French Lions: A Capetian France AAR

[codie]

September 1066



King Phillipe I of France sat at a table, in the chambers of the royal council, surrounded by older, more experienced statesmen, whose experience could be invaluable yet dangerous. As he took a sip of some sweet Brugndian, red wine he pondered the members of his council,”These men act as though we are friends, allies and kin. We’ll see if they prove themselves to be loyal or not.”

As he gently put the crystal goblet back on the fine, oak, table his Regent Étienne cleared his throat,”There is much to do your majesty, namely, that you should pick a woman to be your queen, and mother of your heirs.”
Phillipe nodded,”Of course, Regent Étienne. Has The Duchess of Tuscany said whether she’d consider a match with me?”

“Yes she did, she said she would welcome your suit….It would be a fine marriage, if you had children by her the crown would eventually inherit a great deal of land in Italy.”

“That does sound good.”

Duke Guilhèm de Poitou, the French King’s spymaster spoke up, from his seat to the right side of the table,”Yes, but I would consider other brides first, inheriting in Italy could eventually lead to a devastating war with the Holy Roman Empire, as my cousin views himself as rightful lord of Northern Italy.”

The King’s stepfather and chancellor, Raoul, Count of Amiens interjected,”The Duke of Aquitaine does make a good point King Phillipe. But it is still your decision, and I believe you have sound judgement.”

“Thank you for your faith in me stepfather, I do indeed wish to look at other candidates, just to be sure.”

The Regent took a sip of his wine and said,”Another candidate is Rocca de Hauteville, niece of Robert Guiscard, the Duke of Apulia.”

“How old is she?”

“Sixteen, your majesty, they say she is of good character as well.”

Phillipe shook his head,”That may be true, but I want to marry a woman of higher status than the niece of a duke.”

Étienne inclined his head slightly,”Very well, you are in luck that there are a number of eligible princesses as well.”

“Like who?”

“Well the King of Norway has two unwed daughters, only a few years your senior.”

“They are my cousins through my maternal aunt though, even if the pope were to acquiesce to the union, the children we may have may suffer due to our degree of kinship. Even marrying Rocca would be preferable to that.”

“Very well then. The Kings of Denmark, England and Navarra also have unwed daughters and sisters.

“Tell me about Denmark and Navarra, I’d rather not marry into an Anglo Saxon house that’ll be dethroned soon anyways.”

“Well, the Navarrese king’s sisters are Eremnisinda, Ximena and Maior. They are twenty-five, twenty-one and twenty respectively.”
“Hmmm. The eldest is too old for my liking, and last I heard Navarra isn’t very powerful.”

Duke Thiabalt of Champagne nodded in agreeance,”Yes, King Antso can barely muster two thousand men.”

“That won’t do it all then. Tell me of the Danish Princesses.”

Étienne raised his eyebrows,”There are two that are close to in age your majesty. The older of the two is Gunnhild, who is sixteen, they say she has a formidable attitude though. The other is Princess Ingrid, who is the same age as your majesty. Reports from Danish court say she is a spritely, hard working girl, so she may make a fine queen.”

Count Étienne of Boruges chimed in after biting into an apple,”They are both legitimized bastards though, so that may lower how they viewed within our kingdom.”

King Phillipe took a deep breath, and the teen then announced,”I will marry Princess Ingrid of Denmark after we are both of age to wed. Hopefully she will make a good queen.”

As Prince-Bishop Gervais of Reimsas and other members of the council made ready to leave Phillipe brought up more order,”Speaking of marriages, I’d like you to sound out whether King Sancho of Castile would like to be betrothed to my sister, Princess Emma.”

The Prince-Bishop bowed before leaving,”Of course your majesty, hopefully we can help King Sancho drive infidels from Iberia.”

King Philipe nodded, despite his inner doubts,”Yes, defending Christendom there would be a fine venture.”

As the rest of the council prepared to leave for their other duties Phillipe’s stepfather Raoul approached him,”Phillipe, your mother asks if she can request your presence for a short while, before dinner.”

The king nodded,”Of course, I hope she won’t be upset that I arranged Emma’s betrothal without consulting her.”

“We’ll see, you know how she can be sometimes.”

One hour later…

It turned out that Raoul’s prediction was correct, for after Phillipe told his mother of his sister’s betrothal she started stalking her chambers, furious,”You didn’t even think to ask me first? She is my daughter, and you marry her to whoever you see fit to without even asking me?”

“Mother I…”

Anna threw a metal goblet at the wall, and it fell to the stone floor with a clang “You should have asked me dammit, but no you wanted to show how much of a king you are by making the decision yourself.”

Phillipe suddenly felt hot in the face, not the shame that he felt a moment ago, but anger and he raised his voice,”Stop this nonsense now! I made the decision and you are going to have to abide by it, whether you like it or not mother. The same goes for Hugues’s betrothal, I am King here, you are not.”

“Leave me Phillipe, now!”

As Phillipe walked to the door he gave a snippy goodbye,”Very well Mother, I’ll see you at dinner, hopefully you’ll be in a better mood.”

 

[codie]

June 1067




King Phillipe sat in his chambers, miserable as he spoke with his regent, and asked,”Étienne, has the hospital I commissioned been finished yet?”

“No, not yet. Of course it is hard to build something in the middle of an epidemic.”

Phillipe rolled his eyes,”Well I know that. But I gave money out of the royal treasury to help save the lives of the people of Paris, and the hospital may not be ready on time? Why France, of all the places to suffer?”

Étienne mumbled,”These things happen, it is but a matter of chance your majesty.”

Phillipe shook his head,”I just hope this Camp Fever business ends by the time of my wedding and coronation.”

“I certainly hope so, your majesty.”

“Has your wife adjusted to court yet Étienne?”
His regent nodded,”Yes Helvis has, I think she’s happy to marry me, as your regent, and she enjoys the atmosphere of court.”
“Good, hopefully the Court Physician won’t have to treat cases of Camp Fever within court. We sealed it off as soon as we heard of Paris’s first cases.”

“We should be safe your majesty, but nothing is certain.”

As a few minutes passed in companionable silence Phillipe asked,”Has the bastard Duke of Normandy responded to my proposal that his second youngest daughter Constance should marry my brother?”

“He has agreed.”

“Good, hopefully this keeps from meddling in factions to leverage me to do as he wishes. However, if he does indeed succeed in conquering England I will break the betrothal and marry my brother to another girl.”

“Very well, I will monitor the situation your majesty,”

“You have my thanks, my lord regent.”

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and Phillipe all but jumped out of his seat in surprise,”Come in, if you must.”

As the door opened Phillipe looked at the visitor, and he noticed that her eyes were red, and her dark hair was matted, alarmed he asked,”What is wrong mother?”

The woman sighed,”It’s your sister, she has taken ill, and we fear it may be camp fever.”

The teen grimaced and nodded,”Very well then, take me to see Emma.”

The two then walked through the halls, silent for they did not want to tempt fate by speaking of a potential recovery, and within a few minutes they stopped out of Princess Emma’s chambers.

“How is she mother?”

“As well as can be expected, she seems optimistic at least.”

Phillipe nodded and pushed the door to his sister's chambers open, where he found five people within it. His sister laid in her bed, and despite the pain on her face weakly smiled. There were also two servants, standing by the extinguished fireplace ready to wait upon the princess’s needs, while the new Court Physician Orvar stood by a window in the left side of the room. Phillipe and Emma’s younger brother Hugues was also in the room, sitting in a chair to Phillipe’s right. The king rushed to his sister’s bedside and kneeled,”Emma, I’m so sorry, I thought that I shut the gates in time.”

The pale girl nodded and responded in a shaky voice,”I think you did the best you could brother. Besides, this is no death sentence, I’m sure the physician will be able to help, and that I will survive this.”
“I hope so as well dear sister. Think of it, if you can make it through this, in a few years you will be the Queen of Castile, and the mother to it’s future monarch.”

 

[codie]

January 1068



Phillipe shook his head,“This doesn't feel right, going on with this like nothing has changed.” Phillipe chugged some wine from a goblet, hoping it would help. Much in fact had changed, namely the fact that his sister Emma died as a result of the Camp Fever epidemic in September. He remembered telling his mother that her daughter would soon die, when he entered her chambers she asked,”What is it?” in a shaky voice, and Phillipe told him that it was time for them to say goodbye to Emma. His mother broke down in tears, and Phillipe joined her, yet after a couple minutes they collected themselves to visit Emma’s deathbed. Fortunately Emma was not in much pain when she died, as the heathen court physician had given her a small amount of wine, and ensured she was comfortable in her bed.

Phillipe’s gloomy thoughts ended when his mother put her hand on his shoulder and said,”She’ll arrive soon, my son.”

“Thank you mother, I am glad that you will be in attendance, and that you recovered from Adele’s birth so quickly.”

Anna smiled slightly,”I too am glad, though you understand that she has to remain in Amiens until this disease ends, and that I may go there after your wedding as well.”

The king nodded,”Of course mother, your safety and that of Adele are of paramount importance. Hopefully there won’t be any other cases of the illness in court.”

“If there are, hopefully Étienne will do a better job than the heathen at treating them.”

“Yes I have no reason to doubt his competence.”

As they continued to stand in the main hall, listening to the chatter of those nobles in attendance, waiting for Princess Ingrid, Phillipe reached into his pocket and gave his mother a small coin purse,”Take this mother, buy yourself some jewelry or use it for your own enjoyment, you deserve something to comfort you in these trying times.”

His mother smiled and took the coin purse,”Thank you Phillipe, the past few months have been hard, but this and little Adele have helped make it less terrible.”

“I am glad to have helped you.”
As they stood silent for a moment suddenly the double doors burst open and a lean, young blonde woman emerged, alongside many guards, servants and other retainers. Phillipe took half a dozen paces forwards and asked,”Princess Ingrid of Denmark I presume?”

The young woman bowed a little and spoke in good, yet heavily accented french,”Yes it is, and I assume that you are my intended, King Phillipe of France?”

“Yes I am.”

Ingrid walked forward a little,”Then it is good to meet you husband.” She then turned to a middle aged woman wearing a grey gown to her right,”This my mother, Lady Rannveig av Aurland.”

Phillipe nodded,”It is nice to meet you Lady Rannveig.”

The woman smiled,”Likewise your majesty.”

Princess Ingrid turned to a blonde teen boy to her left,”This is my brother, Prince Erik, our father decided he would rather spend time bedding his wife then come to my wedding.”

Phillipe raised his eyebrows,,”That’s interesting… But at least your brother is here.”
The young prince bowed,”And it is an honour to be in France, you have a fine realm King Phillipe.”
“Thank you, should you or your mother ever be in need of refuge you can stay in court.”
“You have my thanks, though hopefully Denmark stays stable enough.”

After a lull in the conversation Princess Ingrid took several steps forward, her attendants moved aside, and Phillipe took a few tentative steps as well. As he stepped closer to her he reached into one of his pockets and grabbed a necklace that he bought a week ago, looked at the shimmering sapphire in the middle and murmured,”They say that sapphires go well with ladies of fairer complexion, so I think this will be perfect for you.”

The Princess smiled,”Thank you very much King Phillipe.”
Phillipe nodded,”I merely wish to engender good will between us, I’d also like to make you my keeper of the swans, all you’d really do is receive reports on the state of the royal swans and make some decisions on managing.”

”Thank you so much your majesty, I am honored to receive those gifts.”

“You are welcome Ingrid.”

