Crusader Kings 2 AAR- Being a History of the Lords of Ulster

[johnhughthom]

Crusader Kings 2 AAR- Being a History of the Lords of Ulster

Prologue

Steward Donnchad de Dunseverick, the year of the Lord 1067.

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As Steward of Earl Cu Uladh Sithrigi of Ulster, it is my duty to record for posterity the details of the reign of the Earl and his descendants.

The Earl has reigned for one year, following the death of his father last year, and is married to Fine. The Earl has no children as yet

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The Earls's current heir is a distant cousin, Dun Sleibe MacEochaid, who is married to Bebinn.

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The day to day running of the Earldom is handled by the Council, which includes myself and Dun Sleibe.

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The first few months of Earl Cu Uladh have been uneventful, stories cross the sea of turmoil in England, though life goes on in Castle Downpatrick, Carrickfergus and Connor as usual. I shall record the events of the year to come. Glory to House Sithrigi.

[johnhughthom]

1067

Steward Donnchad de Dunseverick, the year of the Lord 1068.

As Steward of the House of Sithrigi, Earls of Ulster, it is my duty to record the reign of Earl Cu Uladh.

The first full year of Earl Cu Uladh was peaceful in Ulster. As his Council worked to bring prosperity to his land, Earl Cu Uladh busied himself with learning, studying ancient manuscripts and books to increase his wisdom.

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The Earl also showed his generosity to his subjects, throwing a summer fair for the peasants.

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The peasants had never seen such a fair before, with animal trainers for their amusement.

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It wasn't all good news, unfortunately, as a peddler was found selling stolen goods, and punished appropriately.

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Then the bailiff who caught the thief was punished on trumped up charges by the fair's piepowder court. They were also punished appropriately, on the orders of the Earl.

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Following the fair for the ungrateful peasants, the Earl took the local nobles on a great hunt. He was delighted by Bishop Mael Patraic's success in the hunt.

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To celebrate, a great winter feat was held in Downpatrick Castle. Rumours of an argument between the Earl and his Bishop were greatly exaggerated and the feast ended with the Earl held up as a fine host by his guests.

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Earl Cu Uladh and his wife were disappointed that they were still childless, Cu Uladh made no secret of his desire for a son, though Fine was thought to favour a daughter. Hopefully the year ahead would bring some good news for the Earl of Ulster.

[rickinator9]

Nice beginning... competitor!

[johnhughthom]

Nice beginning... competitor!

Not a competitior, fellow AARtist.

Our two stories are different enough to complement each other, yours based on an Empire with a broad scope, mine on a one county faction with a more in depth scope. The first few years in an Ulster campaign are quite dull, with few events to liven up the story, certainly no earthquakes, hopefully mine will liven up after a few chapters when there is an actual family to tell the story of.

[rickinator9]

Not a competitior, fellow AARtist.

Our two stories are different enough to complement each other, yours based on an Empire with a broad scope, mine on a one county faction with a more in depth scope. The first few years in an Ulster campaign are quite dull, with few events to liven up the story, certainly no earthquakes, hopefully mine will liven up after a few chapters when there is an actual family to tell the story of.

We're cool.

Will be pretty nice to see how you'll expand through ireland. Little tip: economy first.

[johnhughthom]

1068

Steward Donnchad de Dunseverick, the year of the Lord 1069.

As Steward of the House of Sithrigi, Earls of Ulster, it is my duty to record the reign of Earl Cu Uladh.

Life in court continued in much the same vein during the past year. The only incident of note was the arrival of a group of hedge knights on the shores of Ulster. Many were suspicious of the motives of these men fleeing the turmoil in England, Earl Cu Uladh was welcoming however, and allowed the men to join him on his hunts and in a small tourney he had planned. One of the men was injured during the tourney, the Earl allowed him to remain at Downpatrick Castle until he was well, whereupon the group moved on.

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The Earl was bored and restless after the hedge knights departed. Soon after, however, cam new which raised his spirits, Fine was with child.

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The summer fair that year was a lively affair, the Earl's delight at impending fatherhood had a great effect on his subjects, and had clearly given him vigour and energy, as no fewer than three great hunts took place that winter. His vassals were slightly disappointed that no great feast took place during the dark winter evenings, the Earl was preoccupied with his impending fatherhood, and spent most of his time with the Bishop, asking God for a healthy son. The Lord answered half of the prayer, blessing the Earl with a healthy baby girl. He named her Taileflaith, and she became his heir. Their were muttering in the court about a female heir, and Cu Uladh's disappointment was clear. Despite nearing fifty, the Earl was still a vigorous man, and there was hope for a male heir.

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1069

Steward Donnchad de Dunseverick, the year of the Lord 1070.

As Steward of the House of Sithrigi, Earls of Ulster, it is my duty to record the reign of Earl Cu Uladh.

This year the summer fair saw a dancing bear captivate the Earl and his courtiers, and the dancing continued as a troupe from across the water entertained the Earls and his court at Downpatrick Castle. The year continued much like the previous year of Cu Uladh's reign, with hunting and a winter feast seeing the year in. Taileflaith's first birthday was celebrated just before Christmas, but there was no sign of a male heir for the Earl.

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[johnhughthom]

1070

Steward Donnchad de Dunseverick, the year of the Lord 1071.

As Steward of the House of Sithrigi, Earls of Ulster, it is my duty to record the reign of Earl Cu Uladh.

The winter feat was more raucous than usual this year, with much merriment during the dark winter nights.

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The serious business of ruling soon returned, as the Earl was forced to decide on a dispute between the mayor of Carrickfergus and a local farmer. The mayor had proven himself trustworthy, and the farmer was warned as to his future conduct.

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It was me remiss of me not to mention a foolish error on my part, which put me under suspicion in the eyes of the Earl. I failed to record the castle accounts correctly and it appeared I had been stealing. Fortunately the Earl is a just man and ordered an investigation, rather than condemning. I shall have to watch the cook more closely...

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The castle was particularly crowded with peasants during this years summer fair, and a number of nobles made their feelings clear to the Earl. He declared it was his home, and the fair was as much for the peasants as the nobles. Earl Cu Uladh told them to stop complaining, or the next fair would be held in their homes, with every peasant in the Earldom invited.

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Joyous news came shortly after the end of the fair, Countess Fine was again with child, the Earldom prayed with Cu Uladh for a son to follow in his footsteps.

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The winter feast saw the Bishop of Connor pledge his devotion to the Earl, and the taxes from the diocese, whihc would go to Cu Uladh rather than the Pope from now on. Cu Uladh was assured that the Holy Father would not see this as stealing from God, and was content.

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1071

Steward Donnchad de Dunseverick, the year of the Lord 1072.

As Steward of the House of Sithrigi, Earls of Ulster, it is my duty to record the reign of Earl Cu Uladh.

The year followed the traditions of Cu Uladh. A summer fair to entertain his peasants, an autumn hunt for his own pleasures and a winter feast to thank his vassals for the service. The summer fair saw a monk from outside Ulster arrive and start preaching about sin and punishment. After consulting the Bishop, Cu Uladh had him removed, he knew his people were God fearing and respectful of the church, They should be allowed to enjoy their fair in peace.

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A group of players from the fair were brought to the castle for a feast and a performance in front on Countess Fine, the Earl made sure the expectant mother wanted for nothing.

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He found his disappointment hard to hide however, when his second daughter was born. The lass was named Lerthan, and almost immediately betrothed to the young heir of the Earldom of Oriel.

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