Occitan Independence

Ximene spent her whole life struggling to establish an independent Occitan. To understand her passion and motivation it is essential to know more about the history of Occitan. The question must be asked—was Occitan ever an independent nation?

The French government has long justified it’s dominance of Occitan by claiming it never was independent. However by definable geographical boundaries,by language,by culture and by the succession of it rulers it passes most of the tests used to establish the legitimacy of an independent state.

Reports from France indicate that the French government is paying increased attention to the campaign to “Free Occitan” . At the very least they appear to be prepared to give attention to the preservation of the Occitan language and  the granting of a limited degree of self government.

On the 24th March 2007 in Toulouse, at a formal ceremony, the establishment of a provisional government for the state of Occitan was announced. This government included members of the french government who represent at least a fraction of the peoples of Greater Occitan.

partitoccitan

Political programme

- The recognition of the Occitan community by the French, Spanish and Italian states and the European Union.

- A wide reaching autonomy for Occitania on the whole of the area of the Occitan language (including the Occitan alpine valleys presently under Italian rule and the Aran valley in the Spanish state).

- The setting-up of an Assembly of the Autonomous Occitan Community, with an appointed executive and regrouping the elected members for Auvergne, Dauphiné, Gascony, Guyenne, Languedoc, Limousin and Provence.

- The putting into effect of a co-ordinated policy throughout the whole of the Occitan area based on sustainable development, social justice and respect for the environment.

- A cultural policy promoting the Occitan language and giving it its full place in society.

- Direct representation of the Autonomous Occitan Community in European institutions within the framework of a federal Europe of peoples and regions.

Humanist philosophy

- The Occitan Party, a progressive autonomist movement, is part of the democratic framework of a pluralist political life.

- The Occitan Party rejects the use of violence to reach its political aims and operates by legal means.

- The Occitan Party condemns all forms of racism, fascism, totalitarianism and national jingoism.

- The Occitan Party supports the right of all peoples to self-determination, and to safeguard their political, economical and cultural rights. It rejects all forms of colonialism and imperialism.

- The Occitan Party works for the respect of human rights and for peace.

The most dangerous woman in the world

The Treasure of Trencavel

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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.