In Search of Glory: Tales from the House of d'Aragon

[Margrave Mors]

September 23rd, 1210

Berenguer the Bastard. No, I must not think of myself with that title any longer. I have persuaded the right authorities. I am no longer a bastard. And, my beloved half-brother, Joan, he will get what he deserves for sending me to Tunis and trying to silence me. How dare he think I would be content with the Margraviate of Tunis and the Duchy of Tripolitania.

He mumbled under his breath, I will be the King of Aragon. Dear brother, you will get what you deserve. You know I am the eldest…

Berenguer looked out the window of the royal apartments and smirked. It is time.

He walked down the corridor of the lavish palace his father, Pere, had built in recognition of his conquest of North Africa from the Egyptian Caliphate and thought to himself, I may have been born a bastard but tonight I will revenge my mother's honor, even if I have to bring Aragon to it's knees in order to do so…

- ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ -​

Berenguer was sitting in between his aunt, Leonor, the Duchess of Tunisia, and his half-brother Guifre. He felt sorry for both of his relatives. Leonor had been given her position by his father in order to remove her from the High Court in Barcelona. He had grown close to her in the two years he had been banished to Tunis and he knew she could very well be one of his closest allies in the future. Guifre, on the other hand, was the product of his father's marriage to Alix de Lusignan, the second wife of his grandfather Alfonso. Like Alfonso, Pere had his previous wife removed in order to wed the ravishing eldest daughter of the petty king of Jerusalem.

Berenguer was used to such Byzantine affairs; such was the effect of being raised around them. And, Alix, his beloved step-grandmother and step-mother, happened to also be the cousin of Berenguer's wife, Filomena. Who would have thought that the one weakness of the d'Aragon men would be the daughters of the de Lusignan dynasty. Such thoughts betray me, but, these French women, they do know how to use their assets very well…

His eyes may have been glazed over when Joan stood up from his chair at the middle of the dining table, but Bere quickly raised his glass in salute of the King of Aragon and the Africas.

Joan, at sixteen years of age, was a truly inexperienced king and statesmen. But, Bere knew his little brother liked to pretend he was good at ruling over the vast dominions that made up Aragon. And, so, he would pretend to pay attention to what the king said.

Family, friends and countrymen, I know it has been a great inconvenience for many of you to travel here for this most auspicious occasion and I know that many of our fellow aristocrats are stuck at the various holdings . But, I would like to take this time to toast to my lovely wife, Joana de Lusignan…

Bere scoffed under his breath. Yes, you married a lovely wench. We have all heard the stories about her abilities, both in the courtroom and in the bedroom. No need to waste our time with something EVERYONE knows about… He would have loved to have yelled that right into Joan's face. But, he didn't. He knew what he had to do. He had to sit still and wait. My revenge will be seen soon, Mother…

Joan continued to drone on about his wife, And it is my pleasure to announce that my lovely wife is pregnant with our first born.

What! He knocked up the wench… This will certainly cause problems… Bere applauded like the rest of the persons in attendance. He didn't want to look suspicious. Especially not after the news Joan just delivered.

And so, I propose a toast to my wife and unborn child. May God grace us with an heir to the d'Aragon throne!

The crowd mimicked the king, An heir to the d'Aragon throne!

Everyone drank their wine. But, amidst all the cheer, Joan started to choke. Reaching for his throat, he fell backwards in his chair. Those in attendance hurried to help their fallen sovereign. But, Joan began to turn purple. Bere stood over his fallen brother and bent down to him. He whispered to Joan, Tell dearest father, mother sends her best…

Joan, with his last breath, managed to grab his brother's necklace as Bere was standing up. As he fell back to the ground, the necklace broke off Bere. Joan was now dead and in his firm grip he had Bere's necklace, a necklace bearing the symbol of the Duchy of Tripolitania.

While the attendants continued to try and revive Joan, Leonor, was quick to act, May Joan rest in peace. Long live Berenguer, the new King of Aragon and the Africas...

The Kingdom of Aragon and the Africas in 1210

 

[Margrave Mors]

I had actually started playing this game as Isaakios Komnenos in the hopes of creating my own Komnenid Restoration of the Byzantine Empire. But that idea was quickly dashed due to a civil war when Manuel became elected Emperor and I decided to watch how well the AI faired in holding the Empire together while I played as the House of d'Aragon. Quickly I fell i love with the dynasty, but I hadn't thought to make an AAR out of it til last night and that is the reason why it is starting in 1210 and not 1180.

Sadly, this means that I won't be going into great depth about the interesting reigns of Alfonso(r1180-1199) and his son Pere(r1199-1207). But I will mention them every once in a while.

But, since this is my first attempt at an AAR, I do hope y'all will enjoy it.

