Lombard Glory - a Salerno AAR

[Koson]

After a couple of abandoned games as Count of Salerno I started once more, and telling the story this time might make me actually finish the game .

I've done some light modding: have made Gisulf and his family (along with the provinces of Salerno, Capua, Benevento, Apulia and Foggia) Lombard, changed the family name to di Salerno from of ~ and given Gisulf an education (he's a Famboyant Schemer now).

The game is 1.04a, Hard / Coward; goal: survive & become king of Naples and Italy, although if opportunity presents itself I wont say no to getting another title (as I've already played Gisulf, I can say Naples won't be the first di Salerno royal title; getting this title came as a surprise though).

I'm afraid updates won't be very frequent as:
- I don't have that much free time to play;
- English is not my first language so writing things up might take a while.
Hope you'll enjoy the result.

 

[Koson]

And so it begins...​

The end of Our Lord's year 1066 was approaching and Gisulf, count of Salerno and the last surviving Lombard ruler, considered his situation gloomily. All the other South Italian Lombard states, be them counties, dukedoms or principalities, have fallen one by one and were ruled now by greedy Normans, the very same Normans which had seemed God-sent two decades ago. Their arrival had been instrumental in repelling the Byzantines and almost expelling them from Italy, but unfortunately the Normans had kept for themselves the former Imperial lands, transforming from mercenaries and petty nobles into major rulers.

Gisulf had been able to foresee somewhat this situation and, by agreeing to his sister Sigelgaita's marriage to the Norman leader Robert de Hauteville, managed to survive so far. But Robert's estates bordered now the Papal lands and the only ones not his vassals were Gisulf himself, the Spartenoses of Napoli (who, backed by the might of Constantinople, could afford to ignore the Norman threat) and Robert's brother-in-law and fellow, Richard of Aversa.

Luckily, Sigelgaita had decided to return to Salerno and her presence meant a surprise attack and forced annexation were not to be expected in the near future. However, things had to be done and measures taken, ensuring that Salerno stayed independent and, with God's help, expanded and became a great power again. After all, hadn't there been a Lombard kingdom respected and feared by many, the Pope included, some two hundred years ago? History's lessons were to be heeded though, for as the Frankish emperor Charlemagne had crushed Aistulf' kingdom, duke Robert could crush Gisulf.

First and foremost among these measures was finding a wife, preferably with good family connections, for Gisulf, 37 already, wasn't getting any younger and needed a heir. After long discussions with his advisors (Chancellor Matilde Borghese, Marshall Irnerius Manin and Sigelgaita herself, acting as Steward / Spy Mistress as the need arose), an envoy was sent to Sancho Jimenez, king of Aragon, proposing a marriage between Gisulf and Sancha, the king's youngest sister. The Jimenez clan was most powerful, its members ruling all the Iberian kingdoms, and Gisulf thought that, should the worse come to pass, at least he'll have some back-up. As for Sancha, she was reputed to be a stolid young woman, far from beautiful, but healthy and with an agile mind, capable to deal with the same ease with domestic affairs and political death-traps.

On January 1067 the envoy returned accompanied by Sancha herself and the wedding ceremony was held in Salerno by the end of the month.

Gisulf, Count of Salerno

Sancha Jimenez, his wife​

Scant days after a Spaniard emissary requested an audience, asking for Chancellor Borghese's hand in marriage, the groom-to-be none other than Sancha's cousin, king Garcia of Spanish Galicia.

Matilde Borghese, Chancellor of Salerno and Queen-to-be of Spanish Galicia​

Although with her departure he'd lose a resourceful helper, Gisulf readily agreed - the benefits were too many. He'd now have another royal backer, for Matilde, Lombard herself, would not sit by and let anything happen to her ancestral land. The last thing the leaving Chancellor did before saying good-bye was to set up an alliance with Apulia, thus securing Salerno's borders even more. For many things could be said about Robert de Hauteville, but not that he was dishonourable and would break his sworn word (of course, if a loophole could be found, things changed, but the pact prepared by Matilde was fool-proof).

In March, Sancha announced she and Gisulf had been blessed by God and sure enough, nine months later a young di Salerno was born. To Gisulf's disappointment, the child was a baby-girl, which they named Alberada, but he hoped she was to be just the first of his many children.

 

[Gebhard Blucher]

This inspires me to want to try to play another game of CK. I like the idea of playing the last lombard ruler. Very neat!

 

[stnylan]

Ahhh, the need for an heir - the true quest of CK.

Your English is quite good, and certainly take all the time you need. The update read quite smoothly, and nothing really stood out.

 

[Koson]

Thanks for the kind words! I'll try to put together another update this afternoon.

 

[Veldmaarschalk]

I will try to follow this AAR.

