XL-TYB2.2 - Ireland My Sireland!

EÍRE

Ah you, so narrowly travelled - you have come to hear a tale like to those which have always been recounted here - and I have one for you.
I am long disappeared from this hall my mingling one, only a part of me has returned to herald the news which I am out there witnessing. You are standing upon the shore of shale and beloamed stone, and reading whatever can be found in the much distorted and tired waves of wake shelving upon the land to rest. And I, well beyond the limits of this hall, have experience of the movements and makings of men - not good nor evil - but deeply held in the sways of godly agents, which press them on to venture past the animal bounds and display divine and demure virtue, and darkest, bedevilled vice.

The First Chapter: 1100-1117

Ireland! I have been there. An event manifested itself within the Isle on the very first year of the twelfth century which caused the Irish to become men at odds with Destiny and Fate, determined to control the future of their ethnicity.
Ard-Ri Diarmaid I, who was teased incessantly by the eastern germanic kings for his title, was bemused at the announcement of a soothsayer and fortune teller in the land.
It was said that the fellow had with difficulty escaped the continent after confidently telling the Holy Roman Emperor that within thirty years his successors would have nothing more than a few distanced fiefs in the extremities of Germanica, and that he himself would die in exile.

In 1099, Genoa, France, Poland, Norway and Sweden declared war against the Emperor and the might of those many electorates seemed in 1100 to be already subdued.
Fearful lest the results may be scandalous, yet infinitely intrigued by the testament, the Ard-Ri at last requested this fool to be brought within the royal company.

All manner of courtesies were paid to the man, yet he remained shy and restrained throughout each toast made in his guest-like honour.
When a day and night had passed in festive welcome to so famous a visitor, and many prominent Irishmen had traveled even from Britonland to be present at this event, Ard-Ri Diarmaid summoned the soothsayer beside his seat of power and bid him tell everyone who was there to witness; what the Irish people could expect in future times.

Composed in the likeness of one who expects his inevitable fate, the augur began his tale.
He told of tribalism, backwardness, invasion, persecution, famine and poverty.
When the court then became a crowd, and violently insisted he politely ignore such insults and tell instead of what benefits Ireland must await, he vaguely muttered about catholic monks, drunken poets and limericks, but was then forced to return to his original recitation for want of material.
This angered even the most anglicised and civilised Irishman, but when they heard of such things as "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" and the "Euro", but especially "Oscar Wilde", they rushed upon him and having seized him, imprisoned the fellow immediately.

Whilst discussing his punishment, or rather if there was any reason not to execute him, Ard-Ri Diarmaid halted the argument of his fellows thus:

'Aside, Irishmen aside! Place yourselves and your thoughts aside and allow your monarch to disseminate what insight did find him as you clamored.
We all have seen the fate of the Holy Roman Emperor!
And yet did this man see it ere us all!
Now it cannot be proven that he has foretold to us the truth of what only his mind can see, but you must agree it is an undisputed fact that our Ireland has a future, whatever it may be!
And it is the responsibility of ourselves alone to ensure that it is a path of continuous prosperity and fulfillment for Irishmen!
If none of you can doubt this, then it is my suggestion to you all that this soothsayer be not cut off from life before he can witness at least the proof of his lies, and at most - the knowledge that Irishmen control their Irish destiny.'

The barbarians of the Emerald Isle approved this mightily, and the soothsayer was detained within the royal chamber that he may witness every move the Irish clans would make towards their new destiny...

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Ireland possessed a modest martial population, with many clans contributing to battalions of Bonnachts which fought with throwing spears and bucklers.
For some time the Irish king had been escalating the amount of youthful men who were consigned to these battalions, but after 1100, he also began the active recruitment of elite gallowglasses, reputed to be the best swordsmen in all the isles.
It was from this time entirely the intention of the king to send a thousand men into norman Engeland in order to seize the south from King William II who was preoccupied with the fortification of Normandy.
And by 1105 one thousand men were gathered in Ireland for the invasion.
400 Bonnachts, 300 Gallowglasses, 60 Kerns, 160 Irish horse and 78 knights of the Household Guard accompanying Prince Diarmaid and his younger brother Prince Madog came to the port of Dublin at the order of the King (Who had since changed his title for the sake of the kingdom's copyists).
It was said they should not return to Ireland without claim to more English land than had the English, and it was understood they would not return for many years.
And they wouldn't.

A great fleet had been created to outnumber the English patrols in the Irish sea by 4 to 1, and in 1105 a sudden attack was made on the unwashed Anglic sailors, who were crushed without hope. The Irish, thankful that this time the random engine of fate had not decreed victory to the English (As was known to happen in parallel dimensions), immediately embarked the thousand and bid them safe journey to Wessex in 1106.
The Irish fleet, flushed, sailed south into the English Channel in order to block reinforcement from Normandy, where two thousand Englishmen stood on guard.

King William II son of King William the Conqueror, and his son, Prince William, were discussing the recent lawful decree that when two Englishmen meet, their first talk should be of the weather.
When news arrived of the invasion of the western counties, the King was astounded firstly by the likelihood of such an event, and secondly with the knowledge that they were Irishmen who had invaded.
Having been convinced at last by his advisers that these 'wayward plonk-taffing pirates' were sufficiently strong to defend against even his own bodyguard and sixty archers, the King left for Mercia with his son, leaving the castle intact.

Prince Diarmaid was most grateful for the acquisition of a castle and all its infrastructure, but was disappointed that he was not in possession of sufficient troops to pursue the English king and garrison the south. The men who had sailed also began to despair of payment which was owing.

Three years passed, with many saxon and engle lords coming over to the side of the Irish, who remained dominant in the south, King William II not daring to challenge Diarmaid, who watched the Thames carefully. The Irish fleet continued blockading the channel, and skirmished with the English until the red pennant was no longer seen within the channel nor upon the sea.
And when this three years had passed, the loyalty of the men who dwelt in the low countries favoured at last King Diarmaid I, who had relieved them of all trivial taxes and shown benevolence overall.

So in 1109, without intelligence of what England held north of the Thames, but knowing that nothing had ever sailed successfully from Normandy, Diarmaid and Madog marched to cross the river, and were met by King William II.

MERCIA 1109

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Diarmaid decided that the Gallowglasses would be unnecessary for the endeavour, and leaving these elites along with the kerns in Wessex he lead the Bonnachts, horse and Guards north.
Fortunately the Thames at this particular point where the two royal lines met was bridged at two proximate junctions.
The Irish had come up quickly, but William II had sent on a famous consort of norman knights which dismounted and stood at the English side of the eastern bridge.
Having confidence in the ability of the Bonnachts, but more so of their throwing spears, Diarmaid ordered the smaller battalion of these to advance quickly over the bridge and to first skirmish with the knights using their missiles.
The large assembly of cavalry moved to the western bridge.

The English army, consisting of a balanced group of archers and infantry, the infantry consisting of spears, swords, militia and knights, and in addition, the three personal guards of the King and his two sons, was just upon the hill in the distance, coming up to the fight.

The knights at the bridgehead, seeing the overconfidence of a small number of Bonnachts, charged them immediately before they could raise their javelins and slew all but three of them, yet all but these three stood their ground.
The knights pursued most foolishly the Irishmen until the reached the southern bank, where a battalion of 160 Bonnachts threw a volley of spears into their midst.
After two volleys, only two knights were left on their feet, and these they used to reach the northern bank again.

Something came over William at this sight, and the entire English army turned and almost routed towards the horizon, but here they halted, and took loose formation upon the slope.
When it looked like the Bonnachts might cross, Prince William was sent with a party of well-trained men-at-arms to hold the bridgehead.

Seeing this opportunity, the Irish horse and the princes crossed over in the west and prepared to meet this column.
When they arrived at the bridgehead, the prince, his guard and the infantry were rushed by the Irish horse who threw their darts into the host, destroying many.
The entire English infantry column now advanced, but these were dispersed enough that the Irish horse could engage them separately and decimate their strength with darts before routing them in combat.
The Household Guard saw much action at the bridgehead, where the guards of both William and that other lesser known son were destroyed, and Prince William himself killed in the action with Diarmaid's retinue.

