Welcome! to my first AAR, about the House of Yngling (the house name might change several times in the future) of Norge.
This AAR will be divided into chapters (hopefully) by the characters. There is no (main) goal of this campaign; however, each characters will have their own ambitions that I will disclose on their ascension to the throne (and as the story develops)
History:
King Edward died heir-less, with the throne promised to Duke William the bastard. Harold Godwinson ascended to the English throne in 1066; which marked the beginning of the Norman conquest of England. Harald Hadrada, a claimant to the English throne, decided to press his claim too.
Chapter I: Harald Hardrada
Harald Hardrada, 51, ruler of Norge and former varangian.
Ambition:
1. Conquer England
2. Ensure a smooth succession for his heir
3. Subjugate the Norwegians in Scotland
Harald orders his army to avoid confrontation with the Anglo-Saxons (thus no Battle of Stamford Bridge)
While Harold's troops are busy fighting with the Normans, Harald's men besieged Jorvik.
Jorvik fell within a few month and Harald's troops move to siege Middlesex.
Meanwhile, Harald failed to vassalise the count of Jamtland, which was conquered by Erik the Heathen shortly after.
Harald's men faced off with the Normans in Oxford and was victorious, weakening the Normans, loosening their grip on Southern England.
Back in Harald's court in Norge, his sons are vying for votes from the nobles;
Harald, favouring his elder son, decided to elevate Count Jon to a Duke, in exchange for support for his elder son, Prince Magnus.
The Northen tribes had always been a nuisance, raiding the Prince Magnus' land, Prince Magnus promised revenge for his people.
Before Prince Magnus could do anything, his brother declared war on him. King Harald, being old and forgetful, forgotten that he could declare realm peace, and so he observed helplessly as his sons tries to kill each other.
After Harald's Wife died, he decided to remarry, with a Greek princess, from the House of Doukas.
Back at home, Heathen rebels seeking to restore the old ways risen up in revolt!
Without any alternative, Harald called up his levies and organised them to prepare for a battle with the heathens.
Word had reach Harald that the Norman Bastard died, and his son failed to complete the conquest of England, this is worrying as Harold can now focus on fighting Harald.
Harald ordered his troops to destroy the English troops before the grew too big.
Back at home, another army prepares to face off with the heathen rebels.
With the heathen rebels crushed, Harald sent the army to relieve the other army in England.
Unfortunately, before any help could reach England, Harald's troop had already lost the Battle of Middlesex, the first major battle of this campaign.
Harald received great new from his kin and neighbour, the King of Sweden, with a proposal to join Harald's war for England. Harald gladly accepted.
With the combined forces of Sweden and Norge, they decided to attack the much smaller English forces.
Before the battle even took place, the King of Sweden died suddenly, dissolving the alliance between them; Swedish commanders in England refuses to join the fight.
The second major encounter with the English were met with harsh attacks, the centre was quick to withdraw, with only the flanks, commanded by two members of House Godwinson held somewhat longer. Another clear defeat for the King. (Harold had French troops fighting on his side in this battle)
With no other options, Harald decided to recruit Rus mercenaries to fight the war, to get a numeric advantage over the English-French troops.
In 16 January 1075, Harald became Exalted among Men;
He also turned 60 on this year, its been 9 years since the start of the war, knowing he doesn't have much time left, he tried his best to end the war. If his son inherited his war, he would surely be overthrown by a succession war. Besides, Harald's death wish is to see England under his boots.
The French King was murdered, unsurprisingly, he was hated by most of his vassals and a few of them had claim on his throne. The new French King, King Philippe's brother, decided not to continue aiding the English and recalled all of his troops.
Harald's eldest son died after being maimed in a battle with his brother, this devastated King Harald, who always wished his eldest son would succeed him.
Third engagement with the English, Battle of York.
The Clever commander Harold employed destroyed much of Harald's army in a single battle.
Facing a shrinking treasury, King Harald decided to take a loan from the local Jewish Merchants, to fund further war efforts.
Alas, before he had the chance to banish the Jews, King Harald died of old age, with his dreams of conquest unfulfilled, and now his (not so favoured) son, inherited his war and broken finances, this would be a great challenge for Prince Olav.
Long Live King Olav!
King Harald's Ambitions:
1. Conquer England (Unfulfilled)
2. Ensure a smooth succession for his heir (Success?)
3. Subjugate the Norwegians in Scotland (Unfulfilled)
Hope you enjoy this chapter of the epic saga to come
I already have the images for the next chapter ready, I'll probably finish it in 3-5 days or so.
