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Markia I Boilas 1038 -
Chapter Twenty One - The Basilissa’s Reforms
On August 31st of 1038 Basileus Michael I Boilas was assassinated while traveling the Greek countryside. Of his children none were eyeing the Imperial Throne as much as his second oldest daughter Markia. Using her charm and knowledge she was able to secure her ascension to the Imperial Throne with the backing of the Imperial Lords of the Empire. Later on July 22nd of 1039, Bishop Romanos declared that Basileus Michael Boilas was a true patron of the Orthodox Church and declared him to be Blessed upon his entry to heaven.
On December 25th of 1039 a son was born to Markia and her husband Anastasios Kanakaris, he was named Traianos. Following Traianos’ birth the empire held celebrations over a century of rule over the islands of Sardinia and Corsica!
After years of becoming familiar with the Imperial Court, Markia had surrounded herself with those she knew would be loyal to her. Every member of her Council was a loyalist through and through, even if they were not well suited to the position. After months of writing Basilissa Markia changed the course of the Byzantine Empire. Calling her legal masterpiece ‘the Decree of Imperial Control’ , Markia made it illegal for anyone under the Byzantine Empire to declare war other than the person atop the Imperial Throne. Markia and her council determined that one of the leading issues the empire faced was the Exarchs gaining tremendous power in the far away lands they were conquering. Small acts of defiance of the Imperial Throne had been seen over the years but were not of major note. However, those small acts are the seeds of rebellion as Markia’s council informed her. To rein in and curb the gaining influence of certain Exarchs, the Imperial Throne must halt their expansion. Many across the empire referred to the decree as ‘Markia’s Oppression’.
Later that year on September 17th of 1041, Pope Nicolaus of the Catholic World declared another Crusade against the Muslims. However, with all of France back under Catholic rule, Pope Nicolaus declared the Crusade would be for the Kingdom of Egypt held by the Muhallabid Sultanate. While the Muhallabid’s had plagued our Imperial borders for over a century, the coast of Egypt had well been taken by Byzantium. Many of the Imperial Lords were outraged that the Catholics would claim land that the Orthodox Church had almost all but conquered. The holy warriors would be delayed at every turn by the Greeks already ruling over Egypt. Another son named Kallisotos was born on September 25th as well.
On October 8th of 1042, Basileus Anastasios was arrested by Basilissa Markia after catching him committing adultery with several chambermaids. He was not faced with a divorce but was sentenced to join the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre to learn his lesson.
On November 11th of 1043, Ecumenical Patriarch Tryphon declared to the Orthodox Church that Basileus Michael I Boilas was forever a Saint! His kind deeds while on earth and the Imperial Throne will truly never be forgotten.
The following January of 1044, Markia joined the Community of Saint Basil to honor the memory of her father and follow in his footsteps. She also began spending a great deal of time with Ecumenical Patriarch Tryphon, allowing him to have a say in the Imperial Council even though he was not a member. In February of 1044, Markia was allowed by Tryphon to divorce Anastasios Kanakaris who had become a devout member of the Brotherhood.
On January 1st of 1045, the entire empire held celebrations in honor of taking back the Holy City of Jerusalem over a century ago! During those festivities Markia married Michael Leontares, brother to the Exarch of Persia. By December 25th of the year, a son was born to the couple named Zenon.
By March of 1046, Markia and her Council were writing laws once again for the empire. Several laws and decrees were given that notably changed the status of women in the empire drastically. Women of prominent families can hold any office within the empire for any court or council. Douxs’ can even, if they so choose, alter their succession to favor a daughter.
Grave news reached the Imperial Court in April of 1047. There were whispers that some of the far away Exarchs had resented the Decree of Imperial Control so much that they were planning rebellion. With such rumors more men were recruited to the Imperial Army at once. The Imperial Army was the strongest maintained army in the world with soon to be thirty thousand strong.
On June 10th of 1047, Markia was bestowed the rank of Rasophora in the Community of Saint Basil by Megaloschemos Mstislav.
