Closer ties with Constantinople don't truly start until after Aethelweard (who was neither Orthodox or Catholic).
Homelands: Tales of the Anglo-Prussians
- Thread starter Mr. Capiatlist
- Start date
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Closer ties with Constantinople don't truly start until after Aethelweard (who was neither Orthodox or Catholic).
Homelands
Chapter Five: The Prussian Schism
Part Four
Prelude:
Catholicism in 1097 suffered a minor loss in losing Prussia to Eastern Orthodoxy. But in the coming centuries Roman Christianity would suffer massive losses and eventually splinter permanently. The Prussian Schism was strange, almost unique, in that it was the first time a Catholic nation willing left the flock to join the East. This would make it easier in the future for other nations and people to do the same in the future. And in doing so, Orthodoxy was strengthened slightly. Aethelweard Leofricson never fully committed himself to the new church; rather let the people put their own idols into it.
November 1st, 1097
On All Saints Day the first Prussian Saint, St. Stephen the Norman, was inducted into the new Church. In doing so, Aethelweard had separated Prussia from Catholicism. Attending the ceremony was the Prince of Kiev and the son of the Roman Emperor. The two men found Aethelweard’s lack of initial faith disturbing, but enjoyed that his son was growing up taught by Greek teachers. Eadbert had been taught Greek as well as his native Saxon. His teachers sensed a vicious streak deep inside the boy, but he was the heir to Prussia and he would be a commanding leader.
“Aethelweard, you have done a momentous thing, here!” David, the Roman, said. Aethelweard did not speak Greek, so waited for his small son to translate for him.
“If a King cannot be free, who can be?” Aethelweard asked jokingly.
Alexander, the Russian, smiled and agreed, “The West thinks very highly of themselves. They forget that the Pope is not God, rather a mortal who thinks he is.”
“The Bishop of Rome has his work cut out for him. After twenty years his Crusade for Holy Jerusalem has proven a failure,” Aethelweard said.
“Not completely, they attracted the attention of the Turks; it has kept my nation alive. Without the Seljuks raiding my borders anymore, my father can finally stabilize the Empire.”
“More so, the collapse of Christianity in Iberia has shown cracks in the unity of the West. When one Russian tribe fights the pagans… we all do. But in Iberia one King will happily place a dagger in the back of another King if the second is busy fighting off Berbers.”
“It is good to hear I have united allies, rather than rivals who bear false face,” Aethelweard said.
“I will warn you, Aethelweard: There is a Prince who does not support letting you into the coven. Prince Boris of Polotsk feels you threaten his supremacy of the region. He will eventually wage war against you. It is inevitable.”
“What about this unity you spoke of?”
“We are united against an outside threat, but like you we are warriors, and when you want something, you must take it.”
David looked uneasy, it was obvious to Aethelweard that the two had talked earlier and David had counseled Alexander not to bring up Boris.
“I will take your warning with gratitude. Boris does not understand the strength of Prussian arms.”
“I hope so, I will admit, I like you more than my brother.”
Prussia in Red with Polotsk in Blue. Competing claims are in Purple. Poland is in Green.
End Chapter Five
Chapter Five: The Prussian Schism
Part Four
Prelude:
Catholicism in 1097 suffered a minor loss in losing Prussia to Eastern Orthodoxy. But in the coming centuries Roman Christianity would suffer massive losses and eventually splinter permanently. The Prussian Schism was strange, almost unique, in that it was the first time a Catholic nation willing left the flock to join the East. This would make it easier in the future for other nations and people to do the same in the future. And in doing so, Orthodoxy was strengthened slightly. Aethelweard Leofricson never fully committed himself to the new church; rather let the people put their own idols into it.
November 1st, 1097
On All Saints Day the first Prussian Saint, St. Stephen the Norman, was inducted into the new Church. In doing so, Aethelweard had separated Prussia from Catholicism. Attending the ceremony was the Prince of Kiev and the son of the Roman Emperor. The two men found Aethelweard’s lack of initial faith disturbing, but enjoyed that his son was growing up taught by Greek teachers. Eadbert had been taught Greek as well as his native Saxon. His teachers sensed a vicious streak deep inside the boy, but he was the heir to Prussia and he would be a commanding leader.
“Aethelweard, you have done a momentous thing, here!” David, the Roman, said. Aethelweard did not speak Greek, so waited for his small son to translate for him.
“If a King cannot be free, who can be?” Aethelweard asked jokingly.
