The Palace has Fallen: A Timeline Without Charlemagne
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The Chronicles: The War of the Bees
Francia at the beginning of the Frankish Warring States Period, 783
For three hundred years the Franks had stood strong as the most powerful people west of Constantinople. The eighth century saw this status quo decimated in the time period that would come to be called the 'Half-Century's Anarchy'. This name was not entirely accurate- the post-civil war majordomos still held significant power over the nobility, though the position's elective nature made Ragenfrid II (whose reign spanned much of the time period) too apprehensive to truly utilize this. Ragenfrid II was damned in the memories of many Franks for centuries due to his loss of Burgundy, but he managed to hold the peace his brother had fought for together for decades, and was able to withstand the raids of Saxons and Frisians alike. It was not until the reign of Grimoald of Anjou that Francia truly fell apart. Grimoald was more than willing to use his powers against the nobility, but his constant attacks on the nobles, as well as his paranoia, left him without allies and powerless to stop the coup against him. Thierry IV was a more than capable ruler, having proven himself in his decades of ruling Autun. Unfortunately for him, his reign as majordomo was marred by constant warfare. Most of his time as mayor of the palace was spent desperately fighting against Widukind's army. Thierry IV would never live to see the peace he fought for, dying at the Battle of Yonne in 783.
The Battle of Yonne saved the Franks, but doomed Francia. The battle, a last stand against the pagan invaders, saw the death of not only Thierry, but the passing of king Dagobert IV as well. As the battle ended, it became clear that Francia's future was in jeopardy. There was no heir of majority, and the Scattering of the Heirs had seen the princes spread throughout Francia. With multiple claimants to the majordomate, the last remnant of Frankish authority, weakened by Grimoald's corruption and Widukind's invasion, collapsed. Thus began the period known as The Frankish Warring States. Autun, Maine, Brittany, Anjou and Vexin all laid claim to the palace of the Franks- each hoping to reclaim the glory of Clovis' empire. The first three years of the Frankish Warring States period passed fairly uneventfully. Conflict between the duchies was limited to border skirmishes and raids, with Autun and Anjou seeking to end the conflict peacefully. In 786 Vexin, Anjou and Autun combined their forces to fight off Grimr's attempt to capture Paris.
The Frankish Warring States in 787, after Judoc's conquest of Maine.
But by 787 the the time for peace had passed. With several of the princes reaching adulthood, the stakes were raised. It began with a wedding. Joveta, Dagobert's daughter and one of two royal children spirited away by Judoc of Brittany, had reached majority and married the Breton chieftain Morman. Richer of Maine, who had previously been discussing a marriage between his son and Joveta, was outraged, and objected to the match, claiming that Judoc had no authority to make such an arrangement. Richer gathered his army and marched against Judoc with the goal of freeing Joveta and Eberulf from Breton captivity. There was no love lost between Richer and the other Frankish remnants, and the duke of Maine found himself outnumbered and surrounded quite swiftly. By the end of the year the duchy had lost nearly all of its territory to the Bretons. Later that same year, Guillaume of Autun took advantage of a massive Saxon raid to attack Vexin. Guillaume's forces captured territory from the south of the duchy, ostensibly for the protection of the Franks living there.However, the defeats of Maine and Vexin shifted the balance of power in Francia, and it was clear that there would be much more blood spilt before the conflict was resolved.
The next conflict in the Frankish Warring States period was in 790. The conflict saw duke Lothar of Anjou overrun the last remnants of Richer's duchy, slaying the duke of Maine and condemning the accused pretender Theoderic V to a monastery.
In 792, Theodoric, Grimr and Dragovit once more attempted to subdue the Franks under pagan yoke. Much of Vexin fell to the pagan invaders, who soon turned their forces on the duchy of Autun. Guillaume, aided by the Bavarians in return for his support of the Bavarian Pope, managed to stem the tide at the Battle of the Seine. With the Bavarians pressuring the pagans from the south, Guillaume recaptured much of what had been the Duchy of Vexin. In 798, Guillaume sent an envoy to Theodoric, offering a peace agreement between Theodoringia and Autun. The Peace of the Rhine was accepted by the Saxon king, setting the border between Theodoringia and Autun and establishing a small tribute from Autun in return for protection from the Saxons as well as Seineland and Wuchodol. Despite the treaty, Guillaume nevertheless continued his policy of fortifying the border with Theodoringia, never really trusting the Saxons to keep their word. The Bavarians had been willing to take back Vexin, but the rest of Francia was a prize the kingdom was not willing to vie for at the moment.
The Frankish Warring States in 800
The War Banner of the Duchy of Autun. The large bee in the center represents the Merovingian monarchy and the majrodomate, while the four smaller bees represent the nobility of Francia. (I made this one myself!)
