Annalum Eburacorum - The Chronicle of York

[AKjeldsen]

Have been meaning to do this for a while, and since I just got the game this morning, and spent most of the day learning the ropes, I thought I might as well jump into it.

Firstly, this is my first AAR ever, and secondly, I'm not quite sure how this chronicle format will turn out, so I hope you'll be patient with me. On the other hand, I'm betting you guys are probably willing to read just about anything CK-related right now, right?

I'm playing as Alain de Bretagne, Count of York and vassal of Duke Ralph of Norfolk. York is a farily poor county, and expansion options are obviously limited, but the count is a third son of the count of Penthievre in northern Bretagne and distantly related to the Dukes of Bretagne themselves, so I'm hoping there'll turn up a few claims with the fullness of time down there.

A few screenshots to get presentations over with:

[Faeelin]

Screens don't work, I'm afraid.

[BarristerBoy]

Pics don't work I'm afraid...

[BedpanElemental]

Funny, I see it fine.

[Deaghaidh]

Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York


...but the screens don't work

[jech]

I'm afraid they do work . For me atleast....

Looks good!

[AKjeldsen]

Incipit Liber Primus Annalum Eburacorum.
(Here begins the first book of the York Chronicle.)

On this the first day of the one thousand and sixty-sixth year after Our Lord Jesu Christi incarnation, I, brother Aethelfyrd, scribe and confessor for my most Christian liege, Alain de Bretagne, Earl of York, have commenced the present chronicle, to present for the faithful the events of the realm of St. Edmund and to properly account for the days remaining until the coming of the Doomsday. I humbly pray that God will look upon this endeavour with kindness and guide the quill in my hand.



- Anno Domini 1066

On or around the Feast of Epiphany (Jan 6th) there appeared at night in the heavens a bright orb of fire that moved among the fixed stars, and nobles and villeins alike were sorely afraid and feared God, for surely this was an ill omen of His displeasure. [This is not an actual event, but hey – can’t leave out Halley’s, right?]

On Thursday before Candlemas, (Jan 26th) our most Christian lord, Earl Alain de Bretagne, married the goodlady Judith de St John, the daughter of a Norman landholder in the county of Gloucester. Not only is the Lady Judith of great beauty and good family, she is also well versed in the skills of letters and numbers, and will manage Lord Alain’s estates with great skill. May God grant them prosperity and great fertility. [Married a courtier from Gloucester, and appointed her Steward]


Judith de St John, the new Countess of York

On the day before Sexagesima (Feb 18th), there arrived in York a messenger from Amalric, the Count of Bourges, proposing a marriage between the Count and Earl Alain’s spymaster, Eremberga de Greystoc. The Count being a powerful noble and vassal in good standing of the Frankish king, the underage Phillipe Capet, the Earl wisely chose to endorse the union. [Agreed to marry off one of my courtiers, making 23 prestige in the process.]

On the Feast of Easter (Apr 17th), we received news that the Duke of Apulia has won a devastating victory over the infidel Emir of Sicily, forcing him to pay great reparations for the crimes of himself and his kin. Our Lord the Archbishop ordered the singing of the Te Deum to celebrate these glorious tidings. [A bit of atmosphere from the message log]

In the month of May, the knight Geoffrey de Seagrave donated generously for a new baptismal font in the church in York, quoting from the example of Saint Longinus that the puissant knights and the great Christian nobles hold their places by divine rights and as foremost guardians of the Holy Church. May this prudent thought find resting place amongst many of his fellows. [New Tech: Divine Right]

On the day before the Feast of All Saints’ Remembrance (Oct 29th), a messenger arrived bearing news that the Earl’s father, Eudes of Bretagne, Count of Penthievre has breathed his last and was succeeded by his eldest son Geoffrey. Certain hot-headed knights in Earl Alain’s entourage have urged him to make war upon his brother and add his ancestral lands to his own. The Lord deliver us from such fratricide! [Father died, received claim on County of Penthievre in Bretagne]

In the autumn of this year, the yeomen of several villages of the county harvested their crops and discovered that by only sowing on certain fields in certain years and certain other fields in certain other years, the soil yields a greater bounty. The Earl was sorely pleased. [New Tech: Two Field System]

On the second day after Lucia (Dec 15th), Earl Alain let announce the joyous news that the countess is expecting a child.

[Deaghaidh]

Still just Red X's to me.

But, a very solid go at recreating the 'feel' of reading a monastic chronicle.

[AKjeldsen]

About screens - don't know why some of you can't see them. I'm using Yahoo Geocities to host them.

Unless somebody can suggest better hosting, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until I can get to my university account Monday of Tuesday. Joy of expectation and all that.

[MacRaith]

Photobucket. http://www.photobucket.com - can't beat it.

[Earl Uhtred]

... to present for the faithful the events of the realm of St. George...

WHARRRRK! St George didn't come to be associated with England until the C13. The closest thing to a patron England had at this date would be St Edmund.

[Nuclear Winter]

Screens work for me.

[AKjeldsen]

WHARRRRK! St George didn't come to be associated with England until the C13. The closest thing to a patron England had at this date would be St Edmund.

Noted and changed, thanks. Can't risk my professional reputation over small errors like that.

Also, screenies are now hosted at Photobucket. Hope this works better.

[Deaghaidh]

Ahhh, much better

Judith's not bad looking, though a trifle grey for her age, though the count is rather pointy-looking. Hope he doesn't accidently impale someone with his goatee!

