Saxon Supremacy [HIP mod] - Wessex dynasty diary AAR

[robbx213]

I don't have any overthrow plots on the pagans unfortunately. The most I have available is to plot to kill them. BUT, Halfdan's plot power is finally up in the 90s, so I'm going to try. That mofo has 32 marshall skill and he's a 4 star personal combat berserker viking... so that's about the only way it's going to work. The HIP set of mods does have plenty of new ambitions, like his is to convert a province's religion. But for me, other than plotting to kill him I can only attack him head on for a religious reconquest. Not only a bad idea because he has troops and Ivar the Boneless' troops, but apparently the religious reconquest CB is only working on duchy level titles, so at most I can take about 7-8 counties from Mercia or Middlesex. It's going to be a long slog.

Yes, something in HIP allows the loans, I forget which exactly. When you 'install' HIP you get choose which modules you want, I chose Somewhat More Historical (SWMH), ARKOpack armories and ARKOpack interface, Project Balance (PB) (it's 'modules' appear in the intrigue tab, for example I activated deleting ahistorical empires but I believe you can still form a cultural-named empire with three kingdoms), New Borders Rivers Textures (NBRT+) that gives me the gold county lines and the half opaque red/white duchy lines, and then also VIET traits and VIET events.

Now that I type this out, I think PB allows the loans because it's what's adding a bunch of stuff in the intrigue activities. You can invite nobles based on the skill you need, you can hold a feast just about anytime of the year but have to have a small amount of prestige to do so. You can take loans size-based on your income and title level. You can auto-marry courtiers to each other and auto-ransom (or auto-execute) long lists of prisoners.

For the screenshots, I tested doing it from my public area of Dropbox and it worked. Now I just need to remember to convert from .png to .jpeg to save some file space. But I think the picture quality is reduced and it looks like the numbers get scrambled a bit, so I'll try gif and see if that's a nice happy medium.

Thanks for enjoying

 

[robbx213]

25 December 883
Word has reached us that Ivar the Boneless perished nearly two years ago under suspicious circumstances. His son Sigtrygg became lord of the Albion isles, rumored to be a skilled administrator and money man. Most interesting, it is reported that he has been baptized and now praises God Almighty’s name! Perhaps this is a sign from the Lord that we are treading a righteous path. If this man is smart enough to recognize the power and truth of Christ, to disband his massive raiding forces, perhaps it is my Christian duty to explore the possibility of our people working together against the remaining infidels in York. He is already in need of help defending East Anglia against pagan conquest. Sigtrygg only commands about 2400 now, way down from the 10k of his father Ivar, and Halfdan is slowly dropping now down to 8k. Halfdan is the only Norse lord left over 2k, and the only pagan left in the UK. Ireland is pretty strong around 4k.

25 December 883
A large group of raiders have looted Corfe in Dornsaete. Once again, I am forced to spend our realm’s fortune employing fighting men to supplement our own forces. A word to the wise, auto-disband apparently disbands mercs too, though not retinues. Great.

23 September 884
Rumors of the North Men’s war tell that Halfdan has resorted to raising his vassal levies. This is surely a good sign of his weakening grip on Christian soil. I've noticed the computer AI tends to raise its own levies and fight, then only raise vassal levies if it loses its own in the fighting. While I get the desire to preserve opinion, I think this is generally dumb. For example, Halfdan's realm tree shows he has upwards of 6k troops available as levies still. If the computer more-consistently raised all armies immediately, they'd win more wars. As it is, I can raise all of mine, quickly pick off their smaller armies as they're combining, then disband my vassal levies to keep opinion and continue sieging with my own. Also, I don't think I've really seen the computer hire mercs, or use loans to hire mercs, the way I have. Arguably, I'm not always right, but an extra 1500-3000 troops could quickly tip a war in your favor or could mean the difference between a 4 month siege or a 2 week assault.

7 May 885
My daughter Beorhtflaed has become a woman and a particularly skilled diplomat. I offered King Aed of Ireland her hand in marriage to his son Prince Domnall. The young man did not seem too interested, he did not seem interested in any of the women he met while visiting our court… but it is a prestigious alliance and may well tip the balance of power in favor of Christian lords. I only hope his father sees fit to land him soon, or that his elder brother will continue to honor the alliance long into the future.

