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Well, at least her regencies have always turned out great for the realm.
When Lamekins died, she secured Kursa.
When Dausprungis got in coma, she secured King’s title for him.
And when Dausprungis died, well that is a story for next chapter.
28 years, both of my first characters died/became incapable same age. It can be explained only by curse.
I second that. But Viba seems to be the true power in Curonia anyway.
Part 7 Confessor - Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini
Playing outside taught Kerstigens to act quickly without unnecessary pause for thinking. In Visby he had met many interesting men and established contacts. Kerstigens had learned the civilized world and noticed how Estonians were portrayed as uneducated and somewhat dull savages, who would kill innocent girls on sacrifice stones. One of his friends there was father Bernhard, a priest from Lubeck, who promissed Kerstigens to speak with no less than Kaiser himself to help young lad bring the light of God and respect of civilized world to the lands East of Baltic Sea.
Taking the rule a year later young king subjugated the last Estonian tribe (Oeselians) and said speech to commemorate the moment: "We are a strong nation of Curonian, Estonian and Lettonian fighters. Let's become part of the Christian World and become Greater than Great Novgorod!". Most of the chiefs were not impressed.
But Kaiser was. Deeply touched by the words of father Bernhard on the heathen who had seen the light of Christ. He delegated a Prince-Bishop Manfred himself to baptise new sheep for the good shephard.
Chiefs were not impressed again. This time the level of dissatisfaction was so great, that Kerstigens was advised by his grandmother to grant more freedoms. Therefore he had established one of the first Kingdom level republics in the history - Most Serene Republic of Estonia, granting special rights to 4 other most esteemed patriarchs:
High Chief Melete of Oeselians - son of archnemesys High Chief Cake
Lord Mayor Sabis of Zemgale - son of High Chief Viesturs
Lord Mayor Alar of Tartu - Tartu chief
Lord Mayor Huvameel of Liivimaa - Liivimiaa chief
Due to all those changes Kingdom did not become stronger to put it lightly. It became weak. And it took a little time for Tartu "Lord Mayor" Alar The Cleansing Flame to notice the opportunity for strike. He declared war against Christianization of Estonia, "to clean that dirt from our ancestors land".
But father Bernhard has Kaiser's ear and heart. Kerstigens himself would have 0 chance. But 10,000 HRE soldiers had all the chance ever needed. Alar got captured and his titles revoked. Kaiser's men left the land, but Teutones Order got hired and imprisoned the rest of conspirators one by one. They all got stripped their titles and replaced by good Catholics.
Father Bernhard indeed was a man of connections, but there was one last thing. He insisted Kerstigens to pick a new name, a Christian one to truly show himself as a great Christian and enter into network of marriage agreements and trade agreements with the Christian world. Bernhard suggested Daniel as a symbol for Kerstigens struggle against lions of Suomenusko and Romuva. King accepted. He kept his pagan name as a second name, and from now on was known as Daniels Kerstigens (-s in the end of names is Latvian grammar, similar to Gothic -s, Latin -us, etc, so I might use Daniel without -s further in text, author's note).
Later impressed by cool Coat of Arms of Catholic Princes Daniel made a new change. He ordered himself a new CoA and used his pagan name as the new dynasty name.
- "Daniel, I suggest you put a lion on the CoA," suggested Bernhard, "it symbolizes your name with the lord"
- "I love it Bernhard, agreed"
- "And a cross, to symbolize your role in the history as the baptist of Estonia," continued Bernhard
- "Yes, that is a great idea, you are smart!" agreed Daniel
- "And may I suggest a key, to symbolize you are the Prince Mayor, the first of Estonian Princes?" asked Bernhard
- "Yeaaaaaah, I love it" said Daniel.
- "And may I..."
- "Just put a rose there!" asked Daniel
- "But?" asked Bernhard
- "I like roses, they look good and smell nice." replied Daniel and left the room.
From now on the history will learn of House of Kerstigens and its very first patriarch - Daniel Kerstigens
In the picture above - Holy Order of Teutones hired by Daniel (free of charge) is coming to imprison Oeselian traitor Melete.