One hour later…

As introductions were concluded, Phillipe did not see his wife again for another hour as they all prepared for the wedding ceremony and the two bathed and dressed with the help of their various attendants. Phillipe for his part wore black trousers, a light blue tunic as well as the usual footwear and accessories. As he stood across from Ingrid while Prince-Bishop Gervais read the wedding vows, he noted her attire, and it took his breath away, as her wedding dress was a shade of dark blue silk that accentuated her fair skin and blonde hair, which made her look positively stunning. Phillipe’s reverie was abruptly ended when the Prince-Bishop turned to him and asked,”Do you, King Phillipe of France agree to marry Princess Ingrid, promise to be true to her in good and bad times, and in sickness and in health?”

Phillipe felt like cursing, as his thoughts were interrupted but still smiled and solemnly spoke up,”Yes, I agree to marry Princess Ingrid and will be true to her no matter what.”

The clergymen then turned to Princess Ingrid and asked,”Do you, Princess Ingrid of Denmark, agree to marry King Phillipe, promise to be true to him in good and bad times, and in sickness and in health?”

Princess Ingrid smiled,”Yes I agree to marry King Phillipe and I will be true to him no matter the circumstances.”

The Prince-Bishop beamed at the young couple and solemnly announced to the small crowd in the main hall,”Then I present to you all France’s new Queen: Ingrid of Denmark, may no man tear asunder this union made in the eyes of god.”

Phillipe smiled and called out to the nobles in attendance,”Let us begin the wedding feast!”

The next few minutes passed in a flurry of activity, as the wedding guests took their seats at various tables in the grand hall, and Phillipe along with his wife Ingrid, their families and several of his councilors and their relatives sat at a table on the slightly elevated dais, overlooking the other tables. He sat at the head of the table, while Ingrid sat to his left. As he finished chewing on a piece of chicken, his marshal the Duke Thibault of Champagne asked,”Are you planning on launching a campaign soon?”

Phillipe considered this for a moment,”Perhaps, though I plan on holding off on any wars until the camp fever epidemic ends in our realm.”
“Do you mind if I ask what targets you may have in mind?”
“Perhaps I may seek to bring the Bretons to heel, though it would be preferable if they submit to me peacefully.”’

“They are a rowdy bunch, so one never knows what they’ll do. It’ll be a good opportunity to expand the realm though.”

Phillipe smiled,”Indeed it would Duke Thiabault, though more preparation will be required.”

As the conversation concluded Phillipe took a sip of red wine and his stepsister the Duchess of Champagne asked Queen Ingrid,”I hope the journey from Denmark wasn’t too trying your majesty.”

Ingrid turned to the woman and sighed,”It wasn’t the best, the seas tossed and turned the ship that took me to Bruges. Although I am descended from the Northmen of old, I am less fond of rough seas than they were.”

“I am sorry to hear that your majesty, if there is anything you need I will be happy to help you.”

Ingrid smiled warmly,”I am honoured by your offer. I hear you’ve been expecting another child, Duchess Adelaide, I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy.”
“Thank you, my previous ones went smoothly enough so hopefully this one does as well.”

Phillipe’s mentor Arnulf de Hesdin interjected,”I’m sure it will your grace, and hopefully our new queen will prove just as capable of having children as her father.”

The Queen raised her eyebrows at his presumption,”Yes I believe I will, but unlike my father, all of my children will be by my spouse.”

Phillipe beamed at his wife,”Good, I’m sure you will be known as one of France’s greatest queens.”

Over the course of the next couple hours Phillpe and the various guests at his wedding finished the wedding feast, and as it concluded he and his wife rose from the table and he announced,”It was a pleasure to have you all here, though it is a shame that some have been unable to come due to the camp fever, the queen and I bid you goodnight.”

As he and Ingrid left the main hall, and walked through the hallway to his bedchambers he started to feel quite nervous, but he hid those feelings and soon enough he opened the door for Ingrid. For a moment the two were awkwardly still, but Phillipe cleared his throat and gestured towards a jug of wine on an end table,”Would you like some wine Ingrid?”

The young woman nodded,”Yes, please.”

Phillpe nodded and quickly poured the wine into two goblets and handed one to her. The two quickly drank their wine, and as Phillipe put his goblet on the table, Ingrid walked up to him and pressed her lips against his. Phillipe ran his hands through her hair and continued to kiss her back, and as moonlight shimmered in through the window the two shared a bed for the first time.

 

[codie]

January 1069



He bit into a pear, and as the sweet juices entered his mouth he actually felt somewhat happy. Sure the food supplies were getting a little low, and he likely angered the Pope and peasantry by protecting the Jews of Senlis, but they are not King.

Suddenly. Philipe was interrupted by a knock on the door, and he suppressed a scowl, as his solitude was likely over,”Come in, if you must.”
As he turned his chair around he smiled as the ornately dressed older man bowed a little,”Uncle Boudewjin, I am glad to see you.”
The man nodded,”The same to you your majesty, though the Duke of Burgundy would be displeased if he heard you call me that.”
Phillipe chuckled,”Robert? The hell with him, he may be my uncle by birth but you act more like an uncle to me than he ever has.”
“Perhaps.”
“So what is it that you needed Duke Boudewjin?”
“Well as you know, as the replacement for the ailing Duke of Champagne as marshal, I am in charge of raising your troops. Well, I fear that you will be in need of them as the peasants in Chartres have risen up in revolt.”
Phillipe scowled,”Those knaves, why would they do so?”
“They are unhappy that you've been protecting the jews, and their leader, a veteran named Maurice, has denounced you as a “Jew lover”.”
Phillipe reddened,”Then damn them, I would like the levies across Northern France to be raised, and for you to crush the rebels.”
“Very well then, you have my promise that we will rout the bastards.”
“Good, I know I can count on you.”

One week later…
The king stood in the courtyard of his palace, as thick, fluffy snowflakes fell onto the grass, which was barely poking out above it. His queen, Ingrid was at his side, also standing as they regarded the man who stood at the gallows. Phillipe cleared his throat and coolly announced,”Maurice, as the leader of a failed rebellion against your king you are a traitor, and you will be hanged until death takes you.”

As the man started to protest a guard punched him in the face, and he stayed silent as the knot was slid over his throat. Another guard then pulled a lever, and the trapdoor under Maurice collapsed. The man struggled and gasped for breath for almost thirty seconds until he fell silent. Phillip then gravely announced to the small crowd of courtiers and servants,”Let that serve as an example to any who dare to rebel against my rule.”

 

[codie]

May 1069


Phillipe stood quiet for a moment in the busy cathedral, filled with both excitement and unease, as he prepared to ensure his rule would be seen as legitimate, amongst those inside and outside of the realm. Indeed, the coronation attracted more than dignitaries and his vassals, it also attracted a scholar named Rorgon, who vowed to use his knowledge in the service of his king as a courtier.

The king had worked very hard over the past weeks to ensure the palace was extravagantly decorated, as he wanted to show the world that France and the Capetian dynasty were as strong as ever.

As he began to wander towards a group of nobles, who were enjoying some wine to chase away the heat of late spring, he was suddenly shocked to find Pope Alexander III turn from a group of clergymen and call him out,”King Phillipe, it is nice to see you.”

Phillipe bowed low to the ground,”Holy father, it is nice to meet with you as well.”

The Pope smiled warmly,”That’ll do, your majesty, tell me how do you plan on assisting Christendom.”

Phillipe got back up,”Well, I think I will try and help defend the Christian rulers of Iberia, should the Muslims grow aggressive.”
“Very good, that is one region that we will certainly need to defend from the infidels.”

“I hope you are enjoying your time in French court, holy father.”
Pope Alexander smiled warmly,”I am thank you, I am honored by the festivities and feel most welcome. I am sure that you will accomplish great things as king.”
Phillip blushed,”Your Holiness gives me praise that I do not deserve.”
The slightly older man laughed,”What nonsense, you already have shown your capabilities by restoring Papal authority over the appointment of priests.”

“Well I have little interest in overriding your authority, it is not the business of kings to appoint members of the clergy anyways.”
“Nonetheless you show more prudence than other rulers who defy the clergy’s right to appoint their own members.”

“Thank you again your holiness.”

“It is no problem, now, if you’ll excuse me I’d like to go meet with the Prince-Bishop of Rheims.”

“Of course.”

As that conversation concluded Phillipe met with his wife, Ingrid of Denmark who scowled at the back of a nobleman who she was previously talking to and Phillipe asked,”What is the matter Ingrid.”
Ingrid all but hissed with anger,”That man is annoying.”

Phillipe rose his eyebrows,”Why do you think so my Queen.”
“Because the old Count of Bourbon takes too many liberties, just because he’s seduced some provincial chits dosen’t mean it’ll work on me.”

Phillipe stood wide-eyed,”What?”
“He made certain insinuations, not enough to be punished for but I can tell he was trying to get me to agree to some dishonorable liaison.”

“You have my thanks for rebuking him then.”

“Yes, but I have a request Phillipe, a simple one.”
“Go on.”
“I do not want to have to speak with that lecher for the remainder of the day, if I do I’m afraid I will make a scene.”

“Of course, I will grant that request, you shouldn’t have to be around someone who makes such suggestions.”

Ingrid smiled a little,”Thank you Phillipe, I appreciate it.”
“No, thank you, some women would not tell their husbands of such a thing, it was honorable of you to let me know.”

The next hour passed without incident, as Phillipe and his wife stood clear of the “annoying man” and briefly met with some of his vassals that were in attendance, including the bastard Duke of Normandy, and before the ceremony began Phillipe parted with the duke by saying,”I hope that you stay safe in your war to take England. I would not want someone of your talents to be killed in war against the barbarous Saxons”

As the coronation ceremony processed Phillipe and Ingrid made their way to the dais, where Pope Alexander III and an entourage of clergy awaited them. As they kneeled before the Pope they were consecrated with holy oils, though Phillip thought the texture felt disgusting, he soldiered on. As the Pope lowered the crown onto Phillipe’s head he proclaimed,”I pronounce you, Phillipe Rex, King of France by the grace of god.”

Phillipe suppressed a small smile, and watched as the Pope slid a smaller crown onto his wife’s head and proclaimed her,”Ingrid of Denmark, Queen of France by the grace of god”

As the ceremony was finished, the large crowd in the grand hall burst into applause, happy to see that the coronation, delayed by the now dissipated disease, had finally taken place.

With the more formal elements of the ceremony over Phillipe rose and approached his stepfather, Count Raoul of Amiens,”I am glad to see that you and my mother are here Count Raoul.”
The count bowed,”We thank you for the invitation.”
“Of course I’d invite you, you are family after all, and have served France well for years.”

As the two stood in silence for a moment Phillipe spoke up,”In fact I have the perfect reward for your services. I now raise to the dignity of Duke, by making you Duke of Picardie.”

The middle-aged man beamed,”Thank you so much your majesty, it is an honor, and I am eternally grateful.”

 

[codie]

November 1069

“How hard can declaring war be?” That was what Phillipe though to himself in the morning, after eating an apple. He soon received the answer to his hypothetical question at noon, and it was not the one he wanted. Of all his council members only one, the Duke of Aquitaine raised his hand in support.

