Chapter 6 - Tripoli
From The Atheling Chronicle, 1082:
In this year, Edgar the Atheling captured the cities of Tripoli, Beirut, Tyre, and Jerusalem. And the Emperor, Alexios Kommenos did grant unto Edgar and his successors the care of these cities, to hold them for Christendom in perpetuity.
And the Atheling Edgar was greatly perplexed, for he desired above all things to be raised to the throne of the English, yet the offer of the Emperor was a generous one, and he had taken a sacred vow before the Holy Father himself, the blessed Alexander, to liberate Jerusalem from the heathens. So he consented to the desire of the Emperor, and agreed to safeguard the cities of the Holy Land on behalf of the Emperor and all Christendom.
Prince Edgar in the Year of Our Lord, 1082
In his decision was Prince Edgar both noble and brave, for though he held in trust the lands in which our saviour himself had walked, they were now ravaged by warfare and the cruel rule of the Mohammodeans.
And though the Emperor had bade him protect these lands, Prince Edgar found himself much alone, and almost without friend in his new domains. His sister Margaret, wife to Donald, brother of the King of Scots, was a guest of Robert, King of England. The Duke Donald’s attempt to seize the throne from King Malcolm had proven to be a disaster, and he and the lady Margaret had sought the protection of the Norman King in their despair.
The Lady Margaret, Once Duchess of Moray
Similarly had Edith, widow unto King Harold, who was slain at Hastings, sought refuge with the son of her husband’s killer, and was rewarded with extensive lands in the county of Gloucester. Her sons, however, continued to reside with the King of the Danes, across the sea.
Edith Godwinson, widow unto King Harold
Harold Godwinson the younger, son of the slain king
The Prince’s mother, Agatha, having passed from this world some years previously, had not lived to see her son rise to the greatness he now held, nor did Edgar learn of her death, which occurred while he was travelling to the East, until now.
The Lady Agatha, widow to Edward of the Hungarians, mother to Prince Edgar
The Crusader lands of Tripoli were extensive, but wanting for both men and resources. For the years of civil strife among the heathens and the recent crusades had taken their toll. Prince Edgar could rely on barely a few dozen of his own huscarls to provide security for the realm:
The Principality of Tripoli, in 1081
As the Holy City of Jerusalem was both convulsed by religious strife, and within view of the Muslim strongholds still held by his enemies, Prince Edgar chose to reside in the northern city of Tripoli.
To consolidate his overlordship, Prince Edgar’s first task was to find himself a bride, and to provide more heirs to the House of Cerdic. At the Emperor’s court, the Atheling had courted the young daughter of the Duke of Bavaria, Matilda of Nordheim, and he now requested the lady’s hand in marriage.
The Lady Mathilda of the Bavarians
But the Prince had little time to enjoy married life, as he was called upon once more to serve his liege. The lack of security for the realm did not dissuade the Emperor from requesting the muster of Edgar’s loyal men to help quash the rebellious moves of the Greek and Rus princelings.
The Emperor calls for aid.
While Prince Edgar dispatched what little help he could to the embattled Emperor, he set toestablishing his authority in the lands around Gallilee and Jerusalem to the south, forcing the local lords to accept his authority as Prince.
While these lands contained significant numbers of Christian minorities, it had been many centuries since the law of the Emperor had been felt here, and most of the populace had fallen under the sway of the heathen faiths. Prince Edgar immediately set to reviving the authority of the old bishops, abbots and deacons of the church, promoting them to positions of power, and removing the influence of the Mohammadean imams.
Prince Edgar strengthens the authority of the Christian clergy.
The security of the lands was also greatly on his mind. For not only was he unable to muster much of a force to maintain his own authority, but his realm was surrounded by hostile powers. The Emirate of Damascus and the Kingdom of Egypt squeezed his realm from either side, while many of the local sheiks had sworn fealty the Kingdom of the al-Murturbids, an entity which stretched from the Iberian sea across the Muslim world to the Sinai peninsula. Prince Edgar’s main hope lay in pitting the emirs against one another and looking to the Emperor for protection.
The new Prince faced enemies without and within.
The Blessed Alexander, spoke highly of the Prince Edgar, who had been the only Christian fulfill his sacred vows of Crusade. Yet the Holy Father continued to press the Atheling to allow the appointment of bishops from Rome and not Constantinople, as was the custom.
The Holy Father Recognises Prince Edgar's achievements
And in that year, it became clear that the Emperor Alexios would continue to suppressing the revolts that convulsed his realm. Many of the secessionist princes fell on their knees in supplication upon the Emperor’s return to his lands, begging forgiveness for their sins. On his arrival in Constantinople, the Emperor interred a piece of the True Cross retrieved from Jerusalem, under the Church of Hagia Sophia.
In the lands of Tripoli, the peasantry, spurred on by the heathen clergy, continued to protest the Prince’s actions, but he pressed on with reforming the laws of the land, codifying elements of English practice with elements of Imperial law and the customs of the Arabs.
