Small land to born in, whole world to die in: Chronicles of Portugal

War with Fez

The war started in the last year already, for the Fez didn’t like the Portugese push to the south in Ceuta back in 1415. By the 1st January 1419, 20 000 of Portugese troops had already landed in Tangiers and siege was initiated in 2nd January.

Additional 10 000 troops, under command of general Pereira, were on currently boarding the navy in Lisbon, due to arriving there soon as well.

To get additional support and guarantee safety of our homeland, king Joao I forged the alliance with Castile in 6th January. Though our 2 countries have had many disagreements in the past, the situation seemed much better now, for the relations were closer then ever, despite of a long war that ended only 8 years ago. Now, with our homelands safe, our expansion towards south could continue without any setbacks.

The same day, Castile declared war upon Granada. Though they were proud and didn’t ask for our help, we still hope they are able to crush the final heathen nest in Iberia.

Siege of Tangiers was going well- until a relief force of more then 20 000 heathens attacked our army in 21st February. Muslims, relaying heavily on cavalry, managed to break trough our lines and were actually looting the camp already, certain of their victory, when our cavalry, though in small numbers, surprised them. Muslims couldn’t handle the full assault of our knights, and started to flee, and our infantry got additional courage as well and went to aggressive. Still, that day we lost about 10 000 of our own troops there, though Muslims lost about 15 000.

King Joao was careful about the war and didn’t want to give more troops or extra money- though Prince Henry requested both. The losses in battle of Tangiers were tremendous and additional forces were badly needed. But Joao stated that our treasury wasn’t infinite, and the 10 000 troops currently stationed in Lisbon will stay there and protect the capital. Henry then traveled to Castile and asked for their support in this campaign. Surprisingly they agreed and an army of 17 000 man was prepared to be sent to our assistance. Henry and Juan agreed that Spain should concentrate of Fez instead of crowding the walls of Tangiers. Good for us, for Fez already begun recruiting new troops and soon the size of their army was bigger then before the battle of Tangiers.

In the beginning of April, Portugese reinforcements, leaded by general Pereira, finally arrived in Tangiers. Portugese fleet started blockading the ports. The Castilians started their attack on Fez in the beginning of April as well. They routed the Fez army and begun the siege of city- and were much more successful in it then we ever were. The city showed first cracks of surrendering in a couple of month, and general Pereira rushed there to take over the siege.

In 23rd May, Fez attacked the forces surrounding the city, but they ware routed and forced to flee back to Algiers. These Muslims who got that far it is- about 3000 of 15 000 survived the conflict.

Nothing more to tell about the campaign. Fez fell in 13th June and Tangiers in 2nd August. Peace was signed in 28th September- giving Portugal Tangiers, some money to cover our costs and becoming vassals of our great nation.

For the first time since 1219, Portugal has fought a war in what he gained additional territories- well, a small campaign in Ceuta could be considered a prelude to this war- only with the peace signed with Fez Portugal gained the land and control of the Gibraltar straight.

Our heroes received a warm welcome in Lisbon, a feast that lasted for more then a week.


Back in homeland

Since his rise to the throne, Joao I has been suspicious towards aristocracy. They turned against him in our civil war, and sided with Castile. Only thanks to merchants, Joao I managed to rise to the throne and defeat our enemies. And finally, in 4th February 1419, King issued an edict supporting trade and people, and giving aristocrats less power (event- +3 centralization, -2 aristocracy, -1 serfdom, revoltrisk +3 and +250 to trade). The aristocrats were not happy with this, and since the king decided to reduce serfdom even more in the same month, with the special edicts, there was a lot of discontent people in the land. Still, the king was strong and no-one dared to openly oppose him.

Prince Henry was a busy man these days- besides overseeing the campaign against Fez, he had established his naval academy the last year and since our explorers had discovered small islands named the Azores in west, in vast distance from us. Several colonists wanted to go there, to find a new hope and start a new life. Henry was actively supporting them and several ships full of colonists departed to the islands, until in May 1421, the settlement there was big enough to be granted city-rights.

