The Italian Boot (A Sicily HIP AAR)

[Saxon125]

That is one scary looking HRE. Let's just hope they don't look south.

It looks like you're starting a trend of expelling the Jews whenever you need some quick cash. I'll be surprised if they come back again after that.

If it does I will have to fall on my sword. As for the Jews they will return soon enough...

 

[Enewald]

Just keep sending missionary to new provinces, I find it that the probability of conversion can be high on short period, due to randomness of the events.

 

[Saxon125]

Just keep sending missionary to new provinces, I find it that the probability of conversion can be high on short period, due to randomness of the events.

Conversion is slow, but I have had no relgious revolts yet, just annoying peasent rebellions.

 

[Saxon125]

Gonna take a quick break from this AAR, (lacking the drive to write chapters at the moment.) Sorry, I'll try and get back into this by next Friday.

 

[Asantahene]

Gonna take a quick break from this AAR, (lacking the drive to write chapters at the moment.) Sorry, I'll try and get back into this by next Friday.

Awww hope you come back to it soon Saxon-really have enjoyed this

 

[Saxon125]

Awww hope you come back to it soon Saxon-really have enjoyed this

Fear not, I will return my friend just after a quick break.

 

[Asantahene]

fear not, i will return my friend just after a quick break.

:laugh:

 

[DKM]

Fear not, I will return my friend just after a quick break.

You kidnapped your friend! Also, have a nice break. Hope it gives you your drive back. You're a great writer.

 

[Saxon125]

You kidnapped your friend! Also, have a nice break. Hope it gives you your drive back. You're a great writer.

Wow, thanks for the compliment, I consider my writing to be average to be honest.

 

[Saxon125]

The next chapter of expansion and consolidation is in the process of being written and should be out over the weekend, the following chapter will be a world update, and Chapter VI will consist of helping out a nation on the Iberian peninsular... stay tuned folks.

 

[Saxon125]

The Reign of Bohemond De Hautville Chapter V Consolidation and Expansion Part II 1084-1091

For the next seven years there would be more consolidation and expansion in the Kingdom of Sicily, beginning with the replacement of the Gavelkind succession law with the Primogeniture succession law. No longer would Sicily be split between the sons of the King, rather the first born son would inherit all of his predecessor’s lands and titles.

Several months later in May 1084, Prince Roger of Sicily, Bohemond’s chancellor forged a claim on the county of Crna Gora in the Kingdom of Zeta. However, this ‘claim’ could not be pressed for several years given Bohemond’s recent acquisition of Primorje. Following two years of peace and prosperity, Boehemond hosted a Grand Tourney in 1087, it was a bloody and brutal affair, but three men claimed victory. Count Goffredo of Taranto claimed first place, with Radulf D’Escurses taking second place, and Gilbert De Clare taking third place.

Two more years of peace and Prosperity occurred in the Boot with little of note worth mentioning. However, in 1089 the truce with Zeta expired and so Sicily could now claim Crna Gora. The War itself was short and bloody with the Duke of Napoli joining the Zetan side. Unwilling to leave an enemy force operating in the Sicily heartlands, Boehemond marched five thousand men to deal with them and quickly engaged the small Napolian force at the battle of Stabia. The Sicilians wiped out the enemy forces in one decisive blow with a mighty cavalry charge, which showed Boehemond as a true cavalry leader.

With this force dealt with, Boehemond marched his forces to the coast and took ship to Primorje with the vast majority of Sicily’s levies. He quickly moved his forces into the county of Crna Gora and engaged enemy forces at the battle of Drivast, nearly destroying the Zetan armed forces in the process. The Zetans were fighting a two front war between Croatia and Hungary, Sicily’s allies, and thus had few men to deal with Boehemond and his forces.

With his force’s bolstered by 4000 Sicilian reinforcements, Boehemond settled in to siegeing counties and waiting for King Vladimir to surrender. It was during this time that Boehemond became known as the ‘Lionheart’ reputedly after leading a daring cavalry sortie to rescue foragers who were surrounded by bandits. By September 1090 the war was over, and Cstra Gora was claimed for Sicily in little over a year.

