Chronicle of van Hollands of Francia

[Byakhiam]

Chapter 1 - The origins

This is the chronicle of a family that rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest houses of Holy Roman Empire. The first member of the house that is mentioned in the church annals was Arnulf (955-993), count of Westfriesland. Arnulf had a son, Dirk Hierosolymita (985-1035), who obtained the lands from which the family drew its name, Holland. Dirk had a son Floris (1017-1061) who obtained Zeeland for the family. Floris was murdered, leaving his young son Dirk I (1054-1101) to rule the counties of Holland, Westfriesland and Zeeland, as shown on the map below, surrounded by white border:



As Dirk was thrust into rulership at a young age, he was able to accomplish much during his long reign. He took advantage of the many wars fought between the Holy Roman Empire and the then separate kingdom of France, expanding the van Holland lands into Flanders. He also made a daring endeavour to seize the title of duke of Francia from the excommunicated archbishop of Francia. This would have very lasting consequences, as the family is still known as van Hollands of Francia by their primary dukedom. He also found time to go crusading, as the emperor had problems with dealing a decisive blow to the Fatimid kingdom. This was rewarded by Dirk obtaining the brightest jewel of Levant, Alexandria, that has remained a great source of wealth for the family ever since. Dirk had many sons, the eldest of whom, Arnulf I (1071-1117) inherited the realms. Arnulf's reign was quite short and rather uneventful, as he was a sickly man, not amounting to much. Arnulf's heir was Jan I (1087-1149), during whose reign the kingdom of France was incorporated into Holy Roman Empire, while the van Holland domains were expanded into Picardie and also Breda was obtained during internal strifes in Lower Lorraine. While Jan had many sons, he had few grandsons. He was first succeeded by his son Karel I (1106-1159) and then by another of his sons Lambert I (1113-1167). During the reigns of Karel and Lambert, the van Hollands fought England to obtain lands in Normandy. Lambert also led the Aquitanian Crusade against dukes of Poitou, who had renounced christianity and taken up the faith of Islam. The gains from this endeavour are thus far the largest gains made by any single duke. After Lambert, the dukedom passed to Coenraad I (1123-1172), who was quite incompetent ruler and died of sickness after five years of reign. He was succeeded by Floris I (1160-present), the current ruling duke of Francia, Artois, Flanders, Picardie and Poitou. His domains are shown bordered by white on the following map:



The van Holland house also claims many territories as rightfully theirs, as shown with red on the following map:



The van Hollands are a very extended family and in the following tracing we shall concentrate only on branches that are counts or dukes. The branches are ordered in primogeniture order from duke Floris I.

Counts of Westfriesland: This branch was began by Guy (1134-1167), son of duke Jan I. Guy was succeeded by his son Mauger (1162-present), who is also the heir-presumptive for the dukedom itself by virtue of primogeniture.

Counts of Boulogne: This branch was begun by Maertyn (1141-present), also son of duke Jan I. Maertyn is third in the line of succession for the dukedom, after count Mauger of Westfriesland and Mauger's brother Alphonse.

Counts of Arques: This branch was begun by Huughe (1143-present), also son of duke Jan I. Huughe is fifth in the line of succession for the dukedom.

Counts of Guines: This branch was begun by Simon (1091-1136), son of duke Arnulf I. He was succeeded by his son Jan (1120-present).

Counts of Holland: This branch was begun by Arnulf (1097-1166), son of duke Arnulf I. He was succeeded by his madman son Lodewijk (1117-1166) who was locked up in the same year as his father died and was succeeded by his son Floris (1138-present).

Counts of Labourd: First van Holland count of Labourd is Willem (1134-present), who is the son of Reynaerd (1096-1131), who was the son of Jan Dirkszoon (1076-1142), who was the son of duke Dirk I.

Dukes of Normandy: First van Holland duke of Normany was Simon (1123-1172), who was the son of Pieter (1099-1131), who was also son of Jan Dirkszoon. Simon was succeeded by his son Ernst (1142-present).

Counts of Evreux: This branch was begun by Jaecob (1146-present), son of duke Simon of Normandy.

Counts of Poitiers: First van Holland count of Poitiers is Dirk (1139-present), who is the son of Willem (1117-1166), who was the son of Dirk Janszoon (1100-1171), who was the son of Jan Dirkszoon.

Counts of Saintonge: First van Holland count of Saintonge is Boudewijn (1127-present), who is the son of Dirk Janszoon.

Counts of Agen: First van Holland count of Agen is Eduard (1146-present), who is the son of Karel (1125-1170), who was the son of Arnulf Janszoon (1108-1157), who was the son of Jan Dirkszoon.

Counts of Amiens: Current line of van Holland counts of Amiens was begun by Boudewijn (1126-present), who is the son of Arnulf Janszoon.

Counts of Tourraine: First van Holland count of Tourraine is Floris (1145-present), who is the son of Reynaerd Arnulfszoon (1127-present), who is the son of Arnulf Janszoon.

