Interlude – Years of peace and prosperity under God and Good King Harry, January 1523 – May 1534
January - December 1523
Tax 214d. We send merchants to Genoa and Flandres, but lose one of our commercial interests in Flandres in January, so when trade expands in February we are no better off. Three more merchants are sent later in the year but none can establish themselves, although we do rid the market of a Danish shopkeeper.
Recruits: 3,000/1,000 in Genoa, 1,000/1,000 in Nice, 1,000/1,000 in Tunisia. In April a revolt in Corsica is put down with only minor losses (99 men).
Elsewhere : Poland pays 20d to Turkey for a peace settlement in January. Then in April, Poland (Brandenburg, Moldovia, Prussia, Hungary, Venice, Tripoli) declares war on the Teutonic Order (Russia, Sweden) in an attempt to curb the Order's growing power and influence in the Baltic. In November Hessen strikes a peace deal with Navarra, which costs them 232d.
January - April 1524
Tax 193d.
In January, Hessen becomes the first nation to convert to Protestantism. Great internal instability follows in Hessen and we immediately break off our alliance with the heretics. They then pay 108d indemnities to cease their war with France.
Recruits : 2,000 foot are commissioned in each of Genoa, Corsica, Nice and Tunisia to strengthen the garrisons there. We are not planning on engaging in any more costly wars for quite some time, but must be ready and prepared should Savoie seek to exercise their Casus Belli. If they cross us again, I am sure would have no qualms about finishing them off once and for all.
Trade expands once more in Flandres in January and in March one of our merchants competes away a trader from France and another does so again in April, which is most satisfying.
May - December 1524
May 21st 1524. A sad day for all of England and every true Englishman. Our great general, Norfolk, passes away at his home in Stratford-Upon-Avon, surrounded by his grief-stricken family and friends. The hero of Tunisia, Scotland, Nice and Genoa, his name will be remembered in the annals of history as one of our greatest military leaders. He is afforded a full state funeral then interred in Westminster Abbey and a memorial statue is raised in his honour in his home town.
In June trade expands yet again in Flandres, and we decide the time has come to attempt to monopolise the market. In July we successfully compete against a merchant from Prussia, and then in August we establish our monopoly. It lasts until October, when one of our cartel goes out of business. We send five more venturers throughout the remainder of year to try and re-establish our dominant position, but to no avail.
On December 9th the Teutonic Order annexes Prussia and now only Courland stands in the way of their complete domination of the eastern Baltic seaboard. However, our merchants in Novogrod manage to send word to us that the Teutons are not having everything their own way - the Poles are attacking Sver and Pskov and both towns are burning.
Elsewhere, Spain continues its war on the Papal States with a siege of Emilia and France continues to send armies to face defeat in Naples.
January - June 1525
Tax 220d. Thuringen becomes the second nation to convert to Protestantism, damn their heretic souls to hell. 0/2,000/10 reinforcements are ordered in Genoa and 2,000 foot in Nice. In January we lose a merchant in Novogrod, but manage to re-establish our Flandres monopoly, which lasts approximately 3 weeks. We then lose a merchant in Venice, but are able to reinforce our presence in Genoa - trade expands there in April but not in May. We also lose another Flandres trader in May.
On the 25th of June milord Admiral Howard passes away, leaving the Home Fleet in the (hopefully) capable hands of Commodore Westford.
July - December 1525
We continue to strengthen our trade interests in Flandres in August. Our people in Novogrod report that Tver is now under control of Hungary but the Teutonic Order has attacked the provinces of Danzig and Lithuania to the south. Then on the 29th of August, the Order negotiates peace with Poland and pays them 64d indemnities. Spain's war against the Pope continues.
In August our continental reinforcements are ready and we order 10 guns for the home garrison. Little else of note occurs until the new year.
January - June 1526
Tax 206d. The King decides that the time has come to seek fresh friendships on the continent. Our warmongering and annexation policies have made us far from popular with our European cousins. We decide to start by sending a letter of introduction to the Doge of Venice. He is relatively unimpressed by our flatteries and still considers us an enemy (-96 to -83).
