Bohemund, a Norman

[Maleficus]

A Foreword​

Now that I have begun to understand a little of how Crusader Kings works, I am convinced that it is, in my humble opinion, probably the best Paradox game around, and certainly the most interesting.

As a lover of historical fiction and, when time allows, an avid amateur writer, I have often written short stories following characters I have encountered in strategy games. So far, all of these stories I have kept to myself, and most have been lost somewhere along the line.

However, now I feel I want to write something to share with people, and thanks to CK's character-driven game dynamic, I have the perfect platform to work from.

Over the last few days I have been playing CK almost non-stop, getting to grips with how the game works, and trying to find and interesting story. I have tried both Lancaster and Northumberland, but been destroyed so quickly that any AAR of these factions would be, at best, three or four entries long.

I have tried Saxony, a very promising and fun game in which I encountered the absolute epitomé of a dysfunctional family. My duke murdered his father, went to war with his son and had a long-running feud with his wife with whom he managed to have 10 legitimate children to go along with his two rather brilliant bastards. Unfortunately I didn't bother to document any of it, as I hadn't had any expectations for it to turn out anywhere near as interesting as it did.

I have decided instead to begin a game as the duchy of Apulia. This game will form the basis of my story, but with a twist: Rather than continue to follow the fortunes of the duke in Italy and Sicily, I will instead concentrate solely on Robert's eldest son Bohemund, and his successors, wherever this may take me. I have a very definite plan in mind for the short term, though these plans are subject to change depending on how circumstances play out. What Bohemund and his heirs will be getting up to in the longer term is anybody's guess.

I hope those of you that decide to read this tale will enjoy doing so as much as I'm sure I will enjoy writing it.

CONTENTS​

Prologue - The Normans
Chapter I - Bohemund's Early Years (1069-1076)
Chapter II - Deus Vult (1076-1079)
Chapter III - The Keeper of the Land of God (1079-1084)
Chapter IV - War and Peace in the Levant (1084-1089)
Chapter V - King of Heaven (1089)
Chapter VI - A Decade of Prosperity (1089-1099)

 

[Maleficus]

PROLOGUE
The Normans

In the eleventh ceuntury much of Europe found itself at the mercy of the Normans. Skilled and fearsome warriors originating from Norse stock, they landed where they liked, took what they wanted, and killed who they pleased. They were the cause of much suffering, and rightly feared. Unlike their Scandinavian forebears, however, these Normans were not vikings. They did not come only to plunder, rob, rape, steal and kill. They also came to settle, to farm, to trade and to live. While they could be as savage as the Pagans and as merciless as any Turk, they also were scholars, farmers, builders, innovaters and bringers of the rule of law.

The Normans had come to dominate a region in the north of those lands ruled by the Capetian king. It was from this region that, in 1066, with the blessing of the Holy Father in Rome, Guillaume, the bastard-born Duke of Normandy, launched his successful invasion of the lands of the Anglo Saxons. The turbulent rule of Guillaume and his successors over the peoples of England is well documented, but elsewhere another grand Norman conquest was well underway.

In the unstable lands of southern Italy and Sicily, the Hauteville family had forced the Greek emperor from the peninsular, and were pursuing a similar end against the heathen Moors of Sicilia. The leader of the Normans in Italy was Robert Guiscard de Hauteville, who had by his own efforts earned the duchies of Apulia and Campania. Robert's sons would continue his legacy after he was gone.

This is the story of the eldest son. This is the story of Bohemund, a Norman.

 

[Maleficus]

Bohemond's Early Years

CHAPTER ONE
Bohemond's Early Years
1069-1076



The extent of Hauteville influence, circa 1071​

In the year of our Lord 1057, a son was born unto the noble lord Robert Guiscard and his first wife Alberada. He was christened as Mark, but was affectionately called Bohemond by his father in remark at the childs extraordinary size, and it is by this moniker that he would become known to history.

The young Bohemond spent his formative years often following his father's armies on campaign, receiving an education in military matters as he grew. By the age of 12, the youngster showed a prodigious talent, and his tutor saw fit to write to his father:

It is with great pleasure that I am able to report to you, my lord, that your son Mark, known as Bohemond, makes great progress in his education in all fields. He excels in martial matters, but also displays an aptitude for mathematics, rhetoric, and matters of the court far above and beyond what is expected for a child of his age.​

Despite his obvious abilities, by 1069 Bohemond found himself disinherited for reasons lost to history, though it is sometimes speculated that his ambitious stepmother was behind this.

