The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 92

92. Rising Chaos (1)

—English Territory, Anjou Estate—

Some claimed Henry II’s success was solely due to his advantageous lineage.

His mother was practically the Queen of England, and his father was the Duke of Anjou, a highly regarded noble in France.

Envious individuals attributed Henry II’s achievements to being born with a silver spoon. Or rather, they preferred to believe that.

However, as time passed, these envious individuals met unfortunate ends, while Henry II became known as ‘the Great,’ whether by his own proclamation or through flattering remarks.

Indeed, Henry II was a shrewd hero shaped by the times. Had he not been so astute, the territory he inherited would have been lost long ago.

If Machiavelli had observed him, he might have exclaimed, ‘This is the one!’—a ruler who prioritized efficient profit above all else. If Churchill had seen him, he might have said, ‘Truly, an ancestor of the English!’—a ruler with a character as despicable as the Gallipoli campaign, also Henry II.

Though aging, he was once considered the most handsome man in Europe. His cunning, which he used to seduce Eleanor, remained sharp.

Observing the current situation, he mused.

“Now, what’s this?”

He firmly believed in the absence of ‘coincidence’ in the world, especially within the cutthroat political arena. Coincidence was an impossibility—this was his guiding principle.

News of the young King Henry holding an excessively flamboyant jousting tournament and sustaining only a minor leg injury raised suspicions.

The old monarch felt a nagging unease: ‘This… there’s something amiss, a conspiracy.’

“The moment I fall ill, my children will be at each other’s throats for the throne. Ah, except for John.”

Henry II genuinely trusted John, unlike his other offspring. This was why he couldn’t bring himself to harm him and why he had sent the troublesome Queen Eleanor and Illiam, the last monarch of Scotland, away.

Henry II desired to alter the succession law immediately but refrained due to the presence of his eldest son, the young King Henry, making it a complex matter.

“Do you know… why I dislike Henry, that child?”

“Because of that incident.”

‘That incident’!

To the public, the conflict between Henry II and the young King Henry stemmed from Henry II’s personality, as he withheld real power and only granted the title of ‘co-ruler.’

The official explanation, ‘that incident,’ referred to the co-ruler title.

However, the members of the Seven Great Nobles were privy to the true cause of the animosity between Henry II and the young King Henry—the ‘unofficial’ incident.

This incident was unofficial for a reason.

The young King Henry had set his sights on a young woman who had caught Henry II’s attention. He intended only to keep her as a lover due to her beauty but low birth.

A ‘life-or-death’ struggle between a son barely past puberty and an aging father over a woman was the root of the discord.

Indeed, the Angevin royal family was a peculiar mix of greatness and depravity.

Of course, Henry II and the Seven Great Nobles were aware of the son’s pursuit of a beautiful woman suitable as a mistress, but this was an official setting. Henry II presented a perfectly reasonable explanation for the discord, befitting a great monarch of Europe.

“Yes, that incident. Henry was furious because I granted him a co-ruler position without real power.”

“That is correct.”

As the Duke of Norfolk nodded, Henry II continued.

“Of course… it’s true that I’m keeping my eldest son in check. But you all know, don’t you? The trials I endured to ascend the throne. The tears of blood Henry, the Duke of Anjou, shed.”

[Waaaaaaah!]

[He is no longer the Duke of Anjou. He is the heir to the throne of England!]

[We are justice!]

Nobles as old and wrinkled as Henry II reminisced about the past.

Looking back, it was a truly glorious era. They had sacrificed much blood and sweat for that glory.

Objectively, he seemed to have seized the throne of Britain as a treacherous hero in a chaotic time, but from their perspective, Henry II was a hero who overcame numerous obstacles to secure legitimate royal authority.

Turning to his vassals, who had finished reminiscing, he said.

“You are all aware that our eldest son fell from his horse recently.”

—We are well aware.

Then Henry II said.

“But what if this was a self-inflicted act by Henry, or a diplomatic ploy by another country envious of our Anjou?”

Henry II, trailing off, revealed the ruthless glint in his eyes from his youth.

“I will begin taking action immediately. I must uncover the conspiracy of the wicked! Now, my vassals, aid me. You also desire a safe political environment for your sons, do you not?”

—That is correct.

As time passed, the meeting concluded.

Just as everyone was departing, Henry II addressed one noble.

“But Earl of Surrey, what troubles you?”

“I have a bad feeling… I pray it is merely paranoia.”

Upon hearing the Earl of Surrey’s words, Henry II instructed the attendants.

“Everyone, step back!”

Once everyone had retreated, Henry II spoke to his half-brother in a different, affectionate tone.

“Brother. What is wrong?”

The Earl of Surrey replied to Henry II, who was concerned for him.

“I had a dream. A dream where I tore my clothes like Jephthah [a judge in the Book of Judges who made a vow to sacrifice the first thing he saw upon his return from battle].”

‘If I win this battle, I will offer as a burnt offering to the Lord the first one to meet me.’

But the first to greet Jephthah was his daughter.

Jephthah, who sacrificed his daughter to God due to a rash vow, tore his clothes in grief, and his daughter perished.

Tearing clothes in ancient Israel symbolized grief and loss, and the Earl of Surrey feared that something terrible might befall the son he had raised to be the ruler of Jerusalem.

“Do not fret. Even though it was an agreement, who would dare harm the ruler of Jerusalem?”

If… such a thing were to occur, they would face severe retaliation.

* * *

—Ireland, the Grand Duke’s Castle—

Being a Grand Duke doesn’t grant absolute power. My brother Richard also strategizes to influence his vassals.

