You've almost reached 1120 SK.(When OaTWS starts) I'm definately going to have to restart that now...
LOL
Can't wait for it start back up again.
A fractured HRE (a map of a WI)
- Thread starter Shadow Knight
- Start date
LOL
Can't wait for it start back up again.
I checked: Tancred de Hauteville, grandson to the Guiscard, got Beyrout (in OTL he got Antioch, but here the better shape the Byzantines are in makes beyrout more reasonable. And since Beyrout is a direct Papal fief, the count is to all effects an independent ruler. He must certainly thread carefully, not to be squashed between Tripolis, Jerusalem and the Moslem emirs.
UnsurprisinglyAh I see we are thinking a like again.
Besides everything else, my psychic powers make it quite easy to influence you I like...I'll change it as you suggest.
I like! The messenger bit is just great.
Interesting...although I might change that a bit from France as a whole to Toulouse and parts of southern France.
Maybe minor parts but I like it as a whole.
You're welcome. Happy you liked my suggestions
I'll reword it to make it sound like it happened all the time rather than one or two isolated incidents of arrogant raiders getting caught with their pants down (literally depending just what they did when they raided
Thanks.
Good. I'm looking forward to the next installment
[/QUOTE]
Are you sure about that LK? Upon further reading up on him wouldn't he have been dead long before then, or are you referring to a different Tancred?
Last edited:
I have a question:
While Simeon, Tsar/Caesar of Byzantium is busily holding his throne against the local pretender, are there any bright ideas floating around in the East on exploiting this opportunity?
Also, what's the status of Islamic Kingdoms at this time in that previously mentioned region? Will they have their time in the sun as well?
While Simeon, Tsar/Caesar of Byzantium is busily holding his throne against the local pretender, are there any bright ideas floating around in the East on exploiting this opportunity?
Also, what's the status of Islamic Kingdoms at this time in that previously mentioned region? Will they have their time in the sun as well?
Are you sure about that LK? Upon further reading up on him wouldn't he have been dead long before then, or are you referring to a different Tancred?[/QUOTE]
Tancred de Hauteville, son of Marquess Odo and of Emma, daughter of the Guiscard, nephew of Bohemond de Hauteville, prince of Taranto and Antioch.
Tancred was born in 1072, took the cross in 1096, and distinguished himself at the siege of Antioch. He became prince regent of Antioch in 1100, after his uncle was captured by Turks. Had 12 sons and daughters out of 2 marriages, and died in 1112 (40 years old, so there is always a chance of living more).
You're however right in questioning his access to the countship (which should have gone to his uncle Bohemond). More to the point, we've completely forgotten Bohemond in our story. In OTL, he was captured by the Turks in August 1100, released three years later, and went back to Italy. He married the princess Constance of France, and in 2005 landed in Dalmatia, where he tried to repeat the exploits of his father against the Byzantines (including a failed siege of Durazzo). The counterstroke of Alexius I forced him to sign the treaty of deabolis in 1107, where he accepted the Byzantine overlordship over Antioch. Bohemond died in 1111, leaving an infant son (from 1100 to 1112 the regency of Antioch was given to Tancred).
Bohemond is a son of the Guiscard, although from the 1st wife. In OTL, Roger Borsa and Roger of Sicily stole a march on him at the death of the Guiscard, and he'd to be satisfied with Southern Apulia and Taranto, before going to the crusades. ITTL he'd be a kind of wild card in the civil war; unless you've him die in prisony in the early 1100s, with Tancred getting the countship.
Tancred de Hauteville, son of Marquess Odo and of Emma, daughter of the Guiscard, nephew of Bohemond de Hauteville, prince of Taranto and Antioch.
Tancred was born in 1072, took the cross in 1096, and distinguished himself at the siege of Antioch. He became prince regent of Antioch in 1100, after his uncle was captured by Turks. Had 12 sons and daughters out of 2 marriages, and died in 1112 (40 years old, so there is always a chance of living more).
You're however right in questioning his access to the countship (which should have gone to his uncle Bohemond). More to the point, we've completely forgotten Bohemond in our story. In OTL, he was captured by the Turks in August 1100, released three years later, and went back to Italy. He married the princess Constance of France, and in 2005 landed in Dalmatia, where he tried to repeat the exploits of his father against the Byzantines (including a failed siege of Durazzo
). The counterstroke of Alexius I forced him to sign the treaty of deabolis in 1107, where he accepted the Byzantine overlordship over Antioch. Bohemond died in 1111, leaving an infant son (from 1100 to 1112 the regency of Antioch was given to Tancred).Bohemond is a son of the Guiscard, although from the 1st wife. In OTL, Roger Borsa and Roger of Sicily stole a march on him at the death of the Guiscard, and he'd to be satisfied with Southern Apulia and Taranto, before going to the crusades. ITTL he'd be a kind of wild card in the civil war; unless you've him die in prisony in the early 1100s, with Tancred getting the countship.
Tancred de Hauteville, son of Marquess Odo and of Emma, daughter of the Guiscard, nephew of Bohemond de Hauteville, prince of Taranto and Antioch.
Tancred was born in 1072, took the cross in 1096, and distinguished himself at the siege of Antioch. He became prince regent of Antioch in 1100, after his uncle was captured by Turks. Had 12 sons and daughters out of 2 marriages, and died in 1112 (40 years old, so there is always a chance of living more).
You're however right in questioning his access to the countship (which should have gone to his uncle Bohemond). More to the point, we've completely forgotten Bohemond in our story. In OTL, he was captured by the Turks in August 1100, released three years later, and went back to Italy. He married the princess Constance of France, and in 2005 landed in Dalmatia, where he tried to repeat the exploits of his father against the Byzantines (including a failed siege of Durazzo
Bohemond is a son of the Guiscard, although from the 1st wife. In OTL, Roger Borsa and Roger of Sicily stole a march on him at the death of the Guiscard, and he'd to be satisfied with Southern Apulia and Taranto, before going to the crusades. ITTL he'd be a kind of wild card in the civil war; unless you've him die in prisony in the early 1100s, with Tancred getting the countship.
Oh okay I was looking at what would have been his (great?) grandfather then.
Naw we don't have to worry about Bohemund as he died a long time ago in the TL. So Tancred as Count of Beyrouth it is then.
is this story line dead ?
Not so much as dead as I've been stuck with some horrid writer's block and then got busy at work. No promises but I'll try to get something out in the near future.
Thanks for the interest.
Just to give a bit of a teaser to the next part:
[Holland] Emperor Henry V arrives in state to winter the imperial court in the splendor and wealth of court of the Count of Holland which has grown fat on the northern trade routes. The issue of the state of France is the reason the Emperor is there and the fate of Flanders has the prime role of the discussions that would take place.
In the words of an Imperial officer, one Helmut of Frankfurt (likely a second son of a court noble serving in the Imperial forces accompanying the Emperor):
For far too long has the Emperor’s attention been diverted elsewhere than to the west where it should be. None of the other realms of Europe can challenge the Empire like that of France. It was to the north with the holy Crusade and the pirates of Denmark not being able to keep a civilized country, and then to south with the concerns in Italy. What shall it be next? Will it be something to the east that next draws the attention of his Majesty the Emperor? I pray it should not be as until France learns her place the Emperor should look to the west…
------------------------------------
I wonder if Thande will appreciate my little line in there.
I sure hope LK comes back as I'm going to need lots of help getting this TL restarted.
[Holland] Emperor Henry V arrives in state to winter the imperial court in the splendor and wealth of court of the Count of Holland which has grown fat on the northern trade routes. The issue of the state of France is the reason the Emperor is there and the fate of Flanders has the prime role of the discussions that would take place.
In the words of an Imperial officer, one Helmut of Frankfurt (likely a second son of a court noble serving in the Imperial forces accompanying the Emperor):
For far too long has the Emperor’s attention been diverted elsewhere than to the west where it should be. None of the other realms of Europe can challenge the Empire like that of France. It was to the north with the holy Crusade and the pirates of Denmark not being able to keep a civilized country, and then to south with the concerns in Italy. What shall it be next? Will it be something to the east that next draws the attention of his Majesty the Emperor? I pray it should not be as until France learns her place the Emperor should look to the west…
------------------------------------
I wonder if Thande will appreciate my little line in there.
I sure hope LK comes back as I'm going to need lots of help getting this TL restarted.
I've only got one little (well not so little) part left to write. However I've been terribly busy recently and I'll get to it when I get some free time. Still I figured someone might like another little teaser from the next part:
(This goes out to LK.)
[Byzantine Coast – Ionian Sea] Emperor Nicephorus Bryennius tired of the continual raids against coastal Greece orders the Byzantine navy to sally forth from the safety of the Aegean to attempt to challenge the Venetians. His only order was do not sacrifice the navy for a single victory but to do as much damage to the Venetians while minimizing their own.
Unfortunately for the Byzantines the Venetian navy had waited patiently for such an attempt and ambushed the Byzantine fleet off the coast of the Palatinate of Cephalonia. While it wasn’t a crushing defeat the Byzantine fleet took considerable damage and loss of ships. A much reduced Byzantine navy limped back to Athens as word was dispatched to Constantinople of defeat. The court of Emperor Nicephorus Bryennius was much subdued when tale of this defeat was made known. Conversely a winter celebration was thrown in Venice on announcement of major naval victory.
(This goes out to LK.)
[Byzantine Coast – Ionian Sea] Emperor Nicephorus Bryennius tired of the continual raids against coastal Greece orders the Byzantine navy to sally forth from the safety of the Aegean to attempt to challenge the Venetians. His only order was do not sacrifice the navy for a single victory but to do as much damage to the Venetians while minimizing their own.
Unfortunately for the Byzantines the Venetian navy had waited patiently for such an attempt and ambushed the Byzantine fleet off the coast of the Palatinate of Cephalonia. While it wasn’t a crushing defeat the Byzantine fleet took considerable damage and loss of ships. A much reduced Byzantine navy limped back to Athens as word was dispatched to Constantinople of defeat. The court of Emperor Nicephorus Bryennius was much subdued when tale of this defeat was made known. Conversely a winter celebration was thrown in Venice on announcement of major naval victory.
Well I can see by the lack of responses the interest may have waned a bit...oh well might as well press on.
In any case I'm going to repost the entire year of 1109 AD as some parts were revised but if you want to just read the new stuff head down to the winter section (part XVId).
Without further adieu (oh I'll post the map when I get home...stupid blocked imageshack...and that's assuming my internet is back up.)
--------------------------------------------------
1109 AD –
(Spring)
[Sicily] King Simon of Sicily once again gathered his army in an attempt to drive off his rebellious brother’s forces from the island of Sicily. The royal army gathered first near Cefalu before it marched to the town of Cerami. He hoped to end the sore that was the occupied town of Taormina. The town as had been proven to a disastrous conclusion before threatened the rear and flank on any attempt to retake the vital city of Messina.
Simon’s army got the lead on Roger’s due to Roger still recovering from his extensive burn wounds. However, as Simon’s forces joined the siege of Taormina for a final push to retake the town Roger roused himself from his sick bed and led his army southwest. It is said that the sight of their injured leader mounting his horse and riding amongst his men did much to improve their morale after a long winter of wondering if their leader would even survive.
As Simon’s army clashed against the walls killing hundreds of Roger’s Venetian allies as they defended the walls of the town. The sizeable Venetian garrison resisted the assaults and siege for the entire spring only fleeing to their ships and north to Messina after Simon’s army captured a section of the walls and a gate.
An excerpt from A Family’s Honor:
Act IV Scene II
Roger: (Peering over a map with several advisors) And if we can cover…
Venetian Messenger 3: (Rushes in covered in mud) Milord.
Roger: Ah yes a messenger from out dear allies. What is it you want now? Leave to withdraw another thousand men to your war with the Greeks? Hmm…or is it more concessions to be made for stale moldy bread?
Venetian Messenger 3: (Appears confused) Ah…
Roger: Well out with it man, out with it!
Venetian Messenger 3: Ah…Yes milord. I bring word that…we have been forced to abandon the town of Taormina and have withdrawn our ships and men back to Messina.
(A noticeable silent pause ~12 heartbeats)
Roger: (Staring intently on the messenger) Very well, leave us.
Roger: (Turning back to his advisors) Let the Venetians bleed. Not that it matters for Sicily will not be won in Taormina.
The scene has some truths to it even given the typically exaggerations of this play. For one it shows the continuing friction between the two allies: Roger and the Republic of Venice. This down spiral exacerbated over the winter and spring of 1109 AD as several critical bones of contention between the two arose. First and foremost in Roger’s mind was the debacle of ‘Bread Crisis’. With most of the peasants of Sicily (well near Messina in any case) drafted to fight in Simon’s army food supplies were low in northeastern Sicily which necessitated the shipping of winter food supplies over from the mainland. However a quirk of fate had a sizeable shipment of grain brought over by the Venetians had been tainted by a mold strain making it barely edible (in most cases not even that). This precipitated the ‘Bread Crisis’ which almost caused starvation to grip Roger’s army and the city of Messina. Thankfully for Roger and his army a bumper crop of winter wheat in Tuscany was able to be purchased and shipped to feed his hungry army.
The second irritation to Roger was the Venetians reluctance to bring more troops and ships and even dared to ask to pull some out over the winter to engage the Byzantines. Needless to say the Venetians were not too happy with Roger either as they felt he wasn’t too concerned with their needs.
It should be noted that this scene is taken to have occurred before Roger’s capture of Cerami even though in actuality Cerami had already fallen at the time when the Venetians withdrew from Taormina.
While Simon’s army was assaulting Taormina Roger’s army (leaving as large as a garrison in Messina as he dared) marched southwest defeating a small army loyal to Simon out of Troina, but Troina was not Roger’s goal. His goal was Simon’s supply line back to Palermo and that came through Cerami. The siege of Cerami was a brutal affair that finally saw Roger’s army victorious. Roger however became enraged when a group of mercenaries on his payroll ransacked the town after it fell. It is said Roger personally killed the commanders of those mercenary companies and had over a quarter of them hung for all to see the price of despoiling ‘his’ kingdom.
[North Africa] The Sicilian army under Peter of Messina regrouped and rested for several months near the town of Gabes. The army slowed only by the occasional Banu raid marched to relieve the beleaguered city of Tripoli.
The Banu Hilal tribe expertly delayed Peter’s army in reaching the besieged city before the spring came to a close. The crafty Banu Hilal leader, Sayyid Ahmad, proved to be an elusive enemy for Peter and his army allowing him to only free a few coastal villages and continually threatened his critical supply line back to Gabes. Peter lacking enough ships to bring in supplies to his army was forced to leave a string of strong garrisons all the way back to Gabes to protect his supply route as the local area did not have the resources to live off the land.
The Almoravid siege of Icosium ended when it became apparent that reinforcements and supplies could not be stopped from coming in through the harbor. The Almoravid leaders began diverting a substantial amount of the gold flowing from their West African holdings to the building up of a fleet; a task that would take years to complete.
[Emirate of Syria] With winter over the war in the Emirate of Syria again flared up. Having quickly punished those involved in the defeat near Aleppo Kerbogha gathered his army wintering over in the town of Moumbidj and marched directly for the mighty fortress city of Aleppo to crush the usurper Lulu once and for all. Lulu’s army didn’t even contest Kerbogha’s as they marched towards the city. Being in greater numbers this was a wise decision on Lulu’s part. However it would end up costing him Damascus to the Christians. With the immediate threat of Kerbogha’s army sitting outside the walls of Aleppo Damascus was the furthest thing from Lulu’s mind.
With the tail end of winter and a good two months of spring the siege engines brought from Tripolis had done their job. Huge gaping holes were rent in the walls along several places across the city. The citizens of Damascus were demoralized that no aid had yet come and filled the city with fear. On the 4th of April Godfrey sent a messenger to the gates of the city offering quarter to city if it surrendered. He even offered to allow any who wished to leave to do so even under arms as long as they went north to Aleppo. It is chronicled that the garrison commander had attempted to refuse but had been torn apart by his own household staff (a different account says it was a mob of starving citizens instead) and his second in command agreed to the terms.
Surprisingly the quarter was kept and no serious known outbreaks of violence occurred once the city was occupied. Many attribute it to Godfrey’s dispersal of troops not directly loyal to him or to the knightly orders that were sent to subjugate more of the additional countryside or if necessarily let into the city but only in small groups. In addition the inclusion of many Muslim, Druze, and Assassin troops into his army likely helped to mollify the populace and encouraged them to accept Godfrey as their new lord.
[Byzantium] A Fatimid and Venetian naval raid on Cyprus, while devastating, was cut short as a sizeable Byzantine squadron drove them off and defeated the Fatimid raiding fleet twenty miles out from Famagusta. This was only one of several naval battles that raged between the Byzantines and Venetians throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, the Adriatic, and Aegean Seas.
Vitale Dandolo the Venetian commander of the siege of Dyrrachium (Durrës) fought long over the winter to bring the city to its knees however the city still held as spring came. The city was believed to be crucial as a staging point for more serious engagements to the south. With the exception of raids and naval warfare up to this point in the war the siege of Dyrrachium was the Venetians only serious commitment to their war against Byzantium and it was deemed crucial that a victory be won there.
Over the winter Dandolo had a series of field fortifications constructed around the city which would not only to serve to keep the Byzantines in the city but also to help defend his position once the Byzantines arrived with their own army. A good decision on Dandolo’s part as not long after their completion the Byzantine army under General Taticius arrived at Dyrrachium from his winter quarters at Scopia. And much like the Romans under Caesar at the Battle of Alesia the Venetians now were both the siegers and the besieged. Initial Byzantine attacks were repulsed and as General Taticius took stock of the situation he began construction of his own series of field fortifications.
[Kingdom of Hungary] Kálmán, King of Hungary, refused a Byzantine proposal to enter into a war with the Republic of Venice. Citing his good relations with the Holy See and not wanting to break the agreements with Venice brokered by Pope Paschal II years earlier as his reasons. While disappointed the Byzantine emissaries did successfully complete their secondary mission of expanding trade ties between the Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary which would prove very beneficial to both parties in the years to come.
[County of Toulouse] Bertrand of Toulouse spent the entire winter gathering supplies, men, and praying for a miracle that would somehow save him and his lands from the King’s host. His prayers would seemingly be answered; whether it was the courtesy of God might never be known.
[France – Near the towns of Carlot and Murat] The long winter had not been kind to King Louis VI. The royal army was on the verge of rebellion as many nobles and their men mumbled and cursed their queen and her warrior maidens. But Louis had given his word and to change it would invite talk of weakness and only embolden the nobility he had hoped to cow with the expedition to punish the Count of Toulouse.