Bohemond at 12​

During Bohemond's childhood his father, Robert, the Duke of Apulia and feudal ruler almost all southern Italy, was constantly seeking to expand his realm. Between 1067 and 1072 the duke fought three wars to bring new lands under his sway, the last of which saw Apulia wrest control of the city and county of Siracusa from the heathen Moors in 1071.

By the early part of 1073 AD, Bohemond was considered by his father to be ready for more responsbility, and was appointed Marshall of Apulia's military. Within a few months of this appointment, Bohemond was called upon to muster the army in Naples as his cousin Robert, the count of Benevento, had rebelled. Over the coming months Bohemond proved himself in battle against his traitorous relative three times, and eventually subdued the city of Benevento and surrounding countryside in October of 1073. Control of Benevento was passed to another of Bohemond's cousins, Abelard, count of Taranto, while the traitor Robert fled to England.

Bohemond at 16


The traitor, Robert of Benevento


Abelard, count of Taranto​

And so it was that Bohemond, at an early age, had proven his worth to his father, but appeared to be no closer to being reinstated as his heir. Already, Bohemond was wondering whether he, like many of his ancestors, may have to look overseas to his future.

 

[Maleficus]

Deus Vult

CHAPTER TWO
Deus Vult
1076-1079

After Bohemond crushed the rebellion in Benevento, the Duchy of Apulia saw years of constant peace and prosperity. In this time, two of Bohemond's three sisters were married, Emma to Kuno, younger brother to the Duke of Bavaria, and Mathilde to Albrecht, brother of the Duke of Holland. In this period also, the Duchy of Apulia made considerable profits through trade, farming and taxation. The realm was reach, the duchy was secure, and the people were happy, except Bohemond.

At the age of 19, still without a fief of his own or any real personal wealth, Bohemond grew more and more dissatisfied with what he perceived as a lack of faith on his father's part, and was beginning to seriously consider leaving the duchy altogether. He was making very real plans to raise an army and travel to Iberia, to fight the Moors there and carve for himself a duchy or a kingdom in the east of that land.

Meanwhile Duke Robert, growing both happy and rich on his realm, also was planning to add to his legacy: He would have himself crowned King of Sicily on new years day of 1077.

Both Bohemond's and Robert's plans were laid to rest however, when in October of 1076, a messenger arrived from Rome reading a full transcript of a Papal edict, that all good christians who held it within their power to do so should rise up in arms and march on Jerusalem, that God's holy city might be freed from the enemies of christendom. The First Crusade had begun.

Robert and Bohemond leave for the Levant​

Duke Robert, eager for more glory and a guarantee of a place in heaven, decreed that Apulia would heed the Pope's call to arms, and ordered an immediate mobilization of all available troops. It was determined that the army would travel in three parts. The Apulian forces, under Robert, would attack through Jaffa, while the Neapolitans and Sicilians, under Bohemond, would go to Ascalon, and Abelard, in command of the Calabrians, would first take the northern stronghold of Acre.

Bohemond routs the Muslim forces at Hebron​

The Norman forces finally arrived in the Holy Land in June of 1077. The campaign was long, hard, and rather expensive, but finally in July of 1078 Jerusalem fell, and by February 1079 the last holdout of the Emir was captured, and a peace concluded, leaving the Normans in full control of the region. The Bohemian crusaders, who had travelled mostly overland and thus arrived only towards the end of the campaign, left without demanding anything for themselves, satisfied that God's will was done.

​

Following the fall of Jerusalem Robert returned with all his forces to Apulia, where he used the little wealth he hadn't spent on the campaign to finally have himself crowned as King of Sicily, while he invested Bohemond as Duke-Regent of Jerusalem and Jaffa-Ascalon.

Coronation of Robert I Guiscard of Sicily

​

Bohemond was delighted to have finally been given such responsibilty, and vowed that he would do his utmost to satisfy both God and his subjects. Furthermore, soon afterwards he secured an agreement of marriage to Princess Ingegerd, sister to the King of Norway, and a young lady of fair countenance and of pious disposition.

