That was the dawn of a new era. Tectonic changes in old feudal societies had quietly grown for centuries until central European power - France emerged as first country ready to adopt a new notion of Nation. French king - Roi de Franc - became the embodiment of a new French nation ready to establish an absolute monarchy and drive all other sovereigns of Europe in oblivion. But that was not to transpire. A group of nobles later become known as the Alliance managed to turn the rusty weal of history backward and preserve the old order of things for at least another century.
Story of many glorious deeds done during a horrible war between rulers of Europe, which lasted for 20 years and brought great victory to the righteous and grave sufferings to the people of all estates, told by Mother Marguerite de Mallorca, Abbess of Carmelite's Convent et Toulouse, former Reina de Mallorca.
I grew up in a family of minor French noble de Covino. At the age of 20 a young King Jaime III de Mallorca became stricken to his heart by Amour's arrow and fought as my champion at a tournament at Bordeaux of Great Duchess of Aquitaine, upon which event we were married, and I was brought to King Jaime's castle at Ibiza.
King Jaime was a man of old uprising, lover of stories of good knights of old (especially of Camelot) and a good Christian. He was greatly upset by manifestoes issued by Roi Charles of France where this mighty ruler defied the very foundations of the order Jaime swore to preserve. Roi Charles boldly proclaimed himself the ultimate ruler of all of France, almost a divine figure above the law of Man and God alike. We also grew more and more apprehensive of our cousin Rei Aragon whose wicked dream of a Great Spain (of which this good Rei would be the only ruler) were hardly hidden under rhetoric of friendship. Anxiety grew so strong that King Jaime even ordered to restrict visits to our islands to those of official nature. An independent standing of king Jaime was detested by some, and once a young Prince Urgel was arrested (soon let free after a small payment) for trespassing. However, the political reality was not in favor of our small domain, for France was strong. Thus King Jaime chose to live in peace with the French and proposed friendship in peace an alliance in war. Meanwhile he turned his attention to the kingdom of Arles, riches of which could help prepare for whatever the uncertain future would hold. Thus he brought war upon Arles. Despite many words of Roi who assured Jaime of his neutrality in this insignificant war he apparently kept a secret allegiance with Rei Arles, for soon a French noble de Toulouse-Lotrec crossed borders of Mallorca et France at Axat, and pillaged this city as well as Montpelier. An anger enflamed Jaime's heart, and in retaliation he brought siege upon Toulouse-Lotrec's two towns in France. They fell in no time. Shortly thereafter Jaime sent a messenger to Charles with a letter of explanation of what had transpired and of many sincere assurances of his friendly intentions including promise to return taken land to the owner upon small-token payment of reparations for pillaged cities. In response arrogant and impudent Roi Charles demanded unconditional surrender of Majorca's independence. His request included payment of 2000 kd for any military action taken upon a third party carried by Mallorca. He threatened King Jaime with severe punishment, for he thought he could swat our small kingdom like a fly. An esteemed reader knows now how wrong he was. King Jaime was left with no chance but to proclaim war upon France and pray the Lord for a miracle, for facing this mighty thousand-headed opponent we had no allies. Thus the war began.
Coincident to the events described by the humble quill of the author of this yarn many other alarming actions took place in France and Europe at large. The gracious Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was pardoned by His Holiness; France advanced in Aquitaine ruthlessly pillaging towns loyal to Queen Isabella of England; French troops moved to Low Countries bringing death and destruction to the Flemish population, in France proper itself Roi Charles was treacherously stealing possessions of nobles fighting in the East against infidels. All in all the Capetian France was on the march. Her generals knew neither defeats neither mercy neither good manners nor respect towards her enemies, for raw power and absolute loyalty to the Roi were their only inspiration to great disgust of King Jaime and all other nobles who used to regard war as a chivalrous encounter between respectful opponents. Frenchmen were like hungry rats attacking cats, for the former was many. Soon enough we found how deadly the French war machine could be. In half a year we lost all our continental possessions but Montpelier. Meanwhile Queen Isabella started losing her cities one by one, and so did the Emperor. In desperation my husband turned to Rei Aragon for help, but in response we heard but silence.
Unable to bear the site of devastation and humiliation brought about by France upon continental Majorca King Jaime sailed to France with an army of loyal knights and Bolearic fishermen, who were skilled in wielding harpoons and broad-bladed knives, and descended upon two French armies with such a strength and determination that those armies were no more. In his third encounter my dear husband succumbed to the enemy and died pierced by dozens French arrows.
The sad news reached me in Montpelier. I was devastated beyond description, but angered even more, for my hate to the enemy was futile or so I thought. The night when my husband died I saw a dream of a big blue dragon fighting with George the Victor in front of big red castle. The dragon had many heads with a crowned one dominating among others, and the gallant knight of the Heavens could no longer withstand so multiple an enemy this reptile of Hell presented of himself. Amidst this deadly battle a golden lioness leaped into the scene and nibbled onto the neck of the largest head of the beast. Then a black eagle descended from the skies and clawed upon this Royal head nibbling at it with fierce power. The dragon winced and lost his composure, upon which newly found advantage the good knight thus pierced the beast in his pagan heart, and the dragon was no more. Next morning I gathered whatever men I had at my disposal and during a week of heated battles totally destroyed two more French armies. Thus was my entry to the war.
Quite natural I wrote a letter to Queen Isabella and Emperor asking for alliance, and soon a special Envoy of the English - Earl Arundel - arrived with good news of the Emperor, Rei Leon de Castilla and Reina Navarre joining our coalition. Thus the Alliance was forged.
My dear husband died and left his heavy crown to me, a weak woman. But I also inherited his famous round table a replica of that at which the Great King Arthur and his knights gathered. Not did I only inherited his table, but also his good friends who had used to gather at the named table feasting and speaking of the days of old. Valiant Comte Armine et Cypre, and gentle troubadour Sir Peter de Falvesly, and Senyor Bazeilles of the mighty sword, and fierce German warrior Herr Von Mountfaucon, and cunning fox, Senyor Baveux, and resourceful Prince Orange, and later some others were among those whom I had honor to call my close friends and brothers in arms. Together we fought and together we ripped the luxurious fruits of the victory, which were many.
Of this war is my sto........<< The rest of the manuscript was badly damaged by the fire in 1421, which ravaged Toulouse, and unfortunately did not survive>>
written by Vpronchenk
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