Heimskringla- A tale of Norway's rise (SS6.3 BGR/VH-VH)

[Radzeer]

Very impressive campaign!

[Byg]

Good detail.
I'm amazed you risked your general vs the scottish general. I nearly always lose such encounters.

[Ichon]

Good detail.
I'm amazed you risked your general vs the scottish general. I nearly always lose such encounters.

I don't mind losing a few BG to protect general. Having general on far side of combat formation is not a guarantee but helps, the most important thing is when to retreat. I look at where the general is and decide to retreat or not based on that. If general is relatively safe position I retreat the Svenner/Scouts/Merchant or other FM present and setup 2nd charge with them. If general is in danger I disengage immediate even if it cost BG lives.

I lose alot less generals in battle once I realized you can control his placement fairly well. General is usually on the front left side of the formation so if you click to move to area behind charge target angling the formation to hit right side first then your general is ok. Receiving charge is same principal.

Also- it always helps to have at least 2 units working together. I generally try and follow this principal even with infantry though it gets hard to micro infantry in battle due to slow speed and larger formation size. So with a general I try to have some other cavalry accompanying to hold enemy while general escapes or use general to pin enemy for helping unit to charge rear and versa.

Biggest ways I still lose general is when the BG formation gets all scattered due to melee or poor alignment prior to charge or charging into random pike/spear who are separated form their main formation. Also important is training up general a bit. When I charge a no xp general into battle they die more often because they have less +hp traits and also less BG xp melee bonus.

In close battles sometimes you have to risk general because either you lose if you don't risk or he dies and you just lose worse.


BTW- my gaming computer GPU died yesterday night so there will be 3-4 days pause while I wait for new GPU to arrive.

[Paladin94610]

Reading your AAR reminds me of tree shadows, how realistic and beautiful they are. Errr.... but my video card can't generate tree shadows for unknown reasons. What a shame!!! Another AAR focused on gameplaying, nice one so far. For your time and hard work, you deserves a rep cookie.

[Ichon]

Prince Sighvat is joined by Haflidhi Haakonsson outside the walls of Edinburgh. Prince Sighvat's army is in terrible shape... after fleeing the disaster at York, Prince Sighvat gathered what men were available without bothering to worry about logistics and launched an immediate attack on the Scottish army drawn up outside Edinburgh. The victory was nearly total as the last members of the Scottish Royal family were killed. However the gates of Edinburgh were closed by members of the lower nobility and merchant class who either hoped to negotiate with the unprepared Norwegians or strike a deal with England of which tidings proclaim has just occupied York.



The Norwegians form up entirely along the north wall of Edinburgh and proceed to launch an assault.



Huscarls have begun experimenting with new forms of armor and a company formed of Huscarls armed in chain and wielding 2 handed axes is the first to mount the walls and face the Scottish Galloglaiches who are also armed with axes but lack the armor of the Norwegian but do benefit from the shelter of the walls and a superior defensive position.



A company of Feudal Knights storming the walls on the other side of the gate has their siege tower set afire and more than half perish as the tower collapses.

Prince Sightvat and Haflidhi Haakonsson decide to storm the gate as soon as it is breached and manage to make it through the narrow passage without suffering losses from the burning oil they can smell simmering in the redoubt above the gateway.



Prince Sighvat charges off to meet a company of Border Horse he spies awaiting an opportune moment to charge far down near the other side of town while Haflidhi charges a company of Urban militia in support of the incoming Norwegian infantry. All is not well however as several companies of Norwegians who have endured on half rations for weeks lose their nerve and begin to flee the battle. Even the company of Huscarls who had nearly beaten the Galloglaiches run for their lives when a fresh company of Urban militia charge onto the walls. Even the Feudal Knights find their morale lacking after the grievous losses their company suffered in the collapse of the siege tower.



Prince Sighvat is blissfully unaware of these dire events transpiring near the gate as he and his men make short work of the Scot Border horsemen. If he had only stayed nearer his men perhaps this situation might have been avoided.

A 2nd company of Scottish Border horse on the other side of the gate meanwhile charge and all the Norwegian infantry that had made it past the gate turn and flee. Even a 2nd company of Huscarls on the walls find their will to fight broken after watching the Feudal knights run by in a blind panic while also seeing the masses of Norwegian infantry pushing their way back through the gate with Scottish Border horsemen pursuing them and causing massive casualties.



Haflidhi has crushed a company of Urban militia in the streets beyond the gate and is likewise unaware of the situation at the gate. Sighting a company of light infantry in the town square Haflidhi charges swiftly hoping to completely shatter them and gain possession of the center of the city.



Prince Sighvat has returned to the gateway and barely manages to salvage the situation. Greatly helped by the fact that inhabitants of the city scream out that the Norwegians are already in the city center the Scots pull back towards the central square. Haflidhi meanwhile manages to kill the Scot commander who had been guarded by the company of light infantry Haflidhi had pursued past the central square.



Haflidhi feels a tightness in his chest and a momentary whoosh of despair when a company of Scot Border horses charge the rear of his bodyguard before they have completely dispatched the light infantry they are engaged with...



However his momentary fear is soon overcome and the valor of his bodyguard and his own personal weapons skill soon turn the odds completely against the Scots. Really it is almost a miracle as the Scots had them at a complete disadvantage... Haflidhi resolves to reward those of his bodyguard who survive and make sure the armorer at Inverness is also rewarded as the armor he gave Haflidhi proves its worth that day.



The withdrawing Scots are harried by Prince Sighvat and in their rush to the central square the Scots abandon all attempts at a coordinated rearguard and suffering terrible losses for that mistake.





Prince Sighvat enters the central square and elated by his relatively easy victories over 4 companies of infantry ignores the protestations of his weary horse and charges the mangled company of Galloglaiches who turn to meet the charge and whose axes cleave several horses and bodyguards down into the earth in a few seconds until Prince Sightvat signals to break and rides to Haflidhi while the Norwegian infantry regroup and march for the central square.



A company of Urban militia charge the Prince and Haflidhi. They slowly walk their horses away from the oncoming infantry and ride away from the square. When Prince Sighvat's horse's sides ceasing heaving he turns and charges the surprised infantry who are unable to fight back due to the force of the charge. Haflidhi following close behind finishes off the few survivors.



Prince Sighvat and Haflidhi then charge the company of Scottish pikemen holding off the infantry in the square but aside from losing a few more bodyguards little is accomplished. They make way for the infantry to finish the bloody job.



The battle is won though it is a nearer thing than it needed have been.



The Prince tallies the losses and regrets his overeager charge after passing the gate. If not for that at least 100 men or perhaps even more would still be able to fight.



The dire state of the army before the battle also played a large part and Prince Sighvat decides not to hold the companies whose morale broke responsible as his own decision to attack without resupplying caused a morale problem that had nearly cost the battle.



Spies and naval scouts report large armies of English in the vicinity of York and Prince Sighvat expects hard fighting in the years ahead. The recent orders from King Burislev end any expectation of further reinforcements from Norway. The last reinforcements land and join the army in Edinburgh while a few companies are reorganized and remnants dispatched to Inverness for retraining.



King Burislev meanwhile is informed by a nearby Norwegian missionary party that a Lithuanian army has approached Pskov which is also decently garrisoned. He must decide whether to risk a siege and a possible temptation to Lithuania to attack after both his army and the Novgorod garrison are weakened or attempt to try that very tactic against the Pskov and the Lithuanians.

[Ichon]

Prince Sighvat prepares to sally out against the English siege of Edinburgh with a smaller army but confident in his leadership and the Norwegians under his command. Veteran Svenner cavalry and Haflidhi and Sighvat's own bodyguards will be key in this battle where the English have numerous archers but only a single company of heavy cavalry.



The English occupy a ridge a short distance from the walls of Edinburgh but nearly within bowshot of the English archers if the Prince Sightvat attempted to lure the English into attacking his sally- the fight must be taken to the English position.



The cavalry head for the west side of the ridge furthest from the heaviest concentration of English and the highest point on the ridge. Once there they quickly form up and begin a charge onto the right flank of the English army which has repositioned to face the main force of the Norwegian army still emerging from the gates of Edinburgh.



The target of Sighvat and his bodyguard are the company of Feudal Knights led by the English commander who sit just behind a company of Fyrd spearmen. Two companies of Svenner target some archer militia and the men pushing the English siege equipment while Haflidhi follows Prince Sighvat and a single company of Svenner remain in reserve but circle closer to the rear of the English.



The resulting melee is sharp and furious but the English siege equipment gets in the way of both forces and Sighvat orders his men to pull back and reform for a 2nd charge. The Svenner cavalry have put a single company of archers to flight but must retreat when Sighvat wheels away from the fight and the English Knights charge the Svenner cavalry.



