1070-74: Euthemius himself gave the hand of the lovely Theodora to the Byzantine Emperor. He then set upon the Atticans, aided by the most able Michael the Good. Joining up with the Byzantine force, the Bulgar army descended upon Attica. The invaders so overwhelmed the fledgling nation that their forces were destroyed for little loss. Wily Stavros escaped but distraught Helena died before Euthemius could reach her. Euthemius then attempted to repair the damage by offering his hand to a daughter of the Attican royal family, a girl who just happened to be Stavros's niece.

1065-69: Blamed for the appalling state of Bulgaria’s finances, Dimiter was seized, relived of his post and placed under house arrest. Euthemius, prince of the realm, instigated an investigation into alleged corruption by the noble. The guilt was undecided but new measures set in place to restore Bulgaria’s finances clearly indicated that someone was to blame. Poor Dimiter was publicly beheaded; a sad price for his loyalty when Stavros rebelled. Falling on his knees to kiss the House of Nikos’ ancestral soil, Tsar Stephen moved his cavalry on further into Thessaly. The forces of Attica were prepared for the invasion and the two armies met as Stavros brought his cavalry quickly north to meet the invader. Long and bloody was the battle as the scream of man and horse filled the air. Brave Michael met the mighty Stavros in hand-to-hand combat; sorely wounding the rebel King before being cut down by the Greek. Disheartened by their leader’s apparent death, the Atticans pulled back to their homeland; leaving Thessaly to the Bulgarians. Stephen pushed forward into Attica itself only to meet a rallied army of cavalry and hastily pressed peasants. Sadly, Stephen was critically wounded by an Attican arrow and died shortly after on the field. Leaderless, the Bulgarians pulled back to the now liberated Thessaly and awaited news from Ochrida.

1060-64: Cyril was never an able ruler and upon the arrival of his brother, Stephen from Serbia the Bulgarian ruler issued the following declaration.

The crowd repeated the refrain loudly.

Cyril continued: "Now let the holy patriarchs and bishops come to anoint him and pronounce their blessings."

Cyril then hastened away to his new life of contemplation and prayer, leaving the stewardship of the empire to Stephen. However, the great and noble Stavros, respected and liked by all of Bulgaria, had his own ambitions. When Stephen fortuitously offered the hand of his mother, Helena, to the Greek he willingly took it. Upon arriving home to Attica, the general declared Stephen's coronation a sham and that he and Helena would rule the empire. Aided by Simeon, the Attican gained the support of Thessaly in his schemes and pulled away from Ochridia. The lords of Epirus and Bulgaria saw this as a chance to escape the control of Serbia and declared their independence.

1070-74: The emperor of Byzantium was content to allow his friend and ally, Euthemius of Bulgaria, to have overall command of the Byzantine forces in Attica. The assault on the breakaway Greek kingdom came after the marriage between Constantine and the Bulgar emperor's sister, Theodora.

1065-69: The Emperor Constantine took to the field with the might of Byzantium. His objective was to patrol the western shore against the Turk and repel any invasion into his lands or those of Stephen of Bulgaria. His wife accompanied him on his expedition and during these years gave birth to a son and daughter. Sadly, the excursions proved too much for her and the trials of childbirth proved fatal. Nicholas Phocas took command of the Imperial fleet from Alexandros Phykos. After spending time patrolling the Aegean and the Black Sea against any invasion fleet or pirate, the fleet docked at Rhodes where Phillip, lord of the island, was persuaded to join in closer ties with the Empire. Alexandros Phykos had a fruitless journey to Dobruja. The region was still a desolate wilderness after the Bulgarian raids years earlier. Not content to let the Turk enjoy the fruit of his ill-gotten gains, Mikhailos of the Kyklades blockaded the recently constructed port of Isauria. Constantine issued an edict banning all trade with the Hatimid pirates, closing the Empire's ports to their ships.

1060-64: Nicolas Phocas of Byzantium carried off a daring raid right into the harbour of Sinope. Aided by supporters of the Greek he carried off a rich amount of plunder.

1070-74: Abasigian attempts to persuade the remaining population of Taman to forego paganism for the Orthodox faith was thwarted by indifference and bad luck. The ravaged kingdom began to rebuild after the Turkish depravation as Psidia was persuaded to loosen its ties with Armenia.

