The Loarn Dynasty - the rightful rulers of Scotland

[Conqueristo]

Inheritances and rebellion

On January 10, 1154 my son Tore finished his army training – he was a tough soldier.
France was again at war on the twentieth, this time with the Principality of Kiev.
On the first day of February, the small castle was completed in Fife. Our treasury coffers were now bursting at the seams, with almost eighteen hundred ducats...but I had no more improvements that I could build anywhere in my realm.

During this month, I also found out that my unmarried daughter, Ada had found herself a powerful lover...but I had no idea who.
In March, dysentery spread to Argyll, and there was not enough manure for the farms in Moray.

I had no room in the realm for a daughter rumoured to have powerful lovers – she would have to be married off to a new court. And, so I found her a distant cousin to be her future husband. This was Marshall Magnus Loarn (1132 -), based in Albany. Magnus is the second son of Donald Loarn (1104 -), Duke of Albany. Donald is the first son of Constantine (1083-1131), who was a son of Malcolm Loarn (1066-1097). Malcolm was of course, another son of Aunty Gruaidh.

Meanwhile, on March 21, my grandson, David Loarn (1150-), son of Gilleroth (1131-) inherited the Duchy of Saxony.

A week later, I had to appoint a new Marshall for the realm, since the former Marshall, Andrew had passed on. Hopefully Findchad Ui Mordha would be a good leader. On this day, the Duke of Albany agreed to the marraige between Ada and Magnus.
On April 2, I offered my grandson the chance to become my vassal, which he politely declined shortly after.
Sad news again, on May 17 when Maldoven Loarn, the Count of Vasterbotten died. Roolb Loarn (1125 -) inherited the county title from his father. Maldoven Loarn (1108 – 1154) was the second son of Constantine Loarn (1083-1131).

To brighten things up a bit, I decided to hold a great tournament – the end of July seemed a good time for it. Of course, our champion won the tournament...but the Duke of Galloway was unimpressed that he lost, and his loyalty slumped significantly.

As for 1155, at the end of January, there was not enough manure for the farms in Argyll and thus there was a bit of a food shortage.

On August 8, one of my vassals refused to change his laws to match those of the realm.
During the first week of September, I finally received some good news. My daughter Ada had recovered from her illness.
There had also been some rebellions in England. The most notable was the County of York, which had claimed independence from the crown. York was halfway between Scotland proper and our southern enclave of Kent. With York independent from England, I could possibly make it part of Scotland, and not have to fight the English to do so.
So, a week later on September 15, I claimed the County of York for the Scottish crown. The very next day I raised almost six and a half thousand men in Fife for the impending war. Marshall Findchad would lead the charge – him and his men marched southwards towards Durham, a neighbouring county to York.
Exactly two months later on November 16, I received word that Findchad and his men were in Durham. I signed the declaration of war that day. Findchad led the army onwards to York.
Only one week into the war and I received a message from the front. Findchad would not march the men another inch until he was rewarded with more money. As he had led my army all the way from Fife, I had to at least send him a token of goodwill. A carriage laden with over two hundred ducats was on its way post-haste.
Three days later, on November 26, we had won the battle of York and the siege on the hill fort had begun.
Meanwhile as the month finished, land productivity increased in Argyll.

Two days before Christmas 1155, the county of York was finally liberated and under Scottish control.

I offered the Count of York peace. He would have to give up his title, and allow York to become part of Scotland.
On Christmas Day, Local fairs spread to Lothian.

The next day, vicious slander had me labeled as a coward, and the Count of York refused the peace proposal.

 

[Conqueristo]

How many different nationalities does your court contain?

Yeah I was wondering the same thing.

As you can see, as of now, 1156...The court is still mainly Scottish, with a bit of Irish, Welsh, Frankish, Norwegian and even Arabic.:rofl:

That makes 6.

 

[Enewald]

Why so many Meriadocs?

 

[Conqueristo]

Why so many Meriadocs?

You can tell by their ages, but it's obvious they're a randy lot. There are at least two generations worth. The Meriadoc clan probably came over back in 1127 when Gwenllian Meriadoc was appointed steward from Dec 7 to 9. (q.v.).
To top that off, later in 1144, I married my sister to a Meriadoc too...

 

[Conqueristo]

Civil strife and more pagans...

