The ORDER - 2004 - 1425

Excuse me for not pressing Enter enough... ext time will be more cut up, I promise Th :rofl:

Thanx
New update, as some of you may have noticed, before CHAPTER XIII is written A Story Of Europe 1431 - 1438 - Part I. This is a peaceful part of The ORDER's history, and will thus bedescribed in Thomas's view, and will skip time very much and very briefly.

Th :rofl:

A Story of Europe 1431 – 1438 – Part II


March 7, 1431. A day that I shall never forget: My queen has turned against me, and even if it is only temporary, I know it is the beginning of an increasingly wide ditch dug between us by Charles VII! He WANTS his daughter back, but is trying to avoid displaying his ‘stupid’ mistake of offering me his finest daughter! She is back to normal, but I know that things will not be the same anymore…

The deplorable reason for my queen’s fugue is Brittany. I wish the French would stop attacking them; they have now decimated Brittany’s armies, and England has made the most of it: War on Brittany, they start laying siege to the major cities in the region. All allies have joined Henry VI’s war, and things look ever so grim for the Duchy of Brittany!

Me and my queen thus argue over their fate and the injustice (which she does not want to see…) that is happening to those people. Seeing as we can do nothing for them, our armies being tiny and all (6422 knights and 1 galley!), I wait for peace in the region, however much I hate the fact that Brittany will never again be free… I swear to myself that if not I, then my descendants will free that part of the world, seeing as they are so populated and so badly treated.


As if this is not bad enough… Burgundy has entered an alliance with Strassburg and Mainz, giving that infidel Philippe III a beautiful war with the western HRE! WONDERFUL! That makes us the centre of so much violence it makes me sick, knowing that our knights restlessly sleep in our land! All this while, England is still refusing military access, and I imagine Henry VI laughing his head off at our repeating requests for access to Normandie! He seems to be loving this sudden power!


To the west, the War of Brittany, to the East, the HRE versus those French whacks (i.e. Burgundy)!


The Burgundian wars…

I really fear that once a peace is signed in Brittany, France will turn to its next small enemy; us!


July 26, 1432, Hendrick Baelgen (whose wonderful wife stayed, by the way) rushes to me with potentially good news, as he says. Our traders, before unsuccessful in getting more than two competitive active traders in Antwerpen, have finally reached the highest position; three active traders, together with Portugal [See previous screenie, Chapter XIII]. This is potentially good news because even though it is perfect for our growing economy, it also makes Philippe III much more jealous! Diplomatic insults have been flying throughout the world out of Burgundian ambassadors’ mouths. Our diplomats are more stable, and the most important messages to be sent are personally delivered by the honourable Hendrick Baelgen.




February 19, 1432, I hear from Gilles d’Enterre, recently-appointed Duke of Normandie, that Britanny has given its two northern provinces (Armor and Brittany) to England, as a last resort for peace. However, the next day, as I eat a hearty breakfast, another of his messengers arrives and declares Brittany as annexed by France. They now really hate us, as apart from England, there are no non-french occupiers in Gaul! My queen seems ever-more indecisive, and I fear that she will soon leave me! My life is turning from bad to worse: I loved her; she has not returned her love for long. I now feel this emptiness in me where my heart once throbbed with such happiness that I now fear I may soon die of sorrow.

My friends (Hendrick and Rav) notice this, but speak not of my sorrow, knowing that politically we must still be seen as stable and united. This is a part of our decree (Unitas, Decus, et Vis), and anybody noticing that my ties with France are weakening can see that the ORDER may soon break down. My Lord, how did this ever happen? France, whom I believed to be honourable and chivalrous, now seem like the Burgundian scum; dishonourable, fickle, and evil at heart. Might my wife ever know that I think this, she would leave me and the ORDER immediately, and convince her father to crush us like ants! Painfully, I continue speaking to the public rewarding them for their trust and their support, as well as calming the dissidents in Vlaanderen. Normandie, I still see as an island of civilisation in an environment of barbaric slaves! We cannot access them, as Burgundy does not allow us to cross their land either. Otherwise we could enter Normandie through the South-East (using our access through France and Bourbonnais).


The resulting partition of Brittany.


March 6, 1433, Hendrick Baelgen reports to me that our two nobles earlier married to Gelre and Friesen are happy and that the Dutch views of the ORDER are very favourable. Gelre will definitely assist us in war, whether versus Kleves or France! Friesen does not seem to think differently of us than Oldenburg (who are the leaders of the alliance), this being slightly hoping for us to prevail, as long as we do not invade the Lowlands. The chance of that is so tiny that I take them for my honourable allies too.