I have also wed, staying true to my betrothal to the Dutch girl. She is exceedingly intelligent and great with administrative matters. Sadly, she does not seem interested in bearing me a child. In fact, she is peculiarly friendly with the other ladies of the court…

28 August 885
As a show of good faith, I have offered Sigtrygg my daughter’s hand in betrothal to his son Borkvard. Osburh is a charitable girl and methinks this betrothal will show that I am a kind man to those who seek the word and praise of the Lord. If I can no longer justify a religious reconquest of East Anglia, then the next best option is to ally with our new Christian brethren against Halfdan.

19 September 885
Word has swept across the Christian lands that Karlmann, an elder nephew of my deceased wife, has attained the title of Kaiser of the newly formed Holy Roman Empire with the support of the Pope. He has united West Francia with many German and Lombard lands, and I expect he will soon conquer the lands in between to consolidate his power. My only thought is to thank our Lord for signaling this new era of Catholic power when we so desperately needed a sign from the heavens.

4 November 885
Praise Christ, Halfdan the Horrible is dead! I only wish it were at my hand, or the hand of a Christian spy, but his gluttonous ways caught up to him and that is all that truly matters in this mortal world. I fear my brother-in-laws days are numbered as well, for it is rumored he has slain a family member. Perhaps he is getting senile in his old age.

14 January 886
I have declared war on the Duke of Brittany. My sources tell me he is a lazy, gluttonous man and I believe it considering he has been excommunicated from the faith. Besides, my mercenaries need to make their employ worthwhile. I have also joined King Aed in his de jure battle for his Southern lands against Sigtrygg. It will still be another 2 years before my daughter creates an alliance with those Norse men, so for now I will support the alliance of my eldest daughter.

1 March 886
The pagans have plunged into all out civil war to the North. A Saxon Catholic named Aethelred has rallied support to depose Halfdan’s son Sigfrith and I think I shall support them too.

2 November 886
Amidst the uprising to the North, Catholic rebels deposed the young heathen girl Gytha and have now sought refuge under the banner of Wessex. I gladly accepted their fealty and will work to restore Hertford to its former glory. I think I shall grant my nephew Aethelhelm the Bishopric of Waeclingacaester. His marriage to the Countess of Dornsaete worries me for I cannot afford to have pretenders conspiring against me. He may still serve the Lord and his liege as a marshall and that should be just, honorable duty. As for the Tithing of Heortford, I have chosen Aelfgar, a very talented steward from my brother’s court, to get our newly acquired land’s affairs in order.

I have also spent some time with the Bishops working on a plan to improve our religious customs. I believe my efforts have proven my zeal and improved relations with them.

I have captured Sigfrith’s wife and son in a siege of East York Ridding. They shall provide a handsome ransom.

 

[robbx213]

did the pictures disappear again? When I look at the thread, I just see a placeholder. Dropbox public link was working, now it seems not. maybe I'll switch to flickr or photobucket or something.

 

[Asantahene]

did the pictures disappear again? When I look at the thread, I just see a placeholder. Dropbox public link was working, now it seems not. maybe I'll switch to flickr or photobucket or something.

All pics shipshape and Bristol fashion (ie they're working just fine)

 

[Derahan]

It seems the king of Jorvik has some troubles, maybe you should try and take some territory?

 

[robbx213]

Oh you know it! Once the current war ends, I'm going to see if I have some levies or have $ for mercs and go for the biggest chunk of land I can. I joined this war so I could pile on and loot as many holdings as possible so that when I attack several months from now, he won't have anything left to defend.

 

[robbx213]

8 May 887
Today my daughter Osburh became a woman and was wed to Borkvard Sigtryggsson, the converted North Man who is heir to his father’s coastal kingdom. I am very proud of her, overcoming her speech problems to become such a skilled diplomat. I hope that she will keep in touch often and serve as a bridge over the troubled pagan waters between our two realms.