A merchant is sent to Genoa, Novogrod (to out-compete a Russian), Venice (where we successfully banish another Frenchman – hurrah!). Another merchant is despatched to Genoa and our trade interests expand. Then in March one of our traders is forced out of business in Venice and in April we lose ground in both Genoa and Flandres, which incidentally is now back under Spanish control, our allies having re-taken the city in March. We send two more merchants to Flandres, who succeed in putting another Frenchman out of business and then expanding our own holdings once more.
We decide the time has come to spend a little of our surplus capital and so 2,000/2,000 troops are recruited in Genoa and 2,000 infantry in Nice.
Elsewhere: The Hanse become the latest openly heretical Protestant nation. Spain now controls Emilia, but Papal forces are besieging Messina. On March 20th France pays 250d indemnities to Naples in return for peace and on May 17th Navarra becomes a vassal of France, which must surely be a blow to our Spanish allies. At the end of May, Russia (Teutonic Order, Sweden) declares war on Kazan (Golden Horde), which is a development that causes no surprise whatsoever. On June 2nd Persia pays 195d indemnities for an end to her war with Turkey.
July - December 1526
We concentrate our mercantile efforts on Genoa, first with no result, then competing away a Georgian merchant, then expanding our trade-base. We send another merchant to Venice at the end of the year who out competes a Bohemian, but lose a merchant in Genoa, and thus our monopoly is broken.
On November 18th, Savoy becomes a vassal of France. This is a blow to our own aspirations, although not entirely unexpected. The French are gathering their neighbours in.
Our nation’s stability has now returned to pre-war levels (to +3) and so good King Henry decrees a period of investment in national infrasructure.
January 1527
Tax 275d. King Henry orders a review of our general relationships with the rest of Europe. It seems our only friend is Spain (+101). Several minor nations hold us in neutral esteem (Hannover +40, Naples +30, Cologne +10) but we have incurred the enmity of several powerful players on the European stage, notably France (-200), Turkey (-200), Russia (-199) the Teutonic Order (-200) and several minor nations who have obviously viewed our annexations of Tunisia and Genoa with some alarm. There is nothing to be done about them for the time being, but the King and I decide to continue with our wooing of Venice and send a personal gift to the Doge which improves our relationship significantly (-88 to -42), bringing them into a position of neutrality towards us.
Wurtemburg, Helvetia and Sweden all convert to Protestantism. I have become almost ashamed of my Anglo-Saxon heritage – the Protestant curse obviously runs strong in blood of Germanic descent.
On the 3rd the Mamelukes sue for peace and pay 157d to Wallachia, at the same time settling a white peace with Crimea.
February - December 1527
Trade expands in Genoa in February. Twice we try to re-establish our monopoly and are successful on the second attempt in May. We lose a merchant in Flandres in May but in June we out-compete a Venetian merchant in Genoa and in December we expel a Savoyese peddler.
In February there is rejoicing at court that His Majesty’s vow to keep Nice has been fulflled. The King now declares a new goal : to ensure that our Royal Marriage with Spain in maintained until 1532.
Our scouts in Nice report that Savoy has built army of 94,060 plus cannon (weight 100). Within two months they have lost 10,000 through attrition. It is madness on their part, sheer madness. In any case, we like no this threat to our border, and so further reinforcements are commissioned in Nice (1,000/1,000/10) and Genoa (3,000/2,000).
In July, Turkey gains Syria as part of a peace settlement with the Mameluks. In September, Russia gains the province of Bogutjar and 60d indemnities from the Golden Horde. On September 14th, the Crimea becomes a vassal of Turkey. On the 27th the Papal States, having failed to re-take Bologna from Spain, cede the province of Emilia to our noble allies in return for peace. On October 20th, Naples returns to a state of vassalhood with Spain. The rest of the year is again blessedly quiet.
