[Completed] Crowns of the Levant

[Werther]

"I have always enjoyed Nicomedia!" exclaimed Maria Sudimantaitis, raising her glass once more. The alcohol had only reinforced her strong Russian accent when she spoke in French. "My husband and I actually dined in this very banqueting hall over twenty years ago!

“With Duke Diogenes II, dear niece?" Emperor Hugues III was all smiles and relaxed. To charm the old woman, he had covered her with honour and placed her on the right of the dais. He did not hesitate to pour wine and compliments on her.​

Maria Sudimantaitis and Emperor Hugues III the Glorious​

"No, no, his son, Lazaros." Hugues the Dark gritted his teeth. The debauchery of the Greeks knew no bounds. When his son died, the Duke of Opsikion had not hesitated to marry his own daughter-in-law and mother of his grandchildren. Hugues signed himself discreetly.​

Family tree of Duke Loukas​

"He was so handsome... before, of course, he lost that arm defending the Komnenos. What a fool! I told him to keep out of Greek politics. At the time, his death shocked me. It was so brutal... Nothing like the death of Diogenes, who was already an old man." She poured herself another drink and downed it with a swish. "Not that the death of my second husband didn't disturb me too. Two widowhoods is a lot. I think you know that, you've been married three times."

To Hugues II's surprise, his father showed no sign of annoyance at the mention of his ex-wives, and even smiled compassionately. "We must think about the future. About the children.”

“Exactly!" said the old woman who was obviously already a little drunk. “And it is for my son that I am here. I told Loukas that you would agree to talk to him.”​

Loukas Kaukadenos, Duke of Tchernigov​

“He is of my blood”

“Yes, he is. Unfortunately he never knew his grandmother, Princess Constance. An exceptional woman.”

“I have always admired my sister, and you remind me of her." Maria blushed. Hugues the Dark was much less touched, for he knew that his father was lying.

Princess Constance was from the first marriage of King Hugues II the Broken. The age difference between Constance and her half-brother was significant and she had been sent to Constantinople to marry Emperor Manuel IV years before the Glorious One came of age. After the Basileus' early death, Andronikos had rushed to get rid of the wife of his nephew and her daughter by marrying them off in Russia. Hugues had therefore hardly known Constance and was much closer to Princess Eve, who had become Queen of Nubia.​

Top : Hugues III siblings
Down : family tree of the Komnenos emperors​

The Emperor smiled. "If her grandson has inherited her goodness, he must be a brave, pious and just man."

“I raised him," Maria boasted. “A true Russian, proud and brave. Since he became Duke of Chernigov, he has been among the most respected lords of Ruthenia. When the evil advisors of the very young Khanum Yeldem tried to impose Cushitic customs, he did not hesitate to take up arms to defend his people.”​

The civil war in Ruthernia​

“I heard that Duke Loukas was injured.”

“Just a scratch! My son is a tough guy, and the war is turning in his favour. Of course, the situation has prevented him from coming to collect his grandfather's inheritance..." Maria poured herself another cup. "Hence my presence here, Uncle. You occupy several castles that are rightfully his.”​

Top : the Opsikion, the inheritance of Duke Loukas
Down : the hierosolymitan occupation​

“Diogenes had taken up the cause of Helena II.”

“My late husband was a Greek through and through. A Roman he would have told you!" Maria laughed. "He was still living in the time of Constantine or even Augustus. But, as you said, we must look to the future..."

The emperor remained silent for a few moments.

"You will have your castles." Maria was obviously surprised at this easy victory. "But on condition that you do not recognise Helena II.”

“Of course..." said the old woman suspiciously. "But my son won't recognise your daughter either. I told you, he's a Russian, and he's looking north. He won't make the same mistake as his father. The feud between the Greeks and the Franks is none of his business.”

“I understood your message well. Agatha will recognise Duke Loukas' full possession of the Opsikion... and thus Ruthenia's suzerainty over these lands.”

“This is a very good offer, but I would like it to be in writing.”

Hugues III clapped his hands. Several servants cleared the table and a cleric approached with a sealed parchment which he handed to Maria. "My servant has already filled in the missive you will give to your son. It states that I will withdraw my troops from Phrygia in exchange for the recognition of my daughter's rights to Constantinople by the Khanum of Ruthenia.”

“But the khanoum…”

“Will soon have a future regent who will hasten to sign this treaty. I am certain of it."

Maria tucked the missive into one of her sleeves and then smiled at the emperor; "Dear Uncle, I see you were not lying when you said you were thinking first about the future." She stood up and gave him a low bow. "I have had far too much wine, your Majesty. Allow me to retire.”

“Of course, my dear niece," replied Hugues III.

When she had left, the emperor threw everyone out, except for his sons Hugues and Etienne, Count Errard and the treasurer Guérech.​

Prince Etienne, Emperor Hugues III the Glorious , King Hugues II the Dark of Mesopotamia, Count Errard and Duke Guérech of the Delta​

"I don't like it," growled Hugues the Dark. And I'm sure Agathe won’t either. You've just ripped the Empire apart and made it lose Nicaea, one of its biggest cities.”​

The Opsikion comes under Ruthenian suzerainty​

“I also cost the Girl one of her strongest supporters. With the stroke of a pen, she lost thousands of men, and I not one. I also gained the neutrality of a powerful kingdom. All this for three castles and a few cities, it is a small price to pay.”

“We could have forced him to accept Agathe's suzerainty.”

“He would not have submitted and we would have opened a new and unnecessary front.”

“Not to mention," added Duke Guérech, the emperor's treasurer, "that our coffers are practically empty. The looting has simply delayed the inevitable. We have gained a few months, but soon we will not be able to pay our men.”

“This war is indeed too expensive," says Hugues III. “Even I realise that." He turned to Hugues's brother. "Etienne, that is why I have sent for you. You are to return to Jerusalem to assist my wife and Patriarch Bouchard in running the Empire in my absence. With you, you will bring back seven thousand men who will be released from service.”​

The deficit and the dismissal of a quarter of the army​

“7000?" exclaimed Hugues. “It's madness!”

“It would be madness to ruin the kingdom," replied the treasurer. “We can maintain 20,000 men for several months.”

“And that will be enough to fight the Girl," the emperor concluded.

“I will bring them back, Father," said Etienne. “Could I choose some lords to support me?”

“Who do you think?”

“My cousin Onfroy of the Desert as well as the dukes Jean of Shammar and Hamelin of Amman.”

“Aye, take them with you." Etienne bowed and left the great hall.

"I see that we are abandoning my sister.”

“Don't talk nonsense, Hugues. Errard and I will take half the army and go along the coast to take Heraclea. Then we'll push on to Paphlagonia.”

“What about me? Should I also go back to Jerusalem to help my mother-in-law with her cross-stitching?”

“If it pleases you, Athanasia may need you. But I was thinking of leaving you in charge of the rest of the army. You will remain stationed here, in Nicomedia.”

“Here? Why not in Constantinople? Without an army, the city will soon be under siege!"

The Glorious smiled broadly: "But I am counting on it, Hugues. I'm counting on it."​

Hugues III's offensive​

 

[Werther]

Violent gusts of wind swept across the plain beyond the Theodosian Walls. Agathe's cloak flapped in the wind, sometimes hitting the rump of her chestnut mare. The dark clouds were so threatening that the empress had at one time considered postponing the meeting with the Greek delegation.

Agathe's nervousness was not caused by the risk of a storm, however, but by the 15,000 Greek soldiers she could see in the distance. Having arrived three days ago by the Via Egnatia, the enemy army had wasted no time in setting up a camp well protected by hundreds of wooden stakes driven into the ground to prevent any Frankish charge. The empress could thus admire hundreds of tents and wagons, but not a single embassy.
​

The latin delegation : Philippos of Pera, Prince Henri of Jérusalem, Empress Agathe of Constantinople and the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople Gilbert du Puy du Fou​

"What are they doing? We were supposed to meet at tierce.”