The giant battering ram becomes the centerpiece of the cavalry battle as the various companies wheel around it. The Svenner outrun the English Feudal Knights and form up while those English Knights turn about and walk their horses towards Haflidhi who has reformed just downslope from them. Sighvat has used the confusion to charge a 2nd company of archers.



The Svenner in reserve meanwhile have charged the English Yeoman archers further up the ridge so they don't take advantage of the opportunity to send a few deadly volleys into Haflidhi's bodyguard. The Svenner who had previously run from the English knights now charge their rear while Prince Sighvat engages the artillery engineers with the 3rd company of Svenner which was mostly decimated in the previous skirmish with the English knights.

The English siege equipment again interferes and the Svenner charge is broken up before it can engage the English knights properly.



The Norwegian infantry has deployed in a line marching up the hill to meet the English infantry which holds steady sending 2 companies of dismounted Knights forward along with some Fyrd spearmen. The Norwegian send levy archers to the highest part of the ridge they can reach without being completely out of range of infantry support on the left side of the Norwegian line.



Finally Haflidhi breaks away from the archers he is pursing and turns to face the English knights who had wheeled about to try and engage the pesky Svenner cavalry which again runs away.



This time with Haflidhi's help the Svenner catch the English knights in a charge from 2 sides and decimate that company in a few seconds. Haflidhi engages the English commander in a personal duel finally killing him just after the last knight in his company is slain.



The English archers being cautious of the Norwegian cavalry have planted stakes all over the battlefield. In the melee it is pure luck that few if any Norwegian cavalrymen have have yet to spit themselves on a stake hidden in the grass.



With the English commander dead several companies in the English rear break and make a run for it but the main body of English forces which have engaged the Norwegian infantry hold steady and in fact manage to rout 2 companies of Drenjar infantry.



With concentrated charges by Prince Sighvat, Haflidhi, and the remaining Svenner the rest of the English army is finally put to rout. Its a great victory for Prince Sighvat partially erasing the loss at York some years past. However in the minds of some, the fact the English were allowed to siege Edinburgh at all rather than being met in the field is a cause for concern.



The cavalry win this battle for Norway but a few companies of infantry manage to distinguish themselves as well.



The capture of nearly half the fleeing English would bring a large random but the English prove unable or unwilling to pay and Prince Sighvat is forced to starve the captives to death in the following months.

[Ichon]

The Teutons had joined with the Danes in a foolish war against Norway some time ago and now with the attacks on their territory by the pagan Lithuanians pushing them back to Riga, a diplomat comes begging to Lund for peace. King Burislev already wants to make war on the pagans and get Norway back into the Church's graces and accepts.



Just as this peace is confirmed news arrives of a new Crusade! Vilnius and the pagan Lithuanians have been tolerated long enough according to the Pope. The Haakonsson family is conflicted... Lithuania has been Norway's only staunch ally but the fight in England will likely need the Pope's support and if Lithuania grows too powerful they might threaten Reval or other Norwegian territories in the Baltic.



The news following the announcement of the Crusade shows why Lithuania is now a target of the Church. Poland now dominates the council of cardinals and has been embroiled in a bitter war with Lithuania.



Prince Sighvat had reports from spies that with the movement of most of England's armies north- the city of London lay open to a quick attack from the sea. Prince Sighvat has never received war council authority as heir for political reasons but his enmity for the English and quest to redeem the loss at York has begun to consume him. He leads veterans and some recent recruits from Inverness and attacks local forces drawing out the London garrison who must assume it is simply a Norwegian raid.



They are right- Prince Sighvat does not think Norway is ready to hold London- but this is more than a simple raid. The battlefield is open with a slight rise favoring the Norwegians.



Prince Sighvat has recruited 2 companies of Feudal Knights to this raid from the Scottish nobles now under Norwegian suzerainty who are probably as eager as Prince Sighvat himself is for this battle and the chance to repay years of English humiliations.

The cavalry are grouped entirely on the Norwegian left flank and move out quickly before the English archers can cause large losses.



The battle should be easy with the Norwegian superiority of heavy cavalry but the English archers plant stakes all over the field limiting the ability of the cavalry to engage easily. The English also have 2 companies of Miles and a company of Feudal Knights which must be eliminated first.



The first company of Miles is eliminated easily as it moves too slowly behind the protection of the stakes planted by the English. A 2nd company of Miles arriving with the garrison from London is then caught and surrounded by Feudal knights and Svenner cavalry.



The English Longbowmen have moved to the English left flank and launch multiple volleys of arrows while the English cavalry is eliminated. Despite the slight elevation favoring the Norwegians these volleys cause many casualties.



Finally the Svenner cavalry and Feudal knights finish off the English cavalry and reach the Longbowmen. Prince Sighvat has meanwhile focused on aiding the Norwegian infantry engaged in a bloody battle with several companies of Dismounted Feudal knights. The stakes planted by the English hamper this activity but the English commander is slain where he had stationed himself amongst the Longbowmen and the battle is won.



More casualties than expected with the balance of cavalry so much in Norway's favor but London lays open...



The Scottish Highlander company had run ahead of the battle line and engaged the English Dismounted Feudal knights and is nearly wiped out as a consequence. Most other casualties are fairly light.



Prince Sightvat decides that no quarter will be given in this raid to ensure no one is foolish enough to try and bar the gates of London.



London is put to the sack... Prince Sighvat is not so focused on vengeance that he ruins a prime city that he plans to rule someday and most buildings are left standing, however several he allows to be sacked completely.



King Burislev had moved cautiously the year before and retreated back to the fleet to resupply and await the outcome of the Lithuanian siege of Pskov. The Lithuanians lay siege but then retreat... King Burislev returns fully resupplied and again lays siege. A few reinforcements from Turku accompany him as well.



News has not reached King Burislev of the Crusade so peace is maintained another season with Lithuania but few doubt that Burislev will turn down the chance to earn glory for the Church.

Meanwhile Karl Skolhamarr had been governing unruly Galway and preparing to eliminate the English presence on Ireland. Resigning himself to the fact the Irish will take decades to accept Norwegian rule Karl sets out for Dublin leaving a small garrison that is forced to put down rioting in his absence.

Orders from the Pope arrive forbidding further fighting with England and King Burislev's court will enforce these decree's... however soon after calling the Crusade the current Pope passes and there is an absence of leadership in the Church- Karl Skolhamarr considers following Prince Sighvat's example and disregarding both the Pope and King Burislev's orders. Afterall, the King is half a world distant and the Pope who issued those orders is dead.

[Maltacus]

The mighty pecheneg cavalry, riding on nothing but air according to the unit cards .

Aah, Norway is fun. Nice screenshots, I never think about taking them during battles. But I don't know much about handling pictures so that wouldn't matter.

I appalud your patience for going with BGR IV, I just removed it.

[Ichon]

The mighty pecheneg cavalry, riding on nothing but air according to the unit cards .

Aah, Norway is fun. Nice screenshots, I never think about taking them during battles. But I don't know much about handling pictures so that wouldn't matter.

I appalud your patience for going with BGR IV, I just removed it.

I usually prefer Denmark, this is actually only my 2nd Norway campaign. First time through Denmark was gone by turn 7 and then it was boring so I tried to wait a bit this time.

I used to be bad with screenshots as well until I remapped the screenshot and pause keys. Now I generally play and if I see something interesting I pause- zoom in and screenshot. Only makes the battles take a little bit longer.

[Ichon]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Most annoying siege battle I've had in a very long time. Partly my own mistakes and inattention but also several units rout when scared by mice... or something.

Apparently Lithuania did siege Novgorod here and lost badly the previous season... it appears Novgorod only lost a couple hundred vs full army of Lithuanians.



The battle appears to be an easy victory and King Burislev orders the assault to begin.





A weakened company of Novgorod cavalry attack the ram and are easily routed giving King Burislev unchallenged access past the outer walls.



Norwegian infantry pours in through the open gates. Meanwhile on the other side of the fortress a 2nd gate is breached and the Norwegians there begin to enter the town.

Only to be ambushed by the Novgorod general and several some Boyar companies. Pechnegs standing outside decide to engage in melee with the heavily armed Boyars and the commanders personal guard and are completely outmatched. The assault on that gate is completely repulsed by Novgorod.



The Novgorod infantry leave the walls with the Norwegians already within the outer ramparts but not before causing several Norwegian units to rout and King Burislev is puzzled- the men had adequate rations and it seems only his own health is poor with scurvy at the moment. However the companies quickly rally and return to the battle though the delay costs other companies extra casualties.



The streets fill with fighting and King Burislev joins in. When it appears the Novgorod infantry near him has been eliminated King Burislev pauses until noticing men of his bodyguard falling left and right... somehow his bodyguard had not seen some Novgorod infantry who had killed almost 10 men before being noticed.



A company of Huscarl axemen spends 10 minutes trying to kill 1 single valiant Novgorod who dances around their heavy axes.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

2nd instance of a unit not fighting when enemy is killing them- poor pathfinding or some other bug?

