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History of the White Eagle - Poland - Megacampaign AAR - part 2 EU3

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Well, guys, 'The Witcher' takes around 40 hours to complete. So I guess that the update will be postponed till next weekend.

Quite interesting AAR, btw. I would love to see how it develops further on :p .
 
Howsit?

Thinking of coming back and giving us an update yet?
 
Don't panic people. Last time he was seen in Polish forum, where he wants to show his EUIII AAR in Polish. Also he wanted to do this first and then get back to writing new episodes. But still, it's long time since his last post here or there.
 
Actually i`m working on update since yesterday, and have it almost finished so stay tuned. I guess it`s proper time to 'reanimate' this AAR before it dies. :)

Thanks for support guys - with winter coming I`ll have less work, and more spare time. :)
 
thrashing mad said:
Actually i`m working on update since yesterday, and have it almost finished so stay tuned. I guess it`s proper time to 'reanimate' this AAR before it dies. :)

Thanks for support guys - with winter coming I`ll have less work, and more spare time. :)
Click to expand...
Hooray! May there be celebrations! :D
 
YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Go go go....one of the best AAR ever!

This AAR inspired me so much that i started a camapign in Medieavl II as Poland :p
 


HISTORY OF THE WHITE EAGLE

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Europe Anno Domini 1475



Russia and Pontic Steppe​




rusmapa-1.gif

History of Rus` prior to Mongol invasion.

In XIth century dominant political entity of Eastern Europe was Kievan Rus`, which reached zenith of it`s power during the reigns of Vladimir the Great, and Yaroslav the Wise. Vast, forested land was inhabited by Eastern Slavic population professing Orthodox faith. Realm neighbored with Hungary, Poland, and Balts to the west, Finnic tribes to the north, Volga Bulgars to the East, and nomadic Cumans to the south. After turbulent but successful reign of Yaroslav I, who managed to centralize his power, defeat neighbors, and diminish Byzantine influence over Kiev, it seemed that his successors would maintain strong position of the country. Unfortunately, during years following his death in year 1054, Kievan Rus` began to disintegrate as a unified, centralized state. Because Rurikovich family grew in numbers, they were given their own domains across the country, and after years passed power of Kiev over numerous princedoms diminished completely.

Remainder of XIth century saw destruction of old, and rise of new centers of power. Western principalities of Polotsk and Kiev were destroyed by strong confederation of Baltic tribes, led by Lithuanians. On the other hand, three other Rurikovich states began to dominate central and eastern parts of Rus - Ryazan, Pronsk and Pereyaslav. The latter increased thrice in size after complete conqests of Volga Bulgars and Cuman tribes.

With the beginning of XIIth century princes of Ryazan tried to reclaim westernmost boundaries of Rus` lost to pagan Balts, but were forestalled by Polish king Ziemowit the Conqueror who brought all Baltic lands over his rule, as well as Polotsk and Kiev. During latter part of the century Pereyaslav struggled with numerous rebellions, while Pronsk conquered Novgorod, and Ryazan Finland.

In years 1120-1220 kings of Poland gradually grew in power, and expanded to the east to finally settle their border on Dniepr river. When king Henryk I Piast took throne in year 1220, kingdom of Poland-Lithuania-Bohemia was undoubtedly most powerful realm of whole Europe. Young, overambitious monarch denounced Papal superiority over Polish Church, and went to the war with Ruthenian princedoms, proclaiming throne of whole Rus` for himself. Hastily tied alliance of Ryazan-Pronsk-Pereyaslav was at the brink of destruction, but managed to defeat Henryk at battle of Ryazan in 1224, thanks to Polish dukes which betrayed their king. Realm of Piasts almost cased to exist after terrible civil war, and lost most of it`s former territory to new kingdoms of Lithuania and Bohemia.

