Sons of the White Lion - a Bohemian AAR

[lvcivs]

Hello everyone, some of you might recognise me from my first attempt at a AAR "By the sword I seek learning - a Varangian AAR". After a corrupted save, moving in the middle of the pandemic, looking for a new job and getting a new girlfriend (with an actual weak claim on Poland) I had no time to try to redo the campaign and by the time I had time, I lost interest. Therefore I'm starting a new AAR in Bohemia. Hope you guys will enjoy.

15 September, 1066 - Duke Vratislav II of Bohemia rules the entire Czech territory in the holy roman empire, his dynasty rules the entire land with the exception of the baronies and...

Zatec, a small county in west bohemia which has been ruled by another dynasty of administrator for the crown. That is until 1065, when a scandal of plots of rebellion and suspision of sodomy made him excommunicated and his title revoked, leaving the place vacant for another ruler. Vratislav II wanted to grand that title to another of his kinsmen, but the local barons pushed a faction to have a noble from another family to rule Zatec to be better represent in the council. Vratislav II was forced to agree, however this escalated into a year of arguments into who should rule the county between the baron. That is until HE came back.

Mesek ze Zbraslavi, the wild oat of a local baron. After his education as a squire, he was sent to Constantinople to avoid tarnishing the family reputation. He served as a Varangian and came back a god fearing, dutiful and honourable knight. His appearance and origins caused him to be shunned more than once, yet Vratislav II saw an opportunity there. Nobody saw him as a threat given his lack of lineage, he prouved himself as a competent administrator and commander and the barons are usually too superstitious to dare oppose his decision. Vrastislav II therefore declared him as the new count of Zatec on the september 15th, 1066 and here the tale of the white lion of Bohemia begins.

(Domain limit rule didn't work for some reason so disregard it)

Mod used : Red theme, More game rules, Community Title Project, Community Flavour pack, Dynamic cultural font, Concubinage child cannot inherit, Restricted Claim fabrication, GH:Artifact module, GH: Coronation module.

Here starts the chronicle of the sons of the white lion, House ze Zbraslavi, the Bohemian dynasty that would change the face of europe forever.

 

[lvcivs]

Chapter 1 - Humble beginings

December 15th, 1066 AD was the first day of Mesek ze Zbraslavi as count of Zatec. He started right away making sure he'd maintain control over his land for his liege.

At 25 years old, his tale of Galantry and adventures as a Varangian made him a promising prospect for many families that was interested in opening commerce or relations with the Eastern Basileus. The time experience he amassed on their court etiquette was worth enough for many family to disregard is common origins and curse that whitened his skin. Being now ruler of the land, he needed a wife to ensure his heirs would continue his duty.

Among the matches, the youngest daughter of the Magyar king's uncle and former king was interested in finding a suitable husband. Being 16 years and the ward of her brother, an Hungarian Duke, Princess Maria of Hungary was the best match that Mesek could hope for. That alliance would help raising the nobility of his own line and defend his liege against sinners and invaders.

It was also on this day that he started a correspondance with the Pope Alexander III. His reign would be marked by their relations who went from annoyance to friendship, but always in a respectful manner. The Pope and Mesek had something truly rare in this world : genuine respect regardless of rank.

His council would always have mixed feelings about him. However his first meeting went relatively well, with the exception of his suffragan Bishop who wouldn't hide that he was convinced that Mesek was tainted by sins due to his birth and that his virtue was nothing more than the devil smiling to lead the true virtuous astray. Ironically enough, he was a sinner himself.

September 24th, 1066 ad - A letter came in at court today, the Hungarians accept the offer of alliance. Hoping to gain reach in both the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantines. Everybody at court and inside the land his preparing for the ceremony. Mesek doesn't let it show, but he is a little nervous about meeting the future mother of his children.

September 30th, 1066 AD - The time as comed, today the entire realm gathered to celebrate the wedding. Being a princess of blood, even the duke of Bohemia himself came to witness the unions. The coffers of the country were quite low, but Mesek insisted that the realm keep it, for this marriage was between him, his now wife and god, and he wouldn't let it be tainted by greed. This act made the people of the land talk highly of him.

His wife would prouve to be one of the greatest asset to the ruling of the land. Her administrative skills allowed them to make the most out of what little they had. Count Mesek of Zatec was finally ready to start his long and prosperous rule, God willing.

 

[lvcivs]

Chapter 1.1 - Humble Beginings

With the question of his marriage settles, Count Mesek of Zatec used the opportunity of the marriage to inform that he would reflect his lieges succession laws and by seniority and claim higher authority over his subject. This would not please especially his baron, however it was well within his right granted by his liege to insure the controle of his own land.

