- ARCHIVE - Ducal Court of Mecklemburg

[Molleby]

Mecklemburg

Nation: Mecklemburg
Capitol: Wismar
Head of State: Henry IV, Duke of Mecklemburg
Religion: Catholic
Culture: German
Stats: 1/1/4/4/2 --> [1/1/4/4/2]
Provinces: 1 (Mecklemburg)
Ports: 1


The Mecklemburg Family

Henry IV, Duke of Mecklemburg
Earl of Nottingham


Born on June the 23rd ,1399, as the child of (X) and (X).
Given the title of Duke by the Seven Counts of Mecklemburg at the death of his uncle, Johan III of Mecklemburg, in September 1429.
As a child and as a teenager, Henry visited many parts of Europe, where he usually stayed a while with distant relatives or friends of his father. He has been as far around as London, Paris, Avignon, Genoa, Florence, Rome, Palermo, Bologna and Venice. He was one of the first to attend the University of Rostock after its founding in 1419.
In 1420, Henry again journeyed out into Europe along with Adolf von Plau and Hermann von Müritz-Lychen. To gain some real military experience, the young Henry participated in the Crusades against the heretical followers of Jan Hus in Bohemia, but already in 1420, after having survived the horrible defeat at Prague, Henry and his friends returned home to Mecklemburg for good. From that point on, the young noble has had a very pragmatic view on warfare, religious or not.
Henry is married to princess Jessica Plantagenet of England
Honourable Knight of Order of the Two Lions

Jessica Plantagenet
Princess of England, Duchess of Mecklemburg

This beautiful young lady was married to Henry in Nürnberg under private circumstances.

Gerhard von Mecklemburg-Rostock

Born ont the 8th of March, 1412, as the child of (X) and (X).
The younf man is smart and does well rhetorically, but he lacks the raw power and devious cunning to govern an entire Duchy. Nevertheless, he has shown some potential in the last couple of years, managing family estates i Stargard, until he went to France. Gerhard is currently studying theology at the university in Paris, and it is Henry hope, that someday Mecklemburg will have its very own archbishopsee, with Gerhard as its leader.

Maria von Mecklemburg-Schwerin

Born on the 14th of November, 1410, as the child of (X) and (X).
The Duke's only sister and his closest moral support since Henry's rise to power.
She is a beautiful and joyful young girl, who sets the blood of young men on fire. Therefore Henry has decided that sha shall reside at the family castle in Schwerin, where she is to get an education that befits a noble woman as she.

Other Profiles


Count Adolf von Plau

Born 1374 in Plau, married in Pisa to Sofonisba Maria in 1397.
Former captain of the Wismar Guard. Acted as special ambassador and advisor for several Dukes all over Europe and finally, until 1410, when he was appointed by Henry IV’s father as his son’s special advisor and trusted ally.
For his services, Henry has granted von Plau estates in the vicinity of Wismar, so that the advisor will never be to far away from the Court in Wismar and the Duke himself. Despite the Count’s acquired wealth, he’s a rather modest man, and if you didn’t now who he was, you wouldn’t notice him at the Ducal Court at all. He somehow blends in with the surrounding environment. He is also a highly cultivated and educated man, and rumour has it, that the founding of the University of Rostock in 1419 actually was von Plau’s idea. In his spare time, the Count tries to translate the work of Dante from Italian to German, and he writes chivalrous poetry and political philosophy.
He has several children, among them Wilhelm von Plau, ambassador at the Court of Hessen.

General Hermann von Müritz-Lychen („the Campaigner“)
Born 1381 in Lychen, widower from 1421 (Helena, 1398-1421).
A former mercenary colonel and now Ducal Mecklemburg knight, head of the Wismar Guard, with extensive battlefield experience from campaigns all over Western Europe. To put it short, it’s a way of life for this tough warrior.
As a young man, he fought in the many small scale wars in Central Germany, and for a short period of time he fights in Southern Castille against the remaining Muslims. He also participated briefly in the Hundred Years’ War in 1415 at Agincourt on English side, as a personal friend of Henry V. In 1416, he turned his warrior eyes on Northern Italy, where the struggling city states proved fertile land for the ageing mercenary. Among others, he fought with (and later against) Attendole Sforza, the later founder of the Sforza-dynasty.
In 1419, a young Henry visited a distant relative in Florence as a stop on his journey to Rome. In Florence, Henry met von Müritz-Lychen. After some long nights with drinking and jolly conversations, young Henry persuaded (to the total surprise of everyone around him and von Müritz-Lychen) the tough mercenary to come with him to Rome and after that back with him to Mecklemburg, to serve as chief-in-arms in the armed forces of Henry’s family.
After Henry’s rise to Ducal power, the former mercenary has acted as commander of the combined Mecklemburg forces. A demanding challenge indeed, but Henry has rewarded the old fighter with sufficient estates in Stargard to make the job worth wild.


Diplomacy

Foreign ambassadors at the Ducal Court of Mecklemburg
Saxony: Carl Johann von Heuptlotz
Teutonic Order: Gerhard von Feuchtwangen
Bremen: Friederich Kaufmann
Holstein: Holger von Schwitz
Gelre: Jan Overboer
Hessen: Sir Wilhelm von Penrod
Pommeria: Friedrich von Kannenberg

Mecklemburg ambassadors at foreign courts:
England: Heinrich von Altmark
Denmark: Mikkel von Gülringen
Normandie: Joseph von Neubrandenburg
Bremen: Magnus von Stargard
Teutonic Order: Manfred Klingel
Brandenburg: count Heinrich von Wismar
Saxony: Michael von Gregin-Rostock
Holstein: Johann von Marburg
Pommeria: Georg von Kester
Gelre: Christian von Shaufwitz
Hessen: Wilhelm von Plau (son of Adolf von Plau)
Britanny: Martin Kaufersohn, also head of Hansa Guild House in Nantes
Russia: Karl der Dicke
Rome:

The Imperial Diet: Gerhard von Lübbel
Order of the East: Friedrich von Müritz-Lychen (son of Hermann von Müritz-Lychen)

Treaties, Agreements and Alliances

Mecklemburg has been a member of the Hansa Trade Union
since May 1424

The England/Mecklemburg Marriage Agreement
"By God's divine grace, it is written in the Holy Scriptures, that man and wife are ment to be together in holy matrimony.
Therefore, in a glorius wish to secure and expand the relationships between the lands of England and Scotland and Mecklemburg, a sacred marriage shall be blessed by God.
That between Henry IV, Duke of Mecklemburg, and Jessica, princess of England.
To be a seal of good will between men and houses, the Duke of Mecklemburg shall be granted lands in Nottinghamshire and the title "Earl of Nottingham", plus be awarded the Order of the Garter. In return, the King of England shall receive the County of West-Rostock and be given the title "Count of West-Rostock".
By Gods divine creation of the world, the marriage shall be performed at the Imperial Diet in Nürnberg, in the presence of noblemen of both lands and Imperial Princes.
With God's blessings, signed by..."

