Portugal- an Empire Under the Sun

Old Enemies

The War Begins

In North Africa, Morocco and Algeirs still reign supreme. Especially Algiers, still controlling three provinces in the Sevilla node. And since Portugal has a proper overextension from the last war, João V was looking for something simple, easy and fun to conquer. Algiers was a logical target- Oran, one of the trade centres in Seville, Portuguese since 1538, was a single Portuguese foothold in the sea of Algiers provinces. So, the target of this war was Tlemcen, with two reasons- to lower the Algiers presence in Seville and to create a land bridge to Oman.

Of course, it is never as easy as it sounds. Algiers had a powerful ally, the Ottoman Empire. And when João V declared war in July of 1640, of course they joined and took the leadership of the war. As suspected, the easy war turned into something harder- but João V was looking for a challenge.

20 000 Portuguese soldiers stationed in Portuguese North Africa marched towards Melilla and Tlemcen and started the siege of the provinces. Meanwhile, Portuguese navy, totalling 107 ships- including transport fleet, main fleet and Sevilla trade fleet, attacked the main fleet of Algiers, total 11 galleys and 8 transports. In an epic sea battle that took place in July 1640, they sunk every ship the Algiers had. In August, the Portuguese attacked Algiers trade fleet of 10 ships and sunk them as well. Most of Algiers fleet was in the bottom of the ocean by then.


What do you call 19 Algiers boats in the bottom of the ocean? A good start!

João V decided to split up the navy. Merchant fleet went to guard the Mauritanian Coast, to give protection to the ships sailing in from India. Transport fleet was sent to Guinean Coast, to pick up 20 000 Portuguese still there from the previous war.

After that, it was all quiet. Portuguese soldiers were busily sieging Melilla and Tlemcen while an army of 23 000 Algerians was sieging Oran and army of 20 000 Ottomans had landed in Calabria, Sicily and were sieging that. The break from the war arrived only when Portuguese soldiers from Africa had arrived.

20 000 Portuguese veterans, lead by Incio de Magalhaes, the best commander the Portugal had, landed in Oran in March 1641 and attacked the Algerians sieging the province right away. In grand battle, fought in 31th March 1641, the Algerian forces were soundly beaten most of them killed and rest running for their lives. Same day, the Portuguese finally forced Melilla to surrender.


Battle of Oran and destruction of the Algerian Army

In May, the Portuguese caught the remnants caught the enemy outside Tunis and finished off the one army Algiers had. In the North Africa, the war was won. Now, it was time to turn the attention to Mediterranean.

Fight for the Mediterranean

By May 1641, the Ottoman armies sieging Calabria is Sicily had reached 29 000 soldiers. Meanwhile, main Ottoman fleet of 71 ships was patrolling outside the Strait of Messina, blocking reinforcements. It was then João V decided it was to test the strength of the Portuguese fleet against the rulers of the Eastern Mediterranean. Portuguese had less than half of the Ottoman fleet, but all the Portuguese ships were galleons. Ottoman fleet was more like a mix of different ships, put together for the war. Yes, they had galleons, but only 14. Plus another 14 galeasses. Then, 22 early frigates and 21 transport ships. Yes, numerically superior, but Portugal had the more powerful fleet.


Ottoman and Portuguese galleons having a go in Messina

In May 1641, the Armada Real sailed to sea from Malta. Seeking out the enemy fleet, they found it in the middle of May outside Straits of Messina. Gunports open, the Portuguese sailed at dawn, getting the Ottomans by surprise. Before they knew what is going on, they were in the middle of Portuguese cannonade. Here, the size of the ships and number of cannons really showed what they can do. Portuguese hulks, armed to the teeth and waterline with cannons, with thick plans and strong hulls, were almost invulnerable to the smaller Ottoman ships. Galeasses and frigates, trying to get closed, were killed off by the volleys and the Portuguese monsters surrounded the Ottoman heavy ships. In the end, the Ottomans lost 17 ships- all captured by Portuguese navy. Flytes and galeasses were sunk immediately while the galleons were added to the Portuguese fleet that sailed back to Malta for quick repairs.


