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The borders in the Baltic Dominions were nebulous. Vast stretches of wilderness were dotted with tiny hamlets or the occasional town. Policing the parishes fell to the Norman overlords appointed by William and reaffirmed by Robert. Whatever thoughts the barons might have entertained about slipping out of the royal control died during the intermitable rebellions. Given the great differences in religion, language and culture between Norman knight and shamanist peasant there really could not be much collusion. Only the mercenary armies maintained by the Crown could keep the natives down and after a few nasty incidents the nobles realized it.
The King landed in Lithuania and marched east, up the coast and across the Polish and Swedish held lands, hosting many great fetes along the way. He annihilated the lawless peasant armies that kept many a Norman besieged in his hold. Crossing the sea he arrived in Finland and once again destroyed the local yokels. And impressed upon the aristocrats just who owned them.
Either in the Baltic or home in England men found Robert to be a cold fish. He as strange and possessed unnatural stoicism. Once during a riding accident he broke both legs. Though obviously suffering great injury he showed little emotion, instead commanding the groom executed and demanding that he be returned to his manor. He was a distant monarch and commanded no great loyalty from his followers, though he did marry three times and produced many children Robert was a poor father, fostering them all out.
His one great achievement was united the Kingdom of England with the lawless principalities of Wales following a grand gala. Where his father was "the Conqueror" Robert was The Roadbuilder after his many years of constant efforts produced the first modern roadways in Britain.
The King landed in Lithuania and marched east, up the coast and across the Polish and Swedish held lands, hosting many great fetes along the way. He annihilated the lawless peasant armies that kept many a Norman besieged in his hold. Crossing the sea he arrived in Finland and once again destroyed the local yokels. And impressed upon the aristocrats just who owned them.
Either in the Baltic or home in England men found Robert to be a cold fish. He as strange and possessed unnatural stoicism. Once during a riding accident he broke both legs. Though obviously suffering great injury he showed little emotion, instead commanding the groom executed and demanding that he be returned to his manor. He was a distant monarch and commanded no great loyalty from his followers, though he did marry three times and produced many children Robert was a poor father, fostering them all out.
His one great achievement was united the Kingdom of England with the lawless principalities of Wales following a grand gala. Where his father was "the Conqueror" Robert was The Roadbuilder after his many years of constant efforts produced the first modern roadways in Britain.
Nah. Was a quiet reign. He had cruddy stats and the BB was up from the failed Scottish war.
It was the primitive homo sapiens physiology. Had to be. Their latest political pawn, Robert (KE2), had undergone the alterations a few months before William (KE1) had perished. It had taxed their resources, but the Planner had decided it was better to break the verminspawn to their will as early as possible. Unfortunately Robert had suffered severe emotional trauma, and while he was capable, would never be more than a robot.
He reigned for only 3 years, during which he built up the roads across England. If nothing else it allowed the swift transport of troops in wartime. The King of Two Thrones did not inspire his people. He was, in fact, quite open about his contempt for their humanity. Which struck many as a bit odd. His single greatest triumph was the assault on Scotland in 1096.
The King's great hall was now host to an august assemblage of nobles. Around the chamber many clerks and pages waited. Robert marched to a large map of Great Britain and began making whirling motions with his baton. Why he had a baton no one could guess. "The Scots have made a critical error and the time for our victorious march has come," he announced. That caught their attention. "With the Scottish armies spread throughout the North in a vein attempt to fend off the Scandinavians we shall invade the South. Most importantly, we have learned that Duncan I, their King, has fallen in battle with the King of the Swedes. It is therefore our request and command that the knights and feudal lords of Britain mobilize for war."
Many were the second sons eager for martial glory. More so, where the landless knights looking for plunder. Recognizing that he had far more volunteers than his treasury could support Robert organized a lottery. Those fortunate enough to be called rode to London and from there the host marched north.
He reigned for only 3 years, during which he built up the roads across England. If nothing else it allowed the swift transport of troops in wartime. The King of Two Thrones did not inspire his people. He was, in fact, quite open about his contempt for their humanity. Which struck many as a bit odd. His single greatest triumph was the assault on Scotland in 1096.
