These songs will not be to everyone's taste, for there is little variation among them, all of them containing the same words, such as : hero, knight, horseman, galley slave, serpent, dragon, wolf, lion, falcon, eagle, falcon's nest and sword, sabres, lances... necklets, medallions, decrees, heads chopped off, slaves carried away, etc. May those who find them pleasing sing them; may those who do not, go off to sleep.
Now onto the AAR...
I: Beginnings
The great Caucasus mountains crossed the Kingdom of Georgia like a great spine, stretching from the eastern edge of the Black Sea and ending at the Caspian. The mountains made life hard, bringing frequent earthquakes, the rain it brings drowns the crops on the southern tip, while leaving the north begging for water.
Those who live around the mountains, mostly Georgians, Turks, and Alans, range the grasslands, farming, herding, and partaking in any matter that might mean for their survival. In times of Famine, a period when most peasants drop left and right and nobles hoard their grain, the Turks fled to the south, as they were natural-nomads, the Alans did the same, but their eyes set north, yet the Georgians stayed, facing death with a smile and a high-spirit.
Their Kings were no better. Seldom did they fret, though the whispers of Turkish expansion brought froth beads of sweat on the foreheads of the most cowardly, and even less did they fear, though this may be the downfall of the kings to come...
Among the Georgian Kings the line that ran the strongest, dating back to days of King David and hailing from the Holy Land itself; the Bagrationi now rule the fledgling Kingdom of Georgia, and aim to thrall their enemies and claim their lands for the people of Georgia!
But first they must be wary of the larger foes that lurk mighty Caucasus... To the south, at the edge of the desert, are the Seljuk Turks, swarthy nomads that have taken themselves as Kings and rightful rule of all they can crush!
Directly west of the Turks the crumbling Byzantine Empire. Though their time has come, the archaic, backwards Empire still holds much clought and could sure crush the Georgians if they wished to, but their attention is fixed on preserving their cities fro the Turks.
North of the Caucasus are the Cumans. Like the Turks they are nomads pantomiming themselves as kings of all lands north of Black and Caspian Seas. While they stand united as a 'kingdom' their alliance is loose and only a small fire can light the oil of treachery that soaks their diplomatic efforts.
And around the Caucasus itself? Groups of many small principalities, emirates, sheikdoms, and tribal confederations that beg to be united under the Georgian standard. Only time will tell how long this will take...
But first proper introductions must be made! The current King Of Georgia, and count of numerous provinces:
First and foremost Bagrat Bagratuni (actually Bagrat IV) is a Knight, not just a warrior. He follows a strict code of ethics that is only bested for his devotion to the clergy and preservation of his faith. At home, in the mountains, he rules with a fair, although somewhat biased, hand, favouring the poor and clergy over the flamboyant Burghers and haughty nobles. However, he is not stupid and knows that he must appease both of these classes or face a revolt.
His first act as a King was to quickly declare war against the Sheik of Kartli, a small province south of Kakheti. However, in his pious rush he had forgotten to consult his diplomatic advisers, who would have told him that the Sheikdom of Kartli was allied with the Emirate of Derbent, a formidable opponent for the growing Kingdom!
By the end of the year the armies of Georgia were mobilised and headed for Kakheti; their numbers totalled little over 2000. Their ally, the Principality of Alania, joins them in the war against the Emirate of Derbent and the Sheikdom of Kartli.
Sometime during January the Georgian army reaches Kartli, however the Chiefdom of Kasogs, another small province north of Imeretia, declares war against the Kingdom of Georgia, thinking that all the forces have left the kingdom.
February the Georgian forces are split between two fronts, 2000 or so north combating the Alan forces of Kasogs while the rest, a rather meager force of 1500, south fighting off the combined efforts of Derbent and Kartli. The army in Kartli beats of the Kartli forces while Bagrat confronts Buurgar, the Chief of Kasogs, in Imeretia.
By summer, however, the few victories won are soon forgotten because battle after battle is lost to the well-rested and superior in number armies of Derbent. Realising that he is in over his head Bagrat calls for peace with the Emirate of Derbent, by late July both nations agree on a white peace.
At home, however, the situation could not be worse.
