Defense of the Spanish March part 1
None had expected the breakout of hostilities between the Kingdom of Brittany and the Emir of Toledo in the early months of 1116. The recently acquired Iberian possessions of the Breton King did border the southern edge of the Emir’s domain but no outstanding issue over the boundary was in question.
Again, the youthful arrogance of the Emir Yugerten was the cause of conflict. Just as he had pounced on Zavie’s exhausted crusade force years before, he hoped that his holdings might be expanded at the expense of the war weary Bretons. Encouraged by nobles eager for their own chance of glory and conquest, the Emir had been persuaded to declare war on Brittany in March of 1116.
Zavie received the urgent dispatch from the Breton court at Rennes in his audience room. Marc Kerne, his eternal ally and brother monarch, requested the assistance of Aquitania in punishing the vile Moors of Toledo for their treachery and warmongering. Taking several deep breaths to calm himself, Zavie answered that Aquitania would forever hold the bond between the two nations sacred and that the messengers master could expect relief within weeks.
War footing again settled on Aquitania as the King sent a flurry of messages to his vassals informing them of the call to arms and the general war plan. The Spanish divisions would attempt to meet in La Rioja (gold star) in order to resist the attack of advancing Toledoan forces (red). Other regiments would gather in Jaca or Zaragoza to prepare for a strike into enemy territory.
The Emir of Toledo seemed hardly surprised at Aquitania’s intervention, personally accompanying a solid portion of his overall army to battle in Rioja. The campaign fell to a dire start when the invading Muslims caught the hastily assembled Aquitanians outnumbered and outmaneuvered. The fighting lasted most of the day and the toll it took was grievous on the defenders. The few survivors managed to disengage and retreat to Viscaya while Yugerten led the siege of Rioja’s weak central keep.
A direct assault on the walls by the vast numbers of the Muslim warhost caused the downfall of the stronghold within days. The defenders that survived were given pardon to leave with what they could carry and most were able to make for the boundaries of the province. In a surprise tactical move, Yugerten and the main portion of the army would advance to Navarre against the Genoans with whom they were also at war. They did not anticipate or chose to ignore the gathering Aquitanian armies poised on Rioja’s border.
News of the defeat reached King Zavie as he led the Bordeaux regiment up through the passes of Jaca. Cursing the Toledoan Emir for a craven dog, Zavie weighed his options. A sizeable force assembled from the other southern counties and bishoprics (black) stood ready to receive his orders as he arrived while another led by Rainers Trencavel (green) was en route to Zaragoza.
The Toledoan army that had captured Rioja was marching into the foothills around Navarre, eager to do battle with the Genoan garrison there (blue). Muslim reinforcements (red) were on their way, but in much too small of numbers to stand in the way of the Aquitanian army. Zavie could barely make sense of it, such a move would only offer Rioja up as an easy gain for the Aquitanians and Navarre had little enough value if Rioja was back in Aquitanian hands. Still, the King supposed that he should not look for reason in the plans of a headstrong impetuous boy king. He ordered Rioja to be retaken at once.
Both Zavie and Rainers encountered small enemy forces in their march, but both times saw the Toledoans withdraw rather than face battle. Gathering together in Rioja, that province’s castle was soon under siege for the second time in barely a month. It fell just as quickly, with the defenders seeking negotiation after only a few volleys of missiles were directed at the structure.
Navarre fell quickly to the invading Toledoans helped by mild weather and superior numbers. They quickly assumed full and direct control of the province, executing the governor after the citadel’s fall and burning several administrative buildings to the ground. The Genoans, hard pressed in their continuing battles against Badajoz, were unable to respond in any way.
With Rioja liberated and the principal Muslim forces either engaged in the south against Brittany or locked in Navarre, Zavie turned his eye to Soria (gold star). Just a few score miles from his position, the city he had once lost was again within his grasp. He might finally overcome what had been the most humiliating military campaign of his career. No defense force stood to protect it and it was an easy choice to send Rainers to oversee its reduction. Zavie himself would wait to see the next move Yugerten might take in Navarre.
It came as a surprise when, two days after he had dispatched Rainers’ army, Zavie received a forwarded letter from that commander. Apparently, the Sheik of Soria had clearly seen the writing on the wall and wanted to spare his citizens from the horrors of siege. He was prepared to offer up his title and allow Aquitanian troops into the city in exchange for safe passage and a guarantee of religious toleration in the city. While the majority of Sorians were Christian, a sizeable minority of Muslims had either been converted or immigrated to the city.
King Zavie did not need to think twice on the offer. He promised the Sheik his assurance that both conditions would be fulfilled. Rainers entered into Soria and quickly secured the strongpoints around the city without incident. The citizens were rather subdued in their celebration, none were eager to appear too delighted should the Toledoans somehow recapture the town. Nonetheless, another piece of territory was patched into the growing Aquitanian state and a personal vendetta of the King avenged to a degree.