“Being late is the insult of the weak," explained Philippos. “The Girl is probably trying to destabilise you.”

“Or she is planning an ambush. There are only four of us, and only my brother is armed.”

“Let them come!" exclaimed Prince Henri, stroking the hilt of his sword. Armed from head to toe, his brother had volunteered to protect them and hold the banner combining the arms of the Montoires and the Roman Empire. Agathe had always appreciated his optimism and cheerfulness, and she had been reassured when Henri had been put in charge of the defence of Constantinople in the absence of the Emperor. "And we are only a hundred toises from the Gate of Rhegion. I have positioned archers and crossbowmen there. If the meeting should go badly, we can simply ride back to it at full speed and my men will riddle our pursuers with arrows.”

“May God hear you," replied Agathe, not entirely reassured.

“The delegation is only allowed one armed man. And this symbol of peace still has some meaning in the Empire," said Philippos, pointing to the olive branch on top of the banner.

“And they will have sworn on the Holy Scriptures," added Gilbert du Puy du Fou, as if to reassure himself. The Latin patriarch of Constantinople had been muttering prayers ever since they had passed through the gate.

"They're coming!" warned Henri, pointing to four horsemen who had just emerged from the camp.
​

The Greek delegation : Helias "Brother Leo" Palemonaitis, Basilissa Helena II, Basileus Valerios Monomachos and Prince Jean the Greek​

Patriarch Gilbert had the sharpest eyesight: "The Girl is here, Your Majesty. And so is a young man wearing an imperial crown.”

“Valeros Monomachos," said Philippe, Helena’s husband.

“I don't know him," said Agathe.

“I heard some rumours. A smart but arrogant and cruel boy. He's just a puppet in the hands of the regents anyway.”

“He is followed by a young man who is unknown to me," Gilbert continued. “Probably his squire. The last one is a monk."

Philippos frowned, then sat up in his saddle to get a better look at the fourth rider. He gave a grunt.

"So the rumours were true. It is Helias Palemonaitis, the Girl's father.”

“I thought he had given up the crown and voluntarily retired to a monastery on Mount Athos," intervened Agathe.

“Not on his own. He was forced to abdicate by the great families of the Empire." Philippos spat on the floor to show his disdain for the former basileus. "Beware of him, Your Majesty. He is hungry for revenge and the present situation offers him a perfect opportunity. He is a dangerous man, a viper who uses a honeyed tone to better stab you in the back."

It took some time for the Greek delegation to cross the plain and join the Latins. When they finally arrived, Henri stepped forward a little and, in a loud voice, announced in French: "Oyez! Oyez! Bow before Her Imperial Majesty Agathe of the House Montoire, by the Grace of God Empress of the Romans and His Holiness Gilbert, Patriarch of Constantinople."

In response, a young man hailed them in Greek: "Prostrate yourselves before the Basilissa Autocrator of the Romans Helena the Second of her Name of the House Komnenos and the Basileus Autocrator of the Romans Valerios of the House Monomachos!"
​

Prince Jean the Greek​

The young man's features and voice were strangely familiar, and Agathe had little difficulty in guessing his identity. She greeted him in French: "You've grown, nephew! The last time I saw you, you were only three feet tall! How is my brother doing?"

Jean seemed a little bewildered by this familiar tone. He stammered in broken French: "Fine, theia. He... salutes you."

"Enough, Usurper!" intervened Helena II. “I did not come here to attend a family reunion! And certainly not in Celtic, these talks will be held in Greek!"
​

Basilissa Helena II​

This was the first time Agathe had met the Girl, and she couldn't help but notice that she was well-named. Although she was heavily pregnant, and despite being eighteen years old, she looked like a little girl five years younger. Her stallion was far too big for her and with her magnificent armour she looked less like an Amazon than a child playing at war. The young empress was angry, and glared at Agathe.

“I'm ready to parley," Agathe replied in Greek.

“I am glad to hear that you are able to express yourself in a civilised language, so my subjects can understand your surrender.”

“And why should I surrender?”

“The sun shines too brightly in the desert that you call your kingdom, you must be blind. I have thousands of men with me! You have no choice but to submit if you do not want to end up massacred!”

“You will first have to defeat the defenders of Constantinople," replied Agathe.

“What defenders? We know that you only have a few hundred men.”

“My father…”

“Is in Hell! Or Honorias, it's all the same.”
​

The fall of Honorias (march 1302)​

“My brother is already on his way.”

“He has not yet left Nicomedia, and he knows that he does not have enough men to face me alone."

The Greeks are definitely a little too well informed, Agathe worried. The Girl obviously has some support in the city. We'll have to make sure that these traitors don't come near our doors.

"Give up, Usurper!" cried the Girl. I have far too many men.

“Levees," remarked Agathe. “Peasants more used to reaping wheat than men. They will run away at the first drop of blood.”

“I'll see to it that these peasants deflower you, old maid! They'll have no trouble taking the city once my trebuchets are set up!"

The Girl pointed to the siege engines that were being assembled. When she was young, Agathe had loved these wooden monsters. Hugues III had made sure, for some reason that had long escaped her, to give her a few lessons on military art. She had devoured Roman and Hierosolymitan treaties on poliorcetics, and had even been shown a few catapults in action. She knew that the ramparts were within range of the trebuchets. But it was not just any wall.

"You know that no invader has ever succeeded in taking the Theodosian Walls by force. They will hold.”

“A wall is only as strong as its men," Valerios replied haughtily. "And you don't have enough to defend all the gates. We'll just have to launch several assaults along the wall and you'll be overwhelmed.” The young basileus had probably never fought in his life, but he spoke with the confidence of Julius Caesar before Alesia.
​

Basileus Valerios Monomachos​

"You will assault and suffer. Stop your comedy. Like you, I know my classics. All of us here know that this assault would bleed your army dry. If it were not so, we would not be here parleying."

A silence greeted Agathe's words and she realised that she had hit the nail on the head.

"We would suffer, there's no doubt about it." Helias had broken the silence with his warm, soft voice. "But we will win in the end, you know that as well as I do. This war is madness. Your futile resistance will only result in more bloodshed. Give up, Princess! For the sake of Christ who is the Lord of us all. For the sake of those men who have followed you in this mad adventure, as well as those you wish to rule. Renounce! You may freely leave the Empire and live happily in your distant kingdom." The man was charming and convincing. Philippos is right, this man is dangerous.
​

Helias Palemonaitis​

"I told you, Brother Leon," she replied in a determined tone. “I have read my classics, and I know what happens to Romans who lose their crowns. I have no desire to end up blinded in a Crimean monastery. I also know my lineage and my rightful claim to the crown.”

“Your barbaric customs are of no value in the Empire," Helena II raged.

Unlike his daughter, Helias showed no sign of being upset: "What His Majesty means is that you were not born in the purple. You were not even born in the Empire. You know our language well, but you are not Greek. Worse, you are not even of the True Faith. “

“The True Faith is on the side of the Holy Father in Rome”, replied Gilbert du Puy du Fou. “In his bull Unam Sanctam, His Holiness Alexander IV was clear. Every human creature must be subject to the Roman Pontiff.”

“Alexander is the bishop of Rome. For this he deserves all the honours due to his rank. But he is not superior to Germanios II, the true patriarch of Constantinople, the New Rome. Still less can he claim primacy over the emperor, God's lieutenant on earth.”

“Power has two swords, the spiritual sword and the temporal sword, both in the power of the Church," Gilbert announced. "The first is wielded by the Church, by Our Holy Father, the second for the Church. The sword must therefore be subordinated to the sword, and temporal authority to spiritual authority. The Empress, in recognizing the fullness of the power of Our Holy Father, is only fulfilling God's wish.”

“Nonsense!" cut in Helena II. “No Roman emperor will ever submit to the pope.”

“So we are at an impasse," concludes Hélias.

“Yes," confirmed Agathe. An icy silence fell.

