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Florenc The Pious de Bearn(1112-1134)
ROYAL STYLE: By The Grace of God Almighty, King of Leon (1125-1134), Duke of Galicians, Count of Bearn (1112-1118), Count of Smessen (1130-1134) Count of El Bierzo, Compostela, Santiago (1112-1134)
b. 1107, Bearn, Poitou, France
d. 1135, Santiago, Galicia, Leon
A contemporary depiction of Florenc
Florenc’s first years were uneventful. From 1112-1118 Gaston run most of the duchy’s affairs. But in 1118, Florenc announced that he would take power, at the age of just 11. He granted Bearn to his uncle, Ferrand, who was the second in line to the throne which would later prove to be a mistake.
He also began building up his capital at Compostela, completing roads and constructing monasteries. In 1120, his personality began to mature, and he became well known as a crusader, and a zealous man. As a result, templars were allowed into Composetla. But not all were happy; Florenc's rule saw the nobles power decrease, and the peasants gain more and more power in the realm. Nevertheless, these were times of great prosperity. In 1122, Girvais The Bastard, son of Centule and an unknown peasant girl, began causing trouble, demanding that he be given certain positions of the court. He was expelled from the duchy forever, and lived out the rest of his life in the Bishopric of Zaragoza, a French enclave, as steward, till his death in 1130.
In 1124, the Holy Roman Empire fell into collapse. Bavaria, Saxony and several other duchies all broke free from their heretic king, Wilhelm von Franken. This also affected Italy, which proved to be important for the de Bearn’s. Eventually, this conflict meant that most of Germany was independent.
In October 1125, fed up with his liege’s incessant demands of mobilisation, he rebelled and joined Castile. The next month, he invaded Navarra. In an epic siege, which Florenc himself commanded, Bilbao fell to the Galicians with Castilian aid. About 7000 Navarrese were slaughtered, and the town was sacked, raped and pillaged of its goods. Modern historians think that only 207 Castile-Galicians were killed in the siege. The king of Navarre was forced to give up the kingdom of Leon.
A 14th century depiction of the Siege of Bilbao, taken from de Montgomery's chronicles of medieval warfare
For several years, there was peace. In 1128, the pope called for a crusade and Florenc answered the call by invading Capua and installing Doumenge as count, thus freeing mainland Italy from Islam. The next year, he invaded several North African sheikdoms, killing Abdul-Rahman, sheik of Smessen, in the process. Most of the realms of these sheiks passed into his kingdom personally, but Hanyan was given to a bishop to further please the pope.
The death of Abdul
In 1131, Bearn declared independence. Florenc was outraged. Before he could act, Bearn joined France. But, they were controlled by Ferrand who was a family member. He had him and his son assassinated. This meant that Uc de Bearn, count of Zamora, gained the title, thus bringing it back into the de Bearn empire.
In 1135, Florenc contracted malaria, and after a short illness, died, leaving his kingdom to his 4 year old son Folcaud
ROYAL STYLE: By The Grace of God Almighty, King of Leon (1125-1134), Duke of Galicians, Count of Bearn (1112-1118), Count of Smessen (1130-1134) Count of El Bierzo, Compostela, Santiago (1112-1134)
b. 1107, Bearn, Poitou, France
d. 1135, Santiago, Galicia, Leon
A contemporary depiction of Florenc
Florenc’s first years were uneventful. From 1112-1118 Gaston run most of the duchy’s affairs. But in 1118, Florenc announced that he would take power, at the age of just 11. He granted Bearn to his uncle, Ferrand, who was the second in line to the throne which would later prove to be a mistake.
He also began building up his capital at Compostela, completing roads and constructing monasteries. In 1120, his personality began to mature, and he became well known as a crusader, and a zealous man. As a result, templars were allowed into Composetla. But not all were happy; Florenc's rule saw the nobles power decrease, and the peasants gain more and more power in the realm. Nevertheless, these were times of great prosperity. In 1122, Girvais The Bastard, son of Centule and an unknown peasant girl, began causing trouble, demanding that he be given certain positions of the court. He was expelled from the duchy forever, and lived out the rest of his life in the Bishopric of Zaragoza, a French enclave, as steward, till his death in 1130.
In 1124, the Holy Roman Empire fell into collapse. Bavaria, Saxony and several other duchies all broke free from their heretic king, Wilhelm von Franken. This also affected Italy, which proved to be important for the de Bearn’s. Eventually, this conflict meant that most of Germany was independent.
In October 1125, fed up with his liege’s incessant demands of mobilisation, he rebelled and joined Castile. The next month, he invaded Navarra. In an epic siege, which Florenc himself commanded, Bilbao fell to the Galicians with Castilian aid. About 7000 Navarrese were slaughtered, and the town was sacked, raped and pillaged of its goods. Modern historians think that only 207 Castile-Galicians were killed in the siege. The king of Navarre was forced to give up the kingdom of Leon.
A 14th century depiction of the Siege of Bilbao, taken from de Montgomery's chronicles of medieval warfare
For several years, there was peace. In 1128, the pope called for a crusade and Florenc answered the call by invading Capua and installing Doumenge as count, thus freeing mainland Italy from Islam. The next year, he invaded several North African sheikdoms, killing Abdul-Rahman, sheik of Smessen, in the process. Most of the realms of these sheiks passed into his kingdom personally, but Hanyan was given to a bishop to further please the pope.
The death of Abdul
In 1131, Bearn declared independence. Florenc was outraged. Before he could act, Bearn joined France. But, they were controlled by Ferrand who was a family member. He had him and his son assassinated. This meant that Uc de Bearn, count of Zamora, gained the title, thus bringing it back into the de Bearn empire.
In 1135, Florenc contracted malaria, and after a short illness, died, leaving his kingdom to his 4 year old son Folcaud
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stnylan said:Ahh, a nice long regency ahead!
Again
. Well, there's a bunch of inbred de Bearn's, with zeroed out stats about who are getting ever closer to inheriting so I have to be careful 
Capibara said:Long live Folcaud, our 4 year old ruler!
I think Folcaud will be a pretty mediocre king, so dont expect him to be ruler of Europe by age 12
.