The Vienna Council (interactive AAR)

Judas Maccabeus said:

Interesting idea. One question: Have you annexed Baden yet?

Click to expand...

No, I didn't.

The Formation of the council

The Italian had been travelling for some time he arrived in Vienna on February, his services had been purchased for a nice price leaving the treasury of the Archduke drained. It was not a very spectacular palace, an even less spectacular country as Caesar had found out upon looking at a map. Albert V was an ambitious man and his family had worked hard to become the dominant family in the lower part of the Empire.

To that end it was odd that the wanna-be autocrat was calling in foreign aid. That is, until Caesar asked about the diplomatic situation of the Empire. At war with most of her neighbors and with just enough troops to form an offensive. Ulrich V of Wurttemberg had caused most of the problems, declaring war on a number of states among them the Swiss Cantons, and Strassburg. Strassburg had annexed Baden so the war was understandable, and the war against the Swiss would finish off the revenge of the Habsburg family. Other than these a war against Serbia was in progress as was a war against Vencie. The alliance was led by the Bavarian clan, along with Ragusa and Wurttemberg.

The military situation wasn’t as bad as it could have been, the Army of Hungary was in Strassburg doing well, and two cavalry armies of three thousand each were stationed in Schwyz and Salzburg respectively. Habsburg lands had not expanded greatly, the Piedemonte and Schwyz were the only new lands, and were prone to rebellion.

Albert was glad to see me and had a special feast, the next day I assumed my duties as Executive Minister of the Duchy., it was February 17, 1433. Using more then half the cash in the treasury a tax collector was appointed in Tyrol. Next the two cavalry armies were ordered to start a siege in Bern. Infantry men were being raised in Tyrol in order to aid the newly formed Army of Bohemia.

On the eleventh of March a peace is signed with Serbia ending all of hostilities, with out any land or cash changing hands. One month later the betrayal of Ulrich rocks Vienna, the armies of the Duchy forced the fall of the capital and the Elector negotiated a peace without consulting the Duke. Petty cash was gained while Wurttemberg gained Baden. Albert had to be talked out of going to war with the Elector, but neither he, nor I will forget this betrayal. It did however free the army to attack the only real threat, the Doge of Venice.

On Christmas day as Vienna is in celebration of the Savior’s birth Ulrich’s betrayel cuts even deeper, peace with the Swiss for a handful of ducats. This after the deaths of so many brave men in order to take the city. For a long time the Elector and the Duchy stood at odds with Bavaria trying to mediate. Worse news came the next year when Venice annexed Ragusa. Albert was irate and eager to force the Doge into submission. In May the conquering armies returned to Veneto. The battle ended with the destruction of the Venetian force.

Despite this victory the Peasentry are unhappy and the New Year rebellion of 1535 resulted in rebels at Schwyz and Salzburg, just a stones throw away from Vienna. Suddenly ending the war became the top priority on my plate. The Army of Hungary was defeated at Shwyz and laid siege to the rebel province of Piedmonte. By mid summer Veneto fell and the Doge agreed to pay one hundred ducats to the alliance. It was not revenge, but the transfer of many of the cities treasures, which had themselves been transferred from Constantinople, to Vienna served to make the city all the more glorious.

Ulrich V visited the city in order to congratulate the Duke. Albert confronted Ulrich with an armed guard. Ulrich was shaken but did not speak, Albert smiled, “Ulrich you’ve expanded your electorate well. But you cannot protect yourself. I advise that you allow my armies to act as your own and protect you.” Ulrich bowed humbly and became a vassal to Albert. A similar form of intimidation was tried on the elector of Bavaria but it was denied, the Bavarian king remembered his guard.

1436

Rebels were being mopped up, the Army of Bohemia mopped up the rebel army at Salzburg, too late to save the province from falling under the rebel control however. The Army of Hungary retook Piedmont but failed to relieve Schwyz. In June Salzburg was liberated from rebels and joined the Army of Hungary just in time to defeat the rebels attack Tyrol from Schwyz. Despite this the government was criticized for doing a poor job, obviously the people and nobles did not like the idea of myself a foreigner dictating the course of the Duchy.

