From Lisbon to the Stars
- Thread starter SteveW
- Start date
So, Afonso might be blamed for the fall of Jerusalem?
Hehe, indirectly he might well be.
The Moors are going to do badly in this TL- but I want to avoid the scenario where magically Crusades go well everywhere. I've decided that there can only be a fixed number of crusaders, and where they go is paramount.
The Battle of Othoni
In early February 1148 (history does not record the exact date), an important naval clash took place between the Italian coast and the small Greek island of Othoni off Corfu.
Sailing back from Corfu, which he had occupied mere months earlier, Roger II of Sicily was roused from his cabin by the captain of the ship he was travelling on. The lookouts had spotted Venetian ships on the horizon. Roger ordered that his own fleet carry on towards the coast to avoid the Doge's navy.
But it was in vain. Towards noon, the Venetians were ploughing towards them. To make life even more awkward, the wind was blowing south, giving the Venetians the advantage.
When the Battle of Othoni was over, the Normans of Sicily had lost all but one vessel, and the Venetians had lost only two. The only Norman vessel to escape was that of Roger himself.
In early February 1148 (history does not record the exact date), an important naval clash took place between the Italian coast and the small Greek island of Othoni off Corfu.
Sailing back from Corfu, which he had occupied mere months earlier, Roger II of Sicily was roused from his cabin by the captain of the ship he was travelling on. The lookouts had spotted Venetian ships on the horizon. Roger ordered that his own fleet carry on towards the coast to avoid the Doge's navy.
But it was in vain. Towards noon, the Venetians were ploughing towards them. To make life even more awkward, the wind was blowing south, giving the Venetians the advantage.
When the Battle of Othoni was over, the Normans of Sicily had lost all but one vessel, and the Venetians had lost only two. The only Norman vessel to escape was that of Roger himself.
Friends in Papal Places
From Mainfestus Probatum, Papal Bull of January 1148:
We, Eugene, Bishop of the Lord in Rome, note with great pleasure and pride the works wrought by Afonso, our dearset son in Christ, and illustrious King of the Portuguese.
His crusade in the West has driven the infidel into flight across the Hispanic and has gladdened the hearts of all those in the Church.
We grant unto Afonso the lands of Portugal in perpetuity, and all those lands which he conquers from the Moor.
From Mainfestus Probatum, Papal Bull of January 1148:
We, Eugene, Bishop of the Lord in Rome, note with great pleasure and pride the works wrought by Afonso, our dearset son in Christ, and illustrious King of the Portuguese.
His crusade in the West has driven the infidel into flight across the Hispanic and has gladdened the hearts of all those in the Church.
We grant unto Afonso the lands of Portugal in perpetuity, and all those lands which he conquers from the Moor.
Malta
Records show that Roger of Sicily hurried from the coast to Lecce, fearing a Venetian landing which never occured.
What did occur was that the Maltese revolt was now in full flow. Norman lords from Sicily had been put to the sword and the locals were in control. Roger's navy had already taken a pounding.
On the 3rd March 1148, in Domenico Morosini's first great conquest as Doge, the Venetian fleet landed on Malta, and added it to their Empire.
Records show that Roger of Sicily hurried from the coast to Lecce, fearing a Venetian landing which never occured.
What did occur was that the Maltese revolt was now in full flow. Norman lords from Sicily had been put to the sword and the locals were in control. Roger's navy had already taken a pounding.
On the 3rd March 1148, in Domenico Morosini's first great conquest as Doge, the Venetian fleet landed on Malta, and added it to their Empire.
Afonso Wins Again
Afonso of Portugal meanwhile was heading east himself, but not to the Levant. In March 1148, buoyed by the ever-increasing number of land-hungry crusaders, he stormed out of Evora and headed to confront the Sidrey rulers of Badajoz. On the 14th March, he took Badajoz itself after an incredible bombardment. By the 1st April, his men had taken Zafra, on the edges of the old Emirate of Badajoz and the domain of Seville. Indeed, the road south to Seville was not a long one.
