The Game of Thrones - part I
Only a few knows that
Petar IV was often tempted to commit adultery*, but for all his flaws he was a man of the state, a servant of the state and a builder of the state and his desires stood under that of the Empire. While adultery itself wasn't a problem for him it could be for his wife and any conflict with her - slowly descending into madness - could start a civil war. It would also enrage his Marshall, Vintilla de Poenari, and that wouldn't be a smart move as Bulgaria needed her best commander and a national hero on the eve of war with Hungary. There were many reasons that led to this decision. One of them
was establishing Count Tivadar's hereditary claim to the Duchy of Pecs* - Tivadar was descendant of Hencz I Wolferfi Koszegi, whose claim on Vidin was reason for Bela's III invasion on Bulgaria in 1208, now the tables have turned - in order to weaken very powerful neighbour while Queen Maria I was forced to fight revolts in Wallachia, Transylvania and Bosnia. Seljuks of Rum were also invading the coastline and sieging the province of Belgorod. Petar IV was also hoping that the war will give his ally and his son's mother-in-law - Duchess Luca - enough time to overthrow the Queen of Hungary, bringing the Asen dynasty one step closer to the throne. On the 4th October, 1245 the Empire is at war. The Ten Years War has begun.
First task before Bulgarian army was to cross the border, but it was guarded by more than just men. Dinaric Alps, a mountain chain in Southern Europe, barred the way. Going through hostile territories of Hungary, or - theoretically - neutral Serbia alone was a dangerous journey and would cost many men, even before the first skirmish of the war. There was another, safer way. Men-at-arms has been loaded on ships waiting in the Gulf of Varna and from there set sails to the Adriatic Sea, where they intended to make land near Zadar and take it by suprise. Petar's gambit was successful, when he was attacking southern Hungary eighteen thousands of combined Hungarian-Croatian army was marching east of Belgrade, obviously hoping to block the way for the Bulgarian forces. Instead of them they found a large host of the Saracens lying in wait... With their forces evenly balanced, after a long combat the Hungarian knights were able to rout pagans back to Caucasus Mountains from whence they came. Despite taking losses both from combat and attrition Hungarians laid siege to Nikopolis and Vidin. In the middle of the war
burghers asked for an audience with the Emperor, claiming they can't afford to pay the taxes*. Truth was they were paying 20% less than the Orthodox Church, so it was more likely they wanted to line their own pockets. Not willing to anger the commoners in this difficult times the Tsar has promised to look into the matter "as soon as good of the realm will be secured". 13 December, 1246 a general call to arms was sounded across Sicily, allowing to gather another ten thousands men. It was
a show of power for Konstantinos', the Duke of Epirus, fabricated claim on to Tyrnovo* to keep him away as well as reinforce army attacking Croatia, half of the men was then dispatched to attack Vas and Szekesfehervar as a response to the Hungarian armies ravaging northern Bulgaria.
At the end of August, 1247 three things happened:
commoners in Tyrnovo - displeased with subsequent war taxes - started to gather arms and men* and a revolt was at hand,
province of Turnu finally has been taken from the pagan hands* and
a letter asking for support in the war was sent to Duchess Agnethe, who replaced her mother, Luca*. It wasn't certain if Duchess Luca's death was of natural cause. Most likely her coup failed and due to the realm's difficult situation status quo was maintained and ambitious Duchess died soon after. In 1250 war has taken a turn for the worse as the Bulgarian detachment - numbering almost eight thousands men - was catched unawares by almost eleven thousands of Hungarians. From this point to 17 August, 1252 the Empire was losing and Queen Maria has decided to give Petar IV chance to come out of this situation with a face and sign the white peace. Tsar refused and took Knin by force, slaughtering the defenders there. Shortly after that a revolt broke in Karavuna as people had enough of the war and its cost both in men and coins they were forced to lend. At the fall November, 1253 Hungarians has been pushed from Bulgaria deeply into Pest where the battle took place. Outnumbered papists has been either routed or killed, ensuring that the conflict won't end soon by military power alone as both sides still have enough men and willingness to continue struggle. In March, two years later Tsar Petar IV was gaining the upper hand when Bohemund II the Drunkard, Duke of Capua declared independence, it was a huge mistake on Bohemund's part as in June 13, Year of the Lord 1255 Count Tivadar gave his spirit to God after long illness. The war with Hungary has ended inconclusively.
