Chapter 14 - 1640 to 1650: The 6 Years War
In 1507, Mali, now officially known as the Union of Mali (or West Africa), was a primitive union of tribes. It was made up of dozens of West African tribes united by conquests of King Bankanu, a powerful kingdom in its own right. In Spring of that year, the British arrived.
At first, it was a small trading post in Guinea. But that grew quickly, becoming a colony and eventually encompassing a large part of the coast of West Africa. Soon after, the Teutons showed up as well. Mali kept up good trade relations with the foreign settlers, trading ivory, gold, and slaves. The slaves came from prisoners of war or from raids on neighboring tribes. One reason for the charade of good relations with the European colonies was that Mali, at the time, would have been powerless to stop a full invasion and conquest by Britain or the Teutonic Order. They also were exposed to new technology through their trade dealings and, in the early 1600's, Mali became a westernized nation, a true kingdom.
But Britain has no time to notice the threat in Africa. In June of 1640, several things occurred at once. The King of Danmark died leaving no heir behind. The throne went instead to Empress Radekza. However, Queen-Elector Berta I of Carinthia challenges the inheritance and declares war, claiming the throne for herself. Galicia comes to Britain and Denmark's (the English name for Danmark) aid. Aquitaine, which in recent years has re-allied itself with Britain, refuses the call. Perhaps King Beornræd I is remembering past grievances.
What ever the case, this leaves Britain and her allies to face Carinthia and her allies the Teutonic Order, Norge, and Hungary by itself. Carinthia has now an even more powerful army than ever before, and each of her allies is at the peak of their military might. The war seems a hopeless one.
Still, Britain must do its best.
The first battle comes in October. A massive Teutonic army of over 50 thousand meets an even larger British and Breton one in Nantes led by Prince Dohaeris. The Teutons are thrown back, but a Carinthian army takes its place. It too is beaten.
The first naval battle takes place in the Channel, and it is a British Victory. All 23 Hungarian ships are sent to the sea floor before they can deposit the Hungarian army they carry.
The next year, Dohaeris leads the armies south into Iberia, setting siege to Bearn. In August, an army of more than 60 thousand Teutons sends the Brits and Bretons fleeing back north.
They are defeated again in Brittany the following year, and a week later the entire army surrenders in Nantes. Brittany is overrun by Carinthian, Hungarian, and Teutonic armies of 50 thousand each.
Work immediately begins on recruiting new armies, including many mercenary armies. But just as progress begins, more tragedy strikes. Empress Radekza dies, possibly due to stress related illness, and Dohaeris becomes Emperor of Britain. But, just like his mother's his inauguration does not go smoothly. Magraev Guenmon names himself Emperor of Britain and raises 17 thousand followers to seize the throne.
The colonial army of America (8 thousand strong) is called back to join the newly formed armies in defeating this pretender. It never shows up... The entire fleet is sunk by Teutonic ships near Bermuda.
Dohaeris himself leads an army of 18 thousand Mercenaries while General The Number 9 Stigand leads 11 thousand of the new standing army. Magraev 'I' is routed in August of 1642, and his entire army captured, killed, or dispersed a week later in Oxfordshire. The Second War of the Pretender is over nearly as soon as it starts.
However, the Danish Succession war is still hot and bloody. Brittany and Normandy are now almost entirely in enemy hands. Denmark is holding up fine, even thoroughly pounding the Norwegians. By the Summer of 1643, 2 substantial armies have been raised, a 36 thousand mercenary army led by the Emperor, and a 23 thousand Brit army led by Stigand. Instead of attempting to take back the lands across the Channel, which are considered lost for the war, the two armies are sailed to Denmark to help with her southern defenses and the war with Norge.
Norge surrenders in November, promising to annul all treaties with Carinthia as well as renounce their claims on Orkney and the Shetland Islands. They also hand over a good deal of gold.
The army strikes again in May the following year, defeating Carinthian army in Lubeck.
In 1645, Galicia peaces out after a valiant struggle with a much larger neighbor. They pay a monetary price and monthly reparations, and they annul all treaties with Britain.
In July, French Separatists rise in revolt in Normandy and Alencon, hoping to take this moment of British weakness to gain independence.
By the end of July, the war is going just as poorly, and Dohaeris signs a humiliating separate peace with the Teutons. He cedes over two of Britain's African colonies and returns Iceland to Norge. After over a quarter of a millennium in the Empire, Iceland goes back to the Vikings.
But that leaves Carinthia and Hungary on their own. Still a fearsome enemy, this is something Britain should be able to handle. For now, Dohaeris prioritizes the defense of Denmark.
After a defeat in Lubeck, Hungary also pulls out of the war. They accept Britain's offer of a small pile of gold.
In February of 1646, the British armies of 50 thousand, led by Dohaerish and Stigand, collide withe 30 thousand Carinthians. In the first charge, Dohaerish is knocked down by a musket shot to his shoulder. He dies within hours. His cousin, Scottisha II, is made Empress of Britain. No pretender rises to challenge the new empress
Despite their Emperor's death, the armies still defeat the Carinthians in Holstein. In her predecessor's stead, Scottisha takes control of the Mercenary army.
The Peace of Holstein is signed on the 24th of November, 1646. Lotharingia mediates the treaty. Denmark will remain in a union with Britain.
The 6 Years War saw the death of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. It also saw the pillaging and destruction of countless villages, towns, and cities, mainly by mercenary troops. Its effects do not end their, however. By the end of the war, Normandy is in uproar. 80 thousand rebels are swarming the provinces, and the British forts cannot hold out much longer.
The Empire is also in debt, a debt that could take decades to pay off. As taxes begin to be raised even higher, public outcry goes to a new level. Parliament, in 1647, signs the Petition of Rights to prevent the Emperor or Empress from creating or raising taxes without the consent of the Parliament (and therefore the people).
Soon after, heir to the throne Must Love Cats is born.
In May of 1647, the French regain their independence. Britain is forced out of France, returning Alencon, Normandy, and Caux to French governance. Despite an initial feeling of victory after the 6 Years War, British moral has never been lower.
At the end of the decade, things are looking up. The debt is disappearing faster than expected, trade is now near to pre-war levels, and new armies are being assembled. Looking back, the 1640's were a decade of immense change for not just the empire, but all of Europe. Europe's top dog, Britain, was thrown from its pedestal of power, Carinthia was crippled militarily and diplomatically, and large chunks of the Empire were handed back to old enemies.
Europe holds its breath and hopes that the 6 Years War will be the last of its kind.
NOTE:
-Had the day off, hope you all enjoy this extra long chapter.
-And I hope DENMARK is happy at all the work I put in to keep them de Gael.
