Tales After the Crusade - a collection of shorter tales

**NorseThing** · April 28, 2018, 06:29 PM

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 4.3

The Danish Crusade

by NorseThing

From the previous episode:
　
There was indeed a grand royal wedding with the uniting of the French and French housholds. The marriage of Princess Blanche to the Royal Heir, Prince Eric was held in the Hamburg chapel. The Germans did agree to at least a temporary cessation of hostilities with the lands they now held remaining in the Empire's control. The King and a small army are heading north and east into the Baltic from the Hamburg dockyards for a new goal that only he and the Admiral making preparations in the Arhus dockyards knows.
　
We now continue in 1214:
　
Kolbein had moved up the Baltic coast towards Riga as he had agreed to do for King Valdemar, but there were no messengers coming to Hamburg.
　
The Prince and his new bride had spent some time together in rural home within the Saxony countryside. It was now time for Prince Erik to take control of the governorship in Stettin so he has left Saxony. His new wife returned to Hamburg to remain with the Queen in the safety of the fortress.
　
Queen Adela was acting as governor of Hamburg in the absence of King Valdemar. He was with a small army in the Baltic on board the two Dragon Boat squadrons with a destination not known to the Queen. Queen Adela did not sleep well. Thoughts of the empty royal chests in a vacated castle were often in her dreams. Were these dreams real or were they needless worry? The 1,000 florins in annual tributes was buying peace with the Germans and mutual access with the Poles, but this was a critical drain on the treasury. The maintenance of the army was also putting a drain on the resources. Neither had an easy solution.
　
Princess Blanche joined in to help Queen Adela. Sleep was important but so was fixing the problems that would keep a royal awake at nights with the stress of the kingdom's business. Together the two royals would be busy trying to sort out the Kingdom's finances during the day so that Queen Adela could at least rest better at night without the recurring nightmares of a vacant castle.

The Queen could make some minor changes to the treasury balances and she did what she could. The retraining of the cavalry regiments stationed at Hamburg was slowed. The new recruits of Norse Axemen and Norse Swordsmen companies that King Valdemar had said were essential continued. It was the King's expressed wish. The Queen would honor her husband even in his absence. The Queen knew that a delay on those units could be a short term solution to the flow of florins from the treasury but the strength of the Danish Kingdom was based on the strength of force based in the Hamburg fortress. Companies of infantry and regiments of cavalry were that strength, even if some units were in need of retraining. Queen Adela also ordered a full regiment of nobles to join the Prince in Stettin.
　
Queen Adela: I am ordering you and your fully trained and fully supplied regiment of Huskarls to join the Prince at Stettin Castle.
　
Captain Bergthor: I shall do as you have commanded, my Queen.
　
Queen Adela: Also please relay to my son, the Prince, the need to keep the strength up at Stettin castle so that history would not repeat itself. I remind you and my son that peasant infantry can still have their uses and that the Prince should take this into consideration. The infantry the Prince was escorting into Saxony had arrived for the planned retraining.
　
Captain Bergthor: I shall relay your concerns.
　
The captain then left to rouse his regiment from the barracks. The treasury balance in the end was going to depend on what the King's plan was. Would the plan work?
　
The Lord Chancellor now enters as Lord Bergthor makes his exit.
　
Lord Chancellor: My Queen! I have some news of importance from the latest meeting of the Council of Nobles. The Council has a great desire for a diplomatic effort be extended to England. These people are our neighbors just separated by the North Sea and we know so little of them and their intentions. We know they are at war with our French ally. The Council will reward our King with some military units if this diplomatic initiative is completed.
　
Queen Adela: Please relate this by messenger to our royal diplomat currently in the field. Noble Thorgils Assenbjerg was last heard from heading into the Venice region on his way to Rome. Tell the Council that I have some personal doubts about the wisdom of more military units at this time though. It costs florins to both train as well as maintain the units. The Council offer to train and provide the units to the crown is appreciated. I just have my doubts about our ability to maintain an ever bigger military. The king is in the field with an army as we speak. This alone is stretching the royal finances.
　
A messenger arrived one day to break up the stress of sorting out the unresolvable problem of the treasury balance. The message was from Thorgils Assenbjerg, the kings diplomat.
　
I have just left from many days of meetings mixed with the parties and dinners a diplomat should attend to preform his duties. I have had several meetings with Emperor Otto that were mutually productive. We discussed the alliance with Poland. The mutual triple alliance would keep the peace in the region and with a bit of careful diplomacy would open up many opportunities for Germany in the Italian provinces. Papal favor for the alliance was emphasized to be of our mutual importance. The recent alliance between the French royals and the Danish royals was explained to be a part of this strategy. In ending our series of meetings, I have extended our annual tribute to Germany. It was 500 florins in 1210 and I have now promised it to be extended for a period of 20 years forward from 1214, but the annual tribute is now 400 florins as of today. Perhaps a similar understanding can be reached with Poland as well. The change is not much, but it shall be at least a change for the better. Emperor Otto was very pleased.
　
My next stop was at Nuremburg where I was in the company of the Holy Roman Empire's Heir for several days. He was in a good mood as well. He appears to have already been well informed of my visit with his father the Emperor. Prince Dietrich was assembling an army outside the large town walls. It appears to be mostly the Nuremburg garrison of peasant companies of crossbows, 3 companies of castle trained infantry plus a couple of regiments of cavalry. I have no knowledge where the Prince was headed or what his intentions or the intentions of the Empire are from this meeting though. It appears to be quiet in the region, so this army will be on the move to other areas. My apologies for this failure to learn more.
　
I am now proceeding on towards the Italian peninsula and perhaps to meet with the royals in Venice. I did meet briefly with your beloved daughter, Princess Ingrid. She reports from her meeting that Innsbruck castle is populated by only a general with his personal regiment. Perhaps this is the result of the Empire Heir's army being assembled outside of Nuremburg. If so, the destination may be towards Flanders or perhaps a renewal of action against our ally in France. Perhaps it is also headed towards Danish lands, but I have nothing to advise our kingdom on the real purposes of this set of movements.
　
Queen Adela read the message and shared some parts with Princess Blanche. Her trust of the Princess was not complete though. Princess Blanche may be married to her son, Prince Erik, but princess is also the daughter of the French king.
　

