- ARCHIVE - The Duke's Court of Holstein

[For The Ages]

Nation: Holstein
Head of State: Duke Otto IV
Religion: Catholic
Culture: German
National Statistics: 1/1/4/4/2
Provinces: Holstein
Ports: 1

Important People
Etienne Rousseau-Though French by birth, Etienne has long been an advisor of the Prince-Bishop. As a former French soldier, he brought valuable knowledge of France and its ways to Holstein. He is the chief general of the Duke.

Frederich von Hoffel-Born in Holstein, von Hoffel has lived on the Baltic coast all his life. He is an adept sailor, but a wonderful strategist. His naval expertise is expected to come into use sooner rather than later.

Diplomats
None hath been sent as of late.

Scheiswig-Holstein-Schleswig-Holstein belongs to the great North-Gernsan plain, of the characteristic features of which it affords a faithful reproduction in miniature, down to the continuation of the Baltic ridge or plateau by a range of low wooded hills skirting its eastern coast and culminating in the Bungsberg (538 ft.), a little to the north of Eutin. This hilly district contains the most productive land in the province, the soil consisting of diluvial drift or boulder clay. The central part of the province forms practically a continuation of the great Luneburg Heath, and its thin sandy soil is of little use for cultivation. Along the west coast extends the Marshland, a belt of rich alluvial soil formed by the deposits of the North Sea, and varying in breadth from 5 to 15 m. It is seldom more than a few feet above the sealevel, while at places it is below it, and it has consequently to be defended by an extensive,, system of dykes or embankments resembling those of Holland.

The more ancient geological formations are scarcely met with in Schleswig-Holstein. The contrast between the two coast-lines of the province is marked. The Baltic coast has generally steep welldefined banks arid is irregular, being pierced by numerous long and narrow inlets (FO/irden) which often afford excellent harbours. The islands of Alsen and Fehmamn are separated from the coast by narrow channels. The North Sea coast is low and flat, and its smooth outline is interrupted only by the estuary of the Eider and the peninsula of Eiderstedt. Dunes or sand-hills, though rare on the protected mainland, occur on Sylt and other islands, while the small flat islands called Halligen are being washed away where not defended by dykes. The numerous islands on the west coast probably formed part of the peninsula at no remote period, and the sea between them and the mainland is shallow and full of sandbanks.

Great numbers of cattle are exported to England. The Holstein horses are also in request, but sheep-farming is comparatively neglected. Bee-keeping is a productive industry. The hills skirting the bays of the Baltic coast are generally pleasantly wooded, but the forests are nowhere of great extent except in Lauenburg. The fishing in the Baltic is productive. The oysters from the beds on the west coast of Schleswig are widely known under the misnomer of Holstein natives. The mineral resources are almost confined to a few layers of rocksalt near Segeberg. The shipbuilding of Kid and other seaports, however, is important; and lace is made by the peasants of north Schleswig. The commerce and shipping of Schleswig-Holstein, stimulated by its position between two seas, as well as by its excellent harbours and waterways, are much more prominent than its manufactures. The main exports are grain, cattle, horses, fish and oysters, in return for which come timber, coal, salt, and wine.

[For The Ages]

The Court is now open to all. May you bathe in the warmth of Holstein's light!

[For The Ages]

The Arms of the Duke

[For The Ages]

Etienne walked slowly up the streets of Schleswig. He longed to hear once again the sounds of battle. He was truly a career soldier. One of the few who could not live without the rage of a fight. He alone would stand when faced with unbeatable odds. He alone would defeat the enemy.

But first, he needed an army. An army which could fight like the lion, true and proud. An army which could stand its ground and slaughter its enemies like the cows in the countryside of Holstein. An army which knew no fear.

He arrived at the castle. The guards nodded to him, letting him past. They knew better than to deny him entry. Not Etienne Rousseau. Not the Scourge.

Etienne walked up to the Duke's quarters. He knocked once and stepped in. Otto was sitting in a chair, looking out the window.