November 25th, 1066 - Following in the exemple of Count Mesek of Zatec, Duke Vratislav II pushed for higher crown authority. While his kinsmen and baron were displeased, this was a clear sign of support of Mesek's decisions and administrative skills.

December 18th, 1066 - With the new crown authority put in place, Count Mesek took the opportunity to define his obligations as vassal toward his liege. He volunteered to pay more taxes to help the realm, however, he demanded the sanction for war declaration, claiming it to be his duty to eradicate illegitimate and sinful rulers from the realms to ensure that Bohemia maintains God's favour.

February 17th, 1067 AD - Today there was a major commotion at court. After another disgraceful comment from the Suffragan Bishop, Princess Maria stood up and gave an eloquent speech about Count Mesek's virtue, his temperance, bravery, honnesty and sense of duty. The intensity by which she spoke caused all courtiers to for a moment, forget the white curse that plagues his skin.

March 18th, 1067 AD - Uproars in courts are happening all over the empire after the news of a Bishop using the alms for the poor to stuff his own face. The news infuriated Count Mesek, being disdained by sinners who claim to be men of god and abuse of the kindness of the faithfuls. Some people with weaker faiths are even considering heresy.

July 10th, 1067 AD - Count Mesek was eagerly reading the new letter he received from the pope. Between a couple of verses from the Book of John, Pope Alexander notified that he found that Count Mesek's great-uncle was Count of Wolkenstein, making him a potential pretender to the county.

September 28th, 1067 AD - With his Suffragan Bishop refusing to pay his rightful taxes, Count Mesek was forced in his next letter with the Pope to ask for his taxes back. Whilst he felt bad about it, he needed funds for a pilgrimmage, desiring to cleanse his soul to better rule his subject and understand more how to be a pious ruler and vassal.

October 2nd, 1067 AD - Unsurprisingly, the tax refunds annoyed the holy father, chastising him in the correspondance about the temporal nature of materials gains and the immortal nature of Heaven. He did urged Mesek to use the funds for Christendom. A request that would not fall into deaf ears.

October 2nd, 1067 AD - Count Mesek announce to the realm that he would undertake a pilgrimmage to the Vaticano to meet the Holy father Pope Alexander III and cleanse his soul throught divine guidance to better rule his subjects.

October 3rd, 1067 AD - Today was the day of the departure, Count Mesek made it a point of leaving with the strict minimum required to his trip. Despite cautions from his wife, advising him that it's better to be safe than sorry, he insisted that the holy protection he needed was in the divine.

November 2nd, 1067 AD - Making camp in the alps on his way to Vaticano, a commotion suddenly wake up the Count. Brigands are attacking the small retinue he brought along, putting tents on fire and trying to steal the horses. With his red eyes, white hairs and pale skin, the sight of the Count charging alone with his sword into the brigands was enough to make most of them flee. That night was made into a song that is still sometime sang in some rural parts of Bohemia.

December 2nd, 1067 AD - Finally the Count made it to the Vaticano. Amazed at the sights and the divine presence you can feel in the air he was overwhelmed. He spent his time praying in every church he could find and paying his respect to Saints waiting for his turn to meet the pope amongst the other pilgrims.

December 2nd, 1067 AD - He did take a small break after a request from his wife to talk to the Holy Father about the current affaires in Hungary. The current king being but a mere boy on top of being a sadistic arbitrary sodomite. Whilst his wife had a claim on the Throne, she was still nothing but a woman. Count Mesek felt no desired to become King, but he knew the people of Hungary deserved better than this sinner and hopefully, the mere talk of the Pope about his legitimacy would make him seek forgiveness and repentance.

6th December, 1067 AD - Finally Count Mesek got to meet the Holy Father and present his wife request. The air was tense as the Pope still did not appreciate his demand for tax refunds. However the Pope could see the situation at hand and understood the necessity for such actions. By eclesiastical decree, the Pope claimed that Count Mesek would be within his right to conquer Hungary should he desire to do so and so would his heir, given his wife's deceased father.

January 1st, 1068 AD - Count Mesek finally come back to Zatec, his soul light from the pilgrimmage and his desire to be a rightful ruler more hardent than ever.

 

[lvcivs]

Chapter 1.2 - Humble beginings

February 8th, 1068 AD - The Holy Father shows mild annoyance towards some of the letters that Count Mesek sended him. His own lack of formal education making it sometime hard to rivalise an intellectual discourse at such a level, yet the Count made it a point to keeping the correspondance alive.

February 21st, 1068 AD - In order to better defend the land of Zatec, Count Mesek ordered that 100 archers be maintained at all time ready for war under his personal retinue. A pricey investment, yet the sinfuls do not wait on the unready to commit their evil and as a point of duty, the Count wanted to be ready to serve his liege in time of need.

