Alternate History of Europe Timeline/1

This Alternate History of Europe Timeline is a timeline about a alternate history Europe, with everything different. Britain will appear earlier on the map this decade, and so will Russia. The Byzantine Empire which strengthen and become powerful again, and the Crusades will succeed.

=Timeline=

1200
The below is the starting map:



1201
In England, King John I drowns to death in the Thames River, when he accidentially falls over while out hunting. Because he had no son, the king was succeeded by one of his closest relatives, who became Edward II of England. King Edward will become one of the greatest British monarchs in history.

Meanwhile, in Europe, a new emperor comes to power in the Byzantine Empire: Davidus I. This emperor will become one of the greatest Byzantine monarchs, and will restore the ancient Empire to power and glory. Davidus I is coronated in a grand ceremony in Constanipole. He starts off his reign by paying off the Crusaders, in exchange for a promise from them to not invade the Byzantine Empire, which they threatened to do.

Meanwhile, in Smolensk, a new ruler comes to power. His name is Ivan I. The new grand prince will become one of Russia's greatest monarchs, and will unify the Russian principalities into a single state.

1203
Davidus I instigated a series of military reforms and reorganizations. The emperor reorganized the cavarly, increased the size of the infantry, and introduced new tactics. He also increased the use of Greek Fire and introduced new military technology into his forces. With his modernized military, the Emperor launched an offensive into the Khanate of Bulgaria. The well-equipped, well-trained, and well-organized Byzantine forces quickly overwhelm the Bulgarian nomad forces, conquering much of the Bulgarian territory by August 1203.

Meanwhile, William I of Scotland, and his entire family, died when a massive fire broke out in the Scottish Royal Palace. King Edward II of England was William's closest surviving relative, and as such, inherited the Scottish throne. Edward II was now King of England, King of Scots, and Lord of Ireland. The king also sent a small military expedition that conquered the Orkney and Shetland states without opposition. All of the British Isles were now under his rule. Edward II issued a Royal Proclamation, and the United Empire of Great Britain and Ireland, more commonly refered to as Britain, was established on 18 May 1203. Edward II was crowned as Emperor of Britain at Westminister Palace on 18 June 1203. The emperor issued another proclamation, which re-organized the British territories in France into the Kingdom of British France. Thus Edward II became Emperor of Britain and King of British France. Most of the European states, except the Kingdom of "True" France, recognized the existence of the new United Empire. The pope of Rome also recognized Edward II's imperial title, while the patriach in Constanipole denied it. The government of true France continued to refer to Britain as "England" and continued to recognize the existence of Scotland, Orkney, and Shetland.

Grand Prince Ivan I of Smolensk extended his power by marrying the princess of Ryazan and becoming heir to the throne of that principality. Ivan I also invaded and quickly subjated Rostov and Tver. Ivan I then implemented the Smolensk Law Code, which codified all the laws of his principality. The Code also set out his powers, making him superior to his vassals and with supreme control over judical, economic, military, and foreign affairs.

1204
Emperor Davidus I of Byzantine launched the Great Crusade against the Turkish Sultanates, which will last for the next four years. The Emperor intended to regain control of the Turkish lands in Anatolia, which was being called Turkey by the Turks. The Emperor defeated the Turks at the Battle of Hadriach, and annexed a portion of their lands, pushing the Byzantine Empire's boundaries eastwards. The Emperor also annexed numerous islands in the Greek Seas, excluding those held by the Knights of St John.

In Britain, Edward II, who was now officially known as Edward I of Britain, instigated a program, meant to consolidate the newly established Britain, ensure him absolute power, and organize British local and central administration. The Emperor began this program by issuing a Imperial Proclamation, which formally confiscated the property of many of the nobles. The nobles almost revolted, but were crushed by the Imperial Army. The emperor convened a Council of Nobles and forced them to recognize his absolute authority over the land and noblity.

The Crusaders conquer more of the coastal territories of the Ayyubid Sultanate, thus connecting their possessions together. They established the Kingdom of Judea, granting it complete independence. Judea promptly established a peace with the Sultanate, and allowed free Muslim passage to the Holy City.

1206
Emperor Davidus I of Byzantine conquered most of the rest of the Bulgar Khanate. The Emperor was brtual to his new subjects, deporting many Bulgarians to other regions of the empire, sending in Byzantine settlers, and destroying Bulgarian farms and villages. The Principality of Kiev annexed the Bulgarian territories in Beershabia, thus consuming the rest of Bulgaria.

