Yaroslav the Wise is killed in 1018
- Thread starter lokaloki
- Start date
Chapter twenty two. The East in 1045.
Effects will appear after 1043 - when the Byzantium was attacked.
So, history of Armenia and Georgia before 1042 (included).
Armenia
In 966 Byzantium annexed the princedom of Taron. With the death of Ashot Bagratuni of Taron in 967, his sons were not able to withstand the pressure from the empire, which annexed their principality outright and converted it to a theme.
In three campaigns in 1001, 1014, and 1021 or 1022, Karin, Manazkert, as well as David's own hereditary principality of Tayk were annexed to the Byzantine empire as the Theme of Iberia with Karin (called Theodosiopolis by the Byzantines) as its capital.
In 1016, Senekerim-Hovhannes offered Basil II the lands of Vaspurakan in exchange for a vast domain farther west on the Byzantine territory centered on the city of Sebastia. Basil II reduced Vaspurakan to another Byzantine theme with Van as regional capital.
Only the Bagratuni and Eastern Syunik and Baghk kingdoms remaining independent.
After the death of King Gagik I (in 1017 or 1020), the kingdom of Bagratuni Armenia was split between his two sons Hovhannes-Smbat and Ashot IV the Brave. They fought throughout their lives. After the death of the two brothers in 1040-1041, the new Byzantine emperor and successor to Basil II claimed the kingdom of Bagratid Armenia.
Vest Sarkis, an Armenian pro-Byzantine prince, took over the city of Ani with Byzantine support. Byzantium sent a great army to the southern part of Armenia and at the same time convinced the Albanian king to attack Armenia from the east. At the fierce battle that was fought by the walls of Ani, Armenian general Vahram Pahlavuni heavily defeated the Byzantine army, forcing them to leave 20,000 dead behind. This victory allowed Vahram Pahlavuni along with Catholicos Petros Guedadarts to crown Gagik II king of Armenia and subsequently take the fortress of Ani, which was in the hands of Vest Sarkis. Sarkis ran away to the fortress of St. Mary and was eventually captured. After these victories, Vahram and the new Armenian king defeated an army of the Seljuk Turks and the security of the kingdom was temporarily restored.
Moreover, people of Kingdom of Vaspurakan formerly under the protection of the Byzantine Empire, rebelled. Gagik II helped them and the Turks were forced to retreat to Khoy and Salmas.
Small kingdoms:
In 961 Ashot III had sent his brother Mushegh I to rule in Kars (Vanand) and had allowed him to use the title of king. His successor, son Abbas I, died soon (984-989). Abbas II, the son of Abbas I, (984-1029) was rather powerful. His successor Gagik (1029-1065) after attacks of Seljiqs gave the kingdom to Byzantium. First raid was in 1054.
In 979 AD Smbat II gave the province of Lori to his brother Kiurike I with the title of King. Kiurike died in 989, his son, David I Anhoghin, succeeded him. Successful fought against Muslims. In 1041 and 1042 unsuccessful tried to capture Ani.
In 987 Sembat became the king of Syunik. In 1040 Sembat II became the king, fought against Musims emirate of Dvin. About 1044 was succeeded his brother Grigor, who was the ally of Lori.
Georgia
In 1008, after the death of Gurgen, Bagrat become the first king of a unified realm of Abkhazia and Kartli. Bagrat annexed Kakheti in or about 1010. Bagrat III died in 1014.
His son, Giorgi, inherited kingdoms of Abkhazia, Kartli and Kakheti united into a single state of Georgia. But Kvirike I took control of the neighboring region of Heretihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereti and declared himself King of Kakheti and Hereti. Giorgi allied with him. Grigori occupied Tao in 1015–1016. Basil led his army against Georgia in 1021. An exhausting war lasted for two years, and ended in a decisive Byzantine victory, forcing Giorgi to agree to a peace treaty, in which he had not only to abandon his claims to Tao, but to surrender several of his southwestern possessions to Basil, and to give his three-year-old son, Bagrat, as hostage. Giorgi died in 1027.
(Bagrat)
His son, Bagrat, aged eight, succeeded to the throne. Queen Dowager Mariam became a regent for his underage son. She shared the regency with the grandees, particularly Liparit IV, Duke of Trialeti, and Ivane, Duke of Kartli.
Liparit's successful resistance to the invading Byzantine troops in 1028 and a victorious campaign against the Shaddadid dynasty of Arran in 1034 made Liparit the most powerful noble in Georgia. In 1038 Liparit was on the verge of capturing the Georgian city of Tbilisi, which had been under the Muslim sway for centuries; but fearing his growing power the Georgian nobles thwarted the plan and persuaded the king to make peace with the emir of Tbilisi. As a result, Liparit turned into a sworn enemy of Bagrat and began actively cooperating with foreign powers for vengeance. In 1039, he pledged his support to Bagrat’s half-brother Demetrius who entered Georgia with a Byzantine army to seize the crown. After Demetrius’ death in 1042, Liparit continued the struggle against Bagrat and became a major champion of the Byzantine influence in the region.
The armies of Liparit and Bagrat fought a decisive battle near the village of Sasireti, eastern Georgia, in the spring of 1042. In fierce fighting, the royal army was defeated and retreated west. Liparit seized the key fortress of Artanuji, thereby becoming the virtual ruler of the southern and eastern provinces of Georgia.
In the end of 1043 Gagik II sent messengers to Constantin with proposition to become the vassal of the Empire.
The emperor agreed, gifted him the title "Curoplates" and the theme Vaspurkan - to defend it and to defend Eastern borders of the Empire. So, Constantin could recall some more forces against Pechenegs and other enemies. [1]
Liparit lost some his allies, who were recalled to western borders of the Empire, and Bagrat begun to look for support against him. But Gagik II refused, as he was Curoplates and Liparit was a magister of Byzantine. Gagik allied with Liparit, Gagik, the king of Kakheti and Hereti, and the all small Armenian kings. Together they conquered Dwin in 1044, and in 1045 they attacked and captured Emirate of Tbilisi. Liparit and David of Lori (Gagik of Kakheti was his son) divided lands of the emirate.
[1] - in OTL the emperor wanted to annex Ani, and refused, or, more exact - answered nothing, then called Gagik to Constantinople and attacked the country.
Effects will appear after 1043 - when the Byzantium was attacked.
So, history of Armenia and Georgia before 1042 (included).
Armenia
In 966 Byzantium annexed the princedom of Taron. With the death of Ashot Bagratuni of Taron in 967, his sons were not able to withstand the pressure from the empire, which annexed their principality outright and converted it to a theme.
In three campaigns in 1001, 1014, and 1021 or 1022, Karin, Manazkert, as well as David's own hereditary principality of Tayk were annexed to the Byzantine empire as the Theme of Iberia with Karin (called Theodosiopolis by the Byzantines) as its capital.
In 1016, Senekerim-Hovhannes offered Basil II the lands of Vaspurakan in exchange for a vast domain farther west on the Byzantine territory centered on the city of Sebastia. Basil II reduced Vaspurakan to another Byzantine theme with Van as regional capital.
Only the Bagratuni and Eastern Syunik and Baghk kingdoms remaining independent.
After the death of King Gagik I (in 1017 or 1020), the kingdom of Bagratuni Armenia was split between his two sons Hovhannes-Smbat and Ashot IV the Brave. They fought throughout their lives. After the death of the two brothers in 1040-1041, the new Byzantine emperor and successor to Basil II claimed the kingdom of Bagratid Armenia.
Vest Sarkis, an Armenian pro-Byzantine prince, took over the city of Ani with Byzantine support. Byzantium sent a great army to the southern part of Armenia and at the same time convinced the Albanian king to attack Armenia from the east. At the fierce battle that was fought by the walls of Ani, Armenian general Vahram Pahlavuni heavily defeated the Byzantine army, forcing them to leave 20,000 dead behind. This victory allowed Vahram Pahlavuni along with Catholicos Petros Guedadarts to crown Gagik II king of Armenia and subsequently take the fortress of Ani, which was in the hands of Vest Sarkis. Sarkis ran away to the fortress of St. Mary and was eventually captured. After these victories, Vahram and the new Armenian king defeated an army of the Seljuk Turks and the security of the kingdom was temporarily restored.
Moreover, people of Kingdom of Vaspurakan formerly under the protection of the Byzantine Empire, rebelled. Gagik II helped them and the Turks were forced to retreat to Khoy and Salmas.
Small kingdoms:
In 961 Ashot III had sent his brother Mushegh I to rule in Kars (Vanand) and had allowed him to use the title of king. His successor, son Abbas I, died soon (984-989). Abbas II, the son of Abbas I, (984-1029) was rather powerful. His successor Gagik (1029-1065) after attacks of Seljiqs gave the kingdom to Byzantium. First raid was in 1054.
In 979 AD Smbat II gave the province of Lori to his brother Kiurike I with the title of King. Kiurike died in 989, his son, David I Anhoghin, succeeded him. Successful fought against Muslims. In 1041 and 1042 unsuccessful tried to capture Ani.
In 987 Sembat became the king of Syunik. In 1040 Sembat II became the king, fought against Musims emirate of Dvin. About 1044 was succeeded his brother Grigor, who was the ally of Lori.
Georgia
In 1008, after the death of Gurgen, Bagrat become the first king of a unified realm of Abkhazia and Kartli. Bagrat annexed Kakheti in or about 1010. Bagrat III died in 1014.
His son, Giorgi, inherited kingdoms of Abkhazia, Kartli and Kakheti united into a single state of Georgia. But Kvirike I took control of the neighboring region of Heretihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereti and declared himself King of Kakheti and Hereti. Giorgi allied with him. Grigori occupied Tao in 1015–1016. Basil led his army against Georgia in 1021. An exhausting war lasted for two years, and ended in a decisive Byzantine victory, forcing Giorgi to agree to a peace treaty, in which he had not only to abandon his claims to Tao, but to surrender several of his southwestern possessions to Basil, and to give his three-year-old son, Bagrat, as hostage. Giorgi died in 1027.
(Bagrat)
His son, Bagrat, aged eight, succeeded to the throne. Queen Dowager Mariam became a regent for his underage son. She shared the regency with the grandees, particularly Liparit IV, Duke of Trialeti, and Ivane, Duke of Kartli.
Liparit's successful resistance to the invading Byzantine troops in 1028 and a victorious campaign against the Shaddadid dynasty of Arran in 1034 made Liparit the most powerful noble in Georgia. In 1038 Liparit was on the verge of capturing the Georgian city of Tbilisi, which had been under the Muslim sway for centuries; but fearing his growing power the Georgian nobles thwarted the plan and persuaded the king to make peace with the emir of Tbilisi. As a result, Liparit turned into a sworn enemy of Bagrat and began actively cooperating with foreign powers for vengeance. In 1039, he pledged his support to Bagrat’s half-brother Demetrius who entered Georgia with a Byzantine army to seize the crown. After Demetrius’ death in 1042, Liparit continued the struggle against Bagrat and became a major champion of the Byzantine influence in the region.
The armies of Liparit and Bagrat fought a decisive battle near the village of Sasireti, eastern Georgia, in the spring of 1042. In fierce fighting, the royal army was defeated and retreated west. Liparit seized the key fortress of Artanuji, thereby becoming the virtual ruler of the southern and eastern provinces of Georgia.
In the end of 1043 Gagik II sent messengers to Constantin with proposition to become the vassal of the Empire.
The emperor agreed, gifted him the title "Curoplates" and the theme Vaspurkan - to defend it and to defend Eastern borders of the Empire. So, Constantin could recall some more forces against Pechenegs and other enemies. [1]
Liparit lost some his allies, who were recalled to western borders of the Empire, and Bagrat begun to look for support against him. But Gagik II refused, as he was Curoplates and Liparit was a magister of Byzantine. Gagik allied with Liparit, Gagik, the king of Kakheti and Hereti, and the all small Armenian kings. Together they conquered Dwin in 1044, and in 1045 they attacked and captured Emirate of Tbilisi. Liparit and David of Lori (Gagik of Kakheti was his son) divided lands of the emirate.
[1] - in OTL the emperor wanted to annex Ani, and refused, or, more exact - answered nothing, then called Gagik to Constantinople and attacked the country.
Now I think, probably, it will be Lambert.
Thanks!
Maybe, names will be same, as in OTL? It's some less interest, but needn't new PODs, it's seems.
But, it's seems, Judith is rather old for sons of Sviytopolk.
From another hand - is it known, in which year his wife died? Ingegerd died about 1050, but the wife of Sviatopolk can die earlier, and then Sviytopolk himself marries Judith.
In this case, it's seems logic, that Cazimir will "kind" to Spytihnev and set him as the governor of Mazovia and give him his daughter (in TTL Casimir had one more daughter, because he married Dobronega earlier). they are not to close relatives: Daughter - Casimir - Mieszko - Boleslav I of Poland - Dobrawa - Boleslav I of Czech - Boleslav II - Oldrich - Bretislav - Spytihnev.
And two more sons of Judith will have cities Brest and Grodno from Sviytopolk, maybe?
Chapter twenty three. The Middle East.
Thanks for waiting. I need chapters about Middle East, Byzantium, Hungary, Poland, and the Empire - and I will continue TL. I hope, I will
So, I again begin from 970 years.
Effects will appear after 1043 - when the Byzantium was attacked.
Hamdanid amirates
It was founded around 890, after 945 was divided on two new emirates: Mosul and Aleppo.
Hamdanids had been expelled from Mosul by the Buwayhids in 979. The Hamdanids forged an alliance with the 'Uqailids. Together the two of them moved against the Buyids and Mosul was occupied in 989. The 'Uqailid leader, Muhammad b. Musayyib, then turned against the Hamdanids and defeating them as well.
Muhammad b. Musayyib died in 996. He was succeeded by his brother Muqallad, who in that same year marched on Mosul, forcing its Buwayhid governor to flee. From there the 'Uqaylids advanced into Iraq; they succeeded in overrunning much of the country and even raiding Baghdad. The Uqaylid was invested by the caliph with the rule of Mosul, Kufa and Jami'yan. The treaty made Muqallad nominally subservient to the Buwayhids but in effect he was independent, refusing to pay the tribute that he owed.
Mugallad was killed in 1002 and after some struggle his son Qirwash in 1005 was confirmed in all of his possessions by the caliph. Qirwash's major problem during the second half of his reign was finding a way to control the Oghuz Turks who were coming in from Iran. The Oghuz once even managed to occupy and sack Mosul in 1044, although Qirwash was able to expel them with the support of the Mazyadids.
Aleppo was sacked by a resurgent Byzantine Empire in 962, while Byzantine forces occupied it briefly from 974 to 987. To stop the Byzantine advance, Aleppo was put under the suzerainty of the Fatimids in Egypt, but in 1003 the Fatimids deposed the Hamdanids anyway.
After the overthrow of the Hamdanids in 1004, Aleppo had been ruled by several princes nominally subordinate to the Fatimids. It was from these individuals that Salih ibn Mirdas took the town in 1024. When he died fighting the Fatimids five years later, his two sons Shibl al-Daula Nasr and Mu'izz al-Daula Thimal succeeded him. The Byzantine governor of Antioch, hoping to take advantage of the brothers' youth, sent an army to establish control over the Mirdasids, but was defeated in July 1029. The following year, the Byzantine Emperor Romanos III personally led an army against the Mirdasids. In July 1030, the Arabs managed to gain victory over the imperial army near 'Azaz.
