CHRONICA SARDINIAE
ANNO DOMINI MLXXVII
Early in the year it was announced the Duke and Duchess are expecting a child. There was much rejoicing.
Duke Mariano had graciously suggested to his friend and ally, count Gisulf of Salerno, that he become a vassal of the Duchy of Sardinia, thus securing himself from the ambitions of the Norman Duke of Apulia, but he ungratefully refused to do so.
In the summer, having accumulated a substantial sum of money in the Ducal Treasury, Duke Mariano ordered the construction of new fishing wharves and smokehouses in Oristano, as well as the purchase of new boats and nets. This was well-received by the many fishermen of Arborea, who shall reap the benefits of the Duke's generosity and care for years to come.
In October, lady Lucia gave birth to a healthy male child, who was baptised as Gastone.
In November, a large group of brigands and rebels was brought to justice in Corsica.
In December, there was a manure shortage in the province of Arborea, causing crop yields to falter and bringing many into poverty.
During this year a terrible war raged in Byzantium between the Empire and the invading heathen hordes of Seljuk Turks. The Turks had by late summer overrun nearly all of Asia Minor and even succeeded in capturing the city of Constantinople itself. The Emperor was forced to acknowledge defeat, ceding his capital city and many other provinces to the Mahometans. He has moved his throne to the city of Thessalonica.
ANNO DOMINI MLXXVIII
The Duke's natural son Matteo was given over to Camaldolese monks for education.
The Salernitan count chose to align himself with the Genoan Republic, submitting himself to the rule of its merchant lords and thus breaking the alliance between our two lands. Fairly soon, however, came an emissary from Hermann Duke of Carinthia, offering to us an alliance. The Duke accepted the offer. That the Carinthians have came to us seeking friendship shows the good reputation the Duke and our brave soldiers enjoy throughout Italy, and beyond.
A veteran soldier from Venice named Bertoldo Dandolo was hired to train the young Davide Torchitorio in the art of war. The Duke spared no expense to provide for his heir the finest training, knowing that his son shall have to defend the gains of his father from foreign encroachment and go to war against the Moors of Africa and Spain. Signor Bertoldo has also been given command over the ducal armies.
Signor Candido Tittone fell ill in May. Spinetto Mastropiero left for Siena, dissatisfied with his loss of influence.
In December young master Davide was stricken with illness, causing his father much anguish.
ANNO DOMINI MLXXIX
After many years of strife, the Corsican rebels finally chose to make peace with the Duke, who has wisely and mercifully forgiven them for their transgressions and answered some of their pleas. By summer, many fens and marshes on the island were drained and given to peasants as land for crops, making the province rich and its people happy. None now voice any displeasure with the Duke's rule, which has brought nothing but unprecedented prosperity to their once poor and miserable island.
In late April it was announced that the Duke and Duchess are expecting another child.
This was sadly a year of many deaths at court.
Bishop Branislav died peacefully in his sleep on the 13th of April. In late summer, Spymaster Chiaffredo died of old age. The Duchess replaced him in his role, while the duties of Chancellor were granted to signorina Fausta Bobone, newly arrived to court from Romagna.
In June, signor Pellegrino di San Bonifazio was murdered. Signor Lealdo Ruffo was, upon investigation, found guilty of this heinous crime and convicted to death.
The health of signor Tittoni worsened further.
The great fishing wharves of Arborea have been completed, increasing greatly the wealth of the province.
A war errupted early in this year between the Republic of Genoa and the Republic of Venice, the cause of which was an attempt by the greedy merchant lords of Genoa to occupy the county of Monferrato, which had pledged its allegiance to the Serenissima.
ANNO DOMINI MLXXX
On January the 24th another son was born to the Duke. He was baptised as Umberto. A great feast was held to honour this momentous occasion.
The illness of the Duke's eldest son Davide progressed to pneumonia, but was soon healed of it by a Greek physician, who was handsomely rewarded for his services by the Duke.