 

[Margrave Mors]

És pitjor el remei que la malaltia
The remedy is worse than the disease



Berenguer I "Bere" d'Aragon-Tripolitania
King of Aragon and the Africas

August 24, 1213

Berenguer was writing in his journal from his encampment near Tortosa. Three years now. Three years of war. Three years of heartache. Three years of death… My country, my beloved Aragon, has been ravished by civil war. Three powerful vassals had declared war in the hopes of establishing themselves as the King of Aragon: Alix, Duchess of Majorca, Nazim, Duke of Valencia, and Nuno Sanchez, Count of Jaca.

While the Duchess of Majorca and the Count of Jaca were quickly forced to acknowledge my supremacy, the Dukes of Valencia were harder to subdue. But, tonight, the last bastion of the Valencia will be stormed here in the Holy Land. Tonight I will fill the streets with the blood of my enemies for the death of my beloved eldest son, Ricart.

Bere stopped writing and walked out of his tent. It was time for the final preparations for the fall of Tortosa. He had lost many of his friends in this civil war, but he had made many new ones among his generals as well. He would always remember them, for he knew they were the backbone for his legitimacy as the rightful king of Aragon.

When he reached the armory, he met up with his royal bishop, Latif. While an Arab, Latif was a firebrand Catholic, raised in the environment of Bere's grandfather, Alfonso, the Catholic King, sanctified by the Pope for his valiant Crusade freeing SouthEastern Spain, the Balearic Islands and Tunis from the Almohad Horde. Latif showed his devotion to the Catholic faith, having slain many of the Islamic soldiers put into service by the Dukes of Valencia.

Meu Rei, the Lord will deliver us this victory and you will basque in His Glory tonight.

Latif, my dear friend, you have been by my side since my coronation and even before that.

I raised you. I hid you from your enemies. I found you a great Martial Arts trainer. I would never turn my back on you.

And I thank you for that. You have been a father to me, especially when my own father did not want me.

Bere's cloudy blue eyes began to water. Bere?

You're hurt, Latif! And, I can't help you here in the Holy Land… I don't want you to die. You are a true friend and I don't know what I would do if you passed on…

Meu Rei, meu amic, if I am to pass on, I am to pass on with joy in my heart.

Latif…

I have seen you grow up to be a true king. Tonight I will see you become unchallenged in authority. You will always be like a son to me.

And you a father to me…

- ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ -​

A commander shouted, The wall has been breached and the gate has been opened. Everyone prepare to burn Tortosa and destroy the Dukes of Valencia.

Bere's personal Army, the 9th legion, , 8,000 soldiers from Alexandria and Tunis, veterans of many battles in the Civil War, rushed into the city.

Bere, on his beloved black stallion, Sable, charged into Tortosa, accompanied by the Reial Ordre de Neptú, the Royal Knights of Neptune. While the 9th legion burned Tortosa to the ground, the King and his Knights reached the Palace of the Dukes of Valencia…

Some palace, Bere told his Knights. These Dukes, if they call this a palace, imagine what they call an army? Is it any wonder we who think big are overpowering those who think so small… Come on men. Once we capture the traitor of a Duke, the war is over and we can all go home to our lovely wives and children.

Bere let out a battle cry that was quickly picked up by his men, Per Aragó! Salve al rei!

Bere and his Knights, still on horseback, ride into the "palace" and quickly overpower the few resisting guards at the palace. Bere spotted the Duke. The petty man had put on the garb of one of the servants, trying to escape from the palace with his life. But, Bere was quickly on him, having jumped from his horse and onto the Duke. The Duke reached for his dagger and thrusted it at Bere. Bere, having seen it only a few seconds before, tried to dodge the blade. A few seconds too slow, it hit his arm. He winced, but grabbed the arm of his would be assassin and twisted around his foe.

With the dagger at his throat, the Duke begged for his life, I surrender. Do you hear me? I surrender. You are the King… Be merciful and spare my life...

 

[unmerged(127999)]

Ooh, an Aragon AAR! Always love to see those. And with a formerly illegitimate ruler to boot (who isn't William the Conqueror)! I'll be following this closely, and hope that Berenguer survives and lasts as a powerful and strong ruler.

 

[unmerged(104889)]

Woo, Aragon AAR! I have always liked that little kingdom with a very cool name .

 

[Margrave Mors]

October 23, 1213

Berenguer walked down the courtyard of the royal palace, El Palau dells Lliris, the Lily Palace. His wife had been busy while he was gone. What was once a home to his father Pere, the Catholic Warrior, was now a home to flowers from various parts of the known world. Bere scoffed at the irony of what had become of this place in those three years. Yet, at the same time he could not help but admire the aesthetic beauty that was created from the contrast between the delicate flora and the original intent of his father to show the might of the empire.

Intent. What a lovely little word… The intent of one man can change the world in ways he never imagined… My own intent to revenge my mother changed the course of my father's kingdom. Who knows what may have happened had I let go of my silly little grudge… Bere stopped thinking about such things when he heard little footsteps coming at from his right.

Pare! Pare!

Bere turned and got down on one knee, scooping his little boy into his arms and holding him close.

Borrell, my little Rel.

Bere held on tight to his son, and, with tears coming into his eyes, said, You've grown so much while I was gone meu petit príncep, my little prince.

