Jerusalem, 1156
https://i.imgur.com/QH4TRcu.jpg
It's been a full century since the Mad King Harold Godwinson threw out the Norse invaders in the combined Norman and Norwegian invasions of England. Fully believing himself possessed by the spirit of Satan, Harold's rule was punctuated by periods of harsh brutality visited upon his subjects. Some wondered whether they would have been better off under the rule of William the Bastard or Harald Hardrada rather than their insane king. The former met his end penniless and little more than a pauper after his failed invasion of England, while the later was slain by the 'possessed' Harold.
https://i.imgur.com/HyzKf0N.jpg
For over half a century the heirs of Harald have fought to unite the Isles beneath their rule. First was Wales, which was united beneath Godwine I, son of Harold. Next came Ireland, where ultimate resistance was crushed by Ælfwald the Wise, known more commonly among his enemies as Ælfwald the Dwarf. But it was not until 1120, just after the conquest of southern Ireland was complete that a new challenge was presented: Jerusalem. The crusade for the holy land was in full swing and little success was being met by the exhausted troops of western europe. That is, until the arrival of German and Frankish Knights from the Holy Roman Empire and France respectively and the imposing Huscarls of the Saxons.
Providing the backbone of the combined army of western europe, the Saxons held fast in every single battle. Backed by the powerful German Knights and Saxon infantry, the crusaders smashed the Fatimids in every significant battle after the arrival of reinforcements in 1122. For their contribution to the crusade effort, the Saxon King was also proclaimed King of Jerusalem. It's been almost 40 years since the Crusade and time and ambition have finally caught up to the heirs of Harold Godwinson.
With the death of Gisela I 'the Great' of Godwin, succession was complicated by the death of her first son by mysterious circumstances. Gisela's granddaughter, Ecgwyn, was by law entitled to the succession, but due to her young age (only 11 at the time of her mother's death) she could do little to stop her older sister, Æthelflæd I, from stepping in and proclaiming herself Queen of England. Æthelflæd had spent most of her adult life building a powerful web of alliances and supporters in England, making deals with the Saxon lords of Mercia and Northumbria (the two most powerful vassals of the Kingdom). Nearing 30 in 1150, and married matrilineally to the bastard son of Queen Cecilia 'the Fat' of Sweden, she was considered dark horse
at best in the question of succession.. until she murdered her brother of course. Although no evidence could ever link her to the assassin who poisoned Eadweard of Eilat, she is the one who benefited the greatest from his demise...
Gisela's second son was living in Scotland, married to Queen Helen I of Scotland, and her third son was even younger the heir apparant Ecgwyn, still just a child, and with fewer supporters. With only the young Ecwyn in her way and already having powerful support from the central dukes of England, Æthelflæd used the threat of foreign interference in Saxon affairs to encourage her conspiracy to act. She was crowned Queen of England in 1151, almost 100 years after Harold fought for his life in the invasions.
https://i.imgur.com/6hnbSVM.jpg
With the throne of England passing to Æthelflæd, the Duke of Lienster, Sæxbald I, moved quickly to consolidate power in the Emerald Isle. The first son of Harold of Ascalon (who was in turn, youngest son of Ælfwald the Wise), Sæxbald rallied his supporters and declared himself King of Ireland a few months after the Kingdom of England had been passed to Æthelflæd. With little in the way of manpower in England after Æthelflæd had siezed the throne, Ecgwyn's supporters could do little but accept the declaration as fact. Ireland and England both had new rulers.
https://i.imgur.com/Qt1IAKs.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JzAGx0z.jpg
The powerful Kingdom of England had now been split between the successors of Gisela I.
With Ireland firmly under the command of Sæxbald and Æthelflæd cementing her power in London, Ecgwyn fled to the only place that might still accept her rule, The Holy Land. Protected by the last retinues of her mother who were still loyal to the true royal line, the fleet landed in Acre nearing on August of 1151. To the great relief of all involved, Ecgwyn was welcomed by the dukes of the Levant, who proclaimed her the rightful heir of Gisela I and the true Queen of Jerusalem. Yet now, cut off from their homeland and truly alone in the world, the newly independent Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Jerusalem must now face its first and most dangerous quest: Survival.
https://i.imgur.com/bk7Qx64.jpg
