The World in 1393 and How it Got There
Anatolia and the Balkans
“vedi come storpiato e` Maometto!
Dinanzi a me sen va piangendo Ali`,
fesso nel volto dal mento al ciuffetto.
E tutti li altri che tu vedi qui,
seminator di scandalo e di scisma
fuor vivi, e pero` son fessi cosi`”
Dante, Inferno, Canto XXVIII
The Osman Empire: The fortune of the heirs of Osman would have no doubt surprised the old Turkish warlord himself had he seen them; a tribal unit, they’ve survived the Mongols, the re-unification of the Byzantine Empire and the Polish Crusades. They gained political power in the 1340s after Seljuk unity collapsed, and their statelet outlived the illustrious ‘abd al-Malik Sulayman and his attempt at reconquering Rum and Levant for Islam. Having gained access to the sea, they expanded to the Aegean, capturing Lesbos, Chios, Naxos and finally Euboea right under the noses of the Christians who were distracted with internecine warfare. Ahmed Baghadur and Egypt briefly threatened them, but soon died; a naval war with Jerusalem had gone in their favour. They forced the Prince of Krete to acknowledge their mastery. The first Turkish state to establish itself in mainland Greece since the collapse of the Doukas Empire, they were soon strong enough to resist their neighbours, while expanding both in Greece and in Thrace. Newfound power allowed them to strong-arm the increasingly splintering Turkish Beyliks, establishing pre-eminence in Anatolia. Their greatest moment to date was the complete defeat of Venice in a five year war and subsequent agreement to cooperation and eternal peace from the Most Serene Republic. Though beset by enemies and rivals at all sides, the Osmans’ rising star seems well on its way to the summit of the firmament at the turn of the 15th century.
Byzantine Empire: The dynasty currently in charge of Europe’s oldest state first rose to greatness under the Monomachs, eventually betraying and opposing them in the Civil War, and was subsequently defeated by yet another faction. Fleeing to Nikaea, they held court there, keeping their claim to the diadem even as history seemingly forgot them. Then, when Monomachs were history and the Cypriot Elegemitoi who held the throne were weak, they struck and took the Empire back. In the subsequent years they resisted the Turks with mixed success, but were not prepared for Bulgaria’s seizure of Constantinople while the army was on campaign. Having retreated to Rhodes, they await, and plot, their return to greatness. Eastern Rome has seen its share of highs and lows, and often its fortunes changed so rapidly that later historians could only shake their heads at vagaries of history. Although things look bleak for the Petzikopouloi Emperors – with their capital in Rhodes and their possessions only held together by the strength of their aging navy – it’s not out of the question they could bounce back provided they play their cards right.
Bulgarian Tzardom: Bulgaria’s sovereignty is a relatively new development, even if the nation itself is old. Considered (since it then included both Macedonia and Wallachia) an equal third of the Byzantine Empire under the Monomachoi, it later was separated into a Tzardom first under the Chervens and finally under the Monomachs, who held on to it even as they lost the Diadem. The Tsardom is centered around Vidin, a Monomach stronghold and a former Imperial City, with extensive workshops and craftsmen’s districts, relocated mostly from Syria; Vidin is thus truly the smithy of the Balkans, something the Tsars eagerly exploit. A respectable army, an aggressive policy on the borders and a good deal of luck and opportunism allowed Bulgaria to gain strength over time, culminating in the (almost bloodless) take-over of Constantinople itself during one of the Greeks’ 14th century civil wars. Holding the city, however, can prove to be a challenge as more than a few opponents of equal or better strength eye the capital of the East. Likewise, the hold over the city is by no means firm, and the Tsar continues to reside in Vidin, in a situation both similar and quite unlike the one at the dawn of the Barbarian Empire.
Latin Empire: The remaining Crusader state of those founded by the “Polish” crusades of the late medieval era, the “Latin Empire” openly claims Imperial honours and has aspirations on Constantinople, even though the actual city remains out of reach for now. Poland remains sympathetic to its Crusader state despite the latter claiming a Lordship greater than that of the Polish King. In fact, Carthage and its success may serve as an inspiration. If one could build a strong Kingdom in Muslim North Africa surely one could build a better one in Christian Anatolia? In truth, however, the Latins are on the defensive. Having provoked a potential Mongol ally into action that resulted in devastation of Eastern Europe, they also opened up the possibility of Turkish expansion North and West while the Blue Horde was otherwise occupied. Now the Latins are surrounded by minor Turkish states subordinate to the rising star of the Osmans, and will have to overcome Bulgaria and its aspirations to the Imperial title if they want to claim Constantinople. It’s best allies, ironically, are the Romans in Rhodes, who are willing to overlook the Latins’ claims in order to get a temporary strong stance against Turk expansionism.
