[Forum Game] The Cross and Compass

Rovsea

Captain of Dragons

58 Badges

Jan 5, 2014

513

96

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 20, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #181

((Would it be possible for myself to be put on a waiting list for the Vijayanagar Empire?))

 

AzagalTheGreat

Swampman

57 Badges

Jan 19, 2013

1.064

66

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 20, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #182

((You can take it back right now if you want, my general interest for this game is dead

 

Noco19

Little Creole

77 Badges

Nov 20, 2011

835

41

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 20, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #183

Clash of Fallen Horse​

Matsudaira Kiyoyasu rode forth with great fury, having lost a great deal of prestige when mere commoners under the Ikko-Ikki banner disgraced his clan and overtook one of his fiefs. Even with this, Lord Matsudaira was reluctant to request the assistance of the Oda Clan, for fear it would make him appear weak, but he did so regardless in order to assuredly crush the Ikko-Ikki with the might of two professional armies. It was with this thought that prompted confidence, and perhaps arrogance, in Lord Matsudaira as he approached his former holdings and scouts reported large-scale movements by an Ikko-Ikki force.

Knowing that the Ikko-Ikki would be crushed with much more ease on the field rather than a siege, Lord Matsudaira hurried into men into a march straight for battle. Upon arriving, Lord Matsudaira was said to have given a mighty laugh at the paltry forces before him, and immediately began an offensive. The Ikko-Ikki watched stoically as a superior force marched upon them, until the advancing samurai noticed a line of strange, white rocks. With this, the Ikko-Ikki archers began raining down arrows upon them, aiming not for the rank-and-file, but for men of command. This proved mildly successfully, hitting a a few commanders, making one go so far as to slow his march to allow others to go first, most notably hitting Lord Matsudaira in his left hand. This continued until a second set of rocks were passed, when attention was directed upon the actual soldiers. At this, the samurai were given the order to charge, whereupon the Ikko-Ikki archers retreated behind their allied lines and launched a final barrage into the front ranks of the Matsudaira force.

The ensuing melee was bloody and hard fought, with the professional Matsudaira forces squaring off against the Ikko-Ikki armed with stolen weapons from Matsudaira's castle. Try as he might, Matsudaira could not utilize his superior cavalry due to the constant efforts of Ikko-Ikki naginata troops. The Ikko Ikki themselves had a very small force of stolen horses, used after grievous wounds were inflicted upon Matsudaira cavalry to smash into the enemy's rear forces. The decisive moment of the battle was when the Ikko-Ikki left flank, comprised of battle-hardened Sohei, overwhelmed its opposing force of mere ashigargu, and whelled around straight into the Matsudaira left flank's rear. Soon the Matsudaira left was surrounded and assailed with the fervous chants and strikes of the Ikko-Ikki until a number of ashigaru surrendered while the samurai fought to the death.

While Matsudaira reports vary, it was said by the Ikko-Ikki that mystic-general Kenkyona himself picked up a bow and lodged an arrow straight into the horse of Lord Matsudaira, as he attempted to retreat his broken army, as if guided by the divine. Pinned down by his fallen horse, Lord Matsudaira was unable to flee, and it was said that all could hear him curse the Oda clan for this betrayal, for not a single Oda force arrived to assist him. Lord Matsudaira and the surrendering ashigaru forces were captured and brought back to Castle Tenoshōri. What the Ikko-Ikki would do has yet to be seen.

 

Dadarian

King of Queen's

78 Badges

Mar 4, 2011

5.021

350

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 20, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #184

一向宗の一向一揆
Ikkōshū no ikkōikki
The Ikko-Ikki of the Ikko-shu​

The men were paraded down Castle Tenoshōri to the gathered crowds. Lord Matsudaira was in simple robes, his armour and his goods stolen by more petty members of the Ikko Ikki army. His face was red, embarressed that one of the Lords of the realm of one of the greatest clans was not only defeated by mere peasants, but betrayed by a peer.

Romanticised Castle Tenoshōri; 1522​

​

To his left and his right, men and women in white robes and white headbands cheered with the shouts of Banzai [Tr: 10,000 years] or Futsu no Eikō [Tr: Glory to Buddha] cried in series of three. Directly behind him was the few retainers of his left, captured against their will due to the whims of war and battle, and behind them was a long line of his levied ashigaru, tied together like cattle. But what was worse was what was in front of him, the mystic that had twice bested his clan, Kenkyona. True to his name he was humble, a serene look on his broad peasant face. After seemingly an eternity, the purgatory of his that was the march through the main square was done, and he was before the mystic.

Kenkyona looked upon the samurai lord with half open eyes, his face unreadable. He gauged the crowd, and then banged on a gong, causing the crowd to go immediately quiet. Knowing his voice will carry, he began to speak.

"A Man whom was tricked by a Man that gave his word is not an Unhonourable Man. By this Man's rejection of Buddha's Pure Land, He is against Us. However He has shown Us that He is an Honourable Man, as were His men. As such, He will be allowed to meet Buddha honourably. As such He and His men will be allowed to commit Seppuku. His levies shall be allowed to join the Ikko Ikki and learn the Ikko-shu, whereas they will be enlightened by the ever loving Buddha. So says I."

With the crowd silent as a breezeless day, Kenkyona handed Lord Matsudaira a tantō and again addressed the crowd.

"So Buddha is ever generous as well as ever loving. Even in defeat, even in opposition, Buddha honours the brave and the honourable."

As Lord Matsudaira looked upon the blade, a young maiden to the left and behind Kenkyona spoke his death poem.

Honourably so,
I await with Buddha's grace,
A place with my sword,
To join with my ancestors.
And to know that I am loved.

Click to expand...

 

Revan529

Field Marshal

94 Badges

Mar 28, 2009

2.704

93

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 20, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #185

Bells of Sorrow​

Franche-Comte V

Trémoille received his orders for the coming war season; he dispatched 5,000 men to assist the Duke of Lorraine, who own army of 6,000 was mobilising; en route however, the men were ambushed by the wily Olivares, who used his mercenaries and new recruits to great effectiveness. Héricourt (17 March 1522) cost the French the bulk of their Lorrainian reinforcements, some 3,500 killed or captured; indeed, this battle would be a portent for how the theatre would be fought for the rest of the year. Despite this set back, Trémoille hoped that he could still manage to fulfil his orders (though he was well aware that he would need to provide more support to the Duke of Lorraine, something that he feared would stretch his army dangerously thin). However, the King's plan hinged on the notion that Olivares would remain at Montbéliard, something the Spanish commander seemed loathe to do – as a matter of fact he seemed to prefer harrying the small, vulnerable Lorrainian Army (under the command of François de Vaudémont, brother of the Duke of Lorraine), which on the 25th of March was caught by surprise by the Spanish cavalry near Fontaine; though François was unprepared for the attack, he was able to retreat in good order, though it now delayed the meet-up with France by several days. Using this time, Olivares did the unthinkable – he divided his small army, sending the infantry to engage Lorraine again, whilst he and the cavalry would harass the besieging French forces.

Aragon II

In mid-March, 1522, the Duke of Bourbon began his counter-offensive against France; he was fortunate to strike when he did, as Richard de la Pole, commander of the Armée d'Italie, was still several weeks away from reinforcing Henry of Navarre and the Duke of Vendôme . Having been badly bloodied the previous year, both Navarre and Vendôme agreed to fall back across the Pyrenees (neither particularly wanted to face Bourbon with their backs against a wall); the two agreed to best measure would be to split their armies to cover more ground and break the focus of Bourbon, and reunite near Perpignan, and from there reinforce the border until de la Pole arrived. It was, perhaps, a wise move on paper, but in practice turned to be sheer folly; the Duke of Vendôme's army chose to hug the coast, whilst Navarre covered the interior some ten miles to the west, and from their departure from Llançà onwards, they were dogged yet again by guerillas and Bourbon's outriders. Vendôme 's larger, less manoeuvrable army became embroiled in so many skirmishes that its advance slowed to a crawl, to the point that on the 29th of March, near the town of Colera, Vendôme's 13,500 man army was struck hard by Bourbon's 38,000.

The Duke of Bourbon had cleverly advanced his cavalry in the cover of dark to take the high ground behind Vendôme's camp, whilst the main army glided cautiously to the hills opposite. Vendôme's scouts were however fortunate enough to notice these movements; their general, on the other hand, was at a loss to do – Bourbon had effectively denied him the ability to retreat, had the high ground, and a vast superiority of numbers. He thus decided the only course of action was to send for Navarre to relieve him, whilst he began roused his men in the pre-dawn gloom to begin making defences. As such, when the battle itself began, both sides were rather weary from the night-time manoeuvres; still, the hasty earthworks and barriers commissioned by Vendôme gave the smaller French army enough cover to effectively fend off the first two probing attacks by Bourbon – unfortunately for them, the Spanish artillery had by mid-day finished setting up, and began to bombard them from the southern hills. It was a massacre. After an hour of shot being rained down upon the French, Bourbon ordered another wave, a full assault on the weakened position; they broke through the battered defences, and a full massacre of French troops began. Even as Navarre arrived on the field, having forced his tired men onwards, it became horrifically apparent that the Duke of Bourbon's army was still prepared for an attack; the cavalry, still perched atop their high hill, rode west, and struck Navarre's fatigued and unprepared flank hard. Navarre, realising this battle was lost, ordered his own cavalry to counter-charge the Spanish horse, so that his infantry could escape, but their attack did little relieve the left flank; they were able to dislodge and once again charge, forcing off the Spaniards. Navarre called a general retreat north. Several miles north, he was met by the remnants of the Armée d'Aragon, perhaps 3,000 men in all. The rest were either dead or imprisoned.

Vendôme himself was slain in the melee, and as recounted by one of the surviving knights, led a final desperate charge to save his men; indeed, the knight claimed that had the Duke not sacrificed himself, they all would have likely been killed.

Duc de Vendôme, 1489-1522​

However, Navarre was not safely out of harm's way either; hounded by Bourbon's outriders and Aragonese guerillas until he crossed the Pyrenees, he and his army arrived at Perpingan on the 9th of April. Richard de la Pole and 11,000 men arrived four days later.

Italy II

Richard de la Pole's departure could very well have been a disaster for the Italian front had Austria opted to west instead of east; fortunately for France, this was not the case and though Milan was vulnerable (having but a 2,000 man garrison), it was not in immediate risk. The remaining 5,000 men previously under de la Pole's command marched south, joined with the Florentine army (roughly 6,000 men), and eventually with the Papal army, another 6,500 men; the Armata d'Italia was formed and headed by Prospero Colonna, an experienced condotierre in service of the Pope. His army moves quite briskly through southern Italy, arriving at (and beginning the siege of) Naples on the 17th of March. For the next several months, it was rather quiet, with little real action happening; the problem soon arose that because none of the war leaders had planned to blockade the cities naval routes (or more to the point, devoted any number of ships to take such action), the fight became prolonged. When a combined Papal-Florentine naval excursion began in mid-April, it was rebuffed by the vastly superior Spanish flotilla guarding the harbour from any such attack. Colonna however, accepted this situation, settled into a long siege, and dispatched his cavalry to begin burning and stealing crops, and otherwise wreaking havoc on Naples.

