Man, somebody’s going to have to take care of Leon pretty soon.
Yeah, I saw that coming as well. That’s why I was forging claims on chunks of it and trying to drive it out. I figure my lot was better cast going after them than that massive Sultanate to the South. I do believe that my last action was either getting the claim on the province Leon itself, or just taking it over and finishing up that war before I died.
/patting self on back
King García of León is getting pretty old and his vassals have been restive. I’m just waiting for the chance to pounce. Most of the easy claims have been taken, though, so I’ll have to start getting creative.
To the north, France is all set to take over all of England. I missed my chance to nab Navarra and Rosello when King Simon the Unready died. Now his son, who is about my age, is on the throne and those counties may be lost to us forever. I married his sister, though, in the hopes that he’ll just leave us alone.
I know that feel. I’m going through that same thing with Sweden in my game (I’m Poland), but now, I think I’m trying to hold on for the Mongol onslaught, which is almost certainly coming.
I have no clue how I got the Duchy of Orkney, though.
1202
England has fallen to France. Even though my brother-in-law stood to inherit England, he probably didn’t want to wait around for the nine-year-old king to die and therefore took it for himself.
I married my sister Coxelia to the Duke of East Anglia, who happens to have the Count of Navarra as a vassal. If we can’t take France head on, maybe we can subvert it from within.
Oh, Aldonza! The Queen can’t hold a candle to your alabaster skin and jet-black hair. I steal to your chamber and give you a good tumble. The kingship may be stressful but it has its benefits.
Never mind all the intrigue, the French vassals have revolted. Now is my chance to take back Navarra.
1203
My lover Lady Aldonza has borne daughter. I rather doubt she is mine so I denounce the child.
1204
Navarra is ours once again. I had hoped to stand down my levies, but the despicable García has declared war on us for León.
1205
After a setback, we have pushed back the Leonese and are chasing them from county to county.
1206
The war lasted far too long but King García has finally conceded. He has now lost all claim to the County of León. I also captured his queen but he doesn’t seem intrested in ransoming her, not even for 10 gold pieces. I have a mind now to take Zamora away from him.
The chancellor of Astorga fabricated a claim on the County of León for his leige, Duke Rosendo. As the duke is in fact a guest in my fine dungeons, I executed him. That takes care of that.
Duchess Marina has died of severe stress. As she was my designated successor, I must now nominate another. Most support Giacomo, Baron of Alacuàs so I name him as he seems to be a good candidate despite his years.
Fernán, the Duke of Aragon has designs on the throne, so I’ll have to keep an eye on him.
1207
The lords of England have revolted; France is a giant mess. I have cassus belli to claim France (which would also take care of Rosello) or England in the name of my wife, but breaking the truce would be too costly.
King García has contracted consumption. Could this be the end of that old dog?
15 July 1207
Joyous day! My wife has borne me a son, whom we have named Bernardo. I promptly nominated him to succeed me as king. I will hold a Grand Tournament in celebration.
15 December 1207
Let the Grand Tournament begin!
1208
Maintaining a lover was getting to be quite troublesome, now that I have a legitamate son. So I broke up with Lady Aldonza and married her off to a prince of Venice.
The Grand Tournament has concluded. Only one wounded and one death. Jyad ibn Abbad of Tarragona was proclaimed winner. Duke Suleyman of València can in second. I came in third, which is good but not quite good enough.
When those big empires blow up, it’s pretty nice. The Cumans, in my game blew up when the Golden Horde arrived on the scene.
Man, I’m totally not looking forward to tangling with them. Can I develop a nuke?
1208
My brother-in-law has lost the crowns of France and England; poor Simon, I’m afraid, is now just the Earl of Brno and Rosello. France has reconstituted itself while England is still vastly fragmented. I marry one of my spare sisters to the new King of France, Thiébaut I.
1209
I hear the Crusade for Hungary has finally been won. Praise the Lord! Maybe now the Holy Father can spare a thought for the infidel at my doorstep.
I’ve waited long enough for that old goat García to pass away. I’ve been sitting on these papers my chancellor ‘found’ a couple years ago. I declare war to claim the Duchy of Asturias. Besides, I need to liberate my kinsman Rodrigo Gutiérrez from the duke’s dungeons.
