The Dhunnunid Diaries

[Julexus Quandem]

The Dhunnunid Diaries - An Iberian Emirate ARR

Little is known of House Dhunnunid and it's exploits in the Iberian peninsular during the middle ages. Recently however, diaries from the heads of the dynasty have been found, long lost in a vault under the city of Valencia. Why, in 1066, Yahya ibn Isma'il Dhunnunid, Emir of Valencia and Toledo started these diaries is unknown, yet they were continued by his heirs down through the years providing an intriguing historical record. Here follows a reconstruction of House Dhunnunid's trials and tribulations using excerpts from the diaries and a number of modern maps and illustrations. Direct excerpts have been translated from the original Arabic and all dates are in the Western calender for ease of reading.

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Diary entry: 15th September 1066

Aged 53, I, Emir Yahya of Dhunnunid Emirate, Emir of Toledo, Sheikh of Balansyya, Sheikh of Tulaytulah, Sheikh of Molina and Sheikh of Kunka have declared that I shall keep a record of the exploits of whatever remains of my life. It has been... interesting, so far, but now I look to confirm my legacy and pass on the family titles. My long departed and long forgotten wife only managed to produce two children before her disappearance and only one son, Isma'il. I should thank Allah for that at least. Strangely I cannot recall my own mother either, or my paternal grandmother. What is it with the unmemorable women of my family?

As I look out upon my lands I wonder what the future may hold, proud of what I have already achieved. I grow wary of the infidels to the north and wonder whether some day I or my descendants may unite the fractured Muslim lands in this corner of Europe.

I wish to get married again. I cannot rely on my sole son to carry on my line. Isma'il, who is also my Grand Vizer, is encouraging me to go on Hajj before I die. It is something I should have done years ago,so will start preparing to leave as soon as possible. I shall find myself a new wife as soon as I get back; the long journey may help me lose some of my weight...

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For the record I am using CKII with patch 1.091, Sword of Islam, Legacy of Rome. I am writing this as I play, so anything could happen; I'm probably going to get demolished by my northern neighbours, but we shall see. I plan on just playing the game straight without any re-loading when it all (inevitably) goes pear-shaped, I'm just going to see what happens!

 

[Raxstones]

I'm writing an AAR in diary style too at the moment, so I will follow yours to learn. Interesting starting point you have. I recently played Barcelona the other way
around conquering the Iberian peninsula. Hope you can withstand the catholic forces.

 

[Julexus Quandem]

Part 2: Yahya's Hajj​

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The next diary entries all cover Emir Yahya's 3 month pilgrimage to Mecca. This would have been a journey of 3,500 miles and most of those 3 months away would have been spent travelling. One can only guess at the route taken, but it would seem likely that the Emir travelled from the city of Gandia (south of modern day Valencia) by boat to Arish (west of modern day Gaza), which at that time ruled by the Fatimids. From there it would have been about 900 miles by horseback to reach Mecca. It would seem to have been an eventful journey as well.

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Diary Entry: 27th September 1066

Diary Entry: 28th September 1066

I have set sail and all being well Isma'il should have been appointed Regent to look after things while I am away. Hopefully he won't break anything while I am gone.

Diary Entry: 6th October 1066

We encountered a ferocious storm today which led to the sinking of our ship. Thankfully my diary was in my pocket at the time, otherwise it would now be lost amongst the waves. I have decided that as I am an Emir and everyone else here is a mere peasant that I shall have the greatest share of what little food we have left.

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Historian's Note: There were not many “small, deserted islands” in the Mediterranean at this time. One of the few was Lampedusa, which lies about halfway between Sicily and Tunisia, so it could very well have been there the Emir and his fellow travellers ended up. Assuming a fairly constant travel speed the time-line from the diary entries would suggest that they were in that area at the time of the storm.

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Diary Entry: 9th October 1066

We have been rescued by a passing ship. Some of my fellow travellers died during our stay on the island, allegedly from lack of sustenance. I struggle to see how I had anything to do with that; it was only 3 days!