The grumblings and dissention would come to a head on March 12th when a delegation of nobility approached the king and demanded he do something about “this crime against God”. They threatened that if he was unable then they would do it themselves. Many of these nobles were Louis’ most loyal and trusted vassals (who rightly or wrongly believed his wife, the queen, was clouding his mind on the matter). Louis struck with a case of apoplexy at the audacity of his nobility was struck to the core. Of those assembled they made up over half his army. His forces, his wife’s, and those of William of Aquitaine were the majority of those who had not presented him with their list of demands.
Louis facing the real chance of a revolt was forced to accede to their wishes and once again asked his wife to send the maidens home. When she refused he was forced to place her under arrest. However she wasn’t under arrest long as several of her own retainers successfully freed her from her confinement in the royal tents and brought her to her own loyal forces which promptly broke camp and made north to her lands and that of her vassals.
Louis is said to have raged and had the guards (of those who still lived) that were guarding the queen executed. He gave thought to chasing after her and her army but was caught in indecision and waffled on the matter. This delay would cost him valuable time to chase after and more importantly gave valuable time to his rebellious vassal Bertrand of Toulouse.
[County of Provence] Ser Tedice’s army alongside that of Amadeus of Maurienne’s mauled army marched out of Forealquier where they made winter quarters towards the Toulousian held city of Aix. The formidable city was placed under siege and with strict orders from Boniface not to damage the place too badly preparations for a long siege were made.
[Rome] Pope Paschal II attempting to juggle the events of the civil war in Sicily, the war in North Africa, the war between Venice and Byzantium, the struggle in the southern France and Burgundy, the issue of what to do with the divorce between Godfrey and his wife, and a growing issue calling for the blessing of Queen Constance’s ‘order’, were among the few issues that led him to seclude himself in a chapel in Rome alone for three days seeking guidance from God. His decisions and answers would shake the foundations of the western Christian world.
(Summer)
[North Africa] The scorching summer sun had all but the hardiest of souls braving the baking days, unfortunately for the Banu tribes that included Peter of Messina’s army. Peter’s army continued its march toward the besieged city of Tripoli.
Leaving behind most of his heavy infantry to guard and garrison the supply lines Peter’s army had become almost as mobile as his Banu adversaries. On July 1st Peter of Messina’s army clashed with the Banu army under Sayyid Ahmad thirty miles east of Tripoli.
No exact records exist of how the battle occurred or was oriented but archaeological evidence shows that it likely ranged roughly over a five to seven square mile area in a series of small engagements. It was primarily a battle of light and medium cavalry on both sides gathered in small groups battling it out. Evidence would suggest a confused melee but a closer examination would indicate that this battle might be more of a series of continuous and contiguous engagements than one overall battle.
The battle(s) seemed to go clearly in the Sicilians favor as Sayyid Ahmad was unlikely to have been able to bring all his forces together given their tactics of small units raiding supply lines. While it is believed that it was not a crushing victory the Banu army did withdraw back into the countryside and desert.
It would take the rest of the summer for Peter’s army to remove several Banu captured forts to the west of Tripoli and relieving the sieges of a few beleaguered forts. Thus any attempt to relieve the siege of Tripoli had to wait until the fall.
The Fatimid armies garrisoning several port towns in the territory of the Banu Sulaym are withdrawn as Banu warriors return from fighting to the west return home disillusioned with the war as most of the initial gains have evaporated.
[Sicily] Simon had found himself in a predicament. His victory over Roger and his Venetian allies in Taormina could have been the beginning of a reversal unfortunately with Roger’s capture of Cerami his supply lines back to Palermo had been drastically lengthened.
Messengers and scouts clearly reported Roger’s movement along the northern coastal road in the direction of Cefalu which could only mean he meant to make an attempt of Palermo. With Messina in Roger’s hands and Syracuse under blockade Palermo was not just the capital of his realm but the only port of great enough size left to adequately support his fleet. Thus if taken would make his quest to retain Sicily difficult if not impossible.
Simon in response sent a small force up towards Messina to distract the forces left there (There is no record of any battles between the forces occupying Messina and Simon’s force. It is believed a few coastal and farming towns were liberated before they turned back to Taormina) and decamped the rest of his army and marched west in the hopes he could stop Roger before he even got close to Palermo.
It would be Roger’s brief siege of Cefalu (it would fall to Roger sometime in July) that would give Simon’s forces enough time to gather between Palermo and Cefalu. It is recorded that in late June Simon’s army passed through the town of Caltanissetta on its way north to confront Roger. It would be several miles to the southwest of Cefalu on August 1st that the Battle of the Two Kings would occur. It was this battle that most military historians consider Roger to be his brightest moment as a military leader and propelled him from being considered a moderate leader to one of the times more decent commanders.
It all revolved around an elaborate trap to entice Simon to attack Roger’s left flank where a line of forested hills shielded from view a large unit of heavy cavalry. As Simon’s best soldiers engaged Roger’s left flank, which appeared to give way, the unit of heavy cavalry (estimated to be around two hundred men) slammed into their flank. The resulting charge broke Simon’s men leaving his entire right flank weakened and exposed. Simon tried to compensate with reserves but the untried and tired levees failed to hold the line. The battle turned into a rout with Simon’s army virtually evaporating as Roger’s army scattered it to the wind. It should be said that several thousand of Simon’s forces that were captured were offered and took allegiance to Roger at this time. Included in this number was the only son and heir of the Royal Chamberlain. [Note: The book The Wars of Sicily which covers battles taking place on the island of Sicily from the early Greek days until late 19th century goes into much more detail about the Battle of Two Kings.]
Simon successfully escaped from the battle with a few hundred retainers and made his way to Palermo but with the defeat of his army the situation was bleak. As Roger’s army came ever closer to Palermo panic settled into the city’s streets. A palace coup was barely stopped by Simon’s personal guards (led by on John of Reggio a court noble who thought to curry favor with Roger but instead met a grisly fate at the end of an ax). Fearing for his safety (and no doubt their own in mind also) his advisers prevailed upon Simon to flee the city and make for North Africa. Simon would leave Palermo on August 23rd with much of the court and bureaucracy, the treasury, and two-thirds of the city’s garrison aboard the fleet bound for Carthage.
When Roger arrived at Palermo two days the later the Royal Chamberlain (who had stayed behind when word of his son’s capture was privately made known) opened the gates to him and the city fell without a fight.
An excerpt from A Family’s Honor:
Act IV Scene V
Roger: Where is my brother? (Roger physically lifts Tomas the Royal Chamberlain by the throat)
Roger: Where has my brother gone?
Robert (RC): I…don’t know. Aaah…I don’t know…
Roger: If this is the royal city where is the king?! (Roger proceeds to snap Robert’s neck and toss him against a nearby wall)
Robert: Captain, tear this city apart until you’ve found my brother. I want him alive!
(Captain of the guards rushes off with several nearby soldiers to do his master’s bidding)
Once again the play is a bit inaccurate with the actual historical situation. For starters Tomas of Palermo, the Royal Chamberlain, is said to have been a rather large man and even though Roger was quite strong it is unlikely he’d be able to physically toss him about in such a manner. Not to mention that Tomas would go on to serve King Roger for well over a decade before he died of natural causes. Still Roger was, and this is documented, rather upset that Simon escaped.
[Emirate of Syria] Duke Godfrey slowly began to expand his new hold around Damascus and along the borders of the County of Tripolis. His sometime ally the Count of Beyrout also continued his expansion near the borders of his own territory. With the fall of Damascus and Lulu’s forces trapped in Aleppo and the northern cities of Syria little resistance was met.
In an effort to truly hold Damascus and the nearby territory Godfrey passed a law allowing the open worship of Muslim and Jewish beliefs (de jure instead of just de facto as was the case before) throughout his territory in the Levant. Godfrey also extended this freedom of worship to Druzes and to Moslem non-conformists. The only cost for not being a Christian was a modest tax placed upon non Christians. Several exceptions were made in the law. One stated that if anyone converted to Christianity (presumably Catholicism and not Orthodoxy) or their eldest male child converted the tax would be waived. One other was if any Muslim woman married a Christian man the family of the woman would have the tax waived for a period of five years. The last prominent waiver was the tax would be waived if service was given of not less than three years in the auxiliary troops. There were other ways of gaining the waiver but those three listed above were the most common methods employed by the natives to avoid the tax.
Godfrey used the money from the tax to begin much needed repairs to the walls of Damascus but also to fund the much needed bureaucracy to administer the tax and control his newly won territories.
With much of Lulu’s forces bottled up in Aleppo Kerbogha decided to leave a large force in place to besiege the mighty fortress city. The rest of his horde left to begin subjugating the rest of Emirate of Syria conquering first the town of Marra and Tadmor ever angling south towards Damascus to as an unnamed Muslim chronicler would state, “To reclaim that which was Allah’s from the unwashed barbarians”.
[Kingdom of Denmark – Holy Roman Empire] Matilda Canossa, widow of King Eric of Denmark, and King Erik II of Denmark finally received approval for their marriage. The complexities of a son marrying his father’s former widow (even if she is younger than he is), especially given the royal status of both of the individuals, required approval from the Pope. They would be married in late August (believed to have been August 22nd).
[Livonia] Papal Legate Hartwig launched his summer war against the Curoman and Zhmud pagan tribes in Livonia. These tribes proved to be little challenge to the veteran and experienced Baltic Crusaders. With their defeat the Crusaders finally made contact with Polish forces near the recently established town of Tusiv (oddly enough most of the people in it are either native (converted) Prussians or German immigrants despite the Polish name). Further conquests were delayed due to a series of heavy thunderstorms causing widespread flooding throughout the region.
[France] With the fleeing of Queen Constance Louis was in a quandary. His vassal Bertrand of Toulouse was in rebellion against him, and now his wife had been placed under arrest and escaped imprisonment. After taking counsel with his closest advisers and family Louis VI finally decided (after several months of indecision and trying with some limited success at bringing upstart nobles to heel) on first tackling his rebellious vassal. It is recorded that the royal host left Murat and Carlat on the 2nd of June headed towards Rodez.
At the same time Constance had arrived in the Duchy of Normandy after a stealthy and long escape with her army and vassals. Rumors abounded that the Louis was sending a large army to ‘retrieve’ her and force her to submit and disavow the Maidens. Constance vowed not to let that happen and began preparations to defend her and her vassals’ lands for the expected onslaught.
An excerpt from a letter [called the Cherbourg letter] supposedly written by Queen Constance to one of her vassals:
…I do not know when the King will unleash his wrath upon us but I am of the firm opinion that it will be sooner rather than later. Gather what supplies you can and be ever watchful.
[It should be noted that if this document is authentic that it is the first time in her writings that she no longer refers to Louis as her husband or as ‘my’ king. Also while rumors and speculation led Constance to believe that Louis VI was coming north in fact he and his nobles had agreed to deal with Bertrand of Toulouse first, since they were already there.]
It is known that Queen Constance also wrote other letters, one presumably to her brother Boniface, and sent several by ship to gather support.
[County of Toulouse] Louis VI after much dithering and collaborating with his closest advisors finally marched his Royal Army from the two winter camps at Carlat and Murat. Before the flight of Queen Constance the plan had been to march two columns into Toulouse and capture the cities of Mende and Cahors with the hope that in trying to protect both Bertrand of Toulouse would overstretch his forces.
However to do so without the forces his wife had brought could lead to having Bertrand solidly defeating one army before the other could come to its aid. The plan was revised that the bulk of the royal army would cross the Lul River and make for the city of Rodez. A second much smaller army solely made up of soldiers from the Duchy of Aquitaine would raid all along the border between Toulouse and Aquitaine with the hope it would divert some of Bertrand’s resources.
Bertrand of Toulouse had prepared as best he could over the winter in anticipation of Louis VI bringing a hammer down upon him. When that hammer was slow in coming Bertrand sent spies and scouts north to find out why. It is said that the spy that brought word of the troubles with the Queen and her flight from Louis’ custody was richly rewarded. Bertrand after carefully examining the position he was in conferred with his advisors and wrote three letters. One to his garrison commander at Aix-in-Provence, another to Sir Tedice who was besieging Aix-in-Provence, and one very long one to Boniface of Canossa.
With those letters sent by the fastest messenger available Bertrand turned to defending his lands from Louis. One inconclusive battle was fought five miles to the north of Rodez but the armies of Toulouse withdrew in good order long before the battle was truly joined which left Louis VI to besiege a fully garrisoned town.
Bertrand withdrew his army back towards Muhaud ordering only several daring cavalry raids into Aquitaine and Gascony and on a raid on the supply wagons of the royal army besieging Rodez.
[Provence] Sir Tedice’s army continued their siege of Aix-in-Provence but as he said in his memoirs:
…On the morning of the Ides of July on what I expected to be another rather uneventful day besieging Aix as the defenders watched my army swelter in the summer sun watching them. However my sentries alerted me to a messenger coming from the direction of Toulouse wearing the colors of the Count of Toulouse. Curious as to what missives Bertrand was trying to send I ordered some cavalry to chase him down but to my surprise I was told the messenger had rode directly for my men and had begged permission to speak to me. Curiosity overrode my guard’s words of caution of possible assassination as I ordered the messenger brought to me as I sat in my chair eating my morning repast in the sun next to my tent.
The messenger a lanky fellow with a horrendous accent, which I’m told is common to those who live in the Pyrenees, bade me to read a missive from his lord. The letter from Bertrand, never one I’m told to be overly verbose, merely requested that I allow his messenger to continue onto my lord Boniface unmolested as he carried a proposal which might very well end this conflict peacefully.
I allowed the messenger a quick meal and a horse along with twenty of my swiftest cavalry under orders to safely deliver him to Lord Canossa. While young Atto wished to join them I refused as his father clearly wanted him here learning not gallivanting off in the countryside. His protests only earned him several hours of cleaning my armor; still his persistence was admirable even if futile. As I keep telling him, a knight does not seek adventure. Nor do they seek excitement. A knight does his duty to his lord and his lord father clearly has set his duty to be here. Besides we’ll learn what missives the messenger carried in due time. Learning the art of patience will do Atto more good then anything else…
[Kingdom of Italy - Pavia] The messenger arrived in Pavia on the 2nd of August but Boniface was in Reggio meeting with a Papal envoy and would return in several weeks. Several weeks turned to a month before Boniface returned to Pavia and the messenger passed along his message.
The actual message has been lost to time but Boniface’s reaction to it was well recorded by unknown if presumed member of his inner circle:
Milord was at first surprised by Bertrand’s missive but surprise turned to a cold anger I had not seen for many years…maybe not since the Curthose was held capture in Crete by the schismatics. I knew something had gone awfully wrong when milord uttered, “He will pay for what he did to my sister…”
It is not recorded what else was said or conducted in that meeting but within a fortnight Boniface had placed a summons for an additional six thousand men and fifty ships to be gathered near Genoa by the end of September. The Toulousian messenger was given a reply and sent back to his master only stopping back in Aix-in-Provence to issue orders to the garrison commander who promptly gathered his men and abandoned the city to Sir Tedice.
[Rome] Pope Paschal II emerged from secluded prayers reportedly it is said that it was as if a divine presence filled his Holiness with the energy of a man a third of his age.
Not more than two hours after emerging [supposedly after a bath and a meal] Paschal II came to a conclusion about the marriage of Adelaide and Godfrey. He dismissed all the charges against Adelaide but one stating that it was the actions of a deranged maid not Adelaide which committed such sins. However on the grounds of the remaining charge Paschal II approved the dissolution of their marriage. Furthermore he wrote two letters, one to Roger II and one to Simon I in hopes of ending the conflict to the south.
To Roger he offered to accept him as the true King of Sicily in exchange for agreeing to the annulment between Adelaide and Godfrey (i.e. not raising a fuss about it) and renewing the vows of said kingship to the throne of Saint Peter. To Simon he wrote that while he could retain his crown it would no longer be of the throne of Sicily but of distant Carthage. There was a warning placed in both letters that if the two brothers did not accept such an arrangement that the Pope might have to find some else to fill both those thrones and that there were many candidates throughout Christendom that would have loved to do just that.
Pope Paschal II claimed to have had a vision while secluded in prayer. He never spoke or wrote exactly of what but once matters of the flesh were set aside he began to write of matters concerning the soul. One topic in this treatise that goes on in great length is a papal approval concerning Matilda’s Maidens. In it he clearly takes on the role as a benefactor and supporter of them. Coupled with this support he also announced the canonization of the Blessed Matilda. It would take Paschal II months to write this treatise but its effects would go on to change Christendom with the announcement to formally support the Holy Order of the Poor Sisters of Blessed Matilda (i.e. Matilda’s Maidens).
Note: There are rumors of a "Secrets of Pope Paschal II" document that is only shown to reigning Popes within a week of their ascension to the throne of St. Peter. None other than Popes [and a select aide to keep them hidden] have ever seen this document but clues given by later Popes would indicate that Paschal II might have had visions of the future shown to Paschal by Matilda who appeared to him during his time of fasting and prayer. It is suggested that the first one of these visions may have come true not long after Paschal II ended his time of prayer and fast which may have led to his quick decision to canonize Matilda.
[Byzantium] The siege of Dyrrachium (Durrës) and the accompanying siege of the besiegers came to a head on July 19th in what is called the 5th battle of Dyrrachium (Durrës). With the Byzantine’s own field fortifications completed General Taticius ordered a strike towards the wharfs supplying the Venetian army (the Venetians having not actually captured the port of Dyrrachium built a large series of docks off a beach to the south of the city). The Byzantine failed to force their way close enough to the docks. The raid at the docks was followed up by strike at one of the wooden fortresses Vitale Dandolo had constructed to besiege the city. The attack was bloody and repulsed with a high number of casualties on both sides.
Not one to take defeat or even a setback lightly General Taticius planned an all out assault on July 20th with the hope that his numbers would carry the day. The Venetian army was made up of some of the best mercenaries that one could buy in Europe. It fought the Byzantine army back and even captured in a small counter-attack one of the Byzantine’s small wooden fortresses (they supposedly set it afire after being forced to retreat). However as the sun reached mid-day Venetian scouts and lookouts spotted a large dust cloud coming from behind the Byzantine lines which turned out to be a small Byzantine army under General Isaac Kourkouas sent by Emperor Nicephoros from Thessalonica. According to period documents General Kourkouas’ army had made contact with Taticius the night before and had planned on taking part in the battle when it started but delays had kept them from the battlefield until a little after noon.
With the reinforcements from Kourkouas’ army the battle turned in favor of the Byzantines. The losses of this battle were staggering still the Byzantines were able to capture several of the Venetian field fortresses and thus relieved the beleaguered city. However the Venetians were able to successfully retire to several other fortifications surrounding their makeshift docks and wharfs leaving them very much still a threat.
