Leòn: The Red Lion's Roar.

[Machiavellian]

From the chronicles of Leon. Penned through the ages by the family de Castro.

My name is Lope Alavan de Castro, a minor baron of little consequence in the service of my lord and emperor, King Alfonso VII el Emperador of Leòn. At my suzerain's request, I have been charged with the most honoring task of recording the history of our Kingdom in a fair and clear manner, so that future generations might know how all has come to pass.

While I do not wish to tread where others have already gone in illuminating the past, I shall attempt to sum up more recent events in this first log of the chronicle. The year is 1150 A.D. and the glorious King of Leòn, in an attempt to accomplish his magnificent vision has been forced to go to the powerful italians and jews for loans to fund the Kingdom. It is with this money, the King Alfonso VII has managed to forge a mighty alliance of Catholic Iberia. Not only has Infante Sancho of the vassal lands of Castile joined, but through sound reasoning and inspiring leadership my King has convinced Ramon Berenguer IV of Aragon, the Brilliant Gartzia Vi Berrezarlea of Navarra, and even Raimon V of Toulouse to set aside their differences and join together in brotherhood and alliance.

It is my lords hope that this powerful alliance will be able to free Iberia from the clutches of the fearsome Mohammodan scourge. You may wonder why I did not mention of the Kingdom of Portugal. This is simply because their are complications in that region. Portugal is rightfully the domain of Leòn, yet through treachery and guile over the last fifty or so years, the land has become hostile to our Kingdom and currently King Afonso Henriques refuses to see reason and return to his status as Vassal of the crown of Leòn.


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This is my first attempt at writing a Mongol Empire scenario. With its growing popularity and the intial success of my game with Leòn I have decided to write this. I am uncertain as to the direction I want to take with this and I will probably just take a direct, AAR style approach with it. This is my second game In MES, the first being as Holland and not really being as entertaining as this.

Some game notes. This is beta two, but not the new patch. I am using EU version 1.07 with the nov 26 beta. The difficulty is set on Normal and the AI Aggressiveness on Furious. Also, I will probably be making random decisions during the game and 'playing' as various characters, as I find it provides some entertainment for me while doing so. This will not be a world conquest attempt, though I shall obviously try to free Iberia. I am unsure where, if I am successful, where I will go from there.

 

[Amric]

You are planning on finishing the Hungary story aren't you?

 

[Machiavellian]

Yes. I actually made a comment about that In the BAAR and added an update to the Double Cross and the Golden Bull today right before I started this small thread. Go check it out if you'd like.

 

[unmerged(8606)]

Excellent, Machiavellian !! I'm looking forward to read your updates !!

 

[unmerged(12798)]

Me too!!! Let's see how you handle the Reconquista

 

[nalivayko]

subscribed good luck, I see you still can't get enough of the mongol scenario? On the other hand, who can?

 

[Alexandru H.]

The Mongolian Scenario is the best EU2 Mod...without any doubts...it takes care of an interesting period in medieval history with high professionalism and new features. The events are the best and the support excellent...

And this AAR is quite promising

 

[unmerged(8606)]

The Mongolian Scenario is the best EU2 Mod...without any doubts...it takes care of an interesting period in medieval history with high professionalism and new features. The events are the best and the support excellent...

With comments like that we are even more willing to keep improving the mod and adding new features

 

[Machiavellian]

Journal entry: 5 August, 1150 A.D.

My King has revealed to me his plans of the coming years. Rather than tackle the dangerous muslim kingdom of southern Iberia, he instead wishes to bring an end to the constant fueding and dissention among the various catholic lords and kings of the north. In order to do so, he wishes to break down the order and rebuild it under one central figure, namely and approprietly himself. It is his desire to make the other Catholic kings understand the need of this and swear fealty to him and his ambitious plan, only then can they successfully defeat the feared islamic horde.

Journal entry: 12 September, 1150 A.D.

At my lords request, a rival of mine, Baron Marianos Gabbista, met with the King of Navarra and made an attempt to bring Navarra under the King of Leòn vassalage. It seemed however that Baron Gabbista could not persuade the shrewd Basque King of the necessity for this. Despite this minor setback, I believe my noble liege Alfonso VII will still move forward with his plan, after all King Gartzia VI is an old man. I myself have just returned from Rome after speaking with several leading figures of the church. Despite my Kings intention of holy crusade against the muslim forces, the church seemed cold and distant. Hopefully this can be repaired in the future.

Journal entry: 5 January, 1151 A.D.