Prince Edgar's New Laws
He sent for architects and monks from Constantinople to encourage the construction of new defences, new churches and monastaries throughout his realm, to strengthen his own authority, and that of Christ.
A new era of learning is inaugurated.
And while the lands remained poor, the Prince did what he could to ensure peace and prosperity
The coffers of the realm
Furthermore did the Prince Edgar forbid the gathering of the peasantry within the city walls, as the gathering of many in the one place was known to cause discord and strife.
*****
Anno Domini 1083:
In this year, the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon were united as one, and among the Visigoths of Iberia, there was much rejoicing.
Alfonso, King of Leon and Castile
Also was the Lady Matilda of the Bavarians heavy with Child, and troubled was her pregnancy. For in April of this year, she passed from the mortal world, and her child with her. The Prince, Edgar, was much upset, and there was sorrow throughout the land.
The Lady Mathilda's tragic passing.
The prince chose for a second wife, Cornelia, an Italian maiden who acted as ambassador for the Church. He was much struck by her beauty, and by the wisdom of thought, and he took her for his wife in this year.
The Lady Cornelia
Their union would be fruitful and joyous, and the Lady Cornelia fell with child in the Autumn of this year.
And also the peasants of the realm did tire of their insurrection, and return to the fields to gather their harvests. The people of the land were much relieved, and the noble Prince Edgar, did ease their hardship through distribution of food from his personal lands.
*****
Anno Domini 1084:
In this year, the insurrections against the rightful rule of Prince Edgar continued, though the clergy made progress in promoting the true faith to the Muhammadean peoples of the land.
Religious strife continues to plague the Crusader Lands.
The Lady Cornelia bore Prince Edgar’s first child, a girl, they named Ealdgyth. And in the Autumn of that year, she found herself once again heavy with child.
But the Prince was disquieted, for the Lady Cornelia was to be seen much around court, conversing with Aethelric, the Marshal, and it was said by many that their meetings took place at night, and were more intimate than was proper. And suspicion did grip the Atheling's heart, for he trusted few men.
Notes – I removed Edgar’s depression, since his fortunes have taken a turn for the better (it also made him infertile and thus portended a short AAR!), and added the ‘crusader’ trait.
I was lucky during these years, and didn’t face a serious uprising. I am unable to muster many troops since nearly all the provinces are in revolt, and upset at my religious policies. As Edgar is a vassal of the Emperor, his conversion events make the provinces Orthodox, rather than Catholic, which could be troublesome later. It does make some historic sense though, so I like it.
I think my greatest surprise has been the success of Alexios in quashing the civil war. No doubt his reputation is still awful, but he’s holding the realm together nicely. As long as the Turks don’t want to take advantage...
Chapter 6 – Tripoli
1082-4
1082-4
From The Atheling Chronicle, 1082:
In this year, Edgar the Atheling captured the cities of Tripoli, Beirut, Tyre, and Jerusalem. And the Emperor, Alexios Kommenos did grant unto Edgar and his successors the care of these cities, to hold them for Christendom in perpetuity.
And the Atheling Edgar was greatly perplexed, for he desired above all things to be raised to the throne of the English, yet the offer of the Emperor was a generous one, and he had taken a sacred vow before the Holy Father himself, the blessed Alexander, to liberate Jerusalem from the heathens. So he consented to the desire of the Emperor, and agreed to safeguard the cities of the Holy Land on behalf of the Emperor and all Christendom.
Prince Edgar in the Year of Our Lord, 1082
In his decision was Prince Edgar both noble and brave, for though he held in trust the lands in which our saviour himself had walked, they were now ravaged by warfare and the cruel rule of the Mohammodeans.
And though the Emperor had bade him protect these lands, Prince Edgar found himself much alone, and almost without friend in his new domains. His sister Margaret, wife to Donald, brother of the King of Scots, was a guest of Robert, King of England. The Duke Donald’s attempt to seize the throne from King Malcolm had proven to be a disaster, and he and the lady Margaret had sought the protection of the Norman King in their despair.
The Lady Margaret, Once Duchess of Moray
Similarly had Edith, widow unto King Harold, who was slain at Hastings, sought refuge with the son of her husband’s killer, and was rewarded with extensive lands in the county of Gloucester. Her sons, however, continued to reside with the King of the Danes, across the sea.
Edith Godwinson, widow unto King Harold
Harold Godwinson the younger, son of the slain king
The Prince’s mother, Agatha, having passed from this world some years previously, had not lived to see her son rise to the greatness he now held, nor did Edgar learn of her death, which occurred while he was travelling to the East, until now.
The Lady Agatha, widow to Edward of the Hungarians, mother to Prince Edgar
The Crusader lands of Tripoli were extensive, but wanting for both men and resources. For the years of civil strife among the heathens and the recent crusades had taken their toll. Prince Edgar could rely on barely a few dozen of his own huscarls to provide security for the realm:
The Principality of Tripoli, in 1081
As the Holy City of Jerusalem was both convulsed by religious strife, and within view of the Muslim strongholds still held by his enemies, Prince Edgar chose to reside in the northern city of Tripoli.