Also with new CoA came new haircut and sexy beard, he is a Prince Mayor after all, the Confessor of Christianity in the lands of the most stubborn of pagans!
A Republic formed and a land converted. Daniel may not be the most impressive ruler stat-wise, but he's more than earned his place in history.
Part 8 Confessor - Making Republic Great
***
The Most Serene Republic of Estonia had survived the first storm, and had become stronger. Yet it faced many challenges, mostly internal.
First, it’s military power was virtually non-existent. It had below 2,000 soldiers to rely on.
Second, towns in Kurzeme and realmwide were underdeveloped in terms of trade. Money that was so necessary was lacking. Trade in the Baltic Sea was controlled by Gotland.
Third, most of lands were still pagan and so were chiefs.
Fourth, it was not clear if House Kerstigens would keep the rule in case of succession. No prestigous heir was available.
How to proceed? What would help Republic to grow and prosper?
*The Christian World*
Daniel continued his pagan approaches to marital life. He seduced young courtiers and old courtiers, some said he slept with any moving object. Priest Bernhard was not objecting to the lewd ways of Prince Mayor. Any child of Kerstigens blood would help the right cause. His quick Polish wife Smiechna was not as forgiving, but she had a very little say. During his rule, Daniel fathered over 15 children, some to himself, some to help out brother. They got betrothed to European royal houses: England, Sweden, Denmark, Vladimir, Poland, Polotsk and even HRE itself.
Alliances got forged.
Special relationship Daniel had with the Kaiser, his Godfather. HRE offered help in many ways: sending missionaries, building churches, providing skilled German craftsmen and just donating money. Letters of Daniel to Kaiser are now a national treasure. Despite lacking intellectual depth they show devotion of young Confessor to Catholic faith and enormous gratitude to his dearest friend and godfather.
Daniel’s team did not think twice when Pope announced the Crusade for Portugal. He pledged his troops and became zealous Catholic: it was then he left the Band of Medeina and joined the Benedictines Order.
Prince Mayor’s retinues left to Portugal under Estonian banner. Daniel himself lead the troops and joined the prayers in Crusader camp together with Catholic leaders. After common prayers and first successful battle Daniel left home since “there are many lost souls in need for my attention back home and we got the best commanders stay here for Christ’s cause”. Crusade was successful and Estonia had participated in it.
Daniel left on piligrimage to Jerusalem to thank the Lord for all the blessings Catholic realms had received.
***
Grand City of Ezerpils did its best to invite rich merchants and courtiers from all around Europe. German craftsmen, Jewish money lenders. It was a fresh market to make ones name. Mostly German speaking foreigners soon made up a significant proportion in major cities and craftsmen guilds got established. Ports were built and Kerstigens Family Palace improved.
*The Gotland Affair*
A huge scandal concerning Gotland traders emerged. Merchants from Lubeck had informed Kaiser of HRE and Prince Mayor of Estonia that Visby’s traders frequently made deals with Baltic pagans, which was against the Papal decree. Daniel sent out letters both to Kaiser and Pope complaining that such an action had armed enemies of Jesus and and made Estonia’s sacred mission more difficult. He requested action in the name of Christ: “If Your Majesty let’s me control Gotland, I will make sure such crimes against our Lord stop! This will be in my best interests and help our Christian mission in Baltic lands.”
Swedish king was furious and protested, but Kaiser had made up his mind.
The Most Serene Republic of Estonia had survived the first storm, and had become stronger. Yet it faced many challenges, mostly internal.
First, it’s military power was virtually non-existent. It had below 2,000 soldiers to rely on.
Second, towns in Kurzeme and realmwide were underdeveloped in terms of trade. Money that was so necessary was lacking. Trade in the Baltic Sea was controlled by Gotland.
Third, most of lands were still pagan and so were chiefs.
Fourth, it was not clear if House Kerstigens would keep the rule in case of succession. No prestigous heir was available.
How to proceed? What would help Republic to grow and prosper?
*The Christian World*
Daniel continued his pagan approaches to marital life. He seduced young courtiers and old courtiers, some said he slept with any moving object. Priest Bernhard was not objecting to the lewd ways of Prince Mayor. Any child of Kerstigens blood would help the right cause. His quick Polish wife Smiechna was not as forgiving, but she had a very little say. During his rule, Daniel fathered over 15 children, some to himself, some to help out brother. They got betrothed to European royal houses: England, Sweden, Denmark, Vladimir, Poland, Polotsk and even HRE itself.
