King Friedrich of Ruritania, a hotblooded and foolish youth, went on crusade without securing his line. He died in battle, along with his army and most of the nobles of the Kingdom, at Nicopolis.
His infant son, a weak and sickly boy, died four year later leaving the realm bereft of a rightful heir.
Two candidates have come to the fore during the interregnum.
Johannes, Bastard of Bohemia. Claimant on the throne of Ruritania by no real right, but put forward by Wenzeslas, King of Bohemia.
Alexios Doukas, Byzantine Knight in Exile. Claimant on the throne of Ruritania by the fact that he is married to the dead King Friedrich's sister.
Nobles war amongst themselves, both to gain land and power in the chaos, but also to push their preferred candidate forward.
Francesco Savorgnan, younger brother of the ruler of the Italian city of Udine, here with a trusted hunter.
Massimo de Montacada, an Italian German man-at-arms in the service of Francesco Savorgnan of Udine. Here with his four heavily armed sergeant and archer.
Ulric Meinhard, a nobleman from the powerful nearby city of Görz. Seen here mounted and with his squire attending and the infamous saracen archer Yusuf Edrisi.
Baldric von Lienz, a German man-at-arms in the service of Ulric Meinhard of Görz. Here with two sergeants and a crossbowman.
William Wittelsbach, a nobleman connected with the ruling dynasty of Bavaria. Seen here mounted and with his squire attending.
Siegfried von Scheyern, a German man-at-arms in the service of William Wittelsbach. Here with two well-armed sergeants.
Leopold von Neuhaus, a German man-at-arms in the service of William Wittelsbach. Here with a sergeant and an archer.
The ambitious Brabanzon mercenary captain Geoffrey of Brabant has also taken an interest in the war. Here he is with attending sergeant. Under his command are three separate mercenary lances, each with a man-at-arms, mounted sergeant and crossbowman.
Jean de Leuven, a mercenary in service with Geoffrey of Brabant
Johannes de Baesweiler, a mercenary in service with Geoffrey of Brabant
Markus de Namur, a mercenary in service with Geoffrey of Brabant
Surely God will be merciful upon the unfortunate people of Ruritania and make the interegnum a short lesson of humility and wisdom...
No comments:
Post a Comment