1210
The new King of France has managed to take over rump England. Alas this includes Rosello. England as a realm, though, is still disunited.
1211
Hmmm, my new brother-in-law King Thiébaut I of France seems to be having the same trouble holding his realm together as did my first brother-in-law Simon.
King García III fought quite vigorously, despite my having not only his wife but also two of his children in my dungeons. Eventually Asturias fell. Being now in control of more than half the country, I declared myself King of León.
No sooner had I done so when my dukes asked me to lower Crown Authority. I refused and they declared civil war. I’ll have to teach these treasonous dogs a lesson.
1212
García now calls himself King of Galicia. His son, also named García, in turn proclaimed himself King of Portugal. They better not try anything as I tend to internal matters.
1213-1214
The Fatimids are back and have called jihad on Portugal. This is a most unwelcome development and I sue for white peace with my dukes. I fear it may be too late to help King García I.
Pics:
France reunited (1208)
Civil war in Aragon (1211-1214)
Kingdom of Aragon and León (1214), featuring jihad in Portugal
1215
The war for Portugal did not go well. García called me in to its defense and I sent what troops I could spare. But not even the Knights Templar could stem the tide of infidels. The Reconquista has been dealt a setback. Portugal has fallen.
In the heat of battle, I missed the report that I inherited the Duchy of Barcelona as well as the Duchy of Zaragoza (though the latter title is merely titular). What happened to young Gonzalo, I wonder? In any event, I am far too busy to effectively run the duchy and all the counties associated with it, so disbursed them them to worthy individuals in my realm.
I hadn’t found a good spymaster since Count Ramón passed away a few years ago. As before, I enticed Osorio de Ciudad Rodrigo to my court by making him Count of Urgell as well as giving him the Duchy of Barcelona. The other counties I gave to persons with good martial skills, the better to command my armies.
1216
Even though García’s realm has been reduced to the single County of Salamanca, he still styles himself ‘King of Portugal’. I feel for my kinsman, really I do, but Salamanca will be better off in our kingdom rather than some rump state.
I hear a scourge has arisen in the east in the form of the great Khagan. Perhaps the infidel Mohamedans will feel the heat and leave our fair peninsula alone.
1217
García called in his father to help from Galicia, to no avail. I quickly dispatched all their forces and Salamanca is mine. I had no idea the old Leonese goat was still alive, but he died quite soon after the war concluded. So former King of Portugal is now King of Galicia. Unfortunately this means I must now wait some more time before pressing any claims I have on Galicia.
Looking to France, my brother-in-law Thiébaut died in battle while I was attending my own civil war. So now my nephew Savary is King of France and England.
The people have started calling me ‘the Great’. I guess I am.
Pics:
The fall of Portugal (1215)
The Mongols are coming (1217) - that mass of brown and green in the east is all Mongolian
I didn’t play that many games. How usual is it for the Fatimids to become as powerful as they did here, in your experience?
And to Terminus Est : what are your plan/expectations, here besides eating away at the remnants of Galicia? Apparently the Fatimids are too much of a challenge at the moment. Also, how many more territories do you need to create the empire of Hispania?
The Fatimids start off in control of Egypt and are quite powerful, but I’ve never seen them take over all the Muslim lands quite so completely. The Fatimids are Shia and it looks like there are no more Sunni anywhere in the world. [Interesting note: If you look at the Fatimid dynasty tree, they trace themselves all the way back to the prophet Muhammad.]
Forming an empire requires two kingdom titles and control of 80% of the counties. I’m King of Aragon & León and have perhaps 60% of Hispania. I haven’t bothered creating the Kingdom of Castille even though all my lands are in Castille and Granada. If and when I do form Hispania, I intend to hand out kingdoms like they were dukedoms. I’ll create the Kingdom of Castille when I can and possibly make it my primary title, but the dukes of Aragon are too powerful at the moment. I’ve succeeded in diluting the Duchy of Barcelona (through sheer accident) and I’m figuring out how to do the same to the Duke of Aragon & València.
