Orders and reports thread

[OverKnight]

1264

The year began with sad news.

The Duke of Franconia succumbed to his long illness. He was a true German and a stout defender of our eastern frontier. He brought Breslau into the Reich and defeated the Poles again and again. He will be missed.

But for each end there is a beginning. Kaiser Jobst's son has come of age in Rome.

Treachery! One of own Electors has gone over to the Russians!

Perhaps he grew tired of being the world's oldest squire. I had sent him north to administer Venice, but a Russian diplomat bribed him on the way. Needless to say, he will be hunted down like a dog.

We have been approached by the Polish Prince, I assume he has heard of our skills at regicide.

The Teutonic Crusade has departed Thorn and nears the border with Russia. They will leave the Reich next year.

Antioch is ready to become a city. Walls will be built as soon as possible.

The English Crusade Army has entered our territory and is now between Frankfurt and Magdeburg.

I await word on four battles.

Count Karl Zirn will be leading the assault on Jerusalem.

Kaiser Siegfried is attacking a Danish Army on the border of Antwerp.

Prinz Elberhard and King Salier have cornered Khan Orda and Khanzada Jebu, respectively, near Aleppo.


1264 update

King Salier and Prinz Elberhard have finished the Mongol threat. Kaiser Siegfried has driven the Danes from our territory.

Karl Zirn has lead the Crusade to triumph!

An Imperial Diplomat is travelling to Durazzo, we will be able to transfer Jerusalem next year. I know there is talk of governing the city for a few years, but Edict 11.1 did call for an immediate transfer back to the Papacy. Two years is the best I can do.

In gratitude for Karl's role in leading the attack, I have given him the Veil of Veronica, one of the relics obtained from the city.

The contentment stemming from the Crusade has allowed me to raise taxes. Mighty armies and impressive buildings require money.

Taking the ex-Crusade forces, I cleared the countryside around Jerusalem of the three Egyptian armies. They have all retreated to Gaza. Even after the transefer, I will keep an Imperial force in the area to monitor the Egyptians.

It took four of our Priests, but a heretic has been tried and executed south of Jerusalem. We have so many priests in the area, the amount of Catholics has nearly doubled in four years (~60%).

Duke Arnold, using a fleet to get by the Sicilians blocking his way, has arrived in Ragusa.

Duke Gerhad Steffen and Athalwolf von Salza have moved north to Florence in pursuit of the traitor Jens von Kassel. I hope to catch him in the new year.

Peter von Kastilien has moved to the bridge south of Thorn. I hope to have him link up next year with Jonas von Mahren's reinforcements. This leaves some Polish forces to the north, but they are contained.