Ah come on Rebaltion! You might be be all that concerned with religion but your emperors of Britain should be. I mean what sort of emperors would they be if they didn't at least try to become the highest lords temporal AND spiritual. 
House Godwinson
- Thread starter Rebaltion
- Start date
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
@ Lord Valentine- The enlightened kind?
------------
The following is taken from Le Grand-République:
In 1120, the Kingdom of France was a fragile place. It had suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of England in 1087, and had suffered several republican revolts. Not only that, constant intrigue between the nobles in an attempt to dethrone the king had caused Philippe to become very suspicious, leading to his policy of executing anyone who dared disagree with him. Perhaps because of Philippe’s iron rule, this area of French history is known as Règne de Fer or the Reign of Iron.
The Reign of Iron came to an end in the late 1120s, with Philippe’s death at the age of 68. With the death of Philippe, the dead king’s incompetent son, Louis VI came to power, prompting the underground republican movement to resurface again, this time aided by the nobles, many of who favored a noble republic. With support from the nobles, the peasants, under Jean Facet, waged unofficial war against Louis VI for nearly four years. In 1124, King Louis VI moved the French capital from Paris to Bordeaux. The nobility then preceded to vote that Theobald II, Duke of Champagne, become the new French king. Louis VI, in opposition to the new French king, crowned himself king of Aquitaine, creating the Kingdom of France and Occitania, which would eventually be shortened to just the Kingdom of Occitania.
France in 1124.
With Theobald crowned King Theobald I, the peasants assumed that they would be given more rights. Instead, what they received was a knife to the back, as King Theobald I preceded to kill any peasants who had joined the republican cause. Once more, Jean Facet took to the battlefields with his armies of peasants. Despite facing unrest at home, Theobald I is forced by the French nobility into war with Britannia over Normandy and Flanders. The war takes less than two months, as Emperor Harold I quickly takes Paris and Orleans, killing Theobald, who becomes the last king of France. Instead of sacking Paris and Orleans, Harold instead invites Facet to Paris and helps the peasants secure the French government for themselves. The new republic votes Facet as their first Magistrate, and, with Harold’s help, purges the republic of any loyalist to the old monarchy. In his famous play Harold I, English poet and play writer William Shakespeare, quotes Harold saying, “I can find no more fitting punishment for the French than letting them be ruled by a pack of rioters,” as the Emperor leaves Paris for Britannia. Only later would Harold’s decendents regret his decision in France.
------------
The following is taken from Le Grand-République:
In 1120, the Kingdom of France was a fragile place. It had suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of England in 1087, and had suffered several republican revolts. Not only that, constant intrigue between the nobles in an attempt to dethrone the king had caused Philippe to become very suspicious, leading to his policy of executing anyone who dared disagree with him. Perhaps because of Philippe’s iron rule, this area of French history is known as Règne de Fer or the Reign of Iron.
The Reign of Iron came to an end in the late 1120s, with Philippe’s death at the age of 68. With the death of Philippe, the dead king’s incompetent son, Louis VI came to power, prompting the underground republican movement to resurface again, this time aided by the nobles, many of who favored a noble republic. With support from the nobles, the peasants, under Jean Facet, waged unofficial war against Louis VI for nearly four years. In 1124, King Louis VI moved the French capital from Paris to Bordeaux. The nobility then preceded to vote that Theobald II, Duke of Champagne, become the new French king. Louis VI, in opposition to the new French king, crowned himself king of Aquitaine, creating the Kingdom of France and Occitania, which would eventually be shortened to just the Kingdom of Occitania.
France in 1124.
With Theobald crowned King Theobald I, the peasants assumed that they would be given more rights. Instead, what they received was a knife to the back, as King Theobald I preceded to kill any peasants who had joined the republican cause. Once more, Jean Facet took to the battlefields with his armies of peasants. Despite facing unrest at home, Theobald I is forced by the French nobility into war with Britannia over Normandy and Flanders. The war takes less than two months, as Emperor Harold I quickly takes Paris and Orleans, killing Theobald, who becomes the last king of France. Instead of sacking Paris and Orleans, Harold instead invites Facet to Paris and helps the peasants secure the French government for themselves. The new republic votes Facet as their first Magistrate, and, with Harold’s help, purges the republic of any loyalist to the old monarchy. In his famous play Harold I, English poet and play writer William Shakespeare, quotes Harold saying, “I can find no more fitting punishment for the French than letting them be ruled by a pack of rioters,” as the Emperor leaves Paris for Britannia. Only later would Harold’s decendents regret his decision in France.
