Well, its that time again. Ive returned after getting HoI out of my system. Here to write an AAR. Very Hard, Aggro. Age of Mercantalism...
Here we go...
The Rise of the House of van Hoffmein
The winter of 1616-1617 was a cold one. Or so thought Colonel Helmut von Hoffmein, as he tried to warm himself by one of the fires in the Austrian Imperial Armies encampment. The encampment was situated roughly 5 miles from His Most Catholic Emperor Mathia’s grand city of Vienna. The “encampment” as the Generals had called it, looked more like a city, with tents for houses. The encampment contained around 65,000 men, and included thousands of horses, blacksmiths, cooks, hunters, foragers, many a soldiers wife or woman, it even had 5 quickly constructed armouries. As Helmutt looked around, at a sea of red cold faces in the dense snow, he chuckled to himself. ‘Encampment indeed,’ he thought, ‘it even has tent brothels. It’s a city unto itself.’
The men were fond of Helmut; he was their caretaker. When the General’s were warm and snug in their beds, Helmut walked out in the cold, giving a shivering veteran a cigar, or a cold wife of a soldier some extra rye or beef. When the Generals were harsh, Helmut was kind. But Helmut’s temper had no limits when he saw an injustice, or when he saw men disobeying orders. All knew of the story of the bold Corporal who came to a military parade dead drunk, the Colonel gave him the lash, himself. The Corporal still winces when he remembers the day, but still remains one of the Colonels staunchest supporters.
Most of the nobles in the army called Helmutt one of the “new” nobility. Those were the men and woman of the merchant class, who, through bribes, political manoeuvring and some well timed and well-aimed marriage granted them small but influential estate, and a minor noble title. This set the Von Hoffmein’s up to guarantee Helmut a fine commission in the archduke’s, and later Emperor’s Army. Despite his father’s death, upon which he could have returned home to run the estate, he stayed, letting a steward run it in his stead.
Although well liked by his men, many nobles scorned him for not having the purest of blood. This unfortunately included the current leader of the army General von Wallenstein, whom he had to report to in an hour. He had left early from his tent, because he knew he would be making quite a few stops on the way there. He heard the horns for the changing of the guard and knew it was time, he said his good nights to the men around the fire and began the short walk to the Generals tent.
Upon arriving he snickered to himself thinking that ‘if this encampment is a city, than here is its palace.’ For the tent was the largest in the entire army, probably in all of the Holy Roman Empire. Two guards stood at attention and another opened the flap as the Colonel came closer. He saluted then entered. The tent was lit up like it was day. He first had to walk though a small ‘waiting room.’ Unfortunately those who had to sit in this room, more than likely wouldn’t see the General that day, because the real waiting room was through another flap. Though that flap another guard, a Lieutenant who stood at attention, saluting saying, “Sir! The General is expecting you Colonel.” Turning, he opened the flap and Helmut walked though. Inside the General’s conference room, were maps of all sizes from all over Eastern and Central Europe. Wooden chairs sat beside the right part of the room, and to the left in the room was a small wooden table with a map of the Tyrol-Wurtenburg border. Helmut marched in ceremoniously towards the General seated in a magnificent mahogany chair in front of a matching desk. Coming to attention and saluting saying, “You asked to see me Sir?”
The General continued to read some dispatches silently, as Helmut had expected he liked playing these games with his underlings, more specifically with Helmut, and the “new” nobility. Helmut continued to stand staring straight-ahead waiting for the General. He didn’t look up until Lt. General von Mercy entered and came to the desk beside Helmut saluting. “Ah, glad you both came,” said the General, “Sit.”
They both sat, looking at one another nodding. “The Emperor has a new mission. He is perplexed that more and more Electorates of the Empire are leaving the true faith. He has had, for some time now, been conversing with both the Spanish and Portuguese Kings, as well as the Bavarian Electorate in order to convince them to enter holy war, once again. And we as His Majesty’s loyal Commanders are ordered to prepare for upcoming wars. Von Mercy looked over to Helmut rolling his eyes while the General continued to look down at a dispatch, he interrupted the General, “Sir, we are ready. We have been for some time, waiting for the order, has his Majesty declared war yet?”
Only then did he put down the dispatch, “I was not finished Lt. General, if you interrupt me again I’ll send you to Carpathia to garrison the border with the Turks.” Von Mercy smiled at this, for they both knew that with von Mercy’s connections in the imperial palace, the General had no power to do anything to him. Besides, he needed able men for the upcoming wars. The General continued, “But for now I will be lenient. Within the week we are going to split the army evenly. I, with 25000 men 7500 horse and 20 guns will march to Tyrol province. Where the Emperor feels I will be more useful in eliminating the armies of Wurtenburg.” He looked over to von Mercy, waiting for him to say something, he was given the pleasure, “Sir, Wurtenburg are still loyal to the true faith, we are not to war with them are we?"