Phillipe scowled and rose from his chair,”Why won’t you, my council support me in this endeavor? Surely you all see that the Bretons should pay tribute to me?”
The bastard Duke of Normandy stood from his chair and calmly said,”There is no glory in such a thing, any one of us on the council could beat them ourselves.”
“Yes, but if we strike now and make them pay tribute, we will have ample coin to fight tougher foes.”
William nodded”Yes that is true but we still believe you should fight a realm that isn’t so weak.”
Phillip felt the heat of anger in his cheeks, but kept his veneer of civility,“Very well then, you are all dismissed, I suppose the realm will have to wait to conquer a more worthy foe.”
He then turned around and took the closest door to him, instead of the one that the members of the council took and walked through the halls of the palace, scowling. Within just a couple of minutes he stopped outside the door of his mother’s chambers. Still feeling somewhat angry he tried to get rid of the feeling and muttered under his breath,”Damn them.”
Feeling a little better he quickly knocked and swung the door upon, where he found his mother sitting in a chair, reading, while his stepsister Adelaide, the recently widowed Dowager Duchess of Champagne sat in another chair, sewing a small shirt, no doubt intended for her infant daughter Isabelle, who was being cared for in the palace’s nursery and Phillipe smiled a little,”Mother, Dowager Duchess Adelaide, it is nice to see that the both of you are doing well enough.”
Adelaide nodded and rose from her chair,”Thank you, your majesty. I assume you wish to speak to the Queen Mother?”
“Yes I do, though you may stay.”

The young woman sat back down and Phillipe turned to his mother,”You know that I wish to bring the Bretons to heel, right mother.”
She nodded a little,”Yes, it is a fine idea.”
“Unfortunately, my council, and even your husband don’t seem to think so, only the Duke of Aquitaine voted for a war to make them pay tribute.”
“That is unfortunate, but it is only a temporary setback.”
Phillipe rose an eyebrow,”Why is that?”
Anna laughed a little,”It is simple, you have two solutions, you can either fire some of the council members who object, or you can try to convince some of them to vote with you in this matter.”
“How would I convince them?”
“Well, if your natural charm isn’t enough you can insinuate that you may owe them a favor if they vote with you, those men would like nothing more than the illusion of power. At least some of the peasantry are pleased."

“Can’t that be dangerous though? The Duke of Normandy may seek to enact laws that reduce my authority.”
The woman took a sip of wine, and after putting the goblet down a table shrugged,”That is why you should seek the support of the less power-hungry members of your council, like the Prince-Bishop of Rheims and your stepfather. The Prince-Bishop may whore a bit but that hardly makes him a threat, while Raoul would gladly take the opportunity show his continued loyalty.”
Phillipe smiled,”Thank you mother, I will follow your advice. Hopefully it all goes according to plan.”
“Good, I hope it does too son.”
As Phillipe took his leave and left his mother’s chambers he felt a wave of relief wash over him,”It seems that the situation is not hopeless after all, and I will get what is best for myself, and what is best for France.”
There was still plenty of work to be done to make this happen, and so Phillipe stalked off to his chambers, and had a servant bring in three goblets, and a jug of wine, and set them on a table in the middle of the room. After the servant finished that he asked him to go tell the Duke of Picardie and Prince-Bishop of Rheims to visit him in his chambers and within a couple of minutes the two men entered, and Phillipe poured wine into each of the goblets and tok a small sip of his, the sweet taste of the red liquid lifting his mood a bit,”As you know I asked the council’s permission to try and exact tribute from the Bretons, and that endeavor failed. I would like to ask if the both of you would be willing to change your positions on the matter?”
The Prince-Bishop bluntly replied,”We do not feel too strongly and thus may change our positions, but not for nothing. What would you grant us for agreeing to this war?”
“A favor, so that you may have my assistance in our endeavors.”
The Duke of Picardie nodded,”Then I will support you in this King Phillipe.”
Prince-Bishop Hugues downed what was left of his wine,”I too shall vote for the war.”
Phillipe grinned,”Good, I will convene the council again before supper.”

Hours later…
Phillipe sat at the head of the table, and announced,”I have reconvened you all so that we may vote again on the matter of war with the Bretons, hopefully we will come to an agreement this time.”
The Dukes of Normandy and Flanders scoffed a little the vote continued without protest, and this time the Duke of Picardie and the Prince Bishop of Rheims voted for the war, giving Phillipe just enough votes to proceed with the war. He then suppressed a satisfied smile, and decreed,”Now that I have enough votes, The Kingdom of France now declares war on the Bretons to gain tribute from them.”

 

[codie]

“Is it not beautiful Phillipe?”
Phillipe turned to his right, to his Queen, Ingrid, who was also looking down at the tan, sand on one of Retz’s many beaches, from a grassy hill,”Yes it is Ingrid, there could certainly be worse places to negotiate peace.”
The Danish woman smirked,”Like Paris? Where the townsfolk are dropping dead from measles.”
Phillipe stifled a glare and grimaced,”Yes, it is a shame that measles came so soon after the end of the Camp Fever.”
“At least this epidemic has left your family untouched so far, and with any luck it will dissipate soon, and we’ll be safe within court.”
The young man nodded grimly,”I hope so, though the Duke of Toulouse’s death of the flu has deprived us of one of our most reliable vassals in the south, while some of our less illustrious courtiers and my mentor, Arnulf have been treated for measles.”

“It may too be your advantage though; his son will be too young to plot against you for a long time.”
“That’s a good point Ingrid.”
As the two stood, side by side for a moment of solitude, listening to the crash of waves against the shoreline Phillipe thought about the circumstances leading up to this. There had been only two pitched battles during the entire war in Maine and Thouars. In both battles’ French forces under the command of his uncle, The Duke of Burgundy, Mayor Mathieu of the Beaumont and one of his commanders, Francois, the son of a wool merchant, easily brushed aside much smaller Breton armies. His men also had managed to take the keep of St.Malou from the Bretons between the two battles, and after the battle of Thouars he received a hastily written request to parley form the so called King of Brittany, and Phillipe not wanting to prolong the war agreed.

Suddenly, his reverie was interrupted as a Breton servant arrived, a sudden gust of wind almost blew the man’s hat off, and he held it as he bowed,”Your majesty, King Konan requests that the negotiations should start.”
As Phillipe inhaled the salty air, and listened to the squalling of the gulls he replied,”Very well then, let him know that we will be on our way.”
The two then spent a minute walking to the crest of a small, grassy slope, where there was a large table with several chairs, which was also laden with refreshments. As Phillipe and his wife sat at the opposite end of the table, he regarded the Breton king, Konan. The man had fairly long brown hair, and a bushy beard of the same color, and looked powerfully built,”It is no surprise that he sired a bastard several years ago.”

The man scowled as he looked back at Phillipe,”I see you have finally come to meet me, I had thought that you may actually lead your men on the battlefield, but I’m not surprised you have not.”
Phillipe smirked, he knew he was being accused of cowardice,”Well my presence was not needed, I’m smart enough to know that I’m better at ruling than fighting, your presence didn’t seem to make much of a difference anyways.”
“Still I wonder what your men think of a king who will not lead them himself.”
Phillipe took a sip of his wine, he resisted the urge to spit it out,”If I tasted piss I imagine it would taste like this so called Breton wine.”
“They may think I do not want to get them killed, as you have yours.”
The man huffed but said no more, so Phillipe proceeded,”My terms are simple and generous King Konan, you and your heirs will pay me a portion of your monthly income for the rest of my life, and will join any wars I call you to.”
Konan raised an eyebrow,”And what do I get in return?”
“I would think not having the rest of your lands put to siege would be enough. However, it is also customary that you can call me into your wars, though unlike yourself I have the option of refusing, though I likely wouldn’t.”
King Konan sat quietly for a moment until he cleared his throat,”Then I have no choice to accept this, you have beaten me and I recognize that, boy.”
“Then we are in agreeance it seems, let our two lands be at peace once more.”
Two weeks later…
Phillipe lied in bed, his arms around his wife as the two had finished a more, athletic, activity. After he caught his breath Ingrid turned to him and gave him a kiss,”This may not be the best time, but I didn’t want to bring up troubling news beforehand…”
He rose an eyebrow at this,”Go on.”
“I spoke with some ladies of your aunt; the Duchess of Flanders a couple hours ago and I heard some rather troubling rumors…
Phillipe cut her off, suddenly concerned,”Is my aunt dying, or are my cousins in ill-health?!”
The woman shook her head,”No, it has little to do with them, it seems that your uncle is not as loyal as he seems, he’s been suggesting that the crown in his by right of his wife, and is trying to gather evidence to support this.”
Phillipe’s jaw practically dropped, The Duke had been loyal up to this point, but he always knew him to be a grasping man, that’s why he always acted more loyal, in the hope it would profit him and Ingrid continued,”Perhaps you should imprison him, send a clear message to all who oppose you within the realm.”
Phillipe pondered this for a moment and then replied,”I cannot, there is a good possibility that he could flee, and rebel, possibly even giving others cause to rebel as well, I will keep a better eye on him though.”

“Alright then, I hope that this doesn’t escalate into an actual rebellion.”

PS:I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to update this last weekend, I had quite a few projects to do for my college courses.

 

[codie]

November 1071
As he chewed a piece of bread Phillipe smiled, as his Chanceelor and stepfather Duke Raoul of Picardie entered his chambers, and after he swallowed the bread asked,”What news do you have for me stepfather?”
The Duke grinned,”I suspect that it may be good news to you…”
“What is it then?”
“The bastard Duke of Normandy has been forced to end his campaign for the English throne, and has lost many men in the process. While Harold Godwinson’s son, Godwine rules over England.”

The king nodded,”That is indeed good news, now that he’s less of a threat I’d like to break Hugues’s betrothal to his daughter Constance and betroth him to my uncle’s granddaughter, Helie.”
“Very well, but won’t Duke William take offense to this?”
“Perhaps, but he has less men than my uncle, so I’d rather appease the Duke of Burgundy.”
“Very well then my king, I shall make the arrangements.”

As his stepfather left the room, a thought suddenly occurred to him, “Perhaps I should see Ingrid and ask there if there is any event of importance amongst the court’s ladies, she would know after all.”
Thus, he soon found himself at his wife’s chambers, and rapped his fist three times against the oak door. “Come in, if you must.”
He opened the door to find his wife sewing,, a small tapestry, depicting the victory of French soldier over the Bretons, one particular scene showing a French knight thrust his lance into a Bretons chest and she smiled as he walked in, and she finished the stitch,”Ah, you must excuse my curt welcome, I thought you were some odious noblewoman.”
Phillipe grinned,”Ha, is there any type, my Queen?”
“Not really, some are tolerable, unlike that whore Lady Ermessinde.”
“Whore? What has she done?”
“She let the old lecherous Count of Bourbon take her to bed and birthed him a bastard son just weeks ago.”

“Shameful.. I understand she was widowed two years ago because of the smallpox, but her new husband seems a decent sort.”
“Yes, she disgraces both of them, and I hope to see the Count’s head on a pike someday.”
Phillipe murmured,“I could only do that if he actually committed treason. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he was challenged to a duel or assassinated by a jealous husband.”
The two sat quiet for a moment, until Ingrid asked,“So, has the sick house been finished for the hospital?”
Phillipe stood up, feeling that he had sat enough

“Not yet, but it will be soon, I hope it can assuage the people of Paris’s suffering during the epidemics.”
She smiled at him,” That is good of you Phillipe, it is testament to your abilities as King.”
Phillipe smiled back, though in a more coquettish way, and he stroked Ingrid’s cheek,”What would you say if I were to share your bed today, my queen?”
Ingrid rose from her chair, and quickly kissed him,”Before the afternoon? How decadent… I would say yes to that.”

