Chapter 48: Paris Burning
November 1417
Constance
The Great Western Schism was over. Two years after receiving Pope Gregory's resignation -- he had died in the meantime -- and after forcefully persuading the two Antipopes to resign (the original split into two rival Popes had since become three), the Council of Constance finally elected a new Pope, Martin V. The Holy Catholic Church was united again at last.
Pamplona
"Master, the news is exactly as you predicted."
"Do not be impressed with my supposed insight into the future," Grandmaster Michel calmly replied to his aide, Juan the Catalan. "These Popes are all the same. Observe how the Cardinals and Bishops of the Church, and even many rulers such as Emperor Sigismund himself, pressed for reform on many issues, only to have all their resolutions quickly brushed aside by the new Holy Father."
"Even so, Martin shows amazing arrogance in accepting the Council's election of him, but ignoring all other actions they took."
"We have seen arrogance in the Holy Fathers many times before."
Juan noted the sadness in Michel's voice as he spoke.
"Then what of our prime mission? In one hundred years have we accomplished anything at all?"
"Less than we hoped, but more than you realize. In the days of my predecessor Jean Langevin, our Order did not possess the resources to bring down an entire state. Now we do, and all that is required is to convince King Charles III of the fact."
May 1418
Paris
Sergeant Henri reflected sourly on his command. The English enemy was sieging Rouen while the French -- both sides of them -- sent not even token resistance. Both the Burgundians and Armagnacs had decided that the enemy within was more important than the enemy without. Hence Paris, not Rouen, was the site where French armies were deployed. Henri served the Count of Armagnac, guarding the King and the Dauphin. His orders were to take his small company and secure this gate.
Henri's sentry called out: "Here they come!" Quickly Henri's men moved into position.
But the men of Jean the Fearless had deployed more skillfully this time. One squad advanced with shields, then presented covering fire for a second which moved onto Henri's flank. Henri repositioned a few of his men. It was his last order. A crossbow fired, and he was dead before he hit the ground.
Paris fell to the Burgundians; the Armagnacs were ousted. But the Count's men achieved a critical victory, making good the escape of the Dauphin, young Prince Charles.
No longer would anyone speak of peace between the two factions. It was a struggle to the death.
January 1419
Rouen
This great city, the gateway to the Seine valley, fell to the English after two years of siege. The French under the government of Jean the Fearless had offered so little opposition that widespread rumor spoke of not just collusion, but an open alliance between Jean and Henry.
Pamplona
"Your Majesty, on behalf of The Brotherhood I humbly present this modest token on the occasion of your daughter's marriage."
King Charles accepted Michel's gift, and both nodded with understanding, for this marriage was critical to the survival of Navarre's royal line. Charles's sons had died young; the only heir was his daughter Blanche. She had married Martin of Sicily years before, but unfortunately they were not blessed with children before he died.
Charles had negotiated in the meantime, finally settling upon the choice of Juan, second son of King Ferdinand of Aragon. Juan was a young man just entering his prime; he was in fact several years younger than Blanche.
The formalities of the Templars' gift concluded, Charles and Michel adjourned to a private room for a more discrete conversation.
"Your Majesty, Aragon is indeed a wise choice. It is essential to our plans that we have friendly relations with our neighbors in Iberia."
"I have waited all my life for a chance to avenge my father. But is it really possible?"
"I assure you it is, Sire. Our forces are very well trained, and our enemy in Paris is weaker than ever. This is a better opportunity than your father had during the Jacquerie."
"And what excuse can we give for war? No one will recognize my father's ancient claims in Normandy -- which is taken now by England, anyway."
"Your Majesty, my men can see to it that a suitable provocation occurs."
Charles raised an eyebrow at that. Michel answered the unspoken question: "It will be words only; no one will even be struck, let alone killed."
Charles nodded. "Very well, then. I will await your good news."
April 1419
Templar Castle
"Master, do you not find this alliance disturbing? Bizarre, even?"
"Not at all, Juan. You as a Catalan should appreciate the value of allying with Aragon and Castile. The Princess's wedding with Juan of Aragon was only the first step. We need the protection of a strong military alliance."
"Granted, Master, and I understand that our participation in the war against the Moors is likely only a formality. But the Pope?"
Michel smiled at that. "Do not be alarmed, Juan, being allies does not make us friends. And we can only confront one enemy at a time. His Holiness will learn humility later."
As it happened, Juan's fears were groundless. The alliance of Navarre and the Papal States did not last long, although the cause of its breakup more than two years later was surprising.
July 1419
Melun
The Dauphin Charles had many things working against him. He was the fifth son of the king, normally a standing with little likelihood of ascending to the throne. Yet his four older brothers had all died; two in childhood and two in their teens, the latter of these at the edge of manhood and his majority. Some of these deaths were under questionable circumstances, and in view of the vicious intrigues between Armagnacs and Burgundians, this was perhaps not unexpected. Charles's parents appeared to take little care or interest in him. His father could be excused for this, for he was mad. As for his mother, she was widely rumored to have been unfaithful on numerous occasions, and in view of her husband's condition that could perhaps be understood although not excused.
