"Great excommunication."
Mrs. Kelly murmured, the light and thin letter paper suddenly carried the turmoil of this moment.
Excommunication, also known as "excommunication", was originally just a punishment for a believer who committed a crime, and he was shunned and isolated to make him repent. But by the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century, excommunication had become a kind of state punishment of the church against the secular, and it was gradually divided into "minor excommunication" and "major excommunication". [1]
The successive popes have always used excommunication as a means of suppressing heresy and controlling the secular world. For monarchs, "great excommunication" is always a sharp sword hanging over their heads.
Once sentenced to "great excommunication", the oath of loyalty between the monarch and his subjects is immediately cancelled. Of course, in real life, the deterrent significance of excommunication is greater than the practical significance. The army and generals do not really stop following their kings after the order of excommunication is issued-in history, kings were divided by excommunication, but in turn led the army to attack The matter of the Papal States is not unheard of. The real threat of excommunication lies in the fact that during the period of excommunication, princes and vassals have legitimate reasons to rebel and even conquer their monarchs.
The greatest damage it brings is political turmoil.
The excommunication of John VI was ordered by the Pope himself.
When St. Trefus II shouted the sentence of excommunication in the holy city of Rhone, twelve cardinals dressed in red simultaneously dropped the candles in their hands to the ground to crush them with their feet. Immediately afterwards, a snowflake of religious notices departed from the holy city and was sent to parishes all over the world. [2]
The reason John VI was excommunicated was that not long ago, he killed several of his young blood relatives in "shocking, terrible and brutal" means, including a ten-year-old nephew who had the right to inherit the kingdom , and openly violated and blackmailed many believers.
It can be foreseen that the excommunication order will set off a thrilling turmoil in Yager.
John VI should be grateful for the conflict between old and new sects. The division within the sect has weakened the power of the church for decades, otherwise the excommunication issued by the pope himself would be even more terrible.
"And now, he still has the strength to fight."
The queen threw the secret letter into the fireplace and said lightly.
She cast her sights on the Papal State, and her eyes seemed to have crossed the high walls of Rhone City, past the Knights of the Hospitaller, and landed farther away.
… … … … … … …
Nearly a hundred years have passed since the Pope last issued a mass excommunication against the monarch. The reappearance of the Excommunication after a century has attracted the attention of the whole world, and it has been heard as far as the lands of the heathen.
Siul's army is marching, its iron armor is like a long dragon on the vast land.
General Musa, who led the expedition, saw the blond-haired and blue-eyed Prince Arthur grinning and creeping after receiving the news. Ever since that conversation, General Musa, for some unknown reason, had developed a fear of this feminine-looking Westerner.
This time when he led troops to attack the Papal State, General Moussa actually wanted to shirk the position of coach. Working with Prince Arthur always made him feel that he was walking on a rope on a high cliff. No one knew that Prince Arthur Will this psycho, on a whim, cut the ropes off of them all.
Just like now, General Musa didn't care about the use of the excommunication given to John VI by the pope wearing the triple crown, but he had to worry about what Prince Arthur would do after learning about it.
Not many warriors of Sioule were willing to go near Prince Arthur.
Of course, they did not participate in the conversation about "Scorching Sun" and "Crown" that day. The reason why they were unwilling to approach him was probably because human instinct would make them instinctively reject all aliens that were completely different from them—the madman was the best among them. Although these days, Prince Arthur walks with the army, like an idle nobleman, there is no difference, occasionally painting, often playing, it is harmless.
General Musa believed in the belief that people are like eagles and dogs, and everything is prey.
But he couldn't figure out what the prey that Prince Arthur was looking at was, and that made him uneasy. He couldn't see at all that Prince Arthur wanted to get any benefits from this war that he spared no effort to promote, so naturally he had no way of judging what he would do.
What worries him even more is that whatever he is most afraid of will come.
Seeing Prince Arthur driving his horse over with a smile, General Musa felt ready to draw his sword.
After a few brief conversations, General Musa's personal guards saw his face darken. Then, with a wave of the foreign prince who was so feminine that he could be described as "beautiful", several attendants who were covered in black from head to toe left like crows, and Musa came and did not stop him.
