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1100[]

Habemus Papum! Rainer of Bleda is narrowly elected as the new Pope after Cardinal Saigini abstains, and takes on the Papal name of Pascal II. The Tuscan nobles hope to see an Italian Pope to assert independence from foreign powers of Europe.

The dawn of the new century begins the "High" Middle Ages of Europe, a period embracing intense urbanization and mercantilism across Central Europe, Italy, and Poland, with many new cities built in parts of Russia and France as well. Technological growth for the West is becoming the most productive since the beginning of the Dark Ages, although this pales in comparison with the rapid proto-industrialization across the Song and Goryeo Dynasties, in the Far East.

The economies of merchant republics in the Mediterranean - Venice, Genoa, and Apulia - see massive gains as a new front of Christiandom has been opened in the east. Ports now held by the Crusaders are flooded with Italian merchants as the merchant republics seek to gain trading privileges with Jerusalem. This leads to increased competition and tension between the Italian city states vying for power.

Many knights and nobles of Europe who arrived to the First Crusade too late to fight for Jerusalem are partaking in the new, haphazard Crusader battles in Transjordan and Armenia, in support of Bohemond, Demyan and Robert Scalio.

Byzantine Emperor Alexios I decides he is in a good position to push back against the Norman influences in Greece, having reclaimed the Asiatic coast from the Seljuks. The Byzantine armies totalling 18,000 troops attacks various Norman garissons in Greece and Albania. Bohemond of Taranto pulls back from the Armenian Crusade to engage the Byzantines.

Duke William III of Normandy refuses the orders of the King of France, and continues to build fortresses along the Vexin region. He raises considerable money from donations for the First Crusade, along with a heavy additional tax, in anticipation for war with France.

In Nice, France, some merchants create a new board game by putting pieces from the Arab game Al-Kirk on a Backgammon board. They call this game "Checkers".

The Naziri State continues to strengthen its hold throughout the Persia and Syria. From Alamut, Hassan-Sabbah the Old Man of the Mountain sends out his agents who spread news of the failures of the Caliph and the Sultan to defend the city of Jerusalem or Syria from the infidels. In Baghdad a riot of mostly shia Muslims breaks out lead by Ibn al-Khashshab a refugee from Aleppo.

Ahmad Sanjar begins mustering his forces, this raises alarms in Mesopotamia. Meanwhile Berkykuk the ruler of Khorasan goes to war with the Ghaznavids.

The Circassians continue to be a problem in the side of the Alan, as their numbers grow under the leadership Kafkas who begins waging a Guerrilla War of some 4,000 tribesmen in the in the Northern Caucasus foot hills.

Tuareg traders establish the city of Timbuktu (modern Mali) north of Djenné along the Niger River, as a trading depot for the Sahara Caravan trade from Morocco to Ghana. The people along the Niger River assert more autonomy from the Almoravids, organizing their own government and military while still paying tribute.

China has become the first nation in history to have over 100 million people. It's capital city of Keifeng is currently the largest city in the world with a total population of 1.4 million.

After careful consideration, the Liao Dynasty will suspend the requirements for Goryeo's tribute in exchange for their nominal support against the Song

Iceland writes down their laws for the first time.

The Faroe Islands grow in population of Norwegian settlers to form rural villages.

The Navajo city of Oirabi is established as a branch of the Ancestral Pueblo culture.

The city of Cusco (modern Peru) is founded as a fortress by the Killke people.

  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: The news of the election of Pope Paschal II is received well by the leadership. It is hoped that he will continue Urban's interest in the Holy Land. Following the taking of Kerak 2000 soldiers from the Ascalon garrison are called upon to join Robert Scalio's army. The army now numbers 5808 soldiers. It is with this army that an attack is launched on the city of Taphila, known as Tafilah in Arabic. The Ascalon soldiers attacking from the east, and Robert's main army from the north (Algo request). Messages continue to be sent to the tribes of the Oultejordain saying that they should surrender and pay tax to the Kingdom of Jerusalem if they want to keep their lands and lives (Mod response). The intention of Robert Scalio and his constable Ilger Bigod is to take Ayla (Aqaba) on the Red Sea by the end of the year. In the kingdom itself, trade flows in as the ports of the kingdom grow in influence in the Mediterranean Sea, and special trading privileges are granted to Apulia. Early in the year, Seneschal Richard of Salerno suffers from pneumonia, he recovers by summer but is still weak by the year's end, he therefore begins delegating more power to Attropius, who continues talks with the English delegation regarding the possible marriage between the King and Princess Eadgyth of England. Messages are sent to the Benedictine monasteries of Europe if they would like to establish a presence for their order in Jerusalem (mod reponse). With the Byzantines showing their true colors, Robert Scalio cannot however help his half-brother Bohemond at this time as his only forces are either kept in garrisons of various cities, or are fighting in Oultejordain, but any Byzantine citizens, traders, or diplomats are to be expelled from the Kingdom of Jerusalem immediately. The necessity of a fleet is made more apparent as a kingdom of Jerusalem's stature cannot go without it. The Kingdom reaches out to the King's uncle Roger who is the ruler of Sicily to broker an agreement in regards to this. Several local shipwrights are also commissioned to make a sizable fleet by the end of the next year. Following the fall of Taphila, Robert and his army return to Jerusalem, where he marries Eadgyth of England in a ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a great feast takes place at the Tower of David. Chroniclers will translate the name of Queen Eadgyth as Édith. Following the wedding, The King and his army return to Oultrejordain with an attack with 5804 men on the city of Ayla (Aqaba) on the Red Sea, the last remaining unsubjugated city in the region.
  • Aqaba surrenders without a fight.
  • Papal States: Pope Paschal II seeks to expand upon the work of Gregory and Urban towards the strength of the Church of Rome and Christendom abroad. Unfortuantely, the closeness of his election forces the Pope to first focus on securing his political position that was much easier for Urbanus. The first and closest allies in Italy are first among his priority, particularly his home Tuscan country where he works in tandem with Countess Mathilda. For the Christian states in Spain, Paschal travels to Barcelona to crown Ramon II as Emperor of Spain. For southern Italy, Pope Paschal works to conclude the Council of Bari that Urban II started in his last days. While it seems clear that the Orthodox churches in Greece will still refuse homage to the Church in Rome, the council does present a good opportunity for standardizing the liturgy of the Norman states and complying them with the centralization of Gregory VII. Hoping to appease the Normans to bring them further under the Pope's trust, Paschal grants recognition at this council of Gaeta and Amalfi as direct territories of Apulia (Sicily and Mod response). For France, Paschal uses his authority over the investiture as a check against the power of the French monarch. Guillaume de Montfort, the Archbishop of Paris, is elevated to the status of Primate of the Three Gauls, a title that is attatched to the Archdiocease of Isle de France from now on. Montfort had been a close colleague of Pope Urban during his early pontificate up through the Council of Clermont (France response). In the Levant, Paschal authorizes the Benedictine Monks to establish their branch of operations within the newly-formed Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, based out of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem response). The Holy Father remains strictly neutral during the Byzantine war against the Normans, but calls for the Christian brethren to work together against the Saracens. With the ongoing interest of Crusaders fighting against the Turks in the Levant and anatolia, the Pope expects to soon call for another, smaller crusade in the hopes of gaining further support. The Pope supports the creation of more villages and towns to expand the urbanization of central Italy, and works with Tuscany to expand the roads and towns in between as well. More higher education in universities are also expanded upon to improve the quality of life in this region. When the Pope had retired from these activities, he returned to the Lateran Palace to discover this same mysterious woman in his chamber, in radiant auburn hair and white clothes, who had been following him since his election. The Angel Ariel embraced the Holy Father to assure him this is no devilish vision, but she had been the same divine guide for the previous pontificates of Gregory and Urban. Paschal was extremely skeptical of this at first, but she showed him vision after vision of previous times she consoled and embraced previous generations of Popes, which eventually assured Paschal that she was indeed sent from Heaven. Edit: Pope Paschal is placed in a difficult position between the Normans and Byzantines. On the one hand, the political influence of the Normans across Italy and Judea cannot be ignored. On the other hand, fighting the Byzantines at this early stage would weaken the Crusader position fighting against the Turks. The Pope responds to the Norman conflict against the Byzantines, but does not call for war. Instead, he follows suit with the King of Jerusalem to blockade Byzantine trade to Central Italy, and heavily restrict all further diplomacy until the Byzantines negotiate a peace with the Normans. (Sicily and Mod response)
    • Jerusalem: The Kingdom welcomes the Benedictines.
    • The city of Aqaba surrenders without a fight.
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: The election of Pope Paschal II is celebrated with a mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Fulcher of Chartres, the Custodian of the Holy Sepulchre, and Arnulf of Chocques, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and Grand Prior of the Order, discuss ways that the Order an better protect the Kingdoms established by the Crusade. For the protection of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Custodian Fulcher and Patriarch Arnulf seek to established a new fortress of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre at Tyre and they ask for permission of King Robert to do that [Jerusalem response needed, please]. Since the establishment of the KIngdom, the visit of Christian pilgrims seeking to visit the Holy Places became more common. Due to that, the Milites Sancti Sepulcri became more active in maintaining the order during the visit of pilgrims. They also start to escort pilgrims arriving from Tyre to Jerusalem. Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques makes several religious ceremonies in Jerusalem during the Holy Week. The ceremonies of the Holy Week made by the Patriarch in Jerusalem are: a procession through Jerusalem and distribution of blessed palm branches during the Palm Sunday, a mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Holy Monday, a procession and a mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Holy Tuesday, a mass and the Tenebrae (during it all the candles of the church aregradual extinguishing) celebrated at the Holy Sepulchre in the Holy Wednesday, the celebration of the the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles in the Holy Thursday, a procession through the Via Dolorosa and the distribution of alms to the poor during the Holy Friday, the Easter vigil and the lighting of the Paschal candle are made in the Holy Saturday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In Easter Day a magnificent mass is celebrated by Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This year the exhibition of the relic of the Holy Cross for the faithful happens again during the Feast of the Cross. The Canons of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre help the Patriarch of Jerusalem with the celebretation of these religious services. One of the Canons seems to stands out from the others due to his piety, his name is Teobald, a Italo-Norman from Bari.
    • Jerusalem: A fortress is commissioned to be built in Tyre for the use of the Order.
  • Khalilid Egypt: The recent victory of Emir Abdul-Madjid duing the Civil War has seen his rise to dominance over what remains of Egypt. As desperate as he is to restore Egypt to its size as it was under the Fatimids, he is forced to focus his present attention on the domestic front and securing the allegiance of his people. He starts his reconstruction campaign with orders to restore the bazaars to a usable state and undertakes efforts to put his loyalist into positions of power across the whole of Egypt. Furthermore, funds are diverted to regions that were heavily impacted by the conflict. Those that fought against him are offered pardons on their guarantee not to take up arms against him and in the hopes of assuring those who doubt him that he has no desire to exact vengeance. He sends an offer to the Fatimid Loyalists that have taken refuge on the Red Sea settlements to offer pardons in exchange for their cooperation in regaining control over the region arguing that the time for conflict is over (Mod Response). With the loss of Aleppo and Damascus to the Christians, an offer is sent the refugees ands scholars offering refuge with the hope that they will contribute to Egypt's growth with their trades knowledge, and talent (Mod Response). What forces he can spare away from safeguarding Egypt are dispatched to garrison the border with the Kingdom of Jerusalem wary of it's recent aggressive expansion.
    • They surrender to the Emir
    • Many scholars from Damascus and Aleppo move to Cairo
  • House Barcelona: Having been crowned Emperador Ramon Berenguer II, Ramon sets about ensuring that Iberia is able to continue to counter the Almoravids. He orders a grand fortification to be built on the north-eastern point of El Capurutxo, near the town of La Font de la Figuera. Further to the south, the castle at Calp is to be rebuilt to new standards with a passage carved into the limestone tower, Penyal d'Ifac. These plans are to be executed in the coming years after the repayment of debts from the war. Ramon Bereguer travels to Provence to ensure the loyalty of the local lords, thanking them personally for their provision of both men and ships to his father’s war. To simplify the governance of the kingdoms throughout his realm he turns to local jurists in Provence as well as those in Catalonia to provide revisions to the original Usatges of Barcelona. This process culminates with the creation and promulgation of the Usatges of Ramon Berenguer, or the Usatges of Catalonia. The law code is quite similar to the Usatges of Barcelona promulgate by Ramon Berenguer I some four decades earlier. However, they do reflect better the Visigothic-Roman legal traditions of the Provencals’ Breviary of Alaric, on which the Usatges of Barcelona were initially based. Ramon Berenguer, having instituted this new legal code throughout his realm, approaches Bertrand, Count of Toulouse, about adopting the code. (Mod Response) Hearing of the integration of Toledo by the Almoravids and the subsequent refusal to pay their due Parias, Emperador Ramon Berenguer II is furious. He issues a blanket letter of marque to all private citizens of Catalonia to raid Almoravid vessels at whim ro seize by force wealth owed to Iberia from the swindling, dishonorable saracens to the south. With this in mind he seeks to rebuild his father’s fleets larger and more powerful than before. Studying the captured and borrowed ships from the recent war, the Royal Shipyard of Barcelona adopts the most decisive technologies into their own designs. Larger, more well defended fore and aft castles become commonplace, with some ships built with oar-catchers, bronze blades that follow the protruding bows to improve their effectiveness in breaking enemy oars. Production of new ships resumes in earnest with a goal of reaching a fleet of 100 ships by 1105. This royal fleet shall serve at the whim of Ramon Berenguer and shall serve as both merchant marine and navy in times of war and peace. On land, the great resettlement of the new Kingdom of Valencia continues. Many thousands of loyal crusader peasants from across Occitania are granted plots as Sargamentals in the mountainous regions of the interior. In these regions the men are trained on long yew-bows, similar to those brought by the Anglish crusaders some years prior. To the north, in Catalonia proper, every third man of the Sagramentals is to carry a yew-bow with the others wielding powerful crossbows. The settlement of these men reinvigorates the economies of these hard-hit regions, and creates pockets of armed, loyal, locals who would oppose rebellion by the muslims in the region. A messenger is sent to Roger I of Sicily to negotiate a marriage between his daughter Felicia and Ramon-Berenguer. (Italo-Norman Response) The new game Checkers spread quickly from Nice to Barcelona where Emperador Ramon Berenguer II takes to playing the game with his attendants when he must weigh decisions. His adoption of the game leads to a rise in its popularity among the nobility and merchant classes.
    • Bertrard of Tolouse and his father Raymond will augment the law code within their nation in addition to Salian law of the Kingdom of France
    • Sicily Dip: Count Roger I of Sicily agrees to a marriage between Felicia and Ramon-Berenguer
  • Norway: Now it is the dawn of the twelfth century. This year sees an increase of urbanization in the kingdom. The Faroe islands sees an increase in whaling, and their products are sold to markets in Iceland, Norway, the British isles and western Europe. Far far in the west, in the greenalndic colonies, 20 people are sent from iceland to fortify Stramfjord. But while the colonies of the west stagnate, the kingdom sees economic growth like never before. Norway is a stable kingdom thus far, However, a revolt lead by a rebellious icelandic chief is quickly put down. The cheiftan would be executed, but everyone else was left unharmed. Was this hubris or intelligence? Who knows.
  • Goryeo Dynasty: The greatfull Liao Emperor Daozong has been mercifully respectfull of Goryean sovreignity and accepted the formal end to tribute from Goryeo to their lands. This news reliefs Emperor Sukjong who was fearing a possible attack due to the news of unaffordability of tribute to the Liao emperor. War being very much unwanted with the current state of the Goryeo army,defences and economy. As Uicheon is busy with persuading the Goryeo nobility to have the Royal mint, a task given to him by his older brother and emperor Sukjong. Sukjong giving this job to his brother as he was the one who proposed the plan and learned about the economic benefits of coinage when he visited the Song dynasty. With this job being handed to Uicheon Sukjong was able to focus on more pressing issue's regarding Goryeo's sovreignity, defence and even culture. (begin secret) Sukjong thus orders the continuation of the secret recruitment of the 10.000 "paraders" and "dancers" under Yun Gwan. These soldiers being specialy taught to do dance,traditional archery, parade and do battle drill. Allthough it does take long for Yun Gwan to finalise what exact skills these soldiers need for the parades and festival. This causing makes it so he runs behind of shedule having only recruited 1.000 of the 3.000 that were expected in the first year. Allthough the expectation on the troops their archery has been far beyond of what was expected of them, the soldiers mostly learning traditional lightly armoured archery. Allthough this is not ideal for defence of the Cheolli Jangseong, this different aproach being needed as to hide the true intention of these soldiers. This addeptation does make these soldiers excelent in non conventional battle with high mobility and lower mortility rate. While another side effect of the secret nature of this expansion is the increased needs for festive banners and pennants by the soldiers, being a 700% increase in banners and signaling for these units compared to regular army units(end secret). Mainwhile on the southern coast of Goryeo the city of Seungjumok requests to the emperor if he can arange for troops to defend her coasts and islands. Thus Sukjong requests to the Island Vassal of Tamna if they could spare any soldiers for the defence of the city (Player/Mod response).
  • Kingdom of Sweden: With the dawn of the 12th century now ahead of us,the kingdom celebrates the first year of the 12th century with a big festival in Stockholm and Gustavia. The king himself participates in the festivites,having declined to have his own in the royal palace. At the festival the king walks around chatting with local farmers and all such from the lower class. After this he travels to Åbo where he orders two new cities to be founded in Sigismundia, Sigisfors(Otl Helsinki) and Eriksson(otl Vaasa). These two cities quikly become the biggest in filand,with several thousand swedes and natives moving there. I december 1100 the population of helsinki is noted at 10000,this promts the king to send addional funds for constructing walls,farms and and schools.A road system between Åbo,Sigisfors and Eriksson is planned,with work being already commencing. one day when the king is in council,he is approached by a man claiming to be from a region his people call karelia,he says he represents a small tribe and asks the king for ptotection against foreign enemies. The king offers to make them a protectorate or a vassal of sweden with similiar status to Sapmi and värmland(Mod response for approval needed)
    • The tribes of south Karelia agree to a protectorate but not a direct vassalage right now
  • County of Sicily: The Byzantine Emperor’s attack on the Norman holdings in Greece even as Bohemond of Taranto and a Norman host fight the Muslims for Christ and the Byzantines shocks and infuriates the Normans in Sicily. With Bohemond being Roger’s nephew, Roger views the betrayal as a personal one against his own family. In response to this betrayal, Roger begins assembling an army to aid his nephew and his fellow Normans in Greece. Roger summons his vassals and their retinues while also calling upon the Norman peasantry to begin fulfilling their feudal duties. Roger also assembles his fleet to carry his host into Greece and aid Bohemond. Messengers are dispatched to Bohemond in Anatolia, asking him if he requires aid and if so where should Roger and his army rendezvous with him. He also encourages Bohemond to keep all lands conquered in Anatolia for himself, claiming that the Byzantine’s attack on the Normans fighting for him has voided any oath made to return said lands to Alexios. [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. Norman pirates are also unleashed into the Aegean and Adriatic Sea, with Roger issuing his own letters of marque for all pirates based in Sicily to begin raiding Byzantine holdings in Greece. Roger also sends a messenger to the Pope in Rome, asking him to formally denounce the Byzantine attacks on the Norman crusader’s holdings in Greece, and calling for attacks on the Byzantines by all crusaders [PAPAL RESPONSE NEEDED].
    • Bohemond asks Sicily for any assistence they can provide to defend Albania, while he focuses on Greece
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 3rd full year of the reign of King Godwin "Scyling" of England and Denmark. He is the second member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He has many siblings: Edmund, who is married to Margaret of Wessex and is unlanded; Magnus, Marklord of Wales, who is married to Gwenlian ferch Bleddyn thus forming an alliance with Gwynedd; Gytha, who is married to Alan mab Konan de Rennes; Gunhild, who is married to Lǫgmaðr Guðrøðarson, Harold, Earl of Northumbria (1066 and married to Anna of Durham) and Ulf, who is unwed (1067). Godwin is married to Princess Sigrid Svendsdatter of Denmark and has sired many children through her: Edwin, Aetheling of Denmark and England (b. 1070), who is wed to Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide; Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is unwed; Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem (1075), who is wed to Robert Scalio. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Godwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords he has introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Godwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful vassal otherwise occupied. The construction of castles in Normandy is met with concern in England. The construction of new castles begins in Kent and Sussex. These fortifications bolster those already built after the 1067 Norman invasion. However, a large fraction of England's resources are going into Wales, where Godwin is now firmly in control of allocating holdings. Knowing concessions to the Mercians will have to be made in order to keep their attention focused on themselves, Godwin allows most of Osbeorn's choices for marklords and thanes. Harold Haroldson is notably upset with his father's choice. Magnus spends this year chasing down guerilla fighters, though notes a fair number of fighting men fled to the north. Plans to pursue them are drafted late in the year, but will not be carried out until next year. The English economy sees intense growth as the back-to-back disasters seem to have subsided. A man with an anxiety disorder in a hovel in Lincoln becomes convinced he has stopped these natural disasters through the power of prayer and nervous tics. He goes on to found one of several Lincoln-based companies that form the bedrock for commerce in the town moving forward. Though traditional guilds do not exist in England, associations of artisans, craftsmen, and traders have existed in some form or other since the distant days of the Roman occupation of Britain. The era of the Crusades, however, has opened new avenues of trade for England and the Carolingian-feudal business practices of the merchant class are making their ways into England. This has also led to many merchants adopting the French method of currency division, i.e. the division of the pound into 20 coins. Since the time of Offa of Mercia, England has divided the pound by 12 coins, a practice that is still used by the overwhelming majority of her merchants. In Denmark, the situation is virtually the same - the Danish Pund uses the archaic division of 1/12. Currency and trade are not the only things being revolutionized by this brave new era - the cog is becoming more prevalent along North Sea trade routes. Though the ship has been in use for centuries, the cog becomes increasingly common. Descended from the knarr, the cog is primarily a trade-based ship. In times of war, however, the longship will remain almost exclusively used. The English Drake, which is also used frequently in trading, proves to be the most suitable for war for the next century or so. Armor will also see a radical change this century. Though many artistic depictions show the Anglo-Saxons wielding a myriad of different arms and armor, the earliest-known guide on the dress and uniform of the Cynewarden, or kingly guard (cyne meaning "kingly" + weardian meaning "warden or guard"). Also known as the royal housecarls, the Cynewarden are a highly-trained regiment of soldiers under the king's direct employ. In the 12th century, the average Cynewarden is expected to have an Anglohelm - a pointed skull helm with iron cheek guards, a nasal guard, and typically brass trimmings with camail in back (It resembles the Coppergate Helm). The Cynewarden is expected to have a halsberg (cognate of hauberk) extending to the knees. Over this halsburg is a red surcoat, emblazoned with the golden wyvern of the Godwins. The Cynewarden also carry kite shields, again adopted from Norman practices. They carried spears, with a sword in a decorative sheath on their hips. Though Harold II made extensive use of his personal housecarls, the Cynewarden are known for accompanying Godwin Scyling nearly everywhere, especially on his trips to Denmark. Red-coated will become synonymous with English soldiers, but it truly begins with the reign of Godwin Scyling and his crimson Cynewardens. The marriage of Eadgyth to Robert Scalio takes place this year with Godwin Scyling sending money, supplies, and partygoers to make the wedding truly a lively one.
  • Kievan Rus: Following the victory at Amaseia, King Monomakh and his allies Steppe Allies move on the city of Zela pressing their advantage. The Steppe warriors screen the army using hit and run tactics on the flanks of the Seljuks whittling them down (Algo needed). From Across the Taurus Mountains Demyan Ivanovich leads an army 22,000 strong made up of the Chorni Klobuky and Druzhina, and Voyi (Armenian and Rus Levies). Demyan takes the pass by which the River Pyramus flows into Cappadocia WIth the Druzhina Spearman steadily leading the way while Voyi and Chonri Klobuky shower the enemy with arrows from behind, The Army makes their way up to Komana (Algo Needed).
  • Kingdom of Hungary: King Coloman, satisfied with a year of peace and stability, would now turn his attention towards the people within his realm. Desiring a more homogenous Kingdom that would be stable, following his rule and his dynasty loyally. For this he would turn to Transylvania and its mixed population of Magyars and Pechenegs and the Vlachs. Immediately new decrees would be passed that would see the establishment of Magyarization policies and activities. Resulting in the making of national holidays regarding the establishment of the Hungarian Kingdom and Principality. December 25, 1000, crowning of the Holy King Stephen I, will be made a holiday but due to the Birth of our Lord, it shall be postponed until December 26th and last until December 30th. The 4 days of festivities will include 2 days of parades and open bazaars and markets but the opening day will be a day of solemness and prayer towards the Holy Saint-King Stephen. The last day will be yet another banquet but joyous and happy. The other holiday will be on July 3rd and last for 4 days, exactly the same as the Saint Stephen Festival but be the Grand Prince Arpad Festival, celebrating the first Grand Prince and the man who led the Hungarian state to be. These festivals will be throughout the nation. However, it will also be that Hungarian foods and customs and traditions will be spread throughout modern Slovakia and Transylvania, not Croatia and Dalmatia yet. This being to not anger the Croatian nobility and simply Magyarize certain regions at a time. (Mod request on how these policies are working to help diffuse Magyar culture). However Coloman will also parade with his Royal House Guard throughout major cities of Hungary, Croatia, and Dalmatia. Parading through his realm and being charitable, but not straining the treasury much. Showing his benevolence and aiming to secure Loyalties of his people and nobility. (Mod request as well). The final act of King Coloman this year will be to improve trade and the economy of the state. This will see the Kingdom invest in the trading of Fiume, Split, and the capital. Port cities along the Danube will and major cities on the Adriatic will see relaxed trade restrictions and a 10% reduction on all export tax, promoting the exportation of goods from Hungary to others. Goods such as grain and heavy-agricultural products will see an increase in tariff by over 50% to encourage the exportation of food and self-sufficiency of the Kingdom, which is already quite high. A 5% lowering tariff for metals will ensue as well.

1101[]

This year is a binary number that represents "12" in decimal or "C" in hexidecimal. That has nothing to do with the time period, but I thought that was kind of cool.

After an inconclusive battle in Euobea between Bohemond and the Byzantine admiral Eustathios, the Byzantines offer the Italian Normans unrestricted naval and economic access to Greece if they allow the Komneans to annex Albania

Duke William III of Normandy sends his army to invade Aquitaine in an ambitious attempt to expand Norman influence to the western coast of France. Duke William IX forms an alliance with Count Fulk IV of Anjou and Count Stephen of Blois, to oppose this attack

Many nobles in France, who were too late to participate in the Crusade of Jerusalem, prepare a new ad hoc Crusade of their own to fight for Demyan and Robert Scalio in Anatolia

The Republic of Genoa offers to loan ships to begin creating a mercenary fleet for the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Jimena Diaz, the widow of El Cid, becomes a prominent noblewoman who asks to inherit the County of Ibiza.

