The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 151

151. We Are Angevin

-1202, England, Rouen-

‘Discrimination based on ethnicity won’t disappear quickly, will it?’

Richard I thought. It would be difficult for nobles from West France and England to treat the people of other regions fairly.

In fact, Richard himself considered himself a ‘West Frenchman’ and had stereotypes about nobles from other regions.

King Richard was curious. How interesting would his brother Safe John, who had been arguing that ‘Anjou’ should be unified for decades, look?

His brother, who suddenly mentioned the issue of Limbo [the supposed abode of souls excluded from heaven, such as those of unbaptized infants], that children who died before baptism had no original sin, said that the accounting system should be unified, and the Angevin language, created using the existing French, should become the official language of England.

As time passed, Angevinization took place in Aquitaine, and the noticeable movements such as ‘Anjouization’ and ‘Angevin Integration’ were well conveyed to Rouen.

The Count of Champagne solemnly informed his lord.

“Your Majesty, with this, Angevinization has begun in Aquitaine on a large scale.”

“…How interesting.”

Prince John, who had subdued the nobles of Aquitaine and its surroundings, finally took action. Although there were many events, if we reduce the movements to four:

[Establishment of the Integrity Tribunal.

Solidarity of the Catholic Church.

Expansion of the standing army, a military force for enforcement.

Expansion of administrative power by those from Sunday school.]

John was gradually carrying out the Angevinization work in his territory, but there were no nobles who opposed the lord’s policies, which would normally appear in such cases.

The nobles of the Aquitaine region had no justification to oppose the will of the Duke of Normandy in this situation where everything was prepared, nor were they prepared with the power to do so.

In any case, thanks to Prince John, the people of Aquitaine, who shared the same language, the same education, and the same faith, began to share a sense of ethnic identity as ‘Angevins’.

Richard I laughed.

Although he had condoned the action, his brother’s movement to Angevinize Aquitaine was extraordinary.

It was basic to implement policies in an orthodox manner, but he did not unconditionally antagonize his subordinate nobles and always left room for negotiation.

Most of all, what made John great was that he showed a ‘role model’ not only to Aquitaine but also to nobles in other regions. A role model that Angevinization was worth doing.

“My brother is truly amazing. Eventually, the news from Aquitaine has made the nobles of Rouen seriously consider the Angevinization of all of England.”

“Isn’t that also because of Your Majesty’s wise consent?”

When the Count of Champagne said that everything was because Richard I was great, Richard raised the corners of his mouth and said.

“Henry, that’s not it. It’s because John didn’t do anything that would harm my prestige while doing such things.”

Richard I was truly impressed. His brother John never did anything to disturb his mood in Rouen. And he sought his consent on sensitive matters, whether through people or letters.

The most important thing was that he never interfered with Richard I’s interests. It was all thanks to John that King Richard I became the most entertained person in England during this Holy Roman Empire civil war.

In any case, John was recognized by people paradoxically while showing such cautious behavior.

The nobles in Rouen also began to recognize John as a power in his own right. As the competent high-ranking noble that John had so desired.

Of course, apart from that, Richard I thought that the Angevinization of the entire country would not be easy. Nothing ever goes according to one person’s will.

“Your Majesty, it is time to attend the advisory council.”

“I understand.”

So today, the royal advisory council was held. The agenda was the Angevinism that Safe John had advocated in Aquitaine.

The discussion was whether England should become the country of the Angevins, just as the Holy Roman Empire was the country of the Germans and the Eastern Roman Empire was the country of the Greeks.

There was some opposition. There were conservative nobles who believed that the English-West French should be the ruling race and control the rest of the races.

“Your Majesty, a distinction must be made between the English-West French and the rest of the races.”

But that was just a minority opinion.

“Since the thoughts of Your Majesty and the Duke of Normandy are helpful to the rule of England, I, Duke of Norfolk, am in favor of the Angevinization of England.”

To the Duke of Norfolk’s humble words, Richard I replied in a satisfied voice.

“I am grateful that a noble as dignified as you supports my will.”

Strictly speaking, the Duke of Norfolk is a high-ranking noble closer to Duke John of Normandy than Richard I because of his son Robin, and there is no reason to oppose the Angevinism created by John.

But the reason why Richard I is happy now is that the Duke of Norfolk, who has a considerable power, showed his support first, respecting the king.

Then another noble stepped forward.

“I also support Your Majesty’s will. One king, one England. That is the path we must take without wavering.”

The Earl of Oxford, an old noble whom Richard respected, agreed to Angevinization.

“Thank you, Earl of Oxford.”

“I simply agreed because it was a reasonable opinion for the future of England.”

As nobles with both experience and skill agreed to Angevinism, the consensus leaned toward approving it.

For England’s firm dominance of the European continent, England must become the country of the Angevins.

The reason why such a positive result came out was that the nobles in Rouen also realized that Angevinism was useful for ‘governance’.

“Gentlemen, thank you for your hard work in the meeting. I didn’t expect you to be so cooperative.”

Richard I did not expect the meeting to end so quickly and positively.

Rather, the king himself felt a sense of emptiness at the meeting that ended so smoothly.

After the meeting ended like this.

“In the end, my brother succeeded.”

Richard I felt a dazed feeling.

But it’s not a bad feeling. Richard I himself wanted the unification of England. He had experienced the power of united strength through various battlefields.

Just then.

[Grandma, I’m going to marry England. If I live a life of luxury with the wealth my mother left me and cross the Jordan River, God will be very pleased.]

