Ok, so, seeing as how my French AAR went the way of the Dinosaur, I am starting this new AAR. The idea came to me earlier today, and I have been playing non-stop sense! I thought it was a pretty good idea, so hopefully it will go well! The first post should be comming soon!
Prologue
Map of the Low Countries
For many years now the Low Countries, as they are known throughout Europe, have been fought over and ruled by several different kingdoms. As a whole, the Low Countries have no national identity. They are a collection of dukedoms and fiefs which seemingly hold more in common with quaralsome states, than with an actual country. As 1419 dawns, the Low Countries are dominated by 3 different powers. Luxembourg, Brabant, and the slowly rising Burgundy. 1419 brings nothing new to the Low Countries, but time will soon tell a very different story. The Dutch people will one day rise to become masters of their own domain, as well as masters of the world! But, as with all things, that will come with time. For now, it seems, the Low Countries are at the mercy of invading kingdoms and dukedoms. Our story will begin with Burgundy, the strongest of the 3 powers in the region. John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, has recently given aide to the invading English army under the command of Henry V. Duke John is looking for ways to strengthen his own power and grow more independent of his mother country of France. The Low Countries seem to be a perfect opportunity for expansion.
(This is going to be an interesting AAR, as I will follow the course of the Low Countries throughout the game. I plan to start with Burgundy, then move to Spain at the appropriate time, and then onto the Netherlands themselves when they become independent. The game is on Normal/Weakling (I know, lame). I think this will be very interesting and a lot of fun. I encourage posting and comments, as that is how AAR's become better and more entertaining! I hope you enjoy!)
January 1, 1419; Our story, the story of the Dutch people, begins...
Burgundian lands in 1419
It's a shame your french AAR got destroyed but now since I live in Belgium myself I think this is going to be even more fun
This should be good. Burgundy is one of the most one countries to play. Good luck.
AARs
Completed Golden Horde (EUII), Golden Horde (EUI), Theodoros, Shaybanid, Bhutan, Kanem Bornu, Sweden
Interesting approach to playing as the Dutch. I assume you will want to utilize the various strength's of Burgundy and Spain (and I would presume Austria as well depending on what is inherited and how) to keep the Low Countries as large as possible before the Netherlands forms. How much will you do for these countries otherwise, considering they will one day (Spain at least) be enemies?
Good luck on this one.
A Dutch AAR is always interesting
Nice
I think he's gonna play to until 1820, since he's using AGCEEP, making difficult to convert :SOriginally Posted by The Wookiee
Nice
Nice plan playin low countries, I'll be following surely!
Lord_D: I'm betting that this one will be more fun and interesting!
Duke of Wellington: Thank you!
Coz 1: I am going to play these countries to the best of my ability. I will attempt to make them strong, as though they are my home country. The one exception to this is that I am going to let the Netherland's revolt away from Spain, but other than that, the countries will be strong. It will make for more of a challenge! (I was lacking that in my last AAR.)
Veldmaarschalk: Very true!
The Wookiee: Just till 1820.
Nobegow: I would love to play through VICKY, but I dont have the experience or the knowledge to know how to convert over. Heck, I can't even write a basic event file yet!?!Sometimes programing makes my heart hurt! lol
Chapter 1
The Rise of Burgundy
Philip le Bon, Duke of Burgundy
Burgundy's story in the Low Countries begins in 1384 when Flanders passed to The Duke of Burgundy's wife, Margaret, after the death of her father, Louis de Male. Flanders was, along with its neighbor Brabant, the wealthiest and most productive province in the the entire Low Countries. The great trade center and money market of Antwerp thrived and came to dominate the trade of northern France, the British Isles, and even competed with the Hansa for trade in the Baltic. Flanders was pretty much left to its own devices until January 1, 1419 when John the Fearless sent a tax collector to the province to better administrate it. This was the first step of many that Burgundy took to control the Low Countries.
On September 11, 1419, tragedy struck the Burgundian royal court. Duke John the Fearless had been assassinated at the hands of Charles de Valois, Dauphin of France. This left the Dukedom in the hands of Duke Philip le Bon, arguably one of the greatest leaders Burgundy has ever seen. Philip greatly resented the murder of his father, and decided to bide his time until he could strike at Charles de Valois. His opportunity would come sooner than later.