​

Twas not all good news, however, for in Jerusalem there had been an outbreak of smallpox, which even the vaunted medicine of the heathen Turks could not abate. Furthermore, a census conducted of the cities and counties of Jerusalem, Jaffa, Acre, Tiberias, Hebron, Ascalon and Beersheb revealed that following the departure of the crusader forces, the Regent could only call upon the services of 533 dependable warriors.

Smallpox in Jerusalem​

Undeterred, Bohemond set up court at Jaffa, and did there enact laws to ensure the presevation of his own bloodline, a traditional relationship with his few nobles and a state of affairs with the clergy which would allow the church a reasonable room for manoeuvre without placing too much risk of destabilising the realm with overmuch Papal influence. He also set about instructing his realm's scholars and artisans to come up with newer, better designs of both swords and ploughs, signifying his intent to both defend and settle, while also seeking new ways of appeasing the populace who, Bohemond knew, could be a potential thorn in his side in this region.

​

 

[HMAS-Nameless]

looks good thus far subscribed love me a good history book aar

 

[Hastu Neon]

Good to see another Apulian AAR around. So, instead of Antioch (as in real history), your Bohemond has gone for a much bigger target...

 

[Maleficus]

Good to see another Apulian AAR around. So, instead of Antioch (as in real history), your Bohemond has gone for a much bigger target...

Yes, and potentially a rather problematic one, as he's now surrounded by enemies large and small. We shall just have to see whether he copes or not.

It's good to see I have an audience. Thanks guys, I hope you stick around. I hope to have the next chapter (Maybe two) up by tonight

 

[General_BT]

Quick updating

I like your style. History book, clear and concise. I'll be reading!

 

[Maleficus]

The Keeper of the Land of God

CHAPTER THREE
The Keeper of the Land of God
1079-1084

And so it was that Bohemond, disinherited son of Robert, had proven himself in the eyes of both his peers and his God, and had been appointed Duke-Regent, to govern over the Land of God, to keep it from the clutches of the heathen Turk, and to return it's people to the light of the Lord and of the true religion of God.

Bohemond did not long remain Regent, however, as in the summer of 1079 word reached him in Jaffa that his father Robert, only weeks after being acclaimed king upon his return to Naples, had succumbed to his age and to his wounds, and had been succeeded as king by Roger, Bohemond's brother. Though the brothers had always been close, Bohemond nonetheless still felt he had been robbed of his inheritance, and he steadfastly refused to swear fealty. Regardless, the brothers remained on good terms, each resolving to govern his own realm, and not to interfere in the other's.

​

And so Bohemond did strip the word regent from his title, and he became sole and rightful Duke of Jerusalem, and of Jaffa-Ascalon. The Duke's reign began in a promising manner, as by August of 1079 the people of Jerusalem, perhaps coming to accept the blight of smallpox that did so accurse their city as a sign of God's wrath upon their heathen ways, did convert to the true religion of God in such great quantities as by the end of that month more than half the inhabitants of that city followed Christ's teachings.

But the Duke was perplexed, for much of his land had been scorched and looted by the long fighting, and trade was poor and bands of thieves and smugglers did plague the region of Hebron. What's more, the noble Duke's wife, the Lady Ingegerd, now heavy with child and still adapting to her new home, did grow frustrated, and was often heard shouting at her husband that she was not high enough valued in his court. The Duke did tell the Lady he had nothing to spare, and that she could be either content or miserable.

And that November came more good news, for in the Duke's makeshift capital at Jaffa, he did notice the Islamic calls to prayer grew fainter, and the familiar sound of the tolling of bells did grow louder, for the priests in that city did hold mass conversions, and many of the people of that city did give themselves over from wicked ways, and into the loving embrace of Christ.

​

The year of Our Lord 1080 opened even more happily than the previous had ended, for in January was born to Bohemond and Ingegerd a son, whom they named Drogo. In February, the Duke had yet more reason to be joyous, for the band of thieves who had been terrorising the good people of Hebron had been dispersed by the efforts of the sheriff there, and in May, Lady Ingegerd did announce that she was once again heavy with child.

​

In October, however, the Sheik of Maan, suported by his liege the Emir of Amman, did declare war upon the duchy, as he sought to stake his claim on Hebron. Duke Bohemond did muster what troops he could, about 1500, and knew he would be outnumbered considerably.