30 May 887
In our siege of York, I was able to capture the mayor of Seletun, who paid a handsome sum to be freed from my dungeon. The war is definitively in our favor and now I can only hope to capture Sigfrith, Halfdan’s son, himself. Rumor abounds that he has fleed to Scrobbesbyrig to the West, so I send my forces there in the hopes of a fortunate find.

5 July 887
My son Eadweard was beginning to exhibit slothful tendencies. Thankfully, some diligent tutoring has convinced him to pick up the pace a little. His nephew Aethelred is considerably more dedicated to his studying, but also has been seen behaving very oddly, as if speaking a different language or lashing out at the other children for seemingly little reason.

30 November 887
My chancellor Eadweald successfully discovered documents showing I have a claim on the county of Kent. Using it is an expensive and diplomatically costly move, but it is necessary considering Earl Aethelmod continues to support my brother’s faction even though I have honored him as cupbearer. Aethelmod wisely conceded, though he is particularly incensed with me at the moment.

30 January 888
The Rutlandish War to depose Sigfrith has succeeded! Sadly, he abdicated to his son Hrolfr and the pagan lands remain largely united, save for our gain of Hertford and Jylland’s subjugation of Oxnaford. Still, their forces are significantly weakened, so I am preparing quickly to assess our own military situation and decide whether to launch a reconquest of our Christian lands.

I have also invested a small sum I found hidden away in my stockings drawer to improve our fortifications. Hopefully the man my councilors recommended to implement some new construction techniques will be worth his weight in precious metals.

25 Feburary 888
I have declared war on the young Hrolfr, announcing to all my fellow Christian lords a reconquest of the duchy of Mercia. God bless us in this pivotal endeavor! Poor kid’s only got about 444 troops at his disposal. As Mr. Burns would say – excellent!

11 May 888
My wife Aechte bore me a son, Aethelwulf. Surely this is a sign of new beginnings for Wessex and Catholics alike.

24 June 888
My daughter Cynehild turned 16 today and we celebrated her virtues with a victorious assault of Hrolfr’s home keep. She is skilled at administration and social matters, and even displays a novel knack for sword wielding. I shall offer hand in marriage, and alliance, to the 15 year old Prince Aeddan of Deheubarth. He is not particularly skilled in matters of diplomacy, but he is a just young man, likely loyal.

14 September 888
Alas, my brother Aethelred was slain in combat. My nephew Aethelwold has inherited Hamtun. He is a kind and humble boy, but also very cunning and I must be careful to ensure my son’s legacy. While his death is not welcome, it will allow me to tend to succession matters after we have reclaimed Mercia.

4 March 889
Our conquest of Mercia has been a success. We were welcomed back with open arms by our Christian brethren who endured the heathens’ rule. Now comes the task of finding loyal administrators to which I can safely grant landed titles and begin the restoration of that once great demesne. My brother-in-law Burghred survived as well, though he has endured many shames including executing a fellow dynasty member, and appears weary in his old age. Wow, it took 22 years of game time to finally win some territory back. Even on speed 1 or 2, it goes by so fast. 22 years would be a long time to wait for revenge or justice or whatever they would have called it back then.

 

[Asantahene]

Good work King A!!!!

 

[robbx213]

20 March 889
Now that I’ve distributed the Mercian lands to deserving, skilled men, I’ve turned to a little administrative housekeeping. It will be a couple years before we’re ready for another major battle. In the meantime I can focus on tutoring my son and building some more fortifications to counter the ever-expanding pagan raids. There’s a 5 year cooldown on religious wars. So I have to wait at least 5 years for any other reconquests and I don’t want to lose about half my prestige by breaking a truce with York. I’d take a -5 diplomacy hit for 5 years and it wouldn’t fit in with my patient, just, and kind nature.

29 March 889
Fate and irony are cruel mistresses. Sigtrygg, the converted Catholic North Man ruling the Northern islands, has declared a religious reconquest of Northumberland. I wonder if Aelfgar, Aella’s exiled son in Derby, will be able to lay claim to any of his father’s former lands. We still have the Band of the Brave in our employ, so I shall offer to join Sigtrygg. Well, I'm not declaring my own war, but as long as the Band of the Brave are this inexpensive and I have a sizeable retinue for this time period, and it's against a very depleted Jorvik, I might as well keep slogging away at them and join other reconquest wars for no consequence.

