1021-1025 A.D.
March of Cambreadth,
The
music & lyrics: Heather Alexander
Axes flash, broadsword swing,
Shining armour's piercing ring
Horses run with polished shield,
Fight Those Bastards till They Yield
Midnight mare and blood red roan,
Fight to Keep this Land Your Own
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Follow orders as you're told,
Make Their Yellow Blood Run Cold
Fight until you die or drop,
A Force Like Ours is Hard to Stop
Close your mind to stress and pain,
Fight till You're No Longer Sane
Let not one damn cur pass by,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Guard your women and children well,
Send These Bastards Back to Hell
We'll teach them the ways of war,
They Won't Come Here Any More
Use your shield and use your head,
Fight till Every One is Dead
Raise the flag up to the sky,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Dawn has broke, the time has come,
Move Your Feet to a Marching Drum
We'll win the war and pay the toll,
We'll Fight as One in Heart and Soul
Midnight mare and blood red roan,
Fight to Keep this Land Your Own
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,5i,2s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c3,i5,s3,w5 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
Jarldom of Denmark (Viborg in Denmark)
(Roman Catholic Seafaring Open Empire)
Svien Forkbeard,
Diplomacy: Estonia (nt)
The Danes coninuted to work on the cultivation of Skane, and all reports indicated the region was nearly cleared. Across the Baltic Lord Sven met with the men of Estonia and was able to get the pagans there to given nominal homage to the Jarl.
(European Pagan Seafaring Open Empire)
Olaf Tryggvason,
Diplomacy: Shetlands (f)
Prince Olaf and Lord Sven remained in the Shetlands and were able to fully bring the islands under the rule of Norway. Jarl Olaf however remained at home where he saw that the taxes were collected and justice was done. In addition he had time to father 3 fine sons.
(European Pagan Seafaring Open Empire)
Olaf II,
Diplomacy: Portugal (pt then revolts)
Prince Olaf and his Swedes go a viking and pillage in portugal (see Cordoba). His
father, Jarl Olaf, comes along to support his son but the old Jarl grows sick on the
voyage and soon dies. The army hails the young prince the new Jarl.
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Edmund, King of Albion
Diplomacy: Mercia (f), Wessex (fa)
Edmund focused his attention on Albion instead of the far off war in Spain. Lord Villem and Bishop John both were sent on diplomatic missions and both had some success before each passed away in turn. Villem in 1024, and John in the following year.
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
William II, King of the Scots
Diplomacy: Strathclyde (a)
The Scottish clans became more unified as the men of Strathclyde agreed to an alliance with the crown. King William however died in his sleep a month before his 60th birthday. Prince William took the throne as William II.
| Muslim | Catholic |
|
| MERCENARY POOL: | 8c,14i,2s,5w | 12c,20i,5s,10w |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c5,i4,s3,w4 | c5,i4,s3,w4 |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
Venice - 15c,25i,2w
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Assad, Lord regent for Caliph Fidel
Diplomacy:
1021: The Caliph gathered his army and marched it up to Catalonia. Of course the forces of Christendom were on the march as well.
1022: The year began with Swedish landings in Portugal, riders were dispatched to the Caliph with the news. But any plans to send help were thwarted when it was reported a large French/Holy Roman Empire army were crossing the Pyranees and entering Navarre. This left Portugal to face the Swedes alone and by mid summer the land was under Swedish control. Lisbon tried to hold out but the swedes used their navy to attack from the harbor side, while their army of 5,000 men sieged the city from the land. A breach did not take long to occur and the city soon fell with the loss of only a few hundred swedes and a hand full of boats. The city was then brutally sacked as the Muslims called out to Allah to save them from the fury of the northmen.
In Barcelona the Venetian navy arrived and the Doge hired a considerable number of mercenaries. The Christian force from France finish crossing into Navarre and began to cross into Catalonia by years end.