Franche-Comte V

By mid-April, with the siege of Montbéliard well under way (though, due to Olivares' preparations, unlikely to fall anytime soon), Trémoille considered actively chasing the Spanish fox; on the 19th of April, it seemed it no longer mattered – Olivares' army charged from behind his lines, having waded across the l'Allan the night before with his veteran cavalry; it seemed he was no longer content with raids. His attack was audacious, brilliant even – his horses appeared out of nowhere, cut a swathe through the French line, then disappeared as the sun broke through the morning clouds; Trémoille wasn't quite certain what had happened – the Spaniards hadn't resupplied the town (as far as he knew, at least), and the attack had only cost them perhaps 250 men, by no means a significant loss. By midday, however, he knew perfectly well. Olivares' infantry, still thought to be giving chase to the Lorrainian army, struck from east, whilst their general's horse once again emerged from the forest in the west. The French, caught completely unawares (Trémoille had neglected to send any scouts out to cover the east following the cavalry feint that morning, believing that the next would likely come from the north-west, where their supply trains came in from), scrambled to form battle lines, whilst once again Olivares' horsemen charged through their most vulnerable, ill-prepared ranks, whilst the infantry, skirted around the main-line, almost as if playing a game with the French. He was trying to rile the French into charging out, Trémoille recognised at once, as the Spanish infantry began to fall back after only a few moments – Olivares rushing northwards confirmed his fears, and he ordered his subordinates to get control over their men at once. Though a few hundred continued out for a while, the majority returned to camp and set up defensive positions to repel any future attacks.

Olivares seemed content to leave them there, ordering his infantry to start fortifying other towns, whilst the cavalry rode once again eastwards, to harass the Lorrainians, who (though battered and bloodied) were still attempting to advance through Franche-Comte.

Flanders II

Francois I and Charles de Lannoy both determine that the most prudent course of action would be to begin launching a series of feints against one another, the former waiting for the 32,000 man Armée de Flandre (under the command of Odet de Foix) to arrive so that he could use vastly superior numbers to effectively crush the Spanish, the latter to keep the French off-kilter enough for long enough that the other theatres turn effectively in favour of Spain (or, at the very least, delay the main body of French troops from other vital fronts). Thus it was with these strategies in mind that the two generals met at Nomain (17 March 1522); it was little more than a skirmish before the Spanish withdre; Francois, confident in the support he knew was en route, ordered his army to continue advancing. Over the next two days, the French army tailed the Spanish force, until a smaller detachment of some 4,000 began harassing Francois' supply line; ultimately they did little damage before being driven off, but it convinced Francois to fall back to friendlier territory. If he was drawn into an unfavourable battle before Foix arrived, it could be a disaster; Francois then decided to lure Lannoy into a trap of his own, sending of a portion of his army to harry the smaller Spanish force, whilst he and the main body, moved to threaten Lille, which Lannoy rushed to protect.

The first battle of the Flanders theatre, the Battle of Lille (30 March) would prove to be one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Francois was certain that his superior numbers and leadership would win the day, and so began the battle with a brief series a skirmishes before the battle proper begins just before noon. Lannoy used this time to organise his troops, set up some rudimentary defences around his flanks (particularly along his left, where his battle line extended a fair bit farther usual, largely due to the town of Lille covering his right), and sent his cavalry east with the hopes of catching the French right over-extended. Francois' own infantry took to the flanks, whilst a combined force of infantry and cavalry (along with the bulk of the artillery) worked to break through the Spanish centre, which could very well have turned into an outright catastrophe when the Spanish reserves, previously hidden by a line of trees, suddenly emerged and relieved the beleaguered centre, and forced the French into a bloody melee before falling back. However, the French left, after two hours of strenuously chipping away at the Spanish right, they finally achieved a breakthrough, though the Spanish were able to recover in good order right as a good portion of the French rearguard pivoted to strike the Spanish centre.

The French right, on the other hand, was being decimated by Lannoy's defences and the timely arrival of the Spanish cavalry, which smashed the extreme right so brutally that Francois was forced to reposition his own cavalry from the centre to simply fend off the ferocious attacks; their arrival drove the Spanish cavalry from the field, before they turned to strike the Spanish left; Lannoy however, ordered the last bits of his reserves to come right up to the extreme ranks as the French cavalry pivoted to charge, formed the tercio, and repelled the charge brilliantly, though the French infantry was now breaking through even the well-made defences there. Francois, though winning the battle (at a cost of 4,000 of his own men to 2,000 Spaniards), bade a hasty farewell to Lannoy and began falling back; Lannoy, confused and concerned at this, made a cautious advance, and sent messengers to his smaller harassing force, which had repelled an French attack the day before with few losses, to once again shadow French movements.

Aragon III

The Duke of Bourbon, fresh of his liberation of Rousillon, crossed the Pyrenees himself on the 17th of April, whereupon he was met by Henry of Navarre and the new overall commander of the Armée d'Aquitaine (formed from the Armies of Navarre, Aragon, and Italy). The Battle of Argelers, fought that day, was one of immense importance. For de la Pole and Navarre, a victory here could stop the Spanish invasion in its tracks, whilst for Bourbon a victory would break French military power in the south and give him free reign to raid the countryside.

The Duke of Bourbon struck first, sending his elite cavalry to strike the French right, which Navarre (in command of the vanguard), had not prepared for; when he caught glimpse of the Spanish knights rushing towards him, quickly formed a weak line that was easily broken through. Fortunately for the French, de la Pole quickly sent his own cavalry reserves to relieve the right, which after a brief melee they did, compelling the cavalry to fall back, right as the skirmishing drew to a closer and the battle proper began. Bourbon, at the head of an army of 36,000 and fresh from his slaughter of Vendôme's army, had both the numbers, the morale, and the experience over de la Pole's force of some 28,000, the first battle in which the Spanish had decisive numerical superiority over the French; it showed. De la Pole fought valiantly, feinting and dodging, manoeuvring and manipulating as best he could, but he had neither the terrain nor the numbers that Bourbon had had when he fended off the superior army of Vendôme at Figueres. However, de la Pole was able to effect a brilliant retreat, ceding the beach to Bourbon, suffering a loss of only 2,500 men to the Spaniard's 3,000; he reached Perpingan two days later, and began to plan his next move (though he made certain to send out scouts and outriders to ensure he was well-aware of Bourbon's movements).

Italy III

Colonna​

In Italy, Colonna maintained the siege of Naples, which throughout the summer seemed no more willing to yield than it had during the Spring. Furthermore, the constant raiding and pillaging, though a financial boon to Colonna, was gaining the ire of the Neapolitan people, who began organising into harassing parties. A few soldiers are lost due to this, though in such few numbers it matters little.

Franche-Comte VI

Late April through early May were quiet, beyond the odd skirmish here or there. The siege of Montbéliard, now entering into it's first month, was proceeding smoothly, and Trémoille, despite his losses, was quite confident that the town would fall in due time. Olivares, however, disagreed with that sentiment; having run off the Lorrainian army yet again, and having given his month a month of shoring up the defences of other towns, he looked ready to launch yet another attack on Trémoille's army in mid-May. Trémoille had prepared; he had spent the past three weeks, building what one called a “modern-day Alesia.” He was thoroughly confident that he could resist any attack by Olivares; however, Olivares was well aware of these defences, and had no interest in throwing his men up against them; instead, he rode into proper-French territory, and began tearing his way up to Dijon; towns and militia rose up against him but at every point, he evaded them, attacking another town instead. Trémoille knew he would have to act against this; surely the defence of France itself was more vital than the capture of a few towns controlled by Spain? Thus, he and 14,000 men set off to entrap Olivares, whilst the other 2,000 would maintain the siege. His men, long settled into sieging, were sluggish and dullardly, whilst Olivares' cavalry, long accustomed to spending day and night in the saddle, rode circles around the French; even Trémoille's vaunted cavalry could not intercept them.

It was near Selongey, at the end of May, that Olivares' brilliance at deception finally showed; his infantry, who had long been thought to have moved east to yet again repel the Lorrainian army, emerged just after nightfall outside of the “modern Alesia.” The French garrison, those 2,000 men, were outnumbered by nine-thousand; it was only due to those defences that the siege of Montbéliard was not relieved on the spot. However, Trémoille was not left in a horrendous position; relieve his besieged besiegers, or attempt to contain Olivares? Ultimately, he determined that he would be unlikely to catch Olivares, and even if he did, the wily fox of a man would still conjure up some ability to escape with his army intact, whilst his infantrymen, though experienced, were now not as well led, and certainly not nearly as swift. Thus, the day after receiving the news of Montbéliard, Trémoille marched back south.

Flanders III

Lannoy's tepid advance following Francois' retreat was halted suddenly when his scouts apparoached him, bearing ill news; another French army, possibly 30,000 men, was in the area. Lannoy knew what his meant in an instant, and he had no intention of succumbing to a trap; he ordered his men to fall back to Lille (his 4,000 outriders included), and from there, they would concoct a new plan. Francois, when his own scouts reported Lannoy's withdrawal, considered his own options; then he realised it – the road to Antwerp, the most important city in the Low Country, was open; Lannoy would have to act against him if he tried to assail it, and Foix could easily tail Lannoy. A single fell swoop could hand him both Antwerp and the heart of the Spanish army in the north.

Aragon IV

De la Pole's many scouts paid dividends in late April; Bourbon was moving westwards, perhaps en route to Toulouse, perhaps to Tarbes. Navarre advocated a cavalry advance to harass Bourbon and protect French territory whilst the infantry came advanced towards Toulouse to cut off the Spanish advance; Richard considered this option, but it would leave his army too divided, too piecemeal; even at full strength they were outnumbered by Bourbon's army, and if he or Navarre made a misstep? France would be left defenceless. He needed more men, he needed another officer in the east along the Biscay to help contain Bourbon's rampage.

By early May, however, de la Pole was forced into action; Toulouse was under siege and Bourbon's knights were on an rampage throughout southern France.

The Duke of Bourbon had achieved countless successes in Spain, and even in France he had yet to lose a battle, but the situation had changed; before he could rely on the people to feed him information, to track the movements of the French, or just give some supplies. Now, he was deep in enemy territory, and their refusal of the French people to provide aid was an insult; he was a Bourbon! Thus, throughout his campaign in southern France, he ordered his men to rampage across the country, to burn and loot and pillage – behind him were only burnt husks.

Flanders IV

Mont-de-l'Enclus, where Foix and Lannoy fought​

On the 7th of May, Francois reached Antwerp, and left a small force to maintain the siege; he and the bulk of his army moved slightly south in anticipation for Lannoy's advance. After two days of waiting, there was no Lannoy; indeed, his scouts reported nothing. Something was wrong; Francois sent his cavalry south to more effectively scout the region, and several messengers to de Foix were dispatched. It was on the 10th that he received the news, Lannoy had feinted a march north, then switched south; Foix was caught unawares on the 8th, and though bloodied, his army was intact; indeed, it seemed that Lannoy, for all his cunning, had suffered nearly as many losses as Foix had. All the same, he had one army to the north of him, and another to his south; it seemed Lannoy was running out of options, then on the 19th, he received news of the situation in southern France.