Elsewhere in the world, Aragon also decided to declare was against Granada. This happened in 12th May, 1419. But they acted stupidly- Granada had joined a powerful alliance in March, an alliance lead by England and with Navarra and Burgundy as active members. Navarra was especially dangerous to Aragon, since the small country had recruited more then 30 000 soldiers that were now marching towards Aragon.

It seemed like the war was not going well for Aragon- they lost several battles against Navarra and then English expeditionary forces landed on their shores and started siege of Roussillon. Aragon lost several battles with English fleet arriving at their shore. Oh, where does a world go if Christian countries ally with Muslims to fight another Christians!!!

In 1420 the master of the Order of Christ, Dom Lopo Dias de Sousa, died. On 25 May 1420, the Pope issued a bull "In Apostolice dignitatis specula", in response to a petition from King João, naming Prince Henry the administrator of the Order of Christ.

Prince Henry and king Joao are having several meeting behind closed doors in the beginning of the year 1421. Several high-ranking members or our Order also are called, but they remain silent of the matters discussed these. Whole nation knows something is happening, but no-one seems to know for sure what. Rumors spread on the streets, saying that our sailors have discovered a distant Christian land in Africa, and we are going to help priest-king John to fight the heathens. I don’t believe it for since it is our Order overseeing the exploration, I would know that happening.

In October 1421, 10 000 troops from Lisbon board the ships and sail into unknown. Additional troops are recruited in Lisbon, and the rumor is that the fleet passed Gibraltar, picking up general Pereira as they pass the Tangiers.

All is quiet for the coming month, until in 13th March, 1422, Portugal officially declares war against Aragon. The news shock the entire country- everyone fails to understand how our King would go to such a venture against a friendly Christian king. (-5 stability hit, bringing it down to rock bottom) But despite of that, our fleet in Gulf of Valencia starts invasion of Aragon.

Portugal-Aragon war

Castille joined the war on our side, and Aragon called upon his allies Naples and Albania. But in 14th March, Pope issued a declaration of war against Naples and Serbia declared war upon Albania, thus making Aragon’s allies useless. We all admired the wisdom and diplomacy of our king, but most of the nation still feel that the war is unjustified.

By that time, England has taken Roussillon and his major force, lead by Bedford himself, sieges Gerona.

Portugese siege of Catalonia begins in 28th March. Pereira looks that everything is in order and then leaves to Aragon, to take control of a siege there, bringing only a small force of 3000 knights with him. He takes control of siege there- commanding Castilian, English and Navarra’s troops, with total number of forces around the city more then 40 000.

Aragon’s last standing army, around 20 000 man, engages the English in Gerona, looses the battle and rest of them, about 5000, retreat towards Catalonia where they are crushed by our forces in 27th of April. After that, Aragon makes attempts to recruit additional forces and it is believed that they have some number of troops in Sicily. So the Portugese fleet takes stand in Gulf of Valencia to prevent additional troops from joining the battle.

Rest of the year sees only small series of naval engagements, with Portugal being successful in all of them. Additional forces recruited earlier take a march across Castill and reach borders of Aragon by the end of the year, where they join Portugese forces in Catalonia.

First province to fall is Aragon itself, in 19th April 1423. In 20th, king Joao signed white peace with Albania and Naples, leaving Aragon alone in the field.

Pereira moves his troops to Valencia and joins a small force blockading the city. Since the crowd around Aragon took quite a heavy toll amongst Pereira’s troops, with only 1500 knights left, there still wasn’t enough to start a siege, but they disturbed any Aragon’s activity in the area and prepared for siege of the city.

Catalonia fell in 19th November 1423 and the force stationed there started marching towards Valencia. They reached the city in 8th November and started siege of the city.

In 6th April, 1424, Valencia fell. England captured Gerona just a few later- in 29th April. After this, Aragon had no land left in Iberia, only the islands. First of the islands, the Baleares, is the next target for our troops- Pereira with 7000 infantry and 3000 cavalry boards the ships in the beginning of May and sails to these beautiful islands.

