It's GOD to WIN a Saxon AAR.....

[Hootieleece]

I just finished the Invasions of England and Subsequent Brother's Revolts as Harold II Godwin.

I had decided to take up Sleight of Hand's challenge.

I am new to AAR writing and screenshot posting.So this will be a learn as I go and No Frills experience..


Stamford Bridge Start. Normal, SOI and LOR DLC's.(So Retinues will be available)

House Rules:No Reloads,(except if game freezes on me,then restart with last Autosave)

No Educating Children myself..to give a little more challenge.

Only Marry Heirs to Princess level girls or landed Duchesses that make Sense.(regardless of stats)

Younger Sons:to landed heiresses if possible.......using early betrothal.

Eldest Daughter Matrilinearally if there is no male heir after 3 kids....

GOAL: Unite the British Isles under a SAXON Hegemony led by the House of Godwin.
and play until...1453.

Any other House Rules will be taken under advisement.

I will start actually posting in a few hours.

WARNING:IMAGE HEAVY!

 

[DensleyBlair]

Hooray - a Saxon AAR! I shall be following carefully

 

[Hootieleece]

Since I am having problems with Imageshack (and remembering to pause and take screenshots) I will start the Story Now and edit the screenshots in later.



CHAPTER I :The Invasions and Brothers Revolts.......


We start the game on 9/15/1066.Harold II is in trouble.He is being invaded by two of the best Military Leaders of the time.He is being invaded for his Crown separately bt Harald Hardrada of Norway and Duke William "the Bastard" of Normandy.The English Army has 9300 men and is stationed in Liecester.The Norwegians have landed and are beseiging York.They have slightly more men (9500)than the English.The Normans who haven't loaded onto their ships yet have 11200 men.

Those aren't the only problems facing Harold.On the domestic front.Harold is a new King so his most powerful vassals(who happen to be his Bothers and Brothers in law) dislike him.(some a little, some A lot)Since Harold is not a skilled steward, he currently has more holdings than he can administer efficiently.

To Rectify the administration problem and find some allies, Harold decides to marry his eldest son and Heir to Urraca Jimena of Aragon(She has the best overall stats of Princess Brides).After the wedding, He makes Godwine,Earl of Devon.His Second Son,Eadmund is married to the Kaiser's sister Adelhied.This is important because We are in need of his help to WIN these Wars.After wedding Eadmund is made Earl of Wiltshire.We call on the Kaiser to join us in our Wars, to our delight He answers the Call to Arms.

Harold's sister Gytha is married to the King of Navarra.Margret of Wessex is matrilinearally married to a Spanish Knight named Sancho, who joins the court.

The Normans land in Middlesex and start the seige.King Harold calls for all the ships of the realm be called up and gather off the Kentish Coast.The Army marchess from its starting spot to Norfolk.Once in Norfolk the Army is split up. (only enough boats for 7500 men) The larger part of the army boards the boats and then heads for Norways capital.
After it is dropped off the fleet returns and picks up the other part of the Army.Then they head for Haralds other Holding the Faroes Islands.

The english are waiting on the Kaiser gathering his Armies.We are going on the offensive against the Norwegians because their fleet and holdings are far enough away that the won't be able to defeat us before the Germans arrive.

1066,1067,1068 are Seiges and assaults by both sides.England takes all the holdings in Harald Hardrada's personal counties.

Many english holdings are in the hands of the invaders.....in late 1068, German troops arrive on our shores and start beseiging the invaders. The English army has taken losses(it has about 7000 men) but is still a significant force. The Germans have 2 main stacks of 7500 and 5000 men.The Norwegians have about 10,000 men and Normans the same.