Miracles begin to be reported from the grave of King Canute IV of Denmark, as a local cult of the Estridsen dynasty forms around this saintly figure.

Countess Mathilda of Tuscany invades the Free City of Ferrara with a coalition of Italian forces.

Castle Schlossburg in Germany is established, seat of the Count of Berg.

  • Khalilid Egypt: Sultan Abdul-Madjid continues with his efforts to rebuild Egypt from the civil war that had taken place a few years prior. The utmost priority would be to restore the productivity of the fertile land along the Nile River and also to promote trade as it passes through the Red Sea into the Mediterranean. The growing presence of the Kingdom of Jerusalem along Egypt’s eastern border has become too great a threat to be ignored and so the Sultan has ordered the construction of fortifications within the Gaza region. The policies of the Fatimid’s are continued especially in regards to meritocratic advancement through the government regardless of religion though loyalty remains a huge factor. The naval arsenal at Fustat is put to work once more with the objective of establishing a navy with special estates being set aside for taxes to generate the necessary revenue. Some of the special estates are also dedicated to the farming of trees to produce timber for production considering the lack of access to Mount Lebanon for timber. An order is also placed to the Almoravids for the purchase of wooden casks (Almoravid Response).
    • Almoravid Response: Given the condition of the Almoravid Navy with their commitment to reworking their fleet, 20 casks are offered to the Egyptians for a discounted price.
  • County of Sicily: Having received messengers from Bohemond requesting assistance to defend Albania, Roger prepares to embark with an army of 6,000 men to fight the Byzantines there. However, whilst making final preparations Roger, already 70 years old at this point and exhausted by the preparations, dies in his sleep. The death of Roger halts all military preparations, and plans for a military expedition to Albania are quietly shelved, with Norman lords and levies allowed to return to their estates and homes. The life of the old Norman warlord is a tale of conquest, as his descendants and family now rule portions of Sicily, Italy and the Holy Land while the Normans have established themselves firmly in the Mediterranean. His body is interned in a benedictine monastery in the countryside, and his funeral is presided over by the new Archbishop of Palermo. Upon Roger’s death, his firstborn son, the eight year old Simon de Hauteville, is crowned the new Count of Sicily, with his mother Adelaide del Vasto as Regent. Despite the new Count’s young age and inexperience, his mother is able to secure his rule relatively easily. Her husband, Roger, was well liked by most of the island’s nobles and the populace, and the Hauteville name commands a great deal of loyalty throughout the Normans in Sicily. A number of other influential non-Normans also loyal to the Hautevilles back Simon’s crowning, including the Norman governor or “Emir” of Palermo, the Greek convert Christodulus. In addition, the support of her husband’s two greatest friends and political allies, Ceneric Grosvenor and Albert de Pomeroy, themselves powerful Norman lords in Sicily, gives her son enough military strength to overcome any potential challenge to his throne. The combination of loyalty to her husband and the support of two powerful lords allows Simon to inherit the throne easily with his mother as regent. As gratitude for their support Simon’s brother, Roger II, is sent to train and live under Ceneric, while Simon is trained under Albert. In Syracuse, Roger II is tutored by Muslim and Greek philosophers and teachers, learning Arabic, Greek along with Muslim and Greek philosophy. He is trained in military tactics by Ceneric, who teaches him traditional Norman styles of warfare and military tactics.
    • Emperor Alexios honors his word to give unrestricted trade and naval access to Greece to the Italian Normans
  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: Last year, the city of Ayla had surrendered without a fight, Robert had paraded through the city with many of his men in a show of force, and Christian adminstrators were appointed to not only rule Ayla, but also other cities in the subjugated Oultrejordain. With the subjugation complete, he returns again to Jerusalem, where Queen Eadgyth and the court receive the return. Richard of Salerno, the seneschal, dies this year of a recurrence of pneumonia and his deputy, Attropius, is passed over for Baldric. Baldric had not been with Robert Scalio's army, he had been with Godfrey of Bouillon's, but he had proved himself trustworthy and a wise counsel. The death of Roger I and the cancellation of the Sicilian invasion of Albania is disappointing. Bohemond will most likely not be able to succeed against the Byzantines, so Robert Scalio writes to him insisting that he make peace. Robert had hoped to launch an invasion of Cyprus, while the Byzantines were occupied with fighting back their enemies in Greece and Anatolia, now it seems that will not happen. Even though war will not happen, the ban on any Byzantine traders in the Kingdom still stands, and Jerusalem in turn will not partake in any trading with the ports of Greece. The Byzantines essentially must be starved of trade, and in turn, influence. This year is significant in the formation and organisation of the Kingdom, as the four seigneuries, or vassals, are established. Tancred, Robert's half-nephew, becomes the Prince of Galilee. Robert himself becomes the Count of Jaffa and Ascalon, Rotrou III becomes the Lord of Sidon. And Hugh of Faquembergues becomes the Lord of Oultrejordain, after Ilger Bigod had passed on the offer. Many other Crusader princes and lords become rulers of sub-vassals as well, if they had not been before. On the Seventh of July of this year, Queen Eadgyth gives birth to a son in the Tower of David. The future king is named Roger, partly in honor of his great-uncle who had died a month previous. Robert does not get involved in the Anatolian crusade viewing Demyan Ivanovich as too defiant and power-hungry as if he were to wish to supplant Jerusalem's position. This disappoints many of the late-arriving Crusaders, but the King's position still stands. They are allowed to go to Anatolia but they are not sponsored by the king. Instead he orders more castles to be built, primarily in Galilee, on the border with Egypt, and in Oultejordain. The offer of Genoa, concerning a loaned fleet, is accepted. Genoa is also granted special trading privileges, the only city with that privilege in the northern half of Italy. The importance of the lords also grows, this year they begin to convene in a sort of council, which will be called the Haute Cour.
  • Kievan Rus: Having wintered in Comana following his successful crossing of the Taurus Mountains Demyan Ivanovich prepares for the new campaigning seasons. It is here that Demyan Ivanovich takes a liking to a young Armenian girl by the Raqel (1085) who he takes as his mistress. Hearing word of new arrivals from the lands of the Franks, and of the refusal of King Robert of Jerusalem to send aid the Rus Warlord mockingly jokes to his men "Let the Skirt Chasing King of the Jews hide behind his walls, he dishonors his Forefathers who were men of glory and war. We the Varyag fear not death for we are led by our great leader Monomakh the King of the Rus. Now we ride to avenge our Greek allies and free our new Armenian friends from the Desert Heathens." He follows this up by addressing the many Frankish nobles who now join his ranks, welcome my Crusading brothers let us march against our foe and show them our Iron will and boundless Faith, For god, and for Glory!!!!!" To this he is met with a roaring war cry that shakes the ground and fills the mountains Cappadocian highlands. Demyan Ivanovich at the head of 22,000 men marches on Caesarea using war wagons from which his archers may fire upon any oncoming Turks taking advantage of the Mountainous terrain and using intelligence from local supporters among the Armenian community to determine the location the Turks. He sends word to King Monomakh to strike hard from the North so to completely surround and break the Army of the Seljuks in Anatolia. Monomakh getting wind of the envoy agrees and hastily sends out his Steppe Nomads to encircle the enemy from the North carrying out hit and run tactics to weaken the resolve of the seljuks, meanwhile Monomakh and his feared veterans ready to act as smiting Hand of God against the enemies of the Holy Church (Algo Needed). Following the decisive defeat of the Seljuks of Rum at Caesarea, Demyan sends a secret envoy to Alexios in Constantinople, advising him that the Greeks have been avenged, and he pledges his undying loyalty to the cause of the restoration of Constantinople's authority in Anatolia offering his services to Emperor Alexios as his man in Eastern Anatolia in exchange for some lands for him and his men, proposing overseeing the reorganization of the Armeniac Themes and commiting to dleaing with the Turks in Anatolia, and helping the Emperor contest growing Norman influence in the Byzantine Empire (Mod Response required). Prince Demyan Ivanovich, and King Monomakh of Kiev move south to Jerusalem to complete their pilgrimage to the holy land following years of heavy fighting. Demyan and his men all consent to being baptized once more in Lake Tiberius by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem as a demonstration of their Piety, he also begs for forgiveness from King Robert of Jerusalem (Jerusalem Response).
    • Jerusalem: King Robert I accepts the apology of Demyan Ivanovich this time, and says that he should be more pious now due to his baptism.
    • Emperor Alexios will grant the Armeniac theme up to a border following the road south of Gangra and Aemasia
  • Hashemites: It has been a few years since the defeat of the Muslims and the cessesion of the holy land. And yet, there is still anger at the Christians, a wish to free Jerusalem where the Prophet Muhhamad, peace be upon him, ascended to heaven. But the Hejaz and the Islamic world in general isn’t in a place to liberate the cities. The Islamic world is too fractured. The Hejaz itself may be powerful, but not powerful enough. Qasim ibn Abi Hashim sends an Offer to the Bedouins north of Yemen. Submit to the Emir in Mecca, and offer cooperation in exchange for autonomy. (Mod Response) Now he sends offers to the scholars and scribes in the Levant who haven’t left for Egypt yet to come to the Holy cities Mecca and Medina in the hopes that they can contribute to our development. (Mod Response) Speaking of Egypt… (Secret) Emir Qasim ibn Abi Hashim states to the sultan of Egypt that the Islamic world must cooperate in the face of Christian expansionism. As the Seljuiks are infighting, the Beys of Rum falling and the Almoravids being too far away, he states that Egypt and Hejaz must cooperate in order to expel the Christians. (Secret over) Qasim sets his sights to the rich merchants of Yemen, but time will await..
    • The Shia Sultan of Sana' tells the Emir to stop capping
    • Scholars of Aleppo and Damascus come to Mecca
    • The entire Asir region will follow the Emir as long as their local Sufi traditions are honored
    • Your traditions will indeed be left alone.
  • Kingdom of Sweden: The king celebrates the birth of son Sigismund this year with a tour of Sigismundia. He visits The cities of Sigisfors and Eriksson the two largest cities in Sigismundia. Following this he inaguarates the road system between the three cities in a large ceremony in Sigisfors. After this trip he travels to the Karelian protectorate enclave. It takes him several days to reach it as he and his entourage has to pass through unexplored territory untill they finely reach Onegaborg. Here king Sigismund is welcomed by the local chief who talks about the relationship and the possibilty of establishing the swedish army in finland. The king says that he will consider it. The three cities of Finland sees a rapid expansion of land as many small villages are founded in the outskirts of them. With the great wall of Sigisfors being halfway complete, King Sigismund issues a letter which establishes Sigisfors as the capital of the entirity of Sigismundia. A new expedition in Sigismundia leads to the city of Esbo being founded here. This small city serves as farming village, being responsible for the food deliver to Sigisfors. After the kings return to Sweden the king continues his policies as usual.
  • Papal States: The Holy Father Paschal II becomes very focused on the situation in the Near East, particularly concerning the tense relationship between the Normans and Greeks. The enthusiasm for a new Crusade against the Turks poses a special opportunity for bringing the Christian kingdoms against a common enemy, in order to maintain the Pax Dei championed by Pope Urban. However, the Italian clergy has been increasingly wary of the influence the Rus have across Eastern Europe at this point, and their loose relationship with the Church in Rome established by Pope Gregory VII. Many reports had come from Armenia and Kiev of the continued presence of paganism and their influence in the Eastern Rite. In order to save political face among the Mediterranean powers, and for the sake of purity of the Church, Pope Paschal makes a stand. Pope Paschal II sternly reprimands Prince Damian for his words against the King of Jerusalem. His own domain of Armenia, ruled by the Slavic Crusaders, are filled with unbaptized pagans and nominal Christians outside of the Universal Roman Church. The Pope demands Prince Damian cleans up the piety of his own nation before seizing more territory, or face further discipline (Kiev response). The Pope continues to manage the Churches in various other nations. Bishops are appointed for the newly-organized Catholic diocese in Valencia and Mallorca. A new Cathedral is constructed in France called the Church of Notre-Dame de Nice. In regards to Anatolia, the Pope calls for a new Crusade following up from the success of the First Crusade, with the stated goal of destroying the Sultanate of Rum. This new conflict known as the "Crusade of 1101" was given leadership to various parties simultaneously, as Pope Paschal expected their organization to be more organic than the First Crusade. Count Stephen of Blois is given command of the French army of nobles arriving to the region, joining forces with the current Norman army led by Bohemond of Taranto. The other Crusader states already in the region, namely the Byzantine Empire, Principality of Armenia, and Kingdom of Jerusalem, are also allies of this expedition, hoping to press the Sultanate from multiple sides. In regards to Scandinavia, the Holy Father recognizes the local cults in veneration for the saintly kings of the previous generation. The Pope officially canonizes Canute IV of Denmark and Edward III of England as both Saints (England response). This action comes with Paschal's ongoing efforts of gathering more support among the clergy in England, through his trusted ally Acosta of Canterbury.
    • A reluctant Demyan sends a response to Rome recognizing the authority of the Rome over the Mother church in its entirety. He then proceeds to rant for 10 pages about the the piety of not only himself but his men as well who have bravely and loyally fought for god From the Don river to the walls of Constantinople where it was he and his brother who faithfully pushed back the Hordes of Chaka Bey, alongside the brave Bohemod of Taranto who Demyan considers nothing short of a brother in arms. He professes his sincerest apologies and promises that he is liberating the lands of his fellow christians not taking any for himself noting that he has pledged himself to Constantin of Armenia, and to aid the cause of Robert of Jerusalem who he pledges to visit this year to fullfill his own pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He finalizes the letter pledging his unwavering support to crusade and promises to aid the crusaders in Anatolia following a little rest.
    • While the Pope appreciates that, he still demands Demyan purges paganism out of Armenia
    • Rome is assured that any Paganism remaining in the region will be peacefully dealt with through conversion.
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: Under the leadership of Custodian Fulcher of Chartres and Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre continue its efforts to protect the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. With the construct of the Order's new fortress at Tyre, the protection of the pilgrims arriving at this city becomes more easy. A group of Milites Sancti Sepulcri will stay permanently stationed at Tyre and will escort the pilgrims to Jerusalem. When needing to return to Tyre, the Milites stationed at Jerusalem will escort them. The number of pilgrims increased, with the largest numbers arriving to participate at the celebrations of the Holy Week and of the Feast of the Cross. The great number of pilgrims make the number of places for them to decrease. Due to that, the Order decides to established houses where pilgrims can rest for free. Seeing the necessity of the expansion of the Order to help protect the other Crusader states, a letter is sent to all the crusader states asking for permition to establish branches of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in their territories [MOD response needed, please]. A letter is also sent to the Rus leadership in Armenia asking to establish a branch of the Order there too [Rus response needed, ]. Canon Teobald of Bari become famous in Jerusalem due to his acts of charity and piety, being common to see him giving alms for the poor of the city. Many pilgrims return to Europe talking about him.
    • Demyan welcomes the order and welcome them with open arm welcoming them into his lands.
    • The Crusader states are all positive towards the idea
  • Poland: King Zbigniew "the Young", now in the sixteenth year of his reign, continues the centralization of Poland proper, which he governs with the support of local nobility. Zbigniew, who came to power after the death of his uncle Boleslaw II in 1085, had spent much of his youth preparing to govern. While he is not personally an especially competent military commander, Zbigniew is well-known for his popularity with the people of Poland, his affable nature, and his erudite and faithful dedication to the Catholic faith. What he lacks in military prowess is made up for by his close friendship with Duke Boleslaw of Mazovia, the king's half-brother and a renowned warrior in his own right. In Silesia, Zbigniew has reinvigorated the nobility's loyalty to the crown by recently ousting his former regent, the count palatine Sieciech who had been oppressive to that region. In the early part of the year, Lambert III, the Bishop of Krakow and a cardinal, dies peacefully. Archbishop Martin of Gniezno appoints his successor, a bellicose and zealous priest named Casimir. This is seen by many as an attempt to finally secure the majority of the bishoprics in Poland in favor of subduing the heathens in the north, a long-time goal of the Archbishop. Zbigniew gathers his council together, after reading a message that the council of bishops had sent to him related to fighting the Slavic heathens along the Baltic Sea. Duke Boleslaw, the king's marshal, and Archbishop Martin convince Zbigniew that God wills the conquest and Christianization of the population of Slavs. Zbigniew prepares an army and declares war on the Pomeranian heathens. The army, 17,500 strong under the leadership of Boleslaw, marches to Biologard, a prominent Pomeranian village in Kashubia. Comprised of nobles, castellans, and knights as well as serfs and peasants, the army is inspired by tales of crusade in the Holy Land, and many seeking to do their own part to spread Christendom (ALGO request). As the year draws to a close, Zbigniew and his wife, a Silesian noblewoman named Agnes, find out that she is pregnant - and Zbigniew is hopeful that the new year will bring a male heir to join his family.
  • House Barcelona: Felicia of Sicily and Emperador Ramon Berenguer II are wed in the Cathedral of Barcelona. With this union, the two bring the Norman County in Sicily and House Barcelona into an alliance at sea. The naval raids against Almoravid cargos continue as a means to collect the owed Paria. The profits from this piracy is paid forward in accordance with the Treaty of Caudet but pales in comparison to the wealth paid before the Almoravids’ broke their word and branded themselves liars. Leveraging the new friendly ports in Sicily and with access to the Sardinian market, Catalan merchants begin operating further east in the western Mediterranean. These merchants act as intermediaries with their Italian and Norman counterparts, buying luxuries from the holy land from these other merchants for sale across Spain, Southern France, and in some cases even further afield in England and Northern France. Trade up the Ebro valley is quite profitable and the nation's agricultural output grows with the adoption of more Andalusian agronomics. The promulgation of the modified Usetges of Ramon continues across the Catalan Counties, with Ramon meeting directly with his vassals to introduce, convince, and coerce them into the adoption of the legal code. Generally this process goes smoothly with limited local pushback. As the economy rebounds from the war, the fleet is once again to be expanded. The rate of shipbuilding picks up again, and a new development, the Oar-Catcher bow, becomes commonplace among these vessels. A great many vessels are completed this year, well in line with the goal of 100 by 1105. Jimena Diaz, the widow of El Cid, is granted non-lineal title to the Island of Eivissa as Countess of Eivissa. After her death the county will return to the crown, to be distributed as the residence of future Marshalls of House Barcelona so as to honor the service of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, El Campeador.
  • Goryeo Dynasty: While performing some calming archery in one of Gaegyeong palaces, Emperor Sukjong recieves news of a diplomatic incident caused by cultural misunderstanding by the Jeollado governor against a foreign envoy and merchant. This Tashi merchant being accidently given takju (濁酒) a drink which has happymaking spirit which the merchant explains he cannot drink by his Buddha. His Budha being able to punish him for drinking drinks with the happy spirits and send him into a place of ethernal fire and pain. Thus the local official as to save the merchant from the wrath of his Budha gives the merchant a small peasant shack, some carpets and some rice. This all in the hope that he will not tell ill of the govenor and the heavenly emperor Sukjong. Other news Uicheon is slowly able to convince more and more nobles to allow for a centralised royal mint and coinage. The munk trying convince people with the economic benefit and the increase of taxes that they can do. (Start secret) Yun Gwan begins to see more and more results in the secret training compared to the disappointing results of a year earlie. Yun Gwan now having recruited and trained a further 4.000 soldiers to total 5.000 of the 10.000 required soldiers (end secret). Mainwhile in the city of Seungjumok, they once again request extra defence from emperor Sukjong against piracy. Thus Sukjong once more asks Tamna for 500 soldiers as part of their duty as a vassal (Mod/player response).
  • Banu Hilal: a sick Mukhair (whose father is the hero Abu Zayd al Hilali) grants the power to his son Hassan abi Mukhair ibn Zayd al Hilali (born 1078) as the new leader of the Hilaleen. He, especially concerned about the Christian expansions, orders the construction of fortresses along the coast. Also, there were raise 900 peasants, 1000 bedouin cavalry and 600 berber cavalry units.
  • Almoravids: The development of Algeciras continues as the great sultan remains this winter in Marrakesh with his sons. This year's developments in the Bay of Gibraltar consist of multiple armories being constructed in Algeciras. Already being a dock yard to maintain the Mediterranean Almoravid Fleet, more armories designed by the talented minds of the Levant pave the way for greater efficiency. The refugees from the Levant arrive with haste as the prosperous empire offers great opportunities to those in need. With the transformation of Toledo's countryside into a place of new farms and towns, the Arabs begin to take settlement within the Andalusian and Moorish Cities. The scholars that arrive in Al-Andalus remain mostly in the cities of Cordoba, Seville, Toledo, and Lisboa. The Castle of Mascarat which has seen some lackluster maintenance now sees sufficient funds to be further fortified with new towers and an expanded wall for defense. It stands as one of the many pillars that guard the people of the one true faith from the bloodthirsty crowns of Northern Iberia. The privateers of Al-Andalus and the Barbary are provided with safe harbour given their service in the last jihad. With a shift in trade routes providing a greater level of traffic to Timbuktu, Said el-Masih, the governor of Ghana, begins commissioning an expansion of roads within the region with a road stretching from Gao to Nouakchott. This would allow greater trade efficiency from the interior to the shores of the Atlantic. With the internal economic developments occurring in Ghana and abroad, the importance of protecting trade becomes an even bigger issue on the plate of the Sultan. The reconstruction and expansion of the port of Murcia has great value to the empire's hold in the Mediterranean but with the latest traffic of Christian thieves, much more must be done. In conclusion, it is decided that the important route from Nouakchott to Lisboa would be secured by hosting 3 parts of the Atlantic fleet in the cities of Lisboa, Casablanca, and Nouakchott. By the commission's orders, they began to construct a total of 150 ships in total. This was expected to be reached by 1106 across the Atlantic shores. With Casablanca to be the center of this route, it receives newfound investments that had not been seen within a generation. A no mercy protocol is signed off by Lord Said al-Can to privateers who he encourages to sack and capture the ships of other christian pirates who threaten our waters. For harsh active training to raise skill and competence within the developing navy, the fleet of Ceuta and Lisboa work toward protecting the trade routes of Gibraltar and up and down the shore. This is also furthered with a strongly written letter to the occupier of Iberia, Ramon Berengeur from Yusuf ibn Tashfin himself: "You have trespassed the lands of our brothers. You saw your very days as numbered before the liberators of those you occupy would come. Your family had fallen so low that you had to rely on a horde of brainwashed believers of a corrupted faith to lead your conquests. In addition, to make up for your cowardice, you weaponize the sea in a pitiful way to further your greed. Nonetheless, your day of reckoning will come. The insanity to expect the Sword and Shield of Islam to pay tribute to a foreign occupier of his subjects is absolutely delusional. We refuse to pay tribute in the place of a former vassal. Your parasitic ways of gaining wealth will not tread another inch into our homelands and neither will we stay idly by as your thieves attempt to reap the wealth they did not earn with blood,sweat, or tears. The least you can do as a leader is to start acting as one. Not like an infant in the body of an adult. In short, I graciously recommend you to overcome your own self and then perhaps we can settle our scores on the promised day". This letter is attached with a beautiful vase filled with salt. Meanwhile, Ali ibn Yusuf, the heir to the throne, heads out to Sous to adventure the much less explored interior. His days in the region were rather pleasant, especially being able to interact with those he met. During a visit at a mosque in the region near the village of Ingiliz. After taking time for prayer and meeting a humble man named Abdallah, he was introduced to his son, Asafu. The talks with the family went so well that he decided he would stay in the village for the next week or so which quickly became two and then a month. The bond established between him and Asafu's family led him to have to send a letter back to Marrakesh for his father to understand he is alright and would be back home in a year. Records show "Asafu" or Muhammad, had longed for a journey. The two young men had agreed they would take what they could and begin their long adventure across the empire making sure to visit the Sudanese. The charismatic and carefree nature of Ali was something to behold. He had built a sense of bonding with his countrymen that reassured the citizens that heard of his journey that he would not be a man that would lazily lie about in his quarters and luxurious gardens. Rather he would have a heart of a warrior and a mind of the wise. Escaping the Black Guard that his father had sent to watch over his son and his new "brother", they both take a ship in the harbor of Nouakchott where they gaze at the stars. Dreaming of the future and what it may have to offer. All before returning to their quarters before dawn.

1102[]

A revolt of 8,000 veterans from the iberian Crusade, and local Sudanese peasants breaks out in Serar against Almoravid rule.

A council of Bishops in Ravenna, led by Bishop Dagobert of Pisa, argue that Arnulf of Chocques, the current Patriarch of Jerusalem, was improperly appointed as Patriarch as he is not an anointed deacon. They push for Pope Pascal and the King of Jerusalem to have the Patriarch deposed.

Bolesław Wrymouth, brother of King Zbigniew of Poland, gains significant support from Polish nobles across the southern part of the country, in opposition to the incumbent king. While Boleslaw himself does not seek the throne, he does demand significant political favor from the crown to expand his own domains across the nation.

The Rankovich dynasty of Bohemia seeing the growing power of Poland, and weary of their own vulnerabilities to the West offer the Poles an alliance.

