- Anno Domini 1110
On or around the Day of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament (
May 13th), we learned that the King of England has decided to make war upon the Kingdom of France, after the King of that realm moved troops against the county of Vexin which is a vassal of the King of England. And the King has decided not to call up the troops of his loyal vassals, and we all hope that this will not prove to be in error, for although King Robert is mightily strong in arms and retinue, so also is Philippe Capet of France.
Early in the month of June of this year, there arrived at the docks in Scarborough a merchant ship from London, and the merchant did sell many exotic goods from France and Brittany and beyond that, and he did purchase many kinds of goods that our burgers and yeomen produce, and he did explain to certain burghers that he would be doing this annually for many years to come. And the burghers were sorely pleased to hear this, and so was the Earl. [
New Tech Spread: Annual Sailing]
Early in the month of October of this year, King Philippe of France did capture the county of Vexin, and did force the Count to yield up titles and land, using such threats as befits only a base villein or highwayman. And there is much wonderment why King Robert does not move in full force against his enemy, for then he could surely defeat him with but little exertion.
Late in the month of November of this year, we learned that King Philippe had agreed to pay a vast sum of gold to King Robert in return for peace. Despite this, the county of Vexin still remains in the unlawful hands of King Philippe, and many nobles wonder and say that the King did not properly fulfil his duty as liege lord in this matter. [
Abandoning a vassal count in need for base gold! What sort of a king is that? 
]
- Anno Domini 1111
On the Day of St. Marinus (
Mar 3rd), Earl William let announce the joyous news that the Countess was with child.
On the second day after Easter (
Apr 4th), Marshall Sir Thomas of El-Arish died of old age, and there was sung the mass in the church in York. And to replace him was appointed Sir Burhanaddin of Agrigento who despite being a foul Saracen and unbeliever, does display keen wit and good character.
On the Day of St. Virgilius (
Nov 27th), the Countess did give birth to a healthy male child and he was christened and named Sieciech after his mother’s tradition, and there was much celebration. And Earl William committed himself to another Crusade against the Pagans in the manner of his grandfather, despite the misgivings of certain of his nobles. [
A male child, finally. And now it’s off again in the quest for a ducal title. Pruthenia and Prussia is next.]
And on Tuesday after the first Sunday of Advent, Earl William did send out orders that retinues from all his lands should converge on the island of Gotland in the realm of Sweden and there make war on the tribe of the Pruthenians, for they were certainly foul pagans and it was the proper thing to do. Certes Deus vult!
And in the middle of the month of May of this year, a grand host of troops from York and Sleswig and even as far away as Malta did gather on Gotland and from there, there was made war on the Pruthenians and the army set forth across the sea. And the grand host did land before the fortress in Sambia, and there did fight against the hosts of the Pruthenians, and although they did fight valorously, they were slain to the last man. And we set up a siege against the fortress.
On the second day after the Day of All Saints, the fortress surrendered and the pagan Chief was humiliated and their foul idols were destroyed. And Earl William also declared war on the neighbouring tribe of the Prussians, for they were well known to have aided the Pruthenians in their depredations, although certain nobles and knights called such a thing reckless, for the Prussians were verily much stronger than the Pruthenians and our army was weakened. And we did arrive in that province which the Germans call Marienburg, and which the Prussians call something else entirely, and there did we meet the Prussian host in battle and did slay them to the last man, although we did lose many good knights in that battle. And this happened very late in the month of December of this year.
An early stage of the campaign against Prussians
- Anno Domini 1112
Early in the month of June of this year, we captured the stronghold of High Chief Glande of the Prussians, and although he himself had managed to escape, it was considered a great victory. And from there we did proceed to the province called Chelminskie to reduce that stronghold also.
And on the second day before the Day of the Visitation to St. Elizabeth, there arrived a legate from the Holy See and did declare that there had been established an order of most Holy and puissant knight to do war upon the pagans and that this order was to be called the Order of St. Mary or the Order of the Teutonic Knights, and that they should have the lands called Marienburg as their rightful and eternal fief. And Earl William was exceedingly glad to comply with this request, for he was passing pious and zealous in his faith, although many a lesser man might have had misgivings.
No need to worry, the Teutonic Knights are here. Move along, citizen.
- Anno Domini 1113
On the Feast of Epiphany, we captured the fortress at Chelminskie, and did proceed to Galindia, there to lay siege to the last stronghold of the foul High Chief. And early in the month of July of this same year we did capture that place and the tribe of the Prussians was no more. And forthwith did we proceed to the neighbouring province of Danzig, which was in the hands of the foul Pommeranian pagans, and which Earl William did sorely much wish to possess, as that would give him enough land to proclaim a duchy in these barbarous lands. And the Pommeranians had been greatly exhausted by many wars, so we were in high spirits that we would prevail. [
Am just one province away from the Ducal title - I need either the Pommeranian Danzig, or Marienburg, which the Teutons took. I'm betting declaring war against the Teutons will have unpleasant consequences, and the Pommeranians have very few troops, so that's not a difficult choice.
]
- Anno Domini 1114
Early in the month of April of this year, we did capture the town of Danzig, and before that we had killed and defeated many of the scattered hosts of the Pommeranians. And Earl William decided to extend an offer of peace to the High Chief of Pommerania in his mercy and Christian charity, and besides there was no gold left in the treasury and debts were increasing. And the High Chief in his arrogance refused and indeed demanded that the Crusading army should pay reparations in return for peace, and the Earl refused such a ludicrous demand outright and continued to make war upon the pagans. [
Asking for 270 gold when your second-last province is under siege. The gall of it! ]
- Anno Domini 1115
During this year, Earl William made war against the pagans.
- Anno Domini 1116
On the fourth day before the Feast of All Saints (
Oct 28th), the High Chief of the Pommeranians finally agreed to peace, giving up Danzig, Wolgast and a considerable amount of gold that allowed Earl William to pay off his debts. And Earl William proceeded forthwith to proclaim himself Duke of Prussia, and thus did he finish the ambition of his grandfather. And he permitted his vassals to return to their homes and the Duke proceeded to Danzig and did celebrate Christmas there. [
Finally! The Ducal title is mine! BWAHAHAHAAH! ]
Hah! Take that, Duke Norfolk!
