Gazing towards a new horizon
King Gustav II Vasa was already at a young age fascinated with the sea. Some would even go as far as calling him obsessed with it. One of his first acts as king was to remodel the entire Swedish navy, he ordered all the old Carracks scrapped, to be replaced with newer Caravels.
(Every wharf hand in Sweden works overtime to construct the new navy)
The reason for Gustavs interest in the sea comes from the stories seeping in from the Portuguese and Castilian court about great adventures in “The new World”. Gustavs ambition is to firmly Establish Sweden as a Naval power to be reckoned with. He also seeks personal fame and glory in these new lands.
While Gustav is in Copenhagen overseeing the further expansion o the Swedish navy he receives word from Stockholm. The messenger has exhausted several horses on his ruthless sprint through Sweden to deliver the message: Gustavs brother Magnus has died from a severe fever.
In his sorrow Gustav takes a young maid to bed during the night. This spawns a child who is baptized Adolf Johan Vasa.
As an almost “Spur of the moment thing” Gustav declares war upon the Kingdom of Norway. Norway however has managed to form an alliance with the Kingdom of Prussia. Sweden now faces war in both the East and the West.
[CENTER](Pic taken a bit early, Prussia joined a few days later)
The War starts well for Sweden. General Knut Rhenskiöld, commander of the Livonian Army successfully defends Mitau from a numerically superior Prussian force. In the West King Gustav himself drives the Norwegian king from his defensive positions outside Oslo.
[CENTER](On the 13th of February blood stains the snow outside Mitau and Oslo).
As the siege of Oslo proceeds into spring the Prussians attempt another attack on Mitau, this time they are successful and Rhenskiöld is forced to withdraw.
The Prussians however see no reason to stay in the war and a Status quo ante bellum is signed. Gustavs goals with this war now becomes clear as he sends a force to occupy Iceland.
While almost worthless in itself Iceland may yet provide a great jump off point for expeditions to the new world.
The reslting peace deal sees the western half of Iceland is ceded to Sweden and the Kingdom of Norway is bonded in vassalage to King Gustav. Who now styles himself King of Scandinavia.
Sweden c. 1559
Gustav II Vasa (ADM 4, MIL 6, DIP 5
King of Scandinavia, Grand Prince of Finland, Duke of Estonia and Livonia
Treasury: 1043 Million ducats
GDP (Estimated): 1235,9 Million ducats
Army: 16000 Mauricians, 8000 Cavalry, 4000 Artillerists
Reserves: 29,930
Navy:10 Caravels, 3 Barques, 8 Galleys, 7 Cogs
Discipline: 109
Tradition: Land: 61,90
Naval 8,50
Prestige: 62 (Fourth)
Reputation: 4,2 (Slightly Tarnished)