18 December 890
Sigtrygg successfully requisitioned several counties of the former Northumbrian kingdom.

There is also a rebellion in Oxford. We may be fortunate enough to incorporate another group of dissenters who want out from under the pagan yoke.

Prince Arthfael of Morgannwg has also declared a reconquest of Deheubarth, which we have joined considering the Vikings’ continued shortage of bodies to put on the battlefield.

23 February 891
My daughter’s husband Prince Aeddan of Deheubarth died a maimed cripple. My daughter returned home and I hope to ask her to help reestablish our alliance with Ireland since their succession change put my son-in-law Prince Domnall second in line as a pretender to the Irish crown.

15 February 892
I have been contemplating my successes and accomplishments in life and have come to realize humility no longer suits me. My troops and vassals seem to respond better to a measure of pride.

I believe the Lord supports this change, oddly enough, because he saw fit to put 6 of Hrolfr’s family members into my custody. I look forward to using the proceeds from their ransom.

24 February 893
Deheubarth has been retaken and the Viking lands are suffering from peasant revolts. We collected hordes of treasure from the ransomed royal family. I think it is time we take a break from joining our neghbors’ wars to let the old wounds heal.

 

[Asantahene]

The reconquest is going well my King!

 

[robbx213]

5 July 893
The peasants of Vestmoringaland succeeded in their revolt for independence from Hrolfr’s kingdom. A man simply named Dan now rules the county bordering York to the Northwest. The continued fracturing of the pagan incursion favors us greatly.

18 August 893
Mayor Aelfgar of Heortford asked my permission to duel my nephew Aethelhelm, who I recently made a Bishop in the same county. Apparently they have been squabbling publicly for several weeks now. I preached kindness and patience to the Mayor and disallowed the battle. He was clearly not happy, but I hope he will soon see that I need both men in my employ.

My builders have recently completed several wall and fortification projects in Kent and Sussex. As I have a bit more treasure left from our recent victories, I will continue that effort. Unfortunately, only the engineers in Essex seem to comprehend the latest designs, so I will have to dispatch my steward to educate the foremost men in each county. In the meantime, I will occasionally fund a small trading house in the baronies and cities in the hopes that more trade will result in more taxes.

14 May 894
Aed of Ireland has declared a de jure title war against Sigtrygg of Suthreyjar. I offered to join him in the hopes of weakening the East Anglian counties in case of a future opportunity to reclaim those lands.

My daughter Cynehild passed away recently from a terrible illness. She was a bright, loving young woman and I am sad to lose her, and with her our connection with our Welsh neighbors in Deheubarth.

5 April 895
Chancellor Eadweald discovered proof that my family has a historical claim to Suthfolc. Unfortunately, we had to pay the local clergyman a large sum to protect the documents that were found while I ready troops to lay claim.

10 June 895
I have asked Kaiser Kuno of the Holy Roman Empire for his sister’s hand in betrothal to my son and heir Eadweard. She is an exceedingly intelligent young girl and their union may provide a valuable alliance across the Dover Strait.

I granted the county of Wiltun to Eadweard. Even though he is only 14, he will make a competent ruler. I have entrusted the remainder of his education to Aethelwine, Mayor of London, who is a masterful administrator and mayhaps teach my son some diligence or humility.

31 May 897
Ah, hello old friend! I thought I had lost you. It has been nearly 2 years and we finally secured Suffolk. I considered celebrating by granting our new county to my son Eadweard, but now I am not so certain as I was when I put him under the tutelage of Aethelwine. He must have decided to study elsewhere while I was busy in the East, for he has turned to intrigue and manipulation in his court. He is still a skilled young man, so I shall wait a few years before deciding which succession law I will institute.

A Catholic uprising has put the heathens in a difficult spot, being unable to muster any significant force in defense. Hopefully their struggles will continue another couple years while our truce remains in place.

4 March 899
The last couple years have been relatively mundane, fortifying our shores and making trade routes safe from Vikings and bandits alike. But the time has finally come to reclaim the middle lands between my demesne and our Western counties. Thankfully, the pagans are weak from infighting, something God has not allowed to take root in Wessex. I only hope I can show my thanks by finally converting the peasants in Wigreceaster.

