Medieval Ardmore

Knights from the Duchy of Rosmore during the Conquest of Wissel, 1455.

Medieval Ardmore is the history of the Kingdom of Ardmore during the medieval period, which extended in the islands from the 9th century to the early 17th century. Predating this period Ardmore was in the classical and tribal period. During this time, Ardmore was heavily influenced by Levantian and Occidental influences, and these influenced the multitude of different duchies and counties on the islands, which had gradually evolved from the tribal and clan system that had been in place or centuries before hand. Arts, poetry, and music all developed independelty but with some influences from larger medieval states such as the Holy Levantine Empire, where instruments and artisans travelled to Ardmore as its ports were considered friendly to foreign merchants and trade as they expanded in the Sea of Canete.

The Early period of Ardmore's medieval history consisted of a significant amount of infighting and a power struggle amongst dominant clans on the island as a feudal system emerged. Fighting lasted for decades, with the Kingdom of Ardmore beginning to take shape as duchies began to expand and intermarry, with wars becoming less frequent by the late 1100s. These duchies would eventually sit for the Council of Moear, where they anointed the Duke of Rosmore as the King of Ardmore. This period saw the consolidation of the remaining Ardmori duchies in the Duke's War, a series of conflicts that lasted 80-100 years (historical sources vary). After the consolidation of the Kingdom of Ardmore, the Rosmore Dynasty then conducted a campaign to conquer the Wissel Islands, a small series of islands to the Northeast of Ardmore Proper. By the end of 1600, Ardmore had emerged as a strong economic power owing to its flourishing ports and strong guilds, as well as the lack of open civil conflict in the last two centuries of the Kingdom's medieval history.

Early Medieval Period (800-1200)

Age of Raiders

end of clan era

multiple clans begin to consolidate gains

Medieval Houses of Ardmore

largest army ~5,000

raids into Calinthia

limited raids into urcea

cross island raiding

North Island War

Duchy of Rosmore v. County of Kilinmuir + County of Wissel support County of K

933-981

First use of siege equipment

2 major battles, Duchy of Rosmore victorious, borders of north island established and ducal limits set (County of K doesn't swear fealty though, remains independent)

Failed Conquest

Duchy of Dunval fails to conquer Kilkken in the South Island War (944-962)

Large war pits Dunval + Craignaisaig against Kilkken and Balnaessie

Major sea battle in the Bay

1 siege of Kilkken fails when Bal breaks it

White peace

Ducal Power Struggles

1061-1149

Kilinmuir swears fealty to Rosmore (marriage alliance brings them into the fold) Dunval amalgamates Craig and Bal

War is Rosmore (+) versus Dunval

Kilkken joins late on Rosmore side (historical bias against Dunval)

Rosmore wins

Late Medieval Period (1200-1600)

Royal Consolidation

Council of Moear

Duke's War - civil war where there is a fight to not submit to the King of Ardmore as assigned (Dunval and Killken + Wisssel against Rosmore)

1277-1365

Wide ranging civil war

siege of craig

sacking of bal

2 battles won by Ros, they submit the dukes

Establishment of the Kingdom of Ardmore

Duchy of Rosmore becomes seat of power

Consolidation complete

Major Figures

Houses of Ardmore

Duchy of Rosmore

Duchy of Kilikken Duchy of Dunval

County of Kilinmuir

County of Balnaessie

Lord Mayorship of Craigaisnaig

County of Wissel