Victor: The Age of Arthur (1202-1252)

Victor, (The Age of Arthur 1202-1252ce)

The twelfth battle was on Mount Badon in which there fell in one day 960 men from one charge by Arthur; and no one struck them down except Arthur himself, and in all the wars he emerged as victor.

Written by Anonymous author of Historia Brittonum (c. 828, traditionally credited to Nennius),


A soft summer breeze swept through her grey locks as she griped the harsh cold stone of Mirabeau Castle just south of Chinon. https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...ustin/Documents/Arthur Plantagenet.docx#_edn1She looked down on the some 250 armed men, gallantly dressed with their riveted helmets, chain mail armor; with their gilded arms possessing crossbows, swords and lances. A simple minded peasant might believe that this woman, who strode upon her castle like a colossus, to be some prideful old crown who refused to give up her land to a more youthful lord. However, this Crone happened to not only be the wife of a king, the mother to three kings, but also Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right.

“Come down to us peacefully Grandmother, as we wish you and your compatriots no harm.” A voice emerged from the helmed young face of her grandson. He possessed the thick russet hair of the devils brood. Although, he was only six and ten, the young duke commanded his army with supposed grace and determination of his namesake. Arthur may have spoken words of peace, but his men kept their eyes within the line of sight of their crossbows focused squarely at her majesty and her knights.

“I have only come out to take air, Sweet Arthur, we had a long ride from Fontevraud and I must await news from your good uncle Johnnie.” Eleanor replied with the haughty assuredness that only seventy eight years of life could establish.

“There are nearly eight miles between this castle and Le Mans, my dear uncle the Softsword will fail to rise to the occasion as he always has.” Arthur should as he gripped the reins of his horse, as they paced back and forth in front of that proud golden lion on his banners.

“He will come and with such a fury that the likes of which you have never witness…”Her words were cut short whistle through the air, and the force of a fine piece of wood impacting her chest. The arrow pierced through her polished breast plate, and nestled in the soft flesh of her right breast. She could feel the warmth of her blood begin to flow through the gown beneath her heavy armor.

The queen consort could hear the faint roar of her grandson shouting the word no as soon as the sole arrow was launched through the late July sky.[ii] She could feel that same air rustle around her as the lunged forward off the high castle’s walls. Like the thunderbolts of Jove of old, the mighty queen fell upon the earth with same force as she did when she reigned over it.
220px-EleanorAkvitanie1068.jpg


Thus was how Eleanor, by the Grace of God, Queen of the English, Queen of the Franks, Duchess of the Normans, Duchess of the Aquitanians and Countess of the Angevins died…Befallen by a trigger happy member of the future King Arthur and his noble knights.

Written by Alys Langton, “The Lioness of the Angevins,” New Bristol Press (2013)

Artur_of_Brittany.jpg

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...in/Documents/Arthur Plantagenet.docx#_ednref1 The Seige of Mirabeau Castle, ca July19th 1202

[ii] The POD, the early death of Eleanor will have a profound impact on John’s relief of the siege
 
Interesting.

That's not going to look good for Arthur from any angle, shooting down your own grandmother does not fulfil the ideas of chivalry or honour etc. regardless of it being one of his men rather than him.

I'll look forward to more.
 
The Battle of Mirabeu: August 1st 1202


Word of the Queen’s death swooped through the fields of France faster than the Duke had anticipated. Before it could reach that of Softsword, who was on the brink of pushing his lightly clad horses and men to the brink as they raced the eighty miles from Le Mans to Mirabeau. The man whom intercepted the news from the English King, was that of William des Roches, seneschal of Anjou.
275px-1202_French_campaign.png


William had been a loyal supporter of the Arthur’s in 1200, yet he changed his devotion to that of John. He still had heavy ties with the duke’s court, and had a decision to make. Without the she-wolf of Aquitaine to consolidate support within the realm, John’s days seem vastly numbered. William mulled a thought, without his mother to watch over him…was there a place for John Lackland in this world? Had not Arthur shown he was the true heir to the Lionheart through his desire to take his throne with ruthless force? He did not ponder the thought for long, and summoned his master of arms.