Prince Arthur ignored the glances around him.
He rode up to the heights, and the borders of the Papal States came into view.
The flag of the red cross on a white background fluttered in the wind, and a figure swayed on the tower of the castle, followed by a long, penetrating bull horn sounding in the wind. The beacon fire was lit, and the smoke rose into the sky. A small group of scouting knights quickly passed the lowered drawbridge and retreated behind the wall.
Prince Arthur raised his hand and released a falcon.
"The era of monarchs' competition has arrived. One thousand years forward and one thousand years backward, there will never be such a moment."
Standing in the icy cold wind, he pronounced the sentence like a prophecy.
After a long journey, the pagan armies reached the heart of the Western faith.
— under the leadership of the apostate, Prince Arthur.
…………………………
"He is determined to be my enemy."
John VI roared in the study, his voice was like thunder.
He paced around the room like a brown bear, sometimes violently kicking over the tables and chairs, sometimes dejected, and sometimes his face was ashen. A pair of eyes fixed on the excommunication order that was crumpled and thrown on the ground.
Just because he killed those cubs who might inherit the throne, the church sentenced him to death? No kidding - isn't the "accidental" death of the heir to the throne not a matter of course in this day and age? Even the Church itself, when it comes to the pope's election, doesn't the candidate die from illness from time to time
John VI knew that he had a bad relationship with St. Treves II, but St. Treves II's resolute and vicious deeds still caught him off guard.
Almost when the excommunication order was delivered to him, the news of the rebellion in Yager's country was also delivered to him. The envoy of Root, who had been rather ambiguous a few days ago, simply withdrew. A series of detrimental news made John VI extremely aware of the perilous situation he was in.
The only good thing is that the army is still serving him because it is far away from the country and facing the threat of Root and Roland. After the fall of Senglei Island, General Andret also withdrew in time.
—Although at this moment, he is squatting in the prison on the warship.
John VI was surprised to find that his anger at Andret's loss of Senglei Island melted like ice and snow in a short period of time. He sent an order to take Andret out of the cell, and please go to a room in the command ship that is more suitable for him.
After standing in the mess for a while and contemplating for a long time, John VI called his confidants in.
"Let them in."
When he said this, a not-so-obvious guard and disgust flashed across John VI's face.
Rao is such a notorious guy as John VI, when mentioning "them", it is difficult to face it with a relaxed mood. Hyenas don't mind being with maggots, but they will still frown in front of some colder, more evil, and more unscrupulous guys.
The confidant bowed his head deeply.
After a while, several people who were covered in black robes from head to toe, lifeless, like ominous crows, filed in.
For an hour, a conversation was spread that made everyone who heard it dumbfounded, thinking that the devil was performing auditory hallucinations.
In the history of the church, after the Papal States were robbed in the 14th century, the second shame that all church personnel were ashamed to mention was born:
— Jacques King John VI, suing the pope, the mouthpiece of the sovereign god of the spiritual empire, as a secular monarch.
He claimed that the last Pope died not of illness but of murder. Moreover, John VI presented a series of evidence to prove that the current Pope St. Trefus II was involved in planning the murder of the previous Pope.
It is incredible that the evidence presented by John VI, some of which has been certified by authoritative and knowledgeable scholars, is not forged.
The earthquake in the ideological world centered on the sea of the kingdom of heaven, and quickly spread to the entire world and all believers.
If the accusation of John VI is true and St. Trefus II really participated in the murder of the previous pope, then the person who murdered the pope should be sentenced to death. But St. Trefus is the holy father of all believers at this time, and the supreme seat of the Pope. The doctrine stipulates that "the Pope is the incarnation of God in the world, and the Pope will not make mistakes or sin." So, who has the power to judge the Pope
The theological world was in turmoil, and even the most learned priests could not find a reasonable solution to this terrible scandal.
The vortex of public opinion expanded rapidly, at such a fast speed and with such force, that it was hard to believe that there was no one behind to help the flames. Someone tried to find out who was driving this vortex, but in the end they were shocked to find that there were so many shadows behind it, so many people suspected that it was the turmoil of the world itself.
