A Vision of Glory: A Brandenburg AAR

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On Jan 1, 1662, our naval technology improves slightly (lvl 4), but of course we have not spent much in this area (anything, actually), and thus the slow growth is expected. March 30th forces us to put down an unprovoked revolt in Kustrin (Random Event). we sign a trade agreement with Sweden in June and send a personal gift to geldre commemorating the liberation of the Dutch. they are thankful, but still view us neutrally. On July 6th, we sign a trade agreemnt with the French as well.

On March 1, 1664, Moravia revolts. But 28000 from Erz march in to put it down. On Aug 19th, we again affirm our 'special relationship' with Saxony. In september, some artisans come to me asking for artistic freedom. They are patronized by our nobility already. I point them to the long standing policy on the matter. They say that times have changed. I say "Yes they have, but not for dissidents." They are hanged.

On Dec 1, there is yet another revolt in Moravia, it is rapidly put down once again. On August 5th, 1665, we renew our alliance but return the Dutch to the fold in the place of the annexed Hannoverians. In November, we find that merchants in other lands, finding our free trade policies appealing, have offered their services. We accept (random event, triggered, I believe, by trade policy).

 

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On Jan 1, 1666, we step again to a more centralized government. On August 22nd, we sign a trade agreement with Friesland. On November 1st, a revolt in Munster is put down. But we also receive news that new land has been claimed from the marshes for use in Kleves (Random Event, New land claimed, +5000 population, +1 Manpower, +1 Tax Value).On July 1, 1667, Moravia has its annual revolt, it is again rapidly put down. But of more interest is a series of revotls that have begun in Zeelans and Flandern of people attempting to identify themselves with the Netherlands. On November 1st, hannover revolts, it is put down as well on the 18th.

On May 2, 1668, we sign a trade agreement with Venice. On Nov 2nd, Hannover again revolts, it is put down in a month. On Nov 20, 1669, we sign an internal trade ordinacne in Pfalz that will give us mroe revenue from the province (+1 tax value). 1670 beings us only the appointment of a new General, Hossen-Homburg (3, 2, 4, 2). His services are put to use on Feb 1, 1671 when Mecklemburg revolts. We have to march troops in from Hannover, so it is not put down until June 21st.

But with the end of the revolt, I consider it time to step aside and allow Gerhard to take his place as High Councillor of the realm. The exertions ahead will require younger blood than my own.

 

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Baron,

Now you have your answer on Prussia. Well have lots of fun. Don't worry.

Here's a screenshot of Brandenburg with her new acquisitions.

 

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Isn't that cloud above Denmark pretty. Heh-heh.

 

[Sorcerer]

Well, I guess you could gain Vor- & Hinterpommern, Holstein, Bremen and Memel in one war. And Saxony still aches to be annexed! I know: "Patience, grasshopper."

And 6 settlers! Doesn't that itch you? It would annoy me if I had them and couldn't use them... And what about these religious guys? O.K., O.K., it's your game.

Btw, will you rule under the name of Brandenburg till 1820, or will you change to Prussia? Oh, of course, more patience...

 

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Settlers will start getting useful in the not-too-distant future. Actually, don't get too interested in the "religious guys," because we're pretty innovative, and unlike a lot of other EU negatives, a negative production of missionaries really means you are disbanding missionaries. The only provinces I could put them to use in cost too much for their use. It was 1300d a piece for Koln and Kleves. Sorry, ain't going to spend that kind of coin for something that only works 50% of the time.

As for becoming Prussia, Am I supposed to give away ALL the really cool historical events.

 

[Storey]

Brandenburg is looking down right healthy. It seems that the natural way to expand is east into Poland? By the way leave Saxony alone. I have a soft spot in my heart for them. Well written as always. Also like what your writing in LD's Burgundy AAR.

Joe

 

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Storey,

Thanks. But doesn't Saxony look like it needs to... I mean, we're just surrounding it like a mother hen with her wings

And I'm enjoying the Burgundy AAR.

