His Story Of The NavAARland

[binTravkin]

[SIZE=-2]CK 1.05
Very Hard/Furious
Hastings(1066)
Kingdom of Navarra[/SIZE]


Prologue

There was once a land, white as the finest fleece, cold as the eye of decieved love. Wild winds roamed that land, roaring their savage songs against cliffs black like abyss. No living soul was wandering there, not even the weirdest one.

But as you, my reader, should know, nothing is eternal. Endless suns passed and the winter slowly faded away. Winds became old, so old they could only whistle, cliffs turned gray like a cloth, left too long in the sun and fleece faded away. Only sea was restless as it always is, always trying and trying and throwing new waves to conquer the coast..

He was a son of Adam, and she was a daughter of Eve. It was they who came to this place afar from all their brothers and sisters, this corner of land where cliff meets the sea and divorces the south from the north.

Times passed, more souls were cast on this earthly realm, and the more souls there were, the more got consumed by his sable Majesty. Wars, cruelties, love and hate, pleasure and pain proliferated as people slaughtered each other in their unholy ways. Tribes and nations traveled, just as their ancestors had done, but this time not to see new lands. Running from enemies they were, or chasing their prey sinfully. There was no rest and happiness, but for one place, The Land Where The Cliff Meets The Sea.

The people there lived happily and peacefully, without running around like scared goats or chasing like hungry wolves. They were simple people, enjoying their lives as they were, and in that lied their wisdom. The Allmighty saw these little people, their hearts clear like the rivers from which they drunk and their minds free of unholiness like the winds prowling in the cliffs above their heads. Those people deserved a reward.

We now call those people Basques*.


*[size=-2]According to this article, the Basques have occupied a single region of Europe longer than any other identifiable ethnic group.[/size]

 

[unmerged(48100)]

Nice start! I already told you I'll be reading it and I promise I will really do. You have your first reader, and I think there will come more.

So now I want to see the first update and how you got that many screenshots.

 

[Riddermark]

Yes! Great job man - a new landscape burst upon us I will follow to see the action when it starts

 

[binTravkin]

Editorial note: All books prior to Book XXVIII have been lost irreplacably. The prologue has only survived to this day because, in a strange tradition, it, in it's original form, can be found at the start of every book.


[SIZE=-2]Pictorial interlude:[/SIZE]


An early portrait of king Sancho IV, often referred to as ' Sancho The Naive', in his early years of kingship.


Steward Urraca, the grandmother of the brother kings of Castille and Leon, the most influential woman in Navarra after the death of Sancho's mother Estefania de Foix in the year 1058 after Christ, pictured in her senescence.


Sancho's sister Urraca, what inability and naive optimism in his skills Sancho showed, she made up with her well developed political sense and diplomacy.


Urraca, sister of Sancho, king of Aragon, a proud woman and an excellent diplomat.


Garcia, brother of chancellor Urraca, a fierce fighter, seen here in his usual outfit - battle gear. Although not a pleasant man to talk to, soldiers liked their leader a lot, due to his fine martial spirit.


Sancho's younger brother Ramiro, count of Rioja, clearly a more able man, but was given birth too late..



Be not afraid, my dear reader, to leaf the next page, for Book XXVIII just waits to tell you it's ancient story..

 

[Veldmaarschalk]

Nice, start indeed.

 

[EvilSanta]

Good start.I wait eagerly your first part.

 

[binTravkin]

My apologies for the delay of the awaited first chapter - got caught up in work a bit too much.
I think I will be able to output it by weekend though, so stay tuned.
What comes long comes good after all..

 

[Jestor]

Excellent start! As I'm presently taking History of Spain to 1700 and we're in the middle of the early Reconquista right now, I find this particularly fascinating I do wish that Basque culture was in the game, though, to reflect Navarra's status as a Basque kingdom.

 

[Veldmaarschalk]

Excellent start! As I'm presently taking History of Spain to 1700 and we're in the middle of the early Reconquista right now, I find this particularly fascinating I do wish that Basque culture was in the game, though, to reflect Navarra's status as a Basque kingdom.

Basque culture is in the game, the only thing is, is that the rulers of Navarra in 1066 don't have basque culture. But there are provinces who start with basque culture

 

[binTravkin]

Regarding basque culture - just be a little patient..

Update comes tomorrow eve..

 

[binTravkin]

Book XXVIII


The Stone, The Wood And The Blood

Since Sancho became king when he was still a child, at the death of his father Garcia at battle of Atapeurca*, he was nicknamed 'Sancho The Kid'. In later years, when he had become a young man and finished his education, his nickname evolved into 'Sancho The Naive' because of his poor political skills and miserable attempts of intrigue.
Sancho had loved his father and since Estefania de Foix, his mother, after husband's death was much more concerned about political affairs, than the heir, he was given poor education.
Through his youngster age, the future king developed a tendency to portray his father - he weared a robe, had a cross hanging on his breast and a haircut as that of monks. However, this pious outlook was only a masquerade. In his heart Sancho felt no real piousness, it was filled with many passions and mostly silly and sometimes sinful thoughts..