As night fell Vitale Dandolo along with his commanders reached the conclusion that the situation they found themselves in was untenable. The next two days saw vicious Byzantine attacks trying to finish off the Venetians before they could flee to their ships. Fortunately for Dandolo and his men they were able to successfully hold them off. The last of the Venetians withdrew on the night of July 22nd by the light of their burning forts.
[Aegean Sea] Excerpts from the Captain’s log on the Venetian galley Poseidon’s Trident:
June 8th – We finished a sweep of the western coast of Crete in the hopes of encountering the Greek ships that raided our grain ships from Egypt last month but came up empty handed. The other three captains and I have agreed to raid several fishing villages on Crete for supplies. Perhaps if we hit the island hard enough the damn Greeks will come out to play.
June 12th – We finished resupplying after raiding two fishing villages on the west coast of Crete. There are still no signs of any Greek ships.
June 15th – We thought we had encountered a large Greek fleet coming out of Athens but it was nothing but those accursed Thyrrenians! It seems they are getting fat off trade with the Greeks…
June 20th – Not only are those thieving Thyrrenians stealing our trade but those damn Aragonese are in on it too.
August 2nd – Captain Marcus’ ship was sunk yesterday in our fight with a small Greek fleet off the coast of Cephalonia. Two Greek ships now rest at the bottom and a third was badly damaged. We are making for Ionia then home for repairs.
[Principality of Kiev] Sviatopolk II Iziaslavich launched his promised assault (promised to the Byzantium Emperor) against the Polovtsi tribes. Kievan Rus troops expanded their influence throughout the region.
[Eastern Anatolia] The remnant Rum Seljuks formally annexed a large portion of territory under the control of the subjugated Sassun tribe. This action would be the main instigator in the beginning of a much wider war for dominance between the tribes in the region.
(Fall)
[France] As the nobles and the King faced off in battle to the south and prepared for a war in the north the people of France faced a much direr situation that of famine. A modest harvest the previous year had left many prayers and hopes on the harvest of 1109. Sadly it was not meant to be. Poor rains, an early devastating hail storm, and a long dry hot spell over the summer that lasted well into the fall doomed the bulk of the crop in much of France. Those with money were able to buy grain and fish from foreign sources but with the King and the nobility having raised taxes to pay for war there was not much money to be had and therefore not much food to be had.
Much what became known as the Scarecrow Rebellion is surrounded in myth; much the same as the Peter the Hood stories in England would also gain notoriety but be light on actual facts. What is known that in late September to the east of Poitiers a peasant rebellion broke out (it is known that there were several other smaller peasant revolts elsewhere in France at the time but those for various reasons can be eliminated as the source of the Scarecrow Rebellion) over lack of food, high taxes, and the royal granaries shipping off what food there was to the army in Toulouse.
Some believe the Scarecrow was not in fact a man but just refers to the symbol this rebellion used: a simple field scarecrow used to drive off birds. As kings, nobles, and knights would make use heraldry in battle this rebellion used a simple straw scarecrow as their symbol (sometimes as an actual straw-man or as a flag depicting one as the rebellion grew). There is evidence though that there was a man who took up the moniker of ‘Scarecrow’ and led the rebellion. His name was never recorded nor what his profession might have been before the rebellion. Many speculate he might have been a priest, a former Crusader, a minor noble, a blacksmith, and even a ridiculous story of a mapmaker from La Rochelle has filtered through the ages. There is even some belief that there might have been several ‘Scarecrows’ over the life of the rebellion as their leader died and was replaced.
Whether this man existed or not the rebellion centered around the ‘Scarecrow’ would cause serious problems in central-western France. In a period of two months vast areas fell under the sway of the armies of the Scarecrow. As the rebellion spread peasants flocked to it as royal and noble granaries were opened and the food stuffs there distributed out to the hungry peasants. Nobles that didn’t flee often saw themselves robbed (oddly enough only a few were killed when detained and it is suspected they died in actual resistance) of anything of worth. With so many of the King’s men and nobles off to the south the rebellion easily grew and encompassed much territory as many towns welcomed the Scarecrow and his men (and in some cases women as it is documented that women were openly being seen alongside the men in this rebellion which makes many historians wonder if there was some influence from the Maidens in this).
In late September the Count of Poitiers, a cousin of William of Aquitaine called Francis, finally had enough and called what soldiers he had left (his sons had taken the bulk of his retainers to join Louis VI) and what other men he could gather left the comforts of his court in Poitiers and met the ragtag peasant army in the field. Unfortunately for Francis and his men they were outnumbered almost eight-to-one. The battle took place roughly twenty miles to the east of Poitiers and saw Francis’ entire army (estimated to be about four hundred men) not just routed but captured. Francis would later write that it was the arrogance and over confidence of him and his men that led them to be captured.
It wasn’t more than a day than the mysterious Scarecrow and his men occupied Poitiers. It is written that the people of the town opened the gates in hopes that they would be spared if they surrendered. To their surprise though the Scarecrow only lightly garrisoned the town and freely distributed money, grain, and other foodstuffs captured from granaries. Francis and his house guard were kept under guard but the rest were freed under house arrest in Poitiers.
The news of the ‘fall’ of Poitiers was a shockwave felt throughout the region. No sooner than did word spread than many nearby nobles either fled in fear or gathered around a former Crusader the elderly Hugh VI of Lusignan known as “le diable” for his frequent and loud disputes with the Abby of St. Maixent. Hugh VI towards the beginning of October marched with over twelve hundred men north with the desire to crush this rebellion in the name of the King Louis VI (even though by this time the king was still unawares of the rebellion and had other problems). On October 5th the Scarecrow and Hugh VI’s army met northeast of Lusignan (the details of the exact location have been lost). Hugh’s army was surprised by the rebels and was routed in the field. Military historians attributed it to the fact that Hugh’s army was mostly made of men even greener than the rebels and in some cases were even not as well equipped (with the defeat of Francis’ men and the occupation of Poitiers the Scarecrow’s men gathered a great store of weapons and armor). Unfortunately for the rebellion Hugh and a good portion of his men were able to flee westwards but unfortunately for Hugh the Scarecrow’s men cut him off from Lusignan and necessitated his army to flee towards Parthenay.
A week later Lusignan like Poitiers opened their gates to the Scarecrow (word had spread of the gentle treatment of Poitiers and frankly much of the population was having a hard time getting food). As in Poitiers the Scarecrow’s army distributed food and money (this time from the good Hugh’s stores) to the populace. It is said that while most of the rebel army was sent back to their homes that the Scarecrow and the core of his men (some three hundred men and women) wintered in Lusignan.
An odd note about the rebellion is that never once were bad words issued about the King (Louis VI). That the blame was always given to the nobles and corrupt clergy and that if the king had known the people’s position he would have done something (much cursing was labeled towards Bertrand of Toulouse as he was seen as the reason why the king was not there to help his people).
[England] Henry, King of England, received a most surprising letter from his niece, Constance, the Queen of France beseeching help against none other than her lord husband the King, Louis VI. While members of his council laughed and chuckled at the audacity of Constance Henry was silent on the matter. After a few minutes of laughter Henry pounded his fist on the table and brought the laughter to an end. It is written that Henry stated that with most of the Royal army in Wales preparing to finish off Gwynedd (a low key war had been going on and off for most of 1109 and Henry had decided he had had enough and prepared an invasion led by the Earl of Gloucester) that he had nothing to spare for his niece.
However a fortnight later on the late tide a group of five small ships and a hundred heavy infantry of English mercenaries left for Rouen bearing a message for Constance sealed by Henry’s own hand.
[Provence] Sir Tedice after garrisoning Aix-en-Provence received orders from Boniface to move his legion towards the Toulousian border and camp near Avignon and await his arrival.
An excerpt from Sir Tedice’s memoirs:
Avignon. As a young man I had a chance to visit this very strategic position along the border between the Empire and France straddling the Rhône. Granted the visit did not entail the most welcoming entrance or exit for that matter, but an interesting one nonetheless.
I negotiated with the city’s Counselors today for provisions, and the right to camp in the common ground near the south wall with several other camps in nearby fields for the rest of the legion. It would have been a whole lot easier had I not had to deal with the whole gaggle of them especially with not less than three of them trying to enmesh me in some scheme or another. Although I’m sorely tempted to perhaps give in to Lady Willa’s proposal…
…
Even if Atto has almost reached eighteen winters there are times when he fails to act like the man he is and other times seems to hold more wisdom than a man thrice his age. Today it was the former rather than the later as I caught him boasting in front of some of his friends that he could take on three swordsmen at the same time and win. Unfortunately for him I was walking by with my faithful body guards at just that moment. I gathered the boy up with a call that I’d like to see that. Moments later Tomas of Assisi, Heinrich of Innsbruck, and Otto of Bergamo had the young Atto fighting for his life with practice blades. Perhaps the bruises, cuts, and the lump on his head will remind him not to let his ego and pride get in the way with reality.
Still he did defeat two before he finally went down…most commendable.
[Kingdom of Italy - Genoa] By late September the six thousand men and accompanying fifty ships had finished gathering near Genoa. Taking the coastal road from Genoa to Toulon with his ships carrying the supplies Boniface’s army made good time. It would only take him a month to reach Toulon and little over a week to join Sir Tedice’s legion in Avignon. After a week of rest and resupply the much larger army (estimated to number approximately twelve to fifteen thousand men) crossed over into Toulouse.
The fleet continued on to Narbonne with supplies and equipment for Bertrand of Toulouse.
[Baltic Crusade] The summer floods were still having an impact in the southern pagan lands. In response the Papal Legate Hartwig transferred men to the north and waged war on the western Eths (Estonians) crushing several tribes and successfully converting a few others. By late October the lack of roads and a poor supply situation ended the campaign but did allow time for several wooden forts to be erected before the first snow fall.
[Kingdom of Germany – Imperial Court in Frankfurt] Henry V having completed a procession through the southern parts of the Kingdom of Germany had returned to the Imperial Court in Frankfurt. With the return to the capital much delayed business was conducted including a private letter from the Queen of France for Henry V. The letter itself has never been found and only a footnote in imperial records even offers clues to that it even existed at all.
It wasn’t long that Henry V surprised his court with an intention to visit his most loyal Count of Holland Floris II (It was customary for the emperor to remain in the capital for at least six months before he’d begin another procession whereas here was leaving within a few scant weeks). There are known records of Henry V making sudden comments about readdressing the issues of Flanders very soon after the supposed letter from Constance was given over to the hand of the emperor.
[Syria] Godfrey’s forces having secured Damascus and the surrounding territory rushed to finish the damaged walls of Damascus and bring in adequate supplies for the city in case Kerbogha came south. Luckily for them the harvest was a bountiful one and adequate food supplies were gathered both for the army and the city’s stores (presumably for the city’s denizens also). However the repairs to the walls were slow going and in some cases whole sections had to be torn down first before repairs could even be attempted. It was in such a situation that Godfrey found himself in when news came that Kerbogha had left a small army to besiege Lulu in Aleppo but was on his way south with a large army intending on driving them from Damascus.
As Kerbogha’s army came south Kerbogha spent much time slowly marching his army south as he sought to bring much of central Syria under his control before his attack on captured Damascus. He did avoid the major cities and towns of western Syria as he wrote at the time:
Once I defeat the Christians those cities and towns will openly welcome me thus there is no need for me to spill the blood of the faithful. They will throw open their gates, kill the Betrayer’s [Lulu’s] men, and rejoice as I have driven the barbarians from Damascus and back into the sea.
Godfrey wasn’t idle during Kerbogha’s long march from the siege of Aleppo south. Several smaller armies of native troops expanded the territory under his control bringing much needed supplies into Damascus to feed the city and the army. Unfortunately for Godfrey the walls of Damascus would not be finished before Kerbogha would arrive (even at the slow pace Kerbogha’s army was moving at). Knowing this Godfrey decided to fight Kerbogha in the field at a place of his choosing rather than risk being trapped in a city with multiple breaches in the walls.
On the morning of October 1st in the hills of the Palmyrides Godfrey’s smaller army clashed with Kerbogha’s much larger army (estimates range from at least two times the size to four times as large). Many military historians and analysts ponder that had Kerbogha just bypassed Godfrey’s army he could have easily occupied Damascus (The walls were still in disrepair and Godfrey had left it lightly garrisoned mostly with loyal Hashshashin) and forced Godfrey to fall back to the stronghold of Baalbeck if not back within the borders of the County of Tripolis. Kerbogha however believed his scouts that this army was actually a smaller relief army for the much larger Christian army holding Damascus. Not wanting to be trapped between the two he opted to engage Godfrey’s army.
Godfrey’s army commanded two hills overlooking a sloping plain cut by a dry creek bed (which would lend the battle to being called “Battle of the Dry Creek” in local lore but due to the prominent two hills would be generally known elsewhere as the battle of “The Horns of Palmyra”). The larger of the two hills held the bulk of Godfrey’s men while the smaller and rockier hill was manned by a thousand Italian soldiers (trained in the manner of Boniface’s new legion model) with another five hundred native auxiliaries supporting them. The cavalry was held in reserve behind the larger hill.
Kerbogha’s forces bereft of most of the heavy infantry (they were invested in the siege of Aleppo) tried to avoid a brutal head on conflict up the hills. Thus he attempted to weaken Godfrey’s forces with horse archers and light skirmishers but Godfrey’s own auxiliaries drove off them off until they came in mass numbers. Godfrey’s own foot archers (auxiliaries and dismounted horse archers) traded arrow for arrow leaving several hundred dead or wounded on both sides. The barrage ended when two carefully concealed catapults on the hill tops rained down upon Kerbogha’s mounted archers.
Outraged Kerbogha decided to try and defeat the Christian army piecemeal. To accomplish this he placed the bulk of his cavalry in a position that was far enough away from the arrows and rocks of Godfrey’s army, but in a way to charge any aid that might try to move between the two hills. He then ordered his infantry to assault the smaller rockier hill which being the taller of the two would provide a commanding position to threaten the other hill. Steadfast Hill as it is known was on the far edge of bow range to the larger hill, Crescent Hill for its vaguely crescent shape, but would have allowed protected entrance onto Crescent Hill under the safety of any archers posted there.
Kerbogha’s light infantry and few hundred heavy infantry desperately tried to storm Steadfast Hill. As the day drew on several times Godfrey attempted to reinforce his men on Steadfast Hill but were driven off by several massed charges of Kerbogha’s cavalry. Only once did he succeed in sending over a hundred men under the screen of his own cavalry however the resulting clash between Godfrey’s outnumber cavalry and Kerbogha’s left Godfrey’s heavily mauled, especially his much lighter armored auxiliary light cavalry. Godfrey’s heavier cavalry though were still being held in reserve as the fighting up to this point was an infantry or light cavalry conflict.
As the afternoon wore on Steadfast Hill held and Kerbogha was forced to send even more men into the grinder Kerbogha grew frustrated that his men had failed to take the hill but he came to the conclusion that as long as it fought for its life the hill was neutralized and not a threat to him. He proceeded to order an attack on Crescent Hill. To the cries of Allah Akbar Kerbogha’s host charged in the gap between the two hills.
Again military historians and analysts consider that Kerbogha had a chance to win this battle at this point, but two things occurred that prevented that outcome. The first was when the commander of the heavy infantry who had been leading the attack was beheaded in battle the attacking troops fled and left the hill to Godfrey’s defending soldiers. The second was the charge of Godfrey’s heavy cavalry under Count Malaparte della Gherardesca. The charge on Crescent Hill was initially successful and started to drive Godfrey and his men back under the weight of numbers but as Kerbogha’s men fled Steadfast Hill Godfrey’s men turned their arrows and attention onto Kerbogha’s charge. The onslaught of arrows and the heavy cavalry into Kerbogha’s flanks stopped the charge up Crescent Hill cold. The cavalry under Count Malaparte while outnumbered were heavily armored which made it hard for Kerbogha’s men to kill them. It was sometime during this turn of events that Kerbogha personally tried to remove these offending infidels from his flanks. While it is unknown who struck the fatal blow Kerbogha was felled during his attempt. [The troubadours would give Godfrey credit for killing him in the famous Chanson de Godfrey even though he himself would deny it as he was no where near when Kerbogha was slain.]
The death of Kerbogha stunned his army and they routed. Kerbogha’s eldest son Hamza took leadership of what could be gathered over the next few days, but Hamza was less worried about trying to control Syria then ensuring his own rule in Mosul. He knew that as soon as some of his younger brothers found out that their father had died there would be a power struggle for the throne. Hamza’s army marched north east sending messengers toward the army besieging Aleppo and elsewhere in eastern Syria where his father’s forces held sway.
Godfrey’s army quickly retired back to Damascus to rest and regroup from the battle. Godfrey is recorded to have lost over a thousand men while Kerbogha’s (now Hamza) lost over three thousand.
The army besieging Aleppo ended its siege after negotiation with Lulu whereby he paid tribute to Hamza and agree to give up much of eastern Syria to the rule of Mosul. It wouldn’t be until the beginning of winter that the last of Mosul army ended the siege of Aleppo as the tribute was delivered.
[Sicily] The fall of 1109 was a good time for King Roger of Sicily. In exchange for allowing the divorce between his sister Adelaide and her husband Duke Godfrey the Pope had recognized him as the true King of Sicily and assorted titles sans the North African territories which Roger gladly gave up. In his own words:
“My brother is welcome to that barely hospitable piece of parched earth. Had he just stepped aside he could now be enjoying rich estates near Naples…but alas his choices has made him nothing but a king of sand.”
The entire fall campaigning season was spent securing Sicily and with the exception of two cities and their environs, Sciacca and Mazzara, on the southwest coast (which by the beginning of winter they were placed under siege) most of the island freely opened their gates to Roger. Even mighty Syracuse opened its gates when presented with the letter from Pope Paschal II recognizing Roger’s claim.
There was much speculation at the time that like Simon Roger was going to have the seat of government in Palermo, but in a personal letter to one of his most trusted lieutenants Roger spoke on the subject.
…There is much speculation that I will permanently move the court to Palermo but I see no reason to do this. Sicily is my fief now and no other’s. If I stay here in Palermo the nobles in Italy proper might get restless and where better to keep an eye on them than in Naples…
Roger II kept most of the larger titles and lands in Sicily to himself but did dole out some important and lucrative titles to his most trusted aides. For example the lordship of the city of Syracuse went to his fleet admiral, Thomas of Amalfi.
With the war in Sicily drawing to a close the Venetian ships and men quickly made their escape to join the war against Byzantium.
