The Fools' War

Not long after Salvor Dorrick had overcome the undead terrors of London After Midnight , he became embroiled in the political and military entanglements of the Capeto-Norman Sovereignty Dispute. During the course of these diplomatic entanglements and border skirmishes (recounted in London After Midnight, @Tournament of High Summer, and @The Calais Connection), a state of limited war, known as The Fools' War, existed between Britannia and Capetia. Through the summer and fall of 996 PCE, these conflicts broke out in sporadic fashion creating a sense of growing anxiety throughout the counties of Britannia.

The Conflict

Prelude

The status of the Duchy of Normandy had long been in doubt. The Capetian kings considered it a domain of their realm and the Norman dukes were technically feudal vassals of the Capetian Kingdom. The close alliance that had long endured between the Harfleur of Normandy and the ruling Mortmares of Britannia created a situation in which the Norman lords attempted to serve two masters. In previous ages this contradiction was resolved by compromise: the Normans would remain neutral in disputes between the two kingdoms.

This status quo fell apart when the Duke of Normandy, Guy Harfleur, challenged his Capetian overlords and claimed allodial right to a significant portion of the Norman dukedom. This challenge to the eminent domain rights of the Capetian monarch led to a series of border clashes that eventually came to a crisis point at the Battle of Crysler's Farm in which Britannian forces led by Lord Protector Salvor Dorrick supported the Norman duke in suppressing the advance of Capetian banner forces.

Start Date

June 996 PCE

Ending Date

November 1st, 996 PCE