Orders and reports thread

[OverKnight]

1188

The French did not attack Sir Hummel. The Poles did not attack Steward von Kastilien.

Ulaszlo the Unorthodox, a Hungarian Cardinal, has died. I am proud to announce that Tancred von Magdeburg, a newly recruited priest in Budapest, has been named to replace him in the College of Cardinals. Truly the Master Theologians Guild has shown its utility as we now have four Cardinals, the most of any Catholic nation.

Pope Pisanus has made landfall in southern Corsica, I will dispatch a diplomat to him as soon as possible.

On a more disturbing note, a Russian fleet is outside of Thorn and a small Russian army has entered Franconian territory. I will keep an eye on this.

Denmark and Scotland have declared a truce.

Paved Roads were completed in Staufen and Hamburg. Rome now requires an upgrade of her walls, I ask the Kaiser's permission to build them immediately.

England, France, Sicily and Scotland have joined the Crusade.

The Turkish Jihad Army is now directly south of our Crusade forces, but they are separated by a mountain range.

Another Egyptian Jihad Army has appeared directly northwest of Adana. It blocks the Crusade's path to both that Castle and the Holy Land:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Our spy in southern France noticed an odd thing, the city of Marseille had no garrison at all and the population was rioting:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It seems a French nobleman and his retainers were the only unit garrisoning the city. I'm not sure if he died in the rioting or of natural causes, but I was not going to let such a golden opportunity pass. Gerhard Steffen and two units of mailed Knights rode ahead of the BHA and seized the city! The infantry followed and are right outside the northern gate. The city was sacked bringing nearly 12,000 florins into the Imperial coffers. This move has lowered our relations with the Pope (8 from 9), but I feel it is worth it. There was a Byzantine diplomat outside the city and I wasn't going to let him get the city first. I congratulate Count Steffen on showing such initiative. Edit: The herectical French have not built even a small church in their former city. I suggest that be our first priority.

Steward von Kastilien has a decision to make. With the small Russian incursion into Thorn, we need to reach a decision against Breslau and the large Polish army outside it quickly. If the Steward intends to take Breslau, we need to do it this year. I await word of the battle. . .

Count von Hamburg is ready to engage the rebels north of Frankfurt. I also await word from this battle. . .