The beginning is interesting

 

[coz1]

This should be interesting. I admit, I don't think I have seen an AAR from Salerno's point of view. Usually, it's Apulia swallowing them up. Good luck.

And Sancha is indeed, no beauty. But let's hope she has some male children in her, eh?

 

[Koson]

This should be interesting. I admit, I don't think I have seen an AAR from Salerno's point of view. Usually, it's Apulia swallowing them up. Good luck.

There was one, a couple of months ago - I found it while playing my first Salerno game. Here is the link.

 

[Koson]

The first half of Gisulf's reign​

Soon after being signed, the Apulian alliance was put to test: Robert was also allied with the king of Hungary and happily joined his attack against the pagan tribe of Pechenegs and its various vassal chiefdoms. To support his ally, Gisulf declared war too, although it was a token gesture: Salerno had too few soldiers to risk them in far-away Balkans. The war started confusedly, with battles fought indecisively, provinces sieged and sieges lifted, truces signed and broken days after. This information was received from a Pecheneg noble who sought refuge to Salerno after narrowly escaping beheading at the hands of his fear-maddened relative, chief Ipa of Turnu. Gisulf was happy to welcome him and soon appointed him Chancellor; Salernitan soldiers were not actively taking part in the war so Küre's skills were needed in another department, despite his martial prowess.

Küre Dezsõfi - Just, Wise, Knowledged Tactician - what's not to like?​

Better news came from the front soon after, Robert proudly announcing his conquest of Tirgoviste, Turnu and Peresechen. With the pagans in disarray, Gisulf was able to sign a white peace in September, getting himself out of the war in a honorable way.

Out of the war, at last!​

Besides, there were more important things taking place at home: Sancha was pregnant again, and, to Gisulf's relief, this time she presented him with a son. The new-born was named Aripert after a distant ancestor and grew up to be his father's joy and pride. He was joined three years later by another sister, Gertrude, and Gisulf congratulated himself for his choice of a bride. All his children were healthy and strong, full of spirit and willing to learn and perfect themselves, and Sancha had proved to be a most competent Steward.

1075 brought with it a shock: Sigelgaita told her brother one spring evening she was pregnant and expected to give birth by the Summer's end. Had it not been obvious the deep affection Robert de Hauteville bore his wife, Gisulf would have suspected this to be a veiled attempt at murder: Sigelgaita was after all 44 and might not survive another birth's rigours. Luckily she did and delivered a healthy boy with di Salerno looks; Robert named his youngest Alessandro and promised him to the church in thanks for God watching over his wife.

In March 1076 Sigelgaita presented her brother with another surprise, of a far different nature: while looking over some old maps she'd found an ancient document proving their family's claim to the county of Innsbruck. The paper was really old and, judging by the anachronisms used, dated from the North Italian Lombard Kingdom's heyday, which made sense as Innsbruck was definitely closer to Pavia than to Salerno. Besides publicly announcing this discovery, there was little to do for the moment: the present-time count of Innsbruck was the duke of Bavaria's son and heir and an Imperial subject. Gisulf had no intention whatsoever of tangling with the German Empire for he'd go down even faster than his royal predecessor did two centuries ago. One day maybe...

Never mess with ancient logic or geography​

At about the same time, Sancha's stewardship started to pay off and resettlement on newly claimed land was reported all over Salerno. It seemed that the province's population applied locally their ruler's foreign policy with far more success. This was followed by the draining of marshes and fens for even more land in 1079, making Salerno a rich province.

With his home province secure and rich and feeling battle-ready, Gisulf studied the international scene. His brother-in-law was at war again, this time fighting his other ally's rebellious nobles - most likely without his help king Salamon would have ended with a much diminished kingdom. As long as Robert was venting his wrath on someone else Gisulf was happy. But since there was nothing to gain for Salerno in this conflict save the Hungarian nobility's ire, another target was needed. Checking his maps (no new claims found, unfortunately) a small but attractive target presented itself: the insular Sheikdom of Canarias. Although rather undeveloped, the islands could be turned into a fine estate and had other bonuses as well: they were close to the Moorish Iberian lands and could profit from this vicinity by bringing in goods and knowledge via trade. Also, they were remote enough to provide a safe haven should Salerno be attacked and fall (Sigelgaita smiled upon hearing this - it seemed her brother wouldn't feel safe as long as there was a single Norman left in Italy).

Küre was appointed Marshall and, once the county's might was mustered, war was declared in September 1080. Instead of surrendering outright, the sheik had the gall to send a small expeditionary force to siege and attempt to conquer Salerno itself. By January the Salernitan army was in place, a siege was started, and, two months later, Gisulf was ruling over another county. The Canarian regiment must have gotten lost at sea, for not one man had landed in Salerno.

