First of all: grammar nazis. I know you are there, waiting to correct my sentences. I don't mind it. In fact, I want you to.
I don't like to talk much. So, let's begin.
Chapter I.
Scotland under Robert the Cunning
Robert III(the one on the left side). It is real history so far, and the picture is from wiki.
Robert III. had ruled Scotland since 1390, under constant threat of English invasion. His land lacked manpower, the taxes paid in the provinces were low, and the policy sliders were quiet depressing too. All these unfortunate circumstances had made him into a sad, passive and reluctant man, who ruled his lands with justice and compassion, but did not seek to advance his kingdom, for he did not believe it was possible.
However, on October 14th, 1399, things suddenly changed. No one knew who Andrea Seton was, or where he came from, but he befriended the king, became an ambassador and greatly changed Robert's view on life.
"There is no fate, but what we make for ourselves." - A. Seton, 1399
The previously non-existant foreign policies were replaced with a simple plan; the English could not be beaten, therefore they must be befriended. Robert's daughter was wed to one of possible heirs to the English throne, military access was both requested and granted to England, and what some considered ridiculous, Scotland sworn to protect English independence. Also, reforms were made that weakened the level of protectionism Scottish merchants had cherished. (+1 Free trade)
October 14, 1400
The King hired two more advisors to aid him; to improve general mood in the country, Anthony from Northumberland was to write cheerful and quick songs that could be sung by masses during work. The other one, Siegmund Chlingensperg played crucial role in country's finance system and allowed the government to spend more money - which was needed, now when Scotland desired to become a major power in the region.
The process was slow, and constantly interrupted by various misfortunes. Year 1404 saw a treason among nobles in favour of Kingdom of Hainaut. Declaring a war on a state in Holy Roman Empire would be disastrous, so the enemies across the sea were left unpunished.
Shortly thereafter a major event occured in western Europe.
This time, with new doctrine, Scotland declared war on the French. Robert III. had no interest in sacrificing his troops, though. Instead, war was used as an excuse for extra taxation, coins were saved and minted rapidly, for Robert now had a plan, that required much of them - and was worth the inflation.
Unfortunately, his politics were not popular among peasants.
War with France eventually ended...
...but tension in the country built up.
Urbanization was not very helpful, too.
It should be noted, that the whole internal conflict in early 15th century went without a single open rebellion. In fact, after forming a military alliance with Burgundy, Robert III. became confident enough to start a war.
Few year before, Castille had used it's influence on the Pope to launch a crusade on Golden Horde. Scotland was about to join the crusade - but not for the faith. In fact it was a part of a plan - a plan that a more sensitive person would call evil.
Robert III.
The goal was to annex the island of Corsica, and to do so with a blessing from the pope himself.
The Corsicans responded with an unexpected, but rational move.
And so, The Bloodless Scottish Crusade began. Eternal hatred was sworn to Corsica. No lives were lost, because the adversaries were too distant to invade, or be invaded. Once again, the conflict was used to raise war taxes. Apart from that, Scotland was a nice place to live in 1410 - unlike its southern neigbour.
Let's hope they will implode.
England was weakened moderately after the war with France.
In these days, another step towards free trade was taken.
In 1411, seeing this union formed Robert decided to make family ties with other royalties. Also, military alliance with Brittany was formed.
July 1411: The peasant revolts finally ended. Not that anyone noticed.
April 1413: A decade of investment finally paid off. National trade policy was adopted.
Also, some churches were built.
August 1413: Robert once again joined the war against France, to get extra money from the peasants and to see English men die pointless deaths. After months of saving every coin, a large sum of gold was used to strenghten the economy of the country. Inflation was acceptable.
Two years later, Robert the Cunning died of lupus. No one expected that, not even his son.With the heir to the throne too young to ascend, Regency council would rule the country for the next 4 years. Meanwhile, Andrea Seton left Scotland, never to be seen again.
I don't like to talk much. So, let's begin.
Chapter I.
Scotland under Robert the Cunning
Robert III(the one on the left side). It is real history so far, and the picture is from wiki.
Robert III. had ruled Scotland since 1390, under constant threat of English invasion. His land lacked manpower, the taxes paid in the provinces were low, and the policy sliders were quiet depressing too. All these unfortunate circumstances had made him into a sad, passive and reluctant man, who ruled his lands with justice and compassion, but did not seek to advance his kingdom, for he did not believe it was possible.
However, on October 14th, 1399, things suddenly changed. No one knew who Andrea Seton was, or where he came from, but he befriended the king, became an ambassador and greatly changed Robert's view on life.
"There is no fate, but what we make for ourselves." - A. Seton, 1399
The previously non-existant foreign policies were replaced with a simple plan; the English could not be beaten, therefore they must be befriended. Robert's daughter was wed to one of possible heirs to the English throne, military access was both requested and granted to England, and what some considered ridiculous, Scotland sworn to protect English independence. Also, reforms were made that weakened the level of protectionism Scottish merchants had cherished. (+1 Free trade)
October 14, 1400
The King hired two more advisors to aid him; to improve general mood in the country, Anthony from Northumberland was to write cheerful and quick songs that could be sung by masses during work. The other one, Siegmund Chlingensperg played crucial role in country's finance system and allowed the government to spend more money - which was needed, now when Scotland desired to become a major power in the region.
The process was slow, and constantly interrupted by various misfortunes. Year 1404 saw a treason among nobles in favour of Kingdom of Hainaut. Declaring a war on a state in Holy Roman Empire would be disastrous, so the enemies across the sea were left unpunished.
Shortly thereafter a major event occured in western Europe.
This time, with new doctrine, Scotland declared war on the French. Robert III. had no interest in sacrificing his troops, though. Instead, war was used as an excuse for extra taxation, coins were saved and minted rapidly, for Robert now had a plan, that required much of them - and was worth the inflation.
Unfortunately, his politics were not popular among peasants.
War with France eventually ended...
...but tension in the country built up.
Urbanization was not very helpful, too.
It should be noted, that the whole internal conflict in early 15th century went without a single open rebellion. In fact, after forming a military alliance with Burgundy, Robert III. became confident enough to start a war.
Few year before, Castille had used it's influence on the Pope to launch a crusade on Golden Horde. Scotland was about to join the crusade - but not for the faith. In fact it was a part of a plan - a plan that a more sensitive person would call evil.
Robert III.
The goal was to annex the island of Corsica, and to do so with a blessing from the pope himself.
The Corsicans responded with an unexpected, but rational move.
And so, The Bloodless Scottish Crusade began. Eternal hatred was sworn to Corsica. No lives were lost, because the adversaries were too distant to invade, or be invaded. Once again, the conflict was used to raise war taxes. Apart from that, Scotland was a nice place to live in 1410 - unlike its southern neigbour.
Let's hope they will implode.
England was weakened moderately after the war with France.
In these days, another step towards free trade was taken.
In 1411, seeing this union formed Robert decided to make family ties with other royalties. Also, military alliance with Brittany was formed.
July 1411: The peasant revolts finally ended. Not that anyone noticed.
April 1413: A decade of investment finally paid off. National trade policy was adopted.
Also, some churches were built.
August 1413: Robert once again joined the war against France, to get extra money from the peasants and to see English men die pointless deaths. After months of saving every coin, a large sum of gold was used to strenghten the economy of the country. Inflation was acceptable.
Two years later, Robert the Cunning died of lupus. No one expected that, not even his son.With the heir to the throne too young to ascend, Regency council would rule the country for the next 4 years. Meanwhile, Andrea Seton left Scotland, never to be seen again.
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