Tales After the Crusade - a collection of shorter tales

[NorseThing]

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 3.5
A Danish Household
(Before the First Crusade)

by NorseThing

The last episode was taken from Cardinal Halstan the Warmonger's personal journal that was only discovered long after these events took place.
　
... I will continue to convert these people of Pomerania to the Christian faith. The heresy among the people must be identifed and dealt with severely. Such heresy was the cause of the riots that cost us the life of King Knud. I may spend the rest of my days wandering the wilderness converting the unfaithful. I will never atone for my failure as an advisor to the king. I can only hope my works in my life will balance the ledger.
　
We now continue with the events in Stettin. This is during the late summer of 1083.
　
The military foundations of a future castle are now rubble. The motte and bailey are mere building materials being scavenged by the survivors of many nights of rioting. There will be no signs of the planned and hoped for Imperial domination in a while. Whatever plans the Holy Roman Empire had were ended in the same rioting that ended the life of the Danish king. The villagers have still not come to terms with the Danes though. Their beliefs are not of the Christain church. There are eight battered but still loyal companies just milling about with no noble taking command of the situation. Weeks after the rioting and they are still aimless with no direction or purpose. They are becoming less of a military force as each day becomes each week. Soon the weeks will turn into months.
　
The Danes in Stettin were taking in all the local gossip with many completely unfounded reports coming to their attenttion each and every day. Cardinal Halstan the Warmonger was known to be speaking the gospel to many of the rural Pomeranians. He was reported to be heading east into the Pomeranian wilderness. Perhaps he is even preaching the good word in Prussia as well. The information was sketchy and probably not terribly accurate since it was from local sellers of handicrafts and local produce. It was clear though that the strength of his beliefs was having an impact.
　
Times were changing. It was too late for King Knud, but as with all royal households there was always a king. It was only a matter of time and the king would tell the minor nobles what should be done. This what kings always did. This is why every noble had a duty to follow. Without a king, these nobles were simply no longer noble but mere peasants in fancy dress. Actually after the rioting, even some of the local businessmen were better dressed than many of the royal garrison of Stettin village.
　
Henrik Lehtonen was nominated from the company commanders to head out and locate Prince Charles. He needed to be informed. It should have already happened, but the shock of the loss seemed to put the nobles in a sort of a daze. Leadership among this set of company commanders was in serious short supply in the present. If the missing half of the Stettin garrison would show up on the scene then all of Pomerania could once again become independant but friendly towards the new Rome based in Frankfurt.
　
Henrik Lehtonen with a small handful of spear militia did locate Prince Charles. He had not made great progress. He and his small army had just entered Zealand. This was the last and the largest of the islands that were a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The shores of Sweden were nearly in site. Why the Prince did not go faster is not known in the chronicals. It was fortunate he was still so close to Arhus though. Admiral Jon was close at hand as well. He was taking the small royal navy around from patroling off of the west coast of Jutland to link up with mercanary ships that King Knud had hired instead of waiting for Admiral Jon to arrive. Henrik boarded the flagship and gave the crushing news to the admiral. Together with the small navy they would track down their new king.
　

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Princess Ingrid had completed the agreement for the transfer of Hamburg and the Saxony region to King Knud's dominion and then parted from Dietrich von Saxony's company.
　
Dietrich headed towards the low countries with his small army. This was the garrison from Hamburg and was intending to link up with Lother von Frankfurt and his men. When they met, Lother asked what had occurred. Dietrich responded, "It is just business as usual. We serve the Empire in often strange ways. The Hamburg deal is done as was planned."
　
Princes Ingrid proceeded on to Magdeburg to visit her childhood friend who was now married. Adela, her mother, was still alive. She had married young. Much younger than Ingrid was now. That was the goal of every well bred daughter of nobility. To marry would strengthen the ties between the various noble families. She had hoped that Dietrich could be smitten with their meeting, but father's plan to bring stability to the Danish House of Estridsen by bringing in more territory did not include her immediate marriage. She now felt used by her own father. When she had heard of his death she was crushed. Now she believed her reputation was in tatters. Dietrich would never forgive and forget. She did what every 19 year old girl would do in that situatuation. She told nobody, not even her brother Charles nor her mother Adela. She kept it buried within. The princess hoped the secret would never get out, but her fears were that it would come out.
　
On pure impulse she began packing. Remember, she was only 19 and perhaps she was smitten by Dietrich's power and independance of action. She announced to her hosts that she would be leaving and thanked them for their hospitality. She confided to her friend that being around such marital bliss was simply not doing her prospects of marriage any good. She needed to move on and she was not certain where she was headed.
　
It was a bright summer day. It is not yet winter, but the signs of fall are everywhere. Fields of summer flowers are now beginning to lose the vibrant colors. The mornings are colder and the night comes quicker.
　
Princess Ingrid and her entourage of ladies and a few honorable men of a good station headed out. She was not ceretain where to go, but heading south and east seemed as good as any direction.
　

