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But Mega-Austria will just DoW the Orthodox counties you'll create from the Ottomans. Maybe it's from my perception as a generally German/French player, even in my Italy game the Ottos were my best ally against the Hapst Blue Ribbons

My primary reason for taking on Turkey was to prevent Greece from being partitioned between Denmark and Castile. The Ottomans were going to lose to that pair whether I showed up or not; I didn't want either of those nations to get a foothold down there.
 
Another excellent update: the classicist in me begs you to defend the Romans, but the pragmatist says sail west!
 
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?
 
EDIT: never mind me, I can't read your crazy European dates :p

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 :D
 
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In the pantheon of English monarchs, Henry VII is generally regarded as a lesser figure than his father. Expectations for Henry's reign were lofty, but given the political and diplomatic currents of the age, it would be difficult for him to meet them.
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 applaud the plausibility of the peace terms imposed on the Turk.

Through the summer of 1497, a loose coalition of like-minded Greek magnates begin agitating for a greater role in English governance. Parliament and the Privy Council have long been accustomed to Greek obeisance, and this unsolicited initiative leaves them feeling affronted rather than receptive. England just fought a nearly decade-long war on Greece's behalf, and was that not enough?
Oh, the ingratitude! (How common in history though.)

Count of Armagnac Geraud VII d'Anjou (...) is aggressive and ambitious. A mere nineteen days after beginning to govern in his own right, the count launches an attempt to subdue his Basque neighbours.
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.

Less than three years after the Treaty of Muş, the ravages of war return to Anatolia. The Beyliks of Karaman and Dulkadir were mere afterthoughts to London;
Mistake! I do at times force-release a minor; but realising it'll attract vultures rather sooner than later, I ditch such an alliance instantly (unless I have some grander plans for my minion e.g. Trebizond in my Papacy aar). Force-releasing a (distant) minor cripples your rivals anyway as they'll need time to re-absorb the lost territory (and it might get gobbled by still yet another power after all), 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.

And cooperating with the OE?! No wonder Greeks got appalled.

I like that the transition from the Late Medieval Era to the Renaissance/Reformation/Early Modern period is punctuated by these technological gains in rapid succession. It makes the player feel that yes, the Age of Discovery is finally here.)
I sort of felt alike, but you put it in words so exquisitely.

After three years of careful preparation, England's forces are now ready for action against the Armagnacs.
High time. That's where the real English interests lay. And so conveniently Burgundy got involved too. WHAT COULD GO WRONG? (Btw, it would be a great idea: a diplomatic option to send a vassalage ultimatum, wouldn't it? Think of all the international repercussions.)

When the king's standard falls, a cry of grief and anguish rises from the English line; the sight of Henry's golden circlet is soon lost amidst a mob of opposing men-at-arms. (England takes -1 stability hit for monarch death in combat.)
Ah, yes. THIS.

The eight-year-old Princess Elizabeth is much too young to govern, so a regent must be selected. Queen Dowager Christina is the obvious choice, but Parliament has lingering concerns over her loyalties—specifically, whether she can be fully trusted to put English interests ahead of Scandinavian ones. To provide checks and balances against Christina's influence, Henry's brothers—Edward, Duke of Clarence, and Richard, Duke of Gloucester—are appointed to the regency council as well.
THIS. (Clarence? Gloucester? Sounds ominous.)

does Byzantium still need a foreign, Latin monarch? (...)
the Greek territories restored, the Latin Emperor dead—and for the first time in nearly forty years, Byzantium is in a position to legally elect an Orthodox, Greek emperor.
And THIS.

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.
 
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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. :D

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 :p

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 :D

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.
 
They do actually contribute something to the invasion, so they weren't completely useless. ;)

Ha but not useful either, I see by your quotation, 2 regiments and a single cog just don't cut it :laugh:
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.

Charles de Salaberry is one of my favorite Canadian (ien) military leaders for a similar set of reasons. Plus the Quebecois could also remember the fate of their Acadian breathern.
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.

HA! that would have been funny
Christina will have a difficult road ahead, yes. Can't say much more about it, but the next update will address that.
Well its only a few years...what could happen. Oh right, coup, war, pestilence, French invasion...:)
 
Magnificent as usual. Ive come to excpect nothing less and you do not dissapoint. If anything you exceded my expectations by a mile or two.

I only have one question. How is the rebellions in Scandinavia going? Or is it still going?
 
Blast! Knew I forgot something. Though I do thank you for the praise. :happy:

I will try to shoehorn in a conclusion in the next update, but let's just say that things don't look good for the Scandinavian regent.
 
Im really loving this AAR but I have to admit, im longing for the age of Redcoats and Indians to roll around.
 
Im really loving this AAR but I have to admit, im longing for the age of Redcoats and Indians to roll around.

Hah. You and me both, brother. That's when they started cranking out all the really good/bombastic artwork.
 
Hah. You and me both, brother. That's when they started cranking out all the really good/bombastic artwork.

The Death of General Wolfe...better be showing up at some point. When the fighting reaches North America.
After you reach North America that is
 
The Death of General Wolfe...better be showing up at some point. When the fighting reaches North America.
After you reach North America that is

Wasnt the death of that Saunders guy who kicked all kinds of ass in Castille kinda like that?
 
Wasnt the death of that Saunders guy who kicked all kinds of ass in Castille kinda like that?

He means the actual painting by Benjamin West better make an appearance. West kind of specialised in "epic representation" and was commissioned by George III to do a whole bunch of history paintings commemorating significant events in British history. Edward III at Crécy, Wolfe at Quebec, Nelson at Trafalgar—that sort of thing. All of the works are designed to evoke full-tilt patriotism, and doubtless influenced many young men to march or sail off to be an Epic Hero™ for the Empire.

The irony is that West was an American, but did all his best work for the Brits.
 
He means the actual painting by Benjamin West better make an appearance. West kind of specialised in "epic representation" and was commissioned by George III to do a whole bunch of history paintings commemorating significant events in British history. Edward III at Crécy, Wolfe at Quebec, Nelson at Trafalgar—that sort of thing. All of the works are designed to evoke full-tilt patriotism, and doubtless influenced many young men to march or sail off to be an Epic Hero™ for the Empire.

The irony is that West was an American, but did all his best work for the Brits.

Did you just Trademark "Epic Hero"?
 
Yeah. It's kinda like Guitar Hero, but you have to take a musket ball and die to win the game. ;)