For this AAR, (my first AAR, and first campaign with IGC) blame everyone who has posted phenomenally detailed AARs about tiny little countries beating up their superpower neighbors, and the fact that I'm Irish 
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Part 1, 1492- Early 1494
Ireland was not at all well in the year of our lord 1492. As always, she was divided into the territories of squabbling clans, who's constant skirmishes prevented any real organization or government. And, as had happened many times before, she had been battered down by a foreign invader. This time it was the english.
Dublin and Meath -"the Pale" as they were known on Eire's shores- were directly under the rule of English nobles (though truly, I think you may forgive me for saying that that is a contradiction in terms). The rest of Ireland paid heavy tribute to the English crown, keeping her peoples in poverty.
The leaders of the various clans were in no position to bargain for better terms, either. There was only one proper fort in the whole of the island, that of Dublin, firmly held in the grip of the English. The English also had an army stationed in Dublin-10000 men, with the most modern equipment and heavy cannons- just in case the Irish should give them trouble.
But 1492 was also a year of hope, as the New Year saw the dawn of new leadership in Ireland. Years of secret negotiations, fortuitous marriages, and unspoken agreements had forged a block of Clan Chieftains who were committed to working together to free their homeland- No matter how long it takes.
So, in January, things began to be set in motion-
on new years day, a daughter of the O'Neil clan was married to a French prince. It was a mark of the high regard the French had for the Irish that a relatively low-born girl could marry such high nobility (+195).
The collective fortunes of the chieftains were pooled, and invested in building modern fortifications in Leinster, which they would use as a headquarters, and also to commission two thousand men (half cavalry, half infantry) to augment the small force they had been allowed to station there. The english nobility were assured that these were "To keep order among the more unruly western clans."
The spring brought interesting gossip from the frontiers of Christianity; in March the Turks and Mamelukes went to war over the holy land, and in April Spain completed her reconquista of the Moors by capturing Grenada.
May 22- The king of Scotland heartlessly denies the heir to the O'Dea Clan leadership to marry a Scottish princess who he was madly in love with. The couple eloped to his families territory in County Claire, and by all accounts lived happily, but Scottish relations did not improve for the incident (-170)
The council of chieftains levelheadedness during this crisis helped prevent bloodshed, and as a result they gained much more influence among the leaders of the other clans (Stability up to -2)
Oct 1- Inexplicably, all 10000 men of the English army in Meath board transports and Dublin and head for their own country. News of their leaving prompts many sighs of relief, as the situation is now less dangerous (stability up to -1)
The Army of Erin, in Leinster, had reached Nine thousand men, seven thousand pikemen and 2 thousand horsemen.
The english army still dwarfs ours, and we have no navy. The english have spread their forces in armies of 5-16 thousand across the heart of their country, with the heaviest concentration in the Scottish border. We pray they plan an invasion, to give us the distraction we need.
December 7- While on a diplomatic mission, a Spanish prince becomes enamored of Moira O'Brien, daughter of the Council of Chieftains foremost member, and they are wed in Madrid (+55)
January 1, 1493 The paltry sum of 27 is left after tribute is paid to the English overlords. On the plus side, the fortification of key points in Leinster is complete.
March 5- Advances are made in organizing what resources we have, and many roads are re-opened for the first time in years (Infrastructure up to Early Renaissance)
April 15- Much to our chagrin, the English return to Meath, though with only five thousand men. We now outnumber them in Ireland, but they still have much superior firepower
We can also honestly say there has been no inter-clan warfare or feuding in months, and many old greivances have been put to rest (stability up to 0)
June 1- Trade has been restored with Europe, and merchants have been sent to Flanders.(Trade Level 1, Merchant sent to Flanders) Irish farmers now have another choice besides selling to the heartless English traders.
December 1- A year of peace and the restoration of trade has led to increased confidence in our leadership, and a growing spirit of cooperation among all the clans (stability up to 1). Merchants travel to Flanders to replace those extorted out by the English. This time they bring bodyguards.
January 1, 1494- Our fledgling economy is growing. This year, after tribute to the hated English overlords, we have 43 left. Three thousand more pikemen are recruited for our "protective" force in Leinster. The English have made no effort to expand their forces based in Dublin, who still number five thousand. We have local supremecy in numbers, but dare not act. The english armies would be upon us to soon, and we would be worse off than before. We need to wait for France or Scotland to strike, and give us the chance we need to push the English out of Dublin and settle a peace without having to face their entire army.
February 1- More inexplicable behavior from the English. They have withdrawn the five thousand men from Dublin. Their armies now are concentrated on the Scottish border and in Calais, where they have now commited 9 thousand men. If war is coming on these frontiers, we may be in an ideal position to strike soon. Or perhaps they will return to garrison Dublin with 2500 next time!
February 20- An act so incoprehensible it would be funny if it weren't so terrifying (Or had it happened in some distant land). The English have declared war. It must have been a hasty decision, or their plan must have been truely unfathomable to mortal minds, or else why would they abandon Meath?
News of the War is met with grim resolution throughout the land. There have been uprisings and even organized rebellions before. But this was different, and no one had to be told that. There would be dark days ahead, that was certain.
Ireland was not at all well in the year of our lord 1492. As always, she was divided into the territories of squabbling clans, who's constant skirmishes prevented any real organization or government. And, as had happened many times before, she had been battered down by a foreign invader. This time it was the english.
Dublin and Meath -"the Pale" as they were known on Eire's shores- were directly under the rule of English nobles (though truly, I think you may forgive me for saying that that is a contradiction in terms). The rest of Ireland paid heavy tribute to the English crown, keeping her peoples in poverty.
The leaders of the various clans were in no position to bargain for better terms, either. There was only one proper fort in the whole of the island, that of Dublin, firmly held in the grip of the English. The English also had an army stationed in Dublin-10000 men, with the most modern equipment and heavy cannons- just in case the Irish should give them trouble.
But 1492 was also a year of hope, as the New Year saw the dawn of new leadership in Ireland. Years of secret negotiations, fortuitous marriages, and unspoken agreements had forged a block of Clan Chieftains who were committed to working together to free their homeland- No matter how long it takes.
So, in January, things began to be set in motion-
on new years day, a daughter of the O'Neil clan was married to a French prince. It was a mark of the high regard the French had for the Irish that a relatively low-born girl could marry such high nobility (+195).
The collective fortunes of the chieftains were pooled, and invested in building modern fortifications in Leinster, which they would use as a headquarters, and also to commission two thousand men (half cavalry, half infantry) to augment the small force they had been allowed to station there. The english nobility were assured that these were "To keep order among the more unruly western clans."
The spring brought interesting gossip from the frontiers of Christianity; in March the Turks and Mamelukes went to war over the holy land, and in April Spain completed her reconquista of the Moors by capturing Grenada.
May 22- The king of Scotland heartlessly denies the heir to the O'Dea Clan leadership to marry a Scottish princess who he was madly in love with. The couple eloped to his families territory in County Claire, and by all accounts lived happily, but Scottish relations did not improve for the incident (-170)
The council of chieftains levelheadedness during this crisis helped prevent bloodshed, and as a result they gained much more influence among the leaders of the other clans (Stability up to -2)
Oct 1- Inexplicably, all 10000 men of the English army in Meath board transports and Dublin and head for their own country. News of their leaving prompts many sighs of relief, as the situation is now less dangerous (stability up to -1)
The Army of Erin, in Leinster, had reached Nine thousand men, seven thousand pikemen and 2 thousand horsemen.