 

[Asantahene]

The Hammer of the Norse!

Great update :ninja:

 

[robbx213]

15 January 900
With the coming of a new century, also comes a new Wessex. We successfully recovered the middle counties and I have rewarded our best administrators and soldiers with the title of Earl. I have kept Oxford for my own demesne as it will not be too difficult to manage in addition to my current holdings.

I have also decided to celebrate this special New Year by uniting Essex, Middlesex, and Hartford as an Earldom. I believe all Saxons will be proud at the recognition this brings us.

In other news, word has come to us that Kaiser Kuno was slain in combat some months ago. Princess Irmele, my son’s betrothed, remains heir to West Francia. As I consider our position, I realize that my wife’s father also passed recently and that both changes afford an opportunity. I could claim Yperen for my wife or younger son, or I could claim all of West Francia for my eldest son. Finding enough boats to transport our men across the Strait could be an issue as well… My son’s ambition drives his interest, but I think I desire to be more diligent at home continuing the work of securing our realm from raiders. Still, the new Kaiser, Aribo, is distracted defending against civil war and a pagan conquest of Schwartzburg… what mystical powers does the invading heathen possess that he can defeat the forces of Schwartzburg… but I digress. I pray the Lord guide me and give me good council to do what is best. Man, this is tough. I am SO tempted to go for West Francia. Kaiser Aribo has about 6k troops, but he’s losing the Schwartzburg war and I could afford 1500 mercs + my 3k troops. Alfred really likes eldest son Eadweard 75 v. 45 the younger son, and at 11 yrs old the younger isn’t looking particularly special. But it would be significantly out of character at this point being 51, kind, patient, just, and no ambitious. Maybe I’ll luck out and Eadweard the spy will kill me and I can use his ambition as an excuse, though he’s also a lazy glutton at this point, ha!

28 February 900
I have decided to institute Elective succession in Wessex. All of my Earls are pleased by the change for they get to help decide their liege. Eadweard was initially upset, but soon he realized the folly of his ire when he was nearly unanimously supported as heir. Young Aethelwulf seems content, perhaps he is too young to truly understand, but maybe that is a good thing for the stability of our court. I am still not certain which of them is destined to carry our banner farthest, therefore the elective process will allow them time to distinguish themselves amongst the nobility, but also ensure that our demesne is passed on intact. Not every son should be entitled, nor is every one capable, of lordship.

13 June 900
Kaiser Aribo quickly dispatched the pagan invasion. This tells me his forces are stronger than originally believed, and therefore we cannot hope to lay claim to Yperen nor West Francia for the time being.

16 January 901
I was able to afford another retinue of archers. I now believe my retinue is the largest in all of Europe. All our efforts to fortify and prepare against the Vikings is coming to fruition. With this force, I have joined my son-in-law Borkvard in a religious reconquest of the Five Burroughs bordering the South of York.

I am becoming noticeably frailer in my old age. Fevers now seem to catch more often than they used to and I don’t have the same strength in my sword wielding hand.

25 December 902
I am tired. Tired of the effort it takes to be kind to everyone. Kindness has served me well in the past, but our borders are stagnant and I struggle to find justification to reconquer the remaining pagan counties around York. Let the bishops have their kindness… and mine.

19 January 903
In my travels to pay homage to our Holy Father, I met a Count whose daughter was brilliant, kind, and virtuous in countless other ways. I believe I have found a lady worthy of betrothal to my younger son Aethelwulf. Aethelwulf is coming along very well in his studies and is particularly more skilled with numbers, law, and taxation than Eadweard. As such, I have decided to nominate him heir. I fully expect the other lords to follow suit.

I have also hatched a plot against the pagan boy ruling Bearroc. His own spymaster was easily bribed to participate.

