It was an okay update but seemed like it was more of a filler update but I must admit I look forward to more interactions between Duke William of Normandy and Harold
Kingdom of the North - or how a clumsy maid and a thirsty dog created a mighty empire
- Thread starter Redbeard
- Start date
Redbeard
Banned
Summary:
With Hardeknud firmly in power a lot of the claims for various thrones we know from OTL are irrelevant. That also opens up for new friendships, one of them being between William of Normandy and Harold Godwinsson.
William and Harold – better friends never existed
Back in Normandy William soon showed a charismatic leader, and in 1053 he showed diplomatic sense too by marrying Mathilda of Flanders. That suddenly elevated William and his duchy into the powers to be reckoned with on those corners of the world, which again caused King Henry I of France great concerns. Already in 1054 he tried a rather feeble invasion of Normandy, but was defeated. But now things had settled down in England enough for Hardeknud to give attention to the situation in Normandy, not at least by Harold Godwinsson vividly advocating support for his good friend across the Channel. So when things pointed towards a new invasion in 1057 Harold Godwinsson with a chest of gold and a small army of experienced Housecarls was sent to Normandy. Here King Henry and his ally, the dreadful Count Geoffrey “The hammer” of Anjou already had advanced into Normandy. At the River of Dives Henry and Geoffrey had crossed with the advanceguard, when William and Harold unexpectedly showed up with their knights and housecarls.
Henry and Geoffrey immediately realised the danger they were in and hastily stripped all armour and threw themselves into the river. That of course was a tempting target for Harold’s and William’s archers, and soon arrows started raining down on the two swimming men – one hitting Geoffrey in his lower backside just before he reached the safe bank. His body wasn’t mortally wounded, but his honour was to be, when he climbed out of the water with an arrow protruding from his behind and heard Godwin’s stentor voice from across the river:
Lesser men had to try
Only to be hit in the eye
Next came a man of class
Only to take it up his ass
Never had Harold’s and William’s men laughed that loud and much.
Henry lost interest in Normandy, and nobody at the court dared mention Normandy until Henry died peacefully in 1060. Geoffrey never was the same after that, only thinking about revenge. In 1060 came his chance as William and all of his family, inkl. Mathilda and their 5 children were reported gathered at an Estate close to the border.
A band of Geoffrey’s most faithful men, thugs, thieves and adventurers were gathered and silently surrounded the place. At a sign from Geoffrey the guards were overwhelmed and the buildings were set ablaze. Everybody trying to escape were met outside by Geoffrey’s accomplishes, killing men, women and children alike. William, who initially had started organising an orderly evacuation of the hall, women and children first, now realised that it was a trap, and gathered a few handful of men in a sortie. Dressed in their shirts only, William and his men fought like berserkers killing many dozens of Geoffrey’s men and driving the rest away.
Mortally wounded William was given the dreadful news of both Mathilda, his children and his halfbrothers being among the dead.
“Had only Harold been here, this wouldn’t have happened. Normandy needs Harold, he shall follow me as Duke of Normandy...”
That was the last words of William, and Harold was sent for to take over his new realm. In a swift campaign Geoffrey and anybody who could be suspected of being loyal to Geoffrey were rounded up and killed, Geoffrey at a special arrangement where he was first mutilated and next fed alive to a bunch of blood thirsty hounds Harold had brought down from Jutland. And of course Geoffrey’s titles and lands (Anjou, Maine etc.) were annexed, nobody could or dared stop Harold in doing that, although the wiser could see, that Harold and his kind in possession of such central French titles could give complications in future questions about who should sit on the Throne of France - God forbid that the Capetians ever died out! For now Henry’s seven year old son Philip at least appeared healthy, but for some years to come the Regency would rest on his mother Anne of Kiev.
Soon tales of miracles at William ‘s grave started to circulate and alongside with his royal relatives across the Channel showing a keen interest in the matter a sainthood was produced in 1078, making William (or Wilhjalm as he was called in the north) the patron of good friendship.