The english army still dwarfs ours, and we have no navy. The english have spread their forces in armies of 5-16 thousand across the heart of their country, with the heaviest concentration in the Scottish border. We pray they plan an invasion, to give us the distraction we need.
December 7- While on a diplomatic mission, a Spanish prince becomes enamored of Moira O'Brien, daughter of the Council of Chieftains foremost member, and they are wed in Madrid (+55)
January 1, 1493 The paltry sum of 27 is left after tribute is paid to the English overlords. On the plus side, the fortification of key points in Leinster is complete.
March 5- Advances are made in organizing what resources we have, and many roads are re-opened for the first time in years (Infrastructure up to Early Renaissance)
April 15- Much to our chagrin, the English return to Meath, though with only five thousand men. We now outnumber them in Ireland, but they still have much superior firepower
We can also honestly say there has been no inter-clan warfare or feuding in months, and many old greivances have been put to rest (stability up to 0)
June 1- Trade has been restored with Europe, and merchants have been sent to Flanders.(Trade Level 1, Merchant sent to Flanders) Irish farmers now have another choice besides selling to the heartless English traders.
December 1- A year of peace and the restoration of trade has led to increased confidence in our leadership, and a growing spirit of cooperation among all the clans (stability up to 1). Merchants travel to Flanders to replace those extorted out by the English. This time they bring bodyguards.
January 1, 1494- Our fledgling economy is growing. This year, after tribute to the hated English overlords, we have 43 left. Three thousand more pikemen are recruited for our "protective" force in Leinster. The English have made no effort to expand their forces based in Dublin, who still number five thousand. We have local supremecy in numbers, but dare not act. The english armies would be upon us to soon, and we would be worse off than before. We need to wait for France or Scotland to strike, and give us the chance we need to push the English out of Dublin and settle a peace without having to face their entire army.
February 1- More inexplicable behavior from the English. They have withdrawn the five thousand men from Dublin. Their armies now are concentrated on the Scottish border and in Calais, where they have now commited 9 thousand men. If war is coming on these frontiers, we may be in an ideal position to strike soon. Or perhaps they will return to garrison Dublin with 2500 next time!
February 20- An act so incoprehensible it would be funny if it weren't so terrifying (Or had it happened in some distant land). The English have declared war. It must have been a hasty decision, or their plan must have been truely unfathomable to mortal minds, or else why would they abandon Meath?
News of the War is met with grim resolution throughout the land. There have been uprisings and even organized rebellions before. But this was different, and no one had to be told that. There would be dark days ahead, that was certain.
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All that for two years of peace Let me know if anyone cares, plus any suggestions (about AAR, the War with England has already been played through to its conclusion, and will be the next chapter)
Let me know if anyone cares, plus any suggestions (about AAR, the War with England has already been played through to its conclusion, and will be the next chapter)
Post it. I'm always lookin for a little alternate history read while I should be working.
Definitely continue! A real cliffhanger - particularly since you only have one fortified province - am I right?
And, speaking as someone half-English (and hence half-heartless) - good luck! (You'll need it...)
Zagloba
And, speaking as someone half-English (and hence half-heartless) - good luck! (You'll need it...)
Zagloba
My hats off to you for picking Ireland. It's going to be rough going for quite a few years. Don't worry about the English they aren't so tough. Everyone kicks them around unless Ariel is leading them and I hear he's out of the country right now.
Joe
Everyone kicks them around unless Ariel is leading them and I hear he's out of the country right now. Joe
Greater Ireland.
I played one time as Eire, you know... Result was colonial empire in Americas and Africa. And in Indies. Also, Wales, Midlands, Lancaishire and Yorkshire joined original Eire. And ofcourse Ireland was united.
I played one time as Eire, you know... Result was colonial empire in Americas and Africa. And in Indies. Also, Wales, Midlands, Lancaishire and Yorkshire joined original Eire. And ofcourse Ireland was united.
Deaghaidh:
Nice ARR. Keep it up! I too am playing Ireland and having a very rough go of it. I've managed to unite Ireland and build a somewhat respectable army and small navy but haven't managed to expand the "Irish Empire". Just keeping England out of of Ireland, maintaining a coalition of forces including France and engaging in trade warfare has kept me busy. Unfortunately, I keep getting hit with pretty bad REs - lost most of my navy twice in port due to some unspecified disasters and keep getting the Artisans unhappy RE which has kept me from getting to Infrastructure (or whatever it's called) level 5 so I can promote govenors and finally get my rampant inflation under control. Granted, I've set modest goal for my first try at Ireland - just to survive whole and intact for 300 years - so I'm playing pretty conservatively. Oh, I'm playing IGC 2.0k with medium taxes and everybody anexable, hard/aggressive. Looking forward to reading about how you do!
Das:
I'm impressed. Gonna go look for your AAR if you've got one up.
Nice ARR. Keep it up! I too am playing Ireland and having a very rough go of it. I've managed to unite Ireland and build a somewhat respectable army and small navy but haven't managed to expand the "Irish Empire". Just keeping England out of of Ireland, maintaining a coalition of forces including France and engaging in trade warfare has kept me busy. Unfortunately, I keep getting hit with pretty bad REs - lost most of my navy twice in port due to some unspecified disasters and keep getting the Artisans unhappy RE which has kept me from getting to Infrastructure (or whatever it's called) level 5 so I can promote govenors and finally get my rampant inflation under control. Granted, I've set modest goal for my first try at Ireland - just to survive whole and intact for 300 years - so I'm playing pretty conservatively. Oh, I'm playing IGC 2.0k with medium taxes and everybody anexable, hard/aggressive. Looking forward to reading about how you do!
Das:
I'm impressed. Gonna go look for your AAR if you've got one up.
Deaghaidh:
definitely post more. Style is great (I esp. love the eloping Scottish/Irish couple). Do you have an alliance with France? You ought to, and could call on them for the war with the black & tans.
definitely post more. Style is great (I esp. love the eloping Scottish/Irish couple). Do you have an alliance with France? You ought to, and could call on them for the war with the black & tans.
Thanks for the encouragement! I wasn't able to get into any alliances in the early years (if I'm right, vassals can't do that).
And yes, I've only got one fortification, Wexford in Leinster and an incredibly outdated army that still doesn't know how to build cannons.
I'm definetely not going to try and build an Irish Empire. If I can get those darn English out of Dublin, I'll be a happy camper!
part 2: 'The Dark Days' Feb. 20 1494- July 29 1497 should be up some time today (including a pretty little screenshot).
Expect more long-windedness and strange behavior from the English.
Oh, and one more thing. To the makers of the IGC, they included an utterly inexcusable error. Ireland is BROWN. Come on now, people, it's the Emerald Isle for a reason!
And yes, I've only got one fortification, Wexford in Leinster
and an incredibly outdated army that still doesn't know how to build cannons. I'm definetely not going to try and build an Irish Empire. If I can get those darn English out of Dublin, I'll be a happy camper!
part 2: 'The Dark Days' Feb. 20 1494- July 29 1497 should be up some time today (including a pretty little screenshot).
Expect more long-windedness and strange behavior from the English.
Oh, and one more thing. To the makers of the IGC, they included an utterly inexcusable error. Ireland is BROWN. Come on now, people, it's the Emerald Isle for a reason!
The Dark Days (February 1494- July 29, 1497)
The Council of Clan Chieftans recovered from the shock of the English Declaration of War quickly. On the Afternoon of February 20, as English lords were busy evacuating their possessions beyond the Pale, the Council resolved to conquer Meath and liberate Dublin. It was a tall order, unlikely to be accomplished quickly.