On February 22, 1420, Charles VI of France was soundly defeated by Henry V of England and was being forced to disinherit Charles the Dauphin, and place Henry V as his heir. Many of the great nobles of France decided to support the ousted Dauphin, save for one major one; Philip. Duke Philip had found his opportunity for revenge, as well as the opportunity to strengthen Burgundy, and further break free of the chains of France. Duke Philip officially sent his support to Henry V Lancaster in the Treaty of Troyes and pledged to support his efforts. War was looming for Burgundy, but this was a war welcomed by it's people.
April 7, 1420 marked the beginning of the war with the Dauphin. Brabant of the Low Countries, who had strong ties to Burgundy through marriage, joined Burgundy in its war against the Dauphin. The war seemed as though it was a virtual war, until August 8 saw the siege of Champagne and September 11 saw the siege of Nivernais begin. The armies of Burgundy fought long and hard, and on January 8, 1421, Champagne fell, and on May 16, 1420, Nivernais fell. With the fall of these two provinces, Henry V of England, looking to reward Burgundy for it's support, gave these 2 provinces directly to Burgundy. A few months later, England also gave Burgundy the province of Picardie, which had hereditary ties to the Burgundian dukedom.
After the fall of Nivernais and Champagne, the war moved west and on September 26, 1422, Berri was sieged.
After the emense success of Burgundy in the war, Henry V of England approched Philip on October 22, 1422, with an offer to become Regent of France. While the offer war tempting, Philip ended up turing it down for one major reason. Burgundy was not, and would never become, subservient to England. Burgundy was working to become a major power, independent of either France or England. If Philip became regent, everything would be lost. The only thing the offer did was make Philip angry at the English. So angry, in fact, that on Nov 11, 1422, Philip signed a peace treaty with the Dauphin. Burgundy recieved 88,000 ducats for its war losses.
The end of the war brought great joy to the lands under the Duke. Burgundy had almost doubled in size and in wealth. Burgundy was becoming a power to be reckoned with, and one day, it would set it sights on the remainder of the Low Countries.
Wow! What a victory! I like this AAR! Interesting idea too. Can't wait for the next update.
Location: Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Religion: Protestant
Ideology: Classical Liberal
Issues: Laissez faire, Free Trade, Full Citizenship, Pro-Military, Pluralism
Current Work: Student
Cash Reserves: £0
Revolt Risk: +0
Militancy: 0
Consciousness: 10
Already some nice work, but I wonder... will you make sure no power in France will raise again, to get the Dutch some nice playground southern of them, or are you gonna boycot both the dauphiné and England
Is this a real event?After the emense success of Burgundy in the war, Henry V of England approched Philip on October 22, 1422, with an offer to become Regent of France.
I think it's pretty easy to convert to Victoria. I know it is normally (Never done it myself though) but with AGCEEP I don't know.
You can just convert Vanilla withouth Problems. In EU2-VICKy converter says that the conversion in other mods(such as AGCEEP), problems can appear.
Wonderfull Update! Agree, Burgundy must not be subservient to any country!
Very solid gains made. Now all you need is the connection of your lower and upper Kingdom. Nice work.
Iron_Skull: Thank you! I might try to convert to vicky, then again I might not. I dont even have the converter thingy. lol. I'm kinda new, in case you can't tell!
Lord_D: I guess you will just have to read more and find out! And yes, that is a real event. But, if you accept to become regent, you become vassals of England and you have some revolts to deal with. With my game strategy, Burgundy will be subservient to no one.
Nobegow: You are always good at answering my questions. lol. I will have to see what I can do about converting.
coz1: With time, with time!
Hehe, my actual AAR will go trough Vicky too, and I already converted 2 of my games to it, so I learned something about converting xDNobegow: You are always good at answering my questions. lol. I will have to see what I can do about converting.
Chapter 2
The Move to the Low Countries
Burgundy in 1430
With a relative peace in place and the Dauphin distracted by England, Burgundy was free to strengthen itself. Tax collectors were immediately sent to the newly aquired provinces of Picardie, Champagne, and Nivernais. On March 8, 1523, the relationship with England was strengthened with the signing of the Treaty of Amiens, which gave Burgundy a royal marriage with England and Brittany, ensuring peace with these two countries.