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Cuāuhtemōc
Banned
Vikings came in and sliced off a piece of Aquitaine for themselves dubbed Garonland.
And before that Aquitaine had taken in Berber mercenaries when the Berber revolt in Iberia was crushed. Eventually Aquitaine tried to eject them, but the Berbers started fighting. I think it was the area the Berbers originally took over that the vikings conquered.
I wonder if the Vikings and the Berbers will merge to make one new Barbary/Viking nation. Should be itneresting to see.
I think they'd be the ones that would convert to Islam and it'd be interesting to see.
I knew about this part, it's the second one with the vikings appearing mid update that shocked me. But I now remember we mentioned it earlier.
Somehow I doubt a culture that loves its alcohol and gambling will leap to adopt a religion that strictly prohibits both of those things.
BTW, love the timeline - I admittedly know jiggly squat about this era of western European politics but seeing the fragmentation in a non-Carolingian world is fascinating, no preexisting knowledge needed. Strong flag and map game too.
BTW, love the timeline - I admittedly know jiggly squat about this era of western European politics but seeing the fragmentation in a non-Carolingian world is fascinating, no preexisting knowledge needed. Strong flag and map game too.
I think Akitunniyya is the State the Berbers took from Aquitaine, not Garonland.
I'm personally looking forward to seeing how the name Garonland will change once the Vikings in charge "go native".
I'm personally looking forward to seeing how the name Garonland will change once the Vikings in charge "go native".
Miguel Lanius
Banned
I wonder what else they could adopt instead rather than Christianity?
Maybe some weird-ass form of Gnosticism that doesn't care about bodly purity? So eat, drink and be merry, because its just matter created by the Demiurge anyway. Be happy and stick it to the Demiurge
Could this be the timeline that will make it happen? I hope so.
How big is the muslim populstion in Akkitunia?
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The Chronicles: The Shield of Christendom
The collapse of Frankish power left many of their former vassals and tributaries abandoned by their suzerain. For the newly freed duchies and kingdoms it seemed that the time for their independence had come. But the new independence was a double-edged blade, and the encroachment of Muslims from the west and pagans from the east left many pining for the days of Frankish hegemony. The hope of 738 had been nearly extinguished. Provence had been shuffled between Arab, Burgundian and Lombard rule, suffering war each time their master changed. The Burgundians had failed to maintain a kingdom, splitting into realms too small to defend without outside support. The Occitans had proven adept only at making enemies. But there was still a kingdom in the west with power. A new protector for Christendom to replace the tired and bickering Franks. This was, of course, the Kingdom of Bavaria.
Bavaria's experience in the eighth century had been something of a journey of self-discovery. Duke Odilo had led his people through the turbulent Frankish Civil War and shortly thereafter turned his attention to the south, pushing back the Avars and beginning the incorporation of Croatia. Odilo's eyes were on the Mediterranean- the great sea had been the seat of Carthage, Rome, Byzantium, and now the growing power of the Lombards. It was in the Adriatic, Odilo believed, that Bavaria's power would be found. But Bavaria's fate would soon shift drastically.
In 752 Bavaria was facing problems. Pagan practices in the hinterlands were an uncommon but not unheard of occurrence. Frankish raiders were attacking from the west as well, and Francia was undergoing its last period of power before it's total collapse under Widukind's invasion. And while the Lombards claimed to desire peace with Bavaria, the actions of Lombard ships in the Adriatic told a different story. Finally, the nobility was turning to factionalism, the internal divisions among them exacerbated by the Croatian integration. It was in this climate that the cardinals of Rome came to Odilo. Driven from the Eternal City by Desiderius' soldiers, they denounced the puppet Pope Phillip and claimed the title of Bishop of Rome for Stephen II. They came before Odilo to request sanctuary in his kingdom. Among their supporters was Boniface, the missionary who had spent much of his life preaching the word of Christ in Bavaria. A figure known and beloved throughout the duchy, Boniface promised an end to squabbling nobles. A king supporting the church and supported by the church. Temporal and spiritual power working in tandem. Odilo proved receptive to Bonfiace's proposal, and soon after the Mainz Papacy was established.