The King's great hall was now host to an august assemblage of nobles. Around the chamber many clerks and pages waited. Robert marched to a large map of Great Britain and began making whirling motions with his baton. Why he had a baton no one could guess. "The Scots have made a critical error and the time for our victorious march has come," he announced. That caught their attention. "With the Scottish armies spread throughout the North in a vein attempt to fend off the Scandinavians we shall invade the South. Most importantly, we have learned that Duncan I, their King, has fallen in battle with the King of the Swedes. It is therefore our request and command that the knights and feudal lords of Britain mobilize for war."
Many were the second sons eager for martial glory. More so, where the landless knights looking for plunder. Recognizing that he had far more volunteers than his treasury could support Robert organized a lottery. Those fortunate enough to be called rode to London and from there the host marched north.
Unlike his late, unlamented, royal father Humbert faced many challenges on ascending the Throne. Before he had even left Normandy, in fact, he received... intelligence (from where he did not know. He just FELT it) that several powerful lords intended to strike out for the crown themselves. Or at least declare themselves independent.
Fortunately for him the changes made by the Na'as did not blunt his emotive abilities. Unfortunately, that meant he felt despair as one noble after another refused to renew their oaths of fealty to the House of de Normandie. First Shrewsbury, then the Duke of Leicaster. A powerful little cabal. Had the Scots gotten their collective shit together they would have sent gold and troops to support the rebellious nobles.
He sat now in the empty great hall in London. The huge map that his father had commissioned was hung on the wall. He had himself drew the markers that denoted the enemy strong points and the gathering of armies. In the Baltic Dominions - while there were no open revolts - the Norman lords were waiting to see if their cousin would rise to the times.
Fortunately for him the changes made by the Na'as did not blunt his emotive abilities. Unfortunately, that meant he felt despair as one noble after another refused to renew their oaths of fealty to the House of de Normandie. First Shrewsbury, then the Duke of Leicaster. A powerful little cabal. Had the Scots gotten their collective shit together they would have sent gold and troops to support the rebellious nobles.
He sat now in the empty great hall in London. The huge map that his father had commissioned was hung on the wall. He had himself drew the markers that denoted the enemy strong points and the gathering of armies. In the Baltic Dominions - while there were no open revolts - the Norman lords were waiting to see if their cousin would rise to the times.
To Split the Kingdom
Great Britain was wracked by war. Many heroes arose in the fires of Norfolk or during the Siege of London. Many were the tragedies. The villains, such as Eric, Duke of Lancaster, or the treacherous Harald of Dover, committed atrocities not seen since the Northmen's rampages centuries earlier. Lord Flambard, Marshal of the Royal Armies fought a hundred engagements, and earned glory for himself and his knights.
All of the Great Families of England took part on one side or another - many times allegiences would flip monthly - depending on who seemed to be gaining the upper hand. The King, Humbert, was hampered by having spent little time in England. He knew few of the regional lords personally, and had had little contact with even the Court in London. One point in his favor was that he was happily married and did not seem to marry and murder his wife as his father had three times during his short reign. Many feared some hereditary madness in the royal line.
During the years of darkness there were yet more peasant uprisings. The small folk were driven to wildness by the chaos caused by their betters' intrigue. In the Midlands and across the coast the peasants took to sniping at Royal officials and sheriff . Oft times the local barons turned a blind eye, so far had the King's power failed.
Finally the last of the treasonous Lords were hunted down. The League of Saint George was broken at last. Humbert, now secure from major internal threat elevated his brothers and uncles, granting them the rebels' estates. Though discontent lingered in several counties he felt he could now turn his attention to the last serious challenge. The heathen rabble armies in the Baltic.
I screwed up and accidentally (don't ask) granted the Crown Prince (Duke of Normandy) the kingdom of Scotland. But I continue on.
The Normandy family continued to grow, and King Humbert had come into his own. Having campaigned in the Baltic dominions for some few years he had gained a fearsome reputation in the lands of the pagans, and was justly feared as a lion of the faith. At home his generousness with his barons had earned him their loyalty. All was well.
The Na'as were quiet. Forced to conserve their power in the face of their fuel situation they observed and occasionally supplied intelligence, but were otherwise preoccupied with simple survival. For that the King was grateful. Though he had no idea as to the nature of the visitations (though he certainly had theories) he hated them, helpful or not.