Charles was at this time a youth of 16. For all the strikes against him, he had very powerful supporters, notably the Anjou family. He also had official title as heir apparent, no matter the hushed whisperings doubting his legitimacy. Wielding the authority of the crown, he had enough leverage to prevail even against Jean the Fearless of Burgundy.
At this city southeast of Paris, Charles negotiated peace with Jean. They swore reconciliation and common cause against the English, who had occupied by this time almost the whole of northern France.
September 1419
Montereau
"My Lord Duke, are you sure of this?"
"It is a formality; the Dauphin merely wishes to confirm the arrangements we made in July," replied Duke Jean the Fearless as he and his escort arrived at the bridge over the Loiret, a little tributary of the Loire. They saw the Dauphin with his escort approaching from the other side. Characteristically, Jean advanced without hesitation -- without fear, as his name implied.
But he was making a dreadful mistake. He had come to meet his enemy on the latter's home territory. Charles and Jean advanced toward the middle of the bridge, when a hidden company of the Dauphin's men came up behind Jean's escort, neutralizing and disarming them. Charles then retreated a few steps while his men continued to advance. Jean, seeing belatedly what was happening, drew his sword. But he was hopelessly outnumbered. Charles stood back calmly and waited for his men to overpower his opponent.
"You will pay for this, you bastard!"
"To the contrary, Jean, it is you who will pay. For my uncle Louis of Orleans, and my cousin Charles -- indeed for all of France, which you have betrayed -- we are avenged at last. Now burn in Hell, you dog!"
Flanders
What had been rumor was now proclaimed openly: Philip of Burgundy, the son of Jean the Fearless, jumped into alliance with Henry V of England. The Dauphin Charles had sown the wind, and now he was about to reap the whirlwind.
January 1420
Dauphine
From his base in southern France Prince Charles had some painful decisions to make. Henry had threatened Paris, but after confirming the alliance with Burgundy he had turned aside and taken Orleans instead, what had been the Dauphin's chief stronghold and most secure base of support. After frank discussions among his counselors, Charles agreed with their advice. England would be left alone, only modest resistance being offered. The real enemy was Burgundy; they must be crushed at all costs.
Toward this end Charles concluded a diplomatic triumph, including Lorraine in his alliance. Lorraine's armies quickly joined those of the Dauphin in bitter, furious battles against Philip of Burgundy.
October 1420
Rome
"Your Holiness!" Cardinal Corolli was ashen. "Constantinople has fallen! The Byzantines are no more!"
"The Emperor?"
"Slain, along with his entire family. The Turks destroyed them."
Martin shook his head in disbelief. The end had come so fast...
"Send emissaries to King Henry of England and King Charles of France. They must end their war -- for the good of us all."
The next spring a peace treaty -- really a mere 5 year truce -- was indeed signed by representatives of both England and France, though whether or not this was due to the Pope's intervention, none could say. France paid a modest tribute, England retained their territory (having added Orleans), and France and all her allies poured their fury upon Burgundy.
April 1421
Paris
Though Charles was not yet at peace, France and Paris were both secure enough that, for the first time in several years, a gala diplomatic reception was held. Representatives from France, Iberia, and even England were invited -- only Philip of Burgundy was excluded.
Grandmaster Michel was the chosen delegate of his monarch, Charles III of Navarre. Since Navarre was universally viewed as an inconsequential backwater, Michel was free of the press of subtle but critical conversations which took place among those who were truly important. So Michel relaxed as he made his way through the crowd, offering polite discussion with those nobles he met and giving many compliments to their wives. His agents had spent months throughout France probing miscellaneous Counts, identifying those most suitable for Michel's intentions. It did not take Michel long to find his chosen prey, a petty noble from Auvergne.
"Well, who have we here? From Navarre, no less! Did old King Charles -- may God save us from his madness -- even let the servants in, too?"
The man's conversational companions instinctively retreated a step as Michel searched for the right words in response.
"Fortunately, Monsieur, our host's judgement is better than your own."
"Far from it! They always let in a few pathetic scum so the rest of us can see our true lofty station."
"Dear!" The man's wife attempted, as she had tried and failed many times before, to rein in her outspoken husband.
"These Navarrese have been nothing but trouble ever since Charles Le Mal. They tried to take over the kingdom by deceit; when pressed for battle not one of them had the balls for a fight. I heard that it took your ruler six years to find someone willing to marry his daughter -- she must be a real catch, eh?"
"Actually, we in Pamplona really like her, and --"
"Ha! How drunk did he have to get before he would take her to bed?"
A crowd had begun to gather. Diplomats no less than other men are keen to watch a fight. Michel knew this was the time to close the deal.
"Monsieur," he said evenly, carefully pacing his words through clenched teeth, "we in Navarre at least have better manners than to spew forth gratuitous insults to those we have never met. I will relate this conversation to my master, as you will no doubt do for yours."
Then Michel turned to face the crowd, apologized humbly for being a party to such rude conversation, and left.
August 1421
Pamplona
"Your Majesty, all is ready. The Moorish war is over (Castile had taken Gibraltar), and we have legitimate cause for war in France."
"You have been as good as your word, Michel. Let us hope the next act proceeds as well."
As fast as messengers could be sent, Navarre declared war upon Auvergne.
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