Zavie did not have to wait long for his opponent in Navarre to make his move. Yugerten, suddenly mindful that he was cut off entirely from his homeland and facing an Aquitanian force superior to his own, ordered his army to embark using the few boats they had managed to prevent escaping during the siege. Any overland journey through the passes and towards home would force an army of their size straight to the waiting Aquitanians. A smaller force might manage to sneak by. Over a thousand men were left when the vessels were loaded past capacity and Yugerten ordered them cast away. He would try to lead his pitiable army (red) back through Rioja to safety.
Luck would not be with the Toledoan Emir, as the scouts of Zavie’s holding force in Rioja (black) were quick to pick up the signs of the Muslim advance. Secure in his south flank by Rainers force (green), Zavie was eager to take advantage of the situation. Looking over maps with his war council, Zavie was informed of a suitable ambush point near the crossing of a small waterway along the Emir’s line of march. The ambuscade was lain out in meticulous preparation and the Emir played his part perfectly
Halfway across the stream and its knee high icy water filling his boots, Yugerten realized the trap for what it was. The first clue he had was one of his aides taking an arrow through the neck, falling and flailing in the water. Individual streaks of dark mass shot out from everywhere, claiming men by the dozens as they scrambled to find any cover from the murderous fire. Behind him, Yugerten heard yells and screams of panic as a troop of cavalry in Aquitanian colors flashed from a copse of trees and into the line of men that hadn’t even reached the river yet. Lightly armored men were now descending the bank in front as well, crashing into the terrified and confused fugitive army.
Zavie himself led the charge from the rear. The plan had been executed perfectly, with the Toledoans taken entirely by surprise. Slashing down with every bit of strength afforded him, the Aquitanian King cut through the mass of enemies with his bodyguard, rounding about each time to strike at another quarter of the panicking throng. Here and there he saw an Aquitanian fall, but the day was surely theirs.
Somehow the Emir had managed to escape the slaughter of his entire force. It had been assumed that the leader of Toledo accompanied the force based on his banner being present and the word of the few captives that had avoided death. His capture or death would have been an awesome boon to the Aquitanian cause, ensuring glory in what was already looking like a victorious campaign. One of the Aquitanian sub-commanders further back from the battle reported seeing an overconfident Aquitanian horseman dismounted by a group of Toledoans who had then helped one of their own number onto the steed. No other had seen the subject and it was assumed that the miraculous escapee had indeed been Yugerten.
Again, the youthful arrogance of the Emir Yugerten was the cause of conflict. Just as he had pounced on Zavie’s exhausted crusade force years before, he hoped that his holdings might be expanded at the expense of the war weary Bretons. Encouraged by nobles eager for their own chance of glory and conquest, the Emir had been persuaded to declare war on Brittany in March of 1116.
Zavie received the urgent dispatch from the Breton court at Rennes in his audience room. Marc Kerne, his eternal ally and brother monarch, requested the assistance of Aquitania in punishing the vile Moors of Toledo for their treachery and warmongering. Taking several deep breaths to calm himself, Zavie answered that Aquitania would forever hold the bond between the two nations sacred and that the messengers master could expect relief within weeks.
War footing again settled on Aquitania as the King sent a flurry of messages to his vassals informing them of the call to arms and the general war plan. The Spanish divisions would attempt to meet in La Rioja (gold star) in order to resist the attack of advancing Toledoan forces (red). Other regiments would gather in Jaca or Zaragoza to prepare for a strike into enemy territory.
The Emir of Toledo seemed hardly surprised at Aquitania’s intervention, personally accompanying a solid portion of his overall army to battle in Rioja. The campaign fell to a dire start when the invading Muslims caught the hastily assembled Aquitanians outnumbered and outmaneuvered. The fighting lasted most of the day and the toll it took was grievous on the defenders. The few survivors managed to disengage and retreat to Viscaya while Yugerten led the siege of Rioja’s weak central keep.
A direct assault on the walls by the vast numbers of the Muslim warhost caused the downfall of the stronghold within days. The defenders that survived were given pardon to leave with what they could carry and most were able to make for the boundaries of the province. In a surprise tactical move, Yugerten and the main portion of the army would advance to Navarre against the Genoans with whom they were also at war. They did not anticipate or chose to ignore the gathering Aquitanian armies poised on Rioja’s border.
News of the defeat reached King Zavie as he led the Bordeaux regiment up through the passes of Jaca. Cursing the Toledoan Emir for a craven dog, Zavie weighed his options. A sizeable force assembled from the other southern counties and bishoprics (black) stood ready to receive his orders as he arrived while another led by Rainers Trencavel (green) was en route to Zaragoza.