Counts of Angouleme: First van Holland count of Angouleme is Dirk (1146-present), who is also the son of Reynaerd Arnulfszoon.

Counts of Lusignan: First van Holland count of Lusignan is Antoon (1129-present), who is the son of Pawel (1112-present), who is the son of Ziemowit (1094-1153), who was the son of duke Dirk I.

Addendum: Bold letters indicate the first appearance of a name in the document. Duke is to be assumed to indicate the dukes of Francia, unless otherwise clearly stated in the context. Numbering for the dukes of Francia begins from Dirk I, the first duke, ie previous numberings for counts of Holland are disregarded.

Compiled by Lambert van Holland, at the request of duke Floris I, in Gent, anno domini 1177.

[Veldmaarschalk]

Byakhiam and a dutch AAR, great


A minor thing with Dutch names, it should be

Dirkszoon and Janszoon. At least that is how they said it in the older days.

[CSK]

Sounds promising, I will be reading it.

[the_hdk]

sounds intresting...

[Byakhiam]

Veld, thanks for pointing it out. I don't speak Dutch, though familiarity with other Germanic languages should have pointed out the need for a genitive.

And as you can probably see, this game is rather advanced already, as I'm over 100 years in, but I don't usually really feel like making AARs in style of "Today I have built a Forestry and Seeds are Plentiful". Floris is a very good ruler though, so unless he gets killed in combat, he should be able to get some action there. Germany just is scary as hell, being basically Charlemagne's empire and sporting far too many troops.

[CSK]

Originally Posted by Byakhiam

And as you can probably see, this game is rather advanced already, as I'm over 100 years in, but I don't usually really feel like making AARs in style of "Today I have built a Forestry and Seeds are Plentiful". Floris is a very good ruler though, so unless he gets killed in combat, he should be able to get some action there. Germany just is scary as hell, being basically Charlemagne's empire and sporting far too many troops.

We already can see that. And I don't want to read such, keep your style in that. And if Germany is really so scary excommunicate their King.

[coz1]

Looks good so far.

Arnulf's heir was Jan I (1087-1149), during whose reign the kingdom of France was incorporated into Holy Roman Empire...

So why did you choose to hook up with the HRE?

[Byakhiam]

Originally Posted by coz1

So why did you choose to hook up with the HRE?

Counts of Holland begin as part of HRE. I did try to play both kingdoms against each other and pick pieces from both, but I got trashed by HRE when I tried to jump on it, so I decided that the best long term option is sticking it with HRE. I'm hoping that it would implode or at least have some kind of civil war though, there was one king who was Excommed, Heretic Kinslayer, with vassal loyalty going through the floor, but he died too soon.

[Byakhiam]

Chapter 2 - Floris I the Great and the Mad

I have been assigned to continue the chronicle from where Blessed Lambert van Holland left off. He passed away shortly after finishing his great work. He we have an illustration of him, the last one made of him:



In his youth, Floris I was rightfully called the Great. Everyone saw immense potential in him to surpass all his predecessors. Here we have an illustration of him in his first year of adulthood:



Floris married a beautiful lady from the neighbouring duchy of Lower Lorraine, Helene Billung, daughter of the duke of Lower Lorraine. Her nature was quite unlike of that of Floris, her being self-centered and proud. Right after the wedding was celebrated, Floris went off to war, to banish the heathen sheikh that had taken up residence in Julich after banishing the Pope from there. Needless to say, the victory was swift. After this success, Floris turned towards Normandy and Anjou, regions held by the lackeys of England. This pitted him against his distant kin, but such considerations would not stray him from his course to obtain the fertile lands of Normandy, coveted by his predecessors for long time. This war initially turned out as a great success, with Vexin, Evreux, Avranches, Blois, Vendome and Tourraine added to the duchy of Francia, but the de Normandie king of England rallied and it took several years of fierce fighting to achieve a peace of status quo. Not very long after this war, Floris was developed schizophrenia. Here we have an illustration of him during a moment of serenity:



During his occasional periods of clarity, he was yet able to conquer Brittany, adding yet another duchy to the majestic list already gathered by the family. However, not too long after he lapsed into catatonia, after which the dukedom was practically run by his two most trustworthy advisors. Firstly by steward Elisabeth de Lorraine, mother of the count of Lusignan and the mind behind the financial matters of the dukedom for nearly four decades running, having served every duke since Karel I. Secondly by chancellor Filips van Holland, son of Arnulf Janszoon, who has also been serving the dukes of Francia for decades, having been promoted to his position during the latter parts of the reign of duke Jan I. It was their decision to have poor Floris locked up after his catatonic periods became far too lengthy to sustain the state. Now they advise his son, Floris II, who is yet but a child, though he shows promise.