On behalf of Henry IV, Duke of Mecklemburg,
his noble servant, Heinrich von Altmark, ambassador to England and Scotland.

Annabelle, Princess of England: I hereby sign this act of marriage in the name of Elionor Queen Regent of England and King Henry VI of England.

Lübeck-Bad Schwartau Agreement of Bremen 1429
I. The Duke of Mecklemburg accepts dynastic Holstein claims on the cities of Lübeck and Bad Schwartau.
II. The Duke of Mecklemburg will keep eternal control over these lands as vassal of Adolf VIII, Duke of Holstein and Schleswig, in regards to these two city lands.
III. Should the house of Mecklemburg vanish, only then can the Holsteinian claim be executed.
IV. The Duke of Mecklemburg keeps full control of any military, economic, political and diplomatic matter, and this is not questionable from the side of Holstein.

Signed
Adolf VIII, Duke of Holstein and Schleswig
Henry IV, Duke of Mecklemburg

Guarantee of Mecklemburgian Independence from Pommerian Aggression
By God's almighty Grace, let it be known, that like Christ wanted peace on Earth and friendship among men, so does Mecklemburg only want to live in peace and harmony with its friends and neighbours.
But it is not Mecklemburg's fault, that its eastern neighbour is a bloodthirsty and conquering nation of wild savages. Given recent threats against Mecklemburg from Pommerian officials, the people of Mecklemburg fear the wrath of the Pommerians. I, Henry IV, Duke of Mecklemburg by God's grace, Honourable Knight of the Order of the Two Lions, Etc., hereby ask and beg my fellow men of honour to sign this guarantee of Mecklemburgian independence against Pommerian aggression.

I) Should Pommeria attack Mecklemburg with force in any way, the men that have signed this guarantee shall come to the aid of Mecklemburg and fight the aggressors. Either by their own weapons or through economic aid.

II) Should Mecklemburg be totally invaded, then the men that have signed this guarantee shall give asylum to the Duke of Mecklemburg, to his family and to his friends and allies, until they can return home to a liberated country.

III) In case of a Pommerian aggression against Mecklemburg, the men who has signed this guarantee shall embargo and boycot all aspects of Pommeria. That goes for trade, diplomacy and military support. Joachim the Greif shall not be welcome in lands of the men that have signed this guarantee.

I humbly ask you all to support my land and me in this time of need. You all know what Pommeria is capable of, and they will do me great harm if you men of honour let them. So please, help the rightious peace lover against the unjust conquerer.

Signed by:
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Cities of Mecklemburg
Lübeck

First founded by Germans in 1143, only to be sacked in 1157. Later rebuild by Henry the Lion in 1159. The state of ownership shifted until 1226, when Frederik II granted it rights as free Imperial city. The laws of self-government used in Lübeck became the form of which later over 100 cities were ruled by.
Lübeck was the biggest trading city in the Baltic and the second largest city in Northern Germany after Cologne. The city had approximately 22.000 inhabitants.

Wismar

The seat of the Mecklemburgian Dukes. The city was granted Lübeck City Laws in 1229 and was one of the biggest members of the Hansa, trading in mostly herring and beer.

Rostock

This was one of the biggest Hansa cities, and was founded by Wendish settlers in the 12th century. In 1218 it was first chartered, and finally in 1352 the Mecklemburgian Dukes gained control over the rich city. It also had the oldest university in the entire Baltic region, founded in 1419.

University of Rostock

Founded 1419 and was the only university in northern Europe for a long time. Untill 1432, the university housed faculties for law, medicin and philosphy. In 1432, a long awaited thological faculty was added. The university has a long tradition of extensive autonomy, freeing itself from the influence of the Church.

The Military Reforms (link)
Since the execution of the Seven Counts of Mecklemburg, the back bone of Mecklemburg's army, the knights, have decreased in numbers. The new reforms aim at creating a standing professional army of well-trained footsoldiers. Also, the navy is planned to be given a new structure.


Recent History

The End And Beginning


"There is great mourning at this time. The bells of sorrow and grief are joining the crying of great men, as Henry’s uncle, the great Johan III, Duke of Mecklemburg, lies dead in his bed, by which side Henry von Mecklemburg-Schwerin presently stand. Though he feels an urge to express his agonising pain inside of him, he must obey the wish of the late uncle: to stand tall and strong in what most likely will become a hard era for the new Mecklemburg Duke… to which Henry was appointed just before Johan III for the last time closed his eyes and found refuge at Gods heavenly court. While the dying Duke is being given the final sacrament, the seven Counts of Mecklemburg succeed their pledge of allegiance to Henry, by which side they will stand united, as they did with Johan. In return, Henry reaffirms the noble rights and traditions of the counts, as it has always been and always will be in these glorious lands.
As the first order from the new Duke, from now on known as Henry IV, Duke of Mecklemburg, there will be three days of mourning, followed by three days of rejoice. For what we lose in death, we win back in revived strength of the reborn. New times will come to the lands of Mecklemburg. God bless the Duke of Mecklemburg, in death as well as in life."

