French Lions: A Capetian France AAR
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May 1097
May 1087
They strolled through the gardens, where birds happily fluttered amidst the blooming flowers. As he inhaled the sweet air, Phillipe put a reassuring hand on his eldest daughter’s shoulder,”Do not be so nervous my dear daughter, we merely meet the Duchess.”
The girl’s face remained pale, and she meekly asked,”Do we have to?”
While his daughter’s discomfort distressed him, Phillipe took a breath, lowering his voice to a mumble,”I am afraid we must… Besides, you will have to do such things when you become Queen of Castile, I would not have you be unprepared.”
Emma slowly nodded her head and replied in a shaky voice,”I suppose not.”
The two stood waiting for just a few more moments, when two people came into view. The first was a young, yet solidly built woman, with broad shoulders and dark locks of braided hair. At her side was a balding, slightly portly man, with a bushy red beard. Phillipe felt a wave of sadness hit him as the two drew closer, She looks just like her father. Perhaps not wholly so, given her hair, but she did have Geoffrey, Duke of Anjou’s large frame, though unlike he, she did not make it larger through excess. Wetting his lips, the King of France called out,”Duchess Sybille! Duke Renaud! I am happy to see that you could make it here. Are you in need of anything?”
Smiling as she closed the distance, Sybille shook her head,”Only your most august company my king.”
Phillipe smirked for a moment, then let out a hearty chuckle,”Then I must oblige you, and your husband with it!”
He kissed the Duchess on the cheek, and after she returned it, did the same to the Duke. After the Duke kissed the King’s cheek, Phillipe asked,”How do you fare dear cousin?” He turned to the Duchess again,”I hear that the two of you will soon welcome another child, I must offer you my congratulations.”
The Duchess of Anjou replied on behalf of the both of them,”Yes we will, and so soon after having little Ide. Perhaps my daughter should be betrothed to your second son, Louis...”
Phillipe did not think it the best of ideas, and gave a noncommittal answer,”Perhaps, though I am unsure that the Pope would grant dispensation for a match between them.”
The father of young Ida, Renaud, was in fact a cousin once removed of his, as he was a grandson of his late aunt Hedwige, the Countess of Auxerre in her own right, and of Nevers by marriage, through her youngest son. Just then, Emma bowed her head politely,”It is a pleasure to meet you, Duchess Sybille and Duke Renaud.”
The woman smiled a little,”You are turning out to be rather charming, Princess Emma.” She stepped forward and chuckled, and as Emma’s freckled face blushed she gently ruffled the girl’s auburn hair,”And pretty too! I have no doubt that Prince Fernando will find you to his liking.”
Emma gave her a nervous smile,”I hope that he proves as gallant as your husband.”
The Duchess turned to her husband with a loving gaze,”You would be most fortunate if he was half the husband that my Renaud is.”
The conversation continued in the usual pattern, with the ducal couple exchanging pleasantries with the King and his daughter, with Emma responding more sincerely than her father. Finally, Phillipe felt compelled to attend upon other matters, chiefly the care of his Queen, who was now bursting with child, as well as the state of his younger children, dismissing the two with a thin smile,”I will meet with the both of you again, I hope. Thank you for visiting with us.”
As the Duchess and her husband began to walk away she turned to the king,”I hope that in the future we may once again discuss a betrothal between Louis and Ide.”
Phillipe certainly did not want to do so, thinking such a match below his son’s dignity, and did not wish to be entangled in a conflict between the Duchess and her cousin, Cecile, the Countess of Tours. So he responded vaguely,”Perhaps..”
When the Duke and Duchess of Anjou exited the gardens, the King kneeled down to his daughter’s height and hugged her, with a warm smile on his face and exclaimed,”You have done well today Emma, I am very proud to call you my eldest.”
Emma beamed at such praise,”Thank you father! I am glad that you have taken me to the meeting, you have shown me that I am capable of more than I think.”
