The only way is Up-per Lorraine - A House Chatenois AAR

thehollowman · Feb 18, 2012

The only way is Up-per Lorraine - A House Chatenois AAR

Introduction:

The Duchy of Upper Lorraine (or Lothringen, to the Germans), so called because because it was further "Up" the river system, was once part of the Carolingian Kingdom under the rule of King Lothair II (859-869). The King died with no heirs, and so was split between East and West Francia, finally coming under East Frankish rule as a whole in 880. After the East Frankish Carolingians became extinct as well, the Duchy was attached to West Francia, before it was conquered by the King of Germany in 925.

It was in 959 that the defining moment for the duchy came to pass. King Otto I appointed his brother, Bruno the Great, Duke of Lotharingia, and he then divided the duchy into both Upper and Lower Lorraine.

The House of Chatenois, the heroes of our story, so named for the families ancestral castle in Neufchâteau, were the historical Counts of Metz (and historically often known as the House of Metz). In 1066, the current Duke of Upper Lorraine, was Gerhard I. His House has only a recent history as Duke however, with his Brother Adalbert. After Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor confiscated the duchy from Godfrey III in 1047, he invested it with Duke Adalbert, Gerhard's older brother. Godfrey refused to accept this and back down however, and Adalbert was killed in battle by Godfrey soon after. The Emperor subsequently passed the Duchy to Gerhard, but the former Duke Godfrey continued to stir. Godfrey, having the support of the nobles, who did not want a strong hand at the ducal helm, imprisoned Gerhard. Gerhard had the support of the Bishop of Toul however, who procured his release in 1049, and with troops sent by the Emperor, the rebellion was put down.

What shall the future hold for Gerhard and his house? Will he lead them to glory? Or Failure? Will he follow the path of history...or go even further?

Goals:

This is my first AAR, so my first goal...is to simply learn how to write a good one! So please, bare with me and PLEASE feel free to offer any constructive criticism, advice, or words of support.

Historically, Gerhard was the patrilineal ancestor to the Dukes of Lorraine until 1737, as well as the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty that ruled Tuscany (1737–1859), the Holy Roman Empire (1745–1807), Austria-Hungary (1780–1918), the Duchy of Parma (1814–1847), Duchy of Modena (1815–1859), and Mexico (1864–1867). Those later achievements aren't really in the scope of the game (and it was cheating to marry into the habsburgs anyway), but uniting the two Lorraines and keeping them in House Chatenois is the goal here.

To try and roleplay my characters and their decisions based on their traits. Even if it might be a terrible decision. Expect a proud and wrothful duke to send anyone who insults him to the dungeon. The Craven and Kind won't be expanding their demense.

Table of Contents:

Duke Gerhard I of Upper Lorraine (1048-1091)

Chapter 1: Beginnings

Chapter 2: Sex, Lies and Books

Chapter 3: Three Weddings, Two Births, One Death

Duke Dietrich II of Upper Lorraine (1091-)

Chapter 4: New Beginnings

thehollowman · Feb 18, 2012

Chapter 1 - Beginnings:

The Duke of Upper Lorraine was not an exceptionally clever man, nor was he cunning. But he was Strong and Loyal to the Emperor. He excelled at soldiering from a young age, and though he lacked any skill at leading, this ability would still serve him well. A hard worker, the man was known for his belief in moderation, rarely holding or attending gluttonous feasts, nor drinking wine to excess. This trait was often said to aid the duchy's finances, and make it's administration far easier, what with shows of finery or excess common to other territories rarely being demonstrated.

But there was one thing the fine old Duke was well known for having no temperance in - his ravenous Lust. Though it was never spoken of at court, and especially not near his good Wife, it was an open secret that Gerhard had something of a sweet tooth for the ladies. This was a flaw that the church did not approve of, and it was a flaw that would often get him into trouble - both in his youth, and in the future.

His wife, Hedwig de Namur, daughter of the Count of Namur, was several years his senior, and had already given him three children. Their marriage years before had gone someway to patch up relations with the baronage within the duchy, being seen as a unification with the "old guard".

The first of his children, and his heir Dietrich, was already 11. Being tutored by Gerhard's trusted Spymaster, the Duke had high hopes of the boy growing up well, to become a worthy heir of the Duchy. His Second son was Gerhard, and two years junior of the first. His Daughter Beatrix, had just been born.