 

[codie]

November 1071
He genuinely smiled at the throngs of people gathered in the grand hall, illuminated by candlelight, normally, such a large mass of noisy people would irritate him, but not today, on this most joyous occasion. Ingrid, at his side, chewed on a heavily buttered piece of bread, despite her condition, she did not develop any unusual preferences, just eating richer foods than usual. Phillipe felt truly happy, over the course of the last couple years the decent relations between him and his wife turned into passionate love, and the two were utterly devoted to one another. Still, they had some initial detractors, namely Phillipe’s late uncle, Robert, Duke of Burgundy, who thought the Queen barren for not conceiving a child within the first five years of their marriage, though this was now put to rest thanks to Ingrid’s first pregnancy. The late Duke's son and heir, Henri II of Burgundy was a notable absence from the feast, though, and Phillipe knew he would have to keep a close eye on his cousin. Also, in the months before her pregnancy it became apparent that Ingrid viewed his brother with disdain, which threatened the delicate peace at court.

Phillipe for his part did not press his wife on the matter of an heir, he believed that it would cause undue stress and that it would reduce the likelihood of her successfully conceiving. The feast was not just intended to be a celebration, but a political coup for the king as well, for he wanted to show that the Capetians would not end with him. Within the King’s inner circle, that sat at the dining table of the dais was Duke Geoffrey of Anjou, a fat, jolly, drunkard of man who Phillipe had befriended after attending one of the Duke’s famous feasts. After taking a massive bite off of a piece of a chicken leg the Duke looked towards Phillipe,”It is a shame that your stepfather has refused to come to this feast, I thought you two got along well?”

Phillipe paused, he himself was rather surprised that Raoul didn’t come, though he was grateful that his mother, and half-sister Adele were present,”I don’t believe that he is displeased with me my good duke, I hear that he has been deep in religious contemplation and wanted to concentrate on the sacraments.”
The Duchess Anna, and Adele both nodded their heads as the Phillipe explained, confirming their king’s assumption and his half-sister spoke up, with her sweet voice barely being heard by her half-brother,”My father meant no offense by this Phillipe, he, I and our mother vow to be the truest, most loyal subjects you will ever have.”

The feast went on, and as he filled his goblet with red wine for the fourth time, he cleared his throat and announced,”I propose a toast, to my Queen, and our unborn child, who we hope will be the first of many.”
Naturally nearly everyone in the hall raised their goblets, and the gentle clinking of crystal goblets produced an oddly satisfied sound, followed by chants of,”To the Queen!”
There was one exception however, and as Phillipe took a small sip of his wine he noticed his brother, Hugues, had stayed silent, at their mother’s side, on the opposite end of the table. Perhaps this shouldn’t have been surprising, given the ill will between his brother and his Queen, but he had expected Hugues to put aside his disdain for appearances. Still, before he could discretely motion for his brother to join in, Ingrid glared at the young man and bitterly demanded,”You dare not to honor me, your Queen, for my success?”
Phillipe felt a mixture of nervousness and embarrassment, and he felt heat in his cheeks as his brother opened his mouth,”Right. My apologies Queen Ingrid, of course I am overjoyed to hear of such news.”

The king detected a slight tone of sarcasm in his brother’s voice, but it seemed that no one else heard it, or that those that did simply choose to ignore it, so, with this brief moment of awkwardness over, the feast continued. Much as he was loathe to do so, he, after eating a small wedge of brie, rose from his seat to mingle with the nobles in attendance. First he approached Ermengarde D’anjou, the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy, as she finished speaking with the Duchess of Berry, and when the Duchess was safely out of earshot, his uncle’s widow, smirked,”The Duchess of Berry is an unsufferable woman, I am glad I am now able to speak to someone more interesting.”

Phillipe resisted the urge to laugh and replied,”Thank you for the compliment, Lady Ermengarde, might I add that you are a rather handsome woman, given your age.”
The older woman laughed,”How flattering you are your majesty, perhaps that is why my eldest boy has gotten along so well with you.”
Phillipe grinned,”Geoffrey is a good, loyal duke, and he has always been helpful to me, lifting my fears and stresses through his straightforwardness. He is a credit to your abilities as a mother my lady.”
The Dowager Duchess smiled warmly, though she had a look of sorrow in her eyes,”I suppose he is, he drinks too much and is despised by the church, but he has indeed been loyal, unlike his brother Foulques. I trust you heard of his fate?”
“He was surrounded by hired thugs in Tours, who killed him in front of their employer?”
A tear threatened to spill out of Ermengarde’s eye,”Yes, he made the mistake of bedding the wife of a wealthy wool merchant, with connections and ruthlessness he did not know of. Still, if he wanted to settle his differences with my son, he could’ve at least challenged to a duel to settle things in a more honorable way. At least Geoffrey avenged him and had the bastard’s bowels torn from his body.”
“I am so sorry to hear that, I hope that your other children are more fortunate, and if they need anything I will be happy to provide it.”
Ermengarde nodded,”You have my thanks my king, perhaps it is time that you go and see some of your other guests.”
“Of course, my lady, it has been a pleasure to see you.”

Phillipe looked around and approached table after table, most of the conversations being of little note, finally, after visiting a third table of chattering nobles Phillipe decided to look for conversation elsewhere. A little annoyed, he felt a little relived when he spotted a young woman standing near a small round table in a secluded corner, by a large window on the far right side of the room. As he approached, he noticed her outfit, and he had to admit it was a rather exquisite one, she wore an ornate necklace, with a small topaz in the middle of it, which paired well with the dark green gown that she wore. Her lustrous dark blonde hair also looked rather beautiful in the candlelight as well, furthering her beauty. Before pouring a glass of wine for himself he bowed his head,”You outshine all of the visiting ladies madame, may I have the pleasure of knowing who you are?”
The young woman blushed furiously, and set her goblet on the table, and gave a nervous smile,”My name’s Eve your majesty and I am Duchess of Champagne.”
Phillipe smirked,”The duke is a very lucky man then.”

The Duchess smirked back,”As is your wife, the Queen. I hope she appreciates you more than my husband does me.”
The king looked to the table on the dais, noticing that Ingrid was in conversation with his mother, laughing at one of her jests,”She certainly does care for me my lady, but how has your husband proven ungallant?”
She looked to a table at the opposite side of the room, and then turned back to Phillipe,”All he does is gorge himself on fine food, and when he’s not doing that he’s killing some poor deer. He barely ever spends any time with me, and half the time when he does he makes false accusations of adultery, or blames me for bearing a daughter instead of a son.”

Phillipe shook his head,”I am so sorry to hear that, you deserve better treatment, I truly hope he changes his behavior.”
Eve gave him an intense look of desire with her dark eyes,”He will never change, but perhaps I have found a man who will treat me better.”
The king rose an eyebrow,”And just who is that Duchess Eve?”
“You, your majesty, I think we can love each other, so, if your bed grows cold without the queen I’d be happy to warm it.”
Phillipe was taken aback by this proposal,”Why would I betray my wife, the queen, for such an affair?”
Though a little dissuaded the Duchess of Champagne pressed on, and took Phillipe’s hand in hers,”It is not uncommon for a man to take a mistress when his wife is with child, my own husband frequented brothels when I was pregnant.”
Phillipe felt some guilt, and gently took his hand away,”No, I cannot do so, forgive me for giving the impression that I would, I only sought conversation.”
The Duchess grimaced,”I am sorry that I have made you feel uncomfortable King Phillipe, do you wish for me to take my leave?”
“No of course not, I return to the table with my family, I sorely hope that your situation improves, and that you have a pleasant night.”
The young woman smiled as he made to depart,”Thank you for your good wishes your majesty, to have your company is a pleasure.”

Hours later…
Phillipe prepared to say bid his wife a goodnight, outside of her chambers when she suddenly rose her voice,”I don’t understand why you allow your brother to be so disrectpful towards me, you even gave him the position of High Almoner for god’s sake!”
Phillipe backed away and almost stumbled, to say that he drank some wine over the past few hours would be an understatement,”He is merely prideful my love, do not worry about him.”
Ingrid nearly yelled this time,”Merely prideful? He is an insolent brat who is a threat to me and the realm, you should have him imprisoned until we have a male heir.”
“No! I will not do that woman, and if you think I will you must be going mad.”
His Queen nearly spat with anger, face as red as beet“Mad? How dare you Phillipe! I will take my leave for the night!”
Phillipe rose his voice,”Well would you do it already, I’m tired of listening to your ranting.”
Ingrid huffed with anger, and slammed the door to her chambers as she left, and Philippe felt relived,”Now I can have some damn peace and quiet for the night, perhaps I should have accepted the Duchess’s offer.”

 

[codie]

Ingrid sat in her bed, the blankets forming a warm and comfortable nest, as one of her ladies finished reading an account of the life of John of Damascus, another lady provided her with a bowel of fresh cherries. “I never thought being with child would be so pleasant.”

After she finished eating the first of the cherries she asked the middle aged woman who had brought them to her,”Agnes, remind me, where was it that the king went in the morning?”
“He went to Reims your majesty, to pray for the continued health of yourself and your unborn child, and for the soul of the late Duke of Anjou.”
”You mean my unborn son, the boy that will one day wear his father’s crown?”
“Yes, my apologies your majesty, I’m sorry that I misspoke.”

Ingrid waved her hand, as if to dismiss the young woman’s apology,,”It is fine, I am glad that my husband has decided not to lead his men personally, it is comforting to now that he is so close.”
Another one of her ladies, a fresh faced blonde teen responded,”I do hope that our armies succeed, Barcelona is too close to France for the infidels to occupy it.”
Ingrid smiled,”That is very true Mathilde. Phillipe does not just defend the Duke of Barcelona out of the goodness of his heart, it was from Iberia that the Mohammedans once ravaged much of Toulouse and Aquitaine.”

After a few minutes of unremarkable conversation, Ingrid spoke up,”I’d like to let you all know how much I appreciate your company, I feel truly pampered my ladies, and I must also thank the king as well.”
As her lady's maids all expressed their thanks, Ingrid suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, and let out a loud gasp. One lady rushed to her side and asked,”What is it your majesty?”
Ingrid gritted her teeth as she felt another wave of pain,”It’s the baby I think, but it shouldn’t be due for at least another month.”
Agnes, the oldest of her lady’s maids, soon took charge, and directed the other five,”Eugenie, go get the midwife, everyone else must ensure her majesty is in good health before the midwife arrives.”
As the other lady’s maids followed Agnes’s orders, Ingrid, after crying out in pain whimpered,”Agnes, please write a letter to Phillipe for me, he most know what is wrong.”
Without a word, the woman grabbed a sheaf of parchment off of a shelf, and sat at Ingrid’s desk, blotting a quill in ink,”Go on your majesty, I am ready.”
The Queen took a deep breath,”Phillipe my beloved husband, today I bring our son into the world, but I am unsure if we will survive. I beseech you, to try to return to court at once, It would at least be a comfort to know that you will be here if something should go wrong, but please, be safe in your return. Your loving Queen, Ingrid.”
As minutes of agony continued, lady Eugenie, returned, her red-gold hair knocked out of place from running, and in tow was a hefty older woman, wearing a plain grey dress, and a concerned look on her face, both women gave a quick curtsy,”Your majesty, I am Celine Delacroix, and I have had the priveliage of bringing your husband and his siblings into this world. I will take pride in myself If I can help you through this.”
Ingrid, while slightly grateful was also rather aggravated,”Thank you, now would you please help me get this damn baby out of my body.”
As the woman approached the bed she chuckled a little,”Feisty, just like your mother-in-law.”
After Celine kneeled by the bed, and performed a rather, in depth inspection of Ingrid and the baby she was trying to deliver, she stood up, and Agnes approached her,”Do you think we should move her to a birthing chair?”
The midwife shook her head as she turned around,”No, the baby is in the right position, but barely so. I fear if we move her it may shift the child so that it comes out feet first rather than by its head, which normally causes the death of the child.”
As the labor continued, Ingrid felt helpless, as hard as she pushed, it didn’t feel like she was making any progress, and she gave the midwife a pleading look,”What do I do, the baby won’t come out.”
“You must rest for a moment your majesty, and then put all of your renewed energies into a harder push, it may seem counter-productive, but sometimes it works.”
Two hours later…
Ingrid did as she was told, and after what seemed like a lifetime of strain and pain, a final push thrust her baby into the midwife’s arms, and it gave a small cry as it was held. Soon enough, as an attendant dealt with the cord that attached it to it’s mother as well. After a minute of watching the small baby being cleaned and swaddled, Ingrid weakly asked,”Is it a boy?”
Agnes shook her head reluctantly,”No your majesty, it is a girl.”
Ingrid felt like bursting into tears,”All of this work, and pain for a daughter, how is this even worth it?”
Aas wet-nurse fed the infant Princess, Ingrid announced,”I think I’ll name her Emma, after my husband’s late sister, I hope that he will not too displeased that our child is not a boy.”
This time Mathilde responded,”I hope not as well, although you are disappointed your majesty, you must remember that Princesses can be useful in their own ways.”
While she felt otherwise, Ingrid nodded in what she hoped would look like agreement,”Very well, bring me my daughter, I wish to hold for but a moment.”
Soon enough Mathilde walked over, focusing all her attention on holding the newborn correctly, and shifted the child into her mother’s arms. In spite of her disappointment, Ingrid couldn’t help but smile a little as she held her daughter in her arms,”At least we both live for now, my daughter.”

