The Reign of King John I of France
After reading the book “The Accursed Kings’’ of Maurice Druon, I was quite inspired by the possibilities of alternate timelines that can be found in this book. One of them is the idea that King John I of France survives and with it perhaps the chances of survival for the Direct Capetians increase. So I thinking about beginning to write this timeline and any commentary/suggestion or criticism is welcomed.
IntroductionJohn was an unhealthy baby and his mother Clementia of Hungary had difficulties recovering from her labor. The only thing she was thinking about was the state of her child. She felt that she has done her duty to France, by giving to her adoptive country the long-awaited male heir. Her brother in law, Philippe of Poitiers, Regent of France had come from Paris with several nobles to proceed to the King’s baptism. Ah, yes! Philippe! : The ablest of the “Iron King’s”’ sons. Soon after securing conclave for the election of a new France-friendly pope and learning the death of his brother King Louis X, he immediately went to the capital to fill the vacuum of power… isn’t there an old saying that says that “Natura abhorret a vacuo” ( Nature rejects vacuum).
But back to the present, Philippe is anxious; he just won his regency after negotiations with the most powerful barons of France. His promised money to his uncle of Valois, and his eldest daughter Jeanne with Eudes, Duke of Burgundy plus with the help of two princes, one stricken at the head , the other at the legs (Robert of Clermont ,Louis IX’S last surviving son ,and Louis I of Bourbon) he conquered the heart of the most emotional. Now the only thing he doesn’t need is the king’s death.
«Everyone will think that I poisoned him to take the throne for myself, says Philippe to himself, this will only throw public opinion against me and there are my niece’s claims that are supported by Burgundy and maybe my Évreux cousins».
After two hours of riding, Poitiers and his courtiers arrive at the Vincennes Castle
«Messire de Bouville, is everything ready for today’s ceremony» asks Poitiers
« Yes, My Lord……everything» replies King Philippe IV’s old chamberlain
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