A History of The Greene Elite (aka Army of Britannia)

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The winter of 1492-1493 was one of the coldest on record for the fifteenth century. Snow blanketed much of Europe and did more to forestall war than any peace treaty could hope to accomplish. With practically all fighting on the continent halted, soldiers of all stations enjoyed something rare -- the opportunity to travel home to visit family and friends. For some though, duty knew no vacation...


Bristol - January 5, 1493
General Greene sat in his office. Across from him on the other side of his desk sat a portly man dressed in Spanish military garb. Greene knew his name, as did the majority of officers in this part of the world. Most people just called him by the title he had earned by reputation, el Gran Capitan.

Spaniard: "There is much talk of you in Spain, mi amigo."

Greene: "All of it good, I hope?"

Spaniard: "Indeed. I must confess, it has been a long time since our generals have used strength and England in the same sentence..."

Greene could feel his eyes narrow in silent rage. Fortunately, he was too practiced a politician to allow his counterpart to know he was staring flaming daggers into his forehead. He tuned back in just in time to catch the end of the speech.

Spaniard: "...it is of great importance, but I am sure you already realize that."

Greene: <smiling> "It is obvious."

Spaniard: "Tell me, General. What is it that you are doing here?"

The change in tone was unmistakeable as the temperature within the room became colder than the snowy outdoors.

Greene: "What do you mean?"

Spaniard: "Your military activity. There must be a purpose behind your moves and restructuring?"

Greene: "Oh, I suppose you could say we are doing a little spring cleaning."

Spaniard: "Come now, General. You cannot convince me that you would have your military sit idly by while province-after-province revolts in your own back yard. You claim all of this is merely business-as-usual?"

Greene: "I thought you knew, General. With all the gossip that must be floating through the streets of Spain, surely you have heard that I am quite mad."

Spaniard: "I would advise you to not toy with me, Greene."

Greene: "A threat, mon Capitan?"

For the first time, one of the two men let their calm exterior break. 'Gotcha' thought Greene.

Spaniard: "Let me spell this out for you plainly. Do not think for an instant that your new army makes you any more of a match for the power of Spain. We are about to embark on extended operations in the Atlantic. It would be in your best interest to stay out of our way."

Greene: "You speak as if we were not allies."

Greene's guest rose from his seat and moved toward the door. As his hand reached for the door he replied, "Then neither one of us has anything to worry about."

 

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from the personal journal of Edmund Greene

January 6, 1493
It looks as if we have drawn the attention of the mighty Spanish empire. I suppose it was inevitable that they would feel the need to reassert their position at the head of our alliance. Still, realizing this and actually experiencing it are two entirely different things. What of the Capitan's warning? I have heard the same rumours as everyone else of unexplored land being discovered, but would Spain actually risk war and her alliances to obtain a monopoly on its exploration? Unless they know of something out there which does not fall into the realm of common knowledge...

The situation in Ireland has stabilized for the moment. Our forces are encamped at Wexford, with the rebels continuing to focus on Dublin. I wish we had the resources available to relieve them but we do not. Norfolk suggests we sue for peace before everything deteriorates further, even if it costs us a handful of provinces. I hope for the best though. Colonel Walker has not written in weeks; however, I may not choose to do so either if I found myself in his place.

I have slightly less than fifteen years remaining to fulfill my promise to Henry. The framework of the plan is in place. All that is required are well-trained men, capable leadership, and a few 'jewels' which my good friend Montoya will soon deliver.

~E.G.

 

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Enjoying your AAR very much, keep up the good work. Your words paint a very vivid picture. I liked that bit about the solitary candle etc.
LD is right, the joy and reward is in the telling of the story.

 

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stickman

Thank you for stopping by and for the compliment. I am trying to get the story closer to 1500 before work forces me to take a week-long break. There's quite a bit of action between now and then though, so I'll just have to see how far I get.

 

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Bristol - April 16, 1493
With the spring thaw, tensions throughout Europe had heated up as much as the weather had. General Greene sat at his spartan desk thumbing through intelligence reports compiled by English agents in a plethora of locations throughout the continent. Among the latest developments, Russia had just cancelled its vassalization of Kazan on March 23rd. At Moscow's request, Russia's allies in Denmark, Crimea, Ryazan, and Pskov were mobilising for war. I would hate to be in Kazan's position, he thought. Then there was the ongoing war between the Ottomans and the Mameluks, all of the victories seeming to go in favor of the former. How surprising.

