The House that Hermann Built

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Hello everyone and welcome to my first, humble attempt at writing an AAR. I'm trying to take a bit of a different approach to playing the game than I usually do, grabbing claims at random and pagan hunting with both be kept to a minimum. Instead of fighting everyone for a hundred years and getting bored, I'll be taking over the whole of Europe through marriages and intrigue, with a war against only one big country as long as everything goes well. Our story starts in 1066, with the humble Duke of Verona and will end when the game gets boring or I have inherited every worthless (and a few not so worthless) piece of land in Europe.


Introduction:


Hermann, Duke of Verona, would come to be known after his death many years after our story begins, as The Father. He began a series of political moves that took a family with a small amount of power in the southern reaches of the German Kingdom, far removed from King Heinrich and the petty squabbles for power that infested the north, to the forefront of European politics for hundreds of years. His prowess as a leader was unmatched, and the love that his people gave him in return for that leadership would set the tone for the coming generations of the Zaringen dynasty.

In the first chapter read about the daring exploits of Hermann's early years, including building forestries and training camps, and lowering taxes!

 

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"daring exploits of Hermann's early years, including building forestries and training camps, and lowering taxes!"

Prehaps we should call him the bold for his 'daring' efforts No, that's a good idea you have good luck

 

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I thought about calling him the bold... but as you'll see, bold isn't really his thing. Fathering kids on the other hand... he had that down.

 

[DukeWilleo1630]

I've recently been playing a game with Verona in the Hastings scenario. The first thing I did was assasinate my father and counquer Venice to become the King of Venice. Is that the path your thinking of taking?

 

[Heavenseed]

I've recently been playing a game with Verona in the Hastings scenario. The first thing I did was assasinate my father and counquer Venice to become the King of Venice. Is that the path your thinking of taking?

Yes. Venice is a powerbase. Then conquer Genoa (really good one!) and Toscana, North Italy. I like Verona. Good luck !

 

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Our story begins with Hermann of Zaringen nearing his sixteenth birthday. Not Yet old enough to marry, and still prohibited by his father, the Duke of Kärten, from leading his troops to war. Hermann was always a different sort of lad though, and he took great pleasure in the mundane affairs of running his little piece of Germany to the best of his abilities. But today he has his mind on a not so mundane matter, and has mind set on standing up for himself as well.

The Marriage Debate
January 1067 - Verona

Hermann and his advisors are gathered to discuss prospects for the Duke's upcoming marriage.

"Who have you found that might be worth my while, Ossoli?" Ute Ossoli, chancellor and very devoted to Hermann's father

"Well Hermann, as you know, your father wants you to marry the daughter of the Duke of Poitou, Agnes. We all agree that marrying her would be for the best, as it would put your son in the position to inherit a very large amount of land fairly soon. And of course since Agnes is King Heinrich's favorite cousin, the King will surely favor your son if any squabbles were to arise over a German inheriting such a large portion of France."


I must break in and tell you that although Hermann was normally a fairly agreeable lad, when it came to matters such as this, his father seemed to make most of the decisions without any input from Hermann.


"So my father wants me to marry Agnes d'Aquitaine? No thanks. As much as I love my father making all of my decisions for me, I'll have to pass. What have you heard about King Heinrich's plans for his favorite cousin Gisela?" Gisela Crispi, spymaster and closest friend, not the brightest crayon in the box.

"Well, the information I'm getting says that Heinrich has plans for Agnes that include her shall we say keeping it in the family... Heinrich seems to planning for Agnes to marry a second cousin, who will also be count of Angouleme, named Guillaume. Perhaps if you acted quickly you could convince Heinrich that it would be better for him to bring your name up in discussions concerning who Agnes will marry, but it would be nearly impossible for obvious reasons."

"There you have it Ossoli." Hermann turned towards his chancellor with a smug expression, "Have you managed to turn up anyone else I might be interested in, preferably someone my father hasn't suggested to you, if you please."

Arnulf of Cremona, the steward appointed by Hermann's father spoke up. "Well there is the daughter of the Duke of Provence. She is only thirteen, but three years will give you time to learn to rule without learning to be a husband at the same time. All reports say the Duke is a kindly man, not given to bouts of random violence when things don't go his way. Adalys is his only child, and chances are good that her son will inherit the Duchy when her father passes. My people haven't been able to supply with a picture of the girl, but I'm assured that she will be very beautiful once she matures... whatever that means."


"Thank you Arnulf, this Adalys sounds like she has the makings of a wonderful bride, and if she doesn't ever mature... well its not really all that bright in this old fort you guys keep me cooped up in all day anyway. Gisela, have your people begin feeling out how the old Duke will react to a marriage proposal...(Gisela looks slightly skeptical) for the girl Gisela not for him, really sometimes I wonder about you."



Hermann, age 16

Hermann's father, Berthold

Adalys, age 13

 

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Sorry about the screenies not being chopped up to make for faster loading and easier viewing, in a bit of a hurry today.

Chandos and DukeWilleo: First, thanks for posting since I was worried that my AAR might end up getting very little response, so thanks for the interest guys. And second, as much as I would love to go conquer Italy, that will have to wait until a take care of a matter a little further from home, but much more pressing.