Chapter 29 - 1300 to 1308: Crusade for Sicily
The Council of Britannia unanimously vote on subjugating the rest of the independent Scottish rulers before going after the Swedish invaders or the Norwegian islands. As such, construction in the Empire slows and the gold reserves begin to grow in anticipation for a new campaign.
In October of 1300, Khaine dies at the age of 19. So young, he did not achieve much in his lifetime, except marriage to a princess of the Holy Roman Empire.
In October of 1301, a Venetian man returns from the far east, bringing with him tales of great wonder... His name is Marco Polo.
In November, Blitz the Dragon and Loup come of age. She, poor thing, suffers from inbreeding, since her mother is the daughter of Æthelstan IV and her father is great grandson of Æthelstan IV, and has no skills to speak of. Despite this, she is very humble (what would she be proud of?) and content with her life. She is married matrilineally to a Hungarian administrator of remarkable talent by the name of Almos. Immediately upon arriving in Norfolk, he is made Steward.
Loup could not be more different from his twin sister. His kind, gregarious, and patient nature makes him a natural diplomat, and he shares his father's skill of intrigue. Strangely enough, his father's stewardship talent did not pass to Loup. He is betrothed to an 11 year old princess of the Holy Roman Empire, to further seal their alliance.
In January of 1302, Emperor Ecgberht declares war on Ulster for the county of Tyrone. Ecgberht's levies are raised, 12 thousand in all, and split into two armies of around 6 thousand each. The small Ulster army of 4 thousand enters Britannic Ireland.
The southern army, led by Dom Martin, Ordgar of York, and Ecgberht, moves to make contact with the enemy while the northern marches towards Tyrone. They engage the enemy army in April, and the enemy is quickly crushed. They are followed to Tyrconnell and destroyed.
In central Ireland, a peasant revolt led by a former soldier begins. The army led by Dom Martin and Ecgberht leaves Ulster and heads south to defeat the rebels. On the way they are joined by several Irish vassals' levies, increasing their numbers to 9 thousand.
The two armies, Britannic and rebel, meet in September. It is an easy victory for the well trained Brits, and they chase the defeated to Kildare, where they surrender. The leader of the revolt is promptly executed.
The vassal troops return home, and the 6 thousand men return to Ulster, setting siege to Tyrconnell. Meanwhile, the siege of Tyrone continues until 1303 when the first castle falls.
As Derry falls, the petty King of Ulster surrenders.
Tyrone joins Britannia. Only 3 provinces in Ireland stand independent against Britannic rule. Soon after the end of the war, Duke Eberhard of Connacht declares war on Ulster for the final county.
Necro Creature comes of age in Fall of 1303. She is a learned woman, a mastermind theologian, but also a strong fighter. She is married matrilineally to a great French warrior named Humbert. He is eventually made a Commander of Britannia.
The Connacht-Ulster war is over in August of 1304. Ulster is no more, and Moray is now the last of the Scottish Kings. Moray has also managed to reconquer the county of Ross from the Swedish invaders, pushing the Swedes back to a single county. The war against Moray is planned for the Spring 1308...
Loup and the Princess are married in December. Princess Alberade, the future Empress of Britannia, is a master of Diplomacy, and will help Loup rule his future realm quite well. Other than that, her royal status, daughter of a ruler of two empires brings much prestige to Britannia.
In March of 1306, Pope Innocentius calls a crusade for Sicily, which is currently held by the Seljuks. Ecgberht sends word to the Pope that he intends to join the Holy endeavour. It would mean a halt of the planned invasion of Moray, but Ecgberht is willing to delay.
Nearly 30 thousand men are raised in England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. They are sent to Wessex to board the massive fleet of nearly 300 ships amassing there.
The fleet sets sail on July 22nd, 1306, headed for Italy. They arrive in November, and the army is unloaded onto enemy soil in Palermo, where half set siege to the Castle of Monreale and the rest move to Messina.
Very quickly the coffers run low, and the fleet must be disbanded. Thousands of troops are also sent home with the ships due to the Empire's inability to pay them. What remains are 3 armies of about 6 thousand men each.
Thus far the Crusade is in Christianity's favor. However, word of a massive Mongol army of 50 thousand men heading towards Sicily puts fear into the Crusaders' hearts. The Mongols, once a Hindu empire, converted to the vile religion of Allah, and they answered the defensive call quickly.
The Mongols enter Sicily in December of 1307, quickly overwhelming the Britannic army there and smashing through one of the armies. A 12 thousand man Teutonic army is next, but, as 10 thousand Teutonic soldiers lie dead or dying, the Mongols retreat. Their Khagan suddenly withdraws from the Crusade!
In March of 1308, Blitz the Dragon dies of Inbred related illnesses. She leaves behind two daughters, one of whom also suffers from inbreeding.
The Crusade ends in November of 1308. Sicily is given to Prince Gellert of Hungary, in honor of his contribution to the victory. If not for the mongols, the Crusade would have been a near perfect victory. Nevertheless, their withdrawal secured Christianity's victory, for success would have been impossible otherwise.
It was a bloody war for Britannia, with thousands of lives lost due to the Mongols, and thousands more due to attrition. Little does Ecgberht know that Britannia will see more death and destruction that ever before his life is over.
NOTE:
-Sorry this one was late. Where I was, 20 kb/s was a miracle!
-It's a shame Blitz died so young, but that's what I get for marrying my relative.
-I'm going for conquering the Scottish rulers because, hey, conquest is so much more fun than vassalization!