Like Vultures!

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]To Denmark 2.0 (1094)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During Magnus' efforts to establish his royal prerogatives King Thorgils call up his levy sailing for Jutland. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]With little effort and in the absence of the King he is able to take over Jutland and be elected King of the Jutes at the Thing at Viborg. He then goes on to move his army across the Lillebaelt to Funen before any reaction of Norwegians or Danes. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The nobility of the Danish isles suffering from Wends raids and getting no help from their liege lord, King Magnus of Norway decide to offer the King of England their allegiances in return for his making their lands secure of Wends raids.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Thorgils is ready to skip an old ally to gain control of all of Denmark. And does so by leading a campaign against the Wends settled in the Danish isles, much to the delight of the Danish nobility and peoples.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Magnus tries to oppose the slip of Denmark from his control but his resources have been strung thin and he is not really able to do anything. Revolts are ongoing in Götar and Svear lands as well as in Scotland, the Isles and Ireland.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Before his leaving Denmark King Thorgils makes his son Harold Earl of Denmark.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Danish Bishops renew their allegiance to the Archbishop of York.[/FONT]
 
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Crusade (1095-99)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Thorgils of England dies. Due to the recurring famine and bad harvest he is to be remembered as Thorgils Hunger. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A Witangemot elect Earl Svend of Wessex, but the Earl declines the election in favour of the son of his brother King Ulf, Svend, as Earl Svend has taken the cross following the council at Clermont and is preparing to go to the Holy Land to free Jerusalem of the Infidels. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Thus Svend, son of former King Ulf is elected King of England as King Svend III.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Magnus tries to take advantage of the situation and reconquer Denmark, but Earl Harold is able to counter the Norwegian threat. And Magnus still have no effective means to counter the English heavy armoured cavalry.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During late summer Earl Svend at the head of a crusading army of 6000 men leaves England for Flanders and the journey to the Holy Land. Moving through Europe Svend is joined by Count Robert of Flanders, Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, Count Raymond of Toulouse and Counts Bohemond and Tancred of Southern Italy.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]An English fleet goes through the Atlantic round Iberia to pick up Svend and his army in Arles.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Crusade is a most welcome breathing space for King Philip of France that makes him able to herd his vassals into subservience once again. “As we should honour God in retaking his lands from the Infidels so we should honour Gods anointed servant on Earth the King” Bishop Odo exclaims at the ceremony in which the vassals once again take their lands in fealty of King Philip.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Svend III of England dies. Word is sent to Earl Svend to abandon the Crusade but the Earl refuses on the grounds of his being excommunicated if he does so, which wouldn't be in the interest of his country. Harold, Earl of Denmark, son of King Thorgils is then elected King of England.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Earl Svend's son Robert is sent to Denmark as the Kings Earl in the country.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Malcolm III King of Scots dies. His son Edgar succeed him on the throne paying homage to King Harold of England to have room for manoeuvre against the Norwegians.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Magnus use the death of King Malcolm to take his fleet to Scotland to regain lands lost or possibly all of Scotland. King Harold of England is eager to make his seat firm and enters the struggle alongside King Edgar. The Norwegians are fended off and leave for Ireland.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The crusader army reaches Jerusalem their objective. Having laid siege to the city for five weeks it is assaulted and taken, the resulting bloodbath appalling both Christian and Muslim clergy.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Harold dies mysteriously. Word is once again sent for Earl Svend to return to England to be elected King. And this time Svend heed the call even rejecting the crown of Jerusalem in the process.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Pope Urban II dies and is succeeded by Pascalis II.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Emperor Henry IV makes peace with his adversary's and his son Henry V is elected King of Italy.[/FONT]
 

Valdemar II

Banned
Nice, a unified Denmark-England again.

How long is it going to last? One other why does England send a Crusade to Jerusalem, when there are Pagans enemies in "Wenden/Wendland" instead?
 
Nice, a unified Denmark-England again.

How long is it going to last? One other why does England send a Crusade to Jerusalem, when there are Pagans enemies in "Wenden/Wendland" instead?

Unified again, at least for some time. There will be some infighting in the royal family to split it up again.

I've let England take the OTL role of sending off Svend the Crusader - just with a somewhat larger army. (and also take the place of the Normandy dukes)
The King of England is very much preoccupied with church matters and sending some crusaders off for the Holy Land is in line with this.
The Baltic crusades haven't really taken off yet. I've let the English ally with the Wends, but as you see things changing at the time. There will be Baltic crusades though!
 