Last edited:
Good chapter
Just so you know, the last sentence of your chapter, "Harold’s ancestors regret his choice in France", should be descendant, instead of ancestors.
Sometime, Pope needs to be taught a lesson It would be better to have a great influence in the Church than being a lord of a small pond/having to fighting the Church as well. Beside, do Emperor really need more burden? Let pope exhausts himself in leading the Chruch and Emperor reaping the benefits It is also time for Emperor to remind the Pope that he is a shephard, not a lord. The lord is Emperor.
Horray, Occitania is free of France... well sorta with the French royals ruling Occitania. Time for the Occitan to break away fully from the French nobility and gain their own local oppressors, shall be they nobles or people
Just so you know, the last sentence of your chapter, "Harold’s ancestors regret his choice in France", should be descendant, instead of ancestors.
Sometime, Pope needs to be taught a lesson
It would be better to have a great influence in the Church than being a lord of a small pond/having to fighting the Church as well. Beside, do Emperor really need more burden? Let pope exhausts himself in leading the Chruch and Emperor reaping the benefits It is also time for Emperor to remind the Pope that he is a shephard, not a lord. The lord is Emperor.Horray, Occitania is free of France... well sorta with the French royals ruling Occitania. Time for the Occitan to break away fully from the French nobility and gain their own local oppressors, shall be they nobles or people
Why regret?
Forcing the enemy to become a republic is a mighty rule of 'divide et impera' policy.
Forcing the enemy to become a republic is a mighty rule of 'divide et impera' policy.
@ Zhai- Thanks for catching my mistake. Of course, Microsoft Word should of caught it for me.
@ Enewald- I don't want to spoil what the future holds, so you'll just have to wait and see.
@ Enewald- I don't want to spoil what the future holds, so you'll just have to wait and see.
The following is taken from The New Vikings: England and the Viking Revival:
Emperor Sigeric I, the Civilized.
1128 was a monumental year for Britannia: Emperor Harold I finally died and the throne was passed on to his son, King Sigeric of Sweden. Historians generally agree that with Sigeric’s rise to the throne, Britannia took on a more civilized face, earning Emperor Sigeric I the moniker, the Civilized.
From an early age, Sigeric had been immersed in the arts of diplomacy, and had even taken several trips to the Eastern Roman Empire as the king of Sweden, all in attempts to foster good relations with the powerful empire. While on these trips, Sigeric had seen and experienced what civilization had to offer, and became determined to bring it to Britannia when he took the throne.
When the Witan convened in London to choose Harold’s successor, the Papacy attempted to get the Witan to choose Ceowulf as the successor, going so far as to threaten to revoke the imperial crown that had been given to Harold if Ceowulf wasn’t chosen as the next Emperor. Upon hearing what the Papacy was trying to do, Sigeric gathered up his most trusted guards and sailed for England. Upon his arrival in London, he made it clear to the Witan that if they chose Ceowulf, they would pay for their choice with their lives. With the Witan under his control, Sigeric then proceeded to force the Archbishop of Canterbury to crown him the next Emperor of Britannia, in clear defiance with Papal wishes. The Pope condemned Sigeric’s actions, and called for the Catholic kings of Europe to remove the usurper. Fortunately for Sigeric, none of the kings of Europe were in any position to threaten him; France and Occitania were busy with each other, the Holy Roman Empire was fighting yet another civil war, and the Iberian nations were fighting over who owned Seville. In one last gesture of defiance to Sigeric’s rule, the Pope refused to recognize Sigeric as the legitimate Emperor of Britannia, something that would continue until the Reformation.
Sigeric’s first action as the new emperor was to strip the Witan of the right to choose the next emperor, leaving them only with the right to confirm the next emperor, claiming it was a move to stop outside interference, particularly Papal interference. Sigeric then named his first son, Ceowulf, his chosen successor. It should surprise no one that the nobility of Britannia, deeply rooted in tradition, didn’t like the idea of the Witan as nothing more than a rubber stamp. But Sigeric had already thought of a plan to appease them: the institution of the feudal contract. The feudal system had taken root not only in southern Europe, but also the Eastern Roman Empire, where Sigeric had witnessed it at work. Sigeric was not only impressed by it, but also felt it was the first step to becoming a truly civilized nation, and had instituted it as soon as he returned to Sweden. And now he was bringing it to Britannia. The nobility was impressed by the clear and simple language it employed to spell out the obligations between the king and his vassals. With the feudal system now in place, the nobility was willing to turn a blind eye to what Sigeric had done to the Witan.