By this time, King William II was forced to retire with his companions and leave his struggling infantry to the defense of the archers, who were cut off along side the men-at-arms.
Of 450 men, 97 English were captured and only 80 escaped. King William II refused to ransom the prisoners, despite the Duke of Normandy being among their number.

---

Now in 1109, Mercia was firmly under control and only a token resistance was given amongst the fortifications of the country. King William II had retreated to Northumbria with the remnants of his party in order to combine with the garrison which was prepared to defend against marauding Scots.

In 1110, Mercia was claimed entirely by the Irish and no resistance remained.
But horrible news came to the brothers who were calling for more men to come up north of the Thames.

A vague and distant king, whose ancestors had once run amok in Ireland, had personally come over the North Atlantic ocean and landed in the Sireland with 600 men, declaring Dublin and her holdings to be 'Norwegian' claim.

The reaction of King Diarmaid I was not dissimilar to that of King William II when he heard of invasion. As was the result.
But the Irish will was strong, roused by the events of the past decade, and 600 men could not contain a national spirit.
The King could hold off in the well-fortified keep for years, and the people would not yield to vikings while they had such a king. England would be subdued forever, and then the triumphant princes would march home and destroy these raiders.

In 1111, a year noted in the tales of other kingdoms for its harsh lessons, King Diarmaid I, formerly Ard-Ri, of Ireland passed away in his sleep and with him the Irish claim to Ireland.
The people, who had promised to their king; 'We will most likely revolt next year, about a 87 percent chance', of a sudden gave up all rebellion and submitted.
King Magnus became sovereign of Norway and Ireland.

The English could have marched south and taken all Britain again for the Irish grief incapacitated all practical thought.
The princes held claim to more English land than did the English, and yet Ireland was no longer welcome to them.
Many arguments were had over the idea of surrendering and integrating with the English king, but when King Diarmaid II had returned to Wessex to be crowned, Prince Madog had taken over the army in Mercia, and all despair had been laid aside, it was seen that the Free Irish - a token people though they were - had much power in Britain.

Recruitment would be difficult, but a conquest of Northumbria, subjugation of Scotland and eventually Wales would lead to a significant profit with which to rebuild.
Victory would however require munificent use of whatever funds were made available, and while they must not rush, no opportunity could be missed.

They would yet return to Ireland as masters of Britain, and with this in mind, the King sent all troops north of the Thames, risking rebellion of the saxons, but confident in his own eloquence. Prince Madog left the Kerns in garrison of Mercia, and although it was 1116 before the Free Irish felt ready to move, Northumbria was decisively invaded in this year.

Northumbria 1116

King William II was surprised at this attack, for he had been hopeful of pushing an offensive himself but for lack of florins.
It was not expected that the Free Irish would have the morale to advance into the northern hills to face the well-prepared Englishmen.
The English massed themselves upon a wooded hillock and awaited the approach of the Free Irish, who were assailed by volleys of arrows loosed from the foot of the hill.
Unprotected, the English archers continued, and the Irish horse was ordered to attempt a flanking movement in order to destroy these men.

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This gamble was successful, although it brought the entire English host howling down out of the woods, only five Irishmen were lost and not an archer escaped.

Having skirmished briefly, the horse found themselves harried by a rogue group of English knights who had left the main host in chivalrous lust for battle.
The Irish horse retreated within the lines of Bonnachts, and yet even this did not deter the cavalry, who came galloping into contact with them under a hail of spears.

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This was the loss for the English of the last of the royal household guard, aside from those who remained with the king.

There then occurred a general retreat of the English up a large, gradual hill, on which happened many skirmishes between the Irish horse and various groups of English infantry - knights, militia, spears and men-at-arms - all flanked, exhausted and routed to the greatest honour of that cavalry arm.

The gallowglasses were withheld from action in this battle, as they were secretly intended for use against the Scots.

Almost every combat arm lost to him, King William II retreated to the summit of the hill, where he became surrounded by Bonnachts, but not wishing to engage, he was slain by missiles without ever in the course of the war having come to close quarters with an Irishman.

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Only a few men escaped from this final fight, and 87 were captured and refused ransom by the new English king, who retreated to Normandy on a merchant craft.

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Every British claim short of Wales and Scotland came under the Free Irish in 1117 with the fall of the fort of York. Financial records showed that a profit would come to the King for the first time since 1104, and militarily it was plausible that Scotland could be invaded and taken within a few years.

It was imperative that the Free Irish should not waste men, money nor energy in the race to take all of Britain and return home to face King Magnus before their enemies could grow in power.

Hope and despair plagued King Diarmaid II equally.

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Very nice! :2thumbsup:

Fine work, Glenn. It must have taken many a furrow-browed and clench-jawed hour to assemble.

"...but when they heard of such things as "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" and the "Euro", but especially "Oscar Wilde", they rushed upon him and having seized him, imprisoned the fellow immediately.":laugh4: (My favourite bit, right there!)

Hope there's more on the way!

PS. You've pretty well inspired me to begin work on an AAR of my own--also using XL--with a faction which I won't divulge at this time...

Oops. Not sure how I ended up with the little red-faced guy on the subject line, or how to change it... But it's in no way indicative of my experience while reading your AAR. Honestly...

EÍRE

"A race ceases not to exist because it is thrust without its nativity, a race is not confined to political bounds. Ireland is here, in my speech, the quality of my garb, my appreciation for the bardic art. Ireland is here, companion to us in Britain. Only we must carry her home again to our place of birth."
- King Diarmaid II

The Second Chapter: 1118 - 1136

With as much heart as could be gathered, the Free Irish nobility set about immersing themselves in the families and economy of what remained as England in reality. They found much welcome in most areas of the country, nowhere more so than in Northumbria, and Mercia was least acceptive to Irish lordship. The King in exile of the Free Irish Diarmaid II was concerned that the recent state of almost total anarchy in Britain would lead to further invasions from the many races of Normen, and to protect against this he attempted alliance with Daneland, Swedeland and Novgorod.
Of these, only Sweden accepted, and King Inge I made the condition that the alliance would be in jeopardy should Scotland be attacked.
King Olaf I, Prince Mstislav II were both abrupt and impolite, and there was to be no compromise with the new King Magnus IV of Norway, whose father had annexed the homeland.

An alliance was also befitting with the French, but throughout the next decade, it would be impossible to gain an interview with the King, Phillippe I constantly in campaign against the Emperor, Philippe II dying quickly of illness, and King Philippe III remaining aloof from the world in some southern Burgundian fort.

In 1119, King Malcolm IV, taking over from his father, began a thorough program of espionage in Northumbria, the signs of which did not go unnoticed by the Irish. The Norse also began a similar program in Scotland, sending many agents under the guise of merchants and diplomats.

By 1121, much of England had become sympathetic to the Free Irish cause, perhaps in hope of liberation if Ireland was retaken. Nearly 2400 florins had been raised, such an amount as had not been seen since 1102, and with an income of 600 florins, it was decided that an attempt would be made to recruit some of the Britons into the Free Irish army.
Only 60 knights, 300 Bonnachts, 298 Gallowglasses and 60 Kerns remained in all, garrisoning now the north.
The Scots held a great host of knights and nobles, and it was important that enough men fighting in the fashion of Bonnachts were recruited.

The wessaxons agreed willingly to undertake Free Irish training, and Northumbria proved to hold an excellent breed of horsemen, who were trained to use the Irish dart.

By 1127, the new Free Irish army had collected in Northumbria, and the totals of troops on each side equalled this:

For the Free Irish, 100 Nobles, 562 Bonnachts, 287 Horse, 298 Gallowglasses, and 120 Kerns, in total 1367 men.