 

[Sharur]

The peaceful annexation of Prussia was very well done! But I don't think you should expand too far into Poland: only German territory should be taken. This is, after all, Greater Germany, not Greater Germany-Poland

Oh, wait, you've finished the game, haven't you? Well, then, I guess it doesn't matter... but you'd better get Southern Germany by the time you're done. It's not Greater Northern Germany either

 

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Sharur,

Don't worry, we'll solve the Bavarian question. And I think you'll like how I do it.

Some additional territory is unavoidable, and in some cases...even desirable. But we don't go overboard, I think.

 

[driftwood]

I've found the odds of missionaries working to be VERY underestimated in provinces with the same culture (or even not ...), and it's so nice to have only one religion. But, you are the highly successful uniter of the Germans, so I will not question your wise decisions ...

One question for those who know Prussian/Brandenburgian history: wasn't the ruler of Brandenburg a duke, and after the union wanted to call himself a king, but the HRE (I guess he was also king of Bohemia and Hungary, but Archduke of Austria?) didn't want another king in the HRE. So the compromise was that the Brandenburg ruler would call himself king when in Prussia, or King-in-Prussia, which later led to the general amalgamation of names and use of the title king. So, my question is, what is the proper title of the ruler of Brandenburg before the union with Prussia? And what's the culture in Danzig? German, I hope?

driftwood

 

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driftwood,

The culture in Danzig is German, and that is historically accurate. It was always a bone of contention between Brandenburg/Prussia and Poland. though in fact by the time of Freidrich, Danzig was Prussian, and stayed Prussian until Versailles gave it to Poland for a port city...which became the pretext for German invasion, etc.

Historically, the ruler of Brandenburg is "Elector" or "Prince." You're right, the HRE, as ruler of the Germans, would be cranky with another king in the realm. The compromise was that the HRE would allow the King in Brandenburg to be "King in Prussia," which was technically outside the HRE, and thus could have a separate King.

That is part of the reason why in my game, you see various characters calling the Brandenburg ruler "Elector" and not "King." they recognize no King but the Emperor. But Brandenburg has its own designs. To this point, the title has been "informal," more or less, restricted only to those within the realm or loyal vassals who share the dream of a united Germany. that is my take on it, for gameplay/narrative purposes. The HRE overlooks it, more or less, because: 1) Brandenburg keeps whipping their tail, so they can't make them drop the claim, and 2) Brandenburg "officially" does not claim to be set against the HRE, though in fact both know the true designs of the other.

As to the Union of the Prussians with Brandenburg. The two lines were related, both Hohenzollern, just as I reflected them, and had been for at least (from what I can tell) 100 years prior. They were in fact, tied tightly by marriage bonds. The Prussians also had, politically, been marching lockstep with the Brandenburgers for a few generations. The Union was a natural outgrowth of their political ambitions and unity. I play some with the history in my descriptions, but I stayed fairly true to the event of the union--with the exception of telling Poland to kiss off. I'm not sure they did hat in reality.

Thanks for your questions, and for your reading this little labor of love of mine.

 

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Chapter 22

Chapter XXII- Settling Our Claims (Aug 1671-1680)

On August 1,1671, Gerhard von Rad brought his plans for economic revitalization to the King. He shows the King that the only hope Brandenburg has to stay on par with France and Austria in terms of military innovation is to begin to produce military manufactuaries where weapon's production can be centralized and researched. We also need to build breweries to stimulate trade, and fine arts musueums to aid in identifying a German culture for the people to call their own. The only way to do this is to reinvest all our monies in the short terminto our treasury until we are ready to build these factories (+177d a month). The King agrees, but notes that this will cause inflation. I admit this is possible in the short term, but the advances we will make will offset that negative, and the mass reinvestment in the end ought to bring about a deflationary cycle to return stability to the currency. Also, we lack the infrastructure or colonial wealth to build these factories from only our annual income, and we need to build a large number of these at once, or the increasing costs will render subsequent factories rapidly cost-prohibitive. The only way to stay on par with France and Austria is to build these factories now. The King agrees, and the economic changes are made (full monthly income to treasury).