1023: Spring brings the clash at last. The Caliph's forces number a bit over 14,000 but the Christians can bring over twice that to the field but much of the Christian force is infantry. The Caliph's battle plan took advantage of that fact and the muslim horse pounded the Christian infantry while holding the Christian cavalry at bay. The day long battle results in a draw, the Caliph withdraws after dark and prepares to defend a few miles down the road. The first battle of Catalonia cost the Christians 7,400 men, to the Caliph's loss of just 2,800. A week later the two armies met again. This time the Caliph was not so lucky. The battle was more even and the Christian numbers pushed the Muslims to break eventually. The Caliph's men retreated south leaving behind over 4,000 dead. The Christian forces lost 3,000. The French and HRE forces then begin to cross back into Navarre in late summer and into the fall. The Venetian forces regroup and then march south across the Valencian border as and go into winter quarters.
1024 The French/HRE cross into Aragon and pacify that largely undefended land by mid summer. They then spend the rest of the year marching south into New Castille. In Valencia the mercenary force of the Doge runs into the regrouped force of the Caliph. It was a ugly day for the Doge as the men of Cordoba crushed the mercenary force and sent the survivors fleeing into Catalonia.
1025: The French/HRE take New Castille and then put Toledo under
siege. The undefended city surrenders after a long summer and fall of starvation. The
Caliph arrives in Cordoba but takes ill and dies. The Cordoban general Assad is declared
Regent for the very young prince Fidel.
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Robert,
Diplomacy:
Open for a player!
(Roman Catholic Seafaring Open Empire)
Pietro II Orseolo, Doge of Venice
Diplomacy: Baelerics (fa), Slovenia (a->t)
The Venetians continued their effort to fight the Cordobans (see Cordoba) while the Doge's nephew Domenico was named heir. In early 1022 the Baron of Slovenia passed away. His successor did not continue the alliance with Venice, but agreed to continue to pay some tribute.
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Robert the Pious,
Diplomacy: Rouen (t), Brabant (nt), Navarre (nt)
While the King worked to solidy the realm at home, he dispatched Lords Pierre and Claude
to bring the fight to the infidel in Spain. (see Cordoba)
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Germany, Italy and Burgundy, Duke of Saxony,
Servant of the Apostles.
Diplomacy:
(Roman Catholic Civilized Religious Primacy)
Gabriel I,
Diplomacy:
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,10i,2s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c2,i5,s2,w3 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Eastern Orthodox Civilized Open Empire)
Yaroslav, Czar of the Rus
Diplomacy:
slept...
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Dionizy,
Diplomacy: Little Poland (t)
King Boleslaw passed away in 1023, his son Dionizy was crowned without challenge. The new King was welcomed with word that Little Poland would now send his court tribute.
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Stephan,
Diplomacy: none
King Sephan rewards his brother Imre for his good service by letting Imre take his ease in the Bakony countryside. Stephan's young son Boris is of age and is declared the heir to the throne.
(Eastern Orthodox Civilized Religious Primacy)
Alexander,
Diplomacy: Aleppo (ch), Antioch (ne), Thrace (already had a ab)
A church was built in Aleppo for that realms now majority christian population. An attempt was made to found a church in Antioch as well, but as the city is still overwhelmingly muslim the church did not take hold. Missionary work continued in Ludgorie and now only 1 in 5 of the people there cling to their pagan ways. Bishop Leo was dispatched to the pagans in Atelzuko, but he was martyred by the nomads there and went to his ever lasting reward.
(Eastern Orthodox Civilized Open Empire)
Phocas I,
Diplomacy: none
The Roman Emperor was concerned with the bellicose behavior or the Khazars "damn barbarians" he was often heard to mutter, so as a result the Army did not press east. But a rather large contingenet joined the already existing force in Aleppo as the Roman's looked to strengthen their eastern frontier.
The Kingdom of Bulgaria (Sofia in Bulgaria)
(Eastern Orthodox Civilized Open Empire)
Samuil, Tsar of the Bulgars
Diplomacy:
open for a player!