Father Lucas, Confessor of the Duke of Mecklemburg, Castle of Wismar, 10th September, 1429

1429
On September the 10th, Johan III, Duke of Mecklemburg, is pronounced dead at Wismar Castle. Present at his deathbed are his nephew and the Seven Counts. They pass the Duchy to Henry, who in return consolidate the noble rights of the counts.
The week after, the Mecklemburg Council is founded. It consists of the Duke and the seven counts. Henry may not engage in any enterprises that can put the welfare of the counts at risk without getting their approval.
This proved fatal in December that year, when Holstein presented Duke Henry with an ultimatum during the conflict over Lübeck, to become vassal of Duke Adolf, or risk hostilities. Without the permission of the council, Henry agreed, a direct violation of the former agreement. Furthermore, Henry's relationship with the Pommerians got worse.
1430
Henry tried to free himself of the vassalship agreement, but suffered another humiliating defeat at the Imperial Diet, thus further strengthening the seven counts back home. Henry was well aware of the scheming counts, and had them all arrested while he was away in Nürnberg. In the Imperial city, Henry was to speak before the Emperor about his attitude towards Imperial commerce legislation and the vassalship agreement with Holstein. Also, he was to marry the english princess Jessica in Nürnberg.

[BzAli]

Friederich Kaufmann, the Bremer ambassador in Mekclemburg, dressed, as befitting these days, in clothes symbolising mourning, bows deep before Henry IV.

"Noble duke.
I bring the condolences of duke Johann III of Bremen and the people of Bremen. Johan III of Mecklemburg was a great man, a worthy duke, and I know that the people of Mekclemburg ave lost a great leader.
However, I also know that Your Grace will continue the wise politicks your predessor started, and my lord, duke Johann of Bremen, prays that the friendship of Bremen and Mecklemburg will continue to grow.
I bring words from Magnus von Stargard, who was by your predessor appointed Mecklemburgian ambassador in Bremen, that he as well sends his condolences for the death of Johan of Mecklemburg, and his best wishes for your reign.

As your advisors have undoubtly told you, Mecklemburg is a member of the Hansa Trade Union, and I have taken the liberty to bring a copy of the Hansa charter. I do not imply that your advisors have not allready shown these papers to you."

Having said that, Friederich Kaufmann snaps his finger, and a servant brings some papers:

Charter for the Hansa Trade Union.

The goal of the Hansa Trade Union

-The Hansa Trade Unions goal is to ease trade and increase profit earned by trade for all merchants from member nations on the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

-The Hansa Trade Union is not a military union. All members are allowed to join military unions without the approval of the Hansa Trade Union Council, should they so wish.

The Hansa Trade Union Council

-The Hansa Trade Union will have its seat in the city of Bremen. All members of the Trade Union will send one ambassador to the Hansa Trade Union Council.

-The Hansa Trade Union will not be lead by Bremen, but will in all matters follow the course chosen by the Hansa Trade Union Council. The Duke of Bremen will act as chairman at the Councils meetings.

-In the Hansa Trade Union Councils meetings, each member-nation will have one vote.

-The Hansa Trade Union Council will decide the outcome of any vote, except changing this charter, by simple majority of the given votes. In case of a tie, the Duke of Bremen determines the Hansa Trade Union Councils decision.

-This charter may only be changed by a vote in the Hansa Trade Union Council, in which all votes are cast for the change.

-The Duke of Bremen will be the only negotiator for the Hansa Trade Union, unless he appoints another.
No agrement or treaty is valid unless approved by the Hansa Trade Union Council by a vote, following the guidelines laid down in this document.

Membership of the Hansa Trade Union

-No member of the Trade Union may declare war upon another member.

-Should members of the Trade Union as a result of alliances end up in war, all warring members will be suspended from the Trade Unions meetings for the duration of the hostile actions.

-Should a member wish to leave the Trade Union, that member may do so withour fear, simply by declaring so to the Hansa Trade Union Council.

-The Hansa Trade Union Council may expel a nation from the Hansa Trade Union, providing all members of the Council excluding the one represanting the nation in question votes in favor of expelsion.

-To be accepted as a member of the Union, a nation must fullfill the following criteria:

• The nation in question must have a port to the North Sea or the Baltic Sea.
• The nations must be invited to join by the duke of Bremen.
• The nations must be accepted as member by all current members of the Union.
• The nation must accept this charter.

Obligations and rights of Hansa Trade Union members

-Members must obey the following rules:

• No member of the Union may ever ban merchants from other members of the Hansa Trade Union from trading within their realms, nor may Hansa members place tolls or tariffs on merchants from another Hansa member.
  
• All merchants owing alligence to a ruler, whose nation is a member of the Hansa Trade Union, will agree not to lower their prices below minimum prices agreed on by the Hansa Trade Union. These minimum prices can only be regulated be the Hansa Trade Union Council.
  
• Should any nation place a trade embargo on a member of the Hansa Trade Union, all members of the Hansa Trade Union will in return place trade embargoes on that nation, lasting untill said nation lifts the trade embargo.
  
• Should any nation declare war upon a member of the Hansa Trade Union, all members of the Hansa Trade Union will in return place trade embargoes on that nation, lasting untill said nation ends the hostile actions against the Hansa member.
  
• Should any nation place tolls or tariffs on merchants from a member of the Hansa Trade Union, all members of the Hansa Trade Union will in return impose tolls and tariffs of equal magnitude upon merchants from said nation, untill said nation lifts its tolls and tariffs.
  
• Members are bound to follow any agreements and treaties signed by the Hansa Trade Union Council, even is a member nation was not part of the Hansa Trade Union when said treaty was signed or agreement made.
  
• Should any member of the Hansa Trade Union not follow the guidelines laid down in this document, said member would be excluded by the Council after having exactly one month to correct the issue, counted from the day the member was made aware of the breach of rules, and all members of the Union would ban said nations merchants from their territories for a full year, starting the exact day of the nation leaving the Hansa Trade Union.
  After this period, the nation can rejoin the Hansa Trade Union, should it so wish, if said nation fullfills the criteria listed above, including full agrements of the member nations and invitation from the Duke of Bremen.

Amendment to the Hanseatic charter

This amendment to the Hansa charter has become necessary by recent changes in internal Imperial politics.

