Storming of Kraken's Watch

Storming of Kraken's Watch Part of the Eighteen Years' War Storming of Kraken's Watch, 1536 Date: 13th of Snow's Maiden, 1558 Location: Courland, Oren Result: Courlander Victory Followed by: Battle of the Curon Forest Belligerents House Vanir and Allies: House Vanir House Kovachev House Staunton and Allies: House Staunton House Palaiologos House Lancefeld Commanders and leaders House Vanir and Allies: Britannus, Baron of Kraken's Watch John, Duke of Carnatia Ser Fiske Vanir House Staunton and Allies: Alexander, Duke of Courland Ser Demetrius Palaiologos Ser Aymar Fournier Ser Ulric von Aesterwald Strength House Vanir and Allies: 300 garrisoned men House Staunton and Allies: 1,000 Courlandic men Casualties House Vanir and Allies: ~50 dead 90 injured House Staunton and Allies: ~70 dead 30 injured

The Storming of Kraken's Watch was the starting battle of the Riga War between House Vanir, led by Baron Britannus Vanir, and the Duchy of Courland, led by Duke Alexander of House Staunton. The battle was a result of immense political pressure on Duke Alexander, and his desire to banish House Vanir from the Empire once more. His decision to storm the keep at night would result in outcry from various nobles in the Empire, specifically Duke John of Carnatia, Hetman Sveneld of Krajia, and Lord Peter Barbanov, and ultimately lead to the formation of the Carnatian coalition.

Prelude

At the Diet of Saltstone, Emperor John II had dictated that the fortress of Kraken's Watch be given to Britannus Vanir, and that Baron Britannus should swear fealty to Duke Alexander. Both parties agreed, hoping to form a long lasting peace between the two Houses. A few short years later, however, tensions had slowly begun to rise. An incident with Britannus' uncle, Arik Vanir, had left men in both Houses desiring conflict