1065-69: Siavan II passed away in this brief spell of peace and cessation of Turkish raids. His son, Christoforos becoming king of the much-reduced Abasigian kingdom. Siavan’s last command was to order his nobility to persuade the Taman ruler to convert to Orthodoxy. Religious riots were started by fundamentalist clerics who whipped the mob into a frenzy. The pagan elite was overthrown and an Orthodox ruler instated in their place

1070-74: Alexsandr's marriage to the daughter of the Est king seemed destined to bring closer ties between the two eastern Kingdoms. However, the differences in faith and culture between Est and Rus were too great to allow for any advance in their relationship. Alexsandr's son was named as heir.

1065-69: Alexander sent forth to Turkish Atelzuko for a bride. His joy at the birth of three children over the following years was lessened by the death of his beloved wife. Orthodox missionaries were sent north to Kirivitch in an attempt to steer the heathen from their misguided ways.

1060-64: The Bulgars were moving. The settled tribes of Moldavia were ordered by Boris to move eat towards the lands of the Kasogi. Arriving in Kuban, Boris declared Krum as his heir; realising that time was not on his side and not having any surviving sons of his own. The marriage of Krum to Tatiniva of the Kasogi saw the union of the two tribes.

Belar decided that his newly built nation needed ports and promptly ordered the founding of Bursa in Bithnia and Antalya in Isauria. The ports were then strengthened with a strong surrounding wall. Alp Arslan travelled to aid Turkey’s close friends the Bulgars in their discussions with the Kasogi. Gregor forced the Greeks of Sinope to convert to Shamanism. However, as the Turks left the port the people rose up and slaughtered the inexperienced garrison. The steady influx of slave labour continued as Gregor forced the inhabitants of Pontus back into Lydia. Psidia also saw incursions by the Turk. The nomadic Turkish settled the once fertile lands of Isauria.

The Khan led the horde back from its long trek to the east to settle in their homelands of Alan and Yasi.

Quiet on the Steppe. The Khans of Turki and Polovtsy had a minor argument over Uze, causing much sabre rattling and a stirring of the lesser Horde.

1070-74: Godred dispatched Anders to bring home the riches if England. Frustrated by the resistance in Anglia, the Viking managed to land on the Northumbrian shores. So poor were the north Angles that the Svear made off with little of value. Putting into Skanet to re-supply his raiding fleet, Anders met up with Hasolf, brother to the late King. Hasolf had plans of his own and persuaded Anders to join him on the venture. Skane and Halland pulled away from Godred's kingdom and set-up on their own.

1060-64: Ulla, daughter of Olaf of Uppsala, married her sweetheart Godfred, promoting the young noble to be Olaf’s right hand man and heir to the northern kingdom. Godfed himself travelled to Norway where he persuaded the Norwegians to ally themselves with the Svear. A union to strike fear into the heart of every Angle and Scot. Anders took his ships a Viking. Raiding the coasts of Estonia, Denmark, Orkney, Germany and England. Resistance was strong and the yield was less than in previous years.

1070-74: Hejar was content to consolidate his nation by gaining closer ties with Agder

1065-69: Hejar I takes to the throne. The ancient trade links with Denmark were reduced following Norway’s alliance with the Svear.

1060-64: Anne, Queen of England, married the older but mighty John. A son was born to the couple in the second year of their marriage.

1065-69: Euan, Jarl of Orkney after Ivor, died young from bad herring marinated in goat’s milk. A strange concoction popular with stomachs hardier than his. His uncle, Harangar became Jarl amidst growing unrest in the islands. A route was found north to the Faroes.

1060-64:Ivor married a young princess from Ulster. The strain proved too much, however, and the stalwart Jarl passed away on the marriage bed. His son Euan was not such a staunch supporter of the Saxons and declared the islands independence.

1070-74: Charles travelled the length of France to return to Normandy. His time was then taken up with the harsh realities of training the hastily recruited rabble to become soldiers. Meanwhile, the King remained in Paris to oversee the nation.