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Svend the Crusader (1100-15)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As already told Svend took the cross in 1095 being present at Clemont as the guest of King Philip of France when Urban II had called it. Svend as his father was a staunch supporter of the Church in the belief that it was a strong ally and had been so from the very outset of his fathers grasp for the throne of England.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]There was no doubt in Svend's heart and mind of his taking the cross, as he viewed the possibility of his getting the throne of England himself as remote and was contend in backing his brothers and nephews.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Of course he realized that his marriage to Adela of Flanders was the cementing of an old alliance but should he not return from crusade his son Robert would be part of those in line for the throne of England or perhaps the County of Flanders with all its riches.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Going off on crusade had been an immense success. Jerusalem had been taken and on the way home Svend had been the guest of Pope Pascalis II in Rome. No doubt his stature was immense as the “Sword of God” as he was called by many a minstrel in Europe but also by the Skialds of England. His reputation had eased the way and ran ahead of him to England.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Svend spend the winter in the hospitality of his kin Count Robert of Flanders who also left the Holy Land alongside Svend.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When weather permit it Svend crosses the Channel for England. On his arrival at Dover he is celebrated by everybody in town. The town is hurriedly dressed up for the occasion and the road to town as well as every street is lined with peoples eager to get a glimpse of the Crusader himself. Entering town Svend is able to hear songs performed by Skialds that praise him as the Sword of God, liberator of the Holy City, defender of the faith. Everybody would bow to him, easily identifiable in his crusader dress.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Present at Dover is Earl Godwin to welcome the Crusader. As he meet the Earl Svend is told of the absence of Earls Ulf and Otto sons of his brothers Thorgils and Benedikt.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Svend arrive at Winchester the next day late in the evening - hardly noticed by anybody but he is greeted by his wife Adela.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the morning word has spread of the arrival of the Crusader and in the wee hours peoples begin to gather at the royal house. As Svend and Adela leaves the house they are greeted by a large crowd of peoples led by the Bishop and the clergy of the Cathedral. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Bishop greet the Crusader, the liberator of the Holy City, wielder of the sacred lance, defender of the True Cross and rightful King of England![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At this the crowd burst into a roar hailing the Crusader. The Captain of Svends guard ask if he is to clear the way to the Cathedral, but the Crusader sense the moment and demand his not doing so. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Instead Svend takes the hand of Adela and begin walking through the crowd towards the Cathedral. The crowd opens and let the couple pass as men and women and children bow to them. But no one touches them.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Later Earls Ulf, Otto and Edwin arrive in the city along the Archbishops and the Witangemot is called up.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the Witangemot gather it soon reaches the decision to elect Svend Crusader King of England even if Earls Ulf and Otto tries to protest the decision. But the mood of the crowd, Earls and even their own troops convince them that this is not the time to go against the time or they risk being swept away.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In a ceremony held outdoors due to the many spectators the Earl Godwin Haroldson proclaim Svend Crusader King Svend IV of England. Svend is dressed by Earls Godwin and Edwin and hi is handed his regalia by the Bishops.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The nobility among them Earls Ulf and Otto then bow to him and swears fealty. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Svend then travel to Denmark to get elected at the Thing in Jutland, Viborg, Sjaelland, Isoere and Scania, Lund.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Svend leaves Denmark to be ruled by Earl Ulf, brother of the deceased King Harold.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Svend's son Robert follow his father back to England to rule part of it.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Svend throughout his reign reaped much benefit from his having been part of the Crusade to liberate the Holy City even to decline the Kingdom offered. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Bishops was united in support of him and he enjoyed much support from the Holy See.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He also enjoyed this benefit from his subjects, or most of them especially the common man, merchants who saw the opportunities of travelling to the Holy Land to do business but also the major part of the nobility. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]His client King Edgar of Scotland was eager to pay homage to him doing so with much reference to his exploits in the Holy Land.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Only within his family was voices of dissent but they were cautious not to be heard at least not in public and not by the Kings supporters who might refer words to the King himself.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Those not rejoicing in the good fortune of the King – the Crusader - was the sons of his brothers Thorgils and Benedikt – Ulf and Otto.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During his reign he was to finish the Danish law of England though written in Anglo-Saxon nobody objected. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He also begin building cathedrals in the major cities, Winchester, London, Norwich and York as well as founding many monasteries. In Denmark he founded a cathedral in Ripa and obtained a Papal bull declaring the supremacy of the Archbishop of York in the North.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The hunger years of the 1080'ties had been hard on the Hollanders as large parts of their low lying lands had been claimed by the North Sea leaving a string of islands north of the new coastline. Those driven away from the area had settled in other parts of Holland and Friesland or Flanders but a large number went to England to settle. Realizing their ability to work in wet lands Svend made them move to the Wash to reclaim lands lost during the Hunger years and drain the wetlands. Promises of freedom of tax for a lifetime made many a former Hollander move into the area and begin work. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A major part of his reign was spent in continental campaigns allied to the King of France or the Count of Flanders as well as to guard his Earldom of Denmark against the Emperor or Wends.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As during the crusade Svend was usually victorious when on campaign and was widely regarded as the foremost warrior of Europe. His stature ensured that whenever he called upon the English or Danes to wage war they would follow his call.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Only in France did the campaigns seem to attain nothing except keeping the Norman Duke at bay as the vassals of the French King repeatedly broke their oath of vassalage and had to be herded back to the fold. The activities of Bishop Odo ensured the repeated rebellions of the Norman Duke with other nobility following in the wake of the Duke.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Whiskey is being distilled in Ireland.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]These years opening the 12. century was a time of change of the Church. Part of it being influence of visionary women along the common man demanding the elevation of the Hostia for everybody to see as later decided upon at the fourth Lateran council 1215.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In western Germany a three year old girl Hildegard von Bingen have her first vision but tell no one of it.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]With the death of King Philip of France England lost a close ally but gained another in his son Louis the Fat. The blessing of this ally was always a mixed one as it ensured resources being allocated to wars in France but kept the Norman Duke busy and off the back of England or Flanders.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ever a strong supporter of her husband the death of Queen Adela in 1115 was a severe blow to King Svend. Stricken with grief the King retired from most public appearances leaving the running of the Kingdom to his son Robert.[/FONT]
 