“It is reported that Protestant clergymen have infiltrated the Electorates court, and are even now convincing the populace to join their faith. War will come soon I believe. In the mean time I shall sit on my ass waiting for the Emperor’s word.” The Generals final words must have struck von Mercy shockingly at the same time as it did Helmut. For both dropped their mouths. “Yes, von Mercy, it seems you’re in Imperial favor, enjoy it while it lasts. You will take command of the other half and march to Prague in Bohemia and wait for word from the Emperor to begin a campaign against Saxony and Wurzburg. Hoffmein, you’re coming with me.”
Hoffmein looked to the ground, ‘damn, I’m to sit on my ass with this pompous ass,’ he thought. Von Mercy spoke up, “ I could use the Colonel in Bohemia Sir, if you’d be willing to part with him.”
“I have given an order Lt. General, and he is coming with me and that’s final.” Von Mercy gave Helmut an apologetic look; the General smiled at his small victory.
“Go prepare the men Gentlemen,” the General said with a sneer. They rose up and saluted the General and then departed. Outside they stopped and turned to each other, “I'm sorry Helmut, I tried. Maybe through my connections you’ll be transferred soon enough.”
“Thank you for trying Sir,” Helmut knew the General wouldn’t let him go. It is said, ‘Keep you friends close but your enemies closer.’ There was no greater enemy of von Wallenstein than von Mercy and Helmut, fortunately for von Mercy; the Emperor has ordered him away from the General, not so for Helmut. “I’ll write to you regarding the campaign,” von Mercy said with a laugh, then shook Helmut’s hand, before departing. von Mercy always had said he didn’t want Helmut to salute him, they were friends, and it wasn’t needed unless they were in front of the men, or General.
Helmut watched him walk away then took a silver container from his tunic pocket he removed a cigar. The guards in the doorway looked enviously at it, New World tobacco. Helmut smelled the shaft of the cigar, ‘fine quality,’ he thought. The perks of being in a family that still have merchant connections. He smiled thinking of his sister, whom his father married off to a very influential Spanish Merchant. Helmut lit it, took one long drag, and then gave it over the surprised guard. “Enjoy, stay warm tonight. S’going to be a cold one.” “Yes Sir! Thank you Sir!” Helmut didn’t need to tell him to share it with the other guard; the men always did when the Colonel gave them something. He began to walk away. The guards looked at each other grinning, “God bless him,” one said. “He already has,” said the other.
Helmut didn’t think so. Finding out they would be staying out of battle would be hard on his men.
It had been a year since they split the army and moved to Tyrol, setting up a defensive encampment with the Generals quarters situated right in the middle. It was dusk, on a cold day. Helmut’s tent was very humble, considering both that he was a Colonel and a noble, and that he was rich at that. He had enough room in the tent for his cot, a table and container for his maps, a footlocker, another container for some books, and a box with his dress uniform in it. He lay on his cot with the blanket covering his legs; his boots lay on the floor. In his one hand he held a flask half full (now) with English port, in his other he held a dispatch from his dear friend. He read it to himself amazing over the conditions in the former Bohemian lands.
Helmut
It has been some time since I wrote to you. Political conditions in the North had deteriorated. The Emperor is furious, and demands vengeance on the entire populace up here. The Hungarians and many-a-Bohemian joined together in revolt from His Majesty; citing injustice. Revolts sprung up all over Bohemia, Sudeten, Moravia and Silesia. Thousands of peasants rose up under many a Hungarian, mainly consisting of Protestants. My army quickly crushed the rebellion here in Bohemia. But rebellious armies surrounded the province. I decided on a lightning campaign of striking east to Morovia, then on through the other rebellious provinces. Our campaign was beautiful, three successful battles after another. Unfortunately Silesia fell to the rebels by the time we made it there, they were behind the city walls, and a siege ensued. Gladly it didn’t last long. By the by Helmut, perhaps you should have you steward contact Fritz Fafenues at the palace in Vienna. I have instructed Fritz that you, being a most loyal servant of His Imperial Majesty, be allowed among the nobles allowed to have their pick of the rebel nobles lands. He has advised me that when you send a request to His Majesty through your steward, maps of the remaining lands shall be awarded to you. Good Luck my friend, and worry not, I have put in word to the Emperor that more help may be need up here.
Lt. General von Mercy
Commander of the North.
Helmut jumped up putting his boots on and headed over to his table to begin a dispatch to Franz, stating what he should do, according to von Mercy’s dispatch. Upon finishing he rushed out to his staff, handing it to his most trusted courier, sending him off. Satisfied that he has done his familial duty, he headed back to his tent to put some warm clothing on. After doing so, he went about the encampment, raising morale. “Soon boys, soon, we’ll see some action soon.”
