The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 150

Angers Union (3)

-April 1202, Poitiers, the capital of Aquitaine-

I received the latest news from Robin, the Director of Intelligence, concerning the neighboring Holy Roman Empire.

“…And so, Otto IV has ascended to the throne.”

Even after Robin summarized it as concisely as possible, the explanation was still quite lengthy. The civil war within the Holy Roman Empire was, in many ways, an unexpectedly significant event.

“The weight of the crown is truly heavy.”

Being an emperor is difficult—very difficult, extremely difficult.

“I think so too, Your Highness.”

“Aunt Matilda must be very proud. After enduring such a tragedy, her son has become the emperor.”

On the surface, I maintained a solemn demeanor, but inwardly, I felt a pang of sorrow. This was because I had obtained detailed information previously unknown to me regarding the intricacies of the Holy Roman Empire’s civil war.

In simple terms, it appeared as though the Elector of Saxony had easily defeated the King of Germany. However, the King of Germany resisted fiercely, gathering all his strength in a desperate attempt to retain his crown. Therefore, Otto’s victory was far from easy.

Even though the previous emperor, Frederick I, also known as Redbeard, was considered somewhat incompetent at the time of his death, the King of Germany possessed his own strengths, regardless of that assessment.

In fact, King Henry of Germany might have won the civil war if his brother, the Duke of Swabia, hadn’t betrayed him.

The Holy Roman Empire had anticipated a civil war even before Emperor Frederick’s death, and the imperial family initially planned to unite and defeat Richard the Lionheart. [Richard the Lionheart was King of England from 1189 to 1199.]

However, the assassination of the Lionheart and Enrico Dandolo [Enrico Dandolo was the Doge of Venice from 1192 to 1205] occurred first, disrupting those plans.

The Duke of Swabia briefly made some absurd pronouncements about ‘political neutrality’ in the North German region and then fled to the Kingdom of Poland—a Slavic backwater typically ignored by the Emperor of the Empire.

It was a clear act of a brother abandoning his own brother in a crisis, seeking only his own survival.

If it had been just the Duke of Swabia’s defection, it wouldn’t have been a major issue. However, the King of Germany’s relatives subsequently betrayed him, deserted him, or failed to repay their debts, further exacerbating the situation.

Anyway, I supported Otto, the Elector of Saxony, and my investment proved successful.

In the end, my nephew Otto won. Wouldn’t my plan to cultivate a friendly monarch with a shared security perspective of ‘I hate France’ be successful?

Besides, Otto is a true nephew who, even in the original timeline, raised troops to punish France in order to save his incompetent uncle, King John.

‘Of course, he was utterly defeated in the original timeline, though.’

Otto did not extend invitations to others for his coronation. The first reason was the excessive bloodshed involved in securing his position, and the second was out of respect for the defeated.

“How unfortunate.”

In any case, the Holy Roman Empire’s war is over. The King of Germany was defeated in the final Battle of Leipzig and died on the battlefield.

Naturally, numerous rumors of assassination circulated.

However, the King of Germany’s most loyal vassals, who remained with him until the final battle, testified that this was not the case.

I suppose complications from a fit of anger worsened his condition. Poor fellow. I hope he is reborn as a cherished member of the Angevin family in his next life and enjoys wealth and glory.

Anyway, that’s enough about other people’s affairs. There’s no need to dwell on the Holy Roman Empire any longer.

Now, I need to address a somewhat sensitive matter closer to home.

“By the way, Lord Robin, were there any who opposed my Angevin Union?”

Aquitaine has been a land of plenty since ancient times, so there are quite a few native French individuals hiding within the territory. Fortunately, I’ve been cracking down hard since assuming the position of Duke of Aquitaine.

Still, one can never be too sure, so I inquired whether any troublesome nobles were still interfering with my plans.

“There are absolutely none left. Opposing the Duke at this point would be political suicide, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s a relief—no madmen around.”