Valdemar II

Banned
Yes it returns. I have missed the daily update, but I understand why it get harder the farther from the POD you get.

Whats reminds me, how far will you take this timeline?
 
Yes it returns. I have missed the daily update, but I understand why it get harder the farther from the POD you get.

Whats reminds me, how far will you take this timeline?

Thanks mate - actually I've been more than busy at the office for some time, but I've found a small breathing space to piece something together on this one. ;)

How far to take this?
Initially I thought of taking it to the Reformation. Then I thought of WI no Reformation and then going on a little further. But I have an outline, rough scetch that is to about 1800.
But its gonna be a long one and don't expect everthing to be as detailed as this far (but then I like detail, tend to get buried in it and then have to resurface - so what then! :D).
I have an idea of turning to installments covering longer timespans and only going into detail at the needed points!

But its going to take a lot of time - work have a tendency of inflicting itself on my time off. Patience will be a requirement.
 
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Norway in decline (1100-15)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Magnus was able to carve out a larger chunk of Irish real estate around Dublin and make the Irish bow to his sovereignty.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In other parts of his inheritance his luck was less.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Svear had gained independence from Norwegian rule as had West and East Götar.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the power vacuum following the freeing of the Norwegian yoke the West Götar tried to establish themselves as the new hegemony of Sweden but they were fiercely contested by the other Swedish Kings. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The East Götar managed to make an alliance with Visby in Gotland to draw upon the mighty resources of the rich mechants. In return the East Götar had to establish a garrison on Gotland and leave trading rights in East Götaland to the Visby merchants.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During the campaign in Ireland Magnus fell in battle and his sons Olaf, Sigurd and Oystein had to divide the Kingdom.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]There was much internal strife between the brothers and Olaf died only 17 years old leaving the struggle to the other two.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the end they managed to divide power practically by Sigurd going on crusade for several years leaving management of the Kingdom to Oystein. Returning from crusade Sigurd took to the Irish-Scots parts of the Kingdom while Oystein administered Norway proper.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In Sweden the East Götar was able within a decade to subdue the other two Swedish Kingdoms but at the price of having the Visby merchants run the trade of the Kingdom.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Just as the East Götar was about to secure their new realm and think of what to do about the Visby dominance another enemy showed up – Wends raiders.[/FONT]
 