Wild rumours have been flying around that Mariam Bagratuni, the daughter of Bagrat, was becoming visibly pregnant! Now under normal situations this would have been perfectly fine, but Mariam was not married and had no plans to do so! Faced with her duty as Chancellor and thus chief representative of her country Mariam was faced with one of two decisions; rid herself of the tumour with hair and teeth or give birth to the baby and flee to a foreign court.
As much as the first of the two was pleasing to her, Mariam was a devout Christian and knew the right thing to do...
Giorgi Bagratuni is born later that winter
Also during that winter Kasogs falls to Bagrat's army.
The war with Derbent had been simmering in Bagrat's mind. He did not like losing to a loose collection of Muslim states, nor did he like Muslims for that matter... He was told that the war, however, had not ceased for their allies, the Principality of Alania.
Since the summer of 1067 the Principality had been fighting the war, and for the most part losing it. The Emirate of Derbent had claimed Semender, and reclaimed Derbent and Albania, and were pushing north into the Principality's lands.
Seeing this not only as an opportunity to help his ally, but also his kingdom, Bagrat drew up his war council and they quickly decided on their plan to crush the weakened Emirate.
When the summer began its descent into autumn Georgian armies, lead by Giorgi, stormed and captured Derbent, while Bagrat marched north to help their allies.
As the summer dragged on Giorgi won battle after battle, making his way down the western coast of the Caspian. However the war plunged the kingdom into debt and the nobles, fearful of their dwindling wealth, requested that an Estates General be called so a proper plan may be drafted and implemented that will rid debt from the country. Bagrat, letting his pride get the best of him, denies the request and continues to fight the war "poor if needed be."
When autumn arrives so does a message from the Sheikdom of Albania, they are declaring war against the Kingdom of Georgia! The Albania's claim that it is their duty to help their Muslim brothers against the Orthodox Onslaught.
The first major defeat is suffered by winter at the hands of the Albanian Army who intercepted Bagrat's Army in Derbent. The Albanian's begin to siege Derbent and by July of 1089 the province is lost.
Later that summer a peace treaty is signed with the Albanians, who are keep their claims to Derbent. The Emirate of Derbent, who have recovered from their previous losses and were beginning to push back Giorgi's Army, accept a white peace.
Andrija Kacic-Miosic,
The Pleasant Conversation
of the Slavic People,
Venice, 1756
Now onto the AAR...
I: Beginnings
The great Caucasus mountains crossed the Kingdom of Georgia like a great spine, stretching from the eastern edge of the Black Sea and ending at the Caspian. The mountains made life hard, bringing frequent earthquakes, the rain it brings drowns the crops on the southern tip, while leaving the north begging for water.
Those who live around the mountains, mostly Georgians, Turks, and Alans, range the grasslands, farming, herding, and partaking in any matter that might mean for their survival. In times of Famine, a period when most peasants drop left and right and nobles hoard their grain, the Turks fled to the south, as they were natural-nomads, the Alans did the same, but their eyes set north, yet the Georgians stayed, facing death with a smile and a high-spirit.
Their Kings were no better. Seldom did they fret, though the whispers of Turkish expansion brought froth beads of sweat on the foreheads of the most cowardly, and even less did they fear, though this may be the downfall of the kings to come...
Among the Georgian Kings the line that ran the strongest, dating back to days of King David and hailing from the Holy Land itself; the Bagrationi now rule the fledgling Kingdom of Georgia, and aim to thrall their enemies and claim their lands for the people of Georgia!
But first they must be wary of the larger foes that lurk mighty Caucasus... To the south, at the edge of the desert, are the Seljuk Turks, swarthy nomads that have taken themselves as Kings and rightful rule of all they can crush!
Directly west of the Turks the crumbling Byzantine Empire. Though their time has come, the archaic, backwards Empire still holds much clought and could sure crush the Georgians if they wished to, but their attention is fixed on preserving their cities fro the Turks.
North of the Caucasus are the Cumans. Like the Turks they are nomads pantomiming themselves as kings of all lands north of Black and Caspian Seas. While they stand united as a 'kingdom' their alliance is loose and only a small fire can light the oil of treachery that soaks their diplomatic efforts.