Just a couple minutes later, as a wet-nurse fed Emma, to the surprise of all King Phillipe burst through the door, his traveling robes disheveled from rushing and he asked,”Ingrid, are you and our child faring well?”
Ingrid sat up at this, as the surprise gave her some renewed energy,”Yes, we are for no, but how did you get here, I thought you were going to Reims.”
“Well, the wheel on one of our wagons broke down in Senlis, and while we waited for it be fixed we received word that you went into labor. So, me and some of my guards rode as fast as we could.”
Ingrid nodded at this,”I am afraid that I have failed you Phillipe, our child is a girl.”
As Phillipe gently took his sleeping daughter from the arms of the wet nurse he shook his head,”No, you have not failed, you survived, and I will love you and our daughter as much as if you had birthed a boy.”
“But only a son can be king of France.”
“That is true, but you have shown that you are capable of having children, besides, boys will follow.”
Ingrid smiled a little at this,”Thank you for your faith in me my dear, I hope I prove worthy of it.”
“You already have. When the Duke Geoffrey drank himself to death, I lost the only man I could truly trust among my vassals, but this puts things into perspective, you’ve shown me that there is hope for the future after all.”

“But what of our daughter’s health? What shall you do about that?”
“I believe she will simply need more milk than other babies, if she fattens up a little it’ll likely improve her chances of surviving.”
“Thank you Phillipe, now I’d like to rest, if you don’t mind.”
As Phillipe prepared to walk out of the door, ready to take Emma to her crib in the nursery he replied,”Of course you can Ingrid, you’ve earned it.”

 

[codie]

May 1076


They stood in a grassy field, as the sun and clouds seemed to do battle with one another, for now it seemed that the clouds were winning. Phillipe drew his bow, until the arrow’s fletching brushed his beard, he took a deep breath through his nose and released. As the arrow hit the bullseye of the target with a satisfying thump his brother clasped a hand on his shoulder,”Excellent shot Phillipe, the Greeks of old would say you have the blessings of Apollo.”
Their stepfather chuckled a little as he set his goblet of wine on a small table,”Yes, and of Hera as well, Princess Emma is growing well, and is no longer quite as small as she used to be.”

Hugues nocked an arrow in his own bow and murmured,”Yes, though to wait six years for a child, only to have a daughter must be disappointing.”
After his brother released his arrow, hitting the inner circle with a thump Phillipe rose an eyebrow,”I am sure boys will follow brother.
Hugues turned towards his brother smirking,”I hear that is what the husbands of women who only have daughters say.”
The King narrowed his eyes at his brother, and responded in a calm yet firm voice,”You take too many liberties brother, I will not set Ingrid aside.”
“Perhaps you should, before she convinces you to do something that is not in France’s interest.”
Phillipe rose his voice slightly,”Enough! I will hear no more of such talk, you should be grateful to her, you are the godfather of our daughter all.”
Duke Raoul of Picardie walked a little closer,”Now, now, let’s not spoil a perfectly good afternoon over such things.”
“He is right Hugues, now what did you think of the baptism, brother.”
“I think it went well enough, though though Prince-Bishop Hugues was paid a visit by lady Adelinde afterwards.”
“So I’ve heard, your highness, they say she swells with the man’s bastard.”

After sipping some wine Phillipe asked,”Now Raoul, what did Marshal Robrecht report on the status of the war in Iberia?”
“Our forces are doing well so far, they’ve taken Castelló from the infidel, and are currently marching on Barcelona to lift it’s siege.”
Phillipe nodded his head, smiling a little,”That is well, The Duke of Flanders seems to have inherited his father’s talent for strategy.”
“Yes he has, and I hear the Duke of Champagne is eager to fight the infidels in a set piece battle.”

Phillipe’s smile dissipated at this, given his exchange with the Duke’s unhappy wife several years ago,”I heard he does have a decent aptitude for hunting and war.”
Raoul seemed to ignore this change,”The Duke of Burgundy has received your gift and is most grateful for it.”
“I would hope so, I did buy him two dozen fine horses after all.”
“It is wise of you to do so Phillipe, he is of royal blood after all.”

One hour later…
As Phillipe finished spending some quality time with his stepfather, and his brother, he stalked through the hallway of his palace, ready to hear a report on the kingdom’s finances, from the Jew that recently joined his court, Meir of Shellal.

Suddenly, he heard some light footsteps to his rear, he turned around and saw his wife, Ingrid, who smiled,”It is a pleasure to see you again my dear, how was your little outing?”
“It went well, and it was a good opportunity to remind my brother of his duties to our house.”
Ingrid smiled, she normally didn’t when she heard mention of the man she considered an enemy,”Speaking of duties to the House of Capet, I have some good news?”
“What is it? I heard that your father has married a more tolerable woman than his last wife.”

Ingrid shook her head, and placed a hand on the small swell of her stomach,”Not that, I am with child again.”
“Really, it hasn’t even been a year since Emma’s birth?”
“Yes I am sure of it my love, I haven’t bled for two months.”

Phillipe embraced his wife gently, and kissed her on the lips,”That is amazing news, Ingrid. I am so glad that I married you.”
As they pulled away from each other, his wife smiled earnestly,”I feel the same way about you, Phillipe, you have made my the happiest Queen in all of Christendom.”

 

[codie]

December 1076


He sat in his chair, and as he finished eating a cherry he asked,”How many times must I beat back the infidels mother? First, we saved Barcelona, and now we must save Leon?”
His mother considered the question for a moment, and then replied,”Well the Aftasids are more powerful than the Duhunnunids Phillipe. Besides, perhaps doing so would allow you to marry Emma off to the King of Castile’s eldest son.”
“I broached the subject through letter, but he has refused thus far.”
“That’s why this is the perfect opportunity, by saving his brother’s realm from the heathens he may feel grateful enough to accept such a betrothal in the future.”
After considering this Phillipe replied,”You are right of course mother, I just grow frustrated by our ceaseless involvement in Iberia.”

His mother sipped water from her goblet, and spoke in a hesitant tone,”I am afraid that I have another frustrating thing to bring up.”
Phillipe resisted the urge to sigh,”What is it mother?”
“You know that Ingrid purchased foxglove a couple months ago right?”
The king rubbed his forehead,”Yes I know, and I informed her that she was not to try to have my brother killed again.”
“You disposed of the poison right?”
“Yes I made sure that the guards burned it.”
“Good. Though I have the feeling she would murder Hugues if she had the backing to do so.”
Phillipe sighed,”I know. Is it too much to ask that they at least tolerate each other?”
“Apparently it is. You know I actually liked her until I found out about her little plot.”
“You can’t hold it against her for the rest of your lives, I am king and will make sure that nothing comes of her schemes.”
“Perhaps, but I would fear less for your brother’s life if he had somewhere to reside for a while should your court prove too hostile.”
“Couldn’t he go to Raoul’s court?”
“He’d be amiable but I’m not sure if we would have the money to host him in a way befitting of his status.”
“Are you saying that you want me to grant him a fief of his own?”
“That’s exactly what I mean, you could grant him Senlis or Orleans.”
Phillipe shook his head,”I’m sorry but I couldn’t give him either of those titles.”
Anna’s face reddened and she huffed,”You won’t even do so for his own safety?!”
The king rose a hand,”Mother, I will grant him a title one day, I promise you that much, just not one that forms the core of my demesne.”
His mother returned to a more placid demeanor,”It’s not ideal, but I know you will try.”

After a brief moment of quiet they were interrupted by hurried rapping on the door and a middle-aged woman rushed through the door,”What matter warrants this interruption?”
“I beg your pardon your majesty, but it’s urgent, the Queen is going into labor.”
Phillipe rose from his chair,”Then I must go see her!”
His mother held his arm for a moment,”I’m sorry but you shouldn’t.”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“It wouldn’t be proper; besides, you are no midwife, your presence would do little good.”
Phillipe shook her hand off,“But she’s my wife, her life could be in danger!”
His mother gave him a pleading look,“Phillipe, my son, please stay here. I promise that your presence would not make any difference as to the fate of your wife and child.”
As much as he wanted to go to his wife in this moment, he knew his mother was right, so he resigned himself to the dreadful business of waiting.
Two hours later…
Phillipe and his mother stood outside the door to Ingrid’s chambers, and after a moment of apprehension he pushed the door open. As he took first few steps into the room he heard an ecstatic voice,”Phillipe, come meet our son.”
As Phillipe stopped at the left of his wife’s bed, he smiled broadly at the squalling infant in his wife’s arms,”I am so happy that you both have survived, it seems that our son is a demanding prince already.”
Soon enough Phillipe took his hefty son into his arms, but the baby continued to cry a little, and his mother walked closer to him,”May I hold him?”
The king nodded, and transferred the boy into his grandmother’s arms, who smiled as her grandson stopped crying,”That’s better isn’t it.”
Anna then looked to her daughter-in-law,”Have you two chosen a name for him?”
Phillipe cleared his throat,”We decided to name him Charles, after Charles the great, who made our kingdom the most powerful of all Christendom.”
His mother smiled a little at this,”Then I hope that he will prove worthy of the name.”
“Thank you mother, and to ensure that he does, I would like Raoul to educate him once his old enough.”
“Thank you Phillipe, Raoul will make a fine mentor, and Charles will be a great king one day, like his father.”

 

[codie]

The palace was filled with the sound of rain pounding against its rooftops, perhaps an inauspicious sign for how the summer would proceed. Still, for now it was going well, as they sat in one of the palace’s sitting rooms. As Phillipe sat his goblet down on the low table in front of him, he thought“It is nice to be able to spend time with my family.” Of course, it wasn’t his whole family, just his natal family. Ingrid was naturally not present given her disdain for his brother, and was instead spending time in the royal nursery, hounding the staff to ensure that everything was perfect for Prince Charles. While he was pleased to hear of his wife’s attention towards their son, he couldn’t help but get the feeling that she seemed to care more about Charles than Emma. He was soon broke from his train of thought when his half-sister Adele asked,”Brother, how do you like Lady Helie so far?”