March 18th, 1068 AD - The entire county of Zatec rejoice today, news came that Princess Maria was bearing the child of Count Mesek, God willing, the legacy of House ze Zbraslavi would be secured for now.

September 5th, 1068 AD - During another exchange of letters with the Holy Father, Count Mesek made it a point of finding common ground. At the very core he remarked that they both valued Loyalty and a Sense of Honour before everything except God.

September 15th, 1068 AD - Count Mesek finally received a positive answer from the Holy Father, this would mark the begining of the friendship between Pope Alexander III and Count Mesek.

September 24th, 1068 AD - Duke Vratislav II finally recognised properly the work that Count Mesek did for administering his own land and offered his the position of Steward on his council, this was the position that the Counts of Zatec traditionnally held. This was finally a chance to better serve his liege and gain experience for the future.

October 14th, 1068 AD - Problem arise in Zatec has a lack of Sherrif allowed brigands to run wild. With the divided attention of Count Mesek between his own land and his office of Steward of Bohemia, the problem would take 5 years to solve.

24th October, 1068 AD - The whole county of Zatec rejoice as a son was born! Albrecht, named after Princess Maria's father is healthy and shows no sign of his father's condition. For now, the bloodline of ze Zbraslavi is secured.

 

[lvcivs]

Chapter 1.3 - Humble beginings

November 19th, 1068 AD - Trying to discreetly find a solution, Count Mesek decided to stroll around his barracks, wearing a full helm to disguise his identity. He came accross an infantryman that proposed a Strategy to his Marshall. Being a man of ego, the Marshall lashed out at the poor man, forcing Count Mesek to get involved.

Count Mesek managed to restraint the Marshall in an armlock, the comotion calming down, he took some time to talk about the strategy that the common soldier offered.

The strategy offered was an extremely efficient way of maintaining control on his own land and making his military capacity seem much more imposing than they are. Count Mesek adopted it without a second thought which prouved to be a valuable idea.

May 21st, 1069 AD - Enjoying a calm evening at the tavern after a full day of inspecting his new archer regiment, some mercenary came and slapped the Count's mug out of his hand. The Innkeeper begged the Count to take care of it, which he did, himself with his own sword. In the meanwhile, news came to the count that Hungary had spent the last year in a civil war over his brother in law's claim to the Hungarian throne. The current situation seemed to be on the way to tip toward the rebels. Count Mesek simply agreed that Hungary deserved a virtuous King to rule over them.

May 23rd, 1069 AD - "In light of the current situation in Hungary, I made a resolution Holy Father, I will start an unjust war, yet never end a legitimate one, except by the complete defeat of my enemy, God be my witness." - Passage from the Count's letter to the Holy Father.

With this letter, the Count of Zatec was recognised as a dedication to the teachings of the catholic faith.

January 14th, 1070 AD - Intending to follow up his resolution, Count Mesek decided to double his archer regiment's size to be ready to honour the oath he took before God and the Holy Father of Christendom.

January 25th, 1070 AD - From the lack of skills of the current Marshal and the friendship that the Count developped with the common soldier he saved last year. Mesek decided to have replace his current Marshal.

February 1st, 1070 AD - The new Marshal prouved more than qualified for his position and provided the Count with one of his former brother in Arms who would prouve to be a better commander than what the court can offer for now.

March 31st, 1070 AD - Having survived a full year, came the question of how Albrecht should be raised, and to that, his father insisted that he'd be educated in erudition, for he felt it was something that was missing from his own earlier life. As to which should educate him, this was a no contest.

Pope Alexander III would be the one raising his flesh and blood into being a scholar and a christian. His own learning being of the highest of Christendom and the act of bestowing his heir a clear indication of their mutual trust and a symbol of their friendship.

January 30th, 1071 AD - The Kaiser declares war to the King of the Danes over a border dispute. Count Mesek is indifferent to the situation.

 

[Brisingr]

So does this mean that, when you get the chance, you'll invade either Hungary or that county you got a claim on?

 

[lvcivs]

So does this mean that, when you get the chance, you'll invade either Hungary or that county you got a claim on?

Patience, I'll write the next part during next week and you will see. That said from the Gameplay I've done so far, I do not bielieve that he will invade Hungary within his lifetime given in game event that happened. That said, perhaps his son. And for the county, he did more than that. Let's say my plan for the white Lion is to unify the west slav before his death.

 

[HistoryDude]

Let's see how the ze Zbraslavls do.

Mesek seems like a good ruler.

Befriending the pope is a very good move - for both pragmatic and spiritual reasons.

 

[generalis Julius Caesar]

I shall watch this with interest. The White Lion shall rise.

 

[lvcivs]

I shall watch this with interest. The White Lion shall rise.

