Chapter 31

Chapter 31 - 1315 to 1324: Union of Britannia

Loup returns to Thetford Castle on the 16th of January. The halls feel unusually reticent; half of his court perished in the past few years, leaving behind a space void of warm bodies. Although millions died, Loup retains his kind, patient, and just nature, yearning only to rebuild Britannia to the empire it was before the Plague.

For now, he knows he must find himself a wife. With only 4 daughters, there is no true heir to the Empire. For the moment, his brother Scipion is heir, but a son would be best, as Scipion would not make for an ideal emperor. He finds a wife in Princess Mafalda of Aquitaine.

News reaches Britannia by the end of January that Inwær, Uncle of Loup, is gather men for an attack on the Empire. He was displeased that Ecgberht, his brother, received Britannia when Cynewulf, their father, passed away. After the Plague hit Britannia, he left the Empire to the county of Passau of the HRE, where he quickly became Chancellor and Commander. He is determined to take back what he perceives as rightfully his.

In February, Emperor Loup calls for a Council meeting, although this one will be an informative one. The Councilors of Britannia include Duke Cailte of Deheubarth and Northumbria, Duke Eardwulf of Lancaster, Duke DKM III of Gwynedd, Prince Scipion, and Duke Farquhar II of Albany, along with the Emperor's Council (Chancellor, Marshal, etc). He tells them of his plans for the future of his rule; first, those parts of the Empire hit hardest by the Plague will be given generous amounts of money to help their reconstruction, though some gold will be saved for future wars; second, city taxation will be lowered until the Empire has effectively recovered; third, after the successful repellence of Inwær, the last of Scotland and Ireland will be conquered, swiftly.

Mafalda is pregnant in September, and she gives birth to Loup's fifth daughter in 1316, a rather ill and frail child. They name her Radekza.

Inwær declares war on Emperor Loup in January of 1317. The armies are raised and wait in southern England for sight of the enemy. At around the same time, the Muslims call for a Jihad for Sicily.

In May, while the troops still await the arrival of the Host, Mafalda is pregnant again.

The first troops arrive in September, although it is only 3 thousand. The 17 thousand man army is sent to deal with the pesky invaders, while the rest are disbanded. It appears this war will be an easy victory.

In December, Mafalda gives birth to twins, a girl and a boy. The girl is named Andre Massena, and the boy, heir to the Empire, is named Densley Blair. Unfortunately, poor Densley is born with a deformed clubfoot.

Another 3 thousand troops arrive from Passau in June of 1318, and they too are quickly defeated.

Mafalda is pregnant for yet another time in November of 1319.

The next few waves are destroyed just as quickly, and Inwær finally surrenders in 1320. After leading his final army of 4 thousand men to failure, he is captured and imprisoned (though he is released within 2 years). Britannia is again at peace, free to plan for its next offensive in Scotland.

Another daughter is born in May of 1320. She is named The Number 9.

Princess Ælfflæd reaches maturity in 1321. She is a gregarious woman and is easily married off to the King of Sweden.

In July, Necro Creature dies of Pneumonia, leaving behind 3 de Gael sons. Now both of Loup's sisters are dead.

Mafalda is pregnant again in the Autumn of 1321. Emperor Loup is becoming well known through the world for his quick child-making skills. He is 33 and already had 8 children, with another on the way. She gives birth to a son in 1322. They name him Attalus.

The time for war comes in June of 1322. With the coffers full, Loup declares war on Moray, pushing his claim on the rest of Britannia.

It is a short and brutal war. It ends in March of 1324 with the annexation of the rest of Britannia into the Empire. At long last, Emperor Loup has succeeded in uniting the Islands of Britannia under one flag. He has become the first Emperor of All of Britannia!