V&V Event 2 - A Time of Troubles

[Cecil XIX]

The season of 1095 was the start of a period of great difficulty for the Reich. Here the problems and travails of this period will be chronicled.

[Cecil XIX]

The campaign season of 1095 started with devastating news for the Reich. In response to the attack on Budapest, the Kingdom of France has decided that the Reich is sufficiently challenged from the east to be ill-disposed to resisting an attack on the west. France declared war on the Empire and, using a small army equipped with ballistas near the border, quickly assaulted and seized Staufen! With the title to the Duchy of Swabia still vacant, a French vassal with distant ties was quickly installed on the ducal throne. As to what action France may take, no one knows. But the citizens of the western lands are ill at ease.

In the east, the war continues. Prince Leopold launched a desperate attack on the King of Hungary in Budapest and, despite great difficulty, he was able to make use of his advantage in cavalry by surrounding the enemy, routing them, and then slaughtering them wholesale as they attempted to flee back to the city square. Although the casualties were not insignificant, he was able to amass 3000 florins in the sacking of Budapest before quickly fleeing to escape the inevitable counterattack. He was able to return to Austria by the end of the season, and will soon be back in Vienna.

To his north, Theodericus der Bartige has taken the bold step of seizing Magdeburg, returning it to his personal desmense. Although this is technically an act of war, the combination of the Duke's inaction, der Bartige's sworn oath that he is still a vassal of the Duke, the Kaiser's public statement that Magdeburg was to be returned to him anyway and desperate situation in the Reich have all contributed to giving the new Count the support of the people and the nobles.

Elsewhere, dormant armies have once again resumed action. The army of Kaiser Heinrich has resumed it's return to Frankfurt, but without it's massive mercenary contingent. Apparently, with the Kaiser's treasury almost empty, the mercenaries have decided it is not in their interests to remain with them. Similarly, Duke Vaclav Premyslid is returning to Bohemia to relieve Prague. Interestingly, his army is not marching on a direct route south through Silesia, but has rather struck out west on a more circuitious path. Although there is a danger the enemy at Prague will be reinforced, right now the besiegers are too weak to assault the walls and the Duke has plenty of time. Fortunately he was able to keep the employment of his mercenaries by promising them all the spoils of the enemy once they relief Prague.

In the future this will turn out to be a pivotal year for the Reich. But for now, the Reich continues to fight on.

[Cecil XIX]

The next season saw the further encroachments against the Reich, but a noble defense as well.

The French followed up their capture of Staufen by seizing the castle of Metz, in a simple of assault. They have decisively enlarged their control in the east, and rumors say they are just beginning.

In much more important new, Kaiser Heinrich has returned to Frankfurt. But it is now the powerful return to form that the Reich has been hoping for: The Kaiser is bedridden. With the Kaiser himself paralyzed and unable to act, it is clear drastic steps must be taken.

In the east, the war continues with earnest. The King of Poland as arrived at Thorn with his cavalry, ahead of the main army, and has besieged the castle. With Duke Premyslid continuing his march to relief Prague, it is clearly only a matter of time before Prussia falls to the Poles.

But the biggest piece of news is between Austria and Hungary. The Hun dispatched an army under Captain Harkany to reclaim their capital. He depatched a wing of cavalry to secure the city, while he himself lead an attack on Prince Leopold! But despite the Hungarians securing a nearby hill from which to launch an attack, Prince Leopold refused to stay on the defensive. He sent out his mercenary crossbowmen to soften up the Hungarian line, and when they were nearly gone he ordered his men forward, with Helmut Becker on the right wing and Jens Herden on the left wing. Jens dispatched his foes with ease, and wheeled around to strik the Hungarian center from behind. Helmut's men had the worst of the fighting, and Helmut himself took a nasty wound on his left arm, forcing him to pull back. But he could not remain out of the fighting in good concsience for long, and when the Hungarian left flank wheeled around the Reich's line he charged them with no regard for his own safety, even braking off to engage Captain Harkany's men. Despite being outnumbered nearly thee to one, his retinue made short work of the Captain's men, and send the enemy general fleeing. At this the Hungarian line crumbled, and a general retreat was issued. The Hungarians retreated to Budapest while the Austrians continued on and reached Vienna.