To be continued, as more peaceful times, for the moment, set the frames for development in the realm
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
With Hardeknud firmly in power a lot of the claims for various thrones we know from OTL are irrelevant. That also opens up for new friendships, one of them being between William of Normandy and Harold Godwinsson.
William and Harold – better friends never existed
Back in Normandy William soon showed a charismatic leader, and in 1053 he showed diplomatic sense too by marrying Mathilda of Flanders. That suddenly elevated William and his duchy into the powers to be reckoned with on those corners of the world, which again caused King Henry I of France great concerns. Already in 1054 he tried a rather feeble invasion of Normandy, but was defeated. But now things had settled down in England enough for Hardeknud to give attention to the situation in Normandy, not at least by Harold Godwinsson vividly advocating support for his good friend across the Channel. So when things pointed towards a new invasion in 1057 Harold Godwinsson with a chest of gold and a small army of experienced Housecarls was sent to Normandy. Here King Henry and his ally, the dreadful Count Geoffrey “The hammer” of Anjou already had advanced into Normandy. At the River of Dives Henry and Geoffrey had crossed with the advanceguard, when William and Harold unexpectedly showed up with their knights and housecarls.
Henry and Geoffrey immediately realised the danger they were in and hastily stripped all armour and threw themselves into the river. That of course was a tempting target for Harold’s and William’s archers, and soon arrows started raining down on the two swimming men – one hitting Geoffrey in his lower backside just before he reached the safe bank. His body wasn’t mortally wounded, but his honour was to be, when he climbed out of the water with an arrow protruding from his behind and heard Godwin’s stentor voice from across the river:
Lesser men had to try
Only to be hit in the eye
Next came a man of class
Only to take it up his ass
Never had Harold’s and William’s men laughed that loud and much.
Henry lost interest in Normandy, and nobody at the court dared mention Normandy until Henry died peacefully in 1060. Geoffrey never was the same after that, only thinking about revenge. In 1060 came his chance as William and all of his family, inkl. Mathilda and their 5 children were reported gathered at an Estate close to the border.
A band of Geoffrey’s most faithful men, thugs, thieves and adventurers were gathered and silently surrounded the place. At a sign from Geoffrey the guards were overwhelmed and the buildings were set ablaze. Everybody trying to escape were met outside by Geoffrey’s accomplishes, killing men, women and children alike. William, who initially had started organising an orderly evacuation of the hall, women and children first, now realised that it was a trap, and gathered a few handful of men in a sortie. Dressed in their shirts only, William and his men fought like berserkers killing many dozens of Geoffrey’s men and driving the rest away.
Mortally wounded William was given the dreadful news of both Mathilda, his children and his halfbrothers being among the dead.
“Had only Harold been here, this wouldn’t have happened. Normandy needs Harold, he shall follow me as Duke of Normandy...”
That was the last words of William, and Harold was sent for to take over his new realm. In a swift campaign Geoffrey and anybody who could be suspected of being loyal to Geoffrey were rounded up and killed, Geoffrey at a special arrangement where he was first mutilated and next fed alive to a bunch of blood thirsty hounds Harold had brought down from Jutland. And of course Geoffrey’s titles and lands (Anjou, Maine etc.) were annexed, nobody could or dared stop Harold in doing that, although the wiser could see, that Harold and his kind in possession of such central French titles could give complications in future questions about who should sit on the Throne of France - God forbid that the Capetians ever died out! For now Henry’s seven year old son Philip at least appeared healthy, but for some years to come the Regency would rest on his mother Anne of Kiev.
Soon tales of miracles at William ‘s grave started to circulate and alongside with his royal relatives across the Channel showing a keen interest in the matter a sainthood was produced in 1078, making William (or Wilhjalm as he was called in the north) the patron of good friendship.
To be continued, as more peaceful times, for the moment, set the frames for development in the realm
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
ok ok I know it's a good timeline but a reverse Angevin Empire? 
Much more likely that after William dies in that fire Hardacnut or Edward invoke their claim and send Harold to secure it for them creating war with France.