-- to be continued --

**Turkafinwë** · May 01, 2018, 03:19 AM

Fantastic update. The running of a kingdom is much more complex than just going of to war and conquering lands, as you have portrayed nicely here. Paying annual tribute is indeed a massive drain on the treasury and it is a good thing that Thorgils has achieved something to alleviate this a bit. Hopefully there will come a time when the great Danish kingdom does not have to pay the powers around it to protect itself. Nice bit of intrigue as well which I liked very much.

Keep up the good work my friend.

**Alwyn** · May 06, 2018, 05:33 AM

I enjoyed reading of Queen Adela's thinking in the face of this difficult and uncertain situation. I wonder if the King's mission will succeed and whether the war between England and France will lead to danger for the Danish kingdom.

**NorseThing** · May 12, 2018, 06:23 PM

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 4.4

The Danish Crusade

by NorseThing

The previous episode took place primarily at Hamburg, the capital of the Danish Kingdom, within the Fortress. Some activity in the surrounding province of Saxony was also reported. This episode is taking place at the same time with King Valdemar and the two squadrons of Dragon Boats escorting the invasion army. It is the end of 1215. This is a short update just to tie the activities of King Valdemar with the activities of his beloved Queen Adela. Consider this as a double feature of two episodes.
　
The King is gambling. He was a risk taker in his youth and he continues to take risks. Is he risking his kingdom for a chance at glory in battle or is this a necessary step to protect his kingdom in the future?
　
To further the gamble, Admiral Burislev has completed the preparations of two Longboat squadrons in the Arhus dockyards. He has ordered his new fleet to swing around Denmark and head with all hast to the Baltic. Upon sailing north they spot a Scottish fleet with a very small army. Not a threat to Denmark and not even a threat to the independent duchy of Norway. At least that was the assessment of the admiral as the Longboats continued their planned voyage. Before the end of 1215 the Admiral Burislev's fleet had 3 companies of militia infantry board east of Arhus.
　
The King to Admiral Jon: "I want you to split the fleet. One squadron will ferry the invasion army north to begin investing the large town of Stockholm and the second squadron of Dragon Boats will return to Stettin and load all available men to begin moving north to join the army investing Stockholm."
　
It is now 1216. The Stettin garrison is now joining King Valdemar's siege of Stockholm. The King was aware the treasury was running low and thus ordered the assault against the Stockholm garrison to begin immediately. Two Norse Archers companies took ladders to the walls while the 3 Norse Swordsmen companies took the ram to the main gate. When the gate was spit open, the swordsmen began to break the lone defender of the gate opening while the archers broke the defenders on the walls. Eight regiments of cavalry then poured through the gate. The result was never in doubt.
　
It was less a battle than a slaughter of the brave Swedish defenders who believed that honor was better than surrender without a fight. The Swedes fought bravely. The Swedes died with their honor intact. The Danish army suffer no significant loses. The Danish flag was raised in Stockholm at midday.
　
King Valdemar allowed the sacking of the large town with nearly 1100 Swedes massacred during the sacking. Nearly 2,000 florins were added to the treasury and then just as quickly spent on repairs to the walls and to begin the development of the Swedish mines. Even the construction of a small church would have to wait. Ports must be built for any gains from trade, but they would also have to wait. The mines were a priority. That was King Valdemar's goal before even leaving the ports in Saxony. The sacking would help, but in the very near future, this risk was still a drain to the treasury. All finances are in the short term perilous. The treasury may indeed come up short.
　
Toke had been trading amber in the rural areas of Sweden for several years. It was a task with some risk since the Swedish population was an independent duchy. The Swedish garrison in Stockholm would fight the Danish military without even a provocation. That has now changed. King Valdemar has now established Danish authority over the duchy. Toke was now trading amber within a valuable piece of the Danish Kingdom and thus his activities were now marginally safer.. He had heard from a messenger sent via a Swedish fishing boat. He passed the message onto King Valdemar in Stockholm.
　
The message was read by the King:
　
Princess Ingrid's message: I have bypassed Venice, Bologna, and Florence. Diplomats and great activity are taking place within the Kingdom of Venice. Rather than wait and learn, I am placing a priority on my goal of Rome. I have sent some inquires ahead of me to ask the Pope to approve a Crusade on Riga. The overtures were denied. I had then asked about Vilnius. Again the overtures were denied.
　
The King knew with the various messages from Queen Adela that 1216 would end with approximately 1,400 florins in the treasury. Worse news was her opinion that as soon as the end of 1217 the projection was that only 500 florins would be hard cash in the royal chests. Despite these concerns should the King authorize the training of two town militia companies in Stockholm? This would clearly be more than even the treasury could afford. He made the necessary authorizations and raised the taxation levels upon the Swedes to the maximum. He had no choice but to hope for the best since he was leaving Stockholm next year in any case. Perhaps he would lower the taxation levels before leaving. With the money spent, he was in no position to let the Swedes rebel. The militia companies were clearly needed.
　
The Polish army was still headed north and probably intended for Riga, but the Polish army was clearly threatening to expand Polish authority beyond Prussia. Scotland is at war with the Norwegian Duchy and perhaps even now besieging Oslo. The council wants diplomatic activity with the English. The Russ at Novgorod, the Poles in Prussia, and Scotland in Norway would soon cut off future expansion. How to expand without creating a war among the triple alliance? What will be Denmark's status with her allies of Poland, Germany, and France. Has King Valdemar just about bankrupted Denmark with the Swedish gamble? Will the Pope agree to a Crusade that is in Danish interests? How else can Denmark resolve the impending bankruptcy if not with the fervor of a Crusade upon the pagans of Livonia or Vilnius? If the focus of a Crusade is upon Cairo, will Denmark participate?
　
For this and even more please wait for the nest episode.
　

