Chapter 24

Chapter 24 - 1247 to 1255: King of Two

Far away from England, the city of Rome lies in the middle of the Italian Peninsula. There the Pope Anastasius V resides. For many years, Court Chaplain Maelhuedoc of England, who happens to be son of Blitz the Dragon and Assiucc, has stayed in this holy city, communing with the Pope, improving the religious relations between the Papacy and England. In the past few years, relations have been better than ever before, and King Æthelstan III presses his advantage in the matter. In March, an envoy arrives from England to Rome. Maelhuedoc brings them before the Pope, where they deliver Æthelstan's message. He wishes the Pope to excommunicate the Scottish King, for his greed and lust. The Pope, after some convincing, accepts the notion, and declares the Scottish King excommunicated from the Catholic Church.

In April, as Scotland tries to repair the diplomatic damage the excommunication has brought upon it, King Æthelstan declares war on Scotland, pressing all claims. In this war, he hopes to conquer the Duchy of Connacht and the counties of Kildare, Dublin, and Clydesdale. England's only kingly ally, Aquitaine, answers the call to arms.

The levies are raised, with 5 thousand of them grouping in Leinster, readying for an Irish offensive, while 21 thousand head for northern England to prepare a Northern Offensive.

The army of Ireland launches its attack in September, defeating the small garrison of Scottish troops in Kildare.

To the north, attrition kills thousands of troops in the Northern army as they march to engage the large Scottish force. It is a close victory, with 10 thousand English men either dead or out of action. The 5 thousand of the Irish army moves to pursue the remaining enemies.

It was a mistake for Æthelstan to have invaded Scotland at the start of winter, and the troops feel it as hundreds die every month to cold and starvation. At the same time, epidemic Consumption has spread throughout Scotland and into England and Ireland, killing still more. In the north, 10 thousand Aquitaine troops land and besiege Moray. By Spring, the number is down to less than 7 thousand.

The first siege of Clydesdale ends in January of 1249. The Irish army is then ordered to return to Ireland and lay siege to Kildare.

As Kildare's castle of Knockaulin falls in March of 1250, the Scottish King resigns to surrender.

It was a costly war for both sides. Scotland lost nearly 15 thousand men in combat, while England saw the loss of even more to combat and attrition combined. In the end, the war, while expanding its borders by 5 counties, weakens the Kingdom overall.

As most of Ireland is now controlled by England, King Æthelstan declares to the world that he is the true King of Ireland, usurping the title from the head of the King of Scotland.

In addition, he gives his son Æthelstan IV the title Duchy of Galloway, along with the new county of Clydesdale. The Duchy of Connacht he gives to his son-in-law Commander Raynaud, husband of Ryudraga, in honor of his leadership in the last few wars.

King Æthelstan of England and Ireland returns to Norfolk after the war. He is now 57, and is ready to live the rest of his life peacefully.

In November of 1251, Prince Must Love Cats, the youngest child of the King's, reaches maturity. He has some of the administrative brilliance of his father and grandfather, but nothing else is remarkable about him. He is, however, well liked as a very kind and charitable young man. He is betrothed to a young princess of the Holy Roman Empire.

On New Year's day of 1255, King Æthelstan III holds a feast with all his vassals in Thetford Castle. There, at the age of 62, he announces his abdication of the thrones. He steps down as King of England and Ireland, passing the crowns to his son and heir Æthelstan IV.

Long live Æthelstan IV, King of England and Ireland!