Alliances got forged.
Special relationship Daniel had with the Kaiser, his Godfather. HRE offered help in many ways: sending missionaries, building churches, providing skilled German craftsmen and just donating money. Letters of Daniel to Kaiser are now a national treasure. Despite lacking intellectual depth they show devotion of young Confessor to Catholic faith and enormous gratitude to his dearest friend and godfather.
Daniel’s team did not think twice when Pope announced the Crusade for Portugal. He pledged his troops and became zealous Catholic: it was then he left the Band of Medeina and joined the Benedictines Order.
Prince Mayor’s retinues left to Portugal under Estonian banner. Daniel himself lead the troops and joined the prayers in Crusader camp together with Catholic leaders. After common prayers and first successful battle Daniel left home since “there are many lost souls in need for my attention back home and we got the best commanders stay here for Christ’s cause”. Crusade was successful and Estonia had participated in it.
Daniel left on piligrimage to Jerusalem to thank the Lord for all the blessings Catholic realms had received.
***
Grand City of Ezerpils did its best to invite rich merchants and courtiers from all around Europe. German craftsmen, Jewish money lenders. It was a fresh market to make ones name. Mostly German speaking foreigners soon made up a significant proportion in major cities and craftsmen guilds got established. Ports were built and Kerstigens Family Palace improved.
*The Gotland Affair*
A huge scandal concerning Gotland traders emerged. Merchants from Lubeck had informed Kaiser of HRE and Prince Mayor of Estonia that Visby’s traders frequently made deals with Baltic pagans, which was against the Papal decree. Daniel sent out letters both to Kaiser and Pope complaining that such an action had armed enemies of Jesus and and made Estonia’s sacred mission more difficult. He requested action in the name of Christ: “If Your Majesty let’s me control Gotland, I will make sure such crimes against our Lord stop! This will be in my best interests and help our Christian mission in Baltic lands.”
Swedish king was furious and protested, but Kaiser had made up his mind.
Interesting decision to convert to Christianity…
Hopefully the dynasty can keep their hold on the throne of the “Republic”
Hopefully the dynasty can keep their hold on the throne of the “Republic”
That was part of the scenario that won the popular vote. Post number 2:
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures.Sound explanation for the rose.Sometimes, a ruler needs to put his foot down.
Indeed he has.
Not every day you do reforms of such scale - from tribal pagans into Catholic Merchant Republic.
15 kids!? Wowzers, that's a lot of alliances. At least you're secure if any trouble pops up. I rather like Daniel being so passionate about his new faith in part being due to his friendship with the Kaiser.
Praise Jesus! Hopefully you'll soon get the money coming in from trade posts and such, then you won't have to rely on Baltic levies anymore.
Daniel has become a fairly devout convert. With all the profits it entails - especially if one participated in the crusade.
Time to root out the evil weed of "competition". Once Gotland has been dealt with, the Hansa will be a tougher nut to crack though, what with being under the HRE.
Time to root out the evil weed of "competition". Once Gotland has been dealt with, the Hansa will be a tougher nut to crack though, what with being under the HRE.
Praise the Lord! Slowly but surely.
Hansa is not there yet!
Baltic Sea is gonna be wide open for Estonian trade.
Part 9 Confessor - The guardian of Estonia
***
From the (well hidden) Diary of Karl Magnusson, Patrician of Visby, Gotland:
"It was year of the lord 1260 when great sorrow and injustice was brought to Visby. That double faced eel from Ezerpils had manipulated the Christian world against us, fair business people from Visby. Yes, we had our trades, also with pagans. But himself? Where did he get his wax, fur and most of all amber from if not from Lithuanian pagans? Not from the Lord himself, did he? But the voice of reason got never heard. Instead they all followed the "Saint" Daniel.