1156 would begin the thirty fourth year of my reign as the King of Scotland. We were still at war with the former English realm of York, whom had split from their kingdom. My vassals were also upset that I had brought the kingdom to war with the barbarians who lived down south. Some vassals were happy to be completely oblivious to the lands south of Scotland proper.
On February 9, my son Murdoch became a rival and now held a claim on the Kingdom.
April saw a bit of improvement in things, with the use of the broadsword becoming prevalent in Lothian. On the sixth though, the Count of York's armies had arrived in Fife and began to siege the castle. Upon hearing of this, I raised a regiment of 8700 men in Atholl and another regiment of 2800 men in Lothian, and marched them to defend Fife.
Three days later, upon hearing of the impending arrival of my armies, the Count of York offered a peace deal. For all of my treasury, he would be willing to yield his claims of ownership to the counties of Moray and Argyll. Of course, I refused the peace deal...I wanted York's county to be part of Scotland.
On May 6, our regiments arrived in Fife and took the fight to the Count of York.

Meanwhile, on the twentieth, young Malcolm had come of age...but had proved to be of a decadent character.

Finally, after almost three weeks of heavy fighting, our armies were victorious.

After a day of rest, I offered peace to the Count of York, but for a price. Within a week I received word that the Count of York refused my peace agreement.
My regiments in Fife had completely dispatched of York's forces, so I sent them home.

On the first week of June, I offered the count a new peace arrangement. Somehow, during the time we were at war, he had become the Grand Count of York and Tiberias. Tiberias was located somewhere near the Holy Land, I had been reliably informed by my chancellor. I was not interested in far away lands, so I would let him keep his title of Count of Tiberias, but I would get the County of York for Scotland.
On June 6, clearer heads prevailed, and peace was agreed. I sent Findchad's army who was still in York back home.
Two days later, I made my son Gilleroth, the new Count of York. Gilleroth's son was the Duke of Saxony.
Even with the war over, my vassals seemed to be scared of my new found power. Perhaps they believed they would be next in line for the taking. I much preferred to keep my vassals loyal and in September cut my scutage down to a mere ducat a month, hoping that would placate them.

Unfortunately, it was not the case, with Galloway breaking from the kingdom on October 8 and declaring war on me. In response, an army of 2200 men was raised in Lothian – led by marshall Findchad they headed to Galloway.
By November 9, Galloway's army had been seen on the outskirts of Lothian. An army of six and a half thousand men, led by the Diocese Bishop, Duncan was assembled in Fife and began the march to Lothian to defend the realm.
Within ten days, Duncan and his army had arrived in Lothian and fought Galloway's men.

Four days of pitched battles and we were victorious, Galloway's army retreating towards Fife. An army of almost nine thousand men was raised in Atholl, led by Cellach I marched them onto Fife to catch the retreating armies.

Before I knew it, the realm was under duress and looked well on it's way to disintegrating, for our southernmost vassal had also broken away and declared war on us.
However, for now my most pressing concern was one of Galloway's vassals, the Count of Carrick who had raised an army to fight under Galloway's rule. Duncan's army who were still celebrating their victory in Fife were sent towards Carrick on the twenty sixth.
By the twenty ninth, the Duke of Galloway could see that he would eventually lose the war and offered peace. He would yield his claim as the Count of Argyll, and give me one hundred and twelve ducats. I knew victory over him would soon be forthcoming, so I refused the treaty. Not only that, I wanted him to pay for heading our kingdom towards dissolution.
It was not until December 8 that Findchad and his army had arrived in Galloway and began seiging its fortifications.
The day after Christmas Day, Bishop Duncan and his army had arrived in Carrick and began fighting.

It was a week into the new year of 1157 before Duncan and his army were victorious against Carrick's men.

It was not much longer before Findchad's army had breached the fortifications in Galloway and returned it to Scottish rule.

The next day, on the seventeenth I offered Galloway a peace arrangement. Since the Duke was of my dynastic line, I was lenient and let him keep his titles as the Count and Duke of Galloway. But the rest of his claims against myself and my heirs would be forfeit. I would also get any money he had. Galloway agreed to peace.

Now to deal with Canterbury, who was also of my dynastic line. I sent most of my army regiments back home, except for Cellach's army from Atholl. They were shipped out to Kent, draining almost two hundred ducats from the treasury.

Not even a week back into the fold, and the Duke of Galloway was again at war. Thankfully, it was not with the realm, but with the pagans in Osel instead. I could hardly go against such a noble cause, so I joined the war on Galloway's side.

In April, due to my support in the war against Osel, the Count of Satakunta's loyalty falls.

To try to get more vassals on side, I held a tournament. Unfortunately, this time around my marshall lost the competition and was wounded quite badly.

