Storming of Kraken's Watch

Storming of Kraken's Watch Part of the Riga War Storming of Kraken's Watch, 1558 Date: 12th of Sun's Smile, 1558 Location: Courland, Oren Result: Courlander Victory Followed by: Battle of the Curon Forest Belligerents House of Vanir: Retinue of Kraken's Watch Duchy of Courland: Courlander Levy House Palaiologos Commanders and leaders House of Vanir: Britannus, Baron of Kraken's Watch Ser Asher Highwind Duchy of Courland: Ser Demetrius Palaiologos Ser Aymar Fournier Strength House Vanir and Allies: 300 garrisoned men House Staunton and Allies: 700 Courlander soldiers Casualties House Vanir and Allies: ~120 dead 20 injured House Staunton and Allies: ~70 dead 30 injured

The Storming of Kraken's Watch of 1558 was the starting battle of the Riga War, where a small detachment of soldiers from the Duchy of Courland seized the Castle of Kraken's Watch during the celebration of Saint Edmond's Day. The battle was the result of immense political pressure on Duke Alexander, and his desire to fully solidify his rule as Duke, seeing the lordship under the House of Vanir as relic of his dead brother's reign. His decision to storm the keep at night and during the holy festival would result in outcry from various nobles in the Holy Orenian Empire, specifically Duke John of Carnatia, and Hetman Sveneld of Krajia, ultimately leading to the formation of the Carnatian League.

Prelude

At the Diet of Saltstone, the Imperial State had dictated that Lord Britannus' rule of Kraken's Watch was legal, and that Lord Britannus should swear fealty to Duke Alexander as his liege lord. Both parties agreed, hoping to form a long lasting peace between the two Houses and to put an end to any previous conflict. A few years later, the deaths of Britannus' uncles, Lords Arik and Vasili Vanir, had raised tensions with men in both Houses desiring conflict. In an effort to calm his men and family, Lord Britannus declared a feast in celebration of Saint Edmond's day. Duke Alexander, however, made use of this opportunity to take back what he saw as rightfully his.

Battle

Before sunrise on the 12th of the Sun's Smile, Duke Alexander ordered Ser Demetrios Palaiologos to take command of a regiment of Courlander infantry and to oust Lord Britannus and his family from Kraken's Watch.