“Gather the horses and the men Monseigneur, we shall ride for Mirabeau with the hour.” The gruff William barked to the man.


“But sire, the King should be here within a few hours-” The Armsman replied before being cut off by a wave of the seneschal’s hand.


“That’s where we are going Monseigneur, the treat with the King. For we dare not to be seen as beholden to that usurper from this point on.” William said, as the corners of thin lips curled upward into a venomous grin.


Written by Alexander Erskine, “A Bloody Throne: A history of the Angevin Empire” Haddington Publishers (2006)


XVI. About William des Rosches and the Manifestation of Duke Arthur


In the early morning hours of July 31st, the duke was awoken to the news that William des Roches, who as seneschal of Anjou knew the crevasses of the castle Mirabeau better than any man alive, was within the castle’s walls apparently demanding an audience. The fifteen year old was hurriedly dressed and escorted into the darkened room where William paced.


It has been chronicled that when William laid eyes upon him, that made him think of a a cold flash of lighting. His hair was quite the pales of yellow, shining like silver. He wore an ermine cloak and cap with a badge of broom. His grave bright eyes were long, straightforward, untroubled, unseeking, austere and of the very darkest brown. He was a huge boy, tall of handsome countenance, as the Chronicle of Lanercost says truly, and his gait proclaimed him a king.


“Arthur Plantagenet, heir to the Lionheart, your duke and your king.” The duke’s escort roared, his voice carrying the empty halls of the castle.


Upon hearing the words, it prompted William to be entranced by the boy’s majesty. The seneschal simply dropped down on his knees, not raising his head until Arthur walked over to him in acknowledgement.


“Lord King, deign to hear a traitor renounce treason, purging himself, promising as Christian and belted knight to be your true man henceforward.” William replied as his hand gestured the sign of the cross across his broad chest.


“Let your actions speak for you sir, for your words are as meaningless as specs of dust carried through the wind.” Arthur sighed, as he stepped back from the seneschals bowed form.


“Sir, the Softsword rides on furiously and by my estimation, shall be upon your gates by the morrow, and I have plan to rid your majesty from your Uncle’s tyranny forever.” William stated as he slammed his gloved fist into the cold stone of the floor. The sentence prompted the young lord’s curiosity. With a nod of his head, Arthur beckoned the seneschal to rise to his feet.


“Do tell sir, as you have my ears, yet not my heart.” Arthur replied.


Written by Musa Keita, “King Arthur’s Round Table: Lives of Arthur’s Court”, Percy and Company (1935)

Lackland Undone

Upon the dawn of battle King John was drunk and angry. As he walked through his encampment, he was surrounded by invisible enemies and oppressed with dark thoughts. His emotional state buoyed from despair to rage once he learned of his mother’s untimely death. Befallen by Arthur’s men, the woman who had risked everything by supporting his claim over his nephews was now gone. Yet he was more troubled by the fact that the man he agreed to lead the daybreak attack was also know where to be found.


At dawn Hugh de Lusignan’s brother Geoffrey was enjoying a breakfast of roasted pigeons when word came that John and his men were at the one working gate. John did not have the numbers to fully encircle the city, but he did have force a successful batter. Once within the castle walls, The King and his men quickly engaged in Heavy Street fighting with Arthur and his knights, with no clear advantage in sight. That was before William and his forces came up from the rear. The indomitable des Roches, who lost three horses from under him as led charge after charge within the castle’s gates. Unable to prevail against the forceful pincer strategy, John and his mercenaries crippled under the pressure.


As the smoke cleared, few survivors of Lackland’s forces remained. The King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Duke of Aquitaine was found cowering, sword in hand in a dank wine cellar. The Duke’s men brought him forward before a triumphant Arthur of Brittany who stood with Hugh and Geoffery Lusignan along with their savior William des Roches. Powerless, the fourth and last living son of Henry II could do nothing but kneel.

