All Glory to the Emperor!
Notes on the AAR:
This is an HttT AAR. I’m using the most recent beta-patch (IIRC). I’m going to be playing as England/Great Britain. I plan to write this in a “history-book” format, from the view of a modern day history book about the Empire. The goal of this AAR is to create an absolutely vast British Empire, 100 years before it reached its historical peak. I have somewhat historical goals in mind to make this seem less like a WC, but these goals are grand in scope. Obviously some things are a bit too gamey or almost impossible to justify in a historical sense, so this “history book” is going to contain quite a bit of jingoism, nationalism, and just plain irrational ideas. I will be using a few custom events to give myself a brutal civil war at some point, but other than that, I will not be cheating or otherwise modifying the game. Hopefully all goes well and we can put the world under our thumb. Feel free to let me know if anyone wants any specific info, maps, pics, screens, etc.
A History of the Empire: Vol. 2
Chapter 1: Internal Security and the Claims in France
Henry the IV rose to the throne of England amidst a period of political turmoil. Plotting and rebels were of constant threat. Henry was a man of no great talent, but he did seek to centralize the power of the monarchy in order to secure a sound rule over England. His policy of internal growth, while not particularly effective during his reign, it would have large effects on later events. This policy was not well received by many of the nobility who sought further conflict with France and desired expansion on the continent. While changing focus to the British Isles, Henry the IV came to agreement with the duke of Burgundy regarding some of the English possessions on the continent which would be controlled by Burgundy in return for political favors and some small monetary concessions. These concessions and favors were generally short lived and viewed as a defeat for the English crown and the nobility was greatly upset by this shift in power. In late 1399, shortly after his coronation, a group of nobles backed a pretender, Ernst Tarleton of Lancashire in his efforts to end Henry’s changes.
Tarleton’s attempt to usurp the King resulted in defeat at the hands of the King’s army and he was later executed for treason. With Tarleton’s death, most opposition in England disappeared or at least lost most of its backing by the nobility.
The loss of most of the English holdings in France is thought to have helped avoid further conflict and would help to define the strict anti-continental view that would develop more during the next decade.
Chapter 2: The Conquest of Scotland and the Formation of Great Britain
When the rebellions ceased and stability returned, Henry the IV began to develop further plans to create a firmer control over the British Isles. Scotland, long an enemy on the English border, would be the first to be gained for the crown.
The Auld Alliance was seen as a constant threat to English security, even after England had renounced much of its claims in France. Having fewer continental possessions is speculated to have contributed to the brutal success of this war.
Despite the assurances of Burgundian neutrality during any future conflicts with France, they still supported the French. The French entered the war wastefully to protect an old ally they had no means of helping. The only major battle of the war was in October of 1400 when the Royal Army clashed with Scottish forces in Cumbria. The battle was a disaster for the Scots and their king, Robert the III, was killed in the battle. Most of the Scottish royalty fled north, including the heir, James. English forces would spend about 2 years capturing towns in Scotland, along with hunting down enemy armies and capturing nobility. In late 1401 the Burgundians, aided by the French, would capture Calais, the sole possession of England on the continent. Its significance would be minor in the war. The French, desiring to defeat the English soundly, made several tremendous overestimations of their naval power, and attempted landings along the southern coast of England. These foolhardy attempts by the French would only result in numerous losses and the complete destruction France’s naval forces. These defeats would pressure the French nobility to oppose the war, and eventually the French would push for an end to hostilities.
In June of 1402, King Henry the IV would die peacefully and his son Henry the V took the throne. Henry the V would see out the conclusion of the war. With him, Henry would bring in a group of diplomats to help conduct a political transformation that would follow the war. In August of 1402, France officially ended the war with England, and Scotland was absorbed into the English crown when the young king James abdicated under pressure from English forces occupying Scotland.
Following the war, Henry, in an attempt to secure rights to all of the British Isles, created a union between Scotland and England. This union would result in Great Britain, which was declared, formed, and recognized by the end of the war. With the ascension of Henry to the British throne, the framework for the British Empire is said to have been laid.
Chapter 3 and 4 will be ready later...
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This looks promising though. I'll follow. I'm surprised at just how quickly you managed to form Great Britain.
Originally Posted by Duke of Awesome
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