Battle of Messina turned back the Ottoman tide

Meanwhile, transport fleet had shipped 14 000 soldiers from Central Italy to Palermo. Ottomans, who had obviously made a pact with Papal States, had retreated from Calabria to Lucania, owned by Papal States, leaving only 3 000 soldiers to siege Calabria. Combined Sicilian and Portuguese troops attacked them in June 1641, destroying the small Ottoman army to the last man.


Just destroyed small army in Calabria while main Ottoman army stood in the next province and watched

Ottoman fleet, a bit reinforced, tried to keep them in the Italian side blockading Strait of Messina. The result- Portuguese Armada Real sailed once again from Malta and caught the enemy in Gulf of Taranto. Once again, Portuguese were outnumbered, but not outgunned. The Portuguese fleet, strengthened by captured Ottoman galleons, once again attacked the enemy ruthlessly and as result, Ottomans lost 19 ships, including 17 captured. Galleons were added to the Portuguese fleet while the lessers ships were once again sunk.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_SCjW5scvhE/UwJN4Eih-NI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/armiCJ2PteM/w973-h467-no/portugal405.jpg[img]
[I]First battle of Gulf of Taranto- Ottomans are getting used to losing now[/I]

In August, the Ottoman troops decided to cross the border once again and an army 24 000 strong started yet again siege of Calabria. By now, the Portuguese had also gathered 20 000 soldiers from Tunis and shipped them to Palermo, where the combined with Sicilian-Portuguese army there, making it total 38 000 soldiers. They crossed the Strait of Messina and attacked the Ottoman soldiers. The armies met in battle in the beginning of September 1641 and it became a total victory to the Portuguese. Incio de Magalhaes showed the superiority of Portuguese tactics and the Portuguese soldiers showed they really knew how to fight. The enemy was surrounded and then annihilated- every single soldier of the Ottoman army failed to flee, while Portuguese lost only a little over 1300 soldiers.

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HYzyRXdUB4s/UwJN3D1_LxI/AAAAAAAAFMI/wQX_iFWneAk/w1082-h540-no/portugal404.jpg
Total victory- Ottomans annihilated to the last man!

In the end of September, 20 000 Portuguese landed in Salento and took the final small Ottoman army besieging the province. With that, the Ottoman invasion to Italy was officially over.


Ending Ottoman invasion to South Italy

There was still 30 000 Ottoman soldiers in Epirus, waiting for chance to cross the border and attack Sicily. The main problem was though that the Portuguese had culled the enemy fleet enough that only 8000 soldiers could be transported at time. The Ottomans still tried though, getting their fleet to Gulf of Taranto.

There were some changes to the Portuguese fleet as well. With new flagship, as the first war galleons were build. “Mauritius”, the new flagship of the Portuguese fleet, boasted a total 80 cannons, as did four other war galleons. Biggest, baddest ships that have ever sailed the ocean. Admiral Alvaro de Sampaio happily boarded his new flagship and the whole fleet sailed to the Mediterranean again, looking for the Ottoman fleet- and they found it!


Mauritius, the new flag ship and one of the new war galleons

Again in the Gulf of Taranto, this time 42 ships strong. Meaning, the Portuguese both outnumbered and outgunned the enemy this time. Result- Portuguese destroyed the Ottoman fleet. 11 ships captured, total 14 sunk and total 17 ships left of the grand armada Ottomans used to terrorize the Mediterranean.


The second Battle of Gulf of Taranto left Ottomans with less than 20 ships

Portuguese had won a total victory. Destroying the Ottoman fleet, killing off every last man in the Ottoman invasion army in Italy. Almost destroying the Algiers fleet and killing their army. Both Algiers and the Ottoman Empire had run out of will to fight, their subjects questioning the wisdom of the war, risk of revolt getting higher and their armies broken- it was the end of the war. In January 1642, the peace was signed. João V did not ask for more than Tlemcen- and that he did receive. The Portuguese were successful once again- and Oran was not an isolated province no more.


