#ck2 aar

[aleksandrninja]

House Galeford

Chapter 3 – Piety, Glory and Justice

 The year is 1107, and England stands as one of the most powerful nations in Christendom, a nation united under the Galeford Tree. I had strengthened the realm, distributed my vast lands amongst my six sons. I had bought the Holy Roman Empire on my side, at the price of my daughter’s hand, and support in the endless de jure wars fought against France. My vassals respected and admired my kind, but just reign, and my exquisite beard, which has become the envy of all Britannia. I had conquered the clans of the western valleys, and named by eldest Bastard, Torsten, Duke of Wales. He had inverted my sigil, and taken the taken the Welsh Dragons as his charge, and formed House Galefield.

 In short, my 34 year reign had been peaceful and just, with only sporadic wars against the Welsh earls, the King of Scotland and to provide my assistance to the Kaiser. Even now, I was held as a paragon of the Saxon way of life, and founder of the Kingdom of England. I was loved and respected by all my dukes and earls, even those of the House of Godwin. But just as it had 41 years ago, a letter would turn everything upside down. The letter bore the Papal seal. Apprehensively, I broke it with my dagger, and pulled out a rather short length of parchment. It called all faithful servants of God to call their banners and sail for the Holy Land, to reclaim Jerusalem from the infidel.

 I considered the summons. This was an opportunity that he couldn’t miss. His sons could win glory in the Holy Land, and his vassals and armies were restless to spill blood. What better blood to spill than that of the accursed infidels, where better to win glory that in God’s own lands? Perhaps… I could give my son a chance to rule in my absence. Prince Steffan will make a good King, it is experience that he needs however. Duke Torsten can assist him, but my others sons, Leofric, Eadwin and Ælfar, would relish a chance at glory.

 I called the banners, and men all across Albion flocked to the banner of the Cross. A great fleet was assembled, and we set sail, in the name of piety and glory.

P.S: Thanks for all the supports and likes. You can expect a post every Friday and Sunday, and once in the week as well (school permitting).

[aleksandrninja]

House Galeford

 This ck2 aar happened by accident in truth, although I've enjoyed every bit of both playing and writing about my game. However, I decided to write an aar (after action report) until I was well until the game (around the turn of the 13th century). I've been relying on sporadic save games, although I fear I saved too little, which is why the long gaps and lack of pictures.

 Thank you to all who've liked by posts ^_^. I decided to put this on tumblr, rather than on the Paradox forums as I could better see how it would be received.

[aleksandrninja]

House Galeford

Chapter 2 – Debts and Loyalty

  The intervention of the powerful Earl Edwin is viewed as the turning point in the Norman Conquest, the 5,000 men committed at the Battle of St. Albans, charging into the side of the Normans as they repeatedly attempted to break the Saxon shield wall. His essential position is not doubted by any historians, but his reasoning was disputed. Was it for ambition, for desire for reward and gratitude? Was his timely intervention just too perfectly last minute, was it his will for him to be named saviour of the realm?

 Was it loyalty to his sister’s marriage or loyalty to the Saxon way of life, or fear for his future under a Norman overlord that caused him to stand beside his King with such vigour.  But it was not just historians that quarrelled. Foreign Kings, the defeated Norsemen, doubtful earls and envious sons and brother of King Harold speculated as to the extent of the virtue and loyalty of Edwin the Saviour, Edwin the Just, Edwin the Noble.

 I was used to the mutterings, to the doubts cast by those of Godwinson, who felt they had been cheated of their birthright. Ever since my coronation had I been doubted. Yet I had won my crown that day, at the Battle of St. Albans, gained the respect and gratitude of my fellow lords, of the King himself. The bastard of Normandy was driven back to France, and the Dukes of Norfolk, Wessex and Kent had elected me heir soon after, when the King lay infirm and bedridden.

  I had the support of the Norsemen too. Svend ‘the Fat’ of Denmark offered me the hand of one of his daughters, Sigrid, which I gladly accepted, for it was a sign that he was forfeiting his own claim on my throne. Although Cornwall, Kent, Bedford, Oxford, Somerset and more besides were held by House of Godwin, the throne was firmly set to pass into my hands.

   Yet the mutterings made me uneasy, because I didn’t know which were true. In my heart of hearts, was it loyalty or ambition that had driven me into the fray. Whatever my motives, I regretted my decision not. King Harold Godwinson reigned for but 6 years after his coronation, when he died comatose in bed.

 The powerful earls had accepted the King’s decision to name me his heir, for I had become respected as a sharp and strong individual, an idol of justice and honour, with powerful external allies, a secure succession and plentiful land. I made Warwick my seat, for Middlesex had passed to Duke Godwine of Bedford, Harold’s son. I had the Duchy of Lancaster to my second son, Leo, and made my third, Edwin, Duke of Lancaster.

 In truth, I suspected far more trouble from Godwine and Edmund, the Dukes of Bedford and Oxford and Harold’s sons. Fortunately, Godwine wasn’t interested in power, the brothers could agree on nought, and neither had the diplomatic skills to attract any of the other earls to their cause.

 Regardless I vowed to make the Saxons great; I would make a legacy for the sake of my lost brother, which will be hard to forget. The great crowned lions of England now stood emblazoned on the Galeford tree.