12 May 904
Young Aethelwulf has become a master theologian under his last year of study with the bishops. His diligence and patience shined bright, so I have rewarded him with the county of Hartford. Across the Strait, West Francia has become independent from the Kaiser. Unfortunate considering his recent weakening would have allowed us to lay claim for my son Eadweard. No matter, I shall observed Queen Gertrude’s rule closely in case she slips up and I discover a chance to grab hold of Yperen or perhaps the whole of West Francia.Considering I lost the kind trait and my opinion of Aethelwulf is very high, I'm nominating him heir instead. Hopefully Eadweard doesn't pull some spy maneuvers and off both of us.

 

[robbx213]

23 May 905
We have been drawn into a war to beat back revolters in West Francia. My daughter-in-law’s sister, Queen Gertrude, inexplicably attempted to imprison the Duchess of Burgundy. In secret, I hope that her forces are weakened so I can lay claim to the province of Yperen for my wife.

I have also decided to begin scaling back my vassals’ obligations for both taxes and conscription. I can feel my time in this world waning and I want to ensure a smooth transition for my younger son Aethelwulf.

23 February 906
We have had a few raiders over the last year, but otherwise continue our quiet, diligent work of fortifying various holdings. The Earls of Waering and Gleawcester both passed on to the after life without heirs. I have incorporated the latter into my demesne, while passing the former to my younger son and heir.

Our retinue forces are fully reinforced and otherwise gathering moss on their boots, so I have offered to join my son-in-law’s defense of capital in the Northern islands against the Shetland pagans. We beat back a small force laying siege to his thanage and now return home to see what is happening with Eadweard’s declaration of war against Bearroc. Apparently Hrolfr has attempted to revoke that title and the young chieftess’ regent now seeks independence.

2 March 907
Eadweard successfully conquered Bearroc and they are now reincorporated under the Wessexian banner. I am now going to focus my chancellor on Derby, in the hopes that we can use that province as a stepping stone to York. If I go for Legeceaster instead, I’ll waste 5 years of holy war cooldown to get to York.

5 January 909
King Mael-Duin of Ireland proposed that his nephew Domnall hire one of my courtiers. As I thought on the matter, I discovered a more favorable arrangement. I counter-proposed that my eldest daughter, Aethelgifu, be betrothed to Domnall matrilineally and he accepted! The young Domnall has a weak claim on Ireland, so perhaps many years from now our family may be in a position to press that claim and ultimately combine two powerful realms.

21 August 909
Earl Cynehelm of Scrobbesbyrig finally agreed to convert back to the common form of Catholicism and renounce the Cathar heresy. For his dedication, I have offered to support his claim on Powys Fadog to the Northwest. While it is a Welsh Cathar province, I believe he is dedicated to converting the masses and making that province a welcome contribution to the realm.

14 January 910
My truce with the last pagan lord, Hrolfr, has finally ended and I may declare a religious reconquest for Legeceaster. However, I think I shall be patient and give my chancellor a chance-ellor to ferret out a claim on Derby. If he does not succeed soon, I will lay claim for my nephew Aethelwulf son of Burghred in order to restore that family to rule in Mercia before I move on to visit our Holy Father.

21 September 910
We have been overrun by pagan raiders! Clearly our fortification efforts have not been as effective as originally planned.

I have further lowered the Burghers tax obligation in the hopes that it inspires them to contribute to the constructions.

 

[Asantahene]

Interesting to lower the tax and conscription levy. Does it have that big an effect? Good update though

 

[robbx213]

At this point, my opinion is so high with everyone that I'm getting all taxes from mayors, I'm getting a little from feudal levies (-5 opinion only), and all of my bishops love me because of my free investiture. And since I was able to use mercs before with all that money I was getting, I now have plenty of troops built up by myself and with vassal levies. So really, I'm not noticing the money flow being that different, even though it's probably about 20-30 gold per year between option 1/5 and 3/5 of the burgher obligation.

 

[robbx213]

1 January 912
Things have been eerily quiet lately. Occasionally, a small band of heathen raiders arrives and we dispatch them back to whence they came from.

I have begun tutoring young Murdoch, the son of my siege commander Murdoch the elder. Little Murdoch is extremely intelligent and I see much promise in him. If he dedicates himself to his studies, he may make a good Earl someday, perhaps even a husband to one of my young daughters.

