Chancellor’s report on 1308

Kaiser Siegfried was slain within the boundaries of the Reich by a band of mercenaries. An official investigation by Duke Hans apprehended the killers and traced the money to unknown Bavarians. While the death of Siegfried fills me with grief, what is worse is knowing that the assassination was done by Germans.

Siegfried’s death has elevated me to the position of Kaiser. I have not yet named a Prinz. Out of loyalty to the Siegfried’s name, I have promised his widow Theodora that we will continue to reign together as we did while the late Kaiser was in Constantinople. Our reign will continue until Siegfried’s term would have ended in 1320, at which point we will present a Charter Amendment for unification with our Eastern Roman brothers to the Diet. To continue the process of unification, I will implement the gifting of Outremer that Kaiser Siegfried promised Emperor Isaac.

In response to Siegfried’s assassination, there has been civil unrest throughout the Reich. Supporters of the Kaiser Siegfried and re-unification have protested, sometimes violently. Supporters of Alexander Luther and opponents of re-unification have organised counter-demonstrations that at times have the air of public celebrations. The two sides have frequently clashed, leading to much loss of life and destruction of property. As the year ends, there have been riots in Paris, Budapest, Damascus, Bruges, Antioch, Edessa, Rheims, Stettin, Prague, Venice, Hamburg, Vienna and Dijon. Governors are appealing for calm in their own inimitable styles.

In one of the few pieces of good news this year, the rebel army of the Peter von Kastilien was intercepted by Count Becker’s AHA1. Peter surrendered rather than give battle and, for his avoiding the shedding of German blood, I will exercise leniency in his punishment. However, I cannot release him at the moment while the situation is so tense. His army - previously the Prussian Household Army - has been disbanded, with elements used to reinforce AHA1 and the former Kaiser’s Army under Duke Hans. The former Teutonic crusade army under Duke Ansehelm will henceforth be regarded as the Prussian Household Army.

Austria: Unfortunately, the diversion of AHA1 forced us to abandon Bucharest, which promptly revolted. This leaves AHA1 in a difficult position. The Papal injunction not to attack Hungary means AHA1 cannot proceed west past Sofia. The only way to Austria is back the way it came - via Bucharest, which must be retaken again if AHA1 is to cross the Danube. The resignation of Count Becker as AHA1's commander has only added to its troubles.

As one rebel army is dispersed, another is uncovered. Duke Hans has learned that a large unauthorised force is being trained in Ragusa, where Dietrich von Dassel harbours the heretic Alexander Luther. My brother has been ordered to take the former Kaiser’s army - now relabelled the Prinz’s Army - to restore order.

Franconia: Duke Ansehelm broke a Polish siege of Thorn. However, the Pope’s injunction not to attack the Poles prevents us clearing the area between Thorn and Krakow. So far, AHA1 has been securing Krakow but Duke Arnold has indicated that this cannot continue much longer. I believe that the best strategy may be to leave Thorn with a strong garrison and move the Prussian Army to Krakow. The Saxon Household Army remains at Stettin so as to cover both Hamburg and the interior of Franconia.

Swabia: Count Hummel with SHA1 has routed the remnants of French forces in Flanders. Unfortunately, he was brutally scarred in the combat, only adding to the suffering of the plague that afflicts him. Count Athalwolf stands guard with SHA2 near Paris, although the man has become awfully uncommunicative of late.

Bavaria: Fredericus Erlach and Household Army Gerhard approached Marseilles, but at the end of the year the French lifted the siege. Friedrich Karolinger and Household Army Otto will make landfall at Thessalonica next year.

Outremer: The former Prinz’s Army has finished refitting. Army of Outremer North approaches Aleppo to refit. Army of Outremer South stands guard over rebellious Damascus. I plan to gift Adana, Antioch, Edessa and Damascus next turn although Count Matthias Steffen is promising to defy my orders for Adana.

I hope my next report marks a return to order and normalcy within the borders of the Reich after this disastrous year.


Elberhard