ShadesWolf
03-19-2003, 20:59
INTRODUCTION
In the year of our Lord 1205AD , John I came to the thrown of England. He had a rudimentary grasp of reading and writing but was dimly aware of the omnipotent forces that guide our daily lives.
Diplomatically he was recognised as a significant power within the world. John was the youngest of Henry II four sons. He found himself crowned king of England in 1199 after the death of hs last brothers
John was prepared to go further than most others to achieve his goals, this made John a dangerous adversary
http://www.shadesmtw.com/gaminginfo/england/1205theking.gif
THE EARLY YEARS
John had achieve his fame on the battlefields of Ireland, Normandy, Aquaitiane and England. In 1183 while ruling Ireland, in his fathers name, he had massacred, the then King, Rory O’conner for treason along with 500 of his followers.
John’s eldest brother, Henry the younger, died in 1183 while protecting the Angevin empire. This was followed by the death on another brother, Geoffrey, who died in 1187 while at a tournament. John and Richard were left as the only heirs. Henry’s relationships with Richard was worsening and John became the king favourite. In 1189 Richard, with the help of Louis of France declared war on his father. Henry called for Johns support, but was horrified to learn that his favourite son had betrayed him and gone over to Richards’s side. Henry died a broken man in 1189.
Richard was crowned king in September 1189. Immediately he made John 'Count of Mortain,' and granted him extensive lands in England (including Nottingham). While Richard was away Crusading, John conspired against him with William Longchamps, the king regent. He set himself up as king, all but in name. On Richards return John fled to France, worried for his life.
Richard finally died in 1199, leaving his brother unopposed as the sole heir to the kingdom, John was crowned king of England in 1199 and thus our story begins…
KING JOHNS CONTEMPORIES
The year is 1205 and John has been on the throne for 6 years. His reign, so far, had been a quiet one. The empires borders were vast and weakly defended.
http://www.shadesmtw.com/gaminginfo/england/1205engempire.gif
To the north were the Scottish, for many centuries there had been hostilities between England and Scotland. The border was not large, but the threat was real. Scotland was ruled by Domongart of Douglas, but all was not well in the nation, his cousin Fearghus the Balleol wanted the throne and was willing to do anything to get it.
To the eastern borders of Brittany, Anjou and Aquitaine lay the lands of Philippe II of France. The French were a dangerous nation who had vast influence on European diplomacy. Phillipe was an excellent commander and was well known for his massacring of prisoners captured on the battlefield.
Aquitaines southern borders were the twin kingdoms of Aragon and Navarre. Both of these nations were looking to advance their empires and any weakness would quickly be sieged upon. Aragon was the strongest of the two, and with the warrior King, Pedro II, were somewhat of a threat. It was rumoured that the 'Black Knight' who killed Geoffrey in the tournament of 1187 was Pedro, as he had natural talent for personal combat and recently had won a number of jousting competition.
John seeing the threat that Aragon posed, sent his eldest daughter to meet their King. The plan was to make Catherine his wife, thus bringing the two kingdoms closer together and protecting Aquitianes southern borders.
Pedro II unfortunately was already married, but he was so impressed with Catherines diplomatic abilities that he agreed to an alliance with England. This protected Johns southern borders and left him able to concentrait his forces elsewhere.
THE MASSACRE IN SCOTLAND(1207 - 1210)
In 1207 King John had completed his negotiations with Fearghus the Balleol. Fearghus announsed his rebellion against Domongart and joined the English side. His army is small but loyal. Domongart raises an army and marched from Edinburgh to meet Fearghus in the battlesfields of southern Scotland. The Scottish wars of succession had begin.
In 1208 during the battle of 'Mcdonald Pass', Fearghus was captured by Domongart and along with his 120 men was massacred. Hearing the news of Fearghus's death, King John is angered and despatches Lord Roos, The Earl of Northumbria, to deal with Domongart. The king wants his heads to be bought back to him on a plate.
Lord Roos was the kings most trusted Lord. In the year 1209 he marched across the scottish borders with 299 men to meet the Scottish king on the battlefield. Domongart was eager to meet the new invasion and again marched from Edinburgh, south to engage the enemy. On october 24th 1209 the two armies collided, the English army was made up of Longbows, Chivalric knights and light cav. The Scottish army had crossbows and highland warrior.
The outcome was disastrous, the highlanders came screaming down from the hills, and charged into the unsuspecting English. By the end of the day, 196 English men lay dead including Lord Roos and the Lord chamberlain. The Scots had lost 60 highlanders to longbow fire. An English army of 104 limped back over the border to regroup and try again but reinforcements would be required before John could reinvade.
On hearing of the battle in Scotland, Aed Brechyne declared Irelands independence from England, The English garrison under Lord Holland of Ireland marched to crush the rebellion. The odds were to high for the English and the entire garrison of 99 died, Ireland was free and an independent nation once more.