Emperor Sigeric I, the Civilized.
1128 was a monumental year for Britannia: Emperor Harold I finally died and the throne was passed on to his son, King Sigeric of Sweden. Historians generally agree that with Sigeric’s rise to the throne, Britannia took on a more civilized face, earning Emperor Sigeric I the moniker, the Civilized.
From an early age, Sigeric had been immersed in the arts of diplomacy, and had even taken several trips to the Eastern Roman Empire as the king of Sweden, all in attempts to foster good relations with the powerful empire. While on these trips, Sigeric had seen and experienced what civilization had to offer, and became determined to bring it to Britannia when he took the throne.
When the Witan convened in London to choose Harold’s successor, the Papacy attempted to get the Witan to choose Ceowulf as the successor, going so far as to threaten to revoke the imperial crown that had been given to Harold if Ceowulf wasn’t chosen as the next Emperor. Upon hearing what the Papacy was trying to do, Sigeric gathered up his most trusted guards and sailed for England. Upon his arrival in London, he made it clear to the Witan that if they chose Ceowulf, they would pay for their choice with their lives. With the Witan under his control, Sigeric then proceeded to force the Archbishop of Canterbury to crown him the next Emperor of Britannia, in clear defiance with Papal wishes. The Pope condemned Sigeric’s actions, and called for the Catholic kings of Europe to remove the usurper. Fortunately for Sigeric, none of the kings of Europe were in any position to threaten him; France and Occitania were busy with each other, the Holy Roman Empire was fighting yet another civil war, and the Iberian nations were fighting over who owned Seville. In one last gesture of defiance to Sigeric’s rule, the Pope refused to recognize Sigeric as the legitimate Emperor of Britannia, something that would continue until the Reformation.
Sigeric’s first action as the new emperor was to strip the Witan of the right to choose the next emperor, leaving them only with the right to confirm the next emperor, claiming it was a move to stop outside interference, particularly Papal interference. Sigeric then named his first son, Ceowulf, his chosen successor. It should surprise no one that the nobility of Britannia, deeply rooted in tradition, didn’t like the idea of the Witan as nothing more than a rubber stamp. But Sigeric had already thought of a plan to appease them: the institution of the feudal contract. The feudal system had taken root not only in southern Europe, but also the Eastern Roman Empire, where Sigeric had witnessed it at work. Sigeric was not only impressed by it, but also felt it was the first step to becoming a truly civilized nation, and had instituted it as soon as he returned to Sweden. And now he was bringing it to Britannia. The nobility was impressed by the clear and simple language it employed to spell out the obligations between the king and his vassals. With the feudal system now in place, the nobility was willing to turn a blind eye to what Sigeric had done to the Witan.
Bah, another kingdom dies when a foolish monarch arises.
Feudal contract is the damnatiom of freedom.
Feudal contract is the damnatiom of freedom.
Oh yes you gotta love feudalism (unless your a peasant or commoner of course )! Nice to see how Sigeric dealt with that impertinent pope. The emperors of Britain don't need no stinking roman bishops telling them what to do!
~Lord Valentine~
)! Nice to see how Sigeric dealt with that impertinent pope. The emperors of Britain don't need no stinking roman bishops telling them what to do!~Lord Valentine~
@ Enewald- What, it was only Sweden.
@ Lord Valentine- And now we see the violence inherent to the system! And, I must agree, the Pope is annoying, what with his pointy hat and ring of the fisherman.
@ Lord Valentine- And now we see the violence inherent to the system! And, I must agree, the Pope is annoying, what with his pointy hat and ring of the fisherman.
The following is taken from Ireland: A Practical History:
Ireland in 1129 was divided between several small duchies, each of which fought the others for control of the island. It was these internal struggles that would allow Emperor Sigeric I to conquer Ireland easily. Upon taking the throne in 1128, Sigeric entered talks with the dukes of Munster and Connacht to discuss the growing threat of the duchy of Leinster to their independence.
Ireland in 1129.
In 1127, the duke of Leinster had waged several wars of aggression against the counts that had controlled the Ulster area, and in 1129 had added the title of Ulster to his list of titles. Afraid that they would be next, the two dukes agreed to support an English invasion of Ulster in an effort to free the area from the duchy of Leinster. On New Years Day, 1130, Sigeric I declared war on the duchy of Leinster and proceeded to invade it, with the support of the duchies of Munster and Connacht.