On May 25th of 1048, twins were born, a son named Laurentios and a daughter named Sibylla. Later that year, like her father Michael before her, Markia was contacted by the tribes of Africa. High Chief Shartay Sao of Bornu wanted to adopt the Orthodox Church for him and his people much like the Kings of Songhay have. Greek Orthodoxy has truly influenced the people of Africa!
July 19th of 1049, the Community of Saint Basil urged Markia to undergo a pilgrimage to Antioch. With the ease of traveling the imperial roads, Markia reached Antioch by late August of the same year.
On January 31st of 1050, the Muhallabid Sultanate surrendered to the Catholic Crusaders. King Raegenweald of Northumbria was granted the little bit of Egypt the Catholics had gained. However, his new Crusader Kingdom lay on the other side of Byzantium’s Imperial lands, completely cut off from the Catholic World. Many Imperial Lords were unhappy to see a Catholic Crusader claim lands they themselves had been eying up and conquering. Other fascinating news tied with a successful Crusade was that of the Pope himself. Pope’s leave behind their family and give up their names but the Imperial Court could not believe just who the Catholic Church had risen to the position of Pope. Pope Innocentius IV of the Catholic Church was a long distant family member of the Umayyad Dynasty who had plagued the Catholic World for Centuries! Truly a sign of weakness…
On May 27th of 1050, Basilissa Markia I Boilas stood beside the Ecumenical Patriarch Tryphon at the Imperial Palace before the numerous Exarchs and Imperial Lords of the Byzantine Empire. Before the eyes of all Tryphon fully submitted to the Imperial Throne as a vassal of the empire. Taking a permanent place on the Imperial Council the Ecumenical Patriarch would forever be tied to the Imperial Throne and assist the Basileus of Basilissa in their ambitions. At the Imperial City of Constantinople alone stood guard of eleven thousand men of the Imperial Levy. Surrounding the city’s countryside stood the Imperial Army numbering another thirty thousand men strong. One of the grandest displays of power in history! They protected Constantinople day in and out awaiting for the news to come the next day...
Chapter Twenty One - The Basilissa’s Reforms
On August 31st of 1038 Basileus Michael I Boilas was assassinated while traveling the Greek countryside. Of his children none were eyeing the Imperial Throne as much as his second oldest daughter Markia. Using her charm and knowledge she was able to secure her ascension to the Imperial Throne with the backing of the Imperial Lords of the Empire. Later on July 22nd of 1039, Bishop Romanos declared that Basileus Michael Boilas was a true patron of the Orthodox Church and declared him to be Blessed upon his entry to heaven.
On December 25th of 1039 a son was born to Markia and her husband Anastasios Kanakaris, he was named Traianos. Following Traianos’ birth the empire held celebrations over a century of rule over the islands of Sardinia and Corsica!
After years of becoming familiar with the Imperial Court, Markia had surrounded herself with those she knew would be loyal to her. Every member of her Council was a loyalist through and through, even if they were not well suited to the position. After months of writing Basilissa Markia changed the course of the Byzantine Empire. Calling her legal masterpiece ‘the Decree of Imperial Control’ , Markia made it illegal for anyone under the Byzantine Empire to declare war other than the person atop the Imperial Throne. Markia and her council determined that one of the leading issues the empire faced was the Exarchs gaining tremendous power in the far away lands they were conquering. Small acts of defiance of the Imperial Throne had been seen over the years but were not of major note. However, those small acts are the seeds of rebellion as Markia’s council informed her. To rein in and curb the gaining influence of certain Exarchs, the Imperial Throne must halt their expansion. Many across the empire referred to the decree as ‘Markia’s Oppression’.
Later that year on September 17th of 1041, Pope Nicolaus of the Catholic World declared another Crusade against the Muslims. However, with all of France back under Catholic rule, Pope Nicolaus declared the Crusade would be for the Kingdom of Egypt held by the Muhallabid Sultanate. While the Muhallabid’s had plagued our Imperial borders for over a century, the coast of Egypt had well been taken by Byzantium. Many of the Imperial Lords were outraged that the Catholics would claim land that the Orthodox Church had almost all but conquered. The holy warriors would be delayed at every turn by the Greeks already ruling over Egypt. Another son named Kallisotos was born on September 25th as well.