1437

April was the first chance I received to take a look at Europe, to the East everything looked normal, the Mongols were falling apart, and the Russians were fighting each other. To the west the King of France had expanded deep into Aragon, and forced England to cede some land, as well as take Flanders from Burgundy. What’s more Luxembourg had became a miniature power, conquering much of the Burgundian Lowlands, but due to a collapse of government the duchy of Brabant gained independence.

On August tenth the Swiss land was once more firmly under Habsburg rule. At this point a faithful decision was made. The infantry to cavalry ratio was 1:3, in the mountain terrain that was impractical. What’s more the Duchy was loosing money so with a heavy heart the cavalry was cut in half and replaced by some infantry. The army was placed on half pay and stationed on the Swiss border.

The reduction in arms must have put the Empire at ease because on December tenth the Electors made Albert the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. I meet with him for the first time to suggest a new idea.

“Sire, the people obviously suspect me of something for being from another land. You are now the Emperor of the German peoples the Sword of the Church. No one man can advise you effectively I suggest a council is created, to discuss the matters of state. This will spread the work load and hopefully prolong all of our sanity.”

Albert nodded and picked out his ministers.

DP Info

aristocracy = 8
centralization = 2
innovative = 4
mercantilism = 8
offensive = 5
land = 8
quality = 5
serfdom = 9

The first meeting was called to order Caeser acted as the leader as Albert watched on. He put fourth the proposals.

1. Where should Austrian Expansion be pointed to:
A. North, peaceful annexation of Bavaria/Wurttemberg
B. West, The Swiss and Savoyards
C. South, The Italian states
D. East Hungary and the Croats
2. in what area should we focus? (DP Click goes where?)
3. With a naval port the possible Austrian Sea Empire is available should a fleet be built?

Alright that's one, Minister of the Exterior was taken by a friend of mine who posted on another forum (his account hasn't been activated yet).

oh and since I forgot to make the message at the bottom of my post yes now accepting new ministers.

(ooc: the ministers for Albert's reign, and since I think old Al will be leaving us soon posthumus' reign as well:

Viktor Slavnikovci(Machiavellian): Military Advisor
Von Peric(VPeric): Minister of Exterior
Johann von Breisgau (Judas Maccabeus):Minister of Interior
Baron Wamo (Wämö): Finance Minister
Stropheus Steinmark (Stroph 1): Cardinal

Emp: Al (friend who hasn't gotten his account activiated yet)
The Ministers assembled in the Great Hall, Ceasar took his place at the head while the others gathered around the table. Emperor Albert sat on an elevated platform watching the debates.

Ceasar adressed the assembly, "Here are the topics that his Imperial Highness has decreed for us to decide. The decisions made here today well effect the future of the Habsburg Dynasty so let us be of sound judgement."

aristocracy = 8
centralization = 2
innovative = 4
mercantilism = 8
offensive = 5
land = 8
quality = 5
serfdom = 9

1. Where should Austrian Expansion be pointed to:
A. North, peaceful annexation of Bavaria/Wurttemberg
B. West, The Swiss and Savoyards
C. South, The Italian states
D. East Hungary and the Croats
2. in what area should we focus? (DP Click goes where?)
3. With a naval port the possible Austrian Sea Empire is available should a fleet be built?

My own votes run as follow.
1. A, control of the Rhine will become vital as time goes on, and the East is too friendly too bother with.
2. We should expand the focus on land
3. Austria's fate lies on continental power, from there we can exercise our authority over this "New World" the Portugese speak of.

What are the opinions of the ministers?

ooc: I redid the Emperor rule cause I figured it was kinda gay that the Emperor couldn't vote for how to run his own Empire. We're just waiting on Wamo correct?