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Henrik Lehtonen and Admiral Jon had finally caught up with Prince Charles and his small army. Henrik and Jon bowed as only nobles would to their own leige lord. Charles was surprised. He suspected the news the moment he was greated as if he were the king. Once informed, King Charles had an entirely differant demeaner. He quickly took charge and ordered the ships to load his small army and baggage train. He announced, "We are going to Stettin and complete what father has started."
　
Admiral Jon quickly linked up with the mercanary fleet and together the now larger fleet sailed to the east towards Stettin. Admiral Jon was surprised that the mercaneries are remaining loyal to Denmark and their new king. Maybe circumstances are beginning to improve.
　
They arrived at Stettin in late afternoon. Admiral Jon made wuick work of preparing a makshift dockage to allow the new King to go ashore properly. He then reminded King Charles, "Remember this is the small innocent looking village that rose up and killed many a Dane as well as your father. This village looks peacful during the day, but thiings change when the sun sets."
　
King Charles sponded, "We are not staying the night." And then he looked toward Henrik and added, "Call the company commanders to this dockage. It is time we get started on tasks before the sun sets."
　
In a few minutes the company commanders had all assembled before their new king. King Charles looked out over the lot of them and then began pointing. "You! You! You! and You! Order your men to begin loading onto the fleet. We sail before dark. We are going to leave four companies here. A proper defense must maintain discipline in the village. This is the new capital of our region of Pomerania and it must be orderly during the day and at night. Admiral Jon has informed me the remaining missing half of the Stettin garrison was spotted near the Saxony border. They should not give you any problems here, but you need to prepare for all possabilities. The four of you and your companies will come with my army to Thorn."
　
King Charles then turned to Henrik Lehtonen, "I appoint you to be our royal diplomat. I want you to return to Arhus and inform the council of what is happened and what will be happening in the future. Then you must contact the Holy Roman Empire and attempt to patch up any differences that may already exist. If the council has any advice, send messengers to bring me up to date. If the messengers are fast enough, they may catch up with the army. You are all dismissed."
　

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Back in Hamburg a mercanary captain Toraren meant to prove his loyalty to the Danish House. He took two companies of his trusted crossbows on patrol of Saxony and moved close to the border with Pomerania. He spotted the missing Pommeranian garrison of two town militia companies and one company of peasant archers. The commander of the garrison fragment appeared to be a peasant!
　
Captain Toraren ordered his two companies to engage while keeping to the higher ground. They were flanking the Pomeranians, but stopped to begin firing their crossbows. The Pomeranians were bravely advancing up the rise in good order facing the deadly arrows. Finally one of the Pommeranian town militia companies charged Captain Toraren's own company. The crossbow men drew swords to engage the charging Pommeranians. The second company continued to fire though. They stood ground, but they did not come to support Captain Toraren with their swords. The first Pommeranian company did break after losing 1/2 of their effective strength. At that point the second Pomeranian town militia company charged! The supporting crossbows now had to draw swords or skirmish to continue firing the crossbows.
　
Perhaps a saving grace that the Peasant commander stood with his archers standing at ready as his very own militia units were cut to pieces by the Danes. Those peasant archers could not get in any clear shots without impaling their comrades in the back with 'friendly' fire.
　
So both of the Danish crossbow companies were now pure infantry with swords drawn and shouting as they countercharged the Pomeranian militia company in true viking tradition.
　
The town militia were now both broken. The crossbows did not disengage as they did the first time though. This time they continued their charge. The broken Pomeranians were now fleeing for their lives as their peasant commander and his archers withdrew in a skirmish line along with the fleeing town militias.
　
The crossbowmen were not finished. But neither were the Pomeranians finished. They had not had enough punishment yet. The first militia company regrouped and again charged into the pursuing crossbows. Again the militia company broke. The crossbows continued their pursuit until not a single militia soldier was standing on the field. There would be no further regrouping of militias today.
　
It now came down to a missile duel between a two deep line of 76 crossbows firing against a two deep line of 45 peasant archers. All of the companies were taking losses, but obiously the Pommeeranians were taking much greater losses. They broke. A clear victory! Captain Toranen lost 45 men in the engagement while the three Pomeranian companies were destroyed with what remained melting into the Pomeranian wilderness to be of no threat ever again. Captain Toranen and his remaining 75 men were now alone in the wilderness as the sun set and the temperature dropped. Clouds were forming on the horizen. Yes, it was no longer warm summer nights. It would be cold and dreary to march in glory back to Hamburg. But tonight camp must be made. Fires must be started to chase away the cold of a damp fall night.
　

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Princess Ingrid approached the Imperial town of Prague. This was not a town bussling with activity. The garrison was only a general and his personal escort of heavy cavalry. But the general! He was a strong and powerful 24 year old general in the Holy Roman Empire. It turns out he is also very eligible for marriage. Of course there are the quite handsome Polish generals just beyond the horizon.... And there was always General Dietrich von Saxony a member of the Empire's royal household who was married, but...
　
Several days of romance and.... A royal marriage! The Danes would now have an heir, though it would be by marriage. Yes, Adela was back in Arhus with another young daughter Cecile, aged 3. What mother's plans for the new and hoped dynastic House of Estridsen did not matter to Ingrid. She was now married and could now try to put Dietrich and their common dark secrets behind in her memories.... A 19 year old princess can dream, can't she?
　

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General Otto von Kassel was indeed a good 'catch' for Ingrid. He was a natural commander, though he and his command did leave Prague without a garrison. He was eager. He was an effective ambusher, but not as effective as Princess Ingrid. He was a conscientious trainer and a firm ruler. Like many of the noble class, he was also fiscally challenged. Now he was a member of a new royal household with a beautiful young wife and a future as the new crown prince pending the council's and king's approval.

Prague lay before him without any defenses....
　

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Several days later the small fleet of the royal navy combined with the mercenary ships approached the shores of Prussia. The new king and a small but battered army could now see the shores of Prussia and the castle of Thorn in the distance. Thorn was a council objective. The new king could do worse than to follow the advice of the council. Of course in the distance there were also a scattering of Polish troops which might also be answering a call from their own council regarding Thorn and the Prussian region.
　
Who would make the first move -- Denmark or Poland? Would the Prussians defend? Would there be war?
　

