The True History of the Conquest of Vinalia

The True History of the Conquest of Vinalia

Title page of an edition of 1632
Author	Captain Bohdan Okhremovich
Original title	Cправдива історія завоювання Віналія Spravzhnya istoriya zavoyuvannya Vinaliyacode: ukr promoted to code: uk
Country	Soravia
Language	Soravian
Subject	Kosh, Grigori, -- 1519-1588. Orlev, Afanasij, -- 1528-1596. Vinalia -- History -- Conquest, 1568-1573.
Published	1595 1908 1963
Media type	Print
Pages	1760
ISBN	0-14-044123-9 (1963)
OCLC	723180350

Spravzhnya istoriya zavoyuvannya Vinaliya (The True History of the Conquest of Vinalia) is a first-person narrative written in 1598 by military adventurer, Zavoyovnik, and colonist settler Bohdan Okhremovich (1538–1610), who served in three Asterian expeditions; those of the expedition of Grigori Kosh to Chistovodia (1565), Afanasij Orlev (1568) to the eastern coast of Chistovodia and latter Vinalia, and the expedition of Josep Mykola (1573); the history relates his travels and life in the Asterias but particular interest is in his participation in the fall of Itzel, and the Calkhun Empire.

Late in life, when Okhremovich was in his 60s, he finished his first-person account of the Soravian conquest of Chistovodia and Vinalia. He wrote The True History of the Conquest of Vinalia to defend the story of the common-soldier Konkistador within the histories about the Soravian conquest of the Asterias. He criticized the histories of the hagiographic biographers of Afanasij Orlev, specifically that of Yevhenii Sibelius who Okhremovich believed minimized the role of the enlisted soldiers instrumental to conquering Vinalia, additionally he criticized the portrayal of Orlev, which Okhremovich believed had committed serious crimes against the Soravian crown and Grigori Kosh. In his eyewitness account, narrated in the first-person plural "we," Okhremovich strongly defends the actions of the Zavoyovnik.

Background

Following the discovery of Asteria Superior in 1488 by Assim Asteris, Euclean interest in the new continent quickly grew. Soravia at the time an important power in west Euclea, had desired to launch expeditions into the new continent, to establish colonies. The first such expedition was conducted in 1565, as a Soravian fleet under Grigori Kosh set sail for the Asterias. At the time Bohdan Okhremovich was a young officer in the Soravian military, and had agreed to the expedition following the death of his first wife and son a few months prior.

At the time, modern-day Chistovodia was a collection of nomadic tribes, who maintained trade links with the Úuchmáan kingdom of Itzel in modern day Zamara, Vinalia. At the time Itzel was involved in a major conflict with the Mazanan Empire which was a rump established following the decline and collapse of the Tzapotlan Empire in 1523 following its conquest by Povejan conquistadors. Novo Poveja held limited suzerainty over the rump states created following the collapse of the Tzapotlans but in most cases their control existed only on paper. Such suzerainty would serve as the basis of Povejan-Soravian and latter Ardesian-Vinalian disputes over the Chyhyryn/Granoso region.

Plot

The book gives a brief overview on the life of Okhremovich, who had been born in a rural village close to Samistopol to peasant parents in 1538. After joining the army as a volunteer at a young age, and quickly climbing over the ranks until becoming an officer. He details his first wife, Anna, noting her beauty and their first son, Ivan born in 1558. His son would die in January 1565 following a riding accident, with Anna dying on February during the birth of their second son, Sergei. With the backdrop of such tragedy, Okhremovich agreed to join the expedition of Grigori Kosh, looking to reach the Asterias.