A bit more of North Africa is always good

Anglo-Portuguese Relations

The good relations between Great Britain and Portugal are a tradition lasting for a few hundred years. Lancasters and de Avis have been intermarried for generations, and the two nations usually get along just fine. Sure, there have been some tensions and some wars, but overall, the cordial relationship of England and Portugal had been a shining example for every European nations. Make love, not war, was the general message. Nobody listened of course, but the message was nice.

That kind of presented a problem though when King Alfred II of England died back in 1641 in a hunting accident involving lots of booze and angry boar. Lacking a proper heir, the de Avis and Lancaster intermarriage had gone to a point where the next two Kings would be of the Avis dynasty. João V, married to the sister of King Alfred and also grandson of Edward VI, whose daughter was married to João IV, father of João V.

Then, there was George de Avis. When fourth son of João IV married to the daughter of George I, the predecessor of Alfred II, they got a son that they perhaps a bit uninspiredly also called George. Now, young George was Duke of Yorkshire, a very important man in England and as an only nephew of poor King Alfred II, perhaps even a stronger claimant to the throne of England. Not in the mind of João V of course.


Not so long live King George II de Avis!

In the end, English went on and declared George de Avis as a new King of England, known as George II. Of course, this was not at all to the liking of João V, who really would have loved to call himself King of Portugal, England and Scotland, kicker of Spanish ass etc etc. So, João V ordered his subjects to prepare the invasion and prepare the biggest fleet even known to man- the Portuguese Armada.

Why Algiers? Simple, i wanted a war where i would not gain much, for my overextension was still high and besides, in 1.4, they patched the berber coring malus down to 100%, so it is not that bad anymore. Algiers still has two provinces in Seville node, but soon, they will be gone. Mwhahahahaaaaa!

And you're never gonna guess whom i will attack next time! Some Portuguese armada coming soon!

GunthiHrod - viceroy of what? And first, we should discuss the brib.. khm, i mean your contribution to the crown!

Portuguese Armada, Part I- Invasion Begins

The Preparations

30 transport ships and 60 000 soldiers. Soldiers of course have to be transported twice. All that protected by 52 galleons, from what 15 were the new war galleons, the biggest and baddest ships the world has yet seen. And of course, the biggest and baddest fleet the world has ever seen. Actually, total five countries had more ships then Portugal committed to the British Fleet. One of them was of course England, but they had 27 heavies, 51 light ships and 19 transport.


The Portuguese Armada getting ready to sail

Of course, the Portuguese invasion was no secret. English realized pretty well what was coming- especially after João V claimed the throne of Great Britain in June 1642 and officially dissolved an alliance between Portugal and England in August. Still, it was too late for English to build the fleet to match the Portuguese one, but they knew the enemy was coming and would most likely land, so they strengthened their army. By the October, the English had 25 000 infantry, and 7000 of both cavalry and cannons. Less then the Portuguese invasion army, but let’s not forget, the Portuguese army has to be delivered in two waves, 30 000 each. First battles would either make or break the invasion.


Diplomatic preparations for the war

Battle of Dogger Bank

By October, the Portuguese were ready. Their armies and navies were near the coast of England and in 9th October, João V made if official- he declared war on Great Britain, claiming his right to the throne more superior then the one of good King George II.

The same day, Portuguese fleet attacked the British one in Dogger Bank. And though everyone knew then invasion was coming, the appearance of Portuguese fleets about when the autumn storms would begin was a surprise for the brits. Most of the advisors of George II thought that Portuguese invasion would start in the next spring, when the seas had calmed again and the weather would be more appropriate for warfare.