On October 17th, some citizens demand their old rights restored. unfortunately we cannot afford the hit to stability refusing them would cause, so we accept their request (-1 centralization). On Jan 1, 1672, Meclemberg revolts, it is put down on the 29th. Also on the 1st, we hear that England converts to Protestantism at last. On December 22nd, we receive word that Poland, Genoa, Crimea, Sicily, and Sardinia have declared war on Lithuania, Cyprus, Navarra, the Knights, and Suzbal. Revolts are put down in Febuary and MArch, 1623 in Hannover and Munster respectively, and on July 17th, we sign a trade agreement with Portugal.

But on September 27th, the most interestingevent of the year occurs. A group of clergy from the Catholic province of Koln come before us and call on us to pay greater attention to their teachings on "just war." We tell them that we threw off the yoke of Papism long ago and will brook no interference from the falsely proclaimed "Vicar of Christ" in our affairs. They are, of course, less than pleased (unhappiness among clergy, Ignore them, -1 stability to +2).

Feb 1, 1674 brings another revolt in Munster, this one put down on March 10th. A week prior to the crushing of the revolt, the Poles accepted peace with Lithuania for 25d. On August 27th, we renew royal ties with Sweden, drawing them closer to us to isolate our next enemy. On September 21st, our family's reputation and our monarch's brilliance combine to raise our esteem in the eyes of many nations (+10 Great Reputation with France, Denmark, Austria, Sweden, Netherlands, Bohemia, and Lithuania). On December 29th, we take advantage of this by forging royal ties with Lithuania.

 

[Gjakoll]

C'mon! It's been 9, no 10 minutes since the last update!! How cruel are you going to be?

 

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Both Febuary and March see renewals of the annual revolt in Munster. Both are quickly put down. On August 5th we renew our alliance with all partners, but on the 25th, Catholics in Baden revolt (religious revolt, random event) due to alleged mistreatments. We put this down brutally on the 28th with a warning that we will accept no militant attempt to enforce religion in the realm. We do not militarily enforce Protestantism, we will certainly not allow the Papist Dogs to use the sword to overthrow the lawful rulers of the elam with puppits of Rome. Some in Baden think these fools "martyrs," for the moment, but we suspect they will be forgotten in the end.

On September 1st, Hannover revolts again as well. It is put down on October 26th. December 1st brings an end to the year with an advancement in naval technology (lvl 6). On Jan 23, 1676, we renew royal ties with Scotland following their restoration of the Protestant faith, their brief fling with the Pope over. On the 24th we join the League of Augsberg and defy French expansionist tendencies (CB with France for 72 months, relations with France-150, +150 with England, Austria, Spain and the Netherlands).

On Feb 1st, the annual revolt occurs again in Munster. March brings a bid for independance by the French Catholics from England (Caux). On Aug 16th, we take advantage of our new improved relations with Austria by marrying into the Habsburg family. On September 1st, there is yet another revolt in Munster, put down a month later.

On October 16, 1676, a plot comes to my atention. It seems the daughter of Sweden we married into the Duke of Hannover's family has whispered poison in his ear. He is now trying to subvert the nobility against our cause. For the sake of our long friendship and the royal marriaeg we have with Sweden, we only banish the couple from the realm. Those nobles that have aligned with the traitors are much less fortunate...(nobles ally with foreign power Sweden, CB with Sweden for 24 months, -2 stability to +1 again).

We spend the fall and winter rebuilding our stability (to +2) and on May 23rd, 1677 I come to the King and tell him our preparations are ready. We send the Danes our Declaration of War, telling them that if they want a cessation of hostilities, to immediately cede the province of Memel to Brandenburg, knowing they will refuse once again.

 

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We march 45000 men into Bremen and 40000 from Prussia into Memel. Bremen is beseiged on June 16th and Memel on June 26th. On July 4th we launch an assault on Memel, it fails. We march 20000 more into Hinterpommern on July 4th. On July 11th 25000 from Jutland attack our men in bremen. They are defeated easily. We raise 7000 troops to aid the seige of Hinterpommern. On July 23rd, we launch an assault on Hinterpommern and it falls. We march on Vorpommern.