​

The following February, while on campaign, Bohemond received both welcome and unwelcome news. Lady Ingegerd had given birth to another healthy son, whom they named for the martyred saint, Stephen. But the band of thieves dispersed in hebron a year previously had returned to plague the region.

​

In March, the Sheik of Maan agreed to a peace, and furthermore did agree to pay a sum of 41 bags of coin in recompense to the duke. In March an envoy arrived from Athens with a proposal of alliance. Bohemond rejected the proposal, however, as he did not wish to be dragged into the conflicts of the rebellious Prince, and at any rate, did not expect Athens to survive it's war with the Roman Emperor in Greece.

In July, a major road was finished in Jaffa. In September came more welcome news, as the city and county of Monreal fell, and was occupied by the Normans, while the count of Negev and Darum, who had remained loyal to the king in Naples, did agree to see sense and pledged himself, and his lands, to the duchy. His 300 soldiers then joined the Duke's campaign, and were most welcome.

In January of 1082 was born Judith, daughter of Bohemond and Ingegerd, and also did the Sheik of kerak agree to yield his claims on Tiberias. And the following month, knowing he was beaten, the Emir of Amman did agree to a cessation of hostilities, and did sign a treaty which saw the city and province of Monreal, as well as 22 bags of coin, given over to the Duke's possession. The Duke, satisfied with his victory, at once returned to Jaffa to oversee the realm, and to spend time with his young children.

The Duchy's gains between 1080-82. Peaceful acquisitions in blue, those gained through war in yellow.

​

In March came word that the Holy Father in Rome, pleased with the success of the first crusade to Jerusalem, had called another, this time to expel the Moors from Tunis. While there were many who hoped Bohemond would once again take up the cross, and urged him to do so, he did most steadfastly refuse, arguing that he had done God's work, and that to remove his forces from Jerusalem in order to travel to Africa would be to invite ruin upon all that he had strived so hard to build.

In June came word from the most renowned scholars and physicians in the land that the epidemic of smallpox which had plagued Jerusalem had abated, a sure sign of God's favour upon that city's willingness to embrace the true religion, and on the just and strong rule of the Duke. Bohemond now began to make preperations to remove his court to that city, as he felted it rather better suited to the business of governance.

​

In February of 1083 the Lord did show the realm favour, as he blessed the Duke Bohemond and Lady Ingegerd with a third son, whom they named Henry. And throughout the rest of that year, and into the next, affairs in the duchy continued under a state of peace, and the people then grew optimistic of the region's recovery.

​

 

[Hastu Neon]

Wow, lot of activity for Bohemond, particularly in the bedroom: 4 children in 4years?

 

[Maleficus]

Wow, lot of activity for Bohemond, particularly in the bedroom: 4 children in 4years?

Clearly he has the Almighty's favour. And his wife's


TBH though, my characters often seem to have too many children to keep track of. At least too many legitimate ones One of my Dukes of Saxony had 10 with his wife, plus two bastards, and it got a bit ridiculous really....

 

[Maleficus]

War and Peace In the Levant

CHAPTER FOUR
War and Peace In the Levant
1084-1089

In June 1084, after overseeing the completion of a fishing wharf at Jaffa, the Duke did declare war against his northern neighbour the Emir of Tripoli and, in particular, did seek to gain control of Tyre. The Emirate of Tripoli was a trading nation and possessed wealth enough to field several thousand troops. Bohemond feared that the Emir may win his ongoing war against the severely weakened Roman Emperor, who was at that time engaged on several fronts. If the Emir could wrest Antioch from the Roman's grasp, they would then become a great threat to Jerusalem.

And so Bohemond did go to war with the Emir, and the campaign was short and most glorious, for while the Emir, seeing that Jerusalem was the greater threat, ordered many of his troops south from Antioch at once, they arrived in parts small enough to be easily despatched by the Christians. And so it was that in August, Tyre was taken from the heathen, and in October so too was Beirut, a rich city grown fat on the profits of trade. And with the fall of beirut was a peace concluded between the Emir and the Duke, who now turned south, for the Emir of Medina, a friend of Tripoli, had crossed the duchy's south-eastern border, and was laying siege to Negev.

Shortly before the Christian forces arrived in the County of Negev, word reached them that the Saracens had taken that city, and Bohemond did call upon his troops to continue with such heart and courage as would expel the heathen most hastily. Then came word that the Count of Negev and Darum, a Norman by the name of Serlo Sanseverino, who had been appointed to those counties by Robert Guiscard, had agreed to surrender to the Emir his rights on Negev, and Bohemond was most vexed at these developments.

