Chapter 6: 2nd Algerian-Moroccan war (1422-1428)
The situation in Europe, 2 march 1422.
One of the first things I did after the peace was once again established, was letting Holland and Zeeland leave the Holy Roman Empire. Why would provinces under my control be part of that catholic institution? no, I won't let any province be part of that.
I opened up the trade center of Antwerpen and sended my merchants to it. Although the trade center had collapsed since my control, it still gave a great economic boost.
the westernisation started to pay off. My trade became more efficient, and not only my trade. On all fronts the technology boosted. I knew that this was a good idea.
Trade technology level 5: also government and land reached level 5 shortly after this.
For years I kept a low profile. My armies recovered, and I got a hold on the provinces I captured. Also, I ensured that I would have a great reserve of manpower, so my losses would be minimized during the next battle. During this time, I talked to my neightbours, and tried to improve relations. I already was best buddies with Algiers, but more friends the better. Talks were going well with Tunesia and Tripoli, and also my vassal Sicily came to understand that they were better off in this situation.
but then, on 1 september 1426, Algiers invaded Morocco, and asked me for help. I could refuse, which would have avoided the turmoil in my country, but since war with the Marocs was inevitable, I'd better start it now, now my allies would help me. If I would have refused, Algiers would have broken our alliance. How coincidental that my second war would be with Marocco, just like my father had.
I've got 4,000 men at the borders of Morocco. It's nothing, but I didn't count on a war with them yet.
While war preparations started (I sended my men down to occupy the four central provinces, while I rerouted some troops from the Iberian peninsula to the boats, to invade Tangiers), I needed to secure my Dutch provinces. I was able to build men-at-arms there, which were better trained than my own muslim archers. That was good news. If I could only get the fine grasp of their training, and train my own men like them...
The situation in the north had changed the past four years. After I defeated Bourgondy, Liege declared its independance and France absorbed the rest of their Dutch provinces. Bourgondy wasn't a major player anymore, although they annexed their vassal Switserland.
All five the Dutch provinces started to build men-at-arms.
I finally found a suitable successor for Edvárd: Karl Sass, a German immigrant who spend half his life in Antwerpen. With his help, I could stabilize those Dutch provinces, and maby even unite the Netherlands.
Karl Sass joins the team of advisors.
The war went well. Fastly I occupied their territories one by one, although Morocco managed to occupy Toubkhal for a moment. I still made use of the same old tactic: avoid their main army and occupy their entire country while they try to defeat one of your provinces.
Morocco occupied Toubkhal, but my armies were ready to take it back.
As I took Toubkhal back, the Moroccan army freed their capital, Marrakech. But that didn't prefent me from occupying the rest of their country. I forced a heavy truce on them:
Cede Tangiers, Figuig, Sus and Atlas. Also, they would renounce their claims on Melilla, Toubkhal, Fez, Safi, Ifni and Ceuta. Finally, they had to pay 100 ducats.
I couldn't ask for more, except vassalization, but they weren't yet ready for that. They accepted my terms on 10 may 1428.
Morocco has almost completely be conquered.
This conquest of Morocco reminded me of my history lessons: of the great Almoravid empire. When I would annex Morocco, I would have an empire that would equal that old one. A nobel goal. But there were more pressing concerns for the moment: I wanted to border France also in the south, so I had to conquer more of Aragon.
The old empire of the Almoravids (wikipedia).
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Some sidenotes:
I think I'll go after Aragon. This ruler, Muhammad VIII, has some grunge on that country. Maybe he will follow his fathers steps, and finish off Castille, when he got what he wants?
Bourgondy has really been beaten by me. It not only lost all it's northern provinces, Switserland also declared it's independance again. I guess their days are numbered.
I'm doubting for the national ideas. The next one is still far away, but the level 7 trade tech is within reach, especially now I joined the latin tech group. I could go for quest of the new world, and discover new land. But since I gain 0 colonists per year, I would have to take colonial ventures too. On the other hand, I could also go for divine supremacy, which gives +0.5 missionarisses. But I'm currently at -0,75 missionarisses a year, so it would still take some time to change the slider... Well, maybe I'll just go for the colonies first, and check back on the missionaris plan when it is more feasable.