With the Ten Years War over men has been transported across the Adriatic Sea to Capua to put rebellious Duke into the cage. When they were sieging the castle
the late and powerful Duke Konstantinos of Epirus declared war on Bulgaria*. 8 May, 1258 Duke of Capua was lingering in prison and Konstantinos closed his eyes forever, leaving his 11 years old grandson whos father died of phneumonia seven years ago. The boy had little hope when facing mighty and dreadful Tsar who inspired fear even in able-bodied men. Peace treaty is signed in 1260 and Epirus has been forced to pay a hefty contribution (1000 coins), doubling the Empire's treasury. Petar ordered upgrade and repairs of the castles across his personal holdings in Bulgaria. November the same year Tsar invaded Serbia once more to put a second diadem on the brow of his son-in-law. In very first battle he
took prisoner Prince Vladislav Nemanjic, King's second brother*. Before any decision could be made Tsar Petar IV, the Emperor of Bulgarians, Normans and Greeks has passed over to Christ. Or - as some say - to the Devil...
Serbia is surely rotten to the core as even at war, sieging the walls of Rashka the newly apointed Emperor Petar V receives an unlikely message.
Serbian Duchess of Duklja, subject to the King Rastko I proposed the Tsar to back up her plot to lower the Crown Authority of Serbia*. The deal has been made. Back home Prince-Duke Bernardin, ruling his holdings from Taranto, conspired to take the title of King of Sicily for himself. He is found dead in his bed as is his daughter, Duchess Donka I. A small white coffin has been ordered for unfortunate child as they both were buried with the honors that befitted royal family. April 11, 1261
German I, Petar's V only son, is calling for aid against rival Dukes*. The answer could be only one. War. News came from Sicily as Miroslav has unearthed a plot of the late Duchess Amburga I who wanted to steal a title of King of Sicily from her own son. Without husband to control her the Mad Duchess of Apulia
has been locked away and later moved to private quaters, more suitable for noblewoman of her position. She will die in a house arrest, screaming in latin, hebrew, armenian and a few other languages that no one understands, scratching the walls and cursing the Lord, Christ, the Holy Father and all the Saints...
Petar's IV cruel reign of terror - strengthened even more by marriage with his second wife - allowed Bulgaria to rise to power and become major player in the region. His family also prospered, as long as they didn't brought the wroth of their Tsar upon themselves, as d'Hautevilles did. While cruel and ruthless it was Petar's influence that caused all family in-fightings to cease, maybe it was fear, but regardless the reason it made the Asen dynasty stronger as a whole. Petar III managed to set foundations that Petar IV used in the best of his abilities. While not destined to rule (as he was second son) he managed to sit on the throne of Tsars and perhaps he was the ruler the Empire needed. With fear came order and with order future can be build... As for the Mad Duchess, she was intelligent and knowable woman. It is not certain what drove her insane. Some claim it was in her blood, as one of her ancestor - Roger I, King of Sicily and Duke of Apulia - was excommunicated by the Second Lateranian Council. Others said that it was young Amburga's devotion to books as not all things are written for the mortal souls. No matter the direct cause of her madness she seemed to retain some of her sanity, at least for most of the time. The union of these two brought peace to Bulgaria and Sicily, even if it was fear that made their subjects too afraid to squabble amongst themselves. However, with so many sins they've committed it's the Hell that awaits them... And, the time will tell, perhaps the whole Asen family. God have mercy on their immortal souls. Petar V was about to lose his, if he didn't do it already.
With Serbian King and Hungarian Dukes beaten by the Emperor, he had to realize how little he knows about women as his own wife plotted his demise, for uncertain reasons. It took some time but not only did she stop seeking her husband's death but agreed to become faithful Orthodox. There was another score to settle, with Queen Maria I who's staunch defense of Hungary interfered with plans of his father. She had to be removed. And she was. May 26, Anno Domini 1264 Miroslav Asen's another victim was cold and with this single blow Hungary and Croatia splitted up, forming two separated Kingdoms. But it still wasn't enough. Two days later young Prince Geza was also murdered by an unknown assassin. King of Hugary, Jeno must have suspected something after his child untimely death and was able to defend himself against knifes that came for his life as well. It took six consecutive attempts, with King Jeno slowly descending into paranoia, but the deed was done. German I was crowned King of Hungary.
For all magnitude of this moment, it was only but a prelude to much greater glory for the House of Asen.