Vol III synopsis 1356-1360

The Black Prince led his army to victory against King John II of France at the battle of Poitiers in 1356.

John Stanley Has a major part in the recruiting and training of the army. this was arranged by Joan of Kent who picks up on Ximene’s desire to hide her relationship with john so that they may progress independantly.

Ximene’s initial target is that john becomes master of arms. she hopes that in this way she will have access to military support should he need it.

King John was captured at the end of the battle and an enourmous ransome put on his head ($500m). It became obvious that his son, Charles was not prepared to pay the ransome and he was taken to England in Captivity.

Ximene was in the process of establishing herself in england and did deals with both french and english kings which would help her create a Trading empire. She hoped that profit from trade would enable her to create the state of Occitan and ultimately enable cathars to pursue their faith without fear of prosecution.

She builds her first ship in palermo and the sets up a dock in Poole harbour to replicate the design

John Stanley becomes tournament champion of Europe but still works for the Earl of Salisbury providing him with intelligence about the situation in France. This brings him into renewed contact with Pipa and danger because of the extended civil war in France.

King Edward attempts to secure his kingdom but the distruction of his fleet off the coast of Scotland and the destruction of his army in norther france, both caused by extreme weather lead him to believe that God has turned against him.

Pipa

we know that pipa married geoffrey de chaucer in 1366. she met chaucer whilst in the service of lionel of antwerp.

there is a belief that the marriage was a cover for a relationship with John of Gaunt who’s first wife blanche of lancaster died in 1368

she had two children between 1364 (before marriage to chaucer)  &1367 quite probably gaunt’s children and two other children later one as late as 1383

they both worked fo edward iii until death of queen phillipa in 1369 when the moved to the service of john of gaunt who married constance of seville in 1371

catherine gave birth to the first Beaufort in 1372 the conclusion is that the marriage to constance was simply a dynastic marriage

Phillipa died in 1387 in spain?

catherine first child 1373

Lionel

betrothed 1342 married 1352 in France 1355  Duke of Clarence 1362 in paris 1367 died 1368

John of Gaunt married 1359 duke lancaster 1362

2nd marriage  at roquefort 1371

1386 Spain returned after pipa’s death in 1371

Alyse kings mistress  1362-3 Queen Phillipa died 1389 King died 1377.

catherine swynford children1366? 1367,68,69 beau forts 1373 75 77 79

garronne navigable to casters en dorthe (half way between landon and la reole

The most dangerous woman in the world

The Treasure of Trencavel

List of Characters

Table Of Contents

References

characters

List of Places

Table of Contents

Pseudo History

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Extract from The Prisoner of Foix--Chapter 43 -The EntranceNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley-26th April 1355

 

'Looks like we are going to see a bit of excitement, John. The Captain tried to get an agreement from the Prince that if there is surf running across the channel to Arcachon we will turn back to Bordeaux, but the Prince would hear none of it. Instead, he has offered to provide insurance for all three ships. If they are damaged or sunk, the owners will be compensated and every sailor who makes the passage will be given a bounty payment. What none of this seems to take into account is that if we sink in rough, fast-flowing waters we might all drown.'

John raised his eyebrows. 'But that is what we are going to do?'

'Yes, despite the fact that surf running accross the entrance is not uncommon and the deep water channel moves continually. In the end, the Prince attacked their captains on their weakest point, their professional pride! He threw down the gauntlet. He offered to take the Sally first through the channel, and to take control during the passage.' He raised his brow. 'We are going into the Bay of Arcachon, come what may! '

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Extract from The Eagle of Carcassone -- Chapter 24-- A Real GoddessNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley - 22 July 1355

An hour later John walked with Ximene close to the river along the valley below St Feriole. It was the very essence of a summer’s day. The sun was fierce but in the shadow of the trees, it was cool and fragrant. The trees and shrubs along the riverbank hid their progress, from the Château, from St Feriole.

Eventually they reached a point where John thought it was safe to emerge from cover. To his satisfaction the stream extended into a pool with a sandy beach, shaded by trees. Where the stream entered the pool there was a flat grassy area, almost circular. Behind this, the bulk of two mountain ridges provided a splendid backdrop. He looked around once more ‘Not just a good training ground but a great training ground. If the Greek heroes knew about this they might be tempted to join me, to train with me’

Ximene laughed out loud. He turned to look at her. She had removed her outer clothes and was wearing a white chemise, cut short so that it barely reached her knees. Around her waist, she wore a plaited leather belt, obviously fashioned from the multitude of leather straps to be found in the tackle room.

She ran her hands down over her breasts. ‘When you were unconscious I heard you muttering about gods and goddesses, so  I have decided that from now on, for you, I will be the goddess.’

Available February 2020
The Prisoner of FoixVol 1 of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

Aquitaine, an English possession, is in crisis. It is under threat from neighbouring nations and internal dissension.

The Black Prince, King Edward III’s eldest son has been given the task of taking command in Aquitaine.

Suddenly there is an opportunity. Ximene Trencavel is the heiress to the lands of Occitan, to the east of Aquitaine: lands controlled by the Franks. Ximene wants independence, both for herself and for Occitan.

A union between Aquitaine and Occitan would be mutually beneficial. The Black Prince undertakes a secret journey to meet Ximene to negotiate a marriage contract. It is, however, a marriage neither of them really wants.

Meanwhile, the  Franks plot to murder Ximene to prevent ,not just the marriage, but any kind of union between England and Occitan.

The Eagle Of CarcassonneVol II of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

The loose alliance between Ximene Trencavel and the Black Prince is under threat.

The Prince invades Occitan, to show his support for Ximene but it becomes an invasion which creates more problems than it solves.

The Prince has fallen hopelessly in love with Joan of Kent and Joan is now determined to marry him and become the next Queen of England.

Joan is therefore  determined to convince Ximene that she should not marry the Prince.

Part of her strategy is to encourage Ximene’s relationship with John Stanley—one of the Princes bodyguards—not an easy task as both John and Ximene have doubts about their compatibility.

However, John is grievously injured in a battle and Ximene commits herself to nurse him back to health.