Nasr had meanwhile taken advantage of his brother Thimal's absence to seize sole control of Aleppo. Fearing an attack from his brother, in spring 1031 he made peace with the Byzantines, agreeing to pay an annual tribute. Nasr declared his submission to Romanos III, who claimed Aleppo as under his protection. The Fatimids refused to accept this, however, and after Romanos III died in 1034 his successor Michael IV recommended to Nasr that he accept Fatimid suzerainty.
Nasr eventually decided to establish friendly ties with the Fatimids, so he sent the plunder gained at the battle of 'Azaz to Cairo. In return, he was given permission to take control of Homs and his laqab was expanded. These developments did not please al-Duzbari, the governor of Damascus, who together with the Fatimid governor of Homs launched a campaign against the Mirdasids. The two sides met near Latmin in May 1038; in the ensuing battle Nasr was killed.
Al-Duzbari took Aleppo, then attempted to deprive Thimal of his remaining possessions. Thimal lost several towns, although he managed to retain Rahba. The Byzantines attacked sometime around 1040 and forced Thimal to pay tribute. Meanwhile, al-Duzbari fell out of favor of the Fatimid government in Cairo. The Fatimid vizier publicly condemned him, causing the army of Syria to abandon him. Al-Duzbari took refuge in Aleppo, where he died in early 1042. Not long afterwards, Thimal recovered the town, although al-Duzbari's ghulams managed to hold out in the citadel for several months.
The Byzantines immediately recognized Thimal as the ruler of Aleppo, and the Fatimids recognized his governorship in 1045, although relations with the latter continued to be less than friendly. [1]
Egypt
In the second half of the tenth century Egypt enjoyed a period of much prosperity and internal peace. This was principally the merit of the Caliphs Maadd al-Muizz (953-975) and Nizar al-Aziz (975-996). They were just and tolerant rulers and fortunate in the generals and officers of state who served them. Art, learning, and manufactures were fostered and flourished. Numerous public buildings and other works of public utility date from this period. The burdens of taxation were somewhat lightened and more equally distributed. Much of the kaleidoscopic life of the Thousand and One Nights was actually realized in the Cairo of those days.
Minority of the sixth Caliph, Abu All al-Mansur al-Hakim (996-1021) was a time of chaos, when the chiefs of the Berber and Turkish guards fought and schemed for supremacy.
The seventh Fatimid Caliph was Abul-hasan Ali az-Zahir. He was a boy when he succeeded his father and he never exercised much influence in the government of his dominions (1021-1036).
The eighth Fatimid Caliph, Abu tamim Maadd al-Mustansir, was only seven years old when his father died (June 1036). In 1037 the peace with Byzantium was signed.
Marwanids
Badh bin Dustak (983-990) founded the Kurdish emirate and conquered Diyarbakir.
Al-Hasan ibn Marwān (990–997), the nephew. He fought the last Hamdanids, confused them and took again all the fortresses. In 992, after Bad's death and a series of Byzantine punitive raids around Lake Van, Basil II was able to negotiate a lasting peace with the Kurdish emirate. Al-Hasan was killed in Amed (Diyarbakır) in 997 by insurged inhabitants.
Mumahhid al-Dawla Sa’īd (997–1010), brother of Al-Hasan. The relations of this prince with the Emperor Basil II (976–1025) were quite friendly. In 1000 when Basil II travelled from Cilicia to the lands of David III Kuropalates (Akhlat and Manzikert), Mumahhid al-Dawla came to offer his submission to the emperor and in return he received the high rank of magistros and doux of the East.
In 1010, Mumahhid al-Dawla was assassinated by his ghulam, slave, Sharwin ibn Muhammad, who assumed rulership. Sharwin rulership were soon contested, and Sharwin overthrown.
Nasr al-Dawla Ahmad ibn Marwān (1011–1061), the brother of Al-Hasan and Mumahhid. He took the city of Edessa in 1026, but the city was retaken by the Byzantine Empire in 1031.
Buyid emirates
The first several decades of the Būyid confederation were characterized by large territorial gains. In addition to Fars and Jibal, which were conquered in the 930s, and central Iraq, which submitted in 945, the Būyids took Kermān (967), Oman (967), the Jazīra (979), Ṭabaristān (980), and Gorgan (981). After this, however, the Būyids went into a slow decline, with pieces of the confederation gradually breaking off and local dynasties under their rule becoming de facto independent.
Abu Kalijar was the Buyid amir of Fars from 1024. He entered into a conflict with the Buyid ruler of Kerman, Qawam al-Daula. The latter's death in 1028 allowed Abu Kalijar to occupy the province. In 1033 the Ghaznavids invaded Kerman, in 1034 they were expelled. Around 1037 army of Abu Kalijar marched on Baghdad; although he did not take the city, Jalal al-Daula recognized him as senior amir. Abu Kalijar subsequently used the title "Shahanshah" on his coins. However, the amir of Mosul, along with the Arab tribe of the Asadids, supported Jalal al-Daula, and the two Buyids were forced to come to a compromise. Both rulers used the same titles and were genuinely independent of each other.
Jalal al-Daula's death in 1044 gave Abu Kalijar possession of Iraq. His control over the region, however, remained weak; his capital therefore remained in Ahvaz, instead of being moved to Baghdad. Abu Kalijar continued to cement his authority.
Samanids
In 962, one the ghulams, Alp Tigin, commander of the army in Khurasan, seized Ghazna and established himself there. His successors, including Sebük Tigin, however continued to rule as Samanid "governors".
With the weakened Samanids facing rising challenge from the Karakhanids for control of Transoxania, Sebük later took control of all the provinces south of the Oxus and established the Ghaznavid Empire.
In 992, a Karakhanid, Harun Bughra Khan, captured Bukhara, the Samanid capital. Harun however died shortly afterwards, and the Samanids returned to Bukhara.
In 999, Nasr b. Ali, a nephew of Harun, returned and took possession of Bukhara,. The Samanid domains were split up between the Ghaznavids, who gained Khorasan and Afghanistan, and the Karakhanids, who received Transoxania; the Oxus River thus became the boundary between the two rival empires.
Ghaznavids
Sebük Tigin (977-997) began expanding the new kingdom by capturing Samanid and Shahi territories, which includes most of what is now Afghanistan and part of Pakistan.
Ismail ibn Sebük Tigin (997-998) - deposed by the brother soon.
Mahmud ibn Sebük Tigin (998-1031) He completed the conquest of the Samanid and Shahi territories, including the Ismaili Kingdom of Multan, Sindh as well as some Buwayhid territory. Under him all accounts was the golden age and the height of the Ghaznavid Empire. Mahmud carried out seventeen expeditions through northern India to establish his control and set up tributary states. His raids also resulted in the looting of a great deal of plunder. From the borders of Kurdistan to Samarkand, from the Caspian Sea to the Yamuna, he established his authority.
Muhammad ibn Mahmud (1030-1031) was blinded and imprisoned.
Mas'ud ibn Mahmud (1031-1041) fought against Seljuqs.
Muhammad ibn Mahmud (1041) - killed by Maudud.
Maudud ibn Mas'ud (1041-1050) fought against Seljuqs.
Seljuqs
Tughril Beg ascended to power c. 1016. In 1025 he, and his brother Chaghri served under the Kara-Khanids of Bukhara, but they were defeated by the Ghaznavid Empire under Mahmud of Ghazni, and Tughril was forced to flee to Khwarezm while Arslan settled in Khorasan. When their uncle was later driven out of Khorasan by Mahmud, Tughril and his brother moved onto Khorasan and conquered the cities of Merv and Nishapur in 1028–1029.
In 1037 Jakur Beg Seljuk attacks Balkh when Mas'ud comes to relieve Balkh, Toghril Beg moves and sacks Ghazni. He then marches upon Merv. Seljuk sues for peace and asks for a grant of land to settle in. Returning army's rearguard is attacked by a band of Seljuks.
In 1038 Tughril Beg captures Nishapur and crowns himself King.
In 1040 Seljuqs decisively won the Battle of Dandanaqan against Mahmud's son, Mas'ud I forcing Mas'ud I to abandon his western provinces and flee towards Lahore. Tughril then installed Chagri to govern Khorasan and prevent a Ghaznavid reconquest, then moved on to the conquest of the Iranian plateau in 1040-1044.
[1] - like OTL. Byzantium became weaker, but Syria was not strong too. Damascus was in a poor condition, with a feeble economy and a depleted population, and a rapid turnover of emirs.
Thanks for waiting. I need chapters about Middle East, Byzantium, Hungary, Poland, and the Empire - and I will continue TL. I hope, I will
So, I again begin from 970 years.
Effects will appear after 1043 - when the Byzantium was attacked.
Hamdanid amirates
It was founded around 890, after 945 was divided on two new emirates: Mosul and Aleppo.
Hamdanids had been expelled from Mosul by the Buwayhids in 979. The Hamdanids forged an alliance with the 'Uqailids. Together the two of them moved against the Buyids and Mosul was occupied in 989. The 'Uqailid leader, Muhammad b. Musayyib, then turned against the Hamdanids and defeating them as well.
Muhammad b. Musayyib died in 996. He was succeeded by his brother Muqallad, who in that same year marched on Mosul, forcing its Buwayhid governor to flee. From there the 'Uqaylids advanced into Iraq; they succeeded in overrunning much of the country and even raiding Baghdad. The Uqaylid was invested by the caliph with the rule of Mosul, Kufa and Jami'yan. The treaty made Muqallad nominally subservient to the Buwayhids but in effect he was independent, refusing to pay the tribute that he owed.
Mugallad was killed in 1002 and after some struggle his son Qirwash in 1005 was confirmed in all of his possessions by the caliph. Qirwash's major problem during the second half of his reign was finding a way to control the Oghuz Turks who were coming in from Iran. The Oghuz once even managed to occupy and sack Mosul in 1044, although Qirwash was able to expel them with the support of the Mazyadids.
Aleppo was sacked by a resurgent Byzantine Empire in 962, while Byzantine forces occupied it briefly from 974 to 987. To stop the Byzantine advance, Aleppo was put under the suzerainty of the Fatimids in Egypt, but in 1003 the Fatimids deposed the Hamdanids anyway.
After the overthrow of the Hamdanids in 1004, Aleppo had been ruled by several princes nominally subordinate to the Fatimids. It was from these individuals that Salih ibn Mirdas took the town in 1024. When he died fighting the Fatimids five years later, his two sons Shibl al-Daula Nasr and Mu'izz al-Daula Thimal succeeded him. The Byzantine governor of Antioch, hoping to take advantage of the brothers' youth, sent an army to establish control over the Mirdasids, but was defeated in July 1029. The following year, the Byzantine Emperor Romanos III personally led an army against the Mirdasids. In July 1030, the Arabs managed to gain victory over the imperial army near 'Azaz.
Nasr had meanwhile taken advantage of his brother Thimal's absence to seize sole control of Aleppo. Fearing an attack from his brother, in spring 1031 he made peace with the Byzantines, agreeing to pay an annual tribute. Nasr declared his submission to Romanos III, who claimed Aleppo as under his protection. The Fatimids refused to accept this, however, and after Romanos III died in 1034 his successor Michael IV recommended to Nasr that he accept Fatimid suzerainty.
Nasr eventually decided to establish friendly ties with the Fatimids, so he sent the plunder gained at the battle of 'Azaz to Cairo. In return, he was given permission to take control of Homs and his laqab was expanded. These developments did not please al-Duzbari, the governor of Damascus, who together with the Fatimid governor of Homs launched a campaign against the Mirdasids. The two sides met near Latmin in May 1038; in the ensuing battle Nasr was killed.
Al-Duzbari took Aleppo, then attempted to deprive Thimal of his remaining possessions. Thimal lost several towns, although he managed to retain Rahba. The Byzantines attacked sometime around 1040 and forced Thimal to pay tribute. Meanwhile, al-Duzbari fell out of favor of the Fatimid government in Cairo. The Fatimid vizier publicly condemned him, causing the army of Syria to abandon him. Al-Duzbari took refuge in Aleppo, where he died in early 1042. Not long afterwards, Thimal recovered the town, although al-Duzbari's ghulams managed to hold out in the citadel for several months.
The Byzantines immediately recognized Thimal as the ruler of Aleppo, and the Fatimids recognized his governorship in 1045, although relations with the latter continued to be less than friendly. [1]
Egypt
In the second half of the tenth century Egypt enjoyed a period of much prosperity and internal peace. This was principally the merit of the Caliphs Maadd al-Muizz (953-975) and Nizar al-Aziz (975-996). They were just and tolerant rulers and fortunate in the generals and officers of state who served them. Art, learning, and manufactures were fostered and flourished. Numerous public buildings and other works of public utility date from this period. The burdens of taxation were somewhat lightened and more equally distributed. Much of the kaleidoscopic life of the Thousand and One Nights was actually realized in the Cairo of those days.
Minority of the sixth Caliph, Abu All al-Mansur al-Hakim (996-1021) was a time of chaos, when the chiefs of the Berber and Turkish guards fought and schemed for supremacy.
The seventh Fatimid Caliph was Abul-hasan Ali az-Zahir. He was a boy when he succeeded his father and he never exercised much influence in the government of his dominions (1021-1036).
The eighth Fatimid Caliph, Abu tamim Maadd al-Mustansir, was only seven years old when his father died (June 1036). In 1037 the peace with Byzantium was signed.
Marwanids
Badh bin Dustak (983-990) founded the Kurdish emirate and conquered Diyarbakir.
Al-Hasan ibn Marwān (990–997), the nephew. He fought the last Hamdanids, confused them and took again all the fortresses. In 992, after Bad's death and a series of Byzantine punitive raids around Lake Van, Basil II was able to negotiate a lasting peace with the Kurdish emirate. Al-Hasan was killed in Amed (Diyarbakır) in 997 by insurged inhabitants.
Mumahhid al-Dawla Sa’īd (997–1010), brother of Al-Hasan. The relations of this prince with the Emperor Basil II (976–1025) were quite friendly. In 1000 when Basil II travelled from Cilicia to the lands of David III Kuropalates (Akhlat and Manzikert), Mumahhid al-Dawla came to offer his submission to the emperor and in return he received the high rank of magistros and doux of the East.
In 1010, Mumahhid al-Dawla was assassinated by his ghulam, slave, Sharwin ibn Muhammad, who assumed rulership. Sharwin rulership were soon contested, and Sharwin overthrown.
Nasr al-Dawla Ahmad ibn Marwān (1011–1061), the brother of Al-Hasan and Mumahhid. He took the city of Edessa in 1026, but the city was retaken by the Byzantine Empire in 1031.
Buyid emirates
The first several decades of the Būyid confederation were characterized by large territorial gains. In addition to Fars and Jibal, which were conquered in the 930s, and central Iraq, which submitted in 945, the Būyids took Kermān (967), Oman (967), the Jazīra (979), Ṭabaristān (980), and Gorgan (981). After this, however, the Būyids went into a slow decline, with pieces of the confederation gradually breaking off and local dynasties under their rule becoming de facto independent.