1065-69: Henri continued his investment in the mighty edifice in Paris. The cathedral was beginning to take shape and the glory of God revealed in its structure. His two daughters Isabella and Elizabet were left in charge of Henri’s new sons following the death of his beloved wife. Determined to remove the Flemish thorn from his side the French king orders settlers into the rich region of Brabant. The native tongue of that region was gradually relegated to the remote rural hinterlands while Norse, the language of Henri’s Norman fathers became commonly spoken. Henri’s most trusted advisors and friends travelled to Valencia in another attempt to bring his errant brother Jean back into his control. The efforts of Richard and Charles were rewarded with a strengthening of ties between the two Norman nations.

1060-64: The expansion of Normandy continued as Henri issued an edict promoting the settling of Brabant by native Normans. His continued investment in the Cathedral of Paris saw the mighty monument begin to take shape.

1065-69: Vitturio competed with the Pope over Slovenia. These times saw the conversion of Palermo to Christianity and the tearing down of Naples old walls in an attempt to make room for the city’s growing population. The Prince oversaw extensive realignment of the fleet to merchant activities.

1060-64: Hiring the ablest of southern Europe’s mercenaries, Vitturio of Salerno ordered Petro de Spoleto and the might of the principality through the Dardanelles and into the Crimea. Aimed at punishing the Turk, the Italians caused heavy loses amongst their Cossack allies. Too limited in numbers to carry out the devastation intended, the Italians returned home to Naples with nothing but the satisfaction that they had dealt a blow to Turkey’s expansionist aims.

1070-74: The beloved patriarch of Rome was struck down in the prime of his life by a mysterious pox. The passing away of Pope Benedict VIII was recorded in the church records by that holiest of clerics, Brother Rudolf Hooker.

"..and so it came to pass that the saintly Pope Benedict VIII passed away, his constant travels to further the influence of the Church, finally took their toll. Who would replace the man who it was said could convince fish to fly and birds swim (although the less said about his attempts to make the Welsh interesting the better). The Conclave of Cardinals met in a spirit of peace and prayerful contemplation. For days the argument went on, who would get the Papal Tiara, not to mention the twin-set and pearl, and ascend the Throne of St Peter. Finally the smoke became white and the bishops emerged on to the balcony and at their head Anton Carlucci, Bishop of Pisa his tireless efforts in Constantinope had most influenced his peers, and so it was that Pope Sixtus IV was enthroned. "Peace equals idleness and the Devil makes work for idle hands" would be the new Pope's motto..." extract from The Church Rampant by Brother Rudolf Hooker.

And so it came to pass that the earthly reign of the new Pope began with a mighty and bloody assault on the heathens of Croatia. The veteran Croation warriors were no match for the might of Rome. Aided by there Illyrian allies the Papal Legion of St Peter overwhelmed the Balkan nation following a harrowing battle close to the mountain passes into the region. The victorious Pope then ordered the conversion of the heathen, by the sword if necessary. These events have been chronicled in the Holy See.

"Battle over, the Legion of St Peter joined in a hymn of thanks to the Lord. By the will of God the Croatians had been defeated. Glemp then deployed his army throughout the province. Soon, in every village Legionnaires of St Peter appeared, together with hard-bitten clergy. The mass baptisms and burning of the images of false gods were soon in progress as the people had paganism beaten out of them." Brother Sergio Andretti, Chronicler of the Holy See.

Returning to his homeland, the valiant Duke of Illyria was persuaded to join in closer ties to Rome.

1065-69: Falcini, the ageing Prelate of Rome travelled to Slovenia in an attempt to gain closer ties with Petr of Slovenia. Unknown to the Cardinal, the Prince of Salerno had a similar idea and many a year of otherwise profitable discussion was wasted in a diplomatic see-saw between the Vatican and Naples. Carlucci continued his efforts in converting the Orthodox Byzantine while Tuskerdorf bravely endeavoured to persuade the Svear from their Pagan ways. Calzon led a strong Papal contingent to Sicily where a large majority of the rich island's population now support the church. A great sadness was felt amongst the Church as Benedict VIII was called to Heaven by his God. The ageing Pope was a popular and charismatic leader and a great loss to Christianity.

1070-74: Oda relaxed, knowing that Denmark was now his. He set about concentrating his efforts on building up the imperial treasury.

1065-69: Otto concentrated his efforts on integrating Denmark into the Empire. The German Emperor led a great and glorious train of nobility and courtiers to the Northern Kingdom in an attempt to woo them into the Empire. The success of this endeavour led to the integration of the two nations and the end of independent Denmark. Using vast stores of gold, the Emperor issues forth proclamations to the peasants of Germany to travel to the cities and expand their domains. During this time Bremen, Kiel, Hanover and Osnabruck grew in size.