January - December 1528
Tax 245d. 2,000/1,000 reinforcements in Nice, 1,000/2,000/20 in Genoa. We concentrate on securing our Genoese monopoly and continue to send merchants to put others out of business. In February we dislodge an Austrian, a Venetian in June, a Pole in July, and an Algerian in September.
In March, Kazan pays 31d indemnities to Russia for an end to their latest war. On the 26th of March Spain declares war on the Incan Empire, some native tribe troubling their New World colonies, no doubt.
On August 1st a minor revolt in Nice is swiftly and efficiently put down by Brandon. Our fleet has been idle too long and so a squadron is sent on an information-gathering mission. A quick check on our neighbours reveals that Parma, completely unbeknown to us, has joined the Spanish alliance. The head of our intelligence service is berated and we demand to be informed of all such developments in the future.
January - June 1529
Tax 246d. A double disaster strikes at the very start of the year. Firstly we lose our monopoly in Genoa and then far more seriously, a winter storm rips through the fleet stationed in Cornwall and 10 ships are lost. A major set-back for our navy and an expensive one to recover from. We then lose a merchant in Novogrod shortly afterwards, and fail to expand our trade in Flandres. We also notice that Andalusia is growing rich on the spoils of the New World and so determine to send merchants there as soon as we are able. We fail on our first attempt, and also lose a merchant in Flandres. The King declares that he has lost interest in the politicking of shopkeepers and orders me to appoint a minister for trade (auto-send switched on...). The new minister's first success is the expulsion of a Tuscan merchant from Genoa in late June.
We continue to reinforce both Nice and Genoa with 1,000/2,000 and 2,000/2,000/10 respectively
On May 16th, Poland-Lithuania (Brandenburg, Moldovia, Hungary, Venice, Tripoli, Courland) declares war on Turkey (Wallachia, Cyrenaica, Crimea) and once more the entire eastern mediterranean descends into the chaos and anarchy of war.
July - December 1529
In July the King is pleased to announce that the legal infrastructure of the nation has improved to the point where the appointment of Chief Judges to the provinces is now a possibility. He also (I fear that His Majesty is growing bored with this lengthy peace) declares that more military development is required if we are ever to put stage V of our master plan into full effect.
On August 1st we re-establish our monopoly in Genoa, lose it briefly in October, only to re-establish it in November.
January - June 1530
Tax 240d. We order 3,000/2,000 for Genoa.
In January we put a Danish pig-trader in Genoa out of business. In March we again briefly lose our monopoly but it is re-established in May and we put a Savoyese out of business in June. Our trade minister is performing well and shrewdly.
Our former ally, Hannover, becomes the latest Germanic nation to succumb to the Protestant heresy and we sever all formal alliances with her immediately. We send a letter to Venice complementing the Doge on his stand against the Turk and our relationship improves again (-52 to -32).
On February 4th, Wallachia is annexed by Poland-Lithuania and Turkey loses an ally. In June, a rumour arrives from the East that Moldovia has fallen to the Turk and further Polish provinces as far north as the Ukraine are under attack.
July - December 1530
In July, we lose another merchant in Venice - we wonder if our minister for trade isn't concentrating too heavily on Genoa - to the neglect of our other trading interests.
In the east, Serbia and Croatia both fall under Turkish control.
January - December 1531
Tax 240d. 3,000 infantry reinforcments are commissioned in Nice, 3,000/2,000 in Genoa. We also begin preparations for the appointment of our first Chief Judge in Anglia.
In February we drive a Turkish merchant from Genoa and in March we unfortunately ruin a Spaniard. In September we drive off a Frenchman, but lose our monopoly in November.
On April 16th, Cyrenaica pays 203d to Tripoli for an end to the war. In the east the Hungarians re-take Croatia and Moldovia is liberated. On the 9th of September Poland-Lithuania and Turkey negotiate a return to the status-quo. Poland has gained Wallachia, Turkey is no better off. Cunning Poles.