“I told you so," said Helena II finally. “This meeting was unnecessary. We will settle this matter on the battlefield. And I swear that you will soon be begging me to only remove your eyes, Usurper!"

She turned and headed back to her army, soon followed by her husband and father. Jean seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then decided to join them.

"That went pretty well," laughed Henri as they headed back towards the city. Agathe couldn't help but smile, but deep inside she felt a dull fear.

Father, Hugues, she prayed inwardly. Make haste!
​

The siege of Constantinople​

 

[Specialist290]

Finally caught up

Naturally, the first parley is always more of a formality than a serious negotiation -- a chance for the two parties to size one another up, take their measure, see what they are working with and what buttons they can push. I see a fair amount of impatience and petulance in Helena, which I sense is going to cause her trouble in the coming siege.

 

[Werther]

Finally caught up

Naturally, the first parley is always more of a formality than a serious negotiation -- a chance for the two parties to size one another up, take their measure, see what they are working with and what buttons they can push. I see a fair amount of impatience and petulance in Helena, which I sense is going to cause her trouble in the coming siege.

Definitely, both sides knew they would have to fight at the end. Helena is probably a little bit too confident, but I don't want to say more at the moment...

I work hard on the next two chapters, which will be packed with action and will conclude the first part of this AAR (the next one after that will be a "transition chapter"). They are really difficult to write, but the illustrations are even harder to make (I prepared a little suprise ).

My goal is to write everything before wednesday, as Golden Week is coming (Friday) and I'm going on a road trip in Tohoku. So I hope to publish the 12th chapter on Thursday before I leave, and the 13th on Friday 6th when I come back.

 

[Werther]

"Faster! We must reach the gate of St. Romanus!" Mounted on his steed, Hugues the Dark rode up the column in the opposite direction, barking his orders. His army had disembarked at dawn in front of the Golden Gate and was now riding north along the Theodosian Walls. Most of his men were exhausted. While some pressed on, the majority stalled, stretching the long column even further.
​

The route of the army of Hugues the Dark​

The initial plan was to rush north and join up with Father's troops at the St. Romanus Gate. But the plan fell through when the enemy army appeared on their left flank. Arranged in battle order, the Greeks marched down the slight slope leading to the walls, advancing inexorably towards the Outremer army.
​

​

As he left in the early hours of the morning, the sight of the mighty ramparts had comforted Hugues. But the walls were now a source of concern for the King of Mesopotamia. They cut off any hope of retreat.

"But what are they doing here? They weren't supposed to be this far south!”

“Their trebuchets are indeed in front of the Gate of St. Romanus," explained his brother Henri, who was riding beside him. “They have probably been warned of your arrival and decided to abandon their positions to surprise you.”

“We could take refuge behind the ramparts. Is the gate still far away?" asked Hugues anxiously.

“Too far to reach before they fall on us... Unless we hurry.”

“My men are tired," said Hugues. “They haven't slept all night and they've been walking since we landed at dawn.”

“Perhaps we can turn back towards the Gate of Rhegion…” suggested Henri

“The Greeks would soon take advantage of our manoeuvre to fall on our backs..." Hugues quickly assessed the various options before him. None of them was really satisfactory, but only one would not earn him Father's opprobrium.

"We'll face them," he announced.

Henri was clearly surprised. "There are twice as many of them! Without Father and Errard…”

“They're far away!" cut in Hugues. “It takes time to get around the Golden Horn and we were supposed to join up further north. We'll have to hold out until they arrive."

The Greek army had stopped, only two detachments of archers, each on one wing, continued to advance. It was necessary to move quickly. Hugues snapped his reins and quickly pulled up the column, shouting his orders: "Turn! Turn! Face the enemy!" The heralds echoed his instructions throughout the infantry line.

The centre, made up of well-trained men-at-arms, swung quickly and orderly. The manoeuvre was more difficult for the levies, which were poorly organised.
​

"Shields!" shouted Hugues as the enemy archers, who were well advanced, prepared to shoot. A shower of arrows soon fell on the front line. The centre held together, but the wings were further destabilised.

"Hold your positions!" ordered Hugues. It was imperative that the infantry line maintain its cohesion and not advance. With their backs to the wall, the Hierosolymitan soldiers could be tempted to rush forward, which would expose them to a devastating counter-attack on unfavourable terrain.

"Archers!" he ordered. The bowmen, positioned behind the infantry line, fired a few volleys at the Greeks who retreated in order.

Judging that the worst was avoided, Hugues joined the heavy cavalry in reserve.

“The army is in position," he announced. “We must now prepare for the main shock. The Duke of Tripoli will command the centre, the Duke of Mecca the left wing and the Duke of Palmyra the right wing. The cavalry will remain with me."

The enemy infantry advanced in line, leaving behind several cavalry units on each wing. The Frankish archers fired a few arrows at the Greek infantry, but this did not slow them down. When they were close enough, they gave a loud shout and charged the first Outremer line.

The slight slope favoured the enemy soldiers who crashed violently into the Hierosolymitan line which retreated under the impact. The Outremer held their ground, however, and a fierce battle soon ensued. The fight raged on, turning into a chaos of fury and blood. As expected, the centre was the strongest, but the wings had more difficulty holding their positions.
​

"If they push any further, they may break our lines and surround our men-at-arms!” shouted Henri.

“And they intend to do so," said Hugues, pointing to the enemy left wing which was moving into position, ready to charge the defenders' right flank.

“Why doesn't their right wing move?" asked Henri.

Hughes' gaze turned to the other reserve, which was positioned well back and did not seem to be moving forward. It made no sense. A simultaneous attack on both flanks would force Hughes to split his reserves and prevent any hope of repelling it.

Hugues had no time to wonder further. The Greek reserves had just launched their own charge on the right flank. The bulk of these new troops violently jostled the ultramarine line, which retreated abruptly. Worse still, some of the cavalry began to manoeuvre to flank the right.

A detachment of archers who had found themselves in the front line were soon panicked. More and more soldiers were turning their backs on the enemy and being slaughtered, creating a gaping hole between the right flank and the centre. Enemy soldiers were already creeping into the breach.
​

“We must intervene!" ordered Hugues.

“But the left flank?” Henri intervened. “If the rest of the enemy reserves start marching, there will be no one left to support our men!"

Hugues looked again at the rest of the Greek army which was still not moving. He decided to take the risk.

"We will have to trust Manasses of Mecca. He must hold! We will help our right with all the strength we have left!"

Hugues turned to his knights: "Gentlemen! It is time to do your duty! For Empress Agathe! For Emperor Hugues! For God!"

His men responded with a loud cheer and then prepared to charge. Hugues checked his chain mail one last time, then his squire handed him his great war lance. The King of Mesopotamia made a final prayer to Saint Etienne and to Saint Aymard, the blessed martyr celebrated on this antepenultimate day of May. Then he put on his helmet.
​

King Hugues the Dark​

The world was reduced to a thin slit through which he could not see much. Even the sounds of the outside world were muffled by his breathing. He set his horse off at a trot but, for lack of distance, soon had to put his mount into a gallop. The slightly sloping terrain was not ideal for speed, and the uneven ground nearly caused him to fall several times. His lance felt terribly heavy, but he struggled to keep it straight and aim at the enemy breach. The enemy ranks were closing in on him more and more rapidly. Hugues took a last breath and then violently struck the enemy line.
​

He skewered an infantryman, but was partly destabilised and had to make an important effort to avoid falling. To his right and left, several knights in turn collided with the Greeks who lost some of their cohesion and retreated. Some of the Frankish footmen who were about to flee regained hope and came to support them.

Hugues discarded the cumbersome remains of his lance and drew his sword to slash left and right. He cut down several Greeks who were trying to escape the carnage. The Hierosolymitans were gradually gaining the upper hand, closing the gap between the centre and the right wing.

The soldiers of Helena II were nevertheless far from defeated. After the surprise of the assault, they soon regrouped around a heavily armed elite unit that even attempted a counterattack.