Too that end, the Eire Army of Seven thousand pikeman and two thousand cavalry was dispatched to move to encircle the English fortifications around Dublin.
That same day, diplomats set sail from Munster to France and Spain. France suprised all by rejecting our request to join her alliance, despite the high regard they have always shown us (+195). In private, it was explained to us that we are still, in the eyes of the world, a revolting province of England. Joining us would send a dangerous message to her own vassals The French diplomat suggested that once we forced England to concede our independance, they would be eager to help us. Of course, by then we would not be needing so much help, would we!
In Spain our request for an alliance was better recieved. Spain was without allies, and the comely Moira O'Brien had made a positive impact on the Spanish court (+55). The Spanish agreed to ally with us. In the future we an rely on their presence to give the English pause before attacking us, but we still had to force the English to the bargaining table before the alliance would take effect.
In Austrian Flanders an Irish trader is denied the hand of a local nobles daughter, and the heartbroken lad returned home to join in the cause of his homeland as a bachelor.
On March 3, the Clan Chieftans resolve to raise more money to finance the war. A loan is taken from Venitan merchants, and the Clans pour what they can spare- and sometimes more- into the defense fund. (War taxes raised)
The war funds are spent on updating the walls of Belfast and Galway against the possibility of English attacks (Connaught & Ulster building fortresses)
March 5- The three thousand pikeman we had called for before the war are ready for service in Leinster, and join the army en route to Dublin.
On March the 9, the Eire army, now numbering 9 thousand pikeman and two thousand cavalry encircles Dublin for the first time. Within the walls lies a garrison of ten thousand men, as well as twenty guns.
An inital assault proves unable to approach the walls due to the English cannons, and is repulsed with losses of 100 pikemen and 33 Cavalrymen. The walls are never reached, and no English are believed to have been killed.
On April 3, in the Baltic the Teutonic order and Prussia go to war with Pskov, who calls in her considerable allies of Russia and Denmark. Our diplomats are recalled, however, as ever able-bodied man is needed for the war effort at home, and we quickly lose track of this distant war.
That same day, a new Merchant sets up shop in Flanders, hoping to raise money for the war. Hostilities with the more established English tradesmen run high.
June 27- an english militia of three thousand infantry, with twenty guns at their backs, sallies forth from Dublin. The First battle of the Dublin Gates is fought over the next five days.
July 2- the Eire army, no reduced to 7619 pikemen and 1524 cavalry is forced out of Meath and retreats westward into Connaught. Disspiritingly, the English guns again prevented our brave soldiers from doing any damage.
An offer of peace is sent to the English commander in Dublin, offering a peace that would leave Dublin and the Pale in English hands, and the rest of Eire as a free state. The offer is summarily rejected.
July 24- The battered Eire Army arrives in Galway. Another loan is taken from Venice, and ten thousand men, six thousand footmen and four thousand cavalry, are recruited amoung the famously tough Ulster clans
Aug 9- as the English army in Meath shows no sign of venturing beyond the Pale, we repeat our offer of peace, but we are again rejected, as the English ruler of Dublin expects reinforcement from his homeland any day.
Aug 16 The Irish Norman Col. Northumberland is put in command of the Eire Army, and orders intensive training in more modern tactics (all money going to land mil. research)
Aug 25- Col. Northumberland moves to Belfast to reinforce his army with the new recruits marshalling there. English army still digging in in Meath.
Oct 2- Loan taken to pay soldiers salaries and upkeep for city walls. What remains is used to muster another six thousand infantry in Leinster and five thousand from the hardy clans in Connaught, and one thousand each pikemen and horsemen from Munster.
Virtually no man of military age is left at home now (manpower= 0). An elderly merchant is sent to Flanders to aide our venture there.
Oct 27- the Ulstermen recruits join Northumberlands army, and the Eire Army (13543/5509/0) moves on to Connaught to gather the volunteers there.
Nov 2- In a fit of rage, the king of Spain closes their ports to the world, including us, his allies. We are offended, but not really affected.
On November the 19 the Eire Army arrives in Galway on Northumberlands recruitment drive.
In December, reports show the absence of workers has caused much hardship for merchants and farmers throughout Eire, but that's war. (Random event: Unhappiness amoung the artisans, 50% of infrastructure research lost)
On December the second Northumberland reached his recruitment quota and moves on to Leinster, where most of the young men have already taken up arms.
December 18 Northumberland arrives in Leinster and the volunteers are added to the Eire army, now a potent 24385 pikemen and 5478 cavalry
New Years Day, 1495, annual tithes from the Clan Chiefs reach only 22 gold bars. plans are made to split them in half to make 44 gold bars
The Munster regiment of one thousand pikemen and horsemen make their way to Leinster to join the army.
As the way approaches its first anniversary, the english have neither reinforced their army, which remains roughly 4000 strong by our reports, or reinforced Dublins walls, or ventured beyond the Pale. They wait for the coalition of clans to break apart as it has in the past. For all their advanced weaponry, they still think they are fighting a war against the Ireland of old!
More merchants sent to flanders, and the Clan Chiefs again resort to drastic measures to finance the army (war taxes raised)
Jan 17- Munster regiment arrives and is added to the Eire Army in Leinster. Our forces now have commanding numerical superiority, our 25120 pikemen and 6415 cavalry against their garrison of roughly 10000 city milita and 3000 regular troops.
The Eire Army, with spirits high, strikes out for Dublin once more.
February 1- The Battle on the Road to Dublin- The Eire Army (25120/6415) engages an English advance force of 2452 cavalry and 19 cannons who had tried to intercept them. In a resounding reversal of previous battles, the English are sent in flight from the field, cut off from their base in Dublin and retreat toward Connaught. The emboldened warriors of Ireland pursue hot on their heels, determined to smash the English before they threaten the unfinished fort at Galway.
Irish losses on the battlefield are light, with Forty-eight infantrymen and only three cavalrymen lost. Across Ireland Fifety-one mothers and sweethearts are comforted by the knowledge that their beloved died with honor.
February 24- Northumberlands emboldened men slip past the fleeing English, and double back to catch them off guard on the road to Galway.
March 3- The Battle of the River Shannon is fought in eastern Leinster. The English are routed from a vital ford when they are ambushed before they can bring their cannons to bear. Losses are light, and morale is high as the Irish armies have the initiative. There is no time for a full accounting of losses, as the advantage must be pressed to force England to the bargaining table.
Northumberland forges a daring plan. He splits the army of Eire in two. He remains in command of all 23,494 pikemen, but places the command of the 6,100 cavalry of his trusted and able lieutenat Warwick. The cavalry is dubbed "the Army of Leinster", both because it was organized there and because many of the riders hail from the rough lands of the Burren in the west.
Warwick vows to 'not let the English get one night's sleep' and his cavalry is ordered to stay on the English army, keeping them demoralized and perpetually fleeing. Northumberland plans to besiege Dublin with the main body of the army to prevent reinforcements from reaching them. Warwick races ahead toward key points in Meath to cut the English supply lines, while Northumberland follows with the infantry.
Warwicks raiders sucsessful isolate Dublin, and the Second Seige begins on March 14, with the main body of infantry arriving five days later, having apparently passed the English with only light skirmishes.
The Connaught Cavalry sets out towards Connaught to intercpet the English. The English are engaged and defeated in the Battle of Western Meath on March 24, and the Connaught Cavalry continues to hound their rearguard.
That same day, word reaches Warwick that the walls of Galway and Belfast have been upgraded, providing the proverbial rock to his hard place. Only Munster remains undefended, but Warwick is convinced he can keep the English out by defeating them in Connaught.