Much more likely that after William dies in that fire Hardacnut or Edward invoke their claim and send Harold to secure it for them creating war with France.
Redbeard
Banned
ok ok I know it's a good timeline but a reverse Angevin Empire?
Much more likely that after William dies in that fire Hardacnut or Edward invoke their claim and send Harold to secure it for them creating war with France.
I had seriously considered that "solution", but apart from an intention not to let the Kingdom grow too much, most important is Hardeknud's main doctrine of allways having good relations with the main English families - of which Godwin of Wessex's family probbaly is the most prominent.
With Harold as Duke of Normandy it is still "in the family", but you are not too directly involved in central European matters. I will later elaborate more on this question, but you could say this is where another central doctrine of the Kingdom's foreign policy for the next centuries is founded - that of not getting seriously involved in matters beyond the coastlines. But I'm sure some at Hardeknud's court would have found it wrong not to utilise an opportunity for a claim on the French throne - they just didn't prevail in this instance. Anyway, seen from the Kingdom around this time, the German Emperor is seen as more important than France, both as a threat and as a opportunity.
But as said before, the story, and history, isn't over yet, and I can reveal that great plans are on the slip for Harold's blood, but not in the near future.
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
NothingNow
Banned
Have you thought about using the UCS System or a version of it on your Map for Vassals Suzerainty and disputed territories? I mean the one you put up is good but You might as well show vassal states alongside it.
this is a Great TL. I'm subscribing to it.
Redbeard
Banned
Summary:
With the King firmly sittinmg on the Thrones of England, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and the King's brother in law Harold Godwinsson ruling Normandy under a vassal's oath we can can now, for a short moment, turn attention to the more general lines of development
Times of consolidation 1060-1100
At both sides of the North Sea things settled down in the next years. Here and there a nobleman felt disgruntled about the new times, when free men couldn’t just be free, but had to count on the King and his representatives being able to interfere in anything – when - or wherever choosing to do so. For most people it was peaceful times however and the traffic of Knarrs across the North sea was as lively as ever, trading goods, exchanging brides, news etc. These were also the years when Christianity reached even the most remote corners of the realm. In a few decades practically everyone everywhere attended mass in the village church each Sunday, but here and there someone still worshipped a holy stone or sacrificed to ancient forces and Gods – just to be on the safe side.
For centuries the Priests would thunder against old beliefs and habits, with limited success, but there was no doubt that the Holy Church ruled the souls, and that the Holy Church was ruled from York. Of course York paid all the necessary courtesy to Rome, and the Popes had so far shown the courtesy of not taking decisions in open conflict with the Yorkish position. Anyway seen from the commoner around the North Sea the Church was ruled from York, and the King ruled York – from whichever place he chose to stay at. Ruling a great Empire King Hardeknud’s court had grown to a size never seen or dreamt of before. As most taxes were paid in grain, cattle, fish etc., and refrigerators still were far away, the King and his court and Hird had to literally eat their way through taxes, moving from fortress to fortress emptying the storehouses. Although some towns had a feeling of being more royal than others (not at least Winchester), the empire had no capital in the modern meaning, and anyway this spared the King of the tricky question of favouring one place and disfavouring the rest. Of course his presence at any one place was utilised to show Kingship – i.e. presiding courts, overlooking administration, taking complaints, favouring maids etc.
This was of course only possible due to the Empire’s geography. Practically all major towns could be reached within a few days sailing, which not only made it relatively easy to move the court around, but also to dispatch armed force in case of trouble.
Other cornerstones were the Earls given charge to rule in the King’s name in-between the Kings presence (Title: “King's Earl” - any other suggestion?). None of them were given charge in all of an original Kingdom, that would be tempting them too much, but if loyal they could expect the office been given to their oldest son. Three of Svend Estridsson’s sons so followed him as King's Earls from 1076 (Harald, Oluf and Knud), until Erik (OTL Ejegod/Evergood - born 1060) finally settled as King's Earl of Jutland in 1084-1103 and continued his father’s policies of keeping law and order and importing English priests and monks. Svend had been popular, the first three sons shortlived and tempered, but Erik was loved, especially among the “middle class” of free peasants owing a few acres of land. Their support was very effective insurance against the occasional dissatisfaction and ambitions of the big landowners having any serious implications.
