HRE NES III: Italienische Vorherrschaft

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Judith of Friuli
Fear not, my wife- I have no desire to shed any more royal blood. The former Emperor will be treated well if I have anything to say about it.

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Wildgraf Arnald von Brenner
I understand your displeasure with Conrad. I am tempted to tell you that if an accident should befall him, I would count it as God's fortune smiling on Bavaria. However, if such a thing should happen, I worry that it could trigger the beginnings of rioting in Trento or the movement of the Church, thus far our ally, against us. When preparing the Ducal budget, I will keep Trento in mind, and we shall see about a program to lessen Conrad's influence in Trento.

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Markgraf Eberhard of Carinthia
Upon my return to Bavaria I believe that you and I should meet face-to-face to discuss these matters fully. It might be a good idea for each of us to bring along our more trusted commanders, that our highest nobles will meet and form a better sense of Bavarian and Carinthian unity. I also hope that this will at least help you with von Leitbach- he has always served me loyally, and seeing me once more might help... reassure him as to who his true leaders are.

Von Leitbach is not primary issue, however. I agree that it seems risky to allow a potentially untrustworthy man (though he's never actually been disloyal to his masters to my knowledge) to build a fortress of his own above Vienna. However, it makes perfect sense to build a fortress overlooking Vienna- that city has been razed by the Magyars so often that I doubt the population will return in force without a major defensive presence.

I would encourage you to build your own castle near Vienna and to quietly promote someone trustworthy to nobility nearby who could defend the castle against von Wein if necessary. I realize that von Wein will be the richest man in the area by default, but this might help you keep a defensible castle in the area against the Magyars and still keep that castle out of von Wein's hands, and still not insult him by granting a Zinnenrecht to another noble.

I will personally be granting several Zinnenrechts to loyal nobles along the Carinthian border, and I hope that this show of force will help pacify your Western nobility.

[Cyclotron]

Markgraf Eberhard of Carinthia to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
I look forward to our meeting. As for von Wien, he has already fortified a particularly formidable bluff in the center of the Wachau with a wooden fort, which he has named "Castle Aggstein." Elsewhere this might be seen as treacherous, but it is debatable as the structure is not of stone - and even if it were, I am hardly in the position to accuse my most powerful commander of treason.

Granting him a Zinnenrecht may be inevitable, but I agree that my own fortified residence should be constructed nearer to Vienna. I am considering an excellent spot east of the city, opposite the border to the Magyar fortress of Pressburg. No doubt you have heard of it - it is Hainburg, which the ancients called Carnuntum, the capital of an entire province in the days of Rome's glory.

I have wondered if the best solution to this might be to allow von Wien his castle, but request a payment for the privilege - the man is richer than I from his campaigning under the Venetians. Granting him his wish for a price might satisfy him while providing some source of income for building further castles.

But I should really wait for our meeting to discuss such plans fully, and I shall.

[appleciders]

OOC: How did we miss Judith of Friuli before this? And more importantly, how did the sister of a major Italian power get married off to some piss-ant beer-swillin' backwoods Duke?

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by appleciders
OOC: How did we miss Judith of Friuli before this? And more importantly, how did the sister of a major Italian power get married off to some piss-ant beer-swillin' backwoods Duke?

It has to do more with Berengar's rise than anything else. Berengar's father, Eberhard, was Duke of Friuli. Arnulf's father was Margrave of Carinthia and Upper Pannonia (much of which now belongs to the Croats). It was basically just a marriage alliance between neighboring march lords.

Note that the dates don't quite add up here; Judith of Friaul was probably close to 60, not 30, by this time, and nobody knows exactly when Arnulf was born. Of course, in the 10th century practically all our dates are suspect - this would mean Judith (the younger, Arnulf's daughter) was historically born when her mother was 58, which seems unlikely.

It is to Berengar's credit that he managed to turn that position into one of King and Emperor - he was certainly not the obvious choice to succeed to either crown. He had to crack a lot of heads to do it; he's lost a lot of battles and been captured by the enemy before, and still come out on top.