Agnatic-Cognatic Gavelkind was the law of the land, which meant that Gerhard's holdings would be split evenly amongst his sons. Deitrich would become Duke of Upper Lorraine, and be Lord of their new Imperial given home, Lorraine, while Gerhard the Junior would become Count of Saintois.

With the succession safe, Gerhard was free to look at his most Trusted Council.

A well respected Council, they were good at their jobs, and more than did their part in helping the Duke run his domain.

His Trusted friend, Berengar, was also his Spymaster. The two had met at a young age during Gerhard's summers spent in his Metz, training in swordplay together, praying at the chapel together, and avoiding the priest to chase pretty girls together! Gerhard trusted Berengar with his life, and the life of his Son and Heir, and so too he trusted his discretion and skill in his mission to travel to Byzantion, to observe and procure any greek innovations that might aid his homeland.

His Chancellor on the other hand, he had met early in his reign as Duke. Though only minor nobility, Herbert Von Sorcy-St-Martin was a man skilled with his tongue. Never before had the Duke seen a man speak so cleverly, or eloquently, and so he was soon employed by the Duke to be his trusted Diplomat. It was this trust that led them both to a secret meeting late one night. The Duke had his fair share of worldly ambition, and so desired that his domain be expanded. Together they worked on a plan, and the county of Bourgogne was the target. The Count of Bourgogne was vassal of no Duke, and his Frankish methods did not suit the Empire. Bringing the County into the Duchy would bring a strong hand loyal to the Emperor to the region, and make the realm a stronger and more prosperous place. Herbert then, would travel there, and using his talents, begin fabricating claims for the Duke. With time, money, and judicious use of threats, soon enough people there would accept that Duke Gerhard I was in fact the rightful ruler of the County of Bourgogne...

thehollowman · Feb 20, 2012

Chapter 2 - Lies, sex and books.

In the cold winter of 1067, a snow covered courier arrived at the Duke's court in Nancy, and presented Gerhard with a letter, a letter marked with the wax seal of the Imperial Eagle. A message from the Emperor himself! Hurriedly, the seal was broken, and the hurriedly letter read. Contained within were the Emperor's plans, detailing a series of reforms that he proposed to make across the entire empire. The Duke was not a man proficient in legal matters, and though he may have left many of the fine details of understanding the legislation to his advisers, the intent of the reforms was clear. Though the Dukes and Counts of the empire would retain much of their autonomy, and certain privileges and rights strengthened slightly, their obligations to the Emperor would be increased.

Each Vassal was asked for their vote of approval on the matter. Though several of the Duke's advisors and barons were against the reforms, wishing to retain their autonomy, the Duke knew that he owed much of his autonomy to the Emperor in the first place. He was loyal to his liege, and would vote to approve them. The fact that the reforms would strengthen his own authority over his vassals was simply a happy coincidence of course.

The Courier was sent back to the Emperor, and soon, the Lords of the realm had voted to approve the Emperors reforms, much to the Kaiser's pleasure.

But it was not simply legal reforms the Kaiser concerned himself with during this time. He also started a number of territorial wars - against the pagans in Pommeria, the Mohammedan infidels in Sardina, and most notably (And to many heretical) the Pope in Rome.

It was not war though that Duke Gerhard I found himself concerned with, rather the man had a peculiar interest (some would call it an obsession) in a seemingly simple book. Where the book came from, or what it precisely contained none were quite sure. Whispers in the court spoke of a hooded man thrusting the book into the Duke's hand during Court, while others said that it was alternatively either an angel or a devil that gave the book to the Duke in the night.

Whomever gave him the book, it did not matter, for day and night the Duke seemed to work intently on studying and deciphering the tome. The mystery of the indecipherable glyphs seemed to enrapture him, as the man searched for the secret of the code. What could it mean? What knowledge was hidden within? His obsession grew and grew, he stopped eating, bathing, and sleeping. The Courtiers thought him mad, the Bishops thought him sinful and bordering on heretical, and the Council secretly considered if the man was really infirm and needed to be placed into regency.

It was the Duke's beloved wife, Hedwig that saved him from madness though. As she pleaded and prayed for him, after long weeks of study, her words finally reached Gerhard's ears. She was right, he knew it now. There was no code, no secret, it was the gibberish writing of a madman. Accepting defeat, he closed the book, and placed it in his library, a library which had grown substantially in his quest for knowledge. And so, the maddening book was not the waste of time many would assume, because from then until his death, Duke Gerhard found his skill, and love of reading had grown. Though the book had not given him knowledge, it had given him a thirst that could only be quenched through the scholarly pursuits.

