Flee! Flee! Mark 3.0

1000 AD- 1020 AD

(Europe)

France
- Family disputes once again force France to turn inwards instead of addressing the power vacuum that is Northern Europe. As a result, the County of Flanders and the Duchy of Normandy quickly regain their lost power.
- Around this time, “the German March” is replaced by “Flanders”.
- The presence of the Roman Catholic Church increases at this time, with the Papacy finally gaining some vestige of power over their former masters.
- Burgundy exercises its first gesture of independence by raiding the Balearics and giving it back to the Papacy. The Duke of Burgundy is recognized as a “Patron of Rome”. (The question of “How” is not addressed due to other matters/issues running about at this time)
- Duke Richard II of Normandy opens relations with the County of Flanders and Utrecht.
- Formal recognition is made to Utrecht and Hibernia on the fugitive English Royal Family in Exile.

Britain
- The reign of Canute the Great, King of Britain, Denmark, and Norway continue albeit under the “First Regency”.
- Norwegian Scotland is reformed into the Earldom of Aberdeen.
- Hibernia increases the size of their military garrison in their enclaves in Aquitaine.
- Due to the aftermath of the infamous “Battle of Four Armies”, a sizable chunk of the Kingdom of (the) Asturias is annexed under Hibernian sovereignty. The rest of the Kingdom will remain outside of Hibernian jurisdiction due to constant raids by the Portuguese, fired up by their recent victories against the Muslims as well as the sudden “firestorm & brimstone” attitude they have gained in the said wars.
- Accusations are made by the commons that the Parliament has been bribed by their Scandinavian King. The first proto-police department is created to put these movements down, due to the discovery of arms from Wales lying near the dead corpses of the former rebels.
- The city of Antwerp is mentioned.
- The Parliament-in-Utrecht creates the post of Margrave as the equal to a Prime Minister, Lord Margrave as their “King”, with limited duties implemented to both posts. Ironically, as much as the Parliament-in-Utrecht goes on about being democratic in the face of “occupied England to the North”; much of the governance of the said city/land/growing power is little more than a military state with advantages going to those that either convert to the “English ways” or are English.
- There is much celebration made of Canute’s success in becoming King of Denmark. The English Navy is rebuilt in accordance to their King’s wishes, which is to help sustain his growing claim over other lands.
- Canute’s claim over Norway is contested by Olaf the Fat, who manages to acquire several ships through Scotland and his ally to the East, Sweden. The Earldom of Aberdeen is formally recognized as sovereign Scottish territory.
- Wales is invaded by the “First Regency” and sues for peace. Hibernia attempts to extend their military even further, giving many concessions to Powys as a sovereign part of Hibernia, as well as a Prince they can crown. The Kingdom of Gwynedd responds to this by invading the said kingdom, even though it was beaten badly by the British Army.
- The British Navy in Utrecht decreases in power due to constant pirate raids.

The Lombard Realm
- “The Long Disputes” ends.
- The Archduke is formally crowned as King of the Lombard’s.
- Odrich of Bohemia formally contests efforts by the Lombard in exerting their will again over his realm. He manages to do this through the “Manifest of Sins” by the Realm, which just pisses off many in the said nation, to the point that an invasion is plotted out.
- The Doge of Venice raises the issue of Northern Italy.
- Missionaries are launched to “reconvert” Ravenna back into the Lombard fold. They fail miserably.
- The Council of Bishops is dismissed at this time.
- The Palace of Sighs is constructed by the King in order to put down what is left of the Slovenian peoples.
- Arguments wage between Bohemia, Poland, and Hungary on land ownership.
- The Lombard Realm invades Bohemia over the wishes of the Doge of Venice, who points out that if Italy is allowed to take over Ravenna, then they will have to contest with future conflicts and stunted access to the sea.