[North Africa] Resigned to the Papal demand King Simon agreed to Pope Paschal II’s demands. Left with a much reduced kingdom Simon, in an effort to not loose anymore, began by securing what remained of it from the Banu tribes that infested much of it. With the men, equipment, and money he brought when he fled Sicily the armies of Carthage ruthlessly continued to turn the tide. The Carthaginian fleet left with a sizeable army for Tripoli which on October 12th met Peter of Messina’s army just to the north of Tripoli. With Tripoli secured this united army moved to relieve the few beleaguered forts and fortresses that had yet to fall to the Banu onslaught.
Simon ordered additional men from the large army stationed in Carthage to reinforce the badly weakened border fortresses and towns along the way (thousands of Sicilians [mainly family members of soldiers] were also settled in the towns and villages along the way. Kairwan grew to have a [slight] majority Christian population overnight. In addition this smaller army worked to drive what Banu forces still remained in the border regions from those areas claimed by Carthage.
On October 27th Peter of Messina’s army crossed the border into the territory of the Banu Sulaym and made for Lebda crushing a small Banu army in the process.
[Greece – Byzantine Empire] With the withdrawal of Venetian forces from Dyrrachium the war between Venice and Byzantium returned to a conflict primarily naval in orientation. With the drawdown of forces in Sicily and the reassignment of ships (operating conveniently from safe Otranto) from there to the war allowed several daring raids deep along the Peloponnesus coast. Not all the raids went well as local forces in most cases had the strength to repel then allowing only the largest of raids to succeed. There is a documented if embarrassing account of a Venetian crew who camped on the coast after a successful raid only to be attacked by alert Byzantine soldiers at night with the results of the crew killed and the ship falling into Byzantine hands.
It is reasoned that the Venetians before committing once again to a land invasion were trying to cripple the Byzantine navy before they landed further towards the heart of the empire. The raids were designed as an effort to draw out the Byzantine fleet and crush it.
[Normandy] When word by spies and ‘friends’ of the Queen were brought to her that Louis was in fact still campaigning in the south there was much relief. The quiet aid from her uncle in England and other friends (such as a ship full of Norwegian maidens, veterans from the Baltic Crusade, led by Viveka of Oslo) did much to relieve the stress that she and her lands might have felt the weight of the King’s armies.
With what appeared a breather the Queen turned to other matters. The biggest issue was the ongoing famine that affected much of France. The northern coasts were not as affected with ready supplies of fish but the interior lacking food or money to buy imported grain was reaching a desperate stage. Constance took out several modest loans from Thyrrenian and German merchants in Flanders to pay for foodstuffs for her people. It was with cries of praise and blessings from the peasants that greeted Constance’s officials when food was distributed (it is recorded that many of these officials were Maidens who distributed the food).
[Toulouse] The siege of Rodez had finally fallen in Louis VI’s favor after several months of siege the city was on the verge of falling. On October 15th the city of Rodez’s granary burned down. The town facing outright starvation surrendered to the king on the morning of the 16th. With Rodez secure Louis installed a new lord of the city (displacing Bertrand as he was in rebellion against his king) and marched his army towards Muhaud where Bertrand supposedly had his army.
On November 2nd Louis’ army arrived at Muhaud but Bertrand’s army had already abandoned the town towards Montpellier. Taking what supplies the town could offer (contrary to some written records the town was not sacked by Louis’ army but gave over what supplies they did have to prevent it) Louis believing he had the ‘rat of Toulouse’ on the run force marched his army in pursuit.
It took Louis’ army only a week to cover the ground between Muhaud and Montpellier but it left his army exhausted and poorly supplied. On November 10th Bertrand’s army came out of Montpellier to face the royal army. Had Louis army arrived in a timelier manner and not exhausted themselves the battle would have likely been over rather quickly as the royal army outnumbered Bertrand’s by almost three-to-one. However Bertrand’s army was much better supplied and well rested and successfully resisted until noon when numbers begin to tell.
It was roughly at noon when the situation changed. From the northeast came a large dust cloud in the direction of the rear of the royal army. Concerned that Bertrand might have sneaked a cavalry force behind him Louis dispatched a hundred men to investigate.
When the men did not return Louis failed to press home his advantage against Bertrand’s forces and repositioned his forces to protect against what might be a new threat. It is recorded that Louis rejoiced at the sight of Boniface’s army as he believed that Boniface had driven ‘the rat’ from Provence and was looking to settle accounts. Unfortunately for Louis that was not the case.
To Louis’ dismay the messengers sent over to welcome his brother-in-law were bound and led away as over eight thousand men spread out in battle formation in position to attack Louis’ army not Bertrand’s. Caught in a state of apoplexy Louis and his nobles were stunned by this ‘betrayal’ as they saw of it. It only became apparent when one of Louis’ men who had been captured was sent with a message.
The unlucky messenger had been stripped, dressed in rough cloth, smeared with ordure, and rode a donkey backwards towards Louis’ army. The message he was bearing was even more appalling. Addressing the King as Louis “the pimple” (Ludovicus Bubon – a name Constance had given Louis on the night she first met him, although never to his face, and then shared only with her brother in her letter to him), falsely styling himself Rex Francorum (the last few months, a rumor had been spreading in southern France, especially Toulouse, according to which Louis' father was a clergyman of the queen's entourage rather than the former king), know that I, Boniface de Canossa, Comes Palatinus Italiae [along with several other of his prominent titles], orders you to present yourself in front of my court, dressed like a penitent and accompanied by your confessor only, and therefore to justify the slights and offenses perpetrated against the person of Constance, Dux Normanniae, and make amends thereof as will be decreed by a duly appointed court. Failing to do so, I will name you a varlet, and a false and base knight; and furthermore I swear on the Holy Cross that I will hunt you and your followers until such a disgrace has been expunged from the earth."
Louis now knew that he was in a most untenable position. Trapped between two armies (one badly hurt but with its back to a friendly city in its own territory) and his own virtually exhausted Louis tried to extract his army but failed. As Bertrand’s and Boniface’s army collided with Louis’ army the French army was utterly routed. Only a third of the French army alongside Louis was able to escape. William of Aquitaine, alongside several of his cousins, was captured by Bertrand’s forces. Thousands of French soldiers just surrendered as they were too exhausted to fight but thousands more died protecting their king.
Bertrand’s army, gutted in the battle, retired to Montpellier while Boniface’s army after resting for several days marched after Louis’ as Louis’ tried to flee Toulouse with his much reduced army. Louis’s army made it back to Muhaud but as winter set in he found that a screening force under Sir Tedice had placed themselves between Louis and Rodez (and thus back into the safety of his lands in central France).
--------------------------------------------
Part XIVd
(Winter)
[Sicily] Sciacca and Mazzara, as the last holdouts of Simon’s rule in Sicily, surrendered to the forces of King Roger II. The two towns surrendered within days of each other (December 24th and 25th) and in feeling of Christmas piety Roger only hung the leaders of the resistance leaving the towns’ unscathed. With these surrenders the fates of the Kingdom of Carthage and Sicily began to diverge and do not meet again for a long time.
[Holland] Emperor Henry V arrives in state to winter the imperial court in the splendor and wealth of court of the Count of Holland which has grown fat on the northern trade routes. The issue of the state of France is the reason the Emperor is there and the fate of Flanders has the prime role of the discussions that would take place.
In the words of an Imperial officer, one Helmut of Frankfurt (likely a second son of a court noble serving in the Imperial forces accompanying the Emperor):
For far too long has the Emperor’s attention been diverted elsewhere than to the west where it should be. None of the other realms of Europe can challenge the Empire like that of France. It was to the north with the holy Crusade and the pirates of Denmark not being able to keep a civilized country, and then to south with the concerns in Italy and Sicily. What shall it be next? Will it be something to the east that next draws the attention of his Majesty the Emperor? I pray it should not be as until France learns her place the Emperor should look unto the west…
It was a prevailing thought amongst many who served in the Imperial court that France was or could be a great threat to the Empire and needed to be taught a lesson. [While not true in the northern, eastern, or southern parts of the empire France was considered a great threat in the western lands of the empire such as Holland, the Duchies of Lorraine and of those of Franconia which tended to dominate the Imperial court due to their proximity to the capital of Frankfurt.]
[Central France] As winter set in the Central France the crippling famine and harsh weather took its toll on the weakened people. Thousands began to die of hunger, disease, and lack of warmth. Those under Scarecrow banner faired better than most as food is shared amongst the followers of the rebellion. This led to several more towns and villages in all directions raising the Scarecrow banner.
The rumor of a similar rebellion in the north under a dread leader called Harlequin does much to improve the moral of the beleaguered peasants. However the rumors have a dark current to them that this rebellion has not yet shared; it is one of brutal murder of those who oppose them, slaughter of anyone who stands in their way, and cruelty to those captured that good Christian souls should not embrace.
Hugh of Lusignon begins to draw support from many nobles great and small in Poitou as they tremble in fear of the rebellion spreading even farther than it has. From his new base in Parthenay plans and men are being gathered for a spring strike but the effects of the famine and winter stymied his attempts. Unknown to him with the routing of Louis VI’s army in Toulouse his efforts and a growing rebellion which would normally become a prime concern of any monarch would be one furthest from the thoughts of Louis VI as his defeated army flees north from Toulouse.
[Northern France] Under the care of Queen Constance and the food she was able to import the famine was very much mitigated in the northern part of the realm. From her Duchy of Normandy to Picardy and the border of the Empire the people of France had only the harsh winter to deal with unlike those far to the south. Still Queen Constance worried that her husband would prevail in Toulouse and march against her thus she continued with her preparations for defending her lands. Unbeknownst to her of her husband’s rout she also began to consider a scheme to retrieve her son, Philip, lest he be forever kept from her.
[Southern France] King Louis VI raced with the shattered remains of his army from his defeat in Toulouse first to the occupied town of Rodez where he reinforced the garrison and then north out of Toulouse. He made his way to Clermont where he decided to winter. With rumors of plague, rebellion (to the west and the north), famine still striking much of France, and a new royal call for more knights and men to join him [Louis VI] in the spring to fend off the invaders and rebellious Count it was looking to be a bleak winter in France.
After resting his troops outside Muhaud Boniface ordered Sir Tedice to north to besiege Rodez and secure the supply lines into central France [in order to pursue King Louis VI] while Boniface negotiated with Bertrand of Toulouse. The siege would continue on throughout the winter and extend well into the spring.
Bertrand in need of money, supplies, men, and diplomatic support all of which Boniface Canossa was willing to lend in exchange for Bertrand’s support in waging war against Louis VI and not seek a separate peace. In addition certain trading rights were to be granted in his lands to the merchants of the trading cities of the Empire. The final part of the deal concerned Bertrand’s County of Laodicea in the Levant.
In letters from his brother Godfrey who expressed interest in consolidating Canossa power in Syria the topic of Laodicea and its absentee lord were often mentioned. In exchange for a large sum of gold [and in an effort to sweeten the deal a transfer of William of Aquitaine from Boniface’s control to Bertrand’s] was given to Bertrand so he’d sign away the County of Laodicea to the Patarene Knights with Duke Godfrey as the acting leader of the Knights in Syria.
It is said Bertrand was going to turn down such a ridiculous offer [mere gold for land!] but the chance to wring concessions [and land] out of his enemy William of Aquitaine was too good of a deal to pass up.
[Syria] Tancred de Hauteville, Count of Beyrouth, arrives in Damascus to come to an agreement on the new borders of his County and what Godfrey ‘the Tall’ Canossa was stylizing as the Duchy of Damascus. A suitable agreement to the new borders was quickly reached as both were content with their gains.
With Kerbogha’s death and his son’s withdrawal from all but the western portion of Syria Godfrey’s army, split into three [a smaller one moving south, the larger army moving north directly under Godfrey, and one under Malaparte staying in Damascus], rapidly consolidated the area around Damascus and to the south. The remains of the armies from the rebellious nobles [against Lulu] did not poise much of a threat as they were scattered, few, and leaderless. After the fall of the town of Adratum in the far south of what was the Emirate of Syria Godfrey’s army encountered a large band of Knight of St. John the Hospitaler (estimates put it at a total force of about two hundred) who were on their way north to assist in the fight. In a show of piety (and likely a desire to continue to curry favor with the Pope and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem so they would recognize the Duke of Damascus as legitimate title; also a side benefit of allowing him to free up men elsewhere) he turned over Adratum and a large swath of land over to the Latin Patriarchate and the Knights of St. John the Hospitaler.
Lulu, the supposed Emir of Syria, after having paid tribute to Kerbogha’s son Hamza, left Aleppo with what remained of his army hoping to reclaim the southern part of his realm from the infidels. However, tired of his scheming and ineptitude on the field of battle two of his lieutenants, Abdul Nasrallah and Bashar Khaddam, initiated a plot that ended in his demise.
Three days out of Aleppo somewhere between the towns of Hamah and Marra Lulu was slain in his sleep. As Lulu’s corpse was left to the rotting sun in a ditch Abdul Nasrallah and Bashar Khaddam quickly had a falling out over who was to rule with Lulu dead. After a small battle between the two factions the Bashar Khaddam emerged holding the field of battle. Unfortunately for him Abdul Nasrallah was able to escape south with much of his forces intact.
Bashar Khaddam made north to consolidate his hold on Aleppo and the surrounding environs knowing that he had to do this before he could follow after Abdul Nasrallah south.
Abdul Nasrallah fleeing with his small army first made it to the town of Hamah where the local garrison quickly flocked to his banner and quickly made his way to Homs which also joined his banner (it is believed that the town’s governor was a cousin of his). As his rival, Bashar Khaddam, was consolidating in the north Abdul Nasrallah was entrenching in the south [in those lands not occupied by Duke Godfrey] entering around the town of Homs.
As Godfrey and his army moved north from Damascus Abdul Nasrallah realized that the army of the infidel was too strong to fight off by himself. Not willing to crawl back to Bashar Abdul sent a messenger to Godfrey offering peace.
Already slightly overextended Godfrey agrees to a five year truce between with Abdul Nasrallah. The border was roughly set at the furthest extent of where Godfrey’s armies occupied. With peace secure Abdul turned all of his attention back north towards Aleppo.
Towards the end of winter Bashar Khaddam’s army having consolidated the territories in the north finally marched south to challenge his rival again in battle. The two armies met on the outskirts of the town of Hamah with Khaddam’s army being slightly larger but one who had marched half a day before arriving at the battlefield.
The fight was long and brutal and became a draw. The army from Aleppo withdrew after Bashar Khaddam was deeply wounded in his right thigh. He would die within a month from an infection stemming from the wound he gained in this battle. His son Yazid Ibn Abu Khaddam would take his father’s place as ruler of Aleppo.
Realizing that he could neither take Aleppo nor challenge the might of the Christians by himself Abdul Nasrallah declared himself Emir of Homs and gave up his dream of uniting Syria under his banner. Yazid Ibn Abu Khaddam would after another failed attempt to take Homs [In March 1110 AD] also be forced to give up the idea of retaking Syria. He would later stylize himself as the Emir of Aleppo.
[North Africa] Peter of Messina’s army having driven the Banu Sulaym from Tripoli and the surrounding territory followed the Banu army back into their territory. He laid siege to the town of Lebda which also came under blockade from the Carthaginian navy. The town held out till mid-January but was forced to surrender or face starvation.
With the loss of Sicily and Southern Italy Simon I King of Carthage was facing a difficult decision. While he had a substantial treasury, taken with him when he fled from Palermo, and a good sized army and navy to protect what he still had his lands were poor, lightly populated, and surrounded by hostile peoples. His alliance with Aragón and the Byzantines offered some support but it was of a meager kind.
King Simon ordered Peter of Messina to halt his advance not much beyond Lebda where it was declared to be the furthest territory of the Kingdom of Carthage. The Banu tribes crushed and dispirited would not rise to challenge this claim for many years. A series of small forts would be established by Count Peter of Lebda [formerly of Messina] to secure the area. With the war against the Banu tribes coming to a close the excess of soldiers were seen as dangerous situation by King Simon. An idle army that cost a lot of money, which the Carthaginians could ill afford, could pose a threat to his rule however disbanding it could also be dangerous, thankfully for Simon the situation in France would go on to provide an opportunity to solve his problem.
[Livonia] While the Papal legate and the Crusader armies take shelter as best they can in the cold winter those more custom to the cold climate begin to make their might felt against the pagan Eths. Several small forces loyal to the rulers of Novgorod march west out of Pskov and Narva into the lands of the Eths not yet conquered by the western Crusaders. Several of the border clans side with the Novgorodians as they are friendly trade partners and not Crusaders. However as they press in their winter campaign more independent minded Eths fight them as best they can.
[Byzantine Coast – Ionian Sea] Emperor Nicephorus Bryennius tired of the continual raids against coastal Greece orders the Byzantine navy to sally forth from the safety of the Aegean to attempt to challenge the Venetians. His only order was do not sacrifice the navy for a single victory but to do as much damage to the Venetians while minimizing their own.
Unfortunately for the Byzantines the Venetian navy had waited patiently for such an attempt and ambushed the Byzantine fleet off the coast of the Palatinate of Cephalonia. While it wasn’t a crushing defeat the Byzantine fleet took considerable damage and loss of ships. A much reduced Byzantine navy limped back to Athens as word was dispatched to Constantinople of defeat. The court of Emperor Nicephorus Bryennius was much subdued when tale of this defeat was made known. Conversely a winter celebration was thrown in Venice on announcement of major naval victory.
-------------------------------------
Feedback and comments are most certainly welcome. Again I'll post the updated map as soon as I can.
In any case I'm going to repost the entire year of 1109 AD as some parts were revised but if you want to just read the new stuff head down to the winter section (part XVId).
Without further adieu (oh I'll post the map when I get home...stupid blocked imageshack...and that's assuming my internet is back up.
)--------------------------------------------------
1109 AD –
(Spring)
[Sicily] King Simon of Sicily once again gathered his army in an attempt to drive off his rebellious brother’s forces from the island of Sicily. The royal army gathered first near Cefalu before it marched to the town of Cerami. He hoped to end the sore that was the occupied town of Taormina. The town as had been proven to a disastrous conclusion before threatened the rear and flank on any attempt to retake the vital city of Messina.
Simon’s army got the lead on Roger’s due to Roger still recovering from his extensive burn wounds. However, as Simon’s forces joined the siege of Taormina for a final push to retake the town Roger roused himself from his sick bed and led his army southwest. It is said that the sight of their injured leader mounting his horse and riding amongst his men did much to improve their morale after a long winter of wondering if their leader would even survive.
As Simon’s army clashed against the walls killing hundreds of Roger’s Venetian allies as they defended the walls of the town. The sizeable Venetian garrison resisted the assaults and siege for the entire spring only fleeing to their ships and north to Messina after Simon’s army captured a section of the walls and a gate.