Hendrick also announces the new money-usage: Inflation has risen to around 3.5%. This makes Hendrick divide the money into 50% for Land Technology, 20% for Naval Technology, and 30% for Trade efficiency technology. Our traders must become the best in the world, must they not? This results in our losing 3.0 ducats per month, as usual…

A few days later I sadly hear that Lorraine has been annexed by Burgundy! They are once more expanding, and that idiotic Philippe III seems to be gaining ground on us! They are still cutting up the Western HRE, but on the contrary, Strassburg is under siege of Kleves! Go Kleves (even though they don’t like us)!

November 4, 1433, Hendrick announces that the loan has finally been repaid, and that thanks to the interest money gained, we now only lose 1.8 ducats per month! Truly wonderful!

However… Our friends of Gelre are not the best friends they could be, and how I would like them to be our vassal! Next year, I plan to do some serious politics!

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Thnx 4 the comments! ALWAYS welcome
However, Herr Capiatlist, I do not fully understand your post...

I will be a 1337 31_1II h4c!<x()R!

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...?

Either way, thnx everyone... I will be spending the summer holidays in Belgium, where I will be able to continue updating, but much less than the rate I have been doing previously. Excuse that, but seeing as everybody will be off for that time it probably won't be that bad, and might even be good, because it makes it less of a stack to read when you come back

Also, Chapter XV coming out shortly (not necessarily today, but very possibly! )

Th :rofl:

A Story of Europe 1431 – 1438 – Part III



1434; a year of internal change and intensive diplomacy…January 8, I send two exotic animals from the Egyptian Sultanate to my dear friend, King Arnold I. I am hoping that this can improve our relations and enhance the chances of our vassalising them. Our reputation is now much better than it was [BB = 4.1/35]. The sole problem in this pursuit is their good relations with England! They seem to love and be loved by those barmy Brits! This really lowers chances of our aim being accomplished: They would much rather want to stay free and socialise with the English than to become the vassals of a new and so-called “unstable” ORDER.

A few days later I hear that they really like us, now: Even more than the English! I make the most of this chance, and send Arnold a polite letter asking them to become our vassals, thereby enforcing the union of the Lowlands, but also breaking ties with other countries.

”Sire, Your friend, King Thomas of Belgium, has sent this letter for You. It states that they wish us to become their vassals. He says it would sanctify the Lowlands’ independence and make our relations stronger, thereby both our nations stronger and more resistant against attack…”

The King probably understands this wrong, and most likely feels very insulted by this formal request I wrote. Thus, he declines, and sends an insulting letter to us vowing to never allow Gelre to become our vassal. Consequently, I am insulted, but instead of taking this further I send a letter of apology and beg for us to return to normal terms, forgetting this little misunderstanding/mishap.

They agree. Thank God.

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The current situation is improving. We are friends with everybody, mainly in the HRE, but do not like the biggest superpowers. We remain neutral with the Austrians, the English, and the Danes, as they have recently been massacring innocents over stupid alibis such as land… We detest the French, which is Okay, because they want to kill us. They hate us because of Normandie, and we hate them due to their annexing most other Gaulish duchies, such as the most recent one; our friends of Bourbonnais. My wife, however, is showing that she does not enjoy my company this much anymore, and is making fun of the new futuristic fashion that was started by her and Natalia de España. The latter does not seem that annoyed, however, and actually seems to enjoy being queen, even if it is only over a land run by renegade maniacs (i.e. us).

The whole of February and through into March, a 13’000 man revolt has occurred in Calais, owned by our best friends; Gelre. To improve our relations and repair any harm done, I promise to assist them personally if their 9’000 strong army currently marching through Vlaanderen does not prevail. They do, however, thanks to their well-trained leaders, having pacified the French rebels with minimal losses (a mere 2’000 men).

Hendrick Baelgen now works much better with his wife around and seems more moralised than ever. She has not left, and understands (finally!) that we actually have a chance of pulling this off successfully! She understands, I believe, that her husband needs all the help he can get, which is why she stays here with him. His daughter might later be married to strengthen our ties throughout the Lowlands…

April 1434, our national treasure holds only contain 13 ducats; our trade has gone up but our money received has too quickly been invested in technology, and not enough for pure CASH. This is why he resolves to bringing 100% of earnings straight into the national treasury, for around 1.5 years, until inflation will reach the more important level of 5.0%. With the enactment of this new policy, we make 11.9 ducats per month. Very good! Continuing like this, we should have around 214 ducats extra in our treasury.

