NationStates Jolt Archive

Kingdom of England and Normandy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Norman_Arms.png#file

Basic Stats

Monarch: King William the Conqueror

Consort: None

Heir Apparent: William Rufus

Territory: England, Normandy, Wales, East Ireland

Religion: Roman Catholic with a few pagans

Capital: London

Languages: Norman, English

Allies: Gascony, Castille, Denmark, Saxony, Flanders, France

Royal Marriages:

Enemies:


OOC: Any communications with England should go here.

The Holy Roman Empire would wish to propose a alliance to the Kingom of England we wish to help by Increasing trade. I want this on one condition that you stop any hostilities with france because we wish to increase trade with them also our reasons for these are for the Emperors Knowleage only but shall be Revealed later.

ooc: I'm not in this earth, but is there any places still open to join? Is there a main thread were i can sign in?

(OOC: there are many spaces open, but please keep all OOC to the Main Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=457491)

The Holy Roman Empire would wish to propose a alliance to the Kingom of England we wish to help by Increasing trade. I want this on one condition that you stop any hostilities with france because we wish to increase trade with them also our reasons for these are for the Emperors Knowleage only but shall be Revealed later.
England would be willing to ally herself with the Holy Roman Empire, and as we are not at war with France we can do so immediately.

King William has announced an ambitious program today. He wishes for eventually all of the soldiers of England to be professional veterans who are well trained, and is allocating many funds to the army for this. In addition, he wishes for the English navy to eventually assume a prominent role, but for now that will have to take a backseat to more important matters.

Military:

Army:
10,000 men (Peacetime)
25,000 men (Wartime)
Note all peacetime soldiers are veterans
Military strengths: Longbowmen, knights

England would be willing to ally herself with the Holy Roman Empire, and as we are not at war with France we can do so immediately.

Yeah i know you wernt just had to keep with the times.

Your Majesty, rumours about your planned invasion of France have reached our court. Now, whether they are based on reality we do not know, but what we know is that should such fight take place, dukedom will gladly support the brave men of the Island. French king is our common enemy, and seems to be in need of a decent beating.

Therefore, if the rumours aren't meaningless and such rigtfull act of aggression is about to take place, we wish that Your Majesty would consider informing us beforehand, so that our military would have time to prepare and our operations could be planned and orchestrated together.

Sincerely Yours,
The Duke of Gascony

OOC: Were there really English Longbowmen already in the year of 1089? I thought they entered the battfield about hundred years later :confused:

Noble Duke,
Although I do not have plans to invade France at the moment, I would like to establish diplomatic relations and even an alliance with you, as an eventual invasion is likely. Does this sit well with Your Grace?

Sincerely,
King William the Conqueror

------------------------------------
Alliances:
Castille
The Holy Roman Empire
Gascony (Pending)

The Emperor wished to thank you for your help againts the rebellion.
your soldier will be sent back straight away infact they came on the boat that toke this messenger.

you have my many blessing for your help

From Henry IV of the Heiliges Römisches Reich

He is very welcome.

OOC: Gascony is in a matter of fact formally a vassal of England, though this relationship is not very tight and has little meaning in reality. I mentioned it in my news thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=457928). But that doesn't mean we can't make an "alliance" too, of course.

IC:

We are honored to be taken as allies of Your highness.
As said, I still want to confirm the fact that should any hostilities take place between you and the warmongering, barbarious king of Paris, the full support of Gascony can be counted on.

Sincerely Yours,

Duke Of Gascony

OOC: Oh well, this will cement it.

This is confirmed. I hope our nations will continue to live in harmony and destroy their enemies.

The training goes along well, and reports are optimistic that within a little while the entire army will be a force to be reckoned with.

Reports have come back about the astounding success of longbowmen in Granada. King William is ordering for all men to practice on the village green every saturday after mass on their archery skills. A major incentive is the pay of a longbowmen, still relatively scanty but much better than the wages of a peasant.

From the Chancery of King Philip I and King Louis VI

We request of Count William the Second, by Our grace Count of Normandy, his presence at the Cathedral of Rheims at the celebration of Christmas Mass this year, to affirm his fealty to Our august lordships and reassert our long-held rights on this joyous day. We are aware that this is a long journey, but it is necessary to assure Ourselves of your fealty.

Philippe et Louis, Rois de France, Ducs de France.

King William apologises that the Duke of Normandy, his son Robert Curthose, is on campaign against the Welsh. However, the Heir Apparent William Rufus is traveling to Rheims. We wish to discuss the rather complicated situation of being both Norman vassals and English kings at the same time.

King William apologises that the Duke of Normandy, his son Robert Curthose, is on campaign against the Welsh. However, the Heir Apparent William Rufus is traveling to Rheims. We wish to discuss the rather complicated situation of being both Norman vassals and English kings at the same time.

From the Chancery of King Philip I and King Louis VI

We understand the necessities of campaigning. While it would be preferable for the Count of Normandy to travel to Our celebration, We understand the necessities of campaigning. We shall be lenient and allow his brother to represent him, although he shall have to travel as soon as is convenient, so as to renew his oath of fealty. The bonds of vassalage shall be an important part of our conversations.