Alexander, the Russian, smiled and agreed, “The West thinks very highly of themselves. They forget that the Pope is not God, rather a mortal who thinks he is.”
“The Bishop of Rome has his work cut out for him. After twenty years his Crusade for Holy Jerusalem has proven a failure,” Aethelweard said.
“Not completely, they attracted the attention of the Turks; it has kept my nation alive. Without the Seljuks raiding my borders anymore, my father can finally stabilize the Empire.”
“More so, the collapse of Christianity in Iberia has shown cracks in the unity of the West. When one Russian tribe fights the pagans… we all do. But in Iberia one King will happily place a dagger in the back of another King if the second is busy fighting off Berbers.”
“It is good to hear I have united allies, rather than rivals who bear false face,” Aethelweard said.
“I will warn you, Aethelweard: There is a Prince who does not support letting you into the coven. Prince Boris of Polotsk feels you threaten his supremacy of the region. He will eventually wage war against you. It is inevitable.”
“What about this unity you spoke of?”
“We are united against an outside threat, but like you we are warriors, and when you want something, you must take it.”
David looked uneasy, it was obvious to Aethelweard that the two had talked earlier and David had counseled Alexander not to bring up Boris.
“I will take your warning with gratitude. Boris does not understand the strength of Prussian arms.”
“I hope so, I will admit, I like you more than my brother.”
Prussia in Red with Polotsk in Blue. Competing claims are in Purple. Poland is in Green.
End Chapter Five
Excellent set of updates. Orthodox Prusso-Saxons (or Saxo-Prussians?)... very, very interesting!
Thanks! It has been an interesting game thus far... about 150 years left in CK, then in 1399 we head over to EUIII!
1) This AAR definitely has the makings of something epic and awesome! Keep it going, you've definitely found a new convert here! 
2) Somehow, I soon see this Boris of Polotsk coming to an unfortunate end under the blade of a Saxon/Prussian axe.
3) I did some slapdash research on the Patriarchates for my own AAR, and they seemed rather... slapdash. Often created for political gain (Bulgarian Patriarchate, Armenian Patriarchate) or simply self-declared (Serbian, Russian). If Prussia grows strategically important enough to the Orthodox, Constantinople might grant a Patriarchate... or alternately Aethelweard could just declare one and dare anyone to say otherwise... it'd certainly fit into his "I don't care what others say about religion" attitude.
2) Somehow, I soon see this Boris of Polotsk coming to an unfortunate end under the blade of a Saxon/Prussian axe.
3) I did some slapdash research on the Patriarchates for my own AAR, and they seemed rather... slapdash. Often created for political gain (Bulgarian Patriarchate, Armenian Patriarchate) or simply self-declared (Serbian, Russian). If Prussia grows strategically important enough to the Orthodox, Constantinople might grant a Patriarchate... or alternately Aethelweard could just declare one and dare anyone to say otherwise... it'd certainly fit into his "I don't care what others say about religion" attitude.
1) This AAR definitely has the makings of something epic and awesome! Keep it going, you've definitely found a new convert here!
2) Somehow, I soon see this Boris of Polotsk coming to an unfortunate end under the blade of a Saxon/Prussian axe.
3) I did some slapdash research on the Patriarchates for my own AAR, and they seemed rather... slapdash. Often created for political gain (Bulgarian Patriarchate, Armenian Patriarchate) or simply self-declared (Serbian, Russian). If Prussia grows strategically important enough to the Orthodox, Constantinople might grant a Patriarchate... or alternately Aethelweard could just declare one and dare anyone to say otherwise... it'd certainly fit into his "I don't care what others say about religion" attitude.
1) Thank you very much, I sure hope it becomes epic... I really haven't done too much since the Mega Campaign a few years ago.
2) Boris became an interesting neighbor, without a doubt.
3) I had read similar stuff, but after this point religion isn't as important to the game for me... Not to spoil too much but Catholicism gets ruined by the Berbers and other Muslims.
Ah, Polotks would look good in your realm.
That it will, that it will...
Last edited:
Homelands
Chapter Six: The Sharpened Sword
Part 1
Prelude:
Aethelweard Leofricson was a man without a church, and many say a man without a conscience. His enemies learned to fear him, and his enemies were many. In 1098 Aethelweard’s major rival was Boris of Polotsk, one of the five brothers who ruled much of Russia. Boris was looking to conquer all of the Baltic tribes in order to install himself as King of the Rus. The arrival of the Saxons and their later conversion to Orthodoxy made Boris’s plans much more complicated, and he was angered by it. Aethelweard decided to do a bit of saber rattling and attacked and annexed a small pagan tribe caught between the two Principalities.