"Sir," Etienne said. He continued without waiting for a reply. "We need an army which can hold its own. May I suggest make a levy of five thousand peasants? We can train them and pay them well, maybe even grant them land. And one thousand knights and light horse to support them."

"If you wish it, it will be done."

[BzAli]

A letter is delivered to the Ducal palace by one of the many Hanseatic merchants who pass through Holstein on a regular basis.

Onto His Grace, Duke Otto IV of Holstein.

As Holstein reemerges on the diplomatic and political scene, I wish to be among the first to offer my hand in friendship.
Bremen and Holstein have long been partners in the Hanseatic Union, and even though the good relations between our nations were severely decreased when Holstein supported Denmarks unprovoked war upon my lands few years ago, I am willing to consider that a mistake, for which Holstein now pays through her vassalage to Pfaltz.

Let us forget the war and troubles of the past, and look forward to a time of cooperation and friendship, as it should be between Catholic neighbours and partners in trade.

Johann III
Duke of Bremen, of Hannover, of Prussia
Chairman of the Hansa
Richter von Gross Germania
Imperial High Treasurer

[For The Ages]

A man rides towards Bremen at full speed, switching horses along the way. Duke Otto has made an important decision. The man leaps off his horse. He has a message. Wearing the livery of the ducal house, he is let into the Court of Bremen.

He walks up to the Duke:
"Be it known to His Grace the Duke Johann III that, although he resents the chafe of vassalship, My Lord the Duke Otto IV WILL maintain its position in the Hansa, and wishes to maintain friendly relations with the Duchy of Bremen, Hanover, and Prussia."

His message delivered, the man awaits a reply.

[BusterBunny]

A letter arrives from Pfalz. It reads:

"Unto his Grace Otto IV,

Please take notice of the following document for further reference regarding your vassalship. Failure to do so will attract dire consequences, including the continuation of your vassalship in 1448.

Holsteiner Apology

Article 1: Otto II von Shauenburg, duke of Holstein, shall admit to having breached the Hanseatic charters words of

peace and the laws of the Empire, most notably the Martial Bulle.
For these crimes he shall life out the rest of his life seeking atonement in any monastry in Italia that shall

accept him, and shall never attempt to seek communication with Holstein.

Article 2: Karl von Shauenburg shall assume the title as duke of Holstein. He shall swear obedience to the Holy

Roman Empire, and shall swear a sacred oath before God never again to raise arms against his fellow Imperial

princes.

Article 3: The duchy of Holstein shall never again, untill such time as permission to do so is granted by the Holy

Roman Emperor or the Reichskammegericht, sign any military treaty, be it offensive or defensive, with any

non-Imperial nation.

Article 4: The duchy of Holstein shall for a period of five years be the vassals of Frederick von Wittlesbach, the

Count Palatinate of the Rhine.
At the end of this period, it shall be the decision of Frederick von Wittlesbach either to release the duchy of

Holstein from vassalage, or to bring their case before the Reichskammergericht, either to prolong the period of

vassalage with an additional five years, or to release Holstein from such.
If the period is prolonged, a trial before the Reichskammergericht shall be held every fifth year, under the same

conditions as the first, and this shall be repeated untill the duchy of Holstein is deemed fit to govern themself

without guidiance.

Article 5: This treaty ends the war between Holstein and the loyal Imperial nations of Bremen, Pommern, Gelre,

Palatinate and Piemonte

Signed Jan-March 1443 by Pommern (Longinus), Pfalz (Bagricula), Gelre (HJ Tulp), Holstein

(Spectar), Bremen (BzAli) and Pietmonte (SaT).


"

[For The Ages]

Thank you for bringing this document to my attention. I suppose my idiot advisor Rousseau never brought it to my attention. We regret the action's of the former ruler's of our fine nation, and will wait out the rest of our term of vassalage in peace.