-- to be continued--

[NorseThing]

I added a new chapter to my AAR -- A Danish Household. It is longer than my usual posts and almost pure narrative (sprinkled a few quotes, but very few). I am still learning and I wonder what is the best length for an AAR post. This seems too long. It is broken up but it still may seem to some readers as a wall of text. Much is going on. In the past, I would have at least three episodes with this material. I would like some input on this versus the much shorter usual lengths of my posts. Of course if this was filled with pictures, the length would obviously have to be shorter. Comments?

[Darkan]

It was a good update and, speaking for myself, I am glad to see more things happening in different parts of the world/kingdom. Regarding your question/doubt about the post length, I would say it has to be your decision. It depends on whether you feel comfortable writing more or less, all the while keeping in mind potential "expectations" your readers might have. It also depends on how much time you have per week to actually play the game, write the story (and in some cases prepare pics), so that you don't feel it's a task rather than an enjoyable experience.

Bottom line, if you feel comfortable writing longer texts and you don't feel any pressure in keeping up a similar length, than go for it. Another thing to keep in mind (that might affect the length of your posts) is the natural progression of the story, natural break points between chapters/posts and the all known cliffhangers. Things like these will help you decide. As for the readers, we'll read both short and long posts.

Keep up the good work! +rep

[Alwyn]

Good update - times are changing, indeed!

You asked about the length of updates. Generally, I find shorter updates helpful because I find it easier to follow the events and characters. Having said that, I know that sometimes a longer update feels like a natural section of the story. Sometimes a longer update can be made easier to follow by sticking with a single point of view character. Of course, you might be reluctant to do that, because you may want to tell the reader about events which this character won't see. Even so, this point of view character can receive messengers, read reports or hear rumours about events which are 'over the horizon' - this can be an effective way to tell the story of a battle or a military campaign, for example.

[NorseThing]

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 3.6
A Danish Household
(Before the First Crusade)

by NorseThing

From the last episode:
　
The Holy Roman Empire town of Prague lay before Otto von Kassel without any defenses. He as the governor had vacated the town with his bodyguard upon marriage to Princess Ingrid of Denmark.
　
We now continue:

Of course as newly wedded, they had already spent some time together at a country home away from Prague. It was his home that he already owned. The servants were trusted and other than his loyal bodyguard there were none of the Empire's army in the vicinity.
　
Otto von Kassel thought about the defenseless Bohemian settlement. Prague could be made a gift for his new bride. But then, he would also be making a war with the Holy Roman Empire as his gift as well. The Princess already feared the worst from the early encounter Princess Ingrid had told him about. That encounter also involved a family member of the Holy Roman Empire's elected family.
　
Otto von Kassel thought it best to take his new bride to safety. His home in the middle of the Empire would not be safe enough. The circumstances and issues needed to more settled between the Danish royals and the Holy Roman Empire's royals. His cavalry bodyguard would serve as the best escort a lady could want. He wanted to escort her safely and quickly to the north. The trip to Danish soil might be quick or slow depending on whether he would meet unexpected opposition on the way.
　
He intentionally avoided the estates within Bohemia, Breslau, and Brandenburg as he proceeded to the relative safety of Danish Pomerania. He was cautious. He was slow moving. Cavalry makes a good escort since the Princess could flee many an encounter. Secrecy and stealth were better protectors for his Princess Ingrid than speed though. The Bohemian settlement which he governed had no doubt sent out an alarm to the rest of the Empire. Fortunately there were no patrols to challenge his movement to Danish soil.
　
It is now winter in 1084. A hard and bitter cold winter. This was a much colder winter than Otto remembers from further south. His bride was not traveling so well. She is bundled up and still not warm enough. In the mornings but not every morning Princess Ingrid would often be sick. Coupled with the cold, it made the journey a peril for her.
　
Glorious news just arrived as they entered Pomeranian territory. Otto von Kassel was now Prince Otto of Denmark by confirmation of the council. And even better news came in the morning after a long series of nights that his bride appeared to him to be gravely ill. It was not illness. Her ladies in waiting had kept the news from him, but he was now a father of a small precious child. This was hoped to be the first of many children that Princess Ingrid and Prince Otto would have together. She was christened as Herlief of Grindsted.
　
