King Jules the Just was a King of Bretonnia and thus one of the fabled Grail Knights.
History
One of Jules's earliest acts as King was to regulate the death-duels that had become common practice amongst rival knights. He consulted with the Fay Enchantress herself before setting his new law into motion. To keep the cream of Bretonnian chivalry from slaughtering themselves and leaving the kingdom defenceless, Jules the Just decreed that all conflict between noble knights during peacetime be "a la plaisance," fighting with blunted weapons.[1]
The practice was widely adapted by the Knights of Bretonnia. Those knights who refused to offer a la plaisance, blatantly disregarding the King’s decree and the Lady’s wishes, became dishonoured and vilified. Once a knight became dishonoured, he could only redeem himself by undertaking the perilous Grail Quest. As Paladins out in the wilderness didn’t always have the luxury of having blunt lances on hand, honourable Knights established methods of charging with their lance that would unhorse a noble opponent without taking his life.[1]
The King's law was eventually adapted into the kingdom's grand Tournaments. Serious wounds became rare and the tourney was seen as an entertaining event for all of Bretonnia's citizens, both noble and peasant alike. The tournament's effectiveness was not dulled either, and remained an excellent training regime for times of war.[3]
Affair of the False Grail
Jules met his untimely end against a Chaos Champion he challenged on the beaches of northern Bretonnia. Needless to say, his opponent also fell, mortally wounded by the Jules's lance.[1][2]
The realm was left in a perilous state after the King's death. Jules had no male heir and left only a daughter, La Belle Isoulde. Jules's daughter followed tradition and set forth a quest that only a knight worthy of the crown could complete. Many years passed however, and none succeeded. Duke Maldred of Mousillon soon saw this as a chance to usurp the crown, leading to one of the darkest periods in Bretonnian history, the Affair of the False Grail.[1][2]
Wargear
- The "Crown of Bretonnia" was blessed by the Lady before being set upon the brow of the first King of Bretonnia by the Fay Enchantress. It shone with a golden light, enhancing the character of its wearer and inspiring those near him.
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: (Bretonnia 5th Edition)
- 2: Affair of the False Grail (Archived)
- 3: White Dwarf: 215 - Full Tilt
