The retaking of Kiev and the incarceration of a king
“Four months to plan a birthday? Isn't that a bit excessive, dear?” is what Aleta told me on the morning of New Year's day, 1218. Not as far as I was concerned, I was about to turn thirty years old and was in charge of six kingdoms. Four months later, on April 9 – I celebrated my thirtieth birthday with a huge party. All my vassals were invited, and of course – turned up. One does not refuse an invite from their sovereign. It was at that celebration I announced the new coat of arms for the kingdom – incorporating the symbols of Hungary and Portugal.
A month later, my friendship with the Duke of Kiev came to an abrupt end. Kare had become rebellious, severing all ties with the kingdom and promptly declared war on May 2. I think he was jealous of my royal titles, and wanted to have his own kingdom.
With Kare's declaration of war, I now had rightful claims to the Count of Vologda, Count of West Dvina as well as the Duchy of Kiev. The time was not yet ripe to respond in kind, for I was still in debt thanks to the transport fees I had paid for the new Diocese Bishop last year.
Four days later, I had to appoint a new chancellor for the realm – Gwenhwyfar. While she was more than a decade older than myself, her long life gave her great diplomatic prowess. She was to replace Scathath whom had died the day before.
On the second last day of the month, my Diocese Bishop invited me to a very important meeting. He had received a missive from the Pope that was to be read to me immediately. The Pope had requested a crusade to Tunis, which had been overrun by heathens. I advised Kenneth to let the Pope know that Scotland would happily support the crusade on Tunis.
Personally though, the words were just pleasantries to keep Rome in check. My most pressing concerns were to get Kiev back and to consolidate my gains near Portugal. To that end, on July 9 - I rallied 6600 men in El Bierzo that were led by Marshal Aed towards Salamanca.
Meanwhile, in Bordeaux almost eleven thousand men were assembled for war. I would lead them in battle as we marched south to Cuenca, via the coastal fief of Navarra. As for the fight for Kiev – I had other ideas. I asked Kare's neighbour, and my vassal – the Duke of Pereyaslavl to mobilise his troops for war.
Two days later, on July 11 I now had an army to take on Kiev. Trajan had assembled almost four thousand men led by himself in Rostov. His able marshal, Aleksii was awaiting my orders in Desht-i-Kipchak with just over five thousand men. Trajan's brother, Yaropolk was also ready for war and had 3700 men at his disposal in Moskva.
The stage was set. Trajan and Yaropolk's armies were told to head for West Dvina, the main base of operations for Kiev. Aleksii meanwhile was told to march his army to Moskva to stand by to provide reinforcements if needed.
In the middle of August, a vassal of mine – the Count of Chester was pleased with how I was running the kingdom. I was becoming known to my vassals as a just ruler.
On August 21, Trajan's army ran into the Kiev's forces in Velikiye Luki. A battle ensued and we were victorious a day later – Kiev's men had been decimated. Trajan's army marched onward to West Dvina.
On September 3, I received word of a peace offer from the Duke of Kiev. Forty two ducats and Volodya was the offer. There was no way I would agree to that – I wanted Kiev back in the kingdom.
A week later, Yaropolk's army arrived in West Dvina and fought Kiev's men. The battle raged on until October 1, when Trajan and his men arrived. Fresh from their last incursion against Kiev's men, their morale helped achieve victory three days later. The combined armies had now beseiged the fortifications at West Dvina.
Almost a fortnight later, down in Portugal, the Countess of Zamora asked to become a vassal. I agreed to her request, knowing it would help cement my holdings down that way.
Five days later, Aleksii's army arrived in Moskva. The next day I ordered them to head to Volodya – the only other fief directly under the Duchy of Kiev's rule.
October 26 and West Dvina was liberated from Kiev's rule. Days later, Kiev offered peace again – this time he was willing to give me both West Dvina and Volodya. Naturally, I refused – it was the whole duchy or nothing.
Then on November 29, it happened again – a vassal declared independence. The Duke of Badajoz, whose lands were in northern France was the culprit. I declared that he should pay for his comeuppance, for without me he would not have those titles. I now had a claim to both the Count of Chartres and Duchy of Badajoz.
So, two days later on December 1, I organised a new army of nine thousand men in Norfolk. Led by commander Kenneth, they set sail across the channel to Blois, costing almost two hundred ducats. In Blois, I mobilised a further three thousand men, led by commander Musa they marched onto Chartres. I sent word to the Countess if Maine as well as the Archbishop of Normandy asking for troops to help in my war against the Duke of Badajoz.
A few days after that, the Duchy of Normandy had a thousand men ready for war. Led by Archbishop James, they marched from Eu to Arques. Juliana, meanwhile had four thousand men a the ready in Maine. Her marshal, Edgar was in charge and were marching to Chartres. In Avranches, I organised another three thousand men and told Marshal James to take them to Vexin. I needed more reinforcements – I wanted to overwhelm Badajoz and hopefully scare him into submission. To that end, I asked Sadiq, the Count of Vermandois to ready his forces for war.
One week passed and Musa's army had rocked up in Chartres, Archbishop James' army had arrived in Arques. As for me, I had arrived in Cuenca with my army from Bordeaux. Later that week, Sadiq had four thousand men ready for war, which he led onto Vexin.