With this newest account I record a most sucessful new year. Despite a minor revolt from some muslim backed nobles that was crushed in december, the winter months passed quietly in Leòn. This was not true everywhere on Iberia. The most honourable Gartzia VI Berrezariea of Navarra, passed away in december to be succeeded by Santxo VI. I will not speak ill of the Navarran King, but he was not half the man Gartzia was. This proved well enough for Leòn and my King, for by the hatching of this new year I myself was able to convince the young Basque king to swear fealty to the crown of Leòn and the awesome will of Alfonso VII el Emperador. My liege has made it clear that Raimon V of Toulouse must be the next to understand the necessity of the crowns all being united together and has charged me with making sure this most holy union comes to pass.

Journal entry: 1 August, 1153

I write this newest entry from the comfort of a private suite in the capitol of Toulouse. After having been turned down in march, Raimon V has finally been made to see reason and accepted to swear fealty to my King Alfonso under the condition that he not interfere overtly in the affairs of Toulouse. While several minor wars have been fought to the north, the Leònese policy remains one devoutly focused on Iberia. Let gaul settle its own affairs. I shall be returning to Leòn within a fortnight and pray that my travel will be without peril.

Journal entry: 11 December, 1154

The King is most pleased with my recent success in his service and has taken me more fully into his confidence. It seems that war is unavoidable in the future and it makes me sad to say that we shall be battling fellow catholics and countrymen if this dispute can not be settled with diplomacy. King Afonso Henriques of Portugal refuses to return to the service of the Leònese crown and my King makes it clear that with such a situation gaining the fealty of the powerful Aragon will be neigh impossible. To make the situation even more difficult is the growing power of the Plantagenets in the north. The court has been buzzing with news since England and Anjou fused together on 26 October. We hope to avoid conflict with the haughty Plantagenets, but one can never know the mind of such unsavoury individuals.

Perhaps the only truly good news I can offer into this account is that our loans have been repaid, leaving the treasury with little more than sixteen bars of gold, but debt free. I also humbly atest to having my own fortune enhanced, being elevated to the status of Viscount for my loyal service.

 

[Machiavellian]

Journal entry: 2 January, 1156 A.D.

It has finally happened. King Alfonso VII el Emperador of Leòn, Suzerain of the Kingdom of Navarra, Castile and Toulouse, has declared war on the usurper King Alfonso Henriques of Portugal. I myself have been ordered to accompany my King on the battlefield and we ride at first light on the morrow.

Journal entry: 21 January, 1156 A.D.

I have just borne witness to an event that does not happen often and one that will no doubt shape the history of future generations. At Oporto the armies of Leòn and Portugal met. It would shame me to discredit either one, for both were bristling with honourable catholic soldiers fighting for a king in which they swore their service. At the head of each army was a King and as the two stared across the field at each other on the 17th, I am certain they were filled with excitement, eager to test the others mettle. The battle lasted three days. Alfonso I of Portugal fought well enough, but he could not match the fury of the King of Leòn, aged as he was, he remained as ever a sight on the battlefield. I counted no less than twenty men felled by my lieges hand alone. Alfonso Henriques had fled with the remains of his army, leaving Oporto to fall to Leòn. Perhaps he has learned that the Kings son, Prince Fernando, marches with his own army for Tago.

Journal entry: 23 November, 1156 A.D.

I write this from the castle in Oporto. The city fell to my King on 15 October and we have remained here, awaiting new forces from the lands of Leòn. This being an internal fued, my King declined the service of his ally Kingdoms. I do however report unfortunate news, just four days passed Prince Fernando was defeated outside of Tago by the Portuguese king. The exact circumstance of the defeat remain unknown to me, as the Prince blames it on unfavourable wind. I do not exactly know what that means, but it is not my place to question the future King of Leòn. My King has ordered his son to await his orders and intends to march on Tago himself. It is the Kings wish to then encourage prince Fernando to strike at the Portuguese army's flank. I am no great warrior myself, but I believe this plan to be quite sound.

Journal entry: 13 April, 1157 A.D.

My Kings plan was brilliant. The battle which began of 20 February lasted six days, with prince Fernando's army arriving mere hours after the King engaged Alfonso Henriques. The knights and soldiers loyal to Henriques were defeated and the portuguese king has thus fled to his castle, of which we now currently seige. Things have unfortunately become more complicated though, as my King seems to have suffered a great many wounds from the conflict and is no longer so young a man. It seems clear that prince Fernado may soon be King.

Journal entry: 5 September, 1157 A.D.

