The Eagle of Eastern Europe

Peter's trip to Italy lasted for six months, and he visited Genoa, Florence, Pisa, Naples, Palermo and Venice. Everywhere I go, I will go to local libraries and universities to absorb knowledge through excerpts and purchases.

During this period, other techniques were used to excerpt the advanced craft-making methods of Northern Italy, and through compilation and organization, a new book was finally formed.

And another travelogue written by Peter is about to be completed. From Hungary to Italy, from Belgrade to Venice, in ten months, dozens of cities, different customs and customs are revealed in it.

Peter left Venice on his Constanta, but it was a city he would return to.

And when he was preparing to reach Constantinople, his last stop, he unexpectedly received news: Theodore, the Despot of Morea, led an army of 10,000 to attack the kingdom of Achaia.

Even though Mircea did not tell Peter, Peter knew that in order to integrate into the Roman Empire, marrying Princess Sophia of Morea was the best choice, so he already regarded Theodore as his father-in-law.

Seeing his old father-in-law mobilize troops, Peter felt that his father had given his father-in-law some assistance, otherwise he would not have mobilized troops at this time.

"Don't go to Constantinople yet, go to Karmada."

"yes"

Kalmada is the largest port in the Despotate State of Morea. You can also go here to watch a good show.

Just when Peter changed direction, Theodore was also saying his final farewell in his official residence. He had nothing to do but marry his daughter to the eldest son of the Grand Duke of Wallachia, which was also a good ending.

Sofia hugged her father. She knew that the situation was in danger, but maybe God would bless him to return safely, and this marriage contract was her last talisman.

Saying goodbye to his family, Theodore took all his troops and set off to attack the Achaean capital.

Among these ten thousand people, 6,000 were newly trained peasant soldiers, and the rest were mercenaries and his own guards. At the same time, Mircea also assisted him with two artillery and dozens of muskets. Theodore understood , this time it can only succeed, not fail.

His opponent, the Principality of Achaia, was controlled by the Navarre mercenary group. In 1387, the leader of the mercenary group, Sapreno, became the monarch of the Principality of Achaia, and the Principality of Achaia nominally surrendered to Aragon. kingdom.

Despite the maneuvers, Morea's troops came to attack, and Sapreno had to gather his troops to fight.

At its peak, Achaia had twelve feudal territories in its name, but now there are only seven. Each territory needs to send troops, but time is limited and must be done as quickly as possible.

The Navarre Mercenary Group has a maximum of 5,000 soldiers, but the original commander Nelio had different ideas and began to split the Navarre Mercenary Group. He was originally from a Florentine banker family. He used his strength to privately expand some of his own mercenaries. Then he signed a private contract with the Venetians, and finally occupied the entire Principality of Athens in 1388, calling himself Nerio I, Duke of Athens.

Such a big split was beyond everyone's imagination. Achaia and Athens fought for several more years, and finally ended by recognizing each other's status. It can be said that now is the best time.

Theodore led the army to go out. Facing these large armies, some people directly defected, while other Franks and Achaeans resisted to the end. Everywhere he went, local Catholic churches and monasteries were destroyed and replaced by Orthodox priests and bishops.

Sapreno also gathered 8,000 people, the main force of which was the Navarre Mercenary Group, about 3,000 people. The regimental commander placed the elite in the middle, with levies on both sides.

The two sides met at Vitina, where Theodore had arrived a day before Sapreno and laid an ambush in the forest.

Early the next morning, when Sapreno's army passed here, Theodore immediately ordered an attack. The opponent was caught off guard, but quickly adjusted to counterattack. The two sides fought from morning to noon. Finally, Sapreno ordered a retreat, and Theodore won the first battle.

This was not the first time Theodore fought against him. In 1388, he led an army to capture Mystras from the opponent. His military talent was also displayed, and Athens and Achaia were in internal strife, so he was able to advance triumphantly.

In this forest ambush, Theodore killed more than 800 opponents at the cost of more than 100 people. Although the results were small, they did affect the local people in Achaia. The time had come to get rid of these Westerners.

Theodore continued to speed up his pace, and Sapreno also asked Venice, the Papal States, and Aragon for help, but they all had their own affairs and would not take action for a small country.

In this case, the only one who can take action is the Principality of Athens. But even if they were willing to send troops, they would not have enough time. The plan for now is to retreat to Patras, where we can resist for a while.

Theodore easily obtained a large area of ​​land. Whether it was the Greeks, the newly arrived Albanians, or the Maniot people in the south, their goal was to drive out these Westerners.

On this 20,000-square-kilometer peninsula, a battle is taking place to determine its future. Theodore continued to march towards Patras. People everywhere welcomed him, and some people felt that things were going to change here.

However, when encountering a strong fortress, Theodore had to either bypass it or defeat it. These people can't attack, but they can still defend the city.

For this reason, Theodore decided to attack Patras directly. As long as he defeated the opponent's main force, the rest would be difficult to achieve.

This war also aroused interest in the Principality of Athens and Venice behind it, but not much. Because Peloponnese is so barren, except for a few ports, there are no resources to plunder. The territory is still mountainous, agriculture is not very developed, and the population is only over 400,000.

As for Achaia, Athens wished they could be destroyed so that he could feel at ease.

As for Venice, they now have their business houses in the main ports of the Peloponnese, controlling a large amount of trade. As long as their interests are not harmed, they don't care who the owner of this land is.

In one month, Theodore swept away a large number of Western forces in the Peloponnese. The rest only stayed in the fortress for support, and the Morean army had already reached Patras. Seeing that they could not escape, Sapreno decided to formally challenge Theodore, and the two sides faced off on a plain near Patras. .

Theodore's side has a total strength of 11,000 troops, including 1,000 cavalry, 7,000 infantry, and 3,000 ranged troops. Sapreno's side has a total strength of 9,000, including 200 knights, 1,500 cavalry, and the rest are infantry and archers. A great battle that will determine the future of Peloponnese is about to begin.