Harassed by several pikemen, Hugues' steed suddenly reared up and Hughes was thrown to the ground. Stunned, the King of Mesopotamia remained on the ground for some time. Get up! he ordered to himself. Get up or you'll be trampled by horses' hooves!

Hughes grunted as he stood up. His mail weighed a ton, and he probably had a broken rib. He grabbed his sword and shield but discarded his partially damaged helmet. When he took it off, he could take a deep breath of fresh air, but he also discovered a scene of indescribable chaos. A furious and anarchic butchery.

The world turned into a mush of screams and blood. Hugues parried a short sword blow with his shield and felt his shoulder dislocate. He counterattacked, only discovering the face of his young assailant as he pierced his lower abdomen. The soldier died with an expression of surprise on his face, as if death had come to him unexpectedly.

The enemy counter-attack forced Hugues and his men to retreat. A tall man soon appeared who shouted in a language not unlike that of his relative Maria Sudaimantis. The man, who must have been Russian, had a wooden leg, but this did not seem to prevent him from moving easily on the battlefield. He wielded a short axe which repeatedly came down on Hugues' shield. Each blow was more violent than the last and was accompanied by a furious cry in his incomprehensible language. Probably tired of not being understood, the Russian finally shouted in Greek: "Bastardos!"
​

Count Simeon of Dnipro​

Hugues felt the anger rising in him. He discarded his tattered shield and, ignoring the pain and fatigue, left his line and threw himself at his opponent, slashing left and right. "I'm not a bastard!" he shouted, managing to throw the Russian off balance who backed off. But Hugues' momentum was broken when he tripped over one of the corpses. He managed to catch himself in time, but this gave the Russian an opportunity to violently thrust his axe into Hugues’ stomach.

The pain radiated throughout his body. He hardly felt the second blow that threw him to the ground. Lying on the ground in spasms, Hugues put his hand to his stomach and felt the touch of his warm guts. When a soldier stepped on his leg, he felt no pain.

"The Glorious! The Glorious is coming!" he heard shouting in the distance.
​

Hugues held his blood-covered hand up to the sky. “Father!" he stammered. Father! Look at me ! I am worthy of your name. I... I am not a bastard."

His vision blurred, the sounds faded.

And he was no more.
​

Top : The death of King Hugues II the Dark ;
Down : the Battle of Constantinople, 29th May 1302​

 

[Specialist290]

Sometimes the desperate last stand actually pays off. Hughes made the best of a bad situation, and though he didn't live to see it, it looks like he's just given his father's army a chance to shatter the Byzantines' main force.

By the way:

The route of the army of Hugues the Dark

Just out of curiosity, where did you find this map of Constantinople? I'm rather impressed by the level of detail here.

 

[Werther]

Sometimes the desperate last stand actually pays off. Hughes made the best of a bad situation, and though he didn't live to see it, it looks like he's just given his father's army a chance to shatter the Byzantines' main force.

By the way:


Just out of curiosity, where did you find this map of Constantinople? I'm rather impressed by the level of detail here.

But will Hugues III recognize the important role played by the man he did not consider his true son? We will see.

For the background, I usually use youtube videos. I take a screenshot and 'clean it' in Photoshop. For the AAR Jérusalem, I took screenshots from BazBatttles videos (he made a series about the first Crusader with Antioch, Acre, Jerusalem...). The background for the battle comes from one of these videos.

For Constantinople, I had to find another video from another Youtuber. This one is about the Fall of Constantinople : HERE.

After that I used Photoshop for Hugues' token and the text and Illustrator for the arrows.

 

[Werther]

From the top of the hill, the reserve soldiers had a bird's eye view of the carnage below. Jean the Heir had thought for a moment that the soldiers of Helena II would sweep away the army commanded by his brother Hugues. But a counter-attack by the outermer heavy cavalry had managed to hold the lines long enough for reinforcements to arrive. Thousands of Hierosolymitan knights had surged to the left of the Greek army, which had somehow reorganised itself to hold. But further north-east the bulk of Father's troops were already arriving. Thousands of foot soldiers and archers were soon to overwhelm the loyalist lines.
​

“This is how empires die," said Dorotheos Ouranos darkly. The Domestic of the Schools' features were drawn and his gloomy face revealed his inner torment. Out of loyalty to Helena I Komnenos, the despot of Anatolia was betraying everything he had ever believed in.
​

Despot Dorotheos Ouranos​

"That's how they are born," replied John.

Dorotheos gave a sour smile. "I have no doubt that this is how you see things, Prince Jean de Montoire, now heir to two empires." He continued in a dreamy, broken voice. "When I was young I often asked my tutor to read the poems about the adventures of Digenis Akritas. I identified myself with this brave man and imagined myself fighting lions, dragons and bandits while defending the Empire against its Mohammedan enemies. Today I don't feel like Digenis, but Vahan."

Dorotheos referred to the Armenian general whom the Greeks accused of treason at the Battle of Yarmuk against the Muslims. As a result of the imperial defeat, they had lost all the territories that now constituted the Empire of Jerusalem.

"You betrayed no one, Ouranos," replied John. “You avoided unnecessary bloodshed, Helena II was doomed.”

“You're my best advocate," the Domestic of the Schools quipped. “Don't forget to repeat your plea to the fallen empress. She is coming our way." He pointed to a few horsemen riding up the hill towards them. "For my part, I have not the strength to break my niece's heart." He turned to his men. "Make ready! We are leaving!"

To Jean's surprise, the despot's men began to turn away.

"Aren't you staying? The new empress will surely honour you.”

“Do not misunderstand my intentions. It was not for your sister's sake that I betrayed the Empire and my own blood, but out of loyalty to Helena Komnenos, the daughter of the Basileus Pantaleon. Try to remember this and remind your empress of it when you see her again."

The Domestic of the Schools left without greeting Jean, taking his soldiers with him. The Heir found himself alone with the Philippopolis levies, waiting for Helena II.

The basilissa soon arrived. She was accompanied by about twenty riders, her husband Valerios escorted by Jean's eldest son and his father Helias Palemonaitis, who had abandoned his monk's habit and donned a coat of mail.
​

Basilissa Helena II​

"Why is my uncle leaving?” asked Helena II. “Why didn't you charge the barbarians? Their right flank would have been swept away, we would have won, we..."

The arrogance and morgue had definitely left the empress. She was now a distraught little girl who did not understand what was happening.

Quite the opposite of her father, whose calm and soothing features had been replaced by a mask of rage and hatred. He raised his battle-smeared sword and pointed it at Jean.
​

Helias "Leo" Palemonaitis​

“Treachery, I know the taste of it," he shouted. “That's what's going on, daughter! Ouranos has sold you out! I should never have listened to your mother and made him Domestic of the Schools. I should have had him quartered at the Hippodrome when I ascended to the throne!" He pointed to Jean. "As for that Celtic dog! He's no better than his father and sister, treachery runs in his blood!" He addressed the men of Philippopolis. "Arrest him! Arrest that traitor!"

To the monk's dismay, no soldier moved.

“They are my wife Dorothea's men," said Jean. “They obey me. They are not blind either, they can see. And it's about time you opened your eyes too. Look behind you!"

Father's men had finally arrived. The left flank of the Greek army was completely surrounded and being slaughtered, while the right flank was beginning to fall apart, with soldiers fleeing for their lives.
​

“It's over," concluded Jean.

“Never! Draw your swords!" barked Helias, turning to the empress's retinue. Some obeyed, but most hesitated. They understood that this was tantamount to signing their death warrant.

"Iohannes!” The Heir called his son. “Jean! Stop Friar Leo!"
​

Prince Jean the Greek​

The young man hesitated for a moment, looking alternately at the empress and his father. Then he drew his sword and came up to Helias. His sword aimed at the former basileus' throat. "Throw down your weapon, brother," he said in Greek.

Out of spite, Helias angrily threw his sword.
​

The capture of Helias​

"You swore your faith to me!" cried Helena II in the direction of the Heir. “You perjure yourself!