-- Yes this is to be continued --

**Darkan** · May 12, 2018, 06:58 PM

Yet another turning point for Danish military actions and diplomacy. I'm waiting for the king's decision, though it does seem to me the Scots are somewhat out of place in Scandinavia, not to mention probably welcomed diplomatic relations with England seem...to balance things out...perhaps.

**Alwyn** · May 13, 2018, 10:20 AM

Despite the new territory, it sounds like King Valdemar and Queen Adela face difficult decisions. I wonder if they can raise the money and militia they need, without a rebellion due to the increased taxes.

**Turkafinwë** · May 14, 2018, 07:51 AM

It seems Denmark is soon to be hemmed in from all sides. Indeed who will stand with Denmark in the war that is sure to come? No Papal favor for a Crusade either, tough times are ahead for Denmark as Alwyn has stated.

A good update!

**NorseThing** · August 27, 2018, 08:13 PM

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 4.5

The Danish Crusade

by NorseThing

　

It has been a long wait, so this episode is really a double issue.

　
From the end of the previous episode:
　
The Polish army was perhaps approaching Riga, but they were clearly threatening to expand Polish authority beyond Prussia. Scotland is at war with the Norwegian Duchy and perhaps even now besieging Oslo. The council wants diplomatic activity with the English. The Rus at Novograd, the Poles in Prussia, and Scotland in Norway would soon cut off future expansion without creating a war. What will be Denmark's status with her allies of Poland, Germany, and France? Has King Valdemar just about bankrupted Denmark with the Swedish gamble? Will the Pope agree to a Crusade that is in Danish interests? How else can Denmark resolve the impending bankruptcy if not with the fervor of a Crusade upon the pagans of Livonia or Vilnius? If the focus of a Crusade is upon Cairo, will Denmark participate?
　
We return to saga of the Danish Crusade:
　
Queen Adela is not alone in the Hamburg fortress, but it seems so. Her oldest son is away administering the border region with Poland from the minimally garrisoned Stettin Castle. The royal treasury has no funds available to either improve the facilities, recruit new units to defend against potential aggressive actions by the Poles, or to convert the castle settlement to a large town. Her son's beloved, Princess Blanche has left Hamburg to join Erik at Settin. They are still hoping for a family of their own. The queen's oldest daughter is away in Italy. Her husband, King Valdemar is on campaign with the Danish army in Sweden pulling all the funds available from the royal treasury. Her two youngest are present. Cecile, aged 4, is more a nuisance than company today. Her youngest, Ulf is in the nursery and has attendants keeping his needs fulfulled. At 37, the queen could still nurse, but even that has been assigned to a younger maid from the village. So Queen Adela sits alone in the fortress, her fortress of solitude.
　
　
Another message from the Princess to her mother has arrived to break up what was an ordinary day:
　
　