April 10- Connaught Cavalry arrives in Galway without engaging theenglish. Perplexed, Warwick doubles back to search them out.
April 25- The English army eludes Warwick- who by this time is into western Meath- and besieges Galway. Warwick immediately turns to relieve the city
May 1- Empty war chests force the taking of another loan. In effort to increase revenue, baliffs are promoted to tax collectors in Ulster, Leinster and Munster. Munster Chieftans argue against the plan, calling instead for fortifications of their undefended lands, but are overruled.
Two more merchants are sent to try and extend our presence in Flanders, which is not doing well.
May 10- The Connaught Army of 4652 cavalrymen charges the besieging English force of 2365 cavalry and 19 guns. In thirteen days of heavy fighting, the Connaught cavalry are forced back into Ulster, losing 328 cavalry. English losses are unclear, but they have lifted their siege of Galway. Celebrations are muted when the realization hits that they are moving south to pillage undefended Munster.
A recruitment drive promises Warwick one thousand cavalry from the northern clans by the time he reaches Belfast.
June 3- an impetuous Eire army (16702) assaults the garrison of Dublin. They are repulsed with 1078 men lost. However, the fortifications show signs of weakening, as the garrison takes its first losses, 827 milita and one cannon.
June 13- as feared, the English seize helpless Munster. Noone can look the Munster clansmen in the eyes at council meetings the next day.
The English walk out of peace negotiations when word reaches them. (white peace rejected).
July 1- another loan is forced to pay war expenses. Even if we win, we may still be impoverished by this crippling debt! A baliff is promoted in Leinster to help recoup the interest, and the clan chieftans have resorted to new extremes to raise money (war taxes raised, Stability=0)
Warwick and his Connaught Cavalry have regrouped, and all 4281 set out to liberate Munster. Eight thousand volunteers are trained with the pike in Leinster to assist.
July 12 The Battle of the Fords- the Connaught Cavalrymen are pushed back from crossing into Munster by 791 english cavalry and 19 cannons. 295 Cavalrymen are lost, and One thousand volunteers are called for to avenge their clansmens deaths.
Aug 5. Warwick arrives in Galway, where his battered men get much-needed rest.
Aug.29 One thousand Ulster cavalry set off for Galway to reinfoce Warwicks men.
September 1, 1495- As disasters go, this one could hardly have been worse. Ireland is bankrupt. Word spreads to the tired troops in Galway as well as the seigers of Dublin. Morale drops sharply, but desertions are low. These men are not mercenaries, they are patriots.
The council of Chieftans collapses into anarchy among finger-pointing and scapegoating, and much of the work of unification is undone (stab -3)
September 4- Undeterred by the bankrupcy, eight thousand men report for duty in Leinster
Sept 12- Warwicks battered cavalry set off for Leinster, as they will need footmen to re-take Munster. It is hoped that the enthusiasm of the volunteers can revitalize the hardened veterans after the recent string of defeats.
Sept 27- all of the money remaining to Ireland is now being poured directly into the treasury, to avoid going deeper into debt
The Connaught and Leinster Regements merge to form the Connaught Army, standing strong with eight thousand pikemen, four-thousand nine-hundred and four veteran cavalrymen
Oct. 17 England rejects our offer of peace in exchange for independance, believing Ireland is on the verge of collapse. The Connaught army sets out to Munster to prove to them we mean to fight to the end if we have to.
Oct. 24 The Eire army launches an ill-advised assault on an apparent breach in Dublins walls. 181 pikemen are lost with no damage to the English.
November 2- Battle of Munster- the Army of Connaught (7893, 4883) Charges the remains of the English army, Seven-hundred ninety-one cavalrymen and the same 19 guns they have managed to keep for the entire war. The English are killed to the last man, though the guns were unfortunately destroyed by English artillerymen before they could be captured.
November 3- Victorious army of Connaught sent to join in besieging Dublin.
November 19 England rejects the offer of peace, despite being reduced to only dublin. The entire war they have made no effort to land any of their main armies to relieve it. Perhaps they fear the French and Scots?
December 3- Warwick joins Northumberland in the seige of Dublin
New Years Day, 1496- The council of clan chieftans meets again in Leinster for the first time in months. Things are looking up with the English confined to Dublin, but still dire. Annual income is 22, low, but promising considering the chaos. Many old clan rivalries and a few new vendettas have flared up since the bankrupcy, however (stab -3)
March 1- the armies assault Dublin with 13300 pikemen and 5000 cavalry, and they are repulsed with losses of 245 pikemen and 82 cavalry. The Dublin Milita shows no sign of surrender, and is down to 9173 men with 19 accursed guns.
March 14- England again rejects peace. Without guns we cannot take the city, so the Meath regement is detatched from the army, 2714 pikemen and 2807 cavalry, to keep the city bottled up. the rest return to Leinster, where supply problems are non-existant.
April 14 The arrival of the Eire army is met with celebration, and an increased resolve throughout Ireland (Stab up to -2)
December 30- 3 merchants are sent to flanders to expand our growing toehold there. The prospect of Peace in the new year raises hopes and spirits (-1)
January 1, 1497- Balliffs promoted in Munster. The siege of Dublin continues, and the city is predicted to surrender in nine months.
February 1- Scandal erupts as Richard O'Sullivan is found murdered in Leinster on his way to the council. The council is quite useless until his murderer is found, and finding a mouthpiece for negotiation becomes difficult (RE: Scandal at the court)
March 22- England again rejects partitioning of Ireland, and four thousand more infantry are sent to reinforce the siege of Dublin from the main armies in Leinster.
July 29, 1497- With Dublin still under seige, and still showing no signs of falling, Peace is again offered to the English crown. Amazingly, our terms are excepted! Munster, Ulster, Leinster, and Connaught are recognized as the fullyly independant Kingdom of Ireland. Dublin and the pale remain in the hands of the English, as they could not be prevailed upon to leave knowing we could not take the city.
The news of peace is met with celebration, as all peace is, and the rebuilding efforts begin (stab now +1). The armies of Eire are gathered together in Leinster for a victory parade, and welcomed home as heroes. But the taste of peace is bittersweet, as Dublin remains under English rule. But no one thinks this is the end of the troubles.
The future looks bright for Ireland, but there are still togh times ahead. England now will have to deal with our powerful ally in Spain if they seek to reduce us as vassals, and have commited themselves to peace for no less than five years. If we can learn the art of artillery in that time, we may yet have a chance to unite the people of Ireland for the first time since the days of Brian Boru.
The Council of Clan Chieftans recovered from the shock of the English Declaration of War quickly. On the Afternoon of February 20, as English lords were busy evacuating their possessions beyond the Pale, the Council resolved to conquer Meath and liberate Dublin. It was a tall order, unlikely to be accomplished quickly.
Too that end, the Eire Army of Seven thousand pikeman and two thousand cavalry was dispatched to move to encircle the English fortifications around Dublin.
That same day, diplomats set sail from Munster to France and Spain. France suprised all by rejecting our request to join her alliance, despite the high regard they have always shown us (+195). In private, it was explained to us that we are still, in the eyes of the world, a revolting province of England. Joining us would send a dangerous message to her own vassals The French diplomat suggested that once we forced England to concede our independance, they would be eager to help us. Of course, by then we would not be needing so much help, would we!
In Spain our request for an alliance was better recieved. Spain was without allies, and the comely Moira O'Brien had made a positive impact on the Spanish court (+55). The Spanish agreed to ally with us. In the future we an rely on their presence to give the English pause before attacking us, but we still had to force the English to the bargaining table before the alliance would take effect.
