Middle Ages: Interactive

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Seljuks ,holy Roman Empire, Give Me Your Choices!

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Welcome Ignoramus
King of Leon.

[Warluster]

OOC-Is there a portugal faction?

[Ignoramus]

Ruler: King Alfonso V

Units:
Jinettes(Light Javelin Cavalry)
Knights
Men at Arms
Asturian Footmen(Light Spearmen)
Archers

Can I see my opitions for decisions, please?

[Comrade Alexeo]

OOC: Going to go with option 2 for now - "Nothing." Although I don't really like just doing "nothing" - can I at least increase border defences or something?

***

IC:

San Damaso Courtyard, Roma
6 May 1000


"Sir Johann von Coburg! Step forward! Schnell!"

"Jawohl herr Kommandant!"

And there he stood, resplendent in his silvered mail armor with the Imperial standard embalazoned on his black surcoat, waiting for the Archbishop of Frankfurt to speak thus:

"Ich schwöre, treu, redlich und ehrenhaft zu dienen dem regierenden Papst Silvestre Segundo und seinen rechtmäßigen Nachfolgern, und mich mit ganzer Kraft für sie einzusetzen, bereit, wenn es erheischt sein sollte, selbst mein Leben für sie hinzugeben. Ich übernehme dieselbe Verpflichtung gegenüber dem Heiligen Kollegium der Kardinäle während der Sedisvakanz des Apostolischen Stuhls. Ich verspreche überdies dem Herrn Kommandanten und meinen übrigen Vorgesetzten Achtung, Treue und Gehorsam. Ich schwöre, alles das zu beobachten, was die Ehre meines Standes von mir verlangt."

(""I swear to faithfully, honestly and honorably serve the reigning Pope Silvester II and his legitimate successors, and to dedicate myself to them with all my strength, ready to sacrifice, should it become necessary, even my own life for them. I likewise assume this promise toward the members of the Sacred College of Cardinals during the period of the Sede Vacante of the Apostolic See. Furthermore, I pledge to the Commandant and to my other superiors respect, fidelity, and obedience. I swear to abide by all the requirements attendant to the dignity of my rank.")

The Archbishop then handed von Coburg a flagpole with a strange symbol on the banner: a black eagle holding in its claws two crossed gold keys.

He took it in his left hand, and then raised his right hand high with his thumb, index, and middle fingers stretched in a crude cross to represent the Holy Trinity, and responded thusly:

"Ich, Johann von Coburg, schwöre, alles das, was mir soeben vorgelesen wurde, gewissenhaft und treu zu halten, so wahr mir Gott und seine Heiligen helfen."

("I, Johann von Coburg, swear to diligently and faithfully abide by all this which has just been read to me; may The Almighty and His Saints be my witnesses." )

Sir Johann von Coburg then removed his black surcoat and placed upon his person a white one, this time with the eagle/keys standard upon the chest.

Baron Sigmund von Wilhelm of Bavaria turned to Pope Silvester II and cocked an eyebrow. Silvester replied:

"And so it is."

The Baron smiled.

***

OOC:

OK, what has just happened:

The Holy Roman Empire has agreed to supply the Holy See one hundred German knights to serve as the Papal Guard (note that the Swiss Guard does not exist for a long time hence). The current Hauptmann (Captain) of the Guard is Conrad von Komburg, the Count of Swabia (he is included in the 100).

This is an exclusive arrangement, and only the current Pope can tell them what to do (which is basically escort him around). The Hauptmann has considerable freedom in "interpreting" orders, however, and, unbeknownst to the Pope or anyone else (please, just go with this), they previously swore sole fealty to the Holy Roman Empire, and so will not act against the Reich unless they have the Kaiser's blessing, either publicly (in the case of, say, a rogue lord causing trouble) or privately (i.e., by coded messages).

Most of that likely won't prove important though; for now, just remember that the Pope has a bodyguard - 100 fierce German knights.

(Note that the ceremony is essentially cribbed from the real Swiss Guard)

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!
England had declared war on France! This brings the Holy Roman Empire into the conflict, as well as Byzantium.

France has called upon the Pope to excommunate the Anglo-German alliance for their act. The Pope however, has declared a new war, a holy war, a Crusade against the Moors! He calls for every good Catholic nation to take up arms, settle differences and attack the Moors. Sicily was the first to respond, and invaded North Africa, landing at the ancient city of Carthage. Byzantium has responded to the Anglo-German threat with declaration of war on the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was dragged into the conflict by England’s DOW. China has sent half of her armies to the- Middle East? These actions could interfere with the Seljuk. The Khitan Empire continues unification, but not exactly by aggression. They have diplomacy on their side.