The book notes the terrible distance, and at times hopelessness of the sailors at the never ending sea. Their arrival at the Îles des Saints under Gaullican control provided much needed rest and respite to the sailors. Many members in Kosh's expedition demanded to return home or remain in Îles des Saints, the mutiny delayed Kosh for 10 days, but Okhremovich dedicates limited oversight to such event. Okhremovich would accompany the expedition until it saw the coast of Chistovodia, and the establishment of Fort Ruda in 1566. Okhremovich was one of the men who remained in the settlement as Kosh returned to Soravia. Okhremovich notes the struggles the few conquistadores had in the region due to the climate, noting the near collapse of the colony into famine during that winter. Okhremovich states that the Fort suffered no further complications following the arrival of a great fleet under the command of Kosh, which brought 3,000 soldiers and settlers into Chistovodia.

Okhremovich skips until early 1568 when Afanasij Orlev then a captain brought in the 1567 Kosh fleet, with directions to map out the coast of Chistovodia to the south of Fort Ruda, recruits Okhremovich to aid him in the expedition. Orlev who was a nobleman of limited importance, was noted for his ruthlessness and efficiency, having served as the captain of the Soravian Colonial guard which acted as a police force in the limited Soravian presence in Chistovodia. Orlev set sail with 3 ships, and some 300 men on June 3rd, with specific instructions to map out the coast of Chistovodia, and if possible land and claim it in the name of Emperor Ivan VI, it was understand that such claims would be under the jurisdiction of Kosh as he served as governor in Chistovodia. Although Okhremovich speaks that he was not aware that Orlev had been relieved of his duty to lead such a mission on June 1st, following Orlev's refusal to step down as captain of the colonial guard, which granted him legal immunity. Orlev was believed to have committed theft, although historians refute this relatively unimportant occurence to cause such a problem for both Kosh and Orlev.

Orlev set sail on what was an illegal mission, and began mapping out the coast of Chistovodia. Okhremovich notes the aspects of the land, and the general lack of sights as had been described by other Euclean explorers. The fleet of 3 ships was struck by a storm, and forced to make landfall. Some historians believe that the sailors landed 20 kilometers south of the modern Vinalian-Chistovodian border. The fleet continued until it reached the mouth of the Red River, and being prompted by another possible storm, opted to land in the peninsula. Okhremovich notes the better weather and meetings with the indigenous people. Okhremovich notes that Orlev named this land "Vinalia" following a misunderstanding between Orlev and the natives. Orlev most crucially claimed the land solely in the name of the Soravian crown, a key legal issue, as it placed Orlev and the new lands answerable only to the king, and not to Kosh, a deicision Okhremovich disagreed with. Fort Orlavo named after Orlev was established in the region.

Okhremovich states that Orlev perhaps growing paranoid, decided to forgo traveling further south, and remained in Orlavo. He sent two ships back to Ruda to inform Kosh of what had occurred, and to obtain supplies and more men. Okhremovich notes that the ships were populated by men loyal to Kosh, and that he himself had avoided being sent in one such voyage following minor injuries due to a fall when exploring a cliff near Orlavo. Orlev had at his command some 300 men, 5 horses, several small cannons, and 100 Chistovodian indigenous porters. The Soravians began trading with the Vinakians (Axakaqans), mainly in furs and felts with Orlev growing increasingly paranoid. In Orlavo they were met by a delegation from the Úuchmáan city of Itzel, who desired to meet with the foreigners. Okhremovich claims that an indigenous slave he had bought back in Chistovodia was able to speak Úuchmáan, but this is disputed by historians. The slave initially named "Ivan" would become central to the story. Ivan allowed Orlev and the Itzelian delegation to speak.

The delegation informed Orlev that the Iztelian king, Ahluic III, sought to speak with the foreigners. Orlev initially skeptical was convinced by the great amount of gifts brought to him by the delegation, and with the prospect of being court martialled, followed the delegation back to the city of Itzel. Half of the men, and all the horses followed the Itzelian delegation into the country. Many men attracted by the amount of treasure eagerly joined Orlev, who promised to ensure all members of the expedition earned some of the spoils, thus ensuring their loyalty. The expedition to Itzel is mostly unimportant, although the Soravians learn of a great Zapoyan city in the south, named Mazanan which Ahluic seeks Soravian help to conquer.