(Hungary/Poland)
- Stephen the First of Hungary consolidates his rule in Hungary. Roman Catholic priests manage to manifest themselves in his domain through devious means. The Hungarian Church then takes a turn to the Roman Catholic system of beliefs. Although at this point, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has been determined heretical by the Byzantine Orthodox Church, many of their beliefs are retained and merged with a growing belief that the Hungarians should have a belief that will last into the coming years and not fall apart when a foreign nation invades (i.e. the Poles). Latin, or a gutter version thereof, replaces the Hungarian runic alphabet.
- Due to the invasion of Bohemia by the Lombards, Boleslaw I of Poland manages to acquire a large swath of land bordering on his realm. At this time, Boleslaw crowns himself King and the realm of the Poles a Kingdom, even though many have been referring to that entity as such. There are further efforts on expanding the Polish sphere of influence within the coastal lands both to the east and west. Along the way, the Poles encounter fugitive bands from the now crushed Kingdom of Denmark, who help the Poles build up their navy to Viking specs. Actual control over their much enlarged domain is only through the military, which is being distracted by the Bohemian Wars.
- Boleslaw I of Poland launches a rival movement to enhance his nation’s belief system in the face of Hungary. It will never gain the same measures of success as Hungary does.
 
Language map!

(Filler)

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Nice map.

You have the "new world" being visited are there any brave souls making interesting discoveries to the east?
 
No. The only actual contact that is being made is through the Arabs, who are following OTL's expansion in India, Indonesia, and elsewhere.

Anything you want to see more of?
Anything you would like to see less of?
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1020 AD- 1040 AD

(Europe)

France
- Robert II of France continues his feeble efforts in maintaining control over France. The only major victory that does come out of this chaotic time is his son Henry, Duke of Bugundy, who earns the reputation of a nasty sort of individual due to an argument that ended badly for his brother. The exact nature of his relationship with his father is somewhat questionable.
- Robert II of France dies of a supposed argument with his surviving son. Henry becomes both the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy, which he formally claims as the sovereign territory of the monarchy. Years of attrition soon follow from those that oppose his reign. As a result of the continued years of warfare results in a close alliance with the Duke of Normandy as well as the County of Flanders.

Britain/the Nordic Countries
- Known as the Swedish Wars, the United Kingdoms of England/Denmark/occupied Norway engages the Kingdom of Sweden, causing more headaches for Canute the Great, who is often seen in the front lines rather than in England or Denmark. This absence furthers the growing independency of the First Regency-
- Olaf the Fat is formally recognized by the King of Sweden as the sovereign King of Norway, matched up with one of the various princesses that are running about in Sweden.
- The Kingdom of Gwynedd increases in strength.
- Canute the Great leads a formal invasion into Sweden as a distraction from another military action.
- The first civil war breaks out in Hibernia over their continental territories in Spain and the matter of Wales. This is quickly put down by military force and Hibernia becomes a military state.
- Canute the Great manages to triumph over his foes but is mortally wounded and thus dies, never returning to England.
- Both sons of Canute the Great manage to go their separate ways, leaving Norway in a sordid mess. Harold the Harefoot, so named due to his quick retreat to England in the face of certain death by his brother, Harthacanute, who becomes the King of Denmark as well as continuing the mess that is Norway.
- Wars soon break out in England as various English nobles and royal families attempt to reinstate their claim on the throne. The proto-police department is re-absorbed into the British Army.
- The Parliament-in-Utrecht attempts to invade England but gets distracted by pirates and a vocal opposition within Parliament on vacating their hard earned gains (as well as the relative safety from further Viking raids).

The Lombard Realm/Central Europe
- The Lombard Realm formally annexes the Kingdom of Bohemia on paper.
- Disputes between Poland and Hungary saps much of the strength of the Lombard Realm from ever getting back the Exarchate of Ravenna.
- King Stephen I of Hungary formally announces that his son Emeric will be the next King of Hungary.
- The current chaos that is Bohemia spills over into Poland. Bretislaus, pretender to the throne of Bohemia, is formally recognized by King of Poland as the keeper of that throne, in order to ward him off from future claims to the throne of Poland. This act does not succeed, with the death of Boleslaw in 1025. Although there are other Kings of Poland crowned, the very idea of a united Bohemian-Polish Kingdom does kick around, if only sustained for a longer period of time.
- Due to the chaos that is Poland and Bohemia, Hungary gets involved, confiscating many acres of land, and reinforcing them through various churches, castles, and forts.
- King Stephen I of Hungary manages to divide his realm into various fiefdoms ruled by the church/representatives of the monarchy.
- The Lombard Realm formally declares war upon Hungary. In another round of protests, the Doge of Venice formally states that continued war will only drain the Lombard Realm of what little power it has. The Archduke responds by throwing the Doge into the Palace of Sighs. This causes riots and furthers the chaos another ten years.
- King Stephen manages to soundly beat a large Lombardi Army and peace is sued between the Realm and Hungary.
 