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The making of a Royal Saint (1116)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ever since his most beloved Queen Adela died the year before King Svend Crusader had in his grief asked the Good Lord to let him join her. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And the Lord did hear his prayer this year taking home his most beloved son, King of England, King of Denmark, conqueror of Jerusalem, Gods most beloved servant and sword.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Bishops of his lands assembled in Winchester for the funeral rites to lead the mass lasting for days before and weeks after the funeral.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But Svend the Crusader had only been put to rest among his fathers when civil war once again erupted. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Otto, Earl of East Anglia and the Middle Peoples along with Ulf, Earl of Denmark asked Robert Earl of Wessex to get even greater parts of the Kingdom to rule. But Robert refused relying on the Godwinsons of Northumberland to support his cause as well as the thanes and lesser nobility.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And indeed they did. As Earl Ulf landed his army at York he was challenged by Earl Godwin and defeated.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Earl Godwin then went south to join forces with Robert but only to realize that Robert already with the aid of many a Dane and Anglo-Saxon had been able to defeat Earl Otto.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Having so settled the issue Robert with the support of Godwin was elected King of England and then went to Denmark to be elected at the three Thing's.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The civil war had been short and Robert been able to assert himself. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Earls Ulf and Otto would take their fiefs from the King once again paying allegiance. But a dangerous precedent had been established.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During the civil war the common man had his own schemes to attend to. One was to go to church and shortly after the burial of King Svend Crusader the first miracle was reported by the Winchester Cathedral clergy. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A lame man having been praying there underneath the coffin of Svend Crusader suddenly was able to stand up and walk away on his own. It was only a few weeks after the incident that news was to reach the Cathedral clergy from the hometown of the man but then things took a turn as the first rumours were out. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In no time women having been unable to carry a child suddenly became pregnant following prayers being recited beneath the coffin of St. Svend Crusader, ill peoples became rid of their diseases and good fortune followed those pious to his example. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And many a thane would carry his sword to Winchester cathedral to ask the blessing of the Crusader.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Robert paid a visit to the Cathedral which had the clergy expel all the rabble but the King himself asked them not to and asked the common man of the wonders of Svend Crusader. And many tales of good fortune were told.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Robert listened and understood! And soon he seated the clergy headed by the Bishop of Winchester to a session on how to have Svend Crusader beatified. Nobody objected to the Kings scheme and clerics were dispatched to recount all the tales of miracles and wonders done beneath the coffin of King Svend Crusader. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Other clerics were sent off to the Kings administration to recount the life of King Svend Crusader by interviewing anyone with the faintest of knowledge of the deceased King.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At the end of the year the Vita of King Svend Crusader was compiled, neatly written on bleached parchment, illustrated by the finest artists of the British Isles and bound in leather to be sent to the Holy See.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In Italy Emperor Henry V would finally be triumphant of the Markcountess of Tuscany having her letter of donating her estates to the Church void and seizing it for himself.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Pope Pascalis denounce the Imperial theft and are made to flee Rome for the safety of the Norman Dukes of Southern Italy by the invading Imperial army.[/FONT]
 