On July 18th our royal marriage with Spain expires and we immediately renew it. The King, who has been growing increasingly indolent of late, swears an oath that Genoa shall remain an English province for at least the next five years, perhaps hoping to incite the French to greater efforts to thwart him.
Late in the year, a revolt in Corsica is put down in just over a fortnight.
January 1532
Tax 238d. King Henry grows more and more restless. These years of peace are chafing at his noble spirit and Kingly urge for battle and conquest. He demands to know when I plan to put Stage V of our master plan into full effect. I am forced to remind his majesty that although our army in Genoa now numbers some 43,000 there is still the matter of the 84,000 Savoyese on our northern border, with Casus Beli against us for the siezure of Nice. I plead caution, at least until France and Savoy are once more engaged elsewhere and we can then make our move in the region without undue fear of retaliation.
Instead, we invest wisely in the commissioning of two more Chief Judges - in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
February - June 1532
In Feb we boot a Georgian merchant out of Genoa, a Swede in April, an Austrian in May, and a Turk in June. Our monopoly is looking increasingly secure, and increasingly profitable.
July - December 1532
In July, another revolt in Corsica is once more quashed with apparent ease. Our garrison is slightly reduced however, and so another 1,000 foot will be commissioned next year to give it a boost.
Another Austrian is sent packing from Genoa in August, and a Helvetian in October, but more foreigners arrive and set up shop and our monopoly is broken in the same month, only to be re-established again in December. It would seem that we are fighting a losing battle, economically speaking - approximately 30d a year to place merchants and drive out our opponents, but for how much gain?
January 1533
Tax 249d. We continue our charm offensive with the Doge of Venice, this time sending another personal gift. He is warming to us a little more each year (rel. fom -34 to +18). Our first Chief Judge is appointed in Anglia. Boyard rises to the throne of Russia.
The King is champing at the bit of peace. He demands action on several fronts. Our 'grand master plan' seems to have stalled, he informs me, and our colonies have not grown significantly for twenty years or more. I explain that the game of politics is by necessity a waiting game. Our colonies are not growing because our citizens are content to live in England. The King says that he grows tired of 'waiting' and 'contentment'. Then, with a sly air, he tells me he has heard that in those nations where Protestantism has been allowed its full head, a measured dose of civil unrest has led to a movement of discontented parties towards the New World, where religious intolerance is said to be a lesser evil than the perils of everyday survival. He leaves it at that, but I am horrified by the implication. I fear that perhaps my long years of service may soon have to draw to a close. I simply cannot, shall not, will not serve a Protestant King.
February - December 1533
We see to the further development of our trade network. Our Genoese monopoly is lost again and so we take steps to re-establish it, and send merchants to Flandres and Novogrod once more, to revive our flagging interests there. Instead we succeed only in competing Swedes out of business in both centres. The Andalusian market seems to have collapsed, so we send another merchant to Flandres instead, there to expel an unlucky soul from Thuringen, and renew our trade-acquaintances in Venice. Trade expands there and so we send another merchant, though this time we are unsuccessful. In October we briefly lose our Genoese monopoly but re-establish it in December. However, we do lose one of our interests in Novogrod, which is a great shame as that particular market is looking increasingly healthy.
Elsewhere: on September 13th Russia, strangely without allies, declares war yet again on her old enemy Kazan (Golden Horde).
January - May 1534
Tax 250d. Another gift is sent to the Doge of Venice, but we fear he is tiring of our (expensive) attentions (rel. from +17 to +31) as he still professes only strictest neutrality towards us.
We lose a merchant from Flandres in February, kick an Algerian out of Genoa in March and re-establish our monopoly in April. Our trade interests are growing healthily, and soon we will be able to look even further afield to… “but wait, there is someone at my chamber door… leave me, I am busy! I said leave. Leave at once. What? What is this? How dare you! Unhand me. Damn you sir, take your hands from me. The King shall hear of this outrage… What? Who? The King? No, this cannot be…”
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January - December 1523
Tax 214d. We send merchants to Genoa and Flandres, but lose one of our commercial interests in Flandres in January, so when trade expands in February we are no better off. Three more merchants are sent later in the year but none can establish themselves, although we do rid the market of a Danish shopkeeper.