After Kaiser's men had sieged down Visby and passed him the keys... Oh, what a show off. I am writing this down, so further generations take notice of this hypocritical bastard of the Church. Daniel dropped on his knees and thanked the God. If that was not enough, he took the bowel of water and washed feet of the nearby soldier. Was he thinking he was Jesus Christ himself? Arrogant snake! But our Catholic leaders?! Even our good King Tord after having passed Gotland to Estonia wrote: "To the Heroic Prince... May you live in harmony!" ptfuu! When shall we start using our head for thinking instead of just for wearing hat?"
***
Following war with Gotland Estonia had become a trade hegemon of the Baltic Sea. All trade went via Ezerpils, and building of Great Harbor was ordered. In next years Estonian land increased few more times - when Alexander (grandson of Visvaldis of Jersika) conquered Polotsk and when Daniel himself went into Holy War against Finnish heathen chiefs.
***
During his late years Daniel had become a conversus of Benedictines. He was a pious man acknowledged as being a True Christian Knight by Catholics near and far. Daniel had become a legend of the Church, a no compromise warrior and hero, when faith was fading. Great Harbor of Ezerpils got finished, and work started to make Ezerpils also a center for Phylosophy and Arts. Unfortunately Daniel never saw the work finished. He died 61 year old, and did not manage to leave his mark in history of arts and phylosophy.
But his mark was there for Catholic Church. For his works in spreading the faith and pious life he got canonized. Today Saint Daniel Kerstigens the Righteous is regarded as the guardian of Estonia as well as a protector of trade ships. Every year St Daniel Kerstigens day is celebrated on the 22nd of March, in the spring season when historically Northern Baltic Sea ports got freed from ice.
Son Peteris will have a real strugle to get out of his father's shaddow, and to keep the realm in tact and in hands of Kerstigens House
From the (well hidden) Diary of Karl Magnusson, Patrician of Visby, Gotland:
"It was year of the lord 1260 when great sorrow and injustice was brought to Visby. That double faced eel from Ezerpils had manipulated the Christian world against us, fair business people from Visby. Yes, we had our trades, also with pagans. But himself? Where did he get his wax, fur and most of all amber from if not from Lithuanian pagans? Not from the Lord himself, did he? But the voice of reason got never heard. Instead they all followed the "Saint" Daniel.
After Kaiser's men had sieged down Visby and passed him the keys... Oh, what a show off. I am writing this down, so further generations take notice of this hypocritical bastard of the Church. Daniel dropped on his knees and thanked the God. If that was not enough, he took the bowel of water and washed feet of the nearby soldier. Was he thinking he was Jesus Christ himself? Arrogant snake! But our Catholic leaders?! Even our good King Tord after having passed Gotland to Estonia wrote: "To the Heroic Prince... May you live in harmony!" ptfuu! When shall we start using our head for thinking instead of just for wearing hat?"
***
Following war with Gotland Estonia had become a trade hegemon of the Baltic Sea. All trade went via Ezerpils, and building of Great Harbor was ordered. In next years Estonian land increased few more times - when Alexander (grandson of Visvaldis of Jersika) conquered Polotsk and when Daniel himself went into Holy War against Finnish heathen chiefs.
***
During his late years Daniel had become a conversus of Benedictines. He was a pious man acknowledged as being a True Christian Knight by Catholics near and far. Daniel had become a legend of the Church, a no compromise warrior and hero, when faith was fading. Great Harbor of Ezerpils got finished, and work started to make Ezerpils also a center for Phylosophy and Arts. Unfortunately Daniel never saw the work finished. He died 61 year old, and did not manage to leave his mark in history of arts and phylosophy.
But his mark was there for Catholic Church. For his works in spreading the faith and pious life he got canonized. Today Saint Daniel Kerstigens the Righteous is regarded as the guardian of Estonia as well as a protector of trade ships. Every year St Daniel Kerstigens day is celebrated on the 22nd of March, in the spring season when historically Northern Baltic Sea ports got freed from ice.
Son Peteris will have a real strugle to get out of his father's shaddow, and to keep the realm in tact and in hands of Kerstigens House
Another proof that the fastest way to heaven is through the monastic orders. Or vanquishing your fellow Christians in territorial disputes, apparently!
Gotland will be a valuable addition to the republic!
Gotland will be a valuable addition to the republic!