Any member of the Hansa Trade Union Council can propose that the Union as a whole declares a trade embargo on all or certain goods against any non-Hansa or non-WHU state.
Should the Hansa Trade Union Council, after hearing arguments for such an embargo, vote in favor of the motion, following the guidelines in the original charter, all members of the Hansa Trade Union will declare the desired embargo.

This amendment should only be invoked if all diplomatic options have allready failed, and the resulting embargo can be declared illegal by the Reichskammergericht.


In addition, the following change will be carried out.
To be accepted as member of the Hansa Trade Union, the following criteria is changed:
-Any nation bordering the North Sea or the Baltic Sea can become a member, even if the nation in question has no large ports.
-Any city with port to the North Sea or Baltic Sea, can for the purposes of membership of the Union, count as an independent nation.

[Longinus]

Friedrich von Kannenberg, Pommern amassador in Mackemburg noticed some changes in the court nowadays. After the death and funeral of good but not-quite-ambitious Johann, new duke, Henry IV was much more active. Soon Friedrich stood before him.

"Noble Duke,

I bow before you as House of the Greif feels great sorrow that great man and leader passed away. Now, you are the duke of Macklenburg, man of great skill and wisedom. I hope that ties of long-time friendship and family bounds will be preserved and both Pommerania and Macklemburg will remain in good and close relations.

Now, if you allow me I have a letter from Stettin for you."

He bows again and gives the duke a letter sealed with mark of Red Griffin.

"Your Grace,

Although my dear husband is away in Frankfurt where Imperial Elections takes place I send you my deepest condolences in the name of the House of the Greif and Pommerania.

I assure you the Our House is a peaceful one and we only dream of calm in our lands. Recent wars with Poland, Prussia and Swedish rebels, although victorious, strengtened our desire for stability and peaceful coexistence in the region. Perhaps this day will come soon as Swedish rebellion has almost finished and new Emperor will be elected soon.

I hope that one day, when my husband returns from Frankfurt, I will be able to meet with my new family from Macklemburg. Perhaps I will initiate a grate family reunion?

I wish you good health and fortune,

signed by Christine of the Greif-Wittelsbach"

[Herr Doctor]

Holger von Schwitz, new Holsteinian ambassador in Meclemburg, came to Wismar castle to greet new Duke:

"Your Magesty, my name is Holger von Schwitz and I came here to represent my lord His Magesty Duke Adolf VIII of Holstein and Schleswig, rightful Overlord of Lübeck, Grandmaster of Order of Two Lions etc etc... My lord want to congratulate you with ascention to the throne and he wishes you many years of reign. I was commissioned by His Magesty Holsteinian Duke to start negotiations with you concerning 'Lübeck`s problem'."

He suspiciously looked at Heinrich IV.

"You may know that Duke Adolf of Holstein is recognized by the majority of European states as rightful Overlord of free city of Lübeck and town of Bas Schwartau and was mentioned so in some treaties... For example in Holstein-Pommeranian agreement.

From the times of good Duke Valdemar of Schleswig this town was part of our realm and we can`t understand why you try to broke our rightful claims.

At the end I want to notice that His Magesty Adolf see only one way to stop this conflict. He offers you to become nominal vassal of Holsteinian duchy for the lands of Lübeck and Bas Schwartau. Certainly, we aren`t interesting in escalation of this conflict and Adolf can consider various of your offers... But your grace must to accept Holsteinian rights for Lübeck for the present time..."

[HJ Tulp]

A man enters,
"Greetings, I'm Jan Overboer and I am here to be the Gelrian ambassedor in Mecklemburg, My duke would appreciate it if you would send an ambassedor to Gelre."

[BzAli]

Johann III sat at the head of the table.
From the trade unions humble beginning, the Hansa had grown to be a force to be reckoned with in the Northen Europe, and this was also clear to see in the meeting chamber.
The walls were decorated with maps showing the extent of the Hansas trading contacts. Barcelona in Aragon and Genoa each hosted a Hansa Guild house, and when you looked at the map, and added the ares under the influence of Hanseatic merchants and the areas commercially controlled by the WHU, the Hansas close partner in the East, the result was impressive.
And now all this was threathened by internal problems.
Johann III looked at those assemblied around the table.
Daniel van Straussenberg from Gelre was a neutral in this matter, but he had been invited anyway, since this was a Hansa meeting. Later the talks might move to more private quarters, but untill now there were no secrets to keep.
Johann Von Forz from Holstein-Gottorp and Magnus von Stargard from Mecklemburg eyed each other suspiciously. Both knew why they were here, and Johann III expected problems as soon as any of them opened their mouth. He sighed, making parts meet was the art of negotiations, and the Lord knew he had negotiated many a treaty for the Hansa.
The last man was Otto Kaufmann, head of the Bremer merchants guild, and officially Bremens member of the Hansa Council. He too knew what was coming, and realized the importance of keeping the Union intact if they still were to be a force in European commerce.

Johann III ringed his small golden bell. Not because anybody spoke, but simply to mark the beginning of the meeting.
"Gentlemen, at this meeting we have, apart from the usual small problems, which involves a complain from a Gelrer merchants who feels unfair taxed in the Bremer harbour, and other such trivial matters, one major issue, which could threathen the very foundation of the trade union.
I am of course talking about the Holstein claim on the towns of Lübeck and Bas Schwartau. I cannot stress enough the importance of a diplomatic solution to this problem, and should this meeting fail, we have no option but to go to the Reichskammergericht, which would involve a certain humiliation of the Hansa for not being able to solve problems within own walls.
I hereby invite the parts in the conflict to present their views.
Herr von Forz, as representative of Holstein, would you present the claims?"

The eyes of the other four men in the room focused on von Forz, as he prepared on answer.

[Doc]

His Grace, Henry IV, Duke of Mecklemburg

It is with great pleasure that I welcome the return of your noble realm back onto the world's stage. Although, we mourn the loss of such a great leader as Duke Johann, we note that God has blessed Mecklemburg with your wise and gracious leadership. We look forward with great anticipation at the possibilities of future cooperation, peace, and prosperty with your Duchy.

