The Lion of Flanders - Chapter IV: Old Blood, New Power

Published: 2017-09-12, edited: 1970-01-01

Part of the campaign:

The Lion of Flanders

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Game: Crusader Kings II

The Lion of Flanders - Chapter III: The Cat and The Cross

Images: 106, author: CatAtTheTable, published: 2017-09-12, edited: 1970-01-01

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.
The marriages my mother concluded were a good deal. I sent out messages to the parties involved. The Holy Roman Emperor is the first to respond. Flanders and The Holy Roman Empire are now allies in the wars to come.
The symptoms are clearer and clearer. I have contracted smallpox. Overhearing my Regent and Physician, it appears I might not live through this.
It appears resting improves my condition. The pain and blisters remain however.
I told my council to keep informing and teaching me. They showed me a letter from William de Ferres, king of England, Ireland, and Aquitane. He accepted the Alliance between our countries.
I am sixteen today, the Count of Hainaut, who was raised by my mother, raised me in her honour, telling me I'd have to go out there and learn from experience from now on. Quite ironnic considering I'm still in bed with Smallpox.
Spending my days in bed, I am scared of everything, did someone deliberatly make me sick? When my councillors walk in, I fear they want to kill me, ensuring their favourite claimant comes on the throne. I asked my regent to put a sword next to my bed, so I could protect myself against assassins.
The King of Aragon and France offered me a position on the council today. Despite my sickness, I accepted the position, replying I will arrive at court as soon as capable of travel.
A new law is approved in Flanders, granting the Grand Duke more power. As long as the Lords agree, I will sign the law.
Map of Europe, revolts in the north, war in the south.
The blisters are gone but my body is covered in scars, a painful reminder of the smallpox that weakened my body.
As I have a vote on the council, I will oppose any law that makes the king of Aragon and France more powerful. The personal union shall not last!
Another Emperor, another allance. Our goal will soon be reached.
People die all the time, it is hardly a wonder that Count Balderik dies too. His legacy will live on through his children.
I hope men of knowledge will one day explain this strange phenomenom. Surely my grandmother would have given some weird religious interpretation to it.
The plot thickens as we have finally found a way to split the personal union.
The priests are charlatans and 'God' is probably a lie. I can't believe some people actually believe the Pope and his lies to opress everyone.
The kingdoms are once more divided and the new French King is as weak as ever! Everyone knows I am the mastermind behind the assassination but that's a responsibility I am willing to take!
Map of Europe after the assassination of Louis, King of France and Aragon.
My lack of faith does not prevent me of being kind to my fellow human. I help Pere with his work and after a few hours, we get it through. Hopefully people will now see that I'm not the villain some say I am.
I will succeed where my ancestors could not! I call the Lords of Flanders together and sent a letter to the French King, declaring independence. It is often said that third time's the charm, I am the third van Vlaanderen ruler after Baudouin of The Latin Empire and I am declaring the Third War of Independence. Soon our victory will be here.
I'm in the middle of a war, how could such a thought even pop up in my mind! I quickly stop thinkng about it and plan the upcoming battles and sieges.
The Lords come to the aid of their Grand Duke and soon the armies assemble to defeat the weak french forces. In the meanwhile, both The Holy Roman Emperor and The King of England honour their alliances, invading the French homeland.
A battle follows on the coast of Boulogne and despite a disadvantage on the field, the separatists quickly defeat the French forces.
After the battle, the Flemish and their allies lay siege to France. The English in Normandy, The Flemish in Paris, and The Germans in Rhône-alpes. victory seems ever closer for the Flemish.
I might not be a man of faith, but this... This is just plain weird, I told one of my courtiers and I knew the news would spread throughout the Ducal court.
The Siege of Melun is won and now the way to Paris lies open.
Paris is surrounded and because of bad planning, the city quickly surrenders to Flemish forces. To humiliate the French people, I ordered my forces to hang Flemish banners over the city walls.
We engaged a small splinter force in Chartres while the English succesfully sieged a holding in Bourges.
Another battle occurs in Anjou and a siege follows. I personally lead the siege, lifting the morale of the men and remind them of their duty, not to me, but to Flanders!
The castle soon falls in Flemish hands and the French do not have he capability to retake any of the castles or cities. An envoy is sent to the King of France, a Flemish victory is certain.
The King of France accepted the humilliating peace treaty, Flanders becomes an independent Grand Duchy and the French are forced to keep the peace for ten years. I visit the grave of my grandmother.
'I did it grandmother, I did what you could not. I brought the French pig to his knees and made Flanders independent. Your legacy will live on through me, grandmother.'
(The secession of Flanders, 3 december, 1271)
In honour of my most pious and overzealous grandmother, and to increase public opinion, I decide to go on a pilgrimage. With the muslims controlling most of Jerusalem's lands, I decide to visit a holy site in the West.
Canterbury lies close to Flanders, it is merely a boattrip away. I start making preperations for my journey.
The boattrip was rather quick, arriving in England, I'll have to continue on foot with my fellow pilgrims.
I need to prove to the world that I'm a good person, not a bad one. I add a royal amount of Talents to the purse and continue on, promising the woman that everything will be alright.
We might not agree on matters of religion, but at least he realises that that doesn't make me a bad person. Besides that, we do have a lot in common and I realise that I made a new friend.