Undoubtedly Judith has better breeding than Arnulf - her direct great-grandfather is Charlemagne - but it's not a totally ridiculous marriage.

The only people left of her family (the Unruochings) are Berengar, herself, and Berengar's daughter Bertha (who is an abbess, and thus won't be having kids). Berengar has a grandson through his late daughter Gisela (also named Berengar) who is 13 years old, but he is properly an Anscarid like his father, Adalbert, who is an ally of King Rudolph II.

Coincidentally, Berengar is nearly 80 years old (or not, given the dating problems). How cruel of you to lock up an old man like that

Edit: Interestingly enough, this post just made me an Emperor!

[Micha]

King Heinrich of Germany to Landgraf Johann von Zwickau

My trusted friend, I see the truth in your words, and I have anticipated these problems since the first Saxons entered the march. You have shown wisdom and loyalty in the past, thus I am happy to grant you the Zinnenrecht for the Misni region. Build a stronghold of Christianity on the very frontier of darkness, make it a sign of the might of Christ! You will receive the income of the woad production of the March of Meissen for the next year, and depending on your usage of these funds I might renew that concession for following years, too. Additionally, I will send architects and engineers to assist you in your efforts, as well as financial aid as high as 500 denarii.

In order to pacify the people who have not yet seen the light, a group of monks will build a monastery near your castle. I expect from you to embrace these brethren in faith and defend them against the forces of Satan, while they will prove useful for the economic and spiritual development of your new belongings...

King Heinrich of Germany to Archbishop Unni of Bremen

Reverend Father, your thinking is both pious and practical, which are features I admire. While Landgraf Johann of Zwickau will fortify the March against the heathen raiders, your help in converting the poor savages to Christianity and thus pacifying the area from within is much appreciated. Perhaps the new monastery, which I will be delighted to support financially, might be best situated near the new stronghold to be built in Misni. You shall receive a chest with 600 denarii as well as enough land to support a monastery, which should be enough to get you started. May the Lord bless our noble actions!

King Heinrich of Germany to Landgraf Theodoric von Norden

My most trusted friend, I have promised you to send aid, and I shall live up to it! Hold the line, or fall back if it is inevitable, while I am mustering my forces. May God grant us victory over the heathens!!!

[Micha]

King Heinrich of Germany to the German Dukes

My brothers in arms, now that the war in the south is won, we need to shift our attention to other threats. In the East, the Magyars may resume their pillaging at any time, while to the north my heartland is exposed to insane heathen warriors from two sides. I will muster as many men as I can to bring to an honorable end what I have set out to do years ago: The restoration of Christian authority in Friesland. I call upon you, my loyal brethren, to assist me in this crucial affair. While I am hoping for men, you might see it fit to send gold or weaponry instead. Please consider the opportunities which await! The Frisians are our port to the Lands of the English, the trade routes need to be opened again! Getting rid of the Viking menace to our West as soon as possible will also allow me to free more men for campains on the Bavarian or Bohemian borders... The spoils of war will be divided between you alone, as I am only interested in destroying the heathen yoke on Frisia!

[Cyclotron]

Landgraf Johann von Zwickau to King Heinrich
Your Royal Majesty,
I am glad to hear of your approval of my plans and will serve you faithfully. I understand that numerous other foreign entanglements demand your attention, but I humbly request access to a portion of Your Majesty's arms and ships if they are not needed by Your Majesty in the coming year. The ships would be especially vital, as the River Elbe is the fastest and safest artery for the movement of forces in the March, and I have no ships suitable to the task at present.

I welcome the dispatch of Benedictine brothers to Meissen. I will do my utmost to ensure their safety and well-being.

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to King Heinrich of Germany
My King, I promised you the support of my army in return for you support of the German and Burgundian invasion of Friuli against Berengar. Your support then solidified my success. I owe you no less than my support in your endeavor.