Hearing of the injuries to my marshall, mercenaries were only happy to offer their services on my behalf. However I felt that my men were still up to the task.
On June 17, Cellach and his army made landfall in Kent.

On June 21, I finally gave in to my younger son's demands and made him the new Marshall.
The very next day, the regiment in Kent deserted – they were obviously not pleased with the new marshal. I advised Tore not to be too concerned by this and asked him to head to Fife, for I had an army ready for him to lead. In Fife I had arranged just over six thousand men to be under Tore's command and they set out for Kent forthwith, costing me 122 ducats.
On July 2, the Archbishop offered me a white peace, which I declined. There was no way I would have Canterbury break free from Scotland, for the white peace would keep the status quo and make Canterbury independent from the realm.
By September, the Count of Satakunta's loyalty had improved significantly. I requested that he provide me with regiments that I could use against the pagans in Osel.
In November, I had word that Satakunta had agreed to provide men. I sent his regiment of men to Reval, the only county owned by the Teutonic Knights. Reval was a short distance from Osel.
I had also arranged for a regiment in Aland, who would join Satakunta's men in Reval. So far, the war with Osel had only cost me twenty four ducats to ship my men to Reval. I will use Reval as a staging point, for it is a closer Christian owned area to Osel than my own.
By November 24, Tore and his army arrived in Kent and began siege on the fortifications.

It had been a mere two weeks, when on December 9, Tore and his army liberated Kent, plaxing it under Scottish rule again.

The next day, I offered the Archbishop of Canterbury a peace arrangement. I would let Pancrazio keep his Archbishopric, as long as he gave up his claims to my titles. Since Pancrazio was also of my dynastic line, I was a tad lenient and let him keep his titles. The Archbishop agreed to terms the very same day. Tore and his army were sent back home.

At the end of 1157, Finnguala had finished her schooling and become a proven accountant.
At least in the new year of 1158 we would only have to war with the pagans. It was almost halfway into the first month before the regiment from Aland arrived in Reval. They would have to wait another whole month before their brothers from Satakunta also arrived. I combined both regiments and formed a Reval battalion, who set sail for Osel on February 17. Shipping costs were cheap, draining only twelve ducats from treasury.
It would not be until April before the Reval battalion led by Hugues would land in Osel and fight the enemy.

Within a week, we were victorious in battle, laying siege to the hill fort.
During May, repeated offers of a white peace by the pagans were refused time and again.
Meanwhile, in Argyll local merchant housing was being constructed. I also ordered the construction of a money lenders there. However, because of inadequate soil preparation, Argyll was not as prosperous as it should have been.

During the first few days of June, a miracle worker arrived in the capital and offered to heal my good self. I gladly paid the miracle worker, as I knew Rome would not help.

During July, the pagans in Osel had managed to raise a brigand of defenders to fight our soldiers who were on siege. Unfortunately, by the month's end the pagans of Osel had routed our army.
As August progressed onward, we were still at war with the pagans. So on the eighteenth I raised a new army of about eight thousand in Atholl. Tore would lead the regiment as they shipped out to Livs, a Norwegian county near Reval. At a cost of two hundred and thirty ducats it was certainly not cheap.

On August 24, the Count of Satakunta accepted the marriage proposal between my seventeen year old daughter, Finnguala (1141 -) and her distant cousin Robert Loarn (1134 -). Robert is the son of Guy Loarn (1102 – 1147). Guy was the son of Thibault Loarn (1084 – 1132), himself the son of Angus Loarn (1064 – 1103). Angus was of course, the son of Aunty Gruaidh (1049 – 1120).
September would begin the period where the pagans in Osel knew that they would indeed lose the war. Osel continually would send emissaries with peace deals that I had no intention of taking on. Subsequently, Osel would then declare war on my vassals hoping to cause civil strife.
During October, army support was cut to two-thirds, as the treasury was running low.
October 25 and the Count of Satakunta had made peace with Osel, for nineteen ducats.
With the treasury almost dry in December, I had to cut our army support to half.

To top it off, before the year was out, the fishery in Lothian was burnt down, making it even harder to support the war against the pagans.

 

[Johan11]

Baaaaaad.

 

[Enewald]

Oh no, grilled fish!
Again.

 

[Morrell8]

I wonder who's been burning down your fisheries...

 

[loki100]

does explain the origin of Arbroath smokies though brilliant AAR, really enjoyed catching up with it

 

[Conqueristo]

The taking of Osel and the Ross inheritance

It was now 1159, and we were still at war with the pagans in Osel, and were not even yet besieging their fort. Thinking that perhaps this war may drag on for some time, I had to increase taxes so that the men on the battle lines could be supported. Scutage was increased to three and a half ducats per month, enabling the finances to break even, but leaving no money available.