The Norwegians and Normans meet in battle.......the Norwegians WIN with minimal losses.They then attack the bigger of the 2 German Armies. At first the battle goes their way but after some hard marching the English army releives the Germans and win a devastating victory over the Norwegians.Unfortunately Harold's son Eadmund dies in Battle.After that the war becomes chasing down the remnants of the two invading armies and seiging the captured holdings.Even after winning resounding victories in the Field and having No town under enemy occupation.Neither Invader wants to surrender to the English. In fact Norway calls his ally Denmark into the War.Since it is closer and the Norwegians have done nothing about England occuppying their Capital. England crosses the channel and starts beseiging Rouen.After Taking Rouen and Lillebonne, the Bastard surrenders in Dec 1069.English Army is loaded on boats and beseiges a few more holdings in Norway.finally in Dec 1070.Norway surrenders.England is SAFE from Foreign interlopers.





While the war was going on Harold didn't pay too much attention to the plotting of his vassals, with victory won and a failed assasination attempt.Refocused his energies.He dismissed the fleet and let the vassal levies go home.Flush with foreign gold. Harold paid for the Saxon band mercenaries. He made Earl Kadoc leave the Independence faction by making his son Godwine, Duke of Cornwall.Now he had to deal with his brother's and Brothers in law.Harold tried to imprison Morcar of Northumberland for wanting his Brother Eadwin (Lancaster)dead. It failed and He rebelled.King's army with the new mercenaries out matched Morcar's forces.I pitched batte and a few castle assaults and Morcar surrenders and is imprisoned.Harold revokes the county of york from Morcar and gives it to the Spanish Knight Sancho.

Next on the list Leofwine,the steward.He starts plotting for the throne. Harold tries to imprison it fails Leofwine rebels.Rinse repeat last Campaign.Leofwine is imprisoned.

Finally Harold's other Brother in law,Eadwin is plotting mischief.He wants a county belonging to his imprisoned Brother Morcar.Harold tries to imprison him he escapes and rebels.Rinse Repeat of last campaign.Only difference is that while war is going on Harold creates a Housecarls unit.since He realizes that he can't keep the mercenaries on the payroll forever.



HOUSERULE:I Will not create more Retinue units than I have holdings in personal desmesne.Currently I'm using 90% of retinue cap on the one Houscarls unit.

Now that all the major Vassals are in the dungeon where they can do no harm.Harold will start reorganizing the Kingdom.(Because well organized de jure dukes equal stable realm)

He releases lowborn prisoners to seem merciful.



He revokes Duchy of Gloucester from Eadwin of Lancaster.He makes his brother Wulfnoth (who he made Earl of Wiltshire previously)the new Duke.

The next move is found to be tyrannical but necessarry.He banishes Duke Leofwine of Kent.Netting 200 gold and the duchy.Which Harold keeps for himself.He then passes out the three counties of the duchy of Somerset.He gives county of Winchester to Eadgar Eadmundson of Wessex.(Thus giving him back his ancestral home) and Dorset to Thorold of Bolingbroke. The county of Somerset is given to Hacon Sveynson, the Chancellor.





The rest of Harold's reign is pretty quiet.....a few Wars against the Baltic Pagans....Never need to send any troops by the time we get there war is over.

Harold dies August 30, 1079.Having saved England from foreigners.

Any tips on storytelling will be appreciated.

 

[DensleyBlair]

Very nice so far. I'll reserve any more comments until the pictures are in

Keep it coming!

 

[Hootieleece]

how do I get the big sceenshots everyone else seem to get?

 

[DensleyBlair]

how do I get the big sceenshots everyone else seem to get?

I'm afraid I'm not sure, although you could try searching the forums for help

 

[BogMod]

What I do is use your regular F12 to screenshot off steam, copy the pictures somewhere, alter with paint to the sive you want. Remember, not too big I think 700ish is about the max size you want. Then use photobucket to load the pictures online, use the image link there.

 

[Hootieleece]

Chapter II

THE REIGN OF GODWINE I (1079-1113)

A new King ascends the Throne:
<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/818/kinggodwine.png/'><img src='http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/3525/kinggodwine.png' border='0'/></a><br>Uploaded with <a target='_blank' href='http://imageshack.us'>ImageShack.us</a>

As you can see He isn't the best King......but he will have to do.....His son Prince Earled is much better.

Here is His Council after some adjustments........getting rid of the rubes from Devonshire.....

http://imageshack.us/a/img812/9088/kinggodwinescouncil.png

One of the first things King Godwine does is to release his Uncle Morcar from the dungeon........Morcar is relatively safe vassal since he's happy with his lot in life.