[Warluster]

OOC-Also, France and China have made an alliance! So does that China is automatically at war with England And HRE because there my ally?

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Yes.

[Csargo]

Yes.

That's not true it's there choice if they declare war or not

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

That's not true it's there choice if they declare war or not

Good point, New RUle



You can choose to not be involved in a war.

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Byzantium sees no benefit to a war, and chooses not to get involved

[CountArach]

Message from the Pope to all good and true Catholic Nations:

My sons! A time has come, a time of warfare amaongst our own peoples! Why do we sit amongst one-another and bicker? Our pety squabling means nothing in God's eyes, however these is something that does mean something to Him. That is the war against the Moors. Follow Sicily's example my sons! Fight the heathens!

At this time I choose to not get involved in the War that has outbroken, however I will say this. England has been excommunicated. They are teh reason that this conflict has erupted. The French are not to blame, they are pious and innocent. The Holy Roman Empire, though it is at fault, has shown that it is dedicated to God by donating these knights to my cause. However, as said, I in no way sanction this war, and I am appauled that we, the civilised world, with our civilised tongues, could get distracted form proving ourselves in God's eyes. We must kill the Moorish menace! They must die!

Go in peace my sons, and with the protection of God.

[Comrade Alexeo]

Normally, it took the Reichstag and the Kaiser ages to decide anything. Indeed, they were in the middle of furious deliberations going absolutely nowhere when the found out that their ally, England, had been excommunicated.

Then the Holy Roman Empire struck!

***
((to all Catholic nations))

HIS MOST PIOUS MAJESTY HOLY ROMAN KAISER OTTO THE THIRD

HAS DECREED

THE FOLLOWING:

The Holy Roman Empire IS

1) APPALLED at the unwonted aggression of the English, and

2) AGREES with the Holy See in their excommunication of said faction, and

3) RECOGNIZES its treaty committments with England, and so

4) DEMANDS THE FOLLOWING TERMS BE MET:

• that the English agree to temporarily suspend all hostilities with France
• that England accept that all trade between said nation and the Holy Roman Empire shall cease until decree by the Kaiser
• AND that the FRENCH COURT be placed on trial for HERESY, to be supervised by the illustrious Papacy, in recognition of their CORRUPTION and their alliance with HEATHENS from China.

If these terms are not accepted, then the Holy Roman Empire will have no choice but to consider itself in a STATE OF WAR with France in acknowledgment of standing agreements with the English, and preemptively APOLOGIZES to the Holy See for this unfortunate series of events.

***

As soon as the decree was made, the Reichstag once again started debating the best way to conduct future war.

Whilst they occupied themselves with that, Kaiser Otto III ordered the various lords and barons and dukes to call in their knights to their estates - except in the provinces bordering France, whereupon he also insisted that they call on their vassals in full in preparation for all-out war. The nobles in turn, while waiting for all of this to come to pass, doubled the number of border patrols and began discussions with their captains in their castles...

...where they waited.

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

AND that the FRENCH COURT be placed on trial for HERESY, to be supervised by the illustrious Papacy, in recognition of their CORRUPTION and their alliance with HEATHENS from China.

Now the Byzantine Empire will not stand by and watch our allies be persecuted like this. Byzantium is at a hostile state against the Holy "Roman" Empire.

[CountArach]

The Holy See applauds the Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire in his search for peace, and he promises that accusations of Heresy wil be taken very seriously and dealt with. If he needs any monetary assistance in his war against the Byzantine Empire, then the Papacy's coffers are open. However, if hostile actions are taken against France, this offer will be closed.

[Warluster]

France is not allowed to ally with an nation so exotic!? Opening oppurtunitys into trade routes,money,inventions!?!? All you care about is serving under the Pope! He is great,but to keep an nation together you need peace,money and people, I am obvoiuously not going to find that in Europe!

[Comrade Alexeo]

OOC: Pardon my borrowing your character; it's only to establish the setting for a HRE action:

***

St. Peter's Church, Roma

Silvester II was troubled. His dream of a peaceful Catholic world was collapsing before his eyes.

England. Then France and England. Then the Holy Roman Empire, France, and England. And now the Byzantine Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, France, and England...

Oh bother, bother, bother! thought the Pope.

The news from the Byzantines was particularly troubling. Even before he could even consider the amazing decree made by Kaiser Otto III, now he had to consider facing a far wider pan-religious war.

Ah, yes... the Holy Roman Empire... what to do with them...