The Reich is under full assault from east and west, yet there remain those who are able to defend. But can they do enough?

[Cecil XIX]

This third season has seen a vast addition to the powers which threaten the Reich, and the internal troubles which plague it.

Venice and Milan, the two strongest power of northern Italy, have invaded the Reich. Venice has put Innsbruck under siege, while Milan as chosen the more difficult target of the fiesty Swiss. To the west, the French continue thier campaign of expansion by bring not only Bruge, but Marseille under siege as well. Count Zirn will have great difficulty getting out alive, as cut off as he is.

To the east, there is more good news and more bad news. The King of Poland has taken Thorn, and is attempting to pursue Duke Vaclav. The Czech has proved too slippery however, and doubled back in time to break the siege of Prague. His army sits outside the city walls now, to tired to enter the city this season. And he may not have time to return just yet anyway, as another polish army as appeared from the forests of Silesia and placed Magdeburg under siege. The army is not very impressive itself, however Magdeburg has only Count der Bartige's personal retinue to defend it. Decisive action will have to be taken.

More momentous than all these events however, is the latest news surrounding Kaiser Heinrich. It has been no secret that he has withdrawn from politics, but while some thought this merely the reflection of the rigours of campaignign the truth has turned out to be far more severe. The exact circumstances are a well-kept secret by the Kaiser's men, but it is clear he is indisposed to run the Reich in his preseant state. As a result, it has been agreed that Prince Leopold must assume the duties of the Kaiser before he can assume the title.

As a result, Prince Leopold can now exercise all powers listed under the rules as being that of the Kaiser, for as long as the Kaiser remains ill. In addition to this, he will assume de facto over the Kaiser's land and armies, with enough income taken out of the Kaiser's purse to maintain his retinue. God save the Kaiser!

[Cecil XIX]

The campaign season of 1098 was much more mixed than those previously - a decided improvement. Theodericus der Bartige easily crushed the town militia besieging Magdeburg with his trained knights. Southwards the news was more bleak, as Venice quickly seized Innsbruck and eliminated it's small garrison. But help would come in the unexpected form of Pope Gregory who, alarmed to see Christian princes decending upon one of their own like a swarm of vultures (or so he says), has issued orders to Milan and Poland to cease their attacks for seven seasons. Both have complied for now, although Milan is besieging Bern and is "refraining from attacking the Empire" in such a way as to starve the beleagured Swiss. The King of Poland has decided to take this time to seize Pommern, and has placed Stettin under siege. Though the noose continues to tighten, there is still some hope: Prinz Leopold has dispatched Herr Becker and Jens Herden to meet up with the Frankfurt garrison, with orders to sweep south from Innsbruck to Bern. Will they be successful?

[Cecil XIX]

The season of 1099 continued the give-and-take nature of times, as the Reich continued to give more than it took. The King of France assaulted and occupied the city of Bruge, and has surely set his sights on Antwerp as well. Poland continues to besiege Stettin, the Prince of France has Marseille in a vice-grip, and Milan continues to starve out the Swiss.

This last act of defiance has caught the eye of the Pope, none too pleased at the Duke of Milan's attempted legal wrangling. He has excommunicated Duke Bernardo, and the entire Duchy of Milan. For his part the Duke shows no signs of backing down, and has continued the Siege of Bern.

More news came from the return of Duke Premyslid to Prague. As his beleagured mercenaries dispersed themselves due to lack of funds, the Duke quickly came down with a stunning affliction that left him bed-ridden. Fortunately the day-to-day running of the Duchy is much simpler than that of the Reich, and the Duke does not requrie a de facto replacement. Still, that is not to say the situation is not without peril...

Stormclouds remain over the Reich. Are the first rays of light beginning to break through?