Finally the Norwegians secure the outer parts of the fortress and advance towards the keep.



Novgorod had some infantry reserves holding the walls and a fresh company of Landsmenn moves to capture the walls of the keep.



With the walls of the keep captured Norwegian archers climb up and take aim at the Boyars in the courtyard.



The Novgorod commander rushes out of the central keep into a company of Norwegians preparing to batter down the gates.



The heavily armored body guard of the Novgorod commander with their deadly maces mow down Norwegians and completely repulse several charges by King Burislev and his own bodyguard with heavy losses.

A 14 strong remnant of some Prussian spearmen which had earlier retreated attacks the Norwegian archers and completely routs them somehow... and then moves on to the next company. The company of Huscarl axemen standing guard suffer from the same malady as they had earlier against the Novgorod dancing man on the outerwalls and don't attack the Prussians until King Burislev screams orders over the wall.



King Burislev is forced to retreat with only 1 man of his guard left alive and the Novgorod commander waits at the bottom of the ladders and captures 100's of Norwegian climbing down the ladders.



The archers on the walls having all routed and the Prussians finally eliminated the Norwegian infantry who haven't fled the battle climb down and attack the Novgorod commander while King Burislev moves directly behind his men and blows his warhorn repeatedly to prevent more men fleeing the battle...



Finally the Novgorod commander is slain and the remaining Norwegian move into the keep and finish off the remaining Boyar in a bloody battle.



The battle is won but at a high cost. Novgorod had managed to capture over 400 prisoners during the assault and hopefully most will be rescued and fit to fight so in a season the majority of King Burislev's army might well be recovered. However fresh reinforcements will be required before launching a war with Lithuania as a result of this siege assault. King Burislev must put his plans on hold for another years and he worries the Crusade will be over by then as Polish armies are rumored to be nearing Vilnius already.



Despite the heavy fighting the chaos of the battle prevents a single company of the Norwegian from gaining any experience they might use in future battles.



King Burislev is tempted to destroy the fortress but relents as Novgorod may not be obedient to the Pope they are still Christians. The Norwegian survivors can't be stopped from some sacking however...



King Burislev had come down with pneumonia in the siege camp and only when his wounds are dressed is it discovered how sick he really is. Still- the news of disobedience by the Crown Prince more likely shook the morale of the army than anything else.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

only negative traits I could find... so many units routed from nothing it was incredibly annoying

Haflidhi takes a few men and his just arrived younger brother Ragnvald south nearer the English border. The orders of the King will be obeyed for now and Haflidhi only hopes to tempt the English into an attack as the Order from the Pope commanding an end to fighting with the English remains in effect. The English have several armies near the border and 1 army has 2 nobles and their retinues as well as 3 companies of Feudal knights... if that army moves north to attack Haflidhi decides he will retreat to nearby ships and hope the English move to lay siege to Edinburgh where more men from Inverness are able to reach in time to participate in the battle.



The English cannot resist the chance to attack a smaller Norwegian army and as a result of that attack and a 2nd English army laying siege to London the Pope excommunicates the English King.



The army outside London revolts on news of the excommunication and the fact they do not wish to fight Prince Sighvat who has developed a bloodythirsty reputation and cultivates a well known hate for Englishmen.

Spies tell Prince Sighvat that Winchester's garrison is weak- with a reprieve granted once already Prince Sighvat does not want to cause further problems for now but hopes War Council authorization will be granted him soon. Right now there are only 2 War Council members and King Burislev is one.



Haflidhi's gambit has convinced the English to attack and resulted in far more political repercussions than he initially dared hope. Now he has to break the siege of Edinburgh vs a decent sized army led but a brilliant English commander.

[Ichon]

Haflidhi lands behind the English army besieging Edinburgh and attacks. The English have vastly more knights and also occupy a hill with many companies of archers- the terrain does not favor the Norwegians.



Haflidhi leads the cavalry through the forest to the hilltop but the English archers exact a devastating toll.



However the move does draw out some of the English cavalry and the main body of the English move off the top of the hill to attack the Norwegian army which had been slowly moving up the hill behind their cavalry.



The English general had caught a few Svenner cavalry who had taken heavy losses reaching the top of the hill. Now Halfidhi leads his younger brother Ragnvald into the fight.



A copse of trees bordering the bottom of the hill provide cover for the Norwegian infantry from some of the English arrows and slows the charge of the English Feudal knights.



The English commander escapes when more Feudal knights charge Haflidhi and Ragnvald.



The 3rd company of English Feudal knights has meanwhile charged in support of its brothers in arms trapped on the forest edge by Scottish Galloglaich mercenaries Haflidhi had hired just prior to the battle...



Haflidhi and the English general engage in a one on one duel when both lose their entire bodyguard... Ragnvald is circling the edge of the Feudal knights on his way to assist his brother when an English arrow finds its way past his armor and he dies in his very first battle.



Moments later Haflidhi kills the English general and sends the few remaining Svenner to harass the English artillery firing on the reinforcements from Edinburgh just now arriving to the battle. The Galloglaich mercenaries prove their worth in this battle and largely eliminate 3 companies of Feudal knights with help from the Norwegian infantry.





The English infantry have moved completely off the top of the hill in pursuit of a company of Urban militia whom Haflidhi had directed to bravely march into the English lines alone while the rest of the infantry focused on eliminating the English cavalry in the trees. Now with the English cavalry eliminated the Norwegians storm out of the trees and charge the English infantry behind whom hide those deadly archers...



Finally the reinforcements from Edinburgh actually engage the English and the battle is now merely a matter of corralling the English Longbow men who can outrun the tired Norwegian infantry and Haflidhi is the only remaining cavalrymen still able to sit on his horse but he simply can't seem to run down any fleeing English.



The battle is won but the cost- the first Haakonsson dies in battle since Norway began its current expansion. Not to mention the high cost in Svenner cavalry when nearly a veteran company is wiped out.



As the Norwegian dead are counted and the English dead are stripped of coin and other valuables after the battle the shafts of Norwegian levy archers seem to be found more than any other weapon...



Ragnvald is guaranteed a fitting tribute in English blood by Haflidhi who swears an oath to see the English nation ended in his lifetime.



Meanwhile Prince Sighvat has decided to eliminate the rogue English army outside London before it can be persuaded back into the English ranks or further devastates the countryside. Plus... they are English afterall and even as rebels deserve no mercy.



Prince Sightvat had decided to engage with only a small portion of his army mostly to test out the Welsh Longbowmen he has hired as mercenaries and decide whether to make use of such troops in future battles with the English where Norway's decided lack of archers has led to high losses in valuable cavalry in the latest series of battles.



The English rebels are confident in their superior numbers and advance to meet the Norwegians atop a small ridge.



The English have some heavy cavalry which races to engage the Norwegian cavalry which has gotten caught up in a fight with some Urban militia.



The Svenner cavalry present add their weight to the following bloody melee...



Once the English cavalry is dealt with the battle is nearly over- however the losses are still relatively heavy due to the English Urban militia being veterans and refusing to break and the English infantry advancing through a hail of arrow fire and engaging the Welsh archers in melee. The Welsh to their credit give as good as they get and none rout.



Prince Sightvat is the unquestioned champion of the battle however.



Karl of Kolhamarr departed Ireland the season before and lands in Wales and allows his men to assault the weak English garrison and completely sack the Caernvon castle. An approaching English army leads to Karl organizing a quick departure and return to Ireland where a repeat performance by his soldiers is allowed. Such actions won't always fool the War Council but Karl is his own authority so far from Norway and being best friends with Haflidhi Haakonsson causes him to believe he will get away with taking some liberties.





King Burislev faces a difficult choice... Vilnius is completely surrounded by Crusading armies laying siege and Norway could contribute little at this point- Konigsburg lays a short distance away and is weakly defended. If he marches his army there it is unlikely that his troops would approve, however the needs of Norway sometimes triumph over his own personal religious convictions- besides, once Vilnius falls as it surely most, a secure base in the Baltic will be needed.

King Burislev follows this rationale further and dispatches diplomats to the Teutons- an agreement is made- Pskov to the Teutonic Order in exchange for peace, trade rights, and military access for both Norway and the Teutons. Such alliances will be necessary to continue the conversion of the pagan Lithuanians and scarcely better Russian Orthodox church.



Back in England a fresh English army lays siege to London. Prince Sighvat sallies out...





Prince Sighvat leads his Feudal knights around to the right flank of the English where the English commander attacks at the head of a company of English Feudal knights and several companies of infantry in support. The rest of the English army advances on the Norwegian infantry who wait closer to the walls of London.





A vicious melee develops but the Norwegians greater numbers prevail and the English commander is forced to flee while the supporting infantry are slaughtered.