Diary Entry: 14th October 1066

We got lost in the desert today, having not that long ago made landfall. How the idiot guiding us managed this is beyond me. We only have to head south until we reach the Red Sea and then follow the coast further south still to Jeddah. How hard could that be? Glad I checked with my good friend and vassal Yahaff Yahaffid, who, despite never having been to Mecca himself knew of a friend of a friend who said getting there from the coast of the Sea of Palestine was fairly straightforward. Except for our guide it would seem.

Diary Entry: 27th October 1066

Some old man appeared in camp this evening, I suffered his wafflings in return for a fellow traveller's bread. I made out I was excited by what he said. I was not.

Diary Entry: 5th November 1066

I have finally arrived in Mecca. Feeling a bit humble about the whole thing. I expect it will pass.

Diary Entry: 7th November 1066

I performed the Tawaf at the Kabah today. After surviving this long journey and experiencing what I have done here I now feel more ambitious about my future plans. On my return I shall have a thorough review of the running of my emirates and maybe even look beyond them!

Diary Entry: 13th November 1066

I understand more of my place in this world. I am calm. I set off for home soon to fulfil my destiny.

Diary Entry: 21st November 1066

The journey home has thankfully been uneventful so far. We came across a very poor village during the trek home. I have this sudden urge to help them, still in a generous mood after Hajj. I'm feel like I did a good deed today and that Allah shall smile upon me because of it. I shall need His help to fulfil my plans, so I suppose it was worth it.

Diary Entry: December 27th 1066

I have returned. Isma'il has managed to keep order, which bodes well for the future. He is a diligent son and will make a successful ruler, so I hope. I have many plans now, the first of which will be to find a new wife. I also wish to review my Council, some of them are competent at best and I want more than “competent”. I have also neglected my realms defences in the past and am becoming increasingly worried about the Christians to the north. I may even raise a standing army; one of my fellow pilgrims from the Seljuk empire told me of their army and it's successes. Thankfully my vassals all think quite highly of me, so carrying out my new plans should be met with little resistance.

 

[Mithfir]

I didn't try a Muslim game yet. This should be interesting.

 

[Julexus Quandem]

Part3: Plans into Action

Inspired by his Hajj, Emir Yahya set out to improve the state of his realm and of his family.

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29^thDecember 1066: I enquired about eligible suitors today for my marriage. Isma'il also reminded me that he is unmarried, so we had a look for him as well. We were both on the lookout for ladies of stature, someone with some power perhaps, maybe even a princess? The top 6 “candidates” looked like this:

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A bunch of 16-year-old courtiers and a 6-year-old princess. I will likely be dead before Princess Ballara reaches 16! Surely there could be some more eligible women about? Alas, Yasmin seems to like me a bit, and she is Yahaff's courtier, so he will probably be eager for herr to marry a man as powerful as me. I immediately send a request for her hand in marriage.

Isma'il expressed an interest in Habiba, whom he has seen on his travels to Castellon and claims is “a rare beauty”. I quietly pulled him aside and explained to him about the “Great Pox” and how, rumour had it, she carries it. He was suddenly a lot less eager. I encouraged him to marry Rafiqa telling him that I heard she is“lustful”. Isma'il needed little more encouragement and they were married a few days later. Isma'il's son, also called Yahya, was less then impressed, but then he is only 3-years-old. His mother was also one of the Many-Disappearing-Dhunnunid-Women.

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Historian's note: The mystery of the“Many-Disappearing-Dhunnunid-Women” is still unsolved to the modern day.

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In less exciting news I have ordered a small city wall built in Madrid in case the Christians get any ideas. This cost most of the measly 67 coins in treasury and will take well over a year to build. I shall have to review our finances as well at some point.

1^stJanuary 1067: I reviewed my council today. Not brilliant, but still the best people I could find.

I reviewed them thus:

• Grand Vizier – Isma'il, my son. Good at the job, no problem.
• Marshal– A greedy hunchback who is “competent” at best.
• Steward– A mastermind theologian, however he is even fatter than me.
• Spymaster– Fairly good at the job, but a cynical coward with the great pox. Perhaps I should set him up with Habiba?
• Imam– Not great at the job, nothing I can do about it.

