Grandson of Lodbrok's Merchant Republic

[Ayn Mandarb]

Into: This is my idea for an alternate history Norse Republic. Going from one of the common Norse starts as a lord (Jorvik) but instead switching from the start to being a Republic in land which currently has no trading tech so can't really succeed immediately as a tradition Republic. The intention is to take this unusual start and build a Norse Republic to rival any prospective Italian one. Thanks to many, especially Tuerai but also others, for advice on how to achieve successfully switching from being feudal to being a Republic in Ironman mode - see this thread if interested and press space bar to unpause after reloading your Game Over to finish off the conversion. Playing as Ironman mode with all DLC (including SI) except Rajas which I'm waiting to buy, though we're a distance from India.

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In the year 867 following the execution of Ragnarr Lodbrok the Great Heathen Army of his sons invaded Britain. In Jorvik his son Halfdan Whiteshirt landed with his own three sons to avenge his father, but few yet realised the true madness that had gripped his heart. Middle and lowly regarded son Gudfrid was disregarded from the family line by being given the degrading role of Mayor of Skardaborg, the fourth and least significant barony of Jorvik and no true inheritance for a viking.

The invading army prepared to fight the remaining lands of Northumberland but before any further action could be taken against the English, the Viking king finally snapped and entered a murderous rampage against his own family. Son and heir Sigfrid was imprisoned and executed. Guards were order to imprison final son Ragnarr for execution but he managed to flee. The realms only Gydja rebelled due to such tyranny as the guards marched upon her and the King - who was either still crazed and intimidated by a lowly temple priestess or in a flash of understanding as to what he'd done - surrendered abdicated.

As the dust settled it came solely upon unexpected Gudfrid to step up as the leader of the Jorvik invasion, both to avenge his grandfather and to repair the dishonoured name of House Hvitserk in the newly formed Republic of Jorvik. Four more families have arisen to challenge the authority of the embarrassed house. While young Ragnarr who had fled from his crazed father to Jylland was appointed Count of Holstein - and in a bizarre twist Halfdan himself fled to his sons realm.

Significant threats surround the newly formed Republic. Both the exiled formed petty king and son are a threat and maintain a claim on the newly formed Republic, but neither play any role in the line of inheritance meaning the new Prince Mayor has no heir of his dynasty. No wife, no children and no other heir means the line will end if the Prince Mayor meets a premature end. The war with Northumberland continues but now the Republic has no allies at all.

 

[Ecnahc]

Very interesting start. I hope to read more updates about how this little Norse Republic ends up!

 

[Andaries]

This should get interesting, best of luck.

 

[Ayn Mandarb]

November 875

The war between the Republic of Jorvik and Northumberland ended with surprising ease, with the unprepared troops of Northumberland routed in the Battle of Northumberland in 867. After annihilating all the enemy troops in a single battle, the Norse invaders took control of every castle, city and temple in the region leaving nothing to the natives. Administrative control was handed to newly appointed Lord Mayors who were given control over the local barons.

Another Norse invading party swiftly arrived with the King of Jylland seeking to take control over the land of Mercia. Jorvik was called to arms which was answered but with no heir yet and with the Prince Mayor having surprisingly set the ambition of becoming King of England prior to the traumatic events that led to his rise, he declined to give more than nominal support to the invasion and watched from the sidelines. The Norse compatriots initially took control over parts of Mercia before a grand alliance of Mercia, Wessex, Scotland and the Irish Lords repelled the invasion. For now those who put their faith in the cross still control Mercia.

The northmen's armies have not been entirely still though, taking some counties in Wales while an invasion against Wessex is being prepared.

For all the early success on the battlefield, the quest of Gudfrid to have a son and heir has not been successful yet. In addition to getting married, it is known that in order to further his house he took three Lustful concubines to his chambers too. In the past seven years there have been two royal pregnancies but all that were borne were two girls now aged 7 and 5. None of the concubines have become pregnant either, leading some on the streets to start whispers about whether this house may die out just as suddenly as it arose.

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January 876 update

A Great Blot was held while the invasion is being prepared. As the troops gather an unexpected reason to celebrate arises. Although her pregnancy had gone unnoticed to this author, during the Blot one of the concubines gave birth to the first son of Gudfrid. Although if anything happens to him there can be no expectation that a son so young would be elected to replace his father as ruler of the Republic, the houses bloodline being secured gave cause for extra drunken merriment during the Blot.

With a Lustful host with a known bevy of Lustful concubines, it was perhaps most appropriate that the expected heir to the Republic - the patrician of House Ubbe celebrated in the most appropriate way imaginable.

 

[Ayn Mandarb]

The rise before the fall of house Hvitserk

Continuing on from the exploits of the Great Blot, the gathering soldiers landed invaded upon the shores of Wessex invading both from the north and from the shores of Cornwall. Attacking from both north and south-west the vikings surrounded and overswarmed the defenders of Wessex.