“I am only ridding you of a bad advisor," replied Jean the Heir. And now it is my turn to give you advice, as a good liegeman. Surrender."

The young empress now looked very pitiful. She looked alternately at her husband and her father with hopeful eyes, as if expecting some help from them. She finally turned her head towards the battlefield, where her forces were in full rout. And it was only then that she seemed to realise the situation.

Lowering her head, Helena II let out a tear.

"I surrender."
​

The battle of Constantinople and Helena II's reddition (29th may 1302)​

 

[Specialist290]

Jean the Heir is in a very hard place right now, even after the battle's end. On the one hand, he has saved the lives of thousands of men on both sides by helping to bring a swift end to a war that has undoubtedly already been quite bloody, and helped unseat a usurper's house. This is the smart play for him in the short term.

On the other hand, though, he's probably just lost the faith of a good chunk of his eventual Greek subjects, as Helena's partisans will almost certainly spin this as yet another example of short-sighted and underhanded Latin treachery. Even some among his Latin relations will probably be whispering behind his back about his "faithlessness" and lack of chivalric honor, even as they acknowledge that his actions played a key role in winning their war for them.

I'm also getting a feeling that Ouranos's role in the ever-spinning dance of intrigue isn't quite done yet. A man who has turned his cloak once is not a man you should keep your back turned to.

 

[Werther]

Jean the Heir is in a very hard place right now, even after the battle's end. On the one hand, he has saved the lives of thousands of men on both sides by helping to bring a swift end to a war that has undoubtedly already been quite bloody, and helped unseat a usurper's house. This is the smart play for him in the short term.

On the other hand, though, he's probably just lost the faith of a good chunk of his eventual Greek subjects, as Helena's partisans will almost certainly spin this as yet another example of short-sighted and underhanded Latin treachery. Even some among his Latin relations will probably be whispering behind his back about his "faithlessness" and lack of chivalric honor, even as they acknowledge that his actions played a key role in winning their war for them.

A good analysis. I also think that Jean's image is damaged among his future subjects if he were to inherit Agathe. But it is also necessary to qualify. The role of Jean in the fall of Helena II remains minor and her defeat also suits many of the Byzantine aristocrats. The succession of coups (the 3 Palemonaitis were overthrown), the absence of many Greek despots or dukes behind Helena II, the weakness of her troops (13 to 15,000 while the Empire can normally gather at least twice as many), demonstrate the little support for the Girl and the extreme division of the great families. Jean and Agathe can even count on the support (or lack of opposition) of some of the aristocrats, all of whom are not yet even aware of the long-term consequences of this victory (it may be a conquest without a future, a simple episode in the anarchy that has reigned in the empire for decades). This question of the division of the Byzantines will be at the heart of the second part.

You are quite right, Jean is partly discredited for the Greeks. Less so for the Latins. In fact, the Outremers could blame him more for not having fought with them from the start than for his refusal to shed the blood of his own. Even though he was absent from Jerusalem for a long time, he remained the undisputed heir, the one who had been educated by his father to take over his succession.

I'm also getting a feeling that Ouranos's role in the ever-spinning dance of intrigue isn't quite done yet. A man who has turned his cloak once is not a man you should keep your back turned to.

Another good analysis. Dorotheos Ouranos is clearly an extremely important player in this story, and it is not the first time that he has betrayed. He has the distinction of being related to all the major players in this story. His sister Nikoletta was married to Helias Palemonaitis and was therefore empress and empress dowager; his brother married Princess Marthe of Jerusalem, daughter of Hugues III and sister of Agathe and Jean; and, above all, he was one of the closest to Helena I, of whom he was one of the last supporters (he was in the loyalist camp and only abandoned her after the war by receiving the title of Domestic). Paradoxically, I would even say that he is extremely loyal... but to Helena Komnenos.

 

[Levgar]

Just wanted to let you know that this is my favorite Crusader Kings 3 AAR

 

[Werther]

Just wanted to let you know that this is my favorite Crusader Kings 3 AAR

Thank you so much! Knowing that people appreciate this AAR motivates me (and the next chapter is really difficult to write, I will try to finish it for friday).

 

[Werther]

(I will try to finish it for friday).

Just a little update. I've finished the french version of the next chapter, but it's very long (as big as the first chapter) and it is extremely important to introduce the "stakes" of the second part. So I have to edit it several more times while working on the drafts of the next chapters (to fix any "continuity issues"). After the translation I'll have to work on the illustrations (one of them will take some time).

Anyway, all this to say that I'll be a bit late, I'm really sorry .

 

[Specialist290]

No worries Take whatever time you need.

 

[Iwantdumplings]

Impressed by the production values and by your excellent writing - no need to apologize for a second language at all, you've clearly mastered English. Looking forward to seeing where this goes!

 

[Werther]

​

From the humblest foot soldier to the greatest lord, all had put on their finest finery. The weapons had been polished, the coats of mail cleaned, the braids and boots patched. Shoulders straight, faces proud, the soldiers lined up in perfect order, eagerly awaiting the start of the parade within their unit or 'batlle'. Each battle was itself linked to a specific Crown led by the lords of the region. Thus, the soldiers and knights of Arabia were positioned behind the battle of Mesopotamia. Next came the Syrians and Egyptians and finally the soldiers from the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

In front of the army, several wagons were placed, filled to the brim with booty from the looted cities in Anatolia and from the camp of the deposed empress. Then came several dozen prisoners, all chained except for Helena II and Valerios. If they had been stripped of their imperial attributes and dressed in simple clothes, the victors did not wish to humiliate them further.

This great column faced the Golden Gate, the most beautiful entrance to Constantinople. Flanked by two large square towers, it had been built with large blocks of polished marble and took the form of a triumphal arch with three gates, all made of bronze. At the foot of this monumental complex, the head of the procession was waiting.

The Emperor Hugues III the Glorious, dressed in his finest attire, approached the beautiful flower-decorated chariot where the body of King Hugues II of Mesopotamia had been laid.

"Henri", he said in a harsh tone, "the triumph will soon begin.”

The Prince ignored him and gently placed a sword in his brother's lifeless hands.
​

Prince Henri​

The emperor's throat became knotted. The preparators had worked miracles to conceal the wounds of the Mesopotamian king. Hugues was beautiful in death. But these features were not those of the Montoires, the Glorious was convinced. He could not help but feel a pang of rage against his ex-wife Maria. If only she had been faithful, he would be mourning today for a brave and courageous son who had brought honour to the Empire of Jerusalem. What a waste.

"Henri!" he hailed the prince impatiently.

The Prince raised his head. His features were broken and his gaze on Hugues seemed to be filled with contained anger. This defiant expression was only temporary, however, and he soon adopted a submissive attitude.

"Yes, Father. But allow me to follow the chariot, in honour of your late son."

Everything in Henri's face reminded him of Kyriakos, Maria's lover. Nevertheless, Hugues could not help feeling sorry for the Prince. He himself had not been touched by the death of his own elder brother, Henri the Black, but he had mourned the death of his younger sibling Jean.

"As you wish," he replied, hiding his compassion behind a certain coldness.

“Allow me to do the same," intervened Jean, Hugues' heir.

“No," replied the Emperor curtly. “Your place is by my side. Come!"

Hugues rode to the head of the procession where a white steed with a jewelled golden caparison awaited him. His squire helped him onto his horse before handing him a ceremonial lance.

“You will follow me closely," he said to Jean. “Greeks and Hierosymitans will have to remember you the day you succeed me.”

“Yes, Father," replied his son as he mounted his own horse.
​

Prince Jean the Heir​

Hugues often stared at his elder son. He would hopefully scan every cheekbone, every bridge of his nose, every curve of his lips for his own features. Sometimes he had doubts, but he remained convinced that Jean was his.

"As for you, you will follow your father," he added to his grandson Jean the Greek.
​

Prince Jean the Greek​

"Yes, pappous.”

