INTRODUCTION
In 1066 A.D., Gudrød Crovan ruled the isolated duchy of Western Isles, off the coast of Scotland. The duchy included two larger islands and many smaller ones, some of which were at the time, still unsettled. Although in formal rank, Gunrød was a Duke, he controlled less land and less gold than many of the counties of England or Continental Europe itself.
The Western Isles were isolated by the same rule of geography that kept England itself safe for so long, until the arrival of William of Normandy. Even that momentous event barely registered in the Isles whereas the peasants continued their daily routine and the nobles made only rare comments on the matter. Gudrød cared little for English affairs, as he served King Olaf of Norway instead. His liege had never visited the Isles but had no worries as to Gudrød's loyalty. Olaf's protection served to insulate him from the worries of Scottish and English politics and his liege asked little of Gudrød in return.
But in 1066, Gudrød was only 17 and still learning the ways of leadership. His wife, Maria, was pregnant with his firstborn, and some travellers were arriving in the ports of his duchy. He listened to the news they carried, and discovered many events and marvels from the wider world he'd never known of before. In particular, Magnus Macdubhsithe told him rumors of bows and other military technologies used by England and France that surpassed those the islanders were using.
Gudrød believed his highest priorities at the time were increasing the ducal coffers and serving the Lord as best he could. But he had plans for the future: the Republic of Iceland was an affront to God. This was something he could fix in due time. With no King nor Duke, the Icelanders had subverted the natural way of things. Patience was needed, but at sea that was always the truth.
Table of Contents:
[size=+1]Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Depressions
Part 3: Growing Pains
Part 4: Flame of the West
Part 5: Steps to Power
Part 6: The First of Many
Part 7: Gudmund's Glory[/size]
In 1066 A.D., Gudrød Crovan ruled the isolated duchy of Western Isles, off the coast of Scotland. The duchy included two larger islands and many smaller ones, some of which were at the time, still unsettled. Although in formal rank, Gunrød was a Duke, he controlled less land and less gold than many of the counties of England or Continental Europe itself.
The Western Isles were isolated by the same rule of geography that kept England itself safe for so long, until the arrival of William of Normandy. Even that momentous event barely registered in the Isles whereas the peasants continued their daily routine and the nobles made only rare comments on the matter. Gudrød cared little for English affairs, as he served King Olaf of Norway instead. His liege had never visited the Isles but had no worries as to Gudrød's loyalty. Olaf's protection served to insulate him from the worries of Scottish and English politics and his liege asked little of Gudrød in return.
But in 1066, Gudrød was only 17 and still learning the ways of leadership. His wife, Maria, was pregnant with his firstborn, and some travellers were arriving in the ports of his duchy. He listened to the news they carried, and discovered many events and marvels from the wider world he'd never known of before. In particular, Magnus Macdubhsithe told him rumors of bows and other military technologies used by England and France that surpassed those the islanders were using.
Gudrød believed his highest priorities at the time were increasing the ducal coffers and serving the Lord as best he could. But he had plans for the future: the Republic of Iceland was an affront to God. This was something he could fix in due time. With no King nor Duke, the Icelanders had subverted the natural way of things. Patience was needed, but at sea that was always the truth.
Table of Contents:
[size=+1]Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Depressions
Part 3: Growing Pains
Part 4: Flame of the West
Part 5: Steps to Power
Part 6: The First of Many
Part 7: Gudmund's Glory[/size]
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