After the month or so lost to the Tome, the Duke turned to more practical matters. A portion of gold was spent on a project to create a village for the peasants in the Castle in Nancy. The good men and women of the land were invited to the village, and eagerly arrived, pleased to toil in labour under the Duke in return for the protection of the Castle. The tax revenue from these people would go some way to mitigating the maintenance of Nancy, as well aid with future upgrades and construction.

One sweet summers day, Gerhard watched the Village being constructed, the builders thatching roofs, the carpenters working the wood, when a messenger arrived, a letter bearing the Duke's own Seal. It was a missive from his Chancellor! As the Duke read it, and lip came to his lips. Herbert had finally succeeded and there was sufficient "Proof" that Duke Gerhard I was in fact the rightful Count of Bourgogne. A silver coin was placed in the couriers hand, and the plans to depose the Count of Bourgogne were afoot.

Unfortunately fate conspired so that the Duke was not directly involved in those plans. Kaiser Heinrich called Gerhard to war, and to war he did go. Throughout the Duchy, every tenth family sent an able bodied male towards the levies. The Kaisers Son-in-law, the King of Hungary was under attack, and the empire was obliged to respond to the call to arms. Duke Gerhard's skill in matters of war meant that the Emperor made him a commander of the middle flank of one of his armies. It was while leading one of these armies through a small village in the county of Lyon, that Gerhard and his troops were ambushed - by a filthy band of rebels and bandits. With just a small forward detachment, Duke Gerhard fought off the rebels, outnumbered 5 to 1, holding them off long enough for the main force to arrive and crush the enemy. The men under Gerhard's command spoke of his bravery in that battle, from the Godless peasant he had decapitated, to the comrade that Gerhard had saved from certain death, after his horse was felled.

As the Duke was off making a reputation for bravery for himself, his troops back in Upper Lorraine were formed, and marched on Bourgogne. The troops were well disciplined, and confident, for word was that they outnumbered the Bourgognese almost 4 to 1. The two armies met in Santois, as the Bourgogne army desperately tried to outmanoeuvre the larger force, but their fate was sealed, as they were cornered on a hill near Brixey. The arrows flew, but even with their superior position, the Bourgogne flanks folded, and within two hours, their army routed. The survivors were caught, some spared, others brutally killed, before the victorious army of Upper Lorraine marched to Besacon. The Siege was set, though it would see much time, and many dead before they would win.

As the war in Hungary ended, the Kaisers forces proving the decisive edge, the Duke returned home to Nancy, and to his lovely wife. But whether it was the time away, the stress of being apart, or just time itself, his lovely wife seemed lovely no more. She was haggered, and grey, her voice croaky, her movements so. She was tired often, and not interested in love making, not that the Duke was particularly interested in making love with her in any case. His must and his eye wandered, that lust in his loins growing strong...

Soon, that lust was too strong for the Duke to bear, and so he eyes sought a young mistress to entertain him. But the devil's sinful lust can drive a man to great depravities, and sleeping with a man who was not his wife was the least of the depravity that the Duke would sink to.

Gerhard didn't think twice as he seduced Ermessinde, the pretty young thing that she was. He thought only with his loins. But this was not the first time he had lusted for Ermessinde. The two in fact had known each other for quite some time, and the girl had first caught his eye several years back when she first turned 14. He had swallowed that sick desire down though, for it had not been appropriate to take someone so young. Or whom called you "Uncle".

For indeed! That is who Ermessinde - now his mistress was, the beloved daughter of his dearly departed brother. The wrong sinfulness of it only seemed to make the wicked act of love between them that much sweeter for them both. Gerhard's soul was damned, and he didn't care. Worse still, he had damned his sweet niece's soul to the eternal fires as well...

thehollowman · Feb 21, 2012

Chapter 3: Three Weddings, Two births, One death.

