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Chapter 3 - Floris II, the first king
When duke Floris I the Mad was locked up, his son Floris was yet a child. During his growing to adulthood, the kingdom of Germany was spiraling to anarchy and civil strife. When Floris was finally adult and ready to marry the daughter of the duke of Luxembourg, hardly a day passed with the aging king Anselm being at war. Here we have an illustration of Floris II few years to adulthood:
Floris II was eager to use the civil strife to his advantage however. As you can see from his list titles, he conquered the duchy of Lower Lorraine-Brabant when it rebelled and he also conquered the county of Bourges, which was later given to his exalted brother Eduard. He also conquered the sheikdom of Almansa-Salamanca while taking part in the Great Iberian Crusade, which ended up with the republic of Venice of all things owning most of Iberia, as you can see from this map, Venetian possessions and vassals in shades of green:
Floris II was also forced to humble his then good friend, the king of England, after the count of Cornwall-Arques, who was at war with England, pledged fealty to Floris in exchange of protection. However, as the civil strife continued to escalate, Floris saw that he had to act to restore order. As it was clear that the foolish excommunicated king Anselm was unfit to rule, Floris brought up the ancient van Holland claims for the kingship of France and declared war. This war was long and hard one, since even though king Anselm was facing most of his vassals, he was yet able to field some resistance. In one of the fierce battles that were fought, Floris was wounded while valorously leading his knights into victory. And a dreadful wound it was, it would take him to the grave in the end. The war a success however, with Floris being crowned king of France in the church of newly captured capital of Brugge. Kingdom of Germany passed to a very unlikely person however, the former count of Foix, of whom we have a recent illustration here:
After being crowned king, Floris spread the gathered duke titles to his most loyal vassals, among whom he made his exalted brother and heir-apparent Eduard duke of Orleans. While Floris had had two sons, both had died at very young age. Wars were not however ended for Floris, as the war with Anselm, now king of Burgundy and Italy, was rekindled when duke of Brittany began a war with him to protect their new vassal in the county of Leon. In this second war against the von Frankens, Floris obtained the crowns of Burgundy and Italy, which did not particularily expand the realm, as most of both of these realms were held by Germany. Various other enemies of Anselm stripped him from most of his other titles and in the end he ended up as a miserable count of Treviso, as our illustration here shows:
Unfortunately, soon after this last victory, the wounds of Floris developed into a bad illness and in 1209, at the mere age of 30, he died and was succeeded by his glorious brother Eduard I, former duke of Orleans and now rightfully recognized as the great king of France, Burgundy and Italy, among other honours. Here we have an illustration of his greatness:
And here is his brother Sigmund, duke of Artois:
Note the remarkable likeness between the three brothers and their father.
Instead of continuing the lines of various van Holland branches, we have decided to give you an overview of the exalted peers of the kingdom of France:
Reynaerd van Holland, Duke of Brittany: Formerly count of Vannes after his brother Dirk died childless. Was raised to the rank of duke after Floris was crowned king. A proud old man, who is never above rearranging his realm to suit his selfish whims, mostly concerning his four sons.
Tileman van Holland, Duke of Normandy: Formerly count of Avranches, who was also raised to dukeship with the coronation of Floris. A brave and zealous crusader, whose habits border on recklessness as well. Currently undergoing a minor succession crisis, as his heirs are some unknown Hohenfels in the county of Dorset.
Robert van Holland, Duke of Orleans: Formerly count of Orleans, who was given the dukedom after Eduard I succeeded his brother to the glorious throne. A gentle man, who always believes the best out of everyone and is quick to forget past transgressions. His rule is just however.
Filips van Holland, Duke of Picardy: Formerly count of Amiens and the eldest son of count Karel. Was raised to dukedom with the coronation of Floris. A sincere young man, who cheerfully raises a toast on every possible occasion.
Ragnvald Yngling, Duke of Brabant: Direct successor of the dispossesed Yngling kings of Norway, whose family was harboured in the duchy of Francia for several generations before they were made counts of Breda. Raised to dukeship with the coronation of Floris like the rest. Young and tough crusader, who you shouldn't turn your back on.
