Chapter 35

Chapter 35 - 1371 to 1386: Anger of the Vassals

The Council adjourns on November 17th. All Councilors voted on the continuation of the conquest of the north, several pointing out the dangers of involving Britannia with the messy politics of mainland Europe. Loup wholeheartedly agrees with them; other than the alliance with Aquitaine, the most involvement he will allow Britannia to have is the occasional assistance during crusades.

However, not all is right within the Empire. The Kings and Emperors of past have succeeded in putting many of the duchies, but after so many years of de Gael supremacy, it has brewed bitter hatred and Jealously. Each de Gael duke, instead of an ally to his liege, is a potential enemy, wanting more land from this new Emperor. It is not only de Gael vassals up in arms, though; the continued monopolization of the Empire has thrown other dynasties out of the way, generating more hatred and desire for gain.

Upon inheritance of the Empire, Loup III also received his father's duchies, specifically those of East Anglia and Moray. Wishing to reduce the amount of land under his direct watch, he grants his Uncle Attalus, who is Earl of Shetland, his old Duchy of Orkney. Of Emperor Loup II's 11 children, 7 still live.
Ælfflæd, age 64, currently finds herself locked up in the dungeons of the Queen of Sweden after her husband, who was the Duke of Upperland, revolt against his liege.
Jerkera is in Donzy, Nevers, because she married the Baron after the death of her first husband Halkjell.
Idhrendura has quite possibly the most thrilling tale of them all. She was originally married to the King of Brittany, until he died a young death. She returned to England only to be married to King Baudouin of Aquitaine, who promptly died. She remained in Aquitaine and remarried for a third time to a French man of little stance.
Radekza stayed married to the Hungarian Administrator Gyorgy until his death. She has never remarried, but has 6 children and even more grandchildren. One of her daughters is named Radekza, whose daughter is also named Radekza.
BPM, the younger brother of Attalus, is the current Duke of Galloway. He had 6 children with his princess wife from Brittany.
ZZZ was married early to a German soldier from Germany. They had only two children, a boy and a girl. The boy is in Britannia as a courtier, but the girl was married to the King of Lotharingia several years ago.

Loup's wife Effros, who became pregnant several months before Emperor Densley's death, gives birth to a boy in January of 1372. They name him Andrew.

In May of 1373, less than 2 years after receiving Orkney, Attalus dies after falling backwards out of his bedroom window. Orkney goes instead to his eldest son Eadmund.

By the end of 1373, the situation among the vassals is dire. 5 fairly powerful dukes from Wales, Ireland, and Scotland have even banded together in recent months, intent on demanding for independence. Marshal Wigerich (who happens to be ZZZ's husband) estimates that they could possibly muster 9 troops for every 10 that the Empire could raise against them, making them a dangerous threat.

To alleviate the stressful situation, Emperor Loup decides to exempt feudal vassals from taxes, at least for a few years.

Effros is again pregnant in January of 1374, and another son is born in August. They name him Duke of Awesome.

In October, the Pope calls for yet another Crusade to retake Jerusalem. Even though the title is still held by the King of Castille, the lands in the Middle East have been lost for several generations.

The vassals relax slightly by October of 1375. To improve his standing in the eyes of his inferiors, Loup III sends word to the pope that Britannia will join the Crusade. He orders several vassals (the ones that are most loyal) to raise levies and send them to Norfolk.

Soon after this, Loup's eldest son Sæweald comes of age. Other than his protruding stomach, he is a skilled young man, especially in administration, although he does have a talent for diplomacy. Soon after coming of age he is made Steward of Britannia after the death of Hans von Oldenburg. He is eventually married to a princess of Brittany.

The army sets sail in January of 1376. They arrive in Aswalan in June, where they meet an enemy force of 12 thousand Arabs.

With the help of holy soldiers from all over Europe, the enemy is defeated.

The Holy Land now stands before Loup III, and he orders his army to march to Jerusalem.

They arrive there in September and defeat a small army defending the city.

The rest of the Crusade passes uneventfully, as several holdings fall to Britannia. In October of 1377, the Caliph of the Zaiaid Dynasty surrenders, and Jerusalem is ceded to Castille. The Holy Land is back in Christian hands.

The Victorious army of Britannia sails back home, making port in Norfolk in March of the next year.

Effros is pregnant in March of 1379, and their first daughter is born a few months later. She is named Scipia.

News reaches Norfolkin 1381. The civil war in the Holy Roman Empire has ended with the splitting of the two empires once again. The former Empress of both halves is now Empress of only Byzantium, while a distant descendant of the once powerful Billung dynasty has reclaimed the throne of the HRE.

Andrew comes of age in January of 1386. He is a master in the art of diplomacy and is easily married to the Queen of Aquitaine, Elisabeth II.

The first 15 years of Loup III's rule were turbulent. Despite the anger among his vassals, he managed to prevent civil war, in the process giving up one of the Empire's revenues of gold. He also placed a de Gael with the ruler of Aquitaine, ensure a future de Gael King or Queen.

Now, as things are looking up for Britannia, the time for war has come. Emperor Loup III declares war on Norge for Iceland.