To strengthen our relations with our dear allies, I send another small present to their King: Ancient pottery recovered from a strange merchant ship recently found off our coasts. Also, some strange currency found on the vessel is given to the country, making sure that they like us again.

Next year will probably be as uneventful as this one in general, although very much tension between me, my queen, The ORDER, and France is building up…

Don't worry! They're all gonna DIE!!!!!!

They arrived in 1425, at the age of 22. Thus, now in 1434, 22 + (1434 - 1425) = 22 + 9 = 31 years old. Hendrick Is thus 29, as he was 20 in 1425.
Little Catherina-Sophia Baelgen is also aging; having been born in 1423, she is now 11 years old. In five years she will be marryable

I believe that anybody living forever would die of boredom, and would age in their mind, thus finding no reason to stay alive for millenias. It must be truly boring. Thus, they will die, but a whole lot earlier than they were born! .
Their descendants will be rulers of the ORDER, though, so the game can continue further than forty or so years. I personally made sure of this, by totally reworking monarchs.fla and leaders.fla [I used the FLA tag for the ORDER], but due to a bit of laziness on my part, some actual leaders and explorers will appear, only one hundred years earlier, because FLA has no leaders until around 1500 (strangely, because in 1300 they existed, before that idiotic Burgundian took them over!

National provinces have been ignored; only province 378 (Brabant) is a national province. Annoying when you are trying to take over the world *does Dr Evil Pinky Salute*.

Th :rofl:

P.S. Next update will be EXTREMELY important for the ORDER. Changing Thomas's life forever, and relations between Belgians and Frenchmen. Some can probably already guess what will happen. Either way, you'll have to wait

A Story of Europe 1431 – 1438 – Part IV

Chapter XVI – The Scandal at the Court​

Due to recent disputes between the French and Belgian court, tied with France’s sudden lust for expanding and annexing those in the King’s wake, relations between the people of both countries have returned to hate and prejudice at a level of intensity never before witnessed or expected. Due to their almost monthly annessions, they have now expanded to a dangerous size; almost controlling all of Gaul, and crushing us into the North by political borders. Our control over Normandie annoys the King tremendously, and I have been hearing from my servants that enormous quantities of letters have entered the palace from France; my queen is probably their reader. I therefore fear that her father is asking her to return. If he does that, I know she won’t refuse, seeing as her attitude to me has recently been displeasing…



I must here state that the French diplomatic reputation is worsening [BB = 3.9/35], which might be a good sign for us, as we might stand out less (as a target especially) in this spiteful world. October ’35 I get a message from my Technological overseer in Antwerpen, stating that our naval power and technology have improved [N. Tech 2]. Then on September 7th, as I am sitting in my Royal Gardens half dozing off, I am awoken by a disturbing noise; that of one of my servants running to me. I asked them to stop doing that unless somebody was dying or something; I wonder what they want this time! “Y’r Highness! The Swiss have been divided in two!!!” “The SWISS!!!” I cannot believe this, they were potential allies against Burgundy, and they also enjoy being neutral, even if (like us) it is merely temporary! “The West has been annexed by Baden, the East by Savoie!” Annoyed by this news, and unable to rest more after my plans are perturbed by the stupidity of the situation, I wander slowly up and down the gardens doing nothing in particular, until I fall asleep of exhaustion (of mind), some thirty minutes before waking up again.



One month later, Hendrick Baelgen proclaims that we have arrived at our limit of around 5.0% average inflation. We thus agree to put all income towards Land Technology, so as to (soon enough) engage in another war!

November 9th, 1435, I receive a letter from the Prince of Bremen, inviting me to join him and his landlords in a hunt on his terrain. I accept, grateful for another chance at our reigning diplomacy methods, and happy to improve our relations with them, our far neighbours. Then, as I approach my queen to tell her I shall be away two weeks, a terrible thing happens… “By the way, my father requests an audience in Artois, to discuss your tribute to us, for marrying me and being on French land.” I stand aghast and wonder how this could have happened! Charles VII (of France) asking us for tribute for such unreasonable causes, I should have known…
Unfortunately for him and his daughter, I have had a few ‘pintjes’ (beers) too many. :rofl: This probably led to the following… “My queen, I must decline this generous offer of your father’s, as I am going on a hunting trip in Bremen. Please pass on to your father this message, as well as this one: I shall NEVER succumb to the French, and see NO reason in paying tribute for you, darling. In fact, I shall only attend an audience directed by your father the day he will cease to display such arrogance by annexing others, INCLUDING Normandie! Now if you’ll be so kind,” I push through her and move towards the nearest servant, order him to pack my bags, and depart immediately, rather happy to have so skilfully ridden myself of my wife’s foolishness, and her father’s insolence.