French/Allied Losses
22,300 (100 Florentine and Papal)

Spanish Losses
7,600

French/Allied Positions
Armée de la France: 32,000 at Antwerp under Francois I
Armée de Flandre: 30,000 at Mont-de-l'Enclus under Odet de Foix
Armée d'Aquitaine: 25,500 at Carcassone under Richard de la Pole (and Henry of Navarre)
Armée de Bourgogne: 19,000 (17,000 at Selongey, 1,750 at Montbéliard) under Trémoille
Armée de Lorraine: 4,000 near Belfort under François de Vaudémont
Armata d'Italia: 17,000 at Naples under Prospero Colonna


Spanish Positions
Ejército de Lorena: 17,000 (11,000 at Montbéliard, 6,000 at Selongey) under the Count of Olivares
Ejército de España: 33,000 at Toulouse under the Duke of Bourbon
Ejército de Flandes: 29,500 at Audenarde under Charles de Lannoy

It should also be noted that France, Spain, and all others involved can send new war orders for the second bit of 1522; enjoy

 

Andre Massena

Warrior-Representative Fanatic

43 Badges

Sep 23, 2013

7.692

1.612

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 21, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #186

The Kingdom of Poland​

Krakow


King Sigismund looks down at the latest dispatches from Europe.

"Europa is in chaos, the Turks are advancing from the east, and the Pope is an Englishman," the king mutters.

"We have too much to worry about here to concern yourself with matters abroad," Queen Bona of the House Sforza replied.

"Indeed. Have you seen the latest treasury reports? And not only have I been humiliated by the Teutons and Muscovites, the nobles openly defy me right to my face!"

"Patience, my husband. We shall overcome all these troubles in time."

"Patience? That is unlike you to call for patience."

"I know," Bona said, smiling. "But I have though of some ways that you can make use of me."

"Speak, then. But I will hear no more of your Frankish-plans or Ottoman sympathies..."

 

Revan529

Field Marshal

94 Badges

Mar 28, 2009

2.704

93

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 21, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #187

Anno Domini 1522​

Western, Northern, and Central Europe​

​

​

Austria

Ferdinand of Austria, reeling over the sudden death of King Louis of Hungary, declares war upon the Ottoman Empire and begins raising an army to fight the Turkish menace; 23,000 infantrymen and 5,000 cavalrymen enlist in this “Army of Holy Liberation.” As the Austrian government begins to properly fund their military for the oncoming war, taxes are raised to 15%, a move protested by some of the ethnic minorities (though in the end, nothing more comes from it than some grumbling and the occasional drunken fistfight).

Bavaria

In light of the conflicts going on all around Bavaria, the brother-dukes order the expansion and general improvement of the Bavarian army; this goes miserably, as the people largely perceive this as the opening move for entering the war and thus decline joining the army, similarly any attempts to improve the Bavarian army fail from a lack of interest from the commanders or the recalcitrance from the troops.

Denmark

King Christian, having only just finished the great and horrible war with Sweden, orders a complete restructuring of the army recruitment system, mandating that every region within both Denmark and Norway are organised into districts where every able-bodied man would be trained in arms and combat a few weeks out of the year; though the fruits of this policy have not fully ripened, the Danish and Norwegian leadership enthusiastically believe that this allotment method will bolster numbers and improve the general quality of the Danish armies in short order.

Christian also engages in a campaign of revenge against the Hansa, which was already reeling from previous; Fredrik of Holstein and Rantzau, in command of the Danish army (now bolstered by returning Swedish prisoners and the first batch of allotment volunteers), march on Lubeck; fully aware that the Hansa would attempt to hire as many mercenaries as possible to ensure their defence, Christian also sends as many counter-offers as possible, though only a few thousand men enter into Danish service. All the same, nearly 12,000 men were under the command of Holstein as the siege of Lubeck began. Rantzau's siege was extremely well conducted and after two-months of bombardment, the besieged forces made one desperate sally to fend off the Danish invasion; Rantzau's well organised battlelines quickly decimate the Lubecker force; the following month, the remaining skeleton crew of defenders yield the city, and Rantzau and Holstein turn westwards and lay siege on the city of Hamburg, which was better prepared for a lengthy siege. All the same, once the Danish navy arrived in force to blockade the cities trade, it quickly became apparent that this city too would fall. Fearing that their reserves would last only a few more weeks, Hamburg desperately sent out missives to their neighbours and the Holy Roman Emperor; all of the former ultimately declined to send help (though a handful of volunteers and mercenaries did arrive towards the years' end; they were quickly slaughtered, captured, or compelled to flee after the first battle). The Emperor however, has made no statement of support or indifference to the matter.

England

Henry VIII noticed the numerous wars being waged across Europe, and he was well aware that England could benefit greatly economically from this conflict; to maximise English profits, he expands royal grants and support for steel manufactory, particularly weaponry. By the end of the year, this policy had paid for itself and returned a tidy profit for the crown.

The King also determined that the best means to pay for his rather opulent court; have the nobles pay to enter it; as it turned out, the nobility were indeed willing to pay to join the King's court, providing some much needed cushion for court expenditure.

In the first half of the year, Henry commissions the construction of three galleons and seven caravels; which are all completed by mid-year, in time to assist in the English invasion of Scotland.

Florence

De’ Medici orders that the defences of the city of Florence are expanded to resist any potential Spanish attack; though no such attack occurs, the defences are indeed expanded (though at a slightly higher cost than expected).

France

King Francois commissions the expansion of the roadways around Paris; however, as he is quite far away conducting a multi-front war, it seems the bureaucracy decides to take its sweet time in starting and generally conducting the project; by year's end, it is more or less completed, but substantially over-budget. The King also offers employment for mercenaries to supplement his armies; the mercenaries, perhaps mindful of French losses in the previous year, almost universally decline.

Papal States

His Holiness Boniface X, similar to the French King, sends out offers of employment to various mercenary groups; 497 men respond. His Holiness also dispatches Ludwig von Ziegler, a yougna dn charismatic theologian to Saxony in hopes of countering the nascent Lutheran heresies; in this Ziegler proves efficient, though it remains to be seen if he has stopped this infection, or merely slowed it.

Portugal

Throughout the course of the year, King Manuel orders the expansion and improvement of Portuguese infrastructure; overall the project goes by smooth and ends the years slightly under-budget.

Manuel I of Portugal dies of natural causes at the age of 53 on the 20th of December, 1522; his son John succeeds him.

Sweden

Gustav Vasa, Protector the Realm, mindful of the effects of the Sound Toll on the Swedish economy, orders that a road from Stockholm to Lodes be established; it is completed in breakneck speed and comes in just below budget; the remaining money goes into building a castle near the town, to ensure the city is well-protected. Similarly, the fortress of Avsborg was also expanded.

Spain

Charles V's administrators go on a recruiting drive across Spain, and to their surprise, thousands flock to enlist in the Spanish army; it seems in Naples, Flanders, and Franche-Comte, there are surges of enlistment as well, bolstering those vulnerable fronts substantially. The Emperor also enlists some 4,000 mercenaries into the Army of Lorraine, providing much aid for Olivares.

The Emperor uses fears of French expansion in Italy to convince many bankers (particularly those not on the best of terms with the Medici) to get betters deal on loans, effectively bankrolling the Spanish war effort for the foreseeable future.

His attempts to exert more influence over the Inquisition also produce some excellent results for the Emperor; he and his allies effectively make the Inquisition an arm of Imperial government year's end, and its use, and fear of its use, provides the Emperor with much needed leverage against his opponents and those who challenge centralised government.

Eastern Europe, Balkans, and the Middle East​

​

Teutonic Knights

The Grandmaster of the Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, Albert of Brandenburg-Ansbach, worried by the growth of the heresy throughout the Holy Roman Empire dispatched orders to the various monasteries and chapels throughout the northeast authorizing expanded garrisons of one hundred men each. The Order itself, not wishing to use its finances in the area when it had other larger tasks at hand, managed to convince a number of local nobles to donate annually for the garrison’s salaries.

Ottoman Empire

Following on with the administrative reforms of the previous year envoys sent from Constantinople directly by the Sultan begin a further expansion of the bureaucracy in Egypt, creating a number of divided governing zones with a mixture of local officials and a Turkish officer responsible for ensuring the collection of taxes and proper rule over the area. This new reform proves quite successful and by the end of the year the amount of taxes streaming from Egypt to the Imperial coffers grows.

Knights of St John

Throughout the course of the year, the Hospitaller Knights devote their time to piracy, assailing Ottoman trade ships crossing through the Aegean (particularly those sailing near Rhodes); most of this ill-gotten gold go into shoring up the defences on Rhodes, which while expensive (it went quite over-budget), were completed by year's end.

India​

Gurkani

Following the successful invasion of Delhi Zahir-ud-Din immediately ordered that all Indian officials, who were of doubtful loyalty to the new regime, be removed from their post and replaced by much more loyal and reliable Persian and Turkish ones. Due to skillful handling of the removed Indian officials by the Padshah as well as the selection of several brilliant men to replace them this quickly caused not only an improvement in government efficiency but also a non-negligable increase in economic activity across the newly conquered lands that quickly caused a noticeable improvement in the treasury’s situation by the end of the year.

Due to the Padshah being busy handling the administrative changes he was forced to delegate command of his army to his senior generals. The relative simplicity of the Padshah’s orders limited the damage caused by the terrible handling of the troops as they were merely ordered to reform in defence of Delhi, something which required very little change. When orders were sent for the troops in Afghanistan to form along the Uzbek border however things went awry. Several units misunderstood the orders to mean all units were to move into Afghanistan and began moving towards Kabul. The unplanned nature of their march meant little to no supplies were available and this caused them to launch raids into Rajput lands. The result was near instantaneous. Rana Sanga, Lord of Mewar and leader of the Rajputs immediately marched into the newly conquered lands with a force of 40,000 men and reportedly 300 war elephants. Immediately routing the troops moving towards Delhi The Rajputs turned and began a march on Delhi. However flooding along parts of the Ganges slowed the advance and forced them to enter winter quarters just south of Ambala. This proved vital as it allowed the victorious Timurid armies time to reform just north of Delhi before also entering winter quarters. In Kabul the troops left behind during the invasion of Delhi had also positioned themselves along the Uzbek border ready to launch an assault. Whether the assault would now take place was, however, in doubt.

Vijayanagar Empire

In Vijayanagar the Emperor spent much of his time in his palace enjoying himself. The efficient bureaucracy of the Empire ensured that no real damage was done but without a head they had little direction and no improvements were made.

Americas​

Aztecs

With the Teotl invaders and Tlaxcalan traitors fertilizing the ground they were slaughtered upon and the heart of the Teotl tlatoque, Hernan Cortes, sacrificed to Huitzilopotchli, it was now the time for the closing of festering wounds. With the blessings of Huitzilopotchli, Cuitláhuac began the Triple Alliance’s first steps towards a truly centralized empire by ending the Flower War with the Tlaxcala by commencing a hostile takeover of the Tlaxcalan state, which itself was a negligible matter to deal with, and replacing the executive leadership of said state with a tepachoani, a governor directly appointed by Cuitláhuac. This however was just a trial run of the system and the city-states were assured that, were they to remain loyal, they would not need to worry about their leadership being replaced.
Naturally, the city-states were not assured in the least. However, with the fear instilled into the populace of the Triple Alliance, not many people were particularly inspired to do anything about they’re misgivings, but the tension was certainly there and any further reforms may very well organize the tributaries into an uprising. Well, that is if you don’t particularly care for Xoconochco who are in rebellion, which is actually a common occurrence.

