was violent. It was far from an epic battle between proud Achaeans and brave Trojans. It was a confused and bloody melee where the defenders tried as best they could to repel the enemy charge.

Jean took a little distance to get a better view of the situation. He sent a few reserves to reinforce the line at one place or another. But the carnage was so confused that it was hard to know whether he was winning or losing.

His men nevertheless held their ground. Without retreating, the rebels began to ease their assault. The emperor looked to his left and was pleased to see that Jacques was also managing to keep his troops together.
​

The batlle of Jerusalem​

Despite the noise of the fighting, he soon heard shouts coming from the walls. At first he thought the people were cheering for their soldiers, but he could hear a hint of panic in their shouts. He saw most of them looking to the west.

Enemy reinforcements had moved along the western wall and caught Guichard's men in the rear. The Duke of Cairo did his best to rally his men, but in vain. The right wing was being crushed.
​

Jean realised with horror that his army was about to be enveloped. He had no time to think, he rushed to his heralds to give the only order that still gave them a chance.

“Retreat!" he shouted. “In good order! We must regroup in the suburbs! The suburbs!"​

 

[Specialist290]

There are few situations on the battlefield more dire than an unexpected threat against an open flank. Onfroy may perhaps be more clever than Jean is giving him credit for.

Speaking of which, Jean strikes me in this chapter very much as a man who has always lived in his own sheltered little bubble. Even if he wins, having to confront the hard realities of warfare and rulership head-on is going to make for a very rough early reign, and the transition might well end up breaking him if he doesn't learn how to bend a little in the face of adversity.

 

[Historywhiz]

I don’t think that was Onfroy, I think that was Entienne arriving in time to rescue the rebels from a losing position, if I’ve read it right.

 

[Werther]

There are few situations on the battlefield more dire than an unexpected threat against an open flank. Onfroy may perhaps be more clever than Jean is giving him credit for.

Speaking of which, Jean strikes me in this chapter very much as a man who has always lived in his own sheltered little bubble. Even if he wins, having to confront the hard realities of warfare and rulership head-on is going to make for a very rough early reign, and the transition might well end up breaking him if he doesn't learn how to bend a little in the face of adversity.

Jean is indeed living in a bubble.... a Greek bubble. The source of his shortcomings and failures as emperor is the education he received in Constantinople. He sees and judges the world through the eyes of a Greek with a superiority complex over the Franks. He does not accept his Frankish heritage and refuses to understand Hierosolymitan society, and until he becomes aware of and overcomes this defect, he cannot be a good emperor.

I don’t think that was Onfroy, I think that was Entienne arriving in time to rescue the rebels from a losing position, if I’ve read it right.

In reality it is Onfroy, but Jean (and the reader) are not supposed to know this, and so the text is not very clear (vague references to "Onfroy's army" to talk about the army in the south, while it is under Etienne's command...well, not really, you'll see). The next chapter from Etienne's point of view will clarify things.