Just as he was about to file the stack of reports in his trash basket, Greene heard a slight tapping on the office door. He moved to unlatch the door. Upon swinging it open to allow the visitor entrance, he saw the face of his most valuable source of intelligence.


Greene: "Punctual as always."

Montoya: "Would you believe timeliness is not one of my strong suits?"

The two men exchanged laughs and pleasantries for several minutes and two bottles of brandy before turning to more serious matters...

Greene: "You look haggard, my good friend. How go things in the east?"

Montoya: "Not well, I am afraid. If the winter was supposed to give respite from the fighting then someone forgot to tell the Poles."

Greene: "How bad is it?"

Montoya: "Two major victories. One in November, here..." <points to a spot on Greene's wall map> Jabbing his finger two centimeters to the side of the first point, he continues "...and one here in December."

Greene: "Have the Portuguese entered the fray?"

Montoya: "By the Grace of God, no. As long as they do not send troops, our coalition should be able to hold the line. Hopefully, our losses will not be too great."

Greene: "How many casualties have you suffered?"

Montoya: "It is impossible to know. Half of our commanders are out of contact and the rest are presently engaged. I would estimate 20,000 on both sides."

Greene: "A grave situation."

Montoya: "Yes, my friend. But we shall survive and that is all which matters."

Greene: "If there comes a time when English assistance would be beneficial to your people, I am sure an arrangement would be possible."

Montoya: "It would be an honor to fight alongside you if that day falls upon us."


Montoya reached for the coat flap draped across his heart, feeling for the hidden compartment sewn within. After a few moments, he withdrew a small stack of parchment held together with a cord and a golden seal. He tossed the packet on top of the table before him. There was a noticeable pause.


Greene: "I had not thought this moment would arrive in my lifetime. Do you realize what we have begun here?"

Montoya: "Si, general. Else I would not have insisted on delivering this myself."

Greene: "For this, you have earned the eternal gratitude of England. Must you leave London soon? Surely you can stay to partake of some of our hospitality."

Montoya: "I wish it were possible, but I am needed back home. Perhaps I will take you up on your offer when things have quieted down for both of us."

Greene: "Of course. Duty first."


Later that night as General Greene sat alone in his office, he stared at the packet his ally had struggled to compile. He wondered how many good people perished to obtain the information he now held in his hands. This must not all be in vain, he thought. Resolved to forego sleep until the work ahead was complete, Greene broke the cord encasing the comprehensive account of all French troops deployments in Europe.

 

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The Marches - May 20, 1493
It was as good a day as anyone could ask for. The sun shone down upon the hills for as far as the eyes could see, and the waters offshore never appeared bluer. Ten rectangular formations of men moved side-by-side along the base of one of these hills. They slid across the grassy ground almost as silently as if they were sailing through the water -- only the wind could be heard. The far left formation suddenly halted as the remaining rectangles began a gradual pivoting around them. Every two hundred meters or so, another one of the blocks of humanity would reach its appropriate place and come to a halt. After about thirty minutes, the squads formed a ring completely encircling the hill. As if on cue, the first group suddenly broke off in the direction it was originally travelling, each subsequent group filing in behind them seamlessly to form a single column which must have numbered well over 5,000 soldiers. Two men watched from the summit of a nearby hill...


Norfolk: "Fifteen years?!?"

Greene: "You sound surprised."

Norfolk: "That is an understatement. I had hoped for something a little sooner."

Greene: "I was also aiming for ten years but the King saw fit to allot us an additional period of time."

Norfolk: "This is very noble of him. But in case you have forgotten from being behind a desk all this time, the morale of a people usually does not survive well when confronted with long bouts of inactivity. Especially when their world is collapsing around them."

Greene: "I am well aware of that. Is it not true as well that a people's morale does not survive well when they impetuously run forward into certain failure?"

Norfolk: "Of course. Who is to say we would fail if we moved now, though?"