Leinster fell in short order, and the duke was forced to give up the title of Duke of Ulster to Sigeric I. Sigeric then gave the title to his fourteen year old son, Ceowulf, and set up the Free Duchy of Ulster, fulfilling his agreement with Munster and Connacht to create a free Ulster.
Duke Ceowulf, under his father’s guidance, then contacted the duke of Munster, offering an alliance against Connacht, against whom Ceowulf had claims. Munster, sensing a chance to expand its own holdings, agreed. In 1132, on Ceowulf’s sixteenth birthday, war was declared between the duchies of Ulster and Munster against Connacht. Connacht quickly fell, as troops from England poured into Ulster to aid Ceowulf in his war. Less than a month later, the lands of Connacht were added to Ulster, and Sigeric’s plan became clear to both the remaining dukes: Sigeric planned on placing Ceowulf on the throne of Ireland.
Ireland in 1132.
Realizing his folly in allying with Ulster, the duke of Munster broke the alliance and instead allied with Leinster in a futile attempt to ward off England backed Ulster. It did them not one bit of good, as in 1135, Ceowulf, backed by Sigeric, declared war on Munster, forcing Leinster to declare war on Ulster. English and Welsh troops set sail from Wales for Leinster, while Irish troops under Anglo-Saxon generals bit into Munster.
The war lasted little more than three months, and the dukes of Munster and Leinster were forced to give their lands over to Ceowulf, who, with English gold, revived the old title of High King of Ireland.
Ireland in 1129 was divided between several small duchies, each of which fought the others for control of the island. It was these internal struggles that would allow Emperor Sigeric I to conquer Ireland easily. Upon taking the throne in 1128, Sigeric entered talks with the dukes of Munster and Connacht to discuss the growing threat of the duchy of Leinster to their independence.
Ireland in 1129.
In 1127, the duke of Leinster had waged several wars of aggression against the counts that had controlled the Ulster area, and in 1129 had added the title of Ulster to his list of titles. Afraid that they would be next, the two dukes agreed to support an English invasion of Ulster in an effort to free the area from the duchy of Leinster. On New Years Day, 1130, Sigeric I declared war on the duchy of Leinster and proceeded to invade it, with the support of the duchies of Munster and Connacht.
Leinster fell in short order, and the duke was forced to give up the title of Duke of Ulster to Sigeric I. Sigeric then gave the title to his fourteen year old son, Ceowulf, and set up the Free Duchy of Ulster, fulfilling his agreement with Munster and Connacht to create a free Ulster.
Duke Ceowulf, under his father’s guidance, then contacted the duke of Munster, offering an alliance against Connacht, against whom Ceowulf had claims. Munster, sensing a chance to expand its own holdings, agreed. In 1132, on Ceowulf’s sixteenth birthday, war was declared between the duchies of Ulster and Munster against Connacht. Connacht quickly fell, as troops from England poured into Ulster to aid Ceowulf in his war. Less than a month later, the lands of Connacht were added to Ulster, and Sigeric’s plan became clear to both the remaining dukes: Sigeric planned on placing Ceowulf on the throne of Ireland.
Ireland in 1132.
Realizing his folly in allying with Ulster, the duke of Munster broke the alliance and instead allied with Leinster in a futile attempt to ward off England backed Ulster. It did them not one bit of good, as in 1135, Ceowulf, backed by Sigeric, declared war on Munster, forcing Leinster to declare war on Ulster. English and Welsh troops set sail from Wales for Leinster, while Irish troops under Anglo-Saxon generals bit into Munster.
The war lasted little more than three months, and the dukes of Munster and Leinster were forced to give their lands over to Ceowulf, who, with English gold, revived the old title of High King of Ireland.
Finland, 1141
Sigeric shivered, despite the heavy coat he wore to protect him from the elements. It was the winter of 1141, and Finland was not a nice place to be.
Sigeric cursed the pagan Finns under his breath. The damned heathens had held out longer than he and Marshal Edmund had anticipated. What should’ve been a simple campaign had turned into two years of fighting. Instead of falling over against the vast power of the Empire, the Finns had put aside their differences and joined together to drive out the Anglo-Saxons.
It had started out so good too, though Sigeric. He’d been riding high after instituting the feudal system, and had convinced his Norse vassals to support him in what he assured them would be a quick war against the Finns to the east. And it had looked to be quick; the Finns fought each other almost as much as they fought the Anglo-Saxon invaders. But somehow, they’d dragged the war out until the winter. The winter. It had destroyed the unprepared Norse armies. Disease and attrition, combined with regular raids by the Finns destroyed Sigeric’s armies and left Sweden and Norway open for invasion by the Finns. The moment the Finns touched Norwegian and Swedish soil, Sigeric’s Norse vassals made peace with the Finns. Worse still, the traitorous dukes had gotten together and voted that Olaf Stenkilsätten the new king of Norway-Sweden. It seemed Olaf had connections to both the Stenkilsätten dynasty and the dead Yngling dynasty, and was seen by many as the true ruler of both Norway and Sweden.
