The Succession of Ostfriesland (event for Cpt.Wsq)

[Okmin]

On a Tuesday, a messenger arrives at the capital of Leeuwarden, urgently asking directions to the Count of Frisia, saying he bears an urgent message. He is found by a group of guards and escorted to the count's manor. Soon he is granted an audience with Heinrich, and hands him a letter.

Letter

Heil Count,

Your presence is requested at the Comital Manor of Ostfriesland, for the reading of the will of the late Count Karl, whose spirit passed to the kingdom of God not one week ago. It was his dying request that I ask Your Grace to journey here, for reasons I know not.

Your humble servant,
Bishop Jakob of Ostfriesland

[Jokern]

Heinrich reads the letter thoroughly, then stands up.

Lodewijk, gather 40 men from my guard and pack your things. We are leaving as fast as we can.

The group rides out on a long journey to Ostfriesland. Two days later, they arrive at the town where the manor is. The town is rundown and many buildings looks like they are going to fall down any minute, the market only has one stand where rotten fruit is sold and it looks like the town is mostly inhabited by beggars and thieves. Heinrich is saddened by the sight of the state of the town, but is surprised by the Comital Manor in the center of the town. It is one of the most beautiful buildings he have seen, comparable to his own castle. A guard stands at the gate. Lodewijk rides on his lord's order over to the guard.

Count Heinrich I of Frisia and his entourage seeks Bishop Jakob of Ostfriesland. Is he here at this manor?

[Okmin]

"Yes, sir. The bishop and comital family await you lord's arrival." The guard has the gate opened. "Count Heinrich of Frisia has arrived!"

The count and his escort are shown into the manor, and then led to an ornate drawing room. The guards are asked to wait outside, while Heinrich enters. Seated around table of carved oak are the late-count's widow and two living sons. The bishop stands, holding a sealed scroll. He bows as Heinrich enters the room.

"Welcome, Your Grace. My apologies for calling you here on such short and vague notice, but I am afraid I could do no better. If Your Grace would sit, we may begin the reading of the will of Count Karl, God rest his soul."

[Jokern]

Heinrich smiles as he takes his seat.

You have nothing to apologise for, your excellency. As this was in the hands of the Lord it was nothing you could do about. Now, let's begin.

[Okmin]

The bishop nodded and broke the seal on the scroll. After ensuring everyone was paying attention, he began to read.

"The final will and testament of Karl II, son of Karl and Frederika (both passed), husband of Ann, father of Karl and Jakob, Count of Ostfriesland... To my second son, Jakob, I leave my home on the sea, where we would vacation, and anything he may find therein, the sum of five thousand marks, my favorite horse, and the lesser barony I hold. To my eldest son, Karl, I leave the remainder of my worldly possessions, my trust that he will care for my wife his mother, and all my titles save the County--"

The bishop paused and squinted.

"--save the County of Ostfriesland, which I leave to a most wise and capable ruler, Heinrich, Count of Frisia, in the hopes that he may bring prosperity to all of Frisia."

The younger Karl glared at the bishop and then Heinrich. "This county is my birthright! What is this nonsense? Bah," the younger man spat. "You two have conspired against my family! A feeble and disrespectful ploy to steal my rightful place to glorify yourselves. The emperor will hear of this." The man stormed out of the room.

The bishop walked over to Heinrich. "Pay him no mind, your grace. He feels cheated, it is only natural, but will come to make peace with this situation."

[Jokern]

Heinrich gazed after the man who had stormed out, with sadness in his heart for Karl the younger. He then snapped out of it and turned towards the bishop witb his usual smile.

Worry not, your excellency. He is young, but I have felt the same pain, losing what you believe is rightfully yours to a complete stranger. I have left it behind and have started a new life, I hope that he will do the same. He might become a count somewhere else in the empire like I did, the possibilities are almost endless in these times.

He turned to Lodewijk who stood at the open door.

Lodewijk, tell the men to find somewhere to sleep for a couple of nights. I will pay for all expenses.

Lodewijk bowed and walked out to the rest of the guards to tell them the count's orders. Heinrich turns towards the bishop again.

I will stay in town for a couple of days to finish some other business. If there are any complications, please contact me as soon as possible. With that I must beg my leave and wish you good day.

He starts to walk out of the room, but stops at the door. He turns around.