There has been a Cathar uprising in Gertrude’s lands across the Strait, which is beneficial to us should we decide to press claim on Yperen or the entire West Francian kingdom. There is also a Catholic uprising in the North, sapping Hrolfr’s forces.

I captured a pagan Earl who paid a significant ransom to be released.

17 June 912
Finally! My chancellor has uncovered a claim to Lincylene. It cost me nearly all of my treasury to guard the discovered documents. I have thought on the matter and decided it unjust to press a claim that may have been fabricated. Instead I will press my religious commander’s claim on Cambridge and attempt a reconquest of Loncastre to the Northwest.

25 October 913
Sadly, my son Aethelwulf has become a lazy slob, allowing his swordsmanship to wane to the point he was maimed in combat. I very well may change my nomination for heir to Eadweard. However, that hinges on Eadweard’s wife Irmele Karling ending her plot against Aethelwulf.

Our conquest of Lancaster ended inconclusively. Earl Ulfcytel conquered the lands before I could get Hrolfr to sign my peace treaty. I dare not bother to declare a reconquest of Gwent for similar reasons. Instead, I will declare war against the Cathar heretic Prince Tomos of Powys when my subjects have calmed down from the last religious war.

King Lutbert of Burgundy, cousin to Gertrude, has pressed his claim on West Francia. The aftermath of that war may be an opportunity for us to press Eadweard’s claim.

14 February 916
Where King Lutbert failed, I shall succeed. I may be a ripe old man, but it is time to expand our lands and press my son’s claim on West Francia in honor of her passing nearly 35 years ago. Glory unto us!

We have hired the Band of the Brave to defend our homeland while we sail across the Strait to lay siege to Paris.

1 May 917
After sieging the thanage of Ramboulliet in Paris, I decided to execute the baron to make an example in the hopes that the West Francians end the war quickly by accepting my terms and installing my son as king. Unfortunately, the masses no longer think me just. All the better, for now I am free to do as I please, perhaps even turn to my claim in Lincylene after this war is over.

11 November 917
After conquering West Francia, Eadweard has become king! Rather than subject the realm to a chaotic squabble upon my death, I have nominated him heir to Wessex so that both lands may be united under one banner. Long live King Eadweard!

In more troubling news, the Cathar heresy is spreading in the West. Perhaps our only recourse is to battle king Pilib of Alba to depose his personally appointed pope.

2 June 920
Finally, after years of struggling, the peasants of Scrobbesbyrig converted back to Catholicism. We shall round up the last of the Cathar heretics in that province as an example to its spreading popularity in that region.

28 July 921 – Eadweard of France
At the ripe age of 72, my father has passed on to heaven. Alfred the Wise, King of Wessex, ruler of Mercia, defiler of pagans, and most of all conqueror of West Francia! He must have seen the end nigh, for he passed me this tattered book, which I now come to understand as a collection of his thoughts, decisions, dreams, fears, and musings. I cannot imagine what it must have been like in those early years when the North Men were so strong upon our doorstep. I see now that I must continue my father’s work of fortifying our coasts, lest we suffer the yoke of heathen rule. First, I must dispatch the Kaiser in a battle for Hessen, then I shall turn North and make Wessex the proper seat of the Kingdom of Aenglaland!

Well, this is it folks. I’m stopping here. Score of 6000, not bad. Guess I started the France – England power struggle a bit early, hehe. Typing up a story and doing the picture is much more work than I anticipated, but it was certainly fun. I think I’ll be converting to a LP on Youtube and see how I like that, but first I have to get some headphones / microphone. Thanks for tuning in and endulging me.

 

[Asantahene]

That's a shame. I really liked this AAR Good work

 

[robbx213]

Thank you very much. If the YouTube LPs don't work out, I may come back to AARs, but try a different format like someone I saw doing a wikipedia style summary of each ruler. I'm really surprised that many people were interested in my AAR, so thank you all for reading and enjoying

 

[Asantahene]

Thank you very much. If the YouTube LPs don't work out, I may come back to AARs, but try a different format like someone I saw doing a wikipedia style summary of each ruler. I'm really surprised that many people were interested in my AAR, so thank you all for reading and enjoying

Well it was a great read!