Their brother looked rather flummoxed by the question, and nearly stammered,”I like her well enough, though the pressures of marrying into our family have weighed on her lately.”
Their mother chimed in,”I’m sorry to hear that, though surely she shouldn’t be surprised, you’ve been betrothed since you were children.”
“She still finds public events tiresome... It’s just as well, she’s my wife not an envoy”

“I’m glad she wasn’t here for the baptism of little Charles then.”
His mother weighed in on the event,”Yes it was a grand occasion, even if his godfather is a brute.”
Phillipe shrugged,”That may be true but I wanted someone of status to be his godfather, after all the Cardinal Guilhem officiated the ceremony.”

Adele hesitantly asked,”Do you think he may be Pope one day?”
The king shook his head in reply,”I don’t believe so, he’s already rather old and the Curia is, as usual dominated by Italians.”
After a few minutes of less important conversation Phillipe announced,”I am sad to hear that the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy has passed, she had a hard life.”
His mother nodded with a mournful look,”To outlive both of her husbands and three of her children must have caused her immense sorrow, yet she was steadfast in her faith to her dying breath.”
Phillipe nodded, suddenly inspired,”Yes it is admirable, our army in Iberia must honor her memory by beating back the Moor from the walls of Leon.”

 

[codie]

December 1077


Phillipe sat in the study that the Duke of Normandy used to handle the realms finances, and bookkeeping, pouring over the monthly taxation report, and looking at a piece of parchment he noticed a particularly striking line,”Montpellier-Twenty Livres, One hundred P.I.K..”
As the Duke finished reading a different piece of parchment, the king looked at him from the side of the desk, and pointed at the parchment,”What exactly does P.I.K. mean, Duke William?”
The Duke of Normandy looked over and replied,”Oh that? It means how much the taxes paid in kind is equivalent too, for sale or for the crown’s use.”
“Ah, I see, thank you. I’m glad you have a better handle on these things than I.”
“Well such matters are complicated, your majesty, I am happy to handle this for you.”
Over the course of the next half hour, Phillipe continued to look over taxation reports, when suddenly, he and the Duke were interrupted by a curt rap on the door.
“Come in, I hope this is important.”
The doors were soon opened, and revealed something somewhat unexpected, the little Princess Emma, firmly holding the hand of her rail thin nanny, who gave a reluctant explanation,”I beg your pardon your majesty, her highness absolutely insisted on seeing you.”
As he stood from his seat Phillipe rose an eyebrow,”I thought you were supposed to behave for the nannies Emma?”
The toddler shook her redhead in defiance and stomped her foot,”I don’t want nannies, I want you daddy.”
The king resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and he turned to the Duke of Normandy,”I’m sorry but I must leave now.”
The Duke merely chuckled in response,”My Robert was the same way at her age.”

After a minute of walking through the palace’s corridors and listening to his daughter’s chattering, Phillipe and his men arrived at Emma’s nursery, as her brother, as France’s heir had a separate one. As the king sat on a short stool, his daughter happily skipped to the corner of the room, grabbed a wooden small doll and, presented it with a broad smile,”Say hello to Adelina father.”
Phillipe chuckled as he noticed the doll’s dark hair,”She looks like your aunt Adele.”
“Yes, she’s very pretty like Auntie Adele.”
Phillipe smiled at his daughter, his mother bought the doll for Emma, and had also bought another one for her own daughter, a redhaired one, that Adele named Emilie. After a few minutes of playing with her doll, Emma gave Phillipe a pensive look,”I miss grandma Anna and auntie Adele.”
Phillipe nodded,”I know you do, they couldn’t visit last week because of a snowstorm, they’ll be here for Christmas though.”
Emma smiled at this, and hugged her father’s right arm, who nuzzled his chin up against her hair, and kissed the top of her head,”Your grandmother Rannveig should be in court by the end of January as well.”
This prompted an excited squeal from his daughter, which caused Phillipe to chuckle, and for the next hour he and his daughter happily played in her nursery. As his daughter tired, Phillipe tucked his daughter into her bed, and as he started hearing her snoring, he heard a light knock on the door. The King, not wanting to disturb his sleeping daughter, got up from his stool, and opened the door, and quietly shut it.
In front him was a young man, his drab clothes caked with snow and mud from traveling, and Phillipe rose an eyebrow,”What is this about?”
The man grimaced and pulled a piece of parchment out of a brown pouch,”The army was defeated by the infidels while trying to lift the siege of Valencia de Campos.”
As Phillipe stood in shock, he didn’t notice the man trying to hand him the piece of parchement, who awkwardly cleared his throat,”Your majesty, this letter contains the details of the battle.”
The king took the letter without a word, and dismissed the man with a wave of his hand,”Go get some food and rest.”
Minutes later…
Phillipe read the letter with disbelief, as he sat at his desk and as he scanned the middle of the letter once more,”The enemy plans helped us a little and the men fought bravely, yet the Moor had the high ground, and their horse archers endlessly harassed them. Ultimately, after our assault was pushed back for the third time, we were forced to flee the field, leaving behind our many dead. We likely lost almost half our number, while the Moor only lost only a quarter of their men. I am sorry to be writing this to you, but as the King of France, I felt you needed to know.
Humblest regrets, Duke Etienne III of Champagne.”

The king shook his head, tears forming in his eyes,”This is a shameful defeat… I am need of new strategy, and new generals, though perhaps what we truly need is a miracle from god.”

 

[codie]

November 1078


He walked through the grassy field outside the palace, happily inhaling the chilly autumn air. He was not alone however, for the King was accompanied by his brother Prince Hugues, who also seemed pleased to be outside. As they continued to walk Phillipe turned to his brother and asked,”How does little Henri fare?”
Hugues gave him a neutral look,”Well enough I suppose, though his health has been precarious since his birth, he has survived this long, and for that I am grateful.”
“I am very happy to be an uncle, I will ensure that your son is always well taken care of.”

“Thank you Phillipe, know that I will do the same for your children, should it be necessary, and that I will help your son with his rule one day.”
Phillipe gave his brother a steely look,”You imagine me dead brother? Some think that treason, perhaps the Queen is right about you?”
His brother blanched, and fell to his knees,”No your majesty, I swear I will always be a loyal subj-“
The last word was cut off by Phillipe’s booming laughter, and motioned his brother to get up,”I jest Hugues, I jest.”
As he caught his breath he exclaimed,”Oh that was a good one, I certainly had you there.”
His brother gave him a look of betrayal, and then started laughing himself,”You, son of a bitch, I can’t believe I fell for that.”
Phillipe doubled over, his laughter growing even more intense,”That makes you one too brother!”

As the laughing men made their way back to the keep of Melun, they noticed a pair of riders coming their way, the hooves of their mounts leaving a trail of dust in their wake, as it had been an unusually dry autumn. Finally, the men stopped before them, and clambered down their mounts. As the larger of the two approached them and bowed, the king noticed the man’s long, black hair streaked with grey and the resemblance was unmistakable,” Duke Robrecht of Flanders, what matter demands such haste?”
“My apologies your majesty, and Prince Hugues, but there is a peasant woman who demands an audience.”
Prince Hugues, smirked and turned to his brother,”This isn’t a particular friend of yours is it, brother?”
The king shook his head emphatically,”No, I’ve laid with no woman other than my wife.”
The Duke of Flanders cleared his throat,”I was wrong to call her a woman, she’s a girl really, and well, she claims that god has spoken to her.”
“And what does that have to do with your duties as marshal?”
“She has arms and armor in her possession, she says she wants to fight for you in Iberia.”
Though he felt a little skeptical, Phillipe waved the Duke and his escort away,”Very well then, I shall see what this girl has to offer, you have my thanks for informing me of this.”
The Duke inclined his head before mounting his horse,”Of course my king.”

In truth, the campaign in Iberia was still going poorly, a clash with a bunch of jumped up peasants at Malazan had cost the lives of nearly seven hundred of his men, though the Duke of Normandy’s competent command (Who was granted leave from his duties as steward to lead troops) ensured that casualties were lower than they could have been. Also, though they made some progress by liberating Zamora from Aftasid occupation, the French army in Leon was still numerically inferior compared to their enemies.

As the Duke and the guard rode away, and the King and his brother made their to the keep Hugues rose an eyebrow,”Are you certain that you wish to entertain the peasant’s delusions brother?”
Phillipe shrugged,”I would be a fool to turn down any help at this point. Besides, it would be proper to at least hear what she has to say.”
“Nothing about this situation is proper Phillipe.”
Phillipe resisted the urge to berate his brother,”And yet here we are”
After a few minutes of walking in companionable silence the pair made their way back into the palace and found themselves outside the throne room. Soon enough Phillipe entered through the door, and, ignoring the situation before him, sat upon his throne in the most dignified manner possible. Soon after taking his seat the king regarded the young woman kneeling before the dais. With her blonde hair pulled back into a bun, the mail that she wore, and the sword strapped to her hip, she looked prepared for battle.
Phillipe cleared his throat and motioned towards the girl,”What is your name girl?”
The girl, still kneeling, looked up towards him,”Jeanne, your majesty, I hail from Chartres.”
The king nodded,”Good, you may stand.”
As the young woman hesitantly got to her feet, Phillipe asked,”I hear that you claim that god has sent you to deliver us from the infidel, how do you plan to do so?”
“I would lead your armies on the field of battle against them, and fight for god and you, your majesty.”
He mulled her words over for a moment, “Does she truly know anything about the art of war? Maybe this will be worth the risk, and that she will succeed where others have failed.”
Soon enough, he made his decision, and announced it to the crowd with a confidant voice,”You may command my men on the field of battle Jeanne. I know you care deeply for the welfare of the Crown and our people, may god grant you and my men victory, Jeanne of Chartres.”
Jeanne gave him a huge smile,”Thank you your majesty, I hope I will prove worthy of this honor.”

Soon enough, Jeanne departed the keep, yet as soon as she did, the King heard protests from some of the realm’s prominent nobles. Duke Etienne III of Champagne looked particularly disgruntled and asked,”Are you really going to put troops under the command of a peasant girl who may well be a heretic, like those of Macon?”
Phillipe smirked at him,”Yes I will, because I am the King of France and you are not.”
The Duke glared at him,”Flouting the will of your nobility will make it difficult for you to keep peace in your realm, King Phillipe.”
The King narrowed his eyes at the Duke,”Perhaps, yet you and the loose Duchess of Berry conspire against me.”
The Duke of Champagne’s face reddened,”How dare you insult the Duchess of Berry, she is a lady beyond reproach, and is not even here to defend her honor.”
Phillipe laughed bitterly,”It seems you’ve never learned what the word reproach means, and you accused Jeanne of heresy right after she left. Regardless, The Maid of Chartres shall give me victory where you failed miserably.”
The Duke gave the King an angry look,”Very well then, I will see myself out.”

As the Duke of Champagne walked out, the few others who protested were cowed, with the crowd dismissed, Ingrid lightly tugged on her husband’s sleeve from her throne,”I hope this will be worth the Duke’s anger Phillipe.”
Phillipe gave his wife a reassuring look,”He already conspires against me, it could hardly make things worse with him, besides, he was the one who failed in Iberia.”
Ingrid raised an eyebrow, and lowered her voice”Perhaps you should dispose of the both of them.”
“Jeanne and Champagne?”
“Yes, them, they may seek to use their battlefield accolades as reason to challenge you.”
“I would believe it of Champagne, but Jeanne? No, she has neither lands nor reason to do so.”
His queen narrowed her eyes at him“So you will act against Champagne and not her?”
Phillipe shook his head emphatically,”No, I will not act against the Duke, unless he openly rebels against me such a thing would only give the other lords reason to try to depose me.”
Ingrid was clearly displeased but nodded her head,”If you insist on doing nothing about him I won’t press the matter.”
Phillipe sighed in relief,“Good, I’ve had enough debates for one day.”