Victory!​

 

[Gebhard Blucher]

Good start! How are the Sicilian islands doing? I've found that to be a nice area to grow into a dukedom for Mediterranean counties. (As long as the greedy Normans don't go after it first. )

 

[Koson]

Everything is stable there, just the Emir of Sicilly got greedy and deposed his vassal, owning now both Palermo and Agrigento. It's not like I can do anything until they rebell from the Zirids (who are also staunch allies of the Fatimids ) and so far there's no chance of this - twice so far a "good" Zirid heir with 0 diplomacy and crappy stats all around stood to inherit but died before his time .

 

[stnylan]

A definite hideout to be sure. I do like those claim events, even if they are not immediately useful.

 

[coz1]

Heh...Gisulf has a vacation spot. Nice. And smart to wait and tangle with Germany a bit later.

 

[unmerged(39168)]

Good good I hope to see more.

 

[Koson]

Good good I hope to see more.

Glad you like it! I was out of town the last 5 days, but will try to post another update this evening or tomorrow.

 

[Koson]

At long last, here it is:

The second half of Gisulf's reign​

In December 1083 Alberada came of age; she had inherited her mother's shrewd mind and stewardship abilities, along with, unfortunately, her "slimlessness" which di Salerno looks could not mask. This proved not to be a problem, as Gisulf was soon presented with offers for her hand coming from all over Europe. The Iberian marriages tradition was kept in the end, the chosen fiancé being the count of Urgell's brother Guillem, and, after a short engagement, they were married in August 1084.

Alberada di Salerno

Guillem de Barcelona-Urgell, Alberada’s husband​

Another event to remember 1084 by was further proof Sancha’s stewardship was successful: in Canarias too resettlement on newly claimed land was taking place and the province was prospering.

The next year Gisulf’s son and heir came of age too, and his father could hardly hide his pride. Although not a warrior, he was an energetic young man, forgiving and trusting, beloved by commoners and gentry alike, with a keen and inquisitive mind, political know-to and his mother’s administrative abilities. His court education made him excel in intrigue (like his sisters) and Gisulf hoped his son would be able to put his Illusive Shadow skills to use on the international scene with far more success than himself.

A priority was to find Aripert a wife but this wasn’t really a problem due to the long lasting correspondence and agreements with Spanish Galicia’s royal court. Queen Matilde wanted Lombard husbands for her daughters and usually she got her wishes, thus another Iberian royal marriage wouldn’t have been difficult to secure. Gisulf hesitated though, for it seemed health was not something Matilde and Garcia could boast about in their children, with their only son and one daughter dieing in infancy and María, their eldest, having pneumonia – what if these health problems were hereditary and would be passed on? But a promise was a promise, so in March Aripert and María were married in Salerno – it was another prestigious royal wedding after all, and besides María’s sons, should she have any, would inherit Spanish Galicia’s crown.

Aripert di Salerno

María Jimenez, his wife​

It seemed God was smiling upon this marriage as, despite her illness, in March 1086 María gave birth to Grumwald, a healthy and lively boy, joint heir of Salerno and Spanish Galicia. He was followed by a sister, Willa, in January 1087, after which disaster struck - María died in labour the next year, scant days after Willa’s first birthday.

Tragedy!​

As an evil chance seldom comes alone, a Thieves Guild was reported in Canarias and soon after Marshal Küre showed stress symptoms. The former was no doubt caused by the distance between Canarias and Salerno and the Muslim – Christian friction inherent after the conquest, while the last was at least in part due to Sancha. She’d noticed the growing affection between Gertrude, her youngest daughter, and the middle-aged now Pecheneg noble and was trying her best to separate them, wanting another prestigious, maybe even royal, husband for her favorite child. It was not to be, as Gertrude had set her mind and cunningly avoided or defeated her mother’s arguments one by one. And since Gisulf was not against this marriage himself, Sancha found herself in a checkmate position – the wedding was held as soon as Gertrude turned 16, in March 1088.

Gertrude di Salerno​

In fact it was a double wedding as, after a very short (some would call it indecent) mourning period, Aripert married too, his new wife none other than departed María’s youngest sister Petronila. His children needed a mother and both his parents and his in-laws were determined to have an enduring Salerno – Spanish Galicia marital agreement.

Petronila Jimenez, Aripert's second wife​

Thwarted in her plans for Gertrude’s future, Sancha threw herself in work once more, accomplishing a couple of months after the two weddings the draining of marshes and fens in Canarias and making it a rich province too. Gisulf relaxed meanwhile, happy to play the grandfather role: Grumwald and Willa were joined by Anatina (1089), Druda (1090), Alberich (1091) and Richilde (1096), while Gertrude had three boys: Tatus (1089), Pandulf (1090) and Yeke (1092) and letters from Urgell announced the birth of Alberada’s two sons, Ramon Berenguer (1086) and Ricart (1095).