Abu Kalijar was the Buyid amir of Fars from 1024. He entered into a conflict with the Buyid ruler of Kerman, Qawam al-Daula. The latter's death in 1028 allowed Abu Kalijar to occupy the province. In 1033 the Ghaznavids invaded Kerman, in 1034 they were expelled. Around 1037 army of Abu Kalijar marched on Baghdad; although he did not take the city, Jalal al-Daula recognized him as senior amir. Abu Kalijar subsequently used the title "Shahanshah" on his coins. However, the amir of Mosul, along with the Arab tribe of the Asadids, supported Jalal al-Daula, and the two Buyids were forced to come to a compromise. Both rulers used the same titles and were genuinely independent of each other.
Jalal al-Daula's death in 1044 gave Abu Kalijar possession of Iraq. His control over the region, however, remained weak; his capital therefore remained in Ahvaz, instead of being moved to Baghdad. Abu Kalijar continued to cement his authority.
Samanids
In 962, one the ghulams, Alp Tigin, commander of the army in Khurasan, seized Ghazna and established himself there. His successors, including Sebük Tigin, however continued to rule as Samanid "governors".
With the weakened Samanids facing rising challenge from the Karakhanids for control of Transoxania, Sebük later took control of all the provinces south of the Oxus and established the Ghaznavid Empire.
In 992, a Karakhanid, Harun Bughra Khan, captured Bukhara, the Samanid capital. Harun however died shortly afterwards, and the Samanids returned to Bukhara.
In 999, Nasr b. Ali, a nephew of Harun, returned and took possession of Bukhara,. The Samanid domains were split up between the Ghaznavids, who gained Khorasan and Afghanistan, and the Karakhanids, who received Transoxania; the Oxus River thus became the boundary between the two rival empires.
Ghaznavids
Sebük Tigin (977-997) began expanding the new kingdom by capturing Samanid and Shahi territories, which includes most of what is now Afghanistan and part of Pakistan.
Ismail ibn Sebük Tigin (997-998) - deposed by the brother soon.
Mahmud ibn Sebük Tigin (998-1031) He completed the conquest of the Samanid and Shahi territories, including the Ismaili Kingdom of Multan, Sindh as well as some Buwayhid territory. Under him all accounts was the golden age and the height of the Ghaznavid Empire. Mahmud carried out seventeen expeditions through northern India to establish his control and set up tributary states. His raids also resulted in the looting of a great deal of plunder. From the borders of Kurdistan to Samarkand, from the Caspian Sea to the Yamuna, he established his authority.
Muhammad ibn Mahmud (1030-1031) was blinded and imprisoned.
Mas'ud ibn Mahmud (1031-1041) fought against Seljuqs.
Muhammad ibn Mahmud (1041) - killed by Maudud.
Maudud ibn Mas'ud (1041-1050) fought against Seljuqs.
Seljuqs
Tughril Beg ascended to power c. 1016. In 1025 he, and his brother Chaghri served under the Kara-Khanids of Bukhara, but they were defeated by the Ghaznavid Empire under Mahmud of Ghazni, and Tughril was forced to flee to Khwarezm while Arslan settled in Khorasan. When their uncle was later driven out of Khorasan by Mahmud, Tughril and his brother moved onto Khorasan and conquered the cities of Merv and Nishapur in 1028–1029.
In 1037 Jakur Beg Seljuk attacks Balkh when Mas'ud comes to relieve Balkh, Toghril Beg moves and sacks Ghazni. He then marches upon Merv. Seljuk sues for peace and asks for a grant of land to settle in. Returning army's rearguard is attacked by a band of Seljuks.
In 1038 Tughril Beg captures Nishapur and crowns himself King.
In 1040 Seljuqs decisively won the Battle of Dandanaqan against Mahmud's son, Mas'ud I forcing Mas'ud I to abandon his western provinces and flee towards Lahore. Tughril then installed Chagri to govern Khorasan and prevent a Ghaznavid reconquest, then moved on to the conquest of the Iranian plateau in 1040-1044.
[1] - like OTL. Byzantium became weaker, but Syria was not strong too. Damascus was in a poor condition, with a feeble economy and a depleted population, and a rapid turnover of emirs.
Chapter twenty four. Byzantium.
After death of Basil II, rebellions and plots often organized.
During short reign of Constantin VIII (15.12.1025-11.11.1028) Návpaktos rebelled in 1026 and Nikephorus Komnenos in same year rebelled. In 1026 the patrikios Bardas, the grandson of the magistros Bardas, was accused of plotting against Emperor and blinded. It was last mention of Phokas for centuries.
Next the emperor was Roman Argyros (15.11.1028-11.04.1034).
He showed great eagerness to make his mark as a ruler, but was mostly unfortunate in his enterprises. He spent large sums upon new buildings and in endowing the monks, and in his endeavor to relieve the pressure of taxation disorganized the finances of the state.
As a member of the aristocracy, Romanos III abandoned his predecessors' curtailment of the privileges of the nobility and reduced their taxes, at the same time allowing peasant freeholders to fall into a condition of serfdom. In a vain attempt to reduce expenditure, Romanos limited his wife's expenses, which merely exacerbated the alienation between the two.
4 plots were organized against him, and in 1034 he was drowned in a bath on his wife's orders.
Michael IV (11.04.1034-10.12.1041)
Michael IV was handsome, clever, and generous, but he was uneducated and suffered from epileptic fits. He proceeded to leave the government in the hands of his brother John. John's reforms of the army and financial system revived for a while the strength of the Empire, which held its own successfully against its foreign enemies. But the increase in taxation caused discontent among both nobles and commoners.
Antioch rebelled in 1034-35.
In 1037, Zoe was involved in a conspiracy to have John poisoned.
In 1038, there was an uprising in the armies in Anatolia, which was suppressed by Michael’s brother, Constantine.
In 1040, there was a conspiracy involving the patrician Michael Keroularios, who became a monk to save his life and was later elected as Patriarch of Constantinople.
In 1040 Bulgaria rebelled.
Finally, during the Bulgarian uprising of 1040, John was forced to arrest suspected plotters in Anatolia and Constantinople who were hoping to take advantage of the turmoil. He was unable to capture the Strategos of Theodosiopolis, who joined the rebellion and attempted to capture Thessalonica.
Michael V (10.12.1041-20.04.1042)
On the night of 18 April to 19 April 1042 Michael V banished his adoptive mother and co-ruler Zoe as well, becoming the sole Emperor. His announcement of the event in the morning led to a popular revolt. Zoe was brought back as join-ruler with her sister Theodora. On 20 April 1042 Theodora declared the emperor deposed, Michael was arrested, blinded, and castrated. He died as a monk on 24 August 1042.
Constantine IX (10.06.1042-1044)
During his reign - Maniakes rebelled and was killed in 1043; people rebelled and killed the emperor.
Leo Troniks rebelled in 1045, captured Constantinople and blinded both empress.
Byzantium in 1045 in OTL:
In TTL
Southern Italy is lost to the Empire,
Sirmium is lost to Hungary,
Bulgaria and Nikopolis are lost to rebels,
Dyrrachion is lost to Serbia and Bulgaria,
Paristrion and the part of Macedonia and the part of Thracia are ravaged by Pechenegs,
Ani is independent Armenia,
Vaspurkan is lost to Armenia.
Rulers
I use OTL-rules firstly, and it's state at TTL 1044.
After death of Constantine IX Theodore could changed rulers like 1055/56 - but Zoe could defended them. So, secondly I use rulers of 1055/56, but not always.
Rulers by site
Will be soon
Now I needed to write more details about wars of Byzantium.
After death of Basil II, rebellions and plots often organized.
During short reign of Constantin VIII (15.12.1025-11.11.1028) Návpaktos rebelled in 1026 and Nikephorus Komnenos in same year rebelled. In 1026 the patrikios Bardas, the grandson of the magistros Bardas, was accused of plotting against Emperor and blinded. It was last mention of Phokas for centuries.
Next the emperor was Roman Argyros (15.11.1028-11.04.1034).
He showed great eagerness to make his mark as a ruler, but was mostly unfortunate in his enterprises. He spent large sums upon new buildings and in endowing the monks, and in his endeavor to relieve the pressure of taxation disorganized the finances of the state.
As a member of the aristocracy, Romanos III abandoned his predecessors' curtailment of the privileges of the nobility and reduced their taxes, at the same time allowing peasant freeholders to fall into a condition of serfdom. In a vain attempt to reduce expenditure, Romanos limited his wife's expenses, which merely exacerbated the alienation between the two.
4 plots were organized against him, and in 1034 he was drowned in a bath on his wife's orders.
Michael IV (11.04.1034-10.12.1041)
Michael IV was handsome, clever, and generous, but he was uneducated and suffered from epileptic fits. He proceeded to leave the government in the hands of his brother John. John's reforms of the army and financial system revived for a while the strength of the Empire, which held its own successfully against its foreign enemies. But the increase in taxation caused discontent among both nobles and commoners.
Antioch rebelled in 1034-35.
In 1037, Zoe was involved in a conspiracy to have John poisoned.
In 1038, there was an uprising in the armies in Anatolia, which was suppressed by Michael’s brother, Constantine.
In 1040, there was a conspiracy involving the patrician Michael Keroularios, who became a monk to save his life and was later elected as Patriarch of Constantinople.
In 1040 Bulgaria rebelled.
Finally, during the Bulgarian uprising of 1040, John was forced to arrest suspected plotters in Anatolia and Constantinople who were hoping to take advantage of the turmoil. He was unable to capture the Strategos of Theodosiopolis, who joined the rebellion and attempted to capture Thessalonica.
Michael V (10.12.1041-20.04.1042)
On the night of 18 April to 19 April 1042 Michael V banished his adoptive mother and co-ruler Zoe as well, becoming the sole Emperor. His announcement of the event in the morning led to a popular revolt. Zoe was brought back as join-ruler with her sister Theodora. On 20 April 1042 Theodora declared the emperor deposed, Michael was arrested, blinded, and castrated. He died as a monk on 24 August 1042.
Constantine IX (10.06.1042-1044)
During his reign - Maniakes rebelled and was killed in 1043; people rebelled and killed the emperor.
Leo Troniks rebelled in 1045, captured Constantinople and blinded both empress.
Byzantium in 1045 in OTL:
In TTL
Southern Italy is lost to the Empire,
Sirmium is lost to Hungary,
Bulgaria and Nikopolis are lost to rebels,
Dyrrachion is lost to Serbia and Bulgaria,
Paristrion and the part of Macedonia and the part of Thracia are ravaged by Pechenegs,
Ani is independent Armenia,
Vaspurkan is lost to Armenia.
Rulers
I use OTL-rules firstly, and it's state at TTL 1044.
After death of Constantine IX Theodore could changed rulers like 1055/56 - but Zoe could defended them. So, secondly I use rulers of 1055/56, but not always.
Rulers by site
Will be soon
Now I needed to write more details about wars of Byzantium.
Last edited:
Chapter twenty five. Hungary.
The Hungarian king Stephan helped Poland against the Empire in 1030. In 1035 he captured Slovakia. In 1037 Vazul rebelled against the king, he was defeated and killed, his sons escaped to Poland and Rus'.
In 1038 Stephan died. Peter Orseolo became the new king.
He helped Bretislav of Prague in same year. In 1040 Casimir unsuccessful attacked Hungary.
In 1041 Hungary was attacked from several sides, the people rebelled and changed the king. The new king became Bella. He invited his brothers from Rus' and gave them some parts of country.
What parts he gave them?
Hungary in OTL:
Transilvania (the area X) was lost to the Pechenegs, and later they became the ally of Hungarians.
Slovakia (the area I and the part of area VI) was lost to Poland.
Andrew, when he became the king in OTL, gave to Bela "Tercia pars regni", but it's doubt, what it was. There are three probable centers:
- Bihar at East, between Eger and Transilvania, dark blue areas VI and IX on the map;
- Nitra at North (in TTL is lost);
- Krosso at South (near Dupljaja, dark blue area VIII on the map).
So, Andrew and Levante got Bihar and Krosso. Levante was elder, but in OTL he agreed to recognize Andrew as the king. So, Andrew ruled at Bihar and (IX and the part of VI), and Levante ruled at Krosso and Csanad (all area VIII). Samuel Abo get Eger.
In 1043 Hungarians attacked Byzantium and captured Sirmium. Andrew didn't fought, because he defended the country of the Pechenegs. Levante and Bela divided the new lands, and most of lands get Bela.
In 1044 the peace with the Pechenegs was made.
In 1045 the emperor visited Hungary, and at the capital he met Croatian king and Bulgarian tzar and recognized them as vassals.
Bela married the sister of Kazimir of Poland, Andrew married the sister of Sviytopolk of Rus'.
The Hungarian king Stephan helped Poland against the Empire in 1030. In 1035 he captured Slovakia. In 1037 Vazul rebelled against the king, he was defeated and killed, his sons escaped to Poland and Rus'.
In 1038 Stephan died. Peter Orseolo became the new king.
He helped Bretislav of Prague in same year. In 1040 Casimir unsuccessful attacked Hungary.
In 1041 Hungary was attacked from several sides, the people rebelled and changed the king. The new king became Bella. He invited his brothers from Rus' and gave them some parts of country.
What parts he gave them?
Hungary in OTL:
Transilvania (the area X) was lost to the Pechenegs, and later they became the ally of Hungarians.
Slovakia (the area I and the part of area VI) was lost to Poland.
Andrew, when he became the king in OTL, gave to Bela "Tercia pars regni", but it's doubt, what it was. There are three probable centers:
- Bihar at East, between Eger and Transilvania, dark blue areas VI and IX on the map;
- Nitra at North (in TTL is lost);
- Krosso at South (near Dupljaja, dark blue area VIII on the map).
So, Andrew and Levante got Bihar and Krosso. Levante was elder, but in OTL he agreed to recognize Andrew as the king. So, Andrew ruled at Bihar and (IX and the part of VI), and Levante ruled at Krosso and Csanad (all area VIII). Samuel Abo get Eger.
In 1043 Hungarians attacked Byzantium and captured Sirmium. Andrew didn't fought, because he defended the country of the Pechenegs. Levante and Bela divided the new lands, and most of lands get Bela.
In 1044 the peace with the Pechenegs was made.
In 1045 the emperor visited Hungary, and at the capital he met Croatian king and Bulgarian tzar and recognized them as vassals.
Bela married the sister of Kazimir of Poland, Andrew married the sister of Sviytopolk of Rus'.
Chapter twenty six. Poland.
In 1045 Poland was a great kingdom.
Pomorze was lost to Slavs about 1007.
Misnia was added in 1032.
Morawy was lost in 1029, was returned in 1030, was lost again in 1039 and was returned in 1041.
Slowaczyna was lost to Hngary in 1035 and was returned in 1041.
Chervien cities was lost to Rus' in 1037 and Brest was lost in 1041.
Czechs was added in 1041.
There is archbishopric in Gnezno and there are bishoprics in Wratislaw (Wroclaw), Krakow, Pague and Olomuc. The church was not destroyed, so Polish priests appeared early, and, probably, more monasteries appeared. Moreover, the tradition to set a member of kings family as the bishop of Krakow appeared too.