The Scots had 280 nobles, 120 milita, 100 lowlanders, 80 highlanders, 60 archers, and 40 horse which totaled 680 men.

It was believed such a numerical advantage was necessary for the Free Irish to defeat the Scottish nobility, but this advantage was overshadowed by a welcome surprise.
Lord McMurrough, a man of great military experience and advisor to old King Diarmaid I, had escaped Ireland and joined the Free Irish in Northumbria in command of a group of cavalry.
When he was announced, Prince Madog immediately requested he assume command, and having done this, McMurrough instilled the entire army with great confidence.
King Diarmaid II sent emissaries to declare the man 'Captain of the Gaedhils' and it was then known how important he was to victory in Scotland.

All ceremony finished, the entire host marched north for Edinburgh.

SCOTLAND 1127

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A great pass lead up into Scotland, flanked by hills which dominated the way.
At a bend in the path which lead north-west, the Scots drew themselves up over the hill and presented their powerful assemble of knights and nobility.

The Free Irish infantry ascended the same hill further south, and with the entourage of the princes, they began to march in formation on level with the enemy.

The Free Irish horse lined themselves opposite the Scots south-west of the pass, in order to prevent them fleeing and regrouping on the other side of the valley. McMurrough remained amongst their number.

As the infantry approached, the highland clans became upset that no path of retreat was afforded to them, and the lowlanders with them began to clamor, to the discomfort of the higher nobility.
At last it was decided that defeat was inevitable against so numerous a host of invaders and the clansmen began to file off down the valley, making to avoid combat and return home. King Malcolm IV seeing this galloped forth and amongst the highlanders began to turn them about, questioning their courage and ability and denouncing them as traitors of their brothers.
Not all the men were in agreement, and many continued to leave, but all were united in terror when the Free Irish appeared above them on the hill and threw everything into consternation.

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The Scottish nobility, as yet undaunted, prepared immediately to charge against the rows of Bonnachts who approached rapidly, flanked by the Gallowglasses and nobility.
The highlanders were now even more inclined to flee, and there seemed almost a rout to occur as the majority of the Scottish host fled downhill with Malcolm IV and his sons desperate to turn them about.

Those of the knights which did congregate for an attack were met with hails of spears, and most were struck down by these missiles. Yet the Scottish nobility did not flee once, and this can be said in their honour.

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As this attack occurred, on the south-west side of the valley, McMurrough brought forth the horse and began assailing the massed Scots down in the pass with their darts, causing many casualties amongst the Scottish foot.
Meanwhile the attack of the enemy knights was finally completely destroyed by a charge of the Free Irish princes and their guards.

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The lack of combat troops on the south-west wall of the valley however became apparent to the Scottish king, and he at last found loyalty amongst his men when he showed them that only four battalions of poorly armed horse stood between them and safety.
In moments, the remnants of the nobility and all the highlanders and lowlanders had surged up the hill, forcing the Free Irish horse to quit their ground, but in the process McMurrough was surrounded at the summit of the hill.

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It seemed for some time that he was lost, until the other battalions of horse managed to turn some of the enemy knights from combat, and McMurrough escaped to the south, with the all the surviving Scots in pursuit.
Then on the plain where he retreated the final stage of the battle played out, as the Free Irish horse fought spears, swords, axes, lances and all manner of traps, defeating every kind of enemy in their newfound valour until they were utterly exhausted, thankfully at last saved by the arrival of the Free Irish nobility who routed the last of the Scots.
King Malcolm IV was chased down and cut off by McMurrough himself.

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Scotland had been won for the Free Irish at the cost of 313 killed, almost all of these being Free Irish and Northumbrian cavalrymen.
659 Scots were killed.

----

In the same year as Scotland, Hungaria lost and fell to Poland.

In 1128 Edinburgh surrendered and Scotland was immediately very co-operative with the Free Irish, who left for the south directly after McMurrough was made Duke of Edinburgh, greatly increasing his authority of command.
In this year also King Diarmaid II died at the age of 53, two years before his son Adam was to be of age.
King Madog I assumed the throne, although advanced in age himself, and intended to see Ireland reclaimed in his reign, that it may be presented with Britain as a worthy kingdom to Prince Adam.

With a reinforcement planned from Wessex, the Free Irish army was to march south and immediately thence into Wales, in order to waste as little time as possible in the race to retake Ireland.

In 1130 the Holy Roman Emperor was sent into exile and nothing remained under his power, the prophecy had been entirely truthful.

In 1131 McMurrough was prepared in Mercia and marched without hesitation against the Welsh, who represented no threat at all.

WALES 1131

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Having crossed numerous lush meadows, McMurrough was finally met with a group of longbowmen supported by swords and spears.
The entire Welsh host retreated in section, loosing arrows all the while, until they were outflanked by the Free Irish horse, which routed one section of longbows while the Bonnachts engaged the enemy infantry, and these did not stand their ground.
After cutting down every one of the Welsh infantry, the horse chased the last of the Welsh into a nearby forest where they were surrounded and destroyed.

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No further resistance was met.

-------

Following this, Scotland, Northumbria and Wessex contributed to a reinforcement of horsemen, and a great army was again collected in Wessex.
King Madog I began a revolutionary upgrade of infrastructure of Britain, having 6000 florins available and a revenue of 1597 florins per annum. Ports were being constructed everywhere, farmland was extended, watchtowers were implemented, better facilities for military art were installed and the provinces soon began to hold much greater worth than could ever really be found in Ireland alone.

But Ireland must be retaken, and so King Madog I sent Prince Adam to be among the army returning home, which numbered:

171 Nobles, 377 Bonnachts, 386 Horse, 240 Gallowglasses, and 120 Kerns,

which number would be more than sufficient to remove the small Norse royal family and the guard of Huscarles kept in Ireland.
A new fleet had been created too, and was subtly blocking the North Atlantic...

Ships on every coast of Britain, high income, the loyalty of the British people and a fearsome military meant that in twenty years the Free Irish had become more powerful than any other people north of France. And they had done it without Ireland herself.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Glenn

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I love this screenshot. :bow:

Nice AAR, MR Glenn.

By the way, your signature should read "sto pazari" instead of "sthn pazari". Pazari is neutral, and so the article needs to account for that. Only the fox is female, but the article refers to the bazaar ;)

I'm glad you like it drone, I remembered to annotate "-ian" this time in order to really immerse myself!

Thank you Mr. Gollum, I am we are not ships passing in the night here! I was worried I may disappear before you could reappear.

I will correct the grammatical mistake immediately, I have been learning the modern Greek casually now from a website called "Kypros", where a series of radio programs from long ago which were set out as lessons have been transcribed and the audio saved in files. Thank you!

EÍRE

"I fear that I was become obsolete long before the death of my brother the king. There has been a long absence in Ireland of the sons of Diarmaid I, David left when he was fourteen, and for me it is now very late. My reign may be the shortest of any Irish king, but I will be remembered most of all, because my brother and I were crowned in Londinium, yet his son will be crowned in Dublin." - King Madog I

The Third Chapter: 1136 - 1139

King Knut I chose to reign in Ireland with his sons, Joar, Magnus and Knut, whilst his brother Jon managed affairs in Scandinavia. King Knut was so fond of his new conquest that he chose to remove most of his government and certainly all of the nobility to the isle.

This was foolish, as the Free Irish had by this time created the most powerful navy in the northern waters, and were now firmly in control of the North Atlantic.

King Madog I of the Free Irish did not delay in the blessing of McMurrough's troops and their embarkment for the homeland.
They were to face only 340 men at home, but it would be a battle as important as any other. More so.

IRELAND 1136

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The Norsemen were waiting on the coast, and were not at all fearful of the enemy though they numbered more than 1200.
Amongst them was a certain man who had proclaimed himself "Lord of Ireland" and was placed at the head of a heavily armoured group of vikings, who appeared to have been living off the fat of the homeland.

Stretched along a hillside near the sea, the Normen watched as the Bonnachts were ordered before them on the meadow, and the Free Irish horse gained the hill beside the enemy.

