The Lion of Flanders - Chapter V: Imperium in Imperio

Hello everyone and welcome to my Megacampaign called The Lion of Flanders.
It is heavily inspired by Kingdom come, one of the most amazing playthroughs I have ever seen or read. (Link:https://lparchive.org/Paradox-Games-Kingdom-Come/)
The campaign starts in CK2, will be exported to EU4, continued in Victoria 2 and either be completed in one of the HOI games.

Supporting the English King, I send the Flemish army towards Aquitaine. The pretenders will soon be crushed.

To reinforce our alliance, I marry the daughter of King William.

The early days of Balderik's marriage were often described as being as turbulent as the wars he fought.

I feel betrayed by the man who once helped me gain independence. I sent a letter to the Holy Roman Emperor, explaining my disappointment in him.

I collect my Royal Aid Duty, wars are expensive and the treasury should not run empty.

We lay siege to the Rebel capital. Rebel forces are scattered and victory is within reach.

It is not my duty to be God's representative on Earth. It is up to this so called God to bless my lands. I refuse to mislead the people of Flanders.

The capital fortress is captured by The Flemish while The English control La Marche. The war could not go better!

Perhaps there is a God, perhaps there isn't a God. I'll try to keep an open mind.

The rebels are crushed, their leader imprisoned. The war is at last over and I plan to return to court.

I seek solace in the arms of my lover in a nearby forest, reading poetry my Grandmother once wrote. I have seen men scream for their mothers as they bled to death. I have seen men get their limbs severed. I have seen things no man should ever see. My guards often wake me at night, asking if everything is all right. The dead haunt me in my dreams and turn my thoughts black.

While I managed to fight fairly well in the past battles, it isn't hard to stab unarmored peasants with a stick. I beg my friend to help me train.

Another revolt broke out, I don't know if I can handle more bloodshed. I join the English as it is my duty and send my army towards Lusignan.

The battle ensues and rebel forces are quickly crushed.

My Grandmother worked hard for the family relics. I refuse to donate the relic and double the guard at the Holy Blood Basilica in Bruges.

Another rebel force pops up and the Flemish army is quickly ordered to deal with it.

Rebel commanders are either dead or captured and the lack of command ensures a solid victory for the Flemish.

I send a letter to King William. I can not continue fighting his war as a large number of peasants have risen up to gain independence. I immediately send the Flemish army northward to deal with the threat.

King William has answered, he offers to join me in my war and ensures me that the rebels will be quickly crushed.

The Flemish Army is too small and I hire mercenaries to end the rebellion.

With the two armies assembled, the Flemish forces outnumber the rebels.

The army is sent to Hainaut, the war is not going to last long.

The treasury is almost dry, I borrow money from the Jewish, ensuring the loyalty of the mercenaries.

I don't have the manpower nor the money to claim that title. I order the documents to be burned.

I have no choice but to admit that she is in fact, my daughter. She will receive an education at court as is her birthright.

The battle begins and the lack of organisation within the enemy quickly shows itself. Victory is ensured for the Flemish. The rebel leader is captured and brought to the prison in Brugge.

Another illegitimate son is born. I name him Richard.

The rebel leader is executed publicly as an example to the whole kingdom of Flanders.

just like his sister, he will receive an education at court and eventually, in time, he will be given lands and titles.

My wife knows about my affair. Every night she leaves the bedroom crying and shouting at me to marry that 'whore' if I don't love her. I plan a retreat with my lover to a local plot of land.

A retreat with my lover to Tillegem Forest was all I needed. We spend the time having a good time, enjoying nature, good food, good drinks and each other. This made me realise something, it was unjust to cheat on my wife, it was unjust to have her waiting at court, knowing that I am preferring another over her. I contemplate on this and I am thinking about breaking up with my lover.

My wife is pregnant, this is the final straw. A child can not grow up in a bad family situation.

I broke up with my lover.

I beg my wife to forgive me and to return to my palace in Brugge. I promise her to build a new Royal Palace in her honour where we can spend our days together and where our children can safely grow up.

The treasury is once more full and I decide it is time to repay the Jewish moneylenders. I read my grandmother's diaries again. 'Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.' Wise words...

My last romantic endeavour has resulted in another child. I name him Raynaud.

I promise my wife that Raynaud will never hold the van Vlaanderen name. She agrees to allow the boy to be raised at court. I tell my ex-lover to stay away from court.

My wife gives birth to our first child, we name her Judith after the Flemish countess who was queen consort of Wessex.

The Order of The Claw is sent to deal with West-African raiders from the Canaries.

The revolt in England rages on as Denmark is annexed in the Mongol Empire. A black day.