Inca

In contrast to the Aztecs’ inward focus, the course of action in the Incas seems to be one of looking outward. Seemingly realizing the importance of maritime trade, Huayna Capac seeks the aid of the Chincha and their balsa rafts to open up much more extensive trade connections with Western Mexico, the lands of the Tarascans and the Mexica.

At first, the Chincha are reluctant to help Huayna Capac, but a little bit of diplomacy and dropping of army number quickly allows Huayna Capac to call the Chincha as his own subjects and gain a valuable increase to the middle class provided that the standard Inca administrative techniques do not apply to Chincha cities. The roads of the Incas are being used far more now for the purposes of commerce.

The emissary to the Spanish does not fare nearly as well. It is safe to say that he was enslaved or killed upon arrival and the Spanish now know that there is another empire, one confident enough to venture outside their borders, in their part of the Americas. Whether or not this is a good thing will come to be known.

Portugal

The King dispatches Tristão da Cunha to Brasil, where he crushes the pirates who had taken command of the Portuguese colony, he quickly restores the province to order before sailing home (though he leaves a small patrol fleet there to ensure Portugal's trade lanes are protected). On his voyage home, his fleet came across five ships sailing in their general direction; after a brisk chase, da Cunha gives up the chase – Ferdinand Magellan arrives in Seville two weeks before the Portuguese Armada reaches Lisbon.

Spain

Charles also commissions an expedition in the New World, tasked with charting the lands south of the Governate; over the course of the year, multiple parties ventured further and further south. One such parties establishes contact with another great state, one distinctly different from the violent Mejica; one member of the party was unfortunately captured. However, despite some losses, the expeditions are by and large successful, with various metals, spices, and fertile lands discovered.

Africa​

Saadi

In an effort to get trade flowing into Marrakesh, the Saadis attempt to equip more caravans that will go south to the rich cities like Timbuktu and the salt mines of the Sahara like Ijil and Taghaza. These expeditions go relatively well and African gold can be found flowing through the Saadi trade routes.

The Saadi efforts to extend their authority to the Sahara are not successful in the slightest. While, the Tuareg are interested in trade in Marrakesh, they are not interested in being governed or taxed by the Saadi. Further failed attempts will likely cut off the Sahara trade routes to Timbuktu.

The Saadi attempt to covertly rile up the faithful of the Maghrib. News is not heard of the success or failure of the Saadis, but the Wattasid border is growing increasingly militarized.

Asia​

Ming Empire
Ostensibly to reform the bureaucracy, Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe organizes a general sweep throughout the many offices of the Ming Empire, dismissing men deemed corrupt and ineffective in favor of new candidates. While the new officials were oftentimes more competent, it was also seen that every single one of them happened to also be exceedingly loyal to Yang Tinghe, a clear move, in some eyes, by an increasingly influential Grand Secretariat.

Training drills prove largely ineffective this year, due in part to the resistance of army officers, content to continue use of their “superior” manpower tactics, and due in part to various levels of incompetence in the soldiers themselves in adapting any advanced tactics over a year. This news proves an annoyance to the Grand Secretariat, and his advisors recommend either a review of the army’s officers, one such advisor “subtly” recommending his kin as better commanders, or the long-term implementation of a set of new strategy.

Endeavours to expand the navy go decidedly better as Yang Tinghe orders the construction of a grand fleet of 100 new galleys, even supervising in person some of the shipyard, earning a slight amount of respect by the workers. Roughly half are finished by the year’s end, with the rest predicted to be finished by the year after.

Great Josean

Although Queen Munjeong had good intentions, lifting the various restrictions of the religions and philosophies of Josean, her actions would prove disastrous. Due in no small part of the Queen-regent’s harsh words against the Sarim, who held great respect in many of the commoners and lower classes that the Sarim had helped assist in their earlier reforms, widespread unrest spread throughout the kingdom, exacerbated by both the Sarim officials still active in the countryside and by opportunistic factions that sought the downfall of the Queen-regent and her imposed control over the state apparatus. One such sign of rebellion was the burning of the Tripitaka Koreana, as numerous agents, whose affiliation is not yet known, launched a punitive raid against its guards, murdering all who stood in their way. These fiends were only driven off when invited Ikko-Ikki monks arrived to see the carnage, and quickly moved to secure what could be salvaged, which was to say, very little. Mounting unrest put greater and greater pressure upon the Queen-regent, and she knew something had to be done to restore order.

Yun Im however continues to impress on the battlefield, as he leads his forces north in Jurchen lands, advancing along the Songhua and eventually the Ussuri rivers, leaving garrisons along the way to deter raids. This works quite well, as would-be raiders quickly learn that the advancing Josean army’s supply lines are secure, with many Jurchens killed to learn this lesson. By the end of the year, Yun Im can boast new northern borders and influence over parts of eastern Manchuria, though the real issue would be holding it and keeping it from any resurgent Jurchens. This aggression would however sparks ideas of unification among the Jurchen tribes, as it was clear that they were under attack from a dangerous force.

Ikko-Ikki

The dispatched Ikko-Ikki monks, headed by Mystic Uranaishi, arrive to find devastation rather than their sought after texts. Disappointed, Uranaishi dispatches word back to Japan, seeking a decision to either return empty-handed or to stay and try to salvage what is left and assist the Josean buddhists.

Portugal

King Manuel commissions several expeditions into the East Indies, where several small (but highly lucrative) trade posts are established and later reinforced and expanded; by year's end, it seems Portugal's influence over the spice trade is becoming more absolute.

 

Last edited: Jan 21, 2015

Revan529

Field Marshal

94 Badges

Mar 28, 2009

2.704

93

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 22, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #188

States of the World, Anno Domini 1523

​

Archduchy of Austria
Player: Aedan777

Spoiler

Ruler: Ferdinand von Habsburg (regent for Charles V)
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Average
Population: 2.41 m
Infrastructure: Average (0/5)
Literacy: 14%
Economy: 8.63m. f
Treasury: 1.45 m. f
Balance: -.63 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 1.57 m. f
Taxes: 1.4 m. f (15%)
Trade: .87 m. f
Tariffs: .17 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 2.205 m. f
Army: 1.702 m. f
Navy: .0525 m. f
Infrastructure: .1 m. f
Royal Officials: .15 m. f
King’s Court: .125 m. f
Defences: .075 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 34,500 (100%)
Cavalry: 7,800 (100%)
Cannon: 150 (100%)
Reserves: 119,350
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Good (1/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 10 (10%)
Galleys: 5 (10%)
Small Ships: 25 (10%)
Quality: Poor (1/5)

Aztec Empire
Player: Noco

Spoiler

Ruler: Cuitláhuac
Government: Tribal Despotism
Centralisation: 1
State Efficiency: Awful
Population: 7.68 m.
Infrastructure: Average (1/5)
Literacy: 2%
Economy: 27.66 m. f
Treasury: 7.12 m. f
Balance: 1.7 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 3.38 m. f
Taxes: 1.38 m. f (5%)
Trade: 2.77 m. f
Tariffs: 0 m. f (0%)
Tribute: 2 m. f

Expenses: 1.69 m. f
Army: 1.114 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .04 m. f
Royal Officials: .025 m. f
King’s Court: .050 m f
Defences: .035 m f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 297,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 0
Cannon: 0
Reserves: 400,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Good (2/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (0/5)

Duchy of Bavaria
Player: Terrafirma

Spoiler

Ruler: Ludwig X and Wilhelm IV von Wittelsbach
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 4
State Efficiency: Average
Population: 1.15 m.
Infrastructure: Average (1/5)
Literacy: 17%
Economy: 4.15 m. f
Treasury: .61 m. f
Balance: -.09 m. f

Spoiler

Income: .44 m. f
Taxes: .36 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: .42 m. f
Tariffs: .08 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: .54 m. f
Army: .033 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .075 m. f
Royal Officials: .08 m. f
King’s Court: .1 m. f
Defences: .25 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 8,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 2,000 (10%)
Cannon: 100 (10%)
Reserves: 63,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (2/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (0/5)

Electorate of Brandenburg
Player: GermanKaiser

Spoiler

Ruler: Joachim I Nestor von Hohenzollern
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 4
State Efficiency: Average
Population: .73 m.
Infrastructure:Average (1/5)
Literacy: 16%
Economy: 2.62 m. f
Treasury: .77 m. f
Balance: .07 m. f

Spoiler

Income: .31 m. f
Taxes: .26 m. f (10%)
Trade: .26 m. f
Tariffs: .05 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: .25 m. f
Army: .0545 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .025 m. f
Royal Officials: .04 m. f
King’s Court: .05 m. f
Defences: .075 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 12,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 4,000 (10%)
Cannon: 250 (10%)
Reserves: 65,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (2/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (0/5)

Kingdom of Denmark
Player: Bakerydog

Spoiler

Ruler: Christian II von Oldenburg
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Poor
Population: .885 m. (Norway: .245 m.)
Infrastructure: Average (1/5)
Literacy: 18%
Economy: 4.05 m. f
Treasury: .37 m. f
Balance: .37 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 1.04 m. f
Taxes: .23 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: 1.61 m. f
Tariffs: .24 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f
Sound Toll: .57 m. f

Expenses: .664 m. f
Army: .168 m. f
Navy: .097 m. f
Infrastructure: .055 m. f
Royal Officials: .045 m. f
King’s Court: .15 m. f
Defences: .15 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 4,000 (100%)
Cavalry: 1,000 (100%)
Cannon: 25 (100%)
Reserves: 30,000 (17,000 Norwegians)
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (1/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 3 (10%)
Galleasses: 10 (10%)
Galleys: 10 (10%)
Small Ships: 35 (10%)
Quality: Good (1/5)

Kingdom of England
Player: Bialaska

Spoiler

Ruler: Henry VIII Tudor
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 6
State Efficiency: Good
Population: 2.451 m. (Ireland: 1.519 m.)
Infrastructure: Good (2/5)
Literacy: 16%
Economy: 14.30 m. f
Treasury: 1.04 m. f
Balance: -.6 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 2.5 m. f
Taxes: 1.84 m. f (10%)
Trade: 2.13 m. f
Tariffs: .67 m. f (25%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 3.1 m. f
Army: .82 m. f
Navy: .145 m. f
Infrastructure: .150 m. f
Royal Officials: .4 m. f
King’s Court: 1.4 m. f
Defences: .5 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 21,000 (100%)
Cavalry: 3,500 (100%)
Cannon: 500 (100%)
Reserves: 120,000 (75,000 Irish)
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (1/5)

Navy
Galleons: 2 (10%)
Caravels: 7 (10%)
Galleasses: 10 (10%)
Galleys: 15 (10%)
Small Ships: 50 (10%)
Quality: Good (2/5)

Kingdom of France
Player: Sneakyflaps

Spoiler

Ruler: Francois I de Valois
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 7
State Efficiency: Good
Population: 21.596 m. (Italy: 1.822 m.)
Infrastructure: Average (4/5)
Literacy: 15%
Economy: 71.35 m. f
Treasury: -8.24m. f
Balance: .97 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 12.21 m. f
Taxes: 10.37 m. f (11.5%)
Trade: 7.35 m. f
Tariffs: 1.84 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 10.82 m. f
Army: 3.93 m. f
Navy: .129 m. f
Infrastructure: .765 m. f
Royal Officials: 1.5 m. f
King’s Court: 1.5 m. f
Defences: 3 m. f
Interest: -.412 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 57,700 (100%)
Cavalry: 16,500 (100%)
Cannon: 1,000 (100%)
Reserves: 1 m. (78,000 Italians)
Mercenaries: 19,297
Quality: Excellent (2/5)