Despising the horse, the great retinue of nobility and the viking infantry began a descent towards the line of Bonnachts, while the rest of the Free Irish looked on from the shore behind.

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The situation became fatal for the Norse when 240 of the horse galloped forth and gained the heights above them, hurling their darts down upon the mass.
The retinue of Prince Joar attempted to pursue and distract these, and the son of the King was killed.
Meanwhile the king advanced against the Bonnachts and was slain almost immediately by their thrown spears, and indeed not one battalion of infantry engaged with the enemy, as all were routed by the missiles. This was unique in all of the foemen so far - that they underestimated the Bonnacht.

When Knut I was killed, all the Norsemen routed except those Huskarles who gathered around Jarlsson, the "Lord of Ireland", and every one of these was cut off zealously by the horse.

50 men were lost, 250 Norsemen killed, and all 90 prisoners were slain including the impostor.

So ended most quickly the battle for the homeland, and the Irish were once again in command of destiny.

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In 1137 there was little other than celebration, although it was found that some factions within the homeland had rather favoured the Norse, but these soon remained quiet when establishments of order began to rebuild themselves in the country.
This year marked the extent of the Irish navy to the shores of Finland, and the revenue had also extended to 3300 florins per annum. With this, King Madog I left McMurrough to the reinforcement of law in Ireland and began spending large amounts of money on the advancement of infrastructure in Northumbria, Mercia and Wales, with ports, trading establishments and higher realms of government taking priority.

This year also saw the coronation of King Jon I of Norway, who was the only member of the royal family, and declared peace with Ireland on account of the distance between their kingdoms. A faction supporting the overthrow of French lordship and the reinstatement of the Holy Roman Emperor seized power in Brandenburg this year, although Ireland held no intention of supporting it.

In fact, attempts were made to ally with France and call a ceasefire with King Henry I of English Normandy, who were powerful in military, but dwarfed by the newly risen power of Ireland. Henry refused.

In 1139 King Madog I died, happiest of all in that he had completed his life's greatest work - the restoration of Ireland to the Irish, and in his lifetime had been present at all major conflicts of his countrymen excepting their return home. King Erik II of Daneland died at about this time also.

King Adam I was crowned in Dublin as his uncle had wished, but it was decided that the seat of government would be best placed in Wessex, and all but the most conservative Irish agreed.

Now the army was again in Britain, a large and growing navy was keeping the isles safe from invasion, and a great revenue was making further conquest possible.

It seemed likely that Adam I, who was born and raised in company which hated the Norsemen and all Scandinavian peoples, would happily pursue and conquer the past enemies of Ireland if the means were within his power. And these certainly were.

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IRELAND 1136

(I love this image--down to the very pixels of dust. Your screenshot trigger-finger is on its a-game)

Irish Britannia! Who'd have thought that a re-imagined history could be so satisfying and, indeed, fitting. Nice work. Hope you don't disappear before you've given us a Scandinavian conquest. Imagine: Gaelic-speaking Norsemen!

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(This image, I mean!)

Thank you Cyprian, and don't let Mr. Gollum's comments throw you into despair - I will always finish an AAR.

Though he is correct, (He knows more about myself than I do), I seem to appear mostly in early December - no work is about and it rains very heavily (Australia, Queensland).

No, you can expect such pleasant conversation as that which you have presented here yourself will keep me here in the Hall, I enjoy it very much.

And I hope you have time to write soon, so that we can ready a tale of Norse-speaking Gaelmen!

Good Sir Glenn: now that the holidays are winding down (in a couple days, at least), it's time to get back to what's important… MTW!

In good time, I plan to have an AAR posted (it'll be my first ever, and I'd be honoured to have you and the other members in the Main Hall for an audience). So far, I've got screenshots and many far-fetched ideas. (By the way, you've come uncannily close to guessing my faction; did word somehow get out on Wikileaks? Or did I let fall a crucial hint? Methinks the latter.) Still, there are a few things hindering my progress. I'm writing a novel, for one thing (don't ask me how I let that intrude on Total wargaming). The other thing simply has to do with the minor inconvenience of not being a full member. Well, hopefully, that'll change soon and I will be able to do fun things like make spoilers and (crucially) edit my posts. (Certain bumbling missteps of late indicate that I would benefit from the latter privilege.) In short, I'm procrastinating.

But rest assured, friend, that my glorious campaign as the… Ah, but don't think I'll reveal it here––even though you've no doubt surmised that it must be one of three factions (must it?) and you are no doubt biting your nails in anticipation (how could you not be?)––I'll just sit on my laurels and let the mystery deepen.

In the meantime, I'll continue to be heartened by the "plaisaunte conversatione" of such as yourself. Also, seeing as you're in rainy Queensland, and I am in snowy Ontario, we manage to keep amazingly similar hours. (I guess that makes me rather a night-hawk.)

Wishing you and everyone who reads this a very happy New Year!

Ώ κύριε Κύπριε, thank you for this post of yours.

The holidays are over yes, and so perhaps adventure of a world beyond this Hall will again return and take me elsewhere. But I promise that you will have an audience, whenever you should write an AAR, and indeed it is also a promise that I will be witness to your first, if not many more.

When Seigneur bamff returns, he will also be glad of your civil enthusiasm.

On behalf of the Hall, allow me first to congratulate you upon the attempt of a novel, Cyprian, for this is a noble and much enviable feat - I myself would never find time to write a novella on MTW, but in this is only a weakness found.
As for your other obstacle, it is my belief that you are a member of the fullest character in all but title. I shall despatch a recommendation domino clemento nostro immediately, that you be speedily promoted.

Be you also assured, Cyprian, that I am unable to concentrate in work, nor find comfort nor interest in pleasure whilst the question remains in my mind; what your faction may be; when the AAR tuum will begin.

Let me now think of how to install a new chapter of Ireland, for the campaign has proceeded nearly to the 13th century by now, and I have been left with much to analyse and report.

But remain aware and opinonated, reader - for there is at this stage of Ireland's progress a question of territory and military domain which must be answered regarding new invasions and conquests - a question which if foolishly answered may mean the slow death of what is now the most powerful kingdom in Europe.

Await news!

EÍRE

"I believe the Irish people have gained control of the future, or that we are divinely aided, since miracles of deliverance continued to attend us as the generation of my father struggled on its anabasis far from home. Now we are again at rest, and Britain is firmly subjugated to our rule. It is my responsibility to make certain through political action domestic and foreign that the isles which are native to our kind are never again threatened by invasion." - King Adam I

The Fourth Chapter: 1140 - 1173

The major events of the reign of Adam are easily remembered and famous, but the details of his actions and policies are scarce and little documented, as Ireland at this time underwent a very swift and dynamic reorganisation which allowed her to conquer so rapidly her rivals. Indeed no written accounts were made of historical events until Adam's son was far into his own reign - therefore inaccuracy of dates and forgotten names and wars are inevitable.

Nonetheless, many great things happened with this first king of the new British kingdom, and these remained firmly in the minds of scribes generations after his death.

It was very apparent throughout the isles that the major efforts placed in economic and military growth were intended entirely for a war against Scandinavia and all Norman kingdoms within that country. The conquest of the Northern kingdom of King Jon I, that of King Inge of Sweden, and the larger domain of King Erik II in Denmark were to be easily conquered but even more simply guarded - for a strong navy and a single army in Saxony could guard all these conquests.

Therefore every province in the British isles began to improve upon facilitating infrastructure and the erection of many important buildings of government and military institutions under the sponsorship and guidance of the Irish.
Great castles and fortifications were planned and implemented all over the kingdom based on the Frankish model, and the King Philippe II became a valuable mentor and ally to the Irish lordship.

The naval forces extended to Novgorod and to Navarre by 1160, and everywhere in between, King Adam I stipulating that at least two fleets must be in every foreign territory, and three in each native.