Sigeric ordered the mobilization of every soldier in the Empire, while ordering the loyal Danish troops to hold their ground at all cost. To everyone’s surprise, the Danes were able to beat back several superior Norwegian and Swedish forces before finally being defeated after their supplies of food and water ran out. But they had done the Empire a great service: they’d forced Olaf the Traitor to focus on them while Sigeric prepared the invasion force.
Campaign map of the War of the Traitors. Red arrows are Flemish/Friesian soldiers sweeping into Denmark and up into Norway. Purple arrows are Anglo-Saxon/Scottish troops coming down from Scotland and into Norway. The green arrow is a Flemish/Friesian/Scottish/Anglo-Saxon army moving into Sweden.
Olaf had seemed surprised when he’d come to England seeking peace with the Empire and Sigeric had refused him.
“We demand the crown of Denmark and that you give up your unrightful claims on Norway-Sweden,” said Olaf.
“Never!” Sigeric had yelled, pounding his fist on the wooden table, “Norway and Sweden rightfully belong to the Empire of Britannia! They are my inheritance!”
“We have driven you out of not only Norway-Sweden, but also Denmark! How could you hope to stop us now?”
“The Empire, Olaf, is vast and strong,” said Sigeric with exaggerated patience, “I have the power to call on hundreds of thousands of troops. I have the finances to continue waging war on you and the rebellious dukes. We shall see who breaks first.”
And, two months later, Sigeric marched back into Denmark and pushed the traitors out, bringing the loyal Denmark back into the Empire. Nearly five months after Olaf had offered peace, Sigeric was looking the traitor in the eyes, saying the words, “Kill the bastard.”
The old dukes of Norway and Sweden were hung for treason, and loyal Anglo-Saxon and Danish dukes were put in charge. But, the Empire was still at war with the Finnish tribes.
And thus, two years after war was declared on the Finns, Anglo-Saxon troops once again crossed into Finland, this time with the intent of actually winning. And so, here was Sigeric, sitting on his horse in this disgusting wasteland, contemplating the years that had brought him up to this point.
“Sir,” said Marshal Edmund, forcing Sigeric back into the real world once again, “the heathens, they have broken. I really think that this may be what we were waiting for. I think the heathens are splintered!”
Sigeric wouldn’t have paid two cents for what Marshal Edmund thought; the man clearly had no grasp of strategy, but he was the best the Empire had to offer. Still, maybe just this once he’d get something right. Stranger things had happened, after all.
Sigeric shivered, despite the heavy coat he wore to protect him from the elements. It was the winter of 1141, and Finland was not a nice place to be.
Sigeric cursed the pagan Finns under his breath. The damned heathens had held out longer than he and Marshal Edmund had anticipated. What should’ve been a simple campaign had turned into two years of fighting. Instead of falling over against the vast power of the Empire, the Finns had put aside their differences and joined together to drive out the Anglo-Saxons.
It had started out so good too, though Sigeric. He’d been riding high after instituting the feudal system, and had convinced his Norse vassals to support him in what he assured them would be a quick war against the Finns to the east. And it had looked to be quick; the Finns fought each other almost as much as they fought the Anglo-Saxon invaders. But somehow, they’d dragged the war out until the winter. The winter. It had destroyed the unprepared Norse armies. Disease and attrition, combined with regular raids by the Finns destroyed Sigeric’s armies and left Sweden and Norway open for invasion by the Finns. The moment the Finns touched Norwegian and Swedish soil, Sigeric’s Norse vassals made peace with the Finns. Worse still, the traitorous dukes had gotten together and voted that Olaf Stenkilsätten the new king of Norway-Sweden. It seemed Olaf had connections to both the Stenkilsätten dynasty and the dead Yngling dynasty, and was seen by many as the true ruler of both Norway and Sweden.
Sigeric ordered the mobilization of every soldier in the Empire, while ordering the loyal Danish troops to hold their ground at all cost. To everyone’s surprise, the Danes were able to beat back several superior Norwegian and Swedish forces before finally being defeated after their supplies of food and water ran out. But they had done the Empire a great service: they’d forced Olaf the Traitor to focus on them while Sigeric prepared the invasion force.