During February, nobles from Lothian demanded the right to hunt their game in church lands. Of course, I acceded to their demands as their support would prove invaluable for this ongoing war.

Even my friend bought me a regiment to help with my war effort, but alas I lacked the necessary funds to support them, or ship them to Osel so I disbanded them.
As March rolled on, the scutage I had to increase to a full five ducats, so that at least two-thirds of my armed forces could be supported.
On the second day of April, local merchant houses began appearing in Lothian. Tore's army also arrived in Livs – they shipped out to Osel for thirty five ducats, sending the treasury into the red once more.

On the fourteenth, the loyalty of the clergy in Argyll dipped since they were still concerned about my excommunication from Rome – I politely informed them that Rome was wrong.

Towards the end of June, warhammer had spread to Lothian, but that was no use to my marshall who died in battle on the twenty-sixth. While he would be afforded a burial where he died, I felt it best to wait a few days before the appointment of a new marshal.

The treasury was quickly deepening into more debt, the kingdom now owing eighty ducats. I had to call the estates general, and request a small contribution to help out. The two hundred and fifty ducats provided would have to do for now.

Thankfully, by the last day of June our men were victorious in the battle of Osel. Now the siege to liberate the land from the pagans had begun.

With that victory under my belt, I felt it high time that a new marshal be appointed for the kingdom. Pwyll Meriadoc (1126 -) was made the new marshall on July 1. With the extra money provided from the estates general, I increased the support for my armies to full strength and could even afford to drop the scutage to a mere ducat per month.

On July 4, my chancellor defected to the County of Gwent. I immediately set about finding a new one, unfortunately due to the war my court was very thin in numbers. Seventy-one year old Eschina Dunkeld was appointed as my new chancellor.
As the month dragged on it was clear that the pagans in Osel knew that they would eventually lose the war and offered me peace for six ducats. Of course, this would not do – I wanted Osel.
However, the six ducats was just enough for the Archbishop of Canterbury to stop fighting. Canterbury had signed a peace deal on the thirteenth. By the eighteenth, Osel was offering a white peace.
August would prove a better time for peace arrangements. On the sixth, Osel again offered me six ducats for peace, which I again declined. The very next day however, the Count of York accepted peace with Osel for six ducats.
By the eighteenth, Osel again offered a white peace.

The next day, our armies finally liberated Osel from their pagan masters.

After a day of rest, I offered Osel a very reasonable deal. Cheiftain Pekuveras would join my court as a vassal and I would become the new Count of Osel. Pekuveras had no choice but to accept my demands...the war was over. I sent our victorious army home and ordered the construction of a church in my new county. I also gave the clergy in Osel a large say in affairs there, appointing them to nearly sixty percent of positions of power.

During September, my mind turned to the marriage of my fourth son, Malcolm (1143-). He would marry a local courtier on the fifteenth. Ada Meriadoc (1134 -), daughter of Meurig Meriadoc (1109-) and Orabilia Dunkeld (110 would make a suitable bride. As a wedding present, I made him the new Count of Osel on the twentieth.
On October 23, my old friend the Count of Ross died aged fifty four. Arnoul Loarn (1105-1159) was succeeded by his fifteen year old grandson, Antoine de Lorraine. Antoine de Lorraine is the first son of Charles de Lorraine (1120-) and Ermesinde Loarn (1122-). Ermesinde is of course, Arnoul's first born daughter.
On the first day of December, I started the construction of a money lenders for Lothian – which hopefully would prove useful in the future.

On the second last day of the year, the young new Count of Ross decided to break from the kingdom and declared war on me. I raised an army of nearly seven thousand men in Moray and led them towards Ross to keep the little upstart in line.

We had arrived in Ross and began fighting mid way through January of the new year. It wasn't until the twelfth that we had won the battle of Ross and besieged Amtoine's fort.

Meanwhile, on the twenty second, my steward informed me that funds were again running low and suggested we again call the Estates General. At the time my mind was turned more towards getting Antoine to tow the line, so I didn't bother calling in the Estates General.

Two days later, I had liberated Ross and now controlled the county.

I offered Antoine the chance to keep his county, but he would have to stay as part of Scotland and recognise me as the rightful Count of Moray. It wasn't until the twenty sixth before Antoine came to court, his head held low and agreed to the deal.

