The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 144

144. Richard I (1)

—1201, Kingdom of France, Paris—

Despite the Kingdom of France not faring well after meddling in the civil war and being thoroughly shaken by Safe Zone, nearly leading to riots,

It was now in a very peaceful state.

This was partly due to its population and the abundance of its territory, but also because of Philip II’s exemplary actions as the monarch of the Kingdom of France, even after being shaken hundreds, even thousands of times.

In fact, in 21st-century terms, there was a time when the blame for everything was being placed on Philip II.

In any case, Paris had been looted, and his prestige as king was greatly damaged.

Of course, Philip II had already decided which nobles would take the fall for this externally. The king only needed to act as if to say, ‘Oh, those nobles did it, you see?’

However, Philip II laid straw in Versailles, a quiet village full of mud and swamps, built a humble wooden platform,

and stood upon it to speak:

[I have been too arrogant. Everything in France has been achieved through the hard work of the people, the nobles, and the servants of the Lord. The Capetian dynasty rules as God’s representatives. But now, I realize the reality and will personally look after all the people of Gaul [ancient region of Western Europe].]

That was the beginning of the ‘Edict of Versailles.’

Philip II, who raised a standing army in secret from the nobles and conspired with Genoa to restore the economic power of the Capetian royal family, created a great image as Philip II, the king of the people.

Of course, this was a political maneuver made possible with the help of the Count of Blois, Philip II’s nephew.

For over eight years, he showed the same devotion to the people, silently suppressing the power of the nobles behind the scenes. The great Philip II.

Now, he had become a king who would do anything for the people.

Of course, he put his words into action. Even in the midst of this, he had to engage in fierce battles with the nobles, but the Count of Blois, a reliable shield, protected Philip II.

The Count of Blois, the son of the recently deceased Princess Alix, was a truly excellent vassal to Philip II.

Young, capable, and, moreover, someone who shared the same ‘blood’ without being in line for the throne. But the best thing was that their ‘interests’ aligned.

That became the background for Philip II, who had suffered great humiliation at the hands of Prince John in the past, to reign proudly as the King of France.

“Count of Blois, thanks to you, it has been easier to increase the royal power.”

“Not at all. The nobles’ inability to respond to Your Majesty is not due to my ability, but to the situation in the fractured Holy Roman Empire.”

Philip II didn’t think the Count of Blois was a particularly arrogant noble, but he wasn’t the type to put himself down either.

If England was the number one enemy that the Kingdom of France hated the most, then the Holy Roman Empire was next.

In fact, France was a geopolitically unfortunate country, like Korea stuck between Japan and China.

While England was wasting taxes in North Africa and unknowingly being taken advantage of by Spain, the Kingdom of France was screaming in Frankish while being held in the arms of England and the Holy Roman Empire.

The division of the Holy Roman Empire was good for France.

So, perhaps the Kingdom of France joined in the Eastern Roman Empire’s schemes and started the project of ‘The Germans taste best when they’re divided!’

At least, the shaking of the powerful country on the right would buy France time to properly reform.

Perhaps because he had suffered from Safe Zone’s despicable tactics and realized the ways of the world earlier than anyone else, Philip II never recklessly harmed or plundered the nobles. He knew well that suppressing them without humiliating them would earn their respect.

Pride as the master of the Capetian dynasty, the one who inherited the legitimacy of Louis VII, and the one who would once again endanger the Kingdom of France.

“I am not obsessed with revenge against Safe Zone.”

He doesn’t give up on revenge, but he’s not obsessed with it. That is Philip II’s firm belief now.

‘First of all, the Kingdom of France comes first.’

Philip II had long ceased to be caught up in the trivial emotion of revenge. Now, the internal affairs of the Kingdom of France took precedence over revenge.

A united and developed Kingdom of France could become a great fortress simply by its existence.

“I am well aware of Your Majesty’s intentions. The important thing is ‘One France’.”

The Count of Blois knew the mind of his uncle and lord, Philip II, well. He gave up on petty revenge against John and strengthened the internal affairs of the Kingdom of France.

A Kingdom of France that would not waver no matter what trials came! That is the cornerstone of the future that Philip II dreams of.

As Philip II was talking with the Count of Blois, a knight came in and reported.

“Your Majesty, new news has arrived.”

“Has the German king died?”

‘Surely that can’t be.’

The Kingdom of France had ‘invested’ in the civil war of the Holy Roman Empire in many ways. The more the Holy Roman Empire continued to shake, the more beneficial it was for the Kingdom of France.

Having invested so much in the division, he wondered if the German civil war would end insignificantly, but fortunately, the messenger did not come to announce the complete collapse of the Holy Roman Empire.

“England is preparing for a coronation.”

“….”

Coronation.

Philip II was silent at the various complex and subtle emotions that this word evoked. The Holy Roman Empire is shaking, and other countries are pouring oil on this chaos, and yet they are suddenly holding a coronation.

As expected, it was the kind of thought that the Angevin dynasty, who had sold their souls to the devil, would have, and Philip II felt the mental pain once again as the emotional wounds he had suffered in the past resurfaced. Ouch, it stings.

But despite his complicated inner feelings, Philip II smiled calmly and said.

“A coronation, it is natural to congratulate them… but the situation is not good for that.”