One more thing, your excellency. I have heard that the late Count Karl became terribly ill four years ago and that Karl the younger ruled in his father's stead. Is that true? It would explain why a kind man like the late count would let his lands deterioate to this state.

[Okmin]

The bishop nodded. "That is true. And I believe it is the reason the count left his title to you, instead of his son."

Meanwhile in the countryside, Karl the Younger begins quietly gathering political and military support to enforce his claim to the county.

[Jokern]

A month later

Lodewijk was walking through the town to give his lord the latest bundle of letters he had to read, sign or, in some special cases, rip to shreds in anger. He was suddenly stop by a group of townspeople who told him something that made his eyes burn of anger. He hurried to the Comital Manor where Count Heinrich were living at the moment.

Heinrich had settled down with a good book he had found in the library and didn't take notice of his bodyguard rushing in through the door.

My lord! I have just heard the most terrible news. Karl the Younger has been gathering support from the local nobles and is planning to revolt against you!

Heinrich finished the page he was on, put away the book on the table and leaned back in the chair.

So he decided to take the bloody way, eh? I would've wished for a more peaceful solution, but as it is him we're talking about, I should've seen that this was inevitable.

My lord? What are you talking about?

I have met Karl the Younger a couple of times before and I have never trusted him. He is a greedy, power-hungry rat that will do anything to become richer. If he had become Count of Ostfriesland I would've been forced to fight him, sooner or later. Count Karl II knew this as well, and he saw how his lands were deteriorating under his son's rule. That's why he named me his heir to these lands; so that his son would either settle down and live a nice, comfortable life, or defeated by me if he tried to takes Ostfriesland by force.

So what now, my lord?

Heinrich stood up and gazed out the window. He then took out a letter and gave it to Lodewijk.

I prepared this in case that what is now happening would happen. It is an order that my whole army shall meet me at the border of Frisia and Ostfriesland. There, I shall take command and give the nobles of this land two options; one: hand over Karl the Younger in shackles and acknowledge me as the rightful ruler of Ostfriesland, or two: be destroyed by my overwhelming military force. I want you to ride immediately to the army and deliver this letter. How many men do we currently have ready to come?

Lodewijk counted a bit.

6 000 mercenaries of the Free Ritters of Old Saxony and 4 000 levies, so together an army of 10 000 men. The question would be if we can get support from the people of this land. If we were able to do that then the enemy's chances of success would be lowered a lot.

Good, then spread the word that Count Heinrich of Frisia is going to crush the rebellious nobles and their leader, but that the common people will be spared as they have already suffered under the tyrant. If they join me, I shall promise to bring Ostfriesland back to its former wealth.

With that said, make the men ready to leave immediately. I want to leave as fast as possible.

A couple of hours later they left, Lodewijk already at the Frisian border. Along the way the count spread the word of his promise to the people and asked them to join him against the tyrannical nobles.

The next day they met up with the army under the command of Lodewijk. Heinrich took command and sent out letters to the nobles about his ultimatum. They had 2 days to answer.

[General Brewster]

In honoring the alliance 2500 levies of The Count of Zeeland arrives to aid the count of Frisia.

[Jokern]

As no response from the local nobles have arrived, Count Heinrich sends out his final ultimatum.

Nobles of Ostfriesland,

I, Count Heinrich of Frisia, is usually a man of patience. But as you have not answered my last message, I send it to you once more. This is my last message to you.

The late Karl II of Ostfriesland was an honourable and kind man. But when he became terribly ill four years ago, his son, Karl the Younger, became de facto ruler of this land. He completely neglected his responsibilities and sucked the life out Ostfriesland, becoming a tyrant who ruled with an iron fist. His father saw what his son did and knew he had to stop this madness somehow, but he knew that his life would soon be at an end. Therefore his final will was to hand over the county of Ostfriesland to me, the Count of Frisia. Because of this I am your rightful ruler and will not stand for this treason against the old count. I thought that Karl the Younger would have more respect for his father's last wishes, but I was wrong. What will you do, nobles of Ostfriesland? Will you respect Count Karl's wishes, or will you follow a man that would trample on anyone, even the Kaiser himself, to gain power? I am a member of the Reichstag and can through my power declare all of you enemies of the Empire. Then it wouldn't be a matter of if, but when you'll be destroyed. I, however, give you one last chance. You have two options.