These are turbulent times nonetheless, as the current Emperor Anselm von Franken got himself excommunicated around the same time when Floris first lapsed into schizophrenia. Since then it has been dreadful age, with instability rife in the realm. We shall yet see how this all turns out. Here we have a recent illustration of the emperor:



Let us also elaborate on how the lesser branches of van Holland family fare, again in Primogeniture order from duke Floris II:

Counts of Westfriesland: Count Mauger is still alive and is now third in the line of succession, preceded by the two brothers of Floris II.

Counts of Boulogne: Count Maertyn is still alive.

Counts of Arques: Count Huughe is still alive.

Counts of Guines: Count Jan deceased in 1177, was beatified and then succeeded by his grandson Simon II (1156-present), son of Jan's eldest son Diederick (1136-1157), who died of illness.

Counts of Holland: Count Floris is still alive.

Counts of Labourd: Here we wish to correct an error made by the honourable Lambert. Count Willem was not son, but the grandson of Reynaerd. Willem's father was Geraert (1113-1161), who was the son of Reynaerd. Willem himself died in 1181 and was succeeded by his son Steffen (1152-present).

Former dukes of Normandy and counts of Evreux: This branch of the family has been dispossesed of their lands and we do not wish to detail them further than making a note that most of this branch's descendants live in the duchy of Luxemburg.

Counts of Vannes: A new branch of notable van Hollands, begun by Dirk (1149-present), who is the son of Willem Pieterszoon (1128-1177), who is the son of the same Pieter that beget Simon the duke of Normandy.

Counts of Avranches: Likewise a new branch, begun by Tileman (1152-present), who is also the son of Willem Pieterszoon.

Counts of Julich: Likewise a new branch, begun by Boudewijn (1153-present), who is also the son of Willem Pieterszoon.

Counts of Poitiers: Count Dirk is still alive.

Counts of Saintonge: Count Boudewijn died in 1179 and was succeeded by his son Maertyn (1167-present).

Counts of Agen: Count Eduard has been afflicted by madness, but yet lives.

Counts of Orleans: A new branch of the family, begun by young Robert (1172-present), who is the son of Ysbrecht (1153-1186), who was also the son of Karel, who beget count Eduard of Agen.

Counts of Amiens: Count Boudewijn died in 1187 and was succeeded by his grandson Karel (1169-present), whose father was Robrecht (1149-1172), who was the son of count Boudewijn.

Former counts of Tourraine: Count Floris was unwise enough to side with the English in the war and is now rumoured to reside in exile in the county of Pfalz.

Counts of Angouleme: Count Dirk is still alive, as is his father Reynaerd Arnulfszoon.

Counts of Lusignan: Count Antoon died in 1186, a mere year after his venerable father Pawel, who achieved the majestic age of 73. Antoon was succeeded by his son Dirk (1151-present).

Counts of Vexin: A new branch again, this was begun by Bozywoj (1139-present), who is the son of Boleslaw (1119-1174), who was the son of Ziemowit, who was the son of Dirk I.

Current counts of Tourraine: A new branch as well, begun by Jaroslaw (1152-present), who is also the son of Boleslaw.

Compiled by Bartomiéu de Forez, ducal chaplain of Francia, anno domini 1189.

[binTravkin]

With that much prestige you can grab some title from the HRE..

[Veldmaarschalk]

How often does the 'to far away' events for Alexandria fire ? Is it worth to keep it in your demesne ?

[Byakhiam]

Originally Posted by binTravkin

With that much prestige you can grab some title from the HRE..

When he got locked up, about 4000 prestige went to waste.

Originally Posted by Veldmaarschalk

How often does the 'to far away' events for Alexandria fire ? Is it worth to keep it in your demesne ?

Has fired twice so far, in about a century of having it. Alexandria has so much more loyalty boosters than the rest of my demesne, so it recovers nicely from it.

[Dhimmi]

a dutch AAR very nice

*subscribe"

[Olaus Petrus]

Do you have intentions to become emperor/king or do you plan to stay as duke?

Nice going, even with mad ruler.

BTW: Could you post map to show your realm.

[Byakhiam]

I intend to become king of France, I have claim on that too from the time when France yet existed. But these days when HRE still fields some 200,000 men, while my troops are limited to about 50,000, it's a bit tricky prospect.

Map incoming with next installment, when I have time to play again.

[SecondReich]

I have to say I approve of the family choice. The Van Hollands breed like rabbits. I WC'ed as the Van Hollands once, beginning back when they were just the "Counts of Zeeland", which was much harder.

My favorite dynasty, I will be watching.

[Byakhiam]

With the recent rapid patching of RCs, we're temporarily on hold, until I can be bothered to adjust the save to work with new trait changes.

[Olaus Petrus]

Originally Posted by Byakhiam

With the recent rapid patching of RCs, we're temporarily on hold, until I can be bothered to adjust the save to work with new trait changes.

I can wait. Reason why I haven't started my own AAR yet, is that I want to wait until 1.05.

[Dhimmi]

same

[Byakhiam]

I've now patched my save for 1.05 and as teaser, the next installment will include the breakup of Germany and van Hollands becoming kings.