To consolidate his overlordship, Prince Edgar’s first task was to find himself a bride, and to provide more heirs to the House of Cerdic. At the Emperor’s court, the Atheling had courted the young daughter of the Duke of Bavaria, Matilda of Nordheim, and he now requested the lady’s hand in marriage.
The Lady Mathilda of the Bavarians
But the Prince had little time to enjoy married life, as he was called upon once more to serve his liege. The lack of security for the realm did not dissuade the Emperor from requesting the muster of Edgar’s loyal men to help quash the rebellious moves of the Greek and Rus princelings.
The Emperor calls for aid.
While Prince Edgar dispatched what little help he could to the embattled Emperor, he set toestablishing his authority in the lands around Gallilee and Jerusalem to the south, forcing the local lords to accept his authority as Prince.
While these lands contained significant numbers of Christian minorities, it had been many centuries since the law of the Emperor had been felt here, and most of the populace had fallen under the sway of the heathen faiths. Prince Edgar immediately set to reviving the authority of the old bishops, abbots and deacons of the church, promoting them to positions of power, and removing the influence of the Mohammadean imams.
Prince Edgar strengthens the authority of the Christian clergy
The security of the lands was also greatly on his mind. For not only was he unable to muster much of a force to maintain his own authority, but his realm was surrounded by hostile powers. The Emirate of Damascus and the Kingdom of Egypt squeezed his realm from either side, while many of the local sheiks had sworn fealty the Kingdom of the al-Murturbids, an entity which stretched from the Iberian sea across the Muslim world to the Sinai peninsula. Prince Edgar’s main hope lay in pitting the emirs against one another and looking to the Emperor for protection.
The new Prince faced enemies without and within.
The Blessed Alexander, spoke highly of the Prince Edgar, who had been the only Christian fulfill his sacred vows of Crusade. Yet the Holy Father continued to press the Atheling to allow the appointment of bishops from Rome and not Constantinople, as was the custom.
The Holy Father Recognises Prince Edgar's achievements
In the lands of Tripoli, the peasantry, spurred on by the heathen clergy, continued to protest the Prince’s actions, but he pressed on with reforming the laws of the land, codifying elements of English practice with elements of Imperial law and the customs of the Arabs.
Prince Edgar's New Laws
He sent for architects and monks from Constantinople to encourage the construction of new defences, new churches and monastaries throughout his realm, to strengthen his own authority, and that of Christ.
A new era of learning is inaugurated.
And while the lands remained poor, the Prince did what he could to ensure peace and prosperity
The coffers of the realm
Furthermore did the Prince Edgar forbid the gathering of the peasantry within the city walls, as the gathering of many in the one place was known to cause discord and strife.
*****
Anno Domini 1083:
In this year, the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon were united as one, and among the Visigoths of Iberia, there was much rejoicing.
Alfonso, King of Leon and Castile
Also was the Lady Matilda of the Bavarians heavy with Child, and troubled was her pregnancy. For in April of this year, she passed from the mortal world, and her child with her. The Prince, Edgar, was much upset, and there was sorrow throughout the land.
The Lady Mathilda's tragic passing.
The prince chose for a second wife, Cornelia, an Italian maiden who acted as ambassador for the Church. He was much struck by her beauty, and by the wisdom of thought, and he took her for his wife in this year.
The Lady Cornelia
Their union would be fruitful and joyous, and the Lady Cornelia fell with child in the Autumn of this year.
And also the peasants of the realm did tire of their insurrection, and return to the fields to gather their harvests. The people of the land were much relieved, and the noble Prince Edgar, did ease their hardship through distribution of food from his personal lands.
*****
Anno Domini 1084:
In this year, the insurrections against the rightful rule of Prince Edgar continued, though the clergy made progress in promoting the true faith to the Muhammadean peoples of the land.
Religious strife continues to plague the Crusader Lands.
The Lady Cornelia bore Prince Edgar’s first child, a girl, they named Ealdgyth. And in the Autumn of that year, she found herself once again heavy with child.
But the Prince was disquieted, for the Lady Cornelia was to be seen much around court, conversing with Aethelric, the Marshal, and it was said by many that their meetings took place at night, and were more intimate than was proper. And suspicion did grip the Atheling's heart, for he trusted few men.
*****
Notes – I removed Edgar’s depression, since his fortunes have taken a turn for the better (it also made him infertile and thus portended a short AAR!), and added the ‘crusader’ trait.
I was lucky during these years, and didn’t face a serious uprising. I am unable to muster many troops since nearly all the provinces are in revolt, and upset at my religious policies. As Edgar is a vassal of the Emperor, his conversion events make the provinces Orthodox, rather than Catholic, which could be troublesome later. It does make some historic sense though, so I like it.
I think my greatest surprise has been the success of Alexios in quashing the civil war. No doubt his reputation is still awful, but he’s holding the realm together nicely. As long as the Turks don’t want to take advantage...