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Herr Haas,
Thank you for your welcome and your response to my letter, many would not be so kind.
I am from the Crown of Castille although due to their religious persecution of Muslims I do not associate myself with their king but rather with my fellow Spaniards who accepted me. In terms of my expertise; I am fluent in Arabic, Spanish, Greek, Latin and German, practiced in the art of being a ship captain as well as being a merchant specialising in acquiring spices and fabrics from Africa and the Ottoman Empire.
However I am most proud of my ability to both fight and lead on the battlefield serving as a lieutenant of a mercenary company at the Battle of Varna an experience that led me to Lübeck
Welcome to the city of Lübeck. I didn't quite understand where you have come from, or if you are Christian or not. But I assume you are from the Kingdom of Granada or maybe from the Kingdom of Castille. Also I suppose you are Muslim. Could you please tell me more of yourself? What education you have received? Do you have previous work experience?
Dear Ali al-Andalusi,
I must say I am surprised to be contacted by a Muslim as I did not know many lived here on a permanent basis. Of course, here in Lübeck we trade with people from all sorts of religious background and so you are welcome to stay here for as long as you keep the peace. Now, I do not know much about you, like your age or qualifications, but if you believe you are fit for a military career then you could either join the Lübeckian city guard. In that case please see General Cadorna in the Lübeck barracks.
Alternatively, you could work for example as a guard for my family. We are currently expanding into Hamburg and need a few more men guarding the operations. If you do not wish to pursue a military career but still want to work for the republic or my family then I suggest you come and see me at the town hall.
Great Stattholder,
I am most grateful for your advice in career choice and I will make contact with General Cadorna as I feel that I could be of use in your militairy.
Although I would like to meet you at the town hall as a post as a guard or in some other function serving your family would also be a great honour for myself.
Yours humbly,
Ali al-Andalusi
General Cadorna,
I am Ali al-Andalusi and following advice from Stattholder von Warendorf I am writing to inquire about a position as an officer in the Lübeckian army. I have served as first lieutenant in a mercenary company fighting in Iberia, the Mahgreb, Anatolia and at Varna with the Ottoman army. I have heard you were at the battle and as such you will know of what my expierience is like something I hope goes in my favour.
Great Stattholder,
I am most grateful for your advice in career choice and I will make contact with General Cadorna as I feel that I could be of use in your militairy.
Although I would like to meet you at the town hall as a post as a guard or in some other function serving your family would also be a great honour for myself.
Yours humbly,
Ali al-Andalusi
General Cadorna,
I am Ali al-Andalusi and following advice from Stattholder von Warendorf I am writing to inquire about a position as an officer in the Lübeckian army. I have served as first lieutenant in a mercenary company fighting in Iberia, the Mahgreb, Anatolia and at Varna with the Ottoman army. I have heard you were at the battle and as such you will know of what my expierience is like something I hope goes in my favour.
Dear, heathen
I don't know what witchcraft you use to trick the statthalter, but I have my eye on you. Make no mistake there is no place for you in my army.
~Giovanni Cadorna, Commander of the forces
Dear Mr. von Warendorf,
I urge you to expel this Al-andalusi from the wall, lest I do it myself. I warn you, he is up to something. the security of the city and the church are in jeopardy every second he remains behind her walls.
~Giovanni Cadorna
Dear Ali al-Andalusi,
I do not know how it has come to this but it seems you already made some enemies in Lübeck. You must leave the city within a fortnight. I am sorry about this tragic change of events.
~ Xaver von Warendorf, Statthalter of Lübeck
Dear General,
I take your word for it and will see to it that this Muslim is removed from the city walls within a fortnight. I trust your judgment and do not doubt your decision.
Ali sat at his desk astounded, so far he had enjoyed his new life in Lübeck, the people had been far mroe tolerant than those back home and yet this foreigner had now now shown him the hate he knew all to well. What would this mean? The man was a general after all, fines, bansihment... execution?
He had to take action, he could not allow himself to lose all the things he had grown to love whether it be the Baltic Coast, the cool breeze, the beer and the women.
Letter to General Cadorna
Good sir,
I am not sure what I have done to offend you but all I can ask for is forgiveness which the prophet Jesus spoke of for whatever I have done. Perhaps we could meet to resolve your differences with me and my faith?
Yours Humbly,
Ali al-Andalusi
Letter to the Stattholder
Great Stattholder,
It is with much sadness I accept your decison but I must ask what I have done to cause such great offense to such a fine city? As I would like to stay in its most tolerant splendour
The two strange men has responded. Now that they told little more about themselves, Friedrich could hire 'em.
Good Bergwald
You seem to have experience in many things. I actually have couple of jobs for you. You could work as a guard, which also includes jobs like gatekeeper and body guard.
You could also work as a crew member in one of my trade ships. If you do your work well there, you might be promoted to a captain of a ship someday.
Friedrich Haas
The Head of Haas Family
Good al-Andalusi
As it seems that you a good soldier, you could work as a bodyguard, or maybe as gatekeeper, for my family. Of course if you do your job well, you might be promoted.