War with Poland brought great destruction to Pronsk and Ryazan, while lands of Pereyaslav were almost intact. When Polish threat cased to exist, princes of Pereyaslav began to dominate lands of Rus`. In years 1245-1249 they conquered Turkic tribes living in Central Asia, reaching as far south as to the distant Persia. Prince Mstislav IV proclaimed himself king of Transoxiana. While this ancient title had little worth in itself, it greatly strengthened prestige of former prince. In year 1250 scouting warband from distant Mongol Empire entered into Rus` from steppes south of Ural mountains. They crushed any attempt of resistance, plundered several towns and disappeared. With possibility of new threat, and growth of power and prestige of Transoxianian Rurikoviches it seemed that unification of whole Rus` under single Tsar was only matter of time. Unfortunately, such event was excluded by arrival of 'Scourge from the East'.


GoldenHorde.gif

Genghis Khan united various Mongolian and Turkic tribes, and created one of the biggest and most aggressive Empires known in history. Traditional steppe warfare combined with skilled leadership and countless numbers of nomadic warriors created most efficient and deadly war machine of that time. World wasn`t prepared to stop them.

In year 1271 youngest son of Genghis Khan - Burilgi (mong.'destroyer'), started his invasion to the west, while his brothers continued their campaigns in China. Mongol horde entered lands of Transoxiana from the gap between Ural Mountains and Caspian Sea. Army of horsemen rapidly advanced through Pontic steppe crushing any attempt of resistance. In a matter of two months one third of Rurikovich lands were lost. With such dreadful enemy on the horizon, princes of Ryazan and Pronsk tied alliance with Transoxianian ruler, and accepted his suzerainty over Rus`. Gigantic allied army tried to stop invaders at battle of Pronsk in spring of year 1272. Brave stand turned out into total defeat, as Mongols slaughtered armies of Rus` using their starling tactics. This battle, being one of the saddest events in history of Rus`, marked end of further resistance. Up to year 1273 pagan hordes conquered almost whole Eastern Europe, and were pushing into Finland, Poland, and Lithuania.

At this point further advance of Burilgi Khan`s warriors was slowed, but not halted. Kingdom of Lithuania fell after three wars in year 1294, while Poland posed successful resistance winning two wars under king Dytryk the Strong, but gaining only token amount of land. It took Mongols another 50 years to completely destroy Poland (1349) and also Bohemia (1350), using the fact that king Zygmunt the Pious was waging long war with Hungary at that time. Finally, borders of Golden Horde settled on Black Sea and Caucasus to the south, Sudeten Moutains and Elbe river to the west, and Gulf of Bothnia to the north. In year 1350 Subeenq Khan proclaimed himself Khagan (Emperor), which caused great animosity with other Mongol rulers from Asia. Thus Khaganate of Golden Horde stopped in it`s expansion to the west, and focused on the east.

It was impossible for Khagan to keep direct control over the whole empire, given it`s size, inhospitable terrain of far northern reaches, rebellious population, and also limited number of Mongol aristocracy. Thus he created many petty vassal states in Bohemia, Poland, Baltic coast, Finland and northern Rus`. Mongol rulers carefully chosen noble families that were quarreled with each other, and kept their power in check. Conquered Cuman, Volga Bulgars, Alan, and other nomadic people were granted some privileges, like gaining tributes from vassals, plundering, etc. They provided loyal and strong manpower base, and constituted major part of population in demesne of Golden Horde.

In year 1356 Khagan Sartag decided to conquer last stronghold along Baltic sea that was still independent - fortified city of Riga, seat of Teutonic Knights. Riga was part of Holy Roman Empire, and Knights were also allied with king of Sweden. However, in hour of need it turned out that only Swedes answered call, as Emperor dishonored agreement. Teutonic Knights repelled several attempts of assault, but city fell after several months. At the same time Swedish army advanced far into Finland. Despite coming winter, Sartag sent thousands of his warriors to the far north. Although they repelled Swedes, and advanced into their territory, number of deaths due to cold and hunger was disastrous. To make matters worse, duke of Poland - Ziemowit II rebelled, and began to conquer Ruthenia without encountering serious resistance. Khagan Sartag was murdered in year 1361 by his court rival, who ended wars with Poland and Sweden as revolt was brewing across whole empire.