The king and his court, probably, went from a city to a city, like the emperor. "Main way" was Gnezno - Poznan - Wratislaw - Meissen - Prague - Olomuc - Nitra - Krakow - Sandomierz - Plock - Gnezno, but this way was chosen not every year.
The main official language of the country was Latin, and the main dialect was Great Poland, which strong influenced other dialects and languages of the country. probably, the influence of the German language was less. Probably, "Illarionica" was spread fast for writing Polish and Czech languages.
The culture was influenced by Czechs, Germans and Russians with Greeks, so, some mix was appeared in Poland too, like Rus'.
The economic was based on trade centers - richest were Krakow, Prague and, probably, Poznan. Poland in general was richer, because it was not ravaged so strong, as in OTL.
And, probably, the problem of multi-people country appeared. Germans hated Slavs at all. Czechs disliked Polish, as enemies, who captured them. Moravs disliked everybody, after ravaging of his country. Greater Polish saw at all another peoples as at servers or as at barbarians (Mazovian and Slovakian). Lesser Polish saw at all others as at poor men, which are used their wealth. And Mazovain wanted independence.
(Do I draw too dark picture?)
Probably, Casimir tried to unite the country by some way, but I'm not sure, that he could make it fast.
TL of Poland:In 1025 Boleslav of Poland was crowned as King of Poland.
In 1026 Mieszhko became the king of Poland as Mieszhko I.
In 1028 Polish troops invaded Saxony.
In 1029 Conrad II of Germany in the autumn seized the Polish city Bautzen, but can't take the city. The son of Oldřich, Duke of Bohemia, Bretuslav I, attacked and took Moravia.
In 1030 Mieszhko I, King of Poland, secured an alliance with Hungary and Rus'. Mieszhko invaded Saxony, Stephan I attacked Bavaria [2] and Sviatoplok and Mstislav attacked Moravia. [3]
Conrad II and Bretuslav were defeated completely. Stepahn I occupied Vienna. Mieszhko ravaged one hundred of villages and towns of Saxpny. Russian Princes returned Moravia to Mieszhko and ravaged Bohemia.
In spring of 1031 Mieszhko with Sviatopolk ravaged western parts of Marches Lusatia and Meissen, and took Meissen. Dietrich II von Wettin attacked them, but was defeated and killed in the battle [3].
In autumn Conrad II seized Meissen, but can't take it.
In winter of 1031/32 people revolted in Poland. Mieszhko defeated uprisings. In summer 1032 Mieszhko with small army ravaged Merseburg, but he was defeated by Herman I.
In autumn Conrad II attacked Mieszhko, but Rudolph II, the king of Burgundy, died in September. Odo, Count of Blois, claimed his rights to kingdom.
Conrad II made peace with Mieszhko:
1) Mieszko stops supporting Ezzonids;
2) Mieszko support of troops in war with Blois;
3) Poland received western parts of Marches Lusatia and Meissen;
4) 2 new bishops are set for Rus' - Polotsk and Novgorod, which are under head of Gnesno archbishop;
5) Otto became bishop of Krakow.
The son of Conrad II, Henry, with Polish troops, which the son of Mieszhko II, Casimir, was led, in summer of 1033 attacked Oldřich and defeated him. Oldřich was condemned, banished, and deprived of his lands. His brother, the old Duke Jaromir was set again over the duchy of Bohemia. Jaromir divided the country with the son of Oldřich, Břetislav.
In the spring 1034 polish pagans revolted. Mieszhko and Casimir hardly fought with pagans.
Oldřich was pardoned at Ratisbon (April 1034). He seized and blinded his brother and exiled his son. Břetislav escaped to Poland - where he was captured and imprisoned. Oldřich died the same year. Jaromir undertook the title and duties.
1035. Conrad with polish troops, which Casimir led, attacked Lyutitzi.
Stephan I of Hungary, attacked Poland. Mieszhko met him, was defeated and was killed in the battle.
Casimir was crowned the King of Poland in Gnezno. He made a peace with Stephan - he recognized, that Slovakia became a part of Hungary, he recognized Bezprym as Duke of Lesser Poland and Chervien cities, but he refused to release Bretislav.
1036. Casimir released Bretislav, but as his vassal. Jaromir died soon in same year.
Otto of Schweinfurt married Mathilda, the daughter of Bolelasv of Poland.
Olomouc bishopric was founded by request of Casimir. Conrad and Casimir invaded Wends lands. They made a peace, tool hostages and much tribute. In autumn Conrad hurry went to Itlay. Casimir escorted him.
In January 1037, Peter of Hungary and Bezprym met in Krakow and began the revolt. They marched to Gnezno. Bretislav took Moravia and went to Gnezno from another side. Sviatopolk took Chierven cities, and came to Krakow. Casimir marched to Bohemia. Peter Orseolo moved home. Bezprym was beheaded soon. Casimir retook Moravia and invaded Bohemia. He besieged Prague, but the city hard defended.
Casimir gave Chierven cities to Sviatopolk and agreed to marry Dobronega, the sister of Sviatopolk.
On 15th August, 1038 Stephan I, King of Hungary, died. Peter Orseolo became new king. Peter gathered troops and came to Prague. Hungarians ravaged Moravia again, and defeated Polish troops.
Casimir met the emperor, and a new campaign was plan in next year. But in June, 1039 Conrad died. Bretislav with help of Hungarians retook Moravia again.
In 1040 Conrad attacked Bohemia, and Casimir tried to change king of Hungary. Both were defeated.
In 1041 Sviatoplok with Pechenegs invaded Hungary. Peter Orseolo was defeated. Pechenegs captured Transylvania. Casimir attacked Hungary. Hungarians revolted and recognize Bela as new king. Bela returned Slovakia to Poland. Henry III attacked Bohemia. Bretislav was caught and then imprisoned in Germany.
Henry III gave Bohemia to Casimir. Casimir, in his turn, gave Brest to Sviatopolk.
In 1045 Henry III with the empress and the Pope went from city to city. Clement II tried to reform bishoprics, monasteries, abbeys. The emperor prepared for Sicily campaign. In Poland the emperor and Casimir discussed the war against Slavs. Henry leaved Bernard, the Duke of Saxony, as ally for the war.
In 1045 Poland was a great kingdom.
Pomorze was lost to Slavs about 1007.
Misnia was added in 1032.
Morawy was lost in 1029, was returned in 1030, was lost again in 1039 and was returned in 1041.
Slowaczyna was lost to Hngary in 1035 and was returned in 1041.
Chervien cities was lost to Rus' in 1037 and Brest was lost in 1041.
Czechs was added in 1041.
There is archbishopric in Gnezno and there are bishoprics in Wratislaw (Wroclaw), Krakow, Pague and Olomuc. The church was not destroyed, so Polish priests appeared early, and, probably, more monasteries appeared. Moreover, the tradition to set a member of kings family as the bishop of Krakow appeared too.
The king and his court, probably, went from a city to a city, like the emperor. "Main way" was Gnezno - Poznan - Wratislaw - Meissen - Prague - Olomuc - Nitra - Krakow - Sandomierz - Plock - Gnezno, but this way was chosen not every year.
The main official language of the country was Latin, and the main dialect was Great Poland, which strong influenced other dialects and languages of the country. probably, the influence of the German language was less. Probably, "Illarionica" was spread fast for writing Polish and Czech languages.
The culture was influenced by Czechs, Germans and Russians with Greeks, so, some mix was appeared in Poland too, like Rus'.
The economic was based on trade centers - richest were Krakow, Prague and, probably, Poznan. Poland in general was richer, because it was not ravaged so strong, as in OTL.
And, probably, the problem of multi-people country appeared. Germans hated Slavs at all. Czechs disliked Polish, as enemies, who captured them. Moravs disliked everybody, after ravaging of his country. Greater Polish saw at all another peoples as at servers or as at barbarians (Mazovian and Slovakian). Lesser Polish saw at all others as at poor men, which are used their wealth. And Mazovain wanted independence.
(Do I draw too dark picture?
)Probably, Casimir tried to unite the country by some way, but I'm not sure, that he could make it fast.
TL of Poland:In 1025 Boleslav of Poland was crowned as King of Poland.
In 1026 Mieszhko became the king of Poland as Mieszhko I.
In 1028 Polish troops invaded Saxony.
In 1029 Conrad II of Germany in the autumn seized the Polish city Bautzen, but can't take the city. The son of Oldřich, Duke of Bohemia, Bretuslav I, attacked and took Moravia.
In 1030 Mieszhko I, King of Poland, secured an alliance with Hungary and Rus'. Mieszhko invaded Saxony, Stephan I attacked Bavaria [2] and Sviatoplok and Mstislav attacked Moravia. [3]
Conrad II and Bretuslav were defeated completely. Stepahn I occupied Vienna. Mieszhko ravaged one hundred of villages and towns of Saxpny. Russian Princes returned Moravia to Mieszhko and ravaged Bohemia.
In spring of 1031 Mieszhko with Sviatopolk ravaged western parts of Marches Lusatia and Meissen, and took Meissen. Dietrich II von Wettin attacked them, but was defeated and killed in the battle [3].
In autumn Conrad II seized Meissen, but can't take it.
In winter of 1031/32 people revolted in Poland. Mieszhko defeated uprisings. In summer 1032 Mieszhko with small army ravaged Merseburg, but he was defeated by Herman I.
In autumn Conrad II attacked Mieszhko, but Rudolph II, the king of Burgundy, died in September. Odo, Count of Blois, claimed his rights to kingdom.
Conrad II made peace with Mieszhko:
1) Mieszko stops supporting Ezzonids;
2) Mieszko support of troops in war with Blois;
3) Poland received western parts of Marches Lusatia and Meissen;
4) 2 new bishops are set for Rus' - Polotsk and Novgorod, which are under head of Gnesno archbishop;
5) Otto became bishop of Krakow.
The son of Conrad II, Henry, with Polish troops, which the son of Mieszhko II, Casimir, was led, in summer of 1033 attacked Oldřich and defeated him. Oldřich was condemned, banished, and deprived of his lands. His brother, the old Duke Jaromir was set again over the duchy of Bohemia. Jaromir divided the country with the son of Oldřich, Břetislav.
In the spring 1034 polish pagans revolted. Mieszhko and Casimir hardly fought with pagans.
Oldřich was pardoned at Ratisbon (April 1034). He seized and blinded his brother and exiled his son. Břetislav escaped to Poland - where he was captured and imprisoned. Oldřich died the same year. Jaromir undertook the title and duties.
1035. Conrad with polish troops, which Casimir led, attacked Lyutitzi.
Stephan I of Hungary, attacked Poland. Mieszhko met him, was defeated and was killed in the battle.
Casimir was crowned the King of Poland in Gnezno. He made a peace with Stephan - he recognized, that Slovakia became a part of Hungary, he recognized Bezprym as Duke of Lesser Poland and Chervien cities, but he refused to release Bretislav.
1036. Casimir released Bretislav, but as his vassal. Jaromir died soon in same year.
Otto of Schweinfurt married Mathilda, the daughter of Bolelasv of Poland.
Olomouc bishopric was founded by request of Casimir. Conrad and Casimir invaded Wends lands. They made a peace, tool hostages and much tribute. In autumn Conrad hurry went to Itlay. Casimir escorted him.
In January 1037, Peter of Hungary and Bezprym met in Krakow and began the revolt. They marched to Gnezno. Bretislav took Moravia and went to Gnezno from another side. Sviatopolk took Chierven cities, and came to Krakow. Casimir marched to Bohemia. Peter Orseolo moved home. Bezprym was beheaded soon. Casimir retook Moravia and invaded Bohemia. He besieged Prague, but the city hard defended.
Casimir gave Chierven cities to Sviatopolk and agreed to marry Dobronega, the sister of Sviatopolk.
On 15th August, 1038 Stephan I, King of Hungary, died. Peter Orseolo became new king. Peter gathered troops and came to Prague. Hungarians ravaged Moravia again, and defeated Polish troops.
Casimir met the emperor, and a new campaign was plan in next year. But in June, 1039 Conrad died. Bretislav with help of Hungarians retook Moravia again.
In 1040 Conrad attacked Bohemia, and Casimir tried to change king of Hungary. Both were defeated.
In 1041 Sviatoplok with Pechenegs invaded Hungary. Peter Orseolo was defeated. Pechenegs captured Transylvania. Casimir attacked Hungary. Hungarians revolted and recognize Bela as new king. Bela returned Slovakia to Poland. Henry III attacked Bohemia. Bretislav was caught and then imprisoned in Germany.
Henry III gave Bohemia to Casimir. Casimir, in his turn, gave Brest to Sviatopolk.
In 1045 Henry III with the empress and the Pope went from city to city. Clement II tried to reform bishoprics, monasteries, abbeys. The emperor prepared for Sicily campaign. In Poland the emperor and Casimir discussed the war against Slavs. Henry leaved Bernard, the Duke of Saxony, as ally for the war.
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The eastern expansion of germans had been cancelled for good
I'm not sure, what will happen in 10 years, after Henry III and Casimir will die
But, maybe, Germans will go to South Chapter twenty four. Italy in 1045.
The history of Italy has been changed in TTL.
In autumn, 1036 Conrad hurry went to Itlay. In winter, 1037 the bishop of Milan rebelled against him. In spring, 1038 Conrad was in Rome, then he went to Southern Italy, where he seizes Capua, giving it to Guaimar IV of Salerno. Conrad also confirms Salernan overlordship over the Duchy of Gaeta and Rainulf Drengot's title as Duke of Aversa. In august, 1038 Conrad went back to Germany.
In 1040 Lombards of southern Italy revolted against Byzantium, with the support of Norman mercenaries. The catepan (Byzantium's ruler) was killed. Atenulf, the brother of the Duke of Benevento, was elected as a leader of rebels.
Henry III went to Rome. Henry III come to Pavia at November, 1041, and many men brought complaints to the emperor about Pope. Henry assembled Council, and Benedict IX was declared deposed. The German Bishop Suidger was crowned Pope Clement. On Christmas, Henry was crowned the emperor. After the coronation, Henry III went to South, to Guaimar IV of Salerno.
Changes to 1042 (TTL):
March of Verona: from 976 in personal union with the Duchy of Carinthia, directly ruled by Henry III.
Kingdom of Lombardy was divided between:
Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan from 1020. He continuously increased his properties in northern Italy and he became Margrave of Milan, and Liguria, Count of Gavello and Padua, Rovigo, Lunigiana, Monselice, and Montagnana. Albert Azzo was a cautious politician who always had a good relationship with the emperor.
Otto II, Marquess of Montferrat from 1042 until 1084. He married Constance, daughter of Amadeus II of Savoy.
Adelaide of Susa, received in 1034 the counties of Ivrea, Auriate, Aosta, and Turin. The margravial title, however, had primarily a military purpose at the time and, thus, was not considered suitable for a woman.
Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor, therefore arranged a marriage between Adelaide and Herman IV, Duke of Swabia, to serve as margrave of Turin. The two were married in January 1037, but Herman died of the plague while fighting at Naples in July 1038.
