Helô, and welcome to my very first AAR. Ever since getting CKII and first hearing about a Megacampaign I have always wanted to do one myself so here's my attempt at it with the Welsh. I'm not Welsh myself, but I've always been fascinated by their culture and language so why not try a Megacampaign with them in the 1066 start date.
This AAR is planned to be a image heavy narrative. This isn't the first time I've written anything, but this is the first time I have written a thread on here. My experience with CKIII is also limited as I've only had it since Christmas so criticism on both fronts is welcomed. Still, I hope you enjoy!
However, in Gwynedd, the country had gotten a new prince: Ffransis Fane. Ffransis' childhood is a mystery among modern scholars and historians as he had spoken very little about his childhood and family in what recovered writings could be found by him. From what little is known, the only family he ever talked about was his father who he held in utter contempt and that his family was part of the army and gave him a military education. By 21, and when he was made the Prince, he was an expert swordsman and had excellent military experience in leading the army through the hilly countryside of Wales.
From the surviving records and memoirs from his friends and family, almost all have described him to be a brave and ambitious man who wasn't afraid to get what he wanted, even if it was through undesired means. He was also described to have an architectural vision and well built in physique.
The first thing Ffransis did in his rule was organize a council around him: Bishop Stigand of Canterbury (not the one in England), Mayor Cyngar as Chancellor, Mayor Annwn as Steward, Mayor Bedwyr as Marshal, and Morfarch as Spymaster.
Another matter he dealt with was finding a wife. He quickly found one in Adelais de Ponthieu, the sister of William 'the Bastard'.
William actually agreed to the marriage between the two, on the condition that Ffransis aided him in his conquest of England.
So Ffransis raised the levies and marched south to join is brother-in-law who had just landed his army in Sussex.
Only to get ambushed at Chertsey by the much larger English army and forced to retreat.
Ffransis and his army were routed all the way back to Gwynedd, chased by the English army all the way to the border. Ffransis had the remains of his army retreat all the way to Ynys Mons to rest and recover, just in case the English decided to actually cross the border and finish the job.
The English army, however, never did. Instead, they marched to Sussex to face William outside of Sussex, losing the battle to William and being forced to retreat.
Spending a month in Ynys Mons, Ffransis set off again to try and link up with William. This time, Ffransis is able to meet William outside of Middlesex and join up with his brother-in-law in the campaign.
While campaigning with William in Essex, Ffransis receives news that his wife Adelais was pregnant with their first child. Ffransis was apparently overjoyed to receive this news, spending the day partying in celebration with his army. It will prove to be the first of many for the couple.
Not everything was great in the Welsh army however. Many of the levies were beginning to question why they were fighting with the Normans to get nothing. This grew into a rift in the army until two of the knights representing either side, Idnerth and Mayor Sawyl, got into a brawl over it. Ffransis did step in and try to give a speech to the army but it was too late as the brawl between the two knights had spread to the rest of the army.
The brawl eventually sucks Ffransis into it who, after beating up several men by himself, manages to restore order in the army and continue the campaign.
While campaigning, Ffransis gets enough funds to construct very basic walls and towers around his castle in Eryri.
After months of campaigning with no sign of the English army they suddenly reappear and attack the combined Norman and Welsh armies at Colchester. The battle, however, is one sided with the Normans and Welsh crushing the English army and forcing them to retreat from the battlefield.
With the victory at Colchester, the move and split with the Welsh besieging Berkhamsted while the Normans siege down the English capital of London.
While sieging down Berkhamsted, Ffransis gets news that Adelais has given birth to a healthy baby girl named Mabyn. Even if it was a girl, Ffransis once again spends the day celebrating with his army.
The English are sighted once again, the sieges being called off to pursue the army. The English are found at Colchester again and are defeated there once again.
The English disappear once more allowing the armies to siege again. Ffransis and his army this time help William to siege down London, something that they spend several months doing.
After London is taken the king surrenders, William becoming King of England and being declared 'the Conqueror' by his men.
Ffransis prepared to head with his army but a messenger from William stopped him. The Holy Roman Emperor declared war on William for Normandy itself and he needed help defending his home.
Ffransis would grow to regret his decision to ally with the Normans.