I was prepared to deploy the judges to purge any dissenters, but it seems there’s no need.

“Then, what is the atmosphere like in the capital?”

I asked if Richard I’s vassals were obstructing my work.

“As expected, it is calm. There will be nothing detrimental to Your Highness, because, as Your Highness has always said, the interests of the nobles of Rouen and ours are aligned.”

“Yes, our interests are not different.”

In fact, these medieval nobles were astute. They were smart enough to recognize that the Angevin Union was not merely an option but a necessity. Like me, they likely believe that preventing the resurgence of the Kingdom of France requires holding onto West France.

If I had caused a significant uproar by introducing tax reforms and other disruptive measures to the Angevin Union, they would have stubbornly resisted me, much like the corrupt forces of the aristocracy just before the French Revolution. But I am not so foolish.

‘In fact, being in Rouen would allow me to respond to the nobles in many ways. The problem is that I still need to be in Aquitaine for now.’

For now, as I hold the title of Duke of Normandy, the next king, I have to go to Rouen for various reasons, but now my son needs to learn diligently, and the results of the Angevin integration work must be evident in this great city of Aquitaine.

Of course, I am confident in the Angevinization efforts.

I possess military power, economic strength, and the support of pro-government nobles. Moreover, I have also secured the backing of the Catholic Church, which may be the most crucial factor in the Middle Ages.

Ah, Bishop Lothair was appointed as a cardinal and went to the Roman Papal States to properly follow the papal course. That means that, in addition to my teacher, there will be someone who can express my ‘opinions’ in the center of Catholicism.

Now, the power of the church that Safe Zone wields has become stronger, and confidence is overflowing. Now everyone is doomed. This is the beginning of We are the Angevin!

Anyway, now all the people of England are Angevins.

Of course, there will be some differences, such as their origins and dialects, but the important thing is to treat everyone fairly.

Laws must be established, institutions must be created, and managers must be diligent.

When the fresh scent of spring filled the air,

I gathered the nobles who shared my interests and declared,

“From this day forward, this office will establish the Sincerity Tribunal.”

Sincerity Tribunal.

It’s called a ‘tribunal,’ but it will essentially be an organization no different from a pro-government force that moves as I say and as I want to do.

Anyway, those who would oppose have all died or been kicked out, so there were none.

If they ignored my merciful warning not to discriminate, I announced a non-discrimination bill that their lives could be ruined in stages.

Thus, I loved my people as I loved myself.

* * *

Around the time when I, Safe John, was using the Sincerity Tribunal to enthusiastically put the Angevin Union into practice,

My wife, Mary, approached me with an uncomfortable expression.

To be honest, I had an idea of what my wife was angry about, but I greeted her happily, pretending not to know anything.

“My dear Mary, what brings you here?”

“Ha… well, you see.”

Seeing Mary hesitate to speak, I asked again.

“What’s wrong, dear?”

When I asked gently, Mary told me with a helpless expression.

“It’s about our children. James is fine, but I’m so worried about the younger ones!”

Our children’s problem, huh.

“Aren’t they all doing well?”

It’s not just because they are my children, but it’s as if they only absorbed the best DNA from the Angevin and Komnenos families. All my children are outstanding.

In terms of both ability and appearance. Especially when it comes to looks, I sometimes wonder if my family belongs in Hollywood.

So, what could be the problem with our children?

“John, that’s not it.”

“Is that so?”

As I asked with a slightly cautious look, Mary continued to speak.

“James, who became the Count of Poitiers, is truly perfect… Just like how his grandmother dotes on Richard I, I too am fascinated by James’ abilities.”

“James is a smart child who resembles you. And the rest of the children are all wise like you, so there’s no need to worry so much, right?”

The eldest son, James, who just obtained the title of Count of Poitiers [a region in France].