On October 8th of 1042, Basileus Anastasios was arrested by Basilissa Markia after catching him committing adultery with several chambermaids. He was not faced with a divorce but was sentenced to join the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre to learn his lesson.
On November 11th of 1043, Ecumenical Patriarch Tryphon declared to the Orthodox Church that Basileus Michael I Boilas was forever a Saint! His kind deeds while on earth and the Imperial Throne will truly never be forgotten.
The following January of 1044, Markia joined the Community of Saint Basil to honor the memory of her father and follow in his footsteps. She also began spending a great deal of time with Ecumenical Patriarch Tryphon, allowing him to have a say in the Imperial Council even though he was not a member. In February of 1044, Markia was allowed by Tryphon to divorce Anastasios Kanakaris who had become a devout member of the Brotherhood.
On January 1st of 1045, the entire empire held celebrations in honor of taking back the Holy City of Jerusalem over a century ago! During those festivities Markia married Michael Leontares, brother to the Exarch of Persia. By December 25th of the year, a son was born to the couple named Zenon.
By March of 1046, Markia and her Council were writing laws once again for the empire. Several laws and decrees were given that notably changed the status of women in the empire drastically. Women of prominent families can hold any office within the empire for any court or council. Douxs’ can even, if they so choose, alter their succession to favor a daughter.
Grave news reached the Imperial Court in April of 1047. There were whispers that some of the far away Exarchs had resented the Decree of Imperial Control so much that they were planning rebellion. With such rumors more men were recruited to the Imperial Army at once. The Imperial Army was the strongest maintained army in the world with soon to be thirty thousand strong.
On June 10th of 1047, Markia was bestowed the rank of Rasophora in the Community of Saint Basil by Megaloschemos Mstislav.
On May 25th of 1048, twins were born, a son named Laurentios and a daughter named Sibylla. Later that year, like her father Michael before her, Markia was contacted by the tribes of Africa. High Chief Shartay Sao of Bornu wanted to adopt the Orthodox Church for him and his people much like the Kings of Songhay have. Greek Orthodoxy has truly influenced the people of Africa!
July 19th of 1049, the Community of Saint Basil urged Markia to undergo a pilgrimage to Antioch. With the ease of traveling the imperial roads, Markia reached Antioch by late August of the same year.
On January 31st of 1050, the Muhallabid Sultanate surrendered to the Catholic Crusaders. King Raegenweald of Northumbria was granted the little bit of Egypt the Catholics had gained. However, his new Crusader Kingdom lay on the other side of Byzantium’s Imperial lands, completely cut off from the Catholic World. Many Imperial Lords were unhappy to see a Catholic Crusader claim lands they themselves had been eying up and conquering. Other fascinating news tied with a successful Crusade was that of the Pope himself. Pope’s leave behind their family and give up their names but the Imperial Court could not believe just who the Catholic Church had risen to the position of Pope. Pope Innocentius IV of the Catholic Church was a long distant family member of the Umayyad Dynasty who had plagued the Catholic World for Centuries! Truly a sign of weakness…
On May 27th of 1050, Basilissa Markia I Boilas stood beside the Ecumenical Patriarch Tryphon at the Imperial Palace before the numerous Exarchs and Imperial Lords of the Byzantine Empire. Before the eyes of all Tryphon fully submitted to the Imperial Throne as a vassal of the empire. Taking a permanent place on the Imperial Council the Ecumenical Patriarch would forever be tied to the Imperial Throne and assist the Basileus of Basilissa in their ambitions. At the Imperial City of Constantinople alone stood guard of eleven thousand men of the Imperial Levy. Surrounding the city’s countryside stood the Imperial Army numbering another thirty thousand men strong. One of the grandest displays of power in history! They protected Constantinople day in and out awaiting for the news to come the next day...
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Hold up, an Umayyad Pope?! Wow, that's a wacky turn of events right there.