By April, the nobles had become a tad concerned at the growing power of my demense. The fact that I had enough armed forces to bring breakaway counties back into the fold in a very short time was very worrying to some. At the court, they had even requested that I enact elective law – which I denied them and left the meeting forthwith. Even the loyalty of my first born seemed low and he was first in line to the throne!

On the twenty first, Pope Zbigniew died. The Archbishop of Argyll, Sambor was appointed the new pope by the Curia. This meant that his lands became part of Scotland proper again.
On July 9, the diocese archbishop died. Unfortunately, we had no-one in court with an ecclesiastical education, so the position remained unfilled.
On August 10, it was a good year at one of our fisheries, netting twenty four ducats for the realm.

 

[Enewald]

So what happened to the count of Ösel?
Lost his lands but became a vassal?

 

[Conqueristo]

So what happened to the count of Ösel?
Lost his lands but became a vassal?

I never really tracked what happened to the chieftain after he was subdued.
I think being a vassal, but not owning any lands that he thus would be in my court. But the option was there, so I took it hoping to get more prestige points. Although I don't think it works like that...

 

[Conqueristo]

The heir apparent, the archbishop and the short lived independence of Albany...

On the twenty fifth of January, 1161 it was rumoured that one of my vassals changed his laws to match the ones I'd already enacted for my demesne. Unfortunately I was never able to find out who, but time would prove the loyalty of my vassals.
On the first day of March, the money lenders was finished in Lothian – I intend to use them as an absolute last resort should I go broke. However, since I was still in the black, Lothian would be given a new fishing wharf. Hopefully it will last longer than the last one!
On May 2, my younger brother Duncan, who was the Duke of Galloway died. Duncan (1117-1161) in his lifetime had two daughters, neither whom were married yet. This meant that my first son, Murdoch, the Duke of Moray and heir to the throne had now inherited the Duchy of Galloway. It was said that Murdoch, now a Grand Duke was unhappy that he was still not yet the king.

Meanwhile, the rest of the month was a black month for Atholl. On the fifth, their docks were burnt down, there was not enough manure for the farms, even families of merchants were being kicked out.
In June, large ship building became known in Berwick, while merchant houses spread to Fife. The increased mercantile activity in Fife made it possible to start the construction of another money lenders.

However, by June 28 the Grand Duke of Galloway and Moray had had enough. Murdoch appeared in court, claiming that now was time to be granted his birthright. I told him that of course, soon enough he would be king, but not while I was living. Unfortunately, this did not placate him and he marched out of court, claiming that his lands were at war with the king.
Funnily enough, the Count of Carrick, Guthred Loarn (1153-) did not see things the same way and had even broken free from the Murdoch's duchy. Guthred was of the dynastic line, being the great great great grandson of Aunt Gruaidh. Guthred had inherited the title of Count of Carrick only two years ago. Since eight year old Guthred was no longer under Murdoch's protection, I offered him the protection of my kingdom.
Although none of my vassals showed support for Murdoch's claim, it was clear that Pancrazio, the Archbishop of Canterbury was leaning towards open support of my son as ruler, for he was not excommunicated, unlike myself. I would have to keep an eye on the archbishop.
I sent word of the war to my marshal in Fife, and raised an army of six thousand and one hundred men. Pwyll and his army marched towards Strathclyde, one of Murdoch's counties. I on the other hand raised an army of two and a half thousand men, and led them in a march to Galloway, Murdoch's other county.

Within a week, young Guthred was more than happy to accept the protection I had promised him, and Carrick was again part of Scotland.

On July 28, Pwyll and his army arrived in Strathclyde and watched Murdoch's army scamper as fast as they could. The siege of the fort began in earnest.

Finally, on the twelfth of August Pwyll and his army had liberated Strathclyde. They now marched onward to join myself and my army in Galloway.

While Pwyll was still on his way, I had won the battle of Galloway and we began the siege of Murdoch's fort.
Meanwhile, my son Theirry had become a pawn of the barons.

During September, on way to Galloway, Pwyll and his army encountered some of Murdoch's men in Carrick. By the end of the month, Murdoch's men had been defeated.

One week later, on October 7 I had liberated Galloway and could demand peace terms with my rebellious son. In return for one ducat, Murdoch would still be my vassal, but he would lose his inherited titles of Count and Duke of Galloway. Since he was still the heir apparent, the Duchy of Moray would still be his as well as his first title, Count of Strathclyde.

Now that peace seemed imminent, I decided to make Guthred the new Duke of Argyll.
Shortly after, I received word that Murdoch had signed the peace accord. I sent our armies home.