It would be just for her to cheat on me as I once cheated on her. Nonetheless, if it's a bastard, I don't want it to inherit Flanders. I hire spies.

I can't believe my spies found nothing. I decide to hire more spies.

Nobody found anything. It seems my wife is more virtuous than I am.

The university in Bruges is one of the most prestigious in Europe. It is no wonder that Flanders is one of the most progressive countries. We should invest heavily in education. I directly grant funds from my treasury to the Marshal.

While the design isn't practical, it has given us a greater understanding of how we should fight in the fields and how we can improve our armies' strength.

My daughter is at last born, I name her Sigerda after the Norse hero Sigurd.

The English have become heretics. To liberate the catholics in Aquitaine, the pope has called a crusade. against the English King. The King of Flanders is troubled, join The Crusade or join his Ally?

A pact is concluded with the King of Sweden. We will help each other in the future.

A law is passed to make the government more capable of giving titles to the right person.

Perhaps now, the rare artifact for which my grandmother had been searching, will be found. I immediately send Engelbrecht to look for it.

A series of unfortunate vents has lead to a war between Sweden and the Hansa. I accept the call to arms.

The search draws more resources from the state and I happily grant these funds if it will lead to the discovery of the artifact.

As the Flemish forces were diminished in the English wars, I have to hire mercenaries again. I employ the same mercenaries as the last time.

I can't accept to join a heretical King in a war against the whole of Europe. I refuse the call to arms, damaging my reputation through the whole of Europe and North Africa.

The Army is immediately sent away to deal with the enemy.

It appears the Hansa army has managed to evade the Swedish and the Flemish completely and in a surprise move, are heading for the Flemish homeland.

The Flemish arrive on a border region and are preparing to intercept the hostile force.

The battle ensues in Gent as Hansa soldiers are pushed back to the Waddenzee. Flanders continues onward to the Hansa homeland.

Once more the Hansa attack Flanders at its core.

A local heretic is imprisoned. He has forsaken his lands and titles.

Another battle follow in Gent.

The Flemish quickly gain superiority.

The Hansa is once more driven back, a final victory as the Hansa leader is imprisoned.

The Swedish have won and the Hansa lose territory. Another show of force of Flanders.

The Order of The Claw receives more funds and they invest it to expand The Royal Guard.

I can't accept this. I immediately send an assassin to deal with this vile man.

The man is killed and Flanders is safe once more.

The Holy Roman Empire will provide safety for Flanders. By becoming a king-elector, we can expand our influence in Central Europe.

It's a good time to be King. When I walk through the streets, I see commerce and trade flourishing.

Among all the prosperity, the Royal Palace is completed and I move my whole court there. It was built in honour of my wife, therefore it's called The Lady Isabella Castle.

In order to help Flanders, I have to expand my influence within The Holy Roman Empire. I become Marshall.

As I expected, it's Europe against England. Even if I helped England, it would have been a lost cause. I firmly believe it was the right choice.

The Lords of Flanders have approved of a law, granting the King more power. This results in less bureaucracy and a quicker and efficient system.

Culture is important for society. Funding these projects is a sound investment.

The Holy Roman Empire was formed by the Pope, so doesn't it still fall under papal rule?

I need a smart man, capable of helping sick people, not an overly zealous idiot!

I name him Herald of The Claw. From now on, he will control the hospitals raised by The Order of The Claw.

I can't bring myself to help others anymore, they talk behind my back and plot to get rid of me. If they act like this, I'll have to be less helpful towards them.

After the initial hassles of moving the court to the new Royal Palace, I had time to spend some time with my wife Isabella. She was amazed by the Royal Palace, claiming that it was the most beautiful palace she had ever seen. We are starting to bond more and with each day passing, I feel more and more love for the woman I married.

As I suspected, people are trying to kill me. I send out my spymaster to investigate these rumours, although... perhaps he is involved in these devious plans to kill me?

New roads benefit us all, the peasants, the merchants, the nobility... Is it not the Romans who proved that good roads prove that an army can move efficiently?

I betroth my bastard son to a Norse princes. Their children will have Norse and Flemish blood, both great warrior lines.

My children need to learn the necessity of trusting each other. Family over pride. I bring my children closer together.

The artifact must be found. As my grandmother searched for it, I will find it!

With our new love, my wife got pregnant. A great day for the van Vlaanderens.

It is good to see that Flanders is a beacon of Lady Justicia during this time of plots and betrayal.

The Order of The Claw has finished training of the orphan boys. The Order of The Claw is now often synonymous with The Royal Guard. On the twelfth of 1292 AD, I, King Balderik of Flanders, sign a decree where the old Ducal Guard is disbanded and The Order of The Claw is charged with protection of the King.