Recruits: 3,000/1,000 in Genoa, 1,000/1,000 in Nice, 1,000/1,000 in Tunisia. In April a revolt in Corsica is put down with only minor losses (99 men).
Elsewhere : Poland pays 20d to Turkey for a peace settlement in January. Then in April, Poland (Brandenburg, Moldovia, Prussia, Hungary, Venice, Tripoli) declares war on the Teutonic Order (Russia, Sweden) in an attempt to curb the Order's growing power and influence in the Baltic. In November Hessen strikes a peace deal with Navarra, which costs them 232d.
January - April 1524
Tax 193d.
In January, Hessen becomes the first nation to convert to Protestantism. Great internal instability follows in Hessen and we immediately break off our alliance with the heretics. They then pay 108d indemnities to cease their war with France.
Recruits : 2,000 foot are commissioned in each of Genoa, Corsica, Nice and Tunisia to strengthen the garrisons there. We are not planning on engaging in any more costly wars for quite some time, but must be ready and prepared should Savoie seek to exercise their Casus Belli. If they cross us again, I am sure would have no qualms about finishing them off once and for all.
Trade expands once more in Flandres in January and in March one of our merchants competes away a trader from France and another does so again in April, which is most satisfying.
May - December 1524
May 21st 1524. A sad day for all of England and every true Englishman. Our great general, Norfolk, passes away at his home in Stratford-Upon-Avon, surrounded by his grief-stricken family and friends. The hero of Tunisia, Scotland, Nice and Genoa, his name will be remembered in the annals of history as one of our greatest military leaders. He is afforded a full state funeral then interred in Westminster Abbey and a memorial statue is raised in his honour in his home town.
In June trade expands yet again in Flandres, and we decide the time has come to attempt to monopolise the market. In July we successfully compete against a merchant from Prussia, and then in August we establish our monopoly. It lasts until October, when one of our cartel goes out of business. We send five more venturers throughout the remainder of year to try and re-establish our dominant position, but to no avail.
On December 9th the Teutonic Order annexes Prussia and now only Courland stands in the way of their complete domination of the eastern Baltic seaboard. However, our merchants in Novogrod manage to send word to us that the Teutons are not having everything their own way - the Poles are attacking Sver and Pskov and both towns are burning.
Elsewhere, Spain continues its war on the Papal States with a siege of Emilia and France continues to send armies to face defeat in Naples.
January - June 1525
Tax 220d. Thuringen becomes the second nation to convert to Protestantism, damn their heretic souls to hell. 0/2,000/10 reinforcements are ordered in Genoa and 2,000 foot in Nice. In January we lose a merchant in Novogrod, but manage to re-establish our Flandres monopoly, which lasts approximately 3 weeks. We then lose a merchant in Venice, but are able to reinforce our presence in Genoa - trade expands there in April but not in May. We also lose another Flandres trader in May.
On the 25th of June milord Admiral Howard passes away, leaving the Home Fleet in the (hopefully) capable hands of Commodore Westford.
July - December 1525
We continue to strengthen our trade interests in Flandres in August. Our people in Novogrod report that Tver is now under control of Hungary but the Teutonic Order has attacked the provinces of Danzig and Lithuania to the south. Then on the 29th of August, the Order negotiates peace with Poland and pays them 64d indemnities. Spain's war against the Pope continues.
In August our continental reinforcements are ready and we order 10 guns for the home garrison. Little else of note occurs until the new year.
January - June 1526
Tax 206d. The King decides that the time has come to seek fresh friendships on the continent. Our warmongering and annexation policies have made us far from popular with our European cousins. We decide to start by sending a letter of introduction to the Doge of Venice. He is relatively unimpressed by our flatteries and still considers us an enemy (-96 to -83).
