The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 111

111. Bonjour, Brittany (3)

While Prince John and Prince Geoffrey were locked in a fierce competition for control of Brittany, their pride on the line, others were facing far more basic struggles.

It’s easy to forget, but even in the late 12th century, many commoners simply yearned for a full belly of mixed grain bread.

These people, known across the land as ‘serfs,’ were the backbone of the workforce, toiling from sunrise to sunset.

What they craved most was peace.

Why did they bow before knights and lesser nobles?

Because, in exchange for their subservience and a large portion of their harvest, they received protection.

But lately, a sense of unease had begun to creep in.

Their stomachs were empty, and their spirits were low. They resented suffering because of the princes’ family feud, and they began to abandon their plows, grumbling amongst themselves.

“What are those nobles even thinking? We’re starving!”

“What do you think? They’re only thinking of fighting to get what they want!”

“Let’s just drink beer. This world is a mess.”

It would be a mistake to assume that those who coaxed life from the harsh farmland lacked wisdom.

They had long believed their fate was sealed, descendants of Adam, burdened with cultivating the land as penance for his sin against God.

This was the medieval era, after all.

Mercenaries and knights risked their lives on the battlefield, but conscripted soldiers were also a reality.

Even the most uneducated serf knew that if the situation worsened, they could be forced into military service, despite their farming lives.

Though angry, the serfs endured.

Shaken by the civil war, they consoled themselves, remembering that things were still better than during the [Great Revolt], which their parents had suffered through.

But a growing sense of burden began to weigh on them.

The prolonged fighting in Brittany took its toll, and fatigue spread throughout the territory, affecting not only the serfs.

In such times, those in the middle suffered the most.

Throughout history, chaos always brought sorrow to the serfs, but the middle class felt it even more acutely. In medieval society, this middle class consisted of the lower nobility.

‘Damn princes, why must we endure this!’

They knew they were paying too high a price for this war.

Among the lower nobles, differing opinions about the civil war began to surface.

As the conflict dragged on, those not aligned with Prince Geoffrey’s faction found themselves increasingly burdened.

“This is wrong.”

“Civil war is one thing, but why should we be exploited like this?”

“The Black Lion Army [Prince John’s forces] was better.”

Prince John’s supporters, aware of these complaints, realized the significance.

‘The complaints Prince John predicted have finally erupted.’

This was the medieval feudal era. Unlike in Northeast Asia, where Confucianism held strong, European nobles could switch their allegiance at any time.

And so it was.

While they might not admire lords who betrayed out of mere self-interest, the lower nobles, seeking a ‘safe zone’ that offered rewards commensurate with their efforts, grew increasingly interested in changing sides.

Because the opportunity for betrayal had presented itself.

A few days later, a man leading a group of disgruntled lower nobles went hunting.

He hoped to relieve his frustration by shooting the prepared game.

Suddenly,

The workers driving the animals shouted.

“We are watchmen made up of Cago [outcasts of southern France], Gypsies, and Jews.”

“I wondered what that smell was. Vulgar creatures.”

Even lower nobles were still nobles. How dare these despised people interrupt their hunt?

“What are you doing? Get rid of these filthy things!”

Then, those deemed filthy by the lower noble spoke.

“We came prepared to die. We will never back down.”

“What?”

“We came from Ireland.”

A man spoke, his life on the line, revealing their origin, knowing who controlled Ireland.

“Did Prince John send you?”

The lower noble quickly smiled. If they were sent by Prince John, they couldn’t be ordinary, lowly people.

“Our great lord is a benevolent man who has even impressed the Earl of Scotland.”

“Hmm….”

“Anyway, you just need to do a very important job that won’t cause you much loss. Since you are not in Prince Geoffrey’s faction anyway, it won’t be too difficult, will it?”

And a few days later.

“Bread, give us bread!”

“We have nothing to eat because we sent food to the soldiers!”

“Why did you harm King Henry II?”

Incidents erupted like volcanoes across the land.

The Gallic people, the subjugated class of France, began to voice their grievances.

* * *

―Brittany, within the White Lion’s camp―

“The Black Lion Army is retreating!”

“Our righteous White Lion Army is victorious!”

The arrival of the Burgundy army forced John’s forces, which had been aggressively attacking, into a defensive posture.

From Geoffrey’s perspective, this was a welcome development.

‘As expected, reinforcements make a difference.’

The Burgundy support troops were strong soldiers, likely made even more elite by Philip II’s desire to quickly resolve the situation with Prince John.

Prince Geoffrey understood this. Being called the loyal vanguard of the Capetian dynasty meant they possessed considerable ability.

Thanks to this, Prince John’s army, which had been attacking Brittany relentlessly, began a rapid retreat to the outer regions.

An army in retreat after fierce fighting is at its weakest. Naturally, Geoffrey’s army aimed to exploit this vulnerability.

After all, they had support troops from Burgundy. It seemed the battle for Brittany would soon be over.

‘To think an army could retreat so effectively…’

The Earl of Chester was quite surprised.

But that wasn’t all. Unrest began to stir within Brittany.

[Subjugate the traitors!]

[The legend of the Safe Zone ends here!]

Prince John, cornered, would surely fall like Icarus.

But then, an unexpected variable emerged.

“Something terrible has happened.”

