The Raven of the East

[Cambyses]

This is a well thought out idea. I suppose the Seljuks are going to eventually conquer Egypt, right?

Thanks. It looks pretty likely at the moment. The Fatmids are in complete disarray. They were in OTL as well, but the Sejuks decided to push into Anatolia instead, because it's defences were severely weakened under Doukas.

ITTL, of course, they remain relatively strong for the moment.

 

[JEDLC]

New member of AH.com and I just want to say this is really awesome
and subscribed.

I am especially curious how the United church will react to future situations.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

Thanks. It looks pretty likely at the moment. The Fatmids are in complete disarray. They were in OTL as well, but the Sejuks decided to push into Anatolia instead, because it's defences were severely weakened under Doukas.

ITTL, of course, they remain relatively strong for the moment.

Well I do hope for some more in the near or distant future. This is the sort of work that I would like to see more of in the pre-1900 section.

 

[Cambyses]

New member of AH.com and I just want to say this is really awesome
and subscribed.

I am especially curious how the United church will react to future situations.

Well I do hope for some more in the near or distant future. This is the sort of work that I would like to see more of in the pre-1900 section.

Thanks guys. I'll do another update in the next few days.

The United Church is going to be interesting, I have some stuff planned...

 

[Wendell]

This is rather good thus far, and the consequences will be interesting far beyond the Church.

 

[Malta]

Go Forth and Conquer

 

[Darth_Kiryan]

Irregardless of the way things are looking atm, it doers seem - to me - that the Emperor will side with the political faction, whilst the patriarch will side with Hadraada.

 

[Cambyses]

1063 ad

Bela of Hungary dies. His Nephew Solomon is rightful king by birth and attempts to press his claim. Bela's son Geza attempts to claim the crown for himself. Popular feeling in Hungary is primarily behind Geza, however Solomon is able to acquire financial support from the Rus, and gathers a sizable force.

Hardrada begins to use the Imperial Guard to make it difficult for the court faction to gain unrestricted access to the Emperor. Psellos counters by relasing a damning written condemnation of Hardrada, calling him a 'pagan barbarian with a lust for gold and power'.

Thorfinn the Mighty, Jarl of Orkney, requests aid from Sweyn II in his war with the Scots. Sweyn agrees on conditon that the Jarl accept the investiture of a Bishop in Orkney. Thorfinn accepts and is loaned a considerable number of troops.

1064 ad

Geza destroys Solomon's army after a large battle near Bihar. Solomon flees into exile. After the battle Geza refuses to grant his brother Ladislaus a fair share of the captured treasure Solomon had been using to finace his army.

Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, is shipwrecked on the coast of Normandy. He is rescued by William the Bastard and coerced into swearing on sacred relics to support Willam's claim to the English throne on the death of the current King, Edward.

Members of the Byzantine court faction lead by the influential eunuch Nikephoritzes, frustrated by the ongoing stalemate, attempt to secure the treasury and are stopped by the Imperial Guard. Despite not codoning such rash action Psellos is attributed a significant amount of blame as de facto leader of the court faction. The Patriarch chooses to break his silence and manages to broker a peace. Under the terms of the agreement Hardrada abandons his costly efforts to rebuild the Armenian Militia, whilst the court faction agrees not to further degrade the defenses of the frontier. Psellos retires from court and immerses himself in philosophy at the University.

Thorfinn the Mighty dies. His sons Paul and Erlend take command of his forces and launche an offensive against Malcom III of the Scots.

Alp Arslan leaves Syria and the levant to his lieutenants and heads east to attend to a border dispute with the Ghaznavid Empire.

 

[MerryPrankster]

Now that I can comment, I will...

Without the Armenian militias, what kind of defenses are extant in the Anatolian frontier? And have the Turkomans been raiding?

And I remember you said 1066 would be a significant year. With the whole swearing on relics thing, I imagine William is going to try to pull something, but without Harald Hardrada, Harold Godwinsson's army is going to be at full strength (not tired, archers, etc).

Hastings was a near-run OTL, so if we get roughly the same circumstances and no Norwegian invasion, Harold is going to win this one.