“Grandfather," Hugues corrected with a frown. He had met Jean for the first time just after the battle, and he had not liked what he found. Oh, he was a well-built young man in the prime of life whose ancestry could not be questioned as he looked so much like his father. But his education had obviously been provided by his mother, and the young man's mind and faith had been perverted by the Greeks. He spoke French with a horrible accent and did not seem to follow the teachings of the Holy Father. The Hierosolymitans would never accept a decadent and schismatic Greek as their leader and Hugues promised himself that he would speak to his son about this.

"We can go now," Hugues announced to the heralds who heralded the start of the Triumph.

It was Philippos of Pera who insisted on organising this ceremony, which dated back to ancient Rome. According to him, it was a good way to gain the support of the population and to reinforce the prestige of Hugues. Of course, he agreed, as he knew that the symbols of power were power.

Hugues had nevertheless been uneasy about participating in a ceremony linked to a pagan religion, but on this point Philippos had reassured him. It had been a long time since the Triumph had been thoroughly transformed and Christianised by the emperors of Constantinople. Nevertheless, the Greeks had quarrelled for a whole day about the course of the day. Some were adamant that the course of the last Triumph, that of Emperor Tryphon I Komnenos which took place over a century ago, should be followed to the letter. The others preferred to follow the instructions of the De Ceremoniis written by the Macedonian emperor Constantine VII, which described the Triumph of John I Tzimiskes. The latter had won, but Hugues had asked to make some adjustments. He had refused several stops that would have dragged out the day, as well as the speech in the forum. He had also added a few hierosolymitan touches and incorporated latin clerics. Both Hugues and the Greek advisers had also thought it wiser not to humiliate the losers further, who were not barbarians but subjects of the Empress.
​

Course of the Triumph​

As he passed under the arch to the cheers of the onlookers, Hugues could not help but think of his entry into Jerusalem five years earlier. A sense of pride and accomplishment came over him at the thought that his plan of placing one of his own on the throne of Constantinople had now been realised. His dream, the union of the two crowns, had never been so close to becoming a reality.

At that time he had been welcomed by his daughter and it was with a twinge of sadness that he discovered that she was not present on the other side of the gate. Instead, an areopagus of magistrates and clerics stood before him and presented him with a crown.

After greeting the notables, Hugues led the procession through the city, up the Mese towards the Great Palace. On the way, silver candelabras were set up and the façades decorated with garlands of flowers. Many Greeks had come to admire the procession. Nevertheless, Hugues noticed the lack of enthusiasm of the population. For many it was not a real Triumph, because the ceremony was organised in honour of barbarians who had won a war against the Greeks. Despite the decorations, one could still see the traces of the fires and looting that had so shocked the Constantinopolitans and for which they still cursed the Latins.

An incident occurred as Hugues III was crossing the forum of Theodosius. An enlightened man managed to get close enough to the procession to spit in the face of one of the clerics. The man shouted the name of Germanos II several times before being promptly subdued and arrested by the guard.

"He has more courage than the Greek Patriarch," sneered the Heir. “According to Jean of Oultrejourdain, Germanos II practically wet himself when he captured him at the end of the battle.”

“The false Patriarch will soon no longer be a problem," replied the Emperor. “I have made it clear to your sister that he must be swiftly and publicly stripped of all authority and brought before an ecclesiastical tribunal for heresy. Alexander IV will then be able to recognise Gilbert du Puy du Fou, who will become the sole Patriarch of Constantinople.”

“Has the Pope finally listened to reason and blessed your expedition?

“Yes, the Apostolic Nuncio came to see me last night before his meeting with Agathe. He carried a letter from the Holy Father himself congratulating me on having worked for the Union and the end of the Schism. In it, he recognises Agathe's rights to the title of Empress of the Romans."

Hugues knew that the Pope still disapproved of this campaign, which went against his policy of appeasement with the Eastern Christians and strengthened his Pisan rivals. The Emperor was also prepared to bet that the Nuncio had taken a second letter of a completely different nature with him, which he would have given him in the event of defeat. Nevertheless, the victory had presented the Pontiff with a fait accompli and he now wanted to win the favour of the new masters of Constantinople. Perhaps he would even try to take credit for the expedition.

“The Nuncio did not come empty-handed," continued Hugues III. “Pope Alexander IV has offered me a large sum to cover part of the expenses of the war... But on one condition."
​

Financial assistance from Pope Alexander IV​

He turned to address Jean the Greek. "Is it true that your son, Jean the Younger, was baptized according to the Greek rite?"

The young prince looked particularly embarrassed. He replied in hesitant French: "Yes, my wife Theodora and her father insisted that…”

“The Wahabids seem to be well known in Rome," cut in Hugues III. “And the least we can say is that they are not much appreciated there. The Romans, the real ones, remember the raids of their Mohammedan ancestors. I am told that they converted several times to preserve their possessions in Corsica, one of their forefathers even recognised the authority of the Pope. They should have no difficulty in accepting the conversion of young Jean.”
​

Theodora and the lands of her family​

“A... a conversion, grandfather?" stammered Jean the Greek

“Yes, and that goes for you too. This evening you and your son will be baptized according to the Latin rite. You will then accompany me to Jerusalem."
​

The invitation to Court and the conversion of Jean he Greek and his family​

The young man seemed to be boiling with rage, but had the presence of mind to keep quiet.

"Are you coming home, Father?" asked the Heir.

“Yes, and the sooner the better. I have no more business here. And I hope you'll be going on the trip, it's high time for you to see Jerusalem again."

His eldest son seemed embarrassed, a reaction Hugues III did not expect.

"I can't, Father. Not right now.”

“And why is that?

“Duke Khaetag of Alania, the husband of my eldest daughter Raymonde, is fighting the Turks north of the Majurian Sea. I have to lead the Philippopolis troops there.”
​

The conquest of the Duchy of Ciscaucasia by Duke Khaetag of Alania, husband of Princess Raymonde​

“You prefer the barbarian shores to the Holy City?" asked Hugues III with a touch of disapproval.

“This campaign should not last long. Then I plan to come to Constantinople to support Agathe. After all, I am also her heir. And I know the Empire well, I could help her resist her enemies.”

“We have won," the emperor shouted.

“War, but not hearts," replied Jean. “Of course, she can count on some support. My wife in particular, given that our son will one day inherit the Empire. But I have warned her that her position is fragile. Helena Komnenos will certainly take advantage of this situation to seize the crown. I told her to win the support of the great families.”
​

Map of the lands of the Greek lords​

“What did you advise her?”

“To appease the Doukai first, but with some symbolic titles. Nikoletta controls the Thracesian Theme, Hippolytos rules the Strymon and Pulcheria Moesia. They are a force to be reckoned with, but not really relied upon. Moreover, they are unlikely to ally themselves with Helena. There is bad blood between the Komemnos and the Doukai. Agathe should rather concentrate her efforts on the Despots.”
​

The Despots in 1302​

“How?”

“By appointing them to high offices. Of course Dorotheos Ouranos, the Despot of Anatolia, is the main supporter of the Komnenos and he is lost to Agathe. There is also no need to reward Hippolytos Taronites. The Despot of Armenia does not like you, but he is a fool. He bet everything on Helena II and will probably keep a low profile and remain loyal. That leaves the undecideds, those who were not present with the Girl.”

“Who?”

“Sebastianos Tivertsi, the Despot of Crete, should not be very difficult to convince. He is not ambitious and is perfectly happy with his possessions in North Africa. The office of Logothete of the Drome. Belisarios Dyrrachion, the Despot of Epirus, would make an excellent parakoimomenos. Alexandros Palaiotes, the Despot of Greece, always wished to obtain the office of Logothete of the Genikon. As for Ioannes Bryennios, the Despot of Serbia, Agathe could offer him the post of Domestic of the Schools. There is also another solution that I advised her. Choose one of them as a husband.”

“What did she say?”

“That she would consent, but first had to talk to Philippos of Pera."