But Afonso was too canny to over-extend himself. Yet again, he stayed put and parcelled the land out. To the south, the Moors were too strong for him for now. In the meantime, he had Bishop Giles of Lisbon come to Badajoz to crown him as Prince and Emir of Badajoz, a clear affront to the Moors. Another English lord who had come to Portugal, Gilbert de Clare, 2nd Earl of Hertford, was made master of the area.
To the north-east, Ramon Bergenuer IV of Barcelona was struggling against the Moors, but praying that his good relations with Afonso would eventually see him through.
Afonso of Portugal meanwhile was heading east himself, but not to the Levant. In March 1148, buoyed by the ever-increasing number of land-hungry crusaders, he stormed out of Evora and headed to confront the Sidrey rulers of Badajoz. On the 14th March, he took Badajoz itself after an incredible bombardment. By the 1st April, his men had taken Zafra, on the edges of the old Emirate of Badajoz and the domain of Seville. Indeed, the road south to Seville was not a long one.
But Afonso was too canny to over-extend himself. Yet again, he stayed put and parcelled the land out. To the south, the Moors were too strong for him for now. In the meantime, he had Bishop Giles of Lisbon come to Badajoz to crown him as Prince and Emir of Badajoz, a clear affront to the Moors. Another English lord who had come to Portugal, Gilbert de Clare, 2nd Earl of Hertford, was made master of the area.
To the north-east, Ramon Bergenuer IV of Barcelona was struggling against the Moors, but praying that his good relations with Afonso would eventually see him through.
Eastern Front
Roger II of Sicily was in real trouble. From a position of incredible strength, he was now on the back foot. Norman control of Sicliy and elsewhere looked somewhat shaky. Manuel I had by March 1148 reconquered Corfu and Athens from the Normans and had put many of them to the sword. Venice had not annexed Malta per se, but instead had set it up as a puppet state which even had its own Doge- however, it was firmly under Venetian control ultimately. Nonetheless, the new mercatocracy was popular on the island.
In late March, in recognition of his troubles, the Pope released Roger from his crusade obligations. It was not looking good for those left behind. Conrad III was edging ever closer back towards Byzantine territory. Louis VII of France was faring little better. In Jerusalem, Baldwin was hearing rumours of Arab fighters coming closer to his domains.
Roger II of Sicily was in real trouble. From a position of incredible strength, he was now on the back foot. Norman control of Sicliy and elsewhere looked somewhat shaky. Manuel I had by March 1148 reconquered Corfu and Athens from the Normans and had put many of them to the sword. Venice had not annexed Malta per se, but instead had set it up as a puppet state which even had its own Doge- however, it was firmly under Venetian control ultimately. Nonetheless, the new mercatocracy was popular on the island.
In late March, in recognition of his troubles, the Pope released Roger from his crusade obligations. It was not looking good for those left behind. Conrad III was edging ever closer back towards Byzantine territory. Louis VII of France was faring little better. In Jerusalem, Baldwin was hearing rumours of Arab fighters coming closer to his domains.
Rockingham
Banned
Hmmm.....my primary thought-will this butterfly away the "Mongol"(or alternatively other nomads) invasions of the region.... even if it doesn't, a stronger Islam in the East means Islam might hold them off better...
I don't envisage the Mongols being butterflied away, but you're right in that I expect a huge clash between them and Islam.
Rum Goings On
The County of Edessa was doomed.
With the Crusaders pulling away, Masud I, Sultan of Rum, spied an opportunity. He was having litle luck against the Byzantines. Now, Edessa was under serious threat from the Arabs. Masud was confident that he could sweep in and take the lot from under the Arabs' noses.
