1075-1084 Patiently Waiting
We play the waiting game as we have to wait until our levy penalties in Kildare die down before we can really go do anything else. Also we need a claim on Ossory (our next planned target). Taking Ossory will allow us to form the Duchy of Leinster and finish forming the core of what will become our empire (these four counties and 2 duchies I plan to keep in the King's demense indefinitely, other counties, duchies, etc. I will pass out to vassals).
Norway retook all of England, but I didn't see any warring going on so I assume it was through succession.
I am heavily investing in bringing my three counties levy strengths up. I have built or upgraded Militia Training Grounds, Keeps, Training Grounds, etc.
A pestilence swept across the Isles in 1082 but luckily lower Ireland was spared.
In December 1077 I fell ill, but by January of 1078 it had passed.
Scotland has gone through 3 successive internal wars and currently it looks like the Duke of Albany (former King Dunkeld of Scotland) will maintain his independence from the rest of Scotland for a while, this is good news - let them stay as weak as possible.
1084-1087 War for Ossory
We successfully gained a claim to Ossory but had to let an illness and two winters pass before declaring war. Once war was declared with grouped our forces and assaulted Ossory. The defending army was defeated but a portion was able to slip away, instead of pursuing we hunkered down for a siege.
During the war we lost our 'Misguided Warrior' trait and gained the 'Tough Soldier' trait.
After the successful siege of Gowran (capital of Ossory) we returned to our own lands for rest and refit only to find the remaining army of the Earl of Ossory was laying siege to Leinster, their force wasn't strong enough to win the siege in 100 years but we still wiped them out. In the process capturing the Earl and ending the war.
After the war was over we were able to create the Ducy of Leinster gaining us much prestige (200). Unfortunately our state stewardship only allows for a 3 county Demense so I had to give up the County of Ossory to my eldest son (and heir) this had the side benefit of reducing my Landless Sons penalty.
Shortly after we got a Demense bonus so that we could have kept the county but what is done is done. We picked up the nickname 'the Kind' which is funny as we have waged two offensive wars and fought in 2 others but hey its a decent nickname (rather have 'the Great' but maybe one day).
1088-1096 Setting Son
In 1088 I moved to focusing on affairs within my borders. I bought an Inn in Leinster and held a Summer Fair in Dublin. I had a monkey trainer at the fair (-5 Gold +5 Prestige) and named my inn 'the Bottomless Tankard'. Not much happened at the fair but I did get 10 more prestige when it was over. I decided to only add 10% salt to my sample turnips at the Bottomless Tankard and booked a renowned singer as entertainment. All in all I came out slightly ahead after selling the Inn (-50 -10 -10 +15 +65 = +10) and was able to net +2 stewardship as well.
An interesting marriage popped up in 1090, my grandson (would be 2nd or 3rd in line for the throne once my son takes over) married the Duchess of York (so he is now the Duke of York), hopefully they will have babies and my line will keep the Duchy of York for a while. I then had one of my son's daughters die of poor health. I married him to another Princess of England (this time heir to the Duchy of York). This gave me two ties to England and the Duchy of York (and allegiances to like half of the English titles).
I immediately fancied AElgifu (Heir to the Duchy of York) as she was only 18 and very attractive (actually had the trait too). So I bedded her and she became my lover. Our dalliance actually produced twins (1 boy 1 girl) but my son took them as his own.
England went through 2 revolts starting in 1092.
I broke it off with my lover and gained the chaste trait. Later, in 1094, my wife died and I took a 17 year of Danish Princess named Ellenor Estrid as my second wife (at the age of 69).
1096-1097 One last ride
In May of 1096 we gained a claim on Breifne, even as the County Breifne and Oriel were involved in the Petty King of Soyrear's excommunication war on England (England had two revolts and that war going on at the time).
We immediately invaded with our levies at the highest point they had ever been thanks to several Barracks upgrades accross the Petty Kingdom.
Earl Aed Ua Ruairc of Breifne was able to pull Earl Aed Sithrigi of Ulster in as an ally in the war, but we were able to pull in one of the English Revolts and the King of Denmark in as our allies (and our enemies were off fighting the English).
Our forces were able to move quickly and begin laying siege to the County Breifne immediately.
With the help of a Danish Army (which kept my enemies from breaking my siege on County Breifne) we were able to siege all three areas in the County Breifne and win the war by October 1097
1097+ Will the Dynasty survive?
Immediate following the war I fell 'infirm' and at age 72 it looked like I wouldn't be long for this world. I took a look at my lineage and realized that my son must have had some sort of accident as he now had the 'incapable' trait and a regent and had thrown his own son in prison (although he let him out shortly after). My best hope for the dynasty to survive is that I die just before my own son, that way my young, capable grandson will inherit all of our titles.
As you can see both England and Scotland are dealing with revolts while the rest of Ireland and Wales remain fractured. If my Dynasty can recover from the crazy injuries myself and my son have we will be on a track to unite Ireland and start to jocky for some real power.
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