Duchess Konstanza I

Political event

Duchess Konstanza the Great of the House of Penteur

After her father had reunited the Duchy with the aid of her grandmother Henrietta, the powerful Queen of Logres and Dugez of Anjou, Konstanza was meant to be a political pawn for her grandother's schemes, married off to powerful nobles to grow the Angevin Empire. Konan IV was forced to abdicate in her favour. 5 years old at the time, she would not come into her inheritance until 10 years later. Until then, she would be locked in her tower in Albia and groomed to be a political trophy, all according to Henrietta's plan.   He hadn't counted on the Fae taking an interest in the girl. Angry at their losses in Albia and intrigued by the child, the Queens of Summer and Winter became her protectors and invisible benefactors. Konstanza was forced into marriage with her cousin, the treacherous Jafrez II, who plotted against Henry with his secret loved, the prince of Gallia. Cruel and dismissive of Konstanza, Jafrez had made a habit of raiding both churches and druidic circles to support his lifestyle. Riding in a tournament in Perys, his horse suddenly went berserk, struck by a faerie-dart, trampling him to death.   Konstanza was then married to Ranulf de Blondeville, a powerful Norman Viscount. Konstanza, supported by the Sidhe courts and the Bretoned people, refused his attempts to exercise jure uxoris, essentially excluding him from governance. Disgraced, he conspired with the Duke of Normaundie to have her kidnapped and imprisoned. This sparked widespread rebellions on her behalf across Breizh. The Summer Court launched an attack on the Norman fortress to rescue the duchess. Vines and plantlife spread over the castle as it was subsumed by the forest, its defenders transformed into animals. Ranulf, not present at the time, fled to the fortress of Fougères and vanished.   Pope Innocent III moved against the semi-independent Breton Church, established as an arch-bishopric at Dol, placing it once again under the power of Tours. Konstanza protested and was excommunicated. Undeterred, she joined the Druids, whose influence grew greatly during this time. Innocent organized a crusade and ordered the Inquisitors of Albi to Breizh. The Crusaders took Naoned, marching north to Roazhon. As they neared the Broceliande Forest, a massive Wyldestorm arose and the forest grew up around them. Magical beasts descended upon the invaders. The survivors, hounded by a spectral host, fled to Angers. Naoned was easily retaken by the Count of Gwened.   In recognition of their aid, Konstanza granted the Sidhe Courts sovereignty over the Ar Goat Broceliande. 2 years later, Konstanza vanished.