Adelaide remarried in order to secure her vast march to Henry of Montferrat (1041), but he died in 1045 and left her a widow for the second time.
Immediately, a third marriage was undertaken, this time to Otto of Savoy (1046).
Tuscany
Boniface III became the count of Canossa in 1012 (he had Brescia, Canossa, Ferrara, Florence, Lucca, Mantua, Modena, Pisa, Pistoia, Parma, Reggio, and Verona). He supported Henry II in 1014 and 1016. In 1027, he supported the candidacy of Conrad II of Germany for the Iron Crown of Lombardy and the Imperial Crown. In same year Conrad deposed the reigning margrave of Tuscany, Rainier, and gave his lands and titles to Boniface.
In May 1034 two Italian armies, one led by Archbishop Aribert of Milan and another by Boniface III of Canossa-Tuscany, helped Conrad in Burgundy.
In 1037, he helped put down a revolt against the Emperor Conrad.
Romanga
In 781, Charlemagne codified the regions over which the Pope would be temporal sovereign: the Duchy of Rome was key, but the territory was expanded to include Ravenna, the Pentapolis, parts of the Duchy of Benevento, Tuscany, Corsica, Lombardy and a number of Italian cities.
In general, Romanga were the number of semi-independent cities.
Spoleto
Hugh III, I can't found anything about him. He died in 1043, and the duchy became vacant.
Benevento
Pandulf III of Benevento. Was the prince of Benevento, first as co-ruler with his father, Landulf V, and grandfather, Pandulf II. Immediately after the death of Pandulf II in 1014, the citizens of Benevento led a revolt against the two princes, father and son. The rebellion failed to dislodge the princes from power. However, the citizens did force concessions of authority to themselves and the city's aristocracy. Benevento was forced to make submission to the Byzantine Empire. In 1022, the Emperor Henry II submitted the sity after a quick siege. Landulf V died in 1033. In August or September 1038, Pandulf associated his own son, Landulf VI, in the principality. In the summer Conrad visited Benevento.
Salerno
Guaimar IV succeeded his father in Salerno in 1027. In spring, 1038 Conrad seizes Capua, giving it to Guaimar IV of Salerno. Conrad also confirms Salernan overlordship over the Duchy of Gaeta and Rainulf Drengot's title as Duke of Aversa. In April 1039 Guaimar installed himself as duke of Amalfi. Then in July, he conquered Sorrento. He gave it to his brother Guy with the title of duke. He also received the homage of the Duke of Naples, John V.
In the north, he brought Comino, Aquino, Traetto (May 1039), Venafro (October 1040), Pontecorvo, and Sora under his rule. In June 1040, he took Gaeta. So, he had all Southern principalities, except Benevento.
Also Maritime republics existed in Italy, semi- of full independent.
Changes from 1042.
In February, 1042 the emperor Henry III come to Salerno.
In same month Atenulf fled to Greek territory. Argyrus was elected as a new leader. Argyrus come to Henry and become his vassalage. Henry gave him the title Duke of Apulia. Argyrus asked a help against northmen, and Henry promised the help. So, Henry and Guaimar IV helped the rebels - and rebels seized Trani and went to Taranto. Pandulf III of Benevento refused to help the emperor - firstly because rebels supported his rebelled son, secondly because he did not like the emperor (he refused to open gate for him in 1047 i OTL).
In March Maniakes landed in Southern Italy. In April enemies met near Taranto. Maniakes defeated Henry, Argyrus and Guaimar. Henry went to Rome. In October Henry came back to Taranto with new troops of Italian vassals - and Boniface III of Tuscany led a biggest army. Germans and Italians seized Benevento before Christmas. Pandulf III and his son were captured and imprisoned. Henry III gave the principality to Guaimar of Salerno.
In 1043 Henry successfully besieged cities of Apulia. Many cities opened gates itself, because they had not any hope of help from Byzantium. In April he took last city and went to Calabria. Constantin IX proposed the marriage between Henry and Maria, the daughter of Constantin, and he proposed Southern Italy as dowry. Henry III agreed.
Constantin IX recognized Argyrus as a ruler of Apulia.
In this year the duke of Spoleto died, and Bonifacie III of Tuscany received the Duchy of Spoleto and Camerino. He also acquired more land in Parma and Piacenza.
In 1044 Henry III gave Calabria to Henry of Luxembourg. Henry received the title "The Duke of Calabria and Sicily" and he had the order to prepare supplies for the invasion of Sicily.
Normans had less power, than in OTL. Rainulf Drengot was the count of Aversa, but neither Argyrus, nor Guimar gave baronies to Normans. moreover - part of northmen went to Maniakes after battle near Taranto in 1042, and, probably, Hautevilles went too.
When Rainulf died in 1045, the Gaetans elected their own Lombard candidate, Atenulf, Count of Aquino. Guimar confirmed him in Gaeta. Asclettin Drengot died same year, and Guimar supported his candidate, not a Norman, as a count of Aversa. In OTL Rainulf Trincanocte united with Pandulf IV of Capua and won. But in TTL Pandulf had not Capua, and Guimar had more power - so Guimar defeated and imprisoned Pandulf, who died in next year, and defeated Normans. Citizens didn't like them, and killed many of them. Last Normans escaped to Byzantium.
So, in 1046 the Southern Italy was cleared of Normans and there are two powerful dikes in Southern and Central Italy - Boniface and Guimar, and three less powerful - Argyrus, Henry, and the Pope.
The history of Italy has been changed in TTL.
In autumn, 1036 Conrad hurry went to Itlay. In winter, 1037 the bishop of Milan rebelled against him. In spring, 1038 Conrad was in Rome, then he went to Southern Italy, where he seizes Capua, giving it to Guaimar IV of Salerno. Conrad also confirms Salernan overlordship over the Duchy of Gaeta and Rainulf Drengot's title as Duke of Aversa. In august, 1038 Conrad went back to Germany.
In 1040 Lombards of southern Italy revolted against Byzantium, with the support of Norman mercenaries. The catepan (Byzantium's ruler) was killed. Atenulf, the brother of the Duke of Benevento, was elected as a leader of rebels.
Henry III went to Rome. Henry III come to Pavia at November, 1041, and many men brought complaints to the emperor about Pope. Henry assembled Council, and Benedict IX was declared deposed. The German Bishop Suidger was crowned Pope Clement. On Christmas, Henry was crowned the emperor. After the coronation, Henry III went to South, to Guaimar IV of Salerno.
Changes to 1042 (TTL):
March of Verona: from 976 in personal union with the Duchy of Carinthia, directly ruled by Henry III.
Kingdom of Lombardy was divided between:
Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan from 1020. He continuously increased his properties in northern Italy and he became Margrave of Milan, and Liguria, Count of Gavello and Padua, Rovigo, Lunigiana, Monselice, and Montagnana. Albert Azzo was a cautious politician who always had a good relationship with the emperor.
Otto II, Marquess of Montferrat from 1042 until 1084. He married Constance, daughter of Amadeus II of Savoy.
Adelaide of Susa, received in 1034 the counties of Ivrea, Auriate, Aosta, and Turin. The margravial title, however, had primarily a military purpose at the time and, thus, was not considered suitable for a woman.
Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor, therefore arranged a marriage between Adelaide and Herman IV, Duke of Swabia, to serve as margrave of Turin. The two were married in January 1037, but Herman died of the plague while fighting at Naples in July 1038.
Adelaide remarried in order to secure her vast march to Henry of Montferrat (1041), but he died in 1045 and left her a widow for the second time.
Immediately, a third marriage was undertaken, this time to Otto of Savoy (1046).
Tuscany
Boniface III became the count of Canossa in 1012 (he had Brescia, Canossa, Ferrara, Florence, Lucca, Mantua, Modena, Pisa, Pistoia, Parma, Reggio, and Verona). He supported Henry II in 1014 and 1016. In 1027, he supported the candidacy of Conrad II of Germany for the Iron Crown of Lombardy and the Imperial Crown. In same year Conrad deposed the reigning margrave of Tuscany, Rainier, and gave his lands and titles to Boniface.
In May 1034 two Italian armies, one led by Archbishop Aribert of Milan and another by Boniface III of Canossa-Tuscany, helped Conrad in Burgundy.
In 1037, he helped put down a revolt against the Emperor Conrad.
Romanga
In 781, Charlemagne codified the regions over which the Pope would be temporal sovereign: the Duchy of Rome was key, but the territory was expanded to include Ravenna, the Pentapolis, parts of the Duchy of Benevento, Tuscany, Corsica, Lombardy and a number of Italian cities.
In general, Romanga were the number of semi-independent cities.
Spoleto
Hugh III, I can't found anything about him. He died in 1043, and the duchy became vacant.
Benevento
Pandulf III of Benevento. Was the prince of Benevento, first as co-ruler with his father, Landulf V, and grandfather, Pandulf II. Immediately after the death of Pandulf II in 1014, the citizens of Benevento led a revolt against the two princes, father and son. The rebellion failed to dislodge the princes from power. However, the citizens did force concessions of authority to themselves and the city's aristocracy. Benevento was forced to make submission to the Byzantine Empire. In 1022, the Emperor Henry II submitted the sity after a quick siege. Landulf V died in 1033. In August or September 1038, Pandulf associated his own son, Landulf VI, in the principality. In the summer Conrad visited Benevento.
Salerno
Guaimar IV succeeded his father in Salerno in 1027. In spring, 1038 Conrad seizes Capua, giving it to Guaimar IV of Salerno. Conrad also confirms Salernan overlordship over the Duchy of Gaeta and Rainulf Drengot's title as Duke of Aversa. In April 1039 Guaimar installed himself as duke of Amalfi. Then in July, he conquered Sorrento. He gave it to his brother Guy with the title of duke. He also received the homage of the Duke of Naples, John V.
In the north, he brought Comino, Aquino, Traetto (May 1039), Venafro (October 1040), Pontecorvo, and Sora under his rule. In June 1040, he took Gaeta. So, he had all Southern principalities, except Benevento.
Also Maritime republics existed in Italy, semi- of full independent.
Changes from 1042.
In February, 1042 the emperor Henry III come to Salerno.
In same month Atenulf fled to Greek territory. Argyrus was elected as a new leader. Argyrus come to Henry and become his vassalage. Henry gave him the title Duke of Apulia. Argyrus asked a help against northmen, and Henry promised the help. So, Henry and Guaimar IV helped the rebels - and rebels seized Trani and went to Taranto. Pandulf III of Benevento refused to help the emperor - firstly because rebels supported his rebelled son, secondly because he did not like the emperor (he refused to open gate for him in 1047 i OTL).
In March Maniakes landed in Southern Italy. In April enemies met near Taranto. Maniakes defeated Henry, Argyrus and Guaimar. Henry went to Rome. In October Henry came back to Taranto with new troops of Italian vassals - and Boniface III of Tuscany led a biggest army. Germans and Italians seized Benevento before Christmas. Pandulf III and his son were captured and imprisoned. Henry III gave the principality to Guaimar of Salerno.
In 1043 Henry successfully besieged cities of Apulia. Many cities opened gates itself, because they had not any hope of help from Byzantium. In April he took last city and went to Calabria. Constantin IX proposed the marriage between Henry and Maria, the daughter of Constantin, and he proposed Southern Italy as dowry. Henry III agreed.
Constantin IX recognized Argyrus as a ruler of Apulia.
In this year the duke of Spoleto died, and Bonifacie III of Tuscany received the Duchy of Spoleto and Camerino. He also acquired more land in Parma and Piacenza.
In 1044 Henry III gave Calabria to Henry of Luxembourg. Henry received the title "The Duke of Calabria and Sicily" and he had the order to prepare supplies for the invasion of Sicily.
Normans had less power, than in OTL. Rainulf Drengot was the count of Aversa, but neither Argyrus, nor Guimar gave baronies to Normans. moreover - part of northmen went to Maniakes after battle near Taranto in 1042, and, probably, Hautevilles went too.
When Rainulf died in 1045, the Gaetans elected their own Lombard candidate, Atenulf, Count of Aquino. Guimar confirmed him in Gaeta. Asclettin Drengot died same year, and Guimar supported his candidate, not a Norman, as a count of Aversa. In OTL Rainulf Trincanocte united with Pandulf IV of Capua and won. But in TTL Pandulf had not Capua, and Guimar had more power - so Guimar defeated and imprisoned Pandulf, who died in next year, and defeated Normans. Citizens didn't like them, and killed many of them. Last Normans escaped to Byzantium.
So, in 1046 the Southern Italy was cleared of Normans and there are two powerful dikes in Southern and Central Italy - Boniface and Guimar, and three less powerful - Argyrus, Henry, and the Pope.
Hello, I'm back. Great summary so far. The history here is shaping in interesting ways. I'll try to give some input in area I know best.
I'm afraid, yes. First of all, there are not too many Germans in TTL Polish Realm. Most of them reside in former Meissen Marche and Lusatia. For them most important was to have support of fellow christians against pagans. They probably looked down on Slavs but had to live ith their Slavic overlord.
The Czechs would probably hate Poles especially if the kings keep giving this province to Polish, not local governors.
The Moravians are other matter. From the sources I have read I could gather that they were quite fond of rules of Bolesław the Brave and they didn't mutinied against him alongside with Czechs. Moravia was only lost to Poland when Mieszko II lost the two front war against Konrad II and Yaroslav the Wise. I think that in this timeline they would be rather glad that Kasimir managed to regain all Moravian lands. I think that they would be loyal to strongest rulers and in this timeline the strongest is Polish king. So far. They would be probably favoured against Czechs.
Masovia wouldn't want independence. Masovia was a part of Polish realm since the beginning of Mieszko's I rule. the only time when it was independent happened after the great pagan uprising and Bretislav's raid on Greatern Poland - the province received an influx of immigrants from pillaged lands and it had the master who managed to preserve order (I mean Masław/Miecław). In this timeline the province is less developed and less populous because the pagan uprising was quelled quickly and there was no pillaging of Greater Poland. So this is just a border province which only has to be developed in TTL. But it would be soon as Poland contains an entirety of Vistula flow which is most important trade route in the realm (navigable from Krakow to it's mouth).
The Lesser Poland is probably boasting its wealth but the Greater Poland is still most important part of the realm.
But saying all this I don't mean that everythink is rosy. During the last decade all parts of country were more or less touched by war or discontent. The king maintains strong military which costs much and he exacts the resources for its maintenance from local population. Most of it (maybe 90%) is still pagan and resents the new customs. So the kingdom is highly unstable and requires the king's charisma to be kept in one piece - especially that it is twice as large than in OTL.
I think that the most important for Kasimir now is to wage a new, successfull war which could bring some loots to his troops and to his treasury - which is why Pomerania is tempting target.
I think that about as quickly as in OTL - the country is in much better shape but it is much larger so it's harder to keep it as a whole. I think that one of unifying factors which wasn't present in OTL is friendship between Kasimir and Henry III. The nobles who would try to fight against Kasimir have to think twice as they had the example of Bezprym or Bretislav.
I'm not sure if in this timeline Mieszko would be known as the second. After all he was the first crowned ruler of this name.
Chapter twenty six. Poland.
