Chapter 2: Italian Affairs
Anno Domini 1134
Milan's sneaky attack wasn't waited foe long. Bern is besieged. War against Venice is no longer option. I will fight only against Milan as long as it is possible, but somehow i don't thing that will be short tempered. Milan controls few regions, but those are relatively wealthy. Its militia is strong, and armies massive. They can count on the support from Pope, Empire cannot. The army at Bern is small, as is imperial garrisoned inside town. Duke himself leads siege, and this is opportunity to slain him. The question is, can low quality imperial militia fight back high quality italian militia?
Anno Domini 1146
Italian armies has been defeated at Bern and Duke killed. This however hasn't damaged Milanese cause much. This was only a minor battle, without any significance. Pope has shown obvious favoritism for Milan. Although HRE is still catholic faction, our attack are quickly judged and forced to retreat under threat of excommunication, but Milanese aren't sanctioned at all! This war will be long diplomatic fight of Papal bribes, and provoking Milanese attack, in hope of Papal support. It seems Pope has lost its marbles. He has taken his entire army out of Lazio. It is unclear where it is going but it is highly disturbing view.
Anno Domini 1156
War with Milan is taking too long. It is impossible to do anything without being excommunicated. No matter amounts of money i donate to Rome, and Milanese constant attack, Milan is still Papal favorite. Damned snakes are playing dirty. They are sending assassins to slay leaders. Slain by the knife in back, what an undignified death for chivalry general. And they murdered Prince Henry, heir to imperial throne. backstabbing bastards got literal meaning. To make things worse, Hungary has joined Milan by besieging Vienna. This city must not be lost. Without it our economy will surely collapse. Fortunately, Hungarians are quite busy in their affairs on the east, so i don't expect much activity from their side.
A battle. Odds are bad. High quality ranged cavalry and dismounted knights against militia. Stone walls will have. This will be hard battle to win, for both armies.
Fortune and success! Cavalry has fallen by stings of sharp spears, and knights were broken by crossbow arrows and on the lathers on the top of the walls. Lack of supremacy in numbers has denied them a victory, and strong wall have ensured that Vienna will remain imperial city in the future. Hungarian offensive forces on the west are broken and for a while, i can calmly focus on Italian campaign.
Anno Domini 1158
Risky business. Siege of Milan will be condemned as heresy and banned from Pope, unless it falls before that happens. This will be major battle, Milanese reinforcements can be surely expected very soon, and their action will be swift and bloody. Milan is large and wealthy city. In the case of victory, HRE will be richer for one more strong and wealthy city and will be step closer dominating northern Italy. Milan will loose its capitol, and their most richest and developed city.
Fortune or misfortune? Hard to tell. More then 1400 of Milan's soldiers on its way to storm away siege that wrapped around their capital. This however means that if i am victorious i will not have to worry about Pope, because city will fall before he reacts.
Hill, this will be good defensive position. They will be showered by arrows before they notice us, and until they reach us, they will get tired by marching uphill. This will be victory that will decide entire war. Blood will be our messenger to Milan that end of their magnificent city is on its way, uncheckable and undeniable: 'Your army and your king is dead!'
Anno Domini 1160
Milan has fallen. First sign of the progress, but not the last. This is just the first sign of tide that will sweep over Italy. Genoa has been besieged and if it falls Milan will loose its access to sea and its second largest and wealthiest city.
From the memoirs of Emperor Godwine
Anno Domini 1162
My father, great emperor Henry has been murdered, just as my brother. There is no doubt they will try to do me next. It seams that Pope's treachery has no end and boundaries. Supporting vile attacker and ill-treating defender. Another threat and Genoa will have to wait. I have no patience for these Italian snakes and backstabbers as my father. He was wise, cautious and diplomat, well they will not get that treatment from me. I wont be stopped before every and last Italian faction is exterminated, and i will crown myself on very Pope's grave in Rome.
Anno Domini 1164
Not again! Denmark attacked. Now HRE must defend and attack on three fronts, south, east and north. This can look bad, European factions might see this as encouragement to attack. This will never stop. It is their funeral. There is no doubt Pope will support them too, but to hell with him.
Anno Domini 1166
Just as i thought. Venice attacked. Now we are at war with four factions. I must not let them think they can attack without consequences. Venice will fall as the Arhus did, and their people slaughtered. They will be the example what happens when you attack an Empire. They will see how it is to be slain by German's hand.
Anno Domini 1168
War in Italy is getting new measures. This is complete chaos. Milan is besieging Milan and Florence and Pope again does nothing. They can't withstand power of Reich. My father maybe had better control over the situation, but i have ensured we can use massive brute force Italy can't compete. Venice is besieged, and no reinforcements can save her in time.
Milan has assaulted city of Milan, but there is no militia behind the wall. Sergeants, knights and crossbows will be more then a challenge for them. They maybe have a numbers, but we got walls. The battle is fierce, and losses on both sides were great, but victory is ours. Enemy army is broken and in run, and their general lies dead at Milanese gates.
Anno Domini 1170
Poles attacked. Vultures are trying to get their peace of meat. Unfortunately for them they haven't realized, they other vultures are losing their feathers and will be fried soon. It is over. There is no chance for peace now, and dealing with Pope on diplomatic scale is no longer an option. Empire cant exclusively defend and hope for the best because Pope says so. War as excommunicated faction might now be only option, if these war are about to be won. Venice has fallen, and now only Genoa lies in Italian grasps - for now.
Our army in Burgundy has been attack. This is last of Milanese great armies, and after this it is practically over. They have no chances on opened field. We have taken defensive position on hill. Ler's hope history will repeat itself.