I promptly sent them to do some more work, as sitting around in the palace just isn't good enough any more. Abbas can go hurry up those walls in Mardrid for a start. Suleyman needs to get to work to converting the infidels in Kunka and Mundir can train up the troops here in the capital. I have sent both Isma'il my son and Isma'il my spymaster to improve relations with the Leonese and study their technology respectively. I feel apprehensive about sending my son to work with infidels, but I can't afford, or win, a war with Leon if they decide to invade. So I'm going to play it nice.

10^th January 1067: I'm...mildly upset by the letter Yahaff sent me today. What sort of best friend doesn't let you marry his 16-year-old courtier? One who has already married her himself it would seem!

13^th January 1067: I have decided to marry my courtier Malika instead. She doesn't need any permission from anyone other than me, which I promptly agree to. The marriage, though at short notice, was very well attended. Malika is pretty, if a little dull and slothful. She does enjoy a bit of torture though...

I have also decided that it is about time I improved my stewardship.

7^th February 1067: I gave Isma'il the Sheikdom of Tulaytulah to ensure succession to him,and he asked for a title anyway, so I thought why not? I had to appoint a new marshal as the Mayor of Madrid is now Isma'il's vassal. Abdul-Rahman Rahman was appointed and sent to train troops in Balansiyya as well. He's not as good as Mundir.

4^thMay 1067: All has been quiet recently. I'm trying to raise funds for more defences.

11^thJune 1067: As my vassals all appear to like me and I need the money to defend the realm they won't mind me raising Iqta and City taxation now will they? So I go ahead and attempt to do both. However it seems I can't change more than one law every 5 years, so have only put Iqta tax up for the moment. Seriously, am I Emir or am I Emir?

5^thSeptember 1067: Isma'il (my son, not the spymaster) has had success in Leon, and King Alfonso VI now thinks more of me because of it. Hopefully this will make him less likely to invade.

8^th September 1067: I order the start of construction of another city wall, this time in Guadalajara.

22^ndSeptember 1067: A passing stranger thrust a book into my hand today. I shall read it, but don't expect it to make any sense.

2^nd October 1067: The book was a load of camel's gonads, it made no sense at all. I do feel the need to read more books now though, preferably better ones.

6^th January 1068:

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Joyous news! My wife Malika is pregnant! Hopefully she produces a son for me so that, should the worst befall Isma'il, the realm is at least left to a competent healthy child, not that lisping fool that I have for a grandson.

 

[Julexus Quandem]

Part 4: Of Illness, Invasions and Revolts.

The next part of the diaries covers the period from the start of 1068 through to the Spring of 1069. Most of it is about Emir Yahya's illness which lasted for most of 1068, but it isn't of great relevance to this account and I shall skip most of those parts. However, things are starting to get a bit heated in the Dhunnunid realm and this is the first account of Emir Yahya resorting to violent force.

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14th February 1068: I have gone down with illness. This will probably be my last group of entries to this diary. I fear I shall die. I shall try to keep up with the events in my realm but I have little energy for them. My head hurts.

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Historian's Note: Next follow many many entries regarding the state of the Emir's health, most of which aren't very interesting and won't be included here.

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4th May 1068: Allah has granted me another day it would seem. I hear that Yahaff has taken it upon himself to help expand my realm by declaring war on the Jahwarid Emirate in an attempt to conquer Qurtubah. Good for him I say. Saves me having to do it and I really don't have the energy for war at the moment. My head still hurts.

23rd May 1068: I remember some time back thinking I should arrange for Spymaster Isma'il to marry the courtier Habiba. I have made it so. They can share the Great Pox together. Lucky them. Head feels like a camel has sat on it all day.

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7th August 1068:​ I momentarily feel brighter today when I am informed that Malika has given birth to a daughter, whom we have named Butayna. I'm mildly disappointed that she hasn't produced me a son, especially as I am too ill to think about producing more children. Oh well, will have to hope that Isma'il survives longer than me. Seems likely at the moment, my head feels like a small, yet very loud, bird is nesting in it.

17th October 1068: Yahaff won his war. Go him. Qurtubah is now part of my realm for what time I have left. I could claim the Emirate of Jahwarid for myself now if I had the money. Or the energy to do the paperwork.

