Chapter 2
Thanks for the reply NRDL
Chapter 2
March 15, 1069 to April 1088
Circa 1082
One day Marshall Georg told Ekkehard about an idea to improve the military of Niederbayern. Ekkehard let him proceed. A few months later Ekkehard's guardian Haziga (Otto's wife) dies. Ekkehard goes into a short period of mourning but will come out and be invited to feast in December 1070 by Duke Otto. Later in the early part of 1071 Ekkehard will graduate to adulthood and will be known as a gruff diplomat. this was the time to get married, something he always wanted to do since his early teens. Judith d’Avranches from duchy of Apulia (Roger d’Hauteville)was chosen. She would inform Ekkehard that she wanted to have a son as soon as possible. The military was given a chance to perform in the Carinthian-Lombardian Ducal War over Padau in late 1071. Ekkehard would get to lead an army of the great Duke Otto of Bavaria into battle. The first child of the family was born on April 6, 1072 and was named Berchte. With one child already, Judith told Ekkehard she wanted five kids. Duke Otto invited Ekkehard to his first grand tournament in 1073. Ekkehard was concerned about the money situation in the county and sent his steward to collect taxes. In late September 1073 in the county of Nurnberg, Ekkehard's chancellor was able to fabricate a claim.More happiness came to the family when Thomas was born on November 15, 1073. With the claim on Nurnberg, Ekkehard was longing for a demesne of two. Ekkehard sent Heinrich, the chancellor to Oberbayern to fabricate a claim for later. But before that could come to fruition, he died and was replaced by Otto. Otto was then sent to Salzburg to fabricate a claim. The year of 1074 was the year of war. Our liege, Otto of Bavaria. was crowned Kaiser of the HRE. Ekkehard was chosen to lead in the numerous wars in October. A Holy War of Capau gave the troops some experience. Heinrich was selected as the new spymaster after a selection process.
Ekkehard decided to press the claim for Nurnberg in September 1076. The short war was considered a rehearsal for things to come much later. Both sides had roughly the same troops, but Niederbayren had a slight edge in troops. After victories over the enemy, the troops did not have the resources for a prolonged siege. After a white peace, which Ekkehard lost prestige, the troops were sent back to train and built up the army for the next military action. But the short war was not without the causalties, Ekkehard was maimed in 1078.
Construction was started on August 22, 1079 for a military training grounds. It was completed in April 1080. Heinrich uncovered a plot of a local noble and was given 50 to stay quiet. Tragedy would come back to the House of Wittelsbach on June 7, 1080. Thomas would die at the age of 7. But that was overshadowed by another birth, Deitrich was born on June 15, 1080. Ekkehard appointed a new members of his council. A spymaster in 1081 by the name of Friedrich. And a new steward by the name of Bernard in 1082.
A local priest accuses some local villagers of blasphemy.
Construction was finished in later 1082, the castle's wooden palisade was upgraded to a low stone wall. More joy was delivered to the family as Nancy was born on May 20, 1082. Ekkehard's chancellor was sent to Passau to fabricate a claim after a claim was made on the county of Salzburg. Heinrich was promoted to the position of chancellor in 1084. More conflicts in 1082 as many entities declared independence from the HRE. On September 21, 1086 Bohemia had declared independence and won.
Ekkard summoned his marshal and counselor into his study, he would press the claim on Salzburg.
After a very short conflict, Prince-Bishop Welf was captured in battle and the war was over just like that in March 6, 1087..
Life was returning to normal after conflicts and the HRE getting back to business. First order of business was the successor of Kaiser Otto of Bavaria. Otto died on September 11, 1086 and was replaced by Kuno III. But turmoil will return as Friedrich von Regensberg, the spymaster for Ekkehard, died in March 1088. An investigation would be forthcoming.
Thanks for reading.
