The House Under God, part 3: Iberian Ambitions
Game: Crusader Kings II
Published: 2017-02-23, edited: 2017-02-23
Hey everybody, welcome back to this AAR. Just as a side note for anyone coming here to read this, I would advise you stop reading if you're at all interested in the AAR. I say this because I'll only be releasing parts when I feel like it and that doesn't happen often. When It's all done I'll be posting it to /r/paradoxplaza on a regular schedule, so you can catch it then. The game's already finished and the pictures are all taken, so its just a matter of when I get around to writing it.
Anyways, for you folk in the future or the ones that didn't listen to me, enjoy the AAR!
Anyways, for you folk in the future or the ones that didn't listen to me, enjoy the AAR!
Part of the campaign:
The House Under God
Previous part:
The close encounter with the next life has encouraged Nicola to spend more time with his beloved wife. They form a strong bond with each other, and Berenguela is over time handed much say in the going-ons of court.
Another daughter is born to Nicola, named Maria. Where Nicola sees a beautiful baby girl, I see another potential alliance.
One early morning, the local garrison of Orvieto is completing routine rounds. Suddenly, Ferraran troops appear on the horizon. Under the guise of friendship they approach to break bread with Nicola's captains, however they quickly slaughter any Orvieto men not cautious enough to remain back. While troops from the city attempt to reinforce the poor men, it quickly turns into a bloodbath. The remaining troops are ordered to stay fortify in the city and let their compatriots die.
It seems that the Bishop of Ferrara thought he was above God himself, and made an effort to seize land from Papal control. Nicola, being the loyal vassal he is, puts down this puny force with reorganized soldiers.
Remember this guy? Yeah he wants me to fight his wars for him. I do of course, as I'm all for kicking the musulman scum.
Although count Nicola cannot personally assist in the war, he hires the Knights of Calatrava to aid Aragonese troops in Valencia. A token force of Orvieto men is sent to help organize the holy order and treat with Aragonese commanders.
While Aragon fights a bloody war with the moors, Nicola celebrates the birth of his first son. He's named after his father of course.
Predictably, the unorganized Moorish forces are stomped out and King Pedro controls Valencia. Although the peace was never officially sealed, de facto ruler is clearly Pedro. To further cement his rule, he is crowned as the King of Valencia as well, holding a grand ceremony. Nicola sends a small gift to commemorate this.
Maybe he found new perspective, or maybe he was always that way, but Nicola becomes known for boasting about his accomplishments. Not foolishly though, as many among the Papal court would be quick to praise him for his skill with the pen and ability to make quick friends with easy enemies.
A sad day for the house d'Orvieto, yet beneficial nonetheless. Cagliari falls to Nicola as his birthright, making the sacrifices his Grandfather made to be valid.
As soon as word of his inheritance reaches Orvieto, Nicola wastes no time. His chancellor is sent to Arborea to bribe local nobles and fabricate purely symbolic documents. He wishes to claim that the county of Cagliari's rightful borders lie further north than they do now, and intends to use the count of Arborea's certain refusal to recognize this as pretext for invasion.
The Moors have renewed the offensive in Valencia at full force, with the Almoravid dynasty leading the charge. They scoff at this so called "King of Valencia", and have the forces to challenge his claim. Aragon is not unprepared however, and count Nicola only needs to join the war as a show of support.
The combined Christian forces of Iberia bring the hammer down on the Almoravid scum. What started as an engagement between what historians estimate to be 7800 attacking Moors and 10000 Christian soldiers end in a bloodbath, with the Almoravids seeing complete defeat and an end to the invasion. The battle of Valencia as its called, signaled a period of Christian dominance on the peninsula.
Not only did the forces see defeat here, but the Sultan himself lay dead at the hands of Aragonese men. The instability and confusion from the aftermath of the battle provided a sufficient amount of chaos needed for the Sultan's bastard son, Abdul-Rahman 'Frawsen', to seize power. Although its unclear how exactly he got this bizarre nickname, it became the informal name for the dynasty from then on and is often used to distinguish between the Almoravids before the battle of Valencia from those who came after.
(As you may have noticed, the banner in the battle shown here is different from the Almoravid banner. This is because the Sultan actually died BEFORE the battle, but lets pretend that it happened after so that the whole Frawsen thing makes sense.
Not only did the forces see defeat here, but the Sultan himself lay dead at the hands of Aragonese men. The instability and confusion from the aftermath of the battle provided a sufficient amount of chaos needed for the Sultan's bastard son, Abdul-Rahman 'Frawsen', to seize power. Although its unclear how exactly he got this bizarre nickname, it became the informal name for the dynasty from then on and is often used to distinguish between the Almoravids before the battle of Valencia from those who came after.
(As you may have noticed, the banner in the battle shown here is different from the Almoravid banner. This is because the Sultan actually died BEFORE the battle, but lets pretend that it happened after so that the whole Frawsen thing makes sense.
A painting depicting Castilian knights charging Moorish cavalry during the battle
After negotiations with the Pope, Nicola receives permission to appoint Giancinto as heir to a bishopric within the d'Orvieto domain.
Nothing personal bud, but I can't be waiting around for you to die peacefully.
Nicola decides to name his second born son after an old friend, a little joke that only he seems to understand.
Unfortunately, Berenguela dies not long after giving birth to little Ugo. Nicola is devastated, and it seems that death did not find his joke humorous in the slightest.
With the death of his wife, Nicola decides that he should spend more time with his children. The poor little tyke doesn't understand where his mommy went.
Listen up you greedy fucker, I'm already lining up the most lucrative title in Europe for you so just sit your ass down and wait.
On a more serious note, it seems that although the Almoravid threat was smashed, more opportunistic and better equipped Taifas have tried to invade themselves. Troops from Sardinia reinforce the Aragonese.
Although the numbers are similar, the Christian forces are much more disciplined and hardened from previous campaigns. Even leaderless their skill is unmatched, and a few insignificant commanders lead a crushing victory against the foolish Moors.
Oh look! My brother magically acquired a Bishopric. I'm sure there was no foul play.
Although the exact date is ambiguous, at some point the bulk of administrative work and diplomatic dealings moved to Cagliari, with the counts of Orvieto spending more and more time in court there rather than their home county.
Oh no! I have cancer!
Oh no! I just get instantly removed. Thanks death!
Oh look! My brother became a cardinal. I'm sure there was no foul play.
We betroth little Nicola to a leonese princess.
He comes of age, and is a well-learned man of a scholarly background. A good fit for the future of the dynasty.
Oh look! My brother acquired the Papacy! I'm sure there was NO FOUL PLAY.
(See you next part)
(See you next part)