And around the Caucasus itself? Groups of many small principalities, emirates, sheikdoms, and tribal confederations that beg to be united under the Georgian standard. Only time will tell how long this will take...
But first proper introductions must be made! The current King Of Georgia, and count of numerous provinces:
First and foremost Bagrat Bagratuni (actually Bagrat IV) is a Knight, not just a warrior. He follows a strict code of ethics that is only bested for his devotion to the clergy and preservation of his faith. At home, in the mountains, he rules with a fair, although somewhat biased, hand, favouring the poor and clergy over the flamboyant Burghers and haughty nobles. However, he is not stupid and knows that he must appease both of these classes or face a revolt.
His first act as a King was to quickly declare war against the Sheik of Kartli, a small province south of Kakheti. However, in his pious rush he had forgotten to consult his diplomatic advisers, who would have told him that the Sheikdom of Kartli was allied with the Emirate of Derbent, a formidable opponent for the growing Kingdom!
By the end of the year the armies of Georgia were mobilised and headed for Kakheti; their numbers totalled little over 2000. Their ally, the Principality of Alania, joins them in the war against the Emirate of Derbent and the Sheikdom of Kartli.
Sometime during January the Georgian army reaches Kartli, however the Chiefdom of Kasogs, another small province north of Imeretia, declares war against the Kingdom of Georgia, thinking that all the forces have left the kingdom.
February the Georgian forces are split between two fronts, 2000 or so north combating the Alan forces of Kasogs while the rest, a rather meager force of 1500, south fighting off the combined efforts of Derbent and Kartli. The army in Kartli beats of the Kartli forces while Bagrat confronts Buurgar, the Chief of Kasogs, in Imeretia.
By summer, however, the few victories won are soon forgotten because battle after battle is lost to the well-rested and superior in number armies of Derbent. Realising that he is in over his head Bagrat calls for peace with the Emirate of Derbent, by late July both nations agree on a white peace.
At home, however, the situation could not be worse.
Wild rumours have been flying around that Mariam Bagratuni, the daughter of Bagrat, was becoming visibly pregnant! Now under normal situations this would have been perfectly fine, but Mariam was not married and had no plans to do so! Faced with her duty as Chancellor and thus chief representative of her country Mariam was faced with one of two decisions; rid herself of the tumour with hair and teeth or give birth to the baby and flee to a foreign court.
As much as the first of the two was pleasing to her, Mariam was a devout Christian and knew the right thing to do...
Giorgi Bagratuni is born later that winter
Also during that winter Kasogs falls to Bagrat's army.
The war with Derbent had been simmering in Bagrat's mind. He did not like losing to a loose collection of Muslim states, nor did he like Muslims for that matter... He was told that the war, however, had not ceased for their allies, the Principality of Alania.
Since the summer of 1067 the Principality had been fighting the war, and for the most part losing it. The Emirate of Derbent had claimed Semender, and reclaimed Derbent and Albania, and were pushing north into the Principality's lands.
Seeing this not only as an opportunity to help his ally, but also his kingdom, Bagrat drew up his war council and they quickly decided on their plan to crush the weakened Emirate.
When the summer began its descent into autumn Georgian armies, lead by Giorgi, stormed and captured Derbent, while Bagrat marched north to help their allies.
As the summer dragged on Giorgi won battle after battle, making his way down the western coast of the Caspian. However the war plunged the kingdom into debt and the nobles, fearful of their dwindling wealth, requested that an Estates General be called so a proper plan may be drafted and implemented that will rid debt from the country. Bagrat, letting his pride get the best of him, denies the request and continues to fight the war "poor if needed be."
When autumn arrives so does a message from the Sheikdom of Albania, they are declaring war against the Kingdom of Georgia! The Albania's claim that it is their duty to help their Muslim brothers against the Orthodox Onslaught.
The first major defeat is suffered by winter at the hands of the Albanian Army who intercepted Bagrat's Army in Derbent. The Albanian's begin to siege Derbent and by July of 1089 the province is lost.
Later that summer a peace treaty is signed with the Albanians, who are keep their claims to Derbent. The Emirate of Derbent, who have recovered from their previous losses and were beginning to push back Giorgi's Army, accept a white peace.