Bavaria and Lombardy found their relations strained by the beginning of the Bavarian Schism, and hostility between the two powers would only grow in the coming decades. In 760 Desiderius was proclaimed, by order of Pope Phillip, the new Western Roman Emperor. This decree placed all of the former Western Roman Empire's territories under Desiderius' theoretical control- including the now Bavarian Dalmatia. In response to the decree from Phillip, Stephen II denounced the elevation as illegitimate, and at the same time elevated the newly crowned duke Tasilo III to the rank of king, helping the young ruler cement his reign. King Tasilo came to the throne of Bavaria at a young age, succeeding his father Odilo. The first decade of his reign was a desperate attempt to prevent war between the Lombards and Bavarians, a noble effort that ultimately failed in its execution. His reign also marked the final defeat of the Avar Khaganate at the battle of Sisak in 762, which further bolstered the young king's support amongst the nobility. With the Avars defeated, Tasilo was able to devote more resources to securing the southern border with his father-in-law's empire.
The period between 762 and 768 was a time of relative peace for Bavaria. Relations with their neighbors, while not perfect, were better than they had been under Odilo. The half-decade of peace saw the growth of the Bavarian Papacy's power and influence in Bavarian society. New missions were constructed throughout Dalmatia and into Moravia, the latter being accompanied by forts to protect Bavaria's frontier. The clergy had a mutual understanding with Tasilo. The Papacy gave the king legitimacy, while the king gave the Papacy protection. As the home of the Bavarian Papacy, Mainz would attract priests and pilgrims from throughout the west who felt that the Lombard Pope was illegitimate. Some remained in Mainz or in other cities in Bavaria, while others returned home after making pilgrimage. None left without contributing to the church. With a growing talent pool and income from pilgrims as well as church lands, the Mainz Papacy grew more powerful and influential each day. By the end of the 760s, Mainz was at the center of a web a of religious institutions stretching from Bavaria to Northumbria.
But though the Papacy brought power and income to the Bavarian kingdom, it would also prove to be the cause of Bavaria's first decline. The religious tensions between Bavaria and Lombardy had been growing for decades, finally reaching a boiling point in 768 when the Schismatic's War began. For the next half decade Lombard and Bavarian blades would be locked in combat. Ultimately, Tasilo's fortifications on the southern border proved effective against the Lombards keeping them out of Bavaria proper. However, the fortifications in Dalmatia had been less successful. The region fell quickly to the Lombards, and remained in their hands after the war's end. At the same time, Widukind's armies pressed against Bavaria's northern border, and the Moravians chomped at the east. The post-war period saw a shift in Bavaria's goals and visions. Paul died in 772 and was succeeded by Adrian I, who wanted to continue the fight against the Lombards. However, the threat of Widukind necessitated an end to the conflict with Desiderius. Tasilo's dreams of recapturing Dalmatia were put on hold for the time being, as Widukind's hosts ran rampant along the northern border. The war against Widukind was long, and required vast sums of treasure to pay the army and mercenaries. Like before, much of these funds were taken from the church.
The war against Widukind ended in 783, and thus Bavaria began rebuilding. In 786 Adrian I died, succeeded by Arno, the Bishop of Salzburg, as Pope Alexander II. Alexander II turned both the Bavarian Papacy and the Bavarian Kingdom's focus to the north and east, away from the far more powerful Lombards. Tasilo listened and agreed. He saw a way to reclaim his honor after the series of defeats he had suffered throughout his reign. The Moravian Confederation was splintering under the assault of the Sorb adventurers, and their armies were weakened. In 787 Tasilo launched an invasion of Moravia, a war with the twin goals of stopping Moravian raiders and bringing the east under Christian control. The Moravians were driven from Bohemia in 790, and over the next decade the region was pacified by Bavarian might and Christian theology. The expansion into Bohemia did much to restore the favor of the nobility for the king, as new lands were distributed to both the nobles and the church. The victory in Bohemia marked the first defeat of pagans in their homeland since the rise of Widukind, and was seen as a sign of future victories throughout Christendom. For Bavaria specifically, it would prove to be the beginning of a new era.
Bavaria's experience in the eighth century had been something of a journey of self-discovery. Duke Odilo had led his people through the turbulent Frankish Civil War and shortly thereafter turned his attention to the south, pushing back the Avars and beginning the incorporation of Croatia. Odilo's eyes were on the Mediterranean- the great sea had been the seat of Carthage, Rome, Byzantium, and now the growing power of the Lombards. It was in the Adriatic, Odilo believed, that Bavaria's power would be found. But Bavaria's fate would soon shift drastically.