“What terrible thing? Aren’t we winning decisively?”

“That’s not it.”

The liaison reported a revolt of lower nobles disguised as a riot.

Prince Geoffrey was stunned to hear that Prince John had reversed his army’s direction and launched a brilliant counterattack.

“Look at this?”

The riot was a completely unexpected move.

Prince Geoffrey had tried to eliminate Prince John’s spies as thoroughly as possible, believing there were no remaining threats.

But he was wrong.

Who would have suspected that he would use the most despised and mistreated Cago, Gypsies, and Jews as spies?

Moreover, reports indicated that knights were disguised as lowly people.

“John is using them in this way.”

“Your Highness.”

“Earl of Chester, gather all the troops.”

The White Lion could no longer afford to be complacent.

* * *

―Brittany, within the Black Lion’s camp―

War is always unpredictable. No matter how confident you are in your strategy, unexpected counterattacks can lead to defeat, can’t they?

Seeing the White Lion Army charging in like madmen, I was reminded of the simple truth that war is a numbers game.

The commanders under my command began to show signs of fear.

‘The losses are significant.’

‘The reinforcements from the Burgundy army are too strong.’

Even Robin voiced his concerns.

“The war situation is difficult.”

He meant the war situation was dire. But this was expected.

I knew there was no such thing as a fair fight in medieval Europe. The worst-case scenario was the Spanish army joining my brother Geoffrey, so the arrival of the French 2nd Company was fortunate.

I had already discussed my grand strategy with Godfrey.

“Lord Godfrey, let’s make a tactical retreat.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Seeing Godfrey’s calm demeanor, Robin asked.

“Your Highness has already planned an alternative with Lord Godfrey.”

“That’s right. We need to reorganize our forces while retreating. I’ve scouted the retreat route and devised a grand strategy for after.”

I knew the best routes for retreat, drawing on the invasion routes used during the Huguenot Wars and the escape route of Louis XIV.

During the Imjin War, King Seonjo of Joseon was undoubtedly the world’s greatest runaway, but when Louis XIV and the vassals of the Bourbon dynasty fled during the Fronde as a boy, it was legendary!

Cardinal Mazarin, the powerful figure who served as Louis XIV’s protector, used money acquired through corruption to ensure the king’s safe evacuation.

And what about the Huguenot War?

Even in the fierce civil war between Protestants and Catholics, the Brittany region was a crucial point.

It was the preferred invasion route of Henry IV, founder of the Bourbon dynasty.

In my previous life, I was a true French history fanatic, so I knew the way very well.

So I ran away quickly, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed and limiting looting.

“Cowardly traitor John!”

“Are you running away again today?”

“Traitor who knows nothing of honor!”

Naturally, I encountered the enraged White Lion Army.

But I avoided fair fights, opting for urban warfare within castles, rather than open battles or sieges.

I waged a campaign of guerrilla warfare and looting.

And finally, I received the news.

The spies I had planted in Brittany for over 10 years had begun to move.

They would create a riot at this crucial moment. The revolt of the angry Gallic people was a force to be reckoned with!

“Hahaha, my brother must be having a hard time.”

Moreover,

The German mercenary corps sent by my mother joined our allies through the Brest naval port. A most welcome development.

“What is this force?”

“It’s a gift from my mother.”

“In addition, weapons and warhorses have been provided.”

Duke Robin of Norfolk’s eyes gleamed.

I addressed the commanders.

“Now is the time for a righteous counterattack to begin.”

Leading the army, we began our counterattack, utilizing the power we had accumulated.

And I received letters from converts.

[We believe in Safe Zone and Duke Richard, not Satan Geoffrey and Henry.]

My brother Geoffrey’s knights, who had been promised a better future, were now biding their time, waiting for the opportune moment to betray him.

* * *

―1191, Kingdom of Spain―

The civil war in Brittany was also of great interest to Spain.

Spain was located west of western France.

The Duke of Normandy was focused on a showdown with Duke Henry of Aquitaine, leaving Duke Geoffrey of Brittany as a secondary concern. Richard believed that John, the Duke of Ireland, could handle Geoffrey.

The outcome of this conflict would alter the course of history.

The people of Western Europe were eagerly awaiting news of this family feud. They didn’t want to get involved, but they secretly hoped that both Prince John and Prince Geoffrey would be ruined.

They were receiving news of the Brittany riot.

[Prince John’s evil has been revealed!]

Prince John had orchestrated the riot in secret.

Who else would incite a riot by disguising spies as lowly people, instead of merchants?

Moreover, converts were emerging, primarily among the lower nobles.

In this situation, Little Eleanor, one of the palace’s inhabitants, exclaimed.

“Our mother is truly terrifying.”

Little Eleanor was surprised that people had come from Ireland.

She was reacting to the direct message at the end of the letter from her mother, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, which arrived promptly as promised.

[This letter is for our John, not Richard. You wouldn’t consider harassing the youngest child who shares my name, would you? Otherwise, Spain might become like the Kingdom of France.]

“Ha… our mother is now biased towards John. Besides, since when has our John cared about the youngest child?”

But her wise mother, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, didn’t ask for her support without offering something in return.

She had already won over the nobles of Spain and was prepared for Spain to fracture at any moment.

She was truly a formidable mother.