They met up with the victorious crossbowmen that had vanquished the last of the Stettin garrison. They had intended (well Otto had intended but had not heard a disagreement from his beloved) to proceed to the very safe castle at Hamburg. But the small infant changed everything. The small village of Stettin was closer. And any village was warmer in these winter months than any wilderness camp as they traveled towards Hamburg. With the crossbowmen, they would bring some stability to Stettin. At least that was Otto's hope. Perhaps the presence of a Prince of Denmark that had been recently a governor in the Empire would help the situation.
　
Along with the council news of becoming a prince, Otto was informed of the council plans to move the capital to Hamburg as well. This would mean Stettin was closer to the seat of government. Perhaps this would also help settle Stettin into a hoped for sleepy village on the Baltic seashore. Otto and his bride and daughter were now beginning to be settle in Stettin. A small home was built with local labor. It was not fit for Prince or a Princess, but Ingrid said it was perfect and she was happy to call it home.
　
Prince Otto immediately announced that the tax collections would be lessened in Stettin. He could do nothing in the short term about religion, but at least the villagers understood that more florins in their pockets was better than less florins in their pockets.
　
Prince Otto knew that it was imperative that Cardinal Halsted's efforts to convert be continued. There was now an uneasy balance between rioting and pacification. Time alone could help, but so could the Cardinal. Where was he? The reports from the venders were that he was nearing Prussia and would soon be leaving Pomerania behind. If this was so, then the Prince would need to keep a firm hand on the situation. Another riot could now cost him the lives of his new bride as well as the life of his new born daughter.
　
It was summer weather and there had been no new riots in Stettin, but the garrison and Prince Otto kept a careful watch over the small village. Seeing the summer as a more comfortable chance to travel with her young daughter, it was time to move to safer accommodations in Hamburg. And the Princess could show off her young daughter to her own mother as well as the ladies in the court. Prince Otto was going to stay on a governor in Stettin.
　
There was no need to comment in the chronicles about Princess Ingrid's travel to Hamburg. Nothing happened. However there did come a day when things changed within Hamburg that summer. Princess Agnes Herman arrived. A Polish princess! News from other places. It would be an opportunity for Princess Ingrid to once again use her charm and perhaps regain a bit of lost confidence back again.
　
Henrik Lehtonen had been appointed the royal diplomat at large and had headed to Frankfurt after sending off messages to both King Charles, the Stettin garrison, and of course to Princess Ingrid. After dealing the affairs of state at Arhus he had proceeded on to Frankfurt and there had been no new messages for a few years. What was changing on the diplomacy front with the Empire was simply no known to the Queen, the Princess, or even the council. All hoped for the best, but that made handling the Polish question with a light touch.
　
Princess Agnes Herman was presented to the royal court in Hamburg. The presentation was a women's affair for the most part. The council had suggested it, since King Charles was off in Prussia. The situation was delicate with Poland. Both sides knew of the interests of the other kingdom and both sides (it was hoped) wanted a peaceful resolution of the Prussian question. A female presentation could thus not set the stakes higher than they already were.
　
There were formal dances and informal meals that Princess Agnes was most generously requested to attend in her honor. She gave the impression to Princess Ingrid that she lacked the grace and charm of the other ladies present in the Polish entourage as well as coming up a bit short compared to the entire Danish court. However, she did bring an offer of trade rights. Princess Ingrid accepted this offer without and counter demands and it appeared that Princess was pleased.
　
A few days later Princess Ingrid approached Princess Herman on whether there might be some interest in an alliance. Of course there was not a florin in the treasury. Actually the treasury was in a small deficiency that the council assured Princess Ingrid would be corrected after the Prussian question was settled. The Polish Princess had flat out refused the suggestion and no more was made of a potential alliance since officially neither kingdom was at war and thus no common interests were obvious without any florins to sweeten the pot.
　
Actually Princess Herman had thoughts about the proposal and did not state the obvious. There was no reason to ally with a partner that could need assistance and was bankrupt. There was no thought of mutual common interests when one kingdom was bankrupt and one had a healthy treasury.
　
Princess Ingrid had thought about a proposal of marriage of the quite eligible Princess Herman and her brother King Charles. She was tempted, but did not suggest. Perhaps that could have made a difference on the alliance. She hoped that the council would have anther option for her brother. With their mother still alive, it was not really her place to be matchmaker in any case.
　
So in the end, Princess Herman left the court with a trade treaty and nothing much of substance. There was little potential trade to be gained in any case. The village of Stettin was their only real common contact and more of a burden on Denmark than an asset to profit from Polish trade.
　