1091 brought with it sad news: Sigelgaita, who had moved back to Lecce to stay with her husband and growing children, had died just before Alberich‘s birth, and was followed half a year later by Robert, who had found time in these six months to mourn, engage, marry for a third time and conceive a fourth (posthumously born) son. Duke Robert’s death signified the Apulian alliance’s end, as Roger Borsa abruptly refused his uncle’s attempts to renew it. This imposed a foreign policy revamping under Gertrude’s auspices (she’d been appointed Chancellor soon after her marriage) and Apulia’s place was taken by the kingdom of Croatia. Besides being a good, respectable and powerful choice, Croatia was a useful ally as they had common interests with Salerno: each kept a wary vigil over a pair of potentially troublesome neighbors joined in alliance (Roger Borsa had kept faith with his father’s second ally, the king of Hungary).

This alternation between joy at a new grandson’s birth and sadness caused by a close family member’s death continued in 1092: Sancha died in September. Gisulf was profoundly marked, for although his had been a political marriage, Sancha had been a faithful and resourceful partner he could always rely upon, and he’d grown fond of her if not actually fallen in love. It also reminded him of his own age, for he was in truth several years his wife’s senior.

To his surprise Gisulf soon found himself following his late brother-in-law’s example and looking after a new bride, although he was pointedly telling himself it was all dictated by the political situation. Roger Borsa kept causing small border incidents imagining his uncle could not see them for what they truly were, so Gisulf searched for a powerful potential ally to be gained through a new wedding and to his surprise (and delight) found him in the person of the Byzantine emperor. Apparently the count of Napoli also reported Norman restlessness and the emperor had decided to look closer to Southern Italy and search for an ally in his predecessors’ Lombard former opponents. As a result he accepted Gisulf’s marriage proposal and granted to the astonished count of Salerno his daughter’s hand in marriage in January 1093.

Choniatissa Vojislav, Gisulf's second wife​

This change of situation rapidly calmed Roger Borsa and relative peace returned soon after. Gisulf also used the prestige gained through his marriage to reassert his ancestral claim to Capua, county where several of his forefathers had ruled before Richard of Aversa’s father had obtained papal investiture and seized it with impunity. Richard had died years before anyway, and his son was a more manageable opponent.

It seemed Gisulf’s luck had changed for the better, as to his delight Choniatissa gave birth to his second son Francard in October, and in February 1094 the Thieves Guild plaguing Canarias was finally disbanded.

But it was not to last: he fell ill in May, and not long after developed pneumonia. Despite feeling his days numbered, Gisulf took advantage of the conflict between papacy and the rebel bishop of Ravenna, laying claim to the excommunicated clergyman’s lands in 1095. After all, Ravenna had been Lombard two hundred years ago, and with luck Grumwald or his sons could rule over it again.

In the somber mood prevailing now the county a tired Spaniard emissary bearing the arms of Aragon on his tabard requested an audience one evening in early May 1096. In front of an astonished audience he bowed deeply to Aripert and told the young Spy Master he’d come to bring his king back home. It seemed Sancha’s brothers and sisters had left no heirs behind them, and with king Sancho Ramirez’s death the Aragonese crown had passed to Gisulf’s son, who now had to hurry to his coronation in Jaca before his Navarrese or Castillian second cousins tried to usurp his rights. This tragic situation repeated itself one month later in Jaca, when a Salernitan emissary this time brought the young king news of his father’s passing away.

 

[stnylan]

A good piece of dynastic management brought to a successful conclusion.

 

[coz1]

Nice - (although sad to see Gisulf go) - but the boy has some power now to thwart Norman aggression. Hopefully a bit of money too. I just hope gaining that Spanish crown doesn't bog you down too often fighting off the muslims in Iberia. You might think about a powerful ally in the Kings of France or Germany for that.

 

[Koson]

Nice - (although sad to see Gisulf go) - but the boy has some power now to thwart Norman aggression. Hopefully a bit of money too. I just hope gaining that Spanish crown doesn't bog you down too often fighting off the muslims in Iberia. You might think about a powerful ally in the Kings of France or Germany for that.

I was sorry to see Gisulf die too, but he lived to be almost 70 and at that point there wasn't much he could do that wasn't already done, so I let him go and rest in peace. He deserved it!

Aripert is in a tricky situation now and will have to divide his attention between Spain and Italy. He's also realising that not getting that Spanish crown might have been safer for himself and his family .

France and Germany are allied with each other and at the moment too busy hunting down vassals breaking away to pay much attention to European politics. I've managed to secure England's help though.

 

[Koson]

Family Trees

Here are the di Salerno & Aragonese and Spanish Galician Jimenez family trees, the last two to better show how Lombards have come to rule over a quarter of the Iberian Peninsula by the turn of the century .

Salerno

Aragon

Spanish Galicia​