Good sir,
It appears I have caused offence to General Cadorna as he has asked the Stattholder to expel me from the city as such I will be unable to serve you as a guard. Perhaps I could offer my skils as a merchant or as a captain of my ship to you instead?
Dear Ali al-Andalusi,
I do not know how it has come to this but it seems you already made some enemies in Lübeck. You must leave the city within a fortnight. I am sorry about this tragic change of events.
~ Xaver von Warendorf, Statthalter of Lübeck
Dear General,
I take your word for it and will see to it that this Muslim is removed from the city walls within a fortnight. I trust your judgment and do not doubt your decision.
Ali sat at his desk astounded, so far he had enjoyed his new life in Lübeck, the people had been far mroe tolerant than those back home and yet this foreigner had now now shown him the hate he knew all to well. What would this mean? The man was a general after all, fines, bansihment... execution?
He had to take action, he could not allow himself to lose all the things he had grown to love whether it be the Baltic Coast, the cool breeze, the beer and the women.
Letter to General Cadorna
Good sir,
I am not sure what I have done to offend you but all I can ask for is forgiveness which the prophet Jesus spoke of for whatever I have done. Perhaps we could meet to resolve your differences with me and my faith?
Yours Humbly,
Ali al-Andalusi
Letter to the Stattholder
Great Stattholder,
It is with much sadness I accept your decison but I must ask what I have done to cause such great offense to such a fine city? As I would like to stay in its most tolerant splendour
Letter to Ali Al-andalus
How DARE you sully the lord name by writing it with your hands! Your "faith" is nothing but lies spread by the devil to send the faithful to hell.
I have no doubts your prophet exists, but I assure you, he was the devil in disguise.
~Cadorna
Hendrik had heard that a Muslim savage had made quite a ruckus in the city. He didn't want this man to get executed, but he didn't want him in the city either. He also heard that he was a soldier. So he tried to get him to work for him, for a wage that he would not offer a real human, hoping that he would die to a pirate.
I offer you work as a mercenary on my ships, as I have heard you are quite the soldier. I hope you like to fight pirates, as you will have to do that a lot.
Good sir,
If you are unaware in my religion Jesus is regarded on a a level with Mohammed (PBOH) himself and it is with great honour I write his name. Both were a man sent by God to teach as all love and forgiveness a lesson you do not appear to understand. It is clear you do not wish to listen to my debate and that is probaly the reason you have had me expelled. May God bless you.
Saddened
Ali al-Andalusi
Letter to Herr van Buren
Good sir,
Although I am a soldier I have no experience fighting at sea apart from commanding my own ship and as such I would argue that I would serve better as a captain of my own ship offering protection from pirates to your barques?
I thank you for the time you have taken to propose me and offer of employment. Although these ideas are of interest to myself, I find myself attracted to other options.
I hope you understand I mean well, and am not doing this out of spite and I hope we may retain good relations in the future.
Yours truly,
Maximilian Bergwald
I am pleased to say I am most enraptured by your offer. I feel this is an ideal place to start an education to the life of a tradesman in this fair city, whilst offering a sufficient variety to the daily workload.
I hope to meet with you, good sir, in a time that you feel is convenient. Perhaps we should hold out on the employment for a while, or I live with you for a time, so that I may better learn and understand the environment in which I am now in.
Thank you once again for this great opportunity, and I promise not to fail you,
Mr Maximilian Julian Bergwald
I guess that could work, that you protect my ships from enemy pirates. But I shall not depart for another trade mission for a long time, until the war between Burgundy and France comes to a end.
May God bless you,
- Hendrik van Buren, Master of Coin
Ali al-Andalusi,
This decision was not taken lightly but I was strongly advised by my councillors to expel you from the republic. I cannot elaborate on this as by doing so I might endanger the republic which is something I cannot do.
Regardless, I wish you good fortune for your adventures to come.
Letter to Herr van Buren
Apologies sir, but I must make you aware that in arabic the word God is Allah by saying what I did I meant no offense but rather to show my gratitude for your offer
Letter to Ali Al-andalus
I will not be fooled by the devils lies. I will hear no more of this. If you wish to speak with me again, I reccomend you head the for the cathedral, and take the bishops advice.
~Cadorna
Ludwig I was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire shortly after the prince-electors made their decision. In Lübeck, this appointment stirred up some debate among the Stadtrat. Xaver von Warendorf proposed to seek out an alliance with Hessen and he gained the support of the Patrician House Haas. However, the Fischers objected his plan but what did they know about diplomacy anyways?
Heinrich Harnischer was sent to Marburg negotiate a treaty of alliance which was declined by the Hessians in early October 1449. Having failed the mission, he was sent out on a new assignment with destination London. There is task was to improve relations with the Yorks of England. Xaver was disappointed that the offer for alliance was turned down but he quickly moved on. Maybe it was a sign from God.