--- to be continued ---

[Alwyn]

I like your use of woman characters, and the authentic-sounding impression of separation between the 'worlds' of women and men, so that Princess Ingrid's condition is kept secret, and the presentation of Princess Agnes at court is mainly attended by women. It sounds like Princess Ingrid is someone who takes the initiative, looking for opportunities to advance Denmark's interests. The new treaty might not be what Princess Ingrid hoped, but hopefully it will secure one of Denmark's borders, saving the cost of the troops which would otherwise be needed to guard it. The lack of money sounds like a significant problem, I wonder how Denmark's leaders will deal with this.

[NorseThing]

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 3.7
A Danish Household
(Before the First Crusade)

by NorseThing

We are continuing from episode 3.5. This episode regarding King Charles is simultaneous with episode 3.6. We observed in episode 3.6 the activities of Princess Ingrid's marriage to Prince Otto and their offspring of a daughter and eventually the agreement with Poland regarding trade. Of course the trade agreement was between the women of the royal courts. Men did not participate in the decisions. The council's thinking was that the male nobles would never be held on a trade agreement or anything of substance if it came to blows over the Prussian question. How could the Pope or any other royal house within Europe blame Denmark if the women had acted without the consent of the sovereign, a male sovereign? Even the sister and the mother of the sovereign cannot and do not speak with the same authority as the sovereign.
　
King Charles and his army were still on shipboard in sight of Thorn, a council objective. The Polish army was near with some detachments of unknown strengths and unknown intentions. Who would make the first move -- Denmark or Poland? Would the Prussians defend? Would there be war?
　
We now continue with King Charles and the Prussian question:
　
The King was with his small fleet off of the coast of Prussia. Thorn was in the distance. King Charles was not a patient man in the best of times and these were clearly not the best of times. Polish soldiers had been seen. It was not really the Prussians that worried him. The Polish army was better equipped to handle combat on the plains beyond Thorn with their fierce mounted crossbow archers. If there was to be war, it was best it be in the hills close to the Baltic shore where the Danish navy could be used to evacuate the army and the king if needed. He ordered the men to disembark. "Quickly men! It is but a few weeks march to Thorn. If we move quickly we can be warm in the castle at Thorn before the winter thaw!" With that he ordered his own cavalry bodyguard to quickly seize the opportunity.
　
They broke away from the infantry. Cavalry can drive a quick pace but not for long each day. That meant the haste was patially a wasted effort and only served to tire the horses. The cavalry did arrive at Thorn before the infantry, but the horses were in no shape for any battle. The seige of Thorn would begin without the critical and immediate support of the main Danish army. The statement to the royal appointed diplomat some time ago that messages needed to move quickly to catch up to the king was now more obvious. King Charles even left his infantry to catch up as they could. The much slower infantry would be needed and there was a risk that his loyal cavalry on foot or mounted would not match well with the Thorn garrision on their own.
　
It was now summer in 1086 and the Danes were not in the castle before the winter thaw. The seige of Thorn was now in its second year. Fortune shined on the new king though. The four companies within the wooden castle at Thorn either lacked the leadership or the courage to sally out and break the seige. Perhaps they believed that more Danes than a simply cavalry regiment which was the only force present at the start of the seige. The king had orderd the cavalry to disperse and to remain on foot. They kept a variety of campfires in use to make their small numbers seem much larger. It was a bold ruse, but it might have made the difference until the infantry caught up to support the seige.
　
Of course the Prussians could also be sitting tight in confidence that help was going to releave the seige. This was the mistake that the Pomeranians made by splitting their forces so maybe the same mistake was now repeated. In any case, it was beginning to be too late for the Prussians. Time was now on the side of King Charles. The Danish infantry had now completed the encirclement and were now busy making the final preparations on the ladders and rams needed to break the will of the Prussian defenders by force of arms. This was summer and good weather for a battle. Now if the garrision were to sally out, the cavalry could in confidence flank the garrision knowing that there was firm dry ground for both the cavalry an the infantry.
　
Summer heat and dry ground now turned to the mud of fall and then to the frozen ground as the fall rains had turned to the snow of winter in 1087. Still the garrision held on and Prince Charles had not ordered an assault. It is now December and the orders were given to the company commanders.
King Charles addressed the commanders, "In the morning we will end the seige of Thorn. The time is right and the four companies defending are now much weaker. Our eight infantry companies no matter how battered plus my personal cavalry will hold the castle at the end of the day. We have rested on this winter outing long enough. In the morning victory will be ours!"
　
The King continued, "Captain Czeslaw has been a patient commander of the castle. I have no doubt that he will defend Prussian honor by fighting to his own death. Take care and do not waste your men on any desperate manuvers. This is to be a purposeful and steady assault with the aim on taking out the leadership. It is possible that they will lose heart against our superior force when the Captain is either our prisoner or only a fallen knight on the field of battle."
　
And so it came to pass in the morning. The ladders were rushed to the walls. The ram was pushed with steady determination to the gate. The extra ram and the extra ladders held in reserve were never needed. Once the walls were taken, Captian Czeslaw died on the wall even before the ram had broken open the gate. Only 52 Danes were lost. The garrision had more than forty per cent losses when the Captain fell. The rest of the Prussians quickly folded.
　
King Charles was not going to make the same mistake that his father, King Knud, did with Stettin. The castle would remain a castle. At least it would remain so in the present while there was unrest and nearly eight out of ten Prussians were not even of the Catholic faith. King Charles had even allowed his men the luxery of sacking the castle. The florins would correct the deficiency in the treasury. These men and all the men of arms within Denmark would be paid. The nearly 1000 florins the king held from the sacking was not much. After paying the unpaid bills that had been a part of the treasury deficit, there would not even be enough to build a small chapel in the Thorn castle.
　
However, there was good news. The Cardinal had just arrived at the castle gates. His presence was a good sight for all the men of Denmark. The Prince was pleased. The Cardinal when informed of the castle remaining was even more pleased. Perhaps his wandering the wilderness could now end.
　
King Charles did not know of the trade agreement with Poland until after the castle was secured. Princess Agnes Herman of Poland did not know of the Danish treasury recovery either. This turn of finances and a potential promise of more florins in tribute to Poland would have been possilble. The Polish Princess had been in too much of a rush and too uncertain in her position to push for anything that may have benefited her family.
　
King Charles was informed by messenger that the council was also pleased. They had found it pleasing that he had completed the council mission. The Kingdom now had four new squadrons of longboats as a result of the council's gratitude.. The treasury was not flush, but the longboats were a welcome addition to the Danish military. Cutbacks were made to decommision some of the costly infantry companies across the Kingdom such as some of the crossbowmen as well as some militia infantry spears. It was time to regroup and reorganize. Denmark was not at war, yet.
　
The council did not disappoint Princess Ingrid either regarding a suitable marriage partner for King Charles. Bjorg Henrikson was presented to the court in Hamburg. The royal couple was married on Christmas Day.

　
-- This completes Chapter 3, A Danish House --

[Darkan]

Nice, I like the details of the siege and how you incorporated the game turns in the story. It's surprising to me that there is so much religious unrest in these areas. Now that Denmark has a stronger navy, perhaps it's time to think of a Mare Nostrum situation in the Baltic, no?

[NorseThing]

The entire chapter was setting up the next chapter -- The Danish Crusade, chapter 4 (which happens with the Mongol invasion 100 years forward) I am going to take advantage of the Lands to Conquer modification and restart a new campaign in a new era that ties in nicely with this chapter and the legacy of the Prince who became King and of Princess Ingrid.

Just a preview hint.

[Alwyn]

I agree with Darkan; I like the way that you emphasise the important of the weather and its impact on armies and military decisions. This element, together with the comments about tired horses and men, and about characters not knowing what others have done yet, help to make your tale feel realistic.

Using a mod and starting a new campaign in a new era sounds like a good way to explore the legacy of this generation of characters, I look forward to seeing what they legacy will be.