A merchant is sent to Genoa, Novogrod (to out-compete a Russian), Venice (where we successfully banish another Frenchman – hurrah!). Another merchant is despatched to Genoa and our trade interests expand. Then in March one of our traders is forced out of business in Venice and in April we lose ground in both Genoa and Flandres, which incidentally is now back under Spanish control, our allies having re-taken the city in March. We send two more merchants to Flandres, who succeed in putting another Frenchman out of business and then expanding our own holdings once more.
We decide the time has come to spend a little of our surplus capital and so 2,000/2,000 troops are recruited in Genoa and 2,000 infantry in Nice.
Elsewhere: The Hanse become the latest openly heretical Protestant nation. Spain now controls Emilia, but Papal forces are besieging Messina. On March 20th France pays 250d indemnities to Naples in return for peace and on May 17th Navarra becomes a vassal of France, which must surely be a blow to our Spanish allies. At the end of May, Russia (Teutonic Order, Sweden) declares war on Kazan (Golden Horde), which is a development that causes no surprise whatsoever. On June 2nd Persia pays 195d indemnities for an end to her war with Turkey.
July - December 1526
We concentrate our mercantile efforts on Genoa, first with no result, then competing away a Georgian merchant, then expanding our trade-base. We send another merchant to Venice at the end of the year who out competes a Bohemian, but lose a merchant in Genoa, and thus our monopoly is broken.
On November 18th, Savoy becomes a vassal of France. This is a blow to our own aspirations, although not entirely unexpected. The French are gathering their neighbours in.
Our nation’s stability has now returned to pre-war levels (to +3) and so good King Henry decrees a period of investment in national infrasructure.
January 1527
Tax 275d. King Henry orders a review of our general relationships with the rest of Europe. It seems our only friend is Spain (+101). Several minor nations hold us in neutral esteem (Hannover +40, Naples +30, Cologne +10) but we have incurred the enmity of several powerful players on the European stage, notably France (-200), Turkey (-200), Russia (-199) the Teutonic Order (-200) and several minor nations who have obviously viewed our annexations of Tunisia and Genoa with some alarm. There is nothing to be done about them for the time being, but the King and I decide to continue with our wooing of Venice and send a personal gift to the Doge which improves our relationship significantly (-88 to -42), bringing them into a position of neutrality towards us.
Wurtemburg, Helvetia and Sweden all convert to Protestantism. I have become almost ashamed of my Anglo-Saxon heritage – the Protestant curse obviously runs strong in blood of Germanic descent.
On the 3rd the Mamelukes sue for peace and pay 157d to Wallachia, at the same time settling a white peace with Crimea.
February - December 1527
Trade expands in Genoa in February. Twice we try to re-establish our monopoly and are successful on the second attempt in May. We lose a merchant in Flandres in May but in June we out-compete a Venetian merchant in Genoa and in December we expel a Savoyese peddler.
In February there is rejoicing at court that His Majesty’s vow to keep Nice has been fulflled. The King now declares a new goal : to ensure that our Royal Marriage with Spain in maintained until 1532.
Our scouts in Nice report that Savoy has built army of 94,060 plus cannon (weight 100). Within two months they have lost 10,000 through attrition. It is madness on their part, sheer madness. In any case, we like no this threat to our border, and so further reinforcements are commissioned in Nice (1,000/1,000/10) and Genoa (3,000/2,000).
In July, Turkey gains Syria as part of a peace settlement with the Mameluks. In September, Russia gains the province of Bogutjar and 60d indemnities from the Golden Horde. On September 14th, the Crimea becomes a vassal of Turkey. On the 27th the Papal States, having failed to re-take Bologna from Spain, cede the province of Emilia to our noble allies in return for peace. On October 20th, Naples returns to a state of vassalhood with Spain. The rest of the year is again blessedly quiet.
January - December 1528
Tax 245d. 2,000/1,000 reinforcements in Nice, 1,000/2,000/20 in Genoa. We concentrate on securing our Genoese monopoly and continue to send merchants to put others out of business. In February we dislodge an Austrian, a Venetian in June, a Pole in July, and an Algerian in September.
