Volume 34. History. When an envoy of King Philip of France claims the English throne for Arthur, the nephew of King John, he receives a impressively worded rejection. King John has no intention of abdicating. However, at a meeting near the French city of Angers, John agrees to a flimsy peace that is to be sealed by the marriage of his niece Blanca and the Dauphin Louis. After a dispute with the papal legate, John is excommunicated, prompting King Philip to dissolve the alliance with the English king. Subsequently, John kidnaps Arthur and instructs his chamberlain to kill the boy. Although the chamberlain intends to spare Arthur, the king's nephew dies during an escape attempt. Many English nobles now accuse John of child murder and side with the Dauphin Louis.