Pax Britannia Part I
The Cast
Queen Anne, Queen of Britannia
Claude de Chalon - Arlay, A Burgundian General
Henri II, Duke of Burgundy
Thomas Button, A Britannic General
Henry, Prince of Normandy, and later King of Britannia, Henry VI
Princess Aveline, A Neapolitan Princess and wife to Henry VI
King Bevan I, King of Naples and Sicily
Horatio Bedford, An incompetant Britannic General
On the 2nd of October 1508, in accordance to the will of God, Anne I declared war on Morocco and her dependent lands in Brittany. Morroco was militarily weak and was already embroiled in a war against Leon and Aragon. Anne I quickly moved her armies into Morbihan and defeated the weak army defending the province. Her army in Africa marched southwards and besieged the cities of Rabat, Melilla and Fez. The Moroccan armies were too busy fighting the Leonese in the south and were unable to defend the north from the Britannic armies.
Meanwhile in Europe, the Austrian Reformation slowly but inexorably spread across Austria and into Hungary, Austria after long deliberation broke from Papal Authority and became the first Protestant state. In defiance of the new state religion, the annexed state of Bavaria broke free from Austria and declared war. Leon and Portugal sent colonists to the west coast of Africa and Portugal herself began a war against Mali. The state of Castille, including lands in Spain and Italy was annexed by Leon. Britannia was again heading for mass centralisation, the new government had brought all power back to the monarch and the Senate, the new representative of the Empire, which had replaced such outdated institutions like the Estates-General and Parliament. The Aristocracy of Britannia burgeoned once again, but with it, brought innefectual Generals. Officers were placed according to their birth, not their skill, Britannia had hardy men, who were skilled fighters, their Generals, however let them down. The glory days of de Hautville had gone, England’s advances on Burgundy had been rebuffed once, would Britannia fare any better?
In 1514, during an unnaturally warm March, Britannia declared war on Burgundy, the case for war? Britannia’s grievances over Burgundian foreign policy in Italy and repeated border disputes in the Burgundy region in France. Baden, England’s old ally and now Britannia was only to glad to join the fray, but Sweden did not fight, now Kinged by a man who did not want an aggressive alliance (Sweden was having troubles of her own, Protestant Norwegians were rebelling against Swedish rule).
The 2nd Burgundian War
The Britannic navy sailed into the mediterannean to attack the Burgundian fleets, the Britannic army attacked from France, Switzerland and Italy in a concerted attack to put all major Burgundian cities to siege at once, while the Grand Army of ten thousand men lured the Burgundian army to the old battleground of Lyons were many thousands of men died just years before.
The Navy were the first to fight engaging the Burgundian fleet just off Rome in the Tyrrenean sea. The Burgundians, unused to naval combat and ill-prepared and disorganised were cut apart by the English ships and bombarded by cannon before fleeing for the Burgundian port of Venice. The Burgundians lost one ship and had many damaged, the Britannic’s captured the “Comtesse” and turned her on her old comrades.
Battle of Rome, 22nd March 1514 – Britannic Victory
Three days later the Northern Italian armies of Britannia were attacked by a Burgundian army out of Venice, the Burgundians, lacking good intelligence, blundered into a numerically superior army which pounced upon them. The Burgundians quickly gave ground to the Britannics and fled across the border, casualties on both sides were light, but the Britannic army was only days behind the Burgundians and ready to attack.
Battle of Meran, 25th March 1514 – Britannic Victory
The Britannic Navy, fresh from its victory near Rome, reassembled and headed north to destroy a Burgundian fleet intent to blockading Marseilles. The Burgundian fleet numbered but four ships and had been unable to link up with the eleven ships that were defeated near Rome seven days ago. The Britannic Navy, though lacking a true leader was a very real fighting force and succeeded in surrounding the small Burgundian fleet and pounding it into driftwood, the ships went down with all hands, the Britannic Navy headed southwards around the toe for a final battle with the Burgundian Navy.
Battle of Marseilles, 29th March 1514 – Britannic Victory
Throughout April the Britannic armies descended on Burgundian Italy, consisting of the dependent city states of Mantua, Verona and Venice. Verona was the first to be attacked by a Britannic counter manouvre, the already demoralised Burgundian army were pushed back by the larger, more boisterous Britannic army and by the end of the day lay dead in the Verona farm fields. The next day the second Italian army defeated the Burgundians at Mantua, once again Britannic numbers had won out over the bravery of the Burgundian defenders. The two cities were laid siege to and the Britannic armies settled down for a long wait.