  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: Robert Scalio, although still upset by his feud with Demyan, is persuaded by his advisors to send a force to take part in the Anatolian Crusade, after previously refusing to do so. So 1,500 men under the command of Hugh of Faquembergues are dispatched there, although Robert says he is too busy with governing to join. The banning of Byzantine trade is also reversed, with the King attributing that decision to the stress of war, governance, and his anger, as well as the need to temporarily punish the Byzantines for warring with Bohemond. The King defends Patriarch Arnulf and says he is the legitimate patriarch. He will fight against any attempts to depose Arnulf. In October Queen Eadgyth gives birth to their second son, who is named Raynald. Montreal Castle begins construction in Oultejordain. This castle will serve a strategic purpose as it sits on the main road from Egypt to Syria, allowing it to tax many travellers. The fortress in Tyre is one quarter complete, while castles continue to be built in the south of the kingdom near the border with Egypt, and in Galilee. Roger of Salerno, the son of the late Richard and grandnephew of King Robert is apppointed Marshal of the Army. He will be the second-in-command to Constable Ilger Bigod. The arrival of the Rus to Jerusalem receives a mixed response from the nobility. Some view them with suspicion and do not consider them true Crusaders, contributing to thisn is the fact that to them not much is known about the land of the Rus, while some are swayed by their piety. Robert himself is pleased with the developments, it does not seem that Demyan will continue to challenge him, and privately he thinks he may influence him. He lets his relationship with Demyan be positive, although Robert has no true friends, only interests. This year is a calm one in the kingdom, with the realm continuing to consolidate.
    • Having managed to restore improve relations with Robert of Jerusalem, he sends an envoy once back in Anatolia requesting permission for Rus and Armenian merchnats from Cilicia and Kiev to trade with and in the domains of the Crown of Jerusalem.
    • Jerusalem: This is accepted
  • Armenia Cilicia: The remnants of the Great Kievan Host are disbanded with the Cuman and oghuz returning home with they play and plunder, while many of the Rus return to Kiev with both wealth and tales of glory to share with their kin, while some 2,000 Rus lesser nobles, 6,000 freeholders, and 2,000 Chorni Klobuky decide to remain in the service of Demyan Ivanovich. Most of these being the men who joined the now deceased Pyotr Ivanovich back in 1090. Most of these men head back to Armenia to await the distribution of land and plunder while Demyan retains 500 men as an escort. Prince Demyan accompanies his liege Vladimir II Monomakh as the Rus King makes his pilgrimage through the Holy land. With the most dire fighting now over and his pledge to take the cross now accomplished Monomakh explores the ancient city. While in the presence of Monomakh is it noted that the usually prideful warrior is rather subdued. The two old friends walk amidst the merchants stales of Jerusalem's Bazaar where the king purchases many an exotic trinket to bring back to his family. One Sunday as they approach the church of the Holy Sepulchre along the Via Doloroso for mass Prince Demyan breaks into tears and begins to mutter prayers. getting to his knees he continues to make his way to the church, many of his men begin to follow suit. Following the mass in attempt to mend relations with Robert I of the Jerusalem proclaims his support for Robert I and Pope Pascal in choosing the Latin Patriarch, carefully making no mention of Arnulf by name so as to not anger any of the factions involved. Some speculate that these gestures of faith and loyalty are partially out of self preservation since if the patriarch's choice is left to the clergy it could bring them troubles, not long after rumors of Demyan's mistress Raqel being spirited away following a pregnancy from the city back to Edessa in the dead of night begin to spread. During in his stay in Jerusalem as a guest of King Robert I, the two men become close friends discussing many a matter, from the presence of God in the every day, to the Strategikon and other Roman manuals of war. It is here that Monomakh suggests that Demyan send some Armenian Masons to aid in the construction of new castles and fortifications throughout the Holy Land. A reluctant Demyan agrees but says he must confer with his liege Constantin of Armenia (Jerusalem Response). Towards the end of April the men return to Armenia where the old Friends embrace each other one last time. In their parting moments Monomakh releases Demyan from his service and bids him fair well, but he advises his former retainer to not overstretch and to keep good relations with his Latin counterparts. Now back in Armenia Demyan and Constantin hold a council of the various Rus and Armenian nobles where Demyan Ivanovich is formally bestowed land and titles along with some of his men and in exchange he pledges his undying loyalty to Thoros the eldest son of Constantin. Following this council the health of the Old man begins a steep decline with him passing by the start of winter.The Varangian fleet now stationed in the Cilician port city of Ayas begins patrolling the local seas to protect Rus and Greek traders in the Eastern Med. and Black Sea region assisting the still recovering Byzantines, while also helping to consolidate the growing Rus presence and influence in the region. The trade of Salt, spices and other goods from the Orient, along with wool, iron, gems, and other exotic goods flow north to Kiev either by sea travelling through Constantinople, or by land going through Anatolia and the Caucasus. Demyan sends an open invite through returning Rus, and Merchants to his kin up north to claim seek their fortune, and to fight for God committing to pilgrimage, he also makes sure it is known that he is a generous lord to those who serve and prove their valor, in an attempt to bolster his forces (Mod/Player Response). Hearing word of Bohemod's movements Demyan sends word to Emperor Alexios requesting reinforcements to help deal with Bohemod in Anatolia, proposing that he will let Bohemod fight the enemy first and then will seek to capture him and hold him to ransom while stripping him of his lands lands in the process (Mod Response). Demyan leaves his now pregnant wife Beatrice in Sis towards the end of August as the Heat of the summer season dies down and his men have had some time to rest, at the head of 8,000 men to aid the Crusaders now fighting Rum. decides to take his men to Heraclea not wishing to leave the gateway to Cilicia in the hands of his rival Bohemod. He and his men shadow the battle of Heraclea assailing the rear of the already engaged in fighting the Normans. Demyan and his Chorni Klobuky shower the enemy turks with arrows leaving the heavy fighting to the Normans. Some of Demyan's most trusted men during the chaos of the battle attempt to capture Bohemod of Taranto, but his men are given strict instructions not to kill the Norman Prince for fear of angering Rome, should they be successful in this en devour the Rus Warlord will use him as a hostage so that the Emperor Alexios has leverage in his negotiations with the Latins (adding to papal algo for Heraclea, and Ineed a mod response Rng attempt on the capture of Bohemod). Having successfully captured his rival during the aftermath of the Battle of the Cilician Gates, Demyan Ivanovich returns with his captive to Sis where the Norman Prince is to be a guest of his liege Thoros I of Armenia. He leaves behind a small Garrison of 1,000 men to secure the city of Heraclea and the Cilician Gates. As ee returns through the mountain pass back into Cilicia the howls of wolves echo in the distance, the sound of wolves enjoying the feast left for them.
    • Jerusalem: King Robert agrees to this
      • Some merchants go through Armenia, but they are weary of the recentness of warfare in the region
      • Alexios is ok letting Bohemond be captured
      • The men attempt to capture Bohemond during the heat of battle. As it turns out, capturing someone in the heat of battle is difficult, doubly-so in the Gates of Cilicia! However, the captors believe they have found their man and wrangle him off the battlefield. They make it embarrassingly far before they realize they have captured the wrong person.
      • having failed to capture the Norman Crusader Demyan using his numerical superiority after the normans spent most of the battle fighting the Seljuks. Demyan quickly orders his men to surround the Norman Prince to capture him by force and drive his men from the Cilician Gate. He also calls on the Greeks to send aid so as to cut off any escape and disarm them.
  • Papal States: The population of Italy continues to increase urban density and high craftmanship, educating the masses after the University of Bologne. The Pope sends younger clergy of the Papal States to be trained in theology in Bologne, along with the secular doctors of natural philosophy. While the Pope strongly encourages the doctrines of his predecessor to enforce the pax dei, at the same time he encourages the expansion of the domains of Countess Mathilda, the Papacy's strongest ally. Meanwhile, the greatest enforcement for the Pax Dei is the common goal of fighting against the Muslims. Two armies, under the leadership of Bohemond of Taranto and Stephen of Blois, invade across southern Anatolia to link up with the forces of Damian di Giovanni, as coordinated by the Papal legate Anslem of Milan. While the army of Stephen had a singular goal of obeying the Pope and Emperor for the destruction of Rum, Bohemond had an ulterior motive in mind. Having been expelled from Greece by the conflict with Alexios, Bohemond sought to expand his remaining claims in central Anatolia across from Galatia through Cappadocia, partly at the expense of the Armenian allies. He had also further fought against the Byzantine emperor again this year in sacking the city of Nicomedia for further supplies. 4,000 knights led by Bohemond of Taranto attack the city of Heraclea against the bulk of the armies of Rum, striking north from the higher ground against the enemy exhausted from fighting the Armenians. Stephen of Blois with 8,000 knights attacks the Rum capital of Konya (two algo requests). If Bohemond is successful, Stephen will press from the west in an attempt to encircle the Turks and capture Kilij Arslan, the Sultan of Rum. Pope Paschal has confidence that God is on the side of the Cross and will carry the Rum Crusade to victory, but just the same continues to reach out for every nation abroad to participate in this holy service (any player response). Having performed this service for the sake of our old ally, the Komneans, the Holy Father reaches out to form a deal with the Byzantine Emperor, offering to cede them control of the former territory of Rum, in exchange for a treaty to permanently open the Dardanelles and Bosporus Straits for the merchant republics of Italy (mod response). While working on securing this domination over the Mediterranean, the Pope reaches out to Archbishop Acosta of Canterbury for handling the situation in England. The Archbishop organizes a local Synod of Bishops in London, the first great council called since the Accord of Winchester, for the propagation of the Gregorian Reforms in England. He declares that the Pope alone holds right for the investiture of Bishops across the British isles, and that acts of Simony and Sodomy within the clergy will be anathemized and extinguished. This Council of London asks for the cooporation of local secular rulers (England response)
    • Alexios makes vague promises agreeing to work something out after the lands have been returned.
  • Cumans:Boniak and his family now are more convinced to embrace the new faith as our mercenaries (now Christians) are returning home. The Khagan request Kyiv and other allies of the Rus priests to continue the efforts for the conversion. [Mod response] (More to add).
    • Monomakh agrees to send priests delighted that his Cuman allies are taking well to their efforts.
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: With the support of King Robert of Jerusalem, Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques remains in his position. With the construction of fortress of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in other states formed by the Crusaders in the Levant and Anatolia, the Milites Sancti Sepulcri adopt the same model of operations that is used in Tyre. The Milites stationed in these new fortress will escort pilgrims to Jerusalem. Together with the new fortresses, house where the pilgrims can rest and eat for free are build. With the pope's call for a crusade against the Sultanate of Rum, 1,000 knights of the Milites Sancti Sepulcri are sent to help in the conflict [Add these numbers to the Crusade algo, please]. Teobald of Bari meets Demyan Ivanovich during the prince visit to Jerusalem. Impressed by his act of piety, Teobald invites him to particpate in the distribution of alms and other acts of charity during the Holy Week [Armenia Cilicia response needed, please]. Patriarch Arnulf orders the restoration of churches of the city of Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre will be adorned with magnificent mosaics showing the Passion of Christ.
    • Demyan agrees.
  • Hejaz: The consolidation of the nation is ongoing. Now, the Emir wishes to focus his efforts to build up a large army for the nation. He sends out offers to displaced soldiers in the levant to join the forces of the Hejaz. (Mod Response) Now it is time to grow our strength. The Emir sends an expedition of 1000 soldiers to subjugate the Bedouins of the rest of the Medinah region. (Algo Needed) Meanwhile, there is still anger at the Christians who occupy the holy land and expelling the muslims in the area. There is no way that we can counterattack though. Qasim spends much of this year training an elite cabal of soldiers called جيش الأمير (lit. Emir’s army). This year is a calm one in the Hejaz, with the Emir is busy getting things into order. Now that the Arabs of Medinah have surrendered to the Emir, the realm of Hejaz grows, but not enough to liberate the Holy Land. Only time will tell.
    • Some 1,500 Arab and Turkic warriors come into the Service of the Emir.
    • The Medinah Arabs peacefully surrender to the Emir of Mecca
  • House Barcelona: Felicia bears Ramon-Berenguer a daughter whom they name Isabella, she survives into the spring before succumbing to fever. This tragic loss impacts Felicia deeply, and she falls into a great despair. Ramon too is greatly pained by the loss and both can be found walking the gardens of Montjuïc Monastery to the west of Barcelona. The pain of the loss causes both to grow distant from each other. Ramon withdraws from courtly life and grows disinterested in governance. Thanks to his negligence, Bernat de Cardona, the nephew of the famed Fransesc de Cardona, rises to prominence in court as the King’s close advisor and now elevated to marshal. Bernat, a former lieutenant under Pere-Ramon in the Iberian Crusade, is a tactical and cunning political agent. Using Ramon’s dis-interest he makes arrangements to establish himself as ruler of a petty kingdom in Sardinia. To this end, he leads another expedition to rebuild Tharros, repairing the harbor further and starting work on a keep, from which he privately plans to rule the island. He pays for this expedition from Ramon’s coffers with tacit approval from the Emperor. With fortifications established, Bernat brings over 300 of his bannermen and 200 of his retinue. He then approaches Torbeno of Arborea seeking to marry his daughter, Beatrìci, and gain trade concessions. (Mod Response) While in the Arborean capital, Bernat is swift to survey the family of Torbeno, noting his younger brother Orzocorre, who seems to be the future path of the current royal line as Torbeno has no male heirs. Thus, should he be allowed to wed Beatrìci, and after the wedding, Bernat conspires to eliminate Orzocorre, inviting him to travel to Barcelona to be educated in the famed General School of Barcelona. Should the young man accept, Bernat plans to have him meet an unfortunate watery end. Depending on the prince’s preferred mode of transport his ship will be either “lost in a storm” or should he wish to travel on a Catalan ship, “thrown overboard” in particularly rough seas. (Mod Response for Orzocrre and the plot to murder him). Back in Barcelona, the fleet expansion continues apace. The Royal Shipyard’s work has proven effective with the fleet swelling to 85 ships. 15 more are expected over the next three years with orders for many civilian and other ships occupying any excess capacity. The settlement of the Kingdom of Valencia continues with Catalans and Provencals offered plots as Sagramentals. Transport of the immigrants is provided by the crown and many thousands arrive in Valencia to settle the interior. Numerous new productive farms appear in the interior of the region, taking advantage of existing Muslim infrastructure and augmenting it with further investment of labor. The cultural switch from lamb grazing to pigs causes a slow-changing ecological revival as the intensive pigs are fed on table-scraps and other food sources rather than on grazing land. As a result, native grasses and other flora can re-take some of this land, reducing the overall aridity by a small margin. Over hundreds of years this process may have positive impacts if left to continue.
    • Torbeno agrees to marry his daughter to the Marshal of Spain
    • Orzocrre is thrown overboard, but survives and finds his way to Ibiza. In the confusion, he doesn't notice who tried to kill him
    • Upon hearing of the young prince's survival, Bernat personally leads a ship to recover the lucky prince. A full investigation is launched and the perpetrators are discovered and swiftly executed. Though in reality the perpetrators are kept in Bernat's employ and the executed men are common criminals bribed to take the fall and then betrayed.
  • Kingdom of Sweden A grand feast is held in Stockholm as crown prince Sigismund celebrates his five year birthday this year. The feast is visited by nobles from all over Sweden,with several of them wanting to win favour from the king. The king is somewhat immune o their persuasion attempts and ends their ideas of favours without counterfavours. The king recives the news that the last duke of jämtland has died and therfore organizes an election to select their new dynasty and ruler. The king proposes his brother as the next duke. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED) With eriks accesion to the throne of Jämtland,He begins giving more power to the king .Meanwhile the king continues crusading in Sigismundia and establishes several new villages near Sigisfors. at the last day of the year,the queen gives birth to a daugther who they name Margaretha
    • His brother is accepted as the new duke.
  • County of Sicily: Norman rule of Sicily continues under the countship of Simon de Hauteville, with his mother Adelaide del Vasto wielding the real political power as regent. Her major political allies, Centric Grosvenor and Albert de Pomeroy, the Norman lords of Syracuse and Messina respectfully, become influential figures at Court, being entrusted with the care of Simon and his younger brother and heir Roger II. The converted Greek Emir of Palermo, Christodulus, acting as governor for the Norman government there, also provides vital support to Simon, with his administration of Palermo and its outlying towns and villages continuing to provide lucrative revenue to the Normans. With the island almost entirely recovered from the chaos of the Norman conquest, most of life on Sicily has returned to normal, with Muslims and Greeks allowed to carry on as before the conquest. This includes their freedom to worship their own religions and to participate in commerce. The Norman lords, having figured out that the administration of the island is most efficient left in the hands of its natives, allow many of the Orthodox and Muslim administrators and bureaucrats to remain in their posts. Rather than attempt to replace the island’s administrators with Norman, French and Italians, the Normans keep the pre-existing administration and allow it to continue. Norman piracy against North Africa continues, with Norman ships continuing to raid and plunder coastal settlements and merchant vessels sailing along the coast. The income from pirate raids against North Africa supplements revenues from taxes and tariffs, and the royal treasury begins to fill once again after being heavily depleted from Roger I's policies of investing in the island's infrastructure and population centers.
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 5th full year of the reign of King Godwin "Scyling" of England and Denmark. He is the second member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He has many siblings: Edmund, who is married to Margaret of Wessex and is unlanded; Magnus, Marklord of Wales, who is married to Gwenlian ferch Bleddyn thus forming an alliance with Gwynedd; Gytha, who is married to Alan mab Konan de Rennes; Gunhild, who is married to Lǫgmaðr Guðrøðarson, Harold, Earl of Northumbria (1066 and married to Anna of Durham) and Ulf, who is unwed (1067). Godwin is married to Princess Sigrid Svendsdatter of Denmark and has sired many children through her: Edwin, Aetheling of Denmark and England (b. 1070), who is wed to Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide; Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is unwed; Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem (1075), who is wed to Robert Scalio. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Godwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords he has introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Godwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful vassal otherwise occupied. Fighting in Deheubarth reaches a conclusion this year as most soldiers in the area have been tasked with the construction of castles in the region. A delegation is sent to an assuredly frightened Powys reaffirming England's alliance with Gwynedd. Many of the soldiers in the Marklands of Wales are indeed from Gwynedd and Powys. The Kingdom of England is at peace as the Papal Legates arrive in London. Anselm, with whom the Holy Father and many of his Cardinals has spent much time, calls for a clerical council in London to put an end to several issues stemming from the Gregorian reforms. The Kingdom of England has historically enjoyed fairly relaxed treatment from the Papacy. Harold II attempted to compromise but ultimately rebuked the issue on investiture. At the time, it was believed it was simply the will of one Pope and best not to incur his wrath. This is now a trend that has been continuing for decades. Anselm is able to negotiate for adoption of the Gregorian reforms and an end to a number of institutions with which the church did not agree, including the slave trade from Ireland and concubinage. Godwin accepts, though will continue to insist on primacy over the Archbishop of Canterbury and the right to appoint lay bishops in England and Denmark. Though this has taken place here and there in England, Godwin has appointed many bishops and lay clergy members in Denmark, where he asserts even more control over the Danes. Later this year, a Witan is called where the Reeve of Leicester advises Godwin to continue appointing lay clergy anyway, which Anselm overhears. He is used as a scapegoat when this inevitably angers the Pope. Several more bishops are created in Scania. As a show of goodwill, England sends 4,000 men to fight in Rum.
  • Almoravids: The Serar Rebellion, a momentous moment in the life of Prince Ali. As "Asafu" ibn Tumart and Prince Ali ibn Yusuf arrived in the lands of Sudanese, they were welcomed well. It wasn't necessarily a symbol of show or grandeur. More as a humble arrival. To which some were surprised at all that it was the heir to the throne. He made sure to bring gifts from the north to give to the people. Mostly fancy rugs and grand vases with cloaks and robes. Board games and more to be played with the children as Ali and ibn Tumart sat on the floors of the towns they visited to play alongside the children. Their parents were able to give their trust into such a charming man who had led to these great developments even though crime had been a problem during the war with the lack of men in the vicinity. Now that things had been looking up, they commended him and his father's work. Not all was well though. In Serar, reports arrived to the prince that rebellion had broken out within the city of Gababé. The city was blocked where they had taken encampment and in the dead of night, the perpetrators were caught and executed as Ali and his Black Guard walked up into the city taking center stage. It was recorded by Zayad ibn Mustafa, a Ghanan Scholar who recorded what would happen next. The young leader stood there til the very rise of the sun. The beams of light shone off the man with a golden twinkle showing off his bright blue eyes and his golden brown skin. Confused at first but soon able to recognize who stood before him, they were in shock. It was the last thing they expected. The prince himself showed up before their very eyes. The man they claimed to show disdain and envy towards. Then, he spoke. "To you my men of Serar, I stand before you not as your leader but as your brother. As your brother, I will not interfere with the actions you are willing to commit before me today, yet I want you all to be aware of the consequences of your very actions. Firstly though, I'd like you to be aware of where you started and how you arrived here today. I'd like to begin with my father Yusuf. For he had found you vagabonds and farmers, most of you in hides, feeding livestock at your pastures or making trinkets for the protection of which, you had to fight with little success against your neighbors and yourselves. Instead of hides, he gave you cloaks, and from the countryside and jungles, he led you across the grand steppes and Savanna, making you capable of fighting barbarians so that you were no longer compelled to preserve yourselves by trusting rather to the inaccessible strongholds than to your own valour. He made you colonisers of cities, which he adorned with useful laws and customs uniting you under the banners of the one true faith. From being slaves and subjects, he made you rulers over those very barbarians and occupiers who once ruled over you ravaging and plundering your land and its wealth. He also added greater parts of Mali under his rule, and by seizing the most conveniently situated places up and down the Atlantic shores, he made commerce flourish unlike ever seen within any of your ancestors' lifetimes. Not even including making the mines of our land capable of becoming a sustainable means of employment. He made you rulers of Ghana who you had been previously ruled over under fear. And by humbling the seas beyond the Atlantic, he made avenues to travel to lands beyond your dreams and further than the lands you call home. And by penetrating into the rest of Ghana, he left you with more land and more people to call comrades all left under one banner with growth and a quality of life which you have never seen. This was not even just honor for himself but for all the people who live under the Almoravid banner. These were the advantages granted to you by my father. Great indeed if looked at them by themselves, but small compared to those you obtained with me. I had been born and raised with the best my father could offer and yet, I had been raised without complacency and refused to be stuck up in the grand gardens destined to be inherited. Rather, I focused on the objective of fighting beside my brothers, and not just took up that noble duty, but I had also taken up fighting the same battles you had as well. For some may claim that I and my father had gained all of this without suffering the toils and fatigues as you veterans yet there isn't a single part except my back that has not seen a sword, speer, arrow, and any other weapons of war you could imagine. I lay indifferent to prove to you this at the least. You veterans of war are no different than I. Yet, here I am viewed as an enemy to you today. I continued to give my all, even after conflicts by advising your governors to erect places of worship, grand roads, expanded cities, more mines, greater wealth, all of this. All of this seen right before your very eyes. The very place you want to name your battlefield was erected by the hard work of your brethren as well as myself. You are viceroys, you are generals, you are captains. What then have I reserved to myself after all these labours, except this black robe and this diadem? I have appropriated nothing for myself, nor can any one point out my treasures, except these possessions of yours or the things which I am guarding on your behalf. Individually, however, I have no motive to guard them, since I feed on the same fare as you do, and I take only the same amount of sleep. No, I do not think that my fare is as good as that of those among you who have just begun to live in luxury; and I know that I often sit up at night to watch for you, that you may be able to sleep. I still lead on in proximity to my father by leading beside you through victory, luxury, and conquest. Through your weddings and your children's weddings, and one day, my very own. Most of you have either golden crowns or medals, the eternal memorials of your valour and of the honour you receive from my father and myself. Whoever has been killed, has met with a glorious end and has been honoured with a splendid burial. Brazen statues of most of the slain have begun to be erected at home, and their parents are held in honour, being released from all public service and from taxation. But no one of you ​has ever been killed in flight under our leadership. And now I was intending to send back those of you who are unfit for service, objects of envy to those at home; but since you all wish to depart my side and my trust, depart all of you! Go back to your lands and tell your families that Sultan Yusuf and Prince Ali, unifier of the Moors, Liberators of Andalusia, bringer of luxury to the people of Serar, conquerors of the Ghanans, brothers of the one true faith, Shield and Sword of Islam, and protectors of Serar were abandoned and betrayed by you. Perhaps this report of yours will be both glorious to you in the eyes of men and devout forsooth in the eyes of Allah and Muhammad. Depart!". The last words he spoke shook the crowds of men to the core. From the rest of the morning to dusk they pleaded to him for his mercy and forgiveness. Their guilt was unbearable. Ali that day chose not to eat nor rest. He stepped out his quarters once again to the crowd that had done the same. They did not want to leave their leader. And so, with great mercy, he forgave them. That evening, he welcomed the captains to his quarters where they reconciled with their liege and agreed to his future endeavors of growing the region. A great mosque and an expanded city Square was planned to be built with them being allowed to own the lands of it all. After all, with them being the leaders to protect their people, they should reserve the very right to own and guide the land's development for the sake of its protection as well. He also makes them aware, once he takes the throne, they will be pleased by the new changes and promises them they will be the witnesses of history. The words of the Gababé Speech reach out across the nation. How the man to be leader subdued a rebellion with words alone. Yusuf hearing of the reports was rather proud of his son. He taught him well. Meanwhile, the expansion of the Mediterranean Fleet begins with 150 ships ordered to be constructed mostly at Algeciras but as well as Ceuta and Malaga as the Murcian Harbour experiences reconstruction. The Arsenal at Algeciras continues to experience great growth. Meanwhile subdued christian pirates are brought back to the Barbary and sold as slaves. Brought deep into the interior of Morocco unless they pledge their loyalty to the Almoravids where they may convert and be brothers among their men on the waves. Meanwhile more mosques begin to be erected in Zamora and Salamanca as fortifications are erected at Olmedo and Cuenca. These fortifications consist of expanded towers and more walls erected to protect the vicinity as constructions of castles begin to be worked on for the lords of Ademuz and Guadalajara.
  • Banu Hilal: With the fall of Fatimid Shi'i power a lot of years ago, is decided to embrace the Maliki school of Sunni, because the majority of the population (berbers and other arab people) are sunni. Meanwhile, Hassan declares the conquest of Tunis city. The half of the available forces raised before the last year, and all the new units. Also there were raise 1,600 Sanhaja Infantry for the war.[Algo needed].
  • Goryeo Dynasty: With alot of blood sweat and forced smiles Uicheon, is finaly able to start the first minting of Goryeo coinage. Uicheon and the his brother Emperor Sukjong deciding to put the name of the nation Goryeo on the coins instead of the dynastic wang. This decision of the emperor and his brother being a breaking of tradition with the other countries seround Goryeo using the dynastic names on their coin. (Start secret) Yun Gwan has done it he has trained his 10.000 festive troops in the city of Ryeongju the pearl on the chongchon river. Yun gwan thus having his flags and banners ready for his forces so they can show their drill and dance to the local govenor. These festivities including alot of rice wine and wild meats such as tiger. (end secret). The city of Seungjumok once more sends a messenger to the emperor Sukjong about getting 500 guards, such as pikemen,archers and scouts. Sukjong informing the city that he will wait for two more years, as he feels like this delay might allow Tamna to train the troops and equip them properly for naval duties. Sukjong beliving that Tamna should mostly be used for naval defence due to her advanced location making it easier to stop both Song, Wa and Jurchin troops from ariving or atleast delay it.
  • Khalilid Egypt: The presence of Jerusalem and Armenia strangling access to the Turks and Circassians has become a major issue for the newly established Khalilid Sultanate especially in regards to their use as Mamluks or heavy cavalry. Furthermore, the funds of the state are strained on attempting to establish Khalilid control in Egypt leaving little to spare for the purchase of slaves even if they were available. Sultan Abdul-Madjid is forced to look elsewhere for his military and starts with the local Egyptians. Muslim Egyptians are recruited into military service excluding other religions as a matter of necessity for cohesion on the battlefield. Non-Muslim’s such as Christians and Jews are permitted to serve as a part of the bureaucracy in continuation of the meritocratic policies of the Sultanate especially since Muslim’s are being recruited into military service. Despite the military being bolstered by non-slaves and the ethnic based army of the Fatimids discarded due to the Sultanate’s precarious situation, the Berbers and Arabs still dominate the role of light cavalry and horse archers. Slaves are still utilized in a reserve role and also in an administrative capacity for the Sultanate. The border regions with Jerusalem are fortified as a precaution against any future incursions and in response to their construction of castles. The navy is still being rebuilt with the casks recently purchased from the Almoravids being distributed among the ships already in service. The estates designated to the navy are divided between funding, manpower, and the farming of trees with the tree estates being exclusively for growing trees for timber. Furthermore, what presently exists of the navy is to begin exercises to improve their coordination.