Here we go...
The Rise of the House of van Hoffmein
The winter of 1616-1617 was a cold one. Or so thought Colonel Helmut von Hoffmein, as he tried to warm himself by one of the fires in the Austrian Imperial Armies encampment. The encampment was situated roughly 5 miles from His Most Catholic Emperor Mathia’s grand city of Vienna. The “encampment” as the Generals had called it, looked more like a city, with tents for houses. The encampment contained around 65,000 men, and included thousands of horses, blacksmiths, cooks, hunters, foragers, many a soldiers wife or woman, it even had 5 quickly constructed armouries. As Helmutt looked around, at a sea of red cold faces in the dense snow, he chuckled to himself. ‘Encampment indeed,’ he thought, ‘it even has tent brothels. It’s a city unto itself.’
The men were fond of Helmut; he was their caretaker. When the General’s were warm and snug in their beds, Helmut walked out in the cold, giving a shivering veteran a cigar, or a cold wife of a soldier some extra rye or beef. When the Generals were harsh, Helmut was kind. But Helmut’s temper had no limits when he saw an injustice, or when he saw men disobeying orders. All knew of the story of the bold Corporal who came to a military parade dead drunk, the Colonel gave him the lash, himself. The Corporal still winces when he remembers the day, but still remains one of the Colonels staunchest supporters.
Most of the nobles in the army called Helmutt one of the “new” nobility. Those were the men and woman of the merchant class, who, through bribes, political manoeuvring and some well timed and well-aimed marriage granted them small but influential estate, and a minor noble title. This set the Von Hoffmein’s up to guarantee Helmut a fine commission in the archduke’s, and later Emperor’s Army. Despite his father’s death, upon which he could have returned home to run the estate, he stayed, letting a steward run it in his stead.
Although well liked by his men, many nobles scorned him for not having the purest of blood. This unfortunately included the current leader of the army General von Wallenstein, whom he had to report to in an hour. He had left early from his tent, because he knew he would be making quite a few stops on the way there. He heard the horns for the changing of the guard and knew it was time, he said his good nights to the men around the fire and began the short walk to the Generals tent.
Upon arriving he snickered to himself thinking that ‘if this encampment is a city, than here is its palace.’ For the tent was the largest in the entire army, probably in all of the Holy Roman Empire. Two guards stood at attention and another opened the flap as the Colonel came closer. He saluted then entered. The tent was lit up like it was day. He first had to walk though a small ‘waiting room.’ Unfortunately those who had to sit in this room, more than likely wouldn’t see the General that day, because the real waiting room was through another flap. Though that flap another guard, a Lieutenant who stood at attention, saluting saying, “Sir! The General is expecting you Colonel.” Turning, he opened the flap and Helmut walked though. Inside the General’s conference room, were maps of all sizes from all over Eastern and Central Europe. Wooden chairs sat beside the right part of the room, and to the left in the room was a small wooden table with a map of the Tyrol-Wurtenburg border. Helmut marched in ceremoniously towards the General seated in a magnificent mahogany chair in front of a matching desk. Coming to attention and saluting saying, “You asked to see me Sir?”
The General continued to read some dispatches silently, as Helmut had expected he liked playing these games with his underlings, more specifically with Helmut, and the “new” nobility. Helmut continued to stand staring straight-ahead waiting for the General. He didn’t look up until Lt. General von Mercy entered and came to the desk beside Helmut saluting. “Ah, glad you both came,” said the General, “Sit.”
They both sat, looking at one another nodding. “The Emperor has a new mission. He is perplexed that more and more Electorates of the Empire are leaving the true faith. He has had, for some time now, been conversing with both the Spanish and Portuguese Kings, as well as the Bavarian Electorate in order to convince them to enter holy war, once again. And we as His Majesty’s loyal Commanders are ordered to prepare for upcoming wars. Von Mercy looked over to Helmut rolling his eyes while the General continued to look down at a dispatch, he interrupted the General, “Sir, we are ready. We have been for some time, waiting for the order, has his Majesty declared war yet?”
Only then did he put down the dispatch, “I was not finished Lt. General, if you interrupt me again I’ll send you to Carpathia to garrison the border with the Turks.” Von Mercy smiled at this, for they both knew that with von Mercy’s connections in the imperial palace, the General had no power to do anything to him. Besides, he needed able men for the upcoming wars. The General continued, “But for now I will be lenient. Within the week we are going to split the army evenly. I, with 25000 men 7500 horse and 20 guns will march to Tyrol province. Where the Emperor feels I will be more useful in eliminating the armies of Wurtenburg.” He looked over to von Mercy, waiting for him to say something, he was given the pleasure, “Sir, Wurtenburg are still loyal to the true faith, we are not to war with them are we?"
