June 1086
The King of France had a small smirk on his lips as the courier that relayed the news left the room. Phillipe mused to himself,
Finally, some good news. Indeed, there had been a bit of misfortune recently, for the King’s nephew, Robert, who was now four summers could barely utter a word, and was increasingly sickly, staying in his rooms due to terrible fevers. Phillipe felt a bit guilty over this as the fact that his brother, and sister-in-law were second cousins may have caused his ill fortune. Still, he reminded himself that he arranged the match to keep the peace in France, and they otherwise seemed happy. Fortunately, Hugues and Helie’s other sons, Henri and the infant Hamelin, were in good health. Phillipe set the letters back onto the desk in the study, for he knew the Duke of Champagne would return to court soon, preening like a peacock at his victories. As he did so Phillipe thought back to his night of prayer months ago, it turned out that God hand answered his prayers, and the crows were indeed an omen, that his enemies were to be crushed. Crushed they were, as in battle against the Occitans and heretics the Duke of Champagne prevailed, with only minimal casualties.
I must remember to do penance to thank God for this triumph. Still, Phillipe knew it would be in poor taste to keep the rest of court waiting, and so he pushed open the door, ready to put on a display of kingly power.
As he made his way through the hall, a familiar looking teen joined him, and he gave him a broad smile,”Ah, Benoit, I trust that everything is order?”
The teen bobbed his head,”Yes sire, the Duke of Champagne is to come through the doors just as you take your seat, with the captured traitors in tow.”
Phillipe clasped the boy’s shoulder,”That’s a good lad, now go and tell the Duke of Champagne that I am ready for his entrance.”
Young Benoit barely hid his happiness at being singled out, a smile tugging at the edge of his face,”Of course your majesty.”
Phillipe had in fact taken a liking to the boy, even though his father was the lecherous Count that Ingrid had despised. Still, Phillipe took some pity on Benoit, his mother died when he was just a toddler, leaving him a decent inheritance in coin but little else, while his father, the Count of Bourbon had never met the boy, only acknowledging him to showcase his supposed virility. So, the boy had more or less served as page to the King, and Philippe had ensured the boy received a through education. He also he hoped, that should he prove competent, that he could become a knight in his service. The king had already found the boy a betrothed of decent standing as well, Yolande, the only child of his chosen regent, Etienne, who stood to inherit her father’s considerable wealth.
As the young man made his way through the opposite end of the hallway, Phillipe opened the door leading to the dais, and as he walked to his throne, he heard the murmurs of the crowd below, perhaps to be expected, it is royal court after all, but it underlined the uncertainty many must have felt due to the rebellions. Ingrid was already in her own throne, below and slightly to the left of his, and she winked at him as he sat down Later my dear… Within seconds of him doing so, the grand doors at the end of the main hall flung open, with at least a dozen men emerging, foremost among them being The Duke of Champagne, who walked forward slowly, with his retainers by his side. He wore leathers and a look indicating that he was quite pleased with himself. After walking a few paces, Champagne and the other men halted, and Phillipe welcomed him in with a cheerful lilt to his voice while motioning for silence from those in attendance,”Etienne of Champagne, I must congratulate you on your glorious victories, you have done us a great service through your heroism.”
The Duke bowed,”Thank you your majesty,” He then motioned to two men in chains in the middle of the group,”These vile creatures, the heretic and rebel, have transgressed against your law and God’s laws, so I bring them to here, and they are now ready to answer for their trespasses against you.”
Philippe nodded slightly,”And they shall do so. The heretic Raynaud shall be burned at the stake, a fine preparation for the fires of hell, while the traitor Bertrand will be hung by the neck until dead, sentences to be carried out at once!”
The Duke seemed pleased,”Very well my king, these scum shall soon by disposed of.” The duke then motioned to the guards, who manhandled both men, Raynaud, the heretic mewling out for mercy, while the Occitan leader Bertrand was in cold silence. The King of France smiled as the two were hauled out, with members of the crowd hurling insults at the condemned.
I should hope this will be warning enough to any others who seek to disturb the peace.
…
At had been hours since the executions of the rebel leaders, and Phillipe sat at the dining table in his private apartments, enjoying a private meal with his wife, half sister and brother-by-law, Guilhem. As he brought some duck pie to his mouth Adele asked,”Why did you have to have them killed, would a show of mercy not have been better?”
Phillip rose an eyebrow as he chewed, and his wife exclaimed,”Because they were traitors to the realm and deserved to die!”
After swallowing his food Phillipe raised his hand calmly,”I can explain this to Adele, Ingrid.”
He then turned to his half-sister,”Adele, my Queen speaks the truth. Not just that, but if I let them go with their lives, they could rise up again, or others like them will think me weak, and then we will never have peace. Do you think that boy of yours would be safe if they prevailed, or if others rise up?” He shook his head,”He would not… They would murder your son, so that they can more easily hold onto the lands that would one day be his. So, you must see this is for the best.”
Adele replied quietly”You are right brother. What you have done is for the best.”
Phillipe then narrowed his eyes at her, and seized her hand gripping it tightly against the table, as she gasped, he hissed,”One more thing dear sister… I am the King, it would be in your interest to never question my decisions again, or you may find yourself in a much more uncomfortable position than this.”
He released his grip, and she averted her eyes,”Forgive me for speaking out of turn your majesty, I will never forget my place again…”