He recalled a comment made to him earlier that day by the Baron Sigmund von Wilhelm, just before he left to return to the Imperial Court:

"You see, Your Holiness? You see? First the Chinese pagans, and now the unfaithful Byzantines who bastardize Our Lord's teaching! France's leadership has surely been consumed by the Darkness if they consort with such foul creatures? You see, Your Holiness? You see?"

Ah, yes. Silvester II was indeed very troubled.

[CountArach]

OOC: Pardon my borrowing your character; it's only to establish the setting for a HRE action:

OOC: Any time my friend. I enjoy reading your story.

IC:

France is not allowed to ally with an nation so exotic!? Opening oppurtunitys into trade routes,money,inventions!?!? All you care about is serving under the Pope! He is great,but to keep an nation together you need peace,money and people, I am obvoiuously not going to find that in Europe!

France may ally with these heathens if she wishes, and the Alliance will be considered to be a great one, if it is found that there are no heretics amongst your ranks.

[Warluster]

I will make sure France is completly faithful! I could even money to the Papal States when the time comes!

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Basil II walked down the court in Constantinople.

"Dear dear dear. What has Europe come to?" Basil II sat upon his throne.

Letter to the Pope:

Pope,

How do you side with these fake "Romans" who shun outside interaction? You be weary, as the Byzantine people have not agreed with your recent desicions about your people. Byzantine intervention is threatened.

[Warluster]

France is outraged at this show of de-morale, you;re just egging it on! Saying how much strife Europe's in. If we unite Europe will be invisble, c;mon, sign the alliance!

European Alliance

This alliance between the coutnries of Europe aims to unite all against dangers outside and inside. The terms are:

TERMS
If one declares ar against another, all are to gang up on them
The Pope should excommunicate them
We unite against ALL dangers
We help eachother out with rebellions
Never let one fall
Defend eachoter
Lend money to help

What do you say? Do we unite, or bicker?
We already have Sicily and France as members!
European Alliance Memebers-Sicily,France

European Alliance Siganature of French King and Sicilian king.

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Byzantium does not wish to be part of the Western Catholic problems. We have our own plans.

[Ignoramus]

King Alfonso sighed. He saw the bickerings amongst the princes of Europe and despaired of receiving any assistance against the Moors.

Very well then, he said to his aide, we shall fight the infidel alone. We will not surrender our hope and faith as easily as they do. They have proved that the will of God is not their true cause.

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

IMPORTANT NEWS!!!

Gunpowder has been invented in China, and is used for celebration. They amaze yet scare many.

Emperor Otto III makes pilgrimage from Rome to Aachen and Gniezno (Gnesen), stopping at Regensburg, Meissen, Magdeburg, and Gniezno. Congress of Gniezno (with Boleslaw I Chrobry) was part of pilgrimage. In Rome, he builds the basilica of San Bartolomeo all'Isola, to host the relics of St. Bartholomew.

García IV of Pamplona, king of Pamplona (Navarre), count of Aragon, died today. Sancho Garcés III is the new king.

[Motep]

I cannot approve of the words from the HRE. We meant only to bring prosperity to our poples, not suffering.

OOC: I can bring you some fireworks to make you feel better!

[CountArach]

Delaration from the Holy See, Pope Silvester II, to King Alfonso

As you may not be aware, Sicily has landed on Moorish lands and are engagin them as you read this. However, it is true that you are bearing the brunt of this attack against the Moors. For this reason, the Papacy has openned its vaults to you. However, these funds must go to the war against the heretic.

[Warluster]

OOC-Who's the heretic?

[IrishArmenian]

O good and most wise Pope, why must you persecute France for their alliance with China. Sicily has an alliance with China. Thus, all members of the European Alliance have an alliance with China. We have forged unity, and yet the Kaiser seeks to drive us apart. Be wary of the Kaiser, he is planning something...

[CountArach]

OOC-Who's the heretic?

OOC: The Moors The one who I told you all to fight...

O good and most wise Pope, why must you persecute France for their alliance with China. Sicily has an alliance with China. Thus, all members of the European Alliance have an alliance with China. We have forged unity, and yet the Kaiser seeks to drive us apart. Be wary of the Kaiser, he is planning something...

Then perhaps this European Alliance is not a good thing. It seems that you seek disunity in the world. I urge all other European Nations to avoid allying with the European Alliance.

How dare you level these allegations against the Kaiser! He is a true and pious man!

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Basil II has noted the lack of actual fighting in the Holy War against the Moors. Patriarch Sergius II of Constantinople also notes the lack of the Popes interaction with other nations, and the ability not to keep his own children together. How do you think we of Byzantium have grown rich? Fearing this Catholic turmoil will spread to Byzantium, Basil II ordered that only France be able to enter our Empire.