Chapter I: English Resistance
Introduction
The year is 1399. Henry IV Lancaster was just coronated the King of England. Before the coronation, he was knows for the rebellion against the former King Richard II many years ago (tough he was one of few rebells that were never punished) and for two unsuccessful Lithuanian campaigns.
Around a year ago, King Richard II and Henry's father John took care that Henry gets exiled for 10 years. Not long after that event, John died because of a mysterious death. While Richard II was campaigning in Ireland, Henry returned to England, took over the control of England, made Richard II abdicate (whom he then threw into a dungeon where he died on 14. February 1400) and declared himself King Richard IV Lancaster, King of England and France, Lord of Ireland.
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Historical University of Mainz, 7th January 2021 A.D.
„Wait a second...“ Professor Rosemeier said to his student „What does this have to do with your research?“
„This is a good start to show my theory.“ William, the student of the university, replied.
„What theory?“ It was 8 A.M. and Professor Rosemeier forgot to ask his student what his work was about. He even forgot to read the title page. Must be the age... it is hard to be a University Professor when you are not so far from retirement.
„On Legend of the Fourth Father of course. Didn't you read the title?“
„Fourth Father?“ Rosemeier ignored the question. „You must be kidding me. Don't tell me that you traveled the world for 7 years just to make this kind of ridiculous research.“ Rosemeier threw the papers back to the student.
William was a talented student of the University. When seven years ago he said that he was going to travel around the world to research a certain historical subject, Rosemeier was intrigued and postponed his retirement to wait for the student to finish his research. If he knew what he was researching, he would have been in retirement now.
„I knew you would say this.“ William said with a smile. Obviously, his mentor's reply didn't shake him up. „But I assure you, I would not be researching something ridiculous for this many years.“
„From experience I know that young people don't know what is worth spending time on and what not.“
„From experience I know that you used to have a lot of faith in me.“
Professor Rosemeier sighed. „All right... but please show me what a hell does Henry the Fourth have to do with the Fourth Father... besides the number of course.“
„I can't reply on that now. Instead, lets look at something interesting in some documents from before year 1399.“
„Documents?“
William opened the other fascicle he had with him and took out a copy of an old letter from there.
To his Majesty, the King of France
God be with you, my Lord. I send this letter to tell you that someone wants to see you dead. In order to take care that you don't doubt the truth of this information, I decided to remain anonymous (or you would think that I am lying to get in good relations with you). How I got this information... I can't tell you. Please, forgive me.
Yesterday, the Lord of Burgundy was visited by a certain aristocrat from Germany... Mainz, to be exact. The King welcomed him and they dinned together with that noble. Since he had something to discuss with the Lord and his court, they retreated to the Council Chamber. There, the aristocrat tried to persuade the Lord to use your conflict against England and invade your lands.
The Lord, of course, rejected such a ridiculous idea. After half an hour of debate, the aristocrat changed his goal: he now tried to persuade the Lord to invade the Holy Roman Empire or he will be crushed by your forces. The good Lord decided that the guest stayed a bit too long at his home so he made him leave Burgundy in a hurry.
I don't know what this German has against France, but from his conversation I can tell you that he seems to have powerful friends tough I don't know who they are. Be careful my friend.
„An interesting read, but what does this have to do with the Fourth Father? Did he send it?“
„No, it was sent by the King of Burgundy. “
„Burgundy? Looking at what happened later in history, this is a bit hard to believe.“
„It is a fact tough. I compared the handwriting with some letters from that man and this is obviously written by him.“
„Hmm... interesting. So, is the aristocrat maybe that Fourth Father?“
„Maybe... maybe not. For now, remember that this person came from Germany.“
„Maybe the King lied?“
„No, that is the truth. I will leave the proofs to you later on, for now accept it as the truth. Now let me show you something else...“
An excerpt from the personal notes of Henry IV Lancaster:
As I said, there were many people on my coronation. Of course, most of them were invited, but one prominent person was not... the Archbishop of Mainz himself came to my coronation.
