History Pk

 The Eastern Roman Empire finally turned itself from the path of steady decline leading to inevitable doom,  and entered into a period of uneasy reconstruction for the decaying state. Emperor Alexios, though not always successful, put an enormous amount of work towards reviving the Byzantine economy, clamping down on separatist factions within the realm and securing a relatively strong position in the region. But in early 1118, while the trees in the gardens of Constantinople were blooming in abundance, the health of Emperor Alexios was steadily deteriorating.  Even though he took care of the matter regarding his succession, naming his oldest son John as heir and co-emperor many years ago, Alexios’ declining vigor prompted his wife Irene and his oldest daughter Anna to scheme against John, planning to enthrone Anna’s husband Nikephoros instead. It would seem that the empire’s recently restored unity, was under threat.  Half a year later, in the middle of Augu...

 The Sun was well past its zenith as a small group of farmers hauled carts full of crops back to the farmstead.  It was a fruitful day and they prayed for the weather to remain dry to aid the rest of the harvest season.  But upon their return, their concerns about weather fell by the wayside, as just in front of the farmstead, hundreds of English and Norman soldiers scrambled, forming defensive lines.  A bit farther, another group of riders in glittering armours were assembling into attack formation. Little did the farmers know of war but it seemed that they were going to witness first-hand a conflict between the greater nobility in front of their very homes.  The battle was about to begin. It is summer of the year 1108. Almost two years have passed since King Henry I of England routed the forces of his older brother Duke Robert Curthose of Normandy near Tinchebray, sentencing him to spend the rest of his days in a prison cell and thus eliminating the most signi...

 It is a gusty summer morning somewhere on the Essex coast.  Answering the call of Byrhtnoth, local ealdorman, many simple farmers and peasants gathered to defend their shire against the Norse invaders, reported to be plundering the coast some miles to the south.  Byrhtnoth, already in his sixties, but still of imposing physical presence, standing over six-feet tall was deeply concerned by the recent news telling of the size of the Viking fleet operating in the area. But his mood brightened a bit when his eyes fell upon the group of young, strong men being mustered nearby. Then the faint sound of a horn announced the arrival of another scouting party, pushing their mounts to their limits. This could only mean one thing. Byrhtnoth took a few steps forward, breathed in the fresh morning air. The Vikings were here.  It’s spring of the year 975. Roughly twenty years has passed since Norse chieftain Eric Bloodaxe was driven out of York, and the lands of Northumbria. And w...

 It is the middle of autumn, somewhere in the north-eastern Grampian Mountains.  The gusts of strong, cold wind sweeping the bare hillsides heralds the upcoming winter.  Thousands of Caledonian warriors of various tribes from all over the region gather at the meeting point at the foot of Mons Graupius. From a bit higher a group of chieftains are observing the unusual assembly, among them the commander of the entire united tribal force, a warchief named Calgacus. Eventually, another armed host loomed in the distance. It quickly became apparent, that this was not another tribe marching to join the gathering Caledonians.  A mighty Imperial Roman army marched to crush any signs of armed resistance of the local people. Calgacus realised, that his men were already past the point of no return. One of the biggest battles that Caledonia would ever witness, was about to begin.  It is the beginning of the year 78 AD. Thirty five years have passed since Emperor Claudius sen...

 It’s late July of the year 1018.  The summer sun was slowly reaching its zenith as the camp dwellers on the Eastern bank of the Bug River bustled around preparing a midday meal.  Then, the droning clamour of soldiers and servants moving around were spurred by the unexpected sound of clashing swords and human agony coming from the river.  A moment later, a handful of breathless guards rushed into the camp, straight towards the officer’s tent.  Grand Prince Yaroslav and his retainers stormed out yelling orders.  The battle was about to begin. It’s spring of the year 1014. For the last twenty five years the vast lands of Kievan Rus were ruled by Grand Prince Vladimir, arguably one of the most prominent representatives of the Rurik dynasty to date. He was not only the first Eastern Slavic ruler to abandon paganism in favour of Christianity, but he also consolidated the Kievan realm from the medieval Ukraine to the Baltic, strengthening the frontiers in the pro...