Option one: Hand over Karl the Younger in shackles to me and recognize me as the ruler of Ostfriesland. No lives will be lost in an unnecessary battle. You will keep your property and titles and I will personally see to it that Ostfriesland is made even greater than it was before. You have my promise.

Option two: You defy me and follow Karl the Younger. If you go that way, none of you will be spared. I greatly outmatch your military power will destroy you like a mouse catched by the cat.

I wish to see this end peacefully as a war would just be an unnecessary tragedy. Therefore I beg of you to ask yourselves if supporting Karl the Younger would make your lives better.

I will await one day for your answer.


Count Heinrich I of the County of Frisia

[Okmin]

Rural Ostfriesland

A dozen hooded figures met at night in a small chapel; they were not worried about being interrupted, as the townspeople were not given to stop by at such odd . The village was a few miles from the nearest city, where Karl the Younger had taken refuge. They were the barons and nobles of Ostfriesland who, for various reasons, had chosen to back Karl III's claim to the county. The local baron had yet to arrive, as he was ensuring the pretender would be kept in his castle.

"The Count of Zeeland has sent an army as well?" A man shook his head. "Karl has made dangerous enemies..."

"But we have thousands of men ourselves. We can still defeat them."

Another responded. "Even if we were to win this fight, it would leave Ostfriesland in danger. You forget, Alabert, that we are surrounded by Heinrich's supporters!"

After some more murmured arguing, a fourth man spoke up.

"Even so, is it not Karl's god-given right to rule? His father's will is invalid, only the son may inherit his lands."

The doors opened and two men entered. One was the local baron, the other was Bishop Jakob.

"My friends," said the baron. "Peace. The Father has news that is of interest to us. He has been corresponding with the pope."

Jakob spoke. "His Holiness is aware of the unique inheritance situation in Ostfriesland, and could not easily decide whether the late count could name a man of no blood relation his successor. After prayer, however, the pope has instructed that the will is legitimate, as the younger Karl is not favored in the eyes of God."

"Thank you, father." The baron nodded and subtly slipped a small coin purse into the leaving bishop's hand.

The nobles resumed arguing amongst themselves. The baron raised his hands and voice. "As you have heard, Heinrich is the rightful ruler of Ostfriesland! Besides, Karl is incompetent and would eventually lead us to ruin in some way." The arguing grew louder. "Therefore, I call for a vote!" The nobles were silenced. "All those in favor of supporting Karl, fighting the combined armies of Frisia and Zeeland, and acting contrary to the pope's views, raise your hands!" No one moved. "I thought so."

Later
A letter is sent to Count Heinrich that Karl the Younger was arrested in his sleep by the very men who sheltered him. He struggled to escape, grabbing a knife and slashing wildly, wounding two nobles. He was then killed by guards attempting to disarm and restrain him.

[Jokern]

After receiving the message, Count Heinrich ordered his 6 000 mercenaries to follow him into Ostfriesland. As they rode to the capital of the province, they were met by cheering people along the way that followed them. As they arrived in the capital, a huge crowd had gathered outside the Comital Manor. Count Heinrich walked up to the podium built there and started his speech, guarded by his men.

People of Ostfriesland! Today is a day of celebration, because the tyrant, Karl the Younger, has fallen! When the nobles of this land, realizing that Karl would lead them to their doom, went to arrest him he fought back, but was killed after hurting some of the men. I had wished for him to be brought to me so he could have received a fair verdict in court, but maybe was this for the better.

The pretender have run this province to the ground, but I promise you, with God as my witness, to build up Ostfriesland even stronger than before. It will not be easy, but as they say, after the rain comes the sun. The merchants shall come back, shops will grow everywhere and everybody will have food on the table! I will personally fund several projects here so my vision of that all governed by me will be happy, well-fed and educated.

I am Count Heinrich of Frisia and is your rightful ruler, selected by the late Karl II and recognized by God himself through his Holiness the Pope, and together we shall triumph over all obstacles!

The cheering and clapping from the crowd was almost deafening and many started chanting "Count Heinrich! Count Heinrich! Count Heinrich!" There was no one now who didn't see him as the Count of Ostfriesland.


OOC: Now that he's dead and the nobles support me, I'd say that this event is complete.