In following decades rulers of Golden Horde faced numerous rebellions, as well as several conflicts with neighboring Timurid Empire. Although both empires were of Mongolian origin, Timurids were Muslims, while Khagans of Golden Horde remained faithful to old animistic beliefs.

Years 1393-1397 brought another war with Polish-Swedish alliance. Even though Sweden was utterly conquered, and Poland gained only small, coastal province, Golden Horde lost land connection with westernmost vassals in Bohemia and western Poland. This alone was serious blow to prestige and power of Horde, and many historians consider it as marking point from which Mongol Empire began to collapse.

In year 1411, under pressure of powerful Muslim neighbors, as well as Volga Bulgars, Golden Horde adopted Islam. It seemed that such move was necessary, but it still was contested by large parts of nomadic population and aristocracy. Growing chaos, as well as incompetence of Khagans, provoked large invasion of Timurids in year 1417, and one year later Poland, and Siberian Khanate. Those events triggered massive rebellion. Golden Horde fought continuous war with various states for almost 30 years, during which all vassal states won independence, and once mighty capital city of Saraj was razed by polish king Bezprym the Great.

In years 1450-1475 once powerful empire slowly raised after series of fatal blows. Territory of khanate was limited to Black Sea steppes and small parts of central Russia. Khan Ahmad I, that ruled since year 1468, improved relations with Bolgar Khanate, and Timurids, but also strengthened his grip on his own subjects. However, whether Golden Horde keep it`s borders and various tribes living on the steppes or not, depended on skills of it`s future leaders, as well as new regional alliances.



Tver.gif


Rurikovich princes of Tver were elevated to higher status by Khagans of Golden Horde, when they divided outskirts of their empire into patchwork of vassal states in the middle of XIVth century. While neighboring Novgorod was ruled by assembly of merchant families and nobles, in Moscow and Ryazan Boyar Duma elected their rulers, princes of Tver held strong grip over their small realm, risking open conflict with Khagans of Golden Horde. However, with careful and slow pace, and support of Orthodox Metropolitan of Rus`, they continued to build despotic monarchy, while Mongol overlords were busy with numerous rebellions and wars.

Finally, when Golden Horde simultaneously waged war with Timurids, Sibir and Poland in year 1418, Prince Vladimir III of Tver was first to broke from Mongol servitude. As a result he increased size of his domain by threefold, while in neighboring Moscow and Yaroslav boyars debated whether to join revolt or not. By this way Tver and rich republic of Novgorod dominated their lesser neighbors in the middle of XVth century. In year 1465 orthodox Metropolitan of Rus` moved his seat from Pereyaslav to Tver, and Vasill II announced himself Grand Prince with his blessing.

From this point Tver started it`s attempts to gain control over Russia, and most of all - brake economic and political dominance of Novgorod. In year 1472 Tver allied with Finland won war with merchant republic, after which it lost Karelia, Bjarmia and Livonia. However, such strong alliance triggered reaction in elective monarchies of Moscow and Yaroslav. Boyars, afraid of loosing their privileges under crown of Tver, started to seriously consider an alliance with Novgorod.

While Grand Princes schemed to dominate northern Russia, Metropolitan of Rus` encouraged them to liberate faithful orthodox people, that were still under Tatar rule. What course will Grand Princes of Tver choose, and whether they succeed or not, the time will tell.



Novgorod-1.gif

Since the beginning of history of Rus`, Novgorod was one of the richest, biggest, and most important cities of whole region. While Principality of Novgorod was absorbed by Pronsk in XIIth century, the city preserved it semi-autonomous state. Novgorod, brutally sacked by invading Mongols in year 1272, became capital of dependent principality in year 1350, when Khagan of Golden Horde established buffer vassal-states in northern Russia. While nominally it had the elective prince, state was in fact governed by council of boyars, richest merchant families and archbishop of Novgorod. Mongols didn`t interfere into internal matters of merchant republic, as long as it payed yearly tribute. Despite this economical burden, Novgorod became most prosperous and dominant center of trade in whole north-eastern Europe.