1065-69: The Duchy had remained in a state of near bankruptcy for nigh on two decades and it was Sviatopluck IV’s sworn aim to see his beloved homeland enjoy the wealth it deserved. The region of Swabia was at last persuaded to join closer with the Duchy.

1060-64: The gradual increase of Cannes continued as Henri of Burgundy channelled his nation’s resources into the port. His son, Pier, was proclaimed heir following the tragic death of Paul.

1060-64: Tariq was finally in charge of the Spanish Moors. Declaring Massud as his heir, the Akramid leader hired the wily mercenary Hamad Al’Dabagh to pursue his claims in North Africa. Unfortunately, he was not aware of the Ummayad might and the mercenary force dispersed swiftly before their massed forces. Missionaries sent north to Portugal had little luck in persuading the growing numbers of converts to Catholicism to return to the true faith.

1070-74: Noble Ahmad breathed his last in these years. The ageing Khan lived long enough to witness the coronation of his son and heir Suleiman to the Samarkhand throne. Ahmad's daughter Roshni married the Khan of Bokhara. The royal marriage brought great wealth to the Bokharan ruler and strengthened his ties to the Karakhanate.

1065-69: The merchants of the newly founded city greeted the expansion of the royal road from Samarkand to Bhurakara with great celebrations. A party of tradesmen from the city of Iskander, also a mere five years old, was seen travelling to Samarkand to entreat the great Khan for the same privilege.Ahmad continued to protect his borders with extensive fortifications, especially in the valuable regions of Khwarzim and Kara-khitai. Promoting his son Ali and daughter Roshni to court life the Khan also ensured his dynasty would not die out by siring two daughters.

1060-64: Ahmad of Ilig ordered the construction of two new cities; Iskander on the Silk Road in Bactria and Borkhara in Bokhara. A new royal road was begun between Samarkhand and Borkhara. His son, Suleiman, married a princess from Borkhara.

1070-74: Rasan becomes Sultan after the death of his father. The wilderness of Carmania was brought closer into the Saffarid sphere by the efforts of Sina and Tehani.

1065-69: Hasan oversaw his now stable Kingdom. He was blessed in these years with a healthy daughter and the pleasure of appointing his son, Rasan, as heir.

1070-74: Hiring the extremely able Hazer Hussein and his three thousand strong company, Faisal ad Dawla moved on the Buwayid capital. While the Buwayidim where in disarray following the death of their Emir, the Hatamite forces drew up to the walls of Baghdad itself. Faisal soon realised that any attempt to starve the defenders out was futile and that blood would have to shed on the walls of the city. Many times the Syrian forces attempted to force a breach in Baghdad's great walls but the fortitude of the defenders and the very height of the walls proved their undoing. The assault left nearly eight thousand Hatimites dead or dying and nearly six thousand Buwayidim defenders less to protect the city. The Hatimite forces retreated back to Aleppo to resupply and regroup.

1070-74: The port of El'Gitar was founded in the desert shore of Ad'diffah. This newly populated city was then to be the homeport for many new trade routes to the Christian west. Merchants were dispatched to Valencia, Leon and Burgundy to find rich trade for the Egyptian treasury. The great walls of Alexandria were pulled down to make way for the cities growing population. The Islamic hold on the Eastern Mediterranean was strengthened as missionaries were actively engaged on the island of Cyprus.

1060-64: Raisul continued the gradual conversion of Cyprus single-handedly while the newly sent missionaries spent the time arguing dogma amongst themselves. Meanwhile Memphis grew in size again along with Al’Qadi.

1065-69: While Ahmad rots in Baghdad jail, the Shaddadi nobility made an all out effort to persuade Fars to join the Emirat.

1060-64: Muhamed’s patience was rewarded when following a futile break-out by the Shaddadim from Hamadan, the cities governor quickly surrendered the valuable and ancient capital to the Buwayid forces. Although wounded by Shaddadi assassins, the Buwayid Emir personally led his victorious forces through Hamadan’s gates.