It was early winter, 1071 that Gerhard's first born son and heir, Dietrich came of age. It is said that the boy - now a man - had an impressive skill with money, numbers and administration. Indeed, his father was so impressed, that his tutor was rewarded with some of the King's finest swans. At the feast to celebrate Dietrich's introduction to the Court, any fears his father had about his ability with numbers limiting his social skills were erased. The Young Heir was a natural with people, charming and gregarious, a hit with both the men and the womenfolk because of his quick wit. The future of Upper Lorraine was secured, for now at least, and Gerhard could concentrate on the realm, without ever having to worry if his son would be up to the task.

It was soon, that a marriage was arranged. The 18 year old daughter of the late Harold Godwin, the deposed King of England was chosen as a suitable match. The young Gytha was a kind and chaste woman, and modestly attractive. More importantly for Gerhard, was her royal blood however. The Duke met with the diplomat of the House of Godwin, while Dietrich met Gythia. The teenage girl was instantly smitten and impressed by the wit and intelligence of the handsome young man, while Dietrich found her to be equally charming. An agreement was made, and a date for the marriage was set.

Within days, the ceremony was held, a modest Christian affair, it never the less had a regal feel to the proceedings, with the Bishop of Toul presiding. Though other Royal weddings would easily eclipse this, it was still an impressive event for the lesser nobles and peasants. With the marriage, the future was set, and most interestingly and some might say ambitiously, Gerhard's grandchildren would now one day have a claim on the English Throne.

But sadness for Dietrich and his father quickly turned to sadness. Not long after seeing her eldest son married, Duchess Hedwig of Namur passed away. A sorrowful Duke and his children returned to the chapel they were at only weeks ago. After a touching ceremony, her body was committed to the ground, to await the glorious return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It was noted by several courtiers though, that later that evening at the Castle of Nancy, the Duke did not seem quite as sorrowful, as he spent the night in private with three other female courtiers, including his niece.

The New Year brought good news, however. The siege in Bourgogne had finally been won, with the last castle surrendering. The deposed Count was allowed to flee, as Duke Gerhard I took his "rightful" place as the new Count of Bourgogne. Though the German Duke initially upset the local Frankish population, it was not too long before they realised that little was different, and the county gave little resistance or trouble.

Duke Gerhard once again resided over peace in his realm, and in the twilight years of his life, he enjoyed the peaceful air. But peacefulness of course, did not last long...

Gerhard awoke with a start, to screams of pain emanating from Dietrich's room. The staff hurried by outside the Duke's room, as even the guards seemed interested in the commotion. As Gerhard climbed out of bed to see what was happening, he did not find anything to make him fret. Instead, he found joy in his son's bedroom. His wife, Gytha, had finally given birth - and to a boy! Gerhard praised the heavens for this blessing, and congratulated his son, who informed him of the small baby's name. Gerhard.

After this Good news, Duke Gerhard felt it was only right to marry again. And so he was betrothed to the soon to be 16 year old daughter of the Duke of Bohemia, Judita. Though an alliance was the official reason, many speculated that a nubile princess perhaps sweetened the deal. A new wife however, caused problems with his Niece. His newly wed wife insisted on spending time with the Duke, the very same evening that he would celebrate his anniversary with his incestuous mistress. A choice had to be made, and made it was. The Duke was well into his 50's by now, and that lustful fire he once had, had died out. Instead, he only had guilt and a Christian Duty with his Wife. He spent the night with her, much to his Mistress's chagrin.

For the next few years it was quiet in the Duchy of Upper Lorraine. The Duke's Chancellor, Herbert, had told the Duke there were documents to be located in the County of Aargau which would prove Gerhard's claim there. The Duke, being a believer in law and tradition did the only thing he could do, and sent his Chancellor to find these Documents!

In 1074, the peaceful Court life of Gerhard's life was broken once again, and once again it was due to a child being born. Though this was not quite the joyous news the last birth was. When the Duke's most trusted chamberlain, Adolf approached him, face set in a frown, he knew it was bad news. It seemed the Duke's second eldest son, Gerhard, had been sleeping with one of the maids! And to make matters worse, not only had he made her pregnant, but the child had just been born!

Gerhard the younger was immediately summoned to the court, before the scandal had a chance to break. His son stood there, flinching at the shouted words of the Duke, as he dressed him down thoroughly. To avoid the rumours that were quickly spreading turning into a scandal, Gerhard would have to adopt his newly born son, and raise him as his own, even if he was a bastard. The Duke would not allow a child of his to be raised by the low-born.