 

[codie]

December 1078


As she gazed upon the scene unfolding before her, Jeanne took a deep breath and crossed herself,”Lord grant us victory over the infidel, today we will need thine blessings.”
In truth, it seemed that the odds were stacked against them, she and the men under her command, along with the rest of the army were badly outnumbered, for the Aftasid Sultan had nearly five thousand men at his disposal, while the French army did not even number four thousand. “Still, it is not hopeless, my men are brave, stout warriors.”
She sat upon her steed, surrounded by a handful of knights, and trotted towards the infantry line, composed mostly of heavy infantry arrayed in a shield wall, with the light infantry and spearmen on the flanks, and archers behind them. This was an inelegant formation, one that she hoped would be able to hold it’s own against their foes. She looked over their heads to the advancing enemy column and raised her lance to the air,”Men, today we fight the infidel on their own terms, but I am glad for it, for they will have little room to run when we crush the bastards. Remember that today we fight for God, and his chosen people, and that if we win, we will deliver the poor people of Iberia from their tyranny. Now, are you all ready to send these dogs to hell?!”
This was met with many cheers from her men, for her speech seemed to have helped assuage their fears and reminded them of what they were fighting for. Soon enough, the battle went into full swing, with the Moorish horse archers and foot archers raining arrows down on the French infantry. Fortunately, the shield wall helped mitigate the number of casualties her men suffered, yet occasionally a lucky shot would make it through and leave a man dead or dying. Her own archers soon returned fire, and were able to kill many of the enemies skirmishers, with one horse archer being comically dragged through the frost by his horse, as he tried to staunch the blood from an arrow lodged in his belly. The battle continued in this vein for some time, until the remaining enemy archers and horse archers retreated behind the infantry and other cavalry.

At this short break in the battle she glanced to her right, were she noticed the men under the Duke of Normandy’s command in the center engaging in an initially indecisive cavalry engagement with the Moorish center.”We are blessed to have such an experienced lord command the center of our army.”
Soon enough however the enemy properly began to engage her troops, with about two dozen Moorish heavy cavalry leading the charge against her infantry, thus she spurred her warhorse, and her paltry bodyguard rode to the left to try and defeat them. Within just a moment she found herself charging against one of their number, and managed to pierce the man’s throat, leaving him to choke on his own blood. Shortly thereafter, a different man charged at her, and from his standard she ascertained that he was likely a member of the lower nobility. After urging her horse forward, the two met with a crash, and both were unhorsed, their dulled lances hitting one another in the chest. As she rose to her feet, the maid of Chartres drew her sword, and noticed the melee unfolding around her, many men on both sides determined to kill one another. Within a minute the man who she had unhorsed was on his feet, equipped with mace and shield. Thus, the were now engaged in the deadly dance of combat. The man swung his mace at her, and Jeanne blocked the blow with her shield, grimacing as her left arm felt the full force of the blow. She countered with a swipe across the man’s midsection, and the man, with his stomach lacerated, fell on his own mace, and drew his last breath.

The battle wore on, but by the end of the hour, the Aftasid troops were repulsed, and the French cavalry started to run down the stragglers. As the battle drew to a close, The Duke of Normandy, alongside some of his bodyguards approached Jeanne, who had just gotten back on her horse, and the aged men gave her a pleased look,”I admit, I had my doubts about you girl, but you have proven yourself an able leader of men on this day. The King will be most pleased by our conduct on this day.”
Jeanne smiled,”Thank you milord, but we truly have God to thank for our victory on this day.”
The Duke nodded,”Indeed, for it is He that has gave us our talent for command.”

 

[codie]

July 1079

“The wine of Champagne is exquisite, it even looks wonderful” At least, that was Phillipe’s opinion as he contemplated the bubbling pink liquid in a glass goblet before him on the dining table. Ingrid for her part smirked as she took a small sip of her own, and a moment later whispered in his ear,”It’s all very gauche isn’t it? Though I suppose you like it dear.”
He smirked a little at this, and smiled broadly at the Duke of Champagne,”Thank you for hosting us this evening, the wine is delicious, and I assume the food will match it in quality.”
The other red-haired man smiled a little,”Thank you for your praise, though our brewers apparently can’t get rid of the damn bubbles in the wine.”
Phillipe laughed at this,”I assure you that it is fine Etienne, I find it rather entertaining.”
The Duke took a sip of his own wine and asked a tentative question, “I am honored by your visit your majesties, but I was curious as to why you visit us here today?”
As several servants entered the room and started to place various dishes onto the table, the king replied,”Well, while we have not always agreed, I appreciate that you are not afraid to speak your mind. Also, you have proven yourself a competent commander by using the Catalan mercenaries and our Breton allies to rout the heretics at Cluny, which has impressed me. Thus, I would like to appoint you as one of my advisors, with a seat on the council.”
The Duke sat wide eyed for a moment,”But of course I will accept this King Phillipe, I am honored to receive such a position.”
“Good, so I presume you will stop backing the Duchess of Berry’s intrigues?”
Though the Duke looked somewhat pained he nodded,”Of course your majesty.”

Phillipe looked to his left, on the other side of the table and noticed Jeanne, picking at some cabbage, she had asked to accompany him on this trip, during her leave from command for the month, and he saw no reason to refuse her. However, this prompted Ingrid, despite her new pregnancy to insist on going, and Phillipe could not help but think that the Queen did not trust the Maid of Chartres. Why, he did not know, perhaps his wife feared that she Jeanne may involve herself in schemes, though the young woman was always grateful and exceedingly loyal to Phillipe.

As they started to eat, and Phillipe bit into a buttered roll, Duchess Eve of Champagne asked,”Where are your children, your majesties? I think my Masacrose and Thibault would like to meet them, they are around the same age after all.”
Phillipe’s Queen answered for him,”They wished to visit their step grandfather, and grandmother, The Duke and Duchess of Picardie, as well as their aunt Adele, so we’re having them stay in Amiens for a week’s time.”
The Duchess of Champagne awkwardly responded,”Oh I see.”

After finishing his roll Phillipe replied, looking at the woman who had once given him the opportunity to be his lover, she seemed happier than she was that night,”I will ensure that they do meet soon though. It would be splendid if they became friends.”
“Thank you, my king, you give us great honors.”
Phillipe shook his head,”It is nothing, I simply do what I can to keep the realm from tearing itself asunder.”
As the Duke of Champagne bit into a chicken leg, he chuckled,”I suppose it is good that our interests happen to align with yours on this occasion.”
“Indeed it does my good Duke.”
As the feast went on, and a dessert course of fruit and other sweet foods was served, the Duchess Eve asked Ingrid,”Do you think your next child will be a boy or a girl?”
Ingrid contemplated this for a moment, and after moving a sugar dusted Crepe onto her plate replied,”I am not sure, my last child was a boy, so it stands to reason that this one will likely be a girl.”
Eve smiled at this,”Have you thought of names?”
The Queen nodded in affirmation,”Probably Anne if it’s a girl, or Louis if it turns out to be a boy.”
“Those are fine names your majesty.”
One hour later…
With the feast now over, Phillipe sat by himself in a chair in the guest chambers assigned to him in the keep of Provins, his wife having retired to her own chambers, as she was nursing the effects of drinking too much wine. Suddenly, as he sipped from a goblet filled with water, he heard a knock on the door, and he turned to his left,”Who is this?”
He heard a feminine voice reply,”It’s me, Jeanne.”
“Come in then.”
As the door opened he regarded the Jeanne as she walked through the door, for this visit she wore the same dark green gown that she wore to the feast, and by some miracle managed not to get any food or drink on it. He motioned to a chair adjacent to the bed, and soon enough Jeanne picked the chair up, and sat across from Phillipe. Philippe cleared his throat and asked,”What is it that you wished to talk about Jeanne?”
The young woman smiled broadly,”I have come to tell you more about why I lead your men in the fight against the infidel.”
Phillipe nodded, he was always happy to hear from this woman, that he regarded as a friend and loyal servant, she had after all, turned the tide of the war, and Jeanne began,”When I was just sixteen, I received my first vision from God and his angels, it was right after my close friend Violante’s husband, Marcel, left to fight against the Moor. In it I saw the Lord, Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, they told me that I would one day have to fight the Moor myself and would face great adversity doing so. Yet they also said that if I kept my faith in them, and you, the King of this realm, I would receive the blessings needed to help you defeat the Duhhunnids, and protect the Christians of Iberia from their cruelty.”

The woman paused, to sip some water, and continued, with a tear streaming down her cheek,”Just four months later I received the news that Marcel had died at the end of a Mohammedan lance, at Valencia de Campos, and I knew that as I looked upon my friend’s heart broken face, and saw the swell in her belly, of the unborn child that would never meet it’s father, that I was destined to avenge Marcel, and bring the infidel to justice.”
Phillipe felt saddened at this,”I am sorry for your loss Jeanne, but you my dear, are truly here by the will of Jesus.”
Jeanne looked back at him with tears of fervor in her eyes,”My lord, you are the highest and also the wisest man in the realm. God shall guide you through me and the Christian people will be saved. With the sword of righteousness in my hand, guided by your wisdom and the will of god, we shall be victorious.”
The king emphatically nodded,”Indeed we shall be Jeanne, and the heretics within the realm shall be exterminated as well.”

 

[codie]

December 1079


Ingrid sat in a padded chair, and weaved a stitch in a blue tunic, and smiled,”This one suits Phillipe well.”
Her chief lady’s maid, Agnes, approached with a smile, and set a goblet down upon a small table next to the Queen who nodded,”Thank you for the wine Agnes.”
The older woman gave her an odd smile but said nothing, and as she picked up the goblet and looked at the pale yellow liquid within, Ingrid saw why, and exclaimed,”Mead? Where did you get this? I haven’t had it since the Prince was born!”
Agnes grinned at this,”It’s a gift from his majesty, he knows that you missed your homeland and he bought three caskets of it to remind you of the love he bears for you in this delicate time.”

Ingrid suppressed a blush and smiled warmly,”I am most pleased with this, the King has always treated me well, and I am grateful for his dedication.”. As Ingrid finished a sip of the sweet mead, she heard one of her maids murmur,” Many of the maids smiled at this, as they went about their duties, and the next few minutes without incident as Ingrid finished sewing Phillipe’s tunic. As Ingrid finished a sip of the sweet mead, she heard one of her maids murmur,”I hear that the heretics at Macon have risen in rebellion again, will we ever have peace?”
Another maid replied,”I know, the even killed the Prince-Bishop of Reims! They castrated and tortured the poor man to death.”
The Queen shook her head at this,”It is ghastly, though the Prince-Bishop was hardly the most virtuous man.”
Several nodded at this, for Prince-Bishop Hugues was notorious for his lechery. Just months before his death had even put a bastard in the belly of Constance de Normandie, the penultimate daughter of the Duke of Normandy, the same woman who had once been betrothed to another Hugues, Phillipe’s brother, and Ingrid quietly scoffed,”My brother by law would have deserved that whore.”