Princess Ingrid's message to mother

　
Princess Ingrid's note to father was then read by the queen before resealing it under her own seal:
　

Princess Ongrid's note to father

　
　
Having sent off the good words by messenger to the Hamburg fortress, Princess Ingrid headed south to meet with the heir to the Sicilian throne, Prince Azzerello. The Normans were allied with the Holy Roman Empire. Contact here might be productive in the months ahead. Besides, the princess wanted more of a social setting than bishops and cardinals could hope to provide. They were married to the church and her desire was to find a noble from a good family that had interests other than with Pope.
　
Prince Azzerello, "Welcome to our town hall. This is also my personal residence as the chief administrator of our fine city."

Princess Ingrid, "Greetings from my father King Valdemar of Denmark. I come from the Viking homeland. I am Princess Ingrid."

Prince Azzerello, "Greetings from Sicily. This is Naples, the commercial center of my father's kingdom. I am Prince Azzerello."

Princess Ingrid, "Naples was a welcome change from the bustle of Rome."

Prince Azzerello, "My bride is in Sicily. I invite you, Princess Ingrid, and your entourage to stay on for a bit to keep me company or perhaps move on towards Palermo and visit my beloved in the quiet Sicilian coutryside. I am certain that Naples is not as pleasant as the quiet towns of Denmark, but I am confident you would find much that would remind you of home in the Sicilian coutryside. There is still substantial energenic activity within our city walls. This is not like Rome but this is the center for trade within the Sicilian kingdom."

Princess Ingrid, "I would be pleased to stay for a short visit. There is much we can share and learn about our two kingdoms with a very common heritage."

Princess Ingrid did remain in Naples. She meant to head towards the Sicilian countryside, but.... None the less, Prince Azzerello and his administrators in Naples were very pleasant company for some months.
　
We now return to Stockholm and the large Danish army led by King Valdemar. The king received the message from his queen and rallied the troops toward the local fishing village. He then announced to his army: "Men.... Pope Gregory has called upon all of christiandom to take up the cross. Today I am glad to do so! I am off to Riga. Who among you are of such faith to follow me on this quest for our church?"

The men in unison shouted their approval. The loading of the dragon boats began. When combined with longboats already at sea, the force would number 10 companies of infantry with a variety of swords, spears, and archers. There would also be 8 regiments of various cavalry. All the units had suffered losses during the campaign against Sweden. All were eager to take on the duty of the cross against the pagans of the north. They were eager to serve the lord and their king.
　
The king did not read the message to the troops. He kept to himself what his plans were to be after the nearly defensless garrison in Riga would be overwhelmed. The army landed and began the seige of the large town of Riga. The danish army came with banners unfurled. There were white crosses on all the company and regimental standards. The knights were wearing the sign of the cross over their armor. Where these pieces of cloth with a white cross came from and when they arrived was never explained to the men.
　
The king knew.
　
Even his beloved queen knew.
　
It was never recorded in the chonicles, but it is doubtful that the allied Polish army that arrived just after the Danes knew. The Poles were at the outskirts of Riga. The Danes had begun their makeshift lumber mills for the construction of wooden rams and wooden assault towers before the arrival of the Polish army. No one other than the king and his closest family knew that this was years in the planning.
　
If the Poles knew, would they have been so hesitant in their approach on open Livonian territory as they approached Riga? Would the Poles have been so hesitant if they knew the Riga garrison only was 4 conpanies of simple infantry? Did the Polish army even suspect anything even when being observed by Danish spies and Danish priests as they made their approach up north from Prussia? Even the Polish spy was watched with care as he approached Riga in advance of the Polish army.
　
It is winter. It is 1217. The Pope's Crusade on the pagans in the north was now on Livonian soil.
　
The seige of Riga has begun.