An excerpt from A Family’s Honor:
Act IV Scene II
Roger: (Peering over a map with several advisors) And if we can cover…
Venetian Messenger 3: (Rushes in covered in mud) Milord.
Roger: Ah yes a messenger from out dear allies. What is it you want now? Leave to withdraw another thousand men to your war with the Greeks? Hmm…or is it more concessions to be made for stale moldy bread?
Venetian Messenger 3: (Appears confused) Ah…
Roger: Well out with it man, out with it!
Venetian Messenger 3: Ah…Yes milord. I bring word that…we have been forced to abandon the town of Taormina and have withdrawn our ships and men back to Messina.
(A noticeable silent pause ~12 heartbeats)
Roger: (Staring intently on the messenger) Very well, leave us.
Roger: (Turning back to his advisors) Let the Venetians bleed. Not that it matters for Sicily will not be won in Taormina.
The scene has some truths to it even given the typically exaggerations of this play. For one it shows the continuing friction between the two allies: Roger and the Republic of Venice. This down spiral exacerbated over the winter and spring of 1109 AD as several critical bones of contention between the two arose. First and foremost in Roger’s mind was the debacle of ‘Bread Crisis’. With most of the peasants of Sicily (well near Messina in any case) drafted to fight in Simon’s army food supplies were low in northeastern Sicily which necessitated the shipping of winter food supplies over from the mainland. However a quirk of fate had a sizeable shipment of grain brought over by the Venetians had been tainted by a mold strain making it barely edible (in most cases not even that). This precipitated the ‘Bread Crisis’ which almost caused starvation to grip Roger’s army and the city of Messina. Thankfully for Roger and his army a bumper crop of winter wheat in Tuscany was able to be purchased and shipped to feed his hungry army.
The second irritation to Roger was the Venetians reluctance to bring more troops and ships and even dared to ask to pull some out over the winter to engage the Byzantines. Needless to say the Venetians were not too happy with Roger either as they felt he wasn’t too concerned with their needs.
It should be noted that this scene is taken to have occurred before Roger’s capture of Cerami even though in actuality Cerami had already fallen at the time when the Venetians withdrew from Taormina.
While Simon’s army was assaulting Taormina Roger’s army (leaving as large as a garrison in Messina as he dared) marched southwest defeating a small army loyal to Simon out of Troina, but Troina was not Roger’s goal. His goal was Simon’s supply line back to Palermo and that came through Cerami. The siege of Cerami was a brutal affair that finally saw Roger’s army victorious. Roger however became enraged when a group of mercenaries on his payroll ransacked the town after it fell. It is said Roger personally killed the commanders of those mercenary companies and had over a quarter of them hung for all to see the price of despoiling ‘his’ kingdom.
[North Africa] The Sicilian army under Peter of Messina regrouped and rested for several months near the town of Gabes. The army slowed only by the occasional Banu raid marched to relieve the beleaguered city of Tripoli.
The Banu Hilal tribe expertly delayed Peter’s army in reaching the besieged city before the spring came to a close. The crafty Banu Hilal leader, Sayyid Ahmad, proved to be an elusive enemy for Peter and his army allowing him to only free a few coastal villages and continually threatened his critical supply line back to Gabes. Peter lacking enough ships to bring in supplies to his army was forced to leave a string of strong garrisons all the way back to Gabes to protect his supply route as the local area did not have the resources to live off the land.
The Almoravid siege of Icosium ended when it became apparent that reinforcements and supplies could not be stopped from coming in through the harbor. The Almoravid leaders began diverting a substantial amount of the gold flowing from their West African holdings to the building up of a fleet; a task that would take years to complete.
[Emirate of Syria] With winter over the war in the Emirate of Syria again flared up. Having quickly punished those involved in the defeat near Aleppo Kerbogha gathered his army wintering over in the town of Moumbidj and marched directly for the mighty fortress city of Aleppo to crush the usurper Lulu once and for all. Lulu’s army didn’t even contest Kerbogha’s as they marched towards the city. Being in greater numbers this was a wise decision on Lulu’s part. However it would end up costing him Damascus to the Christians. With the immediate threat of Kerbogha’s army sitting outside the walls of Aleppo Damascus was the furthest thing from Lulu’s mind.
With the tail end of winter and a good two months of spring the siege engines brought from Tripolis had done their job. Huge gaping holes were rent in the walls along several places across the city. The citizens of Damascus were demoralized that no aid had yet come and filled the city with fear. On the 4th of April Godfrey sent a messenger to the gates of the city offering quarter to city if it surrendered. He even offered to allow any who wished to leave to do so even under arms as long as they went north to Aleppo. It is chronicled that the garrison commander had attempted to refuse but had been torn apart by his own household staff (a different account says it was a mob of starving citizens instead) and his second in command agreed to the terms.
Surprisingly the quarter was kept and no serious known outbreaks of violence occurred once the city was occupied. Many attribute it to Godfrey’s dispersal of troops not directly loyal to him or to the knightly orders that were sent to subjugate more of the additional countryside or if necessarily let into the city but only in small groups. In addition the inclusion of many Muslim, Druze, and Assassin troops into his army likely helped to mollify the populace and encouraged them to accept Godfrey as their new lord.
[Byzantium] A Fatimid and Venetian naval raid on Cyprus, while devastating, was cut short as a sizeable Byzantine squadron drove them off and defeated the Fatimid raiding fleet twenty miles out from Famagusta. This was only one of several naval battles that raged between the Byzantines and Venetians throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, the Adriatic, and Aegean Seas.
Vitale Dandolo the Venetian commander of the siege of Dyrrachium (Durrës) fought long over the winter to bring the city to its knees however the city still held as spring came. The city was believed to be crucial as a staging point for more serious engagements to the south. With the exception of raids and naval warfare up to this point in the war the siege of Dyrrachium was the Venetians only serious commitment to their war against Byzantium and it was deemed crucial that a victory be won there.
Over the winter Dandolo had a series of field fortifications constructed around the city which would not only to serve to keep the Byzantines in the city but also to help defend his position once the Byzantines arrived with their own army. A good decision on Dandolo’s part as not long after their completion the Byzantine army under General Taticius arrived at Dyrrachium from his winter quarters at Scopia. And much like the Romans under Caesar at the Battle of Alesia the Venetians now were both the siegers and the besieged. Initial Byzantine attacks were repulsed and as General Taticius took stock of the situation he began construction of his own series of field fortifications.
[Kingdom of Hungary] Kálmán, King of Hungary, refused a Byzantine proposal to enter into a war with the Republic of Venice. Citing his good relations with the Holy See and not wanting to break the agreements with Venice brokered by Pope Paschal II years earlier as his reasons. While disappointed the Byzantine emissaries did successfully complete their secondary mission of expanding trade ties between the Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary which would prove very beneficial to both parties in the years to come.
[County of Toulouse] Bertrand of Toulouse spent the entire winter gathering supplies, men, and praying for a miracle that would somehow save him and his lands from the King’s host. His prayers would seemingly be answered; whether it was the courtesy of God might never be known.
[France – Near the towns of Carlot and Murat] The long winter had not been kind to King Louis VI. The royal army was on the verge of rebellion as many nobles and their men mumbled and cursed their queen and her warrior maidens. But Louis had given his word and to change it would invite talk of weakness and only embolden the nobility he had hoped to cow with the expedition to punish the Count of Toulouse.
The grumblings and dissention would come to a head on March 12th when a delegation of nobility approached the king and demanded he do something about “this crime against God”. They threatened that if he was unable then they would do it themselves. Many of these nobles were Louis’ most loyal and trusted vassals (who rightly or wrongly believed his wife, the queen, was clouding his mind on the matter). Louis struck with a case of apoplexy at the audacity of his nobility was struck to the core. Of those assembled they made up over half his army. His forces, his wife’s, and those of William of Aquitaine were the majority of those who had not presented him with their list of demands.
Louis facing the real chance of a revolt was forced to accede to their wishes and once again asked his wife to send the maidens home. When she refused he was forced to place her under arrest. However she wasn’t under arrest long as several of her own retainers successfully freed her from her confinement in the royal tents and brought her to her own loyal forces which promptly broke camp and made north to her lands and that of her vassals.
Louis is said to have raged and had the guards (of those who still lived) that were guarding the queen executed. He gave thought to chasing after her and her army but was caught in indecision and waffled on the matter. This delay would cost him valuable time to chase after and more importantly gave valuable time to his rebellious vassal Bertrand of Toulouse.
[County of Provence] Ser Tedice’s army alongside that of Amadeus of Maurienne’s mauled army marched out of Forealquier where they made winter quarters towards the Toulousian held city of Aix. The formidable city was placed under siege and with strict orders from Boniface not to damage the place too badly preparations for a long siege were made.
[Rome] Pope Paschal II attempting to juggle the events of the civil war in Sicily, the war in North Africa, the war between Venice and Byzantium, the struggle in the southern France and Burgundy, the issue of what to do with the divorce between Godfrey and his wife, and a growing issue calling for the blessing of Queen Constance’s ‘order’, were among the few issues that led him to seclude himself in a chapel in Rome alone for three days seeking guidance from God. His decisions and answers would shake the foundations of the western Christian world.
(Summer)
[North Africa] The scorching summer sun had all but the hardiest of souls braving the baking days, unfortunately for the Banu tribes that included Peter of Messina’s army. Peter’s army continued its march toward the besieged city of Tripoli.
Leaving behind most of his heavy infantry to guard and garrison the supply lines Peter’s army had become almost as mobile as his Banu adversaries. On July 1st Peter of Messina’s army clashed with the Banu army under Sayyid Ahmad thirty miles east of Tripoli.
No exact records exist of how the battle occurred or was oriented but archaeological evidence shows that it likely ranged roughly over a five to seven square mile area in a series of small engagements. It was primarily a battle of light and medium cavalry on both sides gathered in small groups battling it out. Evidence would suggest a confused melee but a closer examination would indicate that this battle might be more of a series of continuous and contiguous engagements than one overall battle.
The battle(s) seemed to go clearly in the Sicilians favor as Sayyid Ahmad was unlikely to have been able to bring all his forces together given their tactics of small units raiding supply lines. While it is believed that it was not a crushing victory the Banu army did withdraw back into the countryside and desert.
It would take the rest of the summer for Peter’s army to remove several Banu captured forts to the west of Tripoli and relieving the sieges of a few beleaguered forts. Thus any attempt to relieve the siege of Tripoli had to wait until the fall.
The Fatimid armies garrisoning several port towns in the territory of the Banu Sulaym are withdrawn as Banu warriors return from fighting to the west return home disillusioned with the war as most of the initial gains have evaporated.
[Sicily] Simon had found himself in a predicament. His victory over Roger and his Venetian allies in Taormina could have been the beginning of a reversal unfortunately with Roger’s capture of Cerami his supply lines back to Palermo had been drastically lengthened.
Messengers and scouts clearly reported Roger’s movement along the northern coastal road in the direction of Cefalu which could only mean he meant to make an attempt of Palermo. With Messina in Roger’s hands and Syracuse under blockade Palermo was not just the capital of his realm but the only port of great enough size left to adequately support his fleet. Thus if taken would make his quest to retain Sicily difficult if not impossible.
Simon in response sent a small force up towards Messina to distract the forces left there (There is no record of any battles between the forces occupying Messina and Simon’s force. It is believed a few coastal and farming towns were liberated before they turned back to Taormina) and decamped the rest of his army and marched west in the hopes he could stop Roger before he even got close to Palermo.
It would be Roger’s brief siege of Cefalu (it would fall to Roger sometime in July) that would give Simon’s forces enough time to gather between Palermo and Cefalu. It is recorded that in late June Simon’s army passed through the town of Caltanissetta on its way north to confront Roger. It would be several miles to the southwest of Cefalu on August 1st that the Battle of the Two Kings would occur. It was this battle that most military historians consider Roger to be his brightest moment as a military leader and propelled him from being considered a moderate leader to one of the times more decent commanders.
It all revolved around an elaborate trap to entice Simon to attack Roger’s left flank where a line of forested hills shielded from view a large unit of heavy cavalry. As Simon’s best soldiers engaged Roger’s left flank, which appeared to give way, the unit of heavy cavalry (estimated to be around two hundred men) slammed into their flank. The resulting charge broke Simon’s men leaving his entire right flank weakened and exposed. Simon tried to compensate with reserves but the untried and tired levees failed to hold the line. The battle turned into a rout with Simon’s army virtually evaporating as Roger’s army scattered it to the wind. It should be said that several thousand of Simon’s forces that were captured were offered and took allegiance to Roger at this time. Included in this number was the only son and heir of the Royal Chamberlain. [Note: The book The Wars of Sicily which covers battles taking place on the island of Sicily from the early Greek days until late 19th century goes into much more detail about the Battle of Two Kings.]
Simon successfully escaped from the battle with a few hundred retainers and made his way to Palermo but with the defeat of his army the situation was bleak. As Roger’s army came ever closer to Palermo panic settled into the city’s streets. A palace coup was barely stopped by Simon’s personal guards (led by on John of Reggio a court noble who thought to curry favor with Roger but instead met a grisly fate at the end of an ax). Fearing for his safety (and no doubt their own in mind also) his advisers prevailed upon Simon to flee the city and make for North Africa. Simon would leave Palermo on August 23rd with much of the court and bureaucracy, the treasury, and two-thirds of the city’s garrison aboard the fleet bound for Carthage.
When Roger arrived at Palermo two days the later the Royal Chamberlain (who had stayed behind when word of his son’s capture was privately made known) opened the gates to him and the city fell without a fight.
An excerpt from A Family’s Honor:
Act IV Scene V
Roger: Where is my brother? (Roger physically lifts Tomas the Royal Chamberlain by the throat)
Roger: Where has my brother gone?
Robert (RC): I…don’t know. Aaah…I don’t know…
Roger: If this is the royal city where is the king?! (Roger proceeds to snap Robert’s neck and toss him against a nearby wall)
Robert: Captain, tear this city apart until you’ve found my brother. I want him alive!
(Captain of the guards rushes off with several nearby soldiers to do his master’s bidding)
Once again the play is a bit inaccurate with the actual historical situation. For starters Tomas of Palermo, the Royal Chamberlain, is said to have been a rather large man and even though Roger was quite strong it is unlikely he’d be able to physically toss him about in such a manner. Not to mention that Tomas would go on to serve King Roger for well over a decade before he died of natural causes. Still Roger was, and this is documented, rather upset that Simon escaped.
[Emirate of Syria] Duke Godfrey slowly began to expand his new hold around Damascus and along the borders of the County of Tripolis. His sometime ally the Count of Beyrout also continued his expansion near the borders of his own territory. With the fall of Damascus and Lulu’s forces trapped in Aleppo and the northern cities of Syria little resistance was met.
In an effort to truly hold Damascus and the nearby territory Godfrey passed a law allowing the open worship of Muslim and Jewish beliefs (de jure instead of just de facto as was the case before) throughout his territory in the Levant. Godfrey also extended this freedom of worship to Druzes and to Moslem non-conformists. The only cost for not being a Christian was a modest tax placed upon non Christians. Several exceptions were made in the law. One stated that if anyone converted to Christianity (presumably Catholicism and not Orthodoxy) or their eldest male child converted the tax would be waived. One other was if any Muslim woman married a Christian man the family of the woman would have the tax waived for a period of five years. The last prominent waiver was the tax would be waived if service was given of not less than three years in the auxiliary troops. There were other ways of gaining the waiver but those three listed above were the most common methods employed by the natives to avoid the tax.
Godfrey used the money from the tax to begin much needed repairs to the walls of Damascus but also to fund the much needed bureaucracy to administer the tax and control his newly won territories.
With much of Lulu’s forces bottled up in Aleppo Kerbogha decided to leave a large force in place to besiege the mighty fortress city. The rest of his horde left to begin subjugating the rest of Emirate of Syria conquering first the town of Marra and Tadmor ever angling south towards Damascus to as an unnamed Muslim chronicler would state, “To reclaim that which was Allah’s from the unwashed barbarians”.
[Kingdom of Denmark – Holy Roman Empire] Matilda Canossa, widow of King Eric of Denmark, and King Erik II of Denmark finally received approval for their marriage. The complexities of a son marrying his father’s former widow (even if she is younger than he is), especially given the royal status of both of the individuals, required approval from the Pope. They would be married in late August (believed to have been August 22nd).
[Livonia] Papal Legate Hartwig launched his summer war against the Curoman and Zhmud pagan tribes in Livonia. These tribes proved to be little challenge to the veteran and experienced Baltic Crusaders. With their defeat the Crusaders finally made contact with Polish forces near the recently established town of Tusiv (oddly enough most of the people in it are either native (converted) Prussians or German immigrants despite the Polish name). Further conquests were delayed due to a series of heavy thunderstorms causing widespread flooding throughout the region.
[France] With the fleeing of Queen Constance Louis was in a quandary. His vassal Bertrand of Toulouse was in rebellion against him, and now his wife had been placed under arrest and escaped imprisonment. After taking counsel with his closest advisers and family Louis VI finally decided (after several months of indecision and trying with some limited success at bringing upstart nobles to heel) on first tackling his rebellious vassal. It is recorded that the royal host left Murat and Carlat on the 2nd of June headed towards Rodez.
At the same time Constance had arrived in the Duchy of Normandy after a stealthy and long escape with her army and vassals. Rumors abounded that the Louis was sending a large army to ‘retrieve’ her and force her to submit and disavow the Maidens. Constance vowed not to let that happen and began preparations to defend her and her vassals’ lands for the expected onslaught.
An excerpt from a letter [called the Cherbourg letter] supposedly written by Queen Constance to one of her vassals:
…I do not know when the King will unleash his wrath upon us but I am of the firm opinion that it will be sooner rather than later. Gather what supplies you can and be ever watchful.
[It should be noted that if this document is authentic that it is the first time in her writings that she no longer refers to Louis as her husband or as ‘my’ king. Also while rumors and speculation led Constance to believe that Louis VI was coming north in fact he and his nobles had agreed to deal with Bertrand of Toulouse first, since they were already there.]
It is known that Queen Constance also wrote other letters, one presumably to her brother Boniface, and sent several by ship to gather support.
[County of Toulouse] Louis VI after much dithering and collaborating with his closest advisors finally marched his Royal Army from the two winter camps at Carlat and Murat. Before the flight of Queen Constance the plan had been to march two columns into Toulouse and capture the cities of Mende and Cahors with the hope that in trying to protect both Bertrand of Toulouse would overstretch his forces.