220px-King_John_from_De_Rege_Johanne.jpg

Written by Isabella Montoya, “The Capetians and Plantagenets: The dynasties whom birthed Europe”, (2015) Ardvark Books


*********

1. Dan Jones, "The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens who made England"
2. Baron Corvo-Frederick Rolfe, "Hubert's Arthur (Valancourt Classics)"
3. Wikipedia
4. Thomas Asbridge "The Greatest Knight: The remarkable life of William Marshal, The power behind five English Thrones"
 
Last edited:
What will happen to Eleanor of Brittany, who will she marry? Peter III of Aragon or Sancho of Navarre? I heard Philippe Auguste is also interested on her?
 
What will happen to Eleanor of Brittany, who will she marry? Peter III of Aragon or Sancho of Navarre? I heard Philippe Auguste is also interested on her?
I haven't quite decided at the moment, but injecting some of the male favored Plantagenet blood into the Navarre line might lead to some interesting butterflies down the road.
 
So, instead of an English king formally acknowledged as independent but still bearing claims to the throne of France, there's an English king who has declared himself formally a vassal of the king of France, but owns most of the actual land...
 
So, instead of an English king formally acknowledged as independent but still bearing claims to the throne of France, there's an English king who has declared himself formally a vassal of the king of France, but owns most of the actual land...

Henry II and Richard III also were vassal of the King of France foe the majority of their lands and acknowledged that. All the French lands of the English Kings were formally fief of the French Crown and young Arthur has a lot of them. I do not remember if Arthur lost o renounced to any of them but with Eleanor dead and John out of question he is the legitimate heir of Normandy, Anjou, Maine, Aquitaine, Poitieu and Brittany (all of them fief of the French crown) and King of England and ruler of Ireland
 
Henry II and Richard III also were vassal of the King of France foe the majority of their lands and acknowledged that. All the French lands of the English Kings were formally fief of the French Crown and young Arthur has a lot of them. I do not remember if Arthur lost o renounced to any of them but with Eleanor dead and John out of question he is the legitimate heir of Normandy, Anjou, Maine, Aquitaine, Poitieu and Brittany (all of them fief of the French crown) and King of England and ruler of Ireland

Yep, I am intending on doing a deep dive on Phillip Augustus. If we can find someway to keep him at bay until Arthur matures a little bit, he may have a better chance at exacting some serious concessions from his French Overlord.
 
Yep, I am intending on doing a deep dive on Phillip Augustus. If we can find someway to keep him at bay until Arthur matures a little bit, he may have a better chance at exacting some serious concessions from his French Overlord.
What about offing him
And replacing him with his son?
 
Ch. 3: The Aftermath


The relationship between Arthur and Phillip Augustus had been thought for many centuries as to be that one of the dominant French overlord and the subservient vassal who just happened to be the King of England, Ireland, and the duchies of Brittany, Normandy, Anjou, and Touraine, Maine, and Poitu largely began as such during the 1190’s. Although Phillip had supported Arthur’s claims soon after the Lionheart’s death in 1199. One of the few portraits of Arthur from this early time period, is a painting showcasing a young, blonde-hair child, head with a crown affixed to his head. The young duke bows to the older, bearded blonde man in acknowledgment of his superior royal majesty.


However that relationship was forever changed upon the signing of the Treat of Goulet and John the Usurper in 1200ce. John hade agreed to pay Phillip some 20,000 marks In exchange for the Plantagenet continental lands. Itis remarkable that an ambitious Capet such as Phillip would have even dared to broach the subject if he had his old adversaries Henry II or Richard I to contend with across the channel. Lackland’s fecklessness had allowed for a new power dynamic to be develop between England and France: it meant that Phillip was superior in all manner of ways to John, and that means he could meddle in Plantagenet affairs to the fullest extent.