To be continued, when the Saxons, the Emperor and the Pope play their roles
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
With the King firmly sittinmg on the Thrones of England, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and the King's brother in law Harold Godwinsson ruling Normandy under a vassal's oath we can can now, for a short moment, turn attention to the more general lines of development
Times of consolidation 1060-1100
At both sides of the North Sea things settled down in the next years. Here and there a nobleman felt disgruntled about the new times, when free men couldn’t just be free, but had to count on the King and his representatives being able to interfere in anything – when - or wherever choosing to do so. For most people it was peaceful times however and the traffic of Knarrs across the North sea was as lively as ever, trading goods, exchanging brides, news etc. These were also the years when Christianity reached even the most remote corners of the realm. In a few decades practically everyone everywhere attended mass in the village church each Sunday, but here and there someone still worshipped a holy stone or sacrificed to ancient forces and Gods – just to be on the safe side.
For centuries the Priests would thunder against old beliefs and habits, with limited success, but there was no doubt that the Holy Church ruled the souls, and that the Holy Church was ruled from York. Of course York paid all the necessary courtesy to Rome, and the Popes had so far shown the courtesy of not taking decisions in open conflict with the Yorkish position. Anyway seen from the commoner around the North Sea the Church was ruled from York, and the King ruled York – from whichever place he chose to stay at. Ruling a great Empire King Hardeknud’s court had grown to a size never seen or dreamt of before. As most taxes were paid in grain, cattle, fish etc., and refrigerators still were far away, the King and his court and Hird had to literally eat their way through taxes, moving from fortress to fortress emptying the storehouses. Although some towns had a feeling of being more royal than others (not at least Winchester), the empire had no capital in the modern meaning, and anyway this spared the King of the tricky question of favouring one place and disfavouring the rest. Of course his presence at any one place was utilised to show Kingship – i.e. presiding courts, overlooking administration, taking complaints, favouring maids etc.
This was of course only possible due to the Empire’s geography. Practically all major towns could be reached within a few days sailing, which not only made it relatively easy to move the court around, but also to dispatch armed force in case of trouble.
Other cornerstones were the Earls given charge to rule in the King’s name in-between the Kings presence (Title: “King's Earl” - any other suggestion?). None of them were given charge in all of an original Kingdom, that would be tempting them too much, but if loyal they could expect the office been given to their oldest son. Three of Svend Estridsson’s sons so followed him as King's Earls from 1076 (Harald, Oluf and Knud), until Erik (OTL Ejegod/Evergood - born 1060) finally settled as King's Earl of Jutland in 1084-1103 and continued his father’s policies of keeping law and order and importing English priests and monks. Svend had been popular, the first three sons shortlived and tempered, but Erik was loved, especially among the “middle class” of free peasants owing a few acres of land. Their support was very effective insurance against the occasional dissatisfaction and ambitions of the big landowners having any serious implications.
To be continued, when the Saxons, the Emperor and the Pope play their roles
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
A nice update
For alternatives to King's Earl I would suggest Steadholder, Steward, or perhaps Steadward which all fit a royal governor; though Steward is mainly for that of a household rather than land.
Alternatively you could revive the old Northumbrian position of Patrician though it has less noble connotations.
For alternatives to King's Earl I would suggest Steadholder, Steward, or perhaps Steadward which all fit a royal governor; though Steward is mainly for that of a household rather than land.
Alternatively you could revive the old Northumbrian position of Patrician though it has less noble connotations.
Redbeard
Banned
I don't quite know what "the UCS System" is, but I have planned more maps later on, showing teritory, vassals, allies enemies etc. I use some blank maps found on the net and colour them with the "Paint" programe in Microsoft office.
