"Philip the Rich didn't see the value of his wife fleeing to him, but his father Charles did. This golden age of peace has come to an end."
September 5, 1472, Dijon, Burgundy
Philip aimed very carefully at the deer, just like Edward taught him. He let go of the bowstring killing the deer instantly. Suddenly, he hears galloping arriving. Immediately his company readied themselves as he began to place an arrow into his bow. Anne immediately rode in, and shouted, "I demand to speak to my fiancée, Philip, count of Charolais!" Philip and his company lowered their weapons, "I am Philip, count of Charolais. I don't know who you are, guards take her off her horse and detain her until we prove her identity." Philip coldly ordered. "Charlotte sent me here! I must speak to you and your father!" She screamed pushing the guards off and showing off her seal. Philip looked in awe and in anger, "You could have stolen that but to humour you. Guards escort her to the reception hall. I'll speak to my father." Anne looked at her husband, with a mixture of anger and disgust. Was she stuck with a controlling husband like her father controlled her? She shook her head before continuing, he probably didn't know her so she'll let it slide for now.
Charles read the letter, it was no doubt Charlotte's writing telling her to raise Anne as her father in law well. Philip only stood in silence looking at the portrait of his mother. "Son, she is your wife, Charlotte has sent portraits of Anne and they do match her completely." Charles stated, Philip angrily replied, "She was supposed to arrive a year later, and I thought we were going to negotiate a marriage with Savoy or Austria instead." Anne listened into the door, with only a tear dripping her cheek. "We have our treaties to oblige, you will learn to love your wife, I didn't like your mother from the beginning you know?" Charles calmly replied. Philip angrily screamed, "Don't you dare compare her to my mother!" Philip left, storming out not seeing Anne in tears from overhearing the conversation. Charles looked out seeing her in tears and beckoned her in, "Don't take too much offence into Philip's anger. It's my fault that he is like this, France has never been considered friendly to us and well, your sudden arrival didn't necessarily help him." Charles sighed looking downwards. "I don't like France either my father sent my mother to exile." Anne replied in anger. Charles looked in shock and anger, "LOUIS DID WHAT?!?"
Charles read the letter from Louis XI of France, demanding Anne's return to France, as she was not yet 12 and therefore her arrival should not have happened. Charles has been preparing for war for 7 years since his betrayal at Paris, removing Louis' spies while also increasing his control of his various domains. He sent Charlotte's letter writing that the new terms have allowed Charles to raise Anne. Louis furious over this betrayal declared Charles to be committing treason and went to war declaring all of his French domains forfeit to the crown. Charles began to raid Champagne, Ile de France, and Eastern Normandy in order to extract a favourable peace.
Charles' scouts began to report to him that Louis' armies led by the Lieutenant-General of Champagne, John II of Nevers, and Charles of Aquitaine. Charles was outnumbered in this battle, but he smiled, he knew what he had to do. He slowly had his troops marched forward lined up against the Frenchmen. "Antoine, are you sure you can defeat the cavalry?" Charles asked in concern, "Charge them and cut them down. The Englishmen were correct in Tewkesbury you know?" Antoine replied with a smile. Charles nodded and ordered his men to be ready, "March slowly, cannons open fire into the main line, archers back up the cavalry." His cavalry charged into the French lines lead by John II of Nevers. "Cut them down in the name of Burgundy!" Antoine yelled, cutting down another rider. The fight evened out, suddenly Antoine looked to his right. Charles began to fire cannons into the infantry, that was his signal." Antoine began to give new orders, "Retreat into the centre!" As the archers let loose their arrows, while his cavalry ran into the holes in the infantry line made by Antoine before the battle. "CLOSE RANKS! CHARGE!" Antoine ordered, as his reserve infantry and archers let loose hell against the French right flank. His Cavalry swung around attacking the French left under Charles of Aquitaine causing a rout and capturing Charles. In the centre, Charles drew his sword and cut down another soldier the flanks were secure as their plan worked flawlessly. He ordered his men to continue fighting and cutting the French down. "My lord, we have captured the princes of the realms." Antoine announced riding in only a couple hours after that order, the battle was completely over and the French were either dead, running or captured.
Charles sat in his chair in Paris, sitting opposite of him was his "liege" Louis XI of France. Quite ironic that he was negotiating in the same city as he was betrayed. "What do you want?" Louis asked, surrounded by advisors and guards, this wasn't going to intimidate him, he also was surrounded by guards and advisors, "I demand the reversion of Nevers, Eu and Rethel. John II has no male heirs, and his heiress is married to the Duke of Cleves. I will not have you royalists seize their domains. Confirm my right to succeed him. The dowry of Beaujeu is to be given to Anne immediately and by jure uxrois, my son Philip, count of Charolais. I also want the Lieutenant of Champagne's office to be given to myself. To reconfirm the first peerage of the realm, Burgundy and its domains are not subject to homage, service, or summons to France. All Burgundian fiefs of France are subject to the Parliament of Dijons and can not be subject or appealed to the parliament of Paris. The Burgundian duke can not be called to Parliament by order of the king per the rights and traditions of that of First Peer. Burgundy was allowed to make alliances outside of the French Domain. Anne of Beaujeu, is to be confirmed as a princess of the blood and will be given the rights, privileges and if needed, the responsibilities of the princess of the blood. General amnesty for Burgundian supporters and their possessions are to be returned. Finally if any of these are to be infringed, all Burgundian fiefs within the Kingdom of France would automatically be freed from all French jurisdiction." Louis was not pleased by the extensive list of demands but his advisors were in agreement with they could negotiate downwards. After all a majority of these terms were reinforcements of previous treaties such as Arras, and Conflans. He renegotiated to where Anne's dowry was to be given to her in a couple month's time in April 1473. He removed the negotiation of Champagne off however instead he confirmed all of the previous agreements. However, he was forced to agree to the reversion of John II and interestingly enough, Charles would not budge of Anne's rights, which he agreed reluctantly. Perhaps this was his way of getting into Burgundy he thought.
The Treaty of Pérrone (1472) was signed giving the following to Burgundy after the devastating victory of Reims and the siege of Paris and Harfleur.
John II of Nevers per the rules of Salic law would agree unless a male heir was produced, Charles of Burgundy would succeed him and Charles was now heir presumptive.
All provisions of Arras and Conflans were to be confirmed, Burgundian rights and privileges are to be restored and assured by both parties.
Beaujeu will be transferred to Anne's ownership on her 12th birthday.
Anne of Beaujeu will be granted the full rights, privileges, and responsibilities given to her as a princess of the blood.
If any of these treaty provisions including the ones signed in Arras and Conflans were breached, Burgundy and its subsequent domains are to be given full independence.
Signed,
Charles I of Burgundy, and Louis XI of France.
Charles smiled, he had won. Finally his betrayal at Paris was avenged.
Teaser: "You didn't save my mother?!?" Anne raged at Charles.