It’s a real juggling act: gaining more territory while keeping my vassals happy. They’re apt to rebel whenever they sense weakness so can’t just do what I want. For now, they appreciate that I’ve defeated them in civil war.
Rosello is still in the hands of France, and I’d like to get it back at some point. The King of France was also Count of Rosello, so I thought I had a way in by marrying his sister, but then he had to go and get himself deposed. I still have a weak claim on France by way of my wife, so I may use it if the time is right. In any case, I’ve married a spare sister to the current king of France.
I have a few more sisters and I’ll look around for suitable candidates for marriage. Maybe a powerful duke in France, England, or even the HRE.
Thanks for your answers. I didn’t know you needed two king titles (even though that doesn’t seem to be an issue).
It’s fun to notice that every single player since the start of the game has been looking at Rosello with gleaming eyes.
In retrospect, I shouldn’t have usurped the Kingdom of León quite so quickly. The collapse of the kingdom was just the opening the Fatimids were waiting for. Live and learn.
1218
The kingdom is at peace for once. While there are wars elsewhere, I am not involved in any of them. It’s time to hold a summer fair. The peasants appreciate that.
1219
Marquesa, whom people whisper is my bastard daughter, was still running around the palace, reminding everyone of my past indescretion. Why didn’t she go with her mother when I married her off to that Venetian? I finally married the child to Count Gaucelin of Navarra. Hopefully they’ll produce an heir and I can stop worrying about Navarra reverting back to France.
I declare Holy War on the Amirid Emirate for Mallorca. They are an independent realm and appear to be the last remnants of the once great sect of Sunni. They should be quite easy to defeat. I won’t even need to raise any of my vassals’ levies.
1220
I was quite surprised when the Amirids landed an army of 11,000 on Empuries. I didn’t even know that they could fit that many soldiers on their little islands. I could defeat them quite easily by calling up more levies, but it was at this moment that the Fatimids chose to attack again. I should have known.
It’s now an all-war for Spain. I asked France for help as well as Galicia and the remaining independent Spanish dukes. I also called in the Knights Templar. These infidels will be defeated.
In the middle of all this, my wife bore me another son, Antonino. We must count our blessings.
1221
By the grace of God, the Fatimids have been defeated.
The war for Mallorca goes on. I am astounded at how many troops these infidels can raise. After defeating their first army, they sent another army of 5,000 to attack Barcelona. But with the Fatimids gone, I could send all of the armies I raised to crush them. After that, their island strongholds soon fell. Mallorca is mine.
Dilemma: I have to opportunity to marry my heir to the Queen of Denmark; they are both 16 years old. If I do, he will leave my court to take residence in the cold lands of the north where I will not have any control over him. I won’t be able to grant him any lands or titles nor possibly protect him with my spymaster. As King Consort, he won’t have any real power over there. He would still inherit the Kingdom of Aragon and possibly the Empire of Hispania if I should succeed in forming it. Their heir would rule Spain and Denmark.
Should I go for it?
Regarding the spymaster, I’ve been less shy lately in not letting him in defensive position, to no ill effect. Also, you could send him to Denmark to protect your son instead of protecting yourself. I’ve done that a number of times but lately I began to wonder if this works properly. If someone, either in Denmark or in Aragon try to have him (or later his children) killed, will you even be informed if your spymaster is up there? Will he gain a plot discovery bonus (especially since apparently, the AI often just ignore murder plots against itself, from what I read)?
In any case, I wouldn’t agonize about the spymaster issue. He will leave your court as soon as you will grant him a title anyway, so he’ll have to fend for himself sooner or later. Besides, marrying him to the queen of Denmark is a bet. He might die, or his children might. But you have another heir lined up, and probably will have others.
I would be more worried about the inability to grant him titles. If I’m not mistaken, you’re only about 36, so if my experience is any indication, you might have 30+ years to go, unable to give any title to your heir. And the crown of Denmark might change hands meanwhile, following the murder of your daughter-in-law, or a civil war, or whatever. If the crown of Aragon is still elective, you might also find an equally good or better marriage opportunity for another of your children/nephews/grandchildren later on and make him your new heir.