“It is reported that Protestant clergymen have infiltrated the Electorates court, and are even now convincing the populace to join their faith. War will come soon I believe. In the mean time I shall sit on my ass waiting for the Emperor’s word.” The Generals final words must have struck von Mercy shockingly at the same time as it did Helmut. For both dropped their mouths. “Yes, von Mercy, it seems you’re in Imperial favor, enjoy it while it lasts. You will take command of the other half and march to Prague in Bohemia and wait for word from the Emperor to begin a campaign against Saxony and Wurzburg. Hoffmein, you’re coming with me.”
Hoffmein looked to the ground, ‘damn, I’m to sit on my ass with this pompous ass,’ he thought. Von Mercy spoke up, “ I could use the Colonel in Bohemia Sir, if you’d be willing to part with him.”
“I have given an order Lt. General, and he is coming with me and that’s final.” Von Mercy gave Helmut an apologetic look; the General smiled at his small victory.
“Go prepare the men Gentlemen,” the General said with a sneer. They rose up and saluted the General and then departed. Outside they stopped and turned to each other, “I'm sorry Helmut, I tried. Maybe through my connections you’ll be transferred soon enough.”
“Thank you for trying Sir,” Helmut knew the General wouldn’t let him go. It is said, ‘Keep you friends close but your enemies closer.’ There was no greater enemy of von Wallenstein than von Mercy and Helmut, fortunately for von Mercy; the Emperor has ordered him away from the General, not so for Helmut. “I’ll write to you regarding the campaign,” von Mercy said with a laugh, then shook Helmut’s hand, before departing. von Mercy always had said he didn’t want Helmut to salute him, they were friends, and it wasn’t needed unless they were in front of the men, or General.
Helmut watched him walk away then took a silver container from his tunic pocket he removed a cigar. The guards in the doorway looked enviously at it, New World tobacco. Helmut smelled the shaft of the cigar, ‘fine quality,’ he thought. The perks of being in a family that still have merchant connections. He smiled thinking of his sister, whom his father married off to a very influential Spanish Merchant. Helmut lit it, took one long drag, and then gave it over the surprised guard. “Enjoy, stay warm tonight. S’going to be a cold one.” “Yes Sir! Thank you Sir!” Helmut didn’t need to tell him to share it with the other guard; the men always did when the Colonel gave them something. He began to walk away. The guards looked at each other grinning, “God bless him,” one said. “He already has,” said the other.
Helmut didn’t think so. Finding out they would be staying out of battle would be hard on his men.
It had been a year since they split the army and moved to Tyrol, setting up a defensive encampment with the Generals quarters situated right in the middle. It was dusk, on a cold day. Helmut’s tent was very humble, considering both that he was a Colonel and a noble, and that he was rich at that. He had enough room in the tent for his cot, a table and container for his maps, a footlocker, another container for some books, and a box with his dress uniform in it. He lay on his cot with the blanket covering his legs; his boots lay on the floor. In his one hand he held a flask half full (now) with English port, in his other he held a dispatch from his dear friend. He read it to himself amazing over the conditions in the former Bohemian lands.
Helmut
It has been some time since I wrote to you. Political conditions in the North had deteriorated. The Emperor is furious, and demands vengeance on the entire populace up here. The Hungarians and many-a-Bohemian joined together in revolt from His Majesty; citing injustice. Revolts sprung up all over Bohemia, Sudeten, Moravia and Silesia. Thousands of peasants rose up under many a Hungarian, mainly consisting of Protestants. My army quickly crushed the rebellion here in Bohemia. But rebellious armies surrounded the province. I decided on a lightning campaign of striking east to Morovia, then on through the other rebellious provinces. Our campaign was beautiful, three successful battles after another. Unfortunately Silesia fell to the rebels by the time we made it there, they were behind the city walls, and a siege ensued. Gladly it didn’t last long. By the by Helmut, perhaps you should have you steward contact Fritz Fafenues at the palace in Vienna. I have instructed Fritz that you, being a most loyal servant of His Imperial Majesty, be allowed among the nobles allowed to have their pick of the rebel nobles lands. He has advised me that when you send a request to His Majesty through your steward, maps of the remaining lands shall be awarded to you. Good Luck my friend, and worry not, I have put in word to the Emperor that more help may be need up here.
Lt. General von Mercy
Commander of the North.
Helmut jumped up putting his boots on and headed over to his table to begin a dispatch to Franz, stating what he should do, according to von Mercy’s dispatch. Upon finishing he rushed out to his staff, handing it to his most trusted courier, sending him off. Satisfied that he has done his familial duty, he headed back to his tent to put some warm clothing on. After doing so, he went about the encampment, raising morale. “Soon boys, soon, we’ll see some action soon.”
You write quicker than we can read!