Prologue - Part II: Divine Providence
Prologue - Part II: Divine Providence
From the 'Apologia', by Nikephoros Palaiologos:
"The war for the Komnenian claim on the Imperial throne had already had already degenerated into a wide series of small conflicts by the time I joined their cause. The Roman Empire had suffered huge losses against the Turk, due to the poor leadership of Constantine. Upon reaching an agreement with the honorable Ioannes Komnenos, the forces of Athens were withdrawn from the siege of my vassal, the Count of Arta, and Nikephoros Melissenos could deploy his men against the forces of Constantine. I immediately showed my dedication to the cause of Ioannes by raising levies in the county of Epiros. The counts of Arta and Cephalonia were not asked to provide men as the level of conflict did not require such a large host, and the Count of Arta had already suffered a hostile incursion from the hands of our new allies, the Athenians.
My part in the war mostly consisted of a repeated pattern of skirmishing and pursuit. Small bands of a few hundred men would harry my allies and slow their advance. My men were employed in hunting down and routing these bands, who would often resort to unusual strategies in the hope of escape. One band of approximately four hundred of Constantine's men even crossed the Danube frontier in an attempt to end my pursuit. This did lessen my resolve in the slightest, as I had full confidence in the ingenuity of my engineers and the dedication of my men. We followed them across the Danube and into Bulgaria, taking the force by surprise and spilling their civil blood in a foreign land. Despite the danger of being seen as a threat by local lords and ambushed ourselves, I ordered that the defeated enemies be given a simple burial and a Christian service. Once the dead were buried and the prays were done, I returned to Roman territory and continued to rout the remnants of the enemy army, while my allies captured more cities and prepared to march on Constantinople herself.
Upon returning to Roman territory I discovered that my wife Ioanna had given birth to the son that was conceived at our parting before the campaign. In honour of the Baptist and of the rightful Emperor, I named him Ioannes.
My eldest son, Giorgios, had also reached an age at which he could be given a command of his own, and he joined with my host to function as my second in command. I am certain from the promise he showed on this campaign and the education he received during this time that he shall grow into a capable commander as well as a virtuous and pious man.
I hesitated getting a wife for Georgios as there were few matches befitting my son and heir, but after a few months of campaigning and with the war drawing to a close, a perfect match was made. To cement our alliances with the Komnenian faction and to strengthen the future of the family, Georgios was betrothed to the young Sophia Komnenos. Sophia was daughter to Doux Isaakios Komnenos of Antioch and heir to his title (in contrast to me, Isaakios had produced no sons).
Despite being blessed with three sons already and the love of a good wife, I fell to the temptation of a woman while on campaign. My courtier Aigidia made clear her inner sin, as only women can, and corrupted me with her eyes.
I committed a great sin for which I am repentant, but was blessed with a child for which I am glad. Christophoros may be a bastard, but he is also a Palaiologoi by blood and I decided that he should be raised in the same fashion as my true-born Ioannes. When my second son, Nikolaos, came of age it was immediately apparent that he was a skilled diplomat and negotiator, much like his older brother.
At this time, with four promising young sons and a firm alliance with the Komnenian faction, I was truly grateful for what seemed like Divine Providence smiling on me. Soon after the birth of Christophoros the war with Constantine came to an end, with Ioannes installed in his rightful place as Emperor of the Romans.
Just as our realm became united once again, our great enemy in the east was beginning to fracture, with many local rulers revolting against the Sultan, Alp Arslan.
With Ioannes Komnenos now crowned as the rightful emperor and the future of the Paliologoi full of promise, I firmly believe that my actions during this fateful time were just and proper, and that they worked towards the common good of the realm and to the benefit of my family (a family which is dedicated to the service of the realm). My deeds have been guided by God, and although I sometimes falter, I have endeavored to act in a virtuous and Christian way."
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Developements in the rest of Europe:
Sicily: Robert Guiscard has made significant progress into Sicily, although complete control of the island is not yet his.
England: Against the odds, Harold Godwinson has successfully defended his crown against Harald of Norway and William the Bastard of Normandy.