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Robert (1116-38)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Having secured his throne in the short civil war against his cousins Ulf and Otto, Robert went on to rule his countries.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Crowned in Winchester cathedral and elected at the Thing's of Denmark; victorious in war - Robert then turned towards his neighbours:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Wales – that once again had felt the breath of freedom and rebelled, Scotland, Norway, Wends, HREGN and Normandy.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Calling up his troops Robert divided them in two making Earl Godwin take care of the Scots as he himself pacified the Welsh rebels.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Godwin routed King Alexander's army supported by Norwegian King Sigurd and forced Alexander to renounce any allegiance to Sigurd.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Earl Ulf had been unable to participate in the campaigns because of an illness that would claim his life at the end of the year.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Going to Denmark shortly after his Welsh campaign, Robert called up his Danish nobility and led a naval expedition to Viken and then turned south to pillage the Wends on the southern shores of the Baltic.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]This campaign would force the Wends to look further east for targets, which they found in East Götaland and Svealand. Riddled also of raids by the Balts the rulers of East Götaland, Svealand and Gotland asked King Robert for protection against the raids of the heathens.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During his campaigns in Britain both Roberts and Godwin's armies had flown the Wessex banner of the Wyvern as well as the banners of St. Michael and the Raven.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Robert did so to emphasize his hold on Wessex and in that way the rule of all England as impersonated in Alfred the Great and was supported in this by Godwin. As the other high nobility of Saxon origin had been shuffled away from power there was little opposition to this.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]To please the Church and to keep in line of his fathers he flew the banner of St. Michael and used the Raven banner to placate the Danish, if mostly traditional at this time.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the years to follow Robert would also have his attention drawn toward the continent in an effort to continue the work initiated by King Thorgils: to ring in the North Sea as an English lake. He continued the support of his uncle Baldwin, count of Flanders and Floris, count of Holland against the Emperor and the Duke of Normandy.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]This was in part due to his marriage to Ida daughter of Duke Teodoric II of Upper Lorraine – a move seen by Teodoric to end hostilities between the two kings and by Svend Crusader to forge an alliance with Lorraine once again to gain the upper hand on the Emperor.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But Teodoric in his old age had become a peaceful man and just wanted to run his estates and stay out of trouble.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]So not bringing any real alliance against the Emperor the marriage brought great comfort to Robert in that it was blessed with much offspring – four sons and five daughters. Suitable arrangements had to be made to secure their future.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The French struggles of King and nobility for supremacy would go on unimpeded during the reign of King Robert. At times, like early in his reign, Robert would take part as ally of the French King.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Another to take part in this seemingly endless struggle count Baldwin of Flanders dies in battle against the Duke of Normandy and name King Robert to inherit his county as the count himself had no issue. Robert would ascend the throne in his third year as King.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Floris II, Count of Holland and close ally of King Robert die some years later. As his son Floris was but seven years old his government was entrusted to his mother and King Robert as guardians. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In this capacity Robert would support Duke Lothair of Saxony in his successful struggle for the German throne.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The year after the death of count Floris Earl Otto of East Anglia and Middle Peoples dies lifting off a burden and bringing and end to the frequent nobility rebellions fuelled by Otto and Ulf.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At long last firmly in the saddle Robert decided to repay the steadfast support of the Church by going in the footsteps of his father. Having the Archbishop of York ask the new Pope Honorius II to call a crusade against the vile heathen pagans of Wends and Balts that was raiding the shores of Svear, Göter and Danes, pillaging, raping, killing and taking good Christians for selling as slaves. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As Emperor Henry died the way to the throne was clear for Duke Lothair. Roberts ally would reconcile with the Church furthering the way for the crusade in the North. Lothair himself being a north German had an immediate interest in this.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the remaining 18 years of rule King Robert would frequently send out crusades against the Wends and Balts, at times in corporation with the Emperor or the Swedish rulers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But Robert would also please the Church by founding new abbey's to the honour of St. Michael and build churches and cathedrals.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At Christmas in the last year of his reign King Robert of England and Denmark, count of Flanders dies.[/FONT]
 
The language is pretty much Old English i.e. Anglo-Saxon with a touch of Danish generally but mostly in the old Danelaw area.
The written language is Old English. Did some of it in the 1067 entry on Lawmaking Svend Estridsen having the Danish law written in Old English.

AFAIK Old English and Old Danish didn't differ much, at least the two were mutually understandable so its not that much of influence as of a merger.
But written language would definately be Old English.

The situation in Denmark would be different with influences of both Norwegian and Old English - as well as German/Saxon and some Slavic from Wends raiders. Apparently a few Wends placenames have stayed put in Lolland and Falster but have changed into a Danish form.
But pretty much I assume those living there would be able to speak with the English even if their dialect would become more distinct in years.
 