The revenue was reaching 4500 florins per annum, and it became so excessive that with every province producing as efficiently as possible for wartime there was no possibility of deficit.

It was decided that two armies would be sent to Scandinavia under the recently discovered generals, ap Ieuan and ap Gwion, who were equal to McMurrough, long since dead, in their abilities.

One army would land in Norway and remove King Jon I from the throne, the other in Sweden which was just recently in 1163 invaded and subdued by King Erik II. Garrison troops would then land in Norway allowing army group one to advance to the garrison of Sweden, allowing group two to make a conquest of Scania and thence move south until Saxony would be claimed. Garrison troops would meanwhile be sent to Sweden and army group one would then be free to advance into Finland and create a fortification against the Rus there.
This would mean conflict with the remnants of an old Lithuanian nobility which had rooted itself amongst the population there earlier in the century.

Each army would consist of four battalions of Bonnachts, two of gallowglaich, one of the newly formed Fianna Eireann, one of the new Highland troop, four regiments of Irish horse and three battalions of the feared Gaedhils - yet these had never seen action outside of Ireland.

Having spent six years in the recruitment and selection of many Gaedhils and the formation of them into battalions, it would then take eight years for the total recruitment and training of both army groups - a speed of production which was considered most powerful for such a small kingdom.

While this was taking place, Europe was changing. Hungaria had revolted and placed Istvan II at his rightful place upon the throne, and had declared war against both oppressors, France under Philippe II and Poland under Henry I. Poland retreated gracefully, but France immediately put all of her resources into smiting Hungaria as she had entertained a long peace after the conquest of such a great empire.

However King Istvan II was capable in military affairs, and held back massive reinforcements of Frankish infantry and horse whilst France was emptied of troops in an attempt to thwart the threat.
King Alfonso V of Castilla was on good terms with the Almohad Caliphate, as they were busy ridding themselves of the Norman Sicilian invaders, and with an agreement twixt each other the Spanish proceeded to arm themselves against France.

The Irish were prepared for war by 1168, and in the same year the invasion took place. King Jon I had only a small entourage and the nobility were not to be highly respected, but he had however a force with which to contest the only property yet remaining to his family.
Jon and all his government fled Norway immediately and were never seen again.
The Danes also on the arrival of ap Ieuan immediately quit Sweden leaving everything intact to the Irish. King Adam was most disappointed in this cowardice, and it appeared unlikely that there was to be any advantage found in the company of these Scandinavians.

This year also the Spaniards invaded Brittany, having a great navy themselves, though overshadowed by Irish fleets. France had nothing with which to face the invaders.

1169 saw the passing of Norway to garrison troops, and ap Ieuan's force moving south to Scania, which was also immediately yielded.
After some movement of garrisons and the subjugation of the population, in 1171 ap Ieuan moved into Denmark itself and King Erik II removed his family and all the lordship south into Saxony where a great army of 2700 men was collecting.

King Adam I was completely contemptuous of the fleeing vikings, and this is perhaps when the kingdom became careless in its records of events.

King Philippe II was at this time despairing of victory on both fronts, yet seemed more interested in holding Austria than Toulouse and Anjou. This troubled King Adam, who valued the French kingdom as an ally and was tired of instability on the continent. It was already decided that at the conclusion of the current war a new army would be recruited and a war would be persecuted against King Alfonso in Leon in order to recall his armies from France.

Now though in 1172 a battle was finally to be fought over the most valuable province in the conquest as King Erik II brought his entire army despite a small garrison in Friesland against Jarl ap Ieuan of Sweden. There were about 2700 Danes against the standard 1660 Irish and British.

Denmark 1172

https://i51.tinypic.com/2uoosn5.jpg

The royal Danish army was quite a spectacle for the Irish, who had for the first time a picture of the enemy which they had routed effortlessly from each province.
Many drangar and viking ranks were amongst the soldiery, and there was also a battalion of Huskarles which were keenly watched by all other men. Great formations of spears also made up the host, and only one regiment of very mediocre horse was to be found beside the king's guard.

Lined upon a hillock, heavy infantry to their right and the long stretch of cavalry to their left, the Bonnachts grounded arms with their favoured general and watched the beautiful Danish military advance.

A fatal mistake was made early by Erik II when he decided to divert three battalions of drangar to corner and attack the Irish horse, which drew these far off from the main battle, leaving the Danish spears to advance alone against a far superior breed of warrior.

Seeing the lines of spears wavering in their resolve as they moved to meet the Bonnachts up the slope, King Erik II galloped in amongst them with great exhortation. Before Jarl ap Ieuan could attempt any order which would chivalrously spare his rival's life, the Bonnachts threw volleys of spears down upon the royal guard, and the King was one of the first struck.

https://i52.tinypic.com/qzf7vb.jpg

Meanwhile the majority of the Irish horse had decided, against the general's wishes, to engage the drangar in close combat by a forest, and despite their great ability and valour, these were slowly being cut off by the large force of competent infantry.

https://i51.tinypic.com/34z15ee.jpg

But despite this loss, at the centre of battle, it seemed a victory for the Irish before battle had been joined, for the spears were almost in rout at the loss of their king and no offensive spirit was found throughout the enemy. Then the Huskarles, off on the flank guarded by the horse, advancing swiftly up the hill, hoped to inspire courage in the common men at arms upon the field by routing the royal guard which was present - led by prince Iowerth.

When the guard withdrew up the hill and the Huskarles followed, the Danes were momentarily restored to a valorous disposition - but when a remnant regiment of Irish horse came behind the heavy Danish axes and surrounded them with the assistance of Iowerth, the Huskarles held only a short time before fleeing exhausted downhill.

http://i53.tinypic.com/vcrzow.jpg

And with only a few miniature skirmishes occurring on the opposite flank, the entire Danish host followed, routing madly back across the plain, chased by every Irish mount on the field. Over a thousand were captured, there having been only 250 or so killed, and almost no loss amongst the Irish infantry, despite the loss of one regiment of horse.

https://i51.tinypic.com/2zybvrb.jpg

With so many men defeated and cowed, Saxony would now be yielded like all other provinces before it. What was more satisfying, King Erik II had died without the benefit of an heir, leaving a fatal disorganisation of the nobility within Saxony and Friesland.

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Finland 1172

https://i55.tinypic.com/do8g8j.jpg

In the same year Jarl ap Gwion of Denmark invaded Finland as instructed and came up against Duke Algirdas II and a small army of about 700 boyars and horse archers.
Well briefed in the Irish military history, Gwion sent ahead only the cavalry with himself in the belief that they would be overwhelmingly superior.
There followed a costly struggle in the Finnish hillside which saw the loss of many Irish horsemen fighting against skilled riders who were accustomed to fighting in close quarters with other cavalrymen. Their rapid barrages of arrows were also a surprise to the Irish, who lost skirmishes of missiles to the Boyars, who seemed unafraid of the Irish darts.

After exhausting manoeuvers over rocky and steep terrain for hours, attempting to outflank and pursue the enemy light horse, a victory was finally achieved over the pagan duke, but the whole enterprise began to feel more like a lesson, and it certainly seemed a defeat for the Irish cavalry, who had won only through numerical advantage.

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In 1173, signs of political events to come became manifest. Novgorod, which had gained great power in the east alongside Kiev, with which it was now at war, had always been considered an ally of Ireland. In this year as Irish emissaries moved south to Saxony in order to negotiate with the battered remains of the Danish military, the entire province was overtaken suddenly by a large vanguard of troops moving from Pomerania and Prussia. Prince Constantine I declared Saxony a legal conquest of a legal war which in persecuted against the last of the Danish kingdom in respect for Novgorod's alliance with Dublin.

This was of course utter drivel and all of Britain was outraged at the theft.
Novgorod remained a staunch friend to King Alfonso V and the Crown Prince Felipe, which meant that within a few years relations could become very strained as Ireland went to the assistance of France.

A new army was already in preparation and the navy was comparing it's strength relative to Spanish fleets, making sure that an attack would in all territories be successful.