April 3rd, 1098
Aethelweard marched with his army eastward toward Sudovia. The small tribe of displaced Lithuanians was wedged between Aethelweard’s realm and Boris’s. In taking it, Aethelweard hoped to either provoke Boris to go to war, or to force him to stand down, and allow Prussia to conquer and settle the Baltic Region. The actual war was very brief, Aethelweard outnumbered the pagans almost five to one, and the Sudonvians were suffering from disease and starvation, making them even easier of a target.
From his capital, Boris kept track of Aethelweard’s movement, looking for some sign of real aggression, but he was disappointed in Aethelweard’s self control. Instead, Aethelweard began to enrage Boris, claiming to be “King of the Baltic” and the “Lost of Rurik.” Alexander, Prince of Kiev seemed willing to welcome the Saxons into the Russian Coven.
Map of the Baltic following Aethelweard's invasion of Sudovia. Prussia in Red, Polotsk in Blue, assorted tribes in the remaining colours.
“Brother, this newcomer threatens stability in the region!” Boris shouted madly.
“Hmm, I doubt that, brother… I have spoken with him at length, and he is a notably intelligent man.”
“You spoke with the devil and did not kill him?!”
“Kill him?! Brother you speak non-sense.”
“He threatens my reign here in Polotsk!”
“Maybe so, but then again you threaten your reign in Polotsk. Your mad taxes and constant warfare with the Lithuanians, who have proven stronger than you, has driven this region into poverty!”
“Brother you speak slander! Just promise me that when the time comes you’ll back me up against this bothersome little Saxon!”
“Boris, I will promise you no such thing!” Alexander shouted. Boris was taken aback, he had been sure his brother would side with him against the Saxon. “Aethelweard is successfully trying to coax you into a war that you cannot win. I have seen his armies, and they are vast compared to yours.”
“Mother Russia will protect me!”
“Hmmm.” Alexander replied to show that the argument had ended. He turned and left Polotsk, looking back as he rode away from the city, and thinking to himself it was probably the last time he would see it under Russian hands.
Chapter Six: The Sharpened Sword
Part 1
Prelude:
Aethelweard Leofricson was a man without a church, and many say a man without a conscience. His enemies learned to fear him, and his enemies were many. In 1098 Aethelweard’s major rival was Boris of Polotsk, one of the five brothers who ruled much of Russia. Boris was looking to conquer all of the Baltic tribes in order to install himself as King of the Rus. The arrival of the Saxons and their later conversion to Orthodoxy made Boris’s plans much more complicated, and he was angered by it. Aethelweard decided to do a bit of saber rattling and attacked and annexed a small pagan tribe caught between the two Principalities.
April 3rd, 1098
Aethelweard marched with his army eastward toward Sudovia. The small tribe of displaced Lithuanians was wedged between Aethelweard’s realm and Boris’s. In taking it, Aethelweard hoped to either provoke Boris to go to war, or to force him to stand down, and allow Prussia to conquer and settle the Baltic Region. The actual war was very brief, Aethelweard outnumbered the pagans almost five to one, and the Sudonvians were suffering from disease and starvation, making them even easier of a target.
From his capital, Boris kept track of Aethelweard’s movement, looking for some sign of real aggression, but he was disappointed in Aethelweard’s self control. Instead, Aethelweard began to enrage Boris, claiming to be “King of the Baltic” and the “Lost of Rurik.” Alexander, Prince of Kiev seemed willing to welcome the Saxons into the Russian Coven.
Map of the Baltic following Aethelweard's invasion of Sudovia. Prussia in Red, Polotsk in Blue, assorted tribes in the remaining colours.
“Brother, this newcomer threatens stability in the region!” Boris shouted madly.
“Hmm, I doubt that, brother… I have spoken with him at length, and he is a notably intelligent man.”
“You spoke with the devil and did not kill him?!”
“Kill him?! Brother you speak non-sense.”
“He threatens my reign here in Polotsk!”
“Maybe so, but then again you threaten your reign in Polotsk. Your mad taxes and constant warfare with the Lithuanians, who have proven stronger than you, has driven this region into poverty!”
“Brother you speak slander! Just promise me that when the time comes you’ll back me up against this bothersome little Saxon!”
“Boris, I will promise you no such thing!” Alexander shouted. Boris was taken aback, he had been sure his brother would side with him against the Saxon. “Aethelweard is successfully trying to coax you into a war that you cannot win. I have seen his armies, and they are vast compared to yours.”