In 752 Bavaria was facing problems. Pagan practices in the hinterlands were an uncommon but not unheard of occurrence. Frankish raiders were attacking from the west as well, and Francia was undergoing its last period of power before it's total collapse under Widukind's invasion. And while the Lombards claimed to desire peace with Bavaria, the actions of Lombard ships in the Adriatic told a different story. Finally, the nobility was turning to factionalism, the internal divisions among them exacerbated by the Croatian integration. It was in this climate that the cardinals of Rome came to Odilo. Driven from the Eternal City by Desiderius' soldiers, they denounced the puppet Pope Phillip and claimed the title of Bishop of Rome for Stephen II. They came before Odilo to request sanctuary in his kingdom. Among their supporters was Boniface, the missionary who had spent much of his life preaching the word of Christ in Bavaria. A figure known and beloved throughout the duchy, Boniface promised an end to squabbling nobles. A king supporting the church and supported by the church. Temporal and spiritual power working in tandem. Odilo proved receptive to Bonfiace's proposal, and soon after the Mainz Papacy was established.
Bavaria and Lombardy found their relations strained by the beginning of the Bavarian Schism, and hostility between the two powers would only grow in the coming decades. In 760 Desiderius was proclaimed, by order of Pope Phillip, the new Western Roman Emperor. This decree placed all of the former Western Roman Empire's territories under Desiderius' theoretical control- including the now Bavarian Dalmatia. In response to the decree from Phillip, Stephen II denounced the elevation as illegitimate, and at the same time elevated the newly crowned duke Tasilo III to the rank of king, helping the young ruler cement his reign. King Tasilo came to the throne of Bavaria at a young age, succeeding his father Odilo. The first decade of his reign was a desperate attempt to prevent war between the Lombards and Bavarians, a noble effort that ultimately failed in its execution. His reign also marked the final defeat of the Avar Khaganate at the battle of Sisak in 762, which further bolstered the young king's support amongst the nobility. With the Avars defeated, Tasilo was able to devote more resources to securing the southern border with his father-in-law's empire.
The period between 762 and 768 was a time of relative peace for Bavaria. Relations with their neighbors, while not perfect, were better than they had been under Odilo. The half-decade of peace saw the growth of the Bavarian Papacy's power and influence in Bavarian society. New missions were constructed throughout Dalmatia and into Moravia, the latter being accompanied by forts to protect Bavaria's frontier. The clergy had a mutual understanding with Tasilo. The Papacy gave the king legitimacy, while the king gave the Papacy protection. As the home of the Bavarian Papacy, Mainz would attract priests and pilgrims from throughout the west who felt that the Lombard Pope was illegitimate. Some remained in Mainz or in other cities in Bavaria, while others returned home after making pilgrimage. None left without contributing to the church. With a growing talent pool and income from pilgrims as well as church lands, the Mainz Papacy grew more powerful and influential each day. By the end of the 760s, Mainz was at the center of a web a of religious institutions stretching from Bavaria to Northumbria.
But though the Papacy brought power and income to the Bavarian kingdom, it would also prove to be the cause of Bavaria's first decline. The religious tensions between Bavaria and Lombardy had been growing for decades, finally reaching a boiling point in 768 when the Schismatic's War began. For the next half decade Lombard and Bavarian blades would be locked in combat. Ultimately, Tasilo's fortifications on the southern border proved effective against the Lombards keeping them out of Bavaria proper. However, the fortifications in Dalmatia had been less successful. The region fell quickly to the Lombards, and remained in their hands after the war's end. At the same time, Widukind's armies pressed against Bavaria's northern border, and the Moravians chomped at the east. The post-war period saw a shift in Bavaria's goals and visions. Paul died in 772 and was succeeded by Adrian I, who wanted to continue the fight against the Lombards. However, the threat of Widukind necessitated an end to the conflict with Desiderius. Tasilo's dreams of recapturing Dalmatia were put on hold for the time being, as Widukind's hosts ran rampant along the northern border. The war against Widukind was long, and required vast sums of treasure to pay the army and mercenaries. Like before, much of these funds were taken from the church.
The war against Widukind ended in 783, and thus Bavaria began rebuilding. In 786 Adrian I died, succeeded by Arno, the Bishop of Salzburg, as Pope Alexander II. Alexander II turned both the Bavarian Papacy and the Bavarian Kingdom's focus to the north and east, away from the far more powerful Lombards. Tasilo listened and agreed. He saw a way to reclaim his honor after the series of defeats he had suffered throughout his reign. The Moravian Confederation was splintering under the assault of the Sorb adventurers, and their armies were weakened. In 787 Tasilo launched an invasion of Moravia, a war with the twin goals of stopping Moravian raiders and bringing the east under Christian control. The Moravians were driven from Bohemia in 790, and over the next decade the region was pacified by Bavarian might and Christian theology. The expansion into Bohemia did much to restore the favor of the nobility for the king, as new lands were distributed to both the nobles and the church. The victory in Bohemia marked the first defeat of pagans in their homeland since the rise of Widukind, and was seen as a sign of future victories throughout Christendom. For Bavaria specifically, it would prove to be the beginning of a new era.