“Ho-hum-di-dum…”
“Look, grandpa! I’m a knight!”
“Hmmm? Oh, yes, you really are, boy!”
“When I grow up, I will be exactly as brave as Heinrich!”
“I’m sure you will. Do you want to hear some more of his glorious deeds perhaps?”
“Oh, yes grandpa! And I will learn and become just as good! Was he good at sword fighting?”
“Well, as a matter of fact….it was not among his best skills. But he was not bad. But now listen to my story! As always: A story of glory, the story of God’s servants on Earth, the Askanien dynasty!”
When April 1215 went by, the fight in Volhynia had begun. The orthodox prince was an evil man, only Christian on the outside. He supported the pagans in his realm, and took often part in their dirty offerings at night. He was an Enemy of God, and Heinrich would not tolerate it! His troops therefore marched into the demesne of the prince, soon overwhelming the pitiful excuse of an army the prince had collected. But even though Heinrich won the battle, he got many problems during the siege. Small bands of pagans and satanic devils attacked several times, scaring the army and thus making the morale bad. Heinrich had to use all his skills to keep them together. It did not get easier when the main commander beside Heinrich, Wilhelm of Memel, a good man who had been a close friend to both Heinrich and his father, mysteriously died. But of course, the evil prince could not stand against God, and soon he had to accept giving away everything he had except one tiny little province. Heinrich had won, but not he had to return to a demesne in full revolt. The satanic pagans of Volhynia had namely stirred up revolts in the pagan populace all over Heinrich’s demesne, and it was a hard job that awaited him.
Of course, to travel around the country was a hard job. Even more so was it for Heinrich, because of his wounds, which made him anything but able to fight. But although he couldn’t do much with his hands, his head was still clear, and in his tent, he made several master plans. Unfortunately, this showed up to be a bit too much for his body to bear, and a strong fever more and more often forced him to stay in bed, not being able to do much. No doctor could find out what kind of illness it was. It was whispered among the servants that they had seen devils in the woods, dancing a death dance, but was it for Heinrich? Noone knew…
The new angel in Heinrich’s life.
Life hit hard for poor Heinrich. Not long after he got sick, his beloved wife died in labour. Crushed he lay in the bed for several days. Noone was allowed to come in to him. Noone thought he’d ever marry again. But he actually did. A young girl who served at his sick bed slowly got him back to life, and he came in such a deep love as one seldom see. Zoe looked like an angel people said, and for him, she was! But, the sorrows for the poor king were not over. After giving birth to a little girl, she died while being pregnant with their second child. King Heinrich once again fell into a deep mourning, questioning whether God was punishing him for something he had done.
The next years were quiet. Rebels were chased down, pagans complained over being ruled by Christians. Heinrich was seldom seen outside his bed room, and when he was, he always looked very weak and sick. It was therefore no surprise when the heralds a cold day in November announced the old king’s death. A new king was crowned. The new king was Herman, Heinrich favourite son and marshal. He was skilled in the arts of war, but as Heinrich, he was severely wounded by an evil pagan arrow. Noone knew if he would live long, but one thing they knew: He would surely continue his father and grandfather’s work for God! From early childhood, he had showed great zealousness, praying hard every evening, and his deep thoughts around the mysteries of religion had been to great joy and interest for more than one priest and bishop.
The new king and his wife.
The kingdom and a little revolt-party. It’s quite normal really.
“Poor Heinrich…. He got a hard life. But he did come to God, didn’t he, grandpa?”
“Of course he did!” the old man exclaimed. “He was a zealous Askanien, my boy! He walked with God, and as Job he got tested. But eventually he got the reward, and now, my son, he is among the holy populace of Heaven!”
“He was a good man, and I will be just as he was!” the little boy smiled.
“But good night grandpa, I must tell dad about this! And I want him to learn me to fight today! And then,” he sighed, “it’s bed time.”
”Hrrrmmm….” The old man smiled behind his beard.
“Well, off you go!”
I got quite alot to do on school suddenly...