The rear of the English army is overrun and the English commander is caught and killed by Svenner cavalry as he moves closer to the English front line which has engaged the Norwegian infantry.



Watching their commander die only yards away and seeing the charge of the Norwegian heavy cavalry on their rear ranks the English rout...



The battle is a great victory for Prince Sighvat.





Meanwhile several small battles occur all over the territories Norway lays claim to.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Usually don't include these small battles but lately FMs have been finally earning command stars- BGR does -7 to command stars so it takes many more battles to earn any

A new English army moves closer to London and this time Prince Sighvat concedes he must abandon London as this new army is full of heavy cavalry- particularly Knights Templar who outmatch anything the Norwegian army currently can field.



King Burislev returns to encamp near Vilnius after capturing Konigsburg. 3 companies do desert when they conclude King Burislev had abandoned the Crusade but the majority of the army remains to see it through under King Burislev's command.

Buriselv had earlier transferred his professional training staff and war councilors to Haldor Haakonsson who had led reinforcements from Turku by ship to Pskov and now returns to Turku to recruit more men for Norway.

The King's portion of recent sacks and the growing economy of Norway with the additions in England the growth of Baltic trade has led to the Norwegian treasury growing rapidly. How long this wealth can last is unknown... several building projects are embarked on and King Burislev encourages all War Councilors to make use of mercenaries thus making best use of Norway's strained manpower.

[Ichon]

Despite King Burislev returning to the Crusaders siege camp outside Vilnius men continue to desert the army...

The arrival of a Danish army led by their Crown Prince leads King Burislev to dispatch some secret orders to Snorri Haakonsson.



A new Pope must be elected and for the first time Norway has a cardinal. The Poles control the college of Cardinals and as neutral neighbors they might someday be crucial allies as well. The new Pope will be Polish.



The English have gathered a formidable army and a war council is called at Inverness as Haflidhi Haakonsson is awarded War Councilor rights. Since Prince Sighvat is heir Haflidhi transfers this authority to him as it is not longer acceptable for anyone but the King or Heir to lead campaigns in foreign lands. Haflidhi can still take an army south into England and respond to English attacks however...

Knut Berelson who has been leading the training and recruitment of Norwegian forces in the west is ready to retire at 71 years old and has the skills to be an able administrator of Edinburgh for at least the few years he has remaining. He passes his War Council status on to Karl of Skolhammar along with his privy seal and title to some lands back in Norway to secure Karl's loyalty which had been wavering with his conquest of Ireland.

Veteran companies from the past decade of war with the English are formed into new units and retrained with younger men. Most of the men have come down with one ailment or another during the long years on campaign and take the opportunity to rest for a season or two as forces are gathered and Prince Sighvat waits to see what the English will do next.

The upcoming campaign should be the final campaign against England. York and Nottingham are the first targets while unbelievably the English have not retaken London which the Prince had abandoned 2 seasons past. With the Norwegian treasury in a healthy state the companies in the next campaign will be nearly all professionals.



The recent completion of a foundry and vast smithy allow Inverness to produce the best armor Norwegian soldiers have ever had.



England still has some strong armies in the field but once Nottingham and York fall, the rest of England is vulnerable to the Norwegian navy and attacks from the sea.



King Burislev had earlier dispatched secret orders to Snorri Haakonsson. With a large army of Danes away from their homeland now may be the best time to strike- King Burislev feels no remorse for using the Crusade this way, in his mind eliminating the thorn in the side that the Danes have remained will allow the large garrison army that Snorri has built up over the years to guard lower Scandinavia might be transferred east to join the war against the pagans.



Snorri Haakonsson had been an obedient servant and never looked for glory outside his role in defending against the Danes and training a large but untried army. People outside the Haakonsson family forget he led many of the battles against Denmark two decades past and is an accomplished general still.

Snorri decides to make use of the merchants guild which have vastly profited from the peace he has maintained and lands outside Aarhus with an army of all light cavalry. Once there he purchases the services of a few mercenary companies and attacks the Danes just outside the walls of Aarhus. The Danish King with a full army consisting of several cavalry companies, veteran Urban militia, and some artillery respond to this attack.

The terrain outside Aarhus is not completely favorable to the light cavalry that is the majority of the Norwegian army with a valley full of trees and heavy snow cover.

Snorri leaves several companies of cavalry hidden in the woods and advances his men to the top of the nearest rise- on the way the Danish artillery scores 2 direct hits. The battle does not open well...



The Danes advance slowly through the trees but send some mercenary crossbowmen ahead to try and take out some of the lightly armored Norwegian cavalry. This force advances slightly too far when the Norwegians which had charged the artillery engineer crews in the trees retreat back into open ground and is quickly slaughtered. The Danish King and 2 companies of cavalry charge out of the forest...



The Danish King seeks out Snorri while the rest of the Danes cavalry make for the mercenary Ribault atop the rise and the mercenary arches just behind...

Snorri and the Danish King charge directly at each other while a company of merchant cavalry charges to flanks of the Danish King's bodyguard.



Scout light cavalry meet the charge of the Danes cavalry just long enough for the mercenary Axemen to get involved in the melee.

The Danish King has a large bodyguard who cause massive casualties amongst the Norwegians but is slowly cut down.



The Norwegian cavalry hidden in the trees bursts out and split up- some companies charge the rear of the Danish infantry who have left the cover of the forest while others race into the trees to silence the siege artillery which is still firing...



The Danish King attempts to escape the swirling melee when he realizes that the sheer numbers of the Norwegian light cavalry despite their poor armor are overwhelming his guard.

The mercenary Axemen have eliminated the Danish cavalry who attempted to reach the Ribault crew and are able to help out briefly attacks on the Danish King's bodyguard. They are forced to turn and charge the Danish infantry which has charged up the rise to help their King.



They arrive too late and the Danish King is slain leading to a rout along that part of the Danish lines.



However the Danes army vastly outnumbers the Norwegians and several veteran companies refuse to yield. Their advance combined with the charge of the single remaining Danish cavalry company nearly break the remaining Norwegian light cavalry but Snorri manages to rally them and with repeated charges on all sides the remaining Danish infantry companies are finally broken.





The battle is a Heroic victory and Snorri will be celebrated for ages- breaking the Danish army completely and slaying the Danes King.



The battle is closer than Snorri would have preferred but his light cavalry gave good account of themselves despite the high losses.



Snorri allows the surviving mercenaries to enter and loot Aarhus as a reward and this way removes the stigma of disobeying the War Council a 2nd time as despite secret orders from King Burislev he must endure the punishment so the shame of King Burislev hypocritically abusing the Crusade and attacking the Danes while their ablest men were away obeying the Church never becomes known.



This is too much for the Danish Prince leading their Crusading army and he vows never to be return to Denmark or the Church which has not only allowed this to happen but blesses King Burislev's participation in the Crusade. He joins the local pagan rebels and will no doubt die in battle against the French armies which have captured Vilnius. King Burislev marks his next target- Hrodna though spies inform him it is strongly defended and he will likely require reinforcements from Konigsburg and Turku to capture it.

[Ichon]

The English lay siege to Edinburgh again... and Prince Sighvat along with Haflidhi Haakonsson lead a small relief force to break the siege.



The English army has the high ground but the rest of the terrain favors heavy cavalry and Prince Sightvat rides to the flanks of the English army immediately while Haflidhi and some merchant cavalry deal with the English heavy cavalry.



The English archers lay stakes slowing the Norwegian cavalry but not stopping them from overrunning several English companies.



Knud Berelson and a Norwegian lord from the Orkney islands who is well known in Scotland and was recently allowed into the highest ranks of the Norwegian nobility with the award of the title to Aberdeen arrive far ahead of the Edinburgh garrison and charge the siege artillery after approaching hidden in the forest and behind a hill.



The English commander is slain somewhere amidst the chaos of battle but most of the English companies keep fighting and refuse to break even when completely surrounded and crushed between Norwegian cavalry charges.



The overwhelming force of the Norwegian heavy cavalry charges eventually finish the English before the Norwegian infantry even has a chance to fight.



The battle is easily won.



Haflidhi Haakonsson and his bodyguard perform brilliantly and cause nearly half the English losses by themselves.



The following season yet another English army lays siege... but the English have left York with a weak garrison and Prince Sighvat at the head of the army he intends to crush England with sails down the coast and captures the city. Erik Tryggvasson the recently elevated Lord of Aberdeen sails a small relief army to Edinburgh and purchases the services of Ribault artillery crew and then attacks the English army laying siege to Edinburgh.



The English have occupied a hilltop and with their superior archers and 2 companies of cavalry they wait and force the Norwegians to attack. Erik joins forces with the garrison from Edinburgh and in the meantime eliminates a company of Hobilar cavalry while sending Knud Berelson to flank to the rear of the English while Haflidhi rides down some English archers who left the protection of the Armored Sergeant spearmen to launch arrows at the advancing Urban militia from the Edinburgh garrison.