However to do so without the forces his wife had brought could lead to having Bertrand solidly defeating one army before the other could come to its aid. The plan was revised that the bulk of the royal army would cross the Lul River and make for the city of Rodez. A second much smaller army solely made up of soldiers from the Duchy of Aquitaine would raid all along the border between Toulouse and Aquitaine with the hope it would divert some of Bertrand’s resources.
Bertrand of Toulouse had prepared as best he could over the winter in anticipation of Louis VI bringing a hammer down upon him. When that hammer was slow in coming Bertrand sent spies and scouts north to find out why. It is said that the spy that brought word of the troubles with the Queen and her flight from Louis’ custody was richly rewarded. Bertrand after carefully examining the position he was in conferred with his advisors and wrote three letters. One to his garrison commander at Aix-in-Provence, another to Sir Tedice who was besieging Aix-in-Provence, and one very long one to Boniface of Canossa.
With those letters sent by the fastest messenger available Bertrand turned to defending his lands from Louis. One inconclusive battle was fought five miles to the north of Rodez but the armies of Toulouse withdrew in good order long before the battle was truly joined which left Louis VI to besiege a fully garrisoned town.
Bertrand withdrew his army back towards Muhaud ordering only several daring cavalry raids into Aquitaine and Gascony and on a raid on the supply wagons of the royal army besieging Rodez.
[Provence] Sir Tedice’s army continued their siege of Aix-in-Provence but as he said in his memoirs:
…On the morning of the Ides of July on what I expected to be another rather uneventful day besieging Aix as the defenders watched my army swelter in the summer sun watching them. However my sentries alerted me to a messenger coming from the direction of Toulouse wearing the colors of the Count of Toulouse. Curious as to what missives Bertrand was trying to send I ordered some cavalry to chase him down but to my surprise I was told the messenger had rode directly for my men and had begged permission to speak to me. Curiosity overrode my guard’s words of caution of possible assassination as I ordered the messenger brought to me as I sat in my chair eating my morning repast in the sun next to my tent.
The messenger a lanky fellow with a horrendous accent, which I’m told is common to those who live in the Pyrenees, bade me to read a missive from his lord. The letter from Bertrand, never one I’m told to be overly verbose, merely requested that I allow his messenger to continue onto my lord Boniface unmolested as he carried a proposal which might very well end this conflict peacefully.
I allowed the messenger a quick meal and a horse along with twenty of my swiftest cavalry under orders to safely deliver him to Lord Canossa. While young Atto wished to join them I refused as his father clearly wanted him here learning not gallivanting off in the countryside. His protests only earned him several hours of cleaning my armor; still his persistence was admirable even if futile. As I keep telling him, a knight does not seek adventure. Nor do they seek excitement. A knight does his duty to his lord and his lord father clearly has set his duty to be here. Besides we’ll learn what missives the messenger carried in due time. Learning the art of patience will do Atto more good then anything else…
[Kingdom of Italy - Pavia] The messenger arrived in Pavia on the 2nd of August but Boniface was in Reggio meeting with a Papal envoy and would return in several weeks. Several weeks turned to a month before Boniface returned to Pavia and the messenger passed along his message.
The actual message has been lost to time but Boniface’s reaction to it was well recorded by unknown if presumed member of his inner circle:
Milord was at first surprised by Bertrand’s missive but surprise turned to a cold anger I had not seen for many years…maybe not since the Curthose was held capture in Crete by the schismatics. I knew something had gone awfully wrong when milord uttered, “He will pay for what he did to my sister…”
It is not recorded what else was said or conducted in that meeting but within a fortnight Boniface had placed a summons for an additional six thousand men and fifty ships to be gathered near Genoa by the end of September. The Toulousian messenger was given a reply and sent back to his master only stopping back in Aix-in-Provence to issue orders to the garrison commander who promptly gathered his men and abandoned the city to Sir Tedice.
[Rome] Pope Paschal II emerged from secluded prayers reportedly it is said that it was as if a divine presence filled his Holiness with the energy of a man a third of his age.
Not more than two hours after emerging [supposedly after a bath and a meal] Paschal II came to a conclusion about the marriage of Adelaide and Godfrey. He dismissed all the charges against Adelaide but one stating that it was the actions of a deranged maid not Adelaide which committed such sins. However on the grounds of the remaining charge Paschal II approved the dissolution of their marriage. Furthermore he wrote two letters, one to Roger II and one to Simon I in hopes of ending the conflict to the south.
To Roger he offered to accept him as the true King of Sicily in exchange for agreeing to the annulment between Adelaide and Godfrey (i.e. not raising a fuss about it) and renewing the vows of said kingship to the throne of Saint Peter. To Simon he wrote that while he could retain his crown it would no longer be of the throne of Sicily but of distant Carthage. There was a warning placed in both letters that if the two brothers did not accept such an arrangement that the Pope might have to find some else to fill both those thrones and that there were many candidates throughout Christendom that would have loved to do just that.
Pope Paschal II claimed to have had a vision while secluded in prayer. He never spoke or wrote exactly of what but once matters of the flesh were set aside he began to write of matters concerning the soul. One topic in this treatise that goes on in great length is a papal approval concerning Matilda’s Maidens. In it he clearly takes on the role as a benefactor and supporter of them. Coupled with this support he also announced the canonization of the Blessed Matilda. It would take Paschal II months to write this treatise but its effects would go on to change Christendom with the announcement to formally support the Holy Order of the Poor Sisters of Blessed Matilda (i.e. Matilda’s Maidens).
Note: There are rumors of a "Secrets of Pope Paschal II" document that is only shown to reigning Popes within a week of their ascension to the throne of St. Peter. None other than Popes [and a select aide to keep them hidden] have ever seen this document but clues given by later Popes would indicate that Paschal II might have had visions of the future shown to Paschal by Matilda who appeared to him during his time of fasting and prayer. It is suggested that the first one of these visions may have come true not long after Paschal II ended his time of prayer and fast which may have led to his quick decision to canonize Matilda.
[Byzantium] The siege of Dyrrachium (Durrës) and the accompanying siege of the besiegers came to a head on July 19th in what is called the 5th battle of Dyrrachium (Durrës). With the Byzantine’s own field fortifications completed General Taticius ordered a strike towards the wharfs supplying the Venetian army (the Venetians having not actually captured the port of Dyrrachium built a large series of docks off a beach to the south of the city). The Byzantine failed to force their way close enough to the docks. The raid at the docks was followed up by strike at one of the wooden fortresses Vitale Dandolo had constructed to besiege the city. The attack was bloody and repulsed with a high number of casualties on both sides.
Not one to take defeat or even a setback lightly General Taticius planned an all out assault on July 20th with the hope that his numbers would carry the day. The Venetian army was made up of some of the best mercenaries that one could buy in Europe. It fought the Byzantine army back and even captured in a small counter-attack one of the Byzantine’s small wooden fortresses (they supposedly set it afire after being forced to retreat). However as the sun reached mid-day Venetian scouts and lookouts spotted a large dust cloud coming from behind the Byzantine lines which turned out to be a small Byzantine army under General Isaac Kourkouas sent by Emperor Nicephoros from Thessalonica. According to period documents General Kourkouas’ army had made contact with Taticius the night before and had planned on taking part in the battle when it started but delays had kept them from the battlefield until a little after noon.
With the reinforcements from Kourkouas’ army the battle turned in favor of the Byzantines. The losses of this battle were staggering still the Byzantines were able to capture several of the Venetian field fortresses and thus relieved the beleaguered city. However the Venetians were able to successfully retire to several other fortifications surrounding their makeshift docks and wharfs leaving them very much still a threat.
As night fell Vitale Dandolo along with his commanders reached the conclusion that the situation they found themselves in was untenable. The next two days saw vicious Byzantine attacks trying to finish off the Venetians before they could flee to their ships. Fortunately for Dandolo and his men they were able to successfully hold them off. The last of the Venetians withdrew on the night of July 22nd by the light of their burning forts.
[Aegean Sea] Excerpts from the Captain’s log on the Venetian galley Poseidon’s Trident:
June 8th – We finished a sweep of the western coast of Crete in the hopes of encountering the Greek ships that raided our grain ships from Egypt last month but came up empty handed. The other three captains and I have agreed to raid several fishing villages on Crete for supplies. Perhaps if we hit the island hard enough the damn Greeks will come out to play.
June 12th – We finished resupplying after raiding two fishing villages on the west coast of Crete. There are still no signs of any Greek ships.
June 15th – We thought we had encountered a large Greek fleet coming out of Athens but it was nothing but those accursed Thyrrenians! It seems they are getting fat off trade with the Greeks…
June 20th – Not only are those thieving Thyrrenians stealing our trade but those damn Aragonese are in on it too.
August 2nd – Captain Marcus’ ship was sunk yesterday in our fight with a small Greek fleet off the coast of Cephalonia. Two Greek ships now rest at the bottom and a third was badly damaged. We are making for Ionia then home for repairs.
[Principality of Kiev] Sviatopolk II Iziaslavich launched his promised assault (promised to the Byzantium Emperor) against the Polovtsi tribes. Kievan Rus troops expanded their influence throughout the region.
[Eastern Anatolia] The remnant Rum Seljuks formally annexed a large portion of territory under the control of the subjugated Sassun tribe. This action would be the main instigator in the beginning of a much wider war for dominance between the tribes in the region.
(Fall)
[France] As the nobles and the King faced off in battle to the south and prepared for a war in the north the people of France faced a much direr situation that of famine. A modest harvest the previous year had left many prayers and hopes on the harvest of 1109. Sadly it was not meant to be. Poor rains, an early devastating hail storm, and a long dry hot spell over the summer that lasted well into the fall doomed the bulk of the crop in much of France. Those with money were able to buy grain and fish from foreign sources but with the King and the nobility having raised taxes to pay for war there was not much money to be had and therefore not much food to be had.
Much what became known as the Scarecrow Rebellion is surrounded in myth; much the same as the Peter the Hood stories in England would also gain notoriety but be light on actual facts. What is known that in late September to the east of Poitiers a peasant rebellion broke out (it is known that there were several other smaller peasant revolts elsewhere in France at the time but those for various reasons can be eliminated as the source of the Scarecrow Rebellion) over lack of food, high taxes, and the royal granaries shipping off what food there was to the army in Toulouse.
Some believe the Scarecrow was not in fact a man but just refers to the symbol this rebellion used: a simple field scarecrow used to drive off birds. As kings, nobles, and knights would make use heraldry in battle this rebellion used a simple straw scarecrow as their symbol (sometimes as an actual straw-man or as a flag depicting one as the rebellion grew). There is evidence though that there was a man who took up the moniker of ‘Scarecrow’ and led the rebellion. His name was never recorded nor what his profession might have been before the rebellion. Many speculate he might have been a priest, a former Crusader, a minor noble, a blacksmith, and even a ridiculous story of a mapmaker from La Rochelle has filtered through the ages. There is even some belief that there might have been several ‘Scarecrows’ over the life of the rebellion as their leader died and was replaced.
Whether this man existed or not the rebellion centered around the ‘Scarecrow’ would cause serious problems in central-western France. In a period of two months vast areas fell under the sway of the armies of the Scarecrow. As the rebellion spread peasants flocked to it as royal and noble granaries were opened and the food stuffs there distributed out to the hungry peasants. Nobles that didn’t flee often saw themselves robbed (oddly enough only a few were killed when detained and it is suspected they died in actual resistance) of anything of worth. With so many of the King’s men and nobles off to the south the rebellion easily grew and encompassed much territory as many towns welcomed the Scarecrow and his men (and in some cases women as it is documented that women were openly being seen alongside the men in this rebellion which makes many historians wonder if there was some influence from the Maidens in this).
In late September the Count of Poitiers, a cousin of William of Aquitaine called Francis, finally had enough and called what soldiers he had left (his sons had taken the bulk of his retainers to join Louis VI) and what other men he could gather left the comforts of his court in Poitiers and met the ragtag peasant army in the field. Unfortunately for Francis and his men they were outnumbered almost eight-to-one. The battle took place roughly twenty miles to the east of Poitiers and saw Francis’ entire army (estimated to be about four hundred men) not just routed but captured. Francis would later write that it was the arrogance and over confidence of him and his men that led them to be captured.
It wasn’t more than a day than the mysterious Scarecrow and his men occupied Poitiers. It is written that the people of the town opened the gates in hopes that they would be spared if they surrendered. To their surprise though the Scarecrow only lightly garrisoned the town and freely distributed money, grain, and other foodstuffs captured from granaries. Francis and his house guard were kept under guard but the rest were freed under house arrest in Poitiers.
The news of the ‘fall’ of Poitiers was a shockwave felt throughout the region. No sooner than did word spread than many nearby nobles either fled in fear or gathered around a former Crusader the elderly Hugh VI of Lusignan known as “le diable” for his frequent and loud disputes with the Abby of St. Maixent. Hugh VI towards the beginning of October marched with over twelve hundred men north with the desire to crush this rebellion in the name of the King Louis VI (even though by this time the king was still unawares of the rebellion and had other problems). On October 5th the Scarecrow and Hugh VI’s army met northeast of Lusignan (the details of the exact location have been lost). Hugh’s army was surprised by the rebels and was routed in the field. Military historians attributed it to the fact that Hugh’s army was mostly made of men even greener than the rebels and in some cases were even not as well equipped (with the defeat of Francis’ men and the occupation of Poitiers the Scarecrow’s men gathered a great store of weapons and armor). Unfortunately for the rebellion Hugh and a good portion of his men were able to flee westwards but unfortunately for Hugh the Scarecrow’s men cut him off from Lusignan and necessitated his army to flee towards Parthenay.
A week later Lusignan like Poitiers opened their gates to the Scarecrow (word had spread of the gentle treatment of Poitiers and frankly much of the population was having a hard time getting food). As in Poitiers the Scarecrow’s army distributed food and money (this time from the good Hugh’s stores) to the populace. It is said that while most of the rebel army was sent back to their homes that the Scarecrow and the core of his men (some three hundred men and women) wintered in Lusignan.
An odd note about the rebellion is that never once were bad words issued about the King (Louis VI). That the blame was always given to the nobles and corrupt clergy and that if the king had known the people’s position he would have done something (much cursing was labeled towards Bertrand of Toulouse as he was seen as the reason why the king was not there to help his people).
[England] Henry, King of England, received a most surprising letter from his niece, Constance, the Queen of France beseeching help against none other than her lord husband the King, Louis VI. While members of his council laughed and chuckled at the audacity of Constance Henry was silent on the matter. After a few minutes of laughter Henry pounded his fist on the table and brought the laughter to an end. It is written that Henry stated that with most of the Royal army in Wales preparing to finish off Gwynedd (a low key war had been going on and off for most of 1109 and Henry had decided he had had enough and prepared an invasion led by the Earl of Gloucester) that he had nothing to spare for his niece.
However a fortnight later on the late tide a group of five small ships and a hundred heavy infantry of English mercenaries left for Rouen bearing a message for Constance sealed by Henry’s own hand.
[Provence] Sir Tedice after garrisoning Aix-en-Provence received orders from Boniface to move his legion towards the Toulousian border and camp near Avignon and await his arrival.
An excerpt from Sir Tedice’s memoirs:
Avignon. As a young man I had a chance to visit this very strategic position along the border between the Empire and France straddling the Rhône. Granted the visit did not entail the most welcoming entrance or exit for that matter, but an interesting one nonetheless.
I negotiated with the city’s Counselors today for provisions, and the right to camp in the common ground near the south wall with several other camps in nearby fields for the rest of the legion. It would have been a whole lot easier had I not had to deal with the whole gaggle of them especially with not less than three of them trying to enmesh me in some scheme or another. Although I’m sorely tempted to perhaps give in to Lady Willa’s proposal…
…
Even if Atto has almost reached eighteen winters there are times when he fails to act like the man he is and other times seems to hold more wisdom than a man thrice his age. Today it was the former rather than the later as I caught him boasting in front of some of his friends that he could take on three swordsmen at the same time and win. Unfortunately for him I was walking by with my faithful body guards at just that moment. I gathered the boy up with a call that I’d like to see that. Moments later Tomas of Assisi, Heinrich of Innsbruck, and Otto of Bergamo had the young Atto fighting for his life with practice blades. Perhaps the bruises, cuts, and the lump on his head will remind him not to let his ego and pride get in the way with reality.
Still he did defeat two before he finally went down…most commendable.
[Kingdom of Italy - Genoa] By late September the six thousand men and accompanying fifty ships had finished gathering near Genoa. Taking the coastal road from Genoa to Toulon with his ships carrying the supplies Boniface’s army made good time. It would only take him a month to reach Toulon and little over a week to join Sir Tedice’s legion in Avignon. After a week of rest and resupply the much larger army (estimated to number approximately twelve to fifteen thousand men) crossed over into Toulouse.
The fleet continued on to Narbonne with supplies and equipment for Bertrand of Toulouse.
[Baltic Crusade] The summer floods were still having an impact in the southern pagan lands. In response the Papal Legate Hartwig transferred men to the north and waged war on the western Eths (Estonians) crushing several tribes and successfully converting a few others. By late October the lack of roads and a poor supply situation ended the campaign but did allow time for several wooden forts to be erected before the first snow fall.
[Kingdom of Germany – Imperial Court in Frankfurt] Henry V having completed a procession through the southern parts of the Kingdom of Germany had returned to the Imperial Court in Frankfurt. With the return to the capital much delayed business was conducted including a private letter from the Queen of France for Henry V. The letter itself has never been found and only a footnote in imperial records even offers clues to that it even existed at all.
It wasn’t long that Henry V surprised his court with an intention to visit his most loyal Count of Holland Floris II (It was customary for the emperor to remain in the capital for at least six months before he’d begin another procession whereas here was leaving within a few scant weeks). There are known records of Henry V making sudden comments about readdressing the issues of Flanders very soon after the supposed letter from Constance was given over to the hand of the emperor.
[Syria] Godfrey’s forces having secured Damascus and the surrounding territory rushed to finish the damaged walls of Damascus and bring in adequate supplies for the city in case Kerbogha came south. Luckily for them the harvest was a bountiful one and adequate food supplies were gathered both for the army and the city’s stores (presumably for the city’s denizens also). However the repairs to the walls were slow going and in some cases whole sections had to be torn down first before repairs could even be attempted. It was in such a situation that Godfrey found himself in when news came that Kerbogha had left a small army to besiege Lulu in Aleppo but was on his way south with a large army intending on driving them from Damascus.
As Kerbogha’s army came south Kerbogha spent much time slowly marching his army south as he sought to bring much of central Syria under his control before his attack on captured Damascus. He did avoid the major cities and towns of western Syria as he wrote at the time:
Once I defeat the Christians those cities and towns will openly welcome me thus there is no need for me to spill the blood of the faithful. They will throw open their gates, kill the Betrayer’s [Lulu’s] men, and rejoice as I have driven the barbarians from Damascus and back into the sea.