[Axis Sunsoar]

I really like the idea of examing the legacy of some of the characters we've met in this section of the tales, and look forward to how you handle that! Like the two commenters before me I really enjoy the way you have introduced more elements to the story than those that are just present in the actual campaign, which of course is rather limited when it comes to posing obstacles like you've described. I look forward to where your jump to the future takes us!

[Turkafinwë]

I really like the amount of detail you put in these stories. It's a nice change to see these short stories among all the long ones. It creates a satifactory read. As the rest of the commenters, I await with great anticipation the further development of these stories. I think the legacy aspect for the next chapter is a wonderful idea. It's a nice thing to link multiple stories to each other.

Keep it coming!

[NorseThing]

Tales After the Crusade

by NorseThing

Epilogue to Chapter 3

Ingrid's Poem

(in a narrative form as Wm Shakespeare may have written this if it was his creation of a sonnet)

　
Borders are not lines between warring lands. They are often the boundary setting of peaceful borders. True signs between king and noble that has bound the noble's hands. Conflict comes from possessing many lands. Nobles can't have duty to more than one king. Demands of duty are made from each king and this resulting in broken commands.. Kings can many times resolve such conflicts by sword, by marriage, or with a tribute. Can any man made by tribute be trusted? Will a sword forever hold firm the sceptics? Family bonds are strongest to contribute to harmony 'tween crowns when not contested.

[NorseThing]

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 4.1

The Danish Crusade

by NorseThing

　
1211 A.D.
　
Hamburg, the capital fortress of the Kingdom of Denmark
　
Both the regions controlled by Denmark now have 10,000 or more for a population base but each regional settlement is having problems with significant squalor. Population growth is a dream for Hamburg and nearly a dream for Arhus. Today both Pomerania and Prussia are independent duchies and nearly no Christians among the populations. The work of King Charles was undone with riots and the natural resistance of a conquered duchy. The added resistance to convert religious belief to the Latin faith made it even more difficult. Add to this the new sovereign leader' father was killed in the very earliest rioting.
　
King Valdemar was known as a risky attacker in his younger years. He had to take risks. Even a Danish bishop was aspiring to be king of Denmark in league with some German nobles. Now the risk taking would be by his son, Prince Eric. The Prince was just now at the border of Pomerania awaiting the official word from his father. So why was King Valdemar now taking such risks when history was solidly looking at this as a foolish risk to take?
　
Prince Eric would lead the army consisting of 4 companies of infantry and 6 regiments of cavalry to retake Pomerania. These are all loyal Danes, no mercenaries this time. These are very high quality troops. The 100 years has seen some improvements but still a company of trusted Norse Archers are among the infantry companies. The cavalry are a mix of Feudal Knights, General's Bodyguards, the personal bodyguard to the heir and of course the Danish nobles in a cavalry regiment of Huscarls. The Pomeranians have not split their forces either as happened about 100 years ago. The 6 companies of spear militia and peasant archers in the garrison are no match for the Danish force.
　
The messenger arrives and Prince Eric orders the army to cross the frontier. The army then moves to begin the siege of Stettin castle. There was not even token opposition. The Pomeranians have all retreated into the castle. The castle is not the old wooden structure that King Knud tore down to free the Pomeranians from the expected domination by the Germans. The Pomeranians rebuilt with stone after the abandonment by the Danish due to rioting. This was now a proper castle that would take years to starve out the garrison. It was decided earlier by father and son wen planning began within the Hamburg fortress to do this quicker with rams and ladders. The Danish army is to simply overwhelm the defenders if they did not wish to submit to the authority of the Danish crown to retake the region.
　
The Prince thought to offer under a flag of truce to take the garrison quietly if they were willing to submit to Danish authority. The offer was never made since the Prince had thought the offer would be considered an insult by the Pomeranians. The siege preparations continued as planned.
　
Stettin had been subjugated nearly 100 years earlier. Rebellion then tore the duchy nearly to ruin (see A Danish House, Chapter 3). It is different today. These differences are the reason why King Valdemar is taking this risk. Their faith is still lacking, but now the Holy Roman Empire will openly support the Danish quest for Stettin. The Germans are also supporting the Polish designs on Prussia. King Valdemar had supported Emperor Otto when he was challenged for control of the German Empire. Now the situation is different and the Emperor while allied to Denmark is also tied down in a war with France. The German empire controls a line from Antwerp through Metz and into Dijon against the French. The Danish have supported the German expansion and continue to support the German efforts with an annual 500 florins almost as a vassalage to the Germans. Though perhaps the Poles are more the vassals by allowing mutual access with the Germans to their respective territory. The German goal is for a peaceful eastern frontier to the Empire.
　
The king is meeting some of the council of nobles in the Hamburg fortress:
　
Lord Chancellor of the council, "Greetings your highness, King Valdemar."
　
The King responds, "Greetings to the council as well. I wanted to inform you that the council suggested mission regarding Stettin and the Pomeranian region is now in progress. I have sent my son, the Prince, word to begin the domination of Pomerania. The castle as well as the region will be under our authority within the next year. I have also sent an additional force of two more companies of Norse Archers to expand the initial force we discussed. Our fleet of dragon boats are covering the Baltic shore as well while our docks at Jutland near Arhus are being upgraded.
　
Depending on the success of the Polish force at Thorn, we may see a need to pursue an opportunity. Also the Teutonic Knights want our aid to deal with Riga in the very near future so the deployment is needed in any case that happens. In the very near future all of these forces and perhaps even more will be used."
　
The Lord Chancellor, "The council also presents the King with a young man that we feel will be a good match for your daughter. Knud Sorensen is a promising 33 year old that has shown good promise as a company commander, but he does seem to have some mixed loyalties. We believe it is the ambition of the young man that gets in conflict with the interests of the crown at times. However we, the council, are confident that this royal marriage would resolve that conflict when his interests and your interests are aligned by marriage."
　
The king thinks for a few minutes and makes no immediate response.
　
The Lord Chancellor then continues, "Please meet this man and you can personally take his measure of worth. Our recommendation is merely a suggestion your highness."
　
Now the king does respond, "I appreciate your honesty, but I have had enough of ambitious men with the issue of the bishop and the German nobles he was in league with. I see no reason to even consider any man to wed my daughter that is any less than committed to the crown interests before marriage is even contemplated. Gentlemen, you may now leave and inform the young man of my decision."
　
The young Danish Princess is heading with all speed towards the Polish capital in Krakow. The Danish noble from Holmr acting as a spy for the king is watching events unfolding at Thorn with the Polish siege. Like at Stettin, there is no expectation of failure by the sieging forces.