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November 12, Charles VII sends an official letter demanding his daughter, an giving me a last chance for paying up. I am at this moment in Bremen, but have to turn around before even getting to the great city. On my arrival back at Brussels (14 November), I receive two letters from my servant: One from my queen, now a lowly French princess again (she is forced to return to France), and one from the Prince of Bremen, telling me he was never more insulted by a head of state not appearing, and that if I or my men ever step onto his land again, he will declare war and hack us to bits (or something in that genre, with vocabulary I may not repeat). My diplomatic skills thus seem to be reduced to nothing, and the people of Bremen seem to dislike us… [This scandal at the court combined with my wife leaving causes my Diplomacy rating to drop by 4 points for four months, and relation with Bremen to drop to -95!!!]

I am proclaimed as mad by people everywhere for several months after this event, and dare not do anything until the disquiet has been forgotten… Nothing else happens that year, and as I yearn for another expansionist war, opportunities have left my palm. Unhappiness amongst citizens kindled by the eventless period, I grow increasingly restless, and scrutinize Europe for any signs of weakness. Nothing…

A Story of Europe 1431 – 1438 – Part V

Chapter XVII – Which Way to War?​

May 1436, I decide to take the future into my own hands. The campaign for expansion in Northern Europe, namely our immediate environments, is to begin, with the desperate search for any opportunity for expansion; weak neighbours, war-weakened alliances, and such… France seems the perfect prey, especially allowing a connection between Normandie and the main lands, although their size is dangerous. On further inspection of their situation, I decide we can find better: France, the most populated country of Europe, has used this advantage to recruit massive amounts of soldiers. Thus, this option is to be ruled out, if any common sense could be present in my thoughts. The only other easy enemy would thus be the East: Luxemburg, Cologne, Kleves, or Münster. Kleves has recently expanded south and annexed Alsace some time ago. This could be used as a casus belli, although I doubt it would suffice. I still need to wait for the population’s support again after that trouble with the French: War will have to wait some longer.



October 4, 1436, a diplomatic mission awaits Hendrick Baelgen: To travel throughout the North-Western Holy Roman Empire, requesting military access through their countries, in the name of solidarity and mutual defence. Friesen, our honourable allies, allow us this pleasure. Oldenburg, being as the Frisians, our allies, grants us the same. Münster, fearsome of our powerful North-West alliance (Order, FRI, GEL, OLD), give us the rights requested, Köln and Luxemburg, for the same reasons, seeing as they are extra-close neighbours, thus in more danger… For some reason, however, Kleves find themselves superior, with their little alliance with Hessen, Köln and Münster…We all know that only two of the four will respect the alliance! Arrogant quacks, they will pay the price… Of course, we must have some information on their armies, seeing as they own around as much land as us. “Pieter, get my horse ready, and gather 1000 of my 3200 knights to assist me in a reconnaisance mission through Zeeland.” “A what, Sire?” “Ah, sorry… A mission to gather information by means of spies and long-sights.” “I see, yes Sire, right away!” and the young Pieter is off, informing everybody I usually inform: Hendrick (Prince-Regent of the realm until I find a wife and have children), and Ravindranauth (Duke of Normandie and overseer of the Royal Armies, rather fluent in French, but with a very distinguishable accent). After this, I am off… Here is what I find:

8720 men in the capital city, not much else in the rest of their “empire”; their arrogance will be their downfall… I have decided – and nothing can change my mind now – Kleves will fall!!! They could otherwise become a German Burgundy, and that is the last thing I want!

On my return to Tongeren, I divide the armies of the Realm evenly again (due to deserters and cowards fleeing my army whilst in Zeeland), into 3206 knights under my control, at rest in Tongeren, and 3206 knights under Rav’s control, camped in Antwerpen.




The current situation… But not for long…

Excuse the shortness of the recent updates, but these ARE the holidays… Btw, thanx, Mr Capiatlist for your post.
Also, sincerest thanks to Duke Henry VII for letting me use your computer during my stay in Tongeren.
Th :rofl:

Expect next update to be within next 3 weeks... Just sayin.