1070-74: Great works of were commissioned for Mwene-Mutapa to prevent the spread of dysentery amongst the people of this great city. N'Kane himself remained in the Transkei to spend some time with his wife M'Sala. N'Kono was busy in the Matabele lands promoting the Empires goals.

1065-69: N’Kane the great and all powerful ruler of southern Africa ordered the expansion of his realm. Travelling himself to the Transkei to find a wife, the King of Mapugubwe ordered his trusted friend N’Kono to Tswana.

1070-74: The port of Mbouda was founded in the lands of Kwararafa. Makasaki was busy in intricate negotiations with the Tsofou Birni nation.

1065-69: These years saw the Bini dynasty merge with the Kwarafan nobility.

1070-74: Bekwai was founded in Togo. Abango named his friend and ally Mupata as regent for his young son, should he succumb before the boy reaches adulthood. The city of Akan was brought further into the growing West African nation. Abango was blessed with a further two children before his beloved wife died in childbirth.

1065-69: Great joy was felt in the West African Kingdom as the Ibo’s wife gave birth to a long succession of healthy children. Indeed, the royal family was increased by no less than six over these past few years. The port of Ijebu was raised in Yoruba to further increase the realms prosperity.

1060-64: Africa was quiet in these years. The only news of merit was the many barren wives of the ageing Abango. The rumour has it that the increasingly desperate monarch saw off at least five wives in just over two years.

1070-74: Bim and Barrot were put to use, and moved away form the intrigues of court, as governors of the provinces of Sahis and Jiljhoti. Unfortunately, following the sudden death of Vija-jaya with Kavali still a minor, Bim had to be recalled to preside of court matters until the young heir became of age. There was disappointment in Kaunaj at both the lack of progress in Dahala and at the efforts of Hindu missionaries in Nepal.

1065-69: The great Kaunaj provided the people and resources to help build the city of Setikami in the rich province of Tarain. Although involved in extensive talks with the Dahala, no increase in relations between the two nations was forthcoming. Parminder, Prince of the realm, travelled to Tamrilipti to join the great fleet.

1060-64: Vija-jaya was pleased to witness the expansion of both Vijayapala and Charkhari; although Pravin’s attempts to persuade the Dahala to join the empire were not successful.

1060-64: The heir to the Bengal throne, Rubapala, achieved his majority by marrying a princess from Maghada. The newly weds were blessed with two young girls. Sadly, the young princess died shortly after the birth of her second daughter.

1065-69: The Raja of Tripuri ordered a new a splendid city built in the lands of Kosala. His wife blessed him with a fine and beautiful daughter.

1070-74: Sadly Ieyasu died at the young age of thirty-four and it was the duty of Rokkaku to become regent for the great Emperor. Massive irrigation works were commissioned in Kwanto to increase the wealth of the nation. Yamagata's attempts to explore the Kazan Retto met with disaster as half his fleet was destroyed by storms. The intrepid explorer managed to limp back to Kwanto.

1065-69: Another city was raised in the rich and prosperous islands. Kanazawa was built in Toyama to seal the loyalty of that valuable region. Brave Japanese seamen investigated a route southward to Okinawa.

1060-64: Kiyama, Regent to the Emperor of Japan, personally supervised the building of a new and important road between Heian and Shimane. The port of Harima in Aichi was founded on the Emperor’s birthday.

1070-74: Chen Zun concentrated his efforts on bringing Ta Ting into closer ties with the kingdom. A time of quiet expansion as the island of Cheju Do was colonised by Goryeon settlers. Moa Ta Zun personally supervised an extensive tally of all the kingdoms peoples and their wealth.

1065-69: Goryeo was determined to protect itself from outside intervention. Moa Ta Zun himself led his hand-picked force in a defensive sweep of his Kingdom. Meanwhile, the walls of Kaiching were expanded to protect the heart of his nation. During his long winters in Korea the King found the time to sire five healthy children to ensure his dynasties rule.

1060-64: Kaiching grew in size as the Goryeon King, Moa Tai Zun, oversaw great investment in the capital. The break away province of Liao-Tung swore allegiance to the Korean kingdom.