There came a time, twelve years following his elevation to the throne that he decided to divide the Normandy holdings. The long struggles had marked him. Now he thought that he may create a separate dynastic line in his House, so that the de Normandy family may survive somewhere. His son Iago, Duke of Normandy, was granted the crown of Wales. He had little fear that Iago would assert himself too much. After all, the royal estates in Wales were pitiful: a few hunting lodges and a township.
Great Britain was wracked by war. Many heroes arose in the fires of Norfolk or during the Siege of London. Many were the tragedies. The villains, such as Eric, Duke of Lancaster, or the treacherous Harald of Dover, committed atrocities not seen since the Northmen's rampages centuries earlier. Lord Flambard, Marshal of the Royal Armies fought a hundred engagements, and earned glory for himself and his knights.
All of the Great Families of England took part on one side or another - many times allegiences would flip monthly - depending on who seemed to be gaining the upper hand. The King, Humbert, was hampered by having spent little time in England. He knew few of the regional lords personally, and had had little contact with even the Court in London. One point in his favor was that he was happily married and did not seem to marry and murder his wife as his father had three times during his short reign. Many feared some hereditary madness in the royal line.
During the years of darkness there were yet more peasant uprisings. The small folk were driven to wildness by the chaos caused by their betters' intrigue. In the Midlands and across the coast the peasants took to sniping at Royal officials and sheriff . Oft times the local barons turned a blind eye, so far had the King's power failed.
Finally the last of the treasonous Lords were hunted down. The League of Saint George was broken at last. Humbert, now secure from major internal threat elevated his brothers and uncles, granting them the rebels' estates. Though discontent lingered in several counties he felt he could now turn his attention to the last serious challenge. The heathen rabble armies in the Baltic.
I screwed up and accidentally (don't ask) granted the Crown Prince (Duke of Normandy) the kingdom of Scotland. But I continue on.
The Normandy family continued to grow, and King Humbert had come into his own. Having campaigned in the Baltic dominions for some few years he had gained a fearsome reputation in the lands of the pagans, and was justly feared as a lion of the faith. At home his generousness with his barons had earned him their loyalty. All was well.
The Na'as were quiet. Forced to conserve their power in the face of their fuel situation they observed and occasionally supplied intelligence, but were otherwise preoccupied with simple survival. For that the King was grateful. Though he had no idea as to the nature of the visitations (though he certainly had theories) he hated them, helpful or not.
There came a time, twelve years following his elevation to the throne that he decided to divide the Normandy holdings. The long struggles had marked him. Now he thought that he may create a separate dynastic line in his House, so that the de Normandy family may survive somewhere. His son Iago, Duke of Normandy, was granted the crown of Wales. He had little fear that Iago would assert himself too much. After all, the royal estates in Wales were pitiful: a few hunting lodges and a township.
Carver of Destiny reviewed the critical supply situation. The MV-312A Independent Survival Pod was a modified version of the venerable Space Life Boat used for more than 3,000 years. Only one hundred meters long, the MV-312A's had been attached to the Lab's outer hull during the four year journey from the Oort Cloud. The Plan had detailed it and its fellows as remote bases once time travel had brought them to the target eon. It was quite capable of travel anywhere on Earth, and had enough fuel for years of normal service. Normal meaning regular supply runs from the Lab Base after some sort of planetside industry had been established.
As a temporary emergency shelter it was excellent. For years long habitation without outside assistance? The Planner sighed. There were eighty six surviving Na'as. Three minor-classed war beasts still in statis and a series of biological servitors that were capable of breaking down local organic materials into sustenance for themselves and the Na'as. Creating the creatures necessary to control the verminspawn and growing the Eye of Katmai cultures had depleted their supplies. Their power usage over the past few centuries made it critical to find a source of hydrogen. Fast.
As a temporary emergency shelter it was excellent. For years long habitation without outside assistance? The Planner sighed. There were eighty six surviving Na'as. Three minor-classed war beasts still in statis and a series of biological servitors that were capable of breaking down local organic materials into sustenance for themselves and the Na'as. Creating the creatures necessary to control the verminspawn and growing the Eye of Katmai cultures had depleted their supplies. Their power usage over the past few centuries made it critical to find a source of hydrogen. Fast.