Flanders News

**c00ki3** · October 16, 2011, 01:08 PM

Baldwin the 1st was once the King of Flanders, but once he controlled the Crusader States most of the nobles began to take over as the rulers. They began to set up small duchies inside Baldwin's land. Since the first crusade, no Baldwin has gone back to their home land, but Prince Baldwin the 2nd decided it was necessity to not let his homeland fall in civil war...

He goes to meet with Duke in charge of his father's land until he returns.

Before the First Crusade:

The Netherlands under Baldwin before the first crusade was quite large. It struggled with the French and Holy Roman Empire a lot, but was close allies with Regnum Britannia.

After the First Crusade

Since their ally, Regnum Britannia, fought very well during the crusade, Baldwin granted them land closer to their boarders, even if it was his land. After giving some of Belgium, Baldwin went back to Jerusalem to be named the King of the Crusader States.

Present

Baldwin staying in the Levant allowed Feudalism to come to its finest. The Lords were able to take over small parts of land and expand to form somewhat independent duchies. War has not officially spread yet, but fighting has started. The Kingdom has split up into four duchies..

The Kingdom Of Netherlands:Duchess Michele was put in charge of the Baldwin's lands. The Netherlands/Flanders was the original state of Baldwin's lands. Michele was a woman, and her looks did not make her look like a fighter, but she was at heart. However, with little man power she could do little, and Prince Baldwin the 2nd has gone to see her.

County of Belgium:The Belgians have never liked being ruled by the Dutch. They were just waiting for the perfect opportunity and leader to make their freedom official. Count Luther has united his people and is willing to die for a free Belgium!

Westphalia:German people have always set foot in the Dutch lands, but some were really here just to make Flanders totally under German rule. Prinz Charles was a lord in Koln is trying to make his land under the Konig's rule.

Frankish Duchies:French have also been living in the Netherlands. Phillip saw the Dutch losing control, and thus he did his best to ruin the government. He married his family into the dukes near his lands and slowly took control some of the land. He isn't willing to go out full war on the Dutch because of the Pope, but he will support his Duchies with money.

Holy Roman Empire:The Kaiser saw his enemy collapsing and sent an army over the boarder to take some land. He now controls the lands under Koln and is planning to take all of it.

On the Prince's journey he sees his homeland divided into so many warring states. It was disgusting..this needed to stop. He finally arrived to the house of Duchess Michelle to talk about what they shall do.

Prince Baldwin the 2nd arrives at her palace's gate and awaits approval to come in..

**jakev2** · October 16, 2011, 03:01 PM

*We never liked the Netherlands much.

**c00ki3** · October 16, 2011, 03:04 PM

OOC - Will fix, but do you like Baldwin's family and such?

**jakev2** · October 16, 2011, 03:28 PM

Yeah, but as a nation we always found the Netherlands a pain in our collective backsides. As such, we support the Westphalians.

**c00ki3** · October 16, 2011, 03:46 PM

Okay. Are you sending troops or such?

Aggy, when you can Rp for the duchess. Thanks

**jakev2** · October 16, 2011, 03:47 PM

Not yet, we'll see how things play out.

**c00ki3** · October 17, 2011, 08:19 PM

OOC - I guess I'll do a little of role playing myself..

Part One

Prince Baldwin's escort comes to a burned village..it was a Dutch villa that his father owned. Most of the wooden houses and buildings were caved in from fires set not so long ago. Bodies of women and children laid all around the rural town. Who would attack a farm town? The Prince saw a group of militia tried to hold back t the heathens but were no match..he saw one of the invaders laying dead on the ground.

He dismounted and noticed the dead enemy was a German from Westphalia. The Prince retrieved a messenger to travel to the Konig in Koln at once. The messenger began to ride towards the forest quick as he could make his horse.

An arrow flew from the woods from a hidden archer. The arrow hit the messenger in the neck and is killed instantly as he falls off the horse. A grouping of German raiders and archers surround the camp.

Knights, prepare for battle! These Germans want a taste of Crusader Steel! Charge!

The two armies crash into each other. Cries from each side are heard as soldiers are slain on both sides. Baldwin gets in a fight with a tall German bearing an ax. His steed is killed by a blow to his legs. Baldwin is thrown off, but quickly jumps up. He grabs out his sword and begins to charge his attacker. In a long, brutal battle, Baldwin is able to beat him with a strike to the face. Then suddenly..Baldwin is hit from the back and he faints.

Take the Prince to Flanders to see her majesty. She is awaiting him.

TO BE CONTINUED

**The Stig** · October 17, 2011, 09:04 PM

OOC: Why do the German have Viking shields?

**c00ki3** · October 17, 2011, 09:14 PM

OOC - fixed

**Agamemnon** · October 23, 2011, 07:35 PM

OOC: Sorry, didn't see this until today.

The crusaders are ushered into Her Majesty's chambers. Baldwin is quickly attended to.

**c00ki3** · October 23, 2011, 08:02 PM

France and Koln are going to attack our lands, your Majesty. We need to get you to safety.

**Agamemnon** · October 23, 2011, 08:39 PM

Hmmm. Where could we go? The only land that is safe is Britannia, and I doubt that they would take exiles from Flanders there, given how they are trying to maintain friendship with Koln and France. But we can try.

**c00ki3** · October 23, 2011, 08:44 PM

I could escort you and your Royal family to Britannia, but I will try to ask King Arthur about the exiles. It is not safe at the moment because of the vikings.

**Agamemnon** · October 23, 2011, 08:52 PM

Nay, I want to be on the Continent where I belong. I could stay at Caen, maybe as far as Rennes, but no further from my home.

**c00ki3** · October 23, 2011, 09:21 PM

But your majesty, we have no army to aide you with until the Templars in Nabudis arrive.

**Agamemnon** · October 24, 2011, 02:49 PM

Then we shall immediately get upon the boats and go to Britannia. There we will have help.

**jakev2** · October 24, 2011, 03:46 PM

I tried to send this through Austria, but apparently he's banned, so what the hell.

Johannes sends letters to all of the nobles in the lands he is attacking. He tells them that if they surrender, they will keep their lands and titles, but if they fight, they should not expect mercy.