"Those who endure conquer" - The Swan Dynasty CK DV AAR

[the_hdk]

"Those who endure conquer"



The Swan Dynasty

------
Well here is my another try at a AAR. My other AAR is on hold till I get the files sorted. Till than I'll make an AAR about a CK-dynasty.
I'll be playing with Dynasty Labedz (Łabędź) meaning Swan in English.
(yeah thats why there is a swan in the CoA. )

The Dynasty is not present in the game (unlike others like Gryf or Lis from Union of Horodło) so I modded them in. I'll start as a decent marshal to the King of Poland. And I'll see how that goes on.
Each update will be of a decade. Besides the first one that is
------

Updates

Kazimierz Labedz - Duke of Pomeralia
Chapter One 1067-1070
Chapter Two 1070-1080
Chapter Three 1080-1088


Wilkosz Labedz - Duke of Pomeralia
Chapter Four 1088-1100
Chapter Five 1100-1103


Lambert Labedz - Duke of Cairo
Chapter Six 1103-1114
------

[NobleHelium]

I'll take a look at this, hdk.

[Vesimir]

Yay! Łabędź for the win!

And you should change the colours in your sig. Upper part should be white, lower should be red. That way it'll be more Polish.

Unless you want it to look like the Indonesian flag.

[the_hdk]

Chapter One


Kazimierz Labedz (Casimir Swan)
1067 - 1069 Marshal to the King of Poland
1069 - .... Duke of Pomeralia, Count of Slupsk, Danzig and Marienburg

The Swan Dynasty starts with Casimir the Marshal and Right Hand of King Boleslaw II Smialy.
It's rather unclear when Casimir became the Marshal of the troops or how he got to the position.
But we do know that he had the position for the most part of the 1060s until he conquered Pomeralia and became a Duke in 1069.
But more on that later.

Casimir was a true conqueror. Not only of lands but also of women.
His many conquests at the Royal Court gave him a reputation of a rather lustful and tough soldier.
He married in his late 20s to a lower noble girl from Krakow, Maria Bogoria.

The Reconquest of the Baltic Shore.
Years 1067-1070

In the year 1067 King of Poland Boleslaw II Piast finally got married.
He couldn't find a suitable wife from a foreign court so he married a young Polish noble girl.

King of Poland - Boleslaw II Piast

At the wedding King Boleslaw made a vow.
He promised to reconquer the Baltic shore that was lost to Wendish Pagans from the time of the first King Poland Boleslaw I.
But the Polish King had a problem. He didn't have an legal heir besides his brother who he despised.
So he ordered his Marshal Casimir Swan to conquer it in his name.

At the end of January, in less than two months the troops ware ready to invade the Pagans.
The strategy was simple.
Troops led by the two ArchBishops would secure the southern Polish lands and Marshal Casimir would invade from the east, starting with Danzig.

Strategy

The Assault of Danzig was quick and effective. The Pagans were underpowered and unprepared.
It was an easy win for the Polish Army and Danzig was captured by June.
Casimir improved his already great martial skills during the Siege of Danzig.

No Women, no teeth.

He also lost a few teeth during the siege. It should be noted and remembered that Casimir lost his ways with the ladies after the Baltic wars. Whether it was due to the loss of the teeth we do not know but it is possible.

Before the end of the year both Stettin and Slupsk ware conquered by Casimir and the Wend territories got annexed by the King.
But Boleslaw wasn't satisfied. He ordered Casimir to fight more pagans.
And so in 1068 Casimir went on his second war.
This one was less bloody and much quicker. Casimir had more troops for the Prussian campaign and both the ArchBishops took part of the fight this time.
Despite the fact that the Queen bore two sons to the King he didn't participate in this war either.

By the end of the year 1068 Casimir was back in Krakow and Marienburg and Chelminskie ware now part of the Polish Kingdom.

For the service to the King in the past two Baltic Wars, three Knights got awarded with land and titles in the newly conquered territories.

Konrad Rawicz, Count of Chelminskie


Daniel Leliwa, Count of Stettin


Kazimierz Labedz, Duke of Pomeralia

Both Rawicz and Leliwa swore allegiance to Labedz.