Phillipe stood up again and murmured,”Of course my dear, many may underestimate you due to your sex, it is important that you do not do so. If you do not let such things pull you back, you may become the greatest Queen that Castile will ever see”
They strolled through the gardens, where birds happily fluttered amidst the blooming flowers. As he inhaled the sweet air, Phillipe put a reassuring hand on his eldest daughter’s shoulder,”Do not be so nervous my dear daughter, we merely meet the Duchess.”
The girl’s face remained pale, and she meekly asked,”Do we have to?”
While his daughter’s discomfort distressed him, Phillipe took a breath, lowering his voice to a mumble,”I am afraid we must… Besides, you will have to do such things when you become Queen of Castile, I would not have you be unprepared.”
Emma slowly nodded her head and replied in a shaky voice,”I suppose not.”
The two stood waiting for just a few more moments, when two people came into view. The first was a young, yet solidly built woman, with broad shoulders and dark locks of braided hair. At her side was a balding, slightly portly man, with a bushy red beard. Phillipe felt a wave of sadness hit him as the two drew closer, She looks just like her father. Perhaps not wholly so, given her hair, but she did have Geoffrey, Duke of Anjou’s large frame, though unlike he, she did not make it larger through excess. Wetting his lips, the King of France called out,”Duchess Sybille! Duke Renaud! I am happy to see that you could make it here. Are you in need of anything?”
Smiling as she closed the distance, Sybille shook her head,”Only your most august company my king.”
Phillipe smirked for a moment, then let out a hearty chuckle,”Then I must oblige you, and your husband with it!”
He kissed the Duchess on the cheek, and after she returned it, did the same to the Duke. After the Duke kissed the King’s cheek, Phillipe asked,”How do you fare dear cousin?” He turned to the Duchess again,”I hear that the two of you will soon welcome another child, I must offer you my congratulations.”
The Duchess of Anjou replied on behalf of the both of them,”Yes we will, and so soon after having little Ide. Perhaps my daughter should be betrothed to your second son, Louis...”
Phillipe did not think it the best of ideas, and gave a noncommittal answer,”Perhaps, though I am unsure that the Pope would grant dispensation for a match between them.”
The father of young Ida, Renaud, was in fact a cousin once removed of his, as he was a grandson of his late aunt Hedwige, the Countess of Auxerre in her own right, and of Nevers by marriage, through her youngest son. Just then, Emma bowed her head politely,”It is a pleasure to meet you, Duchess Sybille and Duke Renaud.”
The woman smiled a little,”You are turning out to be rather charming, Princess Emma.” She stepped forward and chuckled, and as Emma’s freckled face blushed she gently ruffled the girl’s auburn hair,”And pretty too! I have no doubt that Prince Fernando will find you to his liking.”
Emma gave her a nervous smile,”I hope that he proves as gallant as your husband.”
The Duchess turned to her husband with a loving gaze,”You would be most fortunate if he was half the husband that my Renaud is.”
The conversation continued in the usual pattern, with the ducal couple exchanging pleasantries with the King and his daughter, with Emma responding more sincerely than her father. Finally, Phillipe felt compelled to attend upon other matters, chiefly the care of his Queen, who was now bursting with child, as well as the state of his younger children, dismissing the two with a thin smile,”I will meet with the both of you again, I hope. Thank you for visiting with us.”
As the Duchess and her husband began to walk away she turned to the king,”I hope that in the future we may once again discuss a betrothal between Louis and Ide.”
Phillipe certainly did not want to do so, thinking such a match below his son’s dignity, and did not wish to be entangled in a conflict between the Duchess and her cousin, Cecile, the Countess of Tours. So he responded vaguely,”Perhaps..”
When the Duke and Duchess of Anjou exited the gardens, the King kneeled down to his daughter’s height and hugged her, with a warm smile on his face and exclaimed,”You have done well today Emma, I am very proud to call you my eldest.”
Emma beamed at such praise,”Thank you father! I am glad that you have taken me to the meeting, you have shown me that I am capable of more than I think.”
Phillipe stood up again and murmured,”Of course my dear, many may underestimate you due to your sex, it is important that you do not do so. If you do not let such things pull you back, you may become the greatest Queen that Castile will ever see”
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Sybille's bliss doesn't seem borne out by the picture, but I take it you wanted to throw the Angevins a bone.