“Mother Russia will protect me!”
“Hmmm.” Alexander replied to show that the argument had ended. He turned and left Polotsk, looking back as he rode away from the city, and thinking to himself it was probably the last time he would see it under Russian hands.
A bad ruler can alone lose his state, without the enemy doing anything.
You have claims ready?
You have claims ready?
We shall see in the coming updates.
In game I was ignoring Polotsk.... so they came to me.A bad ruler can alone lose his state, without the enemy doing anything.
You have claims ready?
o
Haha, and they still lost when catching you by surprise? :rofl:
The normal AI. :rofl::rofl::rofl:
The normal AI. :rofl::rofl::rofl:
Well, the war started because I had conquered pagan territory that they had claims on... and the AI is none to bright especially in the beginning.
Homelands
Chapter Six: The Sharpened Sword
Part 2
Prelude:
Aethelweard and Boris needed to secure their place in the Baltic to defend from the other one. This led to a military race to annex as much of the region as possible. Neither was trusted by the remaining pagan tribes, so military annexation was the only way to accomplish their goals. In 1101 Polotsk and Prussia simultaneously declare war on the pagan tribes and then race to conquer as much as possible. Prussia conquered western Lithuania and Lettgalia. Polotsk took eastern Lithuania and the city of Riga. Aethelweard had desperately wanted to capture Riga for its strategic value in securing Estonia, but for now he was stumped.
Map of the Baltic in 1102, Prussia in Red, Polotsk in Blue and Estonia in Green.
August 23rd, 1101
For the first time Boris sat face to face to Aethelweard, his dreaded enemy. Aethelweard has a large man, standing over six feet tall. In his fur clothing and armor he dwarfed the Russian Boris. Boris attempted to speak down to the Saxon, but soon found Aethelweard unaffected and still of few words. Boris had expected to find a spindly son of an exile. He expected to be able to woo Aethelweard with big words and grandiose plans, but instead he found a strong, spartan ruler who was wise with words but spoke very little.
“Aethelweard, you have arrived in these new lands, but you know little of our customs! I am a heir of Rurik, and thusly I am a rightful heir to this whole area,” he spread his arms wide, knocking over a goblet of wine, “I don’t imaging a Saxon could understand the breadth of the Kingdom of the Rus!”
“Maybe not the breadth, but I understand Rurik. Rurik was a Viking, like the Saxons. The Russians have forgotten what it means to be a Viking.”
“Listen you insolent little whelp, get off these lands, they are all mine, for one day I shall, be King of the Rus!”
“And when that day comes, talk to me.”
“I will rule you!”
“I bow to no man.”
“You will bow to me!” Boris was red in the face, leaning over the table to get into Aethelweard’s face. The Saxon however, only took a sip of wine; not noting the Russian’s gibbering chins the hung in his face.
“You brother Alexander is Prince of Kiev, if you truly are the heir of Rurik, why do you not control the magnificent city yourself?”
“I control Riga, the city key to your plans of conquering Estonia! I have cut the north off from you, now what shall you do? Huh? Riga is mine, and it always will be! I shall rename it Borisgorod, and it will be the capital of the Kingdom of the Rus! What say you to that?!”
“I will sail around Riga when I am ready and conquer Estonia anyways.”
Boris coughed up on his wine and looked at the stern, level-faced Saxon.
“By the way, Boris, when you sacked Riga and didn’t move north, you allowed the High Chief of Estonia to unite his Kingdom with that of the Livs, you have placed Borisgorod between a stump and an axe.”
Chapter Six: The Sharpened Sword
Part 2
Prelude:
Aethelweard and Boris needed to secure their place in the Baltic to defend from the other one. This led to a military race to annex as much of the region as possible. Neither was trusted by the remaining pagan tribes, so military annexation was the only way to accomplish their goals. In 1101 Polotsk and Prussia simultaneously declare war on the pagan tribes and then race to conquer as much as possible. Prussia conquered western Lithuania and Lettgalia. Polotsk took eastern Lithuania and the city of Riga. Aethelweard had desperately wanted to capture Riga for its strategic value in securing Estonia, but for now he was stumped.
Map of the Baltic in 1102, Prussia in Red, Polotsk in Blue and Estonia in Green.
