Part 1: France – The Childs Playground
Christmas Day of 1066 was to prove a dark day for the ruling family of Normandy. Not only was this the day when they relieved definite proof that their duke William the Ba***rd had been executed on the field of battle after a crushing victory by Harold Godwinson, the two oldest sons of the family both enrolled in the cathedral in Paris had disappeared and presumed dead, with the newly widowed Mathilda telling all who would listen that it had been done at the behest of the ‘Child King’ of France, Phillippe. This left the youngest son, William as sole heir to the duchy. Being only six the younger William was till far to young to rule of his own accord and his mother Mathilda was appointed regent of the realm until he reached his majority at 16. Though only a child he was not the only child ruler in France at the time as Phillippe the King of France himself was only just 14 and he would not be the only one with another soon to join him and become one of William’s closest friends.
At the time of his taking of the mantle of Duke, Normandy was a medium size duchy on the northern coast of France with borders with both the Kingdom of France to the south and east and Brittany to the west. Though not the richest lands in France the lands had been well managed for years and were fairly prosperous though letting the people live a better life in the realm this very prosperity was a two edged sword drawing the attention of the Kingdom of France and making the Normans a possible target for expansion. As such William would have to walk, with his mothers help, a fine line to keep Normandy independent and to be close enough with France to avoid being swallowed by the strong French nation.
Though the youngest son, William II throughout his years at schooling had established himself as an intelligent and wilful child with a talent in all areas of a nobles education, with a charismatic personality and skill with both sword and horse. Possibly his only fault was that he knew very well his own talents and this made him proud and as such tended to alienate other youngsters of his age.
One year into William’s rule news reached him about the death by illness of the Duke of Brittany leaving his young son as the new Duke. Though at that time the Normans were not recovered enough to take advantage of this militarily after the slaughter at Hastings, William soon created a fast friendship with the new Duke and taught him many things he had learned creating within his fellow Duke a burning loyalty to William that would influence his decisions later in life.
In the spring of 1072 William had grown into a tall slim lad of 12 already displaying the powerful figure he would possess. He sent out a call to all of his vassals to join him at the Ducal palace to discuss future plans. The counts were confident that they would be attacking the weakened Brittany to the west and indeed when they entered the appointed meeting chamber they were presented with a large map of France and Britain spread on the large table, they looked at it with slight smiles perhaps wondering about any new lands they might receive. William however would soon dispel any such thoughts when he addressed the counts his regent at his shoulder.
“I called you here today to discuss with you here today to discuss my plans for the future of Normandy. I know you think that I plan to use the young Duke of Brittany and attack him taking his lands he would not be able to defend. Though this indeed is a possible move I do not believe it necessary as the Duke has already developed a loyalty to me I will increase by marrying one of my older sisters to him when he comes of age, he will no doubt fall in to line behind me in the hopes of keeping Brittany free of the French. As such I tell you now that my family’s involvement in the British Isles did not end with my father’s death, though he died failing to conquer England I do not propose to attack them directly again using only the resources we have at hand now as that would be suicidal and I am an idiot. As such my plans are to attack and subdue the mountainous land of Wales which is fractured between many different lords and will be able for us to subdue, giving us not just many more lands and resources but also a position on the English flank. Wales, however is not the limit of my plans I intend to also subdue the green island of Ireland by using alliances and petty grievances to claim at least three of the four duchies of Ireland and declare myself King there as well as in Wales and no doubt the remaining lords free of my domain their will fall in behind me. After that I have not considered what I will do but I tell you now I make it my mission to get revenge for my father and if that is not possible at least give my successors enough resources to attempt it. I ask you now to support my plan and follow me to the end with no wavering and absolute confidence.”
So saying William looks each count in the eyes intently as they erupt into shouts of loud acclaim and each come forward bending their knees to him and restating their oaths of loyalty.
(I have played well past this point, I also editted the game files to give William a claim on the three duchy titles in wales. Hmm here is William when he comes of age:
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