________________________________

　
The council had wanted diplomatic relations to begin with England. The English have already answered Pope Gregory's call to Crusade upon Riga. Thorgils Assenbjerg, the king's chief diplomat may be too late. Perhaps too late by intention. Thorgils Assenbjerg was following instructions from both the council of nobles as well as additional instructions from his king. He spots Barnaby of York leading a modest army of unknown units near the French controlled large town of Bruges. He has answered the call of Pope Gregory and is proceding towards Riga on foot under the English or so it appears. But the English are still at war with Denmark's French allies. So perhaps this is more of a ruse. What will happen when the English hear that the Crusade ends quickly? Will they return to York? Will they strike out at their enemy, the French?
　
The Holy Roman Emperor has also answered the call from Pope Gregory and is sending a modest army led by one of his own family members. There is no word on where this army is located. The Germans have also allied with enic and continue with their disagreement with the Kingdom of Milan. The payments are continuing, periodic tributes of 900 florins combined to both the Germans and the Poles. King Valdemar's attempt to buy friends may be showing some dividends, but the cost is too high. This plan seem to be unsustainable since there are only a few florins remaining in the royal treasury.
　
Princess Ingrid had heard word of the alliance between Venice and the Holy Roman Empire and left Naples to seek out a representative of Venice. She arrived at Florence, another large town in Italy. The administrator is an unmarried general who does not seem to know how to follow orders or so say the some of the good people of Florence. In this case the princess is not tempted by her heart, but she does conclude an alliance with Venice with trade rights and an immediate 1000 florins with a promise of another 1000 in the near future. This was despite Venice giving out the impression that they were very poor. The princess thought to herself, "...all things such as povery are relative. Italy is a rich region fillled with rich towns behind strong walls. Those in Venice may be just protecting their wealth by hiding it from strangers." Perhaps Princess Ingrid should have asked for more assistance. "...More florins? No. Denmark is not going to advertise poverty to allies."
　
Back at the Hamburg fortress, a noble formally approaches Queen Adela in the main hall. He bows. "I come with advice from the council of nobles. The council has found a noble that they believe is a good prospect for mariage to the princess. The prospective groom is Gustav Nevjolvson. He is a 42 year old general who is an aspiring commander who drills his troops hard, perhaps too hard."
　
The queen thinks that in these times, her daughter should come home. The marriage proposal is a convenient means to accomplish this goal, she thought to herself. Queen Adela responds to the nobleman, "If this is the advice of the council, I will take this as a serious proposal."
　
So in the summer of 1219, there was a royal marriage of Princess Ingrid of Denmark to General Gustav Nevjolvson of Denmark. The princess was now home with her mother.
　
So how does married life agree with the new family member? Well, to be honest, Princess Ingrid is fair and the royal ties will help Gustav. But there is the issue of an ongoing Crusade and the desire to impress Ingrid's father, the king. In the end Gustav's heart was to remain with the Princes at home. In any case, Queen Adela wants her daughter to stay at home for a bit, and Princess Ingrid wants her marriage to produce an heir. There was not even a point to negotiate. Not even to gain honor by serving the Pope. No amount of chivalrous behavior could outweigh what Queen Adela wanted. Queen Adela got what she wanted via the marriage. Gustav stayed in Hamburg.

　
It is the summer of 1219 and the seige of Riga is about to come to a quick conclusion. The ram and the assault towers are finished and are in place awaiting the king's command to begin the assault.
　
King Valdemar ordered the army forward. It was simple and straightforward. Attack the gate with the ram and an assault tower on each side with the cross bow militia and the Norse Archers on the flanks to cause some damage before the assault actually began in earnest. To the king's surprise, the allied Polish army of 8 units lead by Captain Chrosciszko joined in the assault. In the end, the king allowed the town to be sacked. His personal take was nearly 3400 florins between the Papal reward for service to the lord and the sacking of the town. There were costs though. A few 1000's of the Livonians died in the chaos as well as the 4 Livonian companies on garrison duty who defended Riga with honor. The loss of Dane blood was nominal and expected.
　
The long boats ferried the Stockholm garrison of 2 companies of town militia to Riga. Two companies of raw town milita was now sufficient to keep order. Of course the Pope would know that a small church was ordered to be constructed. The Danish Cardinal would see to that. This was the king's effort to better serve the interests of the church. It was their reward for a successful Crusade.
　
Stockholm could easily recruit their replacements. The mines are getting close to completion. Soon the trade will improve. Soon the income of the Danish kingdom will be stable. Of course there is the issue of Scotland at war with the Norwegians, but that can be delt with in the coming years if Scotland succeeds in their ambitions. This may be why the council wants to begin contact with the English.
　
King Valdemar then ordered all 18 units of his army to embark on the dragon boats and head by sail to the Novgorod docks. The experience they gained in the Crusade would help them on their campaign against the independant Novgorod. The personal entourage of King Valdemar also expanded with a Hospitaler knight of Saint John and a Templer knight now protecting him as a result of his efforts in the Crusade. The world now knows him as Valdemar the Crusader and not simply as a king of Denmark.
　
Why had the men of Novgorod parted from the Rus kingdom? King Valdemar did not know. It was convenient though. There was no need to have a war against the Rus to complete his plan. Of course the Rus may also have plans. Even the independant pagans of Vilnius may have plans. The Polish army was thanked for their service and left outside Riga's gates. The two companies of town militia within the walls could keep order, but they were of no use if the Polish had further plans and desires on Riga. Alliances are not as strong as family ties. King Valdemar knew this and he still proceeded to Novgorod trusting his Polish allies. The king knew that Riga was a matter of Papal concern. It was of secondary importance to the Danish king. The reason for the Danish army to be mobilized was to control Novgorod.
　

- to be continued -

**Turkafinwë** · August 28, 2018, 03:54 AM

It's good to see another update to this wonderful story after such a long time, and a double issue no less

. Princess Ingrid has done a great job securing a Crusade in favor of her kingdom. What luck the Danish arrived at Riga earlier than the Polish did. It seems the Danish fortunes are rising with the victory at Riga and the prospect of expansion in the east. Let's hope Valdemar's trust in the Polish is justified.