King Godwine decides he doesn't want to live in dreary devonshire anymore and looks for a suitable Saxon replacement as duke of Cornwall......
He finds one in (Cousin)Harold de Valois whom he hurriedly marries to Wulfryth and as wedding gift he hands over Devonshire and duchy of Cornwall.(He doesn't have to deal with that pain in the as Earl Kadoc anymore)

Chancellor Hacon dies in early January 1080 and is replaced by Duke Morcar.(Godwine is noticing a severe lack of talent among the Saxon Nobility)

King Godwine answers the Call to arms by Phillipe Capet to fight against Elective Monarchy.The Call comes too late.......War ends with Victorious Rebels before English Army can fight a Battle.

In other Important News Prince Earlred is betrothed to Kaiser Heinrich's eldest daughter Princess Winfrida.Thus keeping the alliance going.

Not much Happens England is at peace......in Jan of 1083.I decide some more vassal reorganization is necessary.Duke Morcar has county of Westmoreland as his Capital, it should belong to duchy of Lancaster.Godwine starts a plot to revoke it.....no one supports plot just yet.
Somehow after a few months....Three of the other Dukes decide it is a good idea....Waltheof of Oxford,Harold of Cornwall,and my Uncle Wulfnoth of Gloucester.
Morcar is sent an offer he can't refuse.....and accepts....Westmoreland becomes Godwine's.
I make one of the dispossessed rube's from Devonshire the new Earl, and immediately transfer him to Duchess Aelfwyn of Lancaster.
http://imageshack.us/a/img703/1236/leofwineplot.png
Not long afterwards I find out banished uncle Leofwine wants Uncle Wulfnoth dead.......because he will inherit Gloucester.Since the traitor refuses to end his plot.(He is living Teviotdale)Godwine decides to start a counter plot.....most of the courtier's with some gold decide the old pain in ass needs to die.unfortunately plot power is only 80%.

In other news my son and Heir comes of age.....since he is a much better diplomat than duke Morcar he becomes our new Chancellor.

My Half-sister Aelgifu comes of age, i try to find her a suitable match....I find her Crown Prince Heinrich of the HRE.(It may come to bite me in the ass but can't be grateful enough for help during Invasion)they are betrothed in December of 1083.A double wedding is planned for next spring.

In April, My sister marries Heinrich, and my son marries his sister Winfrida.

soon after the wedding, we get another Call to arms from the Kaiser.These Italian Doges need to be replaced,always wanting their freedom......
the war is a mismatch almost as bad as the old pre-faction system revolts.again revolt is Crushed before English Army arrives.

Next few years are boring and peaceful....King Godwine expands the tax base of his personal desmesne and starts turning Westminster into a proper Fortress.

In early 1087 my second son Harold comes of age, and is married to Duchess(used to be Queen)Maria of Castille.

Another Half-sister Aelfryth comes of age...I quickly marry her off to the Duke of Iceland.

May, 1087 ,My son Earled has a son named Osric and soon after i have to tell Princess winfrida to stop plotting to Kill me.

In September,Duke Morcar's (Super Duchy) downfall is complete.His vassal the Spanish/Saxon knight Sancho Jimena, who is Earl of York bloodlessly takes the Duchy of York and county of Lincoln from him.I will have to watch closely as he is matrilinearally married to Cristina of Wessex and has a son Eadward Sanchoson who will have a claim to the throne.


Jan. 1088, My Son Prince Hlothere marries Duchess Gunhild of Sleswig.

My legitimized daughter Agathe(Had her with the current Queen before marriage)is betrothed to Duke Kazimiercz of Mazovia.

Bad news......My Son and Heir Earled is murdered while fabricating claims in Gwent.Leaving my 1 year old grandson as my heir.

April 1089, My son Harold dies in Castille,leaving 2 young sons(pretenders) to the throne.

My half brother Baldraed is matrlinearally married to Princess Athanasia Doukas of Byzantine Empire to get his lazy but out of the court.