Th :rofl:

A Story of Europe 1430 – 1438 – Part VI

Chapter XVIII – Ready? The Preparations, The War​

5 February 1437, I return to Tongeren together with my army of knights. Once there, I order 10‘000 knights to be recruited to assist their country in the upcoming war. Hendrick Baelgen comes to me asking in surprise why I have spent 180 of our 225 remaining ducats on soldiers! “We now LOSE 6 ducats per month!” I explain to him (more fully than last time) why we need a war; our crippled economy needs the push, our soldiers need to be trained better, and we need to expand into a greater duchy, and ultimately become an electorate of the Holy Roman Empire… Seeing as he is fearful of the armies of Kleves, I reassure him by explaining that I plan on playing the waiting game…Waiting, that is, until they are drained by another war, hopefully against a big nation such as Austria.

June 14, I decide to halve land army maintenance, seeing as Kleves is still too strong to gamble for. Instead of 6, we now lose 3 ducats per month. At least, for now, I hope our economy resurfaces, allowing the recruiting of armies during the war, in case… Burgundy and Mainz remain the faithful allies of Kleves, forcing us to wait even longer than expected… Hopefully they dissolve their alliances quickly, I am aging, and wish to create a great empire for my descendants…

Of course, the reasons we came here were scientific and with a goal to convert others into chivalrous gentlemanism… Opportunities went above expectations, leaving neither Ravindranauth nor me worried about our initial goals. I know not of Ravindranauth’s aims, but mine are to continue this dynasty, and make my descendants rulers over the Lowlands…and hopefully more.

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In August, the military alliance between Kleves, Mainz, and Burgundy expires. Kleves swiftly creates a new alliance with Köln and Münster. This is where I decide that it has gone on long enough… I send for Ravindra and his 3206 knights to join me in our capital city; Tongeren. September 7th, they arrive, and I split the Forces of the Realm (my 13’206 knights and his 3206 knights) between us once more, resulting in two regiments of 8206 knights. I leave with my 8206 for Köln, which (thanks to my right of access) I prepare to occupy. Ravindra leads his army into Luxemburg as a second line of defence (for the initial battles only, after which he will of course assist in the take-over).

The morning of September 30, 1437, I send an official declaration of war to Kleves: The news spreads like a snowball thrown from 200 meters of altitude, and by lunchtime I find out that Cologne and Münster have honoured their alliance with Kleves. This of course results in a sudden change of attitude from the Germans towards us: their 22’000 infantry rush out of the barracks, only to be slaughtered by our 8206 knights whilst exiting the gates. 7734 of my men survive, but none of the valiant West-Germans make it past our ambush. Meanwhile, our alliance (now consisting of Oldenburg, Friesen, and Geldre) is affected by the war: Oldenburg and Friesen bail out, whilst our brothers in Geldre honour the alliance. Immediately, I send letters to the Dukes of Oldenburg and Friesen, as a final attempt to persuade them into entering the war, (thereby re-entering the alliance) so as not to break our bonds; these are such treacherous times. Oldenburg accepts, Friesen cannot be convinced. This may be the beginning of the end of the Belgian-Dutch alliances, although I shall do everything in my power to keep us close and friendly. Meanwhile, the world sees us as a dishonourable people…[BB = 7.3/35]


Diplomatically bright future, or will it burst into flames?

October 10, 1437, I send for Ravindra to assist in the sieges. Seeing as I remain outside the city walls of Köln, it is up to him to invade Kleves (our target enemy), although right now he needs to assist me here in Köln; I do not have enough troops to adequately block their food supplies and other transport. November 11, I receive a message from Hendrick Baelgen: He feels obliged to put all income into the national treasury, explaining that the money will be needed for war. This results in an income of 11.5 ducats per month, but also in much slowed technological progress…as well as from now on, increasing inflation. The limit of 5.0% inflation will have to be ignored.


December 14, 1437, Dietrich von Mörs (Duke of occupied Köln) is elected Holy Roman Emperor!!! We occupy the H.R. Emperor!! I almost collapse at the thought, and immediately send for the Duke, to explain the reasons of the war, and explaining that nothing bad will happen to the Duchy of Köln. I also congratulate him for the title, and wish him good luck for the rest of his life. He leaves with a grudge, but at least our relations are better off than before…


The most unfortunate diplomatic incident on Earth this year…Oops!

