The Savoyard Son

[JoanOfArc 4604]

The Savoyard Son
Written by Father Gawain Briarwood, FSSCT

 

Only known sketch of Bohemond de Savoie ‘the Savoyard Son’ made during his life, 1592.

 

“I know I shall never shed a tear over a child of mine, Olivier. Not because I shall not suffer nor shall they not suffer, but by the grace of God they shall stand true to virtues I have instilled unto them as beacons of hope and of righteousness.”

Queen Ceriwyn de Savoie to King Olivier de Savoie upon their ascension, 1499.

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Author’s note: 

 

In a time where life, liberty, and trial-- as popularized by Emperor Joseph I and as embodied by Joseph II-- is so profoundly spoken on by writers these days; one such man who has embodied the idea of these virtues was the last Duke of Savoy. His story had always inspired me since the early days of my youth and I wish to tell more of this tale where he fought to the end against an accused tyrant. May your name forever be remembered, Bohemond. And may the heavenly kingdom keep safe all of your family unto ages of ages.

 

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It was during the year of our Lord, 1592, when the scene took place. Bohemond de Savoie was ushered into the Savoyard court as the autumn sun was nearing the edge of the world. Milena de Savoie, a close cousin and fast friend of Bohemond, was first to state the news. "Brother," as she raised her head from weeping, "our cousin has been slain. The Duke of Savoy- our hope, our dream! He has been laid waste upon the ground of the earth. How has God cursed us!"

 

Before Bohemond’s eyes could weep for the loss of the duke, a messenger without hesitation came into the courtroom. His eyes mocked the Savoyards and he proclaimed a word from the Emperor louder than the sobbing they cried out, "Upon the death of the Duke John Renault de Savoie, His Imperial Majesty Philip I calls upon the house of Savoyard to reaffirm their oath unto him this very night." And as soon as the messenger came, he left. The tearful eyes of the family now rested upon Bohemond.

 

Bohemond was supposed to be a man without a destiny. He was never to be heir to the Duchy of Savoy. He was the second-born of the Duke Visant and was a man who only wished to live a simple life with a loving family. The prospect of even receiving a small plot of life scared him as he was quite the opposite compared to the ambitious members of his family. Even so, he, his family, and his knights, all marched to Johannesburg to see the Emperor, who had done much evil in his life up to this point.

 

 As they entered the gates, the city remained silent with a fervent pity for the house of Savoy. All knew their agony at the murder of the family’s beloved Duke and knew even worse the agony the family must have felt upon having to commit to vassal duties in a time of mourning. When they reached the courtroom doors of the Palace of Saint Adrian, the guards sneered at them. "Bahaha! Come look at these stars that walk in. How joyous their faces look! Red-faced and in pain! Who would have thought they took the glorious Sun as their sigil when they look like a dreary moon instead!" 

 

The guards purposefully left the family at the doors until early morning. All stood tired and confused until the doors finally opened for them to enter. As they entered the room, Bohemond walked calmly and was counseled by the words of Milena, "Do not think evil of them, brother. They are soldiers of the Empire and have protected this Empire with their lives." He nodded his head to his cousin and reached the center of the court.

 

Emperor Philip I sat on his throne lazily with his legs over the left arm rest and looked upon the family. The tone of his voice as he spoke showed no sympathy or remorse, "I take no notice of my brother-in-law, Duke John Renault--..  I forgot. He was murdered recently, was he not? My best wishes to the new Duke. John Renault was quite an annoying man and he needed to be put down like the dog he was."

 

Everyone stood shocked at the words of the Emperor. What did he mean by that? All thought to themselves. But to Bohemond, it was clear. 

"You slaughtered my cousin? But for what end? He was your brother by marriage? You kinslayed him?" Bohemond stood aghast. He had heard tales of the wickedness of Philip I, but a kinslayer? That seemed out of the realm of possibility, even for him. 

 

"My brother? Oh yes, he was at one point. He said as much when he choked on his own blood. A shame, in truth. To have my own name tainted by such vermin is despicable. But that is not the reason I call on you today. I call on you today for the Duchy of Savoy to reaffirm their oath to me." The courtroom was raised in an uproar when the Emperor spoke those words. "KINSLAYER!" a young Lucien screamed from the back. Sir Britius was barely unable to hold back his words when he shouted, "Tyrant!" 

 

"Tyrant! Because I have slain your worthless duke? Look at you all! The once kings of Oren turned into a petty dukedom. Look at me!" Philip screamed, hitting his chest as he arose from his throne, "LOOK- at me. I am the Holy Orenian Emperor! I have done more than your worthless King Olivier has ever done to the world. I am above all of the world, from the westernmost part of Axios to the easternmost part of Aeldin! All are but ants to me!" He stomped on the ground with his right foot, going on, "The only creature to ever stand up against me was the ‘High Pontiff’ Theodosius II, and look what happened to him! He was deposed, forgotten, and laying in an unmarked grave, whereas my legacy shall thrive forever!"

 

Bohemond heard the outrage from behind him pour out as the Emperor began to speak more words lost to time. His cousin begged him to remain calm and bend the knee quickly so they could leave the palace, but his knights called for justice against an Emperor who had committed the worst offense- the slaughter of his family. But when Bohemond came to speak, he would never bow to a tyrant.

 

"Despot of Iblees, never shall I bend a knee to you who have forsaken your heavenly duty to be a righteous ruler. God arose you to the crown, yet you forsaken his commandments and scorned his hand. Even his Holy Priest, who in righteousness condemned you, you have disregarded his pleas for you to turn your way back to the Lord and deposed of him. You wish for silence from dissenters? Well, no more! As long as I stand, Savoy shall stand against you. Knights of Savoy! On me! Tonight, we shall meet our loving Creator, but we shall not meet him until the world knows that even the crown is a subject of God!" After the last word was uttered, the Duke Bohemond of Savoy charged forth towards the Emperor with a sword in hand.

 

And his knights and his family charged with their Duke. 

 

When the courtroom charge was finished, half of the Emperor’s knights were slain and the Duchy of Savoy was no more. What was seemingly a normal reaffirmation of vassalization turned into the fall of one of the greatest Holy Orenian Empire’s houses and one of the greatest Aeldinic Empire’s houses. But with that, all were taken into the bosom of the Lord and have since found rest in the heavens above. The memory of their achievements and of their glory is still remembered to this day. 

 

 After the battle closed as well, onlookers scoured the bodies to see the meek Bohemond smiling amongst the deceased as the Ashford sun rose-- dawn, at last.

---

[thesmellypocket 1859]

A man sings mournfully: 

 

 

The storm of battle has taken us all

But to the enemy we shall not fall

Savoy must break from her shackles

That is the task of the noble Jackals

 

Savoy must break from her shackles

That is the task of the noble Jackals

 

Guy and Olivier, the noble Edgar

They were Savoy’s true protectors

Augustus Fournier, from Aldersberg Town

Never forget their renown

 

Augustus Fournier, from Aldersberg Town

Never forget their renown!

[Aengoth 2890]

A old Court Dwarf smiles the suns smile from beyond the grave upon those who revere his old friend John Renault de Savoie.