By her own hand at Kronborg,

Penelope
Queen of Denmark

[Herr Doctor]

Holger von Schwitz, Holsteinian ambassador, speaks to Duke Henry IV of Meclemburg:

"Your Grace, I want to apologize before you if offer of vassalship has angered Your Magesty... hmmm... From the other side my Duke want to express his admiration about your perfect ability to find compromise. Duke Adolf accepted your offer, certainly. He sees in this gesture of you a mark of friendship and draft to cooperation between our realms. So, His Magesty Adolf decided to ask on your goodwill the same and he offer you personally to join Oder of Two Lions, which Grandamster is our Duke, and get the special title of "honourable knight of Order of Two Lions". You may know that our Order now is an independent part of Order of st. John and takes good position in our region. I hope that you will be so kind to accept my Duke`s offer...

From the other side Adolf offer you to join the Confederation of North Western German independent states with Hessen and Holstein that will soon become "Grand Duchy of Northwestern Germany" or even Kingdom... Here are the Union Treaty.

If you decided to speak with concerning our offers you can find me here. My Duke hope that we will try to sign some kind of agreement to put the beginning for a new kind of cooperation between our countries."

He gave to the Duke some papers and left.

"The treaty about creation of Confederation of North Western German States

Part I: Preamble
By the name of God,

We, leaders and dukes of the lands of old Duchy of Saxons, that was the greatest state from the times of Charlemagne, having accepted together this act,

Announce to all people of the present and future time which it will only see that having constantly in kind duty to our fatherland, the Holy Roman Empire, with which honour, property, common benefit, and most of all, internal and external safety we are obliged to strengthen and to supply, and accepting thus in attention old traditions which with the consent of our ancestors united us by union in ancient times, and in loyalty and faith with our Holy Father in Rome, we rebuild this ancient union under the name of the Confederation of North Western German States, structure of which and laws are listed in articles of this act:

Part II. Structure of the Confederation of North Western German States.
1. The Confederation of North Western German States is a voluntary confederation, which was united to the one inseparable union. All states that join this union will be united by the formal power of the Protector of the Confederation , who will act in the best interest of the Confederaton as shall be discussed later.

2. All states save all their attributes of independence and all their borders, as the autonomy of each particular state is paramount.

3. The capital of the Confederation of North Western German States is Hamburg - old free trade town between Bremen, Holstein and Mecklenburg. If Hamburg is not in territories controlled by the Confederation, a temporary capital will be chosen.

4. In conformity with historical, economical, political and cultural traditions, member of the Confederation of North Western German States can become only from states and (or) provinces: Bremen, Gelre, Friesland, Hannover, Hessen, Holstein, Kleve, Köln, Mecklenburg, Münster and Oldenburg, and any territories outside of these borders held by these nations.

5. As all members of the Confederation of North Western German States are parts of the Holy Roman Empire the Confederation of North Western German States will be a part of the Empire too.

6. Any nation in the Confederation who declares war on another nation in the Confederation of North Western German States is automatically removed from the Confederation of North Western German States.

7. Any nation that leaves the Confederation of North Western German States in any other dishonourable manner shall incur a casus belli, in which the Confederation of North Western German States may choose to stop the nation from leaving if the Confederation of North Western German States feels betrayed or insulted. Any military actions along this line will be voted on by the Grossrat, and carried out by the Protector.

8. The state flag of the Confederation of North Western German States is a red cross under blue background.

Part III. Protector of the Confederation
1. The titular leader of the Confederation of North Western German States is Protector of the Confederation of North Western German States.

2. Title of Protector of the Confederation is hereditary and right of succession transfers it by natural way from reigning monarch to his senior son. But if the Protector hasn’t sons, a new dynasty must be elected.

3. A new dynasty is elected by the Grand Council (Grossrat) of the Confederation of North Western German States in the term they will determine by themselves.

4. The Protector has a right to have his own army, which is composed of 1,000 men from each member state, given that the state is not already involved in a conflict unrelated to the Confederation.

5. The Protector is nominal commander-in-chief of the armies of the Confederation of North Western German States.

6. If the the Protector is decided to be unfit to rule by a vote in the Grossrat, with all but one vote for the removal of the Protector, a new election will be held and that hereditary line ended.

Part IV. Allied authority and political power
1. The single union court of the Confederation of North Western German States is the Grand Council (Grossrat) of the Confederation of North Western German States.

2. The Grossrat is formed from representatives of dukes and leaders of the members of the Confederation of North Western German States.

3. Every country has one representative in the Grossrat. Every of them have only 1 vote. All decisions are accept by the simple majority of the votes. In the event of a tie, the Protector shall cast the final vote.

4. The Chairman (Vorsitzende) of the Grossrat is nominated by the Protector. He has power only to coordinate work of the Grossrat.

5. The Protector hasn’t votes in the Grossrat normally, but he has power of veto decisions of the Grossrat, unless they are agreed upon by all except one state (assuming the Protector will be from a member state and that state will agree with his position), or is unanimous. This will prevent the Protector from any true dictatorlike activities.

6. In the competence of the Grossrat there are common policies, economy and military.

7. Every representative of the state-member in the Grossrat can offer a question for discussion and voting.

Part V. Rights of the leaders of the members of the Confederation of North Western German States. Independent parts of the Confederation of North Western German States
1. As all members in the Confederation of North Western German States are independent states their leaders save all their authority in their own states.

2. Every member saves their own army, seal, capital, money and other attributes of independence (see also: Part II, art.2).

3. Every state can have their own diplomacy and ambassadors with other nations.

Part VI. Common diplomacy and policy
1. All common diplomacy and policy is under the competence of the Grossrat (see also: Part IV, art.6), and the views of the Confederation of North Western German States shall be viewed by other nations from this council.

2. All state-members must carry out the decisions of the Grossrat (see also: Part V, art. 3), assuming that the decisions are related to matters that don't directly affect the autonomy of the state-members.

3. All alliances, military and economical, that were created between state-members and foreign countries before their become members must be saved. New alliances may be formed, but shall be deemed lesser to the bond of the Confederation.

Part VII. Economy and trade
1. All customs houses and tax duties between state-members of the Confederation of North Western German States must be destroyed.

2. All traders from all state-members of the Confederation of North Western German States will trade in their territories without taxes and will unite for trade in others countries.