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Into the abyss (1139-50)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As soon as King Robert had passed away and the news had travelled his lands the issue of succession was raised by Earl Benedikt of East Anglia and Middle Peoples supported by his brother Otto.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Robert had named his eldest son Svend successor to the lands but even in the royal family there was no will to agree as his younger sons Robert and Ulf opposed Svend and the second brother Teodoric tried to mediate the brothers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Earl Godwin of Northumbria had long since passed away but the Godwinsons still supported the royal house impersonated by Earl Harold of Northumbria.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Earl Thorgils of Denmark was at this point neutral considering himself loyal to the King, but the lack of succession would leave him in doubt.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In Germany the succession of Emperor Lothair and following civil war would make for a power vacuum in a large part of Europe or rather serve as an opportunity for a number of powerful magnates to assert themselves as the most powerful would strive for control of the Empire.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]This situation also provided a window for Earl Thorgils of Denmark to assure conquests on the Baltic shores for the English crown (or Danish?) as the Saxons were out of the picture being one of the major players for power in the Empire.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Having no King to make his new subjects swear allegiance to Thorgils made them swear to himself. From this day onwards the road to slip off the English embrace was short.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The only thing to impede Thorgils was the dwindling of English reinforcements for the Crusade, but this was a minor impediment at the time being. The possibility of pillage and plunder as well as winning souls for the Church and personal absolution was a strong motivator for many an Englishman be he freeman, thane or clergy.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]King Conrad 3 of Germany finally come to terms with the Welfs making Henry Lion Duke of Saxony.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Byzantine raid on the crusader princes of Edessa and Antioc is creating an outrage in England. The Greeks have offended the Crusader! [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]For a moment the English civil war is about to come to a halt as a few thanes declare their will to go defend the western princes of the Holy land. But the few never make it to a movement and the civil war rages on.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The conquest of Edessa by Zengi makes for another wave of freemen and nobility vowing to take the cross. This time the number is so large as to make a lull in the civil war.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In France and the Empire the news also make for agitation to take the cross and liberate Edessa.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In a few years more and more of the French, Imperial and English nobility decide to take the cross.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At this time the English civil war had cost the lives of Earl Benedikt of East Anglia and Middle Peoples as well as princes Svend and Ulf.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]To make for stability, at least as long as the Crusade would last prince Theodoric was elected King of England due to his efforts to reconciliate the warring parties but to a large part due to the staunch support of Earl Harold Godwinson. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Earl Thorgils of Denmark at this time enjoyed virtual independence in all but name and was rumoured only to attend the Witangemot because of family relationship![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Others not attending the Witangemot was the King of Scotland and counts of Holland. The Welsh had risen in revolt years before during the civil war.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The power of England was in a sorry state.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Three armies – French, English and Imperial - leave their home and move towards the Holy land. Only King Louis 7 of France would remain at home due to his distrust of his vassals should he go overseas.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The French and Imperial armies travel over land through Anatolia and is severely battered during their march. The English army move as usual across the sea and land rather unscathed in the Holy land; even so it is the smallest of the three but contain a rather large part of the civil war contenders as both Theodoric and his younger brothers Robert and Ulf and their ally Earl Otto was part of it.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the gaze of Christianity was set upon the East King Roger 2 of Sicily, having been recognized as such by Pope Innocens 2 in 1139, would take advantage of the situation and raid Byzantine Greece.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Crusade had other ramifications as the Saxons got a breathing space to get their own crusade going on the Wends. Now in competition with Earl Thorgils who was robbed of English troops and had to in several instances to yield gains to the Saxon “Big Brother”.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the French and Imperial armies at long last were able to arrive in the Holy land the English had acquainted themselves of the situation and this as well as the inherent hostility of the Imperial leader King Conrad served to confuse matters and made for an uncoordinated half hearted assault on Damascus which turned into a virtual rout.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Following defeat the Christian princes once again left the Holy land to fend for itself.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As a reward to the English King Pope Eugenius III canonize King Svend Crusader as Saint Svend Crusader. A great feast is held in Winchester Cathedral in which the bones of King Svend Crusader is taken from the sarcophagus and placed in a richly decorated shrine of gold the insides linen with purple velvet.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But as soon as the festival was over the civil war would flare up once again. Nobody would let themselves fall to the illusion of days past of the Crusader and within a week King Theodoric was assassinated.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Realizing that the royals had secured their position in society with the canonization of the Crusader Earl Harold Godwinson decided to back the deceased prince Svend's infant son Robert and in the process get rid of the other claimants to the throne.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]His actions even if in the interest of the Kingdom would forever earn him the nickname of “Blood-Harold” and invoke the anger of the Church as princes Robert and Ulf and Earl Otto was all murdered in York Cathedral during Easter having been called there by Harold for putting an end to the strife.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Excommunicated Earl Harold Godwinson would see infant prince Robert, crowned King of England in a few days following the killing off of the pretenders, grow into adulthood.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]If the past years had been a time of strife, war and crusade it had also seen the beginning of the translation of classic Greek works like those of Aristotle into Latin making these available again to the West.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But also the arrival of Bogomil preachers in Languedoc would serve to change the map of France as they stirred up heresy by fuelling the movement to be known as Albigensians or Kathars.[/FONT]
 