This I swear,

[I Killed Kenny]

To Duke Otto IV of Holstein

"You are not totatlly correct, we produce more. You should ask more information about the productions of Wurzburg. But yes Wurzburg is allways ready to creat new profitable relations with any countries, like Holstein.
Please Duke Otto, send a diplomat to Wurzburg so we can discuss that"

Singed Johann III von Brunn

[Etienne Martel]

My apologies. We did not realize this. Perhaps we could still come to an agreement? If so, I would be glad to pen a non-agression and trade agreement. Hopefully, this will one day become a stronger alliance.

Duke Otto

[I Killed Kenny]

to the Duke Otto of Holstein

"It is amazing how news are easilly known in our holy empire!
I have sad news to your grace, the treaty is still not officializated and the council of the CETP still do not exist, I promise you that in three months ( 1 week ) the CETP will became fully operational and then, we will be hable to accept new members to the trade alliance.

I hope your lordship understand"

Sincerlly Johann of Wurzburg

[BzAli]

In Bremen, the Hanseatic Council meets to discuss a new threath.

[I Killed Kenny]

To the Duke of Holstien, Otto

"With the news I recieve, I belive the relations with Holstein and the CETP should be more united than ever, I request that your grace sends a delegate in your name, or yourself if you so, desieres.
If your lordship want to come to Holstein I would be most honored to recieve him and that is the desiere of all nobles in Wurzburg!

sincerlly your friend, Johann III von Brunn

[Etienne Martel]

Thank you Johann,

I have sent my trusted Etienne Rousseau to the conference, and another diplomat to those I may persuade. We might look into getting more ports on the Baltic, might we not?

[BzAli]

Lisbon, Kings Lynn, Barcelona, Narva, various Hanseatic cities.

In so many places, so many different warehouses, with assistance of hired thugs of many different nationalities, the same scene played itself.

The choice of words vary, but the message is the same, whenever a Holsteiner merchant showed up at the Hanseatic Guild House, or at warehouses controlled by the Hansa through other means, to gather his goods, sometimes goods promised available, other times goods allready paid for and just stored there.

"I am truly sorry, mein Herr Kapitän, but by orders of the Hanseatic Council, I cannot give you your goods. Any quarrel witht his must go to the Hanseatic Council. I am certain they can explain their reasons. I only know that more information will arrive to me soon, but as yet I cannot say anymore than this."

By sending letters throughout Europe, Otto Kaufmann, acting for the Hanseatic Council, had confiscated for thousands of Imperial Solidii worth goods from merchants, whose only crime was that they flew Holsteiner flag.

[Etienne Martel]

Rousseau entered the room and sat across from his Duke at the table.

"Otto, they have begun confiscating our goods."

The Duke looked surprised. "They would never! They wouldn't dare!"

Rousseau smiled in anticipation. "Oh, dare they have...should I take the necessary action?"

"Yes, Martel."

[I Killed Kenny]

A man using the Banner of Wurzburg arrives to the court

Good day chancellor of Holstein. With this all situation here in Holstein, my arcbishop asked me to have a diplomat here, so I can tell to my archbishop what is really happening here!
So I hope you accept me here! After saing this the man remembers that he did not tell his name Oh yes, my name is Markos Weg Vom Thema
Yet again the man forgots an other thing And I bring a letter from my Archbishop to you ( see you PM box...)

[BzAli]

Malmö, Skåne

By decree of His Grace, Johann III of Bremen, of Hannover, of Prussia, overlord of Skåne, Master and Controller of the Sund, issued in the year of Our Lord 1444, late november.

As of today, no ships flying Holsteiner banner shall count as being a member of the Hanseatic Union.
Furthermore, any ship flying the banner of Holstein, or hailing from Holstein, regardless of nationality, or belonging to merchants operating from Holstein, regardless of natioality, shall be prevented from passing through the Sund.
If said ship in question is arriving from the North Sea, having navigated the Coast of Jutland, said ship shall be allowed to dock in Malmö or Helsinborg to take on water and supplies, and then turned back, to return to whatever port it desires. For this service, a toll of 5 per cent of the cargos value, or 10 Imperial Solidii if no cargo is carried, shall be taxed.
Value of cargo shall be declared as for any other ship passing through the Sund.