Meanwhile, Aragon buys Castile out with just 50 gold. A desperate attempt and shows the honor of Castilians, but changes nothing for Portugal- the war is won already.

In 1st June, England signed peace with Aragon, them paying 130 gold to English. Portugal split their remaining army in mainland into 2 parts- cavalry riding to Roussillon and taking control of the province, but not siegeing the city yet, and infantry to Gerona.

After winning a naval engagement in Baleares, Pereira starts siege of the city there- in 1st August, forcing Aragon’s army of 8000 man into the sea.

Aragon, seeing that all is lost, sends ambassador to king Joao, offering Valencia and Catalonia in exchange for peace. Joao agrees, for gaining 2 richest provinces Aragon has seemed enough for him, not to mention the difficulties fighting in Sardinia and Sicily.

In the beginning of the year 1425, the kingdom finally stabilizes and all of the realm region is peaceful again.

In the beginning of the same year, a captain named Diego de Senill offers his services to Prince Henry, claiming that he wanted to sail further south. With this man, expansion of Portugal to territories overseas begins.



Screenshot: Portugal in 1424

Thanks, all. I just wanted to add some brief history to it, but discovered that:
1) this history was much huger then i expected
2) i left my notes and history printout to home

So since i was to bored to work, i started up a nice history lesson to you

Hope you like the rest of AAR as well

Well, let's put it this way... colonization is expencive. Really really expencive. And i want to have a nice colonial empire ready by the time others join the fun.

So i need money. And Aragon was in a perfectly vulnerable situation, so why not take the chance.

Btw, why do you think our friendship with Castile is ever-lasting... remember, they tried to siege Lisbon less then 50 years ago and they always dream of making Portugal their vassals again and again... so i'd say they should be very-very careful in the coming times. Not that i'm giving anything away

Expeditions of Diego de Senill

Diego de Senill immediately set sail to Gibraltar, where he loaded supplies and sailed further south. Meanwhile, Prince Henry agreed with Castile so de Senill can use Canary islands as a staging point in his way to explore south.

Success came quickly and in 25th April, de Senill discovered Tassaret, a province just south of Morocco’s holdings. Immediately, Henry ordered to send some trades there- and in 10th July, first Portugese tradepost in Africa was established. The slaves brought back to Lisbon were in high demand in both Portugese farmers and the rest of Europe.

De Senill sailed further south, discovering Mauritanian Coast. He only managed to get land areas near the seashore charted, for the climate was bad and the natives were hostile. He didn’t dare to venture deeper inland and was content with just refreshing water supplies and bringing some fresh fruit onboard.

In 3rd September, de Senill discovered an archipelago he named Cape Verde, but when he lost one of his ships trying to land, he gave up and returned to Canary Islands, where he wrote a full report to our King and Price, and gave it to passing Portugese merchant to deliver. This ended his first expedition, bringing Portugal information of dangerous waters in south and gaining first tradepost in Africa.

He’s letter goes as follows:

My King,

I have sailed further south then any other European has before. The lands there are rich, filled with strong man who will be a perfect target for slave-trade, and also I have found several pieces of ivory in our way. May I present you with this fang of elephant we discovered in one of the villages near the shore of Mauretania. Also, an inhabitant of that village we captured- these natives are easy to fool- we invited him on our ship and then raised sails. He speaks quite fluent Portugese by now and he has told us amazing stories about rich kingdoms down south. I am sure this matter is worth investigating.

After we resupply in Canary Islands, we will try to sail further south. May our God guide me while travelling in these waters.

Your loyal servant
Diego de Senill

As de Senill promised, his expedition moved further south, discovering Goreé Islands, Nouadibuh, Coast of Gambia and finally Dakar, another province with lot of slaves to trade. Trading post was established there in 20th November 1426. But the problem with Dakar was that the merchants there lived in constant danger- natives around this place were hostile at the best and there was several threats to the lives of Portugese merchants there. One was even killed by natives when he took an afternoon walk. De Senill decided that this would require some military involvement and sailed to Tangiers to pick up a small force of 1000 footsoldiers and 1000 light cavalry. Force arrived

Also in 1426, Spain finally won the war with Granada, gaining Gibraltar. In Portugal, that was a good year. Crops were excellent, trade was booming. When it was time to collect taxes, it was found that the income was 100 ducats more then predicted.