1103[]

The Crusade of 1101 has caused the collapse of the Seljuk Dynasty in Anatolia. Kilij Arslan manages to escape and flees to Mosul, where he is captured by the Seljuk Sultan and executed. The remaining territory of the Sultanate of Rum is taken over by the Danishmenid Dynasty, led by Sultan Gazi Gumushgtin

Duke Roger Borsa of Apulia demands the Prince of Armenia release Bohemond, and is willing to pay any price.

Archbishop Anslem of Canterbury pushes for King Godwin to accept the Papal investiture, and pressures the English Jarls to accept this crucial facet of the Gregorian Reforms.

King Donald III of Scotland offers his daughter Mathilda for a marriage agreement in England.

William III of Normandy makes some victories against Aquitaine, but eventually reaches a stalemate. He stops fighting the war temporarily, but the conflict is officially still ongoing.

After successfully putting down the Ismaili rebellion in Baghdad and enraged by the continued Humiliating defeats of his kin Sultan Berkyaruq musters a new army 50,000 strong. Leading 30,000 men himself headed for Damascus and placing placing 20,000 of his men under the command of Atabeg Kerbogha who moves against the cities of Aleppo and Edessa.

Agents of the Old Man in the Mountain (Hashashin) Manage to infiltrate the cities of Edessa, Damascus, And Aleppo gathering information on the Strengths and rivalries among the Crusaders.

Magnus III of Norway dies, and is succeeded by his sons Eystein II and Olaf IV as joint kings.

The Ghaznavids score a tactical victory against the forces of Khorasan at the battle of Herat pushing deep into Khorasan

Li Jie, Chinese government minister, publishes his Yingzao Fashi technical treatise on Chinese architecture, during the reign of Emperor Hui Zong of the Song Dynasty.

  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: King Robert of the House of Hauteville (b. 1068) is in the eleventh year of his reign. He is married to Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem (b. 1075), and has two sons, Roger (b. 1101), and Raynald (b. 1102). King Robert dictates a letter to the Pope mentioning that perhaps Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques should be official anointed so that this issue with the Ravennese bishops can be buried (Papal response). Jerusalem invests heavily in our relations with Genoa, the fleet they have lent us will prove to be a good investment soon, so deeper ties continue to be sought with them. Queen Eadgyth is counseled that another birth in such a quick succession could endanger her health, as her sons were born within 15 months of each other. Envoys are sent to Constantinople to discuss normalising trade, and only trade, although Robert would rather have the proud Greeks and their empire shrivel, their ports shut forever, an irrational thought, he would want a Hauteville to possess them. Privately, Robert Scalio does not care for his brother's personality and character, although since he is kin, he publicly supports his brother Roger in calling for Bohemond's immediate release. He is very wroth with Demyan Ivanovich, he is incensed over how the Normans were betrayed and curses the day he appointed that power-hungry wildman to rule Edessa. The Normans have been the standard-bearers of Christ in this Crusade yet at every turn they have been attacked by these false Christians, whether they call themselves the Eastern Rite or Orthodox, they do not serve Christ. Robert calms down and is confident the progeny of Demyan will be cast out one day, and he considers revoking Demyan's granted titles either way, he is more a subject of Emperor Alexios than the Pope's, or the Church in general, as he continues to undermine the King of Jerusalem's authority as no one would dare do. The question arises, who is the puppet, and who is the puppeteer. Robert feels as if he is losing all his battles, as if his authority and standing as the paramount power in the Holy Land is being undermined by evil men. The third son, the youngest son, the son never meant to be king yet here he was but for what. The princes of Europe, even his own vassals here must think him a fool, they must laugh at him, they must whisper about him. There is no catharsis, no end for his problems, no end for the ill luck he has so far endured. Yet another problem now arises as he hears the news that the Saracens are on the move again, seemingly Robert will never have any peace, he thinks as the Kingdom and its vassals are readied for war. Gathering a great host of 15,000 men from all the Crusader states, Robert, alongside marshal Roger of Salerno and Constable Ilger Bigod, as well as several other prominent Crusader princes in various positions, march on Aleppo to engage the Saracen enemy and save the city, seeking to also link up with Bohemond's men (Algo request).
  • County of Sicily: Confusing reports reach Sicily regarding a possible schism between the crusading forces in Anatolia, with the Rus crusaders allegedly betraying their Latin Christian counterparts. Rumors of the betrayal of the Normans in Anatolia and the capture of Bohemond of Taranto sparks a wave of anti-Orthodox sentiment, with several small pogroms and riots breaking out against Orthodox populations on the island. These riots and pogroms are quickly quelled by the Norman rulers, however, viewing them as disruptive and a threat to the island’s stability, administration and economic prosperity. Simon’s mother and regent Adelaide writes to Roger Borsa of Apulia, giving him her support and pledging to contribute to any ransom that must be raised for Bohemond’s release. Simultaneously she writes a letter to the Pope, again encouraging him to denounce the treachery by the Orthodox Christians, who by now have attacked the Normans in Greece and in Anatolia despite the Normans being there to fight for Christ [PAPAL RESPONSE NEEDED]. Additionally, the resurgence of Muslim power in North Africa, seen in the Banu Hilal’s capture of Tunis, sparks concerns that the Normans’ position in Sicily and their future plans for Africa could be threatened. Adelaide’s two political allies, Ceneric Grosvenor and Albert de Pomeroy, encourage her to allow an attack on North Africa to gain a Sicilian foothold in the region to cement a Norman presence in North Africa and to make it easier to launch future raids and attacks. She allows the two lords to assemble a fleet of 30 ships and a force of 5,000 men (800 Norman knights, 1,200 Norman levies and 3,000 local Saracen and Greek recruits) for an attack on the island of Djerba. Ceneric Grosvenor is placed in charge of the attack, and he plans to utilize Norman naval supremacy to rapidly cut the island off from any land-based aid before landing their force on the island to overrun the island’s settlements and capture any local fortifications there. [ALGO NEEDED].
  • Papal States: Policies continues for further educating the clergy and scholars of Rome, and building up the urban settlements across central Italy and Tuscany. Romanesque architecture is propagated for the construction of new Basilicas in various parts of the region. Pope Pascal II sees that the situation of the Crusade of 1101 have spiraled out of control, now with Bohemond captured by the Armenians and the Burgundians returning home. Sadly, Pascal cannot rekindle the miraculous spirit Pope Urban had in the First Crusade. Still, the power of the Sultanate of Rum has been fully vanquished, and the lands are given back to Byzantium with substantial Italo-Norman influence. Cardinal Anslem of Milan nominates the first Latin Archbishop of Iconium (formally Konya). Additionally, the years after the First Crusade have let out a spark of religious expansion across the whole of Europe. Pope Pascal gives his blessing for the Norman Crusade against Djerba, and the Swedish Crusade against Finland. The organic creation of holy fraternities, a military order of monks, is also a significant opportunity for expanding the realm of Christendom and enforcing the spirit of the pax dei. Pope Pascal officially recognizes the Holy Orders created by the First Crusade, and embraces their vows under clerical hierarchy. Additionally, the noble knight Godfrey of Boullion is canonized as a Saint (Order of Sepulcher response). Arnulf of Chocques, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, has fallen into question by some persons who want him deposed of his Holy office. To this issue, the Pope addresses King Robert of Jerusalem as such, "while this Arnulf has not been consecrated as a deacon, the exceptional miracles surrounding his appointment during the capture of Jerusalem, speaks for itself. As Jesus called Peter, who had no training and could neither read nor write, and made him chief of the Apostles, so too did this same Jesus call out Arnulf by way of the True Cross. The persons who deny this miracle and wish to depose this prelate, should be anathemized" (Jerusalem response). To that end, the Pope deposes Dagobert as Archbishop of Pisa and appoints Pietro Moriconi to succeed him. In the British isles, the Pope is pleased with the abolition of slavery, and he writes an encylicle outlining his hope that all Christian rulers will systematically remove that abhorant practice. However, the Pope is also frustrated that the King thinks he can perform these religious acts unilaterally without respecting the hierarchy of the Roman Church, as Jesus intended. The numerous decrees and councils under Pope Gregory VII for the Gregorian Reforms, the decree of Urban II to forbid princely invlegendary Bohemod estiture, and the recent Council of London by the Archbishop of Canterbury, uniformly support the ends that investiture of Bishops rests with the Pope alone. Pascal II writes to King Godwin a threat of excommunication if he appoints another Bishop. Anslem of Acosta, however, is willing to negotiate with the King, and offer to allow the House of Godwin to remain a liege of the temporal church lands in exchange for relinquishing the investiture. (England response)
    • Jerusalem: King Robert concurs with the Holy Father's assessment.
    • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: Custodian Fulcher of Chartres and Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques thanks Pope Paschal II for the approval. Arnulf also thanks the pontiff for maintaining him in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
  • Khalilid Egypt: Sultan Adbul-Majid continues the recovery efforts. There is major concern with the growing power of Jerusalem to the east, so he orders more fortifications to be built in Sinai. As the harvest on the nile is good this year, the sultan has faith. As Egypt is doing good, the Sultan assembles a force of 9000 to take over Cycrenica (Algo needed) At home, he continues to rebuild critical infrastructure. The casks retrieved from the Almoravids will surely be useful to ward off european attacks. By now, some parts of the Navy has been restored.
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: The capture of Bohemond by the Armenians cause consternation among the leadership of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, with Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques becoming harsh with the Orthodox an Syriac Christians, considering them as potential traitors. He is opposed by the canon Teobald of Bari, who thinks that Arnulf's aggressiviness is unnecessary. Teobald became popular with the people of Jerusalem, including the non-Latin Christians, due to his generosity and piety with all people. Seeing that a feud between Latins and non-Latin Christians will only weaken themselves, Teobald secretly writes a letter to Pope Paschal II pleading for his intervention before this feud destroys all the Crusade's conquests [Papal response needed, please]. The Milites Sancti Sepulcri continue his work of escorting the pilgrims to Jerusalem. Hospitals controled by the Order of the Holy Sepulchre are build in Armenia and in the city of Tyre. The fortresses of the order across the Crusader states are expanded with the construction of scriptoriums for the productions of books and Ecclesial texts. The restoration of the churches of Jerusalem continues, with the mosaics of the Passion of Christ still being made at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques orders the construction of a church in honor to Virgin Mary and her Sorrows at the Fourth Station of the Via Dolorosa. The canonization of Godfrey of Bouillon is celebrated by the members of the Order. Patriarch Arnulf asks King Robert to construct a church in Godfrey's honor at the city of Jerusalem [Jerusalem response needed, please].
    • Jerusalem: King Robert orders space to be cleared for the church to be built.
  • Armenian Cilicia: Thoros I over the course of the winter hosts his brother-in-law Prince Demyan, as well as the legendary Bohemod of Taranto. During this time the Norman is treated with the greatest of hospitality by an anxious Thoros who in private complains to his sithink his sister Beatrice, the pregnant wife of the domineering warlord. Demyan for his part comes to appreciate and respect the quick wit and bold nature of his long time rival and ally. Demyan allows Bohemod to travel as he pleases under strict guard by his personal retainers to prevent his prize from escaping. In private the two men develop an almost morbid respect for one another seeing much of the same attributes in one another, The Norman Prince plays the role of a dishonoured and mistreated victim, To which Demyan always reminds him that he would've done the same had the opportunity presented himself and he also reminds the Giant of the man that he enjoys the wine and food of their gracious host which flows freely, and has his pick of the delicate flowers of Cilicia. In February word comes from Apulia. Demyan initially demands 800,000 gold pieces to which the Normans claim he insults them. The Normans in turn offer 10,000 pieces of gold a price that even Bohemod laughs asking if his brothers believe he is worth so little. After a couple of weeks the mood of the Norman delegation goes from bad to worse as Demyan refuses to budge on the price of gold pieces. In time Thoros grows tired of the back and forth between demanding his brother-in-law end his games. An enraged Demyan gets to his feet about say something when the doors to the dining hall are thrown open. "The Turks are moving against us lord. Our scouts being news of an army moving on Edessa." The colour drains from the Rus's face ,and those closest to him hear him whisper "Raqel". following which he turns to Bohemod and says."I shall release you now into the care of your kinsmen. I ask only that you join me once more on the field of battle against our hated enemy. We will make amends fighting under god!!!! What say you?" (Mod Response needed). From here he muster 6,000 of his battle hardened men (4,000 Varyag, and 2,000 Chorni Klobuky), as well as a 4,000 strong levy of Armenians and Assyrians, he also brings his trusted Rus sappers. Realizing he will most likely be unable to reach Edessa in time sends out scouts ahead of him to tell the city's garrison to the withdraw to Urfu Castle, Upon reaching the Euphrates at Bira, he leaves 1,000 men behind to secure the crossing and dig in while he divides the remainder of his forces into two groups the main army lead by himself made up of his Veteran Varyag, and the local Voyi (levies) on horse back, while he sends the more mobile Chorni Klobuky to north of the city of Edessa to Threaten the flank of the Seljuk forces taking advantage of the Hilly terrain to obscure their movements and local Christians to provide information on the movements of his adversaries. Should Bohemod decide to join the battle he and his men would attack from the South to completely envelope the enemy (For the Battle of Edessa Algo.) A scared Raqel gives birth to a boy Leo in the fotress or Urfu, while back in Tarsus Princess Beatrice gives birth to twin girls. Sibyl, and Eva.
    • Bohemond will lead an army of 5,000 Normans to fight to defend Aleppo
  • House Barcelona: Ramon Berenguer’s disinterest in courtly life begins to cause concern amongst the lower lords of Catalonia. His perennial absence from events of importance and negligence of state functions leads many to question his capabilities as a leader. Privately, Ramon finds himself falling into a despair. In the spring, he and Felicia rekindle their love having struggled with the death of Isabella last year the couple come to rely deeply on each other in trying times. As the year wears on, Ramon feels his spirits lift as Felicia is found to be pregnant again. “How marvelous the birth of new life into this world, how perilous the process.” he remarks to Bernat over wine one summer evening. Bernat replies “Perilous indeed, and hard fought,” reflecting on his mission to secure dominance over Arborea. With the failure of his initial attempt on Prince Orzocorre, Bernat has plotted patiently. Having personally overseen the young prince’s education, he comes to learn the prince’s schedule with some degree of intimacy. With this knowledge as his aid. Bernat procures a quantity of Arsenic-based rat-poison and a small quantity of Death Cap mushrooms known to be of high quality, and which Bernat tests through the poisoning of two pigs. He then begins habitually inviting the young prince to join him for dinner. After several months, Bernat executes his plot. With each meal Bernat ensures that a soup, laced with a small portion of the Arsenic, is provided to the prince in a subtly marked bowl. As the weeks pass, the prince’s health will deteriorate dramatically as the compounding poisonings slowly increase his overall dose towards a lethal mark. After several weeks, and with the local medici deeply concerned, Bernat then administers his second blow, a bowl of sauteed mushrooms including several death cap mushrooms mixed into the basket. With this second dose administered, the prince should perish within a period of a day or so. (Mod Response for the Assassination)
    • Mod RNG: The introduction of small, yet increasing doses of arsenic into the prince's diet causes him great discomfort, but the slow process of increasing his doses have the effect of making him more tolerant to it. The real slip-up, however, comes when the bowl of sauteed mushrooms is intercepted by a hungry dog, beloved to the prince. The dog quickly dies and those involved in the plot either run for the hills or cut contact with each other. The prince recovers from his sickness and the servant responsible for allowing his dog to eat food it couldn't eat is punished. Whether or not she was even in on the plot is unknown.
  • Seljuk Empire: The sky darkens overhead and the ground rumbles under the feet of tens of thousands of soldiers. The carrion birds flock overhead in anticipation for the coming slaughter of either Muslims or Christians. This portends dark omens as the vast host of Sultan Berkyaruq bears down on the Levant in what could only be described as fate. With him come men from across the Seljuk domains from the Persians of Persia to the Turkic Tribes of Transoxiana eager for glory and ready to stake Islam’s claim in the Levant and beyond. He utters these words to a Christian scout his men happen to capture “Say what you will of us, call us heathens because we deny your weak pretender-god. Call us savages because we strike at you, but know this -- it is we who are closest to Allah. We, most favoured of Allah, shall burn your lands, revel in your suffering, and destroy you. Despair! For all that remains for you is the taste of Muslim steel and the end of your world. Such is the will of Allah.” ( ;) ). This army splits into two as it marches by the will of the Sultan. To Edessa goes the Atabeg Kerbogha with 8,000 men and with orders to lay siege on the city. En route, he is to attempt to recruit local Turks and Kurds in the region. He is also to employ light Turkish cavalry preferably native to the region in a reconnaissance capacity (Mod Response for Reinforcements and Algo). Berkyaruq advances upon the city of Aleppo with the bulk of the Seljuk army comprised of 42,000 men to encircle and capture it with the same goal of recruiting local Kurds and Turks to his cause (Mod Response for Reinforcements and Algo). Envoys are sent to the Hashashin requesting their allegiance on the guarantee of limited autonomy over their present strongholds as well as more equal treatment of Shia within Persia (Mod Response).Envoys are sent to the Hashashin requesting their allegiance on the guarantee of limited autonomy over their present strongholds as well as more equal treatment of Shia within Persia (Mod Response).
  • Kingdom of Sweden: The king travels to Norway to attend the funeral of their king and reaafirm the alliance with Norway(MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). After this he travels to the Sapmi province where he meeets with governor Erik Graberg who tells him about the situation in the sapmi province. The king issues the Sapmi Riksdag edict which creates an advising body to the governor.THis body will be made up by 15 sapmi representatives,one from each tribe that is part of the province. AS more and more tribes are added it will be added as well. Following this,the king travels to Sigisfors where he meets with the local governors to ascertain that everything is going as planned. During the visit,Crown prince Sigismund begins his riding and fencing lessons which are part of his education as the next king of SWeden, At the same time,the king personally leads the next expedition as the crusade against the natives in Sigismundia continues. as of now most of the Sigisfors province is under swedish rule and the prvince is renamed to Sigisborg as plans to build a royal residence there are drawn up.
    • King Eystein II re-affirms their alliance
  • Goryeo Dynasty: After much delay Uicheon's cadre is able both to get both Bronze and silver currency minted. coins, named after sobriquets of Goryeo, such as the Dongguk Tongbo, Samhan Tongbo, and Haedong Tongbo were subsequently minted and circulated. Beginning in 1103, a uniquely shaped silver currency called the ŭnbyŏng (銀甁), meaning "silver vase" in Goryean, was cast and circulated. While Goryean bronze coins are simmilar to those of neighbourging countries, Sukjong actively promoted the use of coins. Convincing the auritocracy and nobility giving the minting a five-year delay because of their opposition, 15,000 gwan (or 15 million pieces) of the Haedong Tongbo being minted only now. Allthough Goryeo had circulated coins in the past, this being the first full-scale circulation inside the peninsula. Allthough the coins are now starting to circulate into Goryeo Sukjong has to bear bad news his brother Uicheon has passed away, Daegak becoming his posthumous Dharma name, meaning "the Grand Enlightenment". Thus Sukjong now has one less men to rely on in his old age, Sukjong allready being 49. One of his latest decrees being abolishing corvée duties in order for the people to a confortable life. While the goryeo-Wa anti piracy treaty of 3432, the Goryean aristocracy wants to send a envoy to the Abiru clan of Daemado island. This island chain being vital for both trade and anti piracy measures, Daemado being between southern Goryeo coast and Saikaidō. Thus a small envoy from the Yi clan of 5 diplomats and 20 of their personal servants, togheter with some small gifts, such as a coppy of the "Goryeo Catalog of Sutras" by Daegak a work of Buddhist literature and commentary, a coppy of the goryeo-Wa anti piracy treaty of 3432, rice wines, silks and silverwear. This envoy hoping to encourage trade, science,culture and administrative knowledge with Daemado and the Wa mainland. With the death of his friend Daegak Yun Gwan has now even more preasure on his shoulders, thus he decides to put the command of the Western islands on Bong Suck (first name meaning Hardness). This men being a 32 year old who has been the comander of the Amtaedo (巖泰島) irregulars, and then served under Yun Gwan when was to assemble an defence guard for his Majesty Sukjong to defend against Song and Jurchin invasions which have yet to happen. Now that Yun Gwan has rid himself of one command he is able to focus more on the defences of northern Goryeo Jangseong and (Start secret) the defences and parades in Ryeongju City (end secret). As the both Sukjong and Yun Gwan are rather afraid by the instability the Jurchen tribes are increasingly causing to not only Emperor Tianzuo of Liao but also to the eastern sea and even the Goryeo Jangseong. This Northern wall being once more repaired and even getting spotting towers just past the wall about 4 Li from the wall (2km), this to make spotting enemy parties easier to see and prepare for. Yun gwan thus ordering the 8.000 Goryeo Jangseong troops and workers to gather resources for these quick spotting towers and stables, so their construction can be started within two years. While many men think of the millitary a men who doesn't is On Da a Ryeongju local decides to dedicate his time to make a map of the Wang realm of Goryeo. On Da wanting to document the beauties of Goryeo, her mountains, hills, planes, coast, forrests and ploughed through fields. On Da wanting nothing but to be left alone by parades of dancers, soldiers, musicians and artisans, On Da beliving in calm study, meditation and labour.
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 6th full year of the reign of King Godwin "Scyling" of England and Denmark. He is the second member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He has many siblings: Edmund, who is married to Margaret of Wessex and is unlanded; Magnus, Marklord of Wales, who is married to Gwenlian ferch Bleddyn thus forming an alliance with Gwynedd; Gytha, who is married to Alan mab Konan de Rennes; Gunhild, who is married to Lǫgmaðr Guðrøðarson, Harold, Earl of Northumbria (1066 and married to Anna of Durham) and Ulf, who is unwed (1067). Godwin is married to Princess Sigrid Svendsdatter of Denmark and has sired many children through her: Edwin, Aetheling of Denmark and England (b. 1070), who is wed to Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide; Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is unwed; Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem (1075), who is wed to Robert Scalio. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Godwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords he has introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Godwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful vassal otherwise occupied. Wulfstan is married to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with Scotland. Wulfstan is loyal, of course, to his father Godwin. The same cannot be said for his allegiance to his brother Edwin. This year, Edwin is named as Godwin's heir to both England and Denmark. Though this is par-for-the-course in England, this flies in the face of some Danish traditions. Naturally, the jarls appointed by Godwin are loyal to his decree and his appointment of the bishops in Denmark has all but secured Edwin's relatively-seamless rise to power. The real trouble comes from Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, who has been conspiring with other vassals to institute Papal investiture. Godwin discovers this and is enraged, considering even banishing Anselm from England entirely. The threats of excommunication especially anger the king. Godwin is prepared to relinquish papal investiture to England, seeing as how many other great powers have already done so. Furthermore, these positions are considerably more secure in England, where many of these diocese have existed since late antiquity. However, Godwin is willing to take the deal presented only if Denmark may retain its traditional princely investiture until a generation has passed under English rule (20 years), and that the Archbishop of Canterbury retain primacy over the region’s bishops during that time, as pagan beliefs and practices run rampant in Denmark and only the English know how to deal with such vermin. Until the deal is accepted, no promise is made to stop the creation of new bishops, though none are created this year. Godwin is prepared to pull his troops out of Rum should he be excommunicated, and England - an important supplier of weapons and ships to the crusaders - would cease support immediately. In the meantime, the creation of several new cogs replaces more and more drakes by the year. However, the creation of drakes, especially in York and along the Irish Sea, sees an uptick. These ships are meant for finer navigation, warfare, and quick transport.

1104[]

In an astonishing turn of events, Bohemond of Taranto is once again a leading commander of the Crusader forces, this time in the desperate defense of Aleppo.

King George II of Georgia attacks the Seljuk territories of the Caucasus and sieges Tbilisi.

Peter of Aragon dies, leaving the personal union of Navarre and Aragon to his brother Alfonso "the Battler".

The Venetian Arsenal is established.

In England, St. Cuthbert is reburied in Durham Cathedral.

The volcano Hekla erupts in Iceland and devastates farms for 45 miles (some 70 km) around. Thus becoming known by many in Europe especially monastic writers as the "Gateway to Hell" or "Judas' Prison".