Edward I of Britain began his administrative reforms. The Emperor divided Britain into provinces, each one administered by a Imperial Governor appointed and dismissed by the emperor at will. Each governor would administer local administration, finances, justice, and agriculture. They would, however, be mandated to provide military support and detailed reports to the emperor. Each governor would be advised by a Council of Nobles, who would also execute their orders and supervise the local administration.

Ivan I of Smolensk became the prince of Ryazan, when the previous prince died. Ivan I promptly incoporated the Ryazan principality into the Principality of Smolensk, and he began construction on a new capital city, Moscow. For this purpose, the grand prince recurited Italian, German, and Byzantine bricklayers and constructors. The grand prince also established a military alliance with Vladmir-Sudzal and dispatched diplomats to Novograd.

1207
The Byzantine Empire engaged the Turkish Emirates and Ayyubid Sultanates in a great battle, the Battle of Tyriane. This battle would decide the future of all three participants. The Byzantines achieved a great victory, gaining revenge against the Turks and Ayyubids for their previous losses against the Muslims centuries ago. Davidus I of Byzantine conquered much of the Turkish and Ayyubid lands as a result. The Byzantine Empire now hammered the Genoan Turkish territories to the coast.

In the Iberian Pennisula, the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon unified into one state, the Kingdom of Spain, when King Charles I of Aragron married Queen Catherine I of Castile. Spain began organizing it's military forces for an offensive into the remaining Arab lands in southern Iberia.

Meanwhile, in Britain, Emperor Edward I continued his reforms. He reorganized the British judical system. By Imperial Proclamation, the Emperor established the Imperial Court System. The system would consist of one Supreme Court, the Imperial Supreme Court, as well fourteen minor courts. The Supreme Court would consist of magistrates, appointed and dismissed by the Emperor at will. The Court would hear major cases from throughout the empire, and would settle disputes of the Imperial Government. However, the Emperor would have the final say in all of the Court's verdicts. The Minor Courts would be the lower courts in which local disputes and problems could be settled. One Minor Court would be assigned to each of Britain's fourteen provinces. A Imperial Justice Code was also enacted, to compile all the laws, legal punishments, and judicial verdicts of the empire.

In Russia, Ivan I of Smolensk became the prince of Vladmir-Sudzal by mutual deal. He quickly unified the Vladmir Principality with the Smolensk Principality. Much of the Russian lands were under his control, and he became known as "the gatherer of the Russian lands". However, it will be some time before Novograd and Kiev are incoporated into the Smolensk Principality.

1208
The First Great Crusade ends when the Byzantines re-conquer the last Turkish territories in Eastern Anatolia. The Byzantine Empire now ruled over most of Anatolia. However, Genoa and Trebzonid, on the northern coast of Anatolia, were still independent. Emperor Davidus I began planning on taking these territories back. Meanwhile, the Emperor began a policy of perscuetion against his newly conquered subjects. The emperor trashes Muslim mosques, bans Muslim teachings, and sergerates against Muslim practicers. He also establishes a peace treaty with the Turkish Sultanate and Ayyubid Sultanate.

A new state is established along the Baltic coast: the Duchy of Prussia. Duke Albert I of Prussia secures soveregnity for his state and promptly begins building up his military and government. Britain is the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Prussia, and Emperor Edward I dispatched a diplomatic mission to Koingsberg, the capital of Prussia, lead by Count Robert de Leufourt of Brittany. Soon other countries, including the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire establish diplomatic relations with the sovereign Duchy of Prussia.

Edward I of Britain organized the central administration. The British Emperor established the Imperial Privy Council, to execute the emperor's orders, run the government day-to-day, supervise the governors and judicary, and provide some advice to the Emperor. Edward I issued the Imperial Charter of Britain, which detailed the organization and powers of the monarch, the government, judicary, and local provinces. The Emperor established the Imperial Chancellory as the primary administrative body of the government of Great Britain. The Emperor's administrative reforms inspired monarchs all across Europe. In Russia, Ivan I of Smolensk established the Russian Zemenevy Sobor to act as a advisory body to him. Even the Holy Roman Emperors established advisory councils.

1210
The kingdom of Spain launched the long-awaited offensive against the Muslim Emirate of Grenada in southern Iberia. The Byzantine Empire and Holy Roman Empire both provided finanical and military support to Spain, in order to weaken the "Muslim infidels". They also wanted to gain considerable influence in that region and to hopefully, secure Spain as a military ally. This was the beginning of the Byzantine-Holy Roman rivarly. Spain made major gains against the Muslims, and the first Spanish cavarly regiments reached the southern coast by August. Granada was now hammered to the south-eastern territories of Iberia. King Charles I and Queen Catherine I of Spain personally visit the Spanish army camps, and gave morale-boosting speeches.