This AAR is planned to be a image heavy narrative. This isn't the first time I've written anything, but this is the first time I have written a thread on here. My experience with CKIII is also limited as I've only had it since Christmas so criticism on both fronts is welcomed. Still, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter One
Never Ally with the Normans
1066-1069
It is September 15th, 1066. While the Anglo-Saxons have been united, the Welsh have remained divided between the Duchies of Gwynedd, Deheubarth, and the County of Morgannwg. Despite this disunited state, Wales was quiet compared to it's much larger and united neighbor of England who were currently dealing with two separate invasions by Duke William 'the Bastard' of Normandy and King Harald 'Hardrada' of Norway. Never Ally with the Normans
1066-1069
However, in Gwynedd, the country had gotten a new prince: Ffransis Fane. Ffransis' childhood is a mystery among modern scholars and historians as he had spoken very little about his childhood and family in what recovered writings could be found by him. From what little is known, the only family he ever talked about was his father who he held in utter contempt and that his family was part of the army and gave him a military education. By 21, and when he was made the Prince, he was an expert swordsman and had excellent military experience in leading the army through the hilly countryside of Wales.
From the surviving records and memoirs from his friends and family, almost all have described him to be a brave and ambitious man who wasn't afraid to get what he wanted, even if it was through undesired means. He was also described to have an architectural vision and well built in physique.
The first thing Ffransis did in his rule was organize a council around him: Bishop Stigand of Canterbury (not the one in England), Mayor Cyngar as Chancellor, Mayor Annwn as Steward, Mayor Bedwyr as Marshal, and Morfarch as Spymaster.
Another matter he dealt with was finding a wife. He quickly found one in Adelais de Ponthieu, the sister of William 'the Bastard'.
William actually agreed to the marriage between the two, on the condition that Ffransis aided him in his conquest of England.
So Ffransis raised the levies and marched south to join is brother-in-law who had just landed his army in Sussex.
Only to get ambushed at Chertsey by the much larger English army and forced to retreat.
Ffransis and his army were routed all the way back to Gwynedd, chased by the English army all the way to the border. Ffransis had the remains of his army retreat all the way to Ynys Mons to rest and recover, just in case the English decided to actually cross the border and finish the job.
The English army, however, never did. Instead, they marched to Sussex to face William outside of Sussex, losing the battle to William and being forced to retreat.
Spending a month in Ynys Mons, Ffransis set off again to try and link up with William. This time, Ffransis is able to meet William outside of Middlesex and join up with his brother-in-law in the campaign.
While campaigning with William in Essex, Ffransis receives news that his wife Adelais was pregnant with their first child. Ffransis was apparently overjoyed to receive this news, spending the day partying in celebration with his army. It will prove to be the first of many for the couple.
Not everything was great in the Welsh army however. Many of the levies were beginning to question why they were fighting with the Normans to get nothing. This grew into a rift in the army until two of the knights representing either side, Idnerth and Mayor Sawyl, got into a brawl over it. Ffransis did step in and try to give a speech to the army but it was too late as the brawl between the two knights had spread to the rest of the army.
The brawl eventually sucks Ffransis into it who, after beating up several men by himself, manages to restore order in the army and continue the campaign.
While campaigning, Ffransis gets enough funds to construct very basic walls and towers around his castle in Eryri.
After months of campaigning with no sign of the English army they suddenly reappear and attack the combined Norman and Welsh armies at Colchester. The battle, however, is one sided with the Normans and Welsh crushing the English army and forcing them to retreat from the battlefield.
With the victory at Colchester, the move and split with the Welsh besieging Berkhamsted while the Normans siege down the English capital of London.
While sieging down Berkhamsted, Ffransis gets news that Adelais has given birth to a healthy baby girl named Mabyn. Even if it was a girl, Ffransis once again spends the day celebrating with his army.
The English are sighted once again, the sieges being called off to pursue the army. The English are found at Colchester again and are defeated there once again.
The English disappear once more allowing the armies to siege again. Ffransis and his army this time help William to siege down London, something that they spend several months doing.
After London is taken the king surrenders, William becoming King of England and being declared 'the Conqueror' by his men.
Ffransis prepared to head with his army but a messenger from William stopped him. The Holy Roman Emperor declared war on William for Normandy itself and he needed help defending his home.
Ffransis would grow to regret his decision to ally with the Normans.
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