Battle of Verona, 1st April 1514 – Britannic Victory
Battle of Mantua, 2nd April 1514 – Britannic Victory
As the sieges wore on an errant Burgundian army, seeking to outflank the besieging armies in Mantua marched through Lombardy but were caught by a larger Britannic army marching into Burgundy. The desperate Burgundians were trapped in enemy territory, outnumbered and twice defeated already. The Burgundians only had their equipment and training as their advantage, but even this was stripped from them as volleys of longbow fire tore into their ranks and caused chaos and loss of life throughout the army. As the Burgundians struggled through hilly terrain they were set upon by Britannic raiding bands who isolated the Burgundians and put them to death. The Burgundians, heavily defeated made the dangerous retreat back into friendly territory, now under siege by Britannia. The Burgundians left over two thousand dead on the field, for an Britannic loss of two hundred men.
Battle of Lombardy, 1st May 1514 – Britannic Victory
After a long voyage round the boot of Naples and into the Adriatic, the Britannic fleet finally reached Venice and the Burgundian Navy harboured nearby. In a desperate attempt to stop a Britannic blockade of the city, the Burgundians sailed out to meet their foe in the open waters of the gulf of Venice. The Burgundians fought bravely sinking one Britannic ship an a mad dash towards the enemy, but as their ships neared they were hit by a ferocious bombardment which lost them three ships, the “Bourgogne” was captured by the Britannic Navy. The battle ended any hope of Burgundian Naval power in the mediterannean and completely isolated Burgundian Italy.
Battle of Venice, 10th June 1514 – Britannic Victory
On the 6th of July, the city of Rodez, capital of the Rouergue province in the south of France, was captured by the Britannic Army
On the 29th of July the Burgundian conquest of Lyonnais came to a brutal end at the Battle of Lyons, Ten thousand Britannic soldiers faced nine thousand Burgundians. The battle was long and bloody, the Britannic, led by Thomas Button defended against the main Burgundian army led by Claude de Chalon - Arlay. Button chose a good defensive position outside Lyons around a small hill which blocked Burgundian passage to Lyons. De Chalon - Arlay urged his men onwards against the hail of arrows and had engaged the Britannic’s within an hour of the engagement. Button held his men firm but all the while they were taking and giving heavy casualties. The battle raged all around the hill with the Burgundians breaking off several times during the next two hours and then charging into the fray once again. At least once during the battle the Burgundian Commander, Claude de Chalon - Arlay, was de-horsed but still fought on with un-imaginable vigour. Despite the Burgundians skill, the Britannic army had a solid position and refused to budge from the hill, as darkness began to fall the Burgundians pulled back and retreated back to Burgundy. The battle had been a meat grinder for both sides, Britannia lost over four thousand men in defense of Lyons, the Burgundians lost over three and a half thousand and with it, all hopes of a offensive summer campaign were dashed upon the hill.
Battle of Colline Hill 29th July 1514 – Britannic Victory
Few battles were fought over the rest of the year, within a few months the summer campaign season was over, and a cold winter soon set in, the Burgundian armies were ruined, although, in all they had taekn smaller losses, they did not have the manpower Britannia commanded and could not replace their losses as easily. The Burgundians rallied what little armies they had in a desperate offensive to take Marseilles and force a white peace upon Britannia. Mean while over september, the cities of Dijon and Bern were lost to Britannia, in october, the cities of Verona and Mantua, and in November the city of Besancon was lost. On the 25th of November, the Britannic army engaged Henri II’s army at Provence, who was at that time laying siege to Marseilles. The Britannic army, as usual outnumbered the Burgundians, but Henri II was a real soldier and this time, was on the defensive. Enduring the Britannic longbowmen he replied with disciplined crossbow and cannon fire and then charged the disorganised Britannic lines. Button commanded the Britannic army and despite his best efforts to rally his men to the Imperial standard they broke and began to flee from the field. The Britannic army had been defeated for the first time in the 2nd Burgundian war, but for Henri, the victory was too little, too late, most of Burgundy had fallen to Britannia, and the rest of it would soon fall, Henri needed a miracle.
Battle of Marseilles 25th November 1514 – Burgundian Victory
Three months later, the fortress at Avignon fell to Britannia after a long siege, and then in April of 1515, the city of Venice fell. In May, only the city of Savoie stood against the Britannic invaders, in an effort to quickly end the war, Queen Anne ordered General Button to launch an assault against the weakened city. Button charged forth into the breach at the head of his men and fought in the breach against the Burgundian defenders. But, hours into the assault he was grievously wounded and brought to the rear where he died of his wounds, reportedly the last words he uttered were,
“Left Tower”
The assault failed,the men disheartened by the death of their leader fell back from the breach exhausted and wounded, the siege would have to go on.
Battle of Savoie 16th May 1515 – Burgundian Victory
The failed assault did little to alleviate the Burgundian position, two months later on the 9th of July Savoie finally fell to the Britannic army. On the same day, the Burgundian army under Henri II was defeated at Marseilles and forced to retreat northwards. He reached the province of Dauphine, a captured city, with the hopes of restoring Burgundian control. He captured it by assault on the 19th of August. But once again, it was a minute reverse in a war that was dominated by Britannic victories. The final defeat came at the battle of Grenoble in which Henri II’s army was surrounded and destroyed by five separate Britannic contigents. The Duke of Burgundy was utterly destroyed and Queen Anne quickly brought him to Dijon to discuss the terms of Britannia’s victory.