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That is very true, and the Angevins, through their marriages will soon die out in the male line. Thank you very much!
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For a late starter, Queen Ingrid has become quite prolific at child making (1st at 24, #5 on way). The person, who named Ingrid 'affable', did not pose a threat to her husband or children. The d'Anjou girls are having a nice little face off. Be safe my King.
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She definitely has been, and it makes up for the first six years of them not having any children.. We'll have to see if their fifth child is their last, but in any case the succession looks secure... I'm starting to think that the affable nickname was sarcasm, there seems to be no other explanation ... The Angevins have been fairly quiet so far, but that may soon change, given the disdain that the two women have for one another..Thank you so much, I hope that you also stay safe!
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June 1087
June 1087
She stood in the solar, looking over some documents. The most noteworthy of these was a letter from her dear brother Erik. He had taken rather well to life as a Bishop, even if he had some scruples over certain traditions that the Church involved itself in. Chief among these was miracles, which he was quite critical of. He mustn’t do so too vocally, one of our younger half-brothers would no doubt be eager to gain his office. Suddenly, she felt a heat in her lower body, and her skirts became hefty as her waters broke. As her favorite lady’s maid, the aged Agnes steadied her and moved her to her bed, she exclaimed,”Good God, why now?”
Her fifth child was coming into the world sooner than she had anticipated, perhaps a week or two early, not as early as Emma, but still not ideal. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, her ordeal began in earnest, and after she made the first push she thought; I am getting too old for this. Bearing down again, and again, and gritting her teeth, Ingrid would not allow herself to cry out. Soon enough, after nearly an hour of this, Ingrid was rewarded with the sight of a newborn in a wetnurse’s arms, suckling contently at the young woman’s breast. Allowing herself a moment to recover, since the afterbirth had just been expelled, she called out to the wetnurse,”Let me hold him.”
The wetnurse nodded, and after covering her torso up, brought the baby to his mother. Once in his mother’s arms, the infant smiled, before dozing off to sleep. Ingrid, still energetic, murmured softly,”What shall we name you my son?” She gave the matter a few minutes of thought, and then she finally made her decision, one that she was sure would please her Phillipe. She shot a wry smirk to one of her maid’s,”Send a messenger to Senlis to inform the King that we have a third Prince… Tell him that I have decided to name him Jean, for he who baptized our Lord Christ.”
She stood in the solar, looking over some documents. The most noteworthy of these was a letter from her dear brother Erik. He had taken rather well to life as a Bishop, even if he had some scruples over certain traditions that the Church involved itself in. Chief among these was miracles, which he was quite critical of. He mustn’t do so too vocally, one of our younger half-brothers would no doubt be eager to gain his office. Suddenly, she felt a heat in her lower body, and her skirts became hefty as her waters broke. As her favorite lady’s maid, the aged Agnes steadied her and moved her to her bed, she exclaimed,”Good God, why now?”
Her fifth child was coming into the world sooner than she had anticipated, perhaps a week or two early, not as early as Emma, but still not ideal. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, her ordeal began in earnest, and after she made the first push she thought; I am getting too old for this. Bearing down again, and again, and gritting her teeth, Ingrid would not allow herself to cry out. Soon enough, after nearly an hour of this, Ingrid was rewarded with the sight of a newborn in a wetnurse’s arms, suckling contently at the young woman’s breast. Allowing herself a moment to recover, since the afterbirth had just been expelled, she called out to the wetnurse,”Let me hold him.”
The wetnurse nodded, and after covering her torso up, brought the baby to his mother. Once in his mother’s arms, the infant smiled, before dozing off to sleep. Ingrid, still energetic, murmured softly,”What shall we name you my son?” She gave the matter a few minutes of thought, and then she finally made her decision, one that she was sure would please her Phillipe. She shot a wry smirk to one of her maid’s,”Send a messenger to Senlis to inform the King that we have a third Prince… Tell him that I have decided to name him Jean, for he who baptized our Lord Christ.”
