Chapter 14 - 1168 to 1176: The Tyrant Kings
Breselueu grew up as the youngest child, always in the shadow of his older brother, always ignored as others plotted his fate. His older brother Ralf, whom he had always been jealous of, and for whom he had never any love, or hate, was dead. No one predicted anything great of him. Now, he, Breselueu, is the new Duke of East Anglia after the passing of his father.
After the initial tumultuous years of Loup's rule of England, it seems the Kingdom has quieted down. It did come with the price of several imprisoned dukes in the dungeons of Bedford. Nevertheless, the following years seem to hold the promise of an unnatural peace in England. But, King Loup, thirsty for more power, it seems, begins a restructuring of the duchies, revoking the Duchy of Hwicce from its imprisoned Duchess, the Duchy of Lancaster from the Duke of Mercia, and the Duchy of Kent from its rightful ruler. With the changes, he disrupts much of the peace that the end of the civil wars brought, creating hatred and anger among his vassals.
In March of 1169, Constança is pregnant for the first time, and in October, a daughter is born. They name her Blitz the Dragon.
Just a month later, news arrives from the east that the Crusaders are successful, Jerusalem is once more in the hands of Christianity, and the Bretons!
Konan the Great, the first King of Jerusalem, died in 1167. His son, Guihomarch, rules over both Brittany and Jerusalem, as his father did.
In 1170, Breselueu is offered the position of Chancellor of England. In protest to the recent acts of Loup, he rejects.
On the 15th of July, 1170, King Loup of England passes away at the age of 50. Although some will remember his early years of greatness, many will have their memories of him marred by his last few years of tyranny.
Duke Thoræd of Kent, who repossessed his Duchy a few months before the death of Loup, is elected as the next King of England. He, like the previous King, does not hold great lands and does not promise a strong leadership. As with Loup, he revokes several titles in order to grow his personal demesne.
Duke Breselueu, sensing the weakness of the rule, begins garnering support for his own claim on the throne, sending the Chancellor to improve relations with the various dukes of England.
Years pass by with no civil wars for England. By 1174, Breselueu has convinced Duke Mærleswegn of Mercia to back his claim to the throne. In the recent years, the Duke of Mercia has inherited the Duchy of Northumbria, making up for his loss of the Duchy of Lancaster.
In February, with such a strong supporter, Breselueu delivers an Ultimatum to King Thoræd. The King refuses to step down and Breselueu declares war.
As leader of the revolt, Breselueu sends word to the entire realm under his control to raise all men possible. Over 13 thousand are raised and make way for Northampton to rally.
The rebel army, led by Breselueu and his commanders, heads to engage the enemy in Oxford. After a fierce battle in which thousands die on each side, the rebels emerge victorious, and the King's forces retreat to Bedford. Half of the rebel army gives chase while the rest head towards Middlesex to lay siege to the capital of England.
The army makes contact with the rest of the King's army, and Breselueu can be seen leading the charge ahead of his men, urging them forward. It is another victory and the army moves to join their fellow rebels in the siege of Middlesex.
In the tents outside the Castle Westminster, Middlesex, a messenger arrives for Breselueu. He brings tidings from Norfolk, his wife is pregnant again.
Westminster falls in March of 1175. The city of London, one of the most prosperous and prestigious cities in England, is the next target. However, despite the shortness of the war, the armies are already feeling the strain of disease. The siege of London sees hundreds die of disease, leaving only 7 thousand men in the entire rebel army.
In May, another messenger finds Breselueu on the front lines. He carries the news of the birth of his second daughter. He sends back a letter naming the child Jerkera.
The siege of London continues, as food and supplies are somehow smuggled past the besieging forces into the city. It seems it will take longer than expected for London to fall. Eventually it falls. The defenders throw up the flag of surrender and are marched out to roaring cheers and jeers from the rebels. The King, however, does not know defeat when he sees it, and fights stubbornly on.
Finally, King Thoræd, who was trying to scrap together another army in the north, comes forward with his surrender.
The king is dethroned in 1176, replaced by Breselueu, the victorious leader of the rebels. Long ling King Breselueu!
But, can such a rule be maintained after the turbulent years that saw its creation?