For over a year did war rage between Medina and Jerusalem, in which battles and skirmishes took place all along the duchy's south-eastern borders. And although the Christians did re-occupy Negev, and did win every engagement fought, they remained unable to press the advantage, and did not cross into Muslim territory. Eventually, Medina's manpower almost exhausted, and Jerusalem's treasury in arrears, the Duke and the Emir did conclude a white peace, by which the Saracens were able to keep Negev, and Bohemond returned to his capital frustrated and angry.

Land changing hands from 1084-1086. Christian gains in green, losses in red.​

The Duke's foul mood was soon lifted, however, when he returned to Jerusalem, for Lady Ingegerd had given him a fourth son, whom they named Humbert, a year previously. Furthermore, after years of pleading with Rome, the Holy Father had seen fit to send a Bishop to Bohemond's court. Bishop Rainulf Abdullah, a man of Norman and Arabic mixed ancestry, but a steadfast Christian nonetheless.

​

And there was more good news also. While Bohemond had been busily fighting on the borders, the centre of the duchy had remained at complete peace, and had completed projects commisioned by the duke in the previous peacetime. Roads had been laid in Hebron, where there had also been great success in mass conversions to the word of God. In the newly acquired provinces there had also been progress, as marshes and fens were drained in Beirut, and a court of justice established in Tyre, while a lost Greek epic and a Muslim thesis on optics had been unearthed.

In August of 1086, after just 6 months of peace, and despite a depleted treasury and army, Bohemond was at war again. The Emir of Tripoli, while losing Beirut and Tyre to jerusalem, had also now lost Tripoli and Baalbek to the Romans, and had now only one remaining stronhold, at Safed. Despite the truce that still existed, Bohemond saw the opportunity to be rid of a thorn in his side for good, reasoning, as would later be plagiarised by Machiavelli, that "A Prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise."

At any rate, Safed was taken a week before the annual celebrations of Christ's birth, and Bohemond, along with many of his knights, therefore spent Christmas in a staunchly Muslim city, an anecdote he would later tell to all who would listen with great amusement.

The gain of Safed, highlighted in green.​

Bohemond then returned to Jerusalem, to carry out the affairs of state, and the years of 1087 and 1088 passed peacefully and without event. Matters of diplomacy came to trouble Bohemond in the interregnum of peace, however, as envoys from the knightly orders of St John of Jerusalem, and the order of the Temple of Solomon did continue to ask of the duke such favours as to be granted land and castles.

Though he greatly respected the Order of St John, he was not prepared to part with the wealthy and strategically important port city of Acre, which was the only fief they demanded, and could not be persuaded to accept any other. With regard to the Order of the Temple, they hoped to gain the county of Hebron, one which the Duke considered less important, however, despite their reputation as great warriors, the Templars were seen by Bohemond as too aggressive, and rather overzealous. Being a true Norman, Bohemond admired their warrior-like nature, but concerned that they may disrupt the delicate and peaceful balance he had worked long and hard for, they too were turned away.

​

And though he had refused the Templars to better preserve the security of his realm, it was for the same reason that he found himself acquiescing to certain demands of the church. During the 1180's four of Bohemond's senior courtiers were killed or tortured under instruction from Rome for no crime other than following the faith of Mohammed, something the church was unable to see past despite their loyal service. Bohemond was most angered, distressed and disgusted, not so much by the killing of Muslims as by the killing of such able administrators, but he dared not intervene for fear of excommunication.

The Duke had taken into his court a family of heathens, and though both parents fell victim to Papal interference, they left behind several children who remained steadfastly loyal to Bohemond, and three of whom proved to possess great talents, and were of great benefit to the realm.

​

And with the assistance of such able officials as these, and other, the Duke was able to use to great advantage the period of peace, and to bring considerable wealth to the land through his just rule, and most brilliant administration. Then, in A.D. 1089 would come Bohemond's crowning moment...

 

[AllmyJames]

Nice work so far! I'll definitely be following this!

Those cursed crusader knights! Don't they realise you need those provinces to become King of Jerusalem?

 

[General_BT]

I'm hoping that "his crowning moment" is a fun pun, and the KoJ is about to appear on the scene.