My wife gives birth to a daughter and we decide to name her Laurette. A proud addition to the van Vlaanderens.

The heretical English have been driven out of Aquitaine, a new power rises on the western coast of Europe, The Kingdom of Aquitaine.

false

The Holy Roman Emperor is an incapable man and the power is now in the hands of the Regency Council.

Another revolt pops up in England. The local nobles probably think the English king is weak now.

Mug after mug, cup after cup, I drink more and more because it's the only way I can feel happy these days. People call me a drunkard and say that they keep smelling the booze.

The Prince-Archbishop is trying to take away my power, I hope my vassals do not agree with him.

Apparently it is now common practice to betray your king!

The Mongols are growing ever bigger and bigger, will they ever be stopped?

The war against Mathilde of Breda is unjust! I offer to help her in the war.

Mathilde accepts my offer! I immediately assemble my armies and go for the attack.

Family is family, bastard or not. I would be a hypocrite if I did not accept her child.

I was enraged. How could she let that happen?! The Order of The Claw is immediately dispatched to deal with them.

It is better to know the harsh truth rather than live a comfortable lie.

A battle occurs between Brabant and Flanders, there is a decisive victory for Flemish forces and the enemy is routed.

My daughter's betrothal will ensure that the Holy Roman Emperor acts in the interests of Flanders.

The siege of Brabant begins.

The army is split and a splinter force is sent to deal with Brabantian soldiers.

My wife is once more pregnant. She spends her days in the gardens of The Lady Isabella palace, reading books and poems.

The siege of Leuven is won. Victory is ensured for the Flemish.

People call me Balderik the Opressor. Because I liberated my people? Because I help the people of Brabant? It is an unjust name.

A son is born to me and Isabella. We name him Bartolomeus, Flanders has a new heir!

Bartolomeus is weak, I order my physician to help my poor boy.

Whatever my Physician tried, it did not help. I sit next to my son, day and night, until he gets better or dies.

A disease strikes Flanders and my son would not be able to stop it. I close the gates to protect all at my court.

Brussel is in Flemish hands, being at court force me to leave the army in the hands of my commanders.

Another battle between Brabant and Flanders, the Flemish catch Brabant and crush their small force.

Of course I will fund these projects! We need everything that gives Flanders an edge over other nations.

My Queen will not be expelled! I silence my Physician and order him to help my wife.

false

We learned a lot from this project, a good thing during these times of war.

It appears my wife is pregnant. While this is a great thing, I don't want to lose both my wife AND my son to the outbreak.

I tell my son that religion eventually brought the downfall of my Grandmother. I show him her diaries and he understands what I'm trying to say.

My wife has gotten better and is healthy as ever. Almost losing her like that made me realise how precious she was to me.

No more pickled boar's heads, a family recipe, a family favourite! The disease truly is cruel...

My wife gives birth to another son, I name him Gerolt after my dear departed friend.

No food, people are starting to lose weight and look weak, this isn't good.

I prefer eating rats over dying from something as stupid as hunger. I order my guards to catch every single rat they can find.

Reports indicate that the disease is retreating. I decide to open the gates, the peasantry is angry but can anyone blame me for trying to protect my family?

The seclusion has forced everyone at court to get to know each other better. My son has shown a lot of affection towards me.

The liberation of Breda has begun!

My daughter has contracted smallpox, a common childhood disease. I order my Physician to help her immediately.

One disease left and another came, in the early days everyone thought the death was finally over but alas!

I can't trust everyone. I turn him away, fearing he is trying to assassinate me.

Breda has been liberated from the Brabantian people.

The panic is increasing as the disease spreads. To ensure the safety of me and my family, I close the gates of The Royal Palace.

My son has grown up and told me he wants to join the Knights of Calatrava, considering he is a bastard and has no claim to anything.

She has persuaded me but I can't allow her back home. She hates me for it but I can't allow her to destroy the whole family! She isn't saying it, but I think my wife is happy to see her go...

We have gained technology from other countries! I immediately put it to use and make it available for the Flemish people.

A successful battle for the Flemish in Liege. Afterwards, I send the army to deal with Brabantian forces in Breda.

My son Raynaud has grown up, he's an excellent steward.

The bethrothal is finally concluded in a marriage.

With this new marriage, I send an offer for Alliance to The King of Norway. I hope he accepts for all our sakes.

An alliance is formed between Norway and Flanders! A good day for all. And so Flemish-Norse trade, commerce and friendship prospers!

Thanks for reading Chapter Five of The Lion of Flanders! Feedback is always welcome.