1st November 1068: Allah be praised! I have miraculously recovered from my illness! I feel much more lively than I have done for months and have managed to improve my skill at stewardship. However, on the very day I feel better, the ingrates in Kunka have revolted and the city of Guadalajara is under siege! I shall raise my army and march to Kunka to put them down. Oppressive? Me? Never!

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27th January 1069: It took a while but the levies have been raised and have organised themselves in La Mancha, ready to march on Kunka. The brave souls of Guadalajara seem to be holding out well though, hopefully not too many of them will have died by the time we get there. I have twice the number of troops as them, so I don't see winning this as being too much of an issue!

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4th March 1069: After a long march we finally made it to the besieged city of Guadalajara. The battle was brief. We out-numbered them two-to-one and they were just a rabble, where we were a more organised band of soldiers. The surviving rebels fled or just went home. I don't think their hearts were in it really. It was good to rekindle the fires of battle though; perhaps I shall look for a fight with a little more challenge. I tell my soldiers to return home.

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After the battle, and buoyed by my success, I looked north to the small dis-unified realms of my muslim brothers. Their leaders clearly aren't up to the job, otherwise they would have united together some time back. I would prefer not to attack fellow Muslims, but I would much rather see these three Sheikdoms under my rule than that of Aragon, Barcelona, Navarra or Castille.

With that in mind, I inform the Sheikh of Calatayud that I wish to conquer his realm, and war is declared.

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I hastily recall my levies and order them to Molina to prepare the assault. I also order the building of a town wall in Caballinas del Campo while I think about it.

21st March 1069: My spymaster Isma'il has died from the Great Pox. Not a great surprise and I am glad I found him a wife when I did. I have appointed Lubb, the Mayor of Caballinas del Campo as my new spymaster.

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26th April 1069: My army started the march to Calatayud today and will soon start attacking the holdings there. I am eager to see this war won quickly and decisively. The Calatayudan army is nowhere to be seen.

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Imam Suleyman thought it wise to inform me that the peasants in Kunka are not appreciating his attempts to convert them to Islam and that they may revolt as a result. I little late my dear Imam, a little late.

 

[Julexus Quandem]

Part 5: The Invasion of Calatayud

The invasion and subsequent conquering of Calatayud would have been expected to be a relatively simple affair, and in a sense that part of the Emir's plan was. However the events following the conquest nearly led to the downfall of the Emir's rule and at one point only with much patience did Yahya survive to rule another day. The following extracts from the diaries catalogue the initial invasion following entry into a Holy War against Barcelona.

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25th May 1069: The invasion goes well, the troops have made it to the gates of Calatayud. Malika is pregnant again. This is good news. Perhaps I will have another son this time.

10th June 1069: Sheikh Mohammed of Calatayud has sent his pitiful army to the gates of my home city of Balansiyya! How dare he! I shall not fall for his efforts to distract my army though and will continue with my own siege, I have a lot more troops than him, so we should win first and can then head back to remove the blight from our lands.

4th July 1069: The attack on Calatayud goes well. The defending soldiers tried to sally forth and attack us today. They had no success I am pleased to report.

21st August 1069: The defence of Balansiyya goes badly. I instructed our defenders to try what the Calatayudians had tried last month but with more skill. We did not employ enough skill to make any difference, and in fact probably lost more me than we killed.

30th August 1069: I grow tired of waiting for my army to capture Calatayud. How difficult can it be? I order them to get on with it and storm the city.

16th October 1069: Finally, we have captured the city of Calatayud! This is great news, and the siege of Balansiyya is going nowhere. I ordered my troops to return to Balansiyya to remove the pond scum.

4th December 1069: Faced with the prospect of annihilation the attackers fled and headed to Castellon, which they are not strong enough to attack. They can stay there and rot for all I care. I order the troops back to Calatayud to finish the job.

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26th December 1069: Malika gave birth to a son whom we have named Garsiya. I am honoured and blessed by Allah, He clearly supports my attempts to unify my fellow Muslims under my rule.