Navy
Galleons: 2 (10%)
Caravels: 4 (10%)
Galleasses: 5 (10%)
Galleys: 35 (10%)
Small Ships: 50 (10%)
Quality: Average (1/5)

Republic of Florence
Player: Imperator

Spoiler

Ruler: His Eminence Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici
Government: Noble Republic
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Average
Population: 1.71 m.
Infrastructure: Good (3/5)
Literacy: 21%
Economy: 6.17 m. f
Treasury: 7.37 m. f
Balance: .62 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 1.79 m. f
Taxes: .46 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: .62 m. f
Tariffs: .12 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f
Banking: 1.2 m. f

Expenses: 1.17 m. f
Army: .03 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .025 m. f
Royal Officials: .35 m. f
King’s Court: .25 m. f
Defences: .245 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 5,000 (100%)
Cavalry: 1,000 (100%)
Cannon: 75 (100%)
Reserves: 85,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (5/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (0/5)

Gurkani
Player: Tufto

Spoiler

Ruler: Zahir-ud-din
Government: Despotic Monarchy
Centralisation: 1
State Efficiency: Poor
Population: 32,34 m.
Infrastructure: Poor (3/5)
Literacy: 12%
Economy: 116.42m. f
Treasury: 5.61 m. f
Balance: 3.01 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 8.29 m. f
Taxes: 6.55 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: 11.64 m. f
Tariffs: 1.75 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 5.29 m. f
Army: 2.138 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .025 m. f
Royal Officials: 3 m. f
King’s Court: .05 m. f
Defences: .075 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 28,000 (100%)
Cavalry: 14,500 (100%)
Cannon: 50 (100%)
Reserves: 75,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Excellent (2/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (0/5)

The Order of the Knights of Saint John [Knights Hospitaller]
Player: Riccardo93

Spoiler

Ruler: Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam
Government: Monastic Order
Centralisation: 6
State Efficiency: Excellent
Population: .054 m.
Infrastructure: Good (1/5)
Literacy: 15%
Economy: .20 m. f
Treasury: .27 m. f
Balance: -.14 m. f

Spoiler

Income: .03 m. f
Taxes: .02 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: .02 m. f
Tariffs: .01 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: .16 m. f
Army: .032 m. f
Navy: .131 m. f
Infrastructure: .05 m. f
Royal Officials: .2 m. f
King’s Court: .15 m. f
Defences: .1 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 7,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 1,000 (10%)
Cannon: 50 (10%)
Reserves: 10,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality:

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 5 (10%)
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 30 (10%)
Quality:

Kings of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia
Player: LatinKaiser

Spoiler

Ruler: Archibishop Tomori (Regent)
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 2
State Efficiency: Poor
Population: 1.35 m. (Bohemia: 3.2 m.)
Infrastructure: Average (1/5)
Literacy: 13%
Economy: 16.55 m. f
Treasury: -9.05 m. f
Balance: -3.86 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 1.24 m. f
Taxes: .99 m. f (8%)
Trade: 1.65 m. f
Tariffs: .25 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 4.56 m. f
Army: 3.52 m. f
Navy: .19 m. f
Infrastructure: .02 m. f
Royal Officials: .15 m. f
King’s Court: .1 m. f
Defences: .75 m. f
Interest: -.543 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 150,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 4,500 (10%)
Cannon: 180 (10%)
Reserves: 10,000 (20,000 Bohemians)
Mercenaries: 0
Quality:

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 2 (10%)
Galleys: 5 (10%)
Small Ships: 14 (10%)
Quality: Poor (3/5)

Empire of the Inca
Player: OPEN

Spoiler

Ruler: Huayna Capac
Government: Tribal Despotism
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Awful
Population: 12.39 m.
Infrastructure: Good (1/5)
Literacy: 4%
Economy: 44.62 m. f
Treasury: 6.4 m. f
Balance: 1.9 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 3.50 m. f
Taxes: 3.50 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: 4.66 m. f
Tariffs: 0 m. f (0%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 1.6 m. f
Army: .469 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .80 m. f
Royal Officials: .1 m. f
King’s Court: .45 m. f
Defences: .5 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 125,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 0
Cannon: 0
Reserves: 450,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Good (4/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (0/5)

Kingdom of Great Joseon
Player: Firelordsky

Spoiler

Ruler: Ingjong
Government: Despotic Monarchy
Centralisation: 3
State Efficiency: Average
Population: 8.06 m.
Infrastructure: Average (3/5)
Literacy: 12%
Economy: 29.03 m. f
Treasury: 2.64 m. f
Balance: .62 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 2.76 m. f
Taxes: 2.18 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: 2.90 m. f
Tariffs: .58 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 2.145 m. f
Army: .345 m. f
Navy: .075 m. f
Infrastructure: .3 m. f
Royal Officials: .45 m. f
King’s Court: .4 m. f
Defences: .575 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 50,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 20,000 (10%)
Cannon: 0
Reserves: 450,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality:

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 20 (10%)
Small Ships: 45 (10%)
Quality:

Ming Empire
Player: Maxwell500

Spoiler

Ruler: Jiajing Emperor
Government: Celestial Empire
Centralisation: 3
State Efficiency: Good
Population: 115.19 m.
Infrastructure: Average (3/5)
Literacy: 10%
Economy: 414.68 m. f
Treasury: 46.43 m. f
Balance: 6.86 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 50.14 m. f
Taxes: 39.78 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: 41.47 m. f
Tariffs: 10.37 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 43.28 m. f
Army: 1.205 m. f
Navy: .4 m. f
Infrastructure: 8.09 m. f
Royal Officials: 13.26 m. f
King’s Court: 5.33 m. f
Defences: 15 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 300,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 100,000 (10%)
Cannon: 0
Reserves: 5.15 m.
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (3/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 100 (10%)
Small Ships: 250 (10%)
Quality: Average (3/5)

Duchies of Modena, Ferrara, and Reggio
Player: Jeeshadow

Spoiler

Ruler: Alfonso d'Este
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 4
State Efficiency: Average
Population: .4 m.
Infrastructure: Average (3/5)
Literacy: 19%
Economy: 1.44 m. f
Treasury: .5 m. f
Balance: .02 m. f

Spoiler

Income: .14 m. f
Taxes: .11 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: .14 m. f
Tariffs: .03 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: .12m. f
Army: .04 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .02 m. f
Royal Officials: .015 m. f
King’s Court: .02 m. f
Defences: .025 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 6,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 2,000 (10%)
Cannon: 75 (10%)
Reserves: 20,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Good (2/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (1/5)

Sultanate of Morocco
Player: XVG

Spoiler

Ruler: Sa'adi
Government: Despotic Monarchy
Centralisation: 4
State Efficiency: Poor
Population: .87 m.
Infrastructure: Poor (3/5)
Literacy: 18%
Economy: 3.13 m. f
Treasury: .73 m. f
Balance: .38 m. f

Spoiler

Income: .62 m. f
Taxes: .36 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: .36 m. f
Tariffs: .25 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: .24 m. f
Army: .107 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .018 m. f
Royal Officials: .028 m. f
King’s Court: .035 m. f
Defences: .05 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 30,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 13,000 (10%)
Cannon: 40 (10%)
Reserves: 23,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (4/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (0/5)

Grand Principality of Moscow
Player: OPEN

Spoiler

Ruler: Vasili III Rurikovich
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Poor
Population: 6.62 m.
Infrastructure: Poor (3/5)
Literacy: 9%
Economy: 23.82 m. f
Treasury: -6.95 m. f
Balance: -1.07 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 1.79 m. f
Taxes: 1.34 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: 2.98 m. f
Tariffs: .45 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 2.3 m. f
Army: .089 m. f
Navy: .014 m. f
Infrastructure: .55 m. f
Royal Officials: .65 m. f
King’s Court: .3 m. f
Defences: .7 m. f
Interest: .7 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 18,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 4,000 (10%)
Cannon: 150 (10%)
Reserves: 325,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Good (1/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses:0
Galleys: 2 (10%)
Small Ships: 15 (10%)
Quality: Poor (1/5)

Ottoman Empire
Player: Spectre17

Spoiler

Ruler: Suleiman Osmanli
Government: Despotic Monarchy
Centralisation: 7
State Efficiency: Average
Population: 11.79 m. f
Infrastructure: Average (1/5)
Literacy: 11%
Economy: 42.44 m. f
Treasury: 9.6 m. f
Balance: 2.71 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 14.38 m. f
Taxes: 11.80 m. f (20%)
Trade: 5.84 m. f
Tariffs: 1.83 m. f (25%)
Tribute: 0 m. f
Silk Road: .75 m. f

Expenses: 11.67 m. f
Army: 5.81 m. f
Navy: .52 m. f
Infrastructure: .9 m. f
Royal Officials: 1.7 m. f
King’s Court: .75 m. f
Defences: 2 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 80,000 (100%)
Cavalry: 35,500 (100%)
Cannon: 520 (100%)
Reserves: 750,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Excellent (3/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 32 (10%)
Galleys: 80 (10%)
Small Ships: 150 (10%)
Quality: Excellent (3/5)

Papal States
Player: Fingon

Spoiler

Ruler: Bonifacius X
Government: Papacy
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Excellent
Population: 1.25 m.
Infrastructure: Average (4/5)
Literacy: 17%
Economy: 4.51 m. f
Treasury: 8.84 m. f
Balance: .84 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 2.94 m. f
Taxes: .51 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: .45 m. f
Tariffs: .14 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f
Absolution: 2.3 m. f

Expenses: 2.11 m. f
Army: .04 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .15 m. f
Royal Officials: .25 m. f
King’s Court: 1 m. f
Defences: .3 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 6,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 2,000 (10%)
Cannon: 100 (10%)
Reserves: 67,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (4/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (0/5)

Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Player: Andre Massena

Spoiler

Ruler: Sigismund I Jagiellon
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 3
State Efficiency: Poor
Population: 3.25 m. (Ruthenia: 3.55 m., Lithuania: .3 m.)
Infrastructure: Poor (4/5)
Literacy: 16%
Economy: 26.09 m. f
Treasury: -10.54 m. f
Balance: -2.07 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 1.43 m. f
Taxes: .98 m. f (5%)
Trade: 3.01 m. f
Tariffs: .45 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 2.55 m. f
Army: .624 m. f
Navy: .018 m. f
Infrastructure: .35 m. f
Royal Officials: .45 m. f
King’s Court: .3 m. f
Defences: .75 m. f
Interest: 1.309 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 10,500 (100%)
Cavalry: 2,500 (100%)
Cannon: 125 (100%)
Reserves: 163,000 (188,000 Ruthenians, 25,000 Liths)
Mercenaries: 5,000
Quality: Average (4/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 7(10%)
Small Ships: 14 (10%)
Quality: Poor (1/5)

Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves
Player: Zex

Spoiler

Ruler: Manuel I de Avis
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 6
State Efficiency: Good
Population: 1.26 n.
Infrastructure: Average (4/5)
Literacy: 15%
Economy: 4.54 m. f
Treasury: 4.19 m. f
Balance: .74 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 1.61 m. f
Taxes: .26 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: 3.85 m. f
Tariffs: .58 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f
Colonial Trade: .78 m. f

