Writer's Block: True Crime

[fajrdrako]

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The murder of Conrad de Montferrat, King of Jerusalem in 1192. Popular speculation is that Richard the Lionheart had him killed; I think that's nonsense, as Richard had too much to lose and too little to gain. I think it was Henri de Champagne, who stood to gain the widow and the kingdom.

Other favourites: the murder of William II of England, a gay king probably killed by his brother.

The murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 isn't exactly a mystery, but it's a fascinating case of political conflict and friendship gone wrong. All the more in that Henry II is my favourite English king.

The fate of Louis LVII was a favourite mystery, too, but I think it has now been settled with the disinterrment of his bones and examination of DNA evidence.

I'm also interested in deaths of Xerxes of Persia, and of Attila the Hun.

Modern murders tend to interest me less, except in fiction.

Comments

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

The pro-Richard accounts bend over backwards to suggest he was shocked and horrified by what happened and by Harry's immediate seizing of the pregnant widow. Also, the Asssassins were in place for about 6 months, which is roughly the time since Richard discovered that Conrad was conducting his own negotiations with Saladin (which, as de jure King, he was perfectly entitled to do!).

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I have a mental image of everyone conducting their own negotions with Saladin - everyone who could. There weren't many of the Big Players there who weren't ambitious, one way or another.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

No. Only Conrad and Richard were in a position to do so. Everyone else was lined up behind one or the other of them.

Richard really took exception to it because he regarded himself as "leader of the Crusade" and basically was propping up Guy, who was stil claiming to be King. The fact Conrad was married to the rightful Queen didn't count as far as he was concerned.

Richard's envoy was Isabella's ex-husband, Humfrey de Toron. He saw Reynaud Grenier of Sidon - Conrad's envoy, and brother-in-law (he was now married to Helvis d'Ibelin) – riding out with Al-Adil, so realised the game was up!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Interesting times in diplomatic circles.

I meant that everyone had a stake, and everyone was taking sides, both overtly and covertly.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

That's not what you said, though. You seemed to be implying that anyone could negotiate at top-level with the enemy. The point was, only the King of Jerusalem and the leader of the Crusade could. And Richard's problem was that, while Phil's departure meant he regarded himself as leader of the Crusade expedition, he seems to have regarded himself as spokesman for Guy as King of Jerusalem as well – when there was already another King of Jerusalem.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You seemed to be implying that anyone could negotiate at top-level with the enemy.

Wasn't what I meant. I mis-spoke, perhaps. I meant that everyone has a stake in the power plays and there were all sorts of deals being made and formed.

Too many kings.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Too many kings.

Yes. Guy should have stepped down when Sibylla died, since their daughters had predeceased her.