Signor Tittoni had no such luck, and died from illness in late April.
Signor Fresco di Valenti arrived in court in May, and was soon appointed Chancellor in the Duke's Council.
As the Duke of Carinthia subjected himself to the authority of the German King-Cardinal, our alliance with them was dissolved. A new offer of alliance soon came from the Archbishop of Ferrara, which the Duke accepted.
The Duke's natural son, Matteo, continued his education with the monks, advancing in Christian virtue and knowledge.
The crusade against the infidel Turks continues, but has yet to yield success. God shall surely grant his brave Christian soldiers victory. Meanwhile, the Pope and the Germans war over the issue of investiture.
ANNO DOMINI MLXXXI
The Pope appointed a new bishop of Sardinia, signor Marino Malaspina, a pious and godly man who was welcomed by the Duke with open arms.
The Duke appointed a commission of learned men to measure all the forests on the isle of Corsica and establish an office which would guard against unlawful theft of timber and unlawful hunting, and thus through just and fair laws ensure prosperity for the whole of the island.
Malaria spread in Corsica, claiming many lives.
The Pope and the Germans agreed to cease hostilities after the armies of the Germans conquered Rome.
========================================================
General_BT & Enewald: I'm glad you like it.
As you can see, nothing too interesting happened in these five years either - not in Sardinia, anyway. Going about conquering will have to wait a bit, as the Duke is:
1. Getting a bit long in the tooth.
2. Not exactly Alexander the Great.
3. Not good enough at Intrigue to manage more than the three provinces he has now.
4. All his kids are still, well, kids, so giving them a title would be kinda counterproductive.
Also, I'm not thrilled about the possibility of depleting my manpower in a war for some worthless rock like Menorca or something only to have Genoan or Pisan jackals pounce upon me and occupy the Duchy. The likeliest target when I eventually do get around to conquest will be the emirate of Mallorca, as the Sicilian sheiks have wisely sided with either the Egyptians or the (massive!) Emirate of Granada.
Diary post coming later today.
ANNO DOMINI MLXXVII
Early in the year it was announced the Duke and Duchess are expecting a child. There was much rejoicing.
Duke Mariano had graciously suggested to his friend and ally, count Gisulf of Salerno, that he become a vassal of the Duchy of Sardinia, thus securing himself from the ambitions of the Norman Duke of Apulia, but he ungratefully refused to do so.
In the summer, having accumulated a substantial sum of money in the Ducal Treasury, Duke Mariano ordered the construction of new fishing wharves and smokehouses in Oristano, as well as the purchase of new boats and nets. This was well-received by the many fishermen of Arborea, who shall reap the benefits of the Duke's generosity and care for years to come.
In October, lady Lucia gave birth to a healthy male child, who was baptised as Gastone.
In November, a large group of brigands and rebels was brought to justice in Corsica.
In December, there was a manure shortage in the province of Arborea, causing crop yields to falter and bringing many into poverty.
During this year a terrible war raged in Byzantium between the Empire and the invading heathen hordes of Seljuk Turks. The Turks had by late summer overrun nearly all of Asia Minor and even succeeded in capturing the city of Constantinople itself. The Emperor was forced to acknowledge defeat, ceding his capital city and many other provinces to the Mahometans. He has moved his throne to the city of Thessalonica.
ANNO DOMINI MLXXVIII
The Duke's natural son Matteo was given over to Camaldolese monks for education.
The Salernitan count chose to align himself with the Genoan Republic, submitting himself to the rule of its merchant lords and thus breaking the alliance between our two lands. Fairly soon, however, came an emissary from Hermann Duke of Carinthia, offering to us an alliance. The Duke accepted the offer. That the Carinthians have came to us seeking friendship shows the good reputation the Duke and our brave soldiers enjoy throughout Italy, and beyond.