However, I must look after the needs of Bavaria and Carinthia, long ravaged by war with the Magyars, with whom we have only recently made peace. I have a strong desire to keep my nobility at home in order to get Bavaria back into working order.

Bavaria shall send 150 knights and their approximately 1,500 retainers. I trust that their talents will not go to waste.

[foolish_icarus]

Duke Eberhard III of Franconia to King Heinrich of Saxony

My king, Franconia will aid in this Friesland endeavor. Might I know more particulars of how you intend to go about the matter that I may better judge what most helpful to provide?

[Micha]

King Heinrich of Germany to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria

We´ll need all the men we can muster to throw those northern heathens out of Frisia, so your Bavarian warriors will be much appreciated! Of course more would have been better, but I see the need to protect your eastern frontier. Many thanks, my friend! Shall the war be over quickly so we can rest and rebuild our duchies...

King Heinrich of Germany to Duke Eberhard III of Franconia

Your question is justified, so let me outline the basic ideas I´ve had about that campaign. We have to face two facts about our enemy. First, he controls the sea and second, he can hide behind the thick walls of several strongholds. But there´s also a weakness: His thirst for blood. The Vikings are raiders, no defenders. They can hide inside their fortresses, but they won´t do so. With their insane berserkers they may wreak havoc on light troops, but once the rush is over, the superior discipline of our troops will come to effect.

In essence, we need to avoid the coast because of the risk of naval landings, while laying siege to their fortresses to lure them out. I hope to use their pride against them - no Viking would avoid a good fight. So let´s bring it to them! They are not experienced in advanced tactics, feints and the like. We may get them to break formation when we fake a retreat, and once they´ve split up we can crush them by force. For this we need to play our greatest trump: Knights! So we need good weather and flat, open terrain. It will be the trickiest part of the plan. My best General von Norden will soon work out the details during the winter, while your input of course is also welcome.

King Heinrich of Germany to Landgraf Johann von Zwickau

You will receive whatever we can spare out of the armory as soons as the troops for the Frisian campaign are outfitted, and you may have a small fleet of four longships to help in your endeavour. Will this be enough for you? I can not spare any troops as of now, so you will have to cope with it somehow...

[Cyclotron]

Landgraf Johann von Zwickau
My Lord is most gracious. Anything I am allowed will be helpful. The more ships I can field, the larger a force I can move swiftly through the March.

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Markgraf Eberhard of Carinthia
Brother, I will dispatch a significant portion of Bavaria's military force to Saxony where they will battle the Vikings. I send only a portion of Bavaria's military because I feel that it best serves Bavaria to keep a significant number of grafs at home where they can keep the duchy stable. However, I leave it up to you to decide whether to send any Carinthian troops to support the King- you might consider sending von Wein, to get him campaigning where he can't start a revolt. He might, of course, run into some raging Vikings, too, and few men survive that.

However, should he come back a war hero, he might be an even more formidible foe. The choice is yours.

[Cyclotron]

Markgraf Eberhard of Carinthia to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
Von Wien is a Viking; the Normans are hardly one generation removed from the Danes. I would feel more comfortable with him further away - though hopefully not dead, as he has his uses - but are you certain it's wise to employ him fighting Vikings?

[Micha]

This is Saxony´s castle placement:

The legendary Eresburg will be the ducal castle where the court is usually situated. The Osterburg at the Elbe knee will remain in ducal hands for the time being. My beloved General von Norden will be granted the Rendsburg in the Danish March, so he will have a lot of practise once this campaign is over...

[Cyclotron]

Alright, that's 2 out of 4. Thanks!

I feel that it encourages people to post when some sort of deadline is created, so as before I'll be setting deadlines for orders, including this round. I understand that you may have concerns I don't know about, so if you need a deadline delayed don't hesitate to PM me.

That said, the deadline for castle placement and Year 925 orders is currently Saturday, April 5. Unless you've contacted me before then, orders past that date will not be accepted!