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Europe 1150[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Scandinavia and the Baltics[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Norway has been engulfed in recurring civil wars since the death of King Sigur in 1134. This happy state of affair's have provided a breathing space in the British Isles, but more on this later.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Consumed in their own business the Norwegians is no way able to direct the state of affairs in Scandinavia. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Being just as occupied on the Baltic seashore the Danes, ruled de facto by Earl Thorgils, have no resources free to interfere in othern Scandinavian businesses. The main adversary's to the Danes are the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion, who robbed of any opportunity of getting near the Imperial throne throws his resources into competition with the Danes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Thorgils robbed of English resources have to rely on what Denmark can provide and the occasional English crusader arriving at Jomsborg/Kammin in Pomerania.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Even as Thorgils was enjoying de facto independence Blood Harold and others of the ruling establishment of England haven't forgotten that the local Wends lords had pleged themselves subjects of King Robert and the action of Thorgils having new subject lords swear to him personally is not taken lightly. But at the time being no resources are available to punist Thorgils as he should be.[/FONT]





[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In Sweden the petty kingdoms are very much alive thanks to absence of Danish and Norwegian interference. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]West Götaland (OTL at this time a Danish fief) is a player along Svear and East Götaland.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Having no access to the Baltic the West Götar are free of Wends and Batlic raids and with their port at the mouth of Götaelv they are well placed to act overseas. Internal waterways also provide for swift transport.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the Kievian Russian Empire falls apart West Götaland takes up the traditional connection to the Principality of Novgorod by royal marrige. Also Eastern Orthodox clergy is allowed access to West Götaland as was the case before the coming of the Catholics.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Generally West Götaland is reaping benefits of the situation.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]East Götaland and Svear are another story as they sit with their backs to the wall, Svear in effect as between too nails as they have to endure the occasional Norvegian raid when there is a lull in the Norwegian civil war.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Both petty Kingdoms is severely raided by Wends and Balts and the East Götar have the added responsibility of defending Gotland as stipulated in the treaty laid down half a century before. But all the East Götar wants is getting out. But the riches of Gotland can't buy the necessary ships and troops needed at the time.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Gotland is the jewel of the Baltic. Its riches being earned on trade with anybody in the area wanting to do so, its merchants travelling all the ways of old: England, Frisia, Russia, the Caliphate, Byzantium and of course any Scandinavian and Baltic country.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The walls of its centre Visby is found to be in-conquerable and the harbour a forest of masts.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But its weaknesses lies in lack of numbers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The English king had been a good choice in protecting the trade of the Baltic being far away but wielding immense power and able to project it! The ones close to the Baltic are less of Gotland interest as they might get the wrong idea of wanting Gotland and its riches to be part of their Kingdom. East Götaland had only been an emergency relief until the right protector had show himself, and only then had the Gotland merchants themselves realized this.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But now times are much more dangerous and the potential powerful allies all engulfed in internal strife. New paths have to be thread and envoys are sent from Visby to the trading cities of HREGN: Lübeck (just founded a few decades ago but already flourishing), Hamburg and Bremen. To Novgorod and the English trading posts on the Baltic river mouths of Memel, Dvina and Narva as well as Reval. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The object? To establish a merchant run union of self-protecting trade cities wealthy enough to buy their own protection and eager to keep their wealth to themselves and not share it with some greedy Duke or King.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At a meeting in Lübeck this summer the Visby merchants are able to talk the other cities into their scheme of forming a practical union based on self interest and common need for protection of the trade routes and the cities. The union is termed Hanse in German, common tongue for the merchants of the Baltic of the day, and the role of Visby is played down in order to secure the support of the others. But a great diplomatic victory it is to the Gotland merchants and many a toast is drunk when they return, document in hand![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](I've tried to find who and when the Hanse was built. I haven't been able to find a specific year or date but the North German cities was party to it in the early 12. century as was Visby of Gotland. But this is of course my interpretation of when and why it came about. Any clearing up on this will by greatly appreciated – but won't change anything in TTL!)[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The British Isles[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Apart from England now ruled by the excommunicated Earl Harold Godwinson of Northumbria, having been so by his decision to kill off all the adult male members of the royal family in the Cathedral of York during the Easter meeting he himself had called to end the royal civil war, the British Isles is host to many a petty Kingdom especially in Ireland but also in Scotland where every magnate take the opportunity of making himself independent in light of the weaknesses of Norwegian and Scots royal authority.