I am old-fashioned and out of date. Still playing the version whithout Scandinavian empire, so will have to stick to the Scandinavian confederation for a while. But...I have another Empire on my mind
A quest for the Baltic lake
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I am old-fashioned and out of date. Still playing the version whithout Scandinavian empire, so will have to stick to the Scandinavian confederation for a while. But...I have another Empire on my mind
In 1411, at the time when the Holy Roman Emperor, Keiser Meinhard II was fully engaged in bitter fights with Duke Herbert of Upper Burgundy, Queen Gudrid took a reckless decision to use this favourable moment in seizing Hamburg. It touched the raw nerve of the Keiser. Gudrid tried to apply some diplomacy, but to no avail and too late.
In the early days of August 1418, Gudrid herad with foreboding the news, that with his pride insulted, the Keiser was preparing for a war. For a while she drew comfort from the thought that in her counties of Holstein, Hamburg, Lubeck and Bremen, which were bordering the HRE, she could quickly gather together North German levies.
It was not long before the Keiser declared war upon Gudrid.
Meinhard, already famed for his military exploits, sought not only for revenge, but also the Northen German counties, which his forebearers always had considered theirs. Despite being the Ylving dynasty possession for centuries, those still retained the German culture. By November 1418, the Keiser was free to amass almost as much as levies as he wished. His war with Herbert in the South was almost over.
Gudrid's army was no match to Meinhard's. For some time she could shelter behind the defences of the castles of Sjaelland and Fyn, but not forever. Her only true hope rested with her allies. And again, like seventy years ago, they didn't let Ylvings down.
Gudrid's Catholic allies were fighting like lions, but the stream of fresh HRE levies seemed to be never ending.
Gudrid was desperate. Something had to be done to keep allies faithful to her cause fighting and something also had to be done to weaken the Holy Roman Empire. She dispatched her spymaster Mayor Arnbjorn of Orebro to the HRE capital Julich on a suicide mission. Her heart was hammering in her chest, when after two weeks his letter arrived. Gudrid cried out in disbelief.
In the early days of August 1418, Gudrid herad with foreboding the news, that with his pride insulted, the Keiser was preparing for a war. For a while she drew comfort from the thought that in her counties of Holstein, Hamburg, Lubeck and Bremen, which were bordering the HRE, she could quickly gather together North German levies.
It was not long before the Keiser declared war upon Gudrid.
Meinhard, already famed for his military exploits, sought not only for revenge, but also the Northen German counties, which his forebearers always had considered theirs. Despite being the Ylving dynasty possession for centuries, those still retained the German culture. By November 1418, the Keiser was free to amass almost as much as levies as he wished. His war with Herbert in the South was almost over.
Gudrid's army was no match to Meinhard's. For some time she could shelter behind the defences of the castles of Sjaelland and Fyn, but not forever. Her only true hope rested with her allies. And again, like seventy years ago, they didn't let Ylvings down.
Gudrid's Catholic allies were fighting like lions, but the stream of fresh HRE levies seemed to be never ending.
Gudrid was desperate. Something had to be done to keep allies faithful to her cause fighting and something also had to be done to weaken the Holy Roman Empire. She dispatched her spymaster Mayor Arnbjorn of Orebro to the HRE capital Julich on a suicide mission. Her heart was hammering in her chest, when after two weeks his letter arrived. Gudrid cried out in disbelief.
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So powerful were the Holy Roman Empire invaders that the death of old Kaiser didnt do too much to bring down their spirits. After battle of Svendborg was lost, almost every single castle in Sjaelland and Fyn was under the Kaiser's siege. The Kingdom of Denmark began to loose its ground.
But once more the help came from outside. 23 year old Keiser Heinrich again, like his father eight years ago, got attacked by the Duke Herbert of Upper Burgundy, who once more sought to become independent. After three months of warfare and sevreal lost battles in the South, the young Kaiser had to divert sufficient amount of his troops to the Burgundy and the situation in Denmark became somewhat lesss precarious.