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Well, I hate to be the only one to raise his hand but…

I’m rather partial to the Gadjericans and how they are affecting development in Africa. As I recall Islam has been introduced but will it dominate as a faith or will the feeling of independence (which seems to be a basic cultural aspect of the Gadjericans) shun organized religion? Thus becoming a southern opposition to Islam (there is much booty to be had by pillaging the coastal towns of the emirates and Abbasids).

And, having mentioned them, I find the development of the Islamic kingdoms very interesting.

I also like what’s happening on the Isles. I would like to see a charismatic leader come into play. Someone who will rally everyone with speeches of nostalgia; bringing up visions of the Gaelic and or Roman days (ala Postumus and what he did to rally support for his Gallic Empire). Hell, even bring back the bards and the druid order – though that might be going too far…?

I’m trying to figure out if your crucible has the makings of a crusade but no one seems popular enough to garner such popular support.
 
1040 AD – 1060 AD

(Islam)
(The East)
- Known as the “Long Years”, the Caliphate essentially disintegrates into the “Taifia States”, centralized around key military posts. Those that border the Christian Kingdoms do have the added bonus of facing overt military conquest, which happens in a couple of years. Ironically, in the (re)conquest of those states bordering Portugal, a small cult is launched to preserve the (then) current faiths of both Islam and (an older version of) Celtic Christianity. This cult does not last long due to the increased fanaticism of the Portuguese Church, thus, the cult flees to the south, and much of an “iron will” version of the said organization is imposed in the south and west.
- The Fatimid Caliphate continues their conquest and holdings in Northern Africa.
- Cordoba becomes its own state with the post of Hajib equal that of a King, with the actual position (called Emir) preserved as a figurehead.
- Barcelona goes free and undergoes a curious period of dancing along the sidelines. While Italy is concentrated on its own survival, there are some motions to help bring the metropolis back into their former position. These motions are accepted; however the status of the Islamic saturation cannot be denied.
- The Brotherhood formalizes their government according to both Islamic traditions and the “African Confederated States”. Those Portuguese migrants that do make it within the region (their continued waves stop during the (re)Conquest) are often either killed or simply sold to the “Africans”. There are records within this period of an active interest by their southern brethren on the tenets of Islamic culture, namely the unity that binds a person of the faith wherever they might hail from. Although the Brotherhood does not have the numbers to continue this advantage (i.e. military adventures), further ties between the two entities are increased.

(The West)
- The Abbasids are considered to be defunct all but in name at this time.
- The Seljuk Turks rise as a power
- The Battle of Manzikert commences, loosing the Anatolian Heartland to the Arabs.
- Various Islamic communities outside of the Arabian Heartland come into contact with a larger power called the “Jarikans” (Gadjericians). Surprisingly enough, their belief system affects those that aren’t really kept up by the abandoned outposts of the Arab culture and thus are assimilated into the Gadjerican way of life.

Europe
(Italy)
- Croatia is further tied within the Italian orbit at this time. Although the Pope cannot marry, the nominative “King of Italy” or his brother monarchs can, thereby tying the two entities further.
- With the collapse of the Western Caliphate, the Roman Navy sends what they can to the City-State of Barcelona.
- The Exarch of Ravenna is considered to be Italian all but in name.

(Vikings)
- Vladimir the Great (of Kiev) continues efforts to help legitimize his conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy.
-Continued efforts by Poland to screw around with Kievian politics comes to an end with Vladimir attempting something of a “crusade” that only ends the spat for the time being.
- Known as the “Northern Wars”, much of the Scandinavian Kingdoms fall apart with Canute dead. Continued efforts by the Kingdom of Denmark to increase their presence in Norway come to naught as various distractions come to play.
- Efforts are undertaken in Sweden to help consolidate future efforts if any future Canutes come about. One of these actions is the opening of relations with Bohemia and other surrounding kingdoms.

(Eastern Europe)
- Various kingdoms come and go with Bulgaria being allowed time to breath after conquest by the Byzantium Empire. The Bulgarian Church becomes a main focus point with “Glories of the Empire” enthralled into the main codex of faith. The Serbians take this further with many of their rulers stylizing themselves the “Successor of the Empire” although an actual permanent title for their rulers remains to be gained. Revolts by their southern brethren are severely put down as well as other efforts by the Croatians in their new found faith.
- Various pretenders claim the title of Tsar.
 
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