A veteran soldier from Venice named Bertoldo Dandolo was hired to train the young Davide Torchitorio in the art of war. The Duke spared no expense to provide for his heir the finest training, knowing that his son shall have to defend the gains of his father from foreign encroachment and go to war against the Moors of Africa and Spain. Signor Bertoldo has also been given command over the ducal armies.
Signor Candido Tittone fell ill in May. Spinetto Mastropiero left for Siena, dissatisfied with his loss of influence.
In December young master Davide was stricken with illness, causing his father much anguish.
ANNO DOMINI MLXXIX
After many years of strife, the Corsican rebels finally chose to make peace with the Duke, who has wisely and mercifully forgiven them for their transgressions and answered some of their pleas. By summer, many fens and marshes on the island were drained and given to peasants as land for crops, making the province rich and its people happy. None now voice any displeasure with the Duke's rule, which has brought nothing but unprecedented prosperity to their once poor and miserable island.
In late April it was announced that the Duke and Duchess are expecting another child.
This was sadly a year of many deaths at court.
Bishop Branislav died peacefully in his sleep on the 13th of April. In late summer, Spymaster Chiaffredo died of old age. The Duchess replaced him in his role, while the duties of Chancellor were granted to signorina Fausta Bobone, newly arrived to court from Romagna.
In June, signor Pellegrino di San Bonifazio was murdered. Signor Lealdo Ruffo was, upon investigation, found guilty of this heinous crime and convicted to death.
The health of signor Tittoni worsened further.
The great fishing wharves of Arborea have been completed, increasing greatly the wealth of the province.
A war errupted early in this year between the Republic of Genoa and the Republic of Venice, the cause of which was an attempt by the greedy merchant lords of Genoa to occupy the county of Monferrato, which had pledged its allegiance to the Serenissima.
ANNO DOMINI MLXXX
On January the 24th another son was born to the Duke. He was baptised as Umberto. A great feast was held to honour this momentous occasion.
The illness of the Duke's eldest son Davide progressed to pneumonia, but was soon healed of it by a Greek physician, who was handsomely rewarded for his services by the Duke.
Signor Tittoni had no such luck, and died from illness in late April.
Signor Fresco di Valenti arrived in court in May, and was soon appointed Chancellor in the Duke's Council.
As the Duke of Carinthia subjected himself to the authority of the German King-Cardinal, our alliance with them was dissolved. A new offer of alliance soon came from the Archbishop of Ferrara, which the Duke accepted.
The Duke's natural son, Matteo, continued his education with the monks, advancing in Christian virtue and knowledge.
The crusade against the infidel Turks continues, but has yet to yield success. God shall surely grant his brave Christian soldiers victory. Meanwhile, the Pope and the Germans war over the issue of investiture.
ANNO DOMINI MLXXXI
The Pope appointed a new bishop of Sardinia, signor Marino Malaspina, a pious and godly man who was welcomed by the Duke with open arms.
The Duke appointed a commission of learned men to measure all the forests on the isle of Corsica and establish an office which would guard against unlawful theft of timber and unlawful hunting, and thus through just and fair laws ensure prosperity for the whole of the island.
Malaria spread in Corsica, claiming many lives.
The Pope and the Germans agreed to cease hostilities after the armies of the Germans conquered Rome.
========================================================
General_BT & Enewald: I'm glad you like it.
As you can see, nothing too interesting happened in these five years either - not in Sardinia, anyway. Going about conquering will have to wait a bit, as the Duke is:
1. Getting a bit long in the tooth.
2. Not exactly Alexander the Great.
3. Not good enough at Intrigue to manage more than the three provinces he has now.
4. All his kids are still, well, kids, so giving them a title would be kinda counterproductive.
Also, I'm not thrilled about the possibility of depleting my manpower in a war for some worthless rock like Menorca or something only to have Genoan or Pisan jackals pounce upon me and occupy the Duchy. The likeliest target when I eventually do get around to conquest will be the emirate of Mallorca, as the Sicilian sheiks have wisely sided with either the Egyptians or the (massive!) Emirate of Granada.
Diary post coming later today.