New Bishop of London

It is Sunday, the day of Saint Valentine and Boniface, the Archbishop of Canterbury, (originally of Savoy and Uncle to the Queen, has made Henry de Wengham, formerly Lord Chancellor, Bishop of London. The King wanted de Wengham for this position but the monks at first rejected his majesty's request. Finally, Henry is Bishop of London after the King's wishes. The King is still in France probably trying to make his son Edmund King of Sicily and trying to fight against the oath he made with the barons.

Rutebeuf Got Married

Lady Beatrice was not the only one to be married. The poet and trouvere Rutebeuf congratulated the young Sir Jean on his marriage to the Lady Beatrice and the joy of young love which is like spring. Then he surprised the couple with his own announcement, he also found love and marriage and began to sing a song about it.


En l'an soixante,
Qu'abres ne fuelle, oizel ne chante
Fis je toute la riens dolante
Qui de cuer m'aimme

Et si n'est pas jone ne bele:
Cinquante anz a en son escuele,
C'est maigre et seche
N'ai mais poaour qu' ele me treche!

In the year sixty,
When the trees were leafless, and the birds were silent
I accomplished the sorrow of the one
Who loves me with all her heart

She is not at all young or pretty:
She's got fifty years under belt,
And she is thin and dry.
I am not worried that she'll betray me!!
(At Play in the Tavern: Signs, Coins, and Bodies in the Middle Ages, by Andrew Cowell. The story of Rutebeuf at the wedding feast is my own, I would like to imagine Rutebeuf singing this song in front of the young couple)

Sword to Sceptre Dec 1259

The Kings of France and England have put away their swords and instead hold sceptures and show what happens when using diplomacy. The King of England had ceded his claim to Normandy, Poitou, and Anjou to King Louis IX. Everywhere minstrels are singing this song in honor of the changing of the great seal of our majesty by the Grace of God Henry King of all England, Lord of Ireland, and the Duke of Aquitaine.

"Peace marks the year on which fortune shine
One thousand, two hundred and fifty nine
Then Anjou, Poitou, Normandy, the boast
Of England's warlike kings, resigned and lost
Were the rich trophies of the power of France;
And Henry changed his seal and cognisance,
Assumed the sceptre for the conqueror's sword
Though still a king, no longer Neustria's lord."

Fortunatus de Lukes, in retirement wishes to sing of peace to his majesty the king! It is said the Earl of Leicester in particular loves the song and the idea of a King of peace rather a King of war is gaining support among the people. Some noble knights however fear that this treaty may cause a hundred years worth of war and some still believe that the prophecies of Joachim of Fiore will still come to pass. There is a wife of Newgate, who some say has visions, still believes that war is in the immediate future and sees many years of death and plague. Other point to the many bad omens of last year like the lightning during a snowstorm and the plague and scourge of God that killed thousands in London.

Let's hope that after our terrible winter we will have a bountiful spring.
(From Florence of Worcester p. 333)

Lady Beatrice to Marry Jan 22, 1260

The Lady Beatrice, daughter of His Majesty Henry III, By the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine will marry of January 22, 1260 to John, son of John, Duke of Brittany and Blanche, daughter of Theobald, King of Navarre and Count of Champagne. John is the nephew of the current King of Navarre, Theobald II who is married to the Princess Isabella, Louis IX's daughter.

The King of Navarre's father was the great troubadour Theobald of Champagne who used to sing passionate songs to Blanche, the Queen of France and mother of Louis IX. It is said that the House of Champagne, descendants of the famous Marie of Champagne, still have very talented troubadours at their courts, though the troubadours are not as popular as they were in times past due to the Crusades in southern France headed by the Earl of Leicester's famous father, Simon de Montfort, the fifth Earl of Leicester. One that stands out is Rutebeuf, a Champagne native, but currently in Paris where his songs entertain many at court. He is from a poor lower class family and looks rough and coarse, but his voice is like one from heaven and his words strike the heart. One of his recent songs is a call to go on Crusade. Perhaps he means our majesty King Henry who was not able to go on Crusade as yet and cannot due to problems with the Earl of Leicester. The musical families of Brittany and Champagne perfectly compliment the beautiful Beatrice who was taught the songs of Provence from her mother.

This marriage was arranged by Marguerite, Queen of France, sister to the Queen of England. It is hoped that this marriage will continue the peace started by the Treaty of Paris signed last fall between the two Kings. It is good to remember that Brittany was the land of Arthur, Duke of Brittany who may have been murdered by King John. The present Duke of Brittany would have been Arthur's nephew from his half-sister, Alix. Luckily the 18 year old beauty Beatrice and the 21 year old John de Dreux caught each others eyes without much pushing and enjoyed the Christmas holidays together singing, enjoying tournaments, and dancing.

The King and Queen are at the Abbey of St. Denis in prayer after the loss of the oldest son of the King of France, Louis. King Henry was one of the bearers of the coffin of the young prince. (Margaret Howell p. 157)

The King is Delayed 16 Jan 1260

The Justiciar of the Kingdom of England, Hugh le Bigod received a letter from our King Henry III, who is currently in France, which says that he will be staying longer than he expected in France. The King has been in France visiting King Louis IX since November. While in France, the King signed the Treaty of Paris, a treaty that the Earl of Leicester has been working on negotiating for the last 3 years. He stayed to celebrate Christmas with the French Royal family.

King Henry is delayed due to the marriage of his daughter, Beatrice to John II, Duke of Brittany. He was also part of the funeral of King Louis IX's eldest son (15) who was buried on January 13.

The Lady Beatrice will be married on January 22 in Paris. The King and Queen are staying at the Abbey of St. Denis.

Ralph de Bakepuz

Ralph de Bakepuz was in possession of Cheddar in Somerset. He served as the marshal of the household under Henry III and served the king for many years. His name is on the witness lists of over 50 charters in the Patent Rolls. Because of his service he was granted the right to hunt rabbit, fox, squirrel, and badger on his lands in Somerset, and the right to have a market. He owned the manors of Cheddar, Aldewyck, and Budecumbe, all in Somerset, England. The Patent Rolls mention on 23 Jan 1253 that Ralph is in his fortieth year so he may have been born around 1213. His family had been in England since William the Conqueror and are mentioned in the Doomesday Book. He was also given the manor "Cynnok" in Dorset as a gift from King Henry III. A Ralph De Bakepuz was Constable of Nottingham Castle in 1228. This Ralph would have been at least 15 years old so this is probably another relative.

Ralph de Bakepuz was granted free warren which meant he was granted the privilege to hunt on the lands of the manors on Aldwyck and Butcombe two places that are even today rural and near Blagdon Lake. I am sure he found the hunting excellent especially of geese.

Autumn winds

The last few posts take place in a time long before 1260 but are important to show the fall of the great Medieval counts and the rise of the great nations we know today in Europe. Around 1260, most of the great baronial families had died out and the power of the Kings were more centralized. The idea of the Crusades was also slowly dying out. The great age of Scholasticism was being questioned. The Church was slowly losing its great power.

By 1260, the Latin Empire of Constantinople fell. Only Acre held on. Europe had just recently suffered a great famine and groups of flagellants roamed the streets of the cities of Europe. Jews were persecuted and the last group of Cathars were finally defeated. The great Frederick II was dead and the house of Hohenstaufen was gone. The Holy Roman Empire was without a leader. Louis IX lost the 7th crusade.The Inquisition began. The Papacy became more corrupt. Ideas of Parliament were beginning in England.

Times were changing. Chivalry was slowly dying.