1173 is most notable for the death of King Adam I of Ireland, who had in his lifetime completed the most significant upgrades to British infrastructure yet implemented, had designed a new Irish army which would be so instrumental and powerful that in his conquest of Scandinavia less than two hundred men would be lost against troops many times more numerous.

The battalions within this new army type came from all over Ireland and Britain, every race was incorporated and the specialties of each province were carefully studied and exploited.

Annual revenue was over 6500 florins

He had been faithful to his ally and chivalrous to the foe in all cases, returning all 1070 Danes to the homeland when their ransom had been refused.

Now the throne passed to Adam's firstborn son, King Diarmaid III, who would be expected to assist the defence of France, subdue the rising power of Castilla, satisfy the demands of Novgorod, and continue to oversee the technological advances of Britain and Ireland in order that new equipment could be afforded and invented for the military purposes of the state

The history of this reign will soon follow.

EÍRE

"The viking race has always been a pestilence upon Europe, they brought nothing but destruction upon those who they visited, and their blood and kin have infiltrated into territory to which they will never belong. Britain, under the patron of Ireland, is perhaps the most powerful state in the west, and certainly the most stable. From this stalwart base here over the North Sea, I shall strike into the east and seek out those savage Northmen. Their kingdoms, their kings, all their clientel and every fief they have stolen - I will reduce and reveal them as the nomadic raiders they have always been." - King Diarmaid III

The Fifth Chapter: 1174 - 1188

The new king was utterly disrespectful of both Russian kingdoms, and he openly criticised Prince Constantine I for his annexation of Saxony. He was almost immediately resolved upon a war with Novgorod, even for the relatively small prize of the southern province. Novgorod was with Castilla the major trading partner at this time and all the nobility were against the idea. But the king had himself been in Denmark in the last war and he was unwavering in his hatred of Novgorod, whose relation to the Norsemen made him significantly more aggressive.

His uncles, who still held positions of military power, reminded the young king constantly of his obligation to France, and how his father had wished for an assault to be made on Iberia.
Accordingly, another army would be trained in addition to the one old king Adam I had mustered, and these would be sent one to Navarre, another to Leon in order to draw off the Castillian forces from France. No Irishman had any interest in holding Iberian land.

It is interesting to note that some time during the early part of King Adam's reign, King William III of Normandy had declared against King Philippe II of France and had been quickly defeated. In 1175 Normandy was taken by the Spaniards and the populace immediately declared a new King of Normandy - King Edmund III, who proceeded to ally with France to defeat the new enemy.

The new army was ready in 1176, and the same year the Irish fleets which stretched from Finland to Valencia attacked all Spanish shipping belonging to the new King Felipe I. By 1178 Ireland controlled all the Iberian coast, and the armies were ready to invade. Ap Gwion and Ieuan had been recalled for the invasion.

It was soon apparent that the action was too late however.

King Philippe II had lived longer than any other rival monarch, he had been fighting in the east for over thirty years, and had spent eighteen trying to subdue an equally aged Istvan II of Hungaria.
With great marches back from Austria to Aquitaine, fighting with every available man for Brittany, Toulouse, Anjou, Normandy, Burgundy and finally his very Parisian throne - the old king was exhausted of a life concerned only with war, and that last of his ending in defeat on two fronts. He had died in 1177, and his infantile drooling son, Charles IV, had ascended.

The nobility were less than impressed, and the German states east of Lorraine took this opportunity to assert their independence. King Charles IV was completely incapable of holding any ground, and until his armies regrouped for themselves France quickly lost all their German possessions and held only Provence, Flanders, Champagne, Savoy and were besieged in Burgundy.

A war to distract Felipe I to his western front would only be useful to Ireland's once greatest ally if they were in the condition to retake France. This was now impossible.
The Irish lordship was preparing to request a ceasefire from Castilla when word came from the Spanish king himself, asking the Diarmaid III refrain from entering the war.

This was enough for Diarmaid, who had only entered into war against Castilla in order to irritate and alienate Novgorod, which immediately severed alliance with Ireland.
He now demanded that the two new armies be turned against Russia.
This had the general population in outrage, that Irishmen should be forced to march ever further east in persecution of an enemy long since removed, but the king was adamant that the extermination of every remaining viking was of the highest importance.

He argued that with a swift naval assault (Russia maintaining no navy to speak of), Novgorod itself would be yielded, and that a second army could take Estonia and Livonia easily, shielded on both sides by the army in Novgorod and the sea, and that finally this second army could advance reinforced into Lithuania, seizing a great amount of land, taking the capital of that hated people and making this new claim defensible with only two armies.

At the same time, an assault could be made into Saxony to seize what was rightfully Irish ground. Novgorod was keeping major armies in Pomerania and Prussia, and an army of over 4000 men in Saxony.

In 1179, Novgorod was invaded, and the Prince yielded his throne immediately, fleeing to Lithuania. Assassins which had been hired in Scandinavia were waiting for him here, but none were successful in their objective. Estonia maintained a small garrison, and this was removed by 1180. Garrisons came from Britain and the old army from Finland moved up to keep order in Estonia while Livonia was invaded. This province was also yielded, and in 1181 only Saxony and Lithuania remained before victory could be declared.

http://i56.tinypic.com/vpkp06.jpg

During this time, the Prince marched once into Denmark and once into Novgorod, but retreated immediately.
All Russian troops began moving west along the Baltic as if making for Denmark, where a significantly weaker force was stationed since the commander was much less competent.
Lord Cwtta had only half the ability of the generals in command of the offensives.

Perhaps predictably then, as ap Gwion marched into a deserted Lithuania in 1182, Denmark was invaded by 3700 men of the eastern viking horde under Lord Zukov.

DENMARK 1182

https://i55.tinypic.com/1174ly8.jpg

The Russians held a huge number of infantry, but also a considerable force of mounted crossbows. The general himself was supported by a veteran unit of the feared Rus spears, which were very difficult to turn in symmetrical battle.

All Gaedhils, which had never yet been committed to an action, were now serving in Russia with the attacking armies, but ironically they were to be absent in the first battle where they would have been instrumental in preventing major casualties.

This battle is also noted for the service of a stray catapult team, en route to Livonia, which had been required by Cwtta to remain and assist in the fight. These men destroyed many Russians with their great weapon, helping to rout the enemy infantry. In this fight, no enemy infantry save a battalion of baltic men was diverted to chase the cavalry, but these were cut off immediately.

Rather, a vast force of drangar, Voi swords and baltic warriors extended their line far beyond the Irish while maintaining an equal depth, and as they converged on the thin green line of Bonnachts, it was wondered if the Highland battalion and Fianna Eirann would finally be necessary in the winning of a fight. Indeed, as the Russians charged, especially the Voi took nearly fifty percent casualties from the thrown spears, but still they raced in upon the Irishmen and began the fight in earnest. Fortunately, the Highland battalion had met the enemy almost as swiftly on their left flank, and as they met the enemy, so did the Russians turn about and flee from the Scotsmen.

https://i52.tinypic.com/10nztom.jpg

The Gallowglaich also engaged separate from the main line on the opposite flank, and were found to be a match for the drangar, and the four battalions struggled against each other two against two for some time, while the rest of the Russians fled, before finally the gallowglaich turned the enemy.
But it was noted that these men could only be relied upon in future as a light infantry flanking force.

http://i56.tinypic.com/dw9q3d.jpg

Now it was some time before a great rout began, as the cavalry became separated and small skirmishes with regrouping Russian forces occurred, but eventually the entire field was cleared and the acres were trampled with fleeing men of the east, closely followed by the Irish horse, and here Lord Zukov was surrounded and captured by the royal guard, having put up a great resistance.

https://i51.tinypic.com/11hqrkj.jpg

More than two thousand were captured, but these and General Zukov were refused by a demoralised Prince Constantine, and King Diarmaid III would not permit any viking live freely.