Good job Norsething! +rep

**Owlparrot3** · August 29, 2018, 07:23 AM

Wow, caught up.
Whole chapters about administration, taxation and crusades in Russia, I am just loving the diversity here.
+rep.

**NorseThing** · August 30, 2018, 05:06 PM

For those not in on the double issue 'joke' -- The Economist Magazine would have a double issue over the Christmas Holiday when one issue would cover two weeks. The issue was not larger, just the time between the issues was double.

**Alwyn** · September 02, 2018, 09:25 AM

Good double issue! You set the scene well, showing how Denmark's money and soldiers are thinly stretched. I like the line about the queen's "fortress of solitude" and the build up to the assault on Riga.

I was slightly distracted by the line "The ram and the assault towers are finished an in place" as we seemed to jump suddenly from action (or imminent action) to discussion of diplomacy with England and other matters (such as alliances and married life) before returning to action. I wonder if it would have been worth moving the line "It is the summer of 1219 and the seige of Riga is about to come to a quick conclusion. The ram and the assault owers are finished an in place." down to immediately before "King Valdemar ordered the army forward", to avoid the appearance of jumping from action to political intrigue and back again? I could be wrong and, of course, it's your story.

It sounds like the parting between the men of Novgorod and the Rus will be significant for the plans of King Valdemar. I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen next.

**NorseThing** · September 03, 2018, 04:25 PM

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 4.6

The Danish Crusade

by NorseThing

　
A recapitulation of the Danish position is needed. At least the author needs to catch up on the situation, so this will catch us all up. The process of a military campaign needs communication. A number of messengers have been sent to keep the royal couple informed. This is from the chronicles and they are included here to help set the stage for the next episode.
　
It is winter 1220. The narrow specifics of a Papal call for a Crusade on Riga has been completed. This has resulted of a perfect diplomatic relationship with the Papal States. Pope Gregory had a broader purpose than calling nobles of Christaindom to the cross. Pope Gregory wants to convert the pagans of the north. This was not just limited to the large town of Riga or to Livonian region. The desire was for a much broader effort to establish churches and to convert the masses to the one true faith. King Valdemar had no intention of completing the broader mission. The Danish hopes was for Poland to act on the other outpost of pagans centered in the stone castle town of Vilnius within Lithuania. The Crusade was convenient and orchestrated by King Valdemar. If the Pope is grateful for the king's contribution to the church, this also was suited to the King's particular situation. It encouraged his subjects to willingly submit to a campaign of conquest in the east.
　
The king's sight on a prize from the very begining was on Novgorod. To this preplanned end he has now led his army. The army was now begining to occupy a remote fishing village on the far eastern edge of the Baltic coast. King Valdemar had remembered this fishing village as a thriving port when Kiev had been the center of Rus power. Now, like the Kievian Rus confederation as whole is in decline, it has returned to it's fishing village heritage. Novgorod has pulled out of the Kievian Rus orbit. The King hopes to return this village to it's former glory as an important part of a growing Danish trade network with the wealth of furs, beeswax, honey, and slaves. Today it is amber, furs, and timber. This is also very much limited in quantities for export trade due to rebellion and hostile neighbors. Preparations are being made for a push to his goal of Novgorod.
　
Halstan, the Danish cardinal has preceeded the army and is within sight of Novgorod itself. King Valdemar has just received a message from Cardinal Halstan upon the king's setting foot in the Novgorod fishing village:
　

Cardinal Halstan's message to King Valdemar

　