[AKjeldsen]

Ahhh, much better

Judith's not bad looking, though a trifle grey for her age, though the count is rather pointy-looking. Hope he doesn't accidently impale someone with his goatee!

Watch the eyes, I say.

Now that we're talking looks, how about the countess of conveniently-neighbouring Leicester:

[MacRaith]

Hm, wonder how long it is before we have a "Best-looking Women of CK" thread?

I presume the stork means she's expecting?

[Kurek]

oooo Chronicle! I love medieval chronicles! Looking foward to more.

[Petrarca]

Watch the eyes, I say.

Now that we're talking looks, how about the countess of conveniently-neighbouring Leicester:

I see what the phrase 'Norman nose' means. Of course, it's really her whole face.


Certainly enjoying the AAR so far; the brackets enlighten us ever-patient overseas orderers.

[AKjeldsen]

- Anno Domini 1067

On the day before the third Sunday in the Fast (Mar 18th), a traveller told us of unrest brewing in the Byzantine Empire, as the princes of the realm grow weary of the arbitrary and indulgent heretic Emperor Constantine Ducas. The Prince of Edessa is in open rebellion, and many of his fellows are sure to join him soon. The Lord grant that we true Christians be spared from such division.

Sometime around the Feast of Trinitati Dominica (early June), Ralph de Gael, Duke of Norfolk and Count of Suffolk died and was succeeded by his son, Ralph de Gael. Shortly thereafter, Earl Alain travelled to Norfolk to offer vassalage.

On the second day after the Feast of the Holy Cross (Sep 16th), the Countess Judith was blessed with an easy and successful childbirth of a daughter. The child was christened and named Emma.

In the month of October, more news reached us of turmoil among the heretics of the Byzantine Empire. The Princes of Krete and Lykia have rebelled against their effeminate and unjust Emperor. Surely, this is God’s just punishment for their apostasy.

- Anno Domini 1068

On the first day of the New Year, our lord Alain appointed Busilla Grey as spymaster of his court. Although she is an able woman who is well versed in the Scriptures, she is also quite lustful and sceptic towards the words of God. These are ill times indeed when such persons must be appointed to positions of influence.



Meet the new Spymaster...

In early November, Earl Alain ordered the construction of a fishing wharf in the village of Scarborough, in order to bolster the county’s treasury.

- Anno Domini 1069

In the late spring of this year, many minor issues forced our lord the Earl to travel here and hither across the county, and became sorely tired thereover. We all fear for his health, should this not improve. [Character gained trait: Stressed]

Also in the late spring of this year, many village elders from across the county met at the fair in York and decided that instead of sowing on certain fields in certain years and certain other fields in certain other years, as they have done hitherto, they will now sow certain grains on certain fields in certain years and certain other grains on certain other fields in those same years, and on yet certain other fields nothing at all in those same years, and that those certain field shall be rotated according to a certain schedule on different years, so that the soil may yield yet greater bounties than was previously the case, and the Earl was sorely pleased. And village elder Tostig from Whitby is certain that this will work. [New Tech: Three Field System, and as the first realm, even. ]

On the third day after the Day of Martinus, the new fishing wharf was finished in Scarborough.

- Anno Domini 1070

On the second Friday after Easter (Apr 16th), Earl Alain let announce the joyous news that the countess is again expecting a child. May the Lord bless him with an heir this time.

In late December, the Count of Northumberland died and bequeathed his domains to Malcolm, King of the Scots. Duke Ralph of Norfolk is said to be furious over the loss of this vassal. The borders of the barbaric Kelts are now closer to our city than ever. [Northumberland becomes part of Scotland]


- Anno Domini 1071

On the day before the Feast of St. Peter the Hermit (Jan 16th), Countess Judith gave birth to a second daughter who was christened and named Fressenda. There is some concern among the court that the Earl has not yet sired an heir.

In early April, the Countess became passing ill, with much coughing and pain. A doctor called from London believes that this is a result of lost humours during the childbirth. We should guard ourselves from these usurers and put our faith only in the salvation that emanates from the Holy Trinity. [Character gained trait: Illness]

On Whitsunday, we heard from a visiting clergyman from the realm of Denmark that Stenkil, King of Sweden, has advanced his claims on the island of Bornholm and declared war on its Count. As a result, King Svend Estridsson of Denmark has declared war on Sweden. May the Lord look with mercy upon his poor subjects, for we hear from reliable sources that the Danish king is a passing poor warrior. [From message log]

On the second day before the Day of Mariae Visitatio (Jun 30th), the Archbishop returned from a journey to the Holy City of Rome, bearing among other things the news that the disturbances in the Byzantine Empire is spreading. More than half of the Princes are now in rebellion, and the days of the Greek Emperor are surely numbered. The Hand and Sword of God are surely at work here, and we true Catholic Christians can only pray that the fall of this corrupt and misguided empire will not allow the foul Saracens to charge into the very heart of Christendom. Into your hands, Lord, do we deliver our souls.

In the summer of this year, the yeomen and villeins of the county did work passing hard to drain certain marshes and plant crops there, and the Earl was passing glad. [Prosperity in York set to ‘Prosperous’, giving +10% gold and some other bonuses]

In the month of September, we heard from several travellers that Count Ulf of Jylland had declared rebellion against his liege, King Svend Estridsson, further adding to the troubles of that unfortunate realm. Others are sure to follow. [From message log]

[AKjeldsen]

Hm, wonder how long it is before we have a "Best-looking Women of CK" thread?

I presume the stork means she's expecting?

Correct.