A few months would pass in relative peace before a peasant rebellion occurred in the county of Gaeta in September 1091. Boehemond quickly 6000 men and utterly crushed the rebellion in the field nearly Gaeta castle. Bohemond became a formidable fighter, after leading a cavalry charge that caused the majority of the peasants to flee under the might of armoured horses.

By December 1091, Bohemond’s son and heir, Tancred came of age. A masterful warrior and a skilled diplomat, he would become King of Sicily earlier then expected following events on the Iberian Peninsula…​

 

[Enewald]

Why would you enter Iberia? Too many Moors over there.

 

[Saxon125]

Why would you enter Iberia? Too many Moors over there.

Helping out Castile in their war against the Moors.

 

[Saxon125]

World Update 1091

Now to a world update, with me the writer of this charming tale.

Sicily is strong and unified bar two counties, though expansion opportunities are limited to the Balkans and possibly Africa.

The Byzantine Empire are holding their own against the Muslims in Outremer, hopefully they will not turn their eyes towards Sicily any time soon. Two Muslim nations are extremely powerful in the Holy Land and may soon advance into the Empire.

Ah, Central Europe, what a bloody mess. The HRE are extremely large, having swallowed France a few years back, not to mention their control over Germany and northern Italy gives them a tremendous power base. Let us pray they implode when the current Emperor dies. Elsewhere, Brittany has control over Normandy but how long they can hold onto it remains in doubt, and the kingdoms of Croatia and Hungary are holding their own. Poland however, looks like it may be swallowed by the HRE or the Russians soon enough.

Now to the Isles, where much to my shock the Godwin’s have held onto England and are the most powerful nation within Britannia. Wales has unified under the Mathrafal dynasty, though I doubt they will be able to pull a Pendragon and unify Britannia. Scotland is split between the Crovans and the Dunkeld dynasties. Though the Crovans are the weaker of the two. Ireland meanwhile is split between many petty lords who are not unified under a king. I doubt they will be able to unify and form Ireland.

In Scandinavia, Norway is strong and unified, Sweden has fallen under a Pagan King, while Denmark has made little territorial gains. The Majority of Finland is a petty lords ruling their own lands, though Sweden does have a foothold in the region.

In Hispania meanwhile, the Christian lords are on the back foot, against the Muslims hordes. They may be able to push them from Spain but it will take time, time which they probably do not have…

---

Two chapters in one day it's a record! Anyway next to the Iberian Peninsular to aid Castille against the Moors.​

 

[Enewald]

Forget Spain, acquire Qart Hadasht!

 

[Asantahene]

We are honoured and a great couple of updates for which thanks.

HRE what a mess. Let's hope the great powers scott turn avaricious eyes towards your gains eh?

 

[Saxon125]

We are honoured and a great couple of updates for which thanks.

HRE what a mess. Let's hope the great powers scott turn avaricious eyes towards your gains eh?

If they did I would be crushed, the HRE can muster 50,000 men last I checked, whereas Sicily can raise about 16,000. The Byzantines also worry me, they may turn their eyes to the boot soon enough.

 

[Michaelangelo]

The king of Sicily must not sleep well at night with that nightmare north of the kingdom. That is one terrifying HRE. Even Eastern Europe looks fairly consolidated, although Iberia surely is not.

 

[Saxon125]

The king of Sicily must not sleep well at night with that nightmare north of the kingdom. That is one terrifying HRE. Even Eastern Europe looks fairly consolidated, although Iberia surely is not.

Yep that HRE worries me, but hopefully it will implode soon enough.

 

[Asantahene]

If they did I would be crushed, the HRE can muster 50,000 men last I checked, whereas Sicily can raise about 16,000. The Byzantines also worry me, they may turn their eyes to the boot soon enough.

You need to sort put some strong alliances my friend and right quick!