The battles however were longer and more drawn out than the prior battle against Northumberland. No assistance was received from Norse compatriots, in a twist some may say was appropriate the Call To Arms was answered by Ragnarr (who was now revolting against his liege) but no actual support was sent. Once again the combined Lords of Ireland proceeded to repeatedly send support for the defenders of the cross, causing the war to become a lot more dragged out than it otherwise would. The arrogant Norse aggressors not being used to the differences between cities and castles kept having capital cities occupied by relatively small numbers of Irish attackers.The final victory could only be achieved by hiring infamous Mercenary Corp the Scottish Band to supplement the invaders. The Scottish Band was sent with local levies to combat the repeated sent Irish troops while the invading troops besieged the castles of Wessex.

Finally though the Viking invaders did take control of the land off Wessex. Upon completing the invasion Prince Mayor Gudfrid was close to achieving his goal of becoming King of England.

(This screenshot was taken while paused before giving away the land, North Korea mode was not used)

During the invasion multiple sons had been born securing the lineage of the House. None were born to the Gydja but once the first concubine son arrived, others swiftly followed. With sons to continue his name, Gudfrid turned to his ambition of becoming King of England. Gudfrid now controlled a majority of English land, but only currently held one duchy so could not be recognised as a King. The viking Prince Mayor, still wound up by getting repeatedly attacked by the Irish lords declared revenge starting conquest wars against his Irish rivals. The land of Wessex was all divided between his major vassal courtiers, with each de jure duchy having a majority being owned by a single Lord Mayor. The Prince is happy for his Lord Mayors to become promoted but will not do all the work for them.

To get his own second Duchy, Gudfrid declared what was to become his final war. In addition to dealing with the Irish problem, true development requires reformation of the Norse religion. War was declared against Ostlander who control one of the ancient Holy Sites. None could predict that this fateful decision would lead to both the greatest victory but in the triumphant moment would have tragic consequences.

 

[volksmarschall]

A Norse Republic, the world has gone mad!

 

[Ayn Mandarb]

Thank you for the nice comments guys, glad you find this interesting.

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The higher they rise the further they fall
March 883

Following on from the successful invasion of Wessex, war was declare against the Irish Lords who had repeatedly fought the Norse in England along with the subjugation of Ostlander.

The hired Scottish Band continued with their paid task to deal with the Irish, who were in a weak state from sending all their levies to England while the levies of the Republic were gathered and sent to the shores of Norway. The land of Akershus was besieged before the decisive battle of Oppland. Although the defenders used the mountainous terrain for a last stand once again Gudfrid's armies were victorious. The inevitable subjugation of Ostlander proceeded, followed one-by-one by the conquest of Ireland.

One seemingly little thing did not go according to plan. Traditionally the Norse respect the strongest and respect a subjugating liege, but all the vassals of the Jarl of Ostlander who became vassals of the Republic hated rather than respected the Prince Mayor. The young Prince Mayor was more suited to fighting than stewardship and disregarding such concerns finally achieved his dream of becoming Prince Mayor of England

The celebration was short-lived as Dag, the Chief of Heidmark who had only just come into the realm due to the subjugation of Ostlander, challenged the Prince Mayor to the ancient rite of holmgang. He had to think twice before accepting the challenge but ultimately was filled with wroth, how could the challenge be refused? By Odin.



Battle was shortly met on a small islet, the viking proud of his own martial ability was confident he could defeat his vassal ...



And so came an end to the reign of Prince Mayor Gudfrid, 867-883 and for days ruler of the Republic of England 883-883. .



House Hvitserk lost control of England as soon as it was won and was relegated to Jarl of Ostlander with control over just a small demesne of just 3 counties. Prince Mayor Gudfrid is dead, long live Prince Mayor Alfr of Ostlander


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Out of story thoughts:

This is as far as I've gotten with the game so far and where being a Republic rather than feudal will make things interesting. Had I been a traditional king then my prince son would now be controller over all the land won. Now however all I've achieved had made the new liege very powerful while my own land is tiny in comparison. In a traditional game by priority now would be to either cement control over the rest England and/or Britain, while trying to reform the faith. It is going to be a new priority now for the new child prince to try and regain control of the Republic.

Also if this wasn't an AAR I would probably have declined to fight in the Holmgard. It was not the "smart" move knowing that if I lose I would lose control of the Republic. Had I still had no sons I would have had to say no to avoid Game Over and ending this story prematurely. However playing 'in character' I decided there was no way this strong, wrothful viking could say no.

 

[Saxon125]

A Prince Mayor ruling England and Ireland the world has been turned on its head. Also ive never had that Holmgang event before and I play as Pagans a lot. Still hope this Kkd can hold on too these recently acquired lands good read so far keep it up. Also in my book that holds a record as the shortest reign in CK2.

 

[volksmarschall]

Prince Mayor, at least until social and political upheaval changes things! Or when a Prince Mayor wants a more prestigious title!