So, the child was quietly taken from his mother, who was quickly removed from the castle, and sent to the county of Santois with a monthly stipend paid by the boys father. The whole event put a strain on the two Gerhards relationship, a strain that would influence the Duke in the future.

This Scandal however, had opened the Duke's eyes. Who was he to lecture his son, when he was having an affair with his own niece? It wouldn't do. He decided then to send Ermesside off to Santois with the maid, to live in the Court there, with her own small stipend, so she could live out her days in comfort and ease.

It was in 1076 that Duke Gerhard's Chancellor finally managed to find the documents that proved the Duke's ancestral claim on Aargau, along with several respected men to verify their authenticity. The Duke wasted no time in his declaration of war. He would take back land that once belonged to his great-great-uncles third cousins niece (from another marriage)!

Gerhard raised his personal levies, and led the army himself, crushing the army of the false Count of Aargau. A year later, the siege was completed, and Gerhard became Count of Aargau.

In the next 5 years, Duke Gerhard had four more children with his new wife. Three boys and a girl meant that the lands he held would be split thinly between the children, with his youngest receiving nothing. That would be something for them to work out amongst themselves however.

Likely because of this it was in 1081 that Gerhard the Younger asked his father for a fief of his own to rule . Wanting to reconcile with his son, the Duke acquiesced. Count Gerhard of Saintois left the court to sit in his own that year.

That same year there were several upheavals in the Duchy of Upper Lorraine. The Duchy's loyal Marshall died and had to be replaced, and worse still, the Court Chaplin attempted to turn the Duke to heresy! Gerhard watched in horror as the Bishop of Toul preached the virtues of Catharism. The heretic was quickly arrested and sent to the dungeons. A poor fool refused the Duke's offer that he convert back to the True Faith in exchange for his relief, and so he was left to rot in his cell for the rest of his days.

In 1084, Gerhard's eldest daughter became of the legal age. A pretty girl, she had much of the court's men around her fingers, playing each off another for her own game. A privately admirable trait, she was married to the Duke of Lower Lorraine, bringing the two duchies closer.

Meanwhile, in Lorraine, the demesne was upgraded, gold spent on stables and militia barracks, to greater increase the size of the Duke's Levies, and thus his power.

It was shortly after, another surprising claim appear in the county of Luxemborg! The ever talented Chancellor Herbert had found more rare documents, and so the war was pushed. Lasting just a few short months, in 1085, Duke Gerhard became Count of Luxemborg, much to the delight of those of his sons who would have missed out on inheritance otherwise.

During this time, much technology arrived from Byzantium, from new weapons to new ways to manage the demesne, as the Spymaster observed the Greeks ways, and reported back.

In 1089, a Crusade was called by His Holiness, Pope Julius II, to free the Christians of Jaffa. Though the elderly Duke would have gone in his youthful days, the journey over land was just too far. Instead, Gerhard turned his pious attentions to the heretical bishop in his dungeon. After a few hours, the Duke emerged, hands bloodied, eyes cold, as his victim whimpered, and prayed to his false god.

Another of the Emperor's couriers arrived a year later, with details of new reforms. The Duke agreed to them, deciding that a greater authority in the Empire was good for all.

But that was Gerhard I's last official act as Duke of Upper Lorraine. In the summer of 1091, the 70 year old Gerhard went to rest in the arms of the Lord. Duke Gerhard I was dead, survived by his wife, and six children.

Long live Duke Dietrich II of Upper Lorraine!

Dadarian · Feb 21, 2012

You are doing better then my first AAR XD.

Good writing, keep it up.

Subed.

thehollowman · Feb 21, 2012

Dadarian said:
You are doing better then my first AAR XD.

Good writing, keep it up.

Subed.

Thanks! I'm still finding my voice, so hopefully it will improve. I appreciate the feedback

Moltke · Feb 21, 2012

Good reading so far, good luck with your ambitions. Maybe you should breed with the Luxembourg's to get some of that Karling blood back in the dynasty, or just to steal their pitiful holdings.

Avindian · Feb 21, 2012

Sure are a lot of good CK II AARs coming out! Great idea, and I can highly recommend AAR writing as an excellent way to learn the game and have more fun while doing it.

Calbrenar · Feb 21, 2012

All the incest is very hapsburg of you!

thehollowman · Feb 22, 2012

Moltke said:
Good reading so far, good luck with your ambitions. Maybe you should breed with the Luxembourg's to get some of that Karling blood back in the dynasty, or just to steal their pitiful holdings.