In Austrian Flanders an Irish trader is denied the hand of a local nobles daughter, and the heartbroken lad returned home to join in the cause of his homeland as a bachelor.
On March 3, the Clan Chieftans resolve to raise more money to finance the war. A loan is taken from Venitan merchants, and the Clans pour what they can spare- and sometimes more- into the defense fund. (War taxes raised)
The war funds are spent on updating the walls of Belfast and Galway against the possibility of English attacks (Connaught & Ulster building fortresses)
March 5- The three thousand pikeman we had called for before the war are ready for service in Leinster, and join the army en route to Dublin.
On March the 9, the Eire army, now numbering 9 thousand pikeman and two thousand cavalry encircles Dublin for the first time. Within the walls lies a garrison of ten thousand men, as well as twenty guns.
An inital assault proves unable to approach the walls due to the English cannons, and is repulsed with losses of 100 pikemen and 33 Cavalrymen. The walls are never reached, and no English are believed to have been killed.
On April 3, in the Baltic the Teutonic order and Prussia go to war with Pskov, who calls in her considerable allies of Russia and Denmark. Our diplomats are recalled, however, as ever able-bodied man is needed for the war effort at home, and we quickly lose track of this distant war.
That same day, a new Merchant sets up shop in Flanders, hoping to raise money for the war. Hostilities with the more established English tradesmen run high.
June 27- an english militia of three thousand infantry, with twenty guns at their backs, sallies forth from Dublin. The First battle of the Dublin Gates is fought over the next five days.
July 2- the Eire army, no reduced to 7619 pikemen and 1524 cavalry is forced out of Meath and retreats westward into Connaught. Disspiritingly, the English guns again prevented our brave soldiers from doing any damage.
An offer of peace is sent to the English commander in Dublin, offering a peace that would leave Dublin and the Pale in English hands, and the rest of Eire as a free state. The offer is summarily rejected.
July 24- The battered Eire Army arrives in Galway. Another loan is taken from Venice, and ten thousand men, six thousand footmen and four thousand cavalry, are recruited amoung the famously tough Ulster clans
Aug 9- as the English army in Meath shows no sign of venturing beyond the Pale, we repeat our offer of peace, but we are again rejected, as the English ruler of Dublin expects reinforcement from his homeland any day.
Aug 16 The Irish Norman Col. Northumberland is put in command of the Eire Army, and orders intensive training in more modern tactics (all money going to land mil. research)
Aug 25- Col. Northumberland moves to Belfast to reinforce his army with the new recruits marshalling there. English army still digging in in Meath.
Oct 2- Loan taken to pay soldiers salaries and upkeep for city walls. What remains is used to muster another six thousand infantry in Leinster and five thousand from the hardy clans in Connaught, and one thousand each pikemen and horsemen from Munster.
Virtually no man of military age is left at home now (manpower= 0). An elderly merchant is sent to Flanders to aide our venture there.
Oct 27- the Ulstermen recruits join Northumberlands army, and the Eire Army (13543/5509/0) moves on to Connaught to gather the volunteers there.
Nov 2- In a fit of rage, the king of Spain closes their ports to the world, including us, his allies. We are offended, but not really affected.
On November the 19 the Eire Army arrives in Galway on Northumberlands recruitment drive.
In December, reports show the absence of workers has caused much hardship for merchants and farmers throughout Eire, but that's war. (Random event: Unhappiness amoung the artisans, 50% of infrastructure research lost)
On December the second Northumberland reached his recruitment quota and moves on to Leinster, where most of the young men have already taken up arms.
December 18 Northumberland arrives in Leinster and the volunteers are added to the Eire army, now a potent 24385 pikemen and 5478 cavalry
New Years Day, 1495, annual tithes from the Clan Chiefs reach only 22 gold bars. plans are made to split them in half to make 44 gold bars
The Munster regiment of one thousand pikemen and horsemen make their way to Leinster to join the army.
As the way approaches its first anniversary, the english have neither reinforced their army, which remains roughly 4000 strong by our reports, or reinforced Dublins walls, or ventured beyond the Pale. They wait for the coalition of clans to break apart as it has in the past. For all their advanced weaponry, they still think they are fighting a war against the Ireland of old!
More merchants sent to flanders, and the Clan Chiefs again resort to drastic measures to finance the army (war taxes raised)
Jan 17- Munster regiment arrives and is added to the Eire Army in Leinster. Our forces now have commanding numerical superiority, our 25120 pikemen and 6415 cavalry against their garrison of roughly 10000 city milita and 3000 regular troops.
The Eire Army, with spirits high, strikes out for Dublin once more.
February 1- The Battle on the Road to Dublin- The Eire Army (25120/6415) engages an English advance force of 2452 cavalry and 19 cannons who had tried to intercept them. In a resounding reversal of previous battles, the English are sent in flight from the field, cut off from their base in Dublin and retreat toward Connaught. The emboldened warriors of Ireland pursue hot on their heels, determined to smash the English before they threaten the unfinished fort at Galway.
Irish losses on the battlefield are light, with Forty-eight infantrymen and only three cavalrymen lost. Across Ireland Fifety-one mothers and sweethearts are comforted by the knowledge that their beloved died with honor.
February 24- Northumberlands emboldened men slip past the fleeing English, and double back to catch them off guard on the road to Galway.
March 3- The Battle of the River Shannon is fought in eastern Leinster. The English are routed from a vital ford when they are ambushed before they can bring their cannons to bear. Losses are light, and morale is high as the Irish armies have the initiative. There is no time for a full accounting of losses, as the advantage must be pressed to force England to the bargaining table.
Northumberland forges a daring plan. He splits the army of Eire in two. He remains in command of all 23,494 pikemen, but places the command of the 6,100 cavalry of his trusted and able lieutenat Warwick. The cavalry is dubbed "the Army of Leinster", both because it was organized there and because many of the riders hail from the rough lands of the Burren in the west.
Warwick vows to 'not let the English get one night's sleep' and his cavalry is ordered to stay on the English army, keeping them demoralized and perpetually fleeing. Northumberland plans to besiege Dublin with the main body of the army to prevent reinforcements from reaching them. Warwick races ahead toward key points in Meath to cut the English supply lines, while Northumberland follows with the infantry.
Warwicks raiders sucsessful isolate Dublin, and the Second Seige begins on March 14, with the main body of infantry arriving five days later, having apparently passed the English with only light skirmishes.
The Connaught Cavalry sets out towards Connaught to intercpet the English. The English are engaged and defeated in the Battle of Western Meath on March 24, and the Connaught Cavalry continues to hound their rearguard.
That same day, word reaches Warwick that the walls of Galway and Belfast have been upgraded, providing the proverbial rock to his hard place. Only Munster remains undefended, but Warwick is convinced he can keep the English out by defeating them in Connaught.
April 10- Connaught Cavalry arrives in Galway without engaging theenglish. Perplexed, Warwick doubles back to search them out.
April 25- The English army eludes Warwick- who by this time is into western Meath- and besieges Galway. Warwick immediately turns to relieve the city
May 1- Empty war chests force the taking of another loan. In effort to increase revenue, baliffs are promoted to tax collectors in Ulster, Leinster and Munster. Munster Chieftans argue against the plan, calling instead for fortifications of their undefended lands, but are overruled.
Two more merchants are sent to try and extend our presence in Flanders, which is not doing well.
