15th September 1075
The war against the Sicilians goes well in our absence. We have received intelligence that the Venetian expeditionary forces in Africa have seized the eastern holdings of Sicily's African possessions whilst the Moors to the west have taken back North Africa bar Carthage's former holdings.
As for Italia herself, the Venetians have returned in force from their trading empire from across the seas, taking not only an African outpost next to Egypt but also their old capital city by force. They then placed their army at the hands of the Holy Roman Emperor Augusto, who promises to throw the full strength of an empire he has restored into Italy now.
This is great news indeed, though I am somewhat saddened by the downfall of half the Danish kingdom. Our ally is in dire straits in Europe, though they have managed to unite Scandinavia into one kingdom, which means this will not be the end of them quite yet. Still, the big player in Central Europe now is the German, whom rules with an iron fist but with a wise head. I am pleased they are strong and fight with us.
…
29th September 1075
The Milanese have made good on their promise to fight the Sicilians. Together, the armies of the Germans, the Venetians, the Milanese and the Hungarians have vowed to free Italy from Rodrigo's menace. I am told Florence has been attacked and restored to autonomy by our allies and the battle for Venice destroyed many troops for the enemy. The war goes well for Christendom, now we have united against a common foe.
…
8th October 1075
Henry has sold Zaragoza to the Spanish, as it is clear now who will win that war. The Portuguese have been attacked and defeated by the Moors, who, having reclaimed their African kingdom, now seek their Iberian lands back. Only time will tell how the Spanish will react to the new threat but still, at least one of our borders is less chaotic now.
The Hungarian Pope has taken residence in Florence for now for his own safety. The Papal Remnant who had fled to Corsica are being ferried over there now to begin the rebuilding process of the Church. I wish them luck.
…
18th October 1075
The Moors have pushed deeper into the Iberian Peninsula and it has become quite clear that the Spanish are not the dominant power in the region any more. Portugal has been crushed, reduced to its old kingdom and the tiny castle in the north next to the French border. Henry, with whom responsibility for the Spanish Civil War problem lies, is growing increasingly concerned that soon a large part of Western Europe (and our neighbour to the south) will be under Muslim control. As the Moors also control North Africa and threaten to control much of the Sea, this becomes less of a border dispute waiting to happen and more like a threat to our entire kingdom.
There is nothing to be done now, yet I fear I shall one day regret not taming this wild beast before it breaks free from its boundaries.
…
23rd October 1075
This short writing shall just serve to notify to history that today Robert's second child Edward was born late last night. I am told the young family is healthy and happy. I wish I could have been there and I wish I were free to be now but the war has diverted both mine and Henry's attention yet again.
Bologna was seized this week by a German and Hungarian force. Now all the original players in Italy's story when I first came to power have been restored. Only time will tell who shall rule that land as one nation.
Now however, our allies' face the hard part of the war. Afore now, they had been fighting in conquered territory recently acquired by the Sicilian Empire. Now however we all must fight for southern Italy, which shall be fiercely defended, and for Rome itself, which shall be no small undertaking. It is our turn to fight the Sicilians now.
I propose to my generals this: we launch a three pronged sea invasion at three targets, namely Sicily itself, Rome and North Africa. Henry shall take the smallest group and take the remainder of Sicily's African lands (and begin the search for Carthage herself, which we shall rebuild), Robert shall take the main force and invade Rome, retaking the city and restore the Papal States. It has been decided that Florence, Rome and all the land in-between shall serve as the Pope's own little kingdom that might be used for the defence of all Christendom.
Robert argued that I should take Rome myself but there are two arguments against that. First, it would seem as though I am just another conqueror of men, who would wish to enslave the people under a different master instead of set them free. Second, it is my sword that shall kill Rodrigo, no other, and he resides in Sicily, martialling some new diabolical scheme no doubt.
…
17th November 1075
The initial assaults on Rome, despite being surrounded by five great and powerful armies from multiple kingdoms, have failed and it falls to us to break the stalemate before the innocents inside the walls starve to death at the hands of their evil overlords.
It appears that Rodrigo removed over half his losing forces in Africa when it became clear the Moors would win that war, leaving his empire's armies still much intact. His grip on southern Italy is strong and he marshals even more on the eastern shores. I know not what he plans there.
There is some good news however. Daniels' intelligence network, the King's men, have infiltrated Rome and have promised us the gates on the river shall be open to us when we reach them. So much the better, for I wish for there to be as little fighting in the holy city as possible. Who could have dared to imagine that we would one day crusade to liberate Christendom's own capital from the infidel?
…
1st December 1075
I am ready for war. Italy stands ready to be free, North Africa calls to our boats to land and Sicily beckons like a tempting demon. Today we unite our strength and restore our lands and our faith to freedom!
I pray to be in London, with Rodrigo's head on a pike, my family all around me and my kingdoms at peace by Christmas.