Expenses: .87 m. f
Army: .045 m. f
Navy: .236 m. f
Infrastructure: .05 m. f
Royal Officials: .2 m. f
King’s Court: .15 m. f
Defences: .25 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 12,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 2,000 (10%)
Cannon: 75 (10%)
Reserves: 113,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (2/5)

Navy
Galleons: 15 (10%)
Caravels: 25 (10%)
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 50 (10%)
Quality: Excellent (4/5)

Safavid Empire
Player: Parabranko

Spoiler

Ruler: Ismail I Safavid
Government: Despotic Monarchy
Centralisation: 2
State Efficiency: Poor
Population: 4.3 m.
Infrastructure: Average (1/5)
Literacy: 11%
Economy: 15.5 m. f
Treasury: 2.46 m. f
Balance: -.26 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 2.04 m. f
Taxes: 1.81 m. f (13%)
Trade: 1.55 m. f
Tariffs: .23 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 2.31 m. f
Army: 1.13 m. f
Navy: .04 m. f
Infrastructure: .025 m. f
Royal Officials: .15 m. f
King’s Court: .2 m. f
Defences: .4 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 18,000 (100%)
Cavalry: 9,000 (100%)
Cannon: 50 (100%)
Reserves: 250,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Good (2/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 10 (10%)
Galleys: 5 (10%)
Small Ships: 25 (10%)
Quality: Poor (4/5)

Kingdom of Scotland
Player: Jcucc

Spoiler

Ruler: James V Stuart
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 4
State Efficiency: Average
Population: 1.15 m.
Infrastructure: Poor (4/5)
Literacy: 15%
Economy: 4.14 m. f
Treasury: .7 m. f
Balance: .01 m. f

Spoiler

Income: .45 m. f
Taxes: .37 m. f (9%)
Trade: .41 m. f
Tariffs: .08 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: .45 m. f
Army: .047 m. f
Navy: .026 m. f
Infrastructure: .05 m. f
Royal Officials: .05 m. f
King’s Court: .075 m. f
Defences: .2 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 8,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 1,500 (10%)
Cannon: 100 (10%)
Reserves: 30,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (1/5) (+1 in 1 year)

Navy
Galleons: 1 (10%)
Caravels: 4 (10%)
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 13 (10%)
Quality: Poor (2/5)

Kingdom of Spain
Player: Duke of Britain

Spoiler

Ruler: Charles V von Habsburg
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Poor
Population: 6.503 m. (Italy: 4.04 m.)
Infrastructure: Average (1/5)
Literacy: 14%
Economy: 38.58 m. f
Treasury: -6.636 m. f
Balance: -5.51 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 4.78 m. f
Taxes: 3.62 m. f (12.5%)
Trade: 7.76 m. f
Tariffs: 1.16 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f
American Gold: 0 m. f

Expenses: 10.15 f
Army: 2.64 m. f
Navy: 1.67 m. f
Infrastructure: .7 m. f
Royal Officials: 2 m. f
King’s Court: .9 m. f
Defences: 2.25 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 36,250 (100%)
Cavalry: 14,995 (100%)
Cannon: 700 (70%)
Reserves: 325,000 (250,000 Italians, 150,000 Flems)
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Excellent (3/5)

Navy
Galleons: 10 (100%)
Caravels: 15 (100%)
Galleasses: 10 (100%)
Galleys: 40 (100%)
Small Ships: 75 (100%)
Quality: Excellent (1/5)

Kingdom of Sweden
Player: Alexander

Spoiler

Ruler: Gustav Vasa
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Average
Population: 1.01 m.
Infrastructure: Average (2/5)
Literacy: 17%
Economy: 3.64 m. f
Treasury: -.47 m. f
Balance: .02 m. f

Spoiler

Income: .36 m. f
Taxes: .27 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: .41 m. f
Tariffs: .08 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: .334 f
Army: .118 m. f
Navy: 0 m. f
Infrastructure: .05 m. f
Royal Officials: .03 m. f
King’s Court: .08 m. f
Defences: .057 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 18,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 5,750 (10%)
Cannon: 225 (10%)
Reserves: 55,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Good (1/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 0
Quality: Awful (1/5)

The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem [Teutonic Knights]
Player: Jako

Spoiler

Ruler: Albrecht von Hohenzollern
Government: Monastic Order
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Average
Population: .79 m.
Infrastructure: Average (1/5)
Literacy: 18%
Economy: 2.84 m. f
Treasury: -3.94 m. f
Balance: -.22 m. f

Spoiler

Income: .27 m. f
Taxes: .21 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: .28 m. f
Tariffs: .06 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: .49 m. f
Army: .4 m. f
Navy: .013 m. f
Infrastructure: .02 m. f
Royal Officials: .005 m. f
King’s Court: .01 m. f
Defences: .04 n. f
Interest: .48 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 4,000 (100%)
Cavalry: 500 (100%)
Cannon: 100 (100%)
Reserves: 45,000
Mercenaries: 5,500
Quality: Good (1/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 5 (10%)
Small Ships: 5 (10%)
Quality: Good (3/5)

Serene Republic of Venice
Player: Scrapknight

Spoiler

Ruler: Antonio Grimani
Government: Mercantile Republic
Centralisation: 5
State Efficiency: Good
Population: 2.72 m.
Infrastructure: Good (1/5)
Literacy: 20%
Economy: 9.78 m. f
Treasury: -.53 m. f
Balance: .67 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 1.74 m. f
Taxes: .92 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: 1.48 m. f
Tariffs: .82 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 1.07 m. f
Army: .047 m. f
Navy: .29 m. f
Infrastructure: .175 m. f
Royal Officials: .2 m. f
King’s Court: .15 m. f
Defences: .2 m. f
Interest: 0 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 8,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 1,500 (10%)
Cannon: 1,000 (10%)
Reserves: 135,000
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (3/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 25 (10%)
Galleys: 40 (10%)
Small Ships: 80 (10%)
Quality: Excellent (4/5)

Vijayanagar Empire
Player: Rovsea (after a turn long vacation)

Spoiler

Ruler: Krishnadavaraya
Government: Despotic Monarchy
Centralisation: 6
State Efficiency: Excellent
Population: 29.31 m.
Infrastructure: Good (4/5)
Literacy: 11%
Economy: 105.53 m. f
Treasury: 27.04 m. f
Balance: 4.04 m. f

Spoiler

Income: 15.04 m. f
Taxes: 11.87 m. f (7.5%)
Trade: 10.55 m. f
Tariffs: 3.17 m. f (20%)
Tribute: 0 m. f

Expenses: 11 m. f
Army: .575 m. f
Navy: .05 m. f
Infrastructure: 1.125 m. f
Royal Officials: 2 m. f
King’s Court: 1.75 m. f
Defences: 5.5 m. f

Military

Spoiler

Army
Infantry: 105,000 (10%)
Cavalry: 65,000 (10%)
Cannon: 0
Reserves: 1.5 m.
Mercenaries: 0
Quality: Average (3/5)

Navy
Galleons: 0
Caravels: 0
Galleasses: 0
Galleys: 0
Small Ships: 45 (10%)
Quality: Average (3/5)

 

Last edited: Feb 10, 2015

Bialaska

Colonel

99 Badges

Apr 29, 2012

840

5

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 22, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #189

Royal Declaration of War

Let it be known that

the King of England and France, Lord of Ireland, Overlord of Scotland, Defender of the Faith,

by Grace of God, Henry VIII Tudor

has declared war upon

the Kingdom of Scotland

as the lands within their dominion and the title King of Scotland are possessions of the Royal Crown.

Let it be known that James V Stuart, false King of Scotland, has been offered a generous deal for giving up his claim to the crown, allowing Henry VIII Tudor to become King of England, Scotland and France, and this generous gesture was rudely rejected.

So it has been decreed, so it shall be.​

 

AzagalTheGreat

Swampman

57 Badges

Jan 19, 2013

1.064

66

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 22, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #190

((I repeat, I am subbing out.))

 

Dadarian

King of Queen's

78 Badges

Mar 4, 2011

5.021

350

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 22, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #191

DutchGuy said:

((I repeat, I am subbing out.))

Click to expand...

((We get it))

 

Tufto

Orientalist boondoggle

102 Badges

Oct 16, 2009

3.662

2.183

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 22, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #192

DutchGuy said:

((I repeat, I am subbing out.))

Click to expand...

((You've been replaced, worry not.))

 

Revan529

Field Marshal

94 Badges

Mar 28, 2009

2.704

93

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 23, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #193

Summer of Slaughter​

Franche-Comte VIII

Olivares' brilliant deception had forced the siege of Montbéliard, and indeed the entire French campaign in the east, into a grinding halt – Trémoille himself had to admit it. Nevertheless, the Armée de Bourgogne, rused and toyed with, had to relieve the two-thousand men besieging the town, and thus Trémoille ordered the over half of his men (9,000 to be exact) to handle the campaign there, whilst he and 8,000 men would counter any of Olivares' attempts to harass the relief army and, if possible, at last bring le zorro, as several officers fluent in Spanish began calling Olivares, to heel. In this, it seemed unlikely that Trémoille would succeed, as Olivares continually managed evade the substantially trimmed French pursuers; even reports from locals seemed to differ where Olivares had gone, or even where he had been – several times he was reported as being in multiple villages the same day. After two weeks of this, Trémoille gave up and instead moved his force to shadow the relief army, keeping enough distance to hopefully lure Olivares into an attack, but still no attack game. Olivares had in fact, already ridden his forces back to Montbéliard, gave his officers instructions, then rode off westwards to finish the Lorrainian army once and for all; on the 21st of May, as the relief army neared Montbéliard, Olivares ambushed de Vaudémont at Héricourt whilst the latter was en route to help assist the French at Montbéliard; Vaudémont's smaller, less experienced force quickly crumbled, though Vaudémont's quick thinking and effective withdrawal once again prevented the army from collapsing completely – he and his knights, fell back, then rushed north- then westwards, meeting the relief army on the 23rd. Trémoille, at last blessed with concrete information of Olivares' whereabouts, moved his own shadow army to the north-east of the relief army, now headed by Vaudémont.

Flanders V

Lannoy recognised the gravity of his situation; to his south, de Foix and the Armée de Flandre, and to his north, the King of France himself, commanding the Armée de la France. Between the two of them, the French boasted 62,000 men to his 30,000. However, in the initial movements following his row with de Foix, he knew that the French would have difficultly coordinating attacks – it stood to reason then that harrassing de Foix's army and interfering with their communication lines would be the most efficacious way to keep him army intact; it could mean losing Antwerp and the wealth of Flanders if Francois opted to maintain a siege, but if he could break one army, perhaps Flanders could be saved. To that end, on the 18th of May, while the French King was still deliberating his next move, Lannoy launched a feint on de Foix's army. Despite a slight numerical advantage on the French side, Lannoy's expertly-led attack was able to outmatch the still largely untested men under de Foix's command; however, once de Foix committed his reserves, Lannoy beat a hasty retreat, though that night he conducted a raid – the raid did little more than rattle the Frenchmen, with few casualties on either side. When word of this attack reached Francois however, he became determined, hellbent on seeing brazen Lannoy defeated (this anger was born in part from the King receiving the news of the Duke of Vendôme's demise, which he wanted avenged; some worried that this would colour his strategy against the Duke of Bourbon in the future). Thus, the King set off with 29,000 men, leaving 3,000 to maintain the siege of Antwerp.