May 10- The Connaught Army of 4652 cavalrymen charges the besieging English force of 2365 cavalry and 19 guns. In thirteen days of heavy fighting, the Connaught cavalry are forced back into Ulster, losing 328 cavalry. English losses are unclear, but they have lifted their siege of Galway. Celebrations are muted when the realization hits that they are moving south to pillage undefended Munster.
A recruitment drive promises Warwick one thousand cavalry from the northern clans by the time he reaches Belfast.
June 3- an impetuous Eire army (16702) assaults the garrison of Dublin. They are repulsed with 1078 men lost. However, the fortifications show signs of weakening, as the garrison takes its first losses, 827 milita and one cannon.
June 13- as feared, the English seize helpless Munster. Noone can look the Munster clansmen in the eyes at council meetings the next day.
The English walk out of peace negotiations when word reaches them. (white peace rejected).
July 1- another loan is forced to pay war expenses. Even if we win, we may still be impoverished by this crippling debt! A baliff is promoted in Leinster to help recoup the interest, and the clan chieftans have resorted to new extremes to raise money (war taxes raised, Stability=0)
Warwick and his Connaught Cavalry have regrouped, and all 4281 set out to liberate Munster. Eight thousand volunteers are trained with the pike in Leinster to assist.
July 12 The Battle of the Fords- the Connaught Cavalrymen are pushed back from crossing into Munster by 791 english cavalry and 19 cannons. 295 Cavalrymen are lost, and One thousand volunteers are called for to avenge their clansmens deaths.
Aug 5. Warwick arrives in Galway, where his battered men get much-needed rest.
Aug.29 One thousand Ulster cavalry set off for Galway to reinfoce Warwicks men.
September 1, 1495- As disasters go, this one could hardly have been worse. Ireland is bankrupt. Word spreads to the tired troops in Galway as well as the seigers of Dublin. Morale drops sharply, but desertions are low. These men are not mercenaries, they are patriots.
The council of Chieftans collapses into anarchy among finger-pointing and scapegoating, and much of the work of unification is undone (stab -3)
September 4- Undeterred by the bankrupcy, eight thousand men report for duty in Leinster
Sept 12- Warwicks battered cavalry set off for Leinster, as they will need footmen to re-take Munster. It is hoped that the enthusiasm of the volunteers can revitalize the hardened veterans after the recent string of defeats.
Sept 27- all of the money remaining to Ireland is now being poured directly into the treasury, to avoid going deeper into debt
The Connaught and Leinster Regements merge to form the Connaught Army, standing strong with eight thousand pikemen, four-thousand nine-hundred and four veteran cavalrymen
Oct. 17 England rejects our offer of peace in exchange for independance, believing Ireland is on the verge of collapse. The Connaught army sets out to Munster to prove to them we mean to fight to the end if we have to.
Oct. 24 The Eire army launches an ill-advised assault on an apparent breach in Dublins walls. 181 pikemen are lost with no damage to the English.
November 2- Battle of Munster- the Army of Connaught (7893, 4883) Charges the remains of the English army, Seven-hundred ninety-one cavalrymen and the same 19 guns they have managed to keep for the entire war. The English are killed to the last man, though the guns were unfortunately destroyed by English artillerymen before they could be captured.
November 3- Victorious army of Connaught sent to join in besieging Dublin.
November 19 England rejects the offer of peace, despite being reduced to only dublin. The entire war they have made no effort to land any of their main armies to relieve it. Perhaps they fear the French and Scots?
December 3- Warwick joins Northumberland in the seige of Dublin
New Years Day, 1496- The council of clan chieftans meets again in Leinster for the first time in months. Things are looking up with the English confined to Dublin, but still dire. Annual income is 22, low, but promising considering the chaos. Many old clan rivalries and a few new vendettas have flared up since the bankrupcy, however (stab -3)
March 1- the armies assault Dublin with 13300 pikemen and 5000 cavalry, and they are repulsed with losses of 245 pikemen and 82 cavalry. The Dublin Milita shows no sign of surrender, and is down to 9173 men with 19 accursed guns.
March 14- England again rejects peace. Without guns we cannot take the city, so the Meath regement is detatched from the army, 2714 pikemen and 2807 cavalry, to keep the city bottled up. the rest return to Leinster, where supply problems are non-existant.
April 14 The arrival of the Eire army is met with celebration, and an increased resolve throughout Ireland (Stab up to -2)
December 30- 3 merchants are sent to flanders to expand our growing toehold there. The prospect of Peace in the new year raises hopes and spirits (-1)
January 1, 1497- Balliffs promoted in Munster. The siege of Dublin continues, and the city is predicted to surrender in nine months.
February 1- Scandal erupts as Richard O'Sullivan is found murdered in Leinster on his way to the council. The council is quite useless until his murderer is found, and finding a mouthpiece for negotiation becomes difficult (RE: Scandal at the court)
March 22- England again rejects partitioning of Ireland, and four thousand more infantry are sent to reinforce the siege of Dublin from the main armies in Leinster.
July 29, 1497- With Dublin still under seige, and still showing no signs of falling, Peace is again offered to the English crown. Amazingly, our terms are excepted! Munster, Ulster, Leinster, and Connaught are recognized as the fullyly independant Kingdom of Ireland. Dublin and the pale remain in the hands of the English, as they could not be prevailed upon to leave knowing we could not take the city.
The news of peace is met with celebration, as all peace is, and the rebuilding efforts begin (stab now +1). The armies of Eire are gathered together in Leinster for a victory parade, and welcomed home as heroes. But the taste of peace is bittersweet, as Dublin remains under English rule. But no one thinks this is the end of the troubles.
The future looks bright for Ireland, but there are still togh times ahead. England now will have to deal with our powerful ally in Spain if they seek to reduce us as vassals, and have commited themselves to peace for no less than five years. If we can learn the art of artillery in that time, we may yet have a chance to unite the people of Ireland for the first time since the days of Brian Boru.
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That was a mighty close shave. Did I miss it ? Was England at war with someone else? Not sending or raising more troops was very strange. Money is going to be a constant problem followed by inflation. Better start planing on how to overcome these road blocks to glory.
Joe
Money is going to be a constant problem followed by inflation. Better start planing on how to overcome these road blocks to glory. Joe
Congrats on estblishing your independance! Now the fun begins Gotta remain independant while battling serious inflation, Brits and a pretty lousy economy. Keep the AARs coming. Very interested in the direction you take.
Gotta remain independant while battling serious inflation, Brits and a pretty lousy economy. Keep the AARs coming. Very interested in the direction you take.
Storey: England went to war with the Scots before the ink was dry on that treaty, but they still had around 20k in clais and uncounted more at home, plus with all their money they should have stomped all over me... ah well, I ain't complaining
Stay tuned for a few years of peace, followed by a few years of not-so-much peace, and some more strange tales of england stomping! and I promise, I WILL figure out how to post my screenshots.
Stay tuned for a few years of peace, followed by a few years of not-so-much peace, and some more strange tales of england stomping! and I promise, I WILL figure out how to post my screenshots.
Great work
Great AAR at last an Irish AAR waited so long for this, I now just have to try the IGC, keep it coming Deaghaidh, Eire Abu!
Great AAR at last an Irish AAR waited so long for this, I now just have to try the IGC, keep it coming Deaghaidh, Eire Abu!
The Dawn of the Kingdom (1498-1503)
The first days of the year 1498 saw a great surge of optimisim in Ireland. 4/5 of the island had won their freedom from the English, and much of the chaos surrounding The Dark Days of war and bankrupcy was over. Ireland was a legitamite nation in the eyes of Europe.