Hugues could not help but feel a great sense of pride. This is my son, he thought. A true ruler.

Their conversation could not continue, as they were approaching the Great Palace. Hugues did not go there straight away, for he was first taken to Hagia Sophia. He entered alone and, to his great surprise, was not greeted by Gilbert du Puy du Fou, but by a cleric, probably Outremer, whom he did not know. He prayed to the Lord, then the body of Hugues the Dark was brought in and laid out in the nave. The Glorious bowed to the dead man, whom he entrusted to Henri's care. He then left the church to go to the Chalke.

The Chalke, or Bronze Gate, marked the entrance to the Great Palace. The bronze doors had been removed during the looting, as had most of the tiles of the same metal and the statues of the ancient emperors. The vestibule was nonetheless impressive, especially as a large rostrum topped by a large golden cross had been installed at the entrance. Members of the court were waiting for the Emperor in their finest attire, including Philippos of Pera who had traded his rags for a silk dress.
​

Philippos of Pera​

Hugues dismantled and went to the rostrum. He faced the army and made the sign of the cross to which all responded with a clamour: "One Holy God!” Philippos of Pera then gave him two golden armbands which he put on. Part of the procession began to sing hymns of victory.

When this was done, the Emperor mounted his horse and, accompanied this time by the members of the court, headed for the Hippodrome.

The latter had been badly damaged by the fire that had broken out during the sack of the City, part of the stands had collapsed and most of the statues had disappeared, including the huge bronze quadriga that was already on its way to Pisa. But the Hippodrome was still impressive.

The procession consisted of thousands of men, but it seemed that the Hippodrome could accommodate even more. Several obelisks were still standing, and the surviving stands were still occupied by thousands of Constantinopolitans attracted by the spectacle... and the distribution of bread.

The kathisma, the monumental imperial lodge, was also intact. Directly connected to the Great Palace, it consisted of two levels, the highest of which housed an imposing golden throne decorated with sumptuous jewels where Agathe was seated. It was in front of it that Hugues stopped.
​

Empress Agathe​

"Romans! Defenders of the Holy Sepulchre!" began Agathe. “We rejoice to pay tribute to God today for granting victory to the Emperor Hugues over the Usurpers!"

Most of the soldiers in the procession did not understand a word of Greek and did not react. Hugues also noted the lack of enthusiasm in the stands.

He nevertheless respected protocol. Accompanied by the most influential members of the court and the imperial family, he made his way to the kathisma and came to sit at his daughter's right hand, on a throne slightly lower than Agathe's.

In the arena, Helena Palemonaitis and her husband were brought forward for trial.
​

Valerios Monomachos and Helena Palemonaitis​

"Helena, of the house Palemonaitis," announced Philippos of Pera. “Do you acknowledge your crimes against the rightful Empress of the Romans, Agathe of the house of Montoire, and against Our Lord Jesus Christ, whose lieutenant she is on Earth?"

For a moment, a very brief moment, Hugues saw the young girl full of arrogance and anger that she had been described as. This rebellious attitude did not last long, however. With her hands on her pregnant belly, the girl piteously lowered her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I acknowledge your rightful claim to the Empire," she said to Agathe. Every word, every syllable spoken, seemed like torture to the former Empress.

Hugues was relieved. Helena had admitted defeat. She and Valerios would probably be locked up in a prison or a monastery and would no longer pose any risk to his daughter. The war was over.

"Your blindness has caused much misfortune to the Empire of Romania," announced Agathe. “We are convinced, however, that your mistake was to listen to the advice of vile characters who deceived you. We cannot, moreover, bring ourselves to spill the blood of a relative. So we have decided to show mercy and spare you. You will not have to become a nun, and you will be free to leave with your husband and children, present and future. You will have to leave the Empire and never return.”

Hugues almost choked with surprise. He knew how cruel exile was for a Greek, and that several Basileis had suffered such a fate, but never after such a bloody war. Leaving Helena alive and free to move was a big mistake. She would rush to her grandfather Eusthatios, who was also exiled, and would not stop plotting to regain his throne.

The sentence also seemed to surprise the former Empress, who saw it as an opportunity to push her advantage further.

"I humbly beg your majesty to spare the monk Leon, my father and your predecessor," she asked in a contrite voice, pointing to Helias Palemonaitis who was chained behind her.
​

Helias 'Leo" Palemonaitis​

"The monk Leo is not my prisoner," Agathe explained, turning to Hugues III, "but that of the Emperor of Jerusalem."

The Glorious was angry. His daughter was putting him in a difficult situation. She must have known that he could not bring himself to release such a dangerous man. So she let him do the dirty work and look like a cruel ruler. Nevertheless, he took it upon himself to use his most charming voice.

"Lady Helena, I can only sympathise with your grief. A few days ago, I myself lost a loved one and I understand your torment at the sight of your father in chains. I promise you that in Jerusalem, Brother Leo will be treated with all the respect due to his rank."

The Girl glared at him but eventually submitted. A few guards came to take Helena, Valerios and Helias and escorted them out of the Hippodrome.

The judgements that followed only increased Hugues III's unease. Agathe pardoned most of the Greek lords, great and small, sentencing only small fry to death or exile. Clemency was important so as not to alienate the great lords of the Empire. But clemency was like a good wine, it had to be consumed in moderation and a few spices had to be added, spectacular sentences to reinforce her authority. Agathe drank until she was thirsty, at the risk of being seen as weak.

The worst was when the Greek Patriarch Germanos II was summoned. Dressed in his finest finery, the coward prostrated himself, or rather wallowed on the floor without a shred of dignity, begging the Empress for forgiveness.
​

Patriarch Germanos II​

“We know how much you are respected by the Romans," said Agathe. “We are sure that you were thinking of their well-being when you participated in the Usurper's government. We have heard how you bravely stood up to Helias Palemonaitis and his vile counsels. You have understood your mistake and recognise us as the sole and legitimate Empress of the Romans. Therefore we grant you our forgiveness."

Hugues almost choked. The stands were buzzing with rumours, and Agathe waited until it was quiet before continuing.

"We cannot allow you to gird the sakkos again, but you will continue to watch over certain Church properties in the City, including Hagia Sophia and continue your patronage of Mount Athos."

While Germanos was full of thanks and praise, Hugues III was fulminating. The schismatic was not reinstated, but it was just the same. He continued to receive an enormous income and retained some of his prestige. And all this without any concession to the Latin rites. What his daughter perceived as a gesture of reconciliation would above all embolden the Greek clergy and give them a figure to relate to.

"His Beatitude Patriarch Gilbert of Puy du Fou," continued Agathe, "humbly asked us to release him from his office to go on pilgrimage to the Holy City and devote himself to meditation and the writing of holy scriptures. We could not object to such a humble wish."

Hugues's blood ran cold. He now understood why he had not seen the Latin Patriarch. Gilbert had probably opposed the decision to spare Germanos II and had been forced to abdicate.

"We could not bring ourselves to choose the successor of His Beatitude. Indeed, we would have committed a great sin by encroaching on the liberties of the Church and on the fullness of power of His Holiness Alexander IV. It was thus the representative of the Holy Father who appointed Roubaud of Acre as the new Patriarch of Constantinople."

Agathe pointed to the man who had welcomed Hugues to Hagia Sophia some time earlier.
​

Patriarch Roubaud of Acre​

This was too much for the Emperor. He had nothing against Agathe giving up her power of investiture to the pope, although he himself would never have agreed to lose such power over the patriarchate of Jerusalem. But the Pope was dealing a blow to the authority of Patriarch Bouchard who had appointed Gilbert, and by extension, it was a threat to the influence of Hugues III over the Greek Empire.

The Emperor hesitated for a moment to intervene publicly, or even to get up and leave the kathisma to show his disagreement. That was what he would have done in such a situation with a foreign ruler. But this was his daughter. And such a public show of disapproval would be interpreted as a let-down from Jerusalem. A situation that Agathe's enemies would be quick to exploit. So the Emperor decided to bite the bullet.