This AAR will be divided into chapters (hopefully) by the characters. There is no (main) goal of this campaign; however, each characters will have their own ambitions that I will disclose on their ascension to the throne (and as the story develops)
History:
King Edward died heir-less, with the throne promised to Duke William the bastard. Harold Godwinson ascended to the English throne in 1066; which marked the beginning of the Norman conquest of England. Harald Hadrada, a claimant to the English throne, decided to press his claim too.
Chapter I: Harald Hardrada
Harald Hardrada, 51, ruler of Norge and former varangian.
Ambition:
1. Conquer England
2. Ensure a smooth succession for his heir
3. Subjugate the Norwegians in Scotland
Harald orders his army to avoid confrontation with the Anglo-Saxons (thus no Battle of Stamford Bridge)
While Harold's troops are busy fighting with the Normans, Harald's men besieged Jorvik.
Jorvik fell within a few month and Harald's troops move to siege Middlesex.
Meanwhile, Harald failed to vassalise the count of Jamtland, which was conquered by Erik the Heathen shortly after.
Harald's men faced off with the Normans in Oxford and was victorious, weakening the Normans, loosening their grip on Southern England.
Back in Harald's court in Norge, his sons are vying for votes from the nobles;
Harald, favouring his elder son, decided to elevate Count Jon to a Duke, in exchange for support for his elder son, Prince Magnus.
The Northen tribes had always been a nuisance, raiding the Prince Magnus' land, Prince Magnus promised revenge for his people.
Before Prince Magnus could do anything, his brother declared war on him. King Harald, being old and forgetful, forgotten that he could declare realm peace, and so he observed helplessly as his sons tries to kill each other.
After Harald's Wife died, he decided to remarry, with a Greek princess, from the House of Doukas.
Back at home, Heathen rebels seeking to restore the old ways risen up in revolt!
Without any alternative, Harald called up his levies and organised them to prepare for a battle with the heathens.
Word had reach Harald that the Norman Bastard died, and his son failed to complete the conquest of England, this is worrying as Harold can now focus on fighting Harald.
Harald ordered his troops to destroy the English troops before the grew too big.
Back at home, another army prepares to face off with the heathen rebels.
With the heathen rebels crushed, Harald sent the army to relieve the other army in England.
Unfortunately, before any help could reach England, Harald's troop had already lost the Battle of Middlesex, the first major battle of this campaign.
Harald received great new from his kin and neighbour, the King of Sweden, with a proposal to join Harald's war for England. Harald gladly accepted.
With the combined forces of Sweden and Norge, they decided to attack the much smaller English forces.
Before the battle even took place, the King of Sweden died suddenly, dissolving the alliance between them; Swedish commanders in England refuses to join the fight.
The second major encounter with the English were met with harsh attacks, the centre was quick to withdraw, with only the flanks, commanded by two members of House Godwinson held somewhat longer. Another clear defeat for the King. (Harold had French troops fighting on his side in this battle)
With no other options, Harald decided to recruit Rus mercenaries to fight the war, to get a numeric advantage over the English-French troops.
In 16 January 1075, Harald became Exalted among Men;
He also turned 60 on this year, its been 9 years since the start of the war, knowing he doesn't have much time left, he tried his best to end the war. If his son inherited his war, he would surely be overthrown by a succession war. Besides, Harald's death wish is to see England under his boots.
The French King was murdered, unsurprisingly, he was hated by most of his vassals and a few of them had claim on his throne. The new French King, King Philippe's brother, decided not to continue aiding the English and recalled all of his troops.
Harald's eldest son died after being maimed in a battle with his brother, this devastated King Harald, who always wished his eldest son would succeed him.
Third engagement with the English, Battle of York.
The Clever commander Harold employed destroyed much of Harald's army in a single battle.
Facing a shrinking treasury, King Harald decided to take a loan from the local Jewish Merchants, to fund further war efforts.
Alas, before he had the chance to banish the Jews, King Harald died of old age, with his dreams of conquest unfulfilled, and now his (not so favoured) son, inherited his war and broken finances, this would be a great challenge for Prince Olav.
Long Live King Olav!
King Harald's Ambitions:
1. Conquer England (Unfulfilled)
2. Ensure a smooth succession for his heir (Success?)
3. Subjugate the Norwegians in Scotland (Unfulfilled)
Hope you enjoy this chapter of the epic saga to come
I already have the images for the next chapter ready, I'll probably finish it in 3-5 days or so.