In 1427, scientists have been busy and infrastructure of Portugal reached next level- 2.

When de Senill arrived near the shores of Dakar in April 1427, he discovered that there was much more suitable land for colony near the province- a land called Senegal. Instead of landing the army in Dakar, he decided to go for Senegal and landed. Upon landing, the heather army of 1000 man attacked Portugese soldiers, but they had no chance against our well-organized and able army. With the defeat of natives, the province was pacified and no-one dared to intervene with Portugal anymore. A trading post was established in the province in 8th June 1427, bringing valuable ivory to trade.

The army marched to Dakar in order to clear the province of hostile forces, while de Senill sailed further south, discovering Gold Coast and Gambia.

A decision was made by Prince Henry to establish Portugese foothold in Africa, giving the ships a place for repairs and resupply, and a place to act as a spearhead of Portugese invasion to south. Of two places, Dakar and Senegal, Senegal was chosen for Henry believed that ivory would make a better income then slaves, and the province was a bit richer then Dakar. First colonists arrived there in September 1427, but they were wiped out by an unknown disease. Still, Henry didn’t give up hope and another 100 brave souls left Lisbon. Arriving in January 1428, they established a new colony there. Life was harsh and the climate unfriendly, but the first shipments of ivory sent to Lisbon made even more people want to come there- for the money was good as well. In the following years, Henry convinced Joao to spend most of the state budget in building up Senegal, until the colony reached city status in 23rd March 1429.

Portugese regiment stationed in Senegal was given orders to march to further inland, for the reports near the province border indicated that there was some signs of civilized life further east. When they finally arrived, they discovered 2 new provinces- Walata ja Jenne, governed by Muslim country called Mali. The lands were not the richest, but the cities were big and there even was some gold found there. It seemed like Islamic religion wasn’t fully settled in Mali, and there were still strong pagan influences- giving us hope to convert the pagans to True Faith. Shamefully, our military commanders pointed out that though the defences of Mali are weak, the climate would work as their best defence, meaning a huge loss of lives when trying to take these provinces. So the chance for military involvement was ruled out for the time being.

Meanwhile, African corpse moved on to Gambia, won a battle against natives there and in 21st May 1428, additional tradepost was established there.

In June 1428, de Senill discovered a pagan kingdom called Dahomey. Rich lands and only 2 provinces. I am sure they will fall under Portugese rule soon, and the inhabitants will understand that the Jesus Christ is saviour of mankind and will accept our faith.

By January 1429, de Senill reached Gulf of Guinea. It seemed a straightforward trip south from there, but the seas became restless and the ships needed resupply- so he turned back and continued his expeditions there next year. In June 1430, he discovered yet another Pagan kingdom called Benin, this one owning a valuable CoT, responsible of trading in that part of the world.

After bringing additional reinforcements of 2000 cavalry and 2000 infantry from Europe in 1429, the African Corps cleared Louga of hostile natives and the province received tradepost the same year.

In the year 1430, African corps cleared yet another 2 provinces of natives- Casamance and Guinea. Soon both of them were part of our growing empire.

In 1431, de Senill sailed even further south, discovering several sea zones near the coast of Africa. On his way, he discovered yet another pagan kingdom called Ashanti. But there is a limit how far our ships can go and without further establishments along the African coast the exploration further would be impossible, or at least very dangerous. Even now, de Senill lost one of his ships and his fleet is down to one ship only. Since de Senill was unable yet to discover the suitable place for a colony, he was ordered by Prince Henry to sail back and forth along the coast, searching for suitable spot.