Of course, things might go entirely differently. But please don't simply substitute someone else for Harald (like the Danish claimant) and have Hastings occur largely per OTL. That'd be rather weak.

 

[Tapirus Augustus]

I'm really enjoying this TL, keep up the good work. Is there any chance that Harald will attempt to make good on his claim to Norway?

 

[Cambyses]

Now that I can comment, I will...

Without the Armenian militias, what kind of defenses are extant in the Anatolian frontier? And have the Turkomans been raiding?

And I remember you said 1066 would be a significant year. With the whole swearing on relics thing, I imagine William is going to try to pull something, but without Harald Hardrada, Harold Godwinsson's army is going to be at full strength (not tired, archers, etc).

Hastings was a near-run OTL, so if we get roughly the same circumstances and no Norwegian invasion, Harold is going to win this one.

Of course, things might go entirely differently. But please don't simply substitute someone else for Harald (like the Danish claimant) and have Hastings occur largely per OTL. That'd be rather weak.

There should be some defences in the East; border forts and whatnot, but it's still pretty weak. The Turkomans haven't launched any significant raids yet (they only started in 1064 or so IOTL). A Seljuk-Byzantine war could still happen, though Arslan now has to concern himself with Egypt too.

William has problems. Not only is Hardrada not there to weaken Godwinson, but in OTL he depended heavily on papal support to raise the troops for his invasion. ITTL the Pope is currently a Byzantine puppet, and the Byzantines recognise Hardrada as Megas Doux of all 'Varangia'. William does, however, have around a thousand veteran soldiers that Guiscard brought with him.

Sweyn II does have a claim, a far stronger one than Hardrada, but he also has to be careful about overextending himself, especially with trouble brewing in Sweden. He invaded England IOTL, so the intent is certainly there.

I'm really enjoying this TL, keep up the good work. Is there any chance that Harald will attempt to make good on his claim to Norway?

Thanks. It's a possibility, but you have to remember he's pretty old now (48) and very firmly entrenched in the Byzantine court.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

I can't honestly comment on much due to my lack of knowledge in this era of history, save that it was a satisfying update and I hope for more in the near future.

 

[MerryPrankster]

Thanks. It's a possibility, but you have to remember he's pretty old now (48) and very firmly entrenched in the Byzantine court.

One of his kids, maybe? If it's someone unlikely to inherit Harald's position in the Byzantine Empire, they might get a bit itchy.

It'd be hilarious if it was the daughter named for the Empress. Some kind of RL Asha Greyjoy would be cool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shieldmaiden
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Asha_Greyjoy

Of course, don't sacrifice plausibility for Rule of Cool. This isn't the Drakaverse. Plus Harald's daughter would no doubt make a very nice bargaining chip for political alliances and Harald would keep a close eye on her.

 

[Cambyses]

One of his kids, maybe? If it's someone unlikely to inherit Harald's position in the Byzantine Empire, they might get a bit itchy.

It'd be hilarious if it was the daughter named for the Empress. Some kind of RL Asha Greyjoy would be cool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shieldmaiden
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Asha_Greyjoy

Of course, don't sacrifice plausibility for Rule of Cool. This isn't the Drakaverse. Plus Harald's daughter would no doubt make a very nice bargaining chip for political alliances and Harald would keep a close eye on her.

Harald's children have spent their whole lives in the Empire, and are pretty well integrated. They're also pretty well placed for political marriages thanks to their Rus royal blood and Harald's relationship with the Doukids.

 

[stevep]

There should be some defences in the East; border forts and whatnot, but it's still pretty weak. The Turkomans haven't launched any significant raids yet (they only started in 1064 or so IOTL). A Seljuk-Byzantine war could still happen, though Arslan now has to concern himself with Egypt too.

It could be that with a more powerful military, especially in terms of some political power to reduce the weakening of the army, once the attacks occur then there will be a position to restore the militias. Or failing that at least be able to stop a major invasion, especially if they can avoid the treason and infighting. [Although since this is Byzantium that disappearing altogether would be ASB.]