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
A nice update
For alternatives to King's Earl I would suggest Steadholder, Steward, or perhaps Steadward which all fit a royal governor; though Steward is mainly for that of a household rather than land.
Alternatively you could revive the old Northumbrian position of Patrician though it has less noble connotations.
Well yes, but that doesn't mean it won't grow to encompass other meanings, think of the original meaning of Chancellor!
Redbeard
Banned
Summary: With things settled on the internal lines and a strong vassal ruling Normandy and surroundings to keep the King of France occupied it is time to shift attention further to the east.
The Saxon question 1072-1106
Since ancient times the border between the Danes and the tribes to the south had been the river Eider and the forests and swamps at this place. Hardeknud’s forefathers as Kings of Denmark had in several tempi built a line of fortifications, but now the serious question was, if just maintaining a defence at the Eider was the proper ambition for a Kingdom of Hardeknud’s magnitude. Charlesmagne’s awesome Empire had been divided into three after his death, and the eastern and closest part had until 1024 been ruled by the Saxon Ottonian dynasty as both Kings of Germany and Emperors of the Holy German-Roman Empire. In 1024 the line died out and the pressure from the south appeared to remove a little further away, at least it made it much more practicable to keep attention to North sea matters.
With things settled around the North sea northern Germany and Saxony suddenly appeared more a treat than a threat. Duke Magnus of Saxony had been a good ally against Archbishop Adalberth of Bremen, who he hated, and had also been in repeated conflicts, including armed ones, with Emperor Henry IV. Magnus even through his mother was of Norwegian royal blood. Hardeknud had avoided open conflict with the Emperor, but had more open than covertly supported Magnus, and in 1076 had facilitated Magnus’ release from yet another Imperial captivity.
After that Magnus had supported Rudolf of Swabia’s rebellion against Henry IV, but was defeated at the battle of Mellrichstadt in August 1078. At the following negotiations Hardeknud cleverly introduced himself, with Papal support, as mediator. Pope Gregory VII and Henry had a very strained relationship over who should have the upper hand in churchly appointments (Investiture Controversy), and never were close to the informal understanding between Hardeknud and the Papacy about the later having the formal superiority in appointing as long as they didn’t appoint anybody Hardeknud wouldn’t want.
So Hardeknud could, to the disgust of all of Henry’s court, and much of the Pope’s too, play the pious supporter of Papal privileges while being annoyingly patronizing towards Henry. The final blow to Henry’s self-esteem came however when Hardeknud could announce, that the Pope had granted him a Holy Cross Banner for crusading whatever heathens could be found in and around Saxony. That this cold eyed ugly barbarian, whose ancestors had been heathens a few generations back, now should carry the cross banner in the Emperor’s own back yard simply was too much! But nothing could be done, the Saxons were openly pleased about the Emperors expulsion and Hardeknud no doubt had a superior military force anywhere accessible from the sea. But at least Henry was given a free hand to crush Rudolf’s rebellion.
Rudolf was killed in 1081, but Gregory and his followers did not stop their constant attempts to undermine imperial power. One thing was stubbornly insisting on papal privileges in investiture, but probably more important was, that in Germany there always was a disgruntled prince to let loose in rebellion. England and Scandinavia surely had their disgruntled noblemen too, but the close proximity of any major town or city to sea routes made it too easy for the King to strike fast before any rebels could grow strong, and on top of that the hearts and minds of northerners was too strange and unknown for the Curia to fully utilise.
So while the Curia had no trouble seeing the negative potential in the de facto limitations in the enforcements of its will in the northern outskirts of the world, it was also obvious that nothing could be done about it now, and focus would be much better utilised vs. the Emperor – dealing with civilised people after all was much easier – and some day true civilisation would also reach those cold windy areas up north. Anyway the North Sea Kingdom was a quite handy ally vs. the Emperor, and participation from the north in the occasional crusades was highly treasured too.