The Toledoan army that had captured Rioja was marching into the foothills around Navarre, eager to do battle with the Genoan garrison there (blue). Muslim reinforcements (red) were on their way, but in much too small of numbers to stand in the way of the Aquitanian army. Zavie could barely make sense of it, such a move would only offer Rioja up as an easy gain for the Aquitanians and Navarre had little enough value if Rioja was back in Aquitanian hands. Still, the King supposed that he should not look for reason in the plans of a headstrong impetuous boy king. He ordered Rioja to be retaken at once.
Both Zavie and Rainers encountered small enemy forces in their march, but both times saw the Toledoans withdraw rather than face battle. Gathering together in Rioja, that province’s castle was soon under siege for the second time in barely a month. It fell just as quickly, with the defenders seeking negotiation after only a few volleys of missiles were directed at the structure.
Navarre fell quickly to the invading Toledoans helped by mild weather and superior numbers. They quickly assumed full and direct control of the province, executing the governor after the citadel’s fall and burning several administrative buildings to the ground. The Genoans, hard pressed in their continuing battles against Badajoz, were unable to respond in any way.
With Rioja liberated and the principal Muslim forces either engaged in the south against Brittany or locked in Navarre, Zavie turned his eye to Soria (gold star). Just a few score miles from his position, the city he had once lost was again within his grasp. He might finally overcome what had been the most humiliating military campaign of his career. No defense force stood to protect it and it was an easy choice to send Rainers to oversee its reduction. Zavie himself would wait to see the next move Yugerten might take in Navarre.
It came as a surprise when, two days after he had dispatched Rainers’ army, Zavie received a forwarded letter from that commander. Apparently, the Sheik of Soria had clearly seen the writing on the wall and wanted to spare his citizens from the horrors of siege. He was prepared to offer up his title and allow Aquitanian troops into the city in exchange for safe passage and a guarantee of religious toleration in the city. While the majority of Sorians were Christian, a sizeable minority of Muslims had either been converted or immigrated to the city.
King Zavie did not need to think twice on the offer. He promised the Sheik his assurance that both conditions would be fulfilled. Rainers entered into Soria and quickly secured the strongpoints around the city without incident. The citizens were rather subdued in their celebration, none were eager to appear too delighted should the Toledoans somehow recapture the town. Nonetheless, another piece of territory was patched into the growing Aquitanian state and a personal vendetta of the King avenged to a degree.
Zavie did not have to wait long for his opponent in Navarre to make his move. Yugerten, suddenly mindful that he was cut off entirely from his homeland and facing an Aquitanian force superior to his own, ordered his army to embark using the few boats they had managed to prevent escaping during the siege. Any overland journey through the passes and towards home would force an army of their size straight to the waiting Aquitanians. A smaller force might manage to sneak by. Over a thousand men were left when the vessels were loaded past capacity and Yugerten ordered them cast away. He would try to lead his pitiable army (red) back through Rioja to safety.
Luck would not be with the Toledoan Emir, as the scouts of Zavie’s holding force in Rioja (black) were quick to pick up the signs of the Muslim advance. Secure in his south flank by Rainers force (green), Zavie was eager to take advantage of the situation. Looking over maps with his war council, Zavie was informed of a suitable ambush point near the crossing of a small waterway along the Emir’s line of march. The ambuscade was lain out in meticulous preparation and the Emir played his part perfectly
Halfway across the stream and its knee high icy water filling his boots, Yugerten realized the trap for what it was. The first clue he had was one of his aides taking an arrow through the neck, falling and flailing in the water. Individual streaks of dark mass shot out from everywhere, claiming men by the dozens as they scrambled to find any cover from the murderous fire. Behind him, Yugerten heard yells and screams of panic as a troop of cavalry in Aquitanian colors flashed from a copse of trees and into the line of men that hadn’t even reached the river yet. Lightly armored men were now descending the bank in front as well, crashing into the terrified and confused fugitive army.
Zavie himself led the charge from the rear. The plan had been executed perfectly, with the Toledoans taken entirely by surprise. Slashing down with every bit of strength afforded him, the Aquitanian King cut through the mass of enemies with his bodyguard, rounding about each time to strike at another quarter of the panicking throng. Here and there he saw an Aquitanian fall, but the day was surely theirs.
Somehow the Emir had managed to escape the slaughter of his entire force. It had been assumed that the leader of Toledo accompanied the force based on his banner being present and the word of the few captives that had avoided death. His capture or death would have been an awesome boon to the Aquitanian cause, ensuring glory in what was already looking like a victorious campaign. One of the Aquitanian sub-commanders further back from the battle reported seeing an overconfident Aquitanian horseman dismounted by a group of Toledoans who had then helped one of their own number onto the steed. No other had seen the subject and it was assumed that the miraculous escapee had indeed been Yugerten.
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