The kingdom of British France launched an offensive into "True" France. The True French were weakened by years of war, civil war, and political unrest. Their military was in no position to stop them, and King Philip Augustus of France was captured by British French troops on 18 July. Philip Augustus was forced to sign the Treaty of Orleans, which seceeded the enterity of True France to British France. Shortly after, Philip Augustus was killed.

Edward I of Britain instigated his army reforms. The Emperor issued the Imperial War Code, which detailed the laws of organization, discipline, and procedure of the Imperial Army. The Emperor also introduced modernized military tactics, encouraged the use of more military technology, and reorganized the cavarly units. Edward I also established a system of military districts, with each district having a certain amount of troops. The districts would concide with the administrative provinces, and military forces within each district would be controlled by a certain military general, loyal to the Emperor.

Emperor Davidus I of Byzantine instigated his own reforms. The Byzantine Empire was divided into fifteen districts, each one controlled by a military governor appointed by the Emperor directly. Each district would provide a certain amount of troops for the use of the Emperor, and they would also pay taxes, which would be collected by the Byzantine Tax Administration. These reforms increased revenues and military efficency, and also made local administration of the empire easier.

1211
The kingdom of Spain annexed Sardinia and the Baleraic Islands, who had once been possessions of Aragon but had revolted when their mother country unified with Castile. Thousands of rebels were executed by Spanish authorites, and King Charles I practiced a policy of brutual opression in Sardinia and the Baleraics.

Emperor Davidus I of Byzantine launched an invasion of the Genoan territories on the Anatolian coast. The professional Byzantine army quickly advanced, since the Genoan army defending the territories was extremely small and pitiful. The Byzantines captured the Genoan Anatolian territories by the end of the year. Davidus I promptly began a policy of opression in his newly-acquired territories. The emperor then assembled a force to invade and conquer Trebizond.

Emperor Edward I of Britain began naval reforms. The Emperor established the Imperial Naval Office to govern and oversee the operations of the new Imperial Navy. The Imperial Government built naval dockyards at Portsmouth, Reading, and Dover. They also instigated a program of naval construction, building a fleet of 50 warships and 20 galleys. The Emperor also instigated a Naval Discipline and Conduct Code.

The Swedish Empire, under the leadership of king Carl V, began expanding into the territories of the Sami Tribes. Sweedish ambition had increased under their new ruler. The new king began construction on his own navy, and built a naval shipyard at Stockholm. Carl V also sent a diplomatic embassy to Britain, and also recurited Italian and German experts, to help him build up Swedish commerce.

1212
The Renaissance begins in the Byzantine Empire, unlike in OTL in which it began in Italy. A revival of art, liteature, and science begins. Byzantine scholars begin to study the work of Socrates, Aristole, and Plato again, and also begin writing their own scholary pieces. Art becomes more three-dimensional and really takes off. Emperor Davidus I encourages this cultural revival. He establishes the Imperial Libary in Constanipole, to act as a gathering for writers, libarians, and scholars. Soon, the Libary has over 30,000 works, from all across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The Renaissance soon spreads to the Italian states, then to Judea, and finally to Hungary, the Holy Roman Empire, and British France.

Emperor Davidus I of Byzantine incoporated the Empire of Trebizond into the Byzantine Empire, thus restoring Byzantine control of all of Anatolia. The Byzantine Emperor seized the palace of the Trebizond Royal Family for himself, arrested and imprisioned many Trebizond government officials, and installed a Byzantine military garrison. The Emperor would now turn his attention to regaining the Empire's former territories in the Middle East.

King Charles I of Spain captured the last remaining Muslim stronghold in Iberia, the city of Corboda. Thus the Muslim presence in Spain, which had been so since the late 600's, officially came to an end. King Charles began opression of his newly-conquered subjects. The king officially banned the Muslim religion, trashed Muslim churches, and established the Inquisition, with the Pope's approval, to begin rooting out religious dissidents and Muslims. His wife Queen Catherine supported these policies, and oversaw the brutuality programs herself.

1213
Ivan I of Smolensk waged a military campaign against the Principality of Novograd. The Prince's official reason was for "protection of the people of the Smolensk principality", but in reality, he wanted to annex Novograd. He made progress, and Ivan defeated the Novogradian army at the Battle of Veliky. Shortly after, his forces entered and pillaged the city. The Archbishop of Novograd surrendered, and signed the Treaty of Moscow which made Ivan I supreme prince of the city of Novograd and it's surrounding territories. Ivan I promptly incoporated Novograd into Smolensk, and proclaimed himself Grand Prince of all the Russias. Thus the Grand Principality of Russia came into existence. Ivan I then invaded and conquered Pskov. Britain and the Holy Roman Empire were the first countries to recognize the existence of Russia. The Byzantine Empire refused to, however, continuing to refer to the Russian state as "Novograd and Smolensk".