King Alfonso VII el Emperador of Leòn passed away to the arms of our god in heaven above on the 23 August, 1157. With little question, his son was crowned Fernando/Ferdinand II. Though young, my lord seems quite able and in many ways follows the shinning example of his father. Yesterday peace was officially made with Portugal, though they have been defeated before the last King passed on. Alfonso Henriques, though remaining a King in name has sworn fealty to the Leònese crown. He also humbly offered forth fifty bars of Portuguese gold. But most notable perhaps was the return of the lands of Oporto to Leòn.

 

[Alexandru H.]

If no one wants to download the mod after such events, well we'll introduce it into their throats anyways...

 

[Machiavellian]

Journal entry: 1 February, 1165 A.D.

The defeat of Portugal at the hands of Leon seemed to have prompted our southern neighbors into a situation they may have otherwise been more hesitant to adopt. Five years ago, Portugal opened their lands to a new military order known commonly at the Knights Templar. These holy knights have caused the army ranks in Portugal to swell, prompting some worry. Fortunately, our King is able to use such to his advantage finally convincing the Kingdom of Aragon to become a vassal to Leòn in the april of 1161 A.D. The exceptional years that followed made it possible for the events that took place within the last week. With the wedding of the Portuguese King's daughter to the Leònese Count Iohan Alfonso de Masia, relations have been cemented to a point where Portugal has been eager to put the past aside and enter into the grand alliance of Iberia. Now with Kingdoms of Iberia unified under one crown, the great crusade of Reconquista can begin.

Journal entry: 15 June, 1165 A. D.

Portugal and the Templars yesterday declared war upon the Caliphate of Almohad. Reports are still coming in from our allies, but it seems that only Toulouse will be backing out of this fight. While many would hold this against the minor county, I do not as the war against these villains should be settled by the rightful lords of Iberia. I have been drafted to follow my King into battle.

Journal entry: 25 June, 1166 A. D.

Following the stunning victory of the Templars at Algarves, my lord has sought to overshadow them with the capture of Toledo. The muslim hosts have fled to the southern ends of the continent, likely seeking to regather after their defeats. To my own surprise and joy, my King has elevated me to the title of Marquis.

Journal entry: 23 January, 1167 A.D.

We have been robbed of our rightful due. Portugal signs a peace with the Almohads, turning over Andalusia and Algarve to their own King and granting Estramadera to Castile, yet no land has gone to their rightful King and Leòn.

Journal entry: 25 June, 1167 A.D.

My King has founded a new town in Galacia under my watch. This new town, named Ciudad de Castro, approprietly enough will hopefully grow to become a great city one day. I feel it my duty to also report that the Kingdom of Italy has disintigrated into several fractious, city states not even ruled by proper kings. These cities have established that outdated form of governoring known as Republics.

Journal entry: 1 January, 1170 A.D.

It is two great things of which I write of today, the first is more personal to me, but it is still of important historical signifigance. My favorite nephew, Pedro Fernandez de Castro has been choosen by the King to aid in leading the armies of Leòn as General. I see great things in the future for my nephew, already he is to be wed to one of our Kings fair daughters. On a much more vast scope, with the start of this new year the lands of Castile have been officially absorbed into Leòn proper. It seems Ferdinand II was able to bring reason to his brother.

 

[stnylan]

Good so far. The Reconquista getting off to a nice and earl push.

 

[Machiavellian]

From the history of Iberia, an account by Pedro Fernandez de Castro 1170-1174 A.D.​

It is with great sadness that my honourable uncle has passed on from this life. In an act of splendid grace and christian charity, he has left to me all his lands and title. It is for this reason that I seek to continue his works, though perhaps in a slightly different format. With this first entry, I seek to record the events of the past four years in a manner that future historians will find of use. I wish that I had more time on this earth, but the lord above has deemed that my time is at an end, It is my great hope that my relatives will carry on this tradition I lay before them.

Following the death of my uncle, the wealth he left to me was put towards the will of God all mighty. On 13 April, 1170 A.D. I, with the Popes permission, founded the glorious order of Santiago in the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela. Gathering many loyal men under me in this order, we have grown in strength to nearly 2,000 brave christian knights. Our mettle of course was soon tested.