In March, Kazan pays 31d indemnities to Russia for an end to their latest war. On the 26th of March Spain declares war on the Incan Empire, some native tribe troubling their New World colonies, no doubt.
On August 1st a minor revolt in Nice is swiftly and efficiently put down by Brandon. Our fleet has been idle too long and so a squadron is sent on an information-gathering mission. A quick check on our neighbours reveals that Parma, completely unbeknown to us, has joined the Spanish alliance. The head of our intelligence service is berated and we demand to be informed of all such developments in the future.
January - June 1529
Tax 246d. A double disaster strikes at the very start of the year. Firstly we lose our monopoly in Genoa and then far more seriously, a winter storm rips through the fleet stationed in Cornwall and 10 ships are lost. A major set-back for our navy and an expensive one to recover from. We then lose a merchant in Novogrod shortly afterwards, and fail to expand our trade in Flandres. We also notice that Andalusia is growing rich on the spoils of the New World and so determine to send merchants there as soon as we are able. We fail on our first attempt, and also lose a merchant in Flandres. The King declares that he has lost interest in the politicking of shopkeepers and orders me to appoint a minister for trade (auto-send switched on...). The new minister's first success is the expulsion of a Tuscan merchant from Genoa in late June.
We continue to reinforce both Nice and Genoa with 1,000/2,000 and 2,000/2,000/10 respectively
On May 16th, Poland-Lithuania (Brandenburg, Moldovia, Hungary, Venice, Tripoli, Courland) declares war on Turkey (Wallachia, Cyrenaica, Crimea) and once more the entire eastern mediterranean descends into the chaos and anarchy of war.
July - December 1529
In July the King is pleased to announce that the legal infrastructure of the nation has improved to the point where the appointment of Chief Judges to the provinces is now a possibility. He also (I fear that His Majesty is growing bored with this lengthy peace) declares that more military development is required if we are ever to put stage V of our master plan into full effect.
On August 1st we re-establish our monopoly in Genoa, lose it briefly in October, only to re-establish it in November.
January - June 1530
Tax 240d. We order 3,000/2,000 for Genoa.
In January we put a Danish pig-trader in Genoa out of business. In March we again briefly lose our monopoly but it is re-established in May and we put a Savoyese out of business in June. Our trade minister is performing well and shrewdly.
Our former ally, Hannover, becomes the latest Germanic nation to succumb to the Protestant heresy and we sever all formal alliances with her immediately. We send a letter to Venice complementing the Doge on his stand against the Turk and our relationship improves again (-52 to -32).
On February 4th, Wallachia is annexed by Poland-Lithuania and Turkey loses an ally. In June, a rumour arrives from the East that Moldovia has fallen to the Turk and further Polish provinces as far north as the Ukraine are under attack.
July - December 1530
In July, we lose another merchant in Venice - we wonder if our minister for trade isn't concentrating too heavily on Genoa - to the neglect of our other trading interests.
In the east, Serbia and Croatia both fall under Turkish control.
January - December 1531
Tax 240d. 3,000 infantry reinforcments are commissioned in Nice, 3,000/2,000 in Genoa. We also begin preparations for the appointment of our first Chief Judge in Anglia.
In February we drive a Turkish merchant from Genoa and in March we unfortunately ruin a Spaniard. In September we drive off a Frenchman, but lose our monopoly in November.
On April 16th, Cyrenaica pays 203d to Tripoli for an end to the war. In the east the Hungarians re-take Croatia and Moldovia is liberated. On the 9th of September Poland-Lithuania and Turkey negotiate a return to the status-quo. Poland has gained Wallachia, Turkey is no better off. Cunning Poles.
On July 18th our royal marriage with Spain expires and we immediately renew it. The King, who has been growing increasingly indolent of late, swears an oath that Genoa shall remain an English province for at least the next five years, perhaps hoping to incite the French to greater efforts to thwart him.
Late in the year, a revolt in Corsica is put down in just over a fortnight.