Yes, he acts like a great man on the outside, but Philip II has no intention of going to England’s coronation.

‘Richard, his title will be Richard I. Is a new era coming?’

Although Philip II had abandoned his desire for revenge, he was a little jealous.

The new history that Richard and Safe Zone, who would become the new king, would create would not be good for the Kingdom of France.

“I too, must work hard for Prince Louis.”

Therefore, Philip II had no intention of raising his son to be as weak and arrogant as the German king.

* * *

—England, London—

Any event, especially one that takes place at the national level, requires a lot of preparation. Of course, it’s the subordinates who suffer. Especially for a huge event like a coronation, there should be no mistakes.

Of course, I am also a ‘subordinate.’ I was one of the people preparing for the coronation. Rather than doing hard work, I was more of a manager who did overall checks.

After coming to London, I was busy preparing for the event for a while, and now it’s the final check.

“…How is it?”

I smiled heartily at the words of the London Royal Palace’s servant.

“Very good. Thank you for all your hard work in completing these preparations.”

I praised their efforts. Of course, I will not only praise them with words but also pay them appropriate bonuses in Venetian ducats [gold coins].

Of course, I can’t praise only the servant. Isn’t there Hubert Walter, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is in charge?

“The Archbishop of Canterbury has worked hard.”

“I have only done my job well as the head of the Church of England.”

“I will offer a fitting donation for that.”

Hubert smiled slightly at my words that I would donate cash to the church and show ‘sincerity’.

This person is also from the Lothair Bishop line. He has no intention of becoming the Pope, but he is someone who receives sweet privileges from the Vatican.

Those who were promised rewards from me stepped back, and the preparations for the upcoming coronation were definitely completed.

Good. It was an impeccable preparation for Richard I’s coronation.

The event was prepared thoroughly with the heart of a German, and in particular, differentiation was made with the Eastern slave-born technicians who had returned to the bosom of Christ.

“Perfect preparation.”

“I don’t see any flaws.”

Anyway, Peter and I were satisfied.

This means that the preparations for the coronation have been completed to some extent perfectly. At least, it will be sufficient as an event symbolizing the history of the new England in front of the people.

“I’ll go see my brother first.”

“Then I will go to the vassals.”

That means it’s time to take a break.

After completing all the preparations for the coronation, my brother, my father, and I. The three men of the Angevin family gathered.

Of course, we didn’t drink wine because there was a huge event the next day, but it didn’t matter since there was beer.

According to the Viking DNA somewhere in our blood, beer is just a drink!

Anyway, it’s time for a conversation while drinking a glass or two of beer.

“Hmm….”

“….”

Oh, how awkward.

It’s because I, Safe Zone, am the mediator that we can drink beer like this.

“Richard, you are now the king.”

My father looked at Richard sternly and said. It was as if I could hear his inner thoughts, ‘So, you’ve been so disobedient all this time, and now you’re happy to be king?’

“The coronation is still left. Father.”

‘In the original history, Richard was the one who started the second rebellion against his father because of the king’s seat.’

The very next day was the coronation that he had been hoping for, but Richard never showed any excited emotions. Rather, he was very calm.

Perhaps because he found that strange, our father asked with a curious face.

“The one who will become king tomorrow, you have obtained the position you wanted so much, how can you be so calm?”

Then Richard said.

“I learned all the ups and downs of those who wear the crown on their heads from Father, so why would I show unnecessary emotions?”

The one who wears the crown on his head is of course his father, Henry II. The words ups and downs….

‘Oh, my brother, you’re speaking too strongly.’

It may be a slightly immoral remark, but our father Henry II’s reaction was unexpected.

“Hahahaha.”

The corners of Henry II’s mouth were smiling, and the corners of his eyes began to turn red. After laughing as if he was crying for a while, his father approached Richard.

He put his hand on his sturdy shoulder and said.

“Yes, you have learned well. Richard, you must become a greater king than I.”

* * *

—1201, May England, Westminster Cathedral—

On a day filled with the fresh scent of May spring.

The mainland of England, especially London, had been experiencing gloomy and rainy weather, but today the sky was very clear.

As if God, watching from the distant sky, was blessing this day.

Sometimes tradition is important. Even if our Angevin family’s base has turned into West France and the William family is from our grandmother Matilda’s bloodline.

Everyone agreed that the coronation should be held here traditionally.

This is Westminster Cathedral (Westminster Abbey in the 21st century).

It has been the stage for traditional coronations since the time of William the Conqueror.

‘Of course, there’s also discipline.’

It is also really necessary to invite vassals scattered throughout Britain, Ireland, and West France to this glorious place to show the majesty of the new monarch.

Anyway, I, wearing a luxurious silk robe, participated in today’s event with my wife wearing a beautiful dress.

“John, you look great today.”

“Mary, you are also beautiful.”

And.

“Father, Mother.”

Adelaide and James also came wearing outstanding robes like us.

Someday, those children will also have a coronation, right?

—The new King and Queen are entering.

At the voice of the Earl of Oxford, a veteran aristocrat, our eyes turned to the entrance of the cathedral.

Richard, wearing a crown as the victor in the conflicts and showing a dignified appearance, and Queen Sibylla, forgetting all the sorrows she had in the Kingdom of Jerusalem and showing her beauty, appeared.