On July 30th we secure our rear quarter by signing a royal marraige with Poland. On the same day the 15000 survivors of the assault on Hinterpommern lay seige to Vorpommern. On Sept 9th, 20000 troops marched north from our southern holdings lay seige to Holstein as well. On the 18th Bremen is stormed and taken. The troops are sent to merge with 5000 troops raised in Hessen to defend against an assault by the Danes on Kleves (holstein -2, Vorpommern 4, Memel -1).

On November 20th, Memel falls to an assault. 32000 troops are consolidated in Kleves. They march on Brabant. On Dec 30th 3000 Danes attempt to lay seige to Bremen, we rapidly raise 5000 men and shoo them off (Holstein -6, Vorpommern 3).

On Feb 8th Holstein falls and Brabant is beseiged (0). 25000 troops are consolidated in the north and marched on Jutland. On may 1, 1678, we hear that the Catholics have convinced double-minded England to sacrifice truth and stability for Papal favor, and they convert back to being lapdogs of the Pope. On June 9th the battle of Jutland is fought, with 24000 Germans facing 33000 Danes. The Danes prove tactically inept, and are easily beaten despite their largeer numbers. We immediately reinforce the victos with 5000 more troops to lay seige to Jutland. On July 10th, Brabant falls and we march the 31000 men from there north to Jutland as well. It falls on Dec 1, 1678, and we march on Copenhagen, the capital of Demark.

On March 12th there is a revolt in Moravia, we raise 14000 in Silesia and put down the revolt on May 19th. On June 15th, with their capital in flames from German guns, most of their continental European holdings lost, and their armies annihilated, the Prime Minister of the Danes comes to call on me in Berlin.

 

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"Prime Minister Jannsten, well met." I say.

"Well met, Chancellor von Rad," my counterpart replies.

"May I ask what brings you to call today on the Halls of Brandenburg, which we have invited you to visit often in the past during happier days?"

"I have come, not to enjoy your legendary hospitality, but to ascertain the terms upon which our men may honorably surrender."

"Ahh, yes. Well, the fortunes of war and destiny have blown foul for you. I am afraid that to satisfy the honor of our victorious legions would require nothing less that the ceding of Holstein and Bremen, in addition to Memel..."

The Minister is in shock. "But you went to war only for memel, these other lands have been Danish for centuries!"

"My good Prime Minister Jannsten, the citizens of all these provinces call themselves 'German.' Be glad that this is all that we have asked you for today, and indeed, we are letting you keep Pommern, which historically was our vassal, and also considers itself German. May I remind you whose capital is beseiged? Whose armies have been chased across Europe or scattered to the winds? Whose holdings are very shortly going to be removed from continental Europe? Do you wish that I order an assault on your beautiful capital today? I'm afraid it would have to be turned into rubble, and we would have scarce ability to control our troops from here once they storm your works if I did."

"High Councillor, as always you speak in moderation," the Prime Minister lashed out in a last act of defiance, "but for the moment, we are forced to accede to these very generous terms. We will sign the articles after a full and careful reading."

"Very well Prime Minister, I will see you when the articles are signed."

Of course, the Danes do sign, and our reputation is damaged by this, but still managable (tarnished). August 1st brings the obiligatory revolts in Hannover and Holstein. Both are quickly suppressed. With that, Gerhard von Rad marvelled that Brandenburg had once again been able to defeat a nation that before had been a Great Power single-handedly. He even allowed himself a visible smile of delight. But the days ahead were hardly free from peril for the dream of the von Rads.

 

[Gjakoll]

Ahhhhh, that's more like it!

 

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Well, well, well, the dreams of German unity are becoming reality. What Polish territories are you considering? And would it be possible to see a political view of the entire European continent to see what the current powers are?

 

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Well, well, well, the dreams of German unity are becoming reality. What Polish territories are you considering? And would it be possible to see a political view of the entire European continent to see what the current powers are?