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Sweet chapter!!! May the royal family receive the Lord's Blessing and Protection.
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Thank you very much! Things are certainly looking up for them, they have three sons to secure the succession, two daughters who will be well wed, and everyone is in good health... We'll have to see how things go though...
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August 1087
He and Ingrid sat in her rooms, enjoying the midday meal, for the keep’s interior provided some relief from the sweltering heat. Ingrid put an almond into her mouth, nosily crunching as she ate it. Phillipe for his part chewed on an oyster, smiling as he tasted the tender juices. After finishing the almond, she said,”The baptism of little Jean went well enough…”
Phillipe nodded,”Yes I suppose it did.”
Ingrid laughed until her face turned beet red to which her husband arched an eyebrow. Finally, as it subsidized she chuckled briefly,”Even if the Duke of Normandy’s whore of a daughter wanted to fuck the bishop.”
Phillipe’s eyes widened,”What?”
“Oh please, did you not see how she looked at him? At how she practically drooled as Prince-Bishop Yves went through the prayer?”
Phillipe nodded, he had not paid much attention, but wished to appease her.
Ingrid continued,“It is not surprising though, I hear that her husband is a worthless lout, so I suppose they are perfect for each other.”
Philippe mumbled,”I don’t think the Duke of Flanders would agree that his namesake son is a lout… What makes you say such things?”
“Because he does not sleep with any woman, let alone his wife. He probably likes to be bedded by other men.”
The King rolled his eyes,”Perhaps that is true Ingrid, in any case we don’t need to tell everyone about it, we should not go out of our way to make the Duke angry.”
His wife sipped some wine, apparently resisting the urge to press the issue.
With that Phillipe decided to change the topic of their discussion,”Emma does well in her studies, I hope that she will run a very efficient household one day.”
“True, though Anne is thriving in her language lessons, especially the tongue of my homeland.”
Phillipe scowled for a moment, it was becoming more and more apparent that Emma seemed to be his wife’s least favorite child, and that she did not give the girl the credit she deserved. Still, he would hold his tongue, for he did not wish to argue with her.
They sat in silence for a moment, until the door abruptly swung open, and the King’s half-sister Adele burst into the room. He looked at her perplexed, tears were drying on her face, and she looked utterly devastated. Concerned for her, Phillipe rose from his chair, and asked,”What is wrong sister?”
She did not answer his question, instead she started weeping, and before she embraced him cried out,”Oh Phillipe, it’s just so terrible!”
As she cried, her head against his shoulder he asked,”What is so terrible? Is it your son, your husband? Are they unwell?”
Adele backed away, wiping the tears from her face, finally she took a ragged breath,”No, God respects the natural order of things, but it hurts all the same… It’s mother, she…. she died in her sleep a fortnight ago.”
Phillipe couldn’t believe this," What? How? She was in fine health.”
His half-sister shook her head,”Clearly she must not have been as healthy as she seemed. I am so sorry.”
Blinking away tears, he dismissed her,”You may leave, thank you for telling me of this… Do not allow yourself to fall too deep into grief, our mother wouldn’t want you to lose your child or hurt yourself over her death.”
Adele gave him a simple answer before leaving the room,”Very well.”
As she left Phillipe sighed, God, be kind to my poor mother, forgive her for her sins, and remember her virtues, so that she may join my dear sister, who died innocent, and without touch of man.
He trembled as he felt a pair of arms wrap around him, and he looked back to find his wife, with a sympathetic look on her face,”I am so sorry my dear, your mother was a…. impressive woman, she helped guide me in my role here, and was an excellent grandmother to our children. Believe me when I say that I fell her loss as much as you do. Is there anything that I can do for you my love?”
The King shook his head,”Thank you but no, I must go and inform my brother, he deserves to know of this.”
Under normal circumstances mention of her hated brother-in-law would provoke some sort of a biting quip, but this time Ingrid seemed to be much more patient, simply nodding in agreement as he left the room. As Phillipe walked through the halls, he said a silent prayer Lord, spare my nephew from his ailments, you have taken his grandmother away from us, so, please, do not give my brother cause for further grief.