On Christmas Day, my chancellor advised me that my vassal's obligations to support me in the war should have ended by now. I told old Gwenny that it was hard luck, and I needed the troops for my wars. She explained that if I kept all these troops for my war effort, I would be seen as arbitrary and no longer a just ruler, in the eyes of my vassals. I advised her that it was non of my concern what my vassals thought – I must have these troops.
The following day, Marshal James' army had arrived in Vexin. My armies in Portugal were now prepared for war. I declared war on Abdul-Salaam, King of al-Murabitids – who just happened to be in control of Salamanca. I began marchin my army in Cuenca towards Salamanca, where we were to meet my armies from El Bierzo who had also started on way there.
On the first week of the new year 1219, Aleksii's army had arrived in Volodya and were besieging the fortifications. The new school had finished being built in Suffolk, as had the new windmills in Fife. Sadiq's army also arrived in Vexin.
At the month's end, young Gillebrigte had learned foreign etiquette from a fosterling child. Aleta was again, with child.
On February 3, we had liberated Vologda from Kare, the Duke of Kiev. I offered Kare peace, allowing him to keeps his titles and demanding he again become a vassal. A day later, Kare agreed to terms and I sent all of the Duke of Pereyaslavl's forces home.
On the first week of March, Kenneth's army made landfall in Guines. Meanwhile, I had made it to Salamanca and had begun fighting the heathens there. In less than three weeks, we had wiped out the heathens and were besieging the fortifications. On the home front, I decided that Maelbridge would be raised by nannies, while Duncan would receive a court education.
On April 6, Aed's army had arrived in Salamanca to help with the siege. On April 15, we had finally liberated Salamanca from the heathens. I offered peace to Abdul-Salaam, taking Salamanca as crown land, which he agreed to that same day. I led the victorious armies towards Badajoz proper – for we were not done yet.
I was so busy in Salamanca, that I'd forgotten all about Kenneth's army still waiting in Guines for orders. So on the first of May, I asked them to march to Eu first while I prepared more of my forces in northern France for war with the Duke of Badajoz. I signed up young Azur for the army.
On May 22, Kenneth and his army arrived in Eu. I advised him to start heading to Arques and join the rest of our men – for war with Badajoz was immenent. Three days later on May 25, I officially declared war on Halil, the Duke of Badajoz.
The armies that I had sneakily placed in Badajoz's counties of Chartres, Vexin and Arques started besieging the standing fortifications the same day. By June 10, Kenneth's army had arrived in Arques and was helping out with the siege.
On June 25, we had liberated Chartres and it was now under my rule. I decided that young Gillebrigte would be raised by a noble, for I was to busy with the war.
Two days later, the Teutonic Order offered to help out in the war. I had this war well in control and I certainly didn't need no Teutonic knights to fight for me.
As June came to a close, we had liberated both Vexin and Arques from the Duke of Badajoz. On the first day of the new month, I offered Halil peace. Halil could keep his titles of Vexin and Arques, however he would have to pay me five hundred ducats in reparations. In addition to that, he would have to become my vassal, as well as hand back the titles to Chartres and the Duchy of Badajoz. Halil, now the Grand Count of Arques and Vexin agreed to my terms. My armies involved in the war with the former Duke of Badajoz went home.
The next day, myself and my armies marching from Salamanca had arrived in Badajoz proper. By the middle of July, even though Salamanca had only been under my rule for a mere three months, its prosperity had improved.
On July 20, it was again time to consolidate my holdings in Portugal. I declared war on the Sheik of Atlas Mountain, whom was in control of Cordoba proper. Myself and my armies who were now in Badajoz marched to Cordoba, arriving ten days later. We encountered the enemy as soon as we hit the border.
On August 25, my steward had sent a missive to the camp, requesting to be allowed to call in the Estates General, so we could service our mounting debt due to the wars of the past few years. I asked my page to deliver the message that we would not be calling in the Estates General, for I could survive the debt for now. The stability of the kingdom had improved.
A couple of days later, we had defeated the heathens in Cordoba, who had fled south. Our seige on the remaining fortifications could now start. Within a month, the heathens had splintered and were requesting a white peace which I adamantly refused.
Just over a month later, the Sheik's armies returned from their retreat in the south and engaged us in battle. Two days later, in the heat of battle, I was captured by the heathens! Thankfully, my nobles paid the ransom and I was released the next day.
Meanwhile, as November began, the large church in Moray had been constructed and the soldiers had begun using light chainmail in Norfolk. By November 7, we had liberated Cordoba and it was finally under my rule. I also received word that same day that my wife had bore me a daughter whom we named Agnes.
A fortnight later, I finally decided I should make peace with Abdul-Lateef, the Sheik of Atlas Mountain. I demanded that Cordoba be recognised as my crown land. Finally, at the end of the month, I had my reply – there would be no peace deal.
By the middle of December, it was clear I would not see any more enforcements in the war from the Sheik, for the only other fief under his control was in northern Africa somewhere. My armies stationed in Cordoba were sent home and I returned to Moray.
Once back in court, I made the young Diocese Bishop, Kenneth the new Archbishop of Badajoz and Bishop of Salamanca.
On December 27, the Count of Don Portage declared independence. Don Portage was so far away from the kingdom, I decided to let him go in peace. My chancellor informed me that due to my actions, I was now longer being seen as a vengeful king, but forgiving one.