On the fourteenth of November, Chancellor Eschina eventually passed on – she lived to be seventy three. I appointed a considerably younger lass as the new chancellor – Elen Meriadoc, who is practically the same age as myself. At the end of the month, letters of indulgence spread to Argyll.
As the last month of 1161 began, the concept of positional combat spread to the armies training in Lothian.

By the second day of 1162, the fishing wharf in Lothian was finished.
I decided on holding off the opening ceremony until the next month. This way it could coincide with the celebration of sixty years of rule by my dynasty on February 17. Although all my vassals were invited to the lavish celebrations, there was one notable absence – who else but Canterbury?
Of course, his messengers claimed that it was too far to travel...but I knew his loyalty to be wavering somewhat.

In May, my steward asked me to call the Estates General. I couldn't understand why though – I was not at war and the kingdom was not broke. I decided not to heed my steward's call and rebuked her for coming up with the idea to begin with.

In hindsight though, perhaps she was onto something – for on June 25 the Duke of Albany declared himself to be independent from Scotland. War would now be inevitable, for I would now let the kingdom crumble before my own eyes. Three days later I declared war on Albany, vowing to return them into the fold. Marshall Pwyll and an army of seventy five hundred men assembled in Atholl and began their march onward to Angus, owned by the Duke of Albany.

By July 22, with the war still raging, the Archbishop saw this as his chance to also try to break from the Scottish yoke and declared war. I would deal with him after I'd taken care of the Duke.
On August 12, the moneylenders in Fife was completed.

The very next day, we were victorious against the Duke in the fields of Angus, but not for long.

One day after victory, my army instead of besieging the Duke's fort disbanded and headed home. I fell ill upon hearing of this, but the next day had assemble a new army of four thousand men in Atholl to head to Angus and finish the job.
As the month finished, a new payment device known as the promissory note spread to Lothian, and a new weapon, the mace began being used in Fife.
As for Argyll, finally the disease of dysentery was in retreat and buildings could again be constructed in a reasonable time frame.

On the last day of October, Angus was finally back under Scottish control.

I offered the Duke of Albany the chance to keep his titles, but he would have to renounce all his claims on my titles. Donald begrudgingly agreed to the deal, while I myself wondered how long it would be before I was again at war with him. The army in Angus was sent home.

Next was that pesky Archbishop down south. I rallied an army of six thousand in Fife the next day who shipped out to Kent, led by Pwyll. The costs of a hundred and twenty five ducats seemed more than worth it.

 

[Enewald]

You should have no vassals so there would be no revolts.

 

[Johan11]

You should have no vassals so there would be no revolts.

That's what I always do. But then the Sejuks DoW me.

 

[Conqueristo]

That's what I always do. But then the Sejuks DoW me.

I dunno, I like the idea of having vassals who are answerable to me :rofl:

 

[Conqueristo]

Happy 50th, Aed!
On the eighth of January 1163, the library was completed in Galloway. At the end of February, the victorious Marshal Pywll Meriadoc came to my court, begging for more money for the sterling work he had performed. Admittedly, he had led my armies in a few wars, but since I was still at war with Pancrazio, I couldn't just throw money away willy-nilly. Pwyll would have to walk away empty handed at this juncture.
On March 22, Pancrazio's army made landfall in Galloway and began a siege of the fort. I was able to rally almost fourteen hundred locals to my cause and lead a fight against the invading enemy.

It was almost three weeks before we had routed the armies of Pancrazio, Archbishop of Canterbury on April 13. Earlier in the week, Pwyll and the army from Fife had arrived in Kent and were besieging the fort there. The Pope had learnt of the war between Scotland and Canterbury, and called for a white peace between us. I still wanted Canterbury to be part of Scotland, so the peace call went unheeded.
The stress of being at an almost constant state of war at times was too much for my chancellor, and it was showing. Even though Elen was my age, you'd only find out if she told you.

Roughly one week was all it took to breach the defences at Kent and install rightful Scottish rule. Now we would submit terms for peace to Pancrazio.

The deal was as follows – Pancrazio would keep his archbishopric, but denounce all claims on my lands. Not only that, he would submit to being again a Scottish vassal. Of course, the deal was signed. I wondered how long it would last, since I had warred with Pancrazio an unbelievable three times since I made him the Archbishop almost thirty years ago. I sent my armies home to their wives.

By May 23, probably due to my wars with the archbishopric, I was branded a heretic by the Pope. Then, he had the nerve to offer me the chance to buy indulgences and become good in the eyes of the church! I told him in not so many words that his blessing was not necessary.