 

[Maleficus]

King of Heaven

CHAPTER FIVE
King of Heaven
1089

Over two years of unbroken peace, coupled with wise administration, had brought relative prosperity to Jerusalem. Her treasury grew fuller with each day, her borders were secure, at least for the time being, her people were content and her ruler, Duke Bohemond, was a hero, at least to his Christian subjects. After ten years of governing Jerusalem as Duke, Bohemond decided the time was right to have himself crowned King.

​

An account by Edward of Jaffa, a young boy at the time, describes the coronation thus:

"On the twenty-first day in the month of February, in the yeal of our Lord 1089, our glorious and belov'd Duke Bohemond did ride with his wife, the Lady Ingegerd, and with trusted vassals the Count of Darum and the Count of Beersheb, to Bethlehem, where they did at nightfall enter that most holy place, the Church of the Nativity, where Christ had been born. And the Duke and his wife, and the two Counts and a priest did remain inside the church all night, praying for Christ's love and guidance, and for our Lord God's mercy and blessing.

And our Duke did emerge then at dawn of the next day, the twenty-second of February, exactly the tenth anniversary of his investiture as Duke of Jerusalem. And from Bethlehem did the Duke and his retainers return to Jerusalem, and did proceed to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christ had been laid to rest. And in that most holy of God's houses, Lord Bohemond did kneel, and was anointed by the Patriarch Rainulf, who then placed a crown upon his head. And Bohemond did then stand and face those assembled nobles, clergy and other dignitaries, and did pledge that he would rule fairly and justly, and vowed to defend all that is right, and good, and holy. And he was acclaimed then as Rex Latinitas Ierosolimitanus, or King of the Latins in Jerusalem.

Bohemond at the time of his coronation​

While the accuracy of Edward of Jaffa's detailed account has occasionally been brought into question due to both his young age at the time of the events, and that he is not usually associated with Bohemond, it is nonetheless the most detailed, and probably the most accurate account available, and is widely accepted as fact by most historians as Edward would later become the primary chronicler of the lives and times of Bohemond's immediate successors.

Bohemond is crowned by Patriarch Rainulf in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre​

What is known beyond Edward's account is that the more pious figures of the court, including Patriarch Rainulf, had urged Bohemond to be crowned in Bethlehem, while the more militaristic advisors had urged him to be crowned not by the Patriarch, but his chamberlain, and with a sword.

Bohemond rebuked all these suggestions but did, as urged by both his wife Ingegerd and his chancellor Jamila ud-Dawlah, seek the blessing of the foremost Muslim and Jewish clerics in Jerusalem. And while he received the former more willingly than he expected, the latter came more reluctantly, as the Jews were still disheartened over much of there means of income being outlawed under the new Christian administration.

The Coronation Banquet​

Following the coronation, Bohemond held a feast of the nobles and clergy during which he spoke most earnestly to all the people of importance in the realm, and was able to gerner support for a new military campaign.

 

[Maleficus]

Sorry this next chapter's taken so much longer than the previous ones. RL has got in the way a bit this week, but I should manage a chapter or two over the weekend.

 

[Maleficus]

A Decade of Prosperity

CHAPTER SIX
A Decade of Prosperity
1089-1099

Bohemond had been crowned King. He who had been denied his rightful inheritance in Italy was now the undisputed monarch of the Holy Land. Undisputed among Christians, at any rate. Bohemond knew well that there were many threats to his rule from the followers of the false prophet, both within his borders and without. In order that Jerusalem not be viewed as a weak or forgiving enemy, the nobles of the realm agreed that the King should assert his position with a small but, hopefully, decisive war.

The King met with his council to determine which of Jerusalem's neighbours should be the target of the new campaign. The Emir of Damascus was wealthy from trade, and could pay a great many soldiers, while the Emir of Medina was a thoroughly determined guardian of Islam's holy places, and could rightly be expected to fight on to the bitter end. Seeking a quick and decisive victory, the King settled his sights on Petra.

The fabled city of Petra, carved from the cliffs by the ancient Nabateans​

The Sheikdom had recently split from the Emirate of Amman, and was now vulnerable, with less than a thousand warriors at the Sheik's disposal, and little income to be spent on it's maintenance. The King crossed his army into the Sheikdom in March of 1089, and before June was out, had secured the Sheik's absolute surrender, absorbing the ancient city and the surrounding province into the Christian Kingdom.