If said ship arrives from the waters of the Baltic, destined to sail north along the Coast of Jutland, said ship shall dock in the harbour or Malmö, and shall not leave the harbour. Here the ship shall remain, and so shall the crew, untill further orders arrive from His Grace, Johann of Bremen. Under no circumstances shall the cargo, crew or ship be harmed.
It shall be the responsibility of the captain of said ship to feed his crew, as in any other harbour.
Said ship shall pay no docking fee, yet tally shall be kept of the fee thus not paid.

Should the ship be carrying timber of Narva, destined for Portugal, as pr. the Hanseatic-Portuguse Timber agrement, the cargo shall be purchased by the Hanseatic Guild House of Malmö, for the same price as it was purchased for in Narva. This offer cannot be refused, yet payment shall be made in Imperial solidii or Bremermark, as requested by the captain of the ship.

So command His Grace Johann III of Bremen.


And as said, so it was done. From the moment this order was read aloud, the Holsteiner passage through the Sund was halted. By one single document, and the might of the warships enforcing this document, Holsteins access to the Baltic had been severed.

[Neil]

A letter is sent throughout Northern Europe.

In these times of troubles, the free passage of trade is essential in order to maintain the Imperial Peace. Therefore, just as was done under Queen Éléanore and King Louis of Denmark, the Fleet of Flanders shall ensure that the Sund remains open for the passage of all. Therefore, any ship that requests it shall be granted an escort of ships under the Lotharingian flag, provided that they pay the proper Sund Due, which these warships shall collect on behalf of the King of Denmark, Frederick of the House of Wittelsbach.

We advise any merchant shipping in the area to avoid the hostile northern coasts, and hold to the friendlier coasts of Jutland, where pirates will be less prone to trouble you.

Signed,
Peter, Count of Flanders.
Admiral of the Fleet of Flanders, Warden of the Sund.

[Longinus]

Certain Wednesday in Gotland

Johannes “Bloodbath” Johannesson rushed to the chamber yelling like a madman.

”LADz! I bring the most bloody good news since the Livonian convoys!

A number of ugly faces turned to him, it truly was the hideout of damned. Meanwhile Johannes took a mug from one of the sailors and emptied it in few moments. One-handed sailor hissed. "It better be worth my ale Johannes”

Johannesson smiled, showing his teeth, or rather lack of them.

“It sure will be, it sure will” he laughed "GENTLE men, hahaha, I mean ladz and fellow “guildmembers” hahaha”

“To Hell with your bloody wordy ornaments to the point Johhanesson, to the point!”

“All right, you asked for it.” He made a short and dramatic pause “Holstein has just left Hansa! Those madmen has just thrown a gauntlet in the face of Bremen, Lubeck, Stockholm, Stettin, Kolberg, Visby, Danzig, Mitau. Riga, Narva and so on and so on. Do I have to say what does it mean?!”

Loud cheers filled the room, all “guildmembers” were shouting, their faces red, tears of joy appeared on some of them. Last few years were thin and Gotland pirates could do little to the combined might of Hansestadts, not it was about to change, without the protection of the League Holsteiner ships could become easy prey to Gotlanders.

Festival was lasting for the two more days, but on the third…

*****

“Viking” was a fine cog and Johannesson was proud of this ship, it served him well for over five years now, but the investment was obviously to paid off only now. Pirating was in his blood and just recently he was about to retire and, reluctantly, start to trade. Wheel of Fortune, however, turned in the favor of Gotlanders again.

“Viking” was ready to hunt, and it wasn't the only one to set the sails and the nets.

Baltic was about to witness old vultures emerging from their shacks again. Most of these birds of prey set their courses on Sund, to pick the easy birds and fishes.