1070-74: Chiangning once again grew in size as the wealth of Pienching spread out across the empire. Trade was now on the agenda and routes were established to Ilig and far-away Baghdad, as well as the Kingdom of Annam. Song Hsui Lam spent these years with a tight grip on his massive empire's complexities. Dispatching Song Wei Bun and a large entourage, the Song Emperor ordered the Prince to bring Shangtung, Yen-Ching, Taiping and Jaingxi closer into the empire. The small kingdom of Nan Chao risked everything by refusing permission to the Song nobles to enter Chiennan on their way around the empire.

1065-69: Song Hsui Lam considered and approved the expansion of Chiangning in the province of Anhui. His task was not an easy one and the Emperor spent many years in governing the might Middle Kingdom. His joy at siring two healthy sons was not lessened by the death of his wife as the wily ruler was not slow to spot the opportunity for another diplomatic marriage. While Xin Lo-Yuk concentrated on Hwai, the other nobles and royalty of China undertook a diplomatic tour of majestic proportions. Song Wei Bun and his aides visited no fewer than ten provinces. Although diplomatic relations with Nanchao were strained after the Empires efforts in Chiennan saw a lessening of ties of that region with the southern nation.. The deaths of the allies of Shentung and Shangtung saw a division of loyalty as the region of Shentung integrated into the Empire, Shangtung decided to go independent.

1060-64: Song Hsui-Chi ordered the tearing down of Chiangning’s walls and the stones and timber to be used to create new houses for a sudden influx of settlers. The new port of Chengshi was built in Chekiang and eager immigrants flocked to Chengde to help build the city’s population. A concerted effort was made to persuade the Da Liao to become part of the empire. The marriage of Bi Jou to the Khitanese Emperor, as well as many other gifts and promises, persuaded the Da Liao to give up their independence in favour of greater security and prosperity.

1070-74: Song Han Jian spent a considerable amount of time in close negotiation with the warlord of Lanchou, leaving the affairs of state to Song Shi Bing.

1065-69: Song Han Jian lead an large party of diplomats and their entourage around the north-west regions of China. Extensive links were forged with Chinling, Lanchou, Kansu and Ordos. However, the party were disappointed that the fertile lands of Wu Hai and Yanzhi were still devastated by the Horde of Rum. Song Bu Yeng was promoted to follow the line of succession after the prince Song Shi Bing.

1070-74: Thaton and Thon Buri grew in size during these prosperous years. Sui Chah's elite force of heavily armoured cavalry descended upon the helpless Hindu's of Kedah. A token resistance was swept aside as the false idols were smashed and Buddha put in their place. The Thatonese suffered minor loses in the treacherous woods. Six children were born to Rama Tibodi in his efforts to swell his dynastic palace. Kadaram was persuaded to effort closer economic ties with Thaton.

1065-69: Rama Tibodi decided that the old land trade route to Khemer served no profitable purpose and redirected his merchants to the use the port of Thon Buri instead. Thon Buri itself, along with Thaton, grew in size from new prosperity. The King of Thaton gave new powers to the ruler of Manipur and allowed a slight shift in the regions status within the kingdom. His attempts to sire children were fruitless as the loins of his many wives. His appointed heir travelled to Perak to offer his hand in marriage to a princess from the region.

1060-64: Rama Tibodi, King of Thaton, ordered the expansion of Thaton city and Thon Buri. His trusted friend and ally, Ga Din Aa of Ava was promoted to heir of his kingdom.

1070-74: The kingdom put its house in order following its alliance to Nan Chao.

1065-69: The great port of Thanh Hoa was expanded amidst a near hysterical joy at the King’s decision to forego the pleasures of his courtesans and take up the reigns of government once more.

1070-74: Lu Shan was foundered by the ageing General Zhou to provide Nan Chao access to the seas. The lord of Chiennan was ordered to deny access to any Song emissaries that might enter his lands. Kai Feng was successful in arranging a marriage to King Xiao with the Annamese royalty. This very act, and Feng's able tongue, allowed for closer ties to be pronounced between the two nations.

1065-69: The ageing leader of Nanchao, the charismatic Lu-shan died suddenly in these years. His nominated heir Xiao was appointed Warlord of Tai’li by the nobility of Nanchao. One of Lu-shan’s last decrees was to order Chiennan to be vigilant to Song attack. He was not prepared however for a sweeping diplomatic foray by that empire’s finest.

1070-74: Great activity was again seen in the South American nation as the a new a dynamic ruler took the throne...

1065-69: These times saw a brief explosion of activity in the New World.