(Asiatic Pagan Nomadic Open Empire)
Kubrat, Khan of the Bulgars
Diplomacy: Nogai (t), Saksiny (nt)
The departure of the Khazar left the Bolgar Khan feeling free to expand. The Khan sent his 2 sons and his eldest daughter south on a diplmatic mission. In a virtual spree of royal marriages the 3 royals were married to strenghen the Khan's hold. Aydar took a bride from Saksiny, where his sister was also married. Yet even with these two marriages the men of Saksiny were reluctant to agree to much and only nominal feality was given. Aydar's younger brother was married to a girl from Nogai, her father agreed to send the Khan tribute as a result. While the young royals were off courting their father took the army and raided his nomadic neighbors in Uzze and Ghuzz. They weren't rich lands but a bit of loot was brought home.
| MERCENARY POOL: | 12c,20i,5s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c6,i5,s5,w3 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Shi'a Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Al'Basasiri,
Diplomacy:
With the departure of the Seljuks, the Caliph and his small army arrive back in
Mespotamia and begin the slow process of rebuilding their shattered realm....
(Sunni Islam Nomadic Open Empire)
Kilij,
Diplomacy:
1021: The Khan gathers up his host and all the tribes march west. Moving across the steppes and desert they arrive in Jordan toward the end of the first year. The Fatamid scouts reported their arrival and the Vizier's army marches forth to challenge their passing. Outnumbered over 5-1 though the Fatamid force of 12,000 men is completely annihilated with the loss of only 2,000 Turks. The Seljuks winter in Jordan.
1022: The Turks keep moving west, neither pacifying nor plundering...just marching. Levant, sinai, Mansura and then across the nile into Egypt as the year ends. No Fatamid force challenged their passing along the way.
1023: Turning south, the Seljuks burst into Faiyum. The Caliph falls back with his field army and leaves the Turkish force to savage the dozen or so field forts guarding the approach to Cairo. Faiyum is quickly pacified and siege lines are set up in late summer. The active siege is pressed all fall but its a stalemate. The Turks have a huge numerical advantage but the defenders have walls and siege engineers. Both sides take heavy casualties.
1024: The stalemate continues throughout the spring and into early summer. But by mid summer the defenders have just run out of men and the Turks finally make a breach in the wall. The Caliph makes a rear guard last stand as his young sons lead the survivors to the navy in port. The Caliph dies, but his sacrifice allows the royal family and much of the govn't to board ship and escape down the nile to Alexandria. All told the siege of Cairo would cost the Seljuks almost 13,000 dead, the defenders would lose a bit over 9,000.
1025: The Seljuks sat in their new conquest, a second major Arab capital had fallen to them...
(Asiatic Pagan Nomadic Open Empire)
Bulchan Khan,
Diplomacy: none
The Khazar continued their rampage through western Iran. The Khan split his forces into 3 groups. The first he sent west to meet up with the Romans...but the Romans never arrived. The second group he sent south and over the next three years this group, made up of the allied khans, took Fars and then raided for gold and slaves in Neyriz and Mands. The lands were poor however so the pickings were a bit scarce. The last group the Khan himself commanded. It moved east through the desert of Dasht'kavir to fall upon the inhabitants of Firoz Kohi. The region fell easily and the Khan wanted to take the city of Herat by siege. But with his forces divided his all cavalry army just did not have the siege power needed and the Khan abandoned the effort and marched north into Khurasan. Khurasan was taken and again the Khan wanted to take the city of Bijistan ...but the same lack of siege power prevented it. In vengeance the Khan enslaved the inhabitants of Khurasan and marched the slaves back to media.
(Shi'a Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Fasad I, Emir of Basra
Diplomacy:
Open for a player
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Abasi,
Diplomacy: Al'hauts (revolt), Jordan (revolts), Medina (revolts), Mecca (revolts), Palermo
(revolts)
(see Seljuk Turks)
..with the fall of Cairo the court moved to Alexandria and the young prince Abasi took the place of his father as Caliph.