I think I'll go with the the second method of screwing them

Avindian said:
Sure are a lot of good CK II AARs coming out! Great idea, and I can highly recommend AAR writing as an excellent way to learn the game and have more fun while doing it.

Wow, thanks, I hope you enjoy it. It's definitely a fun way to play the game, it helps with my writing too. (hopefully)

Calbrenar said:
All the incest is very hapsburg of you!

It was pretty crazy to see him pick his niece as a mistress.

Moltke · Feb 22, 2012

A word of friendly caution, just beware of the Emperor dragging off your personal levies and getting your Duke killed. The HRE is a careless and thoughtless bastard.

Can't wait to see what's next.

thehollowman · Feb 22, 2012

Chapter 4: New Beginnings

The Duchy of Upper Lorraine in 1091

Dietrich was out on his fathers land hunting game, as he so often did, when he first heard the news of his Father's death. Though he had known this moment would soon come, and he did not fear it coming, he still had felt an air apprehension. He enjoyed his current life tremendously, as well as the freedom it afforded him. He could spend time with his wife and son, he could read, he could hunt whenever he pleased. He did so love to hunt. He could simply relax. His wife Gytha had often told him that this would not have to change just because he was Duke, or even that he could probably use some more excitement in his life in any case, but he knew that wasn't the case. So when he saw the solemn courier, flanked by two of the castle guards, he knew everything would soon be changing.

The new Duke of Upper Lorraine, Dietrich II of House Chatenois

Within days the laws of succession had been enacted, and his three brothers had taken their inheritance. Aargau to Adolf, Bourgogne to Heinrich, and Gerhard took Luxembourg in addition to Santois where he already ruled. It seemed a little fast to Dietrich. Even unfair perhaps, that he was left with just a Ducal title and a single County, when his brothers got the largest portions. But such were the ways of tradition.

It is a strange thing to sleep in the room your mother and father once slept in. To sit in the chair that your father ruled in. Even having been prepared for it, being raised to rule, it was still a strange thing.

Stranger still, was Duke Dietrich II's first act. It was not a proclamation nor a new tax, nor was it a change to the laws of the land. Rather, Dietrich's first act was to introduce to the court a new fashion from France. Pushed by his wife, the courtiers were introduced to a French style of trumpeted sleeves. The Frankish style was almost exotic by German standards, and quickly caught on. Soon, the style had spread throughout the court, and Gytha was content.

Introducing those kinds of sleeves truly is a generous act

With the importance of court fashion out of the way, it was time to move on to other matters. Dietrich's son, and heir Gerhard was 17 now and required a wife. The nearby Duke of Bavaria's young daughter, Wilhelmina was not yet betrothed and so she was chosen in order to foster a useful alliance with her father. In a few years Gerhard would marry the girl and could begin working on securing the future of the dynasty.

The Duke of Bavaria was not yet old enough to marry

But as the lower nobles started to consider if Dietrich would concern himself only with fashion and marriage, they received some surprising new from their liege. The coffers in Lorraine, you see, were far too low. Dietrich's inheritance having been split 4 ways meant he had been left with little land or direct vassals to tax, and many more counts underneath him. Under his father the Feudal lords went untaxed, an agreement dating back many years, but for Dietrich this would not do. For the good of the realm the nobles should pay a small tax on their income of 10% in addition to their levies. This would help the future security of Upper Lorraine both in terms of finance and the martial benefits more money would bring.

The Lords of course would have to approve such a change, and so the stage was set for Dietrich's first test as Duke. Would his vassals accept his authority? Or test it?

The answer was received swiftly. Though several of his loyal vassals had voted yes, it was still several short of a majority. Many of those opposed were not fully committed however, and were very much open to be convinced otherwise. Some bribery and diplomacy would no doubt help many of them realise it was the right thing to do.

But refusal to vote for the Duke's tax change was not the most disloyal or disturbing thing his vassals were up to...

It was a cold January morning, in 1092, when the Duke was approached during a meal - a venison roast, a common thing to eat at court as the Duke enjoyed killing the deer himself - by his Spymaster, Herbert von Sorcy-St-Martin. This already raised eyebrows with Dietrich, he did not like to be disturbed as he ate, and most in his court knew better. But as the Spymaster whispered in his ear, he soon realised why.