The problem facing the Council of Chieftans now was who to make King of this new Kingdom? It had already been decided that it could not be any Chieftan, as any candidate would inspire rivalries and bloodshed. Nor would the Clans surrender their new-found freedoms to a central ruler. The decision was made to anoint the reverred Northumberland as King Micheal I, who was essentially just a figurehead and mouthpiece for the council of chieftans in Leinster.
On a more practical level, the new 'Kingdom of Ireland' was only slightly less impoverished than she was as a vassal of England, with the entirety of the royal treaury totalling a mere 32 000 'punts', our newly-minted currancy, or roughly the cost of the King of Spains chamberpot.
The money was invested in organizing trading expeditions, and on March 14 the first Royally chartered traders set off for Flanders.
King Micheal advised all reaserch funds to be invested in metallurgy, to ultimately establish an Irish cannon foundry in the next five years. The council heartily agrees.
His first few acts as King inspire new confidence in the government, and peace becomes the norm throughout ireland (Stability +1)
On April the nineth, another new king rises across the channel, as King Louis XII has his corronation in France. King Micheal travells to be in attendance personally.
On May the Tenth, the English replace their Irish Army by sending 10000 men to Dublin, where English troops now outnumber civilians.
In the summer, marrying Irish ladies becomes quite the trend amoung princes in Germany and Italy, as nobles from Parma, Savoy, Hanseatic League, Pommerania, and Hannover each take Irish brides. (realations with all them +35) Council is forced to recess the entire summer so that proud fathers can give their daughters away.
On October the Sixteenth, after only a few months of peace, the English King again pressed his people into a war of agression, this time against Scotland. While the Scotish King insists on claiming our throne, and hates us only slightly less than the English, we wish them luck all the same.
On All Souls Day a merchant fleet left for Flanders, and the King and Council are met very warmly by the people on their way to mass. (Stability +2)
On December the Nineth the King of Scotland buys peace with England for 3 pounds. We would have gladly paid so little for peace, even though it would have ment sacraficing a pint of ale.
1499 was a year of much peace and happiness in the Kingdom. Our Merchants expanded our trade to the point where Irishmen were as common in Flanders as English and Austrians, and opened a prosperous pub in Mecklenburg.
National unity reached an all-time high as the clans became accustomed to airing grievances in council instead of the battlefield, and the Brehons, who were almost extinct under the English, returned to their traditonal role as arbitors and judges. (Stability +3)
In Rome, the Pope divided the heathen lands of the world between Portugal and Spain, and our allies in Madrid press on with their explorations in realative peace.
On New Years Day 1500, the economic commitee reports (with big heads from the New Years revels) that our road networks have been much restored, highwaymen have ceased to be a problem in most areas, and that more artisans than ever have moved into the towns to set up shop. Also, traders have learned much from contact with the better-established merchants in Flanders and Mecklenburg, and have adopted many of their techniques to great success. (Trade & Infrastructure up to High Renaissance)
The peace at home holds as Merchants flock to Mecklenburg to trade, but on May the 29, Europe erupts into a major war.
The Franco-Austrian War
King Louis XII of France declared war upon Austria On May the 29, 1500. France's allies, Savoy and Lorraine, entered the war on her side, and the Pope issued a bull declaring his support for France, and Excommunicating the Austrian Emporer.
Austria was undaunted, calling her allies of Bohemia, Hungary, and Navarra, as well as our former masters in England, to war with her.
As reports from Irish nobles living in France suggest their armies are mobilizing to Franche- Comte and Navarra to secure her flanks, the council is called immediately in Leinster. Do we intervene on the French behalf? To do so would mean violation of our solemn voy not to war with England for five years, and our armies still do not possess Cannons, though our metallurgists learned the art of making ammunition for them last spring.
In the end, honor and stability- as well as recognition of our weakness in artillery- carried the day, and Ireland remained neutral.
As war in Europe raged in the heat of the summer, the only action seen by Irish was the loss of a merchant in Flanders in a pub brawl with an Englishman, and the sending of a replacement.
On November 1, the news that King Micheal had longed to hear since the early days of the First War reached him at All Souls Mass. The first Cannon foundry was ready in Leinster, and more were expected in Ulster, Connaught and Meath in the new year.
King Micheal praised the Irish metallworkers for closing the technology gap so quickly, and advised the reaserch monies be spread more evenly to fields of trade and infrastructure in the new years budget. The Council does him one better, and changes the budget that afternoon over the feast table.
On December 1, more good news arrives. The French have taken Calais from the English, driving them to the channel like leaves before the wind. The French also took the isolated province of Franche-comte from Austria, and there armies in Navarra are meeting with similar success there.
New orders apparently arrived in Dublin which confirmed this rumor, as the entirety of England's Ireland Army embarks for home, presumably to guard against French invasion.
On New Years Day, 1501, the council voted by a paper-thin margin to take out a loan of 200,000 punts to finance the building of 30 artillery pieces. King Micheal's support is deemed to have been the difference-maker, as many of the Chieftans fear another round of crippling debt could well destroy the Kingdom.
That same New Years Morning, Aleksander Jagiellonczyk, "the Unpronouncable" is crowned king of distant Poland-Lithuania, from whom we borrowed much of our government structure.
In the spring, merchants are sent to strengthen our position in Flanders, which has been falling off due to unfair competion from England.
On May 3, another war erupts in Europe, this time between Venice and tiny Ragusa.
In Domestic matters, our cannons are ready in Leinster. A hotheaded faction wants to declare war, but our treaty does not have long left, and our troops can use a chance to become familiar with the new equipment.
In August, our merchants expand our presence in Mecklenburg. The King Aleksander the Unpronounsable of Poland refuses to allow the illustrious King Micheal to marry one of his daughters, creating something of an international incident (Poland +5).
In late August, word reaches Eire that France has annexed Navarre outright, and is now turning their full attention toward Austrian possessions in the north.
In September 1, our shipwrights produce a Caravel, a new design very popular in the rest of Europe (Naval Tech to Caravels). Throughout Eire, fishermen decide to remain with their trusty ships instead of the new design, on account of their luckiness.
On New Years day of 1502, the council votes to send a letter to the King or France, expressing their happiness at his armies successes and whishing them continued good fortune in the New Year. King Louis is touched, and has the letter displayed proudly in his court. (France +108)
The spring of 1502 brings less happy tidings. On April 2, the english muster an army of Six Thousand men in Meath, anticepating the upcoming end of our peace treaty.
On April 10, the tiny nation of Ragusa is annexed by Venice. No one has any idea whether this is good or bad for Ireland.
In May, Nine-teen thousand englishmen cross the channel and besiege their former outpost at Calais
The summer passes with war still raging, largely beyond our knowledge.
On November 8 an exhausted Lorraine buys peace with Austria for 28000 Francs, being the first nation to make peace in this war.
As 1503 dawns, opportunity arrives. On New years Eve the army in Meath begins embarking, probably to re-inforce their armies at home, since rumor is that Cornwall, Bristol and Anglia have been raided. Our own armies are at full strength, with 11569 pikemen, 4732 Cavalrymen, and 30 guns, commanded by Col. Hitchin, who served well in the last war.
The five years of the peace treaty have passed, and all eyes turn to the re-taking of Dublin.
The council spends a fortnight in debate, but on January 14, 1503, a declaration of war is sent to King Henry VII. The unification war had begun, and England was not prepared...
The first days of the year 1498 saw a great surge of optimisim in Ireland. 4/5 of the island had won their freedom from the English, and much of the chaos surrounding The Dark Days of war and bankrupcy was over. Ireland was a legitamite nation in the eyes of Europe.