And yet after two years, in the spring of 1422, due to extensive campaign in the South, the Kaiser in Denmark was already outnumbered. In April 1422, Keiser beagn to retreat, conducting a scorched earth campaign with the goal of starving Gudrid's army, which was marching in his footsteps. Upon reaching Macklenburg Gudrid's army's situation was dire and her marshal - husband Prince Consort Skofte of Denmark contemplated a retretat back to Denmark. However, ecouraged by allied Scottish army he opted to give battle. On May 6, the Danish-Scotish joint army advanced and attacked Kaiser's position. As the Danish and Scottish knights approached, Kaiser's men assumed enclosed, defensive formations - schiltrons, with their spears pointing outward. After the attacks of allied knights and infantry were beaten off by the Kaiser's troops, Prince Skofte ordered his archers to open fire on the schiltrons. As the schiltrons were immobile, the arrows took a heavy toll. With his ranks becoming increasingly thinned, Heinrich launched a deperate counter- attack, which Scots, however, beat off decisively.
Despite the final success on the battlefield, Prince Skofte's army was starving and was unable to follow up the victory. Weakened by battle and hunger, they withdrew back to Denmark. In the meantime another of Gudrid's allies - Hochmeister Anslem of Teutonic Order was more successful seizing Rostock.
Despite her vassals had begun to become increasingly frustraited about the length of the war, Queen Gudrid was resolute to pursue it. Her plans, however, were interrupted the next year.
But once more the help came from outside. 23 year old Keiser Heinrich again, like his father eight years ago, got attacked by the Duke Herbert of Upper Burgundy, who once more sought to become independent. After three months of warfare and sevreal lost battles in the South, the young Kaiser had to divert sufficient amount of his troops to the Burgundy and the situation in Denmark became somewhat lesss precarious.
And yet after two years, in the spring of 1422, due to extensive campaign in the South, the Kaiser in Denmark was already outnumbered. In April 1422, Keiser beagn to retreat, conducting a scorched earth campaign with the goal of starving Gudrid's army, which was marching in his footsteps. Upon reaching Macklenburg Gudrid's army's situation was dire and her marshal - husband Prince Consort Skofte of Denmark contemplated a retretat back to Denmark. However, ecouraged by allied Scottish army he opted to give battle. On May 6, the Danish-Scotish joint army advanced and attacked Kaiser's position. As the Danish and Scottish knights approached, Kaiser's men assumed enclosed, defensive formations - schiltrons, with their spears pointing outward. After the attacks of allied knights and infantry were beaten off by the Kaiser's troops, Prince Skofte ordered his archers to open fire on the schiltrons. As the schiltrons were immobile, the arrows took a heavy toll. With his ranks becoming increasingly thinned, Heinrich launched a deperate counter- attack, which Scots, however, beat off decisively.
Despite the final success on the battlefield, Prince Skofte's army was starving and was unable to follow up the victory. Weakened by battle and hunger, they withdrew back to Denmark. In the meantime another of Gudrid's allies - Hochmeister Anslem of Teutonic Order was more successful seizing Rostock.
Soon after getting to the throne, King Torgil began the discussions with some of Kaisers courtiers in order to sign the truce. Although initially reluctant, some of the courtiers encouraged the Kaiser to negotiate with Torgil. In doing so, Kaiser at the beginning was willing to renounce his claim to Holstein for 1500 gold. To seal the deal he was willing to marry his nice Princess Gertrude maternially to Torgil's chronically insane brother Severin. Negotiations, however quickly stalled. After the battle of Luneburg, in which Torgil's army managed to squeeze a narrow victory over Kaisers exhausted troops, in August 1424, the truce was finally sealed.