  • Banu Hilal: Hassan centered the capital in Tunis while there are some restoration works in Kairouan and Banzart. Laylā bint Abdullah al-Gafsiyya (Hassan's wife) bears a son whose name is Abbas ibn Hassan. (Secret). The Emir sent envoys asking for help from the Almoravid Sultan against the naval raids of the Normans. There were sent more emissaries through all the Islamic World to hire shipbuilders and sailors [Players and mod secret responses] (Secret over).
    • Almoravid Response: Syr ibn Bakr under the blessings of the Sultan agrees to support the Tunisians in order to protect the Barbary. He is provided a fleet of 30 ships and departs immediately.
  • County of Sicily: Ceneric Grosvenor and the Norman fleet return to Sicily having successfully captured the island of Djerba from the Muslims. The bounty brought back from the conquest, while admittedly unimpressive, still includes a wide variety of fruits, such as dates, apples, almonds, figs, pears, and apricots along with olives. The yield of crops brought back shows North Africa’s potential as bountiful farmland, and the Norman rulers become even more interested in securing lands in North Africa. The capture of Djerba also sparks an expansionist sentiment in Sicily, with many lords similarly seeking to lead conquests abroad. For now, however, Adelaide del Vasto continues to consolidate Sicily and its new holdings, including Djerba. She creates a new non-lineal “lordship” of Djerba, which she awards to a Norman lord for the duration of his life. However upon that lord’s death Djerba would revert to the crown to be awarded to a new lord. To cement Norman rule of Djerba, Adelaide provides resources and funds for the construction of several fortifications on the island, including the construction of a Norman castle and the fortification of key port cities like Ajim. The capture of a new base just off the North African coast provides a perfect staging ground for further pirate raids against Muslim shipping in North Africa, while also providing a staging ground for raids deep into North Africa. Djerba in the meantime experiences a wave of Norman immigration, as Normans who arrived too late to grab prime lands in Sicily immigrate to Djerba to claim better farmlands. Domestically, Sicily continues to thrive economically having largely recovered from the Norman conquest. The establishment of Spanish trade bases in Sardinia and the friendly relationship between Norman Sicily and the House of Barcelona provides the grounds for a dramatic uptick in trade between Sicily and Spain, with Norman merchants selling wares obtained from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Spanish merchants based in Sardinia for sale in the Western Mediterranean. The lucrative new trade routes, combined with Sicily’s naturally bountiful harvests and the supplemental income generated by piracy, begins to rapidly fill the Norman treasury. Seeking to keep the Orthodox Christians happy following the recent wave of violence against them, Adelaide del Vasto uses the new funds to sponsor the building of several new Orthodox Churches throughout Sicily, as well as investing in general infrastructure upgrades throughout the island.
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: Both Custodian Fulcher of Chartres and Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques are satisfied with the liberation of Bohemond from his Armenian captivity. Seeking to help defend Aleppo, the leadership of the Order sends 1,000 knights of the Milites Sancti Sepulcri to join Bohemond men [Needs to be added to the olgo of the defense of Aleppo, please]. The construction of the church in honor of the Sorrows of Mary continues to be build at the fourth station of the Via Dolorosa. With the approvation of King Robert, the church in honor of Saint Godfrey of Bouillon starts to be build. By decision of Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques, the tomb of Godfrey at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is opened and his body exhumed. This is made to take parts of Godfrey's body to be made into relics. The group responsible for the exhumation, with the Patriarch Arnulf and Teobald of Bari as members, is surprised after seeing that Godfrey's body is well preserved and not have foul odor and they believe that this is a miracle and a sign of Godfrey's holiness. The process of Godfrey's exhumation is writen by Teobald of Bari, as part of his texts about the life at the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques orders the removal of Godfrey's right hand, which is placed inside a golden reliquary. The patriarch them sends the relic to Rome, where Pope Paschal II can show it to the faithful of Europe [Papal response needed, please]. By orders of Arnulf, Godfrey's body is placed in a casket made of gold and glass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for veneration by the faithful. His face is covered by a mask of bronze and his right hand is replaced by one of bronze. After news regarding the exhumation and apparent "incorruptibility" of Godfrey's body spread, several pilgrims start to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre wanting to see it. The body will remain at there until the construction of the Church of Saint Godfrey of Bouillon is finished. then the body will be transferred to there.
  • Goryeo Dynasty: Yun Gwans training and preperation has met their raison d'être, as northern Jurchen tribes attack! As pro-Goryeo Jurchens flee from the lands between the Goryeo Jangseong and the Yalu-Tumen river. Yun Gwan who was allready was in Ryeongju City, orders two things, first of all the creation of a mobile scouting force consisting of the 1.800 Jurchen, 2.000 cavalry with equel split amongst horse archers and knights, 1,000 pikemen irregulars, and 2.000 gungbyeong Archers, and the second command is that all soldiers north of the Capital Gaegyeong march to the Goryeo Jangseong. Thus a total of allmost 24.800 are setting themself ready for the end of disloyality amongst the Northern Jurchen tribes. To help with the preperations and to have a more direct look at them Yun gwan orders for a horse ready, Yun Gwan directly moving north to 10 li of the Goryeo Jangseong. The troops allready on and near the wall are ordered to guard the defences at all moments, and to make sure the wall is well lit and trees are cleared. this to prevent the Northern jurchen tribes from going beyond the wall. While on his way to the Goryeo Jangseong, Yun Gwan also sends a messenger to Bong Suck informing him that the troops of the western islands new reenforcements from Goryeo itself. Allthough he is been told that Tamna-guk might be able to send a small amount of soldiers, that he should count on the possibility. The Tamna-guk troops being rather different in both millitary tradition and language, which could possible cause large issue's with these troops in the heat of battle.To help the city of Seungjumok Sokjong sends a govenor to Tamna, officialy annexing the island. Tamna allthough annexed is allowed great autonomy for everything except her millitary and foreign relations. This great autonomy being partly cause by her distance to the mainland and Goryean desire to keep even her nominal influence. As Goryeo lacks a big navy to enforce her will if Tamna was to resist. Tamna-guk even speaking her own language which has alot of Wa linguistic influences.In Gaegyeong a new tool of war arives the weapons using gunpowder, this powder being able to quickly burn and create flames and sometimes even create an explosion. Allthough very useable the slow, dangerous and expensive nature makes it not suitable for more mobile warfare which is required by Yun Gwan. With war coming to his beloved city On da moves from his beloved city Ryeongju south to Gaegyeong the Capital of Goryeo, as he wants to continue his works in calmt. On da fearing the war could make his beloved city alot louder and with alot more drill, Da wanting to finish his great map soon. His Goryeo Carthographica a masterwork he's making to show what Goryeo is and her beautifull islands, Da even needing to scouts and messengers to get his sources from all over Goryeo.Other news that is expected in Gaegyeong is that of the Yi envoy to Daemado, as this is a very important mission both for the Yi clan and Goryean diplomacy. As Goryeo does not want to insult Wa rather it wishing closer friendship and coorperation (Mod response). The court awaiting news or even their arival back in Gaegyeong, the court hoping for a possible envoy from Daemado back.
    • The elders of the Taira Clan of Japan, relatives of the Yi Clan, are amicable towards trade and closer diplomacy
  • Papal States: Pope Paschal works of strengthening the Roman Church within central Europe and beyond, while also dealing with the aftermath of the new conflicts in the Levant. Working closely with Countess Mathilda of Tuscany, the Pope grants offices to Tuscan clergy within Rome, and recognizes Mathilda's claims on Ferrara. At the same time, the Church lands within Italy and Germany are expanded, granting Bishops more jurisdiction over the feudal states of these regions. The Holy Orders of the Hospitallers and the Holy Sepulcher are permitted to obtain limited land rights from Churches in Europe, as a source of additional revenue. While this helps to further support the ongoing Crusades, it will also undermine the power of the secular Imperial Military Orders in the empire. The holy relics of Godfrey de Boullion arrives at Rome, namely the hand that Saint Godfrey lost when he was slain in battle against the Saracens. One piece is kept in the Church of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, now known as the St. Godfrey Chapel. The rest of the relics are sent to Cluny Abby in Boulogne, France. The Pope works to intervene into the feud arising between the Syriac Orthodox Christians and the Latins, to prevent further dissent in the region, and hopefully further curb the power of the Byzantines. Seeing Theobald of Bari as exceptionally popular and effective in the diplomacy with the Syriac Church, the Holy Father appoints him as the Archbishop of Tyre, effectively becoming the metropolitan Bishop over Syria. Using Theobald as a legate, the Pope reaches out to Patriarch Athanasius VI of Antioch, and offers for creating a joint communion between the Syrian Church and Roman Church, as long as the Patriarch renounces the Filioque heresy of the Greeks, but in all other ways can retain their local traditions (mod response). The Saracen armies attacking Aleppo and Edessa are alarming, but the armies of God will ever prove to be stronger. The Pope sends 1,000 of the Varangian guard from Rome to aid in the defense of Aleppo. In northern Europe, the Pope is pacified to accept the compromise of investiture within the lands of King Godwin Haraldson. Knowing that Scandinavia is not developed enough to install Papal investiture yet, the Pope obliges to permit the princely investiture for twenty years since the Saxon rule of Denmark began (in 1093). At the same time, the current Bishop Arnold of Rokslide is placed under the diocease of Acosta, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • Khalilid Egypt: The troops return from Cyrenaica, although a cabal of around 900 stays behind to make sure there are no funny businesses. The seizure of Djerba raises concern in the courts of Cairo, which is why the sultan commissions the building of more Tree Farms and boats. A force of 950 is sent to seize the western oases and a force of 900 is sent to seize the lands east. (Algo Needed) By now the navy has been somewhat restored, but there is still a long way to go. The policies regarding military recruitment are continued namely with Native egyptians of (mostly) muslims, as the policies of the Fatimids regarding the ethnic based army. As the Norman presence in North Africa may grow in the forseeable future, coastal defences in Cyrene are amped. Al-Afdal Shahanshah is sent to govern Cyrenaica as part of Egypt and ward off any Norman attacks in the region. At Home, the Sultan fathers a boy named Ahmed Ibn Adbul Majid. Otherwise the fortifications in Sinai are mostly complete.
    • The deserts submit to Egypt
  • Kingdom of Sweden: Crown prince Sigismund celebrates his eight birthday in Uppsala with a big feast with many nobles attending.At the party,the kings brother Erik,Duke of Jämtland appears and is welcomed by the king. He says that he has something very important to tell the king. Suddenly a group of saber wearing persons wearing skull masks storm the palace and holds the palace hostage. They threathen to kill everyone unless their demands are met. The king meets with them and asks what their demands are. They respond that they are people from Karelia who wants the king out of there. AS the king is about the tell his response,a group of the royal palace guard storms the room and a bloody swordfight breaks out.after some twenty minutes of fighting,it is clear that the kings side has the upper hand and the skull wearing group tries to retreat. As they attempt to retreat,Crown prince Sigismund in a awesome feat throws his small sword at the leader of the group and kills him. following this a casulty report is found which finds out that sseveral nobles and Prince Erik has died. However the conspirators are quickly found and brought to justice. After this,the king issues the EDict of Stockholm,which pledges even more harsher crusading in Finland.Following this the rest of the year remains stable,as the conspiration turned out to be a small one with none of the kings enemies or friends supporting it.
  • Kingdom of France: Alliance offer with Aquitaine to fight against Duke William III of Normandy, conditions are any aggressive actions by William III are grounds for intervention. (Mod Response) Philip, using the refusal of William III to stop building forts, declares William in violation of his feudal obligations and raises 4000 footmen, hires 700 Routiers, and calls upon his vassals for additional knights, cavalry, and bowmen. *Assuming some 1500 quality levies arrive* The new army of ~6300 will be split in a 2/3 and 1/3 manner with the larger 2/3 army lead by the Royal Guard and consisting of ~3100 footmen and any siege engineers avaliable while the smaller 1/3 army will consist of ~1600 men including the Routiers and additional knights and bowmen from feudal obligations. The larger army will procede down the Seine and lay siege to Norman fortifications necessary along the way to Caux while the smaller army will march for the County of Maine to cut off William III's supply and communication lines to his army in Aquitaine but with strict orders not to engage his army if it comes north, additionally they will live off the land and raze and Norman affiliated holding in the region. (Aglo Request) Philip will summon the nobility of the region of Champagne to Paris and reaffirm their feudal obligations and privliges under him with the demands they acknowledge his sole authority to appoint judges and marshals to maintain and enforce the law while respecting their existing legal codes as long as they do not conflict with Royal Law. No demands to their existing fortification rights or tax obligations will be issued. (Mod Response) Philip will appoint 12 new Intendants to oversee royal holdings and feudal contracts to ensure proper obligations are met. A new general war tax will be levied to help accomidate the expenses against Normandy as well as the construction of a new training field outside of Paris in the village of Versailles to act as a year round base of opperations for the Royal Guard and their legates.
    • Duke William IX of Aquitaine accepts the alliance with France
    • Count Hugh of Champagne recognizes his loyalty to France, along with the rest of the House of Blois
  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: In the defense of Aleppo, another attack is launched on the Seljuk army with whatever numbers we may have left (Algo request). Bohemond is also requested to aid us (Mod response). In lieu of the King who is away, Queen Eadgyth pays homage to the casket of Godfrey of Bouillon at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, after the miracle of his incorruptible body is reported. Eadgyth becomes known this year as a patron of churches and religious orders. Later in the year, Eadgyth gives birth to her third son at Solomon's Temple (Al-Aqsa Mosque), the secondary royal palace in addition to the Tower of David. He is named Richard. An unfortunate turn of events results, however, in the death of Queen Eadgyth from blood loss, a day later. After a funeral and a procession through the city, she is buried in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. As Robert is preparing for battle, he is not informed of this. The Haute Cour takes on a greater role in Robert's absence, and a much is philosophized concerning what powers it can attain, but Tancred of Hauteville, who has been de facto acting in the stead of the King tries to slightly assert his power as regent, while respecting the intended functions of the parliament. Since Tancred is a vassal of Jerusalem through his position as Prince of Galilee, this makes some of the other vassals jealous. His blood relations are the only reason why he was appointed regent, despite other vassals distinguishing themselves in battle for the Kingdom, and in counselling the King on important matters. The Count of Jaffa, for example despite being in the minority, now believes the Italo-Norman faction has an excessive amount of power, but there is of course no talk or thought of rebellion, since Italo-Normans compose a slight majority of Jerusalem's crusader nobles. Castles continue to be built at a regular pace.
    • Bohemond of Taranto will support Jerusalem at Aleppo to the best of his ability
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 7th full year of the reign of King Godwin "Scyling" of England and Denmark. He is the second member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He has many siblings: Edmund, who is married to Margaret of Wessex and is unlanded; Magnus, Marklord of Wales, who is married to Gwenlian ferch Bleddyn thus forming an alliance with Gwynedd; Gytha, who is married to Alan mab Konan de Rennes; Gunhild, who is married to Lǫgmaðr Guðrøðarson, Harold, Earl of Northumbria (1066 and married to Anna of Durham) and Ulf, who is unwed (1067). Godwin is married to Princess Sigrid Svendsdatter of Denmark and has sired many children through her: Edwin, Aetheling of Denmark and England (b. 1070), who is wed to Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide; Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem (1075), who is wed to Robert Scalio. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Godwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords he has introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Godwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful vassal otherwise occupied. In giving birth to her son Richard, Eadgyth dies. Knowing the body will have already been buried by the time he arrives, Godwin elects not to attend the funeral, though the English stationed in Tyre, along with Edmund Haroldson, attend the funeral in Jerusalem. Godwin is heartbroken at the death of his daughter and, from accounts in Jerusalem, the marriage between Robert Scalio and Eagdyth was one of rare and genuine love. Those in the witan and the folkmoots of London and Roskilde are heartbroken to hear of the tragic, untimely death of Eagdyth Godwinson. With the alliance between Scotland and England secure, Godwin seeks to expand English influence throughout the Isles. With the alliance with Gwynedd ensuring the region of Wales not administered by England at least remain sympathetic to its cause, England seeks to rid the British Isles of Norwegian influence. 7,000 Englishmen invade Norwegian Strathclyde. It is here that the superiority of the English longbowman on British shores will be tested, as a longbowman garrison of 2,000 is included in this figure. The foot-soldiers would approach from the west and sweep along the southern shore of Galloway, quickly occupying key hills in Kirkcudbright (which doesn't appear to have much of note in the way of castles) before pushing what forces Norway can muster to the Machars. Assistance from the Scots, Irish, and Welsh is requested. (Algo needed for Battle of Galloway, mod response needed for allies.)
  • Seljuk Empire: The siege at Aleppo remains ongoing with Sultan Berkyaruq ordering his forces to establish defensive positions on the siege camps rear with constant security shifts as well as patrolling cavalry (Algo Needed). In addition, a force of 5,000 is detached from the main force to lay siege to the city of Manbjj on the banks of the Euphrates to safeguard a path of withdrawal and secure supply routes (Algo Needed). Tblisi's capture by what was viewed as an incompetent King worries the Sultan to no end but he is forced to accept the fact considering his current campaign that is ongoing. In addition, efforts are made to recruit local Turks and Kurds to the Seljuk's side (Mod Response). The Hashashin are also sent an envoy once more offering them limited autonomy within Seljuk domains as well as fairer treatment for Shia's within Iran on the promise of their support with this campaign (Mod Response). More to come....
    • Mod response: The Hashashin accept and the Sultan is able to raise 4,000 to his aid.
  • Armenian Cilicia: Demyan's forces remain in Edessa taking the time to secure the region and rest. 1,000 men are sent to reinforce Bohemod at Aleppo. Due to the continued presence of Turkic forces in the Upper Mesopotamia, Demyan begins reinforcing and expanding the fortifications in the vicinity focusing on Urfa castle and the town of Turbessel. The Chorni Klobuky in his service carry out a series of skirmishes and scouting missions to keep the forces from Mosul occupied and prevent them from reinforcing the Seljuk army besieging Aleppo. Thoros I of Armenia also sends supplies to help keep the Crusaders defending Aleppo well provisioned.
  • House Barcelona: Felicia and Ramon are blessed with a son whom they name Pere-Ramon after his grandfather. The birth of his son is a blessed day, but only the fates will know his life. (Leader roll please) With his spirits restored, Ramon does attend to a greater portion of his duties as king and emperor. He summons several Consells Comtals, prescribing his new legal code to his vassals and generally setting their affairs in order. Ramon seeks quietly to integrate these houses into the Kingdom of Catalonia more completely, and makes great strides to this end. These efforts include establishing universal legal doctrine, enforcing the superiority of House Barcelona, and seeking vows of direct vassalage from other notable minor rulers in the Counts’ territories. Meanwhile, the fleet expansion continues with the goal of 100 ships nearly attained by the end of the year. In more morbid matters, Bernat, growing impatient, invites Orzocorre to a retreat in the Pyrenees to hunt and let his health improve. To execute his sinful will, Bernat joins Orzocorre on a hunt. While hunting boar, Bernat provides Orzocorre with wine, spiked with stronger alcohol to intoxicate the young man. He then intends to allow the boar to inflict a killing blow on the weak young man (Please… RNGESUS, Hear my prayers)
    • Orzocorre realizes the alcohol had been drugged, and determines that Bernat might be trying to kill him. He flees away from Bernat's court to go into hiding; however, some servants reports back to the Marshal that they found Orzocorre's cloak coated in blood, so they presume him to be dead by the boar.
  • Almoravids: For the past two years, Prince Ali had been travelling across Morocco alongside his beloved friend Muhammad. They had fended off thieves off the streets of Laayoune and in a conflict with a Christian pirate ship attempting to capture a large sum of gold and salt off the shores of Casablanca, they were slaughtered by his own hands. At the return to Marrakesh, Ali was welcomed by his father with great honor bestowing him a new black silk cloak alongside a banquet for the family inviting the vassals of the dynasty. The memories of his youth that was once used against him no longer mattered. If anything, it was just an embarrassing joke by this point. The word of his courageous nature and intellect made him a height of fame from Ghana to the Frontier of Al-Andalus. A crowd flooded the plaza upon his arrival as rumor had it, he would return by that spring afternoon. The introduction of Muhammad ibn Tumart sat well with the king. For that, he was appointed as the captain of Ali's Black Guard with him being able to recruit who he deemed fit as long as it was fine with Ali. For they were his retainers and he was their liege. The Black Guard had been left unmaintained for years. They were for the longest, the knightly order equivalent to Yusuf. Their original leadership had died decades ago leaving the young knights without a true leader outside of the Sultan himself. Ibn Tumart ensured not to disappoint. After the banquet, the two men shared quarters. They discussed their plans in private leaving his siblings questioning their relationship and intentions. In short order though, it was decided. The following week, they would leave for Cordoba. There, they intended to study at the institutions present for 2 years and then traverse their domain in Iberia. In the meantime, the arsenal that had begun to grow and develop in Algeciras receives greater investments than prior as the new galleys of the Almoravid Fleet are built up in the Bay of Gibraltar. Lord Said al-Can commissions the construction of a fortress atop of Gibraltar facing the east of the city of Algeciras. It is estimated to take many years but in the meantime, walls begin to be erected around the city. In Murcia, New towers of defense begin to be erected at the entrances of Mar Menor. The main being at La Llana and La Manga. With the raids of Christian Pirates continuing, so does the training and overall discipline of the navy grows.

1105[]

Count Raymond IV of Toulouse dies in Tripoli, one of the foremost leaders of the Crusaders. His oldest son Bertrand is made Count of Toulouse in France, while his younger son Alfonso inherits the castle at Tripoli, pending the approval of the King of Jerusalem.

Sultan Berkyaruq of the Seljuk Sultanate becomes gravely ill from tuberculosis. (algos for this conflict will be posted shortly)

As the Franco-Norman War takes off, the members of the House of Blois arrive at the royal court in Paris at the invitation of King Philip the Amorous. Count Theobold "the Great" of Blois asks for the King of France to support his claim to the title as Duke of Normandy, through his mother Adele who is the daughter of William "the Bastard".

Judge Torbeno of Arborea, a feudal state in southern Sardinia, is saddened to hear the disappearence of his son Orzocorre.

King Olaf IV of Norway sends 2,000 troops to support Stratclyde (algo will be posted shortly)

A Flemish shepherd named Drogo is reported as being seen in two places at once routinely.

