OOC: This is a short update. Two cameos have now been reserved, by Ninja Lenin! and DoS.
The Crusader Mafia
Part 5- in which courtiers get antsy
On February 15, 1084, construction began on a training ground in Capua. The tile factory that already existed there made construction quicker.
On March 2nd, a sinister gang of criminals began preying on the prosperous citizens of Salerno. This Thieves Guild was brought to the attention of Sergio Prince of Campania.
Advisor: My Prince, it appears organized crime has appeared in Salerno. Gangs of hooded theives extort peasants for protection money, rob merchants, and do other Mafia-type stuff.
Prince Sergio Spartenos: Do you know who leads this vile syndicate?
Advisor: They call him.... Ninja Lenin! *jarring chord*
Prince Sergio Spartenos: Seems like a confused kind of guy. If he's a ninja, he should be in Japan, and if he's Lenin, he should be.... wherever Lenin goes.
Advisor: I know, my liege. I know.
In response, Prince Sergio approved the construction of a Court of Justice to try and convict all evildoers. Construction took a year.
In August, Neapolitan soldiers discovered the "longspear."
Neapolitan Soldier: It's like a spear, but longer! *wink*
Two months later, an unrelated development saw the discovery of "musical instruments" in the province of Napoli. The result was the first popular music, recorded by a certain noble called "Elvis." The trouble was that people started to call him "the King." The result was his execution. However, rumors continued to circulate concerning "Elvis sightings." (1)
On December 16, 1084, the training ground of Capua was completed.
On March 18, 1085, the Two Field System spread to Salerno.
In an unrelated story, Sergio still had his claim on Consenza, now a county whose liege was Calabria. However, no war broke out, because Calabria was allied to Apulia, who was allied to Hungary, who was allied to Poland, who was allied to Norway, who was allied to England, who was allied to both France and Germany. (2)
April 16th saw the current steward of Campania seeking reward for his prestige and skill.
Steward: I want some money and prestige!
Prince Sergio Spartenos: No.
Steward: It would be awful if your only courtier with 8 stewardship left to a different principality, wouldn't it?
Prince Sergio Spartenos: Here's some cash. Now go do whatever it is stewards do.
On April 30th, Anna Spartenos, the daughter of Sergio Sr., began a court education.
By this time Sergio Sr. was sixty, and his grandchildren started complaining that they could be better spymasters, or getting marriage proposals. This was a source of annoyance.
On June 9th, 1085, the inhabitants of Salerno decided that their clergy shouldn't be filthy rich. This advance was called Apostolic Poverty.
On June 13th, the Court of Justice in Salerno was officialy completed.
In January 1086, Romanos began wandering in strange places. He found someone with interesting knowledge, in this case how to kill someone with a pencil eraser. Naturally, Sergio Sr. discourages him from trusting strangers.
On July 6th, 1086, this update concludes.
Footnotes
(1)Really all that happened was the discovery of musical instruments, but Elvis sightings are always funny.
(2)