As she ended this train of thought a pretty fifteen year old brunette amongst her maid’s chirped,”I am sure that the lady Jeanne will be able to defeat the heretics, as she has the infidels.”
Ingrid gave the girl a glare,”Do not mention that woman’s name in my presence Blanche, I already suffer hearing my husband sing her praises.”
The girl’s eyes widened and she gave a small bow,”Please forgive me your majesty, I meant no offense.”
Ingrid kept a stony expression on her face and grunted,”Of course, just don’t do it again girl.”
In truth, her suspicion of Jeanne of Chartres went beyond simple annoyance, Ingrid was truly jealous of the peasant bitch, as her closeness to the king made her suspect that she sought to lay with him. She had no concrete evidence, but that would not stop Ingrid from being suspicious of the woman, especially as Phillipe had not took her to his bed during her current pregnancy. Suddenly, as Ingrid finished her mead there was a knock on the door, and a drenched courier bowed before her. Ingrid motioned to the roaring fire at the far left of the room and the young man gave her a grateful smile as he walked towards it. After standing for a moment the courier cleared his throat and said,”I have news from Iberia your majesty.”
The Queen raised an eyebrow,”Well have our forces finally prevailed?”
The courier nodded with a grim look on his face,”Yes, the outnumbered royal forces have prevailed, though at great cost. Nearly half of their number were killed, while the infidels lost a little over half of their men.”
Ingrid sat in her chair and looked at the man,”Why do you seem in distress then, it seems that our kingdom has won a glorious victory.”
“Well, one of our generals, Jeanne of Chartres was killed as well. They say that before she cut the enemy commander Jyad’s head off, she was stabbed in the side, and died minutes later, they say the last words she shouted were,”For God and the King.””

Ingrid took a deep breath and shook her head, the news was like a punch to the belly, and she thought to herself,”The last thoughts I had of her before her death were ill ones, when she was nothing but a loyal knight to my husband.”

 

[codie]

April 1080



He stood outside the keep of Bordeaux, its towers of grey stone cutting an imposing figure behind him, and he, clad in leathers, with a sumptuous blue cape clambered upon his mount, a light brown Courser named Pierre. Phillipe smiled and patted the young Colt on the neck, and he responded with a happy snort,”Barely three summers and he already responds well to my commands.”
He looked around at the party accompanying him, there were dozens of servants, retainers, and guards, some his, others wearing the livery of the House de Poitou. Indeed, the party slated to depart for the woods was a mixed one, for his Spymaster, Guilhem, The Duke of Aquitaine had been responsible for arranging this meeting, one that Phillipe arranged while his wife recovered from the birth of their third child, the Princess Anne,”She would want little to do with this anyways.”
Soon enough Phillipe rose his voice,”We shall now make for the woods, it would be rude to keep our guest waiting.”

Half an hour later…
Phillipe led the party to a clearing in the woods, where many of the trees were starting to bud, and birds sang their cheerful songs,”I hope this is a good sign for the negotiations.”
He sat on his horse for minutes, and he noticed some of the others growing anxious as there was no sign of the other party and the King looked back towards them and gave them reassurances,”I am sure they will arrive soon, after all it is not every day that one gets to meet the King of France.”
It was as if the far away party heard him, as the sound of a deep horn soon filled his ears, and within a minute another party of nearly equal splendor approached. At its head was a well-built man, with streaks of grey running through his brown hair, and goatee, wearing a very similar outfit to Phillipe’s, except that his cape was red, like the flag of his Kingdom, and Phillipe inclined his head respectfully and said in the langue d'oc(a compromise language),”King Sancho, it is an honor to finally meet you.”
The older man gave him a broad smile as he brought his own mount to a stop, and replied in the same language,”Likewise King Phillipe, I am glad to met the man who has dedicated so much to the defense of Christendom.”
Phillipe nearly blushed at the praise, he was not used to being praised by an equal, and he smiled,”Well your brother needed assistance against the infidel, so I saw no reason not to render it to him.”
Sancho chuckled a little,”My brother Alfonso may be a snake, but the loss of his lands would tip the scales of power in favor of the Muslims, so I suppose that also factored into your decision.”
The younger man nodded,”Admittedly it did, the Muslims ravaged these very lands less than four hundred years ago. Better to stop them in Iberia than let them gather the strength to strike elsewhere.”
“You are rather clever, I can see how’ve managed to keep your realm together for so long.”
Phillipe decided to reply with a complement of his own,”And you possess great valor, having personally fought against our foes.”
“Thank you, though I am sad to hear of the death of Jeanne of Chartres. I only met her once but she struck me as one of the most heroic and godly women I’ve ever met, hopefully your forces will continue to be well led.”
The French king felt a twinge of sadness, for he had admired her simplicity in her devotion to defeating the realm’s enemies,”Yes, I have never had a subject so devoted to fighting our enemies, the Queen and I mourn her loss greatly. I was so angered by news of her death that I evenhad two of the Mayors that commanded the heathen army killed.”
The Castilian King gestured towards their now combined party, where the Castilians and French were intermingling,”Shall we go hunting now?”
Phillipe nodded,”But of course, let us begin.”

Half an hour later…
The royal hunting party felt worn, they had been riding through the woods outside of Bordeaux for some time, and there was little sign of game worth killing. Sure, they saw a small herd of red deer, shortly after their departure, but they were just half a dozen does, looking after their fawns, suitable only for witnessing the gentleness that they bore for their young. As they rode on king Sancho asked Phillipe,”I must congratulate you on the birth of your third child. Is it not ironic that we have the same number of children during this meeting?”
Phillipe laughed a little,”Yes it certainly is, though there are concerns about little Anne.”
Sancho raised an eyebrow,”What sort of concerns?”
“That she is somehow misshapen, and that she is somewhat short..”
“Do you think she may be some sort of dwarf?”
“No, they say that the misshapenness is much worse in dwarves, but she will still be a great deal shorter.”
The other king nodded at this,”That must be a relief th-.”
Sancho’s response was suddenly cut of by a shout of,”A boar!”
True enough, there was a boar, a large male some distance away contently munching upon some long dead leaves. The party knew enough to quiet down so as to not alert the beast and Phillipe dismounted from his horse, and quietly motioned for a bow and quiver. The other king happened to be doing a very similar thing at the same time, instead grabbing a spear from a Castilian attendant. The two kings soon grinned at one another and started to sneak their way towards the boar. Once in range Phillipe held his bow and arrow in a semi horizontal manner and drew his bow. He soon took a deep breath and loosed an arrow, which struck the boar on the shoulder, which let out a pained squeal, but soon turned towards Phillipe with an enraged demeanor. As the boar charged at him the French King rolled out of the way, and the boar let out one final squeal as Sancho thrust his spear into its skull. Catching his breath Phillipe approached King Sancho and gave him a firm grasp on the forearm,”Thank you, this hunt has been successful, has it not?”
The Castilian King gave him a broad smile,”It certainly has, would it not be fitting if we ate our kill during tonight’s feast?”
The French king smirked,“Indeed, it would, indeed it would.”
Later that night…
Phillipe took a small bite off of his hunk of boar and smiled a little as he tasted the juicy meat. After swallowing the morsel he turned towards the King of Castile and asked,”We work together rather well, do we not? Perhaps we can find a way to bind our Kingdoms together Sancho?”
Sancho finished a sip of wine, and raised an eyebrow,”What is it that you propose Phillipe?”
“A betrothal between my eldest daughter Emma, and your eldest son Fernando, and an alliance between us.”
The other man ran his fingers against the table,”This is much to consider, yet the age difference may be an issue. Your daughter is seven years younger than my son, he would be twenty three by the time he would wed her, by which time he could have wedded a girl his own age and have several children.”
Phillipe nodded respectfully,”That is true, yet you would have the support of my levy, the levy which has saved your brother’s kingdom, and, if required, can help you take it from him.”
Sancho sat silent for a moment, mulling over the implications of the matter, and after sipping more wine finally replied,”I am currently in no position to expand my own realm, the war with the infidel has greatly depleted my own treasury. Yet, that gives me more reason to accept, for I know that you will defend my Kingdom should it come under attack. Yes, I will gladly accept your offer, King Phillipe.”
Phillipe beamed at him,”Thank you for accepting, I promise that you will always be able to count upon my support, and that together we will crush our enemies.”

After a few minutes of merriment the King of Castile looked to the opposite end of the table where Phillipe’s mother Anna of Kiev, laughed at one of Queen Leonor’s jokes, and as he turned back to Phillipe asked,”Tell me, what was the Princess Emma’s aunt like?”

“I’m not sure, Ingrid wasn’t particularly close to her half-sisters.”
“Forgive me, I meant the Princess’s namesake, the girl whom I was once betrothed to.”
Phillipe grimaced at the mention of his late younger sister,”Ah, I see.”
Sancho apologized,”I’m sorry, we need not discuss this if you do not wish to.”
Phillipe dismissed his concerns with a slightly raised hand,”No it is fine, merely painful memories. My sister Emma had the same red hair as my brother and I and had green eyes like my mother. As for her demeanor, she was generally quiet and enjoyed playing chess and reading philosophical works. In short, with no disrespect intended towards your wife, she would have made a fine Queen.”
The Castilian king nodded,”She sounds like she would have… I’m sure your daughter will be a great Queen to my son on day. Thank you for this meeting King Phillipe.”
The French king smiled,”The pleasure was mine King Sancho, the pleasure was mine.”



Notes
1) I'm using the Improved Genetics 2.0 Mod, as such Princess Emma has the Burly and Dim traits(toned done versions of the strong and slow traits), while Princess Anne has the Burly and Tiny Traits(The latter of which is a worse version of the short trait but isn't as bad as being a dwarf)
2)As you will all find out Anna of Kiev has other reasons for visiting Bordeaux...

 

[codie]

September 1080



Phillipe took a generous chug of wine, he was certainly in the mood for merriment this night, here in his private chambers, with his siblings. The wine, and roaring fire gave him a warm feeling that made him even more friendly than usual. His brother picked up him own goblet and proclaimed,”I propose a toast, to our sister, the future Duchess of Aquitaine.”
As their three goblets clanked together Phillipe marveled at the circumstances that led to the betrothal,”Of course mother accompanied me to Bordeaux to find a proper suitor for Adele, she is now slated to wed the heir to the wealthiest and largest duchies in the realm.” Of course, Phillipe was pleased by the political ramifications as well, for by marrying the king’s half-sister, Guilhem de Poitou’s loyalty was secured. He looked over to Adele, who had also only taken a small sip of wine and teased her,”I hear your betrothed is a handsome boy, is he not?”
The girl blushed a little,”Yes he I suppose you could say that Phillipe.”

Prince Hugues interjected,”Good, I hope that you will be happy in your role there;”
Adele nodded,”I think I will be, of course I will be sad to be leaving Picardie but I’m sure I’ll be able to still see mother and everyone else.”
Phillipe gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder,”Of course you will, and when it comes time for Emma to leave for Castile it gives me comfort that you will be able to easily visit with one another.”
“Hopefully the realm will be more peaceful by then as well.”
The king nodded at this,”I would hope so, the Waldensians are determined but we have crushed them time and time again, and we beat back the Infidel from Leon as well.”

Soon enough the siblings refilled their goblets, and performed another toast, with Prince Hugues exclaiming,”To peace in the realm!”
Almost as soon as they took their first sips, there was a desperate series of knocks on the door, and though Phillipe felt like cursing he kept a pleasant look on his face,”Come in, if you are interrupting us at this hour it must be something important.”
It indeed seemed to be important, for the courier's clothes and blonde hair were disheveled, and as he stumbled into the room he cave a hasty bow,”My apologies your majesty, but I have grave news: the Waldensians have risen again in Macon!”