If his surprising arrival wasn't weird enough, he asked a lot of questions about the conflict between the English and French nations. I have no idea why Archbishop of Mainz was interested in this war of ours so I carefully replied to his questions, fearing that this man was actually a spy or something.
But what was surprising the most: he wanted to help me. Why would want to do that? I asked him that question and he said that even Kings need to be careful about what they ask and commented on how fortune will be with me if I start a war against France. Before I could ask him anything more, some Welsh nobles came and started a conversation with me. Archbishop of Meinz left us alone and went back to Meinz.
I don't know what he wanted and letters I sent to him went unanswered. But a religious man like me felt that... this man was not a priest, but a demon.
„Yes, I read his diaries. Good King Henry wrote a lot of senseless stuff among his genius texts.“
„Indeed... but do you notice the connection between the two texts?“
„Meinz.“
„Indeed, the very town where we are talking right now. And there is just one more letter I want to show you...“
„Hmm...“ Rosemeier hated to say it, but he was getting interesting, if only a little. Must be the age.
To John I, King of Portugal
I hope your health serves you well, my friend. No, you must not be afraid that I am sending you this because I am bored.
You see my friend, your loyal... informant... saw an very interesting person in Barcelona. At first, I thought he was a priest as he was preaching a Holy Crusade against western Africa. And I can tell you, he was quite loud. I never knew that German accent could be so irritating.
So why was I interested in this fanatic? Because he knew a bit too much. When he started yelling numbers about Muslim soldiers, what happens at their courts, the state of Muslim lands (all of which was probably correct information, as a spy like me can confirm). So I decided to follow him for a bit.
He was traveling south, preaching that crusade... or Reconquista if you want. He did it on both the streets and castles, but rarely slept at a church. Usually, he did it on a street. And I can tell you, that priest knows how to use a sword when thieves appear.
And then he moved to Africa. Now it becomes interesting: he preached a Jihad against Castilla, in the same way he preached a crusade in Christian lands. Interesting, isn't it?
But I didn't allow him to preach too much tough. But when I tried to get information from him, he yelled „For the Fourth Father!!“ and then bit his tongue.
Quite a fanatic there. I hope this information is of some use to you. I am now going to try and find some information about this Fourth Father.
Your loyal Spymaster
„Yes, every child heard about this. After all, this is the source of all the legends about the Fourth Father... especially since it was found out that the spy disappeared soon after it.“
„Do you notice a connection?“
„He was a German priest... do you claim that he came from Meinz?“
„Yes.“
„But why would... a Catholic priest preach to Muslims?“
„If Christians didn't listen to him, then he needed to find another way to start a war, didn't he?“
„Wouldn't this put Christians in danger?“
„Come on, you know history. This is the time when Christian lands started to strengthen while Muslims weakened. And maybe he thought that Christians would win no matter what. He just needed a trigger...“
"The popular theory says that Fourth Father is a demon. Why would a priest be on his side?"
"I never said that I agree with the popular opinion. Actually, I believe that he was a strong Christian you see."
„Hmm... I hate to say it, but I am getting interested in this.“
„Then...“ William returned the fascicle back to Rosemeier. „...please continue reading.“
„Yes, I think I might... lets see what else your imagination created.“
He had no idea why he was wasting time with this. Must be the age.
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And this is the first update. As you can see, unlike my first AAR, this one actually has a global story. It also happens in more then few timelines: in the game timelines, in 2010 and in the years when William was researching this legend. I hope oyu find the story interesting.
also, these letters are kinda like Easter Eggs. On the forum where the voting took place, following sceanrios were offered:
- Burgindian Conquest of France (first letter)
- Burgundian Conquest of HRE (first letter)
- English Resistance (Second Letter and the first campaign)
- Consequences of Reconquista (Third Letter)
- Counter-reqonquista (Third Letter)
- Kingdom of God (will be mentioned later on)
With that said, the next update will show us the life of Henry IV Lancaster...
Good to hear that you're getting started with Round two!
