Duke Frederick VI of Barcelona
Frederick VI took the ducal throne and swore that he was not going to sit about and doing to restore honor to the family “like his father”.
And he was true to his word. After taking the throne in 1383 it was only 1385 when he declared a claim war to put himself on the throne of Francia.
To be fair, Frederick VI was beginning from a position of some strength as his father had quietly secured a larger duchy by taking in the de jure counties of the Duchy. But hardly real power. Frederick VI was hoping to win by surprising Aymar III who had many revolts on his hands to sort through already.
(Player’s Note: and worst case scenario, he had pressed the claim so it could be inherited...)
And it started promisingly.
But, the promised failed to deliver. After some initial victories (such as the Battle of Amposta in December of 1386)
The war simply dragged on and on. It was clear, however, by mid 1387 that Frederick VI was clearly ambitious and determined in his goal.
1390 brought a change in fortunes. One of the other rebellions was a faction seeking to put Frederick’s younger brother, Salvador, on the throne. And he was the beneficiary of the weakness of the Empire and the faction won. Emperor Salvador I inherited Frederick’s revolt, at the same time that the faction that installed him rejoined the empire and increased its strength.
Still, 1391 began well, with a victory at Nogalte in January.
(Player’s Note: warscore stood at +12% after years of warfare. I just couldn’t manage sufficient forces to threaten Imperial holdings and defend my own lands from depredations of the enemy, and allies were few and far between...)
Things quickly changed in March.
Then the armies of Barcelona were defeated in the field at Motril, where the duke was maimed.
The fighting dragged on until, in 1392, Emperor Salvador passed away and his son Acfred inherited. Frederick decided to end the conflict with his cousin and asked for a white peace, which was accepted.
(Player’s Note: the warscore was at -5% and my chances were foolishly low. Also, note that Brittany is returned to the Empire. Aymar IV won a war reclaiming it and revoked the title King of Brittany just before Salvaor usurped the empire.)
Acfred I appreciated Frederick’s loyalty and skills, and appointed him Marshall in May of 1392. And he needed the aid, as within a handful of months he faced a complete revolt in France.
After an extended period of planning and plotting, December 1393 saw Frederick make his move to drag the duchy of aragon into his control, declaring war on Duchess Eva to take Albarracin for his own.
The war drug on, however, as the Duchess resist bravely. But the final sieges were in place and victory nearly assured when Frederick died young in February of 1395, leaving the realm to his 15 year old son Ugues.
Frederick VI took the ducal throne and swore that he was not going to sit about and doing to restore honor to the family “like his father”.
And he was true to his word. After taking the throne in 1383 it was only 1385 when he declared a claim war to put himself on the throne of Francia.
To be fair, Frederick VI was beginning from a position of some strength as his father had quietly secured a larger duchy by taking in the de jure counties of the Duchy. But hardly real power. Frederick VI was hoping to win by surprising Aymar III who had many revolts on his hands to sort through already.
(Player’s Note: and worst case scenario, he had pressed the claim so it could be inherited...)
And it started promisingly.
But, the promised failed to deliver. After some initial victories (such as the Battle of Amposta in December of 1386)
The war simply dragged on and on. It was clear, however, by mid 1387 that Frederick VI was clearly ambitious and determined in his goal.
1390 brought a change in fortunes. One of the other rebellions was a faction seeking to put Frederick’s younger brother, Salvador, on the throne. And he was the beneficiary of the weakness of the Empire and the faction won. Emperor Salvador I inherited Frederick’s revolt, at the same time that the faction that installed him rejoined the empire and increased its strength.
Still, 1391 began well, with a victory at Nogalte in January.
(Player’s Note: warscore stood at +12% after years of warfare. I just couldn’t manage sufficient forces to threaten Imperial holdings and defend my own lands from depredations of the enemy, and allies were few and far between...)
Things quickly changed in March.
Then the armies of Barcelona were defeated in the field at Motril, where the duke was maimed.
The fighting dragged on until, in 1392, Emperor Salvador passed away and his son Acfred inherited. Frederick decided to end the conflict with his cousin and asked for a white peace, which was accepted.
(Player’s Note: the warscore was at -5% and my chances were foolishly low. Also, note that Brittany is returned to the Empire. Aymar IV won a war reclaiming it and revoked the title King of Brittany just before Salvaor usurped the empire.)
Acfred I appreciated Frederick’s loyalty and skills, and appointed him Marshall in May of 1392. And he needed the aid, as within a handful of months he faced a complete revolt in France.
After an extended period of planning and plotting, December 1393 saw Frederick make his move to drag the duchy of aragon into his control, declaring war on Duchess Eva to take Albarracin for his own.
The war drug on, however, as the Duchess resist bravely. But the final sieges were in place and victory nearly assured when Frederick died young in February of 1395, leaving the realm to his 15 year old son Ugues.