Homelands
Chapter Twenty Three: Asses to Ashes
Part 1
Prelude:
1221 was a busy year for not only Eastern Europe, but also Western Europe. 1221 is the year that Ireland's last pockets of resistance in Meath and Ulster were crushed by the expanding Caliph. The Irish lords, now landless, fled to Scotland only to find it was also under siege. Muslim expansion would continue until 1250 when the Scottish rebellion would spark the eventual end of Muslim rule in the Isles. By 1258 Ireland had been unshackled and in 1312 the last Muslim Emir had been forced from the Isles. But the invasions would have profound effects on the region. It lead to the spread of Revisionism in Scotland and Ireland, both of which had mostly been Northern Rite. It also started the Norman rebellion in England, which set back years of stability and growth; as well as uniting Ireland, which caused a major shift in the balance of power in the region. In the East, meanwhile, Karnak was introduced to his eventual wife, Isabelle van Wassemberg. The Wassembergs were of Dutch origin and had arrived in Prussia in 1205. They were of particular importance because they brought the Flemish style of textile making to Prussia, making them very wealthy very fast. They stayed in Memelgrád, never seeking land, instead they used their wealth and proximity to gain a Royal Monopoly on cloth production in Memelgrád. In 1221 they used their wealth to secure a marriage between their eldest daughter and the styled Prince in Prussia, Karnak of Hungary.
Britain in 1221 after the fall of Ireland and in 1250 at the height of Muslim power in the isles.
October 7th, 1221
Memelgrád palace was, for the first time in its existence, hosting a major party. Meinekinus wished to use it to debut his grandson, not only a legitimate member of royalty, but also as an eventual ruler of Prussia. Karnak was in his finest for everyone, standing in a small group of ex-German nobles discussing his pedigree, something he had personally researched with help from allies in England.
"Well, most think of us as Leofricsons, but we actually go back to Leofwine, who was an Elderman of Hwicce, so that would be our proper name as per current naming conventions." Those around him seemed impressed with his studies.
"Well your majesty, that certainly was a tale!" one noble said.
"Yes, it is surprising that you have been able to find all these records!"
"Well, my father was helpful, but also friends in far-off England managed to send us the information we needed from old Anglo-Saxon sources."
"Do you know anything beyond that?"
"No, nothing. It appears that Leofwine was the first."
"What are you going to do about your current situation with your father in Hungary, m'lord?"
Karnak's face hardened slightly as he kept himself from scowling, "I believe that the best course of action is to let my father do as he wills... in time my chance will come again and I shall right his wrongs."
Meinekinus stepped behind Karnak and placing a hand on his shoulder said to him, "There are some people here that I would like you to meet." Karnak smiled at the chance to avoid more questions about his father and politely bowed out of the conversation with his current posse. "Karnak, this is Lodewijk van Wassemberg and his daughter Isabelle."
"Ah, yes, I've heard of the Wassembergs here. You own the current cloth monopoly for the city, correct?" Karnak asked. Lodewijk gave the former King the Polish salute, common in Prussia.
"You've heard correctly," Lodewijk said with a smile.
"We are lucky you chose to bring your business here and not elsewhere."
"It was an arrangement that worked for all involved, m'lord." Lodewijk smiled and then switching gears turned to Meinekinus, "Which reminds me, your majesty. I am going to have to have the flags on my ships renewed soon."
Meinekinus thought briefly, "Yes, I guess you will need them soon. I'll have the tax men sent to your docks tomorrow to take the old ones and bring new ones."
"Good, thank you. Karnak, m'lord, I've been informed that you enjoy a good joust."
"I do, Lodewijk, and I am quite good as well."
"Ah! There it is, a healthy ego! Trained by the best and he is 'quite good' indeed," Lodewijk joked.
"But isn't it quite dangerous?" the timid Isabelle asked.
Isebelle van Wassemberg as Queen of Hungary.
Karnak smiled and nodded, "Yes, but not as much as one might think. If the two players are aiming to be safe, then all is well."
As the night wore on the party died down to a quiet level and the few remaining guests were those who lived in the city, free from the worry of a long journey back home. Still in attendance were, of course, the hosts, the Wassembergs, a few Vonfraken, several ex-Kings of France and the so-called Duchess of the Hellenes, the Roman Emperor's youngest daughter. They gathered around a fire place for warmth and talked about the affairs of Europe and of the Kingdom. They all, however, tried to avoid Hungary and the power-mad Dzintis who was isolating himself from all of Europe.
"So, Karnak, what are your future plans as King of Prussia, Bohemia and Hungary?" the Duchess asked.
"I haven't put much thought into it yet, I am still just a Knight serving his liege," Karnak replied.
"O, don't give your dear auntie those bull droppings!" She laughed and patted Karnak on the back, her heavy amount fat shaking as she did so. Karnak smiled. In Hungary he was isolated, here he was surrounded by family and people who weren't afraid to talk to him.
"Well, I want to modernize our armies, I feel that we are slipping behind, especially when it comes to arms and armor." Everyone nodded, he was the sole expert in this field present. "Our tactics, however, seem to be good. Zygimantas is well learned in the new forms of combat."
"Well, Meinekinus, what are you going to do about that pesky runt of yours?" the Duchess continued.
Meinekinus raised an eyebrow, "I speak no ill of others."