Greene: "There is always the chance of failure along with the chance for success, but we tip the balance of the two in our favor the longer we prepare."

Norfolk: "How long do we prepare? And how long do we leave ourselves to act?"

Greene: "Patience, General."

Norfolk: "Hmph...patience."

Greene: "Yes. I asked you once before to trust me. I ask you again. Every day we find ourselves one day closer to the inevitable victory we are striving for. Yes, we are working in someone else's timetable now. But this victory and those that follow will enable us to one day dictate events on our own terms."


Norfolk turned his gaze back to the column of men below, failing to hide his obvious pride in the army he had helped shape over the past seventeen months. He also did not know how time would affect them...whether it would help or hinder.


Norfolk: "It will be glorious. I feel it."

Greene: <smiling> "Yes, it will."

Norfolk: "I am not an easy man to convince, but there are others even more stubborn than I. They may begin spreading words of discontent before too long."

Greene: "I know. But you and Henry are the most powerful allies I could possibly hope for. I am counting on that to carry us through the rough spots."


Not quite sure if his comrade required further convincing, Greene added..."Anyhow. If all goes according to plan, I expect our campaign to be underway long before the turn of the century."

What he did not realize and would never know, that final bit of information did indeed persuade Norfolk.

 

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from a previously-mentioned history textbook...

Ireland: 1493

While the siege of Dublin passed its six-month anniversary, the rebellion throughout the neighbouring provinces entered its so-called 'silent phase.' There was always an underlying resentment for the English occupation. Now that London's troops had been forceably expelled from much of their land, the nationalists found it more possible and more effective to take on an increased public presence. Several clan chiefs began holding town meetings throughout the countryside, seeking out charismatic individuals who could benefit the Irish cause politically and economically. Those who were willing were also encouraged to aid in the struggle to capture Dublin, now inhabited by a population largely sympathetic to its attackers. It was also in the summer of 1493 that the new flag of the Irish national movement made its public debut in the windows of countless homes and businesses.


The Fall of Dublin

By the summer of 1493, the pro-English garrison holding out in Dublin had dwindled to a few thousand ill-equipped men. They faced an opponent numbering over 11,000 with that number being reinforced daily by incoming volunteers. Of the city's population, those who were vehemently anti-English had long since fled to join up with rebel forces in the field. The remaining citizens were largely split between native Irish who were less proactive yet still secretly supportive of the rebellion and immigrant English who were primarily limited to the government and trade sectors.

Most instrumental in the siege were the nine cannons being employed by the attackers. They had been bombarding Dublin's walls continuously since the previous September and had been steadily weakening them at several points. With countless requests for help going unanswered and no sign of Colonel Walker returning, the garrison resigned itself to its fate.

On September 8th, the walls were finally breached and thousands of joyous Irishmen poured through to claim the prize they had been fighting for. There would be no fight, however. The English captain commanding surrendered the city and its fortress unconditionally that afternoon -- exactly 366 days after the first cannonball was fired.


Independent Eire

The fall of Dublin made it clear to everyone what many high-ranking officers and politicians had known for months. The rebellion in Ireland had not been dealt with as the Crown had the power to do. Debates still rage to this day for the reasons for this inactivity but the result is unmistakeable. As soon as word of the September victory spread throughout the island, popular support for full autonomy became unanimous in areas controlled by the rebels.

On October 1st, clan chiefs meeting in Belfast drafted the 'Belfast Articles' declaring the establishment of a new self-governing state called Eire. Eire would be composed of the provinces of Meath, Ulster, Connaught, and Munster (with Dublin as the seat of power). Also unanimously supported, the chiefs voted to announce a formal declaration of war on King Henry VII. While there was a hope of having France and Scotland enter the conflict, this did not materialise partly due to the surprising decision by England to refrain from asking her Spanish allies for assistance. It became clear that the struggle between England and Eire would be left to these two nations to resolve.

 

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Sorry to introduce more delays to an already slowly progressing AAR but... real-life work has been rearing its ugly head. It probably will be another week before the next update. And yes, there will be more updates since I cannot afford a brand-new EU II on a teacher's salary.

I hope everyone is doing well.