January 1438, Kleves has invaded Geldre through Zeeland and is laying siege. Meanwhile, Geldre has invaded Münster and is preparing to cut up the German resistance.

The progress of war…

We remain in Cologne, still trying to conquer the Holy Roman Emperor’s duchy. March 30, 1438, we are on the verge of breaching the walls of Köln, and claiming the land as ours (although officially, we merely occupy it). The Germans see us as arrogant whacks, but that’s just too bad for them, for it is WE who control their lives at the moment. A wave of high morale surges through our troops, we do not waste the burst of energy, and turn to our next enemy.

My regiment finishing off Cologne, Ravindra goes to Pfalz, planning to cut Kleves in two, shattering their wartime infrastructure…



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fixed, thanx Sir White
Either way, I am happy to be back, but WHAT happenned to the bAAR????????

Th :rofl:

MILESTONE 1 9 9 === 200-1!!!

Chapter XIX – War, The Meeting Place​

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April 11, Ravindra destroys 2000 newly recruited (thus inexperienced) infantry in Pfalz, and immediately lays siege to the city. Of course, Kleves still believes that they are winning this war, despite Cologne’s sad future, nobody but Ravindra and I know what will happen to the German duchy.

Anyway, he and his 8084 knights lay siege to the city, when news comes to my notice: Münster lays siege to Den Haag, but Geldre has taken over Münster (occupying it with 6443 troops). A private discussion with my good friend and brother; King Arnold I gives me insight over their part of the war. Once Den Haag is liberated, Münster will be inherited by the throne of Geldre. I explain to him that annexing Münster will not make us the most loved of duchies, but that whatever may happen, I stand by his side, and am fully in favour of Geldre expanding, then why not into the East; soft Holy Roman city-states always appease the warmongering monarch.

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May 8 1438, I receive a message from our half-conquered friends in Cologne: given 57 ducats, we shall have to cease the war we are continuing with them. I reply that this is not enough, especially as we have earlier that day entered the destroyed fortress of Köln, and taken over control of the entire duchy. I explain that if the Holy Roman Emperor (Dietrich von Mörs) gives the 57 ducats, AND accepts to put himself and his duchy under my control (vassalization), that I shall cease tormenting his subjects, and shall even guarantee their independence and protection from other warmongering fools.

Two days later, they finally accept; we can move on with the war against Kleves. Our little attack on the Holy Roman Emperor has, however, damaged our reputation in the eyes of the world [BB=7.1], and despite my good friendship with my former enemy, Duke of Köln and H.R. Emperor, Kleves takes the act of vassalization as an insult to the Holy Roman Empire, keeping this as a Casus Belli in order to appease his rebellious subjects.


Assisting our 19000 allied soldiers, the war progresses...


September 11, 1438, Ravindranauth finally enters the city of Heidelberg (capital of The Palatinate, if only they still existed), puts down several men to maintain order, then heads on South to Strassburg, where he assists the 19000 soldiers hailing from Geldre. The siege immediately turned over to Ravindranauth, Alsace’s future does not seem bright.
Meanwhile, however, I have been leading my army into Kleves since we vassalized Köln, each time failing, and having to retreat to Münster now officially Geldre’s land. Now, September 25 1438, I finally lay siege to Düsseldorf (capital of Kleves) with my remaining 5329 knights, finally able to rest in peace knowing that Kleves has lost its power, and that there will never be a Kleves=Burgundy incident (that which I feared more than anything).



Diplomatically, this is our world...Get off our turf, Kleves!

December 5, a revolt arises in Antwerpen. Anti-war protests have begun to come, which is strange, seeing as our government is so centralized that this should never occur. However much I would like to hack them to bits, I have Düsseldorf to take care of, and have no extra armies at my disposal. Those bastards will have to remain in freedom…for now.

9 January 1439 sees a peace between Geldre and Kleves under the following terms: Geldre pays 48 ducats! My strongest ally has bailed out! I begin to fear a little for our friendship, knowing that this would never have happened five years ago…Is King Arnold I stabbing me in the back by profiting from our friendship to expand quickly to a larger size than us, then suddenly attacking us in mid-war? Immediately, I send a letter asking what brought him to this decision, but stating an understanding that his duchy has taken what it could from this war. Two days later I send him a collection of paintings from Heidelberg to appease his troubled and increasingly dangerous (?) mind… Lord, let me keep our friendship above water, before time runs out, we lose the war, and all our allies turn against us.