Godfrey wasn’t idle during Kerbogha’s long march from the siege of Aleppo south. Several smaller armies of native troops expanded the territory under his control bringing much needed supplies into Damascus to feed the city and the army. Unfortunately for Godfrey the walls of Damascus would not be finished before Kerbogha would arrive (even at the slow pace Kerbogha’s army was moving at). Knowing this Godfrey decided to fight Kerbogha in the field at a place of his choosing rather than risk being trapped in a city with multiple breaches in the walls.
On the morning of October 1st in the hills of the Palmyrides Godfrey’s smaller army clashed with Kerbogha’s much larger army (estimates range from at least two times the size to four times as large). Many military historians and analysts ponder that had Kerbogha just bypassed Godfrey’s army he could have easily occupied Damascus (The walls were still in disrepair and Godfrey had left it lightly garrisoned mostly with loyal Hashshashin) and forced Godfrey to fall back to the stronghold of Baalbeck if not back within the borders of the County of Tripolis. Kerbogha however believed his scouts that this army was actually a smaller relief army for the much larger Christian army holding Damascus. Not wanting to be trapped between the two he opted to engage Godfrey’s army.
Godfrey’s army commanded two hills overlooking a sloping plain cut by a dry creek bed (which would lend the battle to being called “Battle of the Dry Creek” in local lore but due to the prominent two hills would be generally known elsewhere as the battle of “The Horns of Palmyra”). The larger of the two hills held the bulk of Godfrey’s men while the smaller and rockier hill was manned by a thousand Italian soldiers (trained in the manner of Boniface’s new legion model) with another five hundred native auxiliaries supporting them. The cavalry was held in reserve behind the larger hill.
Kerbogha’s forces bereft of most of the heavy infantry (they were invested in the siege of Aleppo) tried to avoid a brutal head on conflict up the hills. Thus he attempted to weaken Godfrey’s forces with horse archers and light skirmishers but Godfrey’s own auxiliaries drove off them off until they came in mass numbers. Godfrey’s own foot archers (auxiliaries and dismounted horse archers) traded arrow for arrow leaving several hundred dead or wounded on both sides. The barrage ended when two carefully concealed catapults on the hill tops rained down upon Kerbogha’s mounted archers.
Outraged Kerbogha decided to try and defeat the Christian army piecemeal. To accomplish this he placed the bulk of his cavalry in a position that was far enough away from the arrows and rocks of Godfrey’s army, but in a way to charge any aid that might try to move between the two hills. He then ordered his infantry to assault the smaller rockier hill which being the taller of the two would provide a commanding position to threaten the other hill. Steadfast Hill as it is known was on the far edge of bow range to the larger hill, Crescent Hill for its vaguely crescent shape, but would have allowed protected entrance onto Crescent Hill under the safety of any archers posted there.
Kerbogha’s light infantry and few hundred heavy infantry desperately tried to storm Steadfast Hill. As the day drew on several times Godfrey attempted to reinforce his men on Steadfast Hill but were driven off by several massed charges of Kerbogha’s cavalry. Only once did he succeed in sending over a hundred men under the screen of his own cavalry however the resulting clash between Godfrey’s outnumber cavalry and Kerbogha’s left Godfrey’s heavily mauled, especially his much lighter armored auxiliary light cavalry. Godfrey’s heavier cavalry though were still being held in reserve as the fighting up to this point was an infantry or light cavalry conflict.
As the afternoon wore on Steadfast Hill held and Kerbogha was forced to send even more men into the grinder Kerbogha grew frustrated that his men had failed to take the hill but he came to the conclusion that as long as it fought for its life the hill was neutralized and not a threat to him. He proceeded to order an attack on Crescent Hill. To the cries of Allah Akbar Kerbogha’s host charged in the gap between the two hills.
Again military historians and analysts consider that Kerbogha had a chance to win this battle at this point, but two things occurred that prevented that outcome. The first was when the commander of the heavy infantry who had been leading the attack was beheaded in battle the attacking troops fled and left the hill to Godfrey’s defending soldiers. The second was the charge of Godfrey’s heavy cavalry under Count Malaparte della Gherardesca. The charge on Crescent Hill was initially successful and started to drive Godfrey and his men back under the weight of numbers but as Kerbogha’s men fled Steadfast Hill Godfrey’s men turned their arrows and attention onto Kerbogha’s charge. The onslaught of arrows and the heavy cavalry into Kerbogha’s flanks stopped the charge up Crescent Hill cold. The cavalry under Count Malaparte while outnumbered were heavily armored which made it hard for Kerbogha’s men to kill them. It was sometime during this turn of events that Kerbogha personally tried to remove these offending infidels from his flanks. While it is unknown who struck the fatal blow Kerbogha was felled during his attempt. [The troubadours would give Godfrey credit for killing him in the famous Chanson de Godfrey even though he himself would deny it as he was no where near when Kerbogha was slain.]
The death of Kerbogha stunned his army and they routed. Kerbogha’s eldest son Hamza took leadership of what could be gathered over the next few days, but Hamza was less worried about trying to control Syria then ensuring his own rule in Mosul. He knew that as soon as some of his younger brothers found out that their father had died there would be a power struggle for the throne. Hamza’s army marched north east sending messengers toward the army besieging Aleppo and elsewhere in eastern Syria where his father’s forces held sway.
Godfrey’s army quickly retired back to Damascus to rest and regroup from the battle. Godfrey is recorded to have lost over a thousand men while Kerbogha’s (now Hamza) lost over three thousand.
The army besieging Aleppo ended its siege after negotiation with Lulu whereby he paid tribute to Hamza and agree to give up much of eastern Syria to the rule of Mosul. It wouldn’t be until the beginning of winter that the last of Mosul army ended the siege of Aleppo as the tribute was delivered.
[Sicily] The fall of 1109 was a good time for King Roger of Sicily. In exchange for allowing the divorce between his sister Adelaide and her husband Duke Godfrey the Pope had recognized him as the true King of Sicily and assorted titles sans the North African territories which Roger gladly gave up. In his own words:
“My brother is welcome to that barely hospitable piece of parched earth. Had he just stepped aside he could now be enjoying rich estates near Naples…but alas his choices has made him nothing but a king of sand.”
The entire fall campaigning season was spent securing Sicily and with the exception of two cities and their environs, Sciacca and Mazzara, on the southwest coast (which by the beginning of winter they were placed under siege) most of the island freely opened their gates to Roger. Even mighty Syracuse opened its gates when presented with the letter from Pope Paschal II recognizing Roger’s claim.
There was much speculation at the time that like Simon Roger was going to have the seat of government in Palermo, but in a personal letter to one of his most trusted lieutenants Roger spoke on the subject.
…There is much speculation that I will permanently move the court to Palermo but I see no reason to do this. Sicily is my fief now and no other’s. If I stay here in Palermo the nobles in Italy proper might get restless and where better to keep an eye on them than in Naples…
Roger II kept most of the larger titles and lands in Sicily to himself but did dole out some important and lucrative titles to his most trusted aides. For example the lordship of the city of Syracuse went to his fleet admiral, Thomas of Amalfi.
With the war in Sicily drawing to a close the Venetian ships and men quickly made their escape to join the war against Byzantium.
[North Africa] Resigned to the Papal demand King Simon agreed to Pope Paschal II’s demands. Left with a much reduced kingdom Simon, in an effort to not loose anymore, began by securing what remained of it from the Banu tribes that infested much of it. With the men, equipment, and money he brought when he fled Sicily the armies of Carthage ruthlessly continued to turn the tide. The Carthaginian fleet left with a sizeable army for Tripoli which on October 12th met Peter of Messina’s army just to the north of Tripoli. With Tripoli secured this united army moved to relieve the few beleaguered forts and fortresses that had yet to fall to the Banu onslaught.
Simon ordered additional men from the large army stationed in Carthage to reinforce the badly weakened border fortresses and towns along the way (thousands of Sicilians [mainly family members of soldiers] were also settled in the towns and villages along the way. Kairwan grew to have a [slight] majority Christian population overnight. In addition this smaller army worked to drive what Banu forces still remained in the border regions from those areas claimed by Carthage.
On October 27th Peter of Messina’s army crossed the border into the territory of the Banu Sulaym and made for Lebda crushing a small Banu army in the process.
[Greece – Byzantine Empire] With the withdrawal of Venetian forces from Dyrrachium the war between Venice and Byzantium returned to a conflict primarily naval in orientation. With the drawdown of forces in Sicily and the reassignment of ships (operating conveniently from safe Otranto) from there to the war allowed several daring raids deep along the Peloponnesus coast. Not all the raids went well as local forces in most cases had the strength to repel then allowing only the largest of raids to succeed. There is a documented if embarrassing account of a Venetian crew who camped on the coast after a successful raid only to be attacked by alert Byzantine soldiers at night with the results of the crew killed and the ship falling into Byzantine hands.
It is reasoned that the Venetians before committing once again to a land invasion were trying to cripple the Byzantine navy before they landed further towards the heart of the empire. The raids were designed as an effort to draw out the Byzantine fleet and crush it.
[Normandy] When word by spies and ‘friends’ of the Queen were brought to her that Louis was in fact still campaigning in the south there was much relief. The quiet aid from her uncle in England and other friends (such as a ship full of Norwegian maidens, veterans from the Baltic Crusade, led by Viveka of Oslo) did much to relieve the stress that she and her lands might have felt the weight of the King’s armies.
With what appeared a breather the Queen turned to other matters. The biggest issue was the ongoing famine that affected much of France. The northern coasts were not as affected with ready supplies of fish but the interior lacking food or money to buy imported grain was reaching a desperate stage. Constance took out several modest loans from Thyrrenian and German merchants in Flanders to pay for foodstuffs for her people. It was with cries of praise and blessings from the peasants that greeted Constance’s officials when food was distributed (it is recorded that many of these officials were Maidens who distributed the food).
[Toulouse] The siege of Rodez had finally fallen in Louis VI’s favor after several months of siege the city was on the verge of falling. On October 15th the city of Rodez’s granary burned down. The town facing outright starvation surrendered to the king on the morning of the 16th. With Rodez secure Louis installed a new lord of the city (displacing Bertrand as he was in rebellion against his king) and marched his army towards Muhaud where Bertrand supposedly had his army.
On November 2nd Louis’ army arrived at Muhaud but Bertrand’s army had already abandoned the town towards Montpellier. Taking what supplies the town could offer (contrary to some written records the town was not sacked by Louis’ army but gave over what supplies they did have to prevent it) Louis believing he had the ‘rat of Toulouse’ on the run force marched his army in pursuit.
It took Louis’ army only a week to cover the ground between Muhaud and Montpellier but it left his army exhausted and poorly supplied. On November 10th Bertrand’s army came out of Montpellier to face the royal army. Had Louis army arrived in a timelier manner and not exhausted themselves the battle would have likely been over rather quickly as the royal army outnumbered Bertrand’s by almost three-to-one. However Bertrand’s army was much better supplied and well rested and successfully resisted until noon when numbers begin to tell.
It was roughly at noon when the situation changed. From the northeast came a large dust cloud in the direction of the rear of the royal army. Concerned that Bertrand might have sneaked a cavalry force behind him Louis dispatched a hundred men to investigate.
When the men did not return Louis failed to press home his advantage against Bertrand’s forces and repositioned his forces to protect against what might be a new threat. It is recorded that Louis rejoiced at the sight of Boniface’s army as he believed that Boniface had driven ‘the rat’ from Provence and was looking to settle accounts. Unfortunately for Louis that was not the case.
To Louis’ dismay the messengers sent over to welcome his brother-in-law were bound and led away as over eight thousand men spread out in battle formation in position to attack Louis’ army not Bertrand’s. Caught in a state of apoplexy Louis and his nobles were stunned by this ‘betrayal’ as they saw of it. It only became apparent when one of Louis’ men who had been captured was sent with a message.
The unlucky messenger had been stripped, dressed in rough cloth, smeared with ordure, and rode a donkey backwards towards Louis’ army. The message he was bearing was even more appalling. Addressing the King as Louis “the pimple” (Ludovicus Bubon – a name Constance had given Louis on the night she first met him, although never to his face, and then shared only with her brother in her letter to him), falsely styling himself Rex Francorum (the last few months, a rumor had been spreading in southern France, especially Toulouse, according to which Louis' father was a clergyman of the queen's entourage rather than the former king), know that I, Boniface de Canossa, Comes Palatinus Italiae [along with several other of his prominent titles], orders you to present yourself in front of my court, dressed like a penitent and accompanied by your confessor only, and therefore to justify the slights and offenses perpetrated against the person of Constance, Dux Normanniae, and make amends thereof as will be decreed by a duly appointed court. Failing to do so, I will name you a varlet, and a false and base knight; and furthermore I swear on the Holy Cross that I will hunt you and your followers until such a disgrace has been expunged from the earth."
Louis now knew that he was in a most untenable position. Trapped between two armies (one badly hurt but with its back to a friendly city in its own territory) and his own virtually exhausted Louis tried to extract his army but failed. As Bertrand’s and Boniface’s army collided with Louis’ army the French army was utterly routed. Only a third of the French army alongside Louis was able to escape. William of Aquitaine, alongside several of his cousins, was captured by Bertrand’s forces. Thousands of French soldiers just surrendered as they were too exhausted to fight but thousands more died protecting their king.
Bertrand’s army, gutted in the battle, retired to Montpellier while Boniface’s army after resting for several days marched after Louis’ as Louis’ tried to flee Toulouse with his much reduced army. Louis’s army made it back to Muhaud but as winter set in he found that a screening force under Sir Tedice had placed themselves between Louis and Rodez (and thus back into the safety of his lands in central France).
--------------------------------------------
Part XIVd
(Winter)
[Sicily] Sciacca and Mazzara, as the last holdouts of Simon’s rule in Sicily, surrendered to the forces of King Roger II. The two towns surrendered within days of each other (December 24th and 25th) and in feeling of Christmas piety Roger only hung the leaders of the resistance leaving the towns’ unscathed. With these surrenders the fates of the Kingdom of Carthage and Sicily began to diverge and do not meet again for a long time.
[Holland] Emperor Henry V arrives in state to winter the imperial court in the splendor and wealth of court of the Count of Holland which has grown fat on the northern trade routes. The issue of the state of France is the reason the Emperor is there and the fate of Flanders has the prime role of the discussions that would take place.
In the words of an Imperial officer, one Helmut of Frankfurt (likely a second son of a court noble serving in the Imperial forces accompanying the Emperor):
For far too long has the Emperor’s attention been diverted elsewhere than to the west where it should be. None of the other realms of Europe can challenge the Empire like that of France. It was to the north with the holy Crusade and the pirates of Denmark not being able to keep a civilized country, and then to south with the concerns in Italy and Sicily. What shall it be next? Will it be something to the east that next draws the attention of his Majesty the Emperor? I pray it should not be as until France learns her place the Emperor should look unto the west…
It was a prevailing thought amongst many who served in the Imperial court that France was or could be a great threat to the Empire and needed to be taught a lesson. [While not true in the northern, eastern, or southern parts of the empire France was considered a great threat in the western lands of the empire such as Holland, the Duchies of Lorraine and of those of Franconia which tended to dominate the Imperial court due to their proximity to the capital of Frankfurt.]
[Central France] As winter set in the Central France the crippling famine and harsh weather took its toll on the weakened people. Thousands began to die of hunger, disease, and lack of warmth. Those under Scarecrow banner faired better than most as food is shared amongst the followers of the rebellion. This led to several more towns and villages in all directions raising the Scarecrow banner.
The rumor of a similar rebellion in the north under a dread leader called Harlequin does much to improve the moral of the beleaguered peasants. However the rumors have a dark current to them that this rebellion has not yet shared; it is one of brutal murder of those who oppose them, slaughter of anyone who stands in their way, and cruelty to those captured that good Christian souls should not embrace.
Hugh of Lusignon begins to draw support from many nobles great and small in Poitou as they tremble in fear of the rebellion spreading even farther than it has. From his new base in Parthenay plans and men are being gathered for a spring strike but the effects of the famine and winter stymied his attempts. Unknown to him with the routing of Louis VI’s army in Toulouse his efforts and a growing rebellion which would normally become a prime concern of any monarch would be one furthest from the thoughts of Louis VI as his defeated army flees north from Toulouse.
[Northern France] Under the care of Queen Constance and the food she was able to import the famine was very much mitigated in the northern part of the realm. From her Duchy of Normandy to Picardy and the border of the Empire the people of France had only the harsh winter to deal with unlike those far to the south. Still Queen Constance worried that her husband would prevail in Toulouse and march against her thus she continued with her preparations for defending her lands. Unbeknownst to her of her husband’s rout she also began to consider a scheme to retrieve her son, Philip, lest he be forever kept from her.
[Southern France] King Louis VI raced with the shattered remains of his army from his defeat in Toulouse first to the occupied town of Rodez where he reinforced the garrison and then north out of Toulouse. He made his way to Clermont where he decided to winter. With rumors of plague, rebellion (to the west and the north), famine still striking much of France, and a new royal call for more knights and men to join him [Louis VI] in the spring to fend off the invaders and rebellious Count it was looking to be a bleak winter in France.
After resting his troops outside Muhaud Boniface ordered Sir Tedice to north to besiege Rodez and secure the supply lines into central France [in order to pursue King Louis VI] while Boniface negotiated with Bertrand of Toulouse. The siege would continue on throughout the winter and extend well into the spring.
Bertrand in need of money, supplies, men, and diplomatic support all of which Boniface Canossa was willing to lend in exchange for Bertrand’s support in waging war against Louis VI and not seek a separate peace. In addition certain trading rights were to be granted in his lands to the merchants of the trading cities of the Empire. The final part of the deal concerned Bertrand’s County of Laodicea in the Levant.
In letters from his brother Godfrey who expressed interest in consolidating Canossa power in Syria the topic of Laodicea and its absentee lord were often mentioned. In exchange for a large sum of gold [and in an effort to sweeten the deal a transfer of William of Aquitaine from Boniface’s control to Bertrand’s] was given to Bertrand so he’d sign away the County of Laodicea to the Patarene Knights with Duke Godfrey as the acting leader of the Knights in Syria.
It is said Bertrand was going to turn down such a ridiculous offer [mere gold for land!] but the chance to wring concessions [and land] out of his enemy William of Aquitaine was too good of a deal to pass up.
[Syria] Tancred de Hauteville, Count of Beyrouth, arrives in Damascus to come to an agreement on the new borders of his County and what Godfrey ‘the Tall’ Canossa was stylizing as the Duchy of Damascus. A suitable agreement to the new borders was quickly reached as both were content with their gains.