  • Kingdom of Sweden King Sigismund I is outraged after hearing about the unprovoked attack on the norweigan Isle of Strathclyde by the english.The king decides to weigh his options carefully before commiting to one,a war with england would prove very costly and also divert the attnetion from the finnish crusade.In the end he enacts the following things:Sanctions are put on any english people currently in sweden,as well as increasing the tolls and taxes for all trade and wares england have going on in SWeden. with the invasion,anti english sentiment goes on the rise,as people see the english as aggresive conqueres and says thet Norway proper is next. The king travels to Oslo where he meets with king Olaf IV and reassures him of swedens help in any english invasion of Mainland Norway.(more to come)
  • County of Sicily: In the year 1105, Simon de Hauteville, Count of Sicily, dies suddenly of a mysterious illness that kills him in less than one week. While the Norman Court is rife with rumors, no one can bring any definitive proof of any wrongdoing. Despite the young Count’s sudden death, his mother, Adelaide del Vasto, serving as regent with the support of most of the island’s nobility and administrative officials, is able to prevent any major civil unrest or challenges. Instead, the island experiences a smooth transition of power from the now-deceased Simon to his younger brother, the ten-year old Roger II. Roger II, having been raised under the tutelage of his father’s close friend Ceneric Grosvenor, has been living in Syracuse, where he experienced the best of Sicily’s multiculturalism. In Syracuse Roger has been tutored in Arabic, Greek, along with being taught Arabic and Greek philosophy. In addition, Roger has been taught the traditional forms of Norman warfare along with martial skills. Roger II now takes up residence with the main Norman court in Palermo, with his mother continuing her role as regent. On Djerba, the Normans continue to consolidate their hold on the island, fortifying key port cities and continuing construction of Norman castles on the island. Norman immigrants continue to flock to Djerba, with Norman peasants beginning to establish farms similar to those on Sicily. However, unlike in Sicily the Norman peasants are not independent landowners and instead are feudal subjects of the Norman Lord of Djerba. In Normandy, trade continues to increase as more and more merchants utilize Sicily as a stopping point between Europe and the Holy Land. Crusaders and merchants fill Sicily’s port cities as they prepare to depart for the Holy Land. Simultaneously, merchants arriving from the Holy Land sell Norman merchants their wares from the Eastern Mediterranean, with Norman merchants reselling their wares to friendly Spanish merchants based in Sicily for sale throughout Western Europe. The sudden surge in Muslim naval power, seen in the Banu Hilal’s attempts to procure ships and in Egypt attempts to construct more ships, prompts concern amongst the Normans regarding the security of Sicily. Seeking to obtain more naval bases to secure Norman naval might, Ceneric Grosvenor, with the consent and blessing of Adelaide del Vasto, leads a fleet of 20 ships and 3,500 men (500 Norman knights, 1,000 Norman levies and 2,000 Greek and Saracen recruits) to capture the island of Pantelleria (ALGO NEEDED). The capture of this island should serve as another naval base for the Norman fleet, in addition to providing an additional base for raids against North Africa
  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: King Robert of the House of Hauteville (b. 1068) is in the thirteenth year of his reign. Through his union with Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem (1075–1104), he has three sons; Roger (b. 1101), Raynald (b. 1102), and Richard (b. 1104). Condolences are sent to Sicily upon the death of King Robert's cousin Simon. From the battlefield, King Robert approves Alfonso to be the Count of Tripoli following the death of Raymond IV. In the Kingdom itself, sugar refineries grow to be an important industry due to local sugarcane plantations. The Haute Cour and Prince Tancred guide Jerusalem in the absence of the King. Intrigue and drama continues at the court. With the fall of Aleppo, the death of so many princes and lords, the decimation of the great Crusader host, we are forced to withdraw to Zardana. The town is fortified, and as god wills it the road to Jerusalem will be impassable. Two vassals of Jerusalem died in the Battle of Aleppo, namely Conon of Montaigu, the Count of Jaffa, who is replaced in that position by his second son Lambert, as his firstborn Gozelo had died of disease fighting in the Crusade. And Rotrou III, Lord of Sidon. Rotrou III had no sons or brothers, so King Robert names Ralph the Red of Pont-Echanfray, an influential retainer of his, as the new Lord of Sidon. Many keeps, and even some seats in the Haute Cour are empty following the devastation as well. An envoy is sent to the Pope in Rome, calling for the whole of Europe to reinforce us, as Jerusalem is perilously close to being taken within a few years (Papal response). King Robert is finally made aware of the Queen's death, which he does not take well. He is often distraught, inconsolable, raging, and frequently isolates himself. His inner circle of advisors express fears he is unraveling, with his doctors saying his humors are imbalanced. He undergoes bloodletting.
  • House Barcelona: The disappearance of Prince Orzocorre draws Emperador Ramon into his Marshal’s plot. Ramon, unaware of the efforts to kill the young man, commands several of his retainers to aid Bernat in his search for the young man. These loyal agents are not involved with the effort to kill the boy. At the same time, Bernat hires several dozen local low-lifes to search for the boy, tasking them with tracking down the young prince. Finally, local hunters and woodsmen are offered a reward for information leading to the young man’s discovery. (RNG needed for which group finds Orzocorre During this effort, Bernat instructs some of his hired help that he believes Orzocorre’s sanity may be in question, going almost so far as to suggest his possession by a demon. Simultaneously, Marshal Bernat writes to his Father-in-Law Torbeno of Arborea, promising to expend every effort searching for his younger brother. He expresses concern for Orzocorre’s health and sanity given his erratic behavior in fleeing during a boar hunt. Emperador Ramon, too busy with managing his domains to personally participate in the effort, also writes to Torbeno, echoing Marshal Bernat’s intention to find the young man and see him safely home. Ramon spends his time enjoying the presence of his son, Pere, who has formed a very strong bond with a Galgo who can be found curled up at the foot of the child’s crib and with whom he often plays. The dog, named Blai, is a faithful guardian for the young prince and a true member of the royal family. Its presence in court causes a large increase in the popularity of Galgos as courtly creatures for lesser nobles and the wealthy alike. Thankfully, the year proves largely quiet as the only major news is the completion of the Royal Fleet of 100 ships. Seeking to increase his influence on the island and improve the “Route of the Islands” a rapidly growing Catalan trade route, Ramon approaches Torchitorio of Cagliari, the nephew of the current, illegitimate Judge, Torbeno of Cagliari (Not to be confused with Torbeno of Arborea), seeking to overthrow the later and install the former as a vassal of the King of Catalonia, guaranteeing an end to the pseudo-electoral system that failed to install Torchitorio in the first place. Accompanying this offer he sends a gift of gold and an offer to lend Torchitorio the support of eight galleys. (Mod Response for Tochitorio) Ramon also sends a ship to investigate the legal situation of the Pontine Islands and repair the tower on Ponza for use as a Catalan trade-station.
    • Torchitorio accepts the support
    • Orzocorre is found by a kindly middle aged peasant hunter near Zaragossa, living alone with his barren wife
  • Papal States: Pope Paschal II increases the annual salary of the Church towards funding the Kingdom of Jerusalem, concerned over the situation in Aleppo, and decrees that 2% of the Church's total income from tithes will be delivered to the Holy Land every year. An effort is again made to settle a common communion with the Syriac Orthodox Church via the Patriarch Athanasius VI of Antioch (mod response). In Sardinia, the Papacy is not so much concerned about the economic influence brought by Barcelona, but does want to maintain a balance of power across the Italian peninsula. Pope Paschal reaches out to the Republic of Pisa for a deal of mutual benefit, where the Church will grant protection to Pisa's local trade in exchange for their ongoing support to expand the Papal Navy (mod response). The Cardinal Leo of Ostia, abbot of the Monestary of Monte Cassino, also takes up the role as administrator of this effort to expand the port of Ostia. The church lands in Tuscany and Saxony also continue to increase their influence, with the ongoing expansion of urbanization and support for the University of Bologne. As the Pope works towards improving relations with the Normans of Italy, he reaches out to the regent Adelaide del Vasto of Sicily, offering support to increase scholastic work on the island and cultivate the free flow of intellectual thought. (Sicily response). The most significant contributions to philosophy is being developed in the city of Chartres in France, under the administration of Archbishop Ivo. This new philosophy takes the works of pagan scholars like Plato and Aristotle, and re-evaluates their cosmology within the true framework of Christian theology. Thus, this school aims at compiling commentaries on such works as Plato's Timeaus, as well as the Logos described by Hesichus and Boethius. Bernard of Chartres and his brother Thierry establishes this "Neo-Platonic" school of theology in Chartres, and immediately attract interested pupils within their tuterage. Most notably, Anslem of Leon and William of Champaeux work together compiling an annotated commentary on the Old Testament. Peter Abelard of Paris, a young man of 18 years old, likewise joins this school after he was rejected from knighthood. Ivo is elevated to be a Cardinal. This Neo-Platonic School of theology also makes its way into England, where Adelard of Bath works at providing commentaries to Boethius and Euclid.
    • Sicily: Adelaide del Vasto graciously accepts the Pope's offer
    • Mod Response: With the succes of the crusades and hopes of tollerance Patriarch Athanasius VI of Antioch, accepts the papal request. Allthough he does note that he does it only due to seeing God's grace with the crusades.
  • Khalilid Egypt: Now that the conquest of Cyrene and the desert are complete, Sultan Adbul Majid decides to focus internally this year. Non Muslims such as copts and jews will be left alone aslong as they pledge loyalty to the Khalilids. Governors who are loyal to the Khalilid state are chosen based on merit and not societal standing. Now he focuses on the fleet. In order to ward off attacks from Normans or otherwise, Egypt must have a grand fleet. Currently 35 ships are in service of the navy. Although tree farms are covering the source of wood, the lack of access to mount Lebanon and the distance of the Almoravids Is a serious predicament. Due to the raids on North African shipping by the normans, Merchant ships are being outfitted so that they can (better) ward off Norman piracy. The Norman problem still stands however. Currently they not only are expanding in North Africa but are also threatening Cyrene. 15 new ships are ordered to be built for the navy. In order to ward off Norman raids, more costal defences are raised at the coasts of Cyrene, and an additional 500 troops are sent to ward off aggression.
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: The Crusader defeat and the fall of the city of Aleppo causes great consternation to the members of the Order. Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques join his voice to that of King Robert and pleads with Pope Paschal II to send aid for the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Patriarch also proposes the King and the Haute Cour that an embassy be sent to all Catholic nations of Europe, begging for their help in protecting the Kingdom against the Muslims [Jerusalem response needed, please]. Teobald of Bari, now as Archbishop of Tyre, funds the construction of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross at the city of Tyre, with the Cathedral becoming the seat of the Archbishop of Tyre. His growing influence in the Kingdom infuriates Patriarch Arnulf and soon they develop a rivalry. Following the orders of Pope Paschal II, Teobald contimue the efforts to reunite the Eastern Chrisitians with the Catholic Church. Taking knowledge of a group of Chrisitans living in the mountains near Tripoli that are called as Maronites, the Archbishop writes to their leader, Patriarch Joseph I Al-Jirjissi, asking him to meet with Teobald in Tyre and to send a Maronite delegation to meet with the pope in Rome [MOD response needed, please]. The construction of the Church of the Sorrows of Mary and of the Church of Saint Godfrey of Bouillon continues in Jerusalem. Teobald of Bari continues writing his chronicles about the Crusades and by his orders, the scriptorum of the fortress of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Tyre is expanded.
    • Jerusalem: Prince Tancred, regent in Robert's stead, as well as the Haute Cour, agree with the Patriarch, sending envoys to the Catholic kingdoms of Europe, not just to Rome.
  • Goryeo Dynasty:The dear emperor of Goryeo ruler for a decade Sukjong of Goryeo has died while on his way to the western capital of Sŏgyong. Thus a toaist ceromony and burial is hold for the great emperor defender of all of Goryeo, maker of art, coins and walls. Wang U becoming emperor and king of Goryeo and son of the mandate of heaven under the name of Yejong of Goryeo with him becoming the 16th king of Goryeo. Yejong starting his reign with border conflict with the Wanyan Jurchen. Yejong at his enthronement being very your and lively at the age of 26, as a person Yejong was also interested in botany. Gathering rare plants from all over Goryeo and sending them to Song and Liao in exchange for many Song and Liao plants. With the Jurchen threat and 1 army created, one send north and one in the north, Yun Gwan's army totaling 24.800. Of the 3 armies groups that exist the 6.800 of the Tumen-Jurchen force being the most important. As this army has a large component of Jurchens native to the borderlands of Goryeo, with their loyalty to Goryeo unquestioned. Their loyalty coming due to their desire to return to their homeland between Goryeo and the Tumen river. The Goryean army relying on their knowledge of the area to plan further millitary action and their possible return. Yun Gwan ordering his army to get to the wall and enhance its capabilities. By doing things such digging trenches placing slanted spears infront of it to stop cavalry and clearing the treees in front of it. The wall being quite tall and wide making hard to both just go over or go trough it. Yun Gwan ordering the Goryeo Jangseong army to just keep the attacking jurchens away from the wall and repel any attack. This while the Tumen-Jurchen and the Ryeongju City force move north east to the wall for the next planned offensive.The Diplomats send to Daemado hearing the news of the Border conflict with the jurchen request to stay in Daemado to the Abiru clan (Mod response). As they fear that the Jurchens will try to stop them and use them as a bargaining chip against Emperor Semin (yejong). After 3 years of work On Da finishing his Goryeo Carthographica, his mapmaking work being a bit delayed due to the border conflict at the Goryeo Jangseong. On da living in Ryeongju City, which became part of the border conflict due to a big millitary presence in it. On da being forced to move to Gaegyeong, which took up a couple of weeks of times where he could not work.
    • The diplomats are free to stay with the Abiru clan

1106[]

The Great Comet of 1106 appears in February as the fighting in the Levant reaches some of its bloodiest years yet. Says a Welsh ''Brut y Tywysogion'' (Chronicle of the Princes) "In that year there was seen a star wonderful to behold, throwing out behind it a beam of light of the thickness of a pillar in size and of exceeding brightness, foreboding what would come to pass in the future." It is also seen by astrologers in Spain, Italy, China, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Japan.

The battered city of Aleppo becomes the epicenter of an outbreak of typhoid fever and, in the summer, a very brief but intense drought.

Sultan Berkyaruq dies in Hamadan, and is succeeded by his young son Malik Shah II. He becomes a weak puppet to the Sultan in Khorasan, Ahmad Sanjar. However, his other uncle Muhammad Tapar launches a coup to assert control of Hamadan once again.

The ambitious Bohemond of Taranto expects to re-assert his sphere of influence while Crusading at Aleppo. He reaches out to King Philip of France to marry his daughter Constance.

William III of Normandy makes an attempt to retake Maine with an attacking force of 5,000 troops. Leaving his other flank exposed, the coalition of Aquitaine and Blois makes an invasion through Anjou against the Duchy, in the direction of Caen.

Sultan Yusuf ibn Tafsin dies after a long reign over the Almoravids, having brought them from a fringe dynasty to one of the largest nations on Earth. He is succeeded by his son Ali.

Civil War breaks out in Poland as Boleslaw Wrymouth asserts de-facto power over half of the kingdom against his brother King Zbiginew.

Li Gonglin the Householder of Sleeping Dragon dies at at age 57

  • Seljuk Empire: Sultan Berkyaruq decides to return home after being stuck by a violent bout of illness to recover away from the hardships of the battlefield. At the city of Hamadan, he dies of illness although some rumors say it was by the hands of Assassins though this cannot be confirmed. The child of Berkyaruq, Malik Shah II, becomes Sultan of the Seljuk Empire without much pageantry or ceremony due to the focus of the state on the conflict in the Levant. His reign is met with hostility from his uncle, Muhammad Tapar, who governs over northeastern Persia and Iraq. Sensing an opportunity to seize the position he has long sought, Tapar launched a swift coup and removed his nephew from the throne using the pretext of Khorasan holding sway over the child. Recognizing the value of his brother’s agreement with the Nizari, he continues to fulfill the terms of agreement for their support and loosens restrictions on the Nizari strongholds within Persia leading to protest from some but quiet from others as they realize the need for the Nizari. Intervention from beyond the Levantine states concerns the Sultan who begins contemplate declaring Jihad against the Infidels who seem bent on denying Muslims the central city of Damascus which is filled with scholars and Islamic text. He reaffirms Seljuk commitment to the campaign to reclaim Damascus and return Islamic presence to the Levant. Atabeg Kerbogha is named the permanent commander for the campaign while Muhammad consolidates his position at home. Kerbogha decides to proceed with the campaign by moving 28,533 troops to siege Damascus (Algo Needed) while leaving a garrison of 2,000 to hold Aleppo. Furthermore, the forces in Manbjj and those operating on the Eastern side of the Euphrates are to join together at Manbjj for now and act as needed in response to threats within the region. Hoping to resolve this conflict, envoys are dispatched to Jerusalem and any other involved parties suggesting a stop to hostilities in exchange for the return of Damascus and its periphery as well as the surrender of any other already occupied territories. In exchange, the Seljuks will not move to threaten or take Jerusalem therefore ending this campaign (Jerusalem or anyone who wants to response). Should this offer be refused, envoys are sent to Damascus encouraging them to dislodge their occupiers (Mod Response).
    • Mod response: The locals refuse to dislodge the occupiers of whom they have grown fond off,seeing them as mere new overlords and not occupiers.
  • Papal States: With the astonishing fall of Aleppo to the hordes of the Seljuk military, the Pope Paschal II considers that the only way to save the Holy Land will have to be to call a new Crusade. Unfortunately, seeing the result of the Crusade of 1101, it is unlikely that simply summoning a second Council of Clermont is going to be sufficient for achieving that, especially as the city of Jerusalem itself is still under Christian hands. So instead, the Pope will approach the matter systematically. First, the most important advantage the Crusaders had was superior training and armament over the Seljuk garrisons, and the Seljuks must have significantly improved that to win at Aleppo. Therefore, the Crusaders must improve their own training and armaments again in order to compensate. Pope Paschal reaches out to Emperor Ramon II of Spain, asking for him to donate time and resources for training a new generation of Crusader troops in the Holy Land, particularly in the service of the Military Orders, in order to regain their advantage against the Seljuks (Barcelona and Sepulcher response). The next piece required for a new Crusade is raw manpower. The majority of volunteer forces for both the princes and peasants of the First Crusade came from France, so the Pope looks there first. Pope Paschal reaches out to King Philip the Amorous of France, and offers to grant an expansion of his royal demesne in exchange for providing manpower among his vassals for a new Crusade to take Syria (France response). Finally, a new Crusade will require a sufficient naval power in order to reach the Holy Land and secure supply routes from Europe to Asia. Knowing the Normans have a significant investment for their dynasty across the Crusader states, the Pope considers them the best resource to ask. Pope Paschal reaches out to Count Roger II of Sicily (but really the regent Adelaid), asking for their loyalty to the House of Normandy to send sufficient naval support for a new Crusade to take Syria (Sicily response). The Papal navy in Ostia continues to be expanded with support from the Republic of Pisa, in the process of constructing five new galleys. The school of Chartres continues to cultivate the fledgling scholastic movement of philosophy, publishing new commentaries on Plato and Boethius. Anselem of Leon spearheads the ongoing effort to compile a commentary of the Old Testament, known as the Glossa Ordinaria. For the time being, the Pope reaches out across the allied states of Italy asking for immediate volunteers to fight in the Holy Land, hoping to reach a quota of at least 10,000 troops (mod response please)
    • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques and Custodian Fulcher of Chartres will welcome any help to train the Milites Sancti Sepulcri.
    • Sicily: Adelaide del Vasto pledges 30 ships and 3,000 men (500 Norman knights, 2,500 peasant levies) to the new crusade.
    • House Barcelona: Emperador Ramon offers to train, transport, and personally pay to equip up to 5,000 volunteers from across Spain. However, he is unable to send his Sagramentals and other levies given the threat of Moorish invasion. (Mod Response for volunteers from among the peasants)
    • Kingdom of France: King Philip promises to provide men from his royal army and to obligate his vassals to join him in the crusade. The King promises to march for Syria within two years in order to prepare supplies, recover men from losses in the war with Normandy, and to negotiate a fair peace with Normandy so as to not leave the Kingdom in civil strife.
  • Khalilid Egypt: Now it is time to revitalize the economy and increase goodwill with the rest of the Islamic world. First, Sultan Adbul Majid authorizes the building of schools all over Egypt and raises the salaries of educators. Secondly, the reconstruction of the navy. 5 new galleys are completed this year, while the other 10 are close to completion. This navy is maintained by the state, making Egypt one of the few states to have a permanent fleet. Thirdly, taxes for pilgrims on the Haji are abolished, something unprecedented for the time. The lost monetary gain is to be repaid to Mecca by the Sultanate (Mod Response?). Now, it's time to secure the Hajj route. A host 1000 strong is sent to subdue the Bedouins SOUTH of Jerusalem (ALGO) Doing this will secure the safety of pilgrims. (Super duper secret) It will also be a good setting stage for surrounding Jerusalem when the time comes. (Super duper secret over) This year, Sultan Adbul Majid personally completes the haji and returns. Following the defeat in arabia, a new host of 4000 is assembled to attack again. (algo 2.0) Following the victory in securing the Haji road, the Sultan declares to Aqaba and Robert Scalio that we have no wishes to attack you or your city, and we only want to secure the route for pilgrims of the Haji. 3500 troops remain however, to ensure no funny buisness (MOD AND PLAYER RESPONSE) As jerusalem is marching southward, the troops in the area entrench themselves in the area, and 1500 more troops are sent to the area, never will Jerusalem secure the Haji route. (algo needed, but itll be the same as the Jerusalem one)
    • The city of Aqaba requests for the King of Jerusalem to quickly come save them from the Egyptian attack
    • The Emir of Hejaz accepts the donation
  • Ghaznavid Empire: The Ghaznavid Empire begins preparations to attack Sindh. The charge of the preparations is give to the able Pathan General, Rehman Khan Lodhi.
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: The Order of the Holy Sepulchre is in a state of apprehension following the Fall of Aleppo. With the approval of the Haute Cour, some Canons of the Holy Sepulchre are sent as part of the diplomatic group to travel across Europe seeking aid of the Catholic rulers to protect the Holy Land. With the desire of expanding the operations of the Order to Iberia, in an attempt to help the Iberian Christians fight against the Muslims, the leadership of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre send letters to the rulers of the County of Portugal, Castille, Leon, Aragon, Navarre/Pamplona and Barcelona asking for the establishment of Convents and Fortress of the Order in their lands [MOD and Barcelona response needed, please]. Under Patriarch Arnulf the construction and revitalization of churches in the city of Jerusalem continues. The new frescos about the Passion of Christ are finished at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In Tyre, Archbishop Teobald of Bari continues write his chronicles about the Crusades. Archbishop Teobald once again writes to the Maronites asking them to formally establish diplomatic communications with Pope Paschal II [MOD response needed, please]. With the fall of Aleppo, Patriarch Arnulf proposes to the regent, Prince Tancred, and the Haute Cour to fortify the walls of Jerusalem and other important cities, such as Tyre. He also proposes the construction of other defenses. The Patriarch also pleads with them to send aid to Aqaba [Jerusalem response needed, please].
    • House Barcelona will host the order, offering a portion of the currently under construction fortress as Penyal d'Ifac for the Order's regional headquarters. Additional fortresses are welcome in the interior of the Kingdom of Valencia to hold back the Moors.
    • Castile, Aragon, and Navarre will offer lands to the Order in major fortresses
  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: King Robert of Hauteville (b. 1068) is in the fourteenth year of his reign. Through his union with the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem (1075–1104) he has three sons; Roger (b. 1101), Raynald (b. 1102), and Richard (b. 1104). Currently Robert and his army camp in Zardana, following the fall of Aleppo. Robert requests Bohemond and Demyan Ivanovich to aid in taking back the city (mod and Cilicia response) now that the Seljuks have left a meager garrison there. Prince Tancred agrees in tandem with Patriarch Arnulf regarding the strengthening of defences in Jerusalem among others. When the disgusting request by the Egyptians reaches Jerusalem, Tancred decides to show them the power of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Gathering an army of 4900, truly stretching thin the available men, Tancred marches to Aqaba, where he is greeted by some inhabitants, and from there attacks the 3500 Egyptians (algo request) with a two-pronged assault. The army is comprised of cavalry and spearmen making it very mobile. Never will the road to Mecca be open again, and even if they may try they will never bypass Krak de Montreal. King Robert is encouraged to marry again. With the decimation of the nobility, a plea is sent out to our fellow Italo-Normans of Sicily, and Apulia as well, if some second sons would like to move into the empty castles and plots of land throughout the kingdom. (Player and mod response)
    • Sicily: In response to the invitation, Norman lords from across Sicily form a crusading force of 3,000 men to fight for Jerusalem and to help them settle in the Holy Land.
    • Bohemond will aid in taking Aleppo
  • County of Sicily: The capture of Pantellenia provides yet another base for Norman naval might in the Mediterranean. The island is quickly put under direct royal control, similar to Malta, with a Norman governor being appointed from the local populace to rule in Roger II’s name. However a contingent of Norman guards are stationed on the island to serve as enforcers of Norman rule and to help ward off any attacks. A Norman castle is constructed on the island, along with additional fortifications built on the island’s ports. With Norman naval bases established in Pantellenia, Djerba, and Malta, Adelaide del Vasto, advised by her military councilors and other Norman lords, decides that Norman Sicily can now support a larger navy. To that end, she utilizes Sicily’s extensive shipyards in Palermo, Syracuse and Messina to begin construction of 40 new ships over the next 5 years to be added to the Norman fleet. Adelaide appoints the Emir of Palermo, the Greek Christodulus, to oversee the project. The Pope’s call for naval aid for another venture to the Holy Land is met with enthusiasm by most of the Norman lords, eager for conquest and seeking to fight for Christ and for plunder. The recent conquests in North Africa has triggered an expansionist attitude by most Norman lords, who eagerly pledge their support to a new crusade. In addition, the recent invitation from the Norman Kingdom of Jerusalem to settle in the Holy Land, prompts many young lords and nobles to seek their fortune fighting in the Holy Land. Lords from across Sicily independently form a crusading force, seeking Adelaide del Vassos blessing to sail to Jerusalem and fight. This force consists of 500 knights and 2,500 peasant levies (3,000 total). Adelaide del Vasto, in response to the Pope’s call for naval support, and wishing to help transport the crusaders East, pledges 30 ships and the 3,000 men to the new crusade. She awaits instructions from the Pope on where the crusaders will rendesvous before sailing East (PAPAL RESPONSE). Using her considerable influence as head of the County of Sicily, Adelaide del Vasto sends letters to the various Norman dukes and lords of Southern Italy and Apulia, encouraging them to join with Sicily in supporting the Pope's new crusade [MOD RESPONSE ON SUCCESS].
    • Mod response: The Various southern Italian and Norman dukes combined with some mercenaries are able to send 13.001 troops, including a cat called Geovanni.
  • House Barcelona: Felicia and Ramon have another child this year, this time a girl, whom they name Ximena. Meanwhile, Blai and Pere continue to grow closely. Pere proves to be a calm and gentle child, and is considered a joy in court by his caretakers. Ramon sets aside a great deal of time to spend with his boy, showing himself to be a doting father. While spending time in court, Ramon corresponds with his Marshal Bernat, he instructs him to return to Sardinia with Prince Orzocorre and lead the coup against Torbeno of Cagliari to install Torchitorio. (Mod response/Algo needed?) To this end, Bernat leads a fleet of 12 ships to Sardinia, two of which detach to Tharros to return Prince Orzocorre, and the rest of which will turn south to overthrow Torbeno. The ships carry 1,500 men to back Torchitorio’s loyalists. With the return of Prince Orzocorre to safe hands, he is to be delivered back to his home after his repeated requests to leave. His safe passage is interrupted by another drowning attempt by Marshal Bernat’s logal thugs, this time featuring weighted handcuffs. (rng, pls…)
    • The coup is successfully carried out, placing Torchitorio on the throne of Cagliari
    • Orzocorre is cuffed on one hand to weights and thrown over board. Sinking beneath the surface, he seems to be gone. However, then a carnivorous fish bites part of Orzocorre's hand off, allowing him to slip out of the hand cuff and swim to shore.
  • Banu Hilal: While new defensive buildings appear on the coast, the construction of 10 ships begins (with the help of the shipbuilders hired in the past year) at the ports with the best infrastructure to build them: Tunis, Banzart, Gabis, and Tabarqah. On other topics, Layla al Gafsiyya is now more interested in arts, especially in poetry. So, she starts to study the works of Layla al-Akhyaliyya, Al-Khansa and Al-Rumaikiyya. [More to be added].
  • Goryeo dynasty:As one of his first acts in office Emperor Yejong is to issue a decree creating a division of the country into eight circuits, each headed by an anchalsa (appointed governor). This reform being based on the bureaucracy of the Tang as an attempt to centralise Goryeo and Royal authority. The emperor wanting to take power away from the clans and give it back to his royal court, as the clans often want to increase their own wealth and influence even if contractory to the interests of the whole of Goryeo.Security is what the army desires and it is now is the time togheter with allied Jurchen to prepare for that security. The 24.800 soldiers who have been strengthening the great Goryeo wall, begin to stock up material as to keep their logistics well no matter how close or far they go. With Wanyan Wuyashu demanding the return of the Jurchens who fled to Goryeo to be returned ,the army is even more worried then normal. Yejong himself ordering the Wanyan envoy to be put under house arrest and unable to leave their complex. Allthough the fear of the Wanyan Jurchens not being helped by the slow unification of the Jurchen tribes under his brother Aguda Wanyan. Yun gwan Ordering the mass recruiting and mobilisation of Goryeans, Yun Gwan wanting have atleast 50.000 troops by the end of the decade. Yun Gwan calling on the gungbyeong to go to their local lord and enlist in his forces, as those who fight for him are promised class mobility and the ability to own land if any is taken.
  • Kingdom of Sweden: King Sigismund I visits Sigismundia to see how th crusade is going.when he arrives he is briefed that the region of Sigisfors has been fully integrated,with this news,Sigismund establishes that the next region to be conquered and integrated are Espoo and Tampare. With these orders the villages of Espoo and Tampare are established in their regions(otl regions for the cities). With the Crown prince celebrating his tenth birthday,the king confers him with the title of Duke of Värmland. After this,the crown prince travels to Gustavborg in Gustavia where he makes his first solo duties as crown prince. Meanwhile,the king begins looking for a bride for the crown prince as he is soon reaching the age of majority in sweden. He sends out delegates to England and Spain(English and Spanish responses needed),
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 8th full year of the reign of King Godwin "Scyling" of England and Denmark. He is the second member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He has many siblings: Edmund, who is married to Margaret of Wessex and is unlanded; Magnus, Marklord of Wales, who is married to Gwenlian ferch Bleddyn thus forming an alliance with Gwynedd; Gytha, who is married to Alan mab Konan de Rennes; Gunhild, who is married to Lǫgmaðr Guðrøðarson, Harold, Earl of Northumbria (1066 and married to Anna of Durham) and Ulf, who is unwed (1067). Godwin is married to Princess Sigrid Svendsdatter of Denmark and has sired many children through her: Edwin, Aetheling of Denmark and England (b. 1070), who is wed to Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide; Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem (1075), who is wed to Robert Scalio. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Godwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords he has introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Godwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful vassal otherwise occupied. This year, Harold Haroldson suffers a heart attack and dies. His son Cnut inherits the Earldom of Northumbria while Ulric is granted the Earldom of Cumbria. Cnut is still very young, just having turned 20, and is a capable warrior, but is still learning how to command an army. The war in Mann (not strathclyde, discussed with Nate) is his testing ground. Later in the year, Sigrid Svendsdatter of Denmark passes away peacefully in her sleep. Godwin is heartbroken and travels to Roskilde where he gives a eulogy for his late wife. She is given a funeral under Danish tradition with many aspects of the service usually reserved for male warrior kings. The way back to England is particularly perilous due to storms, inspiring Godwin to construct a new flagship. Called the Swan after his mother Edith Swanneck, this ship is one of the largest sailing vessels built to-date in northern Europe. Fanciful reliefs of the Battle of Dover Fields are carved along the prow of the ship while the ship's ram features a carving of the late Harold II. The ship also has a tower from which archers and spearmen can attack smaller ships from above, either exacting horrific carnage on their decks or tearing their masts asunder. Alongside this flagship are several drakes meant to guard the ship in the event of an ambush. As Norwegian forces withdraw from Mann, Godwin orders the construction of several fortifications around the island, with the most important being at Cronk Howe Mooar, the oldest OTL castle in the Isle of Mann. This castle, which was largely an earthworks structure built a little over a century or two ago, is to be reconstructed as a stone castle. Located near OTL Castleton, the castle and nearby town will serve as the administrative capital of Mann. Many of the ships that were used in the capture of Mann are cleaned off and prepared for another voyage. England turns its attention to Ireland, which remains a quasi-Norwegian stronghold. Though many Irish clans have lived under the thumb of Hiberno-Norse rulers, there are many that resent the Norwegian rule and actively plot against them. Godwin and Ulf Haroldson invite several Irish leaders, including those from Norwegian-controlled places, to gather support for an English invasion to oust the Norwegians. (Mod response needed)
    • Munster, Leister and Ulai help the English against the Norwegians
  • Armenian Cilicia: Having spent much of the previous year letting his men resting and consolidating his position in Edessa Voivode Demyan Ivanovich now turns his attention to Aleppo. Worried about his own position and the threat posed to his kin by its fall. He orders the mustering of his 10,000 men, and calls on Thoros of Armenia and the other Armenian lords to muster 5,000 men to go to the aid of their Latin brothers. Envoys are dispatching to Byzantium, Georgia, Alania, and to the homeland seeking reinforcements to help counter the renewed threat posed by the Turks to all eastern Christians. His agents also promise plenty of opportunities for those who fight for god to gain their fame and fortune (Mod Response.). He also sends a secret messenger to Bohemod to let the Norman prince know that he would back him should he lay claim to Aleppo knowing the had cheated his brother of prize in Anatolia. At the head of his seasoned warriors of many campaigns to fight against their greatest challenge yet. Now wiser to the machinations of the Sand Demons, Demyan moves from his fortified position in Edessa to strike at the rear of Turkish army using his light calvary and ruthless Chorni Klobuky to raid the Muslim supply lines along the Euphrates carrying hit and Run attacks on the enemy and carrying out a scorched earth policy towards any muslims settlements in the region while many of his agents aim to incite the local Armenians ,and Assyrians to revolt against the Saracens in the Upper Mespotamia to further weaken their position. All the while feared Varagnian warriors, and the native christian levies march to aid the defenders in Aleppo. moving with haste having rested the previous year while the turks and Latins have been fighting a desperate fight over the last 2 Campaigning seasons. Rumors are also spread by his agents speaking of the horrors that befell the Turks fighting against him in Anatolia and of the wolves and hounds of war that follow in his wake in an attempt to weaken the morale of his enemies (for the Algo of Aleppo). All the While Thoros raises supplies in Armenia to aid the Crusaders, while working to assert his rule over the recent territories added to his domains thanks to the successes of his brother-in-law. He seeks out the aid of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre t0 expand their efforts to aid the local Christians taking to benevolent attitude of Teobald of Tripoli has taken to his kin in the South and to the more tolerant leanings of Rome. He promises to abide by the principals of the Gregorian reforms, however he strongly reaffirms that the autonomy of the Armenian church must not be infringed, not wishing to anger his kinsmen or appear weak in the face of the Armenian nobility and the Rus that serve the Cunning Demyan. Princess Beatrice of Armenia chooses to remain in Tarsus to raise her and Demyan's daughter unwilling to go to Edessa while the war rages in the lands and until her husband removes his mistress from the city. The young Eva proves to be a bright and filled with a boundless energy that leaves many of the courtiers of her uncle enamored, all the while absorbing the world around her.
    • Georgia and Alania are focused on fighting a front in Caucasus instead. Byzantium and Rus not going to be involved
  • Kingdom of France: King Philip accepts the proposal of Bohemond of Taranto to link our families through marriage but due to lack of bachelor sons offers the son of Philip's brother Hugh, Count of Vermandois. (Mod Response) The King agrees to support Count Theobold's claim to the Duchy of Normandy if he joins the war on the side of Philip, otherwise the King will reject the claim but still offer land in Normandy to the count if conqured by the end of the war. Regardless of the response, a feast is held in Paris to welcome Theobold with honor. (Mod Response) The remants of the 1/3 army that occupied Maine will march back East, destroying strategic bridges and infrastructure to slow the Norman army, to the main army to join in sieging forts along the Seine as they push towards Rouen. If Count Theobold agrees the join the war plans will be made to join the army of Theobold and the Royal Army and have the combinned force march West to face the main Norman army in Maine, Anjou, or Western Normandy in the following year. (Siege Report plz thx) Using the newly elevated position of the Bishop of Paris as Primate of the Three Gauls, the King has the bishop send a peace offer to the Duke of Noramndy offering peace between all parties, all land between Aquitaine and allies and Normandy will be returned to its rightful owner, Upper Normandy will be granted to Count Theobold, Duke William will retain Lower Normandy and all rights to build and maintain fortifications in the territory, and finally the King will pay Duke William 1/2 the lossed revenue of Upper Normandy to Duke William for four years. (Mod Response) The King sends out diplomats/merchants to Rome and Constantinople to acquire copies of the Strategikon of Maurice and other military manuals and the means to translate them, they will be sent to the Château Versailles to be studied by the commander of the Royal Guard and used in instruction of his subordinate legates. Thirteen new Intendants will be appointed to Royal lands and direct vassals to begin standardizing laws and removing administrative barriers between the counties. Additionally five more Intendants will be assigned to accompany them and record all the laws of the land they visit and compile them before working through them to standardize and modernize them into the first legal Uniform Royal Legal Code. Laws regarding usry will be relaxed and restrictions on Jews building new homes in Paris will be lifted, additionally the King will make an offer of good will by building a new common house on the outskirts of Paris to begin a new Jewish Quarter in the city.
    • Count Theobold will accept the alliance with the King
    • William and Theobold accepts the division of Normandy