On the 28th March 1148, Seljuk soldiers poured over the border into Edessa. Joscelin II of Edessa begged for assistance, but it was too late in forthcoming. Conrad III was limping from Armenian Cicilia into the Byzantine Empire; Louis VII was in Tripoli. Joscelin had no choice but to stand and fight, which resulted in him eventually having to flee with the survivors a few weeks later. The Arabs did not dare try to capitalise, fearful of the Seljuks.
Less fearful of the Seljuks was Manuel I of the Byzantine Empire. Upon hearing of Masud's attack south, he ordered his own troops into the Sultanate of Rum to take advantage.
The County of Edessa was doomed.
With the Crusaders pulling away, Masud I, Sultan of Rum, spied an opportunity. He was having litle luck against the Byzantines. Now, Edessa was under serious threat from the Arabs. Masud was confident that he could sweep in and take the lot from under the Arabs' noses.
On the 28th March 1148, Seljuk soldiers poured over the border into Edessa. Joscelin II of Edessa begged for assistance, but it was too late in forthcoming. Conrad III was limping from Armenian Cicilia into the Byzantine Empire; Louis VII was in Tripoli. Joscelin had no choice but to stand and fight, which resulted in him eventually having to flee with the survivors a few weeks later. The Arabs did not dare try to capitalise, fearful of the Seljuks.
Less fearful of the Seljuks was Manuel I of the Byzantine Empire. Upon hearing of Masud's attack south, he ordered his own troops into the Sultanate of Rum to take advantage.
Konya, the New Lisbon
On the 18th April 1148, the Siege of Konya began. Emperor Manuel's men had battled there way from their coastal holdings, determined to return "Iconium" to Hellene rule. Within two days, he had further help- Conrad III had arrived with his admittedly demoralised forces. The sworn enemy of the pair, Roger II of Sicily, was now far away and never to return to the Levant to trouble them.
Masud I, Sultan of Rum and new Emir of Edessa, was taken by surprise. Taking Edessa had been relatively easy, but he had lost more men to sickness and guerilla attacks by disgruntled Arabs and fleeing Franks. He wheeled round to turn to relieve Konya, but faced a huge problem- the fastest and most direct route was through Armenian Cicilia. He did not dare to draw another group into the conflict.
To the dismay of Baldwin III of Jerusalem, Louis VII had decided to move north to help his allies. And the best way to do this was just what his wife's uncle, Raymond of Antioch, had wanted him to do: attack Aleppo. It was not to be the best of plans, but it would have a profound effect on the future of Byzantium.
On the 18th April 1148, the Siege of Konya began. Emperor Manuel's men had battled there way from their coastal holdings, determined to return "Iconium" to Hellene rule. Within two days, he had further help- Conrad III had arrived with his admittedly demoralised forces. The sworn enemy of the pair, Roger II of Sicily, was now far away and never to return to the Levant to trouble them.
Masud I, Sultan of Rum and new Emir of Edessa, was taken by surprise. Taking Edessa had been relatively easy, but he had lost more men to sickness and guerilla attacks by disgruntled Arabs and fleeing Franks. He wheeled round to turn to relieve Konya, but faced a huge problem- the fastest and most direct route was through Armenian Cicilia. He did not dare to draw another group into the conflict.
To the dismay of Baldwin III of Jerusalem, Louis VII had decided to move north to help his allies. And the best way to do this was just what his wife's uncle, Raymond of Antioch, had wanted him to do: attack Aleppo. It was not to be the best of plans, but it would have a profound effect on the future of Byzantium.
Huelva
Things were getting ever better in Iberia, by contrast. Following in the footsteps of the Earls of Leicester and Hertford, serious royalty now arrived to help, in the form of Magnus Haraldsson, brother of King Sigurd of Norway.
In mid-April 1148, Alfonso VII of Leon forced his way into Jaen. But it was Afonso of Portugal who landed the greater coup. By the end of the month, in an advance of unimaginable bloodiness as his followers slaughtered Moors everywhere they found them, his forces forced their way into Huelva, splitting the lands of the Moors in two. The Almohad leader, Abd al-Mu'min, could not believe that this was happening. How had the Crusade landed on his doorstep?