Phillipe nodded,”Yes I suppose it did.”
Ingrid laughed until her face turned beet red to which her husband arched an eyebrow. Finally, as it subsidized she chuckled briefly,”Even if the Duke of Normandy’s whore of a daughter wanted to fuck the bishop.”
Phillipe’s eyes widened,”What?”
“Oh please, did you not see how she looked at him? At how she practically drooled as Prince-Bishop Yves went through the prayer?”
Phillipe nodded, he had not paid much attention, but wished to appease her.
Ingrid continued,“It is not surprising though, I hear that her husband is a worthless lout, so I suppose they are perfect for each other.”
Philippe mumbled,”I don’t think the Duke of Flanders would agree that his namesake son is a lout… What makes you say such things?”
“Because he does not sleep with any woman, let alone his wife. He probably likes to be bedded by other men.”
The King rolled his eyes,”Perhaps that is true Ingrid, in any case we don’t need to tell everyone about it, we should not go out of our way to make the Duke angry.”
His wife sipped some wine, apparently resisting the urge to press the issue.
With that Phillipe decided to change the topic of their discussion,”Emma does well in her studies, I hope that she will run a very efficient household one day.”
“True, though Anne is thriving in her language lessons, especially the tongue of my homeland.”
Phillipe scowled for a moment, it was becoming more and more apparent that Emma seemed to be his wife’s least favorite child, and that she did not give the girl the credit she deserved. Still, he would hold his tongue, for he did not wish to argue with her.
They sat in silence for a moment, until the door abruptly swung open, and the King’s half-sister Adele burst into the room. He looked at her perplexed, tears were drying on her face, and she looked utterly devastated. Concerned for her, Phillipe rose from his chair, and asked,”What is wrong sister?”
She did not answer his question, instead she started weeping, and before she embraced him cried out,”Oh Phillipe, it’s just so terrible!”
As she cried, her head against his shoulder he asked,”What is so terrible? Is it your son, your husband? Are they unwell?”
Adele backed away, wiping the tears from her face, finally she took a ragged breath,”No, God respects the natural order of things, but it hurts all the same… It’s mother, she…. she died in her sleep a fortnight ago.”
Phillipe couldn’t believe this," What? How? She was in fine health.”
His half-sister shook her head,”Clearly she must not have been as healthy as she seemed. I am so sorry.”
Blinking away tears, he dismissed her,”You may leave, thank you for telling me of this… Do not allow yourself to fall too deep into grief, our mother wouldn’t want you to lose your child or hurt yourself over her death.”
Adele gave him a simple answer before leaving the room,”Very well.”
As she left Phillipe sighed, God, be kind to my poor mother, forgive her for her sins, and remember her virtues, so that she may join my dear sister, who died innocent, and without touch of man.
He trembled as he felt a pair of arms wrap around him, and he looked back to find his wife, with a sympathetic look on her face,”I am so sorry my dear, your mother was a…. impressive woman, she helped guide me in my role here, and was an excellent grandmother to our children. Believe me when I say that I fell her loss as much as you do. Is there anything that I can do for you my love?”
The King shook his head,”Thank you but no, I must go and inform my brother, he deserves to know of this.”
Under normal circumstances mention of her hated brother-in-law would provoke some sort of a biting quip, but this time Ingrid seemed to be much more patient, simply nodding in agreement as he left the room. As Phillipe walked through the halls, he said a silent prayer Lord, spare my nephew from his ailments, you have taken his grandmother away from us, so, please, do not give my brother cause for further grief.
Poor little Robert! What are the other two traits? Thank you for updating.
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The other traits are inbred and imbecile, so even if he lives he won't be of much service or conversely, a threat... Your welcome, thank you for commenting!
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Little Robert scored three I's. Intelligent, inquisitive, and innovative would have been better.
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They certainly would have been, and we'll have to see how things go for him..