He was a lovely son who knew well what a safe path was, just like me. Even now, he is seeking guidance from his grandfather for a secure future and is an elite who diligently follows his demanding lessons.

The other sons, Charles and Louis, are also flawless.

Louis is young but shows intelligence, and Charles seems aware of his older brother and is doing well on his own. Aren’t they good sons?

At my words, my wife smiled slightly and revealed her thoughts.

“I know, John. You, who have experienced several civil wars, want a stable primogeniture succession [system where the eldest son inherits everything], and that the other children shouldn’t stand out too much. So, I understand the other sons. I know they have to pretend to be less capable on purpose. But our daughter is really struggling.”

Ah, that issue.

Our reliable daughter, Elisabeth, who refuses marriages like clockwork.

So, it was our daughter’s problem?

“Still, eventually, won’t a suitable partner appear?”

“You wouldn’t know… how amazing Elisabeth is? At this rate, she might surpass Princess Agnes, who dumped you.”

Agnes, a nostalgic name. The key here is that marriage is not easy.

“I’m well aware of the marriage issue. But it’s not that urgent, is it?”

‘Ugh… she’ll reject anyone below her brother’s level.’

I know too well what the problem is with my beloved daughter, Elisabeth.

To be precise, her standards are too high, and she’s cutting off any marriage prospects that come her way.

What on earth is our cute daughter doing?

“Ha, you don’t know how cunning that child is, John, just like you.”

* * *

Father Safe John loved all his children in order not to follow in the footsteps of his father, Duke Henry of Brittany.

Of course, he was a little more special to his eldest son, James, but that was only due to political issues. Now is the Middle Ages, so it was natural to have a distinction between the heir and the other children.

Unless he was too busy with work, he always took the time to carefully take care of all his children, including James, Elisabeth, Charles, and Louis.

Among them, Elisabeth, who possessed both beauty and cunning, was a very precious daughter. Because she was the only daughter.

That’s how fathers feel about their daughters.

A feeling of wanting to keep their pretty and precious daughter in their arms forever?

The problem is when that precious daughter reaches marriageable age.

Elisabeth was coolly rejecting marriages based on various political interests.

“The rumors aren’t good.”

“I don’t like him.”

“The in-laws aren’t good.”

“It’s not a very good match.”

“It’s too far away!”

Not John or Henry.

The high-ranking noblewomen, specifically Eleanor and Mary, were racking their brains and rejecting all the grooms listed in the precious ‘marriage registry’ they had designated.

Of course, Elisabeth’s marriage was not a national decision for England in crisis, and it was not that urgent yet, but it was too much.

[Ha, Elisabeth. Do you even have any intention of getting married?]

Mary was burning inside. At this point, she felt like her daughter was not just postponing marriage, but would reject it forever.

‘No, why would I do that…’

But Elisabeth, who had been nagged by her mother Mary in many ways, felt very wronged.

After seeing a SSS-class groom like her older brother James, her standards have become too high. How can she marry such shabby candidates?

Honestly, she didn’t think a satisfactory groom would appear with this kind of political marriage.

Besides, even though her mother Mary had a love marriage with her father, why was she trying to forcibly pair her with a young master she didn’t even know the face or personality of?

“But it can’t be helped. Damn it, there’s no groom who’s a perfect match for a perfect woman like us. If you want to lower your standards, you’d have to lower them to the level of Louis VII and your grandfather.”

Eleanor, who had once been a bright, beautiful, and high-ranking ‘princess,’ tried to comfort her granddaughter as if it couldn’t be helped.

But Elisabeth was a 13th-century princess who couldn’t bear the old customs. Could that be the reason?

The young woman couldn’t control her burning ambition.

“Grandmother, I’ll marry England. If I live a life of luxury with the wealth my mother left me and cross the Jordan River [a metaphor for death or a spiritual journey], God will be very pleased, right?”

“…!”

The Countess Eleanor was shocked by the audacious statement of the 13th-century princess.