Jan. 1090 the Pope calls a Crusade for Jerusalem....King Godwine I does nothing the cynical,gluttonous,coward stays home.....several of his vassal dukes answer the call.

Jan. 1091 My son Aelfraed comes of age.He is a decent administrator(Stewardship=13) and not envious or ambitious so I keep him around as a potential steward. He is allowed to marry Princess Maria of Norway.

Octber 1091 goes on a Hunt.It is a disaster I flee from the Stag like the coward I am.
http://imageshack.us/a/img402/7996/newpope.png
December 1092. New Pope,He hates me for many things...including not Crusading. I bribe him, 20 gold to keep people from Excommunicating me.
http://imageshack.us/a/img19/421/osricneedsguardian.png
My Grandson and Heir needs a Guardian.

http://imageshack.us/a/img341/2093/osricguardian.png
I give him over to my Chancellor......The Chancellor is a Grey Eminence with no bad traits.

 

[DensleyBlair]

Sorry, I thought I replied earlier - a nice start. Keep it up

 

[Hootieleece]

I played some more.......mostly boring stuff........(also forgot to take notes and Screenies) but between 1091-1098 not much happened.

Some highlights after that point.

June 1099, County of Cumberland leaves England again through inheritance.The King goes to De Jure War for it and wins.

July 1102, Looking to expand into Wales.King Godwine fights both the Duchy od Deheubarth and County of Glamorgan and wins easily.

May 1103, Osric,the new Heir,comes of age.He is married to Rhodanthe Doukas,Princess of Byzantium.




Jan. 1104,State of the World

The Iberian peninsula is a stalemate,the Christians are surviving.

Most Realms(blobs)seem Stable.........

Fatimids:Caliph from start is still alive.......hopefully he will die soon and explode into Civil War.(Axum and Ethiopia are still around)

Seljuks just got a New Sultan,who is continuing the Invasion of Anatolia.(He is winning)

Shortly after screenshot was taken Byzantine Emperor called us to arms.....He surrender even before we boarded our ships.(which I complained about in Forum)

Seljuks exploded in to Civil War the day after the Byzie War was over.

 

[DensleyBlair]

From the looks of things, you're dominating in Wales. Will you be creating the king title?

 

[Sleight of Hand]

From the looks of things, you're dominating in Wales. Will you be creating the king title?

He'd need to be one of the Celtic cultures in order to do so.

 

[DensleyBlair]

Of course - we can't have these foreigners ruling Cymru!*

*I am half Welsh myself

 

[Sleight of Hand]

The irony being of course that Welsh means foreigner.

 

[DensleyBlair]

The irony being of course that Welsh means foreigner.

Naturally

 

[Hootieleece]

No.I own Wales and plan on Drifting it into England.With the next King(spoiler alert)I'm trying to straghten out the De jure duchy Borders and put a Break up a SuperDuchess.

After That I think I will ........Take over Ireland......or try to marry a Scottish Princess:wub:I must say letting the AI educate kids.....makes things harder.

 

[Hootieleece]

Chapter III

The Rest of Godwine's Reign1104-1113), King Osric's Reign1113-1135)

Dec.1104,Holds a Grand Tournament.My Nephew with a Good claim to throne wins tournament.(He's Eadgar Atheling's Brat)

Oct. 1105, I have a Great Grandson......Named Earled

I inherit the Duchy of Gloucester and County of Wiltshire,When the duke dies heirless.(I had nothing to do with it.)I hand those titles over to my youngest son, Sigeraed.

In 1108, after Fabricating claims on County of Powys,Godwine goes to War with Duchy of Gwynedd.Shortly after the siege is in place.Duchy of Lancaster goes to war with them for County of Gwynedd.

The Lancastrians win their war faster than the King. In March 1109,So to keep Duchess Aelfwynn from amassing another Ducal title, King Godwine hurries to create it.

In July the conquest of Wales is Complete........The Duchy of Gwynedd goes to the Earl of Shrewsbury to start cutting into Duchess Aelfwynn's Powerbase.

Even so she is a force to reckon with........