16 July, 1170 Aragon declared war on the Emirate of Murcia, an Islamic nation that found itself already in several wars. All our allies readily agree to bring an end to this threat and further the path of the Reconquista. On 1 August, I led my knights into the land of Valencia against the heathen host. For four long days we fought the enemy, but the power of god was behind us and we won a spectacular victory, routing the enemy. We followed them and won another victory in Murcia, where we stayed to set up seige. In the months of September, October and November the infidel returned, seeking to break our seige. At one point it looked as if they would successful, but as I said we had the workings of God on our side, and when all seemed lost, out of the west King Ferdinand II arrived on a massive charger with a wave of Leonese knights and smashed the enemies flank.

20 June, 1171 A.D. Murcia fell under the complete control of the Leonese, but while we sought to take Valencia for ourselves, we learned that it was under the control of the Almohad's and Ferdinand II did not wish another war with them. For the moment we waited.

That July the Kingdom of England annexed their neighbors to the north the scots, followed with a quick incorporation of the Aquitaine into their growing Empire. In a discussion within one of the captured castles of Valencia, my liege Ferdinand II noted to me the growing danger of England and made it known that he hoped hostilities between christian nations could be avoided. It is my great belief that this will remain so.

3 May, 1172 A.D. the vile King of Murcia passed away. With his death and their nation occupied the muslim 'nobles' offered their nation to the Almohads. This went over smoothly, but with Murcia still in our hands the Almohads could do nothing more. They took control of Valencia and Murcia remained a part of Leon and Catholic Iberia. Three days later, my King met with the King of Navarra and convinced him of the need to join together. Clearly our victory over the Emirate was not complete. Through skillful diplomacy and much riches, the Kingdom of Navarra passed to Ferdinand II, joining our two Kingdoms as one. On the same day, my younger brother Osoro Salvadór de Castro, convinced the counts of Toulouse to once more join with the Iberian alliance under our King. The may of 1172 A.D. was truly a wonderous month, even the harvests were bountiful.

July was when I recieved my new lands and title. My service and the service of our family has so pleased our King that we have been made Dukes of Leon, our lands expanding beyond Galacia. It was not long before the King of Aragon called upon Leon and the other allies in a fight against the Emirate of Baleares. All agree to aid, but with our fleet rather small, our support remains mostly finacial and spirtual.

2nd January 1174 A.D. was a vile day in the history of our world. The Almohads, with no reason other then service to their devil of a god, declared war on our ally Portugal. Yet, Portugal, stubborn and still rather free willed refuses to ask the allies hand in help. I perhaps foolishly pleaded with my King Ferdinand II to allow the Order of Santiago and Leon to enter into the conflict and he agreed to do so. 10 March 1174 A.D. we declared war on the Almohads in reaction to their declaration against Portugal.

This conflict has brought me to my knees however and I fear that it may cost the Kingdom more then just my life, for that I am truly sorry. In April, filled with vigor and enthusiasm I led over seven thousand mounted knights into Valencia, claiming a complete victory over the surprised arab host. These unwanted muslims were killed in droves and all fell before us as he rode. We would have remained in Valencia, but our King needed us. For we learned in June that he had been defeated in Granada. Leaving some of the order to hold Valencia before more could arrive to aid the seige, I left with thousands more to Granada. The terrain was hostile to our horses and the enemy fought as if posessed by the devil. We battled on through the month of july, but it was no use. They were too strong and we too were driven from the field in disgrace and retreat. I myself recieved this wound which slowly saps my life and fear I shall not see the next year.. Valencia has fallen to us and I heard just recently that Portugal captured Toledo, but I am uncertain this will be enough.

Duke Pedro Fernandez de Castro of Galacia and Grandmaster of the Order of Santiago died on 8 December 1174 A.D. Throughout his time on his deathbed, he sought to continue the recording of this history.

 

[stnylan]

A nice update. A little bit of an odd ending, but a good one.

 

[Judge]

Highly entertaining and refreshing. I will definitely follow this one

 

[nalivayko]

Very nice solution to have different narrators... hm, let's see, what can I do with my historian... hm... oh yes, kill the bastard

I enjoy reading this aar, keep it up.

 

[unmerged(8606)]

Wow! that's what I call a fast reconquista. Looking forward how things go on after the death of duke Pedro.

 

[Machiavellian]

My plan of peacefully (more or less) uniting all the Christian Kingdoms in Iberia was very successful and I suggest it to anyone who wishes to take a try at it. More to come when I get the time. ( First I want to read as many as the new and updated AARs as I can and then I have to find the time to post in my own AARs )

 

[coz1]

Finally able to catch up on this wondeful narrative. I like the way you have presented the material. And I'm please that Fernando was able to overcome his initial military failure. It's a shame about old Castro, but I agree with Nalivayko - it does help to carry the story through the ages.