Jaroslaw van Holland, Duke of Anjou: Formerly count of Tourraine, becoming duke at the same time as the most. He has a very complex personality, as he will wisely trust you, while cowardily stabbing you on the back. He's also a crusader.
Filips van Holland, Duke of Poitou: Eldest son of Dirk, count of Lusignan. Was raised to dukeship at the same time as the most. He is a man to be afraid of, as he won't trust you, will make plans for your doom and do them with uncanny wisdom, all probably due to his failures in monastic schooling.
Gauthier Capet, Duke of Languedoc: Direct male-line descendant of the former Capet kings of France, but hailing from a cadet line, with no claims on the kingship. He and his ancestors have been dukes for quite some time already. Careful and suspicious tactician, who might shirk from needed decisive action sometimes.
Boudewijn van Holland, Duke of Toulouse: Grandson of Eduard the count of Agen, who received his dukely honours at the coronation of Floris. He is a selfish young man on whose bad side you don't want to get, as he never forgives and his vengeace is a cruel one.
Boudewijn van Holland, Duke of Lower Lorraine: Formerly the count of Julich, who was made duke with the coronation of Floris. Most of what was said of the other Boudewijn apply to him as well, except that he's old and might forgive you to chase the skirts of young servant girls.
Ludwig von Wetterau, Archbishop of Flanders: The primate of France, formerly bishop of Zeeland, whose archbishopal honour was bestowed on him by Floris. A brave martial cleric, with some very unbishopal habits involving women that he pursues in a far too recklessly energetic manner.
Enzo von Wittelsbach, duke of Marches: The Italian would-be-king, of whom it is best not to mention too much.
And that concludes the roll of peers of France. Here is a present day map of France as well:
The two Iberian counties, Alexandria and Mecca not shown on the map.
This continuation of van Holland family chronicle complied by royal chaplain Johann van Holland in Brugge, anno domini 1210.
When duke Floris I the Mad was locked up, his son Floris was yet a child. During his growing to adulthood, the kingdom of Germany was spiraling to anarchy and civil strife. When Floris was finally adult and ready to marry the daughter of the duke of Luxembourg, hardly a day passed with the aging king Anselm being at war. Here we have an illustration of Floris II few years to adulthood:
Floris II was eager to use the civil strife to his advantage however. As you can see from his list titles, he conquered the duchy of Lower Lorraine-Brabant when it rebelled and he also conquered the county of Bourges, which was later given to his exalted brother Eduard. He also conquered the sheikdom of Almansa-Salamanca while taking part in the Great Iberian Crusade, which ended up with the republic of Venice of all things owning most of Iberia, as you can see from this map, Venetian possessions and vassals in shades of green:
Floris II was also forced to humble his then good friend, the king of England, after the count of Cornwall-Arques, who was at war with England, pledged fealty to Floris in exchange of protection. However, as the civil strife continued to escalate, Floris saw that he had to act to restore order. As it was clear that the foolish excommunicated king Anselm was unfit to rule, Floris brought up the ancient van Holland claims for the kingship of France and declared war. This war was long and hard one, since even though king Anselm was facing most of his vassals, he was yet able to field some resistance. In one of the fierce battles that were fought, Floris was wounded while valorously leading his knights into victory. And a dreadful wound it was, it would take him to the grave in the end. The war a success however, with Floris being crowned king of France in the church of newly captured capital of Brugge. Kingdom of Germany passed to a very unlikely person however, the former count of Foix, of whom we have a recent illustration here:
After being crowned king, Floris spread the gathered duke titles to his most loyal vassals, among whom he made his exalted brother and heir-apparent Eduard duke of Orleans. While Floris had had two sons, both had died at very young age. Wars were not however ended for Floris, as the war with Anselm, now king of Burgundy and Italy, was rekindled when duke of Brittany began a war with him to protect their new vassal in the county of Leon. In this second war against the von Frankens, Floris obtained the crowns of Burgundy and Italy, which did not particularily expand the realm, as most of both of these realms were held by Germany. Various other enemies of Anselm stripped him from most of his other titles and in the end he ended up as a miserable count of Treviso, as our illustration here shows:
Unfortunately, soon after this last victory, the wounds of Floris developed into a bad illness and in 1209, at the mere age of 30, he died and was succeeded by his glorious brother Eduard I, former duke of Orleans and now rightfully recognized as the great king of France, Burgundy and Italy, among other honours. Here we have an illustration of his greatness:
And here is his brother Sigmund, duke of Artois:
Note the remarkable likeness between the three brothers and their father.
