The season of 1104 was dominated by French efforts to expand eastward. All other nations made no new effort to attack the Reich, as the Poles were forbidden by the Pope, the Venetians were seemingly content to secure Innsbruck, and the Hungarians apparently had other matters to deal with. The Milanese and the Danes continued their sieges of Bern and Hamburg, respecticely.
King Phillip of France has laid siege to Antwerp, in a bid to consolidate his control of Flanders. As Duke Hummel did not have to fight in any battles thus far, he has his full compliment of soldiers sans the regiment of Peasant Archers under siege in Hamburg. The King has brought ten regiments, including a team of siege engineers and their ballistas. Both sides command a considerably portion of their realm's resources.
But more shocking is the fate of Count Zirn, now revealed. In order to save himself and his desmense he has sworn fealty to the Kingdom of France! Provence has many ties to the French lands, so this is not too surprising, but it is another humiliation for the Reich to endure. How much more can it take?
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