William has problems. Not only is Hardrada not there to weaken Godwinson, but in OTL he depended heavily on papal support to raise the troops for his invasion. ITTL the Pope is currently a Byzantine puppet, and the Byzantines recognise Hardrada as Megas Doux of all 'Varangia'. William does, however, have around a thousand veteran soldiers that Guiscard brought with him.

Not to mention the original POD is early enough that things could change massively in both England and Normandy. If you avoid one of Harold's brothers being held hostage in Normandy then you might avoid him falling into William's grubby hands. Which would avoid the alleged forced oath.

Sweyn II does have a claim, a far stronger one than Hardrada, but he also has to be careful about overextending himself, especially with trouble brewing in Sweden. He invaded England IOTL, so the intent is certainly there.

Without Harald in Norway what is happening there and in it's relations with Denmark? OTL Harald was raiding Denmark most years. There may be wars but without him the dynamic could be vastly different. Not to mention that I think Harald had to overthrow a rival who had deposed his family, when he returned to Norway.

Thanks. It's a possibility, but you have to remember he's pretty old now (48) and very firmly entrenched in the Byzantine court.

That relieves one danger. Had been fearing that he would still return to Norway, with even greater wealth and influence and play a similar role to OTL. Possibly even turning up later and being the last one standing.

Steve

 

[Cambyses]

It could be that with a more powerful military, especially in terms of some political power to reduce the weakening of the army, once the attacks occur then there will be a position to restore the militias. Or failing that at least be able to stop a major invasion, especially if they can avoid the treason and infighting. [Although since this is Byzantium that disappearing altogether would be ASB.]

It's a possibility. Harald's been involved in some court infighting, but he's over the crest of that for now.

Not to mention the original POD is early enough that things could change massively in both England and Normandy. If you avoid one of Harold's brothers being held hostage in Normandy then you might avoid him falling into William's grubby hands. Which would avoid the alleged forced oath.

It was Godwinson himself that was William's 'guest'. I didn't want to change that.

Without Harald in Norway what is happening there and in it's relations with Denmark? OTL Harald was raiding Denmark most years. There may be wars but without him the dynamic could be vastly different. Not to mention that I think Harald had to overthrow a rival who had deposed his family, when he returned to Norway.

Without Harald to take over from his nephew as King of Norway the Norwegians were disunited and lost their war with Denmark. The King of Denmark (nephew of Cnut the Great) has taken the country.

 

[MerryPrankster]

Harald's children have spent their whole lives in the Empire, and are pretty well integrated. They're also pretty well placed for political marriages thanks to their Rus royal blood and Harald's relationship with the Doukids.

True. However, they'd still have the claim to the Norwegian throne and someone might rather reign in hell than serve in heaven, so to speak.

Heck, maybe the Doukids lose out on a civil war and need to flee somewhere. One of them is married to Harald's daughter and ends up in Norway.

Some Byzantine noble being prince-consort of a Viking state would be downright hilarious. Bonus points if the resulting dynasty has a Greek name.

 

[Cambyses]

True. However, they'd still have the claim to the Norwegian throne and someone might rather reign in hell than serve in heaven, so to speak.

Heck, maybe the Doukids lose out on a civil war and need to flee somewhere. One of them is married to Harald's daughter and ends up in Norway.

Some Byzantine noble being prince-consort of a Viking state would be downright hilarious. Bonus points if the resulting dynasty has a Greek name.

That isn't what I was thinking of, but it is quite funny, I might well consider it!

 

[MerryPrankster]

That isn't what I was thinking of, but it is quite funny, I might well consider it!

What were you thinking of? Perhaps we could compare them, or combine them.

If they're spoilery, PM to me to avoid tipping off the readership.

Don't forget, plausibility before Rule Of Cool.

 

[Cambyses]

What were you thinking of? Perhaps we could compare them, or combine them.

If they're spoilery, PM to me to avoid tipping off the readership.

Don't forget, plausibility before Rule Of Cool.

Worry not. It should be revealed in the next update. Harald's daughter is 15 now, which is perfectly marriageable age for this time.