3. All coins of the states of the Confederation of North Western German States must be one size and one weight. It will help to do trade operations more easy.

Part VIII. Membership and force of this union
1. New member (see also: Part II, art. 4) must be agree with the text of this union treaty and sign it; his nominee will be approve by the Protector. After it this state will become a rightful member of the Confederation of North Western German States.

2. This act will have a force after it will be signed by two or more potential candidates (see also: Part II, art. 4).

3. The Protector is in charge of persuading and inscripting new members.

Anno 1427

Heinrich IV, Herzog von Holstein, Schleswig und Gottorf

Adolf VIII, Regent of Holstein

Phillip I, Duke of Hessen"

[Longinus]

A letter arrives from Stettin.

"Your Grace,

I know little about Holsteinian claims on Lübeck as it was my husband who negotiated a treaty with Holsein not me. However, he is balanced and careful man. I suggest you to review the treaty, you can clearly see that although he recognises their claims he also highlights that Maclemburg is independant and in close relations and family bounds with Pommernian Greifs.

This treaty forbids any hostilities in the region. At least I see this like that.

I would like to officially invite you and your family to Stettin as soon as my husband retun to home. This visit would surely strengten the bonds between us.

signed by Christine of the Greif-Wittelsbach"

[Karamazov]

A rider arrives from the south, bearing the flag of Hesse. He bows before the Duke of Mecklemburg and speaks:

Duke Henry IV, my name is Sir Wilhelm von Penrod, ex-crusader for the Duke of Hesse, Philipp I, and now appointed ambassador to the Duchy of Mecklemburg.

We are pleased that the trading city of Lubeck has opened up politically again, and we applaud our Holstenian allies for inviting you to our alliance.

Northwest Germany is not taken seriously in these times, and a third member is exactly what our confederation needs to gain the sort of respect enjoyed by other unions and alliances. Know that while the treaty is binding our fates together, my Duke wrote a good portion of it protecting the autonomy of the nations involved. We pray that you sign the treaty, and ensure peace and prosperity in your lands.

Please accept this state gift of a fine Hessen tapestry. As you can see, it depicts armies fighting together under the flag of Northwest Germany, defending a golden city.

By all means, send my counterpart to Wiesbaden, and he will be well received at our court.

[BzAli]

Johann III looks at von Marburg. He has just finished reading the treaty proposed by the Mecklemburgian ambassador, and his first comment is on that paper, rather than on the question asked.

"von Marburg, inform Duke Henry IV that if he finds this treaty acceptable, then so do I. However, please also inform duke Henry IV that I, both as chairman of the Hansa, and as Richter von Gross Germania, fails to see the legality of Holsteins claims. I wil not yet issue a formal guarentee of independence for Mecklemburg, since I still hope to see this matter peacefully resolved. As such, I find that duke Henry IV is a very noble man, if he is willing to sign this treaty, which by some would be seen as him losing face, rather than risk trouble in the Trade Union.
As for the Hansa stance on the Swedish rebellion, we are a commercial, not a military or political union.
We have no official stance on this issue, although we have declared an embargo on Sweden for the duration of the war. It is also true that I did send a declaration of war to what passed for swedish leadership, but before any Bremer troops could arrive in Sweden, I found myself involved in a war against Prussia, and after that, the nation needed time to rebuild her strength.
So, in support of the rightfull overlord of Sweden, that is king Kristoffer of Denmark, the Hansa has embargoed the Swedish rebels. But whatever steps to take apart from this, is for the individual nation to choose.

Now, let's get back to the meeting. I hope von Forz on behalf of Holstein will accept the proposed treaty, this would surely end this trouble once and for all."

[Herr Doctor]

Johann von Forz adressed to von Marburg:

"My friend, Adolf VIII accepted your agreement. It is all like we disscused... From the other hand I heard that our so-colled `allies` declined that they have accepted Holsteinian claims on Lubeck. I think you will see some documents not to think that I lie. Here it`s Pommern-Holteinian agreement..."

"#1. This document is a guarantee of good relations and friendship between the duchy of Pommern and the duchy of Holstein-Schleswig.

#2. From this times the duchy of Holstein-Schleswig will become asosiated member of the Greif-Schussel Allianz. The Greif-Schussel Allianz will give military and diplomatic support in caise of any agression against Holstein. All specific details are in appendix concering this.

#3. The duchy of Pommern recognises all rights on the lands of Lübeck and Bad Schwartau in Maclenburg in favour of dukes of Holstein-Rendsburg and Holstein-Schauenburg.

#4. Duchy of Hostein and all ruling families there recognises Pommern claims on Maclenburg and the fact that Hose of the Greif have close ties to House of Maclenburg. There will be no hostilities between Pommern, Holstein and Maclenburg."

"I can`t understand why your Duke see in Holsteinian claims some sort of aggression. We never say such words as "war", "violence", "army"... It was only diplomatical claims. Such claims has a half of states of HRE. For example, Wurtemburg on Tirol and Baden, Pfaltz on Lorraine and Strasburg, Saxony on Wurzburg and so on. Holstein doesn`t want to breake good relations with your country. We only try to find a way to stop this conflict once and forever.

Concerning our Confederation with Hessen... We haven`t elected a leader of this state. We`ll do it after new Emperor accept our Union Treaty."


"Lübeck-Bad Schwartau Agreement of Bremen 1429

I. The Duke of Mecklemburg accepts dynastic Holstein claims on the cities of Lübeck and Bad Schwartau.

II. The Duke of Mecklemburg will keep eternal control over these lands as vassal of Adolf VIII, Duke of Holstein and Schleswig, in regards to these two city lands.

III. Should the house of Mecklemburg vanish, only then can the Holsteinian claim be executed.

IV. The Duke of Mecklemburg keeps full control of any military, economic, political and diplomatic matter, and this is not questionable from the side of Holstein.

