York has fallen!!!!
1102.....a bleak year for the inhabitants of York. Several years prior, the Rebels living in York had enjoyed a peaceful existance, living as they chose, and answering to no one. They dared defy King William the Conqueror and managed to defeat one of his large and proud armies sent to take the town, and killed a member of the ruling family who was leading the army!!! The rebel army was similar in size but despite losing their leader, they fought bitterly on, gradually wearing down the English attackers until finally, the English army fled the field in disgrace.
King William when hearing of this defeat flew into a rage and promised one of two things: Either the Rebels would surrender and agree to living under his rule when he sent a peace-feeling diplomat out.....or....he would raise an army and march on York himself and slaughter everyone to the man!!!
When an English diplomat approached them and urged them to accept William as their King, they dared defy him once more.
As he was leaving, the diplomat turned and said to the rebel leaders "Look at yourselves. You have barely enough men to hold this town after the battle you fought with the King's armies the last time. You have no means of replenishing the men you lost, nore does it seem you have tried. When the King hears of this.....he will march on this town.....and may god have mercy on your souls when he does....because the King....won't!!!!"
Several months after, King William personally lead an army of 704 soldiers to York, with his spies reporting the Rebels standing at only 181 men, mostly peasants and a few scattered archers. No match for the King's Longbowmen, Huscals and Mailed Knights he had marching under his command.
The Longbowmen annhialated the Rebels from afar, and when they ran out of arrows, the King charged the army in from all directions. The few survivors in the town centre, stood not a chance, and were slaughtered as the King had sworn. Not a single English soldier had died during the battle!!!
When the battle was over, King William gave the order to massacre the inhabitants, to cement his rule over the town, and send a clear message that any attempts to drive his forces out would be met with harsh reprisals. William's own men couldn't believe the casual brutality displayed by their King, but out of fear for what would happen if they refused, they carried out his bidding and killed over 700 innocent men, women & children. From then on, King William was known as King William The Merciless by his men, and no one dared question when he gave an order!!!
Sorry about the long post guys.....but I just felt I had to tell this in a little story-esqe kind of mannderIt wasa fun battle, and i'm glad I did what I set out to do. Hope you enjoyed the read....i'm thinking of possibly doing and AAR at some point
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Originally Posted by Sisko