In the middle of June, I had word that my rebellious son Murdoch was actually pleased with my rule. It was my plan to have a peaceful Scotland in tact for his inheritance in due course.

However, something always seems to be out to thwart my plans. For on July 14, the Archbishop of Lothian declared independence from the kingdom. The very next day I sent messengers off to the Archbishop offering a chance to re-join the kingdom as a vassal. It was a whole week before I received the news that the offer was rejected.
On July 21, it was my fiftieth birthday! Today would be a peaceful day of celebration. I would worry about Lothian's departure tomorrow.
So the next day, I declared war on the Archbishop of Lothian. Archbishop Henryk of Orvieto had two bishoprics in his realm, namely Buchan and Sutherland. I arranged for Marshal Pwyll to lead an army of five thousand men from Atholl towards Buchan, while I led an army of six thousand to Sutherland from Moray.

We had been at war a whole month before we finally arrived in Sutherland, only to see Henryk's army scamper. The siege of the fort was next, while Pwyll and his men still fought in Buchan.

On September 3, Pwyll and his men had defeated Henryk's army. They too were now besieging the fort in Buchan. Henryk's men offered me almost three hundred ducats to have peace...but since this would also leave Lothian separate from Scotland, I had no choice but to refuse the deal.

Four days later, Sutherland was now under my control. Henryk even offered me Sutherland as well as the money for peace, which I still would not agree to. When I have control of Buchan, I will dictate the terms and end this war, and not before.

Thankfully, it was only twelve days later, when Pwyll and his forces had taken control of Buchan for Scotland. I would wait a day before offering Henryk a peace arrangement.

Come to think of it, it was a very lenient peace arrangement. Henryk could keep both his bishoprics, as well as his archbishopric. However, he would have to swear fealty to me and give up his claims on my titles. Henryk was more than happy to sign the peace accord. I sent my armies home.

Even though I now had peace throughout my realm, on October 15 the loyalty of the clergy in Argyll took a beating since I was still seen as a heretic and excommunicated. Fife days later my son Gilleroth died, aged zxx. Gilleroth's second son, Colban (xx-) inherited the title Count of York, since his brother, David the Duke of Saxony has been excommunicated.

By November 11, the pope again offered me a chance to purchase an indulgence and be no longer at odds with Rome. The price was thirteen and a half thousand ducats, so buying my indulgence would severely bankrupt the kingdom for some time. However, after thirty years of being at odds with Rome I had enough and reluctantly decided to pay up.

On December 15, a army of rebels appeared in Aland. The rebels were demanding a return to pagan rule. I raised an army of five hundred locals to try and defeat them.

It was ten days of fighting before the rebels were defeated, and of course beheaded for their insolence. I sent our local army home.

 

[Enewald]

Åland did not have that much population during those ages. :rofl:

 

[Conqueristo]

"Isle" take those thanks...

On January 7, 1164 I began to feel that my blissful marriage was keeping me healthy.
My son, Thierry turned sixteen on the 21st of February. As a birthday gift, I granted him the new title of Count of Galloway. I would surprise him the next day also, making him the new Duke of Galloway. That'd teach Murdoch for his last war...

Even though a new moneylenders had been built in Argyll during March, I decided we should not borrow any more money for the kingdom. By mid-April, my steward had also begged me to call the Estates General to try to get some more debt relief, but I'd none of it. I'd decided to appease Rome, so I would take the rap.

On May 29, I received word that my most southern Archbishopric, Canterbury ruled by Pancrazio was pleased with the way the kingdom was being run. Perhaps we would not need to war again. Meanwhile in Lothian, the use of charcoal had spread.
Again, by June 12 my steward pleaded with me time and again to call the Estates General, as the treasury was drowning in a sea of debt, nearly thirteen thousand ducats worth. Still, I could not make the call.

On July 19, my grandson John Loarn who was now the Count of Strathclyde asked for my chancellor's hand in marriage. I was only too happy to grant his request, for in time he too would be the King.

Of course, that meant that Mary would be joining John in Strathclyde. I decided that my new chancellor would be young Malcolm Meriadoc who was only sixteen.

September and we still owed a mountain of money. To pay off some of the debt, I sold the fishing wharf in Berwick, raising seventy five ducats.
On November 20, the King of France died. His twenty-seven year old son, Charles Capet inherited the kingdom and offered to renew the Scottish-French alliance I had with his father. The new alliance was signed.

Finally, two days before Christmas, the direct threat of civil war in the realm subsided. The stability of the kingdom could now improve.
During the first two weeks of 1165, Local Merchant houses began appearing in Atholl.