And, probably, the problem of multi-people country appeared. Germans hated Slavs at all. Czechs disliked Polish, as enemies, who captured them. Moravs disliked everybody, after ravaging of his country. Greater Polish saw at all another peoples as at servers or as at barbarians (Mazovian and Slovakian). Lesser Polish saw at all others as at poor men, which are used their wealth. And Mazovain wanted independence.
(Do I draw too dark picture?
I'm afraid, yes. First of all, there are not too many Germans in TTL Polish Realm. Most of them reside in former Meissen Marche and Lusatia. For them most important was to have support of fellow christians against pagans. They probably looked down on Slavs but had to live ith their Slavic overlord.
The Czechs would probably hate Poles especially if the kings keep giving this province to Polish, not local governors.
The Moravians are other matter. From the sources I have read I could gather that they were quite fond of rules of Bolesław the Brave and they didn't mutinied against him alongside with Czechs. Moravia was only lost to Poland when Mieszko II lost the two front war against Konrad II and Yaroslav the Wise. I think that in this timeline they would be rather glad that Kasimir managed to regain all Moravian lands. I think that they would be loyal to strongest rulers and in this timeline the strongest is Polish king. So far. They would be probably favoured against Czechs.
Masovia wouldn't want independence. Masovia was a part of Polish realm since the beginning of Mieszko's I rule. the only time when it was independent happened after the great pagan uprising and Bretislav's raid on Greatern Poland - the province received an influx of immigrants from pillaged lands and it had the master who managed to preserve order (I mean Masław/Miecław). In this timeline the province is less developed and less populous because the pagan uprising was quelled quickly and there was no pillaging of Greater Poland. So this is just a border province which only has to be developed in TTL. But it would be soon as Poland contains an entirety of Vistula flow which is most important trade route in the realm (navigable from Krakow to it's mouth).
The Lesser Poland is probably boasting its wealth but the Greater Poland is still most important part of the realm.
But saying all this I don't mean that everythink is rosy. During the last decade all parts of country were more or less touched by war or discontent. The king maintains strong military which costs much and he exacts the resources for its maintenance from local population. Most of it (maybe 90%) is still pagan and resents the new customs. So the kingdom is highly unstable and requires the king's charisma to be kept in one piece - especially that it is twice as large than in OTL.
I think that the most important for Kasimir now is to wage a new, successfull war which could bring some loots to his troops and to his treasury - which is why Pomerania is tempting target.
I think that about as quickly as in OTL - the country is in much better shape but it is much larger so it's harder to keep it as a whole. I think that one of unifying factors which wasn't present in OTL is friendship between Kasimir and Henry III. The nobles who would try to fight against Kasimir have to think twice as they had the example of Bezprym or Bretislav.
I'm not sure if in this timeline Mieszko would be known as the second. After all he was the first crowned ruler of this name.
Hello!
Thanks!Great summary so far. The history here is shaping in interesting ways. I'll try to give some input in area I know best.
It sounds good
I was afraid, that Poland must crush after death of Casimir, if I right.But, I think, he can't set a Czech governor, because this governor, probably, will try to return independence.
And Casimir needs economy base. Probably, I need to read more about Silesia and its metals.
Yes, he was Mieszko the First. We spoke about this, and I thought, that I changed this in TL. I have edited this part now.
Now I "sunk" in Germany, but it is the last part of 1045. Maybe, one more needed - changed marriages and unions in 1045, but it will be some later, probably. Then I plan to write more detail about the war in Byzantium, and - to write about "Great 1046"
Chapter twenty eight. Germany in 1045.
The emperor was:
- king of Burgundy;
- duke of Swabia (in OTL he gave the duchy to Otto - to fight against Godfrey of Lorraine; in TTL Henry strong enough to don't release Godfrey, so, he saved the duchy);
- duke of Bavaria (in OTL he gave the duchy to Henry - to protect it from Hungarians; in TTL Hungary is ally of Henry, he saved the duchy too);
- duke of Carinthia (together Verona and Carniole), as in OTL too.
Every of this duchies (and the kingdom) have more or less powerful lendowners.
Below, the list of them, who is mentioned in Wikipedia (English, German, and French versions):
Burgundy:
Count of Savoy - Umberto I (1032-1047/48), During the wars between Rudolph III of Burgundy and the Emperor Henry II, Umberto supported the latter with provisions and soldiers because he was related to the imperial family by marriage. Umberto's lands were essentially autonomous after the death of Henry. Their mountainous inaccessibility and their minor importance lent them to being overlooked and ignored in the power struggles which inevitably followed the death of the emperor. In 1032, Umberto received the Maurienne, his native country, from the Emperor Conrad II, whom he had helped in his Italian campaigns against Aribert, Archbishop of Milan.
Count of Provence - Fulk Bertrand (1018-1051). He and his brother gave up control of much of the royal fisc, which had been under the control of the counts of Provence since the time of William the Liberator. It was mostly parcelled out as allods to vassals and the weakening of the county of Provence as a united polity can be dated from their reign.
Count of Sisgau - Rudolf of Rheinfelden (he was born about 1025). The family belonged to the great Burgundian nobility. The exact relationships of Rudolf of Rheinfelden can not yet be fully understood. Its relationship to the then already extinct Burgundian royal house by Rudolf II of Burgundy (912-37) but is considered secured. He was also cousin of the Duke of Lorraine, and a relative of the Liudolfinger. Later, in 1075, he became the anti-king.
Swabia
Pfalzgraf of Swabia - Friedrich von Büren (1027-1053), Graf im Riesgau. Married about 1040 the daughter of Otto Ezzonid, pfalzgraf of Lotharingia. No information about him, only he was the father of Friedrich von Staufen.
Count of Brisgau - Berthold II. Married the daughter of Herman IV, the duke of Swabia, about 1043. Henry III promised his party-follower Berthold the Duchy of Swabia. However, Henry's widow Agnes of Poitou gave the Duchy in fief to Rudolf of Rheinfelden in 1057. Berthold received, as compensation for the abandonment of his claim to the Duchy, the titles to Carinthia and Verona, whereby the Zähringen ascended to the status of a mediatized house. In Carinthia and Verona, though, Berthold was never really accepted as ruler.
Count of Habsburg - Radbot (-1045), was Graf of the county of Klettgau on the High Rhine in Swabia. In 1010, he married Ida (970–1026), daughter of Duke Frederick I of Upper Lorraine. After him sons ruled:
Otto was killed in 1055, then - Werner I, who supported the Pope in 1076-78.
Count of Nellenburg - Eberhard VI, Count Nellenburg and from 1036 Count Zürichgau. In 1046/47, he followed Henry III on its first expedition to Italy. For this he received the right to mint coinage.
Bavaria
Pfalzgraf of Bavaria - Aribo II (1041-1055), he was not loyal to Henry III. In OTL, in 1053 he joined the uprising Aribo Boto and Duke Conrad of Bavaria and Duke Welf of Carinthia against Emperor Henry III, at 1055 Aribo was deposed.
Count Vohburg - Kuno von Rott (1040-1086), became pfalzgraf of Bavaria in 1055.
Count of Formbach - not sure Eckbert? Thiemo was killed in 1040, when he supported Otto of Schweinfurt.
Count of Kastl - Hermann I, the son of Hermann IV, the duke of Swabia. No information.
Carinthia
Styria - Arnold of Wels-Lambach (1035–1055).
Carniola - Ulrich I Marchese di Carniola (1045-1070), Marchese di Istria (1060-1070).
Other lands were ruled by dukes, margraves and counts, not directly by the emperor. Firstly, we see Southern Eastern lands, Venice, Austria and Hungarian March. Then - we will see at North.
Venice
Domenico Contarini was elected in 1043. During his reign (1043-1071), the Venetians recaptured Zadar and parts of Dalmatia that had been lost to the Kingdom of Croatia in the previous few decades. The Venetian naval fleet was heavily built up during his reign, the economy thrived, and the Republic of Venice had reasserted its control over much of the Mediterranean Sea.
Domenico Contarini maintained friendly relations with the Byzantine Emperors, the Pope in Rome, and the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry III.
But 1045 - it's only second year of his reign. His preceded let the economy of the Republic of Venice slip due to a general decline in confidence of the Republic.
Austria
The Margrave of Austria was Adalbert the Victorious (until 1055). He supported Henry III.
His wife, Frozza Orseolo, the sister of Peter Orseolo, the king of Hingary.
Hungarian march
In the year 1035 Kaiser Conrad II marched against Duke Adalbero of Eppenstein towards Carinthia. In the company of Conrad was Siegfried as his close companion. He thus arrived from the Rhineland on the Southeast of the Empire of then. Through marriage with Richgard from the family of the Sieghardinger, he obtained large possessions in Tirol and also in Carinthia, for example the Lavanttal valley (in modern Austria) and probably also Laško and some other parts of modern Slovenia like the territories around Ljubljana.
In the year 1044 he documents as ruling Count to Sponheim. In 1045 Siegfried was granted the Margraviate Hungarian March in the eastern Lower Austria by Kaiser Henry III as fiefdom. He kept and managed this land until the end of his life. Thereafter the Hungarian March fell to the Babenberger.
In 1048 he documents as Gaugraf in the Pustertal and Count in the Lavanttal, Siegfried must therefore have already succeeded to his father-in-law Engelbert IV as heir to this territory by then. He overtook likewise the possessions of his father-in-law in Upper Bavaria. Besides he was soon Vogt of the Bistums Brixen and Salzburg. Siegfried received likewise possessions in Lower Carinthia and in the eastern Upper Bavaria. Died in 1065.
Moravie, Boheme, Meissen and Lausitz are lost to Poland.
Flanders
Balduin V (1039-1067)
During a long war (1046–1056) as an ally of Godfrey the Bearded, Duke of Lorraine, against the Holy Roman Emperor Henry III, he initially lost Valenciennes to Hermann of Hainaut. However, when the latter died in 1051 Baldwin married his son Baldwin VI to Herman's widow Richildis and arranged that the sons of her first marriage were disinherited, thus de facto uniting the County of Hainaut with Flanders. Upon the death of Henry III this marriage was acknowledged by treaty by Agnes de Poitou, mother and regent of Henry IV.
Holland
Dirk IV (1039-1049). Dirk IV continued the policy of his father Dirk III to enlarge his possessions, developing and colonizing the low-lying peat areas of Holland and Utrecht. As a result, he came into conflict with the bishop of Utrecht, other bishops and monasteries in the surrounding area. Because of this, Emperor Henry III personally led an expedition against him in 1046, forcing Dirk to return some areas he had occupied. Shortly after the emperor had left however, Dirk started to plunder the territories of the bishops of Utrecht and Liège and made alliances with Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine and the counts of Hainaut and Flanders. After this, in 1047, the emperor returned and occupied the stronghold at Rijnsburg, which was completely destroyed. During, the retreat however, the imperial army suffered severe losses, causing Dirk's allies to rise in open revolt as well in his support. On 13 January 1049 Dirk was ambushed near Dordrecht by a force of the bishops of Utrecht, Liège and Metz and killed.
Margrave Frisia - Bruno II (1038-1057). He belonged to the Brunonen family. In 1038 he succeeded his father Liudolf, Margrave of Frisia. His mother was Gertrude the daughter of Count Hugo and brother of Pope Leo IX. Killed in the battle in 1057.
Saxony
Duke - Bernard II (1011-1059).
Bernard expanded the powers of the duke in Saxony and is regarded as the greatest of the Billungers. He was originally a supporter of Emperor Henry II and he accompanied him into Poland and negotiated the treaty of Bautzen of 1018. In 1019–1020, he revolted and gained the recognition of the tribal laws of Saxony, something his father had just failed to do. He returned then to war with the Slavs (Obodrites and Lutici) and drew them into his sphere of power and influence through their leader, Godescalc (Gottschalk).
He supported Conrad II in 1024 and his son Henry III, though he began to fear the latter for his closeness to the Archbishop Adalbert of Bremen, an inveterate enemy of the dukes of Saxony. Though he was a critical ally of the Danes, so fundamental to Henry's wars in the Low Countries, Bernard was on the brink of rebellion until the death of Adalbert. The remainder of his reign, however, was quiet.
In 1045, he erected the Alsterburg in Hamburg.
Pfalzfrag of Saxony - Dedo (1043-1056), Graf von Goseck, Graf im Hassegau. He distinguished himself in the Hungarian campaign 1044/45 show at the Battle of Menfö and won after the extinction of Ekkehardiner in Thuringia to significant positions of power. He was murdered on the way from Bremen to Thuringia.
The brother of Adalbert, Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen.
Count of Northeim - Otto, from 1040. One of influence families (two other are Billung and Staden). Became the duke of Bavaria in 1061. In spite of that one year later he conspired with Archbishop Anno II of Cologne to seize Henry IV at Kaiserswerth in order to deprive his mother of power. The coup succeeded, Otto led a successful expedition into Hungary in 1063 and took a prominent part in the Empire's government during the king's minority. In 1064 he went to Italy to settle a papal schism and was largely instrumental in securing the banishment from court of Archbishop Adalbert of Bremen-Hamburg. He crossed the Alps in the royal interests on two other occasions and in 1069 shared in two expeditions to the eastern Wend lands.Otto neglected his duchy, but added to his personal possessions in the southern Harz region, which ultimately led into conflict with Henry IV. In 1070 he was accused by a certain Egeno von Konradsburg of being privy to a plot to murder the king...
Count of Stade - Lothar Udo I. (1039-1057). Count von Stade and Largau, Steiringgau, Schwabengau and Hochseegau and Vogt of Heeslingen and Alsleben. Udo was in conflict with the Bremen archbishops Adalbrand and Adalbert because bailiwick and Graf rights. He killed 1052/53 his distant cousin of Ekbert Elsdorf-Stade and inherited him. After Wilhelm, the son of Bernard was killed, Lothar became the margrave of Nordmark. Which auflehnende against this decision Otto, son of Bernard II, was on the 26th of the Brunonen June 1057 killed at home Neindorf the Selke. Lothar Udo 1057 still led a campaign of revenge against the Liutizen.
Count of Katlenburg - Dietrich I. Count in Lies and Rittigau. Emperor Henry III. had sent him with the Margrave William of Nordmark against Liutizen (Slavs), where he was killed in 1056.
Count of Weimar - William IV, (1039-1062). Margrave of Meissen (1046-1062). Pfalzgraf of Saxony in 1043.
On the death of the Emperor in 1056, he was a loyal follower of the regent, the Empress Agnes of Poitou. He was highly in favour with the empress, who gave him command alongside Eppo, Bishop of Naumburg, of the army in the campaign in support of Andrew I of Hungary against his brother Bela, Duke of Nitra. The German army was soon in retreat and, at the Theben Pass near Wieselburg, William and Eppo were captured.
Count of Orlamünde - Otto (1039-1062), brother of William of Weimar, inherited his lands (1062-1067). He was appointed by the Emperor Henry IV to succeed William in Meissen as well. He became Advocate of the Cathedral of Merseburg in 1066.
