alternatehistory.com

27th September, 1198:

The conflict between Richard the Lionheart of England and Philip II of France had raged since 1191, with both sides pillaging much of Normandy and killing or mutilating thousands. The turning point came unexpectedly at the Battle of Gisors when the bridge collapsed under the weight of the retreating French forces. King Philip was among those trapped in the chaos and, like Emperor Maxentius and Frederick Barbarossa before him, his heavy armor proved his undoing as he drowned in the river. (POD: IOTL he survived and the rest is history)

The French people were distraught at the loss of their 'Dieudonné roi'. Historians are divided on Richard's reaction to his frenemy. Some say that Richard disparagingly said that the King of France drank of the river. Others say that he fell to his knees and wept. The only certainty is that he denied fealty to any future Kings of France, coining the phrase 'Dieu et mon droit', which means 'God and my right'. Richard sent terms to Paris, where Philip's 11-year old son, Louis, and Richard's nephew, Arthur, were residing, the latter as a hostage. Louis was hastily crowned in order to receive the terms given by Richard:

* All territory taken by Philip II since 1191, including the Vexin and the County of Eu, were to be returned to Richard.
* A marriage between Louis and Arthur's older sister, Eleanor, as originally proposed in 1195, would take place to ensure future peace.
* Arthur, his sisters and mother, Constance of Brittany, were to be released back into Richard's care.
* A cessation of hostilities for 10 years.

With little choice, Louis VIII signed the Treaty of Paris, on the banks of the river Seine, agreeing to all the terms. Richard himself was convinced to settle down and inspect his realm, partly to prepare Arthur (helped by his wife, Berengaria of Navarre) and partly to raise a new Saladin tithe for the new crusade Pope Innocent III was preaching for.
__________________________________________________
Well, I promised to start a new TL, and here it is. Sorry if it's a bit short. I just wanted to get the premise out of the way. In terms of Richard, I don't want to keep him at war all the time, but I'm not sure he was the sort to settle down and raise a family, properly anyway.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome!
Top