The Knautschlings - part 17
Growing old
Reliable numbers on how many bastard childs Waldemar Knautschling sired are hard to get,
but most people believe that there are at least eight bastard sons and probably as many girls.
This proves that Waldemar is not a shiny beacon of marital fidelity which might let
one question whether he believes in himself as a good christian.
But anyone doing so is a fool because in the early 13th century burning heathens is
much bigger evidence for your piety than siring one, two or sixteen children with women
other than your wife is counterevidence.
And burning heathens is a hobby of Waldemar.
Even if they are his own spymaster and have obscenely good intrigue skills.
This attempted elimination
however has nothing to do with religion but is instead related to some silly plot of
Waldemar´s wife to finally get her hands on one of these fancy silken outfits.
How stupid she is. To think that assassinating a king at the other end of the world
would magically make a robe appear in her closet.
Well my dear readers, I suggest we simply move on before
your futile attempts to search for any logic there will drive you crazy.
Waldemar´s vassal in Österbötten expands into Polarian territory by grabbing Danzig.
And while some initiative on one´s own is encouraged in the danish feudal system,
Waldemar feels that alienating neighboring kingdoms is not in the range of duty
of his vassals. Some Dukes beg to differ which upsets Waldemar a lot.
During the discussion he even threatens to personally impale one of the Dukes to
the door of his throne room, or at least that is what the rumours at court say.
Already in a foul mood Waldemar collects almost twenty thousand ducats of
extra taxes from his starving peasants
and also produces some bastards.
Oh Waldemar, dear Waldemar...
What you can witness here is the King of Polaria, no doubt enraged by the Duke of Österbötten´s
actions, declaring war on the danish vassal in Lausitz
and then actually annexing the area into his demesne.
Of course Waldemar declares war right away.
But the boldness of the Polarians of taking an aggressive stance towards
a neighbor with an army over twenty times their own in numbers and over fifty
times their own in fighting capabilities while actually engaged in a civil war
impresses Waldemar.
Thus he offers to correct the mistake made earlier by the Duke of Österbötten if the Polarians
acknowledge Danish sovereignty over Lausitz in return. The unwillingness of Waldemar
to engage in actual battle over the matter might come surprising for some,
but honor is important to him and in beating up someone who can not defend themselves
there is none.
The Polarian king with the most unpronouncable name ever accepts quickly.
At the end of this chapter Waldemar reaches the proud age of sixty-five.
His life might be just long enough to embark on one last voyage.
What would that be ?
Well, these highlighted character traits of Waldemar,
the currently called crusade
and the fact that Waldemar feels the need to atone for the murder of a bishop
occuring in his own palace
might be some hints to you, my dear readers.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of the Knautschling tale to find out if and how Waldemar´s
life continues.
Growing old
Reliable numbers on how many bastard childs Waldemar Knautschling sired are hard to get,
but most people believe that there are at least eight bastard sons and probably as many girls.
This proves that Waldemar is not a shiny beacon of marital fidelity which might let
one question whether he believes in himself as a good christian.
But anyone doing so is a fool because in the early 13th century burning heathens is
much bigger evidence for your piety than siring one, two or sixteen children with women
other than your wife is counterevidence.
And burning heathens is a hobby of Waldemar.
Even if they are his own spymaster and have obscenely good intrigue skills.
This attempted elimination
however has nothing to do with religion but is instead related to some silly plot of
Waldemar´s wife to finally get her hands on one of these fancy silken outfits.
How stupid she is. To think that assassinating a king at the other end of the world
would magically make a robe appear in her closet.
Well my dear readers, I suggest we simply move on before
your futile attempts to search for any logic there will drive you crazy.
Waldemar´s vassal in Österbötten expands into Polarian territory by grabbing Danzig.
And while some initiative on one´s own is encouraged in the danish feudal system,
Waldemar feels that alienating neighboring kingdoms is not in the range of duty
of his vassals. Some Dukes beg to differ which upsets Waldemar a lot.
During the discussion he even threatens to personally impale one of the Dukes to
the door of his throne room, or at least that is what the rumours at court say.
Already in a foul mood Waldemar collects almost twenty thousand ducats of
extra taxes from his starving peasants
and also produces some bastards.
Oh Waldemar, dear Waldemar...
What you can witness here is the King of Polaria, no doubt enraged by the Duke of Österbötten´s
actions, declaring war on the danish vassal in Lausitz
and then actually annexing the area into his demesne.
Of course Waldemar declares war right away.
But the boldness of the Polarians of taking an aggressive stance towards
a neighbor with an army over twenty times their own in numbers and over fifty
times their own in fighting capabilities while actually engaged in a civil war
impresses Waldemar.
Thus he offers to correct the mistake made earlier by the Duke of Österbötten if the Polarians
acknowledge Danish sovereignty over Lausitz in return. The unwillingness of Waldemar
to engage in actual battle over the matter might come surprising for some,
but honor is important to him and in beating up someone who can not defend themselves
there is none.
The Polarian king with the most unpronouncable name ever accepts quickly.
At the end of this chapter Waldemar reaches the proud age of sixty-five.
His life might be just long enough to embark on one last voyage.
What would that be ?
Well, these highlighted character traits of Waldemar,
the currently called crusade
and the fact that Waldemar feels the need to atone for the murder of a bishop
occuring in his own palace
might be some hints to you, my dear readers.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of the Knautschling tale to find out if and how Waldemar´s
life continues.