The Danish treasury was replenished due to the Crusade and the sacking of Riga. Queen Adela then used nearly half of the treasury proceeds to construct a merchant's wharf at the Arhus docks. This was hoped to be a better solution for the treasury than simply spending less. The anticipated 600 florins in regular income is needed. King Valdemar wants to couple this with the successful conquest and improvements of Novgorod to bring about a near monopoly on Baltic trade. Some florins were also provided to build the church a presence in Riga. This would serve puposes for the king's particular concerns. It was merely meant as a token of acknowlegement of the Papal support. The church conxtruction program would also appease Cardinal Halstan's concerns as well.
　
If the king were left to his own discretion, Riga would have been abandoned or perhaps given as a gift to his Polish allies. The king believed that Riga was a future cash hole that would forever need filling. He hoped his Queen felt the same back in Hamburg when counting the florins in the treasury.
　
The diplomatic status with Denmark's allies is better than ever. The Papal States and France relations are perceived as perfect. Poland, Venice, and the Holy Roman Empire relations are seen as very good. The strategy of buying friends may be paying off, but this comes at a cost of still being committed for the next 17 periods for a regular tribute of 400 florins to the Holy Roman Emperor and 500 florins to the Polish faction leader for at least the next 6 periods or scheduled tributes. The king is aware that his best relations were not being bought with a steady flow of florins, but he sees no means to correct this regarding the Polish and German tributes.
　
Once tributes are established, leaders would clearly take offense to the tributes ending. It is more than honor of the king's reputation that is at stake. The kingdoms Poland and the Holy Roman Empire are the close border neighbors with Danish lands of Pomerania and Saxony. The Danish garrisons at Hamburg and Stettin are modest. Together the two garrisons total about 5 cavalry regiments and 5 companies of infantry. Many are in need of some level of refiting and retraining. Despite being modest garrisons, the florins to refit and retrain have not be authorized to be spent by the queen. Even the garision in Hamburg protecting the Queen and her family has not been strengthened. Feudal Knights and Feudal Foot Knights are not a budget garrison, but still they should be kept up to their best. This is not what the immediate priority is for either the queen or for her husband, the king.
　
This is good enough to deter an honest ally, but would it be enough to deter any ally who took offense? Then there is the Livonian region with only two companies of militia present in Riga and a Polish army just outside the large town's walls. Finally, there is the Stockolm garrison which supplied the Riga garrision with the town militia. The Swedish garrison has an unknown with the independant kingdom of Norway. They have not heard if their capital of Oslo is still under Scotish seige or not. The unit banners of units in garrison are obvious, but King Valdemar has no doubt all of these settlements are under the careful watch of enemy spies who know and report more than simply counting banners and flags to their masters. King Valdemar's own network has even reported as such regarding Poland's spy operations within Livonia.
　

A messenger from Thorgils Assenbjerg arrived for the royal family at the Hamburg Fortress

A messenger was then sent on to the king from his queen.

A messenger was also sent to the king from his adept spy Kolbein of Holmr.

　
　
King Valdemar received the messages while marching with the army on the road to Novgorod, The gates and walls to this minor city are impressive from even a great distance. The flatness of the Rus steppe make such a city even more impressive as the King approached. It is still 1220, and the siege has begun. Rams, an assault tower and ladders are being constructed from the makeshift lumber mills the king had already made good use of for the Riga seige. This was going to take some time for the preparation to be completed. The defending garrison is but six units, mostly infantry with some mixed cavalry that are all but useless while contained defensively within the city walls.
　
The king also ordered the fleet of Dragon ships as well as the fleet of longboats to Hamburg and Stettin respectively. The purpose is not clear but the admiral of each fleet has their instructions. Once again it appears that King Valdemar is taking a gamble. All of Denmark hopes this turns out well for the kingdom.
　

　

Cardinal Halstan has also sent a massage back to his king.

A messanger from Thorgils Assenbjerg arrived for the royal family at the Hamburg Fortress.

This completes our brief update.

-- to be continued --

**Turkafinwë** · September 04, 2018, 04:10 AM

Fasten your seatbelts, we're back on track and ready for take-off. A good update Norsething, everyone now knows again were we are in the story and were we are going. I didn't know how much I needed this recap until I read it. It was a wise decision to make this update.

I'm ready to see where the story takes us next!

**Swaeft** · September 11, 2018, 03:05 AM

Finally got around to reading this and I have currently finished reading chapter 1 and 2. The bandits series was pretty interesting. It was good to see a spin-off of sorts on banditry (dastardly rebels!) and how Lord Fleury develops as a character and battlefield tactician. Your writing style is great and I love the way dispatches and messages are written. Chapter 2 was also pretty decent, and it is rare to see someone write about an admiral's perspective in a medieval 2 AAR since naval combat isn't enabled. Interesting to see that the Sicilians recognise that allying with Rome can be a double edged sword.

Will give you more comments as I continue to read on, but it may take a couple more weeks.

**Alwyn** · September 16, 2018, 04:51 AM

Good update, I like the glimpses that we get of events through the eyes of spies, messengers, religious leaders and others. I hope that Arhus will emerge as a major hub for trade, with its new wharf. Hopefully Denmark's good relations with other nations will help to increase trade (perhaps through new trade agreements, or at least by maintaining stable trading relationships). It sounds like Queen Adela is a careful steward of the realm's resources, thinking carefully about her decisions.

**NorseThing** · October 17, 2018, 04:06 PM

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 4.7

The Danish Crusade

by NorseThing

from the previous episode:
　

A messenger from Thorgils Assenbjerg arrived for the royal family.