Monster

Two months after the return of Casimir to Danzig from Krakow where he married Maria people came to him for help. There was an fierce animal killing cows. It was definitely not a dragon like most simple people thought at the time, but a rather large wolf. Casimir went out into old pagan wilds and killed the beast.
Unluckily for him he lost his hand in the process and it seems that was the last time Casimir took part in a fight.

[the_hdk]

Originally Posted by NobleHelium

I'll take a look at this, hdk.

welcome please do!
you can increase your post count a bit

Originally Posted by Vesimir

Yay! Łabędź for the win!

And you should change the colours in your sig. Upper part should be white, lower should be red. That way it'll be more Polish.

Unless you want it to look like the Indonesian flag.

Not Monaco? I changed it ! this way better?

[Vesimir]

More Polish this way.

In 8 years he lost his teeth, his hand and his way with women. Poor guy.

PS. Just noticed that is one pissed off swan. Just look at it's eye!

[the_hdk]

Chapter Two


Kazimierz Labedz (Casimir Swan)
1067 - 1069 Marshal to the King of Poland
1069 - .... Duke of Pomeralia, Count of Slupsk, Danzig and Marienburg

Years 1070-1080

In these years many courtiers served Duke Casimir.
Some came from foreign lands after they lost all their lands there to some warmonger, others run away from their homes in fear or hatred of their peers.
All of them came looking for a better life at the Court of Duke Casimir.
Some found what they ware looking for, others ware less lucky and their journey went on.

In early Spring of 1080 two Wendish Catholics arrived in Gdansk. Expelled from Lübeck by their Pagan brethren.
Wartislaw von Assel, a misguided soldier became Casimir's Marshal in the years 1070-72.
After a dispute with Casimir he decided to travel to the Hole Roman Empire.
The other newcomer was the old Count of Lübeck. Budivoj Nakonid.

Nakonid

Budivoj became Casimir's Bishop for many years until his death.

The most surprising newcomer at the court was a few months old boy from the nearly exterminated Cumans.
Saru of Sugrov was taken under the wing of Budivoj who taught him the ways of Catholics.

Casimir spend most of the time either at the court of his very good friend King Boleslaw II or at home in Gdansk.
He fell ill more than four times during the decade but he came back stronger each time.
He endured the illness and the loss of his arm and lived to see an heir born.
It seems he liked it alot so he continued to sire children in the next years. Wheter he had any illegitimate children it is not known.

In 1071 his first son and Heir Wilkosz

A year later his first wife Maria bore him his second son Lambert, who later would be sent as a foster child to the court of the King of Poland.
In 1073 Maria died in labour together with the 3rd child of Casimir.

King Boleslaw II advised Casimir to marry an foreign girl and a year after Maria's death, Casimir married Pereyaslava Dmitrievich.
A lower noble girl from Kiev.
Within a year Casimir's third son was born, Konrad. Konrad just like his slightly older brother Lamber would be sent to the court of the King.

Crusade

In 1075 the Pope called the First Crusade to Jerusalem! Deus Vult.
Casimir decided wisely against joining the crusade, having only an army of 1800 man.

Later in the year some Swedes and Danes passed Danzig on their way to the Holy Land.


Gdansk was the first to be converted to the Catholic Religion. Only 7 years after it's conquest at the hand of Casimir.

In the year 1077 King Boleslaw II was ready for more Pagan bashing.
He started with Yatvigians. Duke Casimir was a bit too late at the party
and didn't manage to have any pie. Duke of Mazovia did get two provinces.

At the end of 1079 the wars at the Baltic Shore continued. Next up ware Curonians. This time Casimir was prepared....with his 1800 man!

[Fookison]

Interesting AAR!
Nice presentation and layout of the events!!
I'm subscribed.

[Issac Wolfe]

This is very nicely presented. Good stuff.

[Iain Wilson]

Very nicely presented!

[the_hdk]

Originally Posted by Vesimir

More Polish this way.

In 8 years he lost his teeth, his hand and his way with women. Poor guy.

PS. Just noticed that is one pissed off swan. Just look at it's eye!

The Swan is indeed pissed off...just like the swans I meet outside...they seem to want to kill me..

Originally Posted by Fookison

Interesting AAR!
Nice presentation and layout of the events!!
I'm subscribed.