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Rasad, Emir of Sheba
Diplomacy:
Open for a Player!
| MERCENARY POOL: | 10i | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c0,i5,s0,w0 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Yugada,
Diplomacy:
open for a player
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Mombega, Soninke Kaya of Aouquar and Ghanas Ouagadou
Diplomacy: Galam (a)
Prince Mombega was dispatched to Galam. There the prince ordered the laborers who came with him to begin to clear the land for new farms, much progress was achieved in this regard. But while the laborers toiled the Prince engaged in talks, a marriage was arranged. While the talks were still under way a messenger arrived telling of King Kwame's passing. The new King finished sealing up the alliance with Galam then traveled with his new wife back to the capital to take his place as King.
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Kumbayal,
Diplomacy: Akan and Togo (a)
King Kumbayal lost his queen in child birth. The baby girl died also. His mourning quickly passed as word arrived at court from his son, Wulasa, who had traveled south to Akan in the hopes of unifying the two Kingdoms: "Father, we arrived in Akan to find the land in turmoil. It seem King Shakka had passed away. He was old, and his son Keftu (not to young himself) was murdered by one of his children. But no one knows who. Keftu had 4 sons, the 2 youngest, one only a boy still, were killed as well. The two oldest were plotting for the crown when we arrived. Since neither of the two remaining sons had the edge on the other they both agreed to let Songhai decide who should rule. After much negotiation I agreed that each son would get a fief of his own, one in Akan and one in Togo. This has kept the peace and resulted in both swearing feality to you father."
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Nyambe,
Diplomacy:
open for a player
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Akan King,
Diplomacy:
Open for player
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Aren ,
Diplomacy:
slept...
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Timba, the bloody hand
Diplomacy: Kano (f)
The region of Kano was joined fully with the realm, Prince Timba did a superb job of handling the negotiations. But then word came in the year 1023 that his father, the King, was dead. The young prince was charistmatic and ambitious...and disloyal. He quickly murdered Lord Mayatto who had been with him in Kano. He then traveled to the capital. His silver tongue won over many at court and soon he had out manuevered his older brother who had been the designated heir. Timba was able to turn Kenyatta's own bodyguards. They then slew the new King. Timba had his brother's wife dragged out and killed next to her husband's body. Timba took the throne but he feared his own family now and had all his brothers slain, even his youngest brothers. So a new King reigns, but his rule begins with a river of blood.
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Keenil,
Diplomacy:
open for a player!
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,5i,0s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c4,i4,s0,w4 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
al'Amas,
Diplomacy:
Open for a player
(Coptic Christian Civilized Open Empire)
Mera,
Diplomacy:
slept...
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5i,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c0,i5,s0,w5 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Ibriham,
Diplomacy: Kilwa (p), Nyasa (p), Berbera (f)
Having given the infidels the opportunity to convert by peaceful means, the Emir abandons the carrot and uses the stick to pummel the lands of Kilwa and Nyasa. The idols of their false gods are torn down, their priests are executed. The tribes revolt but are brutally put down.
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Buruni,
Diplomacy: Tswana (p then enslaved)
The Zulu rampage against their neighbors continued as the army marched against the tribes of Tswana. In a short and bloody fight they were conquered then enslaved by King Buruni. As the Zulu finished rounding up their slaves the King received word that his son, and heir had died of a illness. Leaving only his infant grandson as a heir to replace him. The King had just turned 60 and so he prayed to his pagan gods that he would live long enough for to see that day.
| MERCENARY POOL: | 10c,10xc,10i | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c7,i3 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Sonam Gyatsu,
Diplomacy:
slept...
(Shi'a Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Ali Mohammad,
Diplomacy: none
Ali Mohammad increased his army and prepared defenses but did not move west and so he let the Khazar rampage at will (See Khazar Khanate)
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,10i,5s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c6,i5,s5,w2 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Rajandra I,
Diplomacy: Maldives (nt), Sri Lanka (nt), Polonarva (nt)
The southern isles were added to the realm and Seylon was given as a fief for loyal service to Lord Parnab. But in year 2 King Rajaraja fell ill and soon died. His son Rajandra took the throne without challenge.