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Only 433 men returned to Saxony, and when these espied the victorious Irish following them into the province, they fled, leaving everything intact.
The war had been won, but it was not permitted to cease by either king.

During this time, another vicious war had risen up in the west.

By defeating the Spanish navy, Ireland had sufficiently weakened the enemy to make them vulnerable to all rivals, but not enough to benefit from the war.
Khalifah Ali II however, having now retaken Africa, had no intention of ignoring the opportunity.
Arab armies, almost as numerous as the British, swarmed up over Leon, Valencia and Aragon, cutting off many Spanish troops.

The Irish nobility clamored for a war against the Arab, saying that this was a war as just as the one which would have been waged against Castilla, but King Diarmaid III would not consider it. He did not go so far as to agree to any of the many alliances proposed by the Caliph, but surely he was more intent on pursuing the viking to the very limits of his vile and corrupt gains in the east.

Yes indeed, while the west fell apart, the Irish king was planning a huge span of conquest, which would bring him into conflict with Poland, Brandenburg and more to his objective - both of the insufferable Russian kingdoms.
He would make himself known in the east and vassalise the peoples which once stole Irish dignity, and that of all British men.

Even the generals disagreed with such a line of offensive, saying that such a drastic redesign of the borders would require four armies additional to those in Saxony, Novgorod and Lithuania in order to be sustainable. Bohemia, another kingdom in the path of conquest, held citadels, and it was to be noted that at this late stage in the century, heavy armaments were becoming more common in Europe and that Ireland ought not attack lest she may have a long border guarded by obsolete troops in the new century.

But Diarmaid III would not hear of it, confident that new weaponry could soon be transported to the men out in the planned new colony.

Four new armies based on the old model were planned.

Two were ready by 1188. The plan was to seize Pomerania and Prussia, and from there strike south into the heart of eastern Europe, seizing everything until the Irishmen should reach Franconia, Bohemia, Greater Poland and Volhynia.

The nobility were worried lest such an extensive addition to the military might cramp the revenue, that the antagonising of so many new nations would turn Europe against Ireland. That such a hate-fueled crusade against the viking might well tie Ireland's hands until the king could be persuaded to relinquish the territory, which would blight the kingdom's influence.

The king was old by now, and perhaps his mind or the mind of his heir could be changed, but for now Ireland was directed towards the subjugation of all central-eastern Europe.

http://i54.tinypic.com/dwrkw7.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Glenn

https://i52.tinypic.com/qzf7vb.jpg

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"Duck!"

Your empire looks a lot like my standard Danish campaigns, normally I start rolling up the Iberian peninsula at this point. Going the central Europe route should be interesting, especially when 1230 arrives. Can't wait. :bow:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drone

Very nice! :2thumbsup:

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Exactly my thoughts ^_^

Thank you both.

My favourite shot remains the 5th picture in chapter two, where the Scots are swarming up around the general, and right next to the drowning Irish flag, you can see an Irish horsemen with his sword raised high - to strike? To rally? what for I wonder..

I guessed that was the normal route, drone, which is why I looked at Iberia and said "Too easy!", I then thought I would low the Spanish by invading and withdrawing, but then once France perished there was no point. Then the Arabs took over.

So we'll go with an invasion in Eastern Europe, and see how we can possibly expand safely from there. It is a war we may lose, because Bohemia is a tough nut and so is Kiev. The AI factions also may become sick of me playing Hitler with them.

There are some surprises in 1202 also where I am now - the Egyptians have beaten the Byzantines - an act hitherto unknown in my campaigns.

! ! ! OUCH ! ! !

Oh the horror...

I've had one of those moments where you are sure that this fight will go the same as any other well-planned battle - to your victory - only to find yourself hammering the desk and saying "But that is ridiculous! Ridiculous! How is that even possible?! That would never happen! Not even close! Gah!!".

I had one of those moments, and then I had several, several more.

I didn't save replays nor take screenshots and the whole blardy thing has collapsed.

Prussia and Pomerania were bribed, which was a nice welcome to the country. Two armies went into Greater Poland, two into Volhynia. Both were relinquished but for a siege in Poland. One army from Volhynia moved west into lesser poland, and battle commenced, Poland retreated. One army went into Silesia.

There were over 1600 slav warriors on the other side of that bridge, all valour three. I just didn't know what I was walking into with my 1660 men, of which despite the two bridges, every last horse besides the general was lost, all Gaedhils were lost in their first action (Though they took about 1000 men with them! That's 120 men taking out 1000 all alone!), all Gallowglaich were ripped apart by these slavs and the Bonnachts lost 160 men. I won the fight, but it was fairly well a loss for the campaign.
This mind you, I took well. The AI performed very nicely and it deserved a victory. The troops it had

In Lesser Poland, there were 450 men in the castle and against these I put 1100 with siege engines aplenty.
I lost the siege and I lost 600 men!
Alright, alright! That's acceptable! I will throw everything at that castle and still have enough to defend against a possible counterattack from the 3000 men under the Polish king in Hungary!

Next turn, one army from Greater Poland goes into Brandenburg. Half the army is lost to twelve units of royal knights, but mostly to one unit which has 40 men and six valour. Although I had an army and six units of Irish horsemen of 2 valour, this was not enough for the hungry Germans. Army number three neutered!
The Polish counter attack the army in Lesser Poland, and here is where I am sure to have a win!

Yes! I still have 1400 to go against their 3000. They are advancing up a steep hill too, so I'll be dandy! I put two units of valour two Fianna Eireann (Huskarles) concealed in woods on the left peak, the Bonnachts and the remaining Fianna with three units of Gaedhils on the center peak, and six units of Irish horsemen at valour three on the right peak.
It's important to know that the entire Polish army is uniformly valour 1.

Though they are concealed, the entire Polish army immediately charges up at the left peak until they find the (valour 2! Huskarl!) Fianna Eireann, at which stage they send in two units of Royal knights, uphill, ~60m into the forest where they meet two units of Huskarles at twice their valour with armour upgrades, fresh, and charging down hill.

The Fianna Eireann are slowly routed, losing all men, and the Royal knights lost collectively 6 men. From 80. Against 240 (HUSKARLES!).

Well I felt a little cheated, but nonetheless when I saw rows of slav javelinmen, flanked by Carpathian warriors (who are similar to balkan/baltic/karelian/basque warriors, which the Irish horse charged down even at equal valour) advancing uphill against six units of the valour three, upgraded Irish horsemen, I laughed.
Down they charged, and I knew that the ensuing rout would be enough to negate the morale of the enemy FMAA unit. I also surrounded a unit of Feudal Knights with their back uphill, well pincered by cavalry.

Not one Polish unit routed, the horse was completely destroyed within the minute. Polish casualties were miniscule.

I then watched as the Polish army, hindered not at all by two units in two situations which were in each case enough to rout entire armies of Russians, Norse, Danes, English and Scots (and all other enemies in all other campaigns before this), advanced with impunity and began picking off Bonnachts one by one.

I couldn't very well use the Fianna Eireann, and the Gaedhils were soon destroyed through exhaustion, being the only useful unit, and the 320 of them destroyed everything they could catch.

Rather than watch the Bonnachts die an agonising death, I resigned the battle in disgrace.

But HOW is that POSSIBLE?!

I don't know. I lost all feeling of immersion and I felt very cheated. I was willing to write just as heroically of defeat as of victory, but this?!

And you know what happened when I returned to the campaign map? A civil war!

Now explain that! I check generals every few turns! And the turn previous, not a man anywhere was below 7 loyalty!

I was left with a split of 3/2 in Russia, 2/3 in Scandinava and Saxony, I lost all of my campaign effort in central-eastern Europe (Prussia, Pomerania, Brandenburg, GP, LP, Silesia, Volhynia), and a generous 4/5 in Britain! But Ireland revolted too!

Back from the grave came Denmark and Sweden in full force...

I know I should persevere with the AAR - but what would you do? I don't even have any records of this, it all happened in three turns!