Result- Portuguese caught the English in the middle of preparation. English ships were either unmanned, did not have enough cannons, were not properly supplied yet. Or the captains and the crew were a bit wet behind their ears, not yet prepared to act as one in the battle. Put put is shortly, a nice prey for Portuguese, masters of the sea.


Battle of Dogger Bank

It was a misty morning, with visibility low. It meant that the Brits did not see Portuguese fleet in the horizon, sailing towards them. Oh no, the English found out that Portuguese were coming when huge hulks of ships appeared next to them and opened fire. Result- the English forced, caught by surprise, panicked almost instantly. The battle was over even before it begun. English, now using for to their advantage, tried to escape and mostly succeeded, though there was no English ship undamaged that day.


This is what one could call a good beginning

In the first naval battle, the Portuguese captured 9 galleons and 8 transport ships, while taking almost no damage at all. An appropriate beginning of invasion, no doubt about that.

First Battle of London

The British Army suffered the same problems as the Navy- just recruited, low supplies, unclear chain of command, green soldiers and all that. It was the numbers though there were 37 000 of them. 24 000 infantry, 7000 cavalry and 80 cannons- not a small force by any numbers. Lead by Anthony de Clifford, a most able general (4-5-3-1).

The Portuguese Army was commanded Inacio de Magalhaes (4-6-2-2), a general as superb as de Clifford. He knew the brits and their lack of readiness. And he knew his own troops to be ready and waiting, but much smaller in number. 17 000 infantry, 8000 cavalry and 50 cannons- totalling 30 000 soldiers, as much as he could fit on the 30 Portuguese transports. The sea and cramped conditions had cost him also about 1000 soldiers.

Still, one was clear- the best plan was head-on assault on the British army. de Magalhaes knew it was a risk, but it was a risk worth taking. Starting a war with battle against bigger opponent and winning it would make the English in awe by the Portuguese army and it would perhaps help them in the next encounters.

So, de Magalhaes rushed his men. The most risky part- landing The English shoreline was long enough that English had no chance of stopping them, but they still could disrupt and attack the Portuguese while they were in their weakest- landing from their ships. English were still disorganized enough not being able to do anything about it though.

In just two days, de Magalhaes had his army on land, ready to fight and they marched inland, towards London, hoping to find the English Army waiting, but not prepared. The date was 9th November 1642. Few days later, the Portuguese begun first engagements with the British forces, though there was still time for the main battle.


Beginning of the battle

It was in 28th November when two forces finally met in the field of battle, just outside the city of London. English were on defensive, Portuguese on offensive- against a larger army. That did not stop the Portuguese though- they attacked with proper elan. To be fair, the English did fought like lions- the corpses of Portuguese soldiers on the field were enough to prove it. But as though, they wavered- as the Portuguese cavalry broke through their left flank, the English started to run.


The First Battle of London was a mixed success

By the afternoon, the field was Portuguese and English were on the run. Portuguese invasion of England had started properly. de Magalhaes had managed to give the Portuguese their first victory on the land. The losses of the Portuguese were staggering though. That was the main reason why Magalhaes opted not to pursue the Brits- he instead started siege of London. Meaning the English army was still in there somewhere and they still outnumbered Portuguese. But the Portuguese had another 30 000 soldiers coming though. Soon. The war was far from won, but the invasion had begun.


General Magalhaes posing over the Portuguese kicking English

This is it- fight for the British crown had begun. How will it end? Stay tuned to find out!

BogMod - Well, not bold. If the some patch ago Paradox didn't change the fact that you have to have rulers of the same dynasty to claim the throne, i'd be ruling much more Europe by now. Actually, I was planning to force a personal union on Spain when the patch happened... But the opportunity to gain Great Britain, some of North America and minus one competitor in the European trade is too good to pass by.

DensleyBlair - i will guarantee that the British will keep all their rights, colonies, separate armies and fleets when ruled under dual crown of Portugal! (*politician mode off* Yea right!)

Nikolai - Well, as far as I see, Portugal deserves to rule over everything!