The Master of Coin Economic Plan included infrastructural improvements in Lübeck, as well as the embargo of Lüneburg, a former member-state of the League. The treasurers of the republic counted more than 400 ducats so those projects were paid off easily.
On 21 November 1449, Xaver approved first plans to build a new place of worship in Lübeck. The city's cathedral was seen less beautiful than those built in gothic-style like Cologne Cathedral. A group of four architects was tasked with making initial plans to build a new church.
In early January of the following year, the Hanseatic Merchant Ivar Lovdal relocated from Riga in the Baltic region to Saxony because he was given a new task. After having done well in the Baltic, the League believed it was necessary to establish a strong presence also in the towns of Dresden and Leipzig. The Duchy of Saxony was far from poor and some of that wealth should fill the treasury of Lübeck. Master of Coin Hendrik van Buren was one of the strongest proponents of relocating Lovdal and he got his way - this time.
Some information about the French campaigns against Burgundy and Castile reached the Baltic in March of the year 1450. The Valois were dominating their opponents and saying their wars went very well would be an understatement. In Lübeck, the statthalter was worried that the French would become too strong and would continue to interfere with the trade in the Low Countries. The cloth trade was still suffering, not only because of the French-Burgundian war but also because of the civil war in England.
The last of the four barques which had been ordered to increase the merchant marine left the port on 28 April 1450. The new fleet was assigned to patrol the waters near Lübeck. The republic underwent also a series of technological advancements which as a consequence promoted trade. This not only encouraged commerce but also increased tax income.
Xaver's good governance resulted in businessmen to donate cash to the treasury. The money was spent generously to help the poor of the city. Xaver von Warendorf cared for all the citizens.
After having befriended Gelre, the Republic of Lübeck concentrated on one of its other rivals: The Duchy Mecklenburg-Schwerin. A spy network was to be built in their capital city Rostock and also in Wismar. The Lübeckian Commander of the Forces had ordered this in order to prepare for a possible war against them. His plan was to seize Wismar when Mecklenburg shows signs of weakness.
The Scottish-English War was still pretty much undecided. Edinburgh and Ayr had fallen to the English whereas the Scots controlled Coventry, Carmarethen and Chester. London was also under siege but not by the Scottish army. The besiegers were rebels loyal to House Lancaster. These rebels had previously sacked Salisbury - the war of the roses was far from coming to an end.
Sultan Mehmet II of the Ottoman Empire was ready to crush Christendom again and so a few days before Christmas Eve he declared war on the crusader's bastion Cyprus. Cyprus called the Mamluks to war who had guaranteed their independence. Despite that, the odds favored the Ottoman Empire which owned a massive army, one of the largest in the known world.
Mehmet II, conqueror of worlds
On 20 February 1451, diplomats from France and Aragon forced King Juan II of Castile to make peace. As part of the treaty three provinces were ceded to the Crown of Aragon and Galicia was released as a sovereign country. This war had changed Iberia drastically and France once again demonstrated its military superiority. Now the question was when would the French make peace with Burgundy? The answer arrived about two months later when France seized the provinces Rethel and Nerves. Hopefully, this would make trade in the Low Countries now possible again. At last, Western Europe returned to peace.
The French Army triumphs
On 25 may 1451, Pope Eugenius IV excommunicated the third major European ruler with Rene I of Provence. All the rivals of the Papal State seemed to were doomed to suffer excommunication.
Meanwhile the Lübeckian spy network in Mecklenburg-Schwerin remained undiscovered but so far the spies were unsuccessful at fabricating a claim on Wismar.
The English-Scottish war ended with a white peace. No side was able to occupy enough territory to make the other party surrender. Therefore, a white peace was the logical consequence. England remained at war though because the war of the roses was still dividing the people. When Xaver von Warendorf was informed that London had fallen to rebels loyal to House Lancaster he was relief that a few years ago no funds were provided to repair Steelyard. With the rebels controlling the capital, England was in great turmoil.
Burgundy, after having lost to France, now had to deal with its peasantry which rose up in arms. The peasants saw this as an opportunity to make a move against their overlord and besieged Dijon.
Emperor Ludwig I died at the age of 49 in February 1452. His reign over the Holy Roman Empire was short and the prince-electors had to decide who should follow him. Eventually they appointed the late emperor's thirteen year old son Ludwig II as successor. Hesse remained the seat of the empire.
For Lübeck this appointed made no difference because the regent of Ludwig II also refused to make an alliance with the merchant republic. The merchants of Lübeck didn't mind that though, given that the republic continued to prosper.
Lübeck's spies in Mecklenburg-Schwerin finally succeeded with forging the documents to claim Wismar. The best part about it was that nobody had noticed their presence so far.
Heinrich Harnischer returned to Lübeck in November after he had greatly improved relations with House York. He arrived just in time for the 1452-election...
(( Open Positions:
1x Missionary
Chancellor
Judge (up to 3)
There will be an election and possibly a legislative voting round between chapter 3 and chapter 4!))