It's as if God said; "You shall not conquer eastern Europe."

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So now I put it to you, knowing that every one of my AAR's has miraculously ended this way (Miraculous for the AI), do you mind if we call the quits here?
I intended to make another AAR directly after this in P&M1.5, or perhaps NTW - and this I am enthusiastic about.

I have also learned the lesson of playing two campaigns - the AAR one and the real campaign. Unfortunately I only had the Irish one going and I was always holding back so I didn't have over 10,000 words to put down here!

So what do you say, can I ethically put down this AAR and start another? Will you read another one? Which mod would you like?

(An explanation by the experts of why this all happened would be much appreciated also!)

Ouch indeed. For the battle in Lesser Poland, how many stars did the two commanders have? Maybe the Polish general had a virtue like Great Leader or Captured that kept their morale up. That's the only thing I can think of. The two units of Fianna Eireann should have been able to cope easily in the woods, but maybe they were a little too far away from the main force/general and took a morale penalty there. If the Carpathian warriors held your Irish horse for just a short while, the Javelins would definitely turn the tide with a couple of volleys. Something was screwy with the enemy morale, and when you couldn't get a rout going looks like your units just got bogged down.

Such upset! I would have to agree with drone that so much hinges on the opposing general's rank and/or traits. I've also wondered, at times, whether hidden bonuses accrue to the ai once it notices the player is steamrolling. I had some very similar reversals in my campaign (ironically) as the Polish against the Volga Bulgars in which my high-morale and well-armoured chivalric army was routed by a mix of Slav warriors and plain old horse archers. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to certain ai morale bonuses, and your defeat(s) seem utterly unwarranted. Unless you wish to begin anew an "underdog" campaign as one of the Irish "factions," I'd say you've more than given this campaign its due in AAR coverage. You've taken a once-humble island people to a great political and military apogee—I think you can safely throw in the towel!

As for you next campaign… I trust that your good taste will prevail in giving us something equal to your Irish campaign in both readability and diversion! (I would add that doing what you're most enthusiastic about is the surest way to a fine AAR.)

On an unrelated note, here's wishing that you, your family, and friends—well, everyone, really—remain safe and sound in the presently sodden state of your state!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfWDilXZQEo

Yea, I know, Eastern Europe isn't Asia, but still. After loosing that many big battles a civil war makes sense. Do you still have Britain? Retake Ireland and counterattack!

Thank you for your encouragement Vladimir. I will remember that for the next campaign. I haven't really made that many AARs, and I am still learning how to maintain consistency.
If the AAR game is the only in progress, one has a habit of rushing through, and thus accumulating huge amounts of information to be explained in the next installment. This can lead to dull, textbook like accounting of what units went where, how many were lost, and the mind is deadened by a lack of creative juices.

I agree with Cyprian, I should choose the mod, faction and era of the next for myself - as this will ensure quality recollection of all the events.

I might return to XLTyb, but I really want to try a Pike and Musket game - the only problem there is that I'm afraid to go in the deep end. All the minor factions seem impossible to win with at times, especially when the Turks, Russians and Spaniards ally to dominate Europe.
Can anyone say whether cegorach tested PMTW sufficiently to be sure that the player has a fighting chance with all factions? Tunisia in "High" appears to be a joke.

So I'll have an experiment with a few PMTW factions and if I find an exotic one that I can last an AAR length with, then I will start immediately.

I will also remember to pace myself (to this end I have a few rules, such as playing out each and every siege personally), so that if disaster strikes I will be more prepared to deal with it! It can be hard to play on when something throws you from immersion, but if you can just push through that outrage and play the next few turns positively, there are rewarding experiences to be had I know...

Thank you all for your interest!

Cegorach's approach is notoriously care-free. I remember that he wrote he makes his mods within a week or two iirc, from which 2 or 3 days are dediacated to playtesting. So no surprises that things seem the way they do. He said that he was in fact semi-suprirsed when some people commended him on unit balance given this care free approach, and i would agree with his surprise.

Pike and Musket is a great mod as it treats a great period, introduces beautiful graphical originality en masse, new unit types/abililies and wins you over with the sheer mass of new units, buildings and information - cegorach knows a lot about history as well as about modding. But when you are intent on balance, i suggest you go back to the Medmod or to Samurai Warlords.

In any case playing impossible to win factions has its own fun - try it that way, and don't worry: they can make up for a lot of fun.

I agree with gollum, that it's often fun to play against ridiculous odds. Indeed, PMTW is rife with such eye-popping, jaw-dropping starting positions. Yes, Glenn, Tunisia in High seems downright ridiculous. Another fun one to try is Savoy in Late. I learned the hard way that no one wants to befriend the little guy. On turn two, Spain invaded my sole province with two stacks. But, guess what: I trampled them. I then not only kept my head above water, but I managed to expand my borders, eventually pushing into Italy. By turn twenty or so, the Spanish were begging for peace (maybe, too, because they were feeling the burn from France and the Haps-burgers). Unfortunately, I don't have the bragging rights conferred by screenshots--but, I assure you, this really happened! All this to say that there really is glory in attempting the impossible--and somehow pulling it off. Personally, I'd like to try my hand at an AAR as The Knights (I had some fun with them in High one night). Well, maybe once my novel's done. In the meantime, I hope Glenn stays on long enough to pull some victories out of his proverbial...

EDIT: By the way, Vladimir: bringing Wallace Shawn into any argument is a sure way to win it. Our friend Glenn––er, I mean, King Diarmaid III––got overambitious, did he not? The Irish, like so many evil empires before them, paid for their greed with their blood. Bwa, ha, ha!

I should be around until at least late March, and perhaps (but really, hopefully not) until July or so.

Well I've just played with a few campaigns. Russia in PMTW early, Granada in the same, then Spain in NTW, and finally the Nasrids in XLTYB late.

I have yet to settle on any and despite my attempts I am quite frustrated by PMTW unless I play one of the factions set to win the in era. Granada is faced with the Spanish Empire, which immediately is given 600% more troops than it's neighbours, not to mention a nine star general and superior troop quality.
Little Granada needs to spend all of it's currency just to gain a choice of royal or light cavalry instead of just spear militia.

As Russia I was attacked by Sweden, Livonia, Khazar and Poland but only after discovering in a battle for Lithuania that the bread and butter of the Russian army, their 100 strong groups of medium cavalry, are useless in a fight and shoot pins instead of arrows. Also that Men-At-Arms, which Russia does not have, are invulnerable.

NTW is refreshing and sometimes there are wonderfully tense battles and diplomatic situations, but there isn't the diversity of the medieval and renaissance games.

I was enjoying my Nasrid campaign, thinking I could make an AAR of it, until I lost the major battle against Castilla because I was feeling impatient with MTW by then and therefore not of sufficient mental stability to deal with 5 units of chivalric sergeants, 4 feudal and heaps of arbalesters using an army of nearly all light javelin cavalry... The AI won fairly...

So I am taking time now to ease my frustration with the whole mechanism and think what mod is best. Although I had completely ruled out PMTW, Cyprian you intrigue me with your story of success. Do you think then that most if not all factions in PMTW can be successful? Do you also however see the Ottomans, Russians and Spaniards simply carve up Europe, destroying all minor factions easily?

Alright, I've settled it with myself.

My main concern was that I would have an AAR only two installments long due to a nasty mistake, but perhaps for the reader that may be all part of the entertainment. We may also say there is an advantage in the new AAR being cut off very early, for it allows for another new faction to be glorified here in the Main Hall more quickly.

So if you are all prepared to see a massacre and don't mind if several threads be created in the process of finding a good faction should the first fail, then I will continue.

Of course, no matter how long it lasts, I will put much thought into each!

Stay tuned as they say...

All this sounds lots of fun Glenn. We await your take with antici-pation! ;)

"If at first you don't succeed, quit the game and try another faction." One of Sun Tzu's lesser known rules. ~;)