The Start of Charles' Reign

Some months after Charles of Anjou married Beatrice of Provence in 1246, therefore becoming Count of Provence and Forcalquier, he was knighted by his brother, King Louis IX, and formally given the counties of Anjou and Maine. (He had representatives manage them for him.)Preparations had been underway in France for a Crusade (the Seventh), and Charles joined his brother along with their other brothers, Robert and Alphonse. They did not depart until 25 August 1248.While Charles was away, the cities of Arles, Avignon, and Marseilles joined their military forces in an alliance. They chose a leader of their own, Barral of Baux, who had helped negotiate a conflict earlier between Savoy and Provence. Barral's army helped Charles save Beatrice of Provence from the forces of James I of Aragon that had surrounded her, and Barral's army helped guard the wedding of Beatrice and Charles. Now, however, Barral became Charles' rival.Barral saw Charles' disrespect for the local nobles and was willing…