Another excellent update: the classicist in me begs you to defend the Romans, but the pragmatist says sail west!
The "bad news" is that it will take a couple of updates to get to the ultimate resolution. The good news is that the reasoning behind the choice will be, by that point, blindingly obvious. Sometimes the game makes up your mind for you; this was one of those times.
It has already been said but Mega Duke must be the best title EVER!
The Death of Henry VII came as a total chock. My jaw literally fell. I'll miss Byzantium's impact on England and western Europe.
Yup, "Megaduke of the Eastern Roman Empire" is a title that looks good on any résumé or mausoleum.
As for poor Henry—sometimes it is helpful, as a player, to be reminded of the fact that you can actually lose these guys in combat. I tend to make my kings into generals strictly for RP reasons, regardless of their actual military ability (even though this shortens their lifespans). Sometimes that decision really hurts.
Byz seems to be on the way out. But maybe, they'd spring for some of their blood and treasure taking on the French...
oh right that would be inconvient for them.
They do actually contribute something to the invasion, so they weren't completely useless.
brilliant update with some interesting developments.
How long was Henry's rule exactly?
Alas for the lost crown of the romans. Maybe this will see england and Byzantium competing for lordship of the vassals in asia minor?
Henry VII ruled for just 4 years and 11 days.
As
gabor points out in his comments, in Magna Mundi there are negative events that fire for Catholic powers that form alliances with Muslim powers. So it's not a situation I can maintain for very long.
EDIT: never mind me, I can't read your crazy European dates
Great AAR, One of the more engaging I've read. Jane and Constantine's suffering at the hands of fate was honestly the saddest I've ever been reading an AAR. Can't wait for more
The end-date of the Battle of Hainaut is actually after the beginning of the Regency, though the
start of the battle is before. I should have just used the regency's start date for that image, but I used the actual one, and I understand how that might be confusing. Sorry.
Thanks! The story arc of Jane and Constantine was loosely modelled on that of the real-life Pierre Abélard and Héloïse d’Argenteuil. The lives of the real couple are fascinating and yes, tragic in nature.
Right, there's some feeling of disappointment in this monarch, like a promise never fulfiled.
In terms of personal characterisation (and conduct) he strongly resembled the real Henry VIII.
I wish I had thought of that sentence when writing the update; it's exactly what I was trying to say. Brief but highly descriptive.
After the "family secret" event in his youth, and finding out his heir is named Elizabeth, I decided to embrace the coincidence wholesale and model the fictional Henry VII (Lancaster) on the real-life Henry VIII (Tudor). Since this Henry is not from a relatively new dynasty, and England has survived (and even thrived) under two previous queens, he's not obsessed with cranking out a male heir.
Oh, the ingratitude! (How common in history though.)
I tried to base the dynamics of Byzantine-English relationship on one familiar to me (and
blsteen): post-conquest Quebec.
Back in the early 19th century, the
Canadien (i.e. French-Canadian) aristocracy of the newly-conquered Quebec was surprisingly loyal. More than a few fought with the British conquerors against American invaders in 1812. Remarkable, considering that they had been shelled and besieged by the Brits just 53 years before.
The Quebecois were initially grateful to the British Crown for not being expelled or forced to assimilate; but after a few decades—once the external threats from the south dissipated—it didn't take too long for that attitude to vanish completely.
I reasoned that a similar transformation would occur in Greece once the Empire was freed from the threat of Turkish subjugation.
The stupidity of AI! It is unable to grasp the tangle of guarantees and protections. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised you did not jump on the opportunity straight away. France might have renewed its alliance with Armagnac, or at least guarantee it.
Well, I wanted war exhaustion to burn off a bit, for cannons to be built (to aid in sieges), for the navy to build some new ship types... But I also thought there was a small chance (and here is where you will hate me) that Armagnac might annex Navarre. So I waited to see if that would occur, first.
Mistake! I do at times force-release a minor; but realising it'll attract vultures rather sooner than later, I ditch such an alliance ... there's no need to protect such nonenities.
In fact, not breaking the alliances with Karaman and Dilkadir cost you prestige and I believe this was the direct cause of the PU breakup.
Also, there's an event, I believe, in which the Pope asks you to break the alliance with a Muslim partner. Why take risks like that? Unless you either want to piss off His Holiness, or your Muslim ally is powerful enough to be worth the trouble.
You are correct, this was an epic blunder on my part. I should have terminated the alliances
immediately after the war, but I didn't think about it at the time. And I paid handsomely for my inattention.
I feel sorry for both, little Elisabeth and her mother Christina. Even if 'not a fool' I can't see a chance for Christina to stand up to her - powerful I presume - (and more importantly male, common it's still early 16th century!) brothers-in-law. Actually, the bitter rivarly between the two in my eyes is the only chance for the 'Queen party' to emerge victorious.
Christina will have a difficult road ahead, yes. Can't say much more about it, but the next update will address that.