The war continued to progress poorly. With Paris under siege, it was clear that the English were going to win this war. So much of Philippe's regiments were in Egypt, still fighting in the first crusade. Primarily, mercenaries and the regiments of Eudes were the only ones defending France.
Eudes was lucky. The King of England only wanted Anjou, knowing the tide would turn with Philippe's regiments heading home.
After a near fatal defeat, Eudes had no desire to try his luck. It was time to settle down and deal with his hand. He could only hope that King of France had no desire to exact revenge.
Despite these trying times, the economy was recovering, and Eudes position was stabilized.
Eudes officially joined the crusade at last. Despite the economic improvements, Eudes still had no desire to venture into Egypt. The excuses made were for the most part justified. Eudes had very little men to send to Egypt and command.
Without any warning, there was yet another war between France and England, this time over Bretagne. Unlike the previous war, this one was certain to be much longer..
Eudes loyally raised what regiments he had left for his King. Eudes was as tired of this fat and ugly Robert Curthose as Philippe.
Again, the armies of England press, and annex Rennes from both the Bretons and the French.
Eudes discovers a claim on the title of Anjou, currently occupied by the King of England. Entirely where this claim comes from is uncertain, but possibly the titles claim was granted to Eudes by the King himself, in hopes of perhaps either patching up relations with Eudes, or merely keeping his loyalty.
Eudes personally leads many sieges and battles in Normandy, hoping to strike the killing blow on Robert himself.
Eudes' lover Mathilde no longer loved Eudes at some point during this time. While Eudes would not succumb to any sort of depression as a result of Mathilde's new found chastity, he would still lose an important emotional crutch.
It is also during this war that the First Crusade was at an end and widely considered a success.
Philippe Ier, whose reign was mediocre at best, dies in battle attempting to retake Paris. Although his regiment would, the loss of the King was a major blow seemingly. Philippe would be succeeded by his son Guillaume, who was of course Guillaume Ier.
Fortifications continue to spread across Eudes' lands. The war was primarily being fought in Normandy, and as this was too close to home for Eudes, the time for fortifying was never better.
With the death of the King of England in battle and now with a small child on the throne, it was clear that the nobility were on the verge of revolt. The Count of Hereford was possibly but a start from a large list of problems to come. It was from this knowledge that the Regent and his council made the decision to return all land to the King of France, and to deal with the brewing internal unrest from this devastating war.
The peace was a good one for France. It was returned all the land that had been taken during the first and the beginning of the second, but it was at the same time a bitter one for England to swallow. What started off so successfully had quickly eliminated all the fortunes gained from the first.
To make matters worse, if the King had not betrayed Eudes, they'd at least would've still held onto his lands, which strategically indeed had proved useful.
All was remaining well for Eudes on this same note. The prosperity of his lands continued to grow.
France was not fully recovered however. The rather long and hard fought war had left a toll. Much of the lands bordering Normandy had been looted or were suffering plague. Taking advantage of the chaotic situation, Eudes would begin his plots and intrigues once again, this time against his only other true rival, the son of Philippe and current King, Guillaume.
Eudes' relationship with his wife, Constance de Bourgogne, had always been rather bad. Eudes immediately found her highly unattractive due to certain physical defects, and was never one to treat her with kindness as a result. His open affair, even if it had ended, was enough to drive her mad. However; it is perhaps his new found success that had finally driven her over the edge, for she seems to have lost all sense of sanity not far after wars end.
At long last, Eudes' master plan was coming to fruition. Guillaume's heir was but an infant as a result of his oldest child, also named Guillaume, perishing for unknown reasons. This meant that if Guillaume was to die, severe instability would be very likely to follow. Under no circumstances could Eudes pass this up. A plan was hatched and the dye was cast.
Although Guillaume didn't die, he was severely wounded. With his life hanging in the balance, Guillaume knew it was planned. He however had no idea exactly who, as the assassins weren't arrested or even captured. He had enough enemies so that it could be any one of them. Eudes was perhaps safe from danger.
Nearly a month later, Eudes learned that the King had died as a result of his wounds. Guillaume Ier was no more, and the Kingdoms only heir, but a babe, was unwittingly going to become the central device in a grand web of intrigue that all in France will be caught in.
