Chapter 1: Vassalage of Navarra and Economic Growth 1399-1409
It is Oct 1399 and King Carlos III De Everux had just received a disturbing letter from himself from Nov 1400.
"Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line!"
“What does that mean really?” “If it alludes to a battle of wits with a Sicilian I understand, but I think this directly relates to the upcoming war with Aragon.”
“Runner send words to the troops, Prepare for invasion. Send an expedition to Lubeck our coffers need filling, war is brewing. I will give them some assistance and allow more free trade.”
“One other thing what about the people request for better relations with Foix?”
“Send them a guarantee and request military access.”
3 days later Aragon declared war citing subjugation as the Casus Belli. Sicily joined immediately afterward.
“If they had given us a year even 6 months to prepare we could have hired several mercenary companies to fight for us. Give the orders for the men to march into Castille. I have already gotten military access. Give orders for the merchants to spend as much money as they can I don’t want Aragon to plunder our coffers.”
By June 1400 a combined force of Aragon and Sicily have assaulted and seized Navarra, while the Navarra military watched from the Castille border.
“I know you men would give you lives to fight the Aragon army but I will not give your lives for no gain. For now we wait.”
“Sire, Aragon has demanded terms!”
“They stole 22 ducats and I am not the Duke of Navarra. It could be worse. Give orders to the me to move out. Begin minting some currency now is not the time to take out a loan. “
“Sire, there is a master of the mint from Norway wishing to seek your employment. His name is Kennet Leifsson.”
“Excellent how much is he worth?”
“19 Ducats sire, but we only have 2 in the treasury. “
“Fine take out a loan. Have him immediately begin minting more money. I also want more merchants in the Centers of Trade around the world.”
Meanwhile Austria is battling Milan for Northern Italy.
Burgundy is at war with England for Calais.
The year is now 1404 and Navarra’s merchant have brought great wealth into the realm but they are still a Vassal to Aragon with no foreseeable way out of it in the near future.
Another diplomat from Aragon comes demanding Navarra sign an alliance with Aragon and join in on it conquest of Naples and Morocco.
“In other news we have completed research on Government 4 and are able to take a new National Idea.”
“Great take National Trade Policy lets increase out trade income even more. Then begin researching trade.”
“Another thing the loan is due in Oct of next year and the people are demanding we repay it. What shall we do?”
Since is we have 0 inflation I want you to instead mint most our trade into ducats. Im sure the people will forgive us for a little inflation for getting rid of the loan. “
The Next year: “Sire you where correct after paying off the loan our currency value deflated back to its original values.”
“Excellent, now we don’t need to tell them we used most of that money to fill our treasury build a new church and start construction on a new marketplace as well. What do my people wish I would do for them next?”
*Face turns white* “Save Vizcaya from abuses from Castille.”
How come they don’t as for something useful like perform miracles or overthrow our Aragon Lords. These are a little more realistic. Very well inform the people I will begin a plan to rescue of our brethren. “
After another 3 quiet years under Aragon rule trade is great. Aragon has annexed Infi from Morocco and is at war with Naples, Provence, Ferrara and Modena.
“Sire we have dire news there is a Trade Crisis!”
“Do what we can for them. Since we still have so many merchants in the worlds centers of trade we can afford to send them at a higher price than normal.” “Another thing since we have some great culture I want to hire a Treasurer to work alongside our master of the mint and Philosopher.”
Coming on 10 years as the Vassal of Aragon:
“Sire the people wish to see small changes to the government. What orders do you wish to carry out?”
“Give the Plutocracy more power. It will help our merchants out and the black market has some uses as well.”
“Well sire other than the war at the beginning of your reign things are quiet and we have made many economic gains. What are your plans for the next 10 years?”
“That Azores and Canaries! There are a couple of uncharted island I want our people to settle.”