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Homelands
Chapter Five: The Prussian Schism
Part 1
Prelude:
In March of 1095 Aethelweard Leofricson was deemed a heretic. He had publically condemned Papal supremacy and began to promote the end to the infallibility of the Bishop of Rome. However; he would never truly separate from the Catholic faith, instead he would later have his first son baptized in Constantinople as a member of the Greek Orthodox Church. Instead, in 1095 he began a two-year campaign to end Catholicism within Prussia.
The border between Catholicism (blue), Paganism (grey) and Orthodoxy (brown)
March 8th, 1095
Markéta watched from the side as Aethelweard spoke before the nobility in Marienscír. She sat next to Aethelstan, who had grown ill despite his previous health and vitality. The Duke was winning over many of the nobles, Saxons who had sailed over already had a sense of independence and Prussians who had converted truly did not feel attached to Catholicism anyways.
“He is a great leader,” the old general said.
“I assume; that is what my father said,” she sighed. She placed her hands on her young son. Eadbert was six years old now and the first Prussian baptized as a Greek Orthodoxite.
Aethelstan reached down and pet the small boy, “Aren’t you ready to be Duke?” The small boy chirped in happiness.
“The end of foreign rule over us is here. Papal supremacy shall be forced to a close,” Aethelweard said in front of a small audience.
“What shall we do about the Papal troops?”
“We shall call up the armies, we shall fight them out.”
Markéta turned to Aethelstan, “Well, he certainly has everyone willing to forget their ties to their father’s religion without much issue.”
“Unfortunately, my duchess, Catholicism has only recently been introduced here; the ties are not as strong as in the Holy Roman Empire.”
“What about the Saxons?”
“England is very far away from the Pope if you hadn’t noticed, my dear.”
“What about you?”
“Markéta, I am an old man. I’ve served my Duke the best I could. I’ve lived a happy life, I raised my kids with love, I loved my wife and more than anything, I cherished my friendships. I am pretty sure that whether I accept the Pope or not God will be happy with me.”
The Bohemian Princess was very quiet as she watched the old man smile. “Princess, there is much in my life that I have never told anyone, but there is one thing more than anything I must tell you, so that it is off my chest.”
“What is it, Aethelstan?”
“I am dying.”
Homelands
Chapter Five: The Prussian Schism
Part 1
Prelude:
In March of 1095 Aethelweard Leofricson was deemed a heretic. He had publically condemned Papal supremacy and began to promote the end to the infallibility of the Bishop of Rome. However; he would never truly separate from the Catholic faith, instead he would later have his first son baptized in Constantinople as a member of the Greek Orthodox Church. Instead, in 1095 he began a two-year campaign to end Catholicism within Prussia.
The border between Catholicism (blue), Paganism (grey) and Orthodoxy (brown)
March 8th, 1095
Markéta watched from the side as Aethelweard spoke before the nobility in Marienscír. She sat next to Aethelstan, who had grown ill despite his previous health and vitality. The Duke was winning over many of the nobles, Saxons who had sailed over already had a sense of independence and Prussians who had converted truly did not feel attached to Catholicism anyways.
“He is a great leader,” the old general said.
“I assume; that is what my father said,” she sighed. She placed her hands on her young son. Eadbert was six years old now and the first Prussian baptized as a Greek Orthodoxite.
Aethelstan reached down and pet the small boy, “Aren’t you ready to be Duke?” The small boy chirped in happiness.
“The end of foreign rule over us is here. Papal supremacy shall be forced to a close,” Aethelweard said in front of a small audience.
“What shall we do about the Papal troops?”
“We shall call up the armies, we shall fight them out.”
Markéta turned to Aethelstan, “Well, he certainly has everyone willing to forget their ties to their father’s religion without much issue.”
“Unfortunately, my duchess, Catholicism has only recently been introduced here; the ties are not as strong as in the Holy Roman Empire.”
“What about the Saxons?”
“England is very far away from the Pope if you hadn’t noticed, my dear.”
“What about you?”
“Markéta, I am an old man. I’ve served my Duke the best I could. I’ve lived a happy life, I raised my kids with love, I loved my wife and more than anything, I cherished my friendships. I am pretty sure that whether I accept the Pope or not God will be happy with me.”
The Bohemian Princess was very quiet as she watched the old man smile. “Princess, there is much in my life that I have never told anyone, but there is one thing more than anything I must tell you, so that it is off my chest.”
“What is it, Aethelstan?”
“I am dying.”