Portuguese Armada, Part II- the Fall of Good King George II

Second Battle of London

The invasion had begun well. The Portuguese fleet gave English hard time and now controlled the seas under London, while Portuguese army had landed successfully, beat the English army and was now sieging the city of London. It was all well- but the English army was still on the loose somewhere.

So, when the English army marched down from North in March 1643, all rested, outnumbering Portuguese more than 2-1, it was trouble. Big trouble. The Brits had replaced all their losses, recruited some new soldiers and marched to south. And the soldiers were highly motivated- after all, there was plenty, they were fighting for the Good King George II and they were about to kick the Portuguese back to the seas!

The Second Battle of London took place in 23rd March 1643. The Portuguese of course knew the English were coming, but really, there was nothing they could do about it. Inacio de Magalhaes, the general commanding the Portuguese troops. picked a good defensive position, forcing English to cross the river Thames, but overall- there was just too many of the English. Still, the Portuguese fought bravely, losing about half their men before retreating. And it was not an easy battle for the English too, for their losses were also high. Still, when the sun set, the fighting stopped and the Portuguese started to pull back, leaving English as the victors of the field. London was again free of siege and Portuguese were running towards Kent.


Second Battle of London

Third Battle of London

As it happens, Kent was just a place to go. Fresh troops from Portugal, whole 30 000 of them, just arrived. In April, the Portuguese had 43 000 soldiers there. de Magalhaes could get his revenge before the month was over! So, the Portuguese march to London yet again.

In just a little bit over a month later, in 28th April 1643, the Portuguese forced attached the English soldiers once again. English under Anthony de Clifford had been celebrating the victory over the Portuguese, meaning that they were still not in their best condition. They knew the Portuguese were coming though. Hard to conceal marching of 43 000 soldiers, and they were ready. This time, it was the Portuguese who were forced to attack and who paid dearly for the victory gained. Over 10 000 Portuguese dead, though the English losses were even higher. London was under siege again...


Most timely arrival of Portuguese reinforcements and the Third Battle of London

End of English Army

English fled to the north again, but this time, they were not alone. Inacio do Magalhaes, commanding Guarda Real, the Portuguese elite army with 26 000 soldiers currently under his command, followed them closely. And when the Brits finally stopped their running- in Lothian, Scotland, they found out that the Portuguese were waiting. To be fair, the English did their best to attack, but when you’re tired, low morale and instead of rest and recovery, you are pushed to fight, there is nothing much you can do. In Battle of Lothian, fought in 6th June 1643, the English were beaten once again and fled back to south. Guarda Real hot on their tails.

In 28th June, English army had reached Gloucestershire. Again, only to find Portuguese waiting, grinning and inviting them to attack. Anthony de Clifford knew the situation was hopeless, but he still ordered Brits to charge. “Once more unto the breach, dear friends. Once more,” was his quote when he ordered the English to attack once again. And attack they did- but it was still the end. In Battle of Gloucestershire, the English were given a deadly blow. After that, the Portuguese dominated the English countryside.


In a wild chase across England, the army of Great Britain was destroyed

Portuguese armies split up to cover maximum number of English cities and the sieges begun.

Naval Phase

In November 1643, English fleet attacked the Portuguese fleet outside Portugal. Since most of the Portuguese ships were outside England, the defence of Portuguese coast was down to 5 war galleons. Brits with their small fleet managed to sneak upon them and capture three ships. After that, the British fleet did not linger- they sailed on northwards.

In April 1644, Norfolk, first of the English provinces, fell. Incidentally, it was also the place where English fleet escaped after the Battle of Dogger Bank. Now, they fled the Portuguese land troops marching in- and fled straight into the waiting arms (and cannons) of the Portuguese fleet. The English lost 12 ships where and they fled to Essex, a province also under siege by the Portuguese and even better, about to fall.