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April 1088
April 1088
The air was filled with the smell of delectable meat, and Phillipe swore that he could hear the tables all but groan at the weight of food and drink that sat atop them. It is to be expected of course. There was after all, one of equal rank visiting his court. Said visitor was Swithraed, Prince of England, who the nobles of England had elected to succeed his father King Leofwine. The young man gulped the ale that he had brought with him and seemed pleased at the spread before him. The reason for the English Prince’s visit sat in her own chair, light blonde hair neatly pinned up in a high bun. As she delicately picked at her food at the opposite side of the table, Phillipe beamed in pride at his youngest daughter. She was much shorter than most girls her age, yet was somewhat stronger than many boys, save for her brother Charles. Such a thing, no doubt, would be a boon, for she could more readily provide her future husband, whoever that may be, with plenty of heirs. Of course, such reasoning troubled Phillipe, It is as if I bring a calf to market. He sipped his wine, which proved the best way to exile such troubled thoughts. He beckoned the servant boy over to refill his goblet, which the teen did so with an obedient nod. As the wine was poured into his goblet, Phillipe noticed something rather strange. The Saxon Prince was looking in his direction, but not at him. The young servant blushed and bowed as he backed away. Nonplussed, the French King was glad to be trained in the art of empty niceties,”How goes your father’s war against men of the Isles?”
Prince Swithraed nodded,”It goes well, he thinks it shan’t be long until they surrender.”
“Good, your father has been quite the warrior, and I have no doubt that you shall continue his successes as king, that my daughter will be your Queen will only help.”
The young man pursed his lips,”But of course.”
The next hour passed in a similar vein, mostly with small talk, though towards the end Anne entertained them by playing the lute. Her musical talent impressed all, and even prompted a small smile from her betrothed. Soon enough the sun dipped below the horizon, and they all made to retire, yet Phillipe sensed he would have more business to tend to.
He was correct, for almost as soon as he made his way to his chambers he was intercepted by his brother. The younger man had a jovial grin on his face, and Phillipe rose his brow,”I take it that the Countess Adelinde’s mother has approved of the betrothal?”
“Yes she has!” Hugues wrapped his kingly brother in a warm embrace,”Thank you Phillipe, Henri will be so grateful that you will have made him a Count.”
“Of course, he is the nephew of the King of France, he deserves no less.”
As Hugues pulled away, Phillipe thought of the meeting with the Saxon Prince and frowned.
“What is wrong brother? Does the boy not wish to marry Anne?”
Phillipe shook his head,”No, but I have suspicions of him… I fear that my youngest daughter will not have a full marriage?”
“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be, she isn’t homely by any means.”
“Its not that, I think that Swithraed may be a sodomite.”
Hugues’s eyes widened,”What? Surely you aren’t serious?”
Phillipe grimaced,”I fear it is true. He gazed upon a serving boy while we were meeting.”
“You should break the betrothal then. It doesn’t matter the repercussions; such a thing would be unnatural.”
The King glowered at this,”It matters not. She is my daughter, and I will do with her as I wish. She is a Princess of France, and must be Queen of England, no matter her husband’s sins.”
Hugues scoffed,”I can’t believe you would do this to Anne? You doom her to a loveless marriage.”
The King brushed past his brother and hissed,”Enough! You have no way of knowing that do not make me regret the trust that I place in you.”
The Prince stood shocked,”I… Brother…”
Phillipe walked off, and as his brother tried to follow him said,”Go, I wish to be alone, and I will hear no more of this!”
His brother turned, his face drained of color, and Phillipe was left sulking, yet still determined in of what to do. I must make my daughter Queen of England, besides, there is nothing to say that she and the Saxon won’t be content with each other.