Thank you this is appreciated, I had obligations during the holidays, but I should be good to post the next couple of updates soon!

 

[lvcivs]

Chapter 1.4 Humble Beginings

April 16th, 1071 AD - Having already a claim on some of the land the Duchy of Meissen, Count Mesek issued a request to the Pope "Herzoge Otto is a sinner and my claim on part of his lands are indisputable, that said his duchy is rightful western slavic land and should be ruled by a virtuous Slav for the Slavic people. Should you ask me to, I will depose this sinner myself, but he may not be allowed to remain regardless of the pontifical concensus."

April 20th, 1071 Ad - At the court of the Kaizer, rumours were made that the Duke of Aquitaine was considering bethrothal for his youngest daughter. This was purely a political move agains the Current French king, but being the son of a Prince, Albrecht was considered a decent candidate. After some back and forth, the negociations where concluded and the alliance formed.

August 19th, 1071 AD - To better serve his alliance and prepare for the war agains the vile duke Otto, order was made to increase the size of the Archer retinue, the regiment having tripled in size since it's creation.

September 30th, 1071 AD - Count Mesek could not bielieve it, the Sister of the Kaiser tried to have him despite his married status and her sworn vows as a monastic. Count Mesek made it clear that no such sins would be tolerated from his bloodline.

October 25th, 1071 AD - The son of Count Mesek showed to be inclined toward introspection and the eternal questions from the within, when he'll be old enough, he will definitely benefit from his education with the holy father.

November 23rd, 1071 Ad - The entire court of the Kaizer is in uproar concerning a Prince-Bishop this time being a fornicator. Count Mesek remains in silence, angry at the current state of the church and the Empire. Long was gone the golden age of united christendom under the romans.

However, if there was one thing he knew and would be needed, it was his will to fight. Which he spend most of his life Honing, war was about to come with Duke Otto who escalated diplomatic insult against the Slavs.

Yet, Violence without faith is for the animals and before the horrors of war would plague the land of his people, Count Mesek decided to spend even more time in prayers.

 

[lvcivs]

Short update to prouve I'm still alive, should post a couple of chapters tomorrow evening. You'll have a fix to binge read!

 

[HistoryDude]

The Church has a problem, yes...

Early Reformation? Actually successfully Reformation?

 

[lvcivs]

The Church has a problem, yes...

Early Reformation? Actually successfully Reformation?

You'll see in due time, that said, I can confirm it will not be by the White Lion himself.

 

[generalis Julius Caesar]

Short update to prouve I'm still alive, should post a couple of chapters tomorrow evening. You'll have a fix to binge read!

Yes! I love binge reading. Great chapter!

 

[lvcivs]

Yes! I love binge reading. Great chapter!

I'll get on it after work. Glad to see you're enjoying it.

 

[lvcivs]

Chapter 1.5 - Humble beginings

January 12th, 1072 AD - Heresy are plaguing the land to the North, a Jarl converted to Pricillianism. Christendom is weakening, separating itself, while the saracens only keep spreading and gaining in powers and the pagans north keep living without the light of Christ. Count Mesek took a moment to Pray.

July 14th, 1072 AD - In Hungary, the civil war was concluded and the result was clear. Count Mesek's brother in law was now King, securing an even more powerful alliance for Zatec. Beside, recently his wife showed great skills at the council. For now. All was doing well.

September 6th, 1072 AD - Count Mesek got struck by a fever and sickness. A lot of the realm worried as his son was too young to take up his father place in any meaningful way and the local barons didn't wanted to see an Hungarian regency.

The realm was forced to go bankrupt hiring a physician. While the Count was bed ridden one thing was clear, they needed him alive for now and no chance was to be taken. Even the schemers and lover of intrigue were on agreements on this.

Having confidence in his strenght, vigor and young age, a treatment of the symptoms was brought forward, insuring he'd get better without taking risks that could affect his ability to rule.

The treatment was a success and the physician will always be remembered in the Ballads of the White Lion of Bohemia.

November 3rd, 1072 AD - The realm sighted of relief as their Count showed great health again, rough housing with his son, going on hunts around his lands and challenging some of his retinues to games of strenght. The general ambiance in his fief was festive.

 

[lvcivs]

I had some unplanned events and had to start writing longer than I expected and still have a full day of work tomorrow, so unfortunately, I cannot give the binge chapter I said I would, I will try to do it tomorrow after work or over the weekend however. Hope you guys will enjoy what's about to come.

 

[HistoryDude]

Good thing that the Count recovered.

I wonder if we'll see Bohemia-Hungary any time soon?

 

[lvcivs]

Good thing that the Count recovered.

I wonder if we'll see Bohemia-Hungary any time soon?

As I've told in the past, not within the White Lion's lifetime, his son however...