Second Battle of Dogger Bank

In June 1644, the same English fleet that had attacked the Portuguese fleet outside Portugal, attacked the Portuguese transport fleet that had been patrolling Straits of Dover. Of course, that meant that Armada Real sailed to the rescue and soon, English were facing more than they were asking. Result- most of English fleet in the bottom of the ocean.


Fleet that attacked the Portuguese home fleet meeting their sorry end

In the beginning of July 1644, Essex fell. The English fleet that escaped there was also forced out of the sea yet again and this time, the Portuguese had total success. The English fleet was sunk to the last of the ship. About the same time, Brits made their last desperate attempt to take on the Portuguese on land. 9000 soldiers under Anthony de Clifford tried to sneak in and recapture Norfolk. They were intercepted by force of Joaquim Texeria, defeated and later annihilated at Lothian. After that, there were smaller battles, but the Brits never managed to gather an army that large.


The last of English armies and sinking of main English fleet

London fell in 25th December 1644, after 605 days of siege. Portuguese spread further and further into mainland England, In June 1645, Kent fell. The last of the big British fleets was forced out to the sea. 25 frigates- quite a number. 22 sunk, 3 captured. It was the last bigger fleet of England. By June 1645, Brits had run out of men on land and ships on sea- they were soundly beaten.


And by now, Great Britain had pretty much run out of ships

Last battle of the war took place between Portugal and allies of Great Britain, the Hansa. In December 1645, the Portuguese fleet intercepted the Hansa in Hutton Bank, the home of Western European node. God knows where the Hansa thought to send their fleet, but in the end, they run back- with 7 ships less.


So Portuguese had to find other targets to keep them entertained

King John II de Avis of England and Scotland

That was that. In 26th March 1646, King George II gave up. João V de Avis and George II de Avis signed a treaty where George II would forever gave up all the claims he had on throne of Great Britain. George II would be sent to the new world, to oversee the English colonies in Caribbean, where he would be under watchful eye of both Portuguese Mexican and Cuban viceroy.


Finally, the victory

King João V de Avis was crowned as a King John II of England in Westminster about a month later. Portugal had now become more powerful then ever, though João V will most likely not live to see the unification of two nations. With triple crowns of Portugal, England and Scotland safely on the head of King João V, Portugal became the most powerful nation in Europe.


Coronation Procession of King John II of England and Scotland

This is it! Long live King João V of Portugal, England and Scotland!
Though- English need some serious pleasing to do. For some reason, they are still terribly mad about me breaking alliance and claiming throne and sinking their fleet and killing off about one generation and all that, but i'm sure they will come around to the Portuguese way of thinking!

DensleyBlair - and the capturing continues. Perhaps the reason is that i'm getting a good results though is because my fleet is huge and consists mostly of heavies?
And well, sorry for being successful and making João V King John II of England.

Nikolai - really rightful King now!

GunthiHrod - Sorry, i'd like to keep it non-interactive. This way, i'm kind of sticking to my own pace of writing and playing and slacking off.

Stildawn - Thanks! As for trade, i'm not doing number-crunching as well. I'm just flying off on two assumptions: The more trade flows my way, the better and the more control i have in the node i collect from, the better.

If all goes well, an update tonight!

Nikolai - Well, the empire will be united in about 60 years, so it is doubtful that John II will ever live that long to see the unification of Portuguese and Brits.

Paladino - Yea, beaten by a few centures. Plus, all Africa south of the Mediterranean is (mostly) Portuguese anyway, so i doubt that in current reality, Brits would have a say about it anyways.

DensleyBlair - Nonono, the Britans oldest allies just saw that Great Portobritan will thrive under the right de Avis rule! No defeat and subjugation, just restoring the rightful ruler!

king hannibal - Thanks! And as for uncontested, there is still France. As we will find out very soon!

GunthiHrod - i'm no king, i'm the driving force behind the kings. Call me Kings Ambition or Kings Greed or something like that.

Orlov Kruskayev - At least, no English will kick Portugal out of India! And Island Portu sounds.. interesting!