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21st January 1070: The enemy moved back to Balansiyya after we got back to Calatalyud. I tire of these games of chase already, so we shall stay where we are for the time being. The people of Balansiyya are strong and will cope.

22nd March 1070: Allah has helped with our work by striking the enemy in Balansiyya with a disease that has spread among their ranks. I have no sympathy; they should give up now.

20th April 1070: We have won the siege of Alhama. This was not so challenging, I predict the war will be ending soon. Then I can go home; this fighting tires my old bones.

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9th July 1070: Victory! We finished our successful assault on Piedra today, and Sheikh Muhammad promptly surrendered. I look back on the campaign and am generally pleased. The soldiers fought well and we took few losses. This was to be expected, we did outnumber the enemy by some way. Greater challenges will lie ahead no doubt, but for now I am pleased.

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I have looked over the lands that I covet and it is clear changes have taken place during the war. The Aragonese have conquered Saraqusta, or Zaragoza as it is now known, and I'm in no position to fight them at the moment. It shall have to wait. Albaraccin, one of my other "lands to conquer", are currently at war with Barcelona and I therefore cannot in good conscience go to war with them either. In fact, I would rather Barcelona did not conquer them. Barcelona are not yet claiming Albaraccin, but I'm sure if we give it time they will. The war is over Larida which isn't really part of my plans, but it may be in the future. At the moment Barcelona is winning and it doesn't look like things are going to change in that regard; best not to get involved at the moment I think.

Muhammad Hudid is unhappy at my conquest of his lands, hardly a surprise, but he is now my vassal. This is not ideal. I could revoke his title, but this will upset my other vassals and they in the main have always been happy with my rule so I don't wish to give them reason to think otherwise. There is one course therefore: kill him.

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I look forward to returning home now to see my wife and meet my new son!


2nd August 1070: My not-so-good-friend, Muhammad Hudid, Sheikh of Calatayud has declared his interest in claiming my realm for my son-in-law Abu-al-Malik ibn Abdul-Aziz Amirid, Sheikh of Castellon. I know I don't often mention my daughter Safiya (what is there to say?) but her husband clearly needs dealing with, or better yet, his sponsor Muhammad.

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8th August 1070: In response to Sheikh Muhammad's moves I have invited a number of my vassals to join the plot to kill him. Some took a bit of bribing. Some were bribed and still weren't interested! Seems like I rule over a surprisingly moral bunch.

1st September 1070: Since the recent war I have not been viewed very highly by the Sunni Caliph. They don't share my reasoning on uniting the divided lands under one ruler. I make a charitable donation to help with this as I would prefer they were on my side.

20th October 1070: The tide appears to be turning in the Larida-Barcelona war. My Muslim brothers have joined forces and actually appear to be winning. I offer to join the war as well, as a show of good faith and all that. Plus if Barcelona don't conquer Larida it is left open for me!

1st November 1070: The offer was accepted, would have been very odd had it not have been. Off to war we go again. The levies have been raised and we make our way to the border of Larida. Our enemies will indeed tremble.

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I'm starting to wish the places in which this adventure is taking place had shorter names

 

[Mithfir]

Vassals with morals can sometimes be a hindrance. How goes the Barcelona campaign?

 

[Julexus Quandem]

Part 6: Holy War and Unholy Rebellion.

After Emir Yayhya's success in Calatayud the war with Barcelona would prove more challenging. If the Emir at this time thought the minor war with Calatayud was all the trouble he was going to get from the province he was sadly mistaken...

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13th January 1071: My army and I have made it to Turtusha and joined the siege to take Tarragona. The Barcelonian army sits in Barcelona not looking like they are going to attack any time soon despite outnumbering us. The siege is as dull as sieges get, hopefully this one won't take too long.

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3rd February 1071: My dear friend Yahaff has agreed to join the plot to kill Sheikh Muhammad. I knew he would see the right path in the end.

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3rd May 1071: We have finally won the siege of Tarragona and the war is gradually heading back to favour us and our Muslim allies.

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The Barcelonian army has engaged my allies in Larida. Unfortunately said allies are severely outnumbered. For some reason they keep sending pitifully small bands of troops to take on the whole Barcelonian army. No wonder they were losing!

