The Wars of the North: Myths, Lies and Half-Truths

Most historians ascribe the trial, sentencing and execution of Joachim de Wett to the violent, cruel and tyrannical nature of Emperor Emhyr, although many authors with a predilection for sensationalizing propose loaded hypotheses about vengeance and the settling of thoroughly private scores. It is high time to tell the truth – a truth that is and has long been more than clear to every scholar.

Duke de Wett led the Verden Group. To describe the manner in which he did so as “incompetent” would be far too kind. Facing a force half as strong as his own, he delayed the northern offensive, turning all his attention to the fight against the guerillas of Verden.

The Verden Group brought unheard of cruelties to bear against the civilian population. The result proved as predictable as it was inevitable - whereas in winter the insurgents numbered a mere half thousand, by spring nearly the entire country had taken up arms against us. King Ervyll, a loyal liege subject to the Empire, was killed, and his son, Crown Prince Kistrin, who sympathized with the Nordlings, was made king.

With Skellige raiders biting at his flanks, a Nordling offensive coming from Cidaris before him, and a rebellion at his rear, de Wett became bogged down in a chaotic struggle and suffered one defeat after another. This in turn delayed Army Group Center's offensive – instead of pinning down the Nordlings’ flanks as it was to, the Verden Group tied down Menno Coehoorn. The Nordlings took advantage of the situation immediately. They mounted a counter-offensive, breaking through the ring of forces encircling Mayena and Maribor, and thwarting any chance for the quick recapture of these important fortresses. De Wett’s incompetence ineptitude and stupidity also affected morale. The myth of an invincible Nilfgaard was shattered. New recruits began to pour into the armies of the North by the hundreds…