Aquitaine

The Duke of Bourbon's siege of Toulouse by the end of May was going smoothly; his raids across the south of France were not. Though they continued to effectively raid and plunder the areas near Toulouse, mobs of French peasants began to band together in an effort to resist the attacks; though they were almost universally slaughtered whenever the Spanish knights encountered them, their deaths only to incense the Occitanians more. Richard de la Pole, commander of the beleaguered Armée d'Aquitaine, realised he could tap into this fury; he established contacts amongst the peasantry, and soon his network was strong enough that he caught the Spanish knights far from Bourbon's siege-works; near Mazamet (29 May 1522), Henry of Navarre's cavalry flanked the invading knights; as they pivoted to counter the French horsemen, de la Pole, heading the infantry, made his approach; the Spaniards were able to extricate themselves from the battle before de la Pole could manage to clamp down the trap, but the rest of the month saw their raiding restricted to the towns and villages near Toulouse itself. De la Pole also received unexpected, but very welcome, support from Italy – the Pope hired 2,250 mercenaries who, along with 5,000 men from Colonna's army, gave the Armée d'Aquitaine nearly 33,000 men, giving him parity with Bourbon's Ejército de España.

Italy IV

Prospero Colonna's army, now short some 5,000 men, continued the siege of Naples throughout the year; though his artillery was able to slowly batter the walls, the garrison was well-provisioned, as the allied navies seemed unwilling to attack again, and the French fleet remained in harbour.

Franche-Comte IX

Vaudémont's army, with Trémoille's close behind, began the attack on Olivares' infantrymen on the 29th of May; being perfectly aware of their movements, the Spaniards were well prepared for their arrival, and thus repelled the first wave of Frenchmen with little difficulty, even with a rear attack by the French besiegers (which was actually repelled so well that over half of the 1,750 men were slain; those who weren't killed immediately were caught by the garrison which sallied out to assist in the battle, and were slaughtered to man). The second wave of French attacks was also repelled, as was the third. Vaudémont, however, had used the brutal melee that ensued in the third wave to reposition his cavalry, which rushed into the heart of the Spanish line as the fourth attack commenced; it at last compelled the Spanish to fall back... into the “modern-day” Alesia. Vaudémont, reluctant to launch an all-out assault on a well-defended force, sent a rider to Trémoille asking for instructions. Halfway to Trémoille's camp, the messenger saw cavalry trotting in his direction; Trémoille's scouts had apparently informed him of the goings-on at the battle – then he saw the flags of Burgundy flying amongst them. He had only turned his horse around when the lance pierced through his spine.

Aquitaine II

De la Pole had effectively neutered Bourbon's ability to raid the countryside; however, Toulouse's defences were beginning to waver. De la Pole, taking a lesson from Olivares, launched a feint with his infantry, attacking Bourbon from the south, whilst Navarre's cavalry wheeled around and struck from the west, before withdrawing quickly in the hopes of Bourbon's men giving chase, which they did to their commander's dismay; however, as the cavalry made an about-face, the infantry reformed, and the tercio once again fended off the French cavalry long enough for Bourbon to route the French infantry. In all, the battle, fought on the 7th of June, was inconclusive with both sides suffering similar losses (perhaps a testament to de la Pole's leadership, as every other French commander seemed to only win by losing three times as many men as their Spanish counterparts). Still, de la Pole was unable to accomplish his overall goal of resupplying the town, and thus considered the operation a failure himself; however, he began reorganising his men, and preparing for his next attack. Bourbon, for his part, built up his defences and planned his attack on Toulouse; he needed to take the city soon.

Franche-Comte X

Trémoille had learnt to never expect the obvious route from Olivares; he was too clever by half, and always able to find smallest crack, the tiniest pinprick, to slither into or out of. Thus Trémoille ordered his scouts to cover the forests, the roads behind him, and to his left. After, Olivares was last reported to be to his south-east. Trémoille's shock at seeing Olivares ride in before him was unimaginable – for a moment he was frozen, unable to process this change in tactic, before he regained his senses; he ordered his cavalry to counter-charge the Spaniards whilst the infantry formed ranks. It was then that Trémoille saw the Olivares hadn't changed. From the north-west, a small attachment of light horsemen soared past the French rear, occasionally riding close enough to spear a hapless man. He ordered some of his infantry to about-face whilst he ordered others to charge ahead and relieve the French knights. The French line became a muddled mass, confused and scared, unable to fight. The French horsemen fought well, and forced the Spaniards back; Trémoille saw his knights chase after their prey, completely unaware of the mass confusion behind them, or of the trap that laid in wait for them. Some of the infantry from Montbéliard had, in the middle of the night, left camp and formed behind some brush, which the Spanish cavalry darted past before turning against the French knights, who were then cut down until they fled, hounded north by a detachment of Spanish horsemen; the remainder of the Spaniards advanced on Trémoille's mob, still in chaos. The charge decimated the French, who were cut down by the score before they too fled, again herded north by the Spanish light horse.

Then Olivares turned his attention south; Vaudémont would never expect the attack, and indeed when the Spanish charged into the French camp, Vaudémont was taken aback, before he managed to wheel about his army, which forced back Olivares' force with little resistance.

By the end of Second Montbéliard, the French had suffered immense losses – over 10,000 men – whilst the Spaniards lost perhaps 1,500. It was one of the worst defeats France had suffered in generations, and brought the campaign in Franche-Comte not just to a screeching halt, but virtually ended it on the spot; Trémoille and Vaudémont, once they had at last reorganised, had only 7,500 men left able to fight, whilst Olivares could still muster roughly twice that.

Flanders VI

In Flanders however, Spanish luck seemed to be failing; at Tubize (20 May) and Aaslt (29 May), Lannoy was able to best both de Foix and Francois I, respectively, in fairly extensive skirmishes. However, as May turned to June, Francois was able to turn the entire focus of his grand army onto Lannoy, who had no other recourse but to flee. No matter where he turned, it seemed French cavalry was there, waiting to strike, and he fell back, further and further. He gave a skirmish here and a feint there, but he was giving ground, and as he fast approached the sea, he feared he would soon have nothing to give but battle. At Ghent however, he was given a sudden reprieve; an opening emerged, and he threw the entire wait of his army through, running north until he reached Antwerp; his larger army cut through the French force, Francois hot on his tail, and entered into the city on the 13th of June; the following day, it was once again under siege.

Italy V

Colonna's greed seemed to finally give the Allied force a threat, though one that was easily dispatched for the moment; some 4,000 peasants rose up against the brutality that the French and and their allies subjected them to; Colonna dispatched his cavalry and 3,000 infantrymen; after an hour of skirmishing the peasants broke, and Colonna continued his rapine and banditry with enthusiastic abandon.

Acquitaine III

On the 10th of June, the Duke of Bourbon launched his assault on Toulouse; the resulting slog saw both the Spanish force and the town's garrison suffer high casualties. Bourbon could suffer the losses however, and his second assault two days latter, although also repulsed, had nearly broken through. As de la Pole planned his next attack, the defences of Toulouse were finally breached on the 15th; Bourbon ransacked the city and began to flee eastwards (pillaging the countryside every step of the way), with the Armée d'Aquitaine following close behind.

Bourbon managed, just barely, to evade a trap by de la Pole near Millau, and after sacking several of the towns near Nimes, headed south to attack Montpellier – where de la Pole was waiting for him. The battle (fought on 30th June) began with Navarre launching a decisive flanking attack, driving the Spanish knights from the field. De la Pole then launched his attack, focussing his efforts on the Spanish left, now vulnerable without their vaunted horsemen to counter the French charge; Navarre himself wheeled about and made a reckless charge against the reserves, and was fortunate enough to catch them off-guard – he sped off after a brief scuffle, and opted to nip at the Spanish battle line itself. De la Pole had nearly routed the Duke of Bourbon when the Spanish cavalry returned and was able to relieve the rearguard, right as Bourbon deployed most of his reserves; he was able to force de la Pole from the field, but following the bloody fight (he lost 3,000 men to de la Pole's 2,250), he opted to end his French campaign – he officially began his retreat to Spain on the 3rd of July.

Flanders VII

Lannoy's position was dire, even with supplies still being ferried in by Spanish convoys; he was outnumbered almost two to one and whilst Antwerp was a strong city, it surely wouldn't be able to hold out forever – its stores were already low from the previous siege attempt by the French, and now that it housed over 25,000 men, it's food reserves were dwindling, and it was painfully cramped. All the same, when Francois, confident in his ability to take the town, launched his assault on the 20th of June, he was quickly and efficiently rebuffed, taking 3,500 casualties to the 750 Lannoy suffered.

Francois, though bloodied, was unperturbed, and launched another assault ten days later, his artillery tore through most of the defences by mid-day; his men were not able to take advantage of the breaches, however, as the Spanish mounted a fierce resistance; the French once again lost more men, 3,300 to Lannoy's 900.

Finally discouraged, Francois contented himself with improving his earthworks and attempting to blockade Antwerp from naval support – which failed.

Franche-Comte XI

Olivares, now largely free of any real resistance, moved quickly to liberate the towns taken by Trémoille the previous year; in this he is largely successful, as most of the towns are brought back into the fold whilst the fortified and re-garrisoned towns managed only to put up little resistance. Those that held out longer soon found several thousand Spaniard infantrymen outside their gates, whilst Olivares himself led his cavalry into another excursion into France. On the 29th of July, he encoutered Trémoille's remnants close to Dole, where the entire war began nearly a year ago - Trémoille saw the attack coming and fell back to Dijon, effectively giving Olivares free reign across eastern France.

Aquitaine IV

Bourbon's withdrawal was quick and successful – his cavalry was able to restrain de la Pole's movement enough that by late-July, the Pyrenees were in sight; though he had suffered from the occasional attack by French peasants or de la Pole's outriders, he deftly outmanoeuvred the French.

As the Duke of Bourbon prepared to pass over into the safety of Spain, de la Pole knew that this was quite possibly his last chance to knock out the Ejército de España; on the first of August, he struck, once again utilising Henry of Navarre and the French knights to open the battle – Bourbon had anticipated just such a tactic, and his tercios decimated the cavalry; de la Pole, thinking on his feet, moved a significant portion of his army to wheel around his left and flank the Spanish left. Though one of his subordinates botched some of the movements, the flanking attack began well enough, though Bourbon had reinforced his left in the confusion. De la Pole reorganised his cavalry, and with the assistance of the French rearguard, struck Bourbon's right flank, which cut through the Spanish lines until Bourbon unleased his own cavalry, reversing the advance. With few options left, de la Pole ordered the centre to advance, though significant cannonfire from the Spanish lines slowed their advance severely, and when the at last reached the Spanish centre, they were driven off quickly and easily – de la Pole, worried that the Spanish centre could wheel around and outflank either of his wings, ordered the reserve to charge in. They met the Spaniards in a brutal melee, with neither side gaining an edge until de la Pole himself charged into the fray, inspiring the reserves to push back the Spanish centre – right as the French left collapsed; de la Pole ordered his men to turn, whilst he himself rode off to rally the left, which they did. Finally, after both sides were battered, the Duke of Bourbon ceded the field (and only after de la Pole lost 8,000 men and Bourbon 6,000). De la Pole's army was too fatigued and damaged to give chase, and thus the Duke's invasion of France ended, leaving behind a legacy of death and destruction.

