Welcome back, class. Today, we will cover the 26-year long reign of Hamelin II, a dreaded figure among his contemporaries, yet also a man who continued the successes of the Hauteville dynasty.
Mr Butterfly, will you please smoke outside? I am seriously considering my options with you, young man… And is that tobacco or something
else? Last chance!
Ahem. Right. The start of Hamelin II’s reign was one of sedition and talk of uprisings. Many thought his uncle would be a better Emperor. Hamelin II promptly summoned his major vassals and gave them what you can call a
show. He brought forward a number of prisoners from the last few years of warfare, told the assembled vassals that he expected loyalty and that if they didn’t remain loyal, what followed would be their future fate. Then the heads of the prisoners began to fall of their bodies, as all were beheaded.
No more talk of rebellion was spoken for a long time.
Lewis, eyes here! Sigh, I wish you all would do like Cora here, following the lectures, writing notes and handing in
excellent works of academic literature. I foresee a great future for you, young lady.
Right, back to the topic. The Pope surprised everyone in 1417 when he ordered a new crusade for Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia was held at the time by the crusaders lead by a Hauteville king. The Pope wanted the rest of the de jure lands taken for Christ, even though this land was sparse compared to what was already held. Hamelin II obliged, however, and less than a year after the crusade’s start, it was won.
Then, the Emperor looked south, into Africa. In short order, he conquered the kingdom of Gurma for his vassal Flomo – a recent convert – before he conquered the kingdom of Sapi for another loyal vassal. Then he sent his armies to the kingdom of Kren-Wa to take control of the duchy of Kono.
All this lead to Palermo, where the Pope with much ceremony on October 11th, 1423 crowned Hamelin II Emperor of Mali. The Emperor was now quadruple-Emperor, the most powerful of any known civilization. After a month of celebrations, the armies of Normannia was sent to conquer another kingdom for Christ, this time the kingdom of Mali. Several smaller wars were then waged all over Africa. Africa was to become fully Norman, decreed the Emperor.
Mr. Pip, please use your stick on young Blair. The young man seems to have fallen asleep again.
Right. Not a man to stop conquering just because he had become so powerful and rich Croesus would be envious, Hamelin II looked east. Demanding the duchy of Cyprus from the Byzantines, he invaded the island as well as Constantinople. Constantinople as well as Cyprus soon enough fell and within a year, the war was over in Hamelin II’s favor.
When Hamelin II returned to Palermo, he again summoned all his vassals. When they came to the capital, they would witness something unprecedented. A second Empire title added to Normannia in twelve years. On January 31st, 1435, Hamelin II again was crowned. This time as Emperor of Guinea. He was now a five-time Emperor. The mightiest Emperor since the time of Augustus, people whispered. An Empire centered on Iberia and Africa, rivalling the Empires of Old.
But, of course, even five-time Emperors get old and die. On September 14th, 1438, after having suffered from his advanced age and not warred for three whole years, the Emperor finally gave up the ghost. He died peacefully in his bed, surrounded by his family. He was 71 years old. His son Stefen I, the last medieval Emperor of Normannia, sat by his bed for the last night, personally caring for his father. Stefen I was 50 years of age when he rose to the throne.