Thomas Becket did not deserve to die. While the corrupt thrive, the good die young and early. I am once more confronted by the harsh reality of unjustice.
I can not deny it. Truly there must be a god for His grace shines on all of the world! Perhaps my grandmother was right?
I am home, my court looks at me in a different manner, they no longer see a man who murdered the king but a man who tried to do the best for his people. I hope they keep thinking like that.
I am the worst swordsman the world has seen, I invite a friend over to teach me. He is after all part of a holy order, surely he can help me?
I learned a great deal and I felt sad as I saw my friend go back to the holy order, he told me he was glad I had abandoned my sinful ways too.
Bards can hardly call themselves poets, the music interferes with the flow of the words, so my grandmother would say.
Just like I once requested the help of The English, they now call on me. I write to the English King, informing him that the Flemish forces are already assembled by the time he recieves the letter.
I have started a vote. A more centralized government is more capable of protecting it's people. My vassals might not realise this now, but they will be glad once I prove that statement to be right.
I had to bribe my vassals, yes, but it was for the greater good.
I have sinned, I have given into my lust. I ask confess to the local priest and he tells me to flog myself 5 times in front of an image of The Blessed Virgin.
A holy man died. Why God? Why did you take him away from us?!
The Flemish army is on its way to crush English rebels, hoping to swiftly defeat them.
The rebel forces are quickly defeated at luzech with the help from the english forces. The English-Flemish alliance however is gone, considering there are no marriage ties between the de Ferres and the van Vlaanderen families. I quickly send a letter to the English King, asking for a bethrothal between me and his daughter.
I quickly recieve a reply, stating that the King accepts my offer. The English-Flemish Alliance will continue.
I have not married the King's daughter yet, but I have still sinned. I pray to god for guidance.
I sent funds to the people of Gent. Such a festival is surely a good influence?
With the new bethrothal comes a new alliance.
an overzealous man, although people call him insane, I assume his education will prove useful in the future.
A bastardchild is born, I have proven my capability of fathering children to the Flemish court. I call her Béatrix. She shall be educated at court by noblemen and eventually marry into a noble family, as is her birthright.
No one can deny that Béatrix is my daughter, she looks exactly like me. While I won't legitimize her, to not damage my relations with the King of England.
She is my only child, I can't lose her! I tell my Physician that I will provide everything necessary to save my daughter. I sit by her bed day and night, ignoring all matters of state until she gets better.
My daughter is not sick anymore, I thank God for helping my Physician cure her. I pay a good amount of talents to my Physician for his service.
While a cup of wine or a mug of beer can taste good, I don't feel a craving for it.
I am hosting a feast, this will surely improve the standing with my vassals!
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It shall be agood moment for all of us!
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Mayor Gerard really gets to me, I have never met such a fascinating man before!
Countess Ada surely is an attractive woman. We retired to my bedchambers and had a little fun.
Looking around the hall, I could clearly see my vassals enjoying themselves.
Is it not the peasants who support our whole system? They deserve a reward for all their hard work. It is high time I keep organising a series of feasts and fairs to celebrate all the good they and their ancestors have done for this country!
The Fair is meant for people to enjoy themselves, not to be preached at by some random priest.
I organised The Fair especially for the peasantry, so it should come to no surprise that the nobles are complaining. I sent out envoys telling them this is for the peasants, not for the nobles, they will get their reward in time.
We'll surely organise another Fair soon! This one was a great succes and I have a feeling that the peasantry truly enjoyed it. Remembering the
All men sin, and Bishop Otwin is no exception, the only judge will be God.
Another bard, another lowlife. I can't understand why my courtiers enjoy this.
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The empire has fallen apart, Western Northern Africa is now ripe for the taking.
Another feast for my vassals! Perhaps now they won't complain.
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I'm glad he liked it.
Blanceflore like the old tale ofFloris ende Blancefloer. We went to my chambers and we had fun together.
I look as the guests leave, another succesful feast, It seems as if nobody remembers me as the man who murdered the King of Aragon-France.
I called my council together, after the events of the past few years. They agree that I should be granted the title of king, tracing my bloodline back to The Latin Emperor.
Coronation of King Balderik I of Flanders at the Saint Savior's Cathedral in Bruges.
Of course I will help the English King! Do I not owe my crown to him and The Holy Roman Emperor?
We can not lose Flanders to outside rulers. A new decree is issued through the realm, ensuring no outsiders can inherit Flemish lands.
To satisfy The Holy See, I grant the Duchy of Champagne to the Prince-Bishop of Reims.
As The English revolt rages on in Aquitane. and the centre of England and Wales, A new power rises in mainland Europe. Flanders, once a mere Duchy opressed by France, now a strong Kingdom and naval power in the centre of Europe. A new era starts for Flanders, one of prosperity, equality and freedom!
Thanks for reading Chapter four of this megacampaign. I hope you enjoyed it!

Next chapter:

Game: Crusader Kings II

The Lion of Flanders - Chapter V: Imperium in Imperio

Images: 143, author: CatAtTheTable, published: 2017-09-18, edited: 1970-01-01

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