Chapter 5 - 1097 to 1107: The Turbulent Years
With the King of England having lowered the crown authority on behalf of the civil war, Ralf begins planning his next move. Essex will surely be the next target, then Northampton. Before any war effort, though, Ralf and his council agree that East Anglia should rebuild its levies and restockpile its gold.
In July of 1097, King Eadwig of England requests that Ralf becomes Marshal of England. He, of course, accepts.
Then, less than a month after the First Civil War of England ended, a second war, this time trying to overthrow the 'tyrant' king. The leader of the revolt is a mere child, duke of Essex, who is being controlled by his devious regent. He sends a letter, begging Ralf to join their cause, as they are thoroughly outnumbered. Having seen enough of war at the moment, Ralf declines.
The next matter of important that Ralf must take care of is his imprisoned, treacherous half brother, Catguethen. While he is no longer heir, he does have a claim on the duchy. Ralf, not wishing to kill him, banishes him to the Breton kingdom of Breizh.
5 years after the Pope called it, the Crusade for Jerusalem ends in a defeat. Europe, having been too preoccupied with its own problems, seemed less than committed to the Crusade.
after 2 years of quiet in East Anglia, although not in the rest of England, there is little new other than the death of Gunhild, and the news that levies are back up to prewar levels.
In December of 1099, Duke Ralf II of East Anglia passes away at the age of 59. His son and heir, the new Duke of East Anglia, is only 6 years old, and his uncle Gouletec is chosen as regent until Ralf III reaches maturity. For now, his heir is his brother Cenguethen.
(I know it says he is 8, but I took the screenshot a little late)
In July of 1102, Spymaster Ceolwulf passes away. He is replaced by Bishop Cenguethen of Norwich. He is sent to study technology is Paris, France.
In September, the Court Chaplain also passes away. However, no replacement can be found and the job remains unoccupied for the time being.
In November, even worse news reaches Norfolk. Count Ealdwulf of Suffolk, son of the late Count Harold of Suffolk, declared that he is the true ruler of East Anglia. He sends an ultimatum to Ralf and his regent, demanding they step aside. They refuse and the East Anglican Civil War begins.
Unlike the enemy, Norfolk nearly always has a good store of gold in case of war. 1 thousand Norfolk troops are raised and 2 thousand mercenaries hired. All that the treacherous count can muster is 1143 troops. At the same time, the Second English Civil War ends.
In a surprising move, the King of England decides to implement even lower crown authority. It is quickly approved and passed.
In March of 1103, the army of Norfolk marches on Suffolk. It is a victory, and the winning army lays siege to Suffolk.
Money runs low, and in September, the Mercenaries Ralf hired refuse to work for nothing. They turn and join Count Ealdwulf instead.
With a much smaller army, against a much larger foe, Ralf and his regent send an offer of White Peace to Ealdwulf, who accepts. For now, there is peace within East Anglia. But Ralf, now 10 years of age, will never forget the betrayal, and, certainly, neither will Ealdwulf.
(I'm not sure why Guoletec was imprisoned from a white peace. Is it just me, or have I never seen a white peace end in the aggressor's imprisonment?)
With the stockpiles of gold now nonexistent, East Anglia must again rebuild its wealth. In 1104, the East Anglican Marshal dies. Again, no suitable replacement can be found. Ralf is now without a Marshal or Court Chaplain.
On the 22 of March, 1107, Ralf III reaches manhood.
After the last few turbulent years in East Anglia, can Ralf finally reunite East Anglia under one duke?
With the King of England having lowered the crown authority on behalf of the civil war, Ralf begins planning his next move. Essex will surely be the next target, then Northampton. Before any war effort, though, Ralf and his council agree that East Anglia should rebuild its levies and restockpile its gold.
In July of 1097, King Eadwig of England requests that Ralf becomes Marshal of England. He, of course, accepts.
Then, less than a month after the First Civil War of England ended, a second war, this time trying to overthrow the 'tyrant' king. The leader of the revolt is a mere child, duke of Essex, who is being controlled by his devious regent. He sends a letter, begging Ralf to join their cause, as they are thoroughly outnumbered. Having seen enough of war at the moment, Ralf declines.
The next matter of important that Ralf must take care of is his imprisoned, treacherous half brother, Catguethen. While he is no longer heir, he does have a claim on the duchy. Ralf, not wishing to kill him, banishes him to the Breton kingdom of Breizh.
5 years after the Pope called it, the Crusade for Jerusalem ends in a defeat. Europe, having been too preoccupied with its own problems, seemed less than committed to the Crusade.
after 2 years of quiet in East Anglia, although not in the rest of England, there is little new other than the death of Gunhild, and the news that levies are back up to prewar levels.
In December of 1099, Duke Ralf II of East Anglia passes away at the age of 59. His son and heir, the new Duke of East Anglia, is only 6 years old, and his uncle Gouletec is chosen as regent until Ralf III reaches maturity. For now, his heir is his brother Cenguethen.
(I know it says he is 8, but I took the screenshot a little late)
In July of 1102, Spymaster Ceolwulf passes away. He is replaced by Bishop Cenguethen of Norwich. He is sent to study technology is Paris, France.
In September, the Court Chaplain also passes away. However, no replacement can be found and the job remains unoccupied for the time being.
In November, even worse news reaches Norfolk. Count Ealdwulf of Suffolk, son of the late Count Harold of Suffolk, declared that he is the true ruler of East Anglia. He sends an ultimatum to Ralf and his regent, demanding they step aside. They refuse and the East Anglican Civil War begins.
Unlike the enemy, Norfolk nearly always has a good store of gold in case of war. 1 thousand Norfolk troops are raised and 2 thousand mercenaries hired. All that the treacherous count can muster is 1143 troops. At the same time, the Second English Civil War ends.
In a surprising move, the King of England decides to implement even lower crown authority. It is quickly approved and passed.
In March of 1103, the army of Norfolk marches on Suffolk. It is a victory, and the winning army lays siege to Suffolk.
Money runs low, and in September, the Mercenaries Ralf hired refuse to work for nothing. They turn and join Count Ealdwulf instead.
With a much smaller army, against a much larger foe, Ralf and his regent send an offer of White Peace to Ealdwulf, who accepts. For now, there is peace within East Anglia. But Ralf, now 10 years of age, will never forget the betrayal, and, certainly, neither will Ealdwulf.
(I'm not sure why Guoletec was imprisoned from a white peace. Is it just me, or have I never seen a white peace end in the aggressor's imprisonment?)
With the stockpiles of gold now nonexistent, East Anglia must again rebuild its wealth. In 1104, the East Anglican Marshal dies. Again, no suitable replacement can be found. Ralf is now without a Marshal or Court Chaplain.
On the 22 of March, 1107, Ralf III reaches manhood.
After the last few turbulent years in East Anglia, can Ralf finally reunite East Anglia under one duke?
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