So, I was just playing as Lancaster for a bit on the demo while I wait for the game to unlock here in Australia. So it's about 720 or so (I used the start at 666 AD mod) and things have changed a lot. Eadwin, the Duke of Lancaster, was a master of intrigue who laid the foundations for his son to become a great conqueror. Speaking of his son, here he is ...
Essentially what happened was Duke Eadwin plotted (and succeeded) in murdering the Duke of Northumberland. His titles then went to Duke Eadwin, making him the Duke of Lancaster, York and Northumberland. King Harold of England made him the Duke of Hereford as well (mostly to keep him on side, I think) while fighting the war against William the Bastard and Harold of Norway. Duke Eadwin arranged a marriage for his son, Eanhere, to a Norwegian princess. The original heir, Eadwin's son by another marriage, was assassinated but it was useful because it resulted in all the titles falling to one son rather than being scattered amongst them.
Eadwin died at a ripe old age but Eanhere was still around 8 years old. So he ended up in regency for a while. Over time, Eanhere slowly crept his domain (most of northern England) forward to claim a great deal of land in the south. King Harold, now called Harold the Unready, wasn't up for the task of defending his Kingdom (he only maintained it because I used my incredible Spymaster to arrange for the assassination of not only the King of Norway but William the Bastard as well. With the leaders dead, no successors felt like pressing the war).
At one point, I noticed that Eanhere had a claim to Norway that could be pressed through war. By that point Lancaster was a powerhouse in terms of military strength, so I declared war and brought my armies to the shores of Norway only to find little resistance. Norway was taken as Eanhere became King of Norway. While he was fighting the War in the North, he became able to usurp the throne of England. They were fighting their own War against Normandy (they weren't willing to give up after all). When that war ended, Eanhere immediately usurped the throne and found very little resistance - I think the vassals were glad to have a liege who was actually capable. The Kings of England from House Godwin had died en masse, I think there had been something like 12 in the space of my two Lancastrian rulers.
After a little sojourn into Wales to claim some land, I turned the duchy over to the Duke of Hereford who had been loyal to me all this time. He did some conquering of his own and so I was able to create the Kingdom of Wales.
And that's where I am now. It's been a great ride.
Essentially what happened was Duke Eadwin plotted (and succeeded) in murdering the Duke of Northumberland. His titles then went to Duke Eadwin, making him the Duke of Lancaster, York and Northumberland. King Harold of England made him the Duke of Hereford as well (mostly to keep him on side, I think) while fighting the war against William the Bastard and Harold of Norway. Duke Eadwin arranged a marriage for his son, Eanhere, to a Norwegian princess. The original heir, Eadwin's son by another marriage, was assassinated but it was useful because it resulted in all the titles falling to one son rather than being scattered amongst them.
Eadwin died at a ripe old age but Eanhere was still around 8 years old. So he ended up in regency for a while. Over time, Eanhere slowly crept his domain (most of northern England) forward to claim a great deal of land in the south. King Harold, now called Harold the Unready, wasn't up for the task of defending his Kingdom (he only maintained it because I used my incredible Spymaster to arrange for the assassination of not only the King of Norway but William the Bastard as well. With the leaders dead, no successors felt like pressing the war).
At one point, I noticed that Eanhere had a claim to Norway that could be pressed through war. By that point Lancaster was a powerhouse in terms of military strength, so I declared war and brought my armies to the shores of Norway only to find little resistance. Norway was taken as Eanhere became King of Norway. While he was fighting the War in the North, he became able to usurp the throne of England. They were fighting their own War against Normandy (they weren't willing to give up after all). When that war ended, Eanhere immediately usurped the throne and found very little resistance - I think the vassals were glad to have a liege who was actually capable. The Kings of England from House Godwin had died en masse, I think there had been something like 12 in the space of my two Lancastrian rulers.
After a little sojourn into Wales to claim some land, I turned the duchy over to the Duke of Hereford who had been loyal to me all this time. He did some conquering of his own and so I was able to create the Kingdom of Wales.
And that's where I am now. It's been a great ride.