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23rd June 1071: Today we retook Turtusha for the Laridans. At some point it seems my allies managed to capture a Barcelonian holding in Urgell, so the Barcelonian army has retreated there to retake it. Keeps them off my back.

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27th July 1071: Isma'il has been successful in persuading the King of Castille that I'm not a warmonger and won't be attacking them any time soon. I have sent him to Calatayud to keep an eye on Sheikh Muhammad and perhaps even find an excuse for me to remove the Shiekdom from him.

19th August 1071: We have now completely liberated Turtusha for the Laridans by winning the siege of Sant Cugat. We are now headed to the province of Larida to prepare to take on the Barcelonian army who are still in Urgell. Hopefully my allies will join me in Larida as I don't have enough troops to take on the enemy army on my own. We have now taken back all that my allies had lost to Barcelona. Good thing we joined in really.

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3rd October 1071: For a month we have been in Larida now, and my allies seem reluctant to take on the enemy in Urgell. They have happily sent troops to Barcelona itself to make siege, but what use is that if the Barcelonian army still stands? Their logic confounds me, it really does.

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15th November 1071: Still we sit in Larida. I have a few reinforcements coming to join us, but not enough to beat the enemy army. A messenger came to see me today to tell me that the plot to kill Sheikh Muhammad has been revealed. This can't bode well I fear; not that he liked me much in the first place though.

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14th December 1071: I have heard reports that the Barcelonian army (and it would seem their friends from Burgundy) have finished their siege in Urgell and have started marching towards Empuires to the east. My scouts tell me that they should be in Empuires by the 26th, so I move my army to Urgell, aiming to be there on the 29th well after the enemy has left.

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29th December 1071: My scout was wrong! We arrived in Urgell today and were promptly met by the enemy army! We are ready for battle; retreat is not an option. I fear this could be a decisive moment in this war and one that may not go well for us despite my allies managing to turn up as well. I wonder whether heading to Barcelona to help with the siege may have been a better option.

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13th February 1072: Having lost the battle we are on the retreat back to Larida. The enemy was just more organised and more prepared. On the march back I overheard one of the soldiers, one Abu-Baran ibn Ban-Abu I believe, state that "Despite losing the battle I expect us still to win this war". I hope he is right and am humbled by his confidence in my leadership.

5th March 1072: Betrayal! Sheikh Muhammad, in what can only be described as a cowardly and opportunistic act, has demanded that I hand the Dhunnunid Emirate to my son-in-law. In the middle of a war I know have a rebellion on my hands. Having made little progress against Barcelona in the last few months I have no choice but to march my army back to Calatayud to take on these rebels.

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9th March 1072: We have started the march to Calatayud. My allies will have to hold the Barcelonians on their own for a bit. I don't have much confidence in them, but given the choice of fighting for my own lands or someone else's it's really not that hard a decision to make.

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22nd March 1072: A scout frantically waved a piece of paper under my nose today. It would seem more "people" have joined the rebellion. It now outnumbers my meagre army! Muhammad knew we were weakened from the war and now actually has a chance of winning. How did this happen? I am in despair at the thought that I could now lose my realm, and to my snivelling son-in-law of all people! No point marching my soldiers to their deaths, so we shall head to Turtusha for the time being.

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11th April 1072: My allies have engaged the Barcelonians in Larida. As usual my allies have taken on a bigger army than theirs, but if I join the battle we may win. At least it would be something to feel good about, even if I still see no way to win against the rebels at home.

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3rd May 1072: We crushed the Barcelonians. It is but a hollow victory for the rebels are marching on Castellon and will soon begin their siege there. Hopefully my allies can mop up what is left of the Barcelonian troops while we remain in Larida. My plan, such as it is, is to let the rebels wear themselves out while they siege and then to move in when they are weak. Not much of a plan I know, but it is the best I can think of at the moment.

19th October 1072: Still reeling from their defeat in Larida the Barcelonians have agreed to a white peace. Probably sensible. We don't have the troops to start taking their holdings and they have little left to fight our armies. For the time being I am going to stay here in Larida with the troops and pray to Allah for a miracle to help us defeat the rebels.