To the Christian kings of Iberia, most of whom were making little headway against the Moors, it was becoming increasingly clear that Afonso Henriques, the upstart king of an upstart state, was a force to be reckoned with.
Things were getting ever better in Iberia, by contrast. Following in the footsteps of the Earls of Leicester and Hertford, serious royalty now arrived to help, in the form of Magnus Haraldsson, brother of King Sigurd of Norway.
In mid-April 1148, Alfonso VII of Leon forced his way into Jaen. But it was Afonso of Portugal who landed the greater coup. By the end of the month, in an advance of unimaginable bloodiness as his followers slaughtered Moors everywhere they found them, his forces forced their way into Huelva, splitting the lands of the Moors in two. The Almohad leader, Abd al-Mu'min, could not believe that this was happening. How had the Crusade landed on his doorstep?
To the Christian kings of Iberia, most of whom were making little headway against the Moors, it was becoming increasingly clear that Afonso Henriques, the upstart king of an upstart state, was a force to be reckoned with.
Konya Falls
On the 4th May 1148, Konya fell. Battered by Byzantines and Crusaders alike, and having had no time to prepare food stocks for the siege, the defenders caved in. Masud I did not hear of this until nearly two weeks later. The invaders laid waste to the city, most notably Conrad III's soldiers, who slaughtered hundreds of Turks regardless of age.
Further south, Masud was gearing up for a clash with Louis VII. The latter was now joined by Raymond of Antioch's men as well. Louis desparately needed some form of success if he was to keep Eleanor of Aquitaine of his back, but it seemed unlikely.
But just when Masud thought life in Edessa was easy, he encountered a new problem. Horsemen from the east brought news that Arab tribes were encroaching onto his lands east of the Euphrates.
On the 4th May 1148, Konya fell. Battered by Byzantines and Crusaders alike, and having had no time to prepare food stocks for the siege, the defenders caved in. Masud I did not hear of this until nearly two weeks later. The invaders laid waste to the city, most notably Conrad III's soldiers, who slaughtered hundreds of Turks regardless of age.
Further south, Masud was gearing up for a clash with Louis VII. The latter was now joined by Raymond of Antioch's men as well. Louis desparately needed some form of success if he was to keep Eleanor of Aquitaine of his back, but it seemed unlikely.
But just when Masud thought life in Edessa was easy, he encountered a new problem. Horsemen from the east brought news that Arab tribes were encroaching onto his lands east of the Euphrates.
Death and Succession
On the 28th May 1148, the Crusade in Iberia suffered a blow. Not far south of Jaen, Alfonso VII of Leon was killed in action against the Moors. Not only that, but the panic that ensued allowed the Moors to push back into recently lost territories, including Jaen itself.
Back in his own territory, with no will having been formulated, his son was crowned as Sancho III of Castille, Leon and Galicia. Sancho likewise took the title "Emperor of all the Spains". Fairly reasonable, he immediately sent word to Afonso I of Portugal that he wished to work together to further their territorial aims.
On the 28th May 1148, the Crusade in Iberia suffered a blow. Not far south of Jaen, Alfonso VII of Leon was killed in action against the Moors. Not only that, but the panic that ensued allowed the Moors to push back into recently lost territories, including Jaen itself.
Back in his own territory, with no will having been formulated, his son was crowned as Sancho III of Castille, Leon and Galicia. Sancho likewise took the title "Emperor of all the Spains". Fairly reasonable, he immediately sent word to Afonso I of Portugal that he wished to work together to further their territorial aims.
The Algarve Is Conquered
In early June 1148, Afonso tightened his grip even further. With a huge army of crusaders with him, he seized the port of Faro in the Moorish territory on the west coast. Once again, Robert de Beaumont proved his worth, his cavalry smashing open the Moorish army which came out to meet them.