Originally Posted by Issac Wolfe

This is very nicely presented. Good stuff.

Originally Posted by Iain Wilson

Very nicely presented!

Welcome Fookison, Issac Wolfe and Iain Wilson Good to have you here.

All three you say nice presentation. what do you mean by that?


edit: update will be up soon

[the_hdk]

Chapter Three


Kazimierz Labedz (Casimir Swan)
1067 - 1069 Marshal to the King of Poland
1069 - 1088 Duke of Pomeralia, Count of Slupsk, Danzig and Marienburg
1082 - 1088 Count of Kurs and Memel

Years 1080 -1088


The 4th Baltic Pagan War

King Boleslaw II was set to expand his empire in the north along the Baltic Sea. Casimir wasn't pleased with the fact that he wasn't awarded any land
in the last Baltic War so he took the measures in his own hand.
While the King was battling Pagans in Sambia, Casimir sneaked around them through Scalovia into Memel and later Kurs. There he quickly sieged Pagan cities and took them for his own. With the addition of another two fiefs the total rose up to five provinces and a steady income.

In the year 1081 Casimir's good friend ArchBishiop of Greater Poland Bogumil was chosen as the next Pope. It didn't change any things for Casimir directly but it did affect and influence greatly the position of the Swan Dynasty in Europe. But more on that later.

After the fourth and last Baltic War, Casimir resided in his residence in Gdansk.

Five years after the war his Kievian wife died of an illness and Casmir decided to remarry to a teenager.
He chose the sister of the underage Duke of Silesia, Anna Wlostowic. A bright and energetic young lady who was regarded as rather pretty for her time. He had only one child with her.
A girl named Anastasja.

Casimir was regarded as a true knight by his people. They saw him as a champion and a true example of what a ruler should act and look like.
He was loved and respected by his people and fellow nobles. Even his liege and good friend King Boleslaw II had Casimir in high regards.

In February on a snowy day Casimir was found dead in his bed by his young wife who he fell in love with. He was 46 years old. His friend and Pope Bogumil had Casimir Beatified after his death for his great work for the Catholic world. Despite Casimir being one of the most lustful and indulgent people in Poland.


Blessed Casimir was laid to rest in a chapel in Krakow two months after his death. As the head of the dynasty and Duke he was succeeded by his least capable son, Wilkosz.

[Iain Wilson]

Originally Posted by the_hdk

All three you say nice presentation. what do you mean by that?

Can't speak for the other two but I'm guessing, like me, they think that you're making a very fine use of graphics in your AAR to help illustrate the story!

[gabor]

will be following

[Fookison]

I agree with Iain Wilson about the use of graphics and I like the writing style to compliment the pics. Interesting interpretations and a pleasant read! Looking forward to future updates.
THX

[the_hdk]

Originally Posted by Iain Wilson

Can't speak for the other two but I'm guessing, like me, they think that you're making a very fine use of graphics in your AAR to help illustrate the story!

ahh I see well I have you to thank for that tnx to your AAR I found the Metal CoAs and they are really lovely

Originally Posted by gabor

will be following

welcome hope you like it!

Originally Posted by Fookison

I agree with Iain Wilson about the use of graphics and I like the writing style to compliment the pics. Interesting interpretations and a pleasant read! Looking forward to future updates.
THX

tnx!

how do you look my CoAs?

next update will be up soon as i'm bored atm

[the_hdk]

Chapter Four


Wilkosz Labedz (Wilkosz* Swan)
1088-... Duke of Pomeralia, Count of Slupsk, Danzig, Marienburg, Kurs and Memel

* The meaning of Wilkosz would be something along the lines of Wolfish.

Years 1088 -1100

Wilkosz was the oldest of Casimir's sons and the only one who was brought up by his father. His younger brothers Lambert and Konrad spent
their youth at the Polish Royal Court. At the time of Casimir's death they both ware still in Krakow. Wilkosz was the only heir above 16 years old.
While many historians agree that Wilkosz was the least capable of the three sons, they also agree that it was for the best of the Dynasty.

A year prior to the death of Casimir, Wilkosz married Wojoslawa Piast.
The first and oldest daughter of King Boleslaw II.

Wojoslawa was very demanding of Wilkosz and wanted to be regarded by other nobles just as a queen. It took her a few years and an unlikely ally to finally convince Wilkosz to search for glory on the battlefield.