The King had his victory, and it had been quicker and more decisive than he had even hoped. He had raised only a fraction of his own army, and had asserted his power in the region. It was not a grand victory to make even the Seljuq's shiver, but it had served it's purpose, to demonstrate that the Christians were here to stay, and would strike against those that threatened their borders without hesitation or clemency.

Mission accomplished, Bohemond appointed some minor officials to govern Petra in his absence, and returned to Jerusalem. Upon his return to the capital, the King was dismayed to learn of a minor outbreak of smallpox in Beirut, but nonetheless set about commissioning many new projects for the betterment of the realm. In August of the following year, the citizens of Acre rejoiced, for the city now had a fishing wharf and, furthermore, in the surrounding countryside land had been reclaimed from nature.

​

The following month, The Order of the Temple of Solomon sent another envoy to request land and castles, and were once again denied by the King. By December Bohemond had agreed to allow the Jews of Jerusalem to resume their tradition of usury, though he urged all good Christians against the borrowing of money.

​

In March of 1091, Queen Ingegerd gave birth to a fifth son, whom they named Alphonse, but two months later came less welcome news, as Bohemond's capable Marshall, Suhail ud-Dawlah, died of a fever.

​

The following few years were relatively uneventful. More projects were completed for the improvement of the kingdom, the smallpox epidemic in Beirut was brought to an end, and the kingdom's coffers grew more full with each passing month.

​

In January of 1096, Bohemond's eldest son Drogo came of age, and was deemed to now be old enough to take on adult responsibilities, just in time to command a regiment in the King's army against the treasonous Count Roger of Ascalon.The spring and summer of 1096 were spent campaigning against the disloyal Count, who finally gave unconditional surrender in August, resulting in Ascalon once again falling under direct control of the crown.

Prince Drogo at 16

Roger Morosini, Count of Ascalon​

Upon successful conclusion of the campaign, Bohemond and Drogo returned to the capital, where the prince was wed to the Count of Darum's eldest daughter, Isabella, who had spent many years as a fosterling at King Bohemond's court. Prince Drogo was rewarded for his services to the crown with the Duchy of Jaffa-Ascalon. Shortly afterward, Queen Ingegerd gave birth to another daughter, Felicia. Meanwhile, King Bohemond's pet projects, a castle in Tiberias and a church in Acre, were completed.

The following year, Bohemond's second son, Stephen, turned 16, and was wed to Esperanza, daughter of the Duke of Castille.

March saw the start of another war, as King Bohemond sought to take advantage of the weakened state of the Emirate of Amman. The war took 3 months to conclude, and saw both Amman and Kerak added to the kingdom. Upon returning to Jerusalem, Prince Stephen was named Duke of Galilee in recognition of his valiant conduct in the war with the Muslims.

1098 saw the coming-of-age of Bohemond's eldest daughter Judith, who was then wed to the King's trusted new Marshall, Humbert de Villaret.

Before the year was out, a Templar House had been established in Jerusalem in the hopes that this would entice the knights of that order to assist the kingdom without demands of packages of land. Furthermore, a monastery was established in Acre, a city the King deemed to be vital to the success of the realm, and had spent countless pounds of silver on modernising.

But perhaps the most important event of the year, nay, the decade, took place not in the temples and churches of Jerusalem, nor in the sun-baked desert of Arabia, but in Rome, at the Basilica of St. Peter. The Holy Father, Pope Urban II, overjoyed with the successes of the crusades called by his predecessors against Jerusalem and Tunis, called the faithful to take up arms once more, in order that the Seljuqs might be driven from the ancient city of Antioch. While Bohemond was reluctant to commit forces to the endeavour, he did immediately recognise that it may provide an opportunity to weaken the Turk, and expand his own realm. Nonetheless, he determined to wait until more Christian warriors were in the region before making a move.

February of 1099 saw the coming of age of the King's third son, Prince Henry, who was soon wed to Blanche de Blois, a daughter of the Count of Sens. Prince Henry was also granted the Duchy of Jordan, while a training ground was built to provide more and better soldiers in Jerusalem, and a church was built to promote the true word of God in Amman.

The King's final act of the century was to place an extra tax on those in the realm who had benefited from the recent abundance of wealth. Bohemond fervently hoped to find a use for these extra funds in the service of God in the new century.