In1202, Phillip had decided to make good on his promises to the French peerage to extract John from the continental lands. During the spring, Phillip swept through Lackland’s castles at Boutavant, Tillieres, Longchamps, Mortermer, and Lyons-la-foret. It was during this time that Arthur was knighted by Phillip, and betrothed to his daughter, the four-year old Duchess of Brabant, Marie. His sister Eleanor would join his party for their voyage to London, and plan for her own investiture once Arthur was duly crowned. Arthur was bestowed upon the duchy of Anjou, while Phillip held Normandy to himself.

1280px-Philippe2%2BArthur.jpg

Written by Oswald Wayne, “The August King, Phillip II of France” (2003) Pedagogic Press


With the decimation of John’s forces at Miraebau, Arthur had successfully consolidated his support in Aquitaine and captured his uncle. It was decided soon after that Arthur would meet with Phillip in Normandy in order to decide John’s ultimate fate. After being marched with his fellow survivors, John was taken to Falaise in Normandy. The ghastly conditions which held the King of England, were to be his home until Arthur and Phillip’s forces could decide of which to do with him.


It is during this time that Arthur began to consolidate Lackland’s English supporters behind its impending rule. With John still childless, Arthur was presumptive heir to the English Throne, and his claim to the Angevin lands had been recognized by Phillip earlier in the year. He came from the wild Celtic fringe of mainland France, and an area that had claimed to be the birthplace of the legendary King Arthur, after whom the young duke was named. Thus one of the first persons, the young Duke reached out to the man was the realm’s greatest knight and prove to be the power behind five English thrones.


After the defeat of John, Arthur immediately dispatched a messenger north to inform William Marshall of the success. The young Duke ordered that William lay down his arms and surrender to that of the French King. If he choose to fight, he would be condemned death as a traitor against the English Crown. However, If he were to acknowledge him as the rightful successor to John’s lands, all sins committed against him were to be forgiven. Since Phillip Augustus also received the news of Arthur’s triumph, he continued to press his siege of Arques, with John’s forces no longer able to relieve Upper Normandy.


Had he not decided against Arthur only four short years ago after the death of the lion heart, in favor of John? Had John’s lack authority brought them both to this point? Had not God’s will been made evident by Arthur’s victorious defeat over his uncle? It did not take William long to make his decision. Once Arthur had made his way to Normandy to treat with Phillip, William met with the young duke and his advisors, and pledged fealty to his new king.


William Marshall joined Arthur and his knights after they negotiated with Phillip over Normandy. In order sustain any potential objections to his rule in England, Phillip would send several forces with the Breton’s in order to bolster their forces in case of an uprising by the English Barons. In return, Arthur relinquished all claims to Normandy to Phillip, and pledged future support in case of a potential rebellion. As the winds began to shift from summer to fall, Arthur would set sail for the biggest challenge of his short life. With John imprisoned, only a smooth resignation from the burdens of the throne would ensure Arthur’s legitimacy. William Marshall would do everything in his power to help accomplish that goal.


Written by Joanne Fitzwalter, “Knight of England, William Marshall’s Adventures” (1998) LesterMortimer Publishing

Sources:

1. The Hundred Years War: A People's History: David Green
2, King John: Treachery and Tyranny in Medieval Engand: Marc Morris
3. The Greatest Knight: Thomas Asbridge
4, Phillip Augustus: King of France: William Hutton
 
Well done. One minnor error: the daughter of Philips Augustus was not yet Duchess of Brabant. She became such after her marriage... in 1202 she was just... Princess Marie de France.
 
Discussion Point: Hey everyone I am having some difficulty gauging John's English base of Support during the early part of his reign. My biggest issue, is whether a successful capture and defeat of John would lead to Arthur's swift coronation? Or might he be able to garner enough backing from the Barons to atleast put up some type of fight against Arthur's largely continental forces?
 
Top