 

[Julexus Quandem]

Part 7: Patience is a virtue.

Things were not looking good for Emir Yahya. There was no way his army was going to defeat the rebels, but as his holdings fell to them he had a very simple idea that took some patience and time but paid off.

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24th February 1073: The first of my holdings has fallen to the rebels. Castello is now in their hands. I'm not happy about this, but what can I do? I will make them pay for every holding they take and make it as difficult for them as possible to take each one, and when they have weakened, then I shall strike.

I had some good news today, a messenger arrived to tell me Malika is pregnant again. She insisted on coming to Larida to visit the other week and now I shall have another child!

7th April 1073: I hear from Isma'il who is holed up in the enemy's Sheikdom. He has managed to convince the locals there that it is I who should rightfully hold Sheikh Muhammad's title. This is of no use now really but at least I may have some more support if I do win this war. A plan is starting to form in my mind. It may take a while, but I think it should work.

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28th May 1073: Alpuente has fallen to the rebels, but at last a plan is forming in my mind. The Emirate's treasury is fairly healthy and I hear that there are various bands of mercenaries who will fight for whoever pays them. I have started making enquiries, but it seems I shall have to wait a little longer to raise the funds I need. Let's hope the rebels don't take too many more holdings in the meant time!

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15th August 1073: I have had enough of these rebels and now have enough in the treasury to do something about it. I have hired The Berber Company under a man called Amin Mntid. They arrived today in Balansiyya and we are already on the march from Larida to meet the enemy in Castellon.

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17th September 1073: Despite Mntid telling me his men aren't really ready, I have ordered him to march on Castellon. I too would like them to be at their highest readiness, but I can't afford to pay them to sit in a field getting ready!

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26th September 1073: The Berber's have started the battle in Nules and we shall be there soon. Joyous news from home, Malika has given birth. Though I have not seen her at all during the pregnancy I expect that she is doing well. I have another son: he is called Ayyub.

4th October 1073: My patience paid off today, we won the Battle of Nules. Despite a lot of hard marching we turned up just as victory was achieved. At least I did not lose any of my own men! Mntid also managed to capture one of the rebel commanders. We are now chasing the rebels back to Turtusha.

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15th November 1073: We have tasted battle and beaten the rebels back further. I have asked Mntid and his men to hurry up with their siege. I'm not paying them to stand outside a city doing very little.

22nd November 1073: I had to dismiss The Berber Company today despite them being in the middle of a siege. I thanked them for their help but I don't have the money to keep paying them. Hopefully the rebels are broken now and I can finish this war on my own.

19th December 1073: We have nearly chased the rebels back to Calatayud now, having engaged them in battle once more. We leave to march on Calatayud tomorrow, from there we will crush the rebels completely.

7th January 1074: I hear the Sheikh of Qurtubah has decided to go to war with with Aftasid in an attempt to conquer Badajoz. It is very kind of him to try to expand my realm for me, but I fear he has taken on more than he can cope with in this instance. I shall watch this one carefully.

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5th February 1074: We finally crushed the rebel army today and are now marching back to Castellon to retake my holdings there. I'm sure this will be a trivial matter.

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25th April 1074: I returned home today. It was a pleasure to see my wife again and to meet Ayyub. I cannot believe that Butayna is now 5 years of age and Garsiya is 4! It seems I miss so much by leading my armies in war, I wonder if in future I can stay at home and send someone else to do the fighting.

I was advised a few days ago that there is little but pride to gain from continuing this war. I sent a request for a white peace to the now-former-Sheikh Muhammad and had it accepted. Muhammad and my son-in-law Abu-al-Malik both now reside in my prison while I decide what to do with them. Isma'il is now Sheikh of Calatayud.

My vassals are falling over themselves to tell me how much they think of me. Never one to miss a chance when I see it I have decided to raise my city taxes. It was after all their money that helped me beat the rebellion...

 

[Julexus Quandem]

Part 8: Reconquista!