At the very center of the vortex, when John VI had to face this scandal by St. Telefus II, he declared grandly:
The Kingdom of Jager does not recognize the legal status of St. Trefus II as pope, and the illegal papal excommunication is invalid. God will prove His grace in His own way.
In short, John VI was determined to lead the expedition himself, personally command the fleet, and fight Roland and Root for a decisive battle at sea.
Everyone who heard the news thought that John VI was crazy.
Although commanding an army is one of the most important responsibilities of a prince, it is considered best for a prince to avoid setting foot directly on the battlefield as much as possible, except in unavoidable circumstances. You must know that there are too many accidents on the battlefield. It is not extravagant to ask that all the monarchs are military geniuses, but that they do not die suddenly on the spot, triggering a new round of political turmoil.
John VI made the decision to conquest himself, and it was a desperate foolishness.
……………
"On the contrary, this is his rare bright moment."
The queen sat by the window, facing the black and white chessboard alone.
Facing Abigail's puzzled expression, the silver-haired queen smiled.
"Although St. Trefus II faces charges, there has never been a precedent for a secular person to sue the Pope—according to the doctrine, the Pope cannot be prosecuted. Therefore, he is still the Pope, and the deterrence of the excommunication order has not completely Disappeared. The rebellion of the princes in Yager has not stopped. If John VI retreats without a fight, returning to the country will only make his soldiers more suspicious of him. .If the doctrine says that 'the outcome of a war depends on the will of God', as long as he wins this naval battle, all attacks will be defeated, and St. Trefus II will fall into a deep trap instead."
"I really don't understand. Doesn't the victory or defeat of a war depend on who is better at fighting? Why do you keep getting involved with God?" Abigail complained with a shrug.
"Although I would like to agree with you, unfortunately, most people don't think so." The queen picked up a chariot and put it on the chessboard, "Secondly, who do you think John VI hates the most?" ?”
"you."
This time Abigail answered quickly.
The words that John VI cursed Queen Roland could be compiled into a book-without repetition. The combined sum of St. Trefus II and Orsis is less than half that of the queen.
"That's right." The Queen smiled, and her tone was so relaxed that she didn't seem to be talking about herself, "His throne is at stake. If he can't win this war, he can only die. Since he wants to bet his life, Naturally, you have to drag the person you hate the most, otherwise, even if you go to hell, you may not be reconciled. And I, my throne has been consolidated with "God's Judgment". I don’t want to step on the battlefield myself, but why don’t I, who is famous for being blessed by God, not go on the battlefield myself? Otherwise, how can I prove that I am indeed the ‘Queen Blessed by God’?”
Abigail frowned instantly. She came here this time to dissuade the queen from participating in the naval battle in person.
Right now, she can only helplessly realize that this is indeed not something they can change just by worrying about it.
"Then," the queen ate the black knight with the white rook, and put the replaced pawn in the box, "since I set foot on the battlefield, Orsis, who is also the monarch, can only go along with me, otherwise Lu The leadership of the alliance between Te and Roland will fall into our hands. It seems that I, Orsis and John VI have taken the same risk, but in fact, as long as I and anyone in Orsis meet on the battlefield Unexpectedly, even if John VI himself was defeated, he would be considered profitable."
The heroic female admiral couldn't say a word.
The queen sighed softly.
This is the contest between the monarch and the country.
Generals and soldiers fight on the battlefield, blood splashes and heads roll down, and blood flows into rivers in cities and places. However, the competition between kings and countries will cause the whole world to be in turmoil. People circle and fight in the vortex, changing their masks unpredictablely, and there are countless dead.
"Want to play another game?" the queen asked, changing the subject.
"No, I don't want to play chess anymore."
Abigail answered bluntly, accusing with a bit of grievance.
"You even won my last copper coin!"
The Queen laughed and moved a pawn across the river.
"It's time for Rodriguez to go."
She withdrew her hand and looked at the black and white chessboard quietly.
"Where are you going to send him?"
"The Papal State."
The author has something to say: [1] Peng Xiaoyu. Tolerance in the Historical Context (II)—Heresy and Excommunication in Western European Canon Law in the 12th Century [J]. Journal of Capital Normal University (Social Science Edition), 2001(04): 34-43.