In 1089 Jacek, Wilkosz' first son was born. A year later his second son Wioslaw arrived. With two brothers and two sons the Dynasty was secure for now.

In August of 1091 his brothers returned from their studies in Krakow.

Lambert was the most capable of the three brothers, especially on the battlefield. There weren't many who could call them-selfs better in whole of Poland. Konrad, although more than capable at arms was the most deceiving and manipulative brother.

In 1092 few Arabs came to Gdansk in search for a bargain. The brothers really got interested in what the traders had to say, especially about their home county. They praised it was a land where everyone was rich. And where each ruler had twenty beautiful wives. The brothers ware greatly influenced by these fairytales.
Peter Wright tells us in his book "The First Crusade: Origins" that this event was the most important to influence the brothers to take part in a crusade years later. Although I agree with him that it affected the brothers quite a bit, in my opinion it was a combination of factors. But this will be continued in the next chapter.

In 1095 Wojoslawa died in childbirth. A few months later, Wilkosz remarried with the daughter of the Duke of Greater Poland Wszemila z Czarnkowa.
They had a daughter a year later.

Two years later Marienburg was converted yo the Catholic faith. It was after Danzig the second province to convert. Meanwhile in Gdansk Wilkosz built a Small Castle.

Deus Vult!

[Cecasander]

Deus Vult indeed. Did those Arab merchants rip you off or something?
What mods are you using? I don't know some of those events.

[the_hdk]

Originally Posted by Cecasander

Deus Vult indeed. Did those Arab merchants rip you off or something?
What mods are you using? I don't know some of those events.

they did indeed rip me off and it pissed the brothers off....I lost 100 gold!
for that lil prestige!

what was the latest DVIP last week. with graphics from Veld's mod. So I guess they are part of SMACK or what they added to DVIP.

events like that make this game pure fun IMO

update is coming!

[the_hdk]

Chapter Five


Wilkosz Labedz (Wilkosz* Swan)
1088-... Duke of Pomeralia, Count of Slupsk, Danzig, Marienburg, Kurs and Memel

* The meaning of Wilkosz would be something along the lines of Wolfish.

Years 1100-1103

The Crusade of the three brothers.


In march of 1100 of our lord and savior the armies of Wilkosz, Lambert and Konrad ware ready to go and fulfill gods wish and beat the crap out of some heathens.

The Swan Crusaders

The army consisted of 5,571 men. Of them ware only 65 knights.
They traveled south through the Polish and Hungarian lands to Moldavia.
From Moldavia on they traveled on the sea. The brothers wanted to stop in the infamous city of Constantinople. But couldn't. The city was taken by the Turks and they let no Christian inside. Meanwhile the Roman Emperor had turned his back on Christ and reverted to the old ways of Rome and their Pagan gods.

After two years of travel the brothers and only 3,300 men arrived in not heathen lands but newly conquered Crusader states. It seemed they ware too late to the party. Alexandria and surrounding lands ware taken by various French, English and Breton lords. While the holy land was in the hands of the Knights Hospitallers. There they waged war with Syrian muslims.

The Knights Hospitaller

The brothers weren't pleased with the fact that most of the targets ware already taken and the glory went to someone else. The Franks of the Crusader States managed to convince the brothers to take their arms up against the last close big city in muslim hands, Cairo.

The advancement of the Swan Crusaders

Lambert took the armies first to Farama that was undefended.
After two months the Crusaders traveled back in Egypt and took Manpura.
In January they already conquered Cairo. The conquest was easy and with little defend from muslims. Their armies ware mostly busy fighting in Jerusalem. By June 1103 all muslim territories ware in the hands of the Swan Crusaders.

After a month the brothers agreed to part their ways. Wilkosz who didn't want to stay in Egypt, will return to Poland with glory of a successful Crusader. Lambert will stay as a Duke of Cairo and his younger brother Konrad will be his vassal and right hand. Konrad agreed to this because this was the best he could hope for and as Lambert didn't have any heirs, he would become his successor.

Duke of Cairo

And so the story continues as the first Swan ruler took his place in Egypt.





----
From now on I'll continue as Lambert Labedz, Duke of Cairo