Campaign map of the War of the Traitors. Red arrows are Flemish/Friesian soldiers sweeping into Denmark and up into Norway. Purple arrows are Anglo-Saxon/Scottish troops coming down from Scotland and into Norway. The green arrow is a Flemish/Friesian/Scottish/Anglo-Saxon army moving into Sweden.
Olaf had seemed surprised when he’d come to England seeking peace with the Empire and Sigeric had refused him.
“We demand the crown of Denmark and that you give up your unrightful claims on Norway-Sweden,” said Olaf.
“Never!” Sigeric had yelled, pounding his fist on the wooden table, “Norway and Sweden rightfully belong to the Empire of Britannia! They are my inheritance!”
“We have driven you out of not only Norway-Sweden, but also Denmark! How could you hope to stop us now?”
“The Empire, Olaf, is vast and strong,” said Sigeric with exaggerated patience, “I have the power to call on hundreds of thousands of troops. I have the finances to continue waging war on you and the rebellious dukes. We shall see who breaks first.”
And, two months later, Sigeric marched back into Denmark and pushed the traitors out, bringing the loyal Denmark back into the Empire. Nearly five months after Olaf had offered peace, Sigeric was looking the traitor in the eyes, saying the words, “Kill the bastard.”
The old dukes of Norway and Sweden were hung for treason, and loyal Anglo-Saxon and Danish dukes were put in charge. But, the Empire was still at war with the Finnish tribes.
And thus, two years after war was declared on the Finns, Anglo-Saxon troops once again crossed into Finland, this time with the intent of actually winning. And so, here was Sigeric, sitting on his horse in this disgusting wasteland, contemplating the years that had brought him up to this point.
“Sir,” said Marshal Edmund, forcing Sigeric back into the real world once again, “the heathens, they have broken. I really think that this may be what we were waiting for. I think the heathens are splintered!”
Sigeric wouldn’t have paid two cents for what Marshal Edmund thought; the man clearly had no grasp of strategy, but he was the best the Empire had to offer. Still, maybe just this once he’d get something right. Stranger things had happened, after all.
The following is taken from The New Vikings: England and the Viking Revival:
The Great Norse Uprising having failed, Sigeric turned his attention to the Finns. Perhaps because they were pagan, or because they had put up such a fierce resistance, were shown no mercy. Breaking away from the tradition of not slaying civilians and keeping pillaging to a minimum, Sigeric allowed his men to run free. Whole villages were wiped off the map, and the people of Finland were forced to convert to the Catholic faith at the point of a sword. Sigeric's actions against the Finns laid the ground work for an animosity between them and the English, which would help lead to the break up of the Viking Empire, and the decline in English influence.
For his work in Finland, the Finnish people awarded him with the moniker "the Bloody," which he wore with pride. His autocratic policies seemingly confirmed in Finland, Sigeric returned home to England, set on taking even tighter control of the government. His first step was a purge of anyone related to the Norwegian and Swedish houses that had revolted against him. Needless to say, this did not do wonders for his image. After just twenty-five years of rule, he was assassinated in 1153. His son Ceowulf was crowned Emperor Ceowulf I. His rule is generally used to mark the start of what English historians call the "Great Decline."
The Great Norse Uprising having failed, Sigeric turned his attention to the Finns. Perhaps because they were pagan, or because they had put up such a fierce resistance, were shown no mercy. Breaking away from the tradition of not slaying civilians and keeping pillaging to a minimum, Sigeric allowed his men to run free. Whole villages were wiped off the map, and the people of Finland were forced to convert to the Catholic faith at the point of a sword. Sigeric's actions against the Finns laid the ground work for an animosity between them and the English, which would help lead to the break up of the Viking Empire, and the decline in English influence.
For his work in Finland, the Finnish people awarded him with the moniker "the Bloody," which he wore with pride. His autocratic policies seemingly confirmed in Finland, Sigeric returned home to England, set on taking even tighter control of the government. His first step was a purge of anyone related to the Norwegian and Swedish houses that had revolted against him. Needless to say, this did not do wonders for his image. After just twenty-five years of rule, he was assassinated in 1153. His son Ceowulf was crowned Emperor Ceowulf I. His rule is generally used to mark the start of what English historians call the "Great Decline."
Sorry for the lack of updates, but school started and it consumed my life. I hope to start posting proper updates soon.
Hmm, it's hard to earn the name 'bloody' considering the medieval populations of Finland.