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Chapter Twenty-Two - The Church of Europe
The Orthodox Church over the last few centuries has fully reclaimed the old Pentarchy and has spread its teachings to Africa and India. On May 28th of 1050, with the strongest army in the known world and the backing of the Ecumeinical Patriarch and Pentarchs of the empire, the Orthodox faith claimed dominance over all of Christendom. Messengers were sent from the Imperial City to spread the message that those who do not recognize the Orthodox Church as the true faith will be labeled as a heretic.
By June 14th of 1050, Most of the Catholic world had acknowledged the Orthodox claim as the true church of Christendom. Pope Innocentius IV, a Umayyad, is one of the only landholding rulers of Europe to hold onto his “power” as Pope of a heretical faith. Emperor Gautmar Berengling of the Holy Roman Empire, Emperor Merovech Capet of Germania and King Eardwulf of Northumbria of England have all joined as members of the Orthodox faith. Even the Crusader King Raegenweald of Egypt has forsaken the very hersey that gave him his exoitc throne.
On August 22nd of 1055, Markia sent out the Imperial Armies to once again be separated, each ten thousand strong. The Imperial Guard would be centered around Constantinople, the Imperial Southern Guard centered around Alexandria and the Imperial Eastern Guard centered in Basra. On August 25th a daughter was born named Kyra.
On February 3rd of 1056, Markia was given the ranking of Megaloscheme in the Community of Basil for her efforts in bringing the Orthodox Church to all of Europe.
On July 26th of 1060, news reached the Imperial Court that total war had come to our new brothers of the faith to the west. The French Emperor Gaucelm Berengling declared that with Christendom united under one faith, France and Germany should be united under one empire. Emperor Gaucelm declared that the Holy Roman Empire is the only legitimate Imperial Title and Germania is just a false title created by the wicked Gauzbert Trpimirovic in 978. A war of Imperial Unification began that would determine the balance of power in Central Europe.
The Orthodox Church over the last few centuries has fully reclaimed the old Pentarchy and has spread its teachings to Africa and India. On May 28th of 1050, with the strongest army in the known world and the backing of the Ecumeinical Patriarch and Pentarchs of the empire, the Orthodox faith claimed dominance over all of Christendom. Messengers were sent from the Imperial City to spread the message that those who do not recognize the Orthodox Church as the true faith will be labeled as a heretic.
By June 14th of 1050, Most of the Catholic world had acknowledged the Orthodox claim as the true church of Christendom. Pope Innocentius IV, a Umayyad, is one of the only landholding rulers of Europe to hold onto his “power” as Pope of a heretical faith. Emperor Gautmar Berengling of the Holy Roman Empire, Emperor Merovech Capet of Germania and King Eardwulf of Northumbria of England have all joined as members of the Orthodox faith. Even the Crusader King Raegenweald of Egypt has forsaken the very hersey that gave him his exoitc throne.
On August 22nd of 1055, Markia sent out the Imperial Armies to once again be separated, each ten thousand strong. The Imperial Guard would be centered around Constantinople, the Imperial Southern Guard centered around Alexandria and the Imperial Eastern Guard centered in Basra. On August 25th a daughter was born named Kyra.
On February 3rd of 1056, Markia was given the ranking of Megaloscheme in the Community of Basil for her efforts in bringing the Orthodox Church to all of Europe.
On July 26th of 1060, news reached the Imperial Court that total war had come to our new brothers of the faith to the west. The French Emperor Gaucelm Berengling declared that with Christendom united under one faith, France and Germany should be united under one empire. Emperor Gaucelm declared that the Holy Roman Empire is the only legitimate Imperial Title and Germania is just a false title created by the wicked Gauzbert Trpimirovic in 978. A war of Imperial Unification began that would determine the balance of power in Central Europe.
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Congrats on unifying the Christian faith. My biggest surprises are that Sunnis are still strong in Spain and how far westward are Tengris, Taoists and the Jain province.
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The best part about mending the schism? Being able to declare holy war on any and all Christian rulers who aren't Orthodox.
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