The Grandmaster departs from the mortal world
Grandmaster Hugues the Chivalrous passes away age the venerable age of 68. The Knights new leader is Grandmaster Theodericus and the designated Heir Jens d’Alvarus, King of Jerusalem.
The de Payns Family Tree and Overview at the start of 1170
News from the other Courts of Europe brings news of leaders passing on and confusion in succession for the Holy Roman Empire and Aragonese Royal Court.
The Diplomat Henry secured Trade Rights with the Scots in Antwerp. Relations with Milan have improved to good but the French have dropped to poor. The alliance with Sicily is having a negative factor in diplomatic ties with the French.
The Grandmaster’s two daughters are ready for diplomatic duty.
The Grandmaster also felt that his sister Orraca was ready for marriage to a noble who has faith and loyalty. Though their father may not have approved the Grandmaster needs able commanders to field the Order's armies.
The Intelligence Agency reports two Jihad Armies. The Moors are south of Jerusalem and Fatimid Caliphate are deep in their own territory near Mecca. Unfortunate their target is unknown at this time.
Antioch 1173
The city was besieged by the Seljuk Sultanate and the garrison was poorly equipped and outnumbered.
The garrison prepared for the attack fortunately the enemy had no artillery. They would be storming the walls with ladders and the gates with the battering ram. The garrison had no archers to neutralize the attack on the gates.
The walls were the first contact and the peasant units held their ground
The enemy was taken off the walls and the peasants retreated to the centre square. The spearmen were left at the gates that were ready to burst open.
The Turks busted through and the melee began at the gates.
They could not hold and retreated for the centre square.
The last line of defence and only few men left. The men of peasant birth fought like nobles of the Order. There valour in will not be forgotten by the Grandmaster
The city is lost.
News reaches the Grandmaster of the fate of the citizens of Antioch. There is also good news the Sicily has declared war on the Caliphate.
There is also news of trouble in the Caliphate’s Kingdom Mecca is under Rebel control
Sad news from the Sicilian Court their King is dead. Also a faithful servant of the Order passes on.
A truly loyal servant of the Templar Knights.
The College of Cardinals accepts two Templar Knights in to the College. A new member is born into the family.
Gaza 1176
Councillor Jens moves on to Gaza from Jerusalem.
The fortress is lightly held and reinforcements are few to defend the fortress.
The main gates are easily breached and the assault begins on the interior walls.
The reinforcements arrive but are easily dealt with the Knights.
The second wall is breached and the General Hamden is offered the opportunity to surrender.
The Caliphate general attacka on an all out charge!
The fortress is captured and under the Knights control
Councillor Jens, King of Jerusalem releases the prisoner but shows no mercy for the populace.
Rome 1177
The Pope is dead a loyal ally and supporter of the Templar Knights
Surprisingly one of the Templar Cardinals is a Perferati along with Milanese Cardinal and Spanish Cardinal.
Success!! A member of the Order is head of the Papacy this will only secure the alliance between the two factions even deeper.
Other diplomatic news of reconciliation and peace
College of Cardinals and it appears the young Pope Lucius III will be in power for sometime.
Grandmaster Theodericus storms the poorly defended city of Antioch.
The city is secured the prisoners are released. In the Town Square a monument is erected honouring the men who defended the city when it fell in 1173.
The merchant trade is doing well in the East and a replacement is being sent to continue the trade on the Silk Road.
The Seljuk made a feeble attempt to retake Antioch and are soundly beaten.
Some interesting news from the Merchant Guilhad trading in the African frontier. The great city of Alexandria is under Sicilian control. There are only a few cities under the Caliphate control.
Possible one great offensive push can subdue and remove the enemy securing the southern borders of the Outremer.
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