The Norwegian cavalry seek out the remaining English cavalry unit but are forced to engage Longbowmen on the ride to the top of the hill to forestall being slain by close range arrow fire.



Working together the Norwegians alternately charge the Longbowmen and the English cavalry preventing either from reforming properly and fighting in their normal style.



The English commander is finally slain along with the remaining English heavy cavalry and then the Erik and Knut Berelson are able to ride to the rescue of the Norwegian infantry which had hels off Feudal foot knights, Armored Sergeants, and spear militias but with heavy losses.



The battle is won but with more than expected casualties due to the English position on the hill allowing their archers devastating volleys on the advancing Norwegian Urban militias and the hard fight put up by the Longbowmen who when isolated and fighting heavy cavalry, still they refused to yield until the very end.



In fact- without the levy archers fire arrows finally causing panic amongst the English the battle might have even gone more poorly.



Haflidhi and Erik then move down the coast and eliminate a border garrison that has been trapped north of York when Prince Sighvat captured the city with the aid of spies opening the gates.




Haflidhi leads Erik Tryggvasson and the small relief army this time. The English force is only slightly larger but is composed of Feudal knights on foot, Sherwood archers, and Longbowmen.



The Norwegians post the the levy archers on a small rise with the Drengjar company hidden in some snow covered trees. The English Feudal knights advance but flounder in the snow and one company of knights is dispatched with combined charge by both of the Norwegian Lords heavy cavalry.



The Sherwood archers are exacting a devastating toll on the levy archers at the top of the hill while the 2nd company of Feudal knights advances towards the levy archers. However when Haflidhi charges the Sherwood archers leaving Erik to make sure the routing Feudal foot knights don't reform the other company of knights turn and races down the hill- the Drengjar burst from the trees and charge the rear of those knights and with the extra momentum of a downhill charge and their axes which are more effective against the knights armor than typical weapons- manage to force the knights to turn and fight.

This delay in the arrival of the knights gives Haflidhi and Erik the time they need to disrupt the English Longbowmen and slay the English commander.



That effectively marks the end of the battle though the Feudal knights fighting the Drengjar have begun to push them back and the knights withstand a rear charge by Erik and his bodyguard. However when Haflidhi joins that fight their morale breaks and its every man for himself...

Haflidhi gains renown for the battle and his conduct and well known respect for the old ways leads to whispers that Haflidhi does not respect Christian or Chivalric morality. The fact that Prince Sighvat is a suspected lecher and was promoted from relative obscurity to be designated Burislev's heir even though they are nearly the same age also causes tongues to wag. Both Haflidhi and Prince Sighvat seem to have little respect for Catholics or the English.



The Drengjar infantry deserve special recognition for inflicting serious losses on the well armed and well trained Feudal knights despite losing 2-1.



Diplomats sent out by King Burislev conduct negotiations with France- King Burislev is currently ruling as a regent for the Haakonsson family but expects to hand power over to either Sighvat or Haflidhi. Ensuring a political marriage and alliance for Prince Sighvat that likely won't produce any heirs makes political sense as King Burislev is focused on campaigns in the east against the pagans and after the conquest of England wishes the western realms to be secure. A diplomatic marriage and alliance with France should go far to ensuring that. The trading of the title of London to France is of little consequence. The English might well manage to dispute France's claim by force of arms or if the French keep their hold on that part of England any garrison there is hostage to the surrounding Norwegian forces that control the rest of the isles and would quickly be captured in the event of hostilities.



Diplomatic and spy reports arrive from various parts of Europe and a relatively complete picture of current events is put together-

The Mongol invasion of which word has spread even to England by this time has pushed to the borders of Novgorod in the north while the Seljuk empire appears to be in an escalating battle with the Mongols who have destroyed the Cumans and reduced the Kwazemarian Shah to hiding in Basra as a vassal to the Turks.

Aragon has become a client kingdom of France while Portugal is a client kingdom of the Moors. The Holy Roman Empire have become clients of Venice which is currently focused on campaigns in the Mediterranean along with their ally Sicily against the Moors and the Fatimids.

Hungary and Poland are focused on eliminating Lithuania but the intervention of Norway has produced tension on these neighbors who are running out of nearby enemies to fight. The potential arrival of the Mongols on their eastern borders might relieve the situation before war breaks out between those two Christian nations.

King Burislev's spies estimate that Norway is the 8th strongest power.

1. Mongols
2. Turks
3. Moors
4. Fatimids
5. France
6. Venice
7. Hungary
8. Norway

[Ichon]

Prince Sighvat has gather a large mostly professional army together and will attempt to capture the rest of England without any further reinforcements although Haflidhi will patrol the newly captured regions as well but can only defend if attack as he lacks War Council authorization and is not the heir.

A large rebel army waits for Prince Sighvat just outside York- though they lack a strong lord to lead them they have several companies of cavalry and many archers.


Sighvat leaves the Welsh mercenary bowman on the top of a small lightly forested hill under the protection of the infantry and advances to the right flank of the English army to engage a company of Hobilars who are charged by the Merchant cavalry accompanying Sighvat when the Hobilars seek to draw Haflidhi into battle so some rebel spearmen can join the battle in range of the Longbowmen.



The Hobilars are quickly crushed between Sighvat and the merchant cavalry while the rebel infantry tries to catch Sighvat. The main body of rebels advance toward the hill while the Welsh longbowmen rain volleys of arrows into their infantry and archers.



A 2nd rebel cavalry engages Prince Sighvat while the merchant cavalry charge some unprotected rebel Longbowmen but have to retreat when spearmen come in support and chase some archer militias instead. The 2nd cavalry are Border horse which are quickly dispatched by Sighvat without needing much further assistance.



The last rebel cavalry attempts to pin Sighvat against some spearmen but the merchant cavalry have dispersed the archer militia and are resting their horses out of arrow range of the rebel Longbowmen. They are able to quickly assist Sighvatand the final company of rebel cavalry is eliminated.

With the rebel cavalry eliminated and the rebel archers greatly weakened the Norwegian infantry charges out from under the trees and downhill into the rebel lines.



Sighvat charges the rear of the rebel infantry while the merchant cavalry chases the remaining rebel archers off the field.



The battle is quickly over with relatively low losses for Prince Sighvat.



The Scottish Highlanders impress the Prince with their ferocity.



Prince Sighvat immediately marches to engage an English army to the south of York while calling for a few fresh units from his army at York. This English army is stronger than most the Prince has faced in the past but this time the difference is that Sighvat also has a much more professional army.





The battlefield is dominated by an old Monastery which Prince Sighvat uses to anchor his left flank.

The Welsh longbowmen are posted on a hill directly next to the outer walls of the compound guarded by Hirdsmen and planted stakes. Another company of Hirdsmen and Scottish Highlanders hide in the forest at the bottom of the hill. Some Drengjar wait with the Welsh to engage any infantry or cavalry who climb the rise.

Prince Sighvat waits up a gentle slope with the company of merchant cavalry that fought in the last battle with him. A company of Svenner cavalry and some Feudal knights hide in the treeline close to the Monastery.



The English slowly advance under cover fire of some siege artillery and 2 companies of archers. Feudal knights on both horse and foot advance toward Sighvat's postion- the Feudal foot knights see the Svenner cavalry hidden in the trees and they spur their horses out onto the field when they see Prince Sighvats guard stir to life and dip their lances towards the Feudal foot knights.



A company of Feudal knights charge the Hirdsmen protecting the Welsh longbowmen but fail to stop their charge completely when the Hirdsmen run back behind the stakes. The knights who make it past the stakes are quickly dispatched by the Hirdsmen.



Sighvat and the Svenner cavalry hit a company of English Feudal foot knights from the front and rear simultaneously. However the knights refuse to break and the Prince orders a quick withdrawl when a company of English Feudal knights gallops in their direction.



The Prince races to meet their charge just long enough for the Norwegian Feudal cavalry hidden in the wood to race out of their hiding place and take the English knights with a charge to the rear almost completely wiping out that company whose remnants turn and flee. Sighvat races back towards to wounded company of English Feudal foot knights in pursuit of the fleeing company when it reforms and charges the Svenner cavalry who have reformed and charge the foot knights a 2nd time. Between the merchant cavalry, the Svenners, and Prince Sightvats bodyguard both companies of English knights are killed to the last man. The Norwegian Feudal knights meanwhile have reformed from their charge on the English knights and charged a company of English Light men at arms, totally shattering them.



Before the Norwegian company can reform from running down the few survivors a company of English Feudal knights charge...



The Norwegian knights turn to meet the charge while Prince Sighvat and the remaining Svenner race back to aid the Norwegian company.



An English infantry company joins the fight while the rest of the English line attempts to flank the Norwegians standing near the Monastery only to be ambushed by the hidden Hirdsmen and Scottish Highlanders.