King Carl V of Sweden completed the assmilation of the Sami tribes, and the Swedish Empire was extended to the Artic. The king then drafted plans for an invasion of the Baltic Tribes, in order to secure control of the Baltic provinces and insure complete dominance in that region. Carl V in the meantime, established the University of Stockholm and welcomed Reniassance ideas into his Kingdom.

In the Holy Roman Empire, the electorate of Brandenburg is established by the Reichstag, encompassing some of the northern territories of the Empire, which is governed by the Hohenzollern dynasty. The first elector of this dynasty, Albert Frederick I, is related to the Ducal family of Prussia. This will lay the foundation of the eventual foundation of the Kingdom of Prussia.

In Britain, Edward I of Britain began construction on a grand Palace, which would become his new seat of power. The Palace would be located on the outskirts of London, and would be Roman-styled. This Palace will become the Imperial Palace. The Emperor commissioned the best bricklayers, architects, and constructors from Italy, Germany, and Byzantine to work on his Palace.

1215
The Renaissance reached a golden apex. Two of the most famous people repersenting the Renaissance were Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Both of them were Italian, with the focus of the Renaissance having switched to the Italian state. Da Vinci was a famous engineer, artist, and poet, who did the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, two of the world's most famous paintings. Da Vinci also designed plans for a "flying machine" and a "wagon cannon", although these ideas would never come to fruit in his lifetime. Michelangelo was a sculpter, artist, and poet. He painted the Last Judgement and the Genesis Scenes. He scuplted the David and the Pieta. He also wrote three volumes of poetry.

Queen Catherine I of Spain died. Her husband, King Charles I of Spain, mourned, but he continued on his reign, this time alone. The king signed at treaty with Portugal. This treaty granted Spain Leon, in exchange for Portugal gaining some territory to the southern coast. Shortly after, Portugal occupied the territory agreed upon, while Spain annexed Leon. This agreement would set the stage of cooperation between the two kingdoms.

Emperor Davidus I of Byzantine invaded and conquered the Greek and Anatolian islands still controlled by the Knights of St John. The Emperor arrested and executed many of the knights, installed a military garrison on the islands, and brtualized the people. Britain, a diplomatic ally of the Knights, protested, but the Byzantine Empire ignored them. This was the beginning of British-Byzantine tensions, that will persist for some time.

Ivan I of Russia persuaded the prince of Kiev that a unified Russian state, consisting of all the Russian principalities, would benefit the Russian people, and would strengthen them in the long term. The prince was convinced, and Kiev merged with Russia. Despite that, the former principality of Kiev maintained considerable autonomy, with the prince continuing to rule as Grand Duke of Kiev, although as a vassal of Grand Prince Ivan. Ivan I annexed some of the territory of the Baltic tribes, to connect the two parts of the grand principality together.

1216
The Imperial Palace, in London, is finally completed. The Palace is a sprawling complex of smaller palaces, houses, and even some castles, with more then 600 rooms. The palace had gold and silver decorations, imported from the Byzantine Empire. There was beautiful tapsierty and paintings on the walls. The palace had a courtyard, a hunting grounds, a barnhouse, and a horse stall. A grand wall surronded the palace, for protection. The wall itself had beautiful coverings and decorations. Emperor Edward I moved in.

In Portugal, a Prince named Henry the Navigator begins sponsoring the construction of a Portugese navy. The prince, who had actual naval experience, established the School of Navigation, to teach young navigators and to encourage a naval development. He lobbied his father, King Pedro I of Portugal, to fund the establishment of a navy. Pedro I eventually did, and Prince Henry himself oversaw the construction of a navy at Lisbon Shipyards. The Portugese build 40 ships of the line and 100 galleys.

In response to the Portugese construction of a navy, Edward I of Britain commissioned a expansion of the Imperial Navy. At their shipyards in Portsmouth, Dover, and Hastings, the British constructed 50 ships of the line and 110 galleys. The Imperial Navy had been expanded greatly. Edward I divided the Navy into two groups: the Home Defense Fleet and the North Sea Fleet. Each fleet would consist of roughly half the navy.

Ivan I "the Land Gatherer" of Russia, caught a fever and died at the age of 56, after fifteen years on the throne. The grand prince had unified the Russian principalities into a single state, and had undertaken mutual deals, marriage, or conquest to accomplish this. Ivan I was buried in the Moscow Kremelin, which he had constructed, and was succeeded as Grand Prince of Russia by his son Vasily I.