Richard I heard the news containing the words that his niece in Aquitaine had said to her mother Matilda.

“It’s a trial that any father with a beautiful daughter has to go through.”

He sympathized with his brother John.

* * *

-England, Aquitaine’s capital, Poitiers-

Today is another peaceful Aquitaine, no, a pleasant Aquitaine.

This is because the ‘Angevinization’ that I proposed in Rouen, the capital of England, was approved.

Richard I went even further and formally announced the claim that [All people of England are Angevins] through the Rouen Decree.

Considering the weight of the king’s decision from the capital, even in the feudal era, it was truly the right thing to do.

“Congratulations, Your Highness.”

“No. All of this was thanks to your efforts.”

To be honest, it was not something I did alone, but something that was achieved with the help of my vassals.

Yes, the Angevinization of all of England…that is the long-cherished desire of the English people!

But life is full of ups and downs, and I was not at peace. I was conscious of Mary, who could be said to be the second-largest shareholder in Aquitaine if it were a large corporation.

It was natural to be aware of one’s wife as one gets older. Our father Henry, who didn’t know how scary the world was and played with his lower body, was like that too.

‘Elizabeth is suspicious. Go and talk to her.’

I received a mission from my wife. It was to see how my daughter was doing.

“The Duke has entered.”

I entered my daughter’s room, listening to the maid who served my daughter.

“Dad, you’re here?”

My beloved daughter, who greets me happily, is my daughter Elizabeth, who resembles all the advantages of her grandmother and mother.

I’m not just bragging because she’s my daughter, but in recent years, many nobles from families with some influence have proposed to my daughter. She had become one of the most recognized beauties in England to that extent.

[Grandma, I’m going to marry England. If I live a life of luxury with the wealth my mother left me and cross the Jordan River, God will be very pleased.]

It would have been better if she hadn’t said that.

I was surprised to hear the news about Elizabeth from my mother. This is exactly what Elizabeth I said, isn’t it?

I understand my daughter’s feelings that she doesn’t have a groom who is perfect and pleasing to her.

‘Of course, I’d be happy if there was no son-in-law…’

As a father, I also had the desire to have my beautiful and intelligent daughter stay by my side forever without marrying a dark man.

But I also knew how lonely it was to live alone for the rest of one’s life.

If I do something wrong, my daughter shouldn’t suffer by my side like the daughters of Louis XV.

I calmed my mind and said to Elizabeth.

“Daughter.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Are you really going to live and die like a nun?”

To my question of whether she was really not going to get married and live alone until she died.

My daughter said with a very natural face.

“Of course not. Even a beauty like me can’t be without a partner, can she?”

My beloved daughter, didn’t you say you were going to marry England?

Wait…this doesn’t feel good.

At that moment.

I began to feel an ominous feeling that I rarely had in my life.

“What?”

“Actually, I have someone I admire.”

“Who is it?”

“The gold ducat [a gold coin].”

“What?”

I was speechless.

* * *

-Kingdom of Jerusalem-

After the civil war of the Holy Roman Empire ended and Otto IV ascended the throne, the Germans became quiet again. The war clouds of Europe disappeared like a burnt-out torch.

The world was peaceful.

But if there is an unchanging fact, it is that there are too many people in medieval Europe who do not want peace.

King Geoffrey I of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

He became the monarch of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which the French nobles desperately wanted, but he was not satisfied. No, he could never be satisfied.

This was because he was the one who should be sitting on the throne with the lion drawn on it (the symbol of the Angevin family), not this sandy throne.

‘I still haven’t given up my lingering feelings.’

Geoffrey I was clearly a loser who had been defeated in the civil war and virtually exiled from England.

[The loser leaves silently…there is no will.]

Geoffrey I still could not forget the death of Prince Henry, who was sometimes an enemy, sometimes an ally, and ultimately a heartbreaking brother.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

As his son, Crown Prince Arthur, who resembled him very much, entered, Geoffrey I said.

“Father, did you call me?”

“Arthur, my beloved son.”

“Yes, Father.”

Like Hamilcar Barca vowing revenge before Hannibal Barca long ago, Geoffrey spoke to his son Arthur.

“Who are you?”

“I am the eldest grandson of the Angevin family.”

Arthur knew his father’s sorrow better than anyone else, so he said his ‘essence’ without hesitation.

“So what must we not forget?”

“The fact that we are members of the Angevin family.”

Geoffrey I said with a satisfied face at his young son Arthur’s firm answer.

“Yes…you must not forget. Who we are. First, revenge is next.”

“I will keep your words in mind.”

Then a knight came in and reported.

“Your Majesty, all the delegates have gathered.”

“I understand.”

At the voice of the servant, Geoffrey I.

-Your Majesty!

He looked at the people who were paying their respects to him.

“We have gathered here secretly. Fortunately, the current England is distracted by other things and has no interest in this Kingdom of Jerusalem. No, they won’t even be wary of me, who has already fallen. Richard and John, they have always been such people….”

Geoffrey I, who had been blurring his words for a while.

He looked at the ‘guests’ with a very serious look and opened his mouth.

“France, Spain, Sicily…and our Kingdom of Jerusalem must fight an invisible fight.”

Geoffrey, who learned his lesson properly after being defeated by Prince John and Prince Richard in the past, decided not to draw his sword right away like a fool.

But couldn’t he do something like ‘checks and balances’, which is no different from the tradition of Europe?