Before we start, just a quick warning that this episode contains descriptions of violence

or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners.

The 53-year-old French king Louis VII sits in his audience hall with a smirk on his lips.

And him scurries the usual crowd of advisers, lawyers and servants that populate the royal court.

Musicians are tuning up instruments, household flunkies, clatter plates and drinking cups.

You can also hear whispers of gossip around the room and hushed political bargains being struck.

Today Louis Court is even busier and noisier than usual.

There's an excited buzz in the room.

Gathered around him are some of the biggest big shots of the kingdom.

Half a dozen mighty nobles, all of them with their own posse of counsellors and hangers on.

Many more nights and minor lords summoned from around the northern half of France.

And then there are the guests of honour, three Plantagenet princes.

The eldest sons of Louis's oldest rival and sparring partner, Henry II, King of England.

There's Henry the young king, 18 years old and recently crowned his father's co-monic and heir in England Normandy and Anjou.

There's 15-year-old Richard who's been in training to become Duke of Aquitaine

and Geoffrey 14 who's been groomed to rule Brittany.

All of them have decided they're fed up to the back teeth with their father, Old Henry.

All their lives, the guy has been a domineering, high-functioning, control freak.

He can't stop interfering in other people's business and he doesn't trust anyone except himself to get things done.

Of course, that's kind of why these lads of princes in the first place,

each with their own fat chunk of French lands to rule, acquired for them by their father.

But you know what teenagers are like?

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