1107[]

The Battle of Zerbeh has been the first major disaster for the Crusader forces, leading to an apparent significant territorial loss as the Seljuks re-assume control over Aleppo and Damascus as far as the Jordan River.

The famine in and around Aleppo only grows worse this year as it once again changes hands during the Crusade. A fire begins in an impoverished part of the city that spreads through much of the district. Made only worse by the dry heat and abandoned portions of the city, the scorching inferno is merely the most recent in a slew of tragedies affecting the peoples of the city in only a few short years.

With Mosul quickly becoming a powerful regional center for the expanded domains of the Seljuks, the Atabeg of Mosul is assassinated by Jiwali Seqawa, who seizes control over the region and all lands west of it. Many of the Crusader princes captured during the previous battle are offered to be returned for ransom.

King George II of Georgia significantly expands his territory into the Caucasus as the Seljuks are distracted in Syria.

Bohemond of Taranto is married to Constance of France, and soon they have a son who is also named Bohemond.

The Republics of Pisa and Genoa become concerned at the Spanish influence on the island of Sardinia, threatening their merchant hegemony. So they send a combined fleet in an attempt to occupy Cagliari and restore Torbeno to power

Orzocorre tells his brother Torbeno about the attempts of the Marshal of Spain on his life. Torbeno consults with a medium, who through ancient rites of augury divines that Orzocorre has been blessed by God that he cannot die while the Marshal of Spain lives.

The Rankvic Dynasty of Bohemia intervenes within the Polish Civil War in support of Boleslaw Wrymouth. He also asks for support from Hungary.

Emperor Horikawa of Japan dies and is succeeded by Emperor Toba.

The Song Dynasty prints money in three different colors in an attempt to stop counterfeiting. Emperor Huizong publishes a book on sophisticated tea ceremony.

At royal court in Aachen his Majesty the duke of Lotharingia, gets the news that his beloved puppy and companion Tessa has run escaped her pen. Hearing this news duke Henri sends out ten of his finest guards to find his beloved dog and get her back to him.

Þórður Gilsson consolidates the goðorðs of the Western Fjörds and is elected lögsögumaður at Alþingi

  • Ghaznavid Empire: The Ghaznavids launch their invasion of Sindh. The invasion is being led by the Pathan General Rehman Khan Lodhi. He commands a force of 20,000 troops (10,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry) and 100 War Elelphants (Algo Needed). A contingent of 4000 light cavalry is sent to the Levant to fight the Crusaders. These men are led by Ibrahim Khan Suri, a Pathan nobleman belonging to the Sur tribe.
  • Goryeo Dynasty:With his army ready on the Goryeo Jangseong Yun Gwan has 27.000 soldiers ready to ensure Goryeo border security. As a small aditional group of 2.200 pikemen arive at the great Goryeo wall just in time for the great offensive. Yun Gwan Hoping that he can have a significant victory just in time for large reenforcements to arive. Thus the 27.000 soldiers arive at the Kaema Plateau, Yun Gwan sending his 6.8000 Tumen-Jurchen forces headed by the Loyal Jurchen leader ahead. The Jurchen force being 12 Ri (5km) hoping to make the Wanyan Jurchens will follow the Tumen Jurchens to the Kaema Plateau, where the defenders have dug a big ditch (Algo needed). The Tumen-Jurchen being ordered to not engage if the enemy does not follow them and instead use different means of getting them to come to the defenders. With a minor defeat at the Kaema Plateau, Yun Gwan decides to up his army on the western side of the Changja River, and directly after ariving at this location he orders his troops to build a fotres out of Stone, wood and packed dirt. This task being made alot harder by the cold temparatures and hard ground due to the cold. But Allas the soldiers dig and mine as much as they can knowing that holding a fort by this river is the only way they can keep reenforcement and their own influence into the the Jurchen Tumen area. Yun Gwan hoping that the Wanyan Jurchens will attack him once more at his fortified possition, as this could render their mobility advantage useless. Yun gwan hoping that he can get reenforcement army to his aid, or even possible connect with the Gorean Past the Yalu and Tumen river. Emperor Yejong promising to end the forced guest prostitution of Jurchen women, a practice which is resented by the Jurchens.
  • County of Sicily: The unexpected enthusiasm for the Pope’s crusade leads to an army of nearly 16,000 Norman knights and peasant levies assembling, with Norman lords from across Southern Italy and Sicily coming together for the crusade. The 16,000 strong Norman army is transported to the Holy Land, where they disembark at Damascus to aid the Crusader forces there. The sudden surge in Muslim naval power in North Africa, seen in the Banu Hilal’s ship construction, prompts great concern amongst the Norman lords of Sicily. Attempting to garner allies against the Banu Hilal, the Normans send messengers to the Banu Hilal’s weakened Islamic rival, the Hamanid dynasty. The Normans propose that the Hamanids ally themselves to the Normans, and in exchange the Normans would provide resources, military protection and more to help the Hamanids reclaim their lands in North Africa [MOD RESPONSE]. (more to come)
    • The Sultan Abd al-Aziz ibn Mansur does not want to ally with the Normans
  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: King Robert (b. 1068) is in the fifteenth year of his reign. Through his union with the late Queen Eadgyth (1075-1104), he has three sons; Roger (b. 1101), Raynald (b. 1102), and Richard (b. 1104). Prince Tancred, following the defeat of the Egyptians near Aqaba, decides to settle his army in the city to wait for any possible new Egyptian incursions. The Haute Cour does not wish to hold court in the city, so Tancred appoints his second-in-command to be in the city instead as he ventures back to Jerusalem. Furthermore, Aqaba is fortified, and additional new small but defensible forts are constructed west of the city. Prince Tancred proposes a marriage between him and an Armenian noblewoman of prominence. Robert's main army regroups near Tripoli, and then marches on Damascus now that the 16,000 from Sicily and Apulia have arrived (Algo request). Bohemond is requested to join us (mod response), which would make our combined forces number 9000, not counting the new arrivals which would number 25,000. The ransom offer by Jiwali Seqawa is turned down, as Robert is certain that Damascus will be retaken, where presumably the prisoners are being held, however in the case of, among others, Duke Gervase of Damascus dying, or being executed by his Seljuk captors, various successors are proposed to the king. Roger dies this year of a disease, leaving Raynald to potentially inherit the Kingship, if he is elected when Robert dies.
  • Khalilid Egypt: Following the defeat in Aqaba, the surviving forces regroup to the deserts north of Hejaz. In this area, several fortresses and outposts are built for pilgrims and to secure the area from crusader encroachment and Bedouin raids. Knowing that the crusaders will certainly not stop at Damascus or Aleppo, the threat of a crusade against Egypt is very real. Several castles are built throughout Sinai, and 10,000 troops are stationed there. In the event of a crusader invasion, the sultan in Cairo sends an envoy to the Bedouins in Sinai, that if they pledge support, Egypt shall give their lands autonomy. (MOD RESPONSE) As the crusaders are drawing ever closer to the heart of the Islamic world, the threat of them expanding into Iraq or even taking Baghdad is very real. Would this event happen, Egypt would be forced to intervene, for the center of the Islamic world cannot be vandalized by infidels without consequences. The sultan writes a letter to the emir of Mecca that in the event of a Jihad, he wishes for political and religious support for Egypt. (MOD RESPONSE). As Sicily is expanding in Africa, 1000 troops are donated to the tribes of the Banu Hilai. (Player response) Now the military must grow. Currently Egypt can field 25-30k troops. Enough to defend the Nile but not enough to wage a Jihad against the Infidels. An offer is sent to the peoples of Egypt, irregardless of ethnicity, to join the military of egypt. (Mod Response) Now to the navy. Ten new galleys are complete at astonishing speed, making a truly grand fleet of 50. However, this seems to be nearing the upper limit of boats Egypt can support, for now. The training of sailors commences. The sultanate is also looking for naval officers of the old fatimid caliphate to command the navy and swear undying loyalty to the sultanate. (mod response) The next thing of Adbul Majid’s mind is to secure the Red sea route in order to profit from the maritime silk road. That is for a later date though..
    • The Bedoins of Sinai will be loyal to Egypt
    • The Banu Hashim in Mecca will always be an ally in times of Jihad
    • Military elites of both Turks and Arabs join in the military, but only across upper classes
    • Banu Hilal response: We are so thankful for the Egyptians' donation.
    • Most of the existing navy renounces their previous Shia loyalty and joins the Sultanate
  • House Barcelona: Ramon and Felicia herald a pair of twins: a boy and girl. They name the two Ramon and Agnes. Ramon’s joy is short-lived, as Felicia suffers greatly in the birth, and she falls seriously ill. Out of desperation, Ramon seeks out medici and faith healers who promise her safety at great expense. Perhaps due to these healers, perhaps thanks to the lord’s good graces, Felicia recovers in time. Though scarred by her trials, Ramon is thankful to see her live, the court midwife does express her belief that Felicia will bear no more children. Meanwhile, the accusations levied against Marshal Bernat are a serious matter in court. However, there are many who question their validity. Marshal Bernat maintains his innocence, denouncing the accusations as fraudulent, devilish, and sinful. He demands a fair and just trial, and if evidence cannot be produced, expresses his intent to challenge Orzocorre to a trial by combat by champions. However, before the trial or duel can take place, news of the incursion of Pisan and Genoese ships in Cagliari reaches the Catalan forces at Tharros. A messenger is sent to Barcelona and a fleet is dispatched to counter the Italian threat. With roughly 30 Italian ships en route, a comparable fleet is dispatched carrying with it 6,000 reinforcements to augment the men already present in Tharros. They are placed under the command of Marshal Bernat who marches to Cagliari to support Torchitorio against the Italians. Before the battle is joined, Bernat sends an envoy to the joint Italian intervention asking to negotiate a peaceful resolution which respects Torchitorio as ruler of Cagliari and Vassal to Catalonia but perhaps allows some trade concessions to the Pisans and Genoese? (Mod Response/Algo) The force present consists largely of Cavellars Villars with a number of Bernat’s household guard and a contingent of elite Sagramental Arcllargores (Longbowmen). In total the force musters 8,500 men. They reinforce whatever fighters Torchitorio can personally muster.
    • House Barcelona Continued: Following the successful defense of Cagliari by the Catalan forces, Bernat approaches Torchitorio in secret. He attempts to sway Torchitotio to seize control of Arborea and claim the title Archon. Bernat reasons that since Cagliari was the previous capital of the island, that Torchitorio could press claim to the whole of the island and with Bernat's backing such an endeavor would be possible.
    • Torbeno of Arborea will arrange a fair trial under the ancient customs of Sardinia. Orzocorre agrees to the terms
  • Papal States: The strength of the Saracens poses a rather grave situation for the Catholic states of the Middle East. Having secured common communion with the Syriac Arab Christians, and established contact to the existing Arab Catholics following Saint Maron, the Kingdom of Jerusalem is now obligated by God to protect the Christian Arabs away from the vile, inhuman creatures known as the Turks. True warriors who have dedicated their lives to Christ will remember his words to pick up the cross and follow him, and lay down his life for the sheep. So too should the Crusader Knights of the Hospitallers and Saint Godfrey should not back out from defending the innocent Arabs. Without officially calling or ending any new Crusade, Pope Paschal II decrees that the Crusader states are called to a perpetual conflict against the Saracens in all situations and at any cost, not allowing them a strategic foothold for even a second, and this charge will continue until the Roman Provinces of Mare Nostrom are restored. Additionally, this charge extends to the European nations, under the terms of the pax dei, that they may volunteer forces to augment those in Jerusalem at any point. King Robert of Jerusalem is encouraged to reorganize his military along the training provided from Spain (Jerusalem response). While the Crusades take up a considerable trouble itself, there is also unrest between Christian brethren at home. While the Pope normally doesn't get involved in political affairs in Italy, the Spanish influence across the island of Sardinia, nominally a Papal fief, gives some alarm from among the Roman Curia. Pope Paschal therefore sends considerable financial support to Pisa by way of Tuscany, and uses the opportunity of giving the growing Papal navy some field training under Cardinal Leonard di Ostia. The Neo Platonic school of philosophers continues to be cultivated by Cardinal Ivo. Anslem of Leon has completed the Glossa Ordinaria, a fully-annotated commentary of both the New and Old Testaments. This monumental feat of research and calligraphy will serve as a key resource material for generations to come. Adelard of Bath publishes a new work on geometry, based on the recent translation of Euclid's Elements. Urbanization across central Italy continues, as does expansion of church domains in the Holy Roman Empire.
    • jerusalem: it is done
  • Saxony: Magnus Billung, the Duke of Saxony dies this year. The Holy Roman Empire mourns the passing of a great warrior and a friend to the Royal family and to three consecutive emperors. As the Duke had only daughters, his lands are divided amongst them. His oldest daughter, Wulfhilde receives his lands around Luneburg, while his second daughter, Eilika, and her husband, Otto, the Count of Ballenstedt, acquire valuable lands in Northern Saxony. His youngest daughter, Sophia Magnesia, already considered a spinster, is yet unmarried, and receives nothing in land and barely anything at all except some money. She shortly after retires to a nunnery. Magnus did not make it clear who would succeed him in the title Duke of Saxony. Both his sons-in-law, Prince Conrad - already the Duke of Lorraine - and Otto, the Count of Ballenstedt wish to succeed him as Saxon Duke, but it is left up to the Holy Roman Emperor to decide (Mod Response).
    • Seeing multiple claimants for the Duchy of Saxony, which historically is comprised of many titles, the Emperor Conrad III moves for splitting Saxony according to the tradition of gavelkind succession
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: With the approval of the Iberian rulers, members of the Order are sent to establish fortress in there. The part of the fortress of Penyal d'Ifac that was given to the Order is organized in a way that copies the structure of the fortress used by the Oder in th Holy Land. Convents for the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre are establish alongside with the fortress in Aragon, Castile, Navarre and Valencia. These convents have Scriptoriums, in the same way that its counterparts in the Holy Land. With the expansion of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, both Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques and Custodian Fulcher of Chartres approves that the regional fortress/convents established outside of the Kingdom of Jerusalem will be led by a Prior General (as leader of the Canons) and a Grand Master (as leader of the Milites). Then The leadership of the Order in Armenia is grateful for the help of Thoros of Armenia in aiding their efforts in maintaning unity between the Christians there. Seeing how Sicily is fighting against the Sarracens in North Africa, a letter is sent by Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques to Adelaide del Vasto asking her help to allow the establishment of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Sicily, this way the Milites Sancti Sepulcri can help the Normans fight the Muslims [Sicily diplomacy needed, please]. The defeat in Aleppo causes panic in the members of the Order. Archbishop Teobald of Tyre writes about these developments in his Chronicles.
    • Sicily: Adelaide del Vasto acccepts the offer and will allow the Order to establish bases throughout Sicily.
  • Kingdom of Sweden: King Sigismund I travels to Sigisfors to meet with varius leaders to get an update on the situation in the Sigismundian crusade. Here he also meets local representatives of the Karelian protectorate whom he talks a lot to. After this,he travels to espoo where the tribes have called a local council. Following this he travels to Gustavia where he meets with local shipbuilders who wishes the king would focus more on the navy then the army. The king replies that he might do so in the future but nothing is put in stone. With varius conflict and was happening all over Europe,the king is gratefull that sweden has been spared the horrors of the many wars.
  • Armenian Cilicia: Following his disastrous encounter with the Turks along the Euphrates, Demyan and his army were forced to retreat to Turbessel where they drink to their fallen and rest up. The humbled Rus decides to discontinue his attempts to assist the Latins having a fair number of his comrades along with several thousand levies. he sends out a secret envoy to the Turks offering them a truce (Seljuk Response). This is mainly done so that Demyan can focus on further fortifying his position in the region, and so that he can reorganize his forces and replenish his ranks. He takes a second look at the Armeniac Themes placed undr his administration by Emperor Alexios. Envoys are dispatched to Constantinople requesting that some Greek officers and clerks be sent to assist in restoring the administrative cohesion of the region (Mod Response). He also dispatches envoys to the Italians offering a trade agreement granting some trading concessions. While resting in Turbessel he sends for his wife who only agrees to go out East after Demyan sends away a once more pregnant Raqel who is taking to Caeserea (Kayseri), while his sickly bastard Leo is sent to Teobald of Tripoli to take of as a member of his order . The Monster of a man is delighted to finally meet his beautiful daughter Eva whose boundless energy and cheery nature brings the warlord to tears. Back in Tarsus Thoros wife dies during childbirth Constantin who is named after his father. Many Armenian masons, Greek carpenters, and Blacksmiths are contracted to assist in consitruction of new fortification at Urfa Castle to protect Edessa, Most of Demyan's men take local wives from among the Armenian, Greek and Assyrians, and begin to settle into their new holdings across the region settling in either the sparely populated Upper Mesopotamia, or in Eastern Anatolia, Demyan continues to seek out more warriors from his northern homeland recieving a few hundred this year from Kiev.
    • The Byzantines facilitate this
    • Seljuk Empire: The Seljuks eagerly accept the offer of a truce.
  • Seljuk Empire: News of chaos along Seljuk frontier to the east leads to Muhammad Tapar commenting “Even though I’ve won, it feels like I’ve lost.” to his vizier in private regarding the success of his forces yet the overwhelming situation that has erupted. With the death of his father, Zengi assumes command over all Seljuk forces in the region and is given the position of Atabeg of Mosul. His first objective is to eliminate the impostor in Mosul who killed his father, seized his territory, and currently blacks access to the Seljuk territories he leads a punitive force comprised of what forces he maintains control over to lay siege to Mosul (Algo Needed, Roll for the capture of revolt leader and rebel troops). The forces in Damascus are sent messengers informing them of Zengi’s intentions and telling them to hold out (Algo Needed). The Abbasids in Baghdad have opted to declare a jihad upon Jerusalem after doubts arise regarding the abilities of the Seljuks to reclaim the region and invite all who recognize them to contribute (Player Responses). Muhammad Tapar can only reluctantly accept the decision of the Abbasids and for the most part decides to focus on resecuring and consolidating what remains of the chaotic area.


1108[]

King Eystein II of Norway, seeing the success of Sweden's crusade in Finland, wants to lead his own contribution to the Holy Land. He sends 5,000 men on 60 ships to Jerusalem, supported by the Republic of Venice.

Upon the death of Magnus Bilung, the Emperor Conrad III divides his estates among his two son-in-laws. Saxe-Luneburg is given to Duke Conrad of Lorraine, while Saxe-Anhalt is given to Duke Otto "the Rich".

Judge Torchitorio of Cagliari makes many rapid reforms to his kingdom, as well as numerous requests to Barcelona for guidance on streamlining these political, economic and military reforms based on the Spanish model.

The Taira and Minamoto clans join forces to rule Japan, after defeating the warrior monks of the Enryaku-ji temple near Kyoto. This effectively ends the de-facto rule of the Fujiwara clan that had dominated Japan for many centuries.

A White and black dog with a collar with the name of Tessa on it is seen in towns and cities such as Heerlen, Valkenburg and Maastricht. The duke even having to fire his guards after they failed to get his dog back because they got drunk at a pub.