To be continued.........
In the year of our Lord 1205AD , John I came to the thrown of England. He had a rudimentary grasp of reading and writing but was dimly aware of the omnipotent forces that guide our daily lives.
Diplomatically he was recognised as a significant power within the world. John was the youngest of Henry II four sons. He found himself crowned king of England in 1199 after the death of hs last brothers
John was prepared to go further than most others to achieve his goals, this made John a dangerous adversary
http://www.shadesmtw.com/gaminginfo/england/1205theking.gif
THE EARLY YEARS
John had achieve his fame on the battlefields of Ireland, Normandy, Aquaitiane and England. In 1183 while ruling Ireland, in his fathers name, he had massacred, the then King, Rory O’conner for treason along with 500 of his followers.
John’s eldest brother, Henry the younger, died in 1183 while protecting the Angevin empire. This was followed by the death on another brother, Geoffrey, who died in 1187 while at a tournament. John and Richard were left as the only heirs. Henry’s relationships with Richard was worsening and John became the king favourite. In 1189 Richard, with the help of Louis of France declared war on his father. Henry called for Johns support, but was horrified to learn that his favourite son had betrayed him and gone over to Richards’s side. Henry died a broken man in 1189.
Richard was crowned king in September 1189. Immediately he made John 'Count of Mortain,' and granted him extensive lands in England (including Nottingham). While Richard was away Crusading, John conspired against him with William Longchamps, the king regent. He set himself up as king, all but in name. On Richards return John fled to France, worried for his life.
Richard finally died in 1199, leaving his brother unopposed as the sole heir to the kingdom, John was crowned king of England in 1199 and thus our story begins…
KING JOHNS CONTEMPORIES
The year is 1205 and John has been on the throne for 6 years. His reign, so far, had been a quiet one. The empires borders were vast and weakly defended.
http://www.shadesmtw.com/gaminginfo/england/1205engempire.gif
To the north were the Scottish, for many centuries there had been hostilities between England and Scotland. The border was not large, but the threat was real. Scotland was ruled by Domongart of Douglas, but all was not well in the nation, his cousin Fearghus the Balleol wanted the throne and was willing to do anything to get it.
To the eastern borders of Brittany, Anjou and Aquitaine lay the lands of Philippe II of France. The French were a dangerous nation who had vast influence on European diplomacy. Phillipe was an excellent commander and was well known for his massacring of prisoners captured on the battlefield.
Aquitaines southern borders were the twin kingdoms of Aragon and Navarre. Both of these nations were looking to advance their empires and any weakness would quickly be sieged upon. Aragon was the strongest of the two, and with the warrior King, Pedro II, were somewhat of a threat. It was rumoured that the 'Black Knight' who killed Geoffrey in the tournament of 1187 was Pedro, as he had natural talent for personal combat and recently had won a number of jousting competition.
John seeing the threat that Aragon posed, sent his eldest daughter to meet their King. The plan was to make Catherine his wife, thus bringing the two kingdoms closer together and protecting Aquitianes southern borders.
Pedro II unfortunately was already married, but he was so impressed with Catherines diplomatic abilities that he agreed to an alliance with England. This protected Johns southern borders and left him able to concentrait his forces elsewhere.
THE MASSACRE IN SCOTLAND(1207 - 1210)
In 1207 King John had completed his negotiations with Fearghus the Balleol. Fearghus announsed his rebellion against Domongart and joined the English side. His army is small but loyal. Domongart raises an army and marched from Edinburgh to meet Fearghus in the battlesfields of southern Scotland. The Scottish wars of succession had begin.
In 1208 during the battle of 'Mcdonald Pass', Fearghus was captured by Domongart and along with his 120 men was massacred. Hearing the news of Fearghus's death, King John is angered and despatches Lord Roos, The Earl of Northumbria, to deal with Domongart. The king wants his heads to be bought back to him on a plate.
Lord Roos was the kings most trusted Lord. In the year 1209 he marched across the scottish borders with 299 men to meet the Scottish king on the battlefield. Domongart was eager to meet the new invasion and again marched from Edinburgh, south to engage the enemy. On october 24th 1209 the two armies collided, the English army was made up of Longbows, Chivalric knights and light cav. The Scottish army had crossbows and highland warrior.
The outcome was disastrous, the highlanders came screaming down from the hills, and charged into the unsuspecting English. By the end of the day, 196 English men lay dead including Lord Roos and the Lord chamberlain. The Scots had lost 60 highlanders to longbow fire. An English army of 104 limped back over the border to regroup and try again but reinforcements would be required before John could reinvade.
On hearing of the battle in Scotland, Aed Brechyne declared Irelands independence from England, The English garrison under Lord Holland of Ireland marched to crush the rebellion. The odds were to high for the English and the entire garrison of 99 died, Ireland was free and an independent nation once more.
To be continued.........