Torgil was relieved, because his mind was elsewhere. Byzanztine Empire under Empress Olena's rule was crumbling. Torgil knew, he shouldn't have underestimated Empire's military might, bet Olena was either hostile or in war with 25 of her vassals! Torgil had to act and to act quick if he wished to get some more hold on the Eastern Baltic shore. By July 1426 he managed to conquer Kakisalmi, Vodi and Narva.
Reluctantly, but finally Olena recognized his claim on Kakisalmi. The Kingdom of Finland was enlarged further.
The next year, 1427, the Pope Hormisdas announced a crusade on Holy Roman Empire. A coalition of rulers attacked the Kaiser. The moment for a new attack to South could hardly have been more favourable. Torgil was in deep reflection. He and his mother had been fighting way too long.
Reluctantly, but finally Olena recognized his claim on Kakisalmi. The Kingdom of Finland was enlarged further.
The next year, 1427, the Pope Hormisdas announced a crusade on Holy Roman Empire. A coalition of rulers attacked the Kaiser. The moment for a new attack to South could hardly have been more favourable. Torgil was in deep reflection. He and his mother had been fighting way too long.
The Pope had spared no efforts, including flattery and cermonial manifestations to persuade Torgil to join the Holy war against the heretic Kaiser. By attracting many heretic peoples into the orbit of the Holy Roman Empire, Kaiser's Heinrich's diplomacy was very successful. Besides, he had been improving the methods of managing long-distance commercial bussiness within the Empire. The Pope was envious of him.
Torgil finally let his ambition take over, entering the war which was ongoing already for two years. He broke the truce to seize Mecklenburg. Rostock was sacked and plundered for the second time in lesss than seven years. It was all over by autumn 1432.
After ten years of intermittent warfare Torgil felt sick and tired. Old wounds began to reappear. He gave his just acquired title of the Duke of Mecklenburg to his son Skofte, who became one of the electors of the Holy Roman Emperor.
In the meantime Kaiser Heinrich in the August 1433 was killed in the thick of the battle with Bohemian King's army at the battle of Praha. The new Kaiser Dietpold I came to the throne. Dietpold was not very popular among his vassals and for the next decade Torgil and to lesser extent Skofte (since he was a dwarf) worked to exacerbate their dissatissfaction. They were not rather successful and mainly because of Skofte's modest intelligence and supreme over-confidence. But in the spring of 1443, suddenly, the stars were in favourable position for Skofte and he, as the Duke of Mecklenburg, was the main successor to become the new Kaiser. It couldn't have been for too long.
Torgil finally let his ambition take over, entering the war which was ongoing already for two years. He broke the truce to seize Mecklenburg. Rostock was sacked and plundered for the second time in lesss than seven years. It was all over by autumn 1432.
After ten years of intermittent warfare Torgil felt sick and tired. Old wounds began to reappear. He gave his just acquired title of the Duke of Mecklenburg to his son Skofte, who became one of the electors of the Holy Roman Emperor.
In the meantime Kaiser Heinrich in the August 1433 was killed in the thick of the battle with Bohemian King's army at the battle of Praha. The new Kaiser Dietpold I came to the throne. Dietpold was not very popular among his vassals and for the next decade Torgil and to lesser extent Skofte (since he was a dwarf) worked to exacerbate their dissatissfaction. They were not rather successful and mainly because of Skofte's modest intelligence and supreme over-confidence. But in the spring of 1443, suddenly, the stars were in favourable position for Skofte and he, as the Duke of Mecklenburg, was the main successor to become the new Kaiser. It couldn't have been for too long.
Dietpold's favourite passtime was hunting, and that's where Torgil decided Dietpold should be killed. Skofte and some of his knights were invited to be a part of the hunting party in the Black forest. On the first day Skofte's loyal knights struck a giant stag, but otherwise they failed miserably, despite that the knights for this mission had been chosen by Torgil himself.