With Kerbogha’s death and his son’s withdrawal from all but the western portion of Syria Godfrey’s army, split into three [a smaller one moving south, the larger army moving north directly under Godfrey, and one under Malaparte staying in Damascus], rapidly consolidated the area around Damascus and to the south. The remains of the armies from the rebellious nobles [against Lulu] did not poise much of a threat as they were scattered, few, and leaderless. After the fall of the town of Adratum in the far south of what was the Emirate of Syria Godfrey’s army encountered a large band of Knight of St. John the Hospitaler (estimates put it at a total force of about two hundred) who were on their way north to assist in the fight. In a show of piety (and likely a desire to continue to curry favor with the Pope and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem so they would recognize the Duke of Damascus as legitimate title; also a side benefit of allowing him to free up men elsewhere) he turned over Adratum and a large swath of land over to the Latin Patriarchate and the Knights of St. John the Hospitaler.
Lulu, the supposed Emir of Syria, after having paid tribute to Kerbogha’s son Hamza, left Aleppo with what remained of his army hoping to reclaim the southern part of his realm from the infidels. However, tired of his scheming and ineptitude on the field of battle two of his lieutenants, Abdul Nasrallah and Bashar Khaddam, initiated a plot that ended in his demise.
Three days out of Aleppo somewhere between the towns of Hamah and Marra Lulu was slain in his sleep. As Lulu’s corpse was left to the rotting sun in a ditch Abdul Nasrallah and Bashar Khaddam quickly had a falling out over who was to rule with Lulu dead. After a small battle between the two factions the Bashar Khaddam emerged holding the field of battle. Unfortunately for him Abdul Nasrallah was able to escape south with much of his forces intact.
Bashar Khaddam made north to consolidate his hold on Aleppo and the surrounding environs knowing that he had to do this before he could follow after Abdul Nasrallah south.
Abdul Nasrallah fleeing with his small army first made it to the town of Hamah where the local garrison quickly flocked to his banner and quickly made his way to Homs which also joined his banner (it is believed that the town’s governor was a cousin of his). As his rival, Bashar Khaddam, was consolidating in the north Abdul Nasrallah was entrenching in the south [in those lands not occupied by Duke Godfrey] entering around the town of Homs.
As Godfrey and his army moved north from Damascus Abdul Nasrallah realized that the army of the infidel was too strong to fight off by himself. Not willing to crawl back to Bashar Abdul sent a messenger to Godfrey offering peace.
Already slightly overextended Godfrey agrees to a five year truce between with Abdul Nasrallah. The border was roughly set at the furthest extent of where Godfrey’s armies occupied. With peace secure Abdul turned all of his attention back north towards Aleppo.
Towards the end of winter Bashar Khaddam’s army having consolidated the territories in the north finally marched south to challenge his rival again in battle. The two armies met on the outskirts of the town of Hamah with Khaddam’s army being slightly larger but one who had marched half a day before arriving at the battlefield.
The fight was long and brutal and became a draw. The army from Aleppo withdrew after Bashar Khaddam was deeply wounded in his right thigh. He would die within a month from an infection stemming from the wound he gained in this battle. His son Yazid Ibn Abu Khaddam would take his father’s place as ruler of Aleppo.
Realizing that he could neither take Aleppo nor challenge the might of the Christians by himself Abdul Nasrallah declared himself Emir of Homs and gave up his dream of uniting Syria under his banner. Yazid Ibn Abu Khaddam would after another failed attempt to take Homs [In March 1110 AD] also be forced to give up the idea of retaking Syria. He would later stylize himself as the Emir of Aleppo.
[North Africa] Peter of Messina’s army having driven the Banu Sulaym from Tripoli and the surrounding territory followed the Banu army back into their territory. He laid siege to the town of Lebda which also came under blockade from the Carthaginian navy. The town held out till mid-January but was forced to surrender or face starvation.
With the loss of Sicily and Southern Italy Simon I King of Carthage was facing a difficult decision. While he had a substantial treasury, taken with him when he fled from Palermo, and a good sized army and navy to protect what he still had his lands were poor, lightly populated, and surrounded by hostile peoples. His alliance with Aragón and the Byzantines offered some support but it was of a meager kind.
King Simon ordered Peter of Messina to halt his advance not much beyond Lebda where it was declared to be the furthest territory of the Kingdom of Carthage. The Banu tribes crushed and dispirited would not rise to challenge this claim for many years. A series of small forts would be established by Count Peter of Lebda [formerly of Messina] to secure the area. With the war against the Banu tribes coming to a close the excess of soldiers were seen as dangerous situation by King Simon. An idle army that cost a lot of money, which the Carthaginians could ill afford, could pose a threat to his rule however disbanding it could also be dangerous, thankfully for Simon the situation in France would go on to provide an opportunity to solve his problem.
[Livonia] While the Papal legate and the Crusader armies take shelter as best they can in the cold winter those more custom to the cold climate begin to make their might felt against the pagan Eths. Several small forces loyal to the rulers of Novgorod march west out of Pskov and Narva into the lands of the Eths not yet conquered by the western Crusaders. Several of the border clans side with the Novgorodians as they are friendly trade partners and not Crusaders. However as they press in their winter campaign more independent minded Eths fight them as best they can.
[Byzantine Coast – Ionian Sea] Emperor Nicephorus Bryennius tired of the continual raids against coastal Greece orders the Byzantine navy to sally forth from the safety of the Aegean to attempt to challenge the Venetians. His only order was do not sacrifice the navy for a single victory but to do as much damage to the Venetians while minimizing their own.
Unfortunately for the Byzantines the Venetian navy had waited patiently for such an attempt and ambushed the Byzantine fleet off the coast of the Palatinate of Cephalonia. While it wasn’t a crushing defeat the Byzantine fleet took considerable damage and loss of ships. A much reduced Byzantine navy limped back to Athens as word was dispatched to Constantinople of defeat. The court of Emperor Nicephorus Bryennius was much subdued when tale of this defeat was made known. Conversely a winter celebration was thrown in Venice on announcement of major naval victory.
-------------------------------------
Feedback and comments are most certainly welcome. Again I'll post the updated map as soon as I can.
Valdemar II
Banned
Not even one comment? :|
I hate to be one to say something bad about this masterpierce but Rødby Havn in the county Laland and Falster was first build in 19th or 20th century, but the village of Rødby did exist at this time and only lies a few kilometer north and was a Harbour at that time. In Skånia Fasterbo was the most important harbourtown in Skånia at the time instead of Malmö.
Welcome back to THE TL, SK. It was high time to go back to the story of the Great Countess and her dinasty. I can understand your problems with work (I'm in the same quandary, besides the fact that I'm not exactly enthused by the TLs that are being posted in these months. But for THE TL I can always make an effortWell I can see by the lack of responses the interest may have waned a bit...oh well might as well press on.
In any case I'm going to repost the entire year of 1109 AD as some parts were revised but if you want to just read the new stuff head down to the winter section (part XVId).
Without further adieu (oh I'll post the map when I get home...stupid blocked imageshack...and that's assuming my internet is back up.
). No problem with the first part you re-wrote (year 1109): it's more or less in line with waht we were discussing last July. Actually I've just a nitpick with one of my suggestions . Obviously there are many other nitpicks over the new portions of the story. Once again, a very good cameo
Mmmm, I might even suggest that Boniface would ride to Provence with just his lifeguards, a la Julius Caesar, while the army follows the Ligurian route under a deputy. The situation in Provence is becoming quite hot. And that little "supply fleet" which is going to be (naively?) welcome in Narbonne? I'm afraid it gives me ideas....
Possibly Henry would hold serious talks with the Welfs too. Since the du Maurienne effectively shield the Nort-Western road to Italy the dukes of Bavaria become quite important. Or is it the Houenstaufen? I remember you gave the latter a new duchy, but don't remember which one.
Good for count Malaparte: a man with a streak of cruelty, but also an outstanding and very brave commander. I suppose he should also get a title in the new up-and-coming k... sorry, duchy of damascus
wherever Roger sits, it will be the wrong place. If he stays on the mainland (but it would be Salerno, not Naples) he can cowe the great feudataries in Puglia and Campania, but risks insurrection in Sicily (which is still the richest portion of his kingdom). The problem is that whomever he appoints as viceroy can never be completely trusted, but must at the same time have enough troops to keep peace and persuade Simon not to attempt stupid moves. Overall (and remembering that his title is "king of Sicily") I think he'd do better in holding court in Palermo.
Very good: Constance has both a heart and a brain fully working. Good point also in having the Maidens deliver most of the food.
I wrote Ludovicus Bubon as a latinization of Louis the pimple, but I'm afraid it's wrong. It should be "Ludovicus Papula". My apologies
Not to mention that the Canossa foray in Provence must certainly worry Henry a lot.
Yeah: when we can see the covert operation to abduct the boy???
Is this all??? Halloooo?? Bertrand has his ass in a sling, and you make him loose just the county of Laodicea (against a substantial payment, btw)?
Not to mention an open betrayal of Aquitaine, which - at least formally - is an ally? Is this a Toulousan wank????I would suggest the following:
- Bertrand is taken to a parlay with Boniface, in the camp of the Italians, just to be a little more cowed by the assembled legions, the identical uniforms and all the jazz. Boniface is sitting on a chair, with lions feet (which is quite a subdued but significant claim), and Bertrand gets just a stool.
- The peace treaty includes Bertrand renouncing all claims on Provence, and loosing the marches of Septimania (also called Gothic marches) and Narbonne. In exchange Boniface will protect Bertrand against Loius the pimple and William of Aquitaine, and "any othe enemy": it's not an imposition of feudal suzerainety but pretty close. Oh yes, and Bertrand will receive gold and provisions
- How could Bertrand refuse such a good deal? William of Aquitaine is his sworn enemy, Louis the Pimple even more so; and the cherry on the cake comes when he learns from Boniface that Narbonne has been "put under martial law, to protect its citizens from civil unrest" by Italian troops disembarked from the Thyrrenian "supply fleet".
- Also Laodicea goes, obviously. After all, Bertrand cannot guarantee its security aganst the infidels. But the good news is that he'll get a substantial sum from Godfrey, duke of Spoleto and Damascus. And the pious duke will enfeof the county to the Knights of St. Stephen, so that the good knight might have "a secure and strong city from which to protect the pilgrims to Holy Land".
- There is always a good chance to get some juicy bones in the war against Louis the Pimple. And who knows? William of Aquitaine might become obstreperous *wink, wink*
- The old Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis (i.e., Provence and Septimania) is reunited to the Italian crown after almost 7 centuries (and Henry will be not amused when he learns of this). The duchy of Provence goes to Atto, who's still a minor. The Lord Protector during his minority is obviously our good sir Tedice, who gets Narbonne in fief as Marquess of Septimania, and also the roboant title of Dux Bellorum Galliae Narbonensis (or more clearly supreme military commander of Southern France. The favt that Tououse was not part of Gallia Narbonensis is a welcome face saving for Bertrand).
I can understand giving Adratum in fief to the Knights of St. John, but why renounce to suzerainety in favor of the Latin Patriarchate?
It's now clear enough that next step on the agenda of Godfrey the Tall is a kingdom of Syria. To stir the pot a bit, you might have Nasrallah in a worse situation when Yazid tries to take again Homs, and therefore forced to submit to Godfrey to save his bacon (and maybe even have the Assassins conveniently expunging Yazid). Godfrey has already started on the road of religious tolerance. A moslem amir among his nobles would not make too many ripples.
And it was high time and more. To celebrate this unusual boon (one might say that SK always protects children, cretins and the Byzantine empire
),I'll give you this:
The dogal procession on the day of Ascension was already in place since over a hundred years in Venice. However the ceremony of the "marriage of the sea" was not yet part of the dogal procession (IOTL it would be instituted in 1177). ITTL so great is the joy in Venice when the news of the great victory over the Greek heretics arrive that the Doge orders another similar celebration to be held in winter: the dogal barge will again travel from the Dogal palace to the Lido, and in front of the church of St. Niccolo the Doge will throw a precious ring in the sea, pronouncing the words " desponsamus te mare, in signo veri perpetuique dominii" [we marry you, sea, in sign of true and everlasting dominance]; after which a solemn Mass is held in St. Nicolo. Therefore ITTL there will be 2 dogal procession, one in late spring, and the other in late autumn - and obviously two opportunities of fleecing the tourists
Last edited:
Thanks. Really the only new stuff (aside from a few corrections) is the winter stuff so if you remember all the old stuff (honestly I had to go back and reread some of it too) it cuts down on the reading a bit. In any case I hope you enjoyed it a bit.
Thanks. I try (with lots of help from LordKalvan!) to keep it detailed so it stands out a bit from other TLs. I'm glad to hear it is one of your favorites.
Aragon is in northern Spain (King Peter of Aragon is King of Aragon and Navarre [in personal union] and his wife is the powerful Countessa of Barcelona). Aragon is an ally of the Kingdom of Carthage [well at one time the Kingdom of Sicily under King Simon] and had sent men and ships to help him (mainly against the Banu tribes as King Peter didn't want to anger Roger II too much in case he won the war (which he did). Hope that helps.
You wouldn't happen to have a map would you depicting that? I based my areas of Denmark/Scania on a map of the internal divisions of the Kingdom of Denmark circa the middle ages. I'll be glad to correct anything on the map but I'd like some corroborating evidence first (and a convenient map I can copy would be great too!). Thanks!
Good to see the timeline back!
Glad to be back. I can't say how often I'll get to update but I'll definitely try to keep a somewhat steady pace.
Welcome back to THE TL, SK. It was high time to go back to the story of the Great Countess and her dinasty. I can understand your problems with work (I'm in the same quandary, besides the fact that I'm not exactly enthused by the TLs that are being posted in these months. But for THE TL I can always make an effort
Thanks and sorry for the long update. :|
I always look forward to your nitpicks...the TL wouldn't be what it was if I didn't have your nitpicks and thoughts. [And a good TL recommendation to you and well anybody would be condor's 'Golden Age of Northumbria...very well researched and well written too! It is a new one and likely to continue for the foreseeable future.]
Thanks. I really liked that one too.
Mmmm, I might even suggest that Boniface would ride to Provence with just his lifeguards, a la Julius Caesar, while the army follows the Ligurian route under a deputy. The situation in Provence is becoming quite hot. And that little "supply fleet" which is going to be (naively?) welcome in Narbonne? I'm afraid it gives me ideas....
Ah good point. I'll reword that before I post this bit in the TL forum.
Well he'd probably be talking to quite a few (either directly or through representatives, etc.). IIRC the Houehstaufens having one line in Saxony and another in Upper Lorraine and they'll be in heavy talks with the Emperor too, along with our friends in Holland and Friesland.
Good for count Malaparte: a man with a streak of cruelty, but also an outstanding and very brave commander. I suppose he should also get a title in the new up-and-coming k... sorry, duchy of damascus
Yes he should. Got any recommendations?
You're quite right in that this could become a very bad mistake for him but if it is a short term thing and he travels back to Sicily often I think he'll be okay. But you are right the capital will need to move back to Sicily permanently at some point. I was thinking of having Roger rebuild Messina (heavily destroyed during the resulting siege and fire) into a new capital of Sicily. Being in Sicily a good thing but so close to the southern tip of the boot of Italy that a good reminder that the King isn't that far away. However in sticking to the Vader analogy of a sort Messina [where he got all burned] would be a place he'd build up but never actually set a foot there again [like Tatooine for Anakin].
It'd be his descendants who'd rule from there.Yes she is following well in her mother's foot steps.
I wrote Ludovicus Bubon as a latinization of Louis the pimple, but I'm afraid it's wrong. It should be "Ludovicus Papula". My apologies
Corrected in the master version and will appear corrected when I repost in the TL forum.
Oh quite a lot. At first he wasn't too upset as he was kicking some upstart French scum around from messing around in the Empire, but as reports and news of events in Toulouse filter north...well the desire to get in the action only gets stronger as it were.
Yeah: when we can see the covert operation to abduct the boy???
Ah wanting a bit of the Curthose in the girl as well eh? Well he's in there too and that is part of what I've got planned.
Is this all??? Halloooo?? Bertrand has his ass in a sling, and you make him loose just the county of Laodicea (against a substantial payment, btw)?
See this is why I need you around to make sure I don't loose sight of things like this.
I like this a lot.
To the second he already did that [the renouncing bit] when he first garnered the support of Boniface against Louis VI. As for Septamania and Narbonne would that then be part of the Empire? Or would it still be part of France?
I'm open to the idea I just need some more of the details.
Ah nothing like a fait accompli, no?
That's what I had in mind. The County would be bought off by Duke Godfrey and be administrated and protected by the Patarene Knights/Knights of St. Stephen. All in protected the pilgrims to the Holy Land of course.
Yes quite so. Lots of good choices of fine meat...er, land that Bertrand could pick up. If he plays nice I suppose.
Provence is a Duchy? I thought is was a County [split between Atto (who got the south) and the du Mariennes (who got the north above the Durance River - the old County of Forrisque or some such)]?
I like the title and if those territories are included in the Empire I'm game for it, but I bet Henry V is not going to be a happy man about it.
Let's just say he is buttering up the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem who is the leading candidate to be the next Pope [and frankly Pascall II is not a young chicken anymore]. Godfrey wants a crown and only the Pope or the Emperor can bestow that title (in Catholic lands of course).
Ah I see we have a similar thought. I've got an idea on how I'm going to do it but yes Nasrallah is going to be Godfrey's first Muslim vassal [large landed] lord. Homs is important enough to be of note but not so big as to be a rich reward that he'd be inclined to give over to a more powerful vassal.
And it was high time and more. To celebrate this unusual boon (one might say that SK always protects children, cretins and the Byzantine empire
I'll give you this:
Now, now, now...okay it is true I'm a Byzantinophile at heart. I can't help it.
The dogal procession on the day of Ascension was already in place since over a hundred years in Venice. However the ceremony of the "marriage of the sea" was not yet part of the dogal procession (IOTL it would be instituted in 1177). ITTL so great is the joy in Venice when the news of the great victory over the Greek heretics arrive that the Doge orders another similar celebration to be held in winter: the dogal barge will again travel from the Dogal palace to the Lido, and in front of the church of St. Niccolo the Doge will throw a precious ring in the sea, pronouncing the words " desponsamus te mare, in signo veri perpetuique dominii" [we marry you, sea, in sign of true and everlasting dominance]; after which a solemn Mass is held in St. Nicolo. Therefore ITTL there will be 2 dogal procession, one in late spring, and the other in late autumn - and obviously two opportunities of fleecing the tourists
I like it. Especially the fleecing of tourists.