"Your brother plans to murder you."

Dietrich was shocked, but not surprised. It was his slightly younger brother, Gerhard, behind the evil scheme and the reason why was clear. With Dietrich dead Gerhard would then only require the death of Dietrich's son, and he would become Duke. That snake! That traitorous snake. Something would need to be done.

Brother, why?

A pre-emptive strike perhaps? No. To slay your kin would be to condemn your soul to hell and it stood against the Dukes principles of honesty. Arrest him perhaps? With the vote on a knife edge, and the other Lords still settling in to Duke Dietrich's reign, such a scandal would undoubtedly destabilise the realm. No, instead the Duke would have his Spymaster deal with it another way.

A letter was drafted, and dispatched to his snake of a brother. It detailed the Duke's knowledge of the plot, and simply requested (and warned) Gerhard to stop that nonsense right now. Gerhard would be shocked by the Duke's knowledge and realise that he could not get away with such an act. Herbert's spies would be dispatched to Luxembourg as well, in order to watch the potential kin-slayer very, very closer for any future actions. The Duke would not be so forgiving a second time...

But there would be no chance for a second time. In a strange twist of fate, upon reading the delivered letter from his brother that detailed the plot he had hatched to murder him, Count Gerhard of Luxembourg took a "turn". As he realised his plan had been revealed, Gerhard had grasped his chest, gasping for air. As his wife rushed to his side, the Count collapsed, crying out in pain as he fainted to the floor. As he choked and frothed at the mouth, his eyes froze, dead and open, staring towards the heavens.

Count Gerhard was dead.

He died almost the same day as the plot was discovered.

Though some suspected the Duke of perhaps poisoning the letter, no evidence could be found, nor were accusations desired to be made. The Count was buried, with no mention of his plans of murder, and his minor son took his place.

It is said that Duke Dietrich II weeped and prayed for his brother upon the news of his death. Sadly for the good Duke, this would not be the only time he would weep or pray because of one of his family...

Aemilius XXIII · Feb 22, 2012

Hi thehollowman.

I like it to follow your AAR.

One point of attention. Reading the AAR introduction I was somewhat confused regarding the name "Neuchatel" for the families ancestral castle of the Chatenois dynasty. As me, there are maybe more AAR followers thinking about Neuchâtel in Switzerland, but that was for me unlikely. With the clue (Neufchâteau) that you have placed behind the name Neuchatel and information in the Wikipedia Encyclopedia, I have find out that the House of Chatenois refers to the town Châtenois, located in the Neufchâteau district in the French Vosges. It is a historical fact that in Neufchâtel is a castle built (finished in 1094) and I believe that the name of this place refers to this new castle. Neufchâtel was also named in Latin as Novum Castrum and to remember this the Neufchâtel inhabbitants are up to present day also called Néocastriens. But Novum Castrum is not the same as Novicastrum, being the Latin name for Neuchâtel in Switzerland. Initial was Neufchâteau known as Noviomagus, in the ancient Roman Empire a market place on the road connecting Lyon with Trier.

thehollowman · Feb 22, 2012

Aemilius XXIII said:
Hi thehollowman.

I like it to follow your AAR.

One point of attention. Reading the AAR introduction I was somewhat confused regarding the name "Neuchatel" for the families ancestral castle of the Chatenois dynasty. As me, there are maybe more AAR followers thinking about Neuchâtel in Switzerland, but that was for me unlikely. With the clue (Neufchâteau) that you have placed behind the name Neuchatel and information in the Wikipedia Encyclopedia, I have find out that the House of Chatenois refers to the town Châtenois, located in the Neufchâteau district in the French Vosges. It is a historical fact that in Neufchâtel is a castle built (finished in 1094) and I believe that the name of this place refers to this new castle. Neufchâtel was also named in Latin as Novum Castrum and to remember this the Neufchâtel inhabbitants are up to present day also called Néocastriens. But Novum Castrum is not the same as Novicastrum, being the Latin name for Neuchâtel in Switzerland. Initial was Neufchâteau known as Noviomagus, in the ancient Roman Empire a market place on the road connecting Lyon with Trier.

Ah, thanks a lot, you are absolutely correct. I editted it and added a link to the correct place (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neufch%C3%A2teau,_Vosges) as well

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The only way is Up-per Lorraine - A House Chatenois AAR

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Dadarian

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