In February, I had a new rival – Ivar Yngling, the Count of Herjedalen. Since he is a mere count, I am not particularly concerned. On the sixteenth, I offered my friend Erling Ynygling, the Duke of Ostlandet and Count of Oppland the chance to become a vassal of Scotland.
On March 19, the Duke told me of his decision to stay loyal to the King of Norway.
In July, brickwork structures began being built in Berwick, while in August minor merchant houses were appearing in Atholl.
On the third last day of 1165, France declared war on the Sheikdom of Bourges. Since Bourges was a vassal of the Emirate of Granada, they would also be at war with them. As for me, Scotland had no quarrel with Bourges, so I kept Scotland out of the war.
On the eighteenth of February, I made Murdoch the new Count of Berwick.

On March 15, my chancellor, Malcolm Meriadoc defected to the County of Isle of Man, a vassal of the Kingdom of Ireland.

I replaced him straightaway with his younger cousin Cynidr who had just turned 16. I also decided that I should keep my rivalry with the Count of Herjedalen personal.
On June the fifth, Archbishop of Canterbury Pancrazio Loarn died aged fifty-one. Rome appointed Telaldo Malipiero as the new Archbishop.

On the sixteenth of July, Dogfael Meriadoc finished his training in the seminary, becoming a fanatical priest. I immediately appointed him to the long empty post of Diocese Bishop.
Eight days later, one of my vassals changed his ruling law to better match my own.

Towards the end of October, I came to the realisation that my rival's heir was not so bad. Admittedly it was easy to conclude this since John Loarn, Count of Strathclyde is my grandson.
January 12, 1167 marked sixty years since my father, the King of Scotland laid claim to the County of the Western Isles. Admittedly, he renounced his claim on April 11, 1140. I always felt that the Western Isles should be part of Scotland, so again I claimed the county.

On the twenty second of March, there was a murder in the court. Since there was no evidence, I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.
During May, the concept of positional combat spread to armies training in Moray, and the use of re-enforced leather began in Lothian.
On the first of August, to help better secure my claim to the Western Isles, I also laid claim to the Duchy of The Isles. It was time to prepare for war. Within a fortnight, I had raised an army of just over seven thousand men in Moray. Leading the way, I marched with them to Sutherland to prepare to ship out to the Western Isles.
On the fourth of September, France declared war on the Sheikdom of Lyon. Since I was already preparing for an attack on the Duchy of The Isles, Scotland would not join France in its new war.

A conspiracy theory was cooked up to keep my vassals on side – it worked for Orkney, and hopefully other vassals would follow his lead and support my impending war.
Almost two weeks later, on September 15 we arrived in Sutherland. Here we would rest for a day before embarking onward to the Western Isles.
The next day, I declared war on the Duchy of The Isles. The moment the messenger left to deliver the news, my men and I boarded the ships for the Western Isles. It would cost almost sixty ducats to sail there, but it would be worth it to realise my father's dream.
It was not long before the King of Norway declared his support for his vassal and subsequently declared war on us. We were now at war with both the Kingdom of Norway and the Duchy of The Isles.
Meanwhile, France had now declared war on the Sheikdom of Rennes. I was happy to be warring just with Norway and it's vassal for now.
The only way to deal with Norway would be to fight them on their homeland. So, on October 5 I asked Malcolm Loarn, the Count of Osel to mobilise his armies on my behalf. I will send them to the County of Reval which is owned by Norway. By the eighteenth, Malcolm had assembled thirteen hundred men. I shipped him and his men out to Reval, costing twelve ducats.
On October 22, the smuggling ring in Lothian was broken up and it's leaders hanged. Two days later, France had declared war on the Sheikdom of Viscaya.
Two months of sea voyage and finally we made landfall on the seventeenth of December. The besieging of the fort began forthwith. Four days later, the Duke offered a peace for just over two hundred ducats – I told him that it would not do.

Ten days of siege and we had freed the Western Isles of Norwegian rule, and put it under Scottish control, where it belonged.

The next day, I offered the Duke a peace deal. He would stay as the Count of the Western Isles, but cede his ducal title to me. Not only that, he would give up all his claims to my title and swear fealty to the King of Scotland. Hemming signed the peace treaty.
Even though I now had the Western Isles as part of Scotland, the King of Norway did not recognise the treaty, claiming that the Western Isles were still part of Norway. For all intents and purposes, I still had a war to finish with Norway...

 

[Enewald]

Could you make yourself the king of norsemen?