Hardeknud died in 1083 after a hunting accident. Even at this matured age he still loved to hunt wild boars with spear, but one cool sunny day in October 1083 his horse threw him off and a wounded Keiler (big male boar) had attacked the King, bleeding to death inside an hour. He was mourned all over the Kingdom, but it was never questioned that it was his oldest son Knud (born 1047) who should take over. In the later years it had often been Knud who led Royal tours around the provinces and showing a remarkable talent to gain popularity and respect among the middle class of landowning peasants. In this and many other aspects he was much like the young Royal Earl of Jutland Erik, who had been appointed in 1084, succeeding his father (Svend Estridssen) and three older brothers. Many free men in the Kingdom saw it as a good sign, that Hardeknud's and Svend's sons appeared to continue their fathers friendship and loyalty.
But anyway Hardeknud, and from 1083 Knud, could act as very the active “brothers of the Saxons” in their eternal fights with various Slavic tribes. In general both Hardeknud and Knud were popular when showing up in Saxony – usually seen in Royal strength and splendour on the way to thrash some Slavs, and more than often being helpful with grants and loans in exchange of lands. Some Saxons saw with concern on the King from the north becoming the major landowner of Saxony, but as others would often ask them: “Would you prefer the Emperor pillaging as before? This one at least pays – even generously – and it is not Saxon blood that is on his sword!”.
Then in 1106 died Magnus leaving no children. Not many held their breath over who should inherit the Duchy of Saxony, who else than Knud? He of course wasn’t born in Saxony, but the tongue and culture of Saxony wasn’t that different from what was spoken and thought in the areas Knud already ruled. Saxon merchants also each year went to towns and marketplaces in the Baltic and North sea area, and Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and English merchants came to Saxony.
To be continued on sunday, when the true story of how the Kingdom got its flag will be revealed
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
The Saxon question 1072-1106
Since ancient times the border between the Danes and the tribes to the south had been the river Eider and the forests and swamps at this place. Hardeknud’s forefathers as Kings of Denmark had in several tempi built a line of fortifications, but now the serious question was, if just maintaining a defence at the Eider was the proper ambition for a Kingdom of Hardeknud’s magnitude. Charlesmagne’s awesome Empire had been divided into three after his death, and the eastern and closest part had until 1024 been ruled by the Saxon Ottonian dynasty as both Kings of Germany and Emperors of the Holy German-Roman Empire. In 1024 the line died out and the pressure from the south appeared to remove a little further away, at least it made it much more practicable to keep attention to North sea matters.
With things settled around the North sea northern Germany and Saxony suddenly appeared more a treat than a threat. Duke Magnus of Saxony had been a good ally against Archbishop Adalberth of Bremen, who he hated, and had also been in repeated conflicts, including armed ones, with Emperor Henry IV. Magnus even through his mother was of Norwegian royal blood. Hardeknud had avoided open conflict with the Emperor, but had more open than covertly supported Magnus, and in 1076 had facilitated Magnus’ release from yet another Imperial captivity.
After that Magnus had supported Rudolf of Swabia’s rebellion against Henry IV, but was defeated at the battle of Mellrichstadt in August 1078. At the following negotiations Hardeknud cleverly introduced himself, with Papal support, as mediator. Pope Gregory VII and Henry had a very strained relationship over who should have the upper hand in churchly appointments (Investiture Controversy), and never were close to the informal understanding between Hardeknud and the Papacy about the later having the formal superiority in appointing as long as they didn’t appoint anybody Hardeknud wouldn’t want.
So Hardeknud could, to the disgust of all of Henry’s court, and much of the Pope’s too, play the pious supporter of Papal privileges while being annoyingly patronizing towards Henry. The final blow to Henry’s self-esteem came however when Hardeknud could announce, that the Pope had granted him a Holy Cross Banner for crusading whatever heathens could be found in and around Saxony. That this cold eyed ugly barbarian, whose ancestors had been heathens a few generations back, now should carry the cross banner in the Emperor’s own back yard simply was too much! But nothing could be done, the Saxons were openly pleased about the Emperors expulsion and Hardeknud no doubt had a superior military force anywhere accessible from the sea. But at least Henry was given a free hand to crush Rudolf’s rebellion.