I, too, became a persuasive salesman to gain approval for the Sunday school policy, dispatching envoys to nobles and even visiting some myself.

Of course, it would be different if I possessed complete ‘power’ like my other brothers. That may come in the future, but currently, Safe John’s power is limited.

I had to adopt a compromising political stance, expressing ‘I will do it’ rather than demanding ‘Do it!’ Nevertheless, my efforts were not in vain.

Eventually, through my persistent efforts, the third estate agreed to consider Sunday school favorably. Just as I was about to commence the first phase of the Sunday school project.

A letter arrived from my father in Anjou.

“Your Highness, King Henry II has sent a letter.”

“Our father is swift to respond. I understand.”

I smiled brightly.

A few days prior, I had written to my father, asking.

‘May I introduce a new language confined to our territory?’

This was the reply.

Our great, benevolent, and occasionally cunning father, Henry II.

The letter granted permission for the new language I created to be officially used in Angevin. Specifically, it allowed me to freely promote cultural movements within my territory.

For those who spoke the inefficient medieval French, Angevin, based on modern French, was revolutionary.

Moreover, like medieval French, it also interacted with ‘English’ to some extent.

Regardless of Latin being the common language of the nobles and my ability to act within the territory, securing cooperation on the sensitive issue of language was beneficial.

Since my father had agreed in the letter, it was time to proceed properly.

After discussing the use of Angevin with Peter and Godfrey, along with the administrators and soldiers, I went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a light heart.

I informed Bishop Rothaire of the plan for practical assistance through Sunday school.

“Firstly, many will resist if I simply order them to participate in Sunday school. Therefore, as the Grand Duke… I must offer incentives. The items will be….”

After listening to my explanation, Bishop Rothaire inquired.

“So, if a student excels in Sunday school, you will reward their son with white bread?”

“That’s correct. I will provide a large loaf of bread to be shared with the family.”

The privilege of the lord in this era is the ability to control the ‘bakery’ at will. The more wealth a lord possesses, the more the bakery becomes a tool for ‘abuse of power.’

Bread and circuses [a strategy to keep the populace content by providing basic necessities and entertainment], a legacy of the Roman Empire. Of course, many in the backwater of Ireland would be content with just bread, as it is not as ‘affluent’ as ancient Rome.

“Many children will be educated. No, many parents will ensure their children attend Sunday school.”

Of course, it’s not entirely altruistic, but there are several reasons.

Diligent attendance at Sunday school and earning a ‘grade’ that recognizes them as a disciple of Jesus will grant them that precious ‘white bread.’

White bread may seem insignificant, but for serfs in this era, it is a truly valuable commodity.

The core curriculum of Sunday school is arithmetic and Angevin. Isn’t that the new ‘killing move’ that will establish a nation called Angevin in the future?

“Of course, I will divide the classrooms by class.”

It may seem discriminatory, but in the Middle Ages, how could the children of nobles and commoners study together? Even in the 21st century, those who enjoy ‘division’ need ‘discrimination.’

That’s especially true in this era with its rigid class system.

“I will construct special rooms for the nobles, adequate classrooms for the third class, and shacks as classrooms for the commoners. Unfortunately, this era is a class society.”

“That is an excellent idea. Sunday school must also be divided.”

Bishop Rothaire nodded in agreement.

“And unlike the children of commoners and below, the privileged class will receive better rewards. Items such as Bibles, wine, and jewelry. Naturally, they will need to earn commensurate points.”

“That is a very good idea. White bread is only appealing to commoners.”

Following that, we discussed the direction of Sunday school. Bishop Rothaire, whether due to his Italian background or his status as a clergyman yet untainted by corruption, understood the ‘simple theological education and cultural creation for children’ that I envisioned.

As the conversation progressed.

“Your Highness, we are in dire straits.”

A knight entered the cathedral urgently.

“What is it?”

As expected of Europe… Judging by the knight’s expression, something significant had occurred.

Did Philippe, lurking in the shadows, cause an incident?

* * *

“…That’s what they say.”

We were speechless upon hearing the latest news from the Angevin territory, delivered by the profusely sweating Mortain knight.

It was shocking. While perhaps commonplace in the Middle Ages, I was focused on internal affairs. How could this be an obstacle?

Our father, Henry II, is ill.

The incident of ‘the king’s illness’ is not a trivial matter.

Looking at the history of Joseon [Korean Dynasty], wasn’t it when Yi Bang-won initiated the Prince’s Rebellion to eliminate Jeong Do-jeon? It happens when Yi Seong-gye falls ill.

It’s when the absolute monarch, who manipulates the princes based on solid ‘royal authority’ during his reign, becomes most vulnerable.

“Is our father truly ill? Or….”

As a dutiful son, I trailed off. I couldn’t bring myself to suggest he was putting on a ‘show.’

‘Is he feigning illness to stab me in the back like Sima Yi in Romance of the Three Kingdoms [a historical novel]? It’s plausible given our dad’s personality?’

However, Knight Godfrey, noticing my hesitation, said.

“But the previous report indicated that he was gradually reducing his food intake.”

“Well, he might have lost his appetite.”

Henry must have lost his appetite because his brother didn’t die from the fall.

But Godfrey’s next words were even more shocking.

“He doesn’t consort with women.”

It’s truly serious. For our father, ‘women’ are as essential as oxygen.

“Should I depart for Anjou immediately?”

“The Great King has forbidden any of his sons from entering.”

But the astonishing report wasn’t finished.

“Your Highness, there is something else you need to know.”