Bretons and Holy Orders
University of Palermo
In May 1257, the expansion of University in Palermo that Adelise ordered a few years ago were finally finished. That made Palermo the biggest university in the whole known world. From theology (naturally, Cathar theology) to natural sciences, everything was covered. If you wanted to learn something, be it law, medicine, theology or something else, Palermo was the place to be. Extensive library, consisting of books from Ancient times, from all over Europe, from Byzantium and from Arab lands, making it a fountain of knowledge. Plenty of professors, bright (and of course, some not so bright) people from all over known world came to Palermo. The campus was turning into a city on it’s own, with extensive buildings and plenty of extracurricular activities (read: plenty of taverns and whorehouses nearby).
The bigger, improved university at session
Education in Sicily was envy to the whole world. Cathedral schools were built in every bishopric, giving students plenty of chance to get basic education. From there, university- there is one in every city in Sicily and Calabria, some specialized in one subject, some in other, some more generalized. But the University of Palermo was the top of every other school in the Imperial Demesne, dream of every scholar and thus, competition allowed only the best to join. The result- Norman warriors, bloodthirsty barbarians as their enemies called them, were actually the most cultured people in the world.
Templar Order
When the Normans took Holy Land in Crusades, they used help of both Templars and Hospitallers. In return, both Templars and Hospitallers gained lands in Holy Land to call their own personal fiefs. Templars got 3 baronies and Hospitallers 1. It worked out pretty well- Templars and Hospitallers did their best to secure the lands, keep the pilgrims safe and fight occasional Muslim raid.
When Turquetil became Cathar, the situation became kind of awkward. After all, the Normans and Templars and Hospitallers met several times in the field of battle (with Normans crushing the Orders over and over again), but in Holy Land, they lived as peaceful neighbours. Still, Turquetil was too busy to do something about it- but Adelise had the time.
In May 1257, she declared war on Templar Order, demanding their holding in Tiberias, barony of La Feve. Since the King Silvester’s troops were strong, there was no need to call upon Western Normans for the fight. 11 000 of Jerusalem’s own Normans rose in Tiberias, assaulted the castle and despite Templars trying their best to build good fortifications, the castle fell in the beginning of June.
The was was not over though. The Templars had one of their famous armies, over 5000 soldiers from all over Europe, stationed in Holy Land. Over 1200 Knights, 3000 Heavy Soldiers, 1000 archers and mix of other troops emerged from their holding in Jaffa and sieged the province.
The Normans attacked them outside Arsuf. Outnumbering the Templars 2:1, the battle went surprisingly well. In 19th June, the Templars were on the run and after being beaten once again, outside Haifa, the war was over. Templars gave away one of their holdings in Holy Land, with 2 more to go. The peace was signed in August 1257.
Templars defeated
... and surrendering
Holy War 1 For Brittany
Brittany, the westernmost part of France, was divided into two. Biggest part was ruled by Duke Hywel 1, a 15-year old boy. Smaller part, 2 counties, were held by Queen Mabille I of Wales. Now, Normans wanted both of them. Since Adelise already took one province of Normandy, it was wise to continue expanding her lands in that direction.
In August 1257, some days before the war in East was over, she declared war on Hywel, claiming Brittany Norman. After the war for Aquitaine, her personal retinues had marched North, reaching Mortain.
From there, the bigger army marched to Rennes, while smaller one to Nantes. Bigger army assaulted all the way and by the end of September, Rennes was Norman. Breton forces, about 2000 of them, gathered in Welsh lands, but dared not to move. So, main army instead marched towards them and in 2 battles, destroyed the enemy. Normans marched on to Leon to siege the province.
Then, the English arrived. With 10 000 soldiers, they landed in Rennes and took the newly conquered capital of the province in a surprise assault. Both Norman armies got orders to assault quickly and then march back. 25 000 Normans met English in the fields outside Dol in February 1258. The battle was victorious, with most of the English killed. The Normans combined their forces, took yet again the castle of Rennes and marched to Nantes, where Welsh troops were sieging. Welsh were beaten and the province was under Norman command by April 1258.
English intervention troops defeated
Meanwhile, new army of English had arrived in Rennes. They were properly crushed, and one Norman amy was sent to hunt strays from Penthievre. Then, the English sprung their trap. 10 000 Normans were attacked by 14 000 English, while the other Norman army was attacked in Rennes by 4000 English, hoping to delay the Normans until the other army is crushed. It was in the May 1258 when Normans were in a tough spot...
First, the main Norman army crushed the 4000 Englishman and marched to the rescue. The other Norman army was marching around, trying to avoid the battle. They lost troops in small skirmishes, and the English were already confident of their victory. Then, the reinforcements arrived. It was in the fields outside Monkontour, where the chasing English suddenly found themselves facing two Norman armies of over 20 000 soldiers combined. And not just Norman armies, but elite armies belonging to the Empress herself. Nothing as silly as light soldiers there. Amount of knights alone was more then all Holy Orders combined... By the end of the day, English armies were defeated and killed to the last man.
English ambusing Normans- and the result
Combined Norman armies marched West, to Leon, and took the city of Brest. With that, the war was over and in July 1258, the peace was signed. Former Duke Hwyl of Brittany, who just reached 16 years of age, fled to Wales. Poor chap, he was powerful Duke, looking for prosperous brides from all over Europe, hoping to get a good Duchess. Now, he is just a courtier, living of mercy of others and has no hopes of carrying the family line ahead. Adelise didn’t care much though, but gave the Duchy as a Merchant Republic to Gilbert de Hauteville.
War with Hospitallers
While the retinues were busy fighting the war in Brittany, the Adelise did not forget the East. In January 1258, she declared war on Hospitallers, claiming the barony of Belvoir in the County of Safed. 5000 soldiers from Safed and rest of Duchy of Galilee rose to siege the castle, while Hospitallers formed in Beirut, only to be attacked by 15 000 soldiers from Jerusalem. Most of the Hospitallers were killed, rest slaughtered when they tried to retreat to Belvoir and soon, 20 000 Normans were at the gates of Belvoir. The castle fell in assault and by March 1258, the castle was Norman. Peace was signed and with that, Hospitallers lost their lands in the Holy Land.
Last moments of Hospitallers in the Holy Land
Holy War 2 for Brittany
As soon as Hwyl was defeated, the Adelise declared war to Queen Mabille I of Wales, demanding the other parts of the Duchy of Brittany. In July 1258, the war started again. English joined to the rescue, but they were still exhausted. Both Wales and England participated in the previous war for Brittany, both send soldiers over Le Manche and both got their asses kicked. So, Normans saw no resistance whatsoever as they assaulted the holdings. By September 1258, the war was over and the Duchy Norman.
And with this, Brittany is Norman