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Dahala King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a Player
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Amhivarta,
Diplomacy: Rajput (p)
"I don't care who owns Rajput...by right it ours!" and with those words King Amhivarta marched his army into Rajput. They easily destroyed the handful of Uttar Pradesh forts and took the land. Yet they did not move on the city of Benares and were content to just defend their new conquest.
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Vardhana,
Diplomacy:
The slumber of Punjab ended as the men of that realm were put to work constucting a
port city in Sukkur. The new city was called Sangrur. While the city was being built the
King himself visited neighboring Tarain to talk of unification and joining of realms. The
King of Tarain listened politely but firmly refused any such offers.
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Tarain King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a player!
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Shushank
Diplomacy: Jijhoti (nt)
Taken somewhat by surprise by the Maghadan attack upon Rajput the King did not react
and challenge the conquest but instead defended the homeland.
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Anhivarta King,
Diplomacy:
The King wanted land and his neighbor in Gujerat had it. So the King led his army into Surashtra bent on conquest. The host of Gujerat marched to meet them. The two sides were about equal in numbers but the well laid battle plan of the King of Anhivarta resulted in the thumping of the Gujerat force, which fled north leaving 4,000 dead behind. The men of Anhivarta lost only 2,000. The King next turned his eyes toward Somnath, he tried to conduct a passive siege. But with no navy to blockade the port the city remained unconquered.
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Gujerati King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a Player!
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,5i,5s,5w |
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| MERCENARY AQRS: | c3,i5,s5,w4 |
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| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Javirayaman,
Diplomacy: Vijaya (+13yfc)
The Khemer did their best to appease the town folk of Vijaya, and indeed relations did somewhat improve. A port called Kotputhai was ordered built in Siam. King Jayaviravaman appointed his son heir in June of 1022, and 3 weeks later the King died in his sleep. The very young prince Javirayaman was now King.
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Trong Hoam,
Diplomacy:
Open for a player!
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Jayavarman,
Diplomacy: (nt)
The King's oldest son was appointed heir and a mission was sent off to Assam to negotiate closer ties. At home Burma became cultivated at last and there was much rejoicing amongst the land owners.
(Oceanic Pagan Seafaring Open Empire)
Moluccas King,
Diplomacy: Marianas (nt)
The King sent his heir and chief lieutenant off to the Marianas to talk to the locals. While back in Tidore everything was in a state of haste and anticipation. The King had arranged for his eldest son, Tobelo, to marry a daughter from the royal house of Srivijaya. The preperations were elaborate and there was a sense of joy and happiness in the air. The priests of Oro gave thanks to the gods and a new zeal for the faith spread. But alas all the hope was for naught as the Srivijayan delegation never arrived with the princess, though a gift of gold did arrive by trade ship.
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Chulamanivarnam,
Diplomacy: none
Life was extremely quiet...the old King, now in his 60s had a feeling he was forgetting
something....bah, old age. It plays havoc with ones memory. But wasn't there something he
was supposed to do....it would come to him he thought...oh look, pretty birdies....
| MERCENARY POOL: | 10c,10i,5s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c5,i6,s5,w3 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Mokchong,
Diplomacy: Sufenhe (ea)
Diplomatic talks with the pagans in Suifenhe resulted in economic ties and stronger trade.
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Kao Ning,
Diplomacy:
The Emperor passed away in early 1022, his young son had just left school to take up his
duties as a prince when he was thrust upon the throne. The Empire went on as before
though, no one challenged the young Prince's right to rule.
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Nanchao King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a player
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Sheng-tsung,
Diplomacy: none
slept..
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Li Te-ming,
Diplomacy:
slept...
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,5i,5s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c4,i5,s5,w4 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Shinto Civilized Open Empire)
Michinaga,
Diplomacy: Toyama (+6yfc)
The Heir, Ishida, passed away at Tapai in 1022. This left only the Shogun as the only remaining royal family memeber...and the Shogun is 69, but still alive.