When it turned out that days of Khaganate are over in year 1418, Republic of Novgorod was first to act against oppressor, right after Grand Principality of Tver. Large army of mercenaries brought splendid victory, and provinces of Karelia and Estonia. During first years of independence, assembly of boyars and merchants called veche, executed several political reforms. Title of prince was completely abolished, and replaced by posadnik (mayor). Also Archbishop of Novgorod became elected by veche. The second reform brought conflict with Metropolitan of Rus`, that moved with his seat, and support, to the Novgorod`s rival in Tver.

Inevitable war with Tver-Finnish alliance in year 1472, was lost despite huge economical advantage, due to incompetence of leadership over mercenary-based army. Thus, Novgorod`s veche began to execute military reforms in next years. It seemed that conflict with Tver, over dominance of Russia would last till the victory of one side. To balance advantage of Tver-Finnish alliance, Novgorod began diplomatic attempts to create an alliance with boyar republics of Yaroslavl and Moscow. With merchant republic being more appealing choice than despotic Tver, such alliance seemed very likely to happen.



Bolgar.gif

When turkic Bulgar tribes arrived in Europe during 7th century, some of them continued westwards to eventually create Bulgaria in the Danube region, while some of them stayed, and conquered Finno-Ugric tribes living between Volga river and Ural Mountains in 8th century. Between 9th and 11th century, Bolgars were converted to Islam, and were subjects of Khazars. In years 1067-1070 they were conquered by Principality of Pereyaslav, and in 1273 by Mongols. Despite centuries of being subjects to various overlords, Volga Bulgarians preserved their language, mostly because of their distinguishing religion - Rusians were orthodox, while Mongols pagan.

When Khaganate of Golden Horde collapsed in years 1417-1447, whole region became part of Khanate of Sibir, that attacked Horde from the east. Because of economical, and strategical advantage of the region, over sparsely populated wilderness of lands beyond Ural, Sibirian Khans moved their seat to city of Bolgar in year 1452. They gradually adopted language, religion and customs of Bulgars, and also changed their title to Bolgar Khanes.

In year 1475 Khanate of Bolgar was strong country, with large territory on both sides of Ural Mountains. Capital city of Bolgar was important center of trade, where furs, beeswax, and wool were traded with Novgorodian merchants, but also important place for Islam, and destination of numerous pilgrimages. Without any neighboring countries to the north and east, Khanate could defend easily, or even try to expand...

reszta-1.gif

Moscow and Yaroslav were small states, ruled by princes elected by Boyar Duma. Despite being small, it was important on which side of Novgorodian-Tver conflict would they opt for, as their decision could lent the scale. Another popular idea within boyars of both states was union, that will allow Moscow and Yaroslav to stay independent of Novgorod, Tver or Bolgar Khanate. Beydom of Crimea was small Tatar state, that emerged after collapse of Golden Horde. Now, that powerful neighbor healed his wounds, he might come back for his lost lands. Polovtsy is another name for western Cumans, and independent chiefdom consist of semi-nomadic turkic tribes, that accepted Catholic faith during Polish, and later Hungarian presence in that region. During last decades chiefdom saw large influx of refugees from neighboring states - mostly Ruthenian peasants fleeing from Golden Horde, Poland or Hungary. Those peoples slowly mixed with Cumans, and were often raiding and plundering neighboring settlements along Dniepr river.




Russia and Steppes in years 1066-1475​

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And he returns in form! Fantastic map, although maybe making delays a little longer would be even better.

Grand Principality of Tver - looks poised to win because Merchant Republics make poor diplomats and conquerors in 1470s.

Cumans - looks like there's going to be a Sich there eventually.

Bolgars - hmmm, look big and dangerous.
 
As always , love your maps , TM ! Eastern Europe went through a lot of changes . Oh and almost getting to six figures ! Congratulations ahead of time !
 
Great to see you writing again.

Are you going to switch to convert game to MM mod? Imperial politics and religion events there make really great background for story based AAR like yours, compared to rather pale vanilla EU3.
 
good to see you're writing again :)
 
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