The air was filled with the smell of delectable meat, and Phillipe swore that he could hear the tables all but groan at the weight of food and drink that sat atop them. It is to be expected of course. There was after all, one of equal rank visiting his court. Said visitor was Swithraed, Prince of England, who the nobles of England had elected to succeed his father King Leofwine. The young man gulped the ale that he had brought with him and seemed pleased at the spread before him. The reason for the English Prince’s visit sat in her own chair, light blonde hair neatly pinned up in a high bun. As she delicately picked at her food at the opposite side of the table, Phillipe beamed in pride at his youngest daughter. She was much shorter than most girls her age, yet was somewhat stronger than many boys, save for her brother Charles. Such a thing, no doubt, would be a boon, for she could more readily provide her future husband, whoever that may be, with plenty of heirs. Of course, such reasoning troubled Phillipe, It is as if I bring a calf to market. He sipped his wine, which proved the best way to exile such troubled thoughts. He beckoned the servant boy over to refill his goblet, which the teen did so with an obedient nod. As the wine was poured into his goblet, Phillipe noticed something rather strange. The Saxon Prince was looking in his direction, but not at him. The young servant blushed and bowed as he backed away. Nonplussed, the French King was glad to be trained in the art of empty niceties,”How goes your father’s war against men of the Isles?”
Prince Swithraed nodded,”It goes well, he thinks it shan’t be long until they surrender.”
“Good, your father has been quite the warrior, and I have no doubt that you shall continue his successes as king, that my daughter will be your Queen will only help.”
The young man pursed his lips,”But of course.”
The next hour passed in a similar vein, mostly with small talk, though towards the end Anne entertained them by playing the lute. Her musical talent impressed all, and even prompted a small smile from her betrothed. Soon enough the sun dipped below the horizon, and they all made to retire, yet Phillipe sensed he would have more business to tend to.
He was correct, for almost as soon as he made his way to his chambers he was intercepted by his brother. The younger man had a jovial grin on his face, and Phillipe rose his brow,”I take it that the Countess Adelinde’s mother has approved of the betrothal?”
“Yes she has!” Hugues wrapped his kingly brother in a warm embrace,”Thank you Phillipe, Henri will be so grateful that you will have made him a Count.”
“Of course, he is the nephew of the King of France, he deserves no less.”
As Hugues pulled away, Phillipe thought of the meeting with the Saxon Prince and frowned.
“What is wrong brother? Does the boy not wish to marry Anne?”
Phillipe shook his head,”No, but I have suspicions of him… I fear that my youngest daughter will not have a full marriage?”
“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be, she isn’t homely by any means.”
“Its not that, I think that Swithraed may be a sodomite.”
Hugues’s eyes widened,”What? Surely you aren’t serious?”
Phillipe grimaced,”I fear it is true. He gazed upon a serving boy while we were meeting.”
“You should break the betrothal then. It doesn’t matter the repercussions; such a thing would be unnatural.”
The King glowered at this,”It matters not. She is my daughter, and I will do with her as I wish. She is a Princess of France, and must be Queen of England, no matter her husband’s sins.”
Hugues scoffed,”I can’t believe you would do this to Anne? You doom her to a loveless marriage.”
The King brushed past his brother and hissed,”Enough! You have no way of knowing that do not make me regret the trust that I place in you.”
The Prince stood shocked,”I… Brother…”
Phillipe walked off, and as his brother tried to follow him said,”Go, I wish to be alone, and I will hear no more of this!”
His brother turned, his face drained of color, and Phillipe was left sulking, yet still determined in of what to do. I must make my daughter Queen of England, besides, there is nothing to say that she and the Saxon won’t be content with each other.
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Not all the love in a marriage need to be between the husband and wife. Beware my King, England is often a serpent's den!
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Oh yes, we may soon see that things in England may be far from happy..... Thank you so much!
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It is remarkable that someone as nice as Phillipe has survived this long in mediaeval French Politics.
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Well in all fairness Phillipe isn't the nicest of people, yet his pride and family bonds force him to do right by his Hugues and his brother's children (Hence why Henri is betrothed to a Countess).. He has shown a certain degree of ruthlessness in dealing with rebels as well... Thank you so much!!
Being ruthless with rebel scum is a GOOD thing! Besides, what is your definition of 'ruthless' to rebel trash. Mine would be going beyond the complete annihilation of rebel traitors and their immediate family. The only place to meet a 'good' rebel is the graveyard!
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