King Garcia, an able commander, energetic administrator and pious man, died in a battle against his own brother.


Queen and regent Estefania, a true catalan beauty.**

Although in early years of his reign Sancho had very little real power, upon mother's death and finishing his education, he had to finally start gathering the loyalty of his underlings and assume more command.
He had a dream to be worshipped as a saint, so he had to make some influence on the Church..
In the dark and cold night of Second Christmas in The Lord's year 1066, the gates of Sancho's castle slowly opened and a dozen of dark riders come out cantering.
Noone ever knew who they were and where they went, but old people can tell that many chaplains seemed very pale and scared during morning mesa next day, like if they had seen an evil omen in the nightly skies..


It would be a long time after that ghostly night when a cleric would cross king's way again..


In that night castle was all so quiet and dark, even a lone star could light it, but there was none. As sound of riding horses slowly faded away in the distance, a lone shadow approached the guardhouse.
- 'Who are you, stranger and what do you seek here', shouted the old guard.
- 'I am Muncius, a scholarly monk from the glorious city of Rome and I seek patronage of his majesty king Sancho.'
- 'You know, this is not the best night for monks to hang around', said the guard in a worried voice.
- 'The more reason for you to let me in. Here, maybe this helps..' and the stranger threw a small sack into the window from which the guards voice came. It landed with a loud tingle.
- 'This surely helps, sire!', and the door slowly opened..

- 'So.. Muncious.'
- 'Muncius your majesty..'
- 'So be it. Speak short, monk, I need to pray.'
- 'For what are you going to pray my king? What bothers such a rich and powerful king?'
- 'I pray for those who die tonight, I pray for their souls.' said king in entertained voice, looking with a smile at the monk.
Muncius suddenly felt not in his skin. But he was brave enough to continue his speak.
- 'Let me introduce myself, oh king Sancho. I am a scholar from the glorious city of Rome. I have been taught to teach, I am a tutor.' said he silently.
- 'A tutor? Nice. To be honest, old man, I have never been educated enough, and I only understand it now, when Im a man in his best years, when there's no time for books and schooldesk, no time for exercises. But know what? I am a wise king, for I am going to educate my sons and courtiers. It is about time to have competent people in Navarra. Just don't tell Urraca's or your head will find itself going separate way.'
- 'So, do you want me to become the royal tutor, great king Sancho?'
- 'Well, not exactly. You'll be my schoolmaster. Now go and find some other monks who will work with you.'


Having little education himself, Sancho encouraged others to learn. That was one of his few wisdoms.

In the next morning Sancho sent out two noble men. One was sent to county of Rioja, where Sancho's brother, Ramiro ruled as a vassal, the other had to travel around Navarra.
- 'Ride, my scouts, and bring me what my kingdom has plenty'.

One of them turned north, to mountains. He rode day and night, but all he saw was little, overcropped fields, forests and cliffs. Nothing else.

The other went south, to Ramiro's lands. No better was his fate, as during night when he was about to set afoot outside king's demesne, a group of villains ambushed him and his varlet. The poor servant was slain maliciously, but the noble managed to escape with a severe wound in his right arm.
It was clear that kingsmen were unwelcome in his brother's holdings.

King sat restfully at his throne when the two returned men entered the royal hall.
- 'What have we brought me, oh noble men?'.
The first scout, the one who had seen the north, opened a bag and took two pieces out of it. A stone and a wood.
- 'And that is it? Well, and what you have brought?', Sancho was quite obviousy unpleased.
The other noble showed king an empty hand. As he opened the palm, a thin stream of blood crossed it.
- 'Who did this to you, noble?', king raised in anger.
- 'I don't know my lord, but it might be that it was your brother. It's a strange coincidence when villains attack exactly where border goes..'
- 'He will pay for that! Royal scribant!', king shouted and a monk immediately ran closer.
- 'Write!'

Dear brother Ramiro,

My most loyal men have told me that your servants have attacked an ambassador of mine upon entering your demesne.
I therefore invite you to my royal castle to provide explanation.

Signed, King Sancho of Navarra, your elder brother.

The letter was quickly wrapped into cover and given to a messenger.
- 'Take a dozen of soldiers with you. I want to be sure he gets this!'


Noone was fooled..