The problem facing the Council of Chieftans now was who to make King of this new Kingdom? It had already been decided that it could not be any Chieftan, as any candidate would inspire rivalries and bloodshed. Nor would the Clans surrender their new-found freedoms to a central ruler. The decision was made to anoint the reverred Northumberland as King Micheal I, who was essentially just a figurehead and mouthpiece for the council of chieftans in Leinster.
On a more practical level, the new 'Kingdom of Ireland' was only slightly less impoverished than she was as a vassal of England, with the entirety of the royal treaury totalling a mere 32 000 'punts', our newly-minted currancy, or roughly the cost of the King of Spains chamberpot.
The money was invested in organizing trading expeditions, and on March 14 the first Royally chartered traders set off for Flanders.
King Micheal advised all reaserch funds to be invested in metallurgy, to ultimately establish an Irish cannon foundry in the next five years. The council heartily agrees.
His first few acts as King inspire new confidence in the government, and peace becomes the norm throughout ireland (Stability +1)
On April the nineth, another new king rises across the channel, as King Louis XII has his corronation in France. King Micheal travells to be in attendance personally.
On May the Tenth, the English replace their Irish Army by sending 10000 men to Dublin, where English troops now outnumber civilians.
In the summer, marrying Irish ladies becomes quite the trend amoung princes in Germany and Italy, as nobles from Parma, Savoy, Hanseatic League, Pommerania, and Hannover each take Irish brides. (realations with all them +35) Council is forced to recess the entire summer so that proud fathers can give their daughters away.
On October the Sixteenth, after only a few months of peace, the English King again pressed his people into a war of agression, this time against Scotland. While the Scotish King insists on claiming our throne, and hates us only slightly less than the English, we wish them luck all the same.
On All Souls Day a merchant fleet left for Flanders, and the King and Council are met very warmly by the people on their way to mass. (Stability +2)
On December the Nineth the King of Scotland buys peace with England for 3 pounds. We would have gladly paid so little for peace, even though it would have ment sacraficing a pint of ale.
1499 was a year of much peace and happiness in the Kingdom. Our Merchants expanded our trade to the point where Irishmen were as common in Flanders as English and Austrians, and opened a prosperous pub in Mecklenburg.
National unity reached an all-time high as the clans became accustomed to airing grievances in council instead of the battlefield, and the Brehons, who were almost extinct under the English, returned to their traditonal role as arbitors and judges. (Stability +3)
In Rome, the Pope divided the heathen lands of the world between Portugal and Spain, and our allies in Madrid press on with their explorations in realative peace.
On New Years Day 1500, the economic commitee reports (with big heads from the New Years revels) that our road networks have been much restored, highwaymen have ceased to be a problem in most areas, and that more artisans than ever have moved into the towns to set up shop. Also, traders have learned much from contact with the better-established merchants in Flanders and Mecklenburg, and have adopted many of their techniques to great success. (Trade & Infrastructure up to High Renaissance)
The peace at home holds as Merchants flock to Mecklenburg to trade, but on May the 29, Europe erupts into a major war.
The Franco-Austrian War
King Louis XII of France declared war upon Austria On May the 29, 1500. France's allies, Savoy and Lorraine, entered the war on her side, and the Pope issued a bull declaring his support for France, and Excommunicating the Austrian Emporer.
Austria was undaunted, calling her allies of Bohemia, Hungary, and Navarra, as well as our former masters in England, to war with her.
As reports from Irish nobles living in France suggest their armies are mobilizing to Franche- Comte and Navarra to secure her flanks, the council is called immediately in Leinster. Do we intervene on the French behalf? To do so would mean violation of our solemn voy not to war with England for five years, and our armies still do not possess Cannons, though our metallurgists learned the art of making ammunition for them last spring.
In the end, honor and stability- as well as recognition of our weakness in artillery- carried the day, and Ireland remained neutral.
As war in Europe raged in the heat of the summer, the only action seen by Irish was the loss of a merchant in Flanders in a pub brawl with an Englishman, and the sending of a replacement.
On November 1, the news that King Micheal had longed to hear since the early days of the First War reached him at All Souls Mass. The first Cannon foundry was ready in Leinster, and more were expected in Ulster, Connaught and Meath in the new year.
King Micheal praised the Irish metallworkers for closing the technology gap so quickly, and advised the reaserch monies be spread more evenly to fields of trade and infrastructure in the new years budget. The Council does him one better, and changes the budget that afternoon over the feast table.
On December 1, more good news arrives. The French have taken Calais from the English, driving them to the channel like leaves before the wind. The French also took the isolated province of Franche-comte from Austria, and there armies in Navarra are meeting with similar success there.
New orders apparently arrived in Dublin which confirmed this rumor, as the entirety of England's Ireland Army embarks for home, presumably to guard against French invasion.
On New Years Day, 1501, the council voted by a paper-thin margin to take out a loan of 200,000 punts to finance the building of 30 artillery pieces. King Micheal's support is deemed to have been the difference-maker, as many of the Chieftans fear another round of crippling debt could well destroy the Kingdom.
That same New Years Morning, Aleksander Jagiellonczyk, "the Unpronouncable" is crowned king of distant Poland-Lithuania, from whom we borrowed much of our government structure.
In the spring, merchants are sent to strengthen our position in Flanders, which has been falling off due to unfair competion from England.
On May 3, another war erupts in Europe, this time between Venice and tiny Ragusa.
In Domestic matters, our cannons are ready in Leinster. A hotheaded faction wants to declare war, but our treaty does not have long left, and our troops can use a chance to become familiar with the new equipment.
In August, our merchants expand our presence in Mecklenburg. The King Aleksander the Unpronounsable of Poland refuses to allow the illustrious King Micheal to marry one of his daughters, creating something of an international incident (Poland +5).
In late August, word reaches Eire that France has annexed Navarre outright, and is now turning their full attention toward Austrian possessions in the north.
In September 1, our shipwrights produce a Caravel, a new design very popular in the rest of Europe (Naval Tech to Caravels). Throughout Eire, fishermen decide to remain with their trusty ships instead of the new design, on account of their luckiness.
On New Years day of 1502, the council votes to send a letter to the King or France, expressing their happiness at his armies successes and whishing them continued good fortune in the New Year. King Louis is touched, and has the letter displayed proudly in his court. (France +108)
The spring of 1502 brings less happy tidings. On April 2, the english muster an army of Six Thousand men in Meath, anticepating the upcoming end of our peace treaty.
On April 10, the tiny nation of Ragusa is annexed by Venice. No one has any idea whether this is good or bad for Ireland.
In May, Nine-teen thousand englishmen cross the channel and besiege their former outpost at Calais
The summer passes with war still raging, largely beyond our knowledge.
On November 8 an exhausted Lorraine buys peace with Austria for 28000 Francs, being the first nation to make peace in this war.
As 1503 dawns, opportunity arrives. On New years Eve the army in Meath begins embarking, probably to re-inforce their armies at home, since rumor is that Cornwall, Bristol and Anglia have been raided. Our own armies are at full strength, with 11569 pikemen, 4732 Cavalrymen, and 30 guns, commanded by Col. Hitchin, who served well in the last war.
The five years of the peace treaty have passed, and all eyes turn to the re-taking of Dublin.
The council spends a fortnight in debate, but on January 14, 1503, a declaration of war is sent to King Henry VII. The unification war had begun, and England was not prepared...
erin go bragh... (I think that's appropriate?)
wonder if you can edit your savegame file to make Dublin the capital city after Erin's sons drive out the English...
wonder if you can edit your savegame file to make Dublin the capital city after Erin's sons drive out the English...
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