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Scots King David had received the blessing of King Robert at the death of King Alexander's 1124; in the day a proven warrior was seemed the right choice against the strong Norwegian pressure on Scotland and Alexander's illegitimate son Malcolm was pushed aside. Now Malcolm felt his time had arrived, allied himself to several petty kings and marched on David, who robbed of English resources had to yield but kept the crown for the time being.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Norwegians still being soaked up in civil war for succession which at times will drag the Norwegian lords of Scotland to Norway is providing a breathing space for David to concentrate on other enemies.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Welsh still being in rebellion had made Deheubart de facto independent once again and had called for aid from their kin in Ireland.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Other petty kings weren't as lucky as the Irish when not infighting took up their old habit of looting their neighbours across the Irish Sea adding to the discomfort of everybody not least King David of Scotland but also his adversary's.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Western Europe[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the Iberian Peninsular the Reconqista went on as it had for two and a half centuries. Of English interest was the fate or rather expansion of the Kingdom of Aragon to the shores of the Ebro and Tajo Rivers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ever since the marriage of Estrid, daughter of King Svend and his consort Matilda in 1073 to King Sancho Ramirez of Aragon and Navarra a small detachment of Englishmen, Danes and Anglo-Saxons alike, had fought there in the honour of Estrid and the Church. But now their numbers had dwindled to just a handful of knights and their retinue. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Flying the banner of St. Michael this group of dedicated knight would centuries later give rise to a common misconception that an English Religious Knights Order had been instated in the early 12. century. Its members it was claimed was present in the Baltic, the Holy Land itself as well as in Iberia always at the forefront of battle.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The intermarrying of the Aragonese and English royal families had given new vitality to the Aragonese royal house. The fertility of the Sven dynasty was certainly found in both male and female members and Estrid had been no exception to the rule. Rapidly the couple was blessed by Ramiro, Esveno (of the difficulties in tranlating Sven into Spanish), Alphonso, Isabel and Matilda.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ramiro would follow his father on the throne 1094 and rule for more than thirty years. His offspring numbered among others a Sancho, Ramon, Esveno and others. He had married a daughter of the Count of Barcelona to create an alliance. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The house of Aragon would not at this time make a fusion with the Barcelona counts.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]France at this time was just as fractured as it had been since its invention and this had served to keep King Louis 7. from joining in on the Second Crusade. His abstaining had been much repudiated by the Church but in the wake of the disastrous outcome of said Crusade he was to be praised for his interpretation of the situation, by any but his magnates![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The influx of Bogomil preachers into Languedoc was just one of Louis' many worries.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Another was the Duke of Normandy still a nuisance even after the departure from this world of the Bishop Odo of Bayeux in 1101.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Duchy of Normandy had been the cause of unrest almost since its invention and the issue of Duke William the Bastard hadn't served to calm it. Following in his father's footsteps Duke Robert Curthose had been a constant threat to the stability of the Kingdom even passing into the eighties but his son William inheriting the title in 1142 was generally unlucky in his endeavours even if his activities served to constantly keep the Kings attention away from other issues. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]More than once had the King of England had to fulfil his alliance obligations to the King of France.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Even if these obligations was a drain on resources they managed to keep the English nobility occupied and not be a threat to the King. Things as happening in other places of Europe was not pleasant to a Monarch.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the HREGN Conrad 3. is able to hold the reins until his death in 1152. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Duke Henry the Lion is occupied in carving out new territories on the Baltic shores in competition with the Danes.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Eastern Europe[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Poland following the death of Boleslaw Wrymouth in 1138 had been divided among his four sons and ceased for the time being to be a power to be reckoned with.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the far East the Russian Principalities warred among themselves and occasionally fought the Poles, Cumans and Volga Bulgars.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The approach of the West Götar towards the Principality of Novgorod served to orient this somewhat towards the Baltic and west, especially in light of the riches to be gained from trade in the Baltic and adjacent waters.[/FONT]
 
And just to make things clear, Europe 1150:

Europe 1150lrdk.png
 
Just a little less than OTL - mostly the Billung March.
The English have taken the Pomerania. And been able to hold due to greater resources than the Danes OTL had.
 
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