On the next day poison was rubbed on Dietpold's bridle and used to coat the inside of his hunting horn. During the wild boar chase, Dietpold became nauseated suddenly and relalized that there is no one to ask for help, except five knights besides him, their faces hidden behind helmets. Skofte and his knights left the dead Kaiser lying on the forest floor and galloped straight for Macklenburg. Skofte was crowned Holy Roman Emperor almost immediately.
None of Dietpold's vassals was prepared for this sudden chain of events. Torgil upon receiving the news, kept his levies and mercenaries ready to invade the Holy Roman Empire to help Skofte out, at any given moment, but opposition to Skofte turned out to be divided. Duke of Pomerania declared a war upon self-proclaimed Emperor expecting others to follow. Torgil intervened fast.
On the next day poison was rubbed on Dietpold's bridle and used to coat the inside of his hunting horn. During the wild boar chase, Dietpold became nauseated suddenly and relalized that there is no one to ask for help, except five knights besides him, their faces hidden behind helmets. Skofte and his knights left the dead Kaiser lying on the forest floor and galloped straight for Macklenburg. Skofte was crowned Holy Roman Emperor almost immediately.
None of Dietpold's vassals was prepared for this sudden chain of events. Torgil upon receiving the news, kept his levies and mercenaries ready to invade the Holy Roman Empire to help Skofte out, at any given moment, but opposition to Skofte turned out to be divided. Duke of Pomerania declared a war upon self-proclaimed Emperor expecting others to follow. Torgil intervened fast.
Thanks!
Torgil better than Skofte realized the imminent threat posed by the Byzantine Empire in the East. He knew, that one day, whether he himself or his son Skofte will need allies to keep at bay Rurikovich dynasty designs to expand their empire. The only meaningful independent player squeezed in-between them was the Kingdom of Hungary. Torgil made a great effort to marry his daughter Princess Ashild to Crown prince Orban of Hungary, on which he finally suceeded. Ashild was duly sent to the court of Hungarian King.
Skofte, with his modest intelligence, interpreted this move differently. Besides, he was the first German Catholic Kaiser and he wished to show the obvious difference to the Pope.
Torgil was frustrated, but physically too weak to design any plans against Skofte. Till the end of his days, he didnt exchange even a single word with his son, for whom he had devoted the bulk of his life's energies.
On September 21, 1452 all Ylving dynasty possessions were finally merged under a single crown. The holder of the crown was the most unattractive Ylving ruler ever. He was a dwarf, he was craven and slothful. He hated Denmark, its the small neat houses, the pale gray stone churches, the apple-cheeked children, the broad-hipped women and the strong, resentful men.
Torgil better than Skofte realized the imminent threat posed by the Byzantine Empire in the East. He knew, that one day, whether he himself or his son Skofte will need allies to keep at bay Rurikovich dynasty designs to expand their empire. The only meaningful independent player squeezed in-between them was the Kingdom of Hungary. Torgil made a great effort to marry his daughter Princess Ashild to Crown prince Orban of Hungary, on which he finally suceeded. Ashild was duly sent to the court of Hungarian King.
Skofte, with his modest intelligence, interpreted this move differently. Besides, he was the first German Catholic Kaiser and he wished to show the obvious difference to the Pope.
Torgil was frustrated, but physically too weak to design any plans against Skofte. Till the end of his days, he didnt exchange even a single word with his son, for whom he had devoted the bulk of his life's energies.
On September 21, 1452 all Ylving dynasty possessions were finally merged under a single crown. The holder of the crown was the most unattractive Ylving ruler ever. He was a dwarf, he was craven and slothful. He hated Denmark, its the small neat houses, the pale gray stone churches, the apple-cheeked children, the broad-hipped women and the strong, resentful men.
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That's some nice HRE grabbing!
I don't think I've commented here before, but I'd just like to say well done on a great AAR
I don't think I've commented here before, but I'd just like to say well done on a great AAR
That's some nice HRE grabbing!