March 19, 1113. King Godwine I dies........He was known as the "Old"

Here is the New King Osric I. He's a good Diplomat.He will need it in the days to come.

Osric's first order of Business is to start plotting against Duchess Aelfwynn for control of County Gwynedd.(Reasoning she is too much of a threat to Royal power)

The next five years are spent gifting my vassals and feasting......and trying to get the other dukes to support my revocation plans.....

After 5 years.......the plot is powerful enough.....

In february of 1118,she is sent the revocation letter......She chooses War......which was the intention all along....I want her second Duchy title......as well.

The war is a bit of a joke......She does hire the Saxon Band of Mercenaries, but between the Vassal levies, retinue, and 2 mercenary Bands. the King wins easily.

Aelfwynn gives up Gwynedd and righteuosly imprisoned for rebellion and has Duchy of Hereford revoked.She will remain in dungeon for rest of her days......

After that resounding Victory......King Osric decides to revoke County of Essex from the Duke of Norfolk.Starts plotting..........

After several years of Faction wars in Norfolk there is a Duke hated enough by the other vassals to allow me to send a revocation Letter.

He gives it up without a fight.......for his loss,I gift him some money.

In November 1121,Prince Earled comes of Age.....

He's a clerk......He marries Princess Johanne of Denmark.

November 1121,King Osric orders a feast and upgrades the castle village in Essex.

Feb. 1122,

The plot for Revokation of Shrewsbury is powerful enough.King Osric sends a letter.War is declared.Duke Aelfwyn is killed in battle at Hereford.War continues.His Heir Osulf I, is Dutch!

Oct. 1122.Prince Earled has a son Eadgar.The dynasty is assured.

March 1124,King Osric finally receives the County of Shrewsbury.His idiot half brother Aethamar Wake,Earl of Gwynedd starta a War for duchy.

Nov. 1125,
I decide to fight a Excommunication War against King John I of Scotland, to force a female child on to the Throne and create anarchy in that realm.

Jan. 1126,
King Osric becomes possessed.

Aug. 1126,
The pope calls for another Crusade for Jerusalem.

June 1127,
Duchess Aelfwynn of Lancaster dies in prison.Making a mess of Lancaster.(Basically I can't Revoke Hereford)

Aug. 1127,
Prince Saelred is married to Princess Christina of Scotland.(She has weak claim to throne......)

Dec. 1127,
Scottish Excommunication War ends.

March 1128,
Earl Oshere of Wesmoreland and Hereford dies.
His Brother Duke Magnus inherits.Hereford is revoked.I make him Seneschal and gift him to soothe the pain.

March 25, 1128,
We offer to join the Crusade.(King Osric wants an all male vassals bonding experience)

September 1128,

November 1128,
Eadgar needs a guardian.I appoint,my mentor, Mayor Sigaraed of Woking as Guardian.

March 1129,
Fights in a battle at Jerusalem.Since the King and vassals have "bonded".English Army heads home.

May 1129,
Fabricates claim on Dublin.Goes into debt.

June 1129,
takes a loan.

May 1130,
Princess Agatha comes of age. I betroth her to King Kazimierz II of Poland.

July 1130,
King Osric becomes known as "the Bold"

Dec. 1132,
Since I can't revoke the Duchy of Gwynedd from the Dutchman without tyranny.Instead King Osric plots to kill him and then raise his son as a Saxon.

June 1133,
Princess Agatha weds Kazimierz II of Poland.

June 1134,
King Osric doubles the size of the Retinue by adding 3 skirmish units.
Pays off the moneylenders.

August 1135.
King Osric the Bold dies....

 

[DensleyBlair]

Very nicely done with the duchess - and nice to see the English expanding

 

[BogMod]

Good work, glad to see you got the pictures working how you wanted as well.

 

[Hootieleece]

Info update. Now that I have SOME Idea of what I am doing.I will going forward only publish updates after each King's Reign.Also I will narrate in the the first person for prose consistency.I will also give an overview of the World at large at the beginning of Each update.

I added the remainder of King Osric's Reign to the thread above.......

Going Forward the new update syle will start with King Earled I.