War:Riga War
|
The Riga War, 1559 to 1564, was an internal Imperial conflict between the Carnatian League, made of coalition allies including the Duchy of Carnatia and the Krajian Hetmanate, and the Duchy of Courland. The war stems from Duke Alexander of Courland's decision to revoke the Barony of Kraken's Watch from Lord Britannus Vanir, in an attempt to solidify his claim to the duchy. Duke Alexander hoped to remove the claimants from his land in hopes of force-arming the House of Vanir back into banishment.
Prelude
Following the end of the Dukes' War, the old Duchy of Vanaheim had been destroyed under the rule of King Guy of Oren, and reformed into the Duchy of Courland by Emperor John I and given to House Staunton. At the conclusion of the Eighteen Years' War, Duke Anden of Courland was plagued by rebellion. The Duke's brother, Alexander, had raised a host and pressed his claim to the Duchy. Anden, hoping to revive the old Duchy of Vanaheim, requested Britannus Vanir's assistance in crushing the rebellion. To confirm his commitment to the cause, Duke Anden would reward Britannus with the keep of Kraken's Watch, the former primary holding of the Vanir's.
In a sudden twist of events, Duke Anden's father, Richard, supported Alexander's claim to the Duchy. Ashamed and disappointed, Duke Anden would hang himself, passing the Duchy to the only known heir, Alexander. Fearing an uncontrolled rebellion within the Duchy, Emperor John II would call for negotiations to occur at the Diet of Saltstone. At the Emperor's insistence, Britannus Vanir would accept the title of Baron of Kraken's Watch, and swear fealty to Duke Alexander of Courland.
Several years passed with peace in the Duchy, and both Alexander and Britannus were careful not to escalate tensions between the two houses. Unexpectedly, however, Alexander would send a small detachment of Courlandic soldiers to slay the garrison and the Vanirs whilst they slept. Due to the immense bravery of one man, Asher Highwind, the Vanirs were able to escape the attack with a majority of their bannerforce, and call for a meeting of the northern lords, primarily Duke John of Carnatia, Hetman Sveneld of Krajia, and Lord Petyr Barbanov. Immense political pressure from the northern lords and Imperial advisers would cause Emperor John II to allow for an internal Imperial conflict.
Major Confrontations
- 1558 - Storming of Kraken's Watch - Courlander Victory
- 1561 - Battle of the Curon Forest - Coalition Victory
- 1562 - Siege of Kraken's Watch - Coalition Victory
Timeline
- 1556:
- The Treaty of Saltstone (1556) is signed, awarding Kraken's Watch to Britannus Vanir under tenure to the Duchy of Courland.
- 1558:
- During the celebrations of Saint Edmond's Day, Duke Alexander marches his army towards Kraken's Watch. With majority of the guard within a drunken stupor, he sacks and captures the castle in a quick siege. Lord Brittanus flees in exile to the court of Duke John of Carnatia.
- 1559:
- The Second Diet of Saltstone is held by John II, Holy Orenian Emperor. The feud between Lord Britannus and Duke Alexander is deemed legal by the Emperor and the two sides sign the Pacta Conventa of 1559, allowing for a controlled conflict between the two feudal lords.
- Duke John of Carnatia and Hetman Sveneld of Krajia form the Carnatian League, supporting Lord Britannus' claim.
- Ser Fiske Vanir, son of Lord Brittanus and one of the Heroes of Kal'Valen, is elected amongst the higher and lower nobility alike in the Carnatian League as their Lord Paramount.
- 1559 - 1560:
- Minor skirmishes occur upon the border of Courland and Carnatia, however the opposing main armies never face directly upon the field.
- 1561:
- The Courlander Army, spearheaded by the command of Duke Alexander and Ser Aymar Fournier, marches his main army into Carnatia.
- Despite being outnumbered, the Carnatian League's army, led by Ser Rickard Barrow, meets the opposing forces at the Battle of Curon Forest. A decisive victory for Ser Rickard, Duke Alexander is forced to retreat back to Kraken's Watch.
- 1562:
- The Siege of Kraken's Watch occurs under the leadership of Ser Rickard, where the castle is captured in the successful assault. Duke Alexander retreats again to his capital of Riga, where he broods over his loses. Without proper leader the Courlander forces enter into an array of chaos.
- Tensions rise between Lord Brittanus and Hetman Sveneld of Krajia after the apparent affair of Hetman Sveneld's cousin, Ser Jaromir, and Brittannus' daughter Emma is revealed.
- 1563:
- After the threat of a siege of Riga itself, Alexander enters exile and abdicates to his eldest son Percival, a young boy, whom is raised as Duke Percival II.
- 1564:
- The Treaty of Ambrosa is signed, putting an end to all hostilities between Courland and the Carnatian League. Lord Brittanus is placed as ward-father of Duke Percival II and firmly swears against all future conflicts. In return, Lord Brittanus is officially reinstated as the Baron of Kraken's Watch with Imperial Letter.
- During the celebrations of the victory, soldiers under Duke John of Carnatia attack Ser Jaromir. While he manages to flee, the boiling divide between the Hetman and the fellow lords reaches a climax as he declares war against the Duke of Carnatia. He is firmly denounced as a traitor by John II, which leads to him formly declaring independence in the Krajian Rebellion.