“For too long our predecessors have ruled like tyrants," announced Agathe. “They did not deign to take advice from the great figures of the Roman Empire. An empress cannot rule without the support of her loyal subjects. So we decided to surround ourselves with a council of Brave and Just to lead the Empire. Duke Hippolytos Doukas will be in charge of the Chancellery and Duchess Pulcheria Doukas will head the Household of the Empress."

Agathe had thus ignored Jean's advice and confirmed the Doukai in the positions they had occupied under Helena II. For Hugues, this was clearly a mistake, as they were so unreliable.

"Duke Elia of Spoleto of the House of Estride will hold the office of Marshal and Count Pankratios Marapas that of Steward."

The two lords, present in the kathisma, bowed respectfully. Elia had the advantage of being of the Latin rite, but otherwise they were two lords of no great stature who lived in the peripheries of the Empire. These appointments could only provoke the wrath of the Despots.
​

The Council​

"But an Empress must above all rest on the one who shares her life, on an Emperor." The Hippodrome fell into an anxious silence. Everyone knew that the chosen man would become Agathe's equal at the head of the Empire. "That is why we have decided to marry a statesman, capable of healing the terrible wounds caused by the war."

Hugues III's heart almost stopped when he saw his daughter turn to Philippos of Pera with a big smile.

"Tomorrow, the Patriarch will unite us with Philippos of Pera who will then be crowned Emperor."

The future ruler of Romania approached the empress and took her hand before greeting the crowd, which greeted the news with timid cheers. Some of the villeins paid by the Palace went so far as to shout Philippos' name.

Hugues was devastated. His daughter, by following her heart, was condemning herself at the very moment when she most needed an alliance with a Despot. He cursed himself for introducing her to this opportunistic commoner.

“Philippos will rule the City in my absence," announced Agathe as the cheers died down. “Indeed, we have learned that the Hungarian barbarians have taken advantage of our weakness to cross the Danube in order to seize Vidin."

Hugues was well informed about Carpathian affairs, his brother-in-law being Duke of Nitra, and he had heard of the news. Duke Oskar II of Temes, a vassal of Emperor Dezso, had taken advantage of Helena II's attack on Constantinople to try to seize Vidin. If the Hungarians gained a foothold on the southern bank of the Danube, they would be able to threaten Greece.
​

Emperor Dezso of Carpathia (top) and Oskar II's invasion (bottom)​

“We cannot allow barbarians to threaten the Empire," continued Agathe. “We will repel these Goths and, like Basil Bulgaroktonos, we will punish them by taking the war to their cursed lands."

This time the cheers were much more honest and sincere. Hugues had to admit that this decision was particularly astute. Agathe was presenting herself as the defender of the Empire against the barbarians and thus recalling the glorious hours of the Greeks. She was also showing that she was ready to defend the former stronghold of her opponents Palemonaitis. He only wondered how the Greeks were going to defeat the Hungarians who, according to his information, had crossed the Danube en masse.

The Empress turned to him, "I will not march alone against the barbarian hordes, for I am sure that Jerusalem will stand with the Romans in this time of great peril."
​

Agathe call to arms​

The Glorious was petrified. He suddenly understood the trap set by his daughter. Hugues and his bannermen wanted only one thing: to return to Jerusalem after five years of war. But he could not refuse this call to arms without ending the alliance with Constantinople.

Hugues III the Glorious swallowed his saliva, then stood up slowly.

"Jerusalem will stand by Constantinople!" he announced.

The stands exploded with joy, but this enthusiasm was not at all shared by the Hierosolymitan soldiers waiting in the arena.

Hugues glared at Agathe. He was angry, but had to acknowledge her talent. She had twisted his hand.​

 

[Werther]

No worries Take whatever time you need.

Thanks! I just finished the plan for the second part. I also had the idea to write historical notes for each chapter as a bonus. But I don't know if it would be interesting.

Impressed by the production values and by your excellent writing - no need to apologize for a second language at all, you've clearly mastered English. Looking forward to seeing where this goes!

Thank you so much!

 

[Specialist290]

Oh Hughes... You spend so much time worrying that your sons don't take after you enough, when the ones you really should be paying attention to are the ones who take after you too much

A masterful piece of courtly theater by Empress Agathe there -- that court scene reads like it could have come straight out of something like The Lion in Winter, and I mean that in the best possible way. I do have to wonder, though, how much of what she's doing is of her own initiative, especially because Hughes is right to point out how so many of those moves seem counterproductive to her own interests -- not the least of which, I should add, would be alienating Hughes himself. Maybe she's just trying to assert her own independence, but deliberately snubbing her own father whose forces got her this crown in the first place seems to be a bit much...

 

[Levgar]

Since Agathe is french and catholic, does she have a decision to form the Latin Empire? or is the Latin empire not even in ck3 at the moment?

 

[Werther]

Oh Hughes... You spend so much time worrying that your sons don't take after you enough, when the ones you really should be paying attention to are the ones who take after you too much

A masterful piece of courtly theater by Empress Agathe there -- that court scene reads like it could have come straight out of something like The Lion in Winter, and I mean that in the best possible way. I do have to wonder, though, how much of what she's doing is of her own initiative, especially because Hughes is right to point out how so many of those moves seem counterproductive to her own interests -- not the least of which, I should add, would be alienating Hughes himself. Maybe she's just trying to assert her own independence, but deliberately snubbing her own father whose forces got her this crown in the first place seems to be a bit much...

I think you have analysed perfectly the relationship between Hugues and Agathe. The emperor never ceases to denigrate his sons or to elevate Jean, but never considered Agatha as his true heir or how she looks like him. Not that he doesn't appreciate her, she is even his favourite, but he remains a Montoire, a Capetian family where women do not inherit. In any case, he underestimated his daughter's desire for independence. His grand political and dynastic project probably did not include the personal ambition of his child(ren).

Did she make these decisions herself? No, like any ruler she followed her advisers and chose to listen to Philippos rather than Jean. Her only mistake may have been that Philippos is more of an administrator than a politician. This is understandable, however, as she is a Frankish woman dropped into the middle of an Empire she does not know and does not understand all the codes, relying on Greek advisors is not in itself a bad idea.

Note also that we are in Hugues' point of view and he is necessarily critical of decisions that weaken his control over the Empire, but some of them can be defended and even make sense from Agathe's perspective.

You are right, this is partly explained by Agathe's desire to emancipate herself from her father. She is well aware that she is perceived as an outsider, supported at arm's length by a foreign ruler. Imposing her agenda and distancing herself from Jerusalem seems a good strategy at first sight.

But she is walking on eggshells, as alienating her defender is probably not a good idea...

Since Agathe is french and catholic, does she have a decision to form the Latin Empire? or is the Latin empire not even in ck3 at the moment?

Sadly no, there is no Latin Empire in CK3. But in itself, that seems pretty logical to me. As long as CK3 doesn't have a Byzantine system of government, it's pretty useless, the current mechanics even make the current Byzantine Empire closer to the Latin Empire than to the Empire of the Macedonians or the Comnenes. So there is no need to have a decision at the moment. Especially since Baldwin I and his successors considered themselves emperors of Constantinople and never called themselves Latin emperors. Like Agathe, they tried to keep up appearances despite a fundamentally different conception of society and government. The current mechanics are quite good at simulating this situation.

The Sack of 1204 and Latin emperors of Constantinople are of course a great source of inspiration for the war and the character of Agathe (the exact same gates were stormed, the looting was the same in 1204, her coronation is inspired by that of Baldwin, the palace of Bukoleon she choose was that of the Latin emperors, her reluctance to use the term basilissa and her frequent use of the term Romania etc...). But she is more aware of the greek reality and doesn't try to impose a latin society and look for compromises, I didn't see Agathe's Empire as a pure reenactment of the Latin Empire.

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Thank you all for your support! I wrote the next two chapters. We will travel a bit and even get a new Point of View.