The expedition reaches Itzel after 20 days, noting its existence at the foot of a massive volcano, and surrounded by 3 giant lakes. The city which is masterfully built, and inhabited heavily, is described by Okhremovich as being comparable or surpassing the greatest cities in Euclea. Ahluic who is a young king, speaks to the Soravians and seeks to obtain their help in defeating the Itzelian enemies, in exchange for great treasure. The Soravians agree to such a proposition and begin working as mercenaries for Anluic. Okhremovich describes battles between Itzel and other Úuchmáan cities such as Ahau-Kin, Socotl, Zacallan, and Hun Batz. With the latter city being burned down to prevent revolt.

After having spent the better part of 8 months marching and fighting indigenous cities. Orlev announces to the king his intention to return to Fort Orlavo to check on the men, behind the scenes Okhremovich describes growing fears in the Soravians regarding the state of Itzel, which has fallen victim to a great epidemic (Smallpox), which has made many in the Itzelian aristocracy blame the Soravians. Orlev which has received a letter that Devletko Chkonia under orders of Kosh has arrived to Fort Orlavo with 300 men intent on arresting Orlev. Ahluic who had begun to fear for his throne disallows the Soravians from leaving the city, instead offering more treasure to the Soravians. Which they promptly accept.

Ahluic falls victim to the epidemics and dies suddenly, with his nephew Hun-Babal taking over the throne. Hun-Babal orders the Soravians seized, which prompts Orlev and the expedition to fight their way out of the city. Following a pitched and chaotic battle which Okhremovich describes as "storm-like" the Soravians exit the city, exhausted and without most of the treasure granted to them by their conquests. Severely outnumbered Orlev marches back to Orlavo, describing how most of the countryside has been wiped out by the epidemic. Chkonia having heard of the disaster that had struck Orlev marches to seize him, and both armies meet a few miles west of Orlavo. Chkonia who is unaware of Orlevs presence is attacked during the night by Orlev's men, who quickly seize him. Chkonia's army having heard of the great treasures found in Itzel opt to abandon Chkonia who sought to jail Orlev and return back to Chistovodia, and instead Orlevs army on February 1569.

After a period of rest and resupply, Orlev departs for Itzel again with an army of 500 men, several horses, and artillery. Itzelian armies skirmish with the Soravians but are unable to stop them from entering Itzel. Orlev having reached the great city, has its temples desecrated and treasure emptied.

Analysis

The book has been noted for its simple style, and vast attention to detail. With vivid images painted for the reader, which gave the reader an image of an idyllic country. His accounts although necessitating critical overview, are considered mostly correct, with historians preferring Okhremovich's first hand accounts over other.

The sights of the city were immaculate. The city had been built by the most graceful hands ever made, every rock felt like it had been made by the creator with the idea of it being place in such a stupendous building.

Bohdan Okhremovich, pg 414

The book sparked controversy during its publishing, as the title "The true history", is a direct criticism of Yevhenii Sibelius book "The Conquest of the Asterias", published in 1593. Sibelius was the personal secretary and biographer of Afanasij Orlev, and utilized his patron along with selected sources in creating his narrative. The book was noted by contemporaries as defending Orlev, and many noted that the book had been published only after Grigori Kosh was dead, to prevent criticism or accusations of defamation from such a famous individual. Okhremovich is noted to have only published his book after the death of Orlev, although this might not have been intentional.

Okhremovich wrote about both Kosh and Orlev noting their contributions to the Soravian empire, and the mission of the Episemialist Church. However he proceeds to not defend Orlev, and notes the lack of information the general, provided to his men. Stating that they were not aware of any illegal acts being done in their time in Vinalia. Many historians have disputed this view, stating that the letter indicating the removal of command from Orlev would have been read by multiple officers and men. Making it unlikely that all men who read it, did not feel the need to communicate words from an imperial governor to their fellow soldiers. Additionally most men had served under Kosh in the first expedition, and owed wealth, and rank to the man, making their blind loyalty to Orlev incredibly unlikely.