2nd Battle of Marseilles 9th July 1515 – Britannic Victory
Battle of Grenoble 19th August 1515 – Burgundian Victory
2nd Battle of Grenoble 9th October 1515 – Britannic Victory
On the 1st of December, Henri, Duke of Burgundy accepted peace with Queen Anne of Britannia, Burgundy would cede its provinces of Bern, Franche – Comte and Bourgogne. This strip of land finally connected the Italian region of the Empire with the main body and halved Burgundy’s territory. It was a crushing defeat for Henri II, and a gratifying victory for Queen Anne, who after years of waiting had finally united her Empire.
Peace Once Again
Once again, Britannia knew peace, the war had done wonders for the economy, the monthly deficit had ended and the treasury looked truly healthy, something it had not done for many years. Richard II had built a vast fortune, despite his failure to hold the Empire together, subsequent monarchs had spent it wildly. But now it was truly on the road to recovery. Life went back to normal for the Empire, Italian and scottish noble families stil quarrelled and argued with one another but Queen Anne was good enough to resolve the situation among them, Prince Henry, Prince of Normandy toured the Empire with his father and met his future bride, Princess Aveline of Naples. With this marriage and a sizable dowry sent to King Bevan I of Naples, Queen Anne was able to secure an alliance with Naples, something that had been sought after for years. However, a month later on the 22nd of September, 1518, Queen Anne died at the age of forty-seven. Her young son Henry succeeded to the Throne of Britannia, he was barely sixteen but an able diplomat and administrator. Unfortunately, his soldiering left much to be desired, but many nobles accepted that the time of the true “Crusader Kings” had ended with the death of Bevan III in 1346. Prince Henry was crowned at Westminster and at Rheims with the new crown of Britannia.Henry VI was the first King in over a century to be crowned at Westminster. Henry VI, was thankfully for the nobles of the Empire, a capable King carrying on his Mothers work in the economy and also sent missionaries to convert the Muslims in the north African territories and took steps to strengthen Britannia’s position in Europes markets.
His most Catholic Majesty, King Henry VI, King of Britannia
3rd Burgundian War
Throughout Henry VI’s early reign his eyes often strayed to Burgundy, now greatly weakened compared to Britannia’s titanic Empire weighing down upon her. On the 18th of December, Henry VI declared war once again on Burgundy and sent his armies to attack Burgundian positions in the south of France and in the Italian dependent states. The war got off to a good start, at the battle of Mantua the defending Burgundian army were overwhelmed by six thousand Britannic soldiers and massacred at Passaggio del fiume and the city was put under Britannic siege.
Battle of Passaggio del Fiume 30th December 1519 – Britannic Victory
On the 25th of January, the Burgundians were defeated once again at Savoie by a large Britannic army and pushed southwards, casualties on the Burgundian side were light, the Britannic forces lost many men,but had control of the province and put the City under siege.
Battle of Savoie 25th January 1520 – Britannic Victory
However, on the 5th of March disaster struck the Britannic forces when ten thousand men under command of General Horatio Bedford were massacred by Henri, Duke of Burgundy. The battle of Auvergne was meant to destroy Burgundian chances of a counter attack but instead, weakened the Britannic front and gave Henri even better conditions for a spring offensive. General Bedford had been promoted in the 2nd Burgundian war, but was entirely unsuited for command of an army, his men fought bravely but time and time again were led blunderouly towards death. Henry VI was furious at such a loss and considered commanding the war personally, but was advised against it by the Senate, who were only too knowledgeable of an outcome of the Kings death. General Bedford lost seven thousand men, and only managed to kill one thousand of the enemy.
Battle of Auvergne 5th March 1520 – Burgundian Victory
The rest of the year was silent, Henri gathered his forces in Auvergne and Henry VI began to bring all his forces to bear against Auvergne. The only good news came from the Italian front, where on the 27th of June, the city of Verona fell, then on the 23rd and 26th of December, Firenze and Mantua fell to Britannia respectively. But even these considerable victories paled in comparison of the defeat Henri, Duke of Burgundy would lay on Britannia. On the 14th of January, the same day as the fall of the province of Piemont, General Bedford attacked Henri’s nine thousand men with eighteen thousand of his own, it should have been an easy victory, but once again Bedford blundered into it, completely misusing the artillery given to him, he even hit his own men as they advanced on the Burgundian position. The Melee was terrible, Bedford commanded terribly, the Britannic soldiers fought tirelessly and did not break until the sun began to set, as the Britannic army left the field the losses it had borne became dreadfully apparent. Bedford had lost eleven thousand men, and killed one thousand. It was the worst defeat inflicted upon Britannia, the war was not going well.
2nd Battle of Auvergne 14th January 1521 – Burgundian Victory
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My objectives for the sixteenth century, Britannic territory in black, hopeful aquisitions in yellow.