NationStates Jolt Archive

Kingdom of Castile
http://baronmorgan.gallowglass.org/ruling_nobles/common/hcastile.gif

Basic Stats

Monarch: King Alfonso VI the Brave

Consort: Queen Constance of Burgundy

Heir Apparent: Princess Urraca of Castile

Territory: Old Castile, New Castile, Leon, Galicia

Religion: Roman Catholic with a distinct Musllim minority

Capital: Burgos

Language: Castillian

Allies: Kingdom of Sicily, Kingdom of England

Royal Marriages: Prince Simon of Sicily to Princess Urraca of Castile
Princess Agatha of Normandy to Prince Garcia of Galicia

Enemies:

Army
Regulars
3,000 Knights
6,000 Men-at-Arms
2,000 Pikemen
3,000 Bowmen
Professional and veteran and very experienced. Strengths include Knights and zeal.

Militia
2,000 in Old Castile
3,500 in New Castile
2,000 in Leon
2,500 in Galicia
Can be called up in time of war and serve as keepers of the peace in their towns on a rotateing daily basis.

OOC: Any communications with castile should go here.

I wish to propose a marriage between my son Crown Prince Simon and your daughter Princess Urraca of Castile in order for an alliance that might strengthen our kingdoms and bring them close together. Do you accept?

This would be a perfect union. We would be glad to form such a close bond with the Kingdom of Sicily. Of course you already know that she is but five years old?

I know as Simon himself is but a small child of nearly the same age just a few years younger so the union fits their ages well making it all the better.

In eight years we will convene for the marriage in Burgos at which point Simon will become Prince-Consort to the Heir Apparent and upon her ascension, King-Consort. This will unify our two Kingdoms under their first born child.

This union I hope will prevail and create a great and powerful empire out of our two mighty kingdoms. As well as a token of my gratitude to your agreement I shall send 500 knights and 2000 men-at-arms to help in the war of the recon quest of the Iberian Peninsula from the Infidel.

I thank you greatly! Your contribution will not go unthanked.

OOC: do you have AIM? We need to discuss how we will run this when everything does happen.

OOC: Yeah, but I will send my AIM via TG, alright?

OOC: of course.

IC: It had long been a goal of the various Kings of Spain to unite her under their arms and under their flag. Unfortunately none had come very close to succeeding untill now.

All that was left for Alfonso to take was Granada as all the Muslim states had fallen under the heel of his ancestors. With Granada Spain would be wholly Christian and almost completely united with only Navarre, Aragon, and Portugal left.

Kings Apartments, Palacio Burgos

Alfonso sat alone in his study at the palace in burgos. he had known since he sat down what he was going to do yet he had not had the strength to write it down yet. He would be condemning the people whom he had a strange affection for, to servitude. He had always been a friend of the Muslim leaders and had learned much from the Imams and other Muslim clerics who had studied for years and had made islam the most technologically advanced religion and region. under these men Alfonso had studied and under them he had learned well. He knew that Granada would not fall quickly nor easily, and that the streets to the famous citadel would be paved with bones and bathed in blood but it was for Spain, for Jesus Christ and for Rome.

Burgos Town Square
People of Castile,
I, King Alfonso VI, or as many of you have called me, the Brave, hereby announce the creation of the final campaign to take back SPain from the Muslims and to take Granada.

I already have an army of 2,000 Knights, 4,000 Men-at-Arms, 1,000 Bowmen, and 500 Pikemen. This does not include the 500 Knights and 2,000 Men-at-Arms from Sicily who will also ride with us. I ask you to join me in the quest to unite Spain. Blacksmiths hammer away, Farriers bring us you horses, and Priests bring us your blessing as all of you will be doing your part. In addition to this any who wish to join the army as Pikemen will be granted such for the duration of the campaign.

I thank you all for the sacrifices you will be makeing in order for SPain to once again be united.

God bless you,
His Most Catholic Majesty, King Alfonso VI

The letter was read aloud in the town square and within six days time the Pikemens ranks had swelled to 1,500 with another 500 fairly decent Bowmen being added to the Bowmen Regiments. It was time to complete the reconquista.

England would like to establish an alliance with Castille, and possibly a Royal Marriage also.

I will agree to an alliance but unfortunately my only daughter is betrothed to the Crown Prince of Sicily. If you wish my brother could marry your sister Agatha.

Men had been arriveing from all around Castile bringing the total Castillian troops up to 2500 Knights, 7000 Men-at-Arms, 3000 Pikemen, and 3000 Bowmen. The Militia would guard the cities during the campaign. All Alfonso waited for was summer and the Sicilian and English reinforcements...

The reinforcements sent by the King of the Two Sicilies had finally arrived. The army was lead by King Roger himself and he had brought with him 3,000 knights, 6,000 men-at-arms, 2,000 pike men, and 4,000 archers to aide the king of Castile defeat the Infidels at Granada.

I will agree to an alliance but unfortunately my only daughter is betrothed to the Crown Prince of Sicily. If you wish my brother could marry your sister Agatha.
This is acceptable to King William.

In addition, to help their Castilian brothers, the King has despatched 500 knights and 1,000 longbowmen to aid in the Reconquista.

I thank you brother! Your men will help defeat the Moslems and take back Spain for the christians! I will send my brother to wed your sister within the week.

Ejército del Reconquista
King Alfonso VI
3,500 Knights
8,000 Men-at-Arms
3,000 Pikemen
3,000 Bowmen
1,000 Longbowmen
Total: 18,500
Includeing first forces from Sicily and contingent from England.

