Hederan-Ilessan Wars

The marquisate of Hedera and duchy of Ilessan have warred with one another sporadically for centuries.

At the heart of this ongoing conflict is the Ilessan claim to dominion over the Ilessan Hills. Since the Hederan lands fall within this region, the dukes of Ilessan assert overlordship over Hedera. Such a claim is intolerable to the marquises of Hedera, who received their title title from Emperor Reman II, whilst the lords of Ilessan simply assumed the ducal rank.

## **War of 2E 581-582**

In early autumn of 2E 581, Jean III, Duke of Ilessan, amassed his levies at the north of the River Ivy Alerted to these developments, Marquis Charles dispatched his brother Sir Louis Lierre and the Knights of Ivy to guard the fortified Greenbridge. They arrived too late, however, and the duke's forces had already made the crossing. In an attempt to push the invaders back across the river, the Hederan forces were defeated, repelled and scattered.

Without challenge, the duke's host unleashed a *chevauchée* across the Ivywood on the approach to Hedera Castle. Refusing to yield the castle following a parley with the duke, Marquis Charles was subjected to a siege.

Early in 2E 582, Sir Louis Lierre and the Knights of Ivy captured the Ilessan castle of {Castle} whose garrison had been depleted to join the siege of Hedera. The duke's son and heir, Mathieu, resided in the castle as a squire, and was taken prisoner by Sir Louis. With such a valuable hostage (who Sir Louis threatened to hang from the gatehouse of {Castle}), Marquis Charles negotiated a peace with Duke Jean.

The terms of this treaty were guaranteed by the betrothal of Charles's daughter Charlene to the duke's son Mathieu, who was to remain in the marquis's custody as a squire. Furthermore, the castle of {Castle} was to be installed with a Hederan garrison until the fulfillment of the marriage pact.

The truce agreed, Duke Jean lifted the siege of Hedera.

## **War of 2E 589-590**

The truce between Hedera and Ilessan expired in 2E 588, upon the marriage of Lady Charlene of Hedera and Lord Mathieu of Ilessan. Marquis Charles expected close marital ties to guarantee the peace, yet Duke Jean was not dissuaded from resuming his war.

Crossing the River Ivy with his host in Sun's Dusk, Duke Jean and his son Lord Mathieu attacked Greenbridge. Alerted by its garrison, Marquis Charles sent his brother Sir Louis Lierre and nephew Sir Charles Lierre to organise the defence of Greenbridge.

At the First Battle of Greenbridge, Duke Jean was killed but the Ilessan forces ultimately prevailed and captured the castle of Greenbridge. Louis Lierre was captured and beheaded on the orders of Mathieu - now Duke of Ilessan - in retribution for his father's death.

Enraged at the slaying of his brother, Marquis Charles assumed personal command of his forces - summoning all of his levies and allies to his banner. In Sun's Dawn 2E 590, his army fell upon the captured castle of Greenbridge. In the Second Battle of Greenbridge, the castle was stormed and Duke Mathieu was forced to flee with his retinue. On the order of the marquis, the captured Ilessan garrison were put to death.

Giving chase to Duke Mathieu, Marquis Charles launched a *chevauchée* on the Ilessan countryside. As one witness observed, *"behold the fury of a clement man"*. After three weeks of pillaging, the duke was forced into the humiliating necessity of sending his pregnant wife - Duchess Charlene - to sue for peace with her father.