Taking advantage of the Norman civil war, the King of France incited the Mann People to rebel. He then joined forces with the Count of Blois and the Duke of Brittany to launch a fierce assault on Normandy.
Just a week ago, Gaya Castle fell. This led to the rapid collapse of the entire Upper Normandy Region, and the vanguard of the French King's army reached the very gates of Rouen.
The Count of Flanders, pinned down by Hunchback Godfrey, the Duke of Lorraine, was powerless to aid Normandy. The situation was critical.
The Upper Normandy Region comprised Normandy's lands on the east bank of the Seine River. If it fell completely, the Seine would become a natural barrier protecting the King of France, making any attempt to reclaim the territory significantly more difficult.
Normandy would be forced onto the defensive, its former power to deter the King of France utterly gone.