August 23rd, 1101
For the first time Boris sat face to face to Aethelweard, his dreaded enemy. Aethelweard has a large man, standing over six feet tall. In his fur clothing and armor he dwarfed the Russian Boris. Boris attempted to speak down to the Saxon, but soon found Aethelweard unaffected and still of few words. Boris had expected to find a spindly son of an exile. He expected to be able to woo Aethelweard with big words and grandiose plans, but instead he found a strong, spartan ruler who was wise with words but spoke very little.
“Aethelweard, you have arrived in these new lands, but you know little of our customs! I am a heir of Rurik, and thusly I am a rightful heir to this whole area,” he spread his arms wide, knocking over a goblet of wine, “I don’t imaging a Saxon could understand the breadth of the Kingdom of the Rus!”
“Maybe not the breadth, but I understand Rurik. Rurik was a Viking, like the Saxons. The Russians have forgotten what it means to be a Viking.”
“Listen you insolent little whelp, get off these lands, they are all mine, for one day I shall, be King of the Rus!”
“And when that day comes, talk to me.”
“I will rule you!”
“I bow to no man.”
“You will bow to me!” Boris was red in the face, leaning over the table to get into Aethelweard’s face. The Saxon however, only took a sip of wine; not noting the Russian’s gibbering chins the hung in his face.
“You brother Alexander is Prince of Kiev, if you truly are the heir of Rurik, why do you not control the magnificent city yourself?”
“I control Riga, the city key to your plans of conquering Estonia! I have cut the north off from you, now what shall you do? Huh? Riga is mine, and it always will be! I shall rename it Borisgorod, and it will be the capital of the Kingdom of the Rus! What say you to that?!”
“I will sail around Riga when I am ready and conquer Estonia anyways.”
Boris coughed up on his wine and looked at the stern, level-faced Saxon.
“By the way, Boris, when you sacked Riga and didn’t move north, you allowed the High Chief of Estonia to unite his Kingdom with that of the Livs, you have placed Borisgorod between a stump and an axe.”
I agree, he definitely was. If I remember correctly, his traits included: "Inbred" "Schizophrenic" and "Maniac." And his stats backed it up...
Here is something you guys might like:
In 1250 here are some of the starting dynasties and their stats (meber alive, when the dynasty died out, and the number and type of their highest title > So for instance, Leofricson has "1 emperor", but there are also Kings and dukes etc), thanks to dynasticglory:
Piast: 5 alive, no titles
Capet: 14 alive, 1 duke
de Normandie: 88 alive, 3 dukes
de Hauteville: 0 alive (died out 1231)
Rurikovich: 460 alive, 4 dukes
Leofricson: 186 alive, 1 emperor
von Franken, 113 alive, 3 dukes
Palaeologus: 148 alive, 3 dukes
von Habsburg: 2 alive, no titles
Godwineson: 0 alive (died out 1134)
Arpád: 69 alive, 1 duke
von Steutzlingen: 96 alive, 1 king
Knytling: 65 alive, 1 duke
Jimenez (Christian): 0 alive (died out 1158)
Jimenez (Muslim): 5 alive, no titles
Dunkeld: 18 alive, 1 king
In 1250 here are some of the starting dynasties and their stats (meber alive, when the dynasty died out, and the number and type of their highest title > So for instance, Leofricson has "1 emperor", but there are also Kings and dukes etc), thanks to dynasticglory:
Piast: 5 alive, no titles
Capet: 14 alive, 1 duke
de Normandie: 88 alive, 3 dukes
de Hauteville: 0 alive (died out 1231)
Rurikovich: 460 alive, 4 dukes
Leofricson: 186 alive, 1 emperor
von Franken, 113 alive, 3 dukes
Palaeologus: 148 alive, 3 dukes
von Habsburg: 2 alive, no titles
Godwineson: 0 alive (died out 1134)
Arpád: 69 alive, 1 duke
von Steutzlingen: 96 alive, 1 king
Knytling: 65 alive, 1 duke
Jimenez (Christian): 0 alive (died out 1158)
Jimenez (Muslim): 5 alive, no titles
Dunkeld: 18 alive, 1 king
Last edited:
Seems muslims conqured spain but what happened to Hautevilles?
And the byzantine dynasties?
And the byzantine dynasties?
Seems muslims conqured spain but what happened to Hautevilles?
And the byzantine dynasties?
I am pretty sure the Capets and Dunkelds just died out.
Muslims have conquered everything... They control ALL of France and Spain, plus ALL of Italy. They also control Scotland, and they used to have Ireland, but a five-way gang bang against one of the muslim nations caused them to lose to one of the Irish duchies.