The Byzantine Empire annexed Ragusa and the Republic of Venice. This expansion, although relatively minor, brought much wealth into the Byzantine treasury. Emperor Davidus I took advantage of this and began constructing a road network throughout the empire. He also financed the construction of a sewer sanitation system.

1218
Edward I of Britain was diagnozed with brain tumor. At the time, cancer was unknown, and British physicans considered the emperor's cancer a "horrible plague". They could do nothing to cure it. The Emperor died in July 1218, after a reign of seventeen years. He came to be known as Edward I the Great, for his great reforms and accomplishments. Edward I was succeeded by his son Henry I. Henry I was crowned in Westminister Abbey on 18 August. His reign will not be as succesfull as his father's.

Prince Henry the Navigator acended to the throne of Portugal, when his father, King Pedro I, suffered a major stroke and died. King Henry I of Portugal was determined to begin exploration of the seas and to make his country stronger. So, the king established the Royal College of Navigation, which also consisted of his prior School of Navigation, which he had established while he was still prince. Henry I welcomed Renassiance ideas, hoping to increase diversity of the culture within his kingdom. He supported the arts and established a Institution of Litetature.

Emperor Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire became emboriled in a argument with the Pope of Rome, which became known as the Great Religious Controversy. The Pope claimed he wielded absolute authority over all church appointments, while the emperor of Holy Rome claimed the same. The Pope was supported by Sicily, Spain, and British France, while the Holy Roman Emperor recieved support from Hungary and Bohemia. The Controversy would drag on for the next couple years.

1221
A massive rebellion breaks out in the Kingdom of British France. This rebellion was lead by Charles Augustus, the last surviving nephew of the dead Philip Augustus I of France. At the time, although British France was formally independent, the Emperors of Britain ruled France as Kings of France. Charles Augustus was determined to restore the proper Kingdom of France and to throw the British out, who acted almost like feudal landlords. Henry I of Britain sent a British army of 3,000 to crush the rebellion. However, this army is defeated and destroyed at the Battle of Agincourt. Afterwards, Charles recieved finanical assistance from Spain, Portugal, and the Byzantine Empire.

Emperor Davidus I of Byzantine finally launched the long-awaited offensive into the Ayyubid Sultanate. At first, the Byzantine forces were bogged down, but after heavy reorganization and refit, made major gains into Ayyubid territory. They reached as far as Mecca, in south-western Arbaia. However, Davidus I, after a reign of twenty years, was killed in battle. He was succeeded by his son Michael Commenus I, who ended the campaign. Only Egypt remained in Ayyubid hands.

The Great Religious Controversy finally ended, with a victory for the Pope. The Papal Bull of Ets Authorita was issued, which recognized the Pope's control of church appointments in the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Emperor had lost a large amount of prestige and authority, and the Hohenstaufen dynasty began to decline in strength and influence. In this same year, the electorate of Hanover was established.

1223
The final British stronghold in France, Calasis, was taken by the rebel forces of Prince Charles Augustus. The French prince promptly proclaimed himself King Charles Augustus I of France, and reestablished the Kingdom of France. This kingdom was immediately recognized by the Byzantine Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, Portugal, and most of the Italian states. Britain was forced to conclude the Treaty of Windsor with the re-established France, which recognized French soveregnity and restored peace. Despite this, however, Henry I of Britain continued to style himself as His Imperial Majesty Henry I, by the Grace of God, Emperor of Britain and King of France, although he held no territory in France, except the Channel Islands. The loss of France was a major blow to Britain's prestige, although it would fully recover from this blow.

The Kingdom of Portugal launched the first European naval expedition to travel along the coast of Africa. The expedition was personally financed and sponsored by King Henry I of Portugal, who hoped to open a direct trade route with Asia. The expedition sailed along the African coast and reached the Cape of Good Hope. Britain and Spain were both shocked about the succesfull Portugese naval mission. Henry I of Portugal was pleased and confident. He constructed a naval shipyard along Portugal's coast and commissioned even more naval expeditions.

The Byzantine Empire made several intolerable demands to the Kingdom of Judea. These included the stationing of Byzanztine troops in Judean territory, the control of the roads leading to the Holy City, and a prefered nation status. The king of Judea, Herod II, rejected these demands, and in response, Emperor Commenus began organizing a invasion force. The Byzantine Empire, however, would face opposition. Judea pleaded to the Holy Roman Empire for help, which sent a 15,000 man defense force.