Daddy, I missed you so much. Promise me you won't leave me again.

Before Bere could answer, Rel had grabbed his father's face with his little hands and pulled it down to look him straight in the eyes. With an innocent angelic gleam in his eyes he repeated himself, Promise me, Pare.

Looking away from his son, he spoke, My little son, I wish I could make that promise. But, I do not want to have to break it.

But, Pare… His son began to sob. Bere did his best to comfort his little son, yet, war and politics were too complicated to explain to his three year old.

Bere, still holding on to his son, continue down the path to the palace chapel. Once he arrived, he looked down at the fresh flowers that lay at one of the grave sites. Bere, holding on to little Rel as tightly as he could without hurting his beloved son, got down on his knees and began to weep for his eldest son that now lay before him.

Rel was the first to speak, Daddy, I miss Ricart, too. Mommy says he is with God now, though. And that he doesn't hurt any more.

Bere, still weeping, tried to compose himself for his son, but couldn't manage very well. He is Rel, but, that doesn't mean I can't weep over him.

Rel, rather than saying anything that might have made his father more sad, simply buried his face in his father's shoulder and tried to hold on to him as tightly as he could.

- ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ -​

Later that night, there was a banging on the door to Bere's map room. When Bere opened the door, a courier ran in with a letter.

What is the matter?

My lord, war has been declared.

 

[micro1789]

Interesting, I'll follow

 

[Margrave Mors]

micro1789, Sweet. Welcome and I hope you enjoy it.

Auray, Welcome and I know right. I wish history would have played out differently with an Aragonese Empire in the New World...

SplendidTuesday, Welcome and I also hope Bere is able to keep the ruling house of d'Aragon in the Tripolitania branch, formerly illegitimate, that he founded. With luck, he will be able to finish the petty war that he just became involved in rather quickly.


And to everyone else, thank you for lurking and I hope to hear from you soon.


Happy Fourth of July to all my fellow Americans ​

 

[Margrave Mors]

An update will come within the next few days. I just started my fourth semester of french at my university for my minor (yay summer school), but thats only a two hour a day class (plus online workbook homework), so I should be able to post one to two updates each week I hope.

So, until the actual update tomorrow or thursday, I will leave you with the little in progress map I've been working on since it looks better than the screen shot maps... even if it is rather white

 

[micro1789]

Nice map

and, is that brown thing in Sicily Germany? Or is it some random sheik

 

[Margrave Mors]

At one point I owned all of Sardinia and Corsica, but they rebelled during my Crusade against the Kingdom of Egypt. Northern Sardinia joined the German Horde while Corsica became part of Scotland I believe.

Sicily was under total control of the Kingdom of Egypt (as was all of Africa East of Tunis). The Pope called for a Crusade to liberate Palermo from the Infidel and all of Europe joined in on the Crusade. Unfortunately, this led to Germany snagging a piece of Sicily and France taking a piece of North Africa. But, I figured the map would look prettier without a random blue dot in my Aragonese Empire x]

The good thing about the other crusading nations being at war the with Kingdom of Egypt was that it forced Egypt to divide its army which led to it being severely reduced in size. Even the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which at one point had Egypt occupying three-fourths of its territories, has been able to drive the Infidel from its lands and start an offensive campaign. The glory days of the Egyptian Caliphate will be over soon enough I hope, as I have hopes of giving the Kingdom of Egypt to a d'Aragon relative.

On another note, Georgia is on the war path against the Turks in Asia Minor. It is in control of most of their territory and continuing to fight them offensively. Oddly enough, the Byzantine Empire is no long in control of Constantinople. Instead, the Bosporus is under the control of an independent Nicene Principality under the Komnenids, while the Russians have become the Emperors of Rhomania. The Greeklands are split between the Komnenids, the Russians, and an uber-powerful Bulgarian Kingdom. Only time will tell as to who will reunite the great empire. The Komnenids are on their way to being obliterated by the Russians, so Russia will most likely be seen as a True Successor to Byzantium, unless the Bulgars and Georgians can somehow destroy the Rurikovichs... or however their name is spelt...

The only other interesting area is Iberia, naturally. The Almohads have pwned the crap out of Leon-Castille, forcing the nation to split into two petty nations with scatter territories. Portugal is basically a one to two province minor. The only upside of this is that the Almohads have been repeatedly seeking my alliance after I managed to take Valencia and the Tunisian/Eastern Algerian provinces from them. Only time will tell how long that alliance holds though. Atm their vassal of Algiers is at war with both them and Aragon, so hopefully I can somehow manage to take it since they have defeted the armies the Almohad has sent due to the Almohad being distracted by French, German and Sicilian crusaders....

 

[jordarkelf]

Are you playing with the 2.1 beta patch? The realm relations you describe sound very implausible unless they are fueled by the relations increase bug...

 

[Margrave Mors]

I'm playing with whatever is the latest patch for the Mac version .-.

 

[Margrave Mors]

Here is a preview of my update that will come sometime today.

The World in 1215