The merchant cavalry races across the field to finish the English artillery crews and then focus on the English archers who are firing uninterruptedly from the center of the field.

Prince Sighvat and the accompanying Svenner disengage from the English knights when the English commander with the knights is slain and several companies of English infantry barge into the fight and start to cause problems. The Norwegian knights have already withdrawn and reformed for a charge.



The merchant cavalry had silenced the siege artillery and moved on to the English archers...



The Norwegian Feudal knights charge the nearby English infantry, then the Prince charges followed by the Svenner- the knights continue their charge across the field into the rear of the English infantry fighting near the Monastery while Sighvat and the Svenner run down fleeing English.



Prince Sighvat accomplishes a swift victory while keeping the losses to his army low.



The Scottish Highlanders protecting the Welsh bowmen take the largest losses as they faced both English sergeants and knights.



The Prince is on a mission to subdue England and immediately marches towards another English army...



Using the gently rolling English countryside the Prince stations the archers atop a small rise with infantry hidden in the trees nearby while he stations himself on the flanks with a fresh company of Svenner from York.



The Svenner move first and charge some English Longbowmen who fall behind their infantry who march up the slope towards the Welsh longbowmen.



However a company of Feudal knights manage to catch some of the Svenner in the midst of the charge but are unable to reverse direction fast enough to disrupt the Svenner totally. Prince Sighvat uses the opportunity while the English knights reform to charge them in turn...



The English knights nearly overwhelm the Prince's bodyguard until the Svenner hearing the horn of their commander turn away from the archers they are pursuing and charge the English knights.

The merchant cavalry have been harrying the other English bowmen preventing them from forming ranks and loosing a killing volley on the dueling cavalry while small detachment of Svenner leave the cover of the trees where they had hidden and race across the field towards the English artillery crews...



The English commander is slain along with the rest of the Feudal knights and the Norwegian infantry burst out of the trees into the approaching English infantry when they hear the cries of the Norwegian cavalry and see the English commanders banner fall. The merchant cavalry and Sighvat fall upon the English infantry while the Welsh launch flaming arrows- even then not all the English infantry companies flee and some take repeated charges to break.

The battle is victory that does little to soothe Prince Sighvat. He has begun to be called the Silver Tongue for his exhortations to the troops before battle and his ability to persuade King Burislev to see things his way... of course there are other more coarse interpretations of the nickname which will not make it into the sagas.



Losses are light except yet again the ferocity of the Scottish Highlanders leads to high casualties for the company that fought in this battle.

[Ichon]

Prince Sighvat approaches Nottingham and lays siege but is forced to retreat by the arrival of two reinforcing armies and the English King. Sighvat retreats and is pursued by a single English army...



The English slightly outnumber Sighvat but have a relatively strong army. Prince Sighvat uses himself as bait and waits along the road having positions his army around the battlefield. Mercenary Welsh archers atop a hill, Feudal Knights and cavalry hidden in the trees- the goal is to let the majority of the English army pass and then open fire on their rear while dividing the majority of the English cavalry and infantry from the archers.

The Welsh atop the hill open fire first, followed by the slightly impatient mercenary crossbowmen who pay for their impatience by drawing the charge of the nearest English Knights.





The Norwegian Feudal Knights hidden in the trees charge an approaching company of Dismounted Knights while the mercenary crossbowmen die in droves against the charging English. A single company of Huskarl axemen rushes to the crossbowmen's rescue while a company of Welsh longbowmen position on that side of the battle retreat to higher ground and start launching fiery arrows on the opponents the Norwegian Knights engage.

A company of Svenner charge the English Knights who have nearly finished killing the mercenary crossbow and catch the English off guard... the fighting amidst the snow covered trees is strangely silent but no less fierce than any other bloody battle.



A 2nd company of English Feudal Knights charge across the battlefield at Sighvat who had been preparing to charge the English infantry- the Welsh atop the far hill had concentrated their arrow fire on that English company believing it to hold the English captain and severely weakening it- Sighvat decides to lead the English into an ambush planned earlier where a company of Huskarl cavalry remains hidden in the trees near the road.



The Norwegian Feudal Knights have crushed a company of English dismounted Knights and now line up to charge another English company.



The Svenner cavalry routs the first company of English Feudal Knights and then retreats as English arrows kill nearly 1/3 of the remaining men in a few seconds.

Prince Sighvat steers the pursuing English Knights near the hidden Huskarls and then turns and charge the surprised English- the Huskarls burst out of the trees and crash into the English rear... only a single man of Prince Sighvat bodyguard is lost while the English Knights are slain to the man, including the English captain.



The Svenner cavalry return to the fight and charge the rear of some English Dismounted Knights attempting to flank the Huskarl axemen fighting a holding battle in the trees.



The English morale remains strong and despite the loss of their captain and fire arrows raining down, most of the English companies keep fighting with the bulk of their army still alive.



A company of Huskarls charge some Templar Knights in a crazed fury...



Prince Sighvat and the remaining cavalry focus on the English archers and then turn on the English infantry which have routed the Huskarl axemen but the Huskarls mission is complete- they have drawn and held the English infantry for long enough that Sighvat was able to crush the other 2 arms of the English army and now the English fall defenseless before the combined onslaught of fire arrows, charges by heavy cavalry and fresh Huskarls emerging from ambush and charging downhill into the disorganized English.



The battle wins renown for Prince Sighvat but privately he expected the ambush to have been slightly more effective. The English morale remained strong far past the point they had lost the battle and it took more casualties to finally claim the field.



The Feudal Knights win the respect of the surviving Huskarl axemen as they not only rode down several companies of English but prevented the capture of the fleeing Huskarls.



The English are offered the chance to ransom their captives and surprisingly the offer is accepted...



With a growing realm and several of the most notable nobles in Norway lacking children, King Burislev authorizes adoption of worthy men into the nobility. The first candidate is accepted.

BGR info

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Every noble born or adopted has to be endowed with a purse which can be quite expensive and thus why only 1 adoption has happened thus far.

Finances are under control even with a large and growing army. The fact that only 7 high nobles are available to control a Kingdom that stretches across all of northern Europe is cause for concern. King Burislev was named regent for the Haakonson family but no heir in a line of direct descent emerged so Burislev adopted Sighvat... and rumors and speculations on their fondness for male companions aside- neither man has produced children which leaves the way clear for a Haakonson to resume the throne in the near future. More adoptions into the ruling clan might throw this delicate balance off but seem necessary for now...



BGR info

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Oslo has fulfilled its role as a military center and will assume more civilian duties in the near future. With the fortresses of Kalmar and Bergen, and the Citadels of Turku, Konigburg, and Inverness, Oslo is best suited for trade and administration as the Capitol of Norway.



The unpleasant relationship of Norway with the Church under the Haakonson's has disappeared with King Burislev and Norway now has 5 Cardinals appointed by the Pope with a missionary to Ireland even contending to possibly replace the current Pope.



Lithuania has not made use of the Novgorod naval facilities it captured until now- a new type of ship not seen in the Baltic surprises some Norwegian fleets and wins a crushing victory- though not without heavy losses. Only the naval yards at Aarhus and Edinburgh are capable of constructing similar ships and orders for as many of these new ships as possible are placed immediately. Norway's future depends on maintaining control of the Baltic.

[Ichon]

The following season Prince Sighvat requests reserves from the invasion army headquartered at York and Haflidhi leads these reserves to Sighvat personally. The English King had settled over winter in Nottingham but left the bulk of his army in the field under a lesser commander.



However the English King and garrison in Nottingham is able to respond promptly to the attack by Sighvat. The Prince had decided not to try a night attack to ensure the English are defeated in a single battle so that the conquest of England is furthered more quickly.



The English occupy a position at the top of a hill- Prince Sighvat assumes the English will attack given their much larger numbers but even after the King and garrison from Nottingham arrive the English only fortify their position and await Prince Sighvat.



The Prince decides to risk a direct approach and hopes to encourage the English to leave their position by a personal attack on the English King.



The charge riles the English army and the cavalry begin to charge in pursuit of Sighvat but the English King manages to restore discipline and restrains his cavalry from a reckless charge.

Prince Sighvat waits in the trees and ponders his next move when he notices that a company of English longbowmen have moved forward hoping for a shot at him- he orders his bodyguard to charge... this decision nearly costs him his life. The charge is good and nearly half the English company is slain but when Sighvat orders a quick retreat the English arrows slay his entire bodyguard and he barely escapes with his life.



The charge is more effective than Sighvat realizes however- watching the Prince's bodyguard fall the English cavalry again start a reckless pursuit and when the English King moves to intervene and order a halt he is accidentally pushed off his horse into the stakes his archers had earlier placed... the English stop their pursuit in consternation and a brief fracas breaks out as various English commanders blame each other for this costly accident. Several more English die as the Knight jostle each other into the stakes. The captain that the English King had left in charge of the army tries to assume command but other Knights rush to argue with him and he too is pushed off and killed on a nearby stake...