King Roger I
3,000 Knights
6,000 Men-at-Arms
2,000 Pikemen
4,000 Archers
Total: 15,000

TOTAL FORCES: 33,500 Men

Campaign Begins: May 27, 1088

OOC: We start the assault on Granada now?

OOC: if you dont want to i can change it for tommorrow...

OOC: I was asking because I wanted to start rping the assualt.

OOC: I will make the thread...

OOC: I anixously await the thread's start.

Your like an hour late..its on the second or third page of II by now...

The Heiliges Römisches Reich would wish to Propose a Alliance with Castile not Military sorry the pope would at the moment class you a traitor if you dared ally with me lets just say my rescent actions havent gone down to well in rome. I propose a trade alliance i am awaiting your reply.

Signed Emperor Henry IV

The English contingent has arrived. These longbowmen will be something of an experiment, to be backed up by the proven greatness of the knights.

The King thanks you for agreeing to this marriage, and it can happen as soon as you wish.

England also is interested in the Holy Roman Empire's overture, perhaps a grand alliance of England, Castille, and HRE, in our three corners of the world, would prove very beneficial. We know that Castille has embarked on the Reconquista and HRE is unifying. England is content to help her allies for the moment, until the time comes for a war of her own.

Unfortunately I must decline your offer. We do not seek the wrath of the Pope and currently any contact with you would bring such unto us. Once again I am sorry.

Alfonso

My brother Garcia has already been sent. he should arrive at the same time this letter does. I thank you for the men and may our siblings live happily together!

Alfonso

To King Alfonso VI,

His Excellencey, Abu Tahir Tamim ibn al-Muizz, Emir of Tunisia, is pleased by the recent signing of a Non-Agression Pact with Castile, but he is most troubled over your recent persecution of Islam in Spain.

He requests that you allow Granada to remain under Muslim control. As he is doubtful you will accept this request, he also asks that you either allow peaceful worship of Allah in your lands, or, allow the all Muslims who wish it to be relocated to Tunisian lands.

Such persecution against Islam will be remembered by all of Tunisia.

I assure you my great Emir, that the Moslem faith will not be persecuted but they will only be allowed to worship in their homes. Although we will offer the transportation of any Moslem who wishes it, to be brought to Tunisia.

In peace and solidarity,
Alfonso

Alfonso knew the need for knights and an organized order of Knights from Castile would be a shining beacon of Christianity in Castile and the world. He also knew of the stirrings of war, the Turkish thunder clouds rolling over the Byzantine horizon. He knew that he would not be able to lead a crusade to assist his Christian brothers because he would be occupied in Spain fending off the Moslems here. he decided that this was what he would create the Knights for and the Knights of Burgos came to be...

Don Sancho Guero de Zamora,
I, King Alfonso VI, King of Castile and Leon and all the fiefs and vassals there of, hereby announce the creation of an order of Knights to be headed by yourself. You will be the head of the Knights of Burgos and you will represent your brethren in the Kingdom of Castile while on Crusade to protect the Holy Land and the Byzantines from Moslem vassalage. Your knights, los Caballeros de Burgos, will be commissioned at the Cathedral at Burgos and you shall be ordained by the Bishop of Burgos as the Lord Captain Commander of the Knights of Burgos. I have ordered 500 of my best men to be knighted under you and to be the first members of the Knights of Burgos. Serve them well and serve God well.

Your King,
Alfonso VI, King of Castile, Defender of Spain

Don Sancho Guero de Zamora was ecstatic.

King Alfonso had actually granted him the commission that he had been lobbying for for so long.

Five hundred knights!

As aids rushed to the sides of their lord, now convulsing with joy, he extended the letter to his right hand man.

"We ride for the court of Alfonso the IV."

"Yes, my lord."

Don Sancho was greeted and then escorted to his appartment. The next day he would be knighted...

As Don Sancho prepared for the knighting ceremony, with many aids milling about him, arranging his noble brown hair so that it complemented his eyes, his heart yearned for the moment when his battle would begin. He assumed that he and his knights would be sent forth, with the Holy Land and the Crusade as their eventual destination, however he also knew that there would be many stops along the way in the name of King Alphonso and Castile.

Three Hours Later

As Don Sancho entered the stately church where he would soon be knighted, he sighed, and walked forward. It was time to accept his destiny.

As Don Sancho walked forward, King Alfonso was handed a sword by the Bishop of Burgos and he then unsheathed it and stepped forward to knight the Don.

"I, King Alfonso VI of Castile, hereby grant you the title of Lord Captain Commander of the Knights of Burgos and bestow upon you all the honors and priviliges thereof. Arise Lord captain Commander Guero and take this sword as a gift from the peole of Castile and the Cathedral of Burgos. Take this sword and do your holy duty. Take this sword and Knight those who wish to follow you."

A line of 500 men in shear white robes with a cross emblazoned over a lion on their left breast streamed into the Cathedral and were accepted as the first Knights of Burgos...

As the first Lord Captain Commander of the Knights of Burgos finished his first duty, he smiled. He was now more powerful than he had ever been. He served directly to the court of Castile, and that was an honorable position. He turned to his king;

"My lord, I and my men will follow your will to the end of the world. Where would you have us go?"

"Navarre." was the simple reply. "You will go to Navarre."

OOC: wait untill the battle at saragossa is over...