　
We now continue the saga:
　
Thorgils Assenbjerg was correct. The Council mission had indeed expired. Was this intentional? The diplomat was central to the royal marriage that united the French in an alliance by marriage with the Danish Kingdom. Princess Blanche was a fair maid of the best of French noble families. Alas, poor Prince Erik does not yet have an heir. The council has offered several prospects for Erik to adopt into his household. Queen Adela has opposed these offers, but the family needs more generals loyal to the family interests. Perhaps her position has changed, but Erik is still in love and devoted to his bride. Her prospects of a successful marriage do rest on producing an heir. Princess Blanche and Erik are both 23, so there is still time.
　
The French are embroiled in wars. There is the continued war with England as well as the exploits from a prior Crusade to Antioch that has resulted in French control of Antioch, Cyprus, and Acre. This has meant conflict with the Turks and the Kingdom of Egypt. This is also the source of information of the Mongolian Horde that is now reported to be near Baghdad, Mosul, Yerevan, and Tbilisi. Reports are suggesting the Mongolians are everywhere to the east, but are any of these reports accurate? How large is this Mongolian invasion from the east? The French are convinced their kingdom is under the most severe threat they have ever experienced.
　
The longboats have arrived at a small fishing village on the Baltic Sea near Hamburg. Queen Adela and her personal entourage and closest family board the longboats to begin the movement of the administration to Stettin. Stettin is now a castle, but the queen hopes to remake it to a thriving port town when the florins are available. It is also closer to her husband, King Valdemar and his campaign against Novgorod.
　
Admiral Jon is with the Dragon Boat fleet already at Stettin to meet Queen Adela upon her arrival.
　
Admiral Jon, "Greetings my queen. You may set up residence in the stone castle at Stettin for the present time. All fleets must be ready to act once word has arrived that Novgorod is flying Danish banners."
　
Queen Adela, "This is a good change for my family. The squalor of the Hamburg fortress town was getting worse each year. What are your orders from my husband that you must be ready to act on?"
　
Admiral Jon, "Historic mutual aid between Norway and Novgorod is in the chronicles. With Sweden now flying the Danish banners, the King feels it best to control all of the lands that once were tied with Novgorod in trade and military cooperation. Sweden was the first step and Norway is to be the final step. To this end, the long boats will return to the fishing village near Stettin Castle. Perhaps this is the next step. I await the loading of the best of the garrison for a Norwegian Campaign to be led by Erik, your son and our heir. I will also ferry some of the Stettin garrison to Oslo as well. Militia units from Arhus may have to do for the garrisoning of both Stettin and Hamburg until the budget allows for recruitment and training at the Fortress in Hamburg."

The Queen is now in Stettin, a stone castle. Her son Prince Erik is administering the province from the castle itself.

Thorgils Assenbjerg to Queen Adela

King Valdemar to Queen Adela

Queen Adela to her husband King Valdemar

My dear husband,

I hear with great pleasure that the siege of Novgorod has ended with little loss of Danish lives. The nearly 4200 florins from Novgorod are welcome. They may not fill the empty treasury, but I hope they will have more company in the future.

Your safety on a campaign always has me concerned. I know you would not knowing do something that would end poorly, but that does nothing to ease my concerns. The council mission offer has now elapsed. Our diplomat has discretion and thinks it wise to wait on approaching the English. Perhaps the Council will be persuaded to extend their lapsed offer.

I have sent only one regiment of Norse Swordsmen to Stettin coupled with a regiment of Norse Archers rather than the two regiments of Norse Swordsmen I had contemplated sending. I am suggesting that Prince Erik look to the future. The florin gold you have sent will make this possible. My desire is that this settlement be converted to a town for better growth as well as the future trading opportunities, but I am leaving the decision to him. He has better information to judge the wisdom of such a change in our defensive position. We have Stockholm, Riga, Hamburg, and now Novgorod as well on what is now looking pretty secure as a Danish lake. Only our Polish allies hold Thorn and the very independent Finnish hold Helsinki. Both are castle based settlements and are not really competition for the Baltic sea trade.

I have not heard whether the Norwegians are holding out against the Scottish forces. Rather than sending an invasion fleet up to Oslo, I have sent the dragon boats as a combined fleet to investigate. It would not be good for the Scottish to have a foothold on what is rightfully part of our future. Gustav Nevjelvson, our daughter's husband has taken over the duties of administration of Hamburg. Depending on what the fleet reports, he may need to set sail toward conflict at or near Oslo an perhaps our son will need to set sail from Stettin. In preparation, I have suggested that Gustav begin training more Norse Archers. These loyal men are also good for defense of the fortress if the need arises. It all seems too far into the future to make certain plans at this moment though. I would be more certain of what to do, if I knew your plans as well.

Faithfully yours,
Adela

**Turkafinwë** · October 19, 2018, 07:42 AM

Sacking a christian city is a dangerous move indeed, even if they are Orthodox. A unified Scandinavia is a bold dream and with the fall of Novgorod there will be no one to rival Denmark in the Eastern Sea. Indeed alliances are always tricky and you never know who you can really trust until their loyalty is tested in some way. Interested to see where all these plans lead to.

**Alwyn** · October 19, 2018, 12:12 PM

I wonder how the Pope will react to the news from Novgorod, whether the invasion from the east will come west and if Scotland's plans will clash with Denmark's future. Good update!

**NorseThing** · February 28, 2019, 04:44 PM

I am attempting to reboot my Norman Conquest of Italy. No need to worry though. It will be updated as soon as I can replicate the game (more or less).