If you were 60 or something, it would be an easy choice. But in my experience long term plans like that rarely end up as expected in Crusader Kings. As usual, it’s up to you to decide. I just answered because I found reading opinions helpful to make up my own mind when I asked for them once, whether or not I followed the advices given.
Sure!
I think I’m not going to arrange the marriage. While it’s holding its own against Sweden and Norway, Denmark is pretty small. My experience with a small AI allied to a larger polity is that they’ll expect you to come to their aid; I really don’t want to get into any wars over there. There’s also the distance penalty. Plus Denmark still has gavelkind succession.
There are other alternatives. There appear to be a few independent duchesses, but the most promising one is Duchess of València, who is my direct vassal. Marrying my heir Bernardo to her would keep him closer to home and I could consolidate power back into my own hands rather than the dukes of Aragon. On the negative side, she’s a kinswoman. Anyone had any experience with inbreeding?
Never mind the inbreeding. Apparently Marina isn’t a part of my dynasty. I’m going for it.
1221
How cute! The Duke Martín of Portucale has called me into his little war against his rebellious vassal, the Count of Porto. I’ve accepted the call to arms and sent a few of my troops over. After I’ve defeated them I hope Duke Martín will be grateful enough to accept vassalization.
1222
I am glad that my choice to govern Asturias has proven wise. Duke Piñolo’s justice has brought peace to that troubled province. Fewer crimes are committed and fewer complaints are heard. The peasants have never been happier!
1223
My son Bernardo has come of age. I found him a suitable wife in form of Marina, Duchess of València. There were many suitable candidates from realms around the world, but I like the idea of keeping my son close at hand. I will also be able to grant him some of my land if the burden of governance becomes too much.
Shortly after arriving in Dénia, Marina appointed Bernardo Marshal of València and set him to train her troops. It is good to see that my daughter-in-law recognizes her husband’s abilities. He is quite the brilliant strategist.
1224
The war for Porto has finally been won. I could have called up more troops to force the issue much sooner, but the Fatimids are nearby and I’d rather not do anything to provoke them. After helping him in his little war, I asked Duke Martín if he would prefer to be my vassal and he refused. Well, my chancellor has been busy there, and has discovered some interesting papers.
While I was busy tending to the war in Porto, this character billing himself Emir Kemaladdin stole the County of Málaga out from under me. What on God’s green earth happened here? I received no reports of an invasion or uprising. When I reclaim the county, I will have some stern words with the local administrators.
1225
I’ve regained Málaga. This place is a hive of infidels. Even though my court chaplain has been working here for years, he has made little headway in converting the populace. There was even a baron who refused to convert. I replaced him with a good Christian man of my house.
1226
The Duchess of Badajoz is again at war with her counts. If only she would accept vassalization, we could quickly bring peace to that land. Duke Martín of Portucale has accepted her call to arms. I don’t know how effective he would be since he has become a drunkard.
1227
France is once again plunged into civil war. The dukes of both France and England have rebelled against the young king, my nephew Savary. It is tempting to take advantage of the chaos, but I have bigger fish to fry.
The truce with King García of Galicia is over. I have proof that the Duchy of Galicia as well as the County of Zamora is mine by right. The Fatimids are distracted by theier own civil war. The time is right.
1228
The dukes of England have prevailed. England is once again an independent kingdom. Without the distraction across the channel, Savary quickly mopped up any resistance in France. I guess we’ve lost the chance to regain Rosello. For now.
1229
Galicia is mine. The former King García is now merely Count of Badajoz, separate from the Duchy of Badajoz. (I’m sure there’s going to be some friction there.) I offered to make Count García my vassal - he is a kinsman after all - but he refused. The Count of Toledo, however, saw the writing on the wall and readily agreed to come under the wing of the great Kingdom of Aragon.
Pic: Galicia is added to Aragon
[Does anyone know how I could have lost a county without my noticing it? One minute it was in my realm, the next it was independent. I did not get a notice of war or rebellion or anything.]
It probably got inherited out of your realm upon the death of the previous owner. To prevent that you have to both have Crown Authority set to High, AND the territory has to be within the de jure area of whatever kingdom or empire has CA set to high, as I understand it.