Also, back in mainland in 1431. General Pereira was making a surprise to the king with upgrading forts in Catalonia to next level when a rock fell accidentally to his head from top of the wall, killing him instantly. It is a great loss for Portugal, for he was the most able general. Still, at least the fort was finished.

Short interlude

In 3rd January 1432, Portugal once again declared war on Aragon. War started successfully, all Aragon’s mainland cities fell soon to our hands and island of Sardinia as well. But the Baleares and Sicily were guarded by about 30 000 soldiers each and though in Battle of Messina in 7th August 1434, Portugese 10 000 invasion force was defeated Aragon’s Sicily army, reducing it to 10 000 man, the losses taken there were hard enough. King Duarte, who rose to throne after death of Joao I in 1433, decided that it would be a waste of money and lives of good man to continue this campaign any further, and decided to be happy with Gerona and 100 ducats received in peace treaty signed in 2nd November 1434. Duarte stated that this will be the last war with Aragon, at least for the time being. To cement the treaty, a royal marriage was signed between Aragon and Portugal in 17th October 1437.


Gil Eanes and his journeys

De Senill’s success was inspirational to everyone in Portugal. Several men tried to continue his footsteps, though many of them found a bitter end. That didn’t happen to Gil Eanes, a young explorer coming to service of the crown in 1433. He was given orders to find de Senill and join him in looking suitable location for our colony further in coast of Africa.

The two man met in Senegal, and they made a plan of de Senill sailing out first, followed by Gil Eanes about a week later. So they did, but when Eanes left the port, a huge storm came upon his fleet, pushing the ships westwards. The storm pushed him into Cape Verde islands in September 1433 and he seeked refuge from there, managing to do what de Senill wasn’t able- to land on the islands. The place looked suitable for further colonization, and trade post was established there in March 1434, followed by colony in June the same year.

But the story of Gil Eanes and his bad luck doesn’t end there- as soon as they left Cape Verde and set sail towards Africa, they were caught by another storm, forcing them further into west. For month, they struggled to get back, but the storm carried them further and further west. The crew of Eane’s fleet started panicking, afraid that they may fall over the edge of the world anytime soon. Luckily for us, he managed to hold the sailors back and in 20th November 1334, sailor in nest screamed: “Land!!!”

Gil Eanes took fresh water and some supplies from the new land and sailed back to report his discoveries. Back in Cape Verde, he took a course towards Europe and set asked for audience with Prince Henry. The Prince didn’t believe him at first, but was assured when Eanes demonstrated him plants unseen in the whole world- a wonderful plant called tobacco. Prince ordered Eanes to continue further exploration of the new-found land and leave Africa to de Senill.

Little did the prince know that by the time he gave the orders, de Senill was already dead, caught by a strange disease called malaria. His body arrived to Lisbon in 10th July 1435, and was buried with full honours. The loss of that great man was a huge blow to the nation, though in his last years he just sailed near the coast of Africa, trying to find suitable place to place a colony.

Eanes sailed back to the new land, and this time found a suitable place for colony in a place he named Pernambuc. The trade post was established there in 12th October 1435, and to get rid of the ever-lasting hostile pagan threat, African corps was commanded to sail there.

Arriving in May 1436, African corps engaged the natives there and as predicted, won easily. In 16th October 1436, a colony was found in Pernambuc. Gil Eanes used it as a permanent staging area in his exploration further into the new land. His ships sailed both to south and north, discovering new sea zones and occasionally even land provinces. Meanwhile new colonists from Portugal arrived there annually, making the city bigger and bigger.
He discovered much of the coastal waters in the new land and found several tradeposts: Niteroi in September 1437, Uruguay in October 1437, Tiracambu in August 1438, Aires in October 1438

In 10th September 1438, our King Duarte passed away and his son, Alfonso V, will now rule the nation.

In 27th September, 1439, a delegation of peasants and merchants came to the king, asking for less power to the aristocracy and more centralized government. The king agreed, though it turn the land into chaos (Petition to redress, -4 stab)

Portugese discoveris and settlements Africa

Portugese discoveries and settlements in America