- 'So,' the king returned to nobles, 'all that you have brought me is stone, wood and blood?'.
- 'Yes, my lord', men answered in unison.
- 'What is blood for, we all know', an evil grin crossed king's face, 'but what can one do with wood and stone? Weapons need steel.'
- 'Not all weapons, my lord,' silently said Garcia, the royal marshall.
- 'Really? And what weapons are those? Clubs? Hah,' Sancho laughed in ridicule.
- 'Those are rams and walls,' continued Garcia.
There was a moment of silence as everyone looked at king..
- 'You are a great marshall indeed! Who could ever thought of something so clever?! Let us bring the best masons and siege engineers to Navarra!'.


Some looked at these developments with suspicion. Not without good reason..

In the first day of the year 1067, there was a great feast in the kings castle as well as towns and villages all over Navarra. Not only people celebrated the Lord's birth, but also their king's new title - Duke of Navarra.


Not that the title meaned a lot, but there's always a good reason for fiesta, isn't there?

* [size="-2"]Battle of Atapuerca[/size]
** [size="-2"]It appears that the inscription telling her age and showing no death date is incorrect as she had actually died in 1058, at the age of 35.[/size]

 

[Riddermark]

Woot! Great chapter in that story |

Queen and regent Estefania, a true catalan beauty.**

mwahhaa

 

[binTravkin]

Of Ambition, Trickery And Suspicion


There was a daring thought in Sancho's head, which urged him day and night, letting not to sleep, nor to have a pleasant dream. He had powerful cousins, much more powerful than himself and he desired their power. This wish was not so far from becoming true..


Being third in succession list for most of the christian realms in Iberia, it was only logical that Sancho would attempt some plot.

Although the cousins Garcia Jimenez, duke of Galicia and Sancho Jimenez, king of Castile were not great intriguers themselves, they were protected by a lot of loyal servants. Sancho of Navarra had to think up some way how to lure out them of their castles without slightest bit of suspicion.
Finally, after all the sleepless nights he had an idea, and he immediately set out to execution.
He sent out messengers to Garcia and Sancho, his cousins..

Garcia, my cousin, oh great duke of Galicia,

I hereby offer you the hand and heart of my beautiful sister Jimena and invite you to a wedding that Iberia has never seen before, here, at my great castle in Navarra.
Let us make our ties stronger.

Signed, King Sancho of Navarra.

Sancho, my cousin, oh great king of Castile,

I hereby offer you the hand and heart of my beautiful sister Urraca and invite you to a wedding that Iberia has never seen before, here, at my great castle in Navarra.
Let us make our ties stronger.

Signed, King Sancho of Navarra.

However, he didn't send a similar offer to king of Leon as it was well known that Alfonso was a wise man and it was never heard that someone had fooled him. Alfonso, meamwhile, felt a bit in jeopady being sanwiched between his two brothers, so he was seeking for any alliance he could get.
To noone's surprise, the great kingdom of Navarra, was invited..



As Sancho was discussing alliance details with leonese ambassador, the messengers sent with marriage offers returned.
- 'How come you both return at the same time? Galicia is three times as far as Castile.'
- 'Your majesty, I had returned earlier, but waited for other messenger,' said the noble who had ridden to Castile.
- 'Why so?'
- 'I thought, maybe there would be better news from Galicia..'
- 'Better news? What are you talking about?! What are those news then?!'
- 'Your offer was turned down, oh majesty', men spoke as one.
- 'AARGH! Infidels! They will regret that!!'
The ambassador of Leon saw this as a good opportunity to sign the deal at once.
- 'Your majesty, would you let your leonese cousin to help in your revenge?'
- 'By all means! Let's get done with this!', and he signed the agreement.


The next day his courtiers saw king surprisingly energetic. He was shouting orders there and there, apparently preparing for something big. The castle was being swept clean, the old, mossy walls were being scrubbed, upholstery and other cloth was washed, doors repaired, and halls ventilated. Rumours went that another great fiesta would take place. People started to like this king, especially those who were still crapulent since New Years' celebration..


Sancho's most loyal advisor, marshall Garcia and his bride Hermesinda, kings eldest sister.


Third oldest brother, Fernando, and his bride, beautiful Jimena from Asturias


Youngest brother Raimundo and his bride, wise Sancha, the youngest sister of king Sancho of Aragon

The local chaplain had a lot of work that day, so had the royal cooks and other servants for the whole week, as guests from places as close as Jaca and Rioja and as far as Asturias had arrived. There was a lot singing and praising to the newlywed and a lot of rejoicing. Only the king was not very happy - neither he had a bride for himself, nor his cruel plot had succeeded..

 

[stnylan]

Certainly not shilly-shallying about!

 

[unmerged(20462)]

Nice attempt to marry Jimenez females to your Jimenez rivals...
The heirs would be probably inbred without any skills and easy to defeat...
Shame it didn't work...

 

[binTravkin]

Well, I was more thinking of getting them closer in my succession.
Knowing those guys I doubt I could marry Pamela Anderson to them..