  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: King Robert of Hauteville (b. 1068) is in the sixteenth and final year of his reign. Through his union with Queen Eadgyth (1075–1104) he had three sons; Roger (1101–1107), Raynald (b. 1102), and Richard (b. 1104). With the Battle of Damascus being inconclusive the crusader forces draw back. As a new plan for a second attack is being made, King Robert is taken ill. He is brought to his royal tent where he dies of an infection a week later, caused by bloodletting, his last words are not deciphered although one heard the word King, interpreting it as his wishes for succession although what that may be is unknown, while one believed he was refering to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, interpreting it as a deathbed prayer. As the Haute Cour deliberates on electing his successor, they have multiple choices; If they are to follow primogeniture, then Raynald should be king, however Jerusalem would spend years in a regency. They could also elect Tancred, Prince of Galilee, who is the nephew of late king Robert and already ruling in Robert's stead. Or they could choose to elect someone not from the House of Hauteville, many prominent French lords and princes would want to be king, some have the power to push their claim. At the end of the year, this is the state of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Italo-Normans wield great influence here, but so do the French. For the seigneuries; Tancred of Hauteville is the Prince of Galilee, Lambert of Montaigu is the Count of Jaffa, Ralph the Red of Pont-Echanfray is the Lord of Sidon, and Hugh of Fauquembergues is the Lord of the Oultrejordain. The seneschal is Baldric, a frenchman.
  • Banu Hilal: Hassan hires more talented builders to repair and upgrade the shipyards that require it. Meanwhile, Kairouan and Banzart are flourishing again with new restoration works. There are raise 4,000 men between 2000 Sanhaja infantry, 1000 Bedouin cavalry, and 1000 Berber Cavalry. The new ships are ready, and now there are building five galleys in the renewed dockyards. Al-Gafsiyya got a lot of popularity with her elegant literature. She wrote poems and comedies with certain content of phylosophical aspects. As the norman expansion becomes a big thread, Hassan sends the best ships (with the Almoravid commander) and 5,000 of all unit types, commanded by al-Nasr, to expel the barbarians in Djerba and (if we win the campaign) Pantelleria with the support of the regular fleet. [Algo needed] Inshallah! [More to be added.]
    • Almoravid Diplomacy: 30 more Almoravid Vessels are offered to be dispatched to Tunisia alongside an army of 15,000 led by Omar Al-Rasheed to support the Binai Hilal.
    • Banu Hilal response: We accept the aid.
      • Sicily Tactical Response: See Sicily turn below.
  • Papal States: Pope Paschal II is saddened to hear about the death of Robert Scalio de Hauteville, the King of Jerusalem. The Pope organizes many Benedictine monks to pray for his soul, in the hope that he will meet Saint Godfrey in Heaven. While Urban II made many exact preparations for the organization of Jerusalem, there was never any detailed procedure on selecting the King's successor. Many people on the Consistory insist that a second Council of Ravenna be convened, and elect a new king in the same manner that the first king was elected. This idea was dismissed out of being far too inconvenient, but also the Italian nobility pressures for keeping Jerusalem under Norman control. Pope Paschal decrees that the Haut Court have jurisdiction to elect their choice of King of Jerusalem, who the Pope will then accept or veto, which will keep the ultimate control of the city under the Pope's direction. In Scandinavia, Anslem of Acosta works for upgrading and centralizing the clergy of Denmark along the same model as England, in preparation for the expiration of royal investiture in the future. King Eyestein's Crusade is blessed by the Pope. As Sweden expands the reach of the Gospel in Sweden, the Pope authorizes the creation of an archdiocese in Finland, led by the Archbishop of Turku. The Papal navy continues to be expanded with the creation of two more ships, and a major port is created at Bastia. The Neo-Platonic academy of philosophy continues to grow in Chartres, in step with the growth of educated clergy at Bologna and Florence.
  • Swedish diplomacy: King Sigismund I is wery thankful for his holiness contributions in scandinavia,but wonders if he missepled finland for Sigismundia.
  • Goryeo Dynasty: Seeing that the war and atrition is being harsher on Yun Gwan's soldiers, 23.000 soldiers are send from Goryeo to the Tumen army. He sends these to Jonchon, togheter with the rest of the 23,745 strong Tumen army. These soldiers build a fort right at the Changja River, this fort being made partialy out of buildings from the western bank of the town and completed from stone and wood of the serounding country side. While also making it so the bridges over the river can easly be destroyed once the other 23,745 of the the Tumen army arives to the heavly defended and finaly finish of the Goryeans.(Algo Request) The plan being to make the atrition due to weather and sheer numbers, as the jurchens lack siege ability. Yun Gwan winning the battle even if he's not happy witht he small gains made, Yun Gwan and Yejong hoping to end the war soon as the costs of the army is starting to weigh heavy on the economy. Yun Gwan wanting to send a small part of his army to make a quick dash to the mouth of the Tumen river as to block suplies from ariving. While the rest of the Army would make camps for each 7,000 troops. Yun Gwan even calling upon Goryeans past the Tumen and Yalu river to rise up, Yun Gwan promising them new lands and lower taxes for all (mod response ?). Yun Gwan setting 3.000 soldiers ready for the task of aiding the Goryeans past the rivers, as to not leave the Goryeans undefended and make them know the Emperor is awaiting their return. Yejong still claiming that Goryeo is the rightfull heir of Goguryeo.
    • The peasants will cooporate with the Goryeo but won't openly revolt
  • Ghaznavid Empire: Rehman Khan Lodhi continues his push into Sindh towards the capital Thatta. He has been reinforced with an additional 5000 troops. (Algo Request). The 4000 light cavalry under Ibrahim Khan Suri have reached the Levant and will be helping in the campaign against the Crusaders.
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 10th full year of the reign of King Godwin "Scyling" of England and Denmark. He is the second member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He has many siblings: Edmund, who is married to Margaret of Wessex and is unlanded; Magnus, Marklord of Wales, who is married to Gwenlian ferch Bleddyn thus forming an alliance with Gwynedd; Gytha, who is married to Alan mab Konan de Rennes; and Ulf, who is unwed (1067). Godwin was married to Princess Sigrid Svendsdatter of Denmark and has sired many children through her: Edwin, Aetheling of Denmark and England (b. 1070), who is wed to Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide; Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem (1075), who is wed to Robert Scalio. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Godwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords he has introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Godwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful vassal otherwise occupied. This year, Ulf Haroldson (b. 1067) and Cnut Haroldson (b. 1086) hold a meeting in Downpatrick to discuss plans to expel the Norwegians from the island. Ulf himself is to lead 6,000 men - mostly English adventurers and Irish allies - in a battle to liberate Meath. As England was able to convince some Irish lords to allow English forces to land, the battle will largely involve drakes in the sea. The English ships will sail directly from Mann and mainland England to avoid giving away the position of the troops. On the day of the battle, the Anglo-Hibernian army will arrive in the early morning, with the fleet pinning down any Norwegian ships at sail, aiming to either push the ships aground or scuttle them entirely. At the same time, the early morning dew is expected to hide English numbers - it may appear as a raid from a neighboring Irish kingdom. The fortified settlement of Dublin will then be attacked from the north and by the sea as the English ships unload soldiers into Dublin. Ulf is told to keep the hillfort as usable as he can so the English can have a point from which they can stage further invasions of Ireland. (Algo needed, 6k on my side) A number of building projects around England take place, though these are largely cathedrals. The later years of Godwin Scyling saw an intermingling of imposing Norman architecture and the rustic, almost cozy halls of the Danes. Many cathedrals built during this time period feature carvings or iconography usually associated with the Danes. A miniature renaissance, which seems to be sweeping across Europe, has gripped England. Architecture is not the only thing seeing a massive shift - a myriad of religious art and music is being produced throughout the west and England is no exception. The church's involvement also has a linguistic effect on the peoples of Britain. The ecclesiastical language of Latin has always had an influence on English, though the 12th century introduces a fair amount of loanwords. Many of these terms refer to warfare - strategy and invasion. It is to be noted that, in OTL, many of these words were brought over to England by William the Conqueror, though the influence Latin has on English will never be as great as it was in OTL. This preservation of English as a much more Germanic language also has the side effect of many common terms - which became curse words due to their association with the ways of unlearned commoners - remaining the proper nomenclature. Because of the intermingling of Anglo-Saxons, Danes, and everything in-between for the past 20 or so years, this also comes to Denmark. Here, work begins in Roskilde of a stave cathedral incorporating Norman building techniques picked up by Danish traders or artisans working in the Kingly Lawstead of Godwin. Though many years from completion, this will be a permanent testament to England's supremacy in Denmark. As the Vikings of yore planted runestones on the bones of those they conquered, the English will build impractically-large objects in a permanent state of "under construction" on the bones of those they conquered. Wulfstan and Matilda of Scotland have a baby girl named Ebba. At some point during her infancy, Ebba is dropped on her head and has an oddly-shaped skull for the rest of her life. Though she will easily be able to hide it once she grows hair, it is sure to cause some embarassment later on. In the meantime Agnes Edwinsdohtor (b. 1102) is offered in betrothal to a prince of Sweden, aiming to strengthen relations with Sweden and encourage trade through the Baltic.
  • Sultanate of Shewa: The Sultana passes away with no heirs, a young nephew by the name of Badit takes the throne. He is well liked by the surrounding Oromo and also wishes to integrate them. The Gadii system is adopted by the Sultanate as well as minor Waaqa worship. Badit hopes to take the Haij next year but wants his own port to leave from. He marches an army down the Awash then to the Red Sea to a small village (OTL Assab). He begins the construction of fortifications around the coast. A few riders are sent back to Adama on separate routes to determine the most navigable path for trade. Irrigation around the Ziway and Abaya lakes are slowly expanded. The hope to turn valley into the Arcadia of Africa as the myths state continue. Slave raids are undertaken to the west to provide labor for these new projects. The library of Adams is also reinvested in to. Badit sends young wards to the library to learn from the aging Egyptians who came 20 years ago.
  • Order of the Holy Sepulchre: The death of King Robert is mourned by the members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. A mass is celebrated by Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques at the Chuch of the Holy Sepulchre and the deceased king is burried in a chapel of this church. With the approval of the Sicilian rulers, members of the Order are sent to Sicily to establish a fortress and a convent. The members of the Order in Iberia also open hospitals to help the poor and the sick. Patriarch Arnulf proposes to the Haute Cour that a regency be made until prince Raynaud is old enough to be crowned as king.
  • Kingdom of Sweden: This year is a happy year for sweden as crown prince Sigismund celebrates his 13th birthday in Uppsala. At the party the king meets his betrohed Agnes Edwinsdohtor and they immidietly fall in love. Although he is considered an adult at the age of 13,it is decided by the king to wait until he is 14,whe n he will be declared a legal adult. In Sigismundia a significant goal is reached when enough land has been crusaded so that we can reach the Karelian protectorate. In order to improve connections between the capital of Sigismundia and the karelian protectorate, a decision is made to build a rode going from Sigisfors to the karelian capital.
  • Khalilid Egypt: As Robert Scalio the blasphemous infidel has died, this presents Egypt with a great opportunity. The crusaders will be mostly infighting while we grow stronger. Thus, Adbul Majid makes plans to retake the holy land. Now it is time to recruit more people. Although last year some people joined, that would not be enough. The sultanate appeals to the pesantry, to join the army and fight for Islam. (Mod response) 4500 more troops are sent to the front, and the navy is on high alert.
    • Most peasants are reluctant to join as they would rather work their farms
  • County of Sicily: Expansion of the fleet continues, as 8 new ships are added to the Norman fleet over the past two years, which, with the return of the 30 ships sent to transport the Norman Army, now numbers 48 ships. With scouts and pirates based in Pantelleria and Djerba reporting a fleet of Muslim ships departing Tunis, Ceneric Grosvenor, the loyal commander of Norman Sicily’s fleet, summons 40 ships manned by veteran Norman sailors to intercept them, intending to use the Norman’s far superior naval supremacy and warfare to destroy whatever the tribal Banu Hilal can send. Upon hearing of the naval movements, Grosvenor is heard to comment “Those poor nomads should have stuck to their camels and horses.” Grosvenor and Adelaide del Vasto put out a call to arms to the Normans of Southern Italy, requesting that they send any ships availabel to help repulse the Muslim attack, and promising a chance to ravage the realtively bountiful land of North Africa in return [MOD RESPONSE]. Additionally, Grosvenor puts a general call out to all local Norman, Lombard and Frankish pirates, promising a chance to ravage the heartland of Tunisia if they join the Norman fleet, pointing out that the destruction of what Muslim naval power exists would provide the pirates unchallenged dominance over the North African coast [MOD RESPONSE FOR PIRATES JOINING]. In response to the attack, Adelaide del Vasto assembles an army of 8,000 men, consisting of 1,500 Norman knights, 2,500 Norman levies, and 4,000 Greek and Saracen recruits. The army assembles in preparation for a punitive strike at North Africa for their brazen attack. Despite Roger II’s pleas to his mother to join the army, she points out that he is the future of the Normans in Sicily, and until he turns 16 he must continue to learn how to rule from the safety of a castle. Adelaide del Vasto also sends a call to arms to her daughter and son-in-law in Iberia, requesting any naval help to counter the Muslim naval attack [HOUSE BARCELONA RESPONSE]. Messengers are also sent east to attempt to hire any ships as mercenaries from the Rus and Armenians [ARMENIA-CILICIA RESPONSE]. An additional call to arms is made throughout Italy, requesting any of the Italian city states to send help to fight the Muslims [MOD RESPONSE]. The combined fleet will gather at Palermo before moving off to intercept and destroy the Muslim invaders.
    • Ramon is quick to assemble a fleet to aid his kin, raising 40 ships to sail south and face the Saracens.
    • Roger Borsa agrees to join the war against the Saracens
  • House Barcelona: Torchitorio’s request for advisors and aid to modernize and improve the administration of his kingdom is met with positive response by Emperor Ramon. He sends a reply promising advisors, money, and his personal support to Torchitorio. As Ramon is distracted by the trial and the brewing war between the Sicilians and Tunisians, Bernat makes his final moves. He submits to Torbero’s trial, accepting whatever result is determined. However, in secret he sends word to his brother Pere, to raise a force of men and bring them to Tharros, increasing the bannermen of House Cardona on the island to 1,200. Under the command of Felip-Pere de Cardona, these men apply pressure to Torbero, incentivizing a proper verdict. Potentially more to come.
    • Seeing the increased interest in the trial, the Judge Torbero delays the trial until his daughter comes back to visit Arbeno

1109[]

Following the death of Robert I of Jerusalem, political factions emerge in the Holy Land along the disputed succession. Having been previously alienated from the court of Jerusalem by the late king, Bohemond of Taranto swiftly moves his army into the Holy City which he had consolidated from the Second Crusade. Through his wife Constance, Bohemond represents a French-supporting faction among the Crusaders. Tancred, the Prince of Galilee and former regent of Jerusalem, represents the Italian faction. The common people represent a third faction supporting the clergy under Patriarch Arnulf.

The Codex Cummanica, a complete translation of the New Testament into Old Slavonic, is completed around this time.

King Xavier of Galicia and his wife Jimena have a daughter named Petronilla, his first surviving child.

In the Seljuk Sultanate, the Persian philosopher and polymath Al-Ghazali publishes his pinacle work Revival of Religious Sciences

Boleslaw Wrymouth defeats Zbiginew, and is crowned as King Boleslaw III.

Þórđur Gilsson consolidates the western half of Iceland and with the east disunited many fear his rise

In liege a dog is spotted by liegois munks who give the dog a miniature scapular and cap. This to identify the dog with with church and show how the Dog whom they call Theresa after the greek for Huntres. Theresa being able to escape after two months at the monestary allthough the dog still wore her her scapular, people writing about a dog with a scapular fleeing northwards from Liege.

  • Sultanate of Shewa: The fortification is Assab is going well. Amharic and Oromo faming settlements are founded along the Awash heading toward the Red sea. Badit’s Haij to Mecca commences, he makes many stops along the Red Sea observing the cultures of both the Yemeni and Arabs. Along the journey he ask scholars and soldiers if they would like land and status in Shewa. (Mod response) The Haij goes well with Badit learning many insights in to the world in Islam. He also makes some commerce selling slaves along the way and marking the stops that brought the most gold. Badit returns, and begins the works in Ernest while expanding muslim schooling along the Awash. A New mosque begins construction by the library in Adama. The highlands to the north and south of the valley are more secured with the integration of more Oromos. Noble and Tribe leaders children are taken to Adama as wards and hostages, also due to the fact that education in Adama is the better than what they have.
    • Many merchants move, but the scholars don't want to migrate to Africa
  • Papal States: Infrastructure and urbanization expands across Italy and Germany, particularly in Paschal's home country of Tuscany. As an attempt of improving the situation in the Holy Land, the Pope dispatches some educated legates to both Arnulf and Theobold to upgrade the region's infrastructure and urban landscape, based on the Romanesque architecture in Italy developed in the University of Bologna (Jerusalem response). The Neoplatonic School in Chartres continues to expand, and the incredible work of Anslem of Laon has been noted by his contemporaries. Anslem is appointed to be the first Chancellor of the school. The British scholar Adelard of Bath develops a new book of mathematics this year. Having studied among various Muslim merchants, he adopted Arabic numerals as the standard form of arithmetic in his work, which easily converts from Roman numerals. This is a revolutionary development of mathematics, but its full impact is not properly understood at the time. The situation in the Holy Land is rather concerning, with the recent military success of the Saracens and the political instability of Jerusalem itself. But as always, our desires in the future are up to God's will, and not ours, and we are grateful for still holding the churches of Jerusalem and Bethlehem at this time. Church organization continus to be developed in Denmark along the lines of King Godwin's architectural reforms. Pope Paschal gives his blessing on the Norman Crusade against Tunis, and dispatches legates of the Papal Navy to observe their battle for the purposes of their own training. This is not only an important step in expanding Christendom against the Saracens in Africa, but also towards the expansion of the Papal Navy based in Ostia and Corsica.
    • Jerusalem diplomacy: The educated legates are welcomed by the Triumvirate in the city of Jerusalem. Some of them are invited by Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques to work in his projects to revitalize the churches and palaces of Jerusalem, while others follow Archbishop Teobald to Tyre, where they will work in projects of churches.
  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: The death of King Robert Scalio last year causes great turmoil across the Kingdom. Since his oldest son and heir, Raynald, is only 7 years old, the Haute Cour will need to decide what must be made to maintain the stability of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Seeking to control de decisions of the Haute Cour and impose a pro-France agenda, Bohemond of Taranto occupies the city of Jerusalem using his army. However, he is opposed by Tancred, Prince of Galilee and Regent of Jerusalem. Tancred reunites an army of Italian crusaders and march against Bohemond and his men. At the same time, Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques, who was with the Haute Cour at the Royal Palace of Jerusalem (Al-Aqsa Mosque), barricates himself with the other members of the court inside the palace. Under his orders, knights of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and Knights Hospitaller are deployed to defend the entrances against Bohemond and Tancred. A large mob of armed common people, who are supporting Patriarch Arnulf, also march against the other two factions. The Archbishop of Tyre, who was visiting the city to watch the meeting of the Haute Cour, see how Jerusalem became a powder keg that will soon explode in a bloodbath and decides to mediate a peaceful solution between the three factions. With the help of Pietro of Bologna, a deacon of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Tyre, Teobald is capable of convincing Bohemond and Tancred of stoping his supporters of fighting each other. Using the admiration that the people of Jerusalem have for him due to his time as a Canon of the Holy Sepulchre, Teobald is able to calm down the common people. Teobald reprimand the three groups, saying that is a sacrilege Christians trying to kill each other in the city where Jesus Christ died to redeem our sins. Due to being part of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Teobald is able to convince the Milites Sancti Sepulcri in allowing him, Bohemond, Tancred and some supporters of the two to enter the Royal Palace of Jerusalem. After an argument with Patriarch Arnulf (who despises Teobald and according some witness of the event can have punched the Archbishop of Tyre in the face before being restrained), the Haute Cour is able to start the meeting that will decide the fate of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, now with the participation of the three factions. In the end, and also after some mediation of Teobald of Bari, is decided that Prince Raynald will succed his father as king and while he is still a child, the Kingdom will be ruled by a regency formed by Bohemond of Taranto, Tancred of Galilee and Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques. This Triumvirate will rule the Kingdom of Jerusalem until Raynald comes to age in his fifteenth birthday. Is also decided, much for the annoyance of Patriarch Arnulf, that Raynald and his siblings will be tutored by Archbishop Teobald of Tyre and by Deacon Pietro of Bologna. The royal children will grow up together with Leo of Cilicia, bastard son of Demyan of Armenia and another pupil of Archbishop Teobald. Now that the succession crisis was averted, the Triumvirate starts to discuss the economy of the Kingdom. Agriculture is the largest source of income in the Kingdom, with sugar made from sugarcane being the main product. Seeking to expand the trade of agricultural products of Jerusalem, the Triumvirate (with some reluctance of Bohemond) writes to Demyan and Thoros in Armenia-Cilicia proposing a trade agreement of sugar, orange and other products of Jerusalem [Armenia-Cilicia response needed, please]. A similiar trade agreement is offered to the Republic of Genoa [MOD response needed, please]. New coins start to be made to represent the period of regency and the rule of the Triumvirate im the Kingdom. After much deliberation regarding the necessity of the Kingdom to recover and reorganize its resources, the Triumvirate writes to the ruler of Egypt proposing a truce of 7 years [Khalilid Egypt response needed, please]. Another truce is offered to the Seljuk Empire, this one of 9 years [Seljuk response needed, please]. However, even with offer of truces the army of Jerusalem continues mobilized and is organized in acordance with the training offered by Spain. Seeking more help to train the army, the Triumvirate writs to Emperor Ramon II of Spain asking him for veterans to work as professors for the knights of Jerusalem. They will be well paid and perhaps evem receive a title in the Kingdom [House of Barcelona response needed, please]. Seeking to not leave the Kingdom dependent of outside fleets, the Triumvirate appoves the construction of a shipyard at the city of Acre and writes to Adelaide del Vasto in Sicily, asking to buy seven ships and to offering to contract Sicilian shipbuilders, the best in the world, to help make a decent fleet [Sicilian response needed, please].
    • Genoa will export these products from the port of Jaffa
    • Adbul Majid, deciding that warring with Jerusalem is not worth it (for now), accepts the truce
    • Thoros and Demyan both readily agree to a trade agreement, with Thoros hoping to normalize relations with the Latins, while Demyan continues to establish a firmer position for himself and his men by deterring a potential conflict with Jerusalem he however insists that Rus and Greek merchants be free to trade with and through the lands under the dominion of Jerusalem and treated as kinunder god.
    • Ramon agrees to allow 50 veteran knights to go in support of the Crusade. They are led by Girard I of Roussillon, an experienced warrior.
    • Seljuk Response: The Sultan agrees to a truce so long as Jerusalem recognizes Seljuk conqests.
  • Armenian Cilicia: Following the end of hostilities with the TUrks and the consolidation of his position in Anatolia and the Upper Mesopotamia Demyan settles into this new land he has come to call home. Following the birth of his second bastard son who is named Ivan to his native mistress Raqel the warlord, his wife Beatrice who has now in her third pregnancy demands that he send her away or see her return to Tarsus and once more walk the Via Dolorosa or see her return to Tarsus, Not wishing to tarnish his reputation further in the eyes of the church Demyan concedes to these demands however he refuses to talk about sending away Ivan who he sees as a potential heir should Beatrice not produce a male heir. Many of his men have also settled down at this point taking up residence on lands granted to them by their liege, most taking local wives. The Greek officers, and clerks sent by Alexios to aid in consolidating the newly aquired lands in Eastern Anatolia are led by man who goes by the name of Valentinos Milakos a young officer in the Byzantine army who had started out his career during the Siege of Constantinople leading a group of mercenaries, With the men under his leadership being among the few who held their ground to the end and whose men have since developed a reputation as highly a disciplined and honorable men. Valentinos Milakos sets about reorganizing the Armeniac Theme carrying out a consensus of the region and establishing seasonal levies for drilling the men. more to be added later....
  • Banu Hilal: Hassan sends envoys to Egypt and Almoravids to formally establish an alliance with them [Player response], and as the Normans are trying to outnumber their units and ships, there are hire 7k mercs to the battle. The new galleys leave to support the conflict and seven more are building at Qābis and Banzart.
  • Egypt accepts, as the Normans cannot be allowed to expand in africa. 7500 troops are sent to fight amongst the Banu Hilai
    • Banu Hilal response: We are so thankful for the Egyptian aid.
  • Kingdom of Sweden: This year begins good as Crown Prince Sigismund comes of age and marries his betrohed wife Agnes Edwinsdotter. It is the first marriage between a non swede and a member of the royal family since times immemorial. In honour of this,King Sigismund I lifts all sanctions placed on England and offers the Sword of Uppsala as a gift and reconciliation to the english king.(english response needed). In other news,King Sigismund I sends his sister Anne over to England in order to find someone to marry.On the eve of september first,King Sigismund I dies in his bed,surroounded by his family after a reign of ten years. He is succeded by his son Sigismund who takes the name Sigismund II. He is hastily coronated on the next day in a lavish ceremony in Kalmar. Following this,Sigismund I travels to Norway to reaffirm their alliance with them(Mod response needed) after this he traveels to the sapmi province where he mets with Einar Grauberg,he appoints torsten Grauberg as the Bishop of Uppsala,being the first native people from sweden to become a bishop.
    • Eystein II re-affirms their alliance
  • House Barcelona: As Beatrìci, daughter of Torbero of Arborea, arrives on the island, the trial commences. The affair quickly turns into a match of slinging insults and derision. As both sides stand firm by their stories, Torbero is forced into a tricky position. As the trial progresses the arguments put forward begin to favor Orzocorre and as the trial turns against the Marshal of Spain, he grows desperate. In a last-ditch attempt to avoid sentencing he plans a coup against Torbero of Arborea. During one of the final proceedings attended by Torbero and Orzocorre Bernat’s household guard storms the room, executing Torbero and Orzocorre. However, Bernat’s plan turns south when he and his guardsmen are encircled and captured by Torbero’s palace guards. Bernat is summarily executed by one of the local nobles in the guard. Felip-Pere then encircles the palace, issuing a call for all of Arborea’s noblemen to convene to discuss the future. Pere-Felip intends to force his own election as Judge of Arborea based on Sardinian legal tradition. (Mod Response) The news from Sardinia draws the ire of Ramon who is quite displeased to hear of his Marshal’s execution. He is forced to disown Marshal Bernat and seizes Bernat’s holdings for the crown calling him a “betrayer of good company and a failure to Spain.” He appoints Alfonso the Battler, King of Aragon and Navarre, as Marshal of Spain. With the war against the Tunisians ongoing. Ramon continues efforts to build-up the fortifications of the country. A series of watchtowers are built across the peaks of inland Valencia. These watchtowers come equipped with signal fires and armories for local Sagramentals populations. The improved communication from the front and the disruptive power of these small castles should empower local and national defenses against Muslim incursions. He also proves a pious man after his wife’s near-death experience. Thus, he donates a large portion of his income to supporting and expanding the network of monasteries built by his forebears. Scriptoriums, especially, are expanded.
    • Bernat and Orzocorre die simultaneously
    • Torbeno is severely wounded and secluded in the palace to recover. With the council unsure what to do, his daughter Beatrici takes matters into her own hands. She stands on the mezzanine of the palace and boldly orders Felip-Pere and his men to leave the island
  • Goryeo dynasty: Yun Gwan as a last hope to turn the war around and with Goryeans past the Yalu open to His forces he sends 4.550 troops to just north of the Tumen. These men are send from Jonchon one of the forts held by Yun Gwan to just past the Yalu river as many Goryeans live past the river. These lands being the ancient homeland of the gugoryeo dynasty, and Yun gwan thus building camp just past mt Paektu a sacred mountain in all Goreanity. With the rest of the 43.000 being split into 7 groups of equel size , with yun Gwan staying in Jonchon. The other six groups making forts all along the Changja River in hope of pacifying the Jurchens between the Yalu and the mare Goreaca.
  • Seljuk Empire: With peace attained, Muhammad Tapar directs his attention to reorganizing the Seljuk Empire. His first priority is to name Kerbogha’s adopted son, Zengid, as the Atabeg of Mosul for as a proper reward for his expert command of the campaign during and after his father’s death. The Atabeg of Damascus is reestablished Rafeeq al-Moradi who had also been a commander during the campaign. Tensions begin to steadily increase between Seljuk and Nizari authorities within Persia due to a history of tension between the their respective sects of Islam. These tensions are kept under a lid for now as Tapar undertakes efforts to prevent escalation. However, the tolerated presence of the Nizari leads to Shia as it is more compatible with Persian culture and tolerated now. Tapar demobilizes the iqta’s and his mamlukes to a force of 20k and dispatches them north to stop the advancing Georgians under the command of Zengid. An envoy is also dispatched requesting that Georgia cease hostilities against the Seljuks and local vassals as well as return any land around Ercis to Tabriz (Mod Response, note: essentially any land beyond OTL Georgian borders at their peak under David since I have no clue what they currently possess due to the vagueness of the events).
    • King George II concludes a peace deal
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