I don't think I've commented here before, but I'd just like to say well done on a great AAR
Thanks. I was quite lucky. King of Bohemia is already frustrated and one can just hope that not too many other vassals will follow him. So, but here are results.
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Results
It is January 1, 1453 and the Emperor Skofte has scurried up a tree by adding two more King's titles to those four already existing.
Ylving Empire stretches from Iceland in the west to Italy in south and Kola peninsula in north-east. The strategic goal to make the Baltic Sea an inside lake of Ylving dynasty possessions remains, however, unachieved.
For the Ylving dynasty in the decades to come, Byzantine Empire and Rurikovich dynasty remains the most formidable threat. Byzantine Empire has a larger army and higher prestige than Ylvings. To meet Byzantine challenge Ylvings will need allies. During the last two centuries the help given by Ylving Catholic allies, and the Kingdom of Scotland in particular, was critical. King Torgil recently added to Ylving allies' list also the Kingdom of Hungary, but that may turn out to be insufficient. Skofte is one of the weakest Ylving rulers ever and at the beginning of 1453, he is at war with his vassal, King of Bohemia. The immediate future doesn't look very bright, and the chain of events determining, who will be Skofte's successor, will be of utmost importance.
But the biggest transformation during the last four centuries has happened within the Ylving dynasty itself. If at 1066 it was a Danish dynasty ruling over a limited area in the western part of the Baltic sea with Danish culture, then in 1453 it is a German Catholic dynasty, which rules over the vast Holy Roman Empire, with dominant German and Norwegian cultures.
Finishing this AAR I thank Legolas, GreyHuge, Machiavellian, Shaytana, AndyWolfgang, Tommy4ever, Specialist290, roplox, Dovahkiing, ChrisiusMaximus and DensleyBlair for your words of encouragement and making an effort to follow some of my incoherent ramblings...And also to all others who made an occassional glimpse into this thread.
Well, yes, and finally of course, thanks to Paradox for developping such a great game!
It is January 1, 1453 and the Emperor Skofte has scurried up a tree by adding two more King's titles to those four already existing.
Ylving Empire stretches from Iceland in the west to Italy in south and Kola peninsula in north-east. The strategic goal to make the Baltic Sea an inside lake of Ylving dynasty possessions remains, however, unachieved.
For the Ylving dynasty in the decades to come, Byzantine Empire and Rurikovich dynasty remains the most formidable threat. Byzantine Empire has a larger army and higher prestige than Ylvings. To meet Byzantine challenge Ylvings will need allies. During the last two centuries the help given by Ylving Catholic allies, and the Kingdom of Scotland in particular, was critical. King Torgil recently added to Ylving allies' list also the Kingdom of Hungary, but that may turn out to be insufficient. Skofte is one of the weakest Ylving rulers ever and at the beginning of 1453, he is at war with his vassal, King of Bohemia. The immediate future doesn't look very bright, and the chain of events determining, who will be Skofte's successor, will be of utmost importance.
But the biggest transformation during the last four centuries has happened within the Ylving dynasty itself. If at 1066 it was a Danish dynasty ruling over a limited area in the western part of the Baltic sea with Danish culture, then in 1453 it is a German Catholic dynasty, which rules over the vast Holy Roman Empire, with dominant German and Norwegian cultures.
Finishing this AAR I thank Legolas, GreyHuge, Machiavellian, Shaytana, AndyWolfgang, Tommy4ever, Specialist290, roplox, Dovahkiing, ChrisiusMaximus and DensleyBlair for your words of encouragement and making an effort to follow some of my incoherent ramblings...And also to all others who made an occassional glimpse into this thread.
Well, yes, and finally of course, thanks to Paradox for developping such a great game!
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...and I thank you for this great AAR It's a shame I only really started looking at it towards the end, but congratulations on finishing nonetheless. I look forward to any future projects of yours!
It's a shame I only really started looking at it towards the end, but congratulations on finishing nonetheless. I look forward to any future projects of yours!