Their soldier slammed into our lines after long march uphill, not seeing that small cavalry is coming from behind. Battle was over soon, they have scattered over the field as soon they saw dust that cavalry made. Once, many centuries ago, someone in Italy said: If you fight you will conquer, but if you flee you will fall. Milan hasn't learned their history well. They have ran, and fallen, all 900 of them.
Anno Domini 1176
Milanese armies have been destroyed. They are now nothing but a small groups of militias now and present no real threat. Dijon is besieged, and unless Pope involves in this matter again it is about to fall.
Anno Domini 1178
Pope, of course involved, and Imperial army had to retreat from Dijon. So did the one besieging Oslo. Large army has been sent to Scandinavia to conquer it and so close that front. As it seem it will have to wait. That insolent snake in Rome will cost me my Empire. My patience is at end.
Anno Domini 1180
Hundred years have past since my father started to rebuilt and strengthen the empire and much has been achieved. Saxony, Swiss, Jutland, Pomerania, Lorraine, Bohemia, Magdeburg and most of northern Italy has been reconquered, cities developed, economy thrived. Large armies of Empire now march through enormous piece of continent to expand it even greater glory. Our armies are in Burgundy, Norway, and two in Italy. And one is on its way to enter Polish territory. Their arrogance will be punished.
Anno Domini 1182
This is it. I Had it enough. France has joined this unholy alliance to bring us down. They attacked, and soon they will beg for mercy. This war is out of control. Italy hasn't been subjugated yet, and every neighbor has declared war against HRE. This continent will burn. Maybe i am not allowed to attack Denmark and Milan, but there is no Papal orders not to attack France yet. He cannot order me to defend against all of them. Rheims is going down. So does Breslau. Silesia will be excellent defending post again Poland. It should have been mine in the first place anyway.
Anno Domini 1184
Breslau has fallen and it is going to be turned to mighty castle. It is going to be the first line of defense against Poles. Champagne has been conquered also but Rheims cannot be converted as unfortunately already has stone walls. This is pity. It has excellent position for castle as armies garrisoned there can very fast reach many settlements, including Paris, Bruges, Antwerp, Metz and Dijon. Venice is showing sign of activities. Its armies have surrounded Vienna. They will be taken care of soon.
Anno Domini 1186
Crusade against Antioch. This is chance i cannot miss. This is my chance to improve relations with Pope. There is no better sign of piety and devotion then capturing holy land. It haven't even been captured yet by Muslim faction, so i don't have to declare war on anyone. That city can produce enormous wealth, it will be an excellent prey. Venetian army at Vienna has been successfully driven back from Austria. Sicily has taken castle of Ragusa away from them, so town of Zagreb is only threat from Venice to my borders at this point. That town must be taken. Its rich gold mines will be fantastic addition to Empire's treasury.
Anno Domini 1192
War is going in wrong direction. Pope still threats with excommunication so it is impossible to finish off Danes and Milan. Patience is important, a massive crusader army is moving east. It must not be lost. Excommunication is a road with to turning back.
Anno Domini 1196
Thorn fortress is besieged. If this ends with a success Poles are temporarily not real threat as they loose last castle on western border, and even if they bring armies from east, we control two 4 strong well kept castles and fortresses on northeast.
Anno Domini 1198
Success, Thorn is Imperial fortress now. Once more eastern front will be calm and secured and attention cab be focused on other fronts and campaigns.
Anno Domini 1202.
Dreadful news at the opening of a new century. Papal insolence, unfairness and favoritism has crossed the line. There is no more diplomacy and obedience. All who dared to attack will be destroyed with swift justice, including pathetic Papal State. What will he do? Call a crusade? I think not,there is one ongoing already. Excommunicated or not, HRE will be one and only Kingdom over kingdoms. Genoa has already fallen, and Italy is not under my rule. My father goal has been reached. Unfortunately he isn't here to see it. Kingdom of Italy has been restored and once more it is ruled by Holy Roman Emperor.
Anno Domini 1208
Now, without Pope's influence over HRE settlements of our enemies start to fall one after another. Campaign in Scandinavia is finally giving some results. Oslo has fallen, and after Stockholm is taken, army can evacuate to south to join forces on eastern or western front, where is needed. Rome, strangely undefended was besieged and annexed. Dijon is besieged on the west, and after its fall, Milan will be erased from maps, and our rule in Italy uncontested. Pope has strong words, but without any defender close by, he can't do anything. He made a mistake. Once Empire was guardian of Papacy and ruled Italy. It is our right given by God. Pope foolishly resisted and alienated with HRE to prevent us to take what is ours. Now, Rome is mine, and like once Charlemagne, i will be crowned for emperor of Rome. Pope can still be dangerous, and diplomatic (or financial) solution will have to be find. Crusade against HRE is possibility, unless all catholic factions are destroyed.
Anno Domini 1210
Now, without Pope holding us back, HRE is on the path to its greatest glory. Unlimited conquest in Europe and growth of financial strength. Dijon has fallen, and Milan destroyed, there is no one who could take Italy back away from us now. Marseilles, french jewel on south has been besieged, and its riches will soon be floating to HRE treasury. It has been confirmed. HRE is most developed and richest faction in the World. No one can stop this now. Not any more. Power of Empire will soon surpass power of any of my predecessor. Italian campaign is over, Europe campaign is about to start.
---the end of chapter 2---
[MIITW]Holy Roman Empire
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Empires armies are mightiest in Europe! This status probably wont be held for long, but it is good to know that army is amongst strongest. 
Originally Posted by Leaf-Fan-Forever
) game and tgas have been lost and this AAR cannot be continued. 