Instead of continuing the lines of various van Holland branches, we have decided to give you an overview of the exalted peers of the kingdom of France:
Reynaerd van Holland, Duke of Brittany: Formerly count of Vannes after his brother Dirk died childless. Was raised to the rank of duke after Floris was crowned king. A proud old man, who is never above rearranging his realm to suit his selfish whims, mostly concerning his four sons.
Tileman van Holland, Duke of Normandy: Formerly count of Avranches, who was also raised to dukeship with the coronation of Floris. A brave and zealous crusader, whose habits border on recklessness as well. Currently undergoing a minor succession crisis, as his heirs are some unknown Hohenfels in the county of Dorset.
Robert van Holland, Duke of Orleans: Formerly count of Orleans, who was given the dukedom after Eduard I succeeded his brother to the glorious throne. A gentle man, who always believes the best out of everyone and is quick to forget past transgressions. His rule is just however.
Filips van Holland, Duke of Picardy: Formerly count of Amiens and the eldest son of count Karel. Was raised to dukedom with the coronation of Floris. A sincere young man, who cheerfully raises a toast on every possible occasion.
Ragnvald Yngling, Duke of Brabant: Direct successor of the dispossesed Yngling kings of Norway, whose family was harboured in the duchy of Francia for several generations before they were made counts of Breda. Raised to dukeship with the coronation of Floris like the rest. Young and tough crusader, who you shouldn't turn your back on.
Jaroslaw van Holland, Duke of Anjou: Formerly count of Tourraine, becoming duke at the same time as the most. He has a very complex personality, as he will wisely trust you, while cowardily stabbing you on the back. He's also a crusader.
Filips van Holland, Duke of Poitou: Eldest son of Dirk, count of Lusignan. Was raised to dukeship at the same time as the most. He is a man to be afraid of, as he won't trust you, will make plans for your doom and do them with uncanny wisdom, all probably due to his failures in monastic schooling.
Gauthier Capet, Duke of Languedoc: Direct male-line descendant of the former Capet kings of France, but hailing from a cadet line, with no claims on the kingship. He and his ancestors have been dukes for quite some time already. Careful and suspicious tactician, who might shirk from needed decisive action sometimes.
Boudewijn van Holland, Duke of Toulouse: Grandson of Eduard the count of Agen, who received his dukely honours at the coronation of Floris. He is a selfish young man on whose bad side you don't want to get, as he never forgives and his vengeace is a cruel one.
Boudewijn van Holland, Duke of Lower Lorraine: Formerly the count of Julich, who was made duke with the coronation of Floris. Most of what was said of the other Boudewijn apply to him as well, except that he's old and might forgive you to chase the skirts of young servant girls.
Ludwig von Wetterau, Archbishop of Flanders: The primate of France, formerly bishop of Zeeland, whose archbishopal honour was bestowed on him by Floris. A brave martial cleric, with some very unbishopal habits involving women that he pursues in a far too recklessly energetic manner.
Enzo von Wittelsbach, duke of Marches: The Italian would-be-king, of whom it is best not to mention too much.
And that concludes the roll of peers of France. Here is a present day map of France as well:
The two Iberian counties, Alexandria and Mecca not shown on the map.
This continuation of van Holland family chronicle complied by royal chaplain Johann van Holland in Brugge, anno domini 1210.
Well, what do you except after a kingdom the size of Charlemagne's empire implodes in a civil war? 