Game note-

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

LOL this whole situation cracked me up. I was expecting a tough battle but this...??? I have saved it to fight another time but due to a new graphics card and a fatal error which has delayed this AAR almost 2 weeks I am sick of reloading for now. The last 2 battles have required several reloads until finally I realized I couldn't place stakes anywhere on battlefield or there would be CTD. With my new 6850 this error has disappeared along with some other problems of my old GPU.

Realizing that the English are unlikely to disobey their King's final command and that they might finally be learning the lessons of several ambushes in the past few years Prince Sighvat orders his army to advance to the right- climbing a small ridge below the village of Wicketwood Hill behind which the English army lays.



Finally attaining the ridge without further movement amongst the English ranks, Prince Sighvat orders the mercenary crossbows and levy archers forward to the edge of the village. English archers move into the village in response and an archery duel begins... the English are winning handily when Haflidhi leads a company of Huskarl cavalry around the low stone wall of the village to chase away some English longbowmen which have crept beyond the range of support from the rest of their army.



Prince Sighvat orders the 2 companies of Scottish Border horse into the village when he see's Haflidhi charge to breakup the English Sherwood archers who have begun to target the Norwegian infantry drawn up just outside the village.



Haflidhi breaks a company of English longbowmen but in his pursuit runs into an English ambush... nearly the entire cavalry force of the English army pours out of the forest...



When the English infantry surge into the village engage the Border horse companies they turn and flee back to the safety of the Norwegian lines.



Haflidhi and the accompanying Huskarl cavalry attempt to make a brief stand but deciding that the overwhelming numbers of English and Templar Knights will surround and kill or capture him Hafldhi orders a fast retreat... however it is barely fast enough and most of his bodyguard and the Huskarls fall before they reach the safety of the Norwegian infantry who hadn't advanced to support Haflidhi by order of Prince Sighvat.



The Templar Knights had been under fire from the mercenary Welsh bowmen soon after beginning their pursuit of Haflidhi and by the time they flank the Norwegian line the Templars have lost half their strength. Haflidhi retreats between Norwegian infantry companies who charge and pin the Templar company killing all but 2 of the Knights.



Prince Sighvat had ordered the company of Feudal Knights around the left flank of the English as soon as word reached him that the majority of the English cavalry was on their right flank. These Knights carefully negotiate the planted stakes the English have left at the village edge and charge the rear of the English longbowmen who are focused on the fight that has erupted in the center of the village between the advancing English infantry and the Norwegians who are holding at the village edge.



The company of Merchant cavalry that had accompanied the Norwegian Feudal Knights flanking maneuver only to break off and dispatch a vulnerable company of English Light men at arms arrives to help crush the English archers who are pouring out of the village and away from the Feudal Knights to their rear...



The final 2 Templars who had retreated earlier decide to take as many of the Welsh mercenaries with them as possible and the Welsh attempt to deal with them on their own... Haflidhi finally rides to their aid after almost 30 Welsh bowmen are slain.



The Merchant cavalry had trouble finding a suitable entrance into the village to pursue fleeing English archers...



Finally the Norwegian infantry rout the now desperate English infantry which had fought on in the village center as their flanks and rear collapsed and the remaining English companies attempt to escape.



The battle is nearly a total victory for the Norwegians and Prince Sighvat makes an example of the English prisoners... Nottingham lays open and is taken without a sack as Prince Sighvat wishes to preserve the military facilities undamaged in order to prosecute the war on the English forcefully.

As a result of the English King's death on the field of battle the Pope reconciles with the new English King...



The Norwegian cavalry wins the day here... despite the unexpected losses that result from the ambush on Haflidhi and the hard battle with the Templars.



The English are offered up for ransom but the money so readily available earlier in the war seems to have dried up and Sighvat is forced to kill the unransomed prisoners.

[Ichon]

In Lithuania King Burislev has returned to Konigsburg when he realized 25% supplies would not last long for his army and his troops were also weary. Snorri Haakonsson does not have War Council Authority to lead attacks in foreign lands but... can still defend himself if attacked. Snorri sets up camp just outside the walls of Hrodna and the Lithuanian commander leads out his army to attack Snorri....



The small force of Baltic Spearmen arrive to the battlefield ahead of the main Lithuanian army and suffer for their courage.



A company of Svenner sacrifice themselves to protect Snorri when a Lithuanian Noble Son's company charges in and lets loose a flight of javelins.



As the main Lithuanian army approaches the Norwegian draw up into ranks and await the attack.



Snorri sends the Prussians and Merchant militia to the flanks... the Prussians are forced to retreat several times when the Noble's Son threaten to charge... the Merchant militia on the other side of Lithuanian army also stages mock charges to keep the Lithuanian cavalry uncertain and give the Prussians time to loose their entire load of javelins into the Noble cavalry.



The Noble cavalry catches the Prussians just as they let loose their final javelins but the majority of the Prussians escape. Meanwhile the Merchant cavalry attempt a rear charge on a company of Noble Son's which somehow goes badly wrong...



Very badly...



Snorri orders the Mercenary Frank cavalry forward to the aid of the other cavalries but those orders are somewhat botched as the Franks get entangled with the Lithuanian infantry. The Lithuanian Duke and a 2nd company of Noble's Son charge the Svenner who earlier retreated and force them to run for cover of the main Norwegian lines. The Merchant cavalry meanwhile is forced to flee and is then caught by the 2nd company of Noble's Sons...

The Lithuanian infantry surge into the Norwegian lines.



The Lithuanian Duke pursues the Svenner into the ranks of some Norse archers who hold the Duke long enough for Snorri to personally lead a charge that kills the Duke.



With the Duke dead and most of the Lithuanian cavalry dead or greatly weakened and 4 companies of Norse archers firing volley after volley and Snorri himself charging their rear the Lithuanian infantry breaks in a massive rout.



The victory is so swift it catches Snorri somewhat by surprise... the Lithuanians seem to be a rabble without their cavalry.



Unfortunately for the Lithuanians the Norwegian cavalry is more numerous and experienced although Mercenaries do help in a pinch.





A suitable candidate is selected to become the future governor of Aarhus.



The first ships built to the new specifications sail toward Kalmar and run into the Lithuanian fleet. Nearby Dragon boats and Long boats recalled from stations further away due to the previous losses arrive on time and this 2nd battle goes to the Norwegians.

[Ichon]

Spies have discovered the location of the Templars in lower England at Exeter. Prince Sighvat leads an army to capture the region and gain control of the Templar resources for Norway. As he lays siege his army is attacked...



The English armies have numerous heavy cavalry, 3 companies of Templar Knights along with 2 companies of Feudal Knights along with Templar Knights on foot and several companies of English Dismounted Knights, Light Men at Arms, and a few English archer militias and Urban spear militias.

The Norwegians are on a slope above the first attacking English army while the 2nd army from Exeter rushes forward towards the rear of the Norwegians.



Prince Sighvat orders a quick cavalry charge downhill towards the advancing Templar infantry while the Welsh archers focus their fire on the Feudal Knights at the bottom of the slope. Another company of English Feudal Knights charge a company of Norwegian dismounted Knights while Prince Sighvat circles and waits for an opportunity to charge.



The Norwegian dismounted Knights race behind a large rock that serves to blunt the charge of the English Knights while Prince Sighvat in turn charges those English Knights.





The English Feudal Knights flee for their lives... while the 2nd company of English Knights race up the hill aiming for Sighvat- the Welsh mercenaries take their toll before Sighvat turns his bodyguard and counter-charges the English meeting them headon.



As Prince Sighvat engages the English Knights, the company of Border Horse which had attempted to scatter the English Longbowmen turn and race back up the hill to his aid. The Merchant cavalry and Norwegian Feudal Knights finish off the English Templar infantry in the smaller English army- the Merchant cavalry then charge downhill to scatter the English archers which have taken a toll on the Welsh mercenaries while the Norwegian Knights turn and move towards the Norwegian left flank which refuses as the Norwegian infantry retreat away from the approach of the 2nd larger English army.

A company of Huskarl axemen had earlier charged the English Knights engaged with Sighvat and added their axes to the battle. They now rush to lend their aid against the 2nd company of English Feudal Knights. The levy archers run forward to try and draw the approaching English cavalry to charge them and run into the prepared stakes but fail as the Templars charge instead some Norwegian dismounted Knights attempting the same tactic as the first unit had successfully used with the large boulder in the field. Their single large tree dies not provide adequate cover however...





The Norwegian Knights walk slowly towards the oncoming English awaiting an opening while the remaining English Feudal Knights are crushed between Prince Sighvat and the Huskarl axemen and dismounted Feudal Knights. Prince Sighvat then turns away and charges an exposed company of the fresh English infantry. A Templar Knight company approaches the battle at a gallop and engages the Norwegian dismounted Knights near the rock they previously took shelter behind while the rest of the English surge forward.