Croatia: Croatia is an old state, recognized by the Byzantines and the Papacy since at least the 8th century; initially leaning towards the West, it fell firmly within the Byzantine orbit under Theodore II and Basil IV, who supported a pro-Greek candidate in the Croatian civil war. The Trpmirovic dynasty’s ruling branch eventually merged with the Greek Choniatoi, which gave it a distinctly Orthodox outlook, favouring the Byzantine “Kaisar” title over the Latin “Rex” and officially adopting Eastern religious practices. Within a generation the Croatians conquered Serbia (another Byzantine puppet state, with the consent of the Emperor), and maintained dominion over Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia (but not Dalmatia or Slavonia) until the weakening of the State following the Byzantine Civil War. The Mongol invasions of the early 14th century were initially devastating, but the Croatians were left in a stronger shape than Hungary, whom they were able to conquer Slavonia from. They’ve established a tentative protectorate over Krain, and are a potential claimant for the Imperial honours should Roman Rhodes fall, alongside Sicily, Bulgaria, Jerusalem and Kiev. The question of what constitutes Orthodoxy in the country is still unresolved, however, since both the Orthodox and the Catholics write in Glagolithic and say mass in Croatian, and recognition of Papal supremacy is the foremost difference between the two. However, since Papal alliance with Bavaria brings it directly into conflict with Croatian designs, it is unlikely that the Tsardom will re-orient itself westwards of its own volition.
Bosnia: Bosnia achieved autonomy from Croatia only recently; the Croatian state, busy with reducing Magyar influence in Slavonia and plotting against the Teutonic Knights as well as Austrian Duchies, is content with only nominal suzerainty. The Bosnian princes rule over a land that defies unity, with Orthodox Slavs co-existing the Greek settlers, and a sizeable Catholic population only slightly outnumbered by surviving Bogomil communties. Because of this, the Princes rule with heavy reference to traditional governance, a system sure to prevent any attempts at expansion.
Serbia: Serbia has a history riven with factionalism, competing principalities, and invasions – by the Greeks, the Croats, the Mongols and the Hungarians. Recently having defended their independence, the Princes of Serbia proclaimed themselves Tzars in the Croatian manner, if only to distance themselves from lesser princes that hold other parts of Serbia and owe them allegiance. The restoration of the Serb royal title is a direct threat to both Croatia and Bulgaria, a situation that has temporarily pushed Serbia into a distasteful alliance with the Turks.
Dalmatia: Dalmatia is only nominally Byzantine; in reality the power is in the hands of the Paleologoi, a wealthy dynatoi clan that has held large parts of the area since the late 1200s. Like most of Croatia, the Latin and the Greek versions of Christianity co-exist in an uncertain manner, and likewise the Paleologoi occupy a convenient middle ground. The Pope considers them Catholic, and the Emperor in Rhodes considers them Greek. At heart, however, they’re regional princes and their foremost rivals are not Imperial claimants but nearby Slavic principalities.
Istria : Istria is the westernmost possession of the Osmans. An area disputed between the Byzantines, Croatia, Venice and Carinthia it had seen several waves of forced settlement during the 1100s and onwards, including Bogomils, Orthodox Turkish converts, Serbs and Slavonian Hungarians. The potential for trouble in the region remains commensurate with the complexity of settlement, but that does not mean that it isn’t a valuable area to hold. For the Osmans and their Venetian vassal, this could be the perfect staging ground against the Western Balkans and the Bavarians.
Athens: The Empire of Athens is a small and rather insignificant holding ruled by the Philanthopenoi. Dating back from the early 1200s, it has lived by trade and piracy and avoided conquest and annexation due as much to greater concerns of their neighbours as to the defensive strength of their capital. Its alliance with relatives in Epirus allowed it to hold off the Turks and Morea, but lately Morea has once again rejoined the Petzikopouloi, while the Turks are much more powerful than they once were. Athens’ future looks uncertain, to say the least.
Epirus and Albania: The Philanthropenoi ruled Epirus ever since the Choniatoi moved to Croatia, sometimes as part of the Empire and sometimes under their own authority. However, like many Balkan possessions of the former Empire, they have become regional princes with regional designs, a consequence of centuries of feudal outlook even during the years when the Empire was ostensibly unified. Increasingly leaning on local populations to win loyalty in the almost-certain future confrontation with the Osmans, Epirus is unlikely to set aim for the diadem or Constantinople.
Turkish Beyliks: There were two major sources to the clans now ruling Anatolia – the Rum Turks who remained in Anatolia under the Romans, and the Isfahan Seljuks who largely returned with the great 14th century conquerors Adil Mohammed and ‘abd al-Malik Sulayman; the latter still control most of Rum and are dominated by the most successful – the Osmans. Among them are the Eretnids, Germiyanoglu, Mentesoglu, Qaraman and Candar. The eastern beyliks in the Caucasus and Syria are largely Persian in origin and are mostly allied with the descendants of Hamid ibn Sulayman. The fate of small states is ever uncertain in the late 14th century, because even if neighbouring Empires try to conquer or bind them, a clever ruler may still seize a chance to pursue his own destiny. A curious outgrowth of Rum Turk integration into the Byzantine Rum and the Byzantine Army over the centuries is that the borders of former principalities are often seen as implied in the division of the land, with many beyliks roughly corresponding to Princely seats of old, even if the dynasty at the head may change, or indeed lose their homeland and conquer another, as the Aydinoglu have done more than once. For example, the Eretnids control most of mediaeval Galatia, Hamidoglu hold former Tripoli, while Ramazan is based around the medieval Armenian state of Cilicia. It will be important for the Osmans to annex at least some of these tribes, since the Turks are a minority within the lands they control in the West, and additional manpower will be required if they wish to expand any further.