Once in the city (and once it had been stripped bare by the Rhenish mercenaries as ever), Afonso had the Almoravid commander in the area brought to him. This area was one of the few left in Almoravid control- elsewhere the Almohads ruled the roost.
The Moor was forced to conclude the surrender of all of the territory west of Huelva that was still in his hands. He had no choice- his armies were defeated, there would be no help from the Almohads for him, and he would die if he did not comply.
Over the next few days, Muslims across the region fled eastwards, hoping for security around Seville, where their religious brethren were still in firm and undeniable control.
In early June 1148, Afonso tightened his grip even further. With a huge army of crusaders with him, he seized the port of Faro in the Moorish territory on the west coast. Once again, Robert de Beaumont proved his worth, his cavalry smashing open the Moorish army which came out to meet them.
Once in the city (and once it had been stripped bare by the Rhenish mercenaries as ever), Afonso had the Almoravid commander in the area brought to him. This area was one of the few left in Almoravid control- elsewhere the Almohads ruled the roost.
The Moor was forced to conclude the surrender of all of the territory west of Huelva that was still in his hands. He had no choice- his armies were defeated, there would be no help from the Almohads for him, and he would die if he did not comply.
Over the next few days, Muslims across the region fled eastwards, hoping for security around Seville, where their religious brethren were still in firm and undeniable control.
Two Men Die (Amongst Hundreds More)
On 7th June 1148, near Ar Raqqah, the long-awaited clash finally came.
Masud's Turks were taken seemingly by surprise at dawn by the Franks. Louis VII's cavalry ploughed straight into the Seljuk camp, slaughtering anyone who was awake and moving.
But, as so frequently happened, the Turks had been well aware that the attack was coming. The crusaders were now in the middle of the camp, this much was true- but now they were surrounded on both sides by Seljuk warriors. The Sultan's own guard led the attack, pouring from tents at the startled Franks. The horses were the first casualties- the Seljuks rightly gauged that they could sow fear amongst the horses and break the cavalry.
The horses did indeed break, scattering the attackers. In the melee, Louis VII himself was struck down by a Turkish footsoldier, whom posterity records only as Orhan of Varto. He was dragged away by his men, but died that day at dusk of his wounds. He had lost a hand and then had bled to death.
But it was no better for the Seljuks. Masud I himself had been disembowelled with a spear by none other than the new King of France.
Robert of Dreux was acknowledged as King of France by his men the day after, having retreated towards the coast. He was now going to return to Antioch with his brother's body, take Eleanor of Aquitaine back to France, and take his throne. He had seen enough of the Levant.
Kilic Arslan was meanwhile burying his father, and over his tears, getting ready to assume his destiny, as the new Sultan of Rum.
On 7th June 1148, near Ar Raqqah, the long-awaited clash finally came.
Masud's Turks were taken seemingly by surprise at dawn by the Franks. Louis VII's cavalry ploughed straight into the Seljuk camp, slaughtering anyone who was awake and moving.
But, as so frequently happened, the Turks had been well aware that the attack was coming. The crusaders were now in the middle of the camp, this much was true- but now they were surrounded on both sides by Seljuk warriors. The Sultan's own guard led the attack, pouring from tents at the startled Franks. The horses were the first casualties- the Seljuks rightly gauged that they could sow fear amongst the horses and break the cavalry.
The horses did indeed break, scattering the attackers. In the melee, Louis VII himself was struck down by a Turkish footsoldier, whom posterity records only as Orhan of Varto. He was dragged away by his men, but died that day at dusk of his wounds. He had lost a hand and then had bled to death.
But it was no better for the Seljuks. Masud I himself had been disembowelled with a spear by none other than the new King of France.
Robert of Dreux was acknowledged as King of France by his men the day after, having retreated towards the coast. He was now going to return to Antioch with his brother's body, take Eleanor of Aquitaine back to France, and take his throne. He had seen enough of the Levant.
Kilic Arslan was meanwhile burying his father, and over his tears, getting ready to assume his destiny, as the new Sultan of Rum.