Rudolf was killed in 1081, but Gregory and his followers did not stop their constant attempts to undermine imperial power. One thing was stubbornly insisting on papal privileges in investiture, but probably more important was, that in Germany there always was a disgruntled prince to let loose in rebellion. England and Scandinavia surely had their disgruntled noblemen too, but the close proximity of any major town or city to sea routes made it too easy for the King to strike fast before any rebels could grow strong, and on top of that the hearts and minds of northerners was too strange and unknown for the Curia to fully utilise.
So while the Curia had no trouble seeing the negative potential in the de facto limitations in the enforcements of its will in the northern outskirts of the world, it was also obvious that nothing could be done about it now, and focus would be much better utilised vs. the Emperor – dealing with civilised people after all was much easier – and some day true civilisation would also reach those cold windy areas up north. Anyway the North Sea Kingdom was a quite handy ally vs. the Emperor, and participation from the north in the occasional crusades was highly treasured too.
Hardeknud died in 1083 after a hunting accident. Even at this matured age he still loved to hunt wild boars with spear, but one cool sunny day in October 1083 his horse threw him off and a wounded Keiler (big male boar) had attacked the King, bleeding to death inside an hour. He was mourned all over the Kingdom, but it was never questioned that it was his oldest son Knud (born 1047) who should take over. In the later years it had often been Knud who led Royal tours around the provinces and showing a remarkable talent to gain popularity and respect among the middle class of landowning peasants. In this and many other aspects he was much like the young Royal Earl of Jutland Erik, who had been appointed in 1084, succeeding his father (Svend Estridssen) and three older brothers. Many free men in the Kingdom saw it as a good sign, that Hardeknud's and Svend's sons appeared to continue their fathers friendship and loyalty.
But anyway Hardeknud, and from 1083 Knud, could act as very the active “brothers of the Saxons” in their eternal fights with various Slavic tribes. In general both Hardeknud and Knud were popular when showing up in Saxony – usually seen in Royal strength and splendour on the way to thrash some Slavs, and more than often being helpful with grants and loans in exchange of lands. Some Saxons saw with concern on the King from the north becoming the major landowner of Saxony, but as others would often ask them: “Would you prefer the Emperor pillaging as before? This one at least pays – even generously – and it is not Saxon blood that is on his sword!”.
Then in 1106 died Magnus leaving no children. Not many held their breath over who should inherit the Duchy of Saxony, who else than Knud? He of course wasn’t born in Saxony, but the tongue and culture of Saxony wasn’t that different from what was spoken and thought in the areas Knud already ruled. Saxon merchants also each year went to towns and marketplaces in the Baltic and North sea area, and Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and English merchants came to Saxony.
To be continued on sunday, when the true story of how the Kingdom got its flag will be revealed
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
Redbeard
Banned
A nice update
For alternatives to King's Earl I would suggest Steadholder, Steward, or perhaps Steadward which all fit a royal governor; though Steward is mainly for that of a household rather than land.
Alternatively you could revive the old Northumbrian position of Patrician though it has less noble connotations.
I like "Steadholder", even has a Danish equivalent "Statholder", which also is the biblical title for Pontius Pilatus in the post-reformation translation. I will keep it in the box for use in a future administrative reform. Will have to be before it gets used in the Bible for Pontius Pilatus however - nobody would want to be associated with him.
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
Valdemar II
Banned
Are you sure it not a later adoption from German/Low German?
BTW it quite enjoyable to see a new early middle age timeline which focus on Denmark.
You had William the Duke of Normandy marry the Countess of Flanders. ?But what is happening in Friesland?
http://www.euratlas.com/travel_time/europe_north_west_1100.html
http://www.euratlas.com/travel_time/europe_north_west_1100.html
It will be interesting to see how much the Danish culture is going to be exported to Saxony and England because soon Jutland is going to become crowded and the Danes are going to need to move somewhere and I assume they would rather move to Saxony or England than Sweden or Norway. I also believe that York should become the Capital of this Kingdom.