January 1532
Tax 238d. King Henry grows more and more restless. These years of peace are chafing at his noble spirit and Kingly urge for battle and conquest. He demands to know when I plan to put Stage V of our master plan into full effect. I am forced to remind his majesty that although our army in Genoa now numbers some 43,000 there is still the matter of the 84,000 Savoyese on our northern border, with Casus Beli against us for the siezure of Nice. I plead caution, at least until France and Savoy are once more engaged elsewhere and we can then make our move in the region without undue fear of retaliation.
Instead, we invest wisely in the commissioning of two more Chief Judges - in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
February - June 1532
In Feb we boot a Georgian merchant out of Genoa, a Swede in April, an Austrian in May, and a Turk in June. Our monopoly is looking increasingly secure, and increasingly profitable.
July - December 1532
In July, another revolt in Corsica is once more quashed with apparent ease. Our garrison is slightly reduced however, and so another 1,000 foot will be commissioned next year to give it a boost.
Another Austrian is sent packing from Genoa in August, and a Helvetian in October, but more foreigners arrive and set up shop and our monopoly is broken in the same month, only to be re-established again in December. It would seem that we are fighting a losing battle, economically speaking - approximately 30d a year to place merchants and drive out our opponents, but for how much gain?
January 1533
Tax 249d. We continue our charm offensive with the Doge of Venice, this time sending another personal gift. He is warming to us a little more each year (rel. fom -34 to +18). Our first Chief Judge is appointed in Anglia. Boyard rises to the throne of Russia.
The King is champing at the bit of peace. He demands action on several fronts. Our 'grand master plan' seems to have stalled, he informs me, and our colonies have not grown significantly for twenty years or more. I explain that the game of politics is by necessity a waiting game. Our colonies are not growing because our citizens are content to live in England. The King says that he grows tired of 'waiting' and 'contentment'. Then, with a sly air, he tells me he has heard that in those nations where Protestantism has been allowed its full head, a measured dose of civil unrest has led to a movement of discontented parties towards the New World, where religious intolerance is said to be a lesser evil than the perils of everyday survival. He leaves it at that, but I am horrified by the implication. I fear that perhaps my long years of service may soon have to draw to a close. I simply cannot, shall not, will not serve a Protestant King.
February - December 1533
We see to the further development of our trade network. Our Genoese monopoly is lost again and so we take steps to re-establish it, and send merchants to Flandres and Novogrod once more, to revive our flagging interests there. Instead we succeed only in competing Swedes out of business in both centres. The Andalusian market seems to have collapsed, so we send another merchant to Flandres instead, there to expel an unlucky soul from Thuringen, and renew our trade-acquaintances in Venice. Trade expands there and so we send another merchant, though this time we are unsuccessful. In October we briefly lose our Genoese monopoly but re-establish it in December. However, we do lose one of our interests in Novogrod, which is a great shame as that particular market is looking increasingly healthy.
Elsewhere: on September 13th Russia, strangely without allies, declares war yet again on her old enemy Kazan (Golden Horde).
January - May 1534
Tax 250d. Another gift is sent to the Doge of Venice, but we fear he is tiring of our (expensive) attentions (rel. from +17 to +31) as he still professes only strictest neutrality towards us.
We lose a merchant from Flandres in February, kick an Algerian out of Genoa in March and re-establish our monopoly in April. Our trade interests are growing healthily, and soon we will be able to look even further afield to… “but wait, there is someone at my chamber door… leave me, I am busy! I said leave. Leave at once. What? What is this? How dare you! Unhand me. Damn you sir, take your hands from me. The King shall hear of this outrage… What? Who? The King? No, this cannot be…”
New screenshots:
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. Emilia rebels against Spain in September but the revolt is swiftly quashed. In November the Mameluks sue for peace with Cyrenaica and surrender Qattara to them. It would seem that the sun is setting on the Mameluk dynasty in Egypt. At the tail end of the year, Russia re-joins its old alliance with the Teutonic Order and Sweden, and Hannover enters the alliance of the Hanse and Portugal. 