　

-- to be continued --

[Turkafinwë]

I feel this is the beginning of something that will lead to greatness. Tying the past of the Pommeranian duchies to the now, and the geopolitical agreement with the Holy Roman Empire about those duchies are nice additions to the narrative.

[Alwyn]

The King's decision about the proposed marriage sounds like a wise one - but will this cause problems with Knud Sorensen, who already has mixed loyalties? Good update!

[Darkan]

I sense a time of respite for the Danish crown. Sure, conflicts still exist and decisions have to be made, but it doesn't seem as though there's any danger close by...or yet revealed.

[NorseThing]

Tales After the Crusade

Chapter 4.2

The Danish Crusade

by NorseThing

Danish noble from Holmr acting as a spy for the king is watching events unfolding at Thorn with the Polish siege. Like at Stettin, there is no expectation of failure by the sieging forces.

-- to be continued --

We now continue with the siege at Stettin:

The two companies of Norse Archers arrived at the Stettin siege in time to take part in the expected success against the stone castle. With only minor losses, the siege which began against the six companies of militia and peasant infantry defenders in the winter of 1212 was indeed a success by the summer of 1213. Once the ram broke open the gates, the cavalry simply destroyed the defenders as they retreated broken from the gates and the walls. The ladders were helpful, but once the Norse archers had broken the defenders on the walls with their swords they remained atop the walls to fire arrows into the backs of the broken defenders before the cavalry captured the rest of the men. This was a clear victory.


The Prince ordered the castle to be sacked and cleaned of all Pomeranian hints of prior ownership. Unlike the previous century, this stone castle was a be a proud reminder of Danish authority over the entire region. Over 1,000 Pomeranians were massacred during the sacking. This was of course regrettable, but it was a needed lesson to be learned by the Pomeranians. The Prince then hurried back to Hamburg with some of the infantry with the Dragon Boat squadrons. The Dragon Boats were used to screen the castle against possible Pomeranian resupply from the sea. The fleet was now ready to ferry the infantry. Some cavalry regiments returned by road to Hamburg on patrol. This was all pretty standard for the Danish operations in the Baltic.


Princess Blanche arrived at Hamburg to offer a proposal from the French King to King Valdemar:


Princess Blanche: "Your highness -- I bring you greetings from my father, the French King. He offers you potential gains from trade with our great kingdom. In addition we should form an alliance against the English who are presently a threat to all shipping in the North Sea. My father wants to bind this alliance with my marriage to your son Prince Eric."


King Valdemar: "I thank you for your visit, but I must confer with my council of nobles. My nobles will often meet as an assemblage to discuss various matters of importance in what we refer to as a landsting. They often meet at Jutland and not here in Hamburg. It may take some time, but you are welcome along with your entourage to be our guests here in Hamburg until we can determine a proper and full response for your father."


Princess Blanche: "I appreciate the kind offer. I shall accept."


Meanwhile messengers have reported to the King and the Prince at Hamburg the results of Kolbein's watching of Polish activities:


There is Polish success at Thorn. Thorn castle did receive substantial damage in the assault, but the catapult maker as well as the leather tanner is still in operation. The new Polish garrison is commanded by a general, three regiments of cavalry, and 3 companies of infantry. Their strengths are not known. There are also three companies of infantry near the Prussian border bridge but these companies are within the Krakow region. The ultimate destination of these companies is not known. The garrison at Breslau is week with only one company present as a garrison.


Cardinal Halstan had met briefly with the Polish Cardinal Gadzimar the Righteous. He is a somewhat older cardinal, but the word among the clergy is the Polish Cardinal is held in higher esteem among the clergy in Rome. Both cardinals are now helping our crown by preaching the gospel in rural eastern Pomerania. Another Polish priest was seen in the vicinity of the Polish castle at Thorn.


Along with the messenger, Thorgils Assenbjerg had also arrived. He had just completed his diplomatic training at Arhus and wanted to make a formal presentation before the King. He made such a meeting more informally though within the private chambers with the King and the member of the council of nobles:


Thorgils Assenbjerg: "Your Highness. I greet you before the planned tour of Germany and then to meet with the Pope. I await your instructions."


The Lord Chancellor (leader of the council of nobles): "Your Highness. Before you give Thorgils Assenbjerg his instructions, I believe I should report to you regarding your meeting with the French Princess. You had requested some input from the council before responding to the French."


King Valdemar: "Yes please give me your assessment of the French situation, Lord Chancellor."