Count of the Harzgau - Bernard (d before 1069), 1052 Count of the Harzgau and Derlingau as well as North Thuringia, 1043 to 1062 (recorded), probably nephew of Liutger, cousin of Bruno
Esico of Ballenstedt, Count of Schwabengaues, Harzgaues, Hardagaues, the Nordthüringgaues and Gau Serimunt and Vogt of Hagenrode (at Alexisbad) and Nienburg - an area so that more or less matches the later country Anhalt. He founded a collegiate at the castle in Ballenstedt. At the church inauguration on 10 June 1046 was the Emperor Henry III. present.
Nordmark
Bernard, the son of Dietrich of Haldensleben (1009-1051). In 1016–1017, Bernard feuded with Gero, Archbishop of Magdeburg, and consequently with the Emperor Henry II over the ambitions of the Magdeburger church. The Emperor interevened and forced Bernard to pay Gero 500 lbs of silver in compensation for the assault his men had made on the city of Magdeburg.
He married an illegitimate daughter of Vladimir the Great, Grand Prince of Kiev. He was succeeded as margrave by his eldest son William, in 1051. William was killed in the battle against Slavs.
Obodrites
In 1043 the previous prince, Ratibor, and his sons were killed. Gottschalk was supported by Sven Estridson, Jarl of Denmark, (Gottschalk married his illegitimate daughter, Sigrid) and captured the principality in 1044/45. He secured the territory through the building of new fortresses; the old fortifications of the conquered tribes were removed. He subdued the Liutizi and the diocese of Bremen "feared him as king" and paid him tribute. He nurtured alliance with his Christian neighbours, Scandinavian and German, and joined in an alliance with Duke Bernard and King Magnus to defeat the Liutizi in battle.
Lower Lotharingia
Gothelo II, died in 1046. Then Frederick of Luxembourg (1046-1065). He was loyal to the emperor, but unsuccessful in the field and Henry began parcelling out portions of the duchy to more capable warriors.
Upper Lotharingia
Adalbert, 1047-1048. Count of Metz. In OTL he was killed in the battle in 1048. In TTL Godfrey is not released.
Pfalzgraf von Lothringen
Otto. In OTL he became the duke of Swabia in 1045, but in TTL he is not.
Count of Louven - Lambert II (1038-1054). Lambert scorned both temporal and spiritual authorities and in 1054 even took up arms against Holy Roman Emperor Henry III. He was defeated and lost his life at Tournai.
Count of Hainaut - Hermann, the son of Reginar V, Count of Mons and Mathilde of Verdun (1039-1051). Count of Mons (Bergen) and the southern part of Brabant from 1039, and by inheritance from 1048/49 Marquis de Valenciennes. In 1046, he formed an alliance with Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine, Count Dietrich IV of Holland, and Count Baldwin V of Flanders against the Emperor Henry III.
Count of Namur - Albert II (1031-1064). In 1037 he fought against Odo Bluas. In 1047 he supported Henry III against Godfrey, Dirk and Balduin.
Count of Gelre - Because Baldwin IV of their areas in the Mark had conquered Ename turned Rutger and his brother in 1021 to Emperor Henry II. There they complained that they had been victims of the Holy Roman Empire lost territory in Flanders. To compensate Gerard was the area where he Wassenberg Gerard I "Flamens" ancestor of the genus Gelre was, and got his brother Rutger area Cleves, where he was ancestor of the family of Cleves. These areas were released after the murder of Adela of Hamaland on Wichman III Vreden (whose goods were in line Hamaland). This was the good of free and Wichman was the area of Adela and her husband Balderik (Count of Drenthe and Salland) by the emperor confiscated.
Count of Cleve - Rutger I was brother of Gerhard Flamens, the first Count of funds. His brother Gerard was son of the last Earl of Immedinger Hamaland Dietrich von Hamaland. The duration of Rutgers government is uncertain and is only vaguely dated to about 1020-1050. His wife was called by Wazela Lotharingen.
Count of Loon - Giselbert van Loon (-1045), then his son. Giselbert was a son of Count Rodolf van Haspinga. Giselbert's brother Arnold succeeded his father as count of Haspinga. When Haspinga was donated to the Prince-bishopric of Liège, Loon, itself a fief of Haspinga, became a fief of Liege. It is likely that Giselbert and Arnold's brother Balderik, who was Prince-Bishop of Liège from 1008 to 1018, played a role in the donation of Haspinga to Liege.
Count of Luxemburg - Henry VII, became the duke of Calabria in 1045. His brother Giselbert succeeded him in Luxembourg, while Bavaria escheated to the emperor, who gave it to Cuno.
Count of Winterthur - Adalbert II (1040-1053), When his father on 22 August 1040 as a standard-bearer of the Emperor Henry III. in its campaign fell against Břetislav I of Bohemia, Adalbert inherited the county Winterthur. Adalbert's youngest brother Werner II inherited his father as Earl of maggots and Neckargau as well as empire-bearer.
Adalbert fell, along with his brother Werner II, on 18 June 1053 in the Norman Battle of Civitate, where she. Swabia with its 600 foot soldiers, the only non-Italian contingent of the disastrously defeated army of Pope Leo IX presented.
Count of Hesse and Neckargau - Werner II, As count of Hessen and Count of maggots Werner II resided at least from 1045 onwards, on the acropolis in Gudensberg in northern Hesse and called himself Count of Gudensberg soon. In addition to the inherited offices and possessions, he acquired the Bailiwick of Walpurgis pin Weilburg.
Count of Henneberg - Poppo I of Henneberg (A supporter of King Henry IV against Rudolf of Swabia, he died at the 1078 Battle of Mellrichstadt.)
Thuringe
Count of Weimar - Wilhelm IV, from 1039. In OTL he received Meissen in 1046. He was loyal too Henry III and his wife. He was highly in favour with the empress, who gave him command alongside Eppo, Bishop of Naumburg, of the army in the campaign in support of Andrew I of Hungary against his brother Bela, Duke of Nitra. Died in 1062, in imprison.
Count of Orlamünde - Otton I, the brother of Wilhelm IV. From 1039. In 1062 inherited Weimar and Meissen.
Nordgau
Otto of Schweinfurt. He was one of the most powerful East Franconian princes by inheritance: having extensive land in the Radenzgau and Schweinfurt. In 1014, he first appears as count of Lower Altmühl (or Kelsgau) and, in 1024, he inherits his father's march. In 1034, he became count of the Lower Naab and in 1040 of upper Naab.
He was loyal to Henry III. In OTL he became the duke of Swabia in 1048.
In TTL he married Matilda, daughter of Boleslaus I of Poland, in 1036.
Count of Traungau - Dietpold I (until 1060). In OTL his son, Dietpold II, became the ruler of Nordgau, when Otto became the duke of Swabia in 1048.
And some church leaders:
Archbishop of Cologne - Hermann II, 1036-1056. Loyal to Henry III. He became Archchancellor of the Regnum Italicum and protector of Brauweiler (1053).
Archbishop of Mainz - Bardo, 1031-1051. In 1041 he accompanied King Henry the Black on campaign against Bohemia. He consecrated the churches and chapels in the vacant sees of Germany, and he presided over the Synod of Mainz in 1049 in the presence of Henry which denounced simony and priest marriage.
Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen - Adalbert. Having accompanied the Emperor Henry III on a christianization campaign in 1045, he also journeyed with him to Rome in 1046. Adam of Bremen rumours Adalbert to have refused a candidacy as pope, resulting in the election of Clement II, to continue with the conversion of the Wends.
Archbishop of Magdeburg - Humfrid (1023-1051), On the side of the Emperor finds it 1026 in Regensburg, 1027 in Rome, and he was in the latter year also at the Synod of Frankfurt, where it was decided the dispute between Mainz and Hildesheim because the pin in Gandersheim. Humfried made sure that the chair of the archbishop always had to be confirmed by the pope. So he made in 1035 for a free market access in Magdeburg.
Bishop of Bamberg, from 1040. In 1042, he accompanied King Henry III on his campaign to Italy and in December, participated in the Council of Sutri, which deposed former Popes Benedict IX and Sylvester III and persuaded Pope Gregory VI to resign. King Henry nominated Suidger for the papacy and the council elected him. Suidger took the name Clement II. Immediately after his election, King Henry and the new Pope moved to Rome, where Clement crowned Henry III as Holy Roman Emperor.
The emperor was:
- king of Burgundy;
- duke of Swabia (in OTL he gave the duchy to Otto - to fight against Godfrey of Lorraine; in TTL Henry strong enough to don't release Godfrey, so, he saved the duchy);
- duke of Bavaria (in OTL he gave the duchy to Henry - to protect it from Hungarians; in TTL Hungary is ally of Henry, he saved the duchy too);
- duke of Carinthia (together Verona and Carniole), as in OTL too.
Every of this duchies (and the kingdom) have more or less powerful lendowners.
Below, the list of them, who is mentioned in Wikipedia (English, German, and French versions):
Burgundy:
Count of Savoy - Umberto I (1032-1047/48), During the wars between Rudolph III of Burgundy and the Emperor Henry II, Umberto supported the latter with provisions and soldiers because he was related to the imperial family by marriage. Umberto's lands were essentially autonomous after the death of Henry. Their mountainous inaccessibility and their minor importance lent them to being overlooked and ignored in the power struggles which inevitably followed the death of the emperor. In 1032, Umberto received the Maurienne, his native country, from the Emperor Conrad II, whom he had helped in his Italian campaigns against Aribert, Archbishop of Milan.
Count of Provence - Fulk Bertrand (1018-1051). He and his brother gave up control of much of the royal fisc, which had been under the control of the counts of Provence since the time of William the Liberator. It was mostly parcelled out as allods to vassals and the weakening of the county of Provence as a united polity can be dated from their reign.
Count of Sisgau - Rudolf of Rheinfelden (he was born about 1025). The family belonged to the great Burgundian nobility. The exact relationships of Rudolf of Rheinfelden can not yet be fully understood. Its relationship to the then already extinct Burgundian royal house by Rudolf II of Burgundy (912-37) but is considered secured. He was also cousin of the Duke of Lorraine, and a relative of the Liudolfinger. Later, in 1075, he became the anti-king.
Swabia
Pfalzgraf of Swabia - Friedrich von Büren (1027-1053), Graf im Riesgau. Married about 1040 the daughter of Otto Ezzonid, pfalzgraf of Lotharingia. No information about him, only he was the father of Friedrich von Staufen.
Count of Brisgau - Berthold II. Married the daughter of Herman IV, the duke of Swabia, about 1043. Henry III promised his party-follower Berthold the Duchy of Swabia. However, Henry's widow Agnes of Poitou gave the Duchy in fief to Rudolf of Rheinfelden in 1057. Berthold received, as compensation for the abandonment of his claim to the Duchy, the titles to Carinthia and Verona, whereby the Zähringen ascended to the status of a mediatized house. In Carinthia and Verona, though, Berthold was never really accepted as ruler.
Count of Habsburg - Radbot (-1045), was Graf of the county of Klettgau on the High Rhine in Swabia. In 1010, he married Ida (970–1026), daughter of Duke Frederick I of Upper Lorraine. After him sons ruled:
Otto was killed in 1055, then - Werner I, who supported the Pope in 1076-78.
Count of Nellenburg - Eberhard VI, Count Nellenburg and from 1036 Count Zürichgau. In 1046/47, he followed Henry III on its first expedition to Italy. For this he received the right to mint coinage.
Bavaria
Pfalzgraf of Bavaria - Aribo II (1041-1055), he was not loyal to Henry III. In OTL, in 1053 he joined the uprising Aribo Boto and Duke Conrad of Bavaria and Duke Welf of Carinthia against Emperor Henry III, at 1055 Aribo was deposed.
Count Vohburg - Kuno von Rott (1040-1086), became pfalzgraf of Bavaria in 1055.
Count of Formbach - not sure
Eckbert? Thiemo was killed in 1040, when he supported Otto of Schweinfurt.Count of Kastl - Hermann I, the son of Hermann IV, the duke of Swabia. No information.
Carinthia
Styria - Arnold of Wels-Lambach (1035–1055).
Carniola - Ulrich I Marchese di Carniola (1045-1070), Marchese di Istria (1060-1070).
Other lands were ruled by dukes, margraves and counts, not directly by the emperor. Firstly, we see Southern Eastern lands, Venice, Austria and Hungarian March. Then - we will see at North.
Venice
Domenico Contarini was elected in 1043. During his reign (1043-1071), the Venetians recaptured Zadar and parts of Dalmatia that had been lost to the Kingdom of Croatia in the previous few decades. The Venetian naval fleet was heavily built up during his reign, the economy thrived, and the Republic of Venice had reasserted its control over much of the Mediterranean Sea.
Domenico Contarini maintained friendly relations with the Byzantine Emperors, the Pope in Rome, and the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry III.
But 1045 - it's only second year of his reign. His preceded let the economy of the Republic of Venice slip due to a general decline in confidence of the Republic.
Austria
The Margrave of Austria was Adalbert the Victorious (until 1055). He supported Henry III.
His wife, Frozza Orseolo, the sister of Peter Orseolo, the king of Hingary.
Hungarian march
In the year 1035 Kaiser Conrad II marched against Duke Adalbero of Eppenstein towards Carinthia. In the company of Conrad was Siegfried as his close companion. He thus arrived from the Rhineland on the Southeast of the Empire of then. Through marriage with Richgard from the family of the Sieghardinger, he obtained large possessions in Tirol and also in Carinthia, for example the Lavanttal valley (in modern Austria) and probably also Laško and some other parts of modern Slovenia like the territories around Ljubljana.
In the year 1044 he documents as ruling Count to Sponheim. In 1045 Siegfried was granted the Margraviate Hungarian March in the eastern Lower Austria by Kaiser Henry III as fiefdom. He kept and managed this land until the end of his life. Thereafter the Hungarian March fell to the Babenberger.
In 1048 he documents as Gaugraf in the Pustertal and Count in the Lavanttal, Siegfried must therefore have already succeeded to his father-in-law Engelbert IV as heir to this territory by then. He overtook likewise the possessions of his father-in-law in Upper Bavaria. Besides he was soon Vogt of the Bistums Brixen and Salzburg. Siegfried received likewise possessions in Lower Carinthia and in the eastern Upper Bavaria. Died in 1065.
Moravie, Boheme, Meissen and Lausitz are lost to Poland.
Flanders
Balduin V (1039-1067)
During a long war (1046–1056) as an ally of Godfrey the Bearded, Duke of Lorraine, against the Holy Roman Emperor Henry III, he initially lost Valenciennes to Hermann of Hainaut. However, when the latter died in 1051 Baldwin married his son Baldwin VI to Herman's widow Richildis and arranged that the sons of her first marriage were disinherited, thus de facto uniting the County of Hainaut with Flanders. Upon the death of Henry III this marriage was acknowledged by treaty by Agnes de Poitou, mother and regent of Henry IV.
Holland
Dirk IV (1039-1049). Dirk IV continued the policy of his father Dirk III to enlarge his possessions, developing and colonizing the low-lying peat areas of Holland and Utrecht. As a result, he came into conflict with the bishop of Utrecht, other bishops and monasteries in the surrounding area. Because of this, Emperor Henry III personally led an expedition against him in 1046, forcing Dirk to return some areas he had occupied. Shortly after the emperor had left however, Dirk started to plunder the territories of the bishops of Utrecht and Liège and made alliances with Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine and the counts of Hainaut and Flanders. After this, in 1047, the emperor returned and occupied the stronghold at Rijnsburg, which was completely destroyed. During, the retreat however, the imperial army suffered severe losses, causing Dirk's allies to rise in open revolt as well in his support. On 13 January 1049 Dirk was ambushed near Dordrecht by a force of the bishops of Utrecht, Liège and Metz and killed.
