The Great Northern War(s), part I
First Wave
When Wymund, King of Sweden, took Bergslagen from Werner of the Holy Roman Empire, the remnants of the Holy Roman Empire fell apart. This meant that what was left of their German holdings were now ripe for picking. In addition, the truce with King Arne of Norway had ended. Meaning- it was time to paint the map purple.
To make it simple, in May 1324, Sayer sent out several declarations of war. Counts of Plauen, Nassau and Schwyz from Germany each received one. King Arne of Norway also received one, demanding the furthest (and biggest) duchy of the Kingdom. Duchy far east, that Norwegians had conquered about a century ago- Duchy of Bjarnia. The land was so far away from everything, reached east toward unknown lands and reached as far north that in summers, the sun never sets. Lands were poor, holdings were far in between, but it was the biggest duchy Norwegians had- enough to claim their kingdom. In addition to that, Karelia, formerly part of Norway, now independent, was in the target list. So, five wars.
Sayer’s armies were far south, so instead, Sayer used the levies of local rulers. Scotland, England, France, Frisia, Aquitaine, Germany, Burgundy and Lotharingia- basically raising forces from half of Europe. Plus, lots of boats from Ireland and Brittany to transport them all. Never in history of the Roman Empire had such a host been raised.
Schwyz was the first to fall. By June 1324, Burgundian Normans had beaten their army in the field of battle and took some of their holdings. Enough to make Count Thietmar to give up his lands and flee in terror. With the conquest of the province, Sayer had finally finished conquest of Gallia.
Yet another province of the former Roman Empire where it should be- ruled by Normans
The distance to Schwyz was small, and so was the marching distance to all other German states. They were also under siege. But in the far North- by the end of July 1324, Norman forces had just reached the White Sea. Nearly 1200 ships, carrying three armies. Plus one army in Baltic Sea, invading the province of Käkisalmi.
Overkill?
While Norman armies were starting their invasions, another German province fell. In August, Nassau was Norman. While in the North, Normans were not encountering much of resistance. Meager forces of the enemies were destroyed and now, it was only siege, assault, wait, siege, assault. To be honest, Sayer managed total overkill. Three armies of over 20 000 soldiers plus one nearly 15 000 to conquer these two provinces was too much- but it was also show of force. To show the world that Normans can muster such armies to take even two unimportant provinces in the north.
In the beginning November 1324, Bjarmia was Norman. King Arne gave up his lands- and with that, Normans actually had enough lands to claim ownership of the entire Kingdom. But, poor Arne was attacked by not one, but two hosts claiming the throne to themselves, so Sayer could not get the kingdom yet. Meaning Finnmark and Iceland would still remain in Norwegian hands.
Also in November, Karelia gave up. Tavastehus and Kandalax were the only provinces in Finland not yet conquered by Normans. It also meant that Normans created yet another Duchy and Duke Roscelin, formerly known as Duke of Finland, was now granted the title of King of Finland.
Plauen was actually last to fall, but in December, the sieges ended too and the county was in Norman hands. In all Germany, there was but one holding that still belongs to someone else, rest of the country is properly Norman.
Poor countries, but boy! they are big!
End of Denmark
Meanwhile, Kingdom of Denmark was in trouble again. King Torgils, a 10-year old child, had won now taken the throne and the vassals were traditionally at it again. Meaning it would be perfect time to strike and grab what is left of the Kingdom. In December 1324, Sayer declared war on Duke Ture of Jylland, claiming Holstein, Count Pridbjorn of Bornholm, claiming the Island of Bornholm, King Torgils, claiming the heart of Denmark, Sjaelland. Finally, Duke Olav of Samogitia, instigator of this little civil war, will also lose all of his lands.
As usual for now, Sayer used the armies of nearby rulers. Once again, soldiers from England, Scotland, France, Frisia and Aquitaine sailed to Baltic. Bornholm was first to fall, in March 1325. Next was Holstein, capital of Duchy of Holstein, in May. After that, Sayer also created the Duchy.
In July, Norman forced had swarmed the Sjaelland and King Torgils lost Copenhagen to Normans. That left just Samogitia. Normans had managed to take all the holdings, but Olav had managed to get help of the Golden Horde that managed to get 20 000 soldiers to shores of Baltic and take one holding in Vodi. Meaning that the war was slowed down a bit. Then, Mongols sent another army of 14 000 soldiers to free Samogitia. Outside the city of Russ, Normans attacked the Mongols and defeated them. This was it, the end of the war. In September 1325, Olav gave up. This was an end of Denmark as well. Sayer took the title of the Kingdom and destroyed it, leaving the vassals of Denmark so nicely splintered.
Kingdom of Denmark looks much better now!
Sad Fate of Count Michael Melissenos
When Count Michal of Cephalonia (an island in the duchy Epirus, greece)thought it would be good idea to start an intrigue. For some reason, he thought that Duchy of Latinum needs a new ruler and begun working on it. Failing to forget that the spy network of his Augustus was superb... So, Sayer found out and sent up emissaries to imprison the poor count. In his foolishness, he thought the best thing to do is to raise his flag in rebellion. Sayer cheered, gathered his personal host, sailed them to Cephalonia and invaded the province. From Sicily and Calabria, the heartland of Roman Empire, he gathered nearly 40 000 soldiers and nearly 800 ships. Normans arrived, invaded and won. Michal was stripped from all of his possessions and kept in jail, while a proper Norman took his place.
Full might of Sicily and Calabria
Other Matters
In Summer of 1325, the Princess Adriana, daughter and heir of Isaakios of Taurica, was married in a lavish ceremony to Prince Sayer, the second son of the old Sayer. Soon, Adriana accepted the cathar faith and everyone starts expecting the child now future heir of Taurica, who will bring the last provinces of the Black Sea into Norman hands.
A happy couple! Now, we just need a baby!
Also, in October 1325, a Mongol called Yesugei has raised soldiers, with intention of conquering Lesser Poland. Khagan Alchi claimed he was working on his own, but there were rumors of Yesugei marching unopposed through Mongol lands, with Khagan helping him to feed his army. No matter, the Khagan will also get his share of Norman wrath, but first, Yesugei.
Now here is a brave soul. Stupid, but brave. Also, his target