On November 25, 1424, on his death bead, Jan of Bavaria left the two provinces of Holland and Artois to the Duke of Burgundy, ensuring that one day these provinces would come under the control of the Duke. Burgundy would not have to wait long. on January 7, 1425, Holland passed to the Duke, and on April 8, 1427, Artois was passed to Burgundy. Also, during this time of great expansion, Jan Van Eyck, the great artist, was accredited with the invention of oil painting. This new medium gave rise to a new form of painting which quickly spread throughout Europe, giving the artist more control over color and texture.
On April 23, 1429, the question of who would be the next king of France was finally answered. However, the answer was provided by the Duke himself. Duke Philip was in a unique opportunity. Charles, the Duaphin, accompanied by his new messanger from God, Joanne d'Arc, were requesting passage to Reims in Champagne in order to be crowned King of France. Philip, who had supported Henry of Lancaster during the war, was caught between two sides. If Charles was allowed to pass, then relations with France would improve and would help to secure the border with France, giving the Duke his opportunity to unify the Low Countries. If he supported the Lancasters, then war would surely break out between Burgundy and the Duaphin. In the end, the Duke decided to take the safe route and allow Charles passage to Reims cathedral. Mainly because he wanted to secure his border with France, and England was slowly losing its war with the Dauphin. It was clear to everyone that England was no longer a major power in France, so supporting them was a recipe for disaster. So, with passage secured, Charles, the Duaphin of France, became Charles VII, King of France. This news was actually recieved with apathy from the Duke. Philip no longer wanted anything to do with France, or its internal politics, since he no longer wanted to be under any authority. Burgundy was seperate from France, and its own internal problems and events were not important to the Duke. This feeling was strengthened even further when, on August 2, 1430, Brabant was passed to the Duke of Burgundy.
This gave the Duke a unique opportunity. Brussels, the captial of Brabant, was a growing city, ripe for a royal court to take residence within the city. This would bring the Dukedom into the Low Countries and give them a solid base with which to act from, but would also permanently sever ties with France. This, of course, was exaclty what the Duke wanted, and on August 20, 1430, the court moved to Brussels, where a new palace was built in honor of the Duke.
With the move to Brussels complete, the Duke continued to solidify his position as a major European power. In order to better tie his new nobles in the Low Countries to his Royal Court, the Order of the Golden Fleece was created in the months following the move to Brussels. This order gave the nobles a strong sense of attachment to the Burgundian Duke, allowing the Duke more loyalty from his nobles.
On April 4, 1431, the chance to continue to improve relations with both France and England arrived. Joan of Arc, since the corronation of Charles VII, had become a renegade. Launching attacks at both England and Burgundy, without the authorization of Charles. However, Joan was captured by the Burgundians and her fate rest in the hands of the Duke. He could either sell her to the English, or give her back to France. Charles was looking for a way to get rid of his thorn, and the English were foaming at the mouth to get their hands on the "would-be" French savior. So, Duke Philip decided to sell who to the English, who immediately put her on trial for heresy and witchcraft. However, the ecclisiastical court found Joan not guilty. The English, not willing to let their prey go, had Joan assassinated before she could leave prison. This greatly angered the French people, but pleased the Duke, as this would take France's attention away from Burgundy and place it on England.
The next 15 years were spent strengthening the Dukedom's position. A cathedral was commissioned in Brussels, in honor of Philip's murdered father, John the Fearless. September 16, 1435 saw the marriage of Philip's younger brother to a cousin of Charles VII of France, futher strengthening the peace between the two.
Burgundy in 1435
1437 and 1438 saw the vassalization of Geldre and Friesland, the last two free kingdoms within the Low Countries. Duke Philip was now the virtual ruler of the entire Low Countries. However, on February 25, 1438, a great ball of fire was seen passing through the night sky over the Low Countries. Many felt that it was a bad omen and that something was near on the horizon. However, Burgundy would come to find out that not all Omen's mean imminent destruction...
Excellent progress. With the lowlands secured now its time to go back into France, aggressively.
AARs
Completed Golden Horde (EUII), Golden Horde (EUI), Theodoros, Shaybanid, Bhutan, Kanem Bornu, Sweden
Good work, now Burgundy rules all Low Countries, directly or not(vassals). Good Luck conquering Champagne from Lorraine
Get that land connection
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