Adolf VIII, Duke of Holstein and Schleswig"

[Molleby]

The servants at Wismar Castle are being very cautious these days. The Duke is in a very black mood, triggered by the shame he had to swallow with the ""Lübeck-Bad Schwartau Agreement of Bremen 1429", an idea of Adolf von Plau, not the Duke himself. Von Plau is not present, since he was sent out on a mission to Saxony some weeks ago. Actually, nobody is in the room with the Duke. He does what knows best, when being in trouble... he drinks.
"Swearing allegiance to Adolf?" the Duke speculates and empties his drink. "This is not befitting for a man of my nobility... no, not at all! Damn you, von Plau!"
He fills his cup again and empties it again... and again...
He looks at the painting of his late uncle, the former Duke of Mecklemburg.
"You damn fool! Why didn'y you take care of this before you died, huh? No no, that would have been too easy, wouldn't it? Hell, let's just pass the bloody thing along to good litlle Henry, huh!"
The Duke feels the alcohol kicking in. It was about time.
"By Lucifer himself, those damn Holstenians are probably celbreating their "victory" this very moment... while I sit here alone, drinking... and the Seven Counts are probably just thrilled with this occasion to get rid of me..."
A sudden moment of clearity hits the Duke. He throws the drinking cup away and rips open the door to down below.
"Jonathan, you wothless maggot!!! Get up here! And bring pen and paper! And step on it!"
The Duke whipes hes mouth and goes over to the water barrel. Uh, that looks very cold... good! The Duke throws his head down into the ice cold water, and stays there for a minute. The selfchosen torture works, he suddenly feels fine again.
Jonathan, the little busy clerk, enters the room.
"My Dyke, I ..." he startles.
"Arh, shut up! Make a letter to count Adolf von Plau and general Hermann von Müritz-Lychen. I want them both back here immediately!!!" the Duke commands.
He's reasoning with himself. What is lost to the outside, must be won within.

[BzAli]

Johann III of Bremen puts down the letter from his delegate in the Imperial Diet he had been reading, and answers the Mecklemburgian ambassador.

"von Stargard, I thank you for informing me of the problems your duke faces. Know that I have faced rebellious nobles to, and fully understands the problems this can cause.
I would recommand your duke to bring this matter before the Reichskammergericht. According to the charter of the 'Gericht, the 'Gericht is given the authority to solve matters of boundary disputes. And even better, given this particular problem, I would say it fell within the bundaries outlined as being the responsibility of the Richter von Gross-Germania, that is, I.
If I, not as chairman of the Hansa nor as duke of Bremen, but as Richter von Gross-Germania, were informed of the existance of this problem, I would weight the arguments from both sides carefully, and then reach a verdict. And that verdict would be backed by the newly elected Emperor, who cannot afford to have the Reichskammergerichts authority become undermined so shortly after his election.
I will discuss this matter with my friend and brother-in-law, Joachim of the Greif, and if you still wish it, I feel confident that the Greif-Schussel Allianz would issue a formal decleration of independence.
But try the Reichskammergericht first, it might solve a lot of problems before they arise."

[Herr Doctor]

Adolf VIII looks at von Marburg while he was speaking and when he ended Duke adressed to ambassador:

"Herr von Marburg, God is witness that I never want your noble lord Henry IV to lost his honor like you say and I never try to provide any kind of humiliating actions in the attitude of your beautiful country. And it is very sadly to me to hear that Holsteinian actions to stop this conflict have put so much unpleasant moments for noble Duke Henry. I want to apologize before him if my ambassadors did their duties tactlessly.

As for ceremony... So, I decided to discuss this question with your noble lord more detail as I don`t want still to make Duke Henry any disappointments. He is free to determine a place and order of ceremony and any other things..."


Then he stood up from his throne, took a letter from his secretary and gave it to von Marburg.

"Here is the letter to my loyal friend and vassal Duke Henry IV of Meclenburg. I hope that he will change his mind about me and will not become angry with me for our agreement. This letter is a guarantee of my loyalty and Holsteinian aspirations to friendship. Transfer it to your Duke with the best regards from me..."


A letter to Duke Henry IV:

"Onto His Grace Henry IV, noble Duke of Mecklemburg, Honourable Knight of Order of Two Lions etc. etc.

My friend, I want to apologize before you the third time for the last events that may be give you so many anxieties. I hope that you won`t become angry with Holstein for this events. All see that I want only good both for you and Meclemburg and never try to provide agressive policy against your great state.

Long years of peace and friendship were between our states and I was really very upset when your ambassador started negotiations concerning Lubeck some months ago. I saw that it would create many problems in the relations between our realms. And with great respect to Your Grace I want to admire that your noble and polite position help us to solve this great problem so soon.

Some people in my court say that "duke of Meclemburg lost his face". But I have interrupted them and told that it is a lie, pure lie. You, my friend, Duke of Meclemburg, has shown to all this mad world your perfect ability to resolve conflicts by a peace way. At the time when thousand people is senseless die battling for small village we here, in Hansa, show to all that the Christian Values are still capable to operate hearts of the people and to stop anyone conflict. And you, my friend, after our treaty will occupy the most noble position all over the Empire and Christian world. You needn`t worry about your reputation as it`s a perfect now. Better than Holsteinian one, must to notice.

This letter I send you not only to make apologizes and offer my friendship. Your noble ambassador in Kiel was so kind to ask me about future ceremony where Your Grace will accept so-called nominal vassalship from Holstein only for Lubeck. I decided at first to ask if you agree in general to realize this ceremony? If you think that it will put some kind of damage to your honour we can decline it at all. But if Your Grace agree I want to ask you where you want it to take place in? I can offer you Kiel or Lubeck. But you free to change the place by yourself. From the other side I must to notice that the ceremony of your dedication to the knight of Order of Two Lions must be held in any case... And you will receive title of "Honourable Knight of Order" which was awarded to nobody before.

At the end I want to say some words concerning your excitement concerning guarantee of Meclemburgian Independence. You may know that it was already been guaranteed both by Pommern (leader of the Greif-Schussel Allianz) and Holstein-Schleswig (asosiated member of the Greif-Schussel Allianz). Becides Meclemburgian Independence will become Sacred thing for me after I become nominal lord of Lubeck. So, I think that you needn`t to worry about it. Especially if Your Grace want to join Confederation of Northwestern Germany that will benefit your reign...