The Lord Chancellor then continued: "The French Princess is one of the fairer ladies of the royal courts. We, the council, are confident that she speaks with the support of her father. However her father has created a conflict with many kingdoms. The English, the Turks, the Egyptians, as well as the Holy Roman Empire have states of war with the French Kingdom. The French seem to desire all the adjacent duchies as well. If the French want to fight all the great houses, then they clearly do not want to trade with those same great houses. The French royal treasury is believed to be empty chests as a result of these policies. They are in great need of trade as well as florins. The council recommends that such entanglements be avoided until the French sort out their disagreements and have a firmer hold on their own finances."


"There is another aspect to the French situation however. The French are favored despite all of the war and conflict by the Pope himself as well as much of the clergy. There has been rumor, though none of it with substance that the French may indeed persuade the Pope to call a Crusade upon the Egyptians in Jeruselum. The French have already earned Papal favor with their efforts to aid the Greeks. The French now hold Cyprus, Acre, and Antioch in their war against Egypt. There is no doubt the French have Jerusalem or perhaps Damascus under consideration as a Crusade target."


The meeting in the king's private chambers is now interrupted with yet another messenger.


After a pause, the Lord Chancelor continued. The messenger seemed intent on waiting. "Our own Cardinal has had some contact with Rome. I understand that Denmark would favor the Pope looking towards Riga or Vilnius as a Crusade goal against the Pagan believers that hold sway over both duchies. The Pope favors Cairo. At the moment neither our preferance nor the French are preferred. To increase our position, it will require a great many new priests as well as new chapels and churches. We may not have the time nor the resources to achieve a better position with the Pope compared to the French."


The mesenger now handed the messages to the King without comment. The king read the message to himself and did not reveal it's contents to those present:


Father, I have completed the mission in Krakow and I am now proceeding with great haste towards Rome. The mission in Poland is a great success. We are allied and hold mutual agreements of access as well as trade. They had to be bought of with an arangment similar to our florin support of the German efforts with the annual tribute of 500 florins will last for ten years and will begin next year.


The Lord Chancellor then continued after being satisfied that the king had finished reading the document the messenger had presented: I am also pleased to announce the council has raised 4 regiments of Huskarls in honor of your son's victory over the Pomeranians which was also a mission the council held in importance as well."


King Valdemar: " I am greatful for our nobles in the new Huskarl regiments. They will be put to immediate use as I am now off into the Baltic with the Dragon Boats. Please follow up with support of militia in the nearly completed Long Boat squadrons. As I am off, I would also like the Chancelor to greet the French Princess with our response to her gracious offer. Despite the council's suggestions, I think it best to accept the French King's offer in the spirit it was offered. Though it lack florins for the dowry, the marriage is a good match for my son. Royals should always marry royals since they are better acquainted with the mores and habits of how royalty needs to handle affairs of the kingdom. My son will one day be king. I am certain he would prefer to confide in a wife who can best understand the situations he faces than not confide in a wife who does not know the first thing of such situations. Please inform my son when he arrives, but it would be best if he was not present with your audiance with the French"


King Valdemar continued after a short pause to better arrange his next words: "And to our new royal diplomat -- please take your time in progressing towards Rome. Meet with as many of the royal houses as is convenient along the way. Get to know them. This is especially true with the Germans since our alliance with France may mean a temporary cessation in the German - French hostilities. Reassure them that our interests are still aligned with Frankfurt and the royal household of the Holy Roman Emperor. If perhaps my daughter were to arrive in Rome before you, do not take offense. She knows what I want. You are now all dismissed. You have your instructions."


Meanwhile yet another messenge to the King from Kolbein was opened. This King Valdemar read to all who were present after first reading it to himself:


The King spoke while rereading the document, "This is from our noble Kolbein who has been watching the situation with Poland regarding Prussia. Kolbein's own words: I have exciting but not verified news. This is from several sources including the polish priest near Thorn. Various merchants of the far east are speaking in great fear of a fierce warlord from Mongolia named Genghis Khan. He seems to have amassed an unstoppable horde of cavalry. These Mongols are reportedly sweeping across Transoxania at a frightening rate. They look set upon continuing westward. Perhaps they will move either north or south of the Caspian Sea. This may endanger either Russia or Poland or both. Sire, I repeat again that this is not confirmed."

The Chancelor did as instructed. There was indeed a grand royal wedding with the uniting of the French and French housholds. The marriage of Princess Blanche to the Royal Heir, Prince Eric was held in the Hamburg chapel. The Germans did agree to at least a temporary cessation of hostilities with the lands they now held remaining in the Empire's control. Stettin is showing at least a high level of support among the local Pomeranians that is undoubably due to the garrison of a full compliment of 2 regiments of Feudal Cavalry and and 3 companies of good Norse infantry to enforce the law while imposing a mild dose of fear as well. The religious unrest is high but manageable. And the King and a small army are heading north and east into the Baltic from the Hamburg dockyards for a new goal that only he and the Admiral making preparations in the Arhus dockyards knows.

-- to be continued --

[Turkafinwë]

Ooooh Genghis Khan, I hope he gets some more "screentime" as it were. I really love the Mongols. Whatever you do. DON'T. KILL. THE. ENVOYS.

Anyway, it's nice to see another update. A royal marriage to the warlike French, what will come of that I wonder. Maybe even war between Denmark and the HRE? Maybe the great wars in Europe will begin soon? Again I'm eagerly awaiting when the new chapter comes about.

[Alwyn]

The new alliance sounds useful and I'm wondering where the Pope will choose as the target of the next crusade. As Turkafinwë said, the threat from the east sounds like an important development.