Margrave Frisia - Bruno II (1038-1057). He belonged to the Brunonen family. In 1038 he succeeded his father Liudolf, Margrave of Frisia. His mother was Gertrude the daughter of Count Hugo and brother of Pope Leo IX. Killed in the battle in 1057.
Saxony
Duke - Bernard II (1011-1059).
Bernard expanded the powers of the duke in Saxony and is regarded as the greatest of the Billungers. He was originally a supporter of Emperor Henry II and he accompanied him into Poland and negotiated the treaty of Bautzen of 1018. In 1019–1020, he revolted and gained the recognition of the tribal laws of Saxony, something his father had just failed to do. He returned then to war with the Slavs (Obodrites and Lutici) and drew them into his sphere of power and influence through their leader, Godescalc (Gottschalk).
He supported Conrad II in 1024 and his son Henry III, though he began to fear the latter for his closeness to the Archbishop Adalbert of Bremen, an inveterate enemy of the dukes of Saxony. Though he was a critical ally of the Danes, so fundamental to Henry's wars in the Low Countries, Bernard was on the brink of rebellion until the death of Adalbert. The remainder of his reign, however, was quiet.
In 1045, he erected the Alsterburg in Hamburg.
Pfalzfrag of Saxony - Dedo (1043-1056), Graf von Goseck, Graf im Hassegau. He distinguished himself in the Hungarian campaign 1044/45 show at the Battle of Menfö and won after the extinction of Ekkehardiner in Thuringia to significant positions of power. He was murdered on the way from Bremen to Thuringia.
The brother of Adalbert, Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen.
Count of Northeim - Otto, from 1040. One of influence families (two other are Billung and Staden). Became the duke of Bavaria in 1061. In spite of that one year later he conspired with Archbishop Anno II of Cologne to seize Henry IV at Kaiserswerth in order to deprive his mother of power. The coup succeeded, Otto led a successful expedition into Hungary in 1063 and took a prominent part in the Empire's government during the king's minority. In 1064 he went to Italy to settle a papal schism and was largely instrumental in securing the banishment from court of Archbishop Adalbert of Bremen-Hamburg. He crossed the Alps in the royal interests on two other occasions and in 1069 shared in two expeditions to the eastern Wend lands.Otto neglected his duchy, but added to his personal possessions in the southern Harz region, which ultimately led into conflict with Henry IV. In 1070 he was accused by a certain Egeno von Konradsburg of being privy to a plot to murder the king...
Count of Stade - Lothar Udo I. (1039-1057). Count von Stade and Largau, Steiringgau, Schwabengau and Hochseegau and Vogt of Heeslingen and Alsleben. Udo was in conflict with the Bremen archbishops Adalbrand and Adalbert because bailiwick and Graf rights. He killed 1052/53 his distant cousin of Ekbert Elsdorf-Stade and inherited him. After Wilhelm, the son of Bernard was killed, Lothar became the margrave of Nordmark. Which auflehnende against this decision Otto, son of Bernard II, was on the 26th of the Brunonen June 1057 killed at home Neindorf the Selke. Lothar Udo 1057 still led a campaign of revenge against the Liutizen.
Count of Katlenburg - Dietrich I. Count in Lies and Rittigau. Emperor Henry III. had sent him with the Margrave William of Nordmark against Liutizen (Slavs), where he was killed in 1056.
Count of Weimar - William IV, (1039-1062). Margrave of Meissen (1046-1062). Pfalzgraf of Saxony in 1043.
On the death of the Emperor in 1056, he was a loyal follower of the regent, the Empress Agnes of Poitou. He was highly in favour with the empress, who gave him command alongside Eppo, Bishop of Naumburg, of the army in the campaign in support of Andrew I of Hungary against his brother Bela, Duke of Nitra. The German army was soon in retreat and, at the Theben Pass near Wieselburg, William and Eppo were captured.
Count of Orlamünde - Otto (1039-1062), brother of William of Weimar, inherited his lands (1062-1067). He was appointed by the Emperor Henry IV to succeed William in Meissen as well. He became Advocate of the Cathedral of Merseburg in 1066.
Count of the Harzgau - Bernard (d before 1069), 1052 Count of the Harzgau and Derlingau as well as North Thuringia, 1043 to 1062 (recorded), probably nephew of Liutger, cousin of Bruno
Esico of Ballenstedt, Count of Schwabengaues, Harzgaues, Hardagaues, the Nordthüringgaues and Gau Serimunt and Vogt of Hagenrode (at Alexisbad) and Nienburg - an area so that more or less matches the later country Anhalt. He founded a collegiate at the castle in Ballenstedt. At the church inauguration on 10 June 1046 was the Emperor Henry III. present.
Nordmark
Bernard, the son of Dietrich of Haldensleben (1009-1051). In 1016–1017, Bernard feuded with Gero, Archbishop of Magdeburg, and consequently with the Emperor Henry II over the ambitions of the Magdeburger church. The Emperor interevened and forced Bernard to pay Gero 500 lbs of silver in compensation for the assault his men had made on the city of Magdeburg.
He married an illegitimate daughter of Vladimir the Great, Grand Prince of Kiev. He was succeeded as margrave by his eldest son William, in 1051. William was killed in the battle against Slavs.
Obodrites
In 1043 the previous prince, Ratibor, and his sons were killed. Gottschalk was supported by Sven Estridson, Jarl of Denmark, (Gottschalk married his illegitimate daughter, Sigrid) and captured the principality in 1044/45. He secured the territory through the building of new fortresses; the old fortifications of the conquered tribes were removed. He subdued the Liutizi and the diocese of Bremen "feared him as king" and paid him tribute. He nurtured alliance with his Christian neighbours, Scandinavian and German, and joined in an alliance with Duke Bernard and King Magnus to defeat the Liutizi in battle.
Lower Lotharingia
Gothelo II, died in 1046. Then Frederick of Luxembourg (1046-1065). He was loyal to the emperor, but unsuccessful in the field and Henry began parcelling out portions of the duchy to more capable warriors.
Upper Lotharingia
Adalbert, 1047-1048. Count of Metz. In OTL he was killed in the battle in 1048. In TTL Godfrey is not released.
Pfalzgraf von Lothringen
Otto. In OTL he became the duke of Swabia in 1045, but in TTL he is not.
Count of Louven - Lambert II (1038-1054). Lambert scorned both temporal and spiritual authorities and in 1054 even took up arms against Holy Roman Emperor Henry III. He was defeated and lost his life at Tournai.
Count of Hainaut - Hermann, the son of Reginar V, Count of Mons and Mathilde of Verdun (1039-1051). Count of Mons (Bergen) and the southern part of Brabant from 1039, and by inheritance from 1048/49 Marquis de Valenciennes. In 1046, he formed an alliance with Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine, Count Dietrich IV of Holland, and Count Baldwin V of Flanders against the Emperor Henry III.
Count of Namur - Albert II (1031-1064). In 1037 he fought against Odo Bluas. In 1047 he supported Henry III against Godfrey, Dirk and Balduin.
Count of Gelre - Because Baldwin IV of their areas in the Mark had conquered Ename turned Rutger and his brother in 1021 to Emperor Henry II. There they complained that they had been victims of the Holy Roman Empire lost territory in Flanders. To compensate Gerard was the area where he Wassenberg Gerard I "Flamens" ancestor of the genus Gelre was, and got his brother Rutger area Cleves, where he was ancestor of the family of Cleves. These areas were released after the murder of Adela of Hamaland on Wichman III Vreden (whose goods were in line Hamaland). This was the good of free and Wichman was the area of Adela and her husband Balderik (Count of Drenthe and Salland) by the emperor confiscated.
Count of Cleve - Rutger I was brother of Gerhard Flamens, the first Count of funds. His brother Gerard was son of the last Earl of Immedinger Hamaland Dietrich von Hamaland. The duration of Rutgers government is uncertain and is only vaguely dated to about 1020-1050. His wife was called by Wazela Lotharingen.
Count of Loon - Giselbert van Loon (-1045), then his son. Giselbert was a son of Count Rodolf van Haspinga. Giselbert's brother Arnold succeeded his father as count of Haspinga. When Haspinga was donated to the Prince-bishopric of Liège, Loon, itself a fief of Haspinga, became a fief of Liege. It is likely that Giselbert and Arnold's brother Balderik, who was Prince-Bishop of Liège from 1008 to 1018, played a role in the donation of Haspinga to Liege.
Count of Luxemburg - Henry VII, became the duke of Calabria in 1045. His brother Giselbert succeeded him in Luxembourg, while Bavaria escheated to the emperor, who gave it to Cuno.
Count of Winterthur - Adalbert II (1040-1053), When his father on 22 August 1040 as a standard-bearer of the Emperor Henry III. in its campaign fell against Břetislav I of Bohemia, Adalbert inherited the county Winterthur. Adalbert's youngest brother Werner II inherited his father as Earl of maggots and Neckargau as well as empire-bearer.
Adalbert fell, along with his brother Werner II, on 18 June 1053 in the Norman Battle of Civitate, where she. Swabia with its 600 foot soldiers, the only non-Italian contingent of the disastrously defeated army of Pope Leo IX presented.
Count of Hesse and Neckargau - Werner II, As count of Hessen and Count of maggots Werner II resided at least from 1045 onwards, on the acropolis in Gudensberg in northern Hesse and called himself Count of Gudensberg soon. In addition to the inherited offices and possessions, he acquired the Bailiwick of Walpurgis pin Weilburg.
Count of Henneberg - Poppo I of Henneberg (A supporter of King Henry IV against Rudolf of Swabia, he died at the 1078 Battle of Mellrichstadt.)
Thuringe
Count of Weimar - Wilhelm IV, from 1039. In OTL he received Meissen in 1046. He was loyal too Henry III and his wife. He was highly in favour with the empress, who gave him command alongside Eppo, Bishop of Naumburg, of the army in the campaign in support of Andrew I of Hungary against his brother Bela, Duke of Nitra. Died in 1062, in imprison.
Count of Orlamünde - Otton I, the brother of Wilhelm IV. From 1039. In 1062 inherited Weimar and Meissen.
Nordgau
Otto of Schweinfurt. He was one of the most powerful East Franconian princes by inheritance: having extensive land in the Radenzgau and Schweinfurt. In 1014, he first appears as count of Lower Altmühl (or Kelsgau) and, in 1024, he inherits his father's march. In 1034, he became count of the Lower Naab and in 1040 of upper Naab.
He was loyal to Henry III. In OTL he became the duke of Swabia in 1048.
In TTL he married Matilda, daughter of Boleslaus I of Poland, in 1036.
Count of Traungau - Dietpold I (until 1060). In OTL his son, Dietpold II, became the ruler of Nordgau, when Otto became the duke of Swabia in 1048.
And some church leaders:
Archbishop of Cologne - Hermann II, 1036-1056. Loyal to Henry III. He became Archchancellor of the Regnum Italicum and protector of Brauweiler (1053).
Archbishop of Mainz - Bardo, 1031-1051. In 1041 he accompanied King Henry the Black on campaign against Bohemia. He consecrated the churches and chapels in the vacant sees of Germany, and he presided over the Synod of Mainz in 1049 in the presence of Henry which denounced simony and priest marriage.
Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen - Adalbert. Having accompanied the Emperor Henry III on a christianization campaign in 1045, he also journeyed with him to Rome in 1046. Adam of Bremen rumours Adalbert to have refused a candidacy as pope, resulting in the election of Clement II, to continue with the conversion of the Wends.
Archbishop of Magdeburg - Humfrid (1023-1051), On the side of the Emperor finds it 1026 in Regensburg, 1027 in Rome, and he was in the latter year also at the Synod of Frankfurt, where it was decided the dispute between Mainz and Hildesheim because the pin in Gandersheim. Humfried made sure that the chair of the archbishop always had to be confirmed by the pope. So he made in 1035 for a free market access in Magdeburg.
Bishop of Bamberg, from 1040. In 1042, he accompanied King Henry III on his campaign to Italy and in December, participated in the Council of Sutri, which deposed former Popes Benedict IX and Sylvester III and persuaded Pope Gregory VI to resign. King Henry nominated Suidger for the papacy and the council elected him. Suidger took the name Clement II. Immediately after his election, King Henry and the new Pope moved to Rome, where Clement crowned Henry III as Holy Roman Emperor.
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Moravia and Nitra has been reunited and I assume that both Moravians and Slovaks the are overjoyed.
If I'm not mistaken you were planning the war in Sicily. This means that quite a few german counts and knights who in OTL would get fiefs in Slavic lands would go to legendary Saracen land. So probably the ones who would be interested in fighting Liutizi would be Saxons, Thuringians and the archbishop of Magdeburg (the chance of regaining Brandenburg and Havelberg is presenting itself). Besides Gottshalk would try to reach at least Rugia and maybe even Usedom/Uznam. Wolin and the flow of Oder (with Stettin/Szczecin) would be probably claimed by Kasimir.
There is also a chance that Dirk IV of Holland would try to be even more opportunistic and enlarge his domains when the emperor is away.
But overall the empire is rather stable at that moment. The emperor should be popular both in Germany (successfull wars in Poland, Hungary and Italy) and in Italy (he got rid of these pesky Normans and is going to fight the foul Saracens).
It's interesting how would Venice develop in this timeline. In OTL the republic got the support of Byzantines who managed to make peace in Balkans and wanted to maintain control in the Adriatic. But in this timeline the Eastern Empire still has unresolved problems in Balkans and the Croats still have strong position in Dalmatia. With Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria being clients of Henry III and whole Italy firm in Henry's grasp, Venetians have much less room to maneuvre. But they could try to gain possessions in Sicily.
There is also a chance that Dirk IV of Holland would try to be even more opportunistic and enlarge his domains when the emperor is away.
But overall the empire is rather stable at that moment. The emperor should be popular both in Germany (successfull wars in Poland, Hungary and Italy) and in Italy (he got rid of these pesky Normans and is going to fight the foul Saracens).
It's interesting how would Venice develop in this timeline. In OTL the republic got the support of Byzantines who managed to make peace in Balkans and wanted to maintain control in the Adriatic. But in this timeline the Eastern Empire still has unresolved problems in Balkans and the Croats still have strong position in Dalmatia. With Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria being clients of Henry III and whole Italy firm in Henry's grasp, Venetians have much less room to maneuvre. But they could try to gain possessions in Sicily.
Yes, it seems, Moravians are happy. Slovaks - maybe, too
Yes, I think so too.
The emperor will have Swabian, Bavarian and Italian troops (probably, Burgundian and Hungarian too, maybe, Lotharingian also).
But he has not Godfrey as an ally. From another hand, he can found new allies.
It seems, he get some nickname, like "Great".
If Wiki said truth, there was a crisis in Venice in 1045. In OTL Venice can become a powerful again, but I'm not sure about TTL. Maybe, another city became the trade center of Adriatic sea.