For the 8 years covered by the diaries so far, Emir Yahya had managed to avoid annoying the more powerful Christian nations to the north. This would not last as the rulers of Aragon, Castille and Navarra all looked to the weaker Islamic Emirates as a means to expand their kingdoms. Emir Yahya was about to be on the wrong end of the Reconquista...

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2nd May 1074: I have had Muhammad and my treacherous son-in-law executed. They were beheaded in front of a large crowd in Balansiyya this morning; a good start to the day for all I would hope. This will be a lesson to others who would oppose me; I will not tolerate treachery. It also means that I can arrange for Safiya to marry a more honourable man. I have already put plans in place for her to marry my trusty Marshall Abdul-Rahman Rahman.

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21st May 1074: Barcelona are on the war path again, this time to try to conquer Murcia. Lying to the south of my realm Murcia is nowhere near the rest of their lands, no idea why they would want it. I've joined the war; the Barcelonians clearly want to lose again.

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Historians Note: Emir Abdul-Rahman of Taharid Emirate is not to be confused with Abdul-Rahman Rahman, Emir Yahya's Marshall and son-in-law.​

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8th July 1074: I have been feeling a bit down recently. Have I really achieved that much in my time in this world? Have I got anything to really be proud of? I have maintained that which I started with, but haven't really grown the Emirate as much as I would have liked, too many wars have kept cropping up. If only mine was the powerful realm in this region, then we would dictate which wars were fought and against whom. This latest war is just a side-show, the Barcelonians are hardly a serious enemy.

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19th August 1074: King Sancho II of Castille has declared a Holy War for control of the Emirate of Toledo! They want most my northern lands! I do not have the army to fight the Castillians, but I shall nonetheless try and make them suffer for every holding that they take. Sancho is known as "The Cruel" among his people and I've never known that to be regarded as a good thing. I order my army to retreat from fighting the Barcelonians and head to Castille immediately. Hopefully we can cause some damage before their army organises. My allies are actually doing well against Barcelona, they can do without me for a bit. Maybe some of them may come to my defence?

25th September 1074: I haven't joined my army in Soria this time, I feel I am too old to head halfway across Iberia to lay siege. King Ramiro of Navarra has joined the war though we have yet to engage the Castillian forces. Perhaps we shall get lucky. My allies are yet to show any interest in joining this war, happy to carry on bashing Barcelona.

5th October 1074: Not a good day. First a message arrives from a 7-year-old girl to say she is joining the war. Seriously, small children are declaring war on me! The fact that she happens to be Queen Isabel of Aragon is besides the point! Secondly I have gained a nickname. They call the King of Castille "The Cruel" and the King of Navarra "The Wise". What have the good people of the Dhunnunid Emirate decided to call me? The Kind? The Humble? The Good-looking? No. I am know known as Emir Yahya "The Fat". I like to think this just shows the quality of lifestyle that I am able to maintain for myself. The only bright side that I can think of is at least Queen Isabel didn't provide the nickname...

24th October 1074: The Castillian army has made an appearance finally. I ordered my troops to retreat back to Calatayud, no point in unnecessary slaughter. That's in reference to my own troops, not the Castillians.

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14th December 1074: I ordered my troops back to Castellon as the enemy marches into Calatayud. I have no idea where I am going to find the troops to defeat the combined forces of Castille, Navarra and Aragon.

25th December 1074: Malika is pregnant once more. Staying at home has its advantages.

28th December 1074: I heard this evening that the city of Molina is under siege. Very little that I can do about that. Patience worked in my last war, perhaps the same will happen again. I find myself regarding the future with less promise than I once did. If the Christian nations take Toledo what is to stop them taking the rest of my lands as well?

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Updates will be happening on a weekly basis until Easter when I will be off work for the school holiday so can update more regularly. I hope people are enjoying the trials and tribulations of Emir Yahya!

 

[mike the knight]

Very nice ! A Muslim story at Iberia !It seems that you have much trouble internally ....May the Lord help you crush with your patience the infidels !

 

[Julexus Quandem]

Ok, so I've remembered how much time I don't have during the school term times. I will continue the adventures of Emir Yahya at the start of April when I have 2 weeks off

 

[Mithfir]

Please do!