Philippe et Louis, Rois de France, Ducs de France.

He will attend.

My dear King William,

I hope your health is well. I would let my intent to incoporate the counties of Northumbria and Cumbria, and in fact increase the borders of Alba 'till the River Tyne and York, be known. Your invasion of England has caused a large number of Saxon refugees to my land including my wife Queen Margaret. Now I have no where to put all these Saxons and the old Earls and Chiefs of my court are perturbed. Northumbria would welcome them. It would be detrimental to the both of us if you chose to defend these lands once more, as your forces are otherwise occupied: Wales, Norse raiders, and rumors of crusade. Instead, in return for this added wealth to Alba, I will join you to confront the distant threats of the Norse and far eastern devils. What say you, forstall another campaign between us?

Malcolm Canmore King of Alba

My dear King Canmore,

Your proposition is interesting. However, as I am currently very busy with affairs with France, unfortunately I cannot give you any decision on this for a little while.

Sincerely,
King William the Conqueror

500 Longbowmen and 479 Knights from the force sent to Castille hhave returned in England. In addition to this 1,000 Spearmen, 200 Knights, and 450 Men-at-Arms have been sent to deal with the various issues plaguing England.

As news of the shocking Viking attack on Whitby reaches London, though the outcome is still uncertain, the King has implemented many new security measures. Troops from central England will go to the coasts, and a castle will be constructed in the center of each port city. A system of fire towers will warn of impending Viking invasion, and the navy will be increased to deal with patrolling against such raids.

SIC: The army that recently was marching on Wales, after the capitulation of the Welsh are marching northward. New castles are also being built in Northumbria, and England secretly calls for aid from its allies.

The English thank Castille for their help.

(Id just like to point out the extreme amount of money this would cost. William had already constructed a vast number of castles throughout England, thus, the treasuries of the Crown were already near depletion. The castles which you are now building, which in real life were built over a 400 year span, would seriously plunge England into debt, especially while hosting such a massive army... not to mention all the other cost consuming entities inside the Kingdom. Of course, the realism mod will point this out sooner or later, no real need for me to say it.)

OOC: These aren't the massive stone constructions of the later middle ages. These are simple motte-and-baileys, the kind that was often built at this time. William the Conqueror built one when he landed in England in only a week, I believe. Also, much of the cost is from the nobles, not the crown. Besides, I have one of the most efficient states in Europe, with an accurate census that allows for better taxation, thus, I am better able to bear the burden of this.

The Duke of Saxony redirects his returning knights and men-at-arms to join the English in their preparations for campaigning in Northumbria. Another force, half their size, stand ready to join if the King requires them.

King William thanks Saxony for their support, and pledges that it will not be forgotten.

A further force of 500 Knights and 2,000 Men-at-arms have been sent to Northumbria to counter the Scottish threat. Engineers have also been sent to assist in the building of seige engines.

Word has reached King William that the Scots are sending a large army of 8,000 men to attack Northumbria! In defiance of the hallowed peace that has reigned for several years in the area, the Scots are attempting to seduce the Northumbrians from their rightful King!

Luckily, the army has had a year to organise and strengthen the Northumbrian defences. With 10,000 men to defend against the Scots, as well as William's son Robert Curthose, the people are confident. The addition of new Welsh longbowmen, as well as their success in Castille has raised morale.

The English economy is beginning to feel the strain of maintaining such a large army as well as the castle construction program, but have accepted it for now, as the recent Viking attacks and Northumbrian invasion warrant it. Morale is also boosted by the knowledge that England's many allies will help in her hour of need.

Christmas Mass is being celebrated in the Cathedral at Rheims. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=460043)

"London! It is London!" As this shout was heard, men on all of the 28 ships Gasconyan fleet included woke up from their boredom and ran to the deck. Even their Duke, Jacques D'Casgony, was unable to hide his amusement for this magnificent event, and smiled like a sun. He walked to the bow of the ship, and gave a glance to the city in front of him.

Ships of the fleet sailed straight in to the port, and men unembarked to the piers. The crowd cheered to them as the Gasconyans marched through the city. 109 Knights and 420 men-at-arms, armours shining, flags and banners waving in the morning air.

They made their camp just north of the city, and prepared for the next morning. March to the north, to beat the Scots.

The English cheered on the soldiers of Gascony as they marched north.

Olaf heard of his men use and yet again the request of King William to use them again, to fight off the scots again. And sent a letter:

My friend King William I,

My men will do as you command, and will march against the Scots. As long as we are together, nobody will beat you or I. I have one propostion to add, may the leader of the forces, Eric Slavidsson, be given a piece of farm land if he serves you well?

Dear King William of England and Normandy

I the Bishop of Genoa offer you Genocian money help for you war against the Scots. In return the Republic of Genoa would like special trade rights in English and Norman ports. I am sorry I can't offer you anymore than money because of our movement to aquire the Island of Corsica. Should you have need of troops and we are done in Corsica I shall send some men.

Sincerely
Bishop Danilo

King William greatly thanks King Olaf and the Genoans, and grants both their requests. The Genoan money will come in quite useful in repairing the depleted coffers for the war, and the forces under Eric Slavidsson's command will also be invaluable.