I offer you hand of friendship and mutual understanding and I hope that you`ll accept it.

With great respect,

Adolf VIII, Duke of Holstein and Schleswig"

[BzAli]

Friederich Kaufmann arrives in Henry IVs audience chambers, smiling and obviously bringing good news.

"Your Grace.
I can hereby confirm that the Greif-Schussel Allianz guarentees Mecklemburgs independence. Any nation entering a war with the duchy of Mecklemburg will also face the wrath of the Greif-Schussel Allianz.
In case Your Grace were not aware, I can inform Your Grace that the Greif-Schussel Allianz is widely respected all over Europe as the victors of the War over Danzig, in which Prussia, Poland and Moldavia were defeated, and that in such a manner that even Lithuania, one of the major military powers of eastern Europe, broke her promise of support for the Prussian cause rather than face the wrath of the Allianz armies.
The Greif-Schussel Allianz has also succesfully brouht an end to the reign of the mad Friedrich the Spoiled of Saxony, and even as we speak, Pommern troops, members of the Allianz, are defeating rebels in Sweden.
With this formal guarentee of independence, and the further promise of military aid from Holstein, it is my firm belief that the future of Mecklemburg is safe."

Friederich Kaufmann bows and presents a paper signed by Johann III of Bremen, which, although is less flattering terms, repeats what the Bremer ambassador just used so many words of praise to assure.

[Molleby]

The Henry IV looked at his advisor, von Plau.
"So, my old friend, what do yoy make of this letter?
The advisor answered:
"It most certainly is what we hoped for. In fact, I think we can avoid a lot of unnescessary trouble if you accept this respons as being the final saying on this matter. We are forever guaranteed the control over Lübeck, and this is further cemented by the guarantee for Mecklemburg independence from the Greif-Schussel Allianz, and, what is just as importance, the guarantee from Duke Adolf, since we will become his nominal vassal in Lübeck and Bad Schwartau."
The Duke thinks about what von Plau said...
"Mmmm, yes, but still... doesn't it look like I've lost this case?"
"Both yes and no," von Plau reasons, "you may have to accept Holsteinian claims, but they are virtually worthless in real life. To the common man, that could look like you backed down. On the other hand you have gained a reputation for peace and settlement, you have assured goodwill around the peaceful goals of both Mecklemburg and the Hansa. You will become knight of The Order of Two Lions. And then theres the question about the federation. Should the confedaration have a leader, you would have the better reputation to secure its goodwill. In fact, I would say that we can benefit from this Lübeck-matter in a way we didn't foresee at the beginning..."
The Duke again thinks for a while...
"Yes, you're right, my friend. And the Council of the Seven Counts can forget about getting me into dishonourment. A good weapon when we finally strike them down..."
He stands of from his chair...
"Very well, let us end this unfortunate matter right now... give me pen and paper, for I shall write to my friend in Kiel!"

"my dear friend..."

[Herr Doctor]

A letter from Holstein arrives:

"Your Grace,

It is a really joy news for me that we finally find mutual understanding. I don`t want to take a lot of your time by this message. I only want to say that I decided to provide the ceremony at the end of the next month (ooc: Monday`s evening). I`ll invite our friends from Bremen, Pommern and Hessen. I hope that you`ll be happy to see them too. You are free to invite anybody you want too.

Adolf VIII, Duke of Holstein and Schleswig."

[Molleby]

The Duke was preparing his departure for Kiel, where this cursed ceremony was to take place. As his servants packed his things on huge wagons and his Wismar Guard stood ready, the Duke looked at his castle from the bottom of the courtyard. The wind was circling within these walls, hurling all kinds of rubbish around. The Duke looked at them...
"Damn that von Plau, even if he's right!" the Duke mumbled "The lord of the Mecklemburg House, swearing allegiance to a fellow noble..."
The Duke kicked a stone right across the courtyard. No one dared speak to him. It didn't take a genius to see, that the Duke was not to be messed with at this time. But everything was ready now, and von Plau appeared next to the Duke.
"My lord," he said "it's time to go."
A sigh, followed by a shake of the head, and the Duke walked over to his parade horse.
"May my ancestors forgive me! I have failed this time... but it will NEVER happen again! So help me God!" the Duke snerred.
Von Plau considered explaining yet another time the advanteges of this action, but he knew that the only thing on Duke Henry's mind right now was his battered honour. The joy after Duke Adolf's letter had been a short one, since Henry in the end didn't feel convinsed that Adolf didn't consider this a victory for Holstein.
When the parade of horses, armour and golden splendor left the Wismar Castle, Henry missed the noice of battle for the first time in his life. Oh God, if he had only died at the gates of Prague back then, none of this would be nescessary. This was truly God's punishment, but Henry couldn't figure out what he was being punished for.
"To Kiel, gentlemen, and degrading utter embarrasment!!!" the Duke yelled and kicked his horse into speed.

[Molleby]

Henry IV arrived at Kiel with all his splendor and might, whatever he had left that is. The citizens of this great city of course welcomed the Duke as it was appropriate, but then again, it wasn't every day that a Duke came to visit.
"If only it had been under better circumstances," Henry thought to himself. "then I would certainly have given them something to celebrate for."
He sighed and waved at the shouting public and threw silver coins out to them.
The journey had been an odd one. Several things happening around Europe at this very time concerned the Duke. The fact that the Duke of Bremen wouldn't come to the ceremony because of that son of Satan, Friederich the Spoiled, who was on a killing spree around the noble houses, that were involved in the Imperial election incident... arh, Henry didn't have anything to do with that, but it was frightening. And since he liked the Duke of Bremen, he had sent him a letter of condolence.
Furthermore, the matter of the Swedish rebellion was getting WAY out of hand. He couldn't see what was going on there at all, but there were rumours of annexation. That wouldn't be good, the Duke reasoned. What was the role of Pommeria. Didn't Mecklemburg have a neutral role in this? And what about the Hansa? Arh, again something that really didn't concern Henry. Nobody had asked him, so he just focused on his main issue today. Arriving at the Holstenian Court...
The Duke stopped his horse in front of the great door to the inside, the soldiers outside saluted him and he went in to meet Duke Adolf.