Wallachia: Wallachia is yet another Rurikid-ruled principality, with Radovan Rurikovich the third voievode to hold the land since it broke away from Volhynian control. His job is unenviable for its difficulty. Bulgaria regards the north as a wayward province, especially the towns of Severin and Grigoriopolis, both part of the original Grand Principality of Vidin. Naturally, the Vlach rulers disagree. To the west, they are threatened by the Teutonic Knights and the Hungaro-German settlers in Transylvania, as well as the Hungarian kingdom, while within the country itself there is occasional unrest from Besenyici (former Pechenegs) and the Gagauz (Orthodox Pontic Turks). To the North lies Kiev, ambivalent but mighty, Poland – with longstanding designs on the region, acting mostly through the Knights – and the Steppes, full of Tatars, unpredictable and belligerent despite shared faith.
Krete: Krete has been held by the Katakaloi since Nikolaios Botaneiates was Emperor, and the small principality, like many others, survives by fishing, trade and piracy while remaining unthreatening to larger powers. Sometimes it does not work as intended, as a raid on the Osmans fifty years ago has brought severe retaliation that stopped only when the Prince swore allegiance to the Turks. For now, the Kretans are the Osmans’ reluctant allies, but may change sides if the situation presents itself.
Teutonic Order: The Order of the German Knights of St.Mary has a mixed history. They joined the crusades into the Holy Land and, besides running a hospital in Jerusalem, they also controlled some castles in Syria before being forced out in less than twenty years. They were subsequently commissioned by the German Emperor to act against the Baltic Pagans, an attempt that likewise failed over a generation, with the Knights retreating to Poland. There they were used to fight against the Mongols, suffering several defeats but also successfully defending a few castles in Pomerelia against Mongol raids. After the Mongol state collapsed and pulled out of Europe, Poland regained its power, and the Knights fought alongside them against Kiev. Though the war ended indecisively they were rewarded with their own land and mandate in the Krajina Banat centered on Temesvar. This has antagonized the Hungarian King initially, but in the end Poland and Hungary came to an arrangement about whose policy the Knights enforce. As it stands, the Knights are likely to be the first to attempt stopping Osman extension into the Danube basin.
Transylvania: Following the devastating Mongol invasions in the 14th century, the Magyars have attempted to restore their Kingdom to its former glory; however, the eastern reaches were severely depopulated, and due to Tatars favouring Eastern over Western Christianity, the regained regions have an Orthodox majority, of Vlachs, Slavs and Pechenegs. The Hungarian crown counteracted this by inviting Germans (also severely displaced from all over eastern Europe by the Mongols) to settle the country. This backfired, and now Transylvania is independent. The German-Magyar state is in competition with the other German settlement in the region – that of the Knights, a rivalry that has occasionally led to bloodshed.
Moldavia: Moldavia’s princes owe their allegiance to the princes of Vladimir-Volynski, who also happen to be the Tsars of Kiev; the area has been disputed between the Empire and Hungary for centuries, briefly held by Volhyn, overrun by the Mongols, and finally settled with Christian refugees from Anatolia. It is unlikely that Kiev will lose the region without foreign meddling, but Poland, Hungary or the Tatars all stand to benefit from it, so it is not out of the question.
Montenegro: The Prince of Montenegro is also its Archbishop, and the title is hereditary. Although somewhat common during the early Monomach years, this arrangement had definitely declined in popularity. Montenegro has narrow access to the sea, but no skills or abilities to exploit that, unlike its main rival, Ragusa, which is currently ruled by the Paleologoi (themselves vassals to the Emperor in Rhodes), and since currently expansion against Serbia or Epirus is unlikely, Montenegro will have to wait patiently for its chance to settle scores and gain power.
Cyprus: Cyprus is much reduced in importance since its heyday in the 12th and 13th centuries, when the Cypriot Elegemitoi dynasty twice took the Imperial Throne due to their excellent navy, and around whose banners Greek resistance to the northern dynasties rallied time and again. As Christian possessions in the Middle East shrank and dwindled, Cyprus lost much of its trade-derived wealth and the Elegemitoi were finally ousted by the Nicaean Petzikopouloi from Constantinople. Jerusalem’s revival in the wake of Hassanid collapse didn’t restore Cypriot fortunes, instead bringing the Elegemitoi into the orbit of the Jersusalem branch of the hated Monomachs.