Flanders VIII

As July turned to August and the (second) Siege of Antwerp approached its second month, Francois I felt he was no closer to breaking the city than he had been on the 30th of June; Lannoy had scrapped together barricades and rubble walls to prevent more attacks; indeed the last such assault, on the 28th of July, had seen another 2,000 Frenchmen fall before the Spanish defences.

French/Allied Casualties
31,000

Spanish Casualties
17,130

French/ AlliedPositions
Armée de la France: 52,400 at Antwerp under Francois I (and Odet de Foix)
Armée d'Aquitaine: 21,500 at Perpignan under Richard de la Pole (and Henry of Navarre)
Armée de Bourgogne: 10,250 at Dijon under Trémoille (and François de Vaudémont)
Armata d'Italia: 12,000 at Naples under Prospero Colonna


Spanish Positions
Ejército de Lorena: 15,500 at Dole under the Count of Olivares
Ejército de España: 19,020 at Figueres under the Duke of Bourbon
Ejército de Flandes: 27,850 at Antwerp under Charles de Lannoy

((Once again, orders would be lovely Duke, Sneaky, Fingon, Imperator, various others interested in getting involved))

 

Last edited: Jan 31, 2015

Dadarian

King of Queen's

78 Badges

Mar 4, 2011

5.021

350

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 23, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #194

一向宗の一向一揆
Ikkōshū no ikkōikki
The Ikko-Ikki of the Ikko-shu​

"The ever loving Buddha has been robbed. The Tripitaka Koreana has been burned by godless peasants. But the Ikko-Ikki shall overcome these obstacles and remake the Tripitaka Koreana, for the Amida Buddha."

Uranaishi, Ikko-Ikki mystic; 1523​

今までに愛する仏が奪われました。大蔵経は神なき農民によって焼かれています。しかし、一向一揆は、これらの障害を克服し、阿弥陀仏のための大蔵経、リメイクものとします。

占い師, ゴー·柏原 - 天王23​

 

jeeshadow

Lt. General

36 Badges

Jan 27, 2012

1.291

23

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 24, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #195

We can not sit by and let Spanish troops ransack our neighbors and friends. We must fight to protect Italy, and as such we are joining the Pope's Italian Alliance. We will drive the Spanish from our lands and restore peace to Italy.

-Duke Alfonso I, Duke of Ferrera, Modena, and Reggio​

 

Ab Ovo

Merchant of Venice

23 Badges

Oct 2, 2012

2.655

57

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 24, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #196

Written and posted at the request, and with the express permission of, Maxwell. No, I didn't do the rolls, he did:

[FONT= "Palatino Linotype"]

War (What is it good for?)
Music to Accompany​

A portrayal of the Ottoman encampment outside Belgrade itself​

Activity in Hungary suffers its ups and downs as Hungarian forces largely stay quiet throughout the year, not launching any significant assaults against the Turks or the Pretender; instead merely positioning itself betwixt the forces of the Sultan and the Pretender, preventing them from easily joining together while lightly harassing the Ottoman flanks. The lull allows the forces of the Grand Turk to fortify Belgrade and make sure the fortress there is well-supplied and able to withstand siege while the Ottoman troops are drilled constantly to ensure they remain in a state of readiness. Meanwhile the Sultan issues a call for recruitment from the Sublime Porte which echoes throughout his great empire. Unfortunately, few were listening. Imperial advisors to the Shadow of Allah had estimated that upwards of 50,000 men would answer the call but the true amount ended up as appallingly paltry in comparison. Out of a hoped for 35,000 infantrymen the Sultan got ten thousand, and instead of 15,000 cavalrymen he received five thousand. Disappointed but still moving forward, he sent the new forces to train in Bulgaria and around the City.

Transports carrying the Teutonic contribution to the war foundered off of the Croatian coast with excessive loss of life, less than a thousand knights and of course none of the cavalry having made it to shore. Those few knights who did, lead by their waterlogged commander Wolter von Plettenberg, were graciously welcomed by Dalmatian townspeople however their requests to be given command of a castle were met with polite amusement and it was only the generosity of a local lord which saw them outfitted and supplied for the long journey home.

Like this, except rusty and pathetic​

The Pretender had far more success, networking with the vast and amorphous body which comprised Hungarian nobility in a bid to gain support for his claim to the Crown of St Stephen. Busy at the frontlines though he may have been, Zapolya took his sweet time wining and dining his way through the aristocracy; pounding home his vision of a free Hungary untrammeled by the Habsburgs and their puppet of a Regent. This campaign of flattery and rubbing elbows was successful and united much of the lesser nobility and landholding feudal lords behind his banner, with their support doubtlessly proving to be vital later on.

It was the Austrians who would prove to be most industrioud this year, beating out the Teutonic Knights for the coveted title of 'Hardest Wörking Germans.' The call for men to form the "Holy Army of Liberation" went off without a hitch, defense of Christendom turnings out to be a far more powerful motivation for service than, for example, the Sultan's personal ambition. All but two thousand of the expected 25,000 infantrymen showed up alongside all of the hoped-for cavalry. These newly-raised forces joined with the regular Austrian Army and the ten thousand Papal mercenaries to form a truly formidable Habsburg army comprising nearly 45,000 souls; and were promptly set to good use. The Austrian army marched to Zagreb and attempted there to rally Croatian noblemen to support them against the Ottomans and possibly support Ferdinand for the Croatian throne. Their reception however, while not openly hostile, was cold. Croatia viewed the prevailing chaos with an opportunistic eye towards her own freedom and wasn't inclined to help put it to an end. No aid materialised, and the Army slowly departed towards Belgrade; with the sheer size of the Austrian force making the trip a long and arduous one.

Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and would-be King of Croatia​

While Central Europe writhed, the Ottomans had problems to attend to on their eastern flank as well. The front with Persia remained stagnant, with neither the Ottomans nor the Safavids doing anything but skirmishing with and probing the defenses. Meanwhile an embassy to the sultanates along the Red Sea was never seen again, with the small Red Sea Fleet which the Ottomans maintained returning empty-handed; the delegations that went ashore having presumably been executed and the crews of the ships having little desire to find out.

The real problem, as it so often was for the Ottomans, was Egypt. The Mamluk Sultanate had only very recently been conquered, and while the average Egyptian had probably welcomed the rule of the Sultan in the Porte rather than Cairo the truth was that not much had changed. While an appointed Governor now reigned in Cairo the Ottomans still relied heavily on the collaboration of the Mamluks to maintain order, and they retained their position at the pinnacle of Egyptian society. This is perhaps what drove the Grand Turk to overplay his hand in the country, using mass recruitment and staggering rates of taxation in attempt to break their grip.

It was a mistake of the highest order.

In Cairo a rebellion among the Mamluk aristocrats broke out, as influential nobleman Abdul Fattah Al-Haqq proclaimed himself Sultan of Egypt and announced a restoration of the Mamluk state. The Ottoman governor barely escaped with his head as the upper and merchant classes of Egypt swung their support behind Sultan Al-Haqq, who soon found himself in full possession of roughly 80% of the country and with 20,000 troops raised at his beck and call. Couriers from the parts of the country that remained loyal to the Porte were dispatched as swiftly as possible but it remained to be seen what Constantinople, already stretched so thin, could do for them.[/FONT]

 

Last edited: Jan 25, 2015

Andre Massena

Warrior-Representative Fanatic

43 Badges

Sep 23, 2013

7.692

1.612

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 25, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #197

((Isn't Charles the emperor?))

 

Revan529

Field Marshal

94 Badges

Mar 28, 2009

2.704

93

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 26, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #198

The Truly Trying Trudge Through Trier​

With the Brotherly Convention’s army right about on his doorstep, the Archbishop of Trier Grieffenklau sent off several squads of envoys to nearby powers such as: Ludwig V and Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. The messengers came back nary a day before Sickingen arrived with his host. They brought ill news.

Richard Greiffenklau’s pleas for aid have gone unanswered, much like the Hansa’s requests have gone on ignored. Apathy, it seems, is a popular feeling throughout the German territories of the Holy Roman Empire. Still, even though most of the Empire is content to laze around in their safe, homely lands, the events of the world do not stop for them.

Trier, in all of its Pre-Sickingen glory​

With no help coming from his German neighbours, the Archbishop Grieffenklau ultimately is forced to raise the white flag after a mere two days of the Knights’ siege on Trier. While Grieffenklau was certainly an able warrior and military leader, a miracle-worker he was not.

Sickingen proceeded to march into the city, fully expecting there to be people in the streets cheering for them. There weren’t any. It appeared to the Knights as though the city was entirely abandoned. However, they were only in the district nearest to the gate.

As soldiers funneled in and Sickingen set up his headquarters in the gatehouse. The need for proper information on whatever was going on in Trier was overwhelming and as such he sent out modest teams of 15 men down each street. They report back to him safely, and even larger 50-man patrols are sent out into the streets.

In contrast with the previous 15-man patrols, who did look a bit different when they came back, the 50-man parties do not come back to report from the docks. Sickingen, immediately suspicious, dispatches a thousand men. Two minutes later and his army, that was still flowing in and consolidating control over their entrance point on the bridge over the Moselle, hears various sounds that sound like gunshots coming from the docks.

Any soldier that was idle clamored to the general location of the docks on the Moselle. What they found surprised them greatly and caught in their surprise, they were fired upon by fresh townsfolk funneling into the street and pots being thrown upon them.
Evidently, the thousand man party was engaged in a slog against the resisting city dwellers near the dock entrance. The Knights were losing in that engagement, what with being fired upon on three of their flanks and more of the mob funneling in through an alleyway to attack them in the back.

The intended reinforcements soon found themselves fighting in the streets, building to building. The whole road to the docks soon becomes a metaphorical meat grinder, with the Knights giving it as good as they got. Soon enough, the conflict erupts to include all of riverside Trier causing even more men to die on both sides.

Meanwhile, Sickingen sends even more of his soldiers in an attempted blitz to the cathedral in order to force Grieffenklau to a surrender. These men, however, are constantly beset upon mobs of Trierians and while they’re able to break these forces time and again, the Knights are being withered down. By the time, Grieffenklau is found organizing the defence from his town square, Sickingen’s contingent of men has been broken down to a third of its strength.

Sickingen was able to force a surrender, but more than a third of his army is dead or dying in the streets and Trier’s people have been culled. While victory is not yet impossible for Sickingen, especially in the current political climate, his chances are very much diminished.

(Big thanks to FLS for writing this little fella; also, yes Andre - Charles is the Emperor. Due to this and several other errors (which will be rectified with all deliberate haste) the Hungarian War mini will thus far be stricken from the record until it has been properly edited. And once again, all those involved in the Italian War should get their last set of war orders for this turn in.))

 

al-Aziz

~Symbolic~

6 Badges

Feb 1, 2014

78

150

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 28, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #199

((I volunteer to take the Safavids.))

 

firelordsky

Paragon of Naïveté

92 Badges

Jan 7, 2012

9

0

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Jan 29, 2015

• Add bookmark
• #200

((The Incas are now open.))