The Norwegian Knights charge the first company of Templar Knights to arrive which is led by the English captain while the Border Horse cavalry circle to the other side of the battle line. Prince Sighvat gets caught inbetween 3 different English infantry companies until Haflidhi returns up the hill from chasing fleeing English archers and charges to his aid.



The captain leading the first English army is killed by the Huskarl axemen as he attempts to flee- the arriving Templar cavalry are soon eliminated as well and the 2nd English captain is killed rather quickly.



A company of Templar Knights charge some Norwegian dismounted Knights which had advanced to a large tree that was not large enough to shelter them from the Templar charge... the Border Horse charge the exposed flank of the Templars while the Norwegian Feudal Knights disengage from the swarming English infantry and charge a company of English Armored Spearmen which had advanced to aid the Templars.



With both English captain now dead some of the English infantry companies morale wavers when charged...



The Templar Knights are hardened and relentless soldiers- each fight costs Norwegian lives. Fortunately the rest of the English army is not so ferocious and Prince Sighvat and Haflidhi work together ensuring the pressure is kept off the Norwegian infantry fighting the Templars. The Huskarl axemen and a company of regular Huskarls have entered the fray with their giant axes which can pierce Templar armor more efficiently than any of the Norwegian cavalry or other Knights.



The last company of Templar cavalry is halted behind a unit of English infantry before it can get to charge speed by a company of Hirdsmen and then pinned a company of Huskarls charge into their flank.



The battle is now concentrated into 3 separate melees. Templars and English archers near the top of the hill, Templars and English dismounted Knights and Light Men at Arms near the center, and finally more Templars, both mounted and dismounted along with Urban militia near Prince Sighvat and Haflidhi.



The Norwegian Feudal Knights finish off company of dismounted Knights and Armored Spearmen they had charged and turn to hit the flank of some Templars...



After these Templars are killed in a sharp, fierce fight- the Norwegian Knights turn and charge the English archers along with the Border Horse.

As they disperse the archers the Norwegian levy archers and Welsh bowmen turn to fire arrows to further confuse the wavering English infantry finally leading to a large scale rout. However the Templars fight on...



Prince Sighvat and Haflidhi lose the majority of their bodyguard taking down a Templar company while the Norwegian infantry work on finishing the Templar foot Knights who fight on.



A single Templar from a decimated company chases the Welsh bowmen down the hill and causes over 30 casualties by himself before the Merchant cavalry which had been hunting fleeing English from the first army is able to return and finally end the battle.





Prince Sighvat has now defeated the last serious English resistance though Winchester appears to be raising fresh armies the English are unlikely to muster a seriously threatening force after this battle.



Considering the quantity and quality of enemies faced casualties are surprisingly light. The Welsh mercenaries suffer the largest casualties due to the single Templar while the Norwegian Feudal foot Knights met 3 separate charges and also take large casualties.

[Ichon]

The following season Norway suffers from an influx of captured English treasure and growing wealth from control of the Baltic. Costs for supplies and everything else rises sharply.

Hungary lays siege to Hrodna- a development not expected so early. Their relations with the Pope suffer but not enough to impact the current situation. Poland is allied with Hungary but may not risk war with France who is Norway's ally by royal marriage and has armies poised in central Europe.



Something new also arrives with the occupation of Exeter. A sickness is amongst the people and soon spreads to the occupying Norwegians. Both Sighvat and Haflidhi are stricken...



Norway is the 2nd strongest power in Europe after its ally France. Spies and diplomats are making their way towards the Mongols who have swept into Russia and are engaged in a bitter war with Norway's enemies.

[Ichon]

Snorri Haakonsson is besieged in Hrodna and a relief army from Konigsburg won't arrive in time. It is the general policy of the Haakonsson line to sally out and attack if there is any hope for victory and Snorri doesn't see why the Hungarian army should pose more of a threat than past enemies...



The sally opens with the Pechenegs moving to the right flank of the Hungarians and taking aim at some Feudal Knights.



On the other side of the battlefield the Hungarian Nobles move forward in a mirror image and target Svenner cavalry...



When some Prussian auxillaries ride forward and loose javelins at the Hungarian Nobles the Hungarian general orders his cavalry to charge and a general advance for the infantry. A melee develops around the Hungarian Nobles and a company of Svenner much depended on for later in the battle is decimated and routed.



The Hungarians have a large cavalry presence... 2 Crusader Knights, 1 Feudal Knights, 1 Merchant militia, 1 company of Hungarian Nobles, and the Hungarian Royal Heir and his bodyguard. Their charge hits the Norwegian lines hard... a company of Drengjar infantry is nearly killed outright while the 2nd Prussian auxillaries take the opportunity to target the Hungarian Heir with javelins... Snorri has trouble deciding where to commit his precious bodyguard. There are Crusader Knights both mounted and dismounted everywhere along with Crusader Sergeants, and Feudal Knights and many companies of spearmen. Getting trapped between heavy infantry companies at this stage of the battle could spell the end.



The Hungarian cavalry roll up the line of the Norwegian infantry and engage the Norse archers, the battle is not looking good for the Norwegians at this point.

Several small companies of Norwegian cavalry race toward the oncoming Hungarian infantry only to wheel and charge the Crusader and Feudal Knights who are chewing up the Drengjar infantry.



Snorri had committed to a charge on some Crusader Sergeants to make space to line up for a charge on the Hungarian Heir, a company of Merchant cavalry leave the melee with the Hungarian Nobles when the fight becomes hopelessly snarled with spearmen and races back towards the Norwegian lines followed by the remnants of a Crusader Knights company that had earlier routed the Svenner but suffered a counter-charge by the Merchant cavalry.



Snorri charges the Hungarian Heir who has lost the majority of his bodyguard to Prussian javelins and then a charge by the auxillaries.



The Heir is a hardened warrior and has several champions in his bodyguard, they don't go down without a tough fight. The Merchant cavalry arrives and helps Snorri kill the remaining bodyguards but the Heir himself manages to kill over a dozen men all alone. Snorri turns to meet the charge of the Crusader Knights which had pursued the Merchant cavalry.

The Merchant cavalry finally manages to kill the Hungarian Heir...



With the death of the Heir a few Hungarian infantry units break and rout... however its too few to change the outcome of the battle yet, the various dismounted Knights barely consider the loss of the Heir and fight with resolve.



The Hungarian Nobles return to the battle after defeating both a company of Prussians and Svennars sent to prevent them shooting their powerful recurve bows unmolested. Not only are their bows deadly, but their melee skills are 2nd to none.

The Norwegian infantry begin to buckle...



The Pechenegs have been riding around the outskirts of the battle looking for targets of opportunity, mainly the less defended rear ranks of Knights but have been chased away from vulnerable targets by spearmen- changing their tactics from skirmish to more direct engagement at near point blank range a company of Pechnegs is caught off guard by some Feudal Knights on the chaotic battlefield...



The Norwegian infantry collapse and now its up to the last few Norwegian cavalry who themselves are sorely beset. Only a single company of Pechenegs has the numbers to accomplish much and after exhausting its last arrows begins to line up for a charge on select Hungarian militia units whose morale is more likely to break than the remaining dismounted Knights.



After routing 3 companies of various spear militias with coordinated but desperate charges the company of dismounted Feudal Knights who had earlier caught a company of Pechenegs by surprise is charged from 3 sides...



The gates of Hrodna refuse to open for the fleeing Norwegian infantry and they are caught and slaughtered before the very walls of the city. The only consolation is the time it takes for the Crusader Knights performing this task is time for Snorri and the remnants of the Norwegian cavalry to try and save the outcome of the battle.



Finally after numerous charges and some close moments when the Crusader Knights simply refused to break until having killed nearly half the remaining Pechenegs the battle seems to offer a chance for victory to the Norwegians.



Victory was never in doubt to Snorri but his army has barely enough men to garrison Hrodna in the aftermath. The Hungarians have proven dangerous foes and King Burislev is livid... the pagans were the intended targets and that another Catholic nation would attack simply out of greed for spoils denied to them in the Crusade to Vilnius causes him to call out to the Pope for support. Unfortunately Hungary is as well favored in Rome currently as Norway.



The Pechenegs prove their worth and without them the battle would likely have been lost. Messages are sent to Haldor Haakonsson the War Councilor in charge of recruitment at Turku- enlist as many Pecheneg tribesmen as you can find!



Snorri wants nothing more than to execute the Hungarians captured after the battle but in light of the political situation is forced to offer ransom- when that is turned down however he unleashes the remnants of his army upon the captives.



King Burislev does not want a 2nd front opening with the Polish who are currently Hungary's allies and sends diplomats bearing tribute to hopefully maintain a neutral peace.