A Medieval Story: The Italian Rivalry

Chapter VII

Around three year had passed, and the Lombards had reduced the Duchy of Bavaria to dust. Austria remained, though their end was close as the Eastern Romans had captured Vienna and were pushing further to the West, battling also Lombardy. Poland was still alive, now having become again a realm to take into consideration before attacking. Hungary had fallen, and the Holy See was still alive. Rome was under siege since 1432, one year ago. Three legions, now commanded by Andronikos along with his cousin Michael, were sieging the Eternal City; these legions were the Legio IV Italica, the Legio V Fulminata and the Legio III Victrix. Not to forget that Adnah was raised to become the acting Legatus Legionis of the Tertia Victrix due to the former general having died in a battle two years ago, in 1431, when the papal armies ambushed them when they were on their way to join along with the Quarta and Quinta.

The city of Rome was still managing to survive; they still had enough food stored in their warehouses. However, that food could possibly last for two years more.

The Pope was impatiently waiting for the Iberian kingdoms to maybe join the war and aid them, but it seemed to be nearly impossible as Andalusia and Morocco were still firmly holding against the Catholic armies from Hispania and Aragon. Nevertheless, something unexpected happened one month later, when the Caesar declared war on Morocco, and Andalusia also joined the war on the side of Morocco. Thus, in some way helped the Iberians as they now could easily defeat their enemies and then later help the Pope.

What was the Imperator thinking about? Did he know that doing such thing would help the Catholic world? He did have knowledge of that, however, he had a plan in mind, which was to destroy these to later attack the Iberians and completely take over the former Roman province of Hispania. Could he success in that plan? It is still uncertain.

Time kept flowing and the siege of Rome was still going on. Andronikos was preparing his men for a possible attack they were going to perform soon. Over thirty thousand legionnaires were there, along with the siege engines, which were around two hundred. The Pope was worried about all of this; he just hoped he could be taken as a prisoner, at least.

It was then, when a Crusader Order came in aid of the Holy See. The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre attacked the three legions from their rearguard. That was as unexpected as the Spanish Inquisition.

When Andronikos heard they were under attack he quickly went outside his tent and hopped on his horse then made ready to fight them back. He bravely fought the holy knights, who were around ten hundred in total.

The papal forces in Rome, however, did not join the fight. Who knows why.

The battle lasted for roughly a couple hours. The Eastern Roman legions won, but they lost many men in the fight. Andronikos ended with an injury on his left leg. The battle left the soldiers tired and slightly commotional; the battle that was going to happen with the papal forces was, then, postponed.

Some physicians quickly treated Andronikos (a couple weeks to recover were their estimation). Michael, Andronikos' cousin, had made sure he was well treated and also made sure that he was protected by the best men in the three legions. Meanwhile, the siege kept going on.