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