Chapter Three 1440-1450
Overview; This is a period of turbulent history for the Dutch as they engaged in three wars in a period of only ten years. While the Duchy came ever closer to uniting all the Dutch speaking people of Europe they lost control over their German population. One defining characteristic of this period is the leadership which was displayed by Arnold I within it. Many historians find a single aspect of this period puzzling. That is put simply why did the Dutch continue to support the country of Burgundy. As shown more clearly later in this chapter Gelre's one ally had entered a steep decline.
Of; Military; Men were hardly if even recruited into the ranks of the Dutch legions during this time period. Despite the biter wars that the country fought their was no apparent need. The way the Dutch got around creating large armies was to exploit those of Burgundy. In this way many foreigners died in Dutch conflicts. The navy continued to grow, and the patrols were extended into the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. The overall size of Gelre's army at this point was roughly ten-thousand men. Naval forces included 10 warships, 3 transports, and 8 galleys.
Of Trade; This continued to be the driving point of the Dutch economy. The merchants of this period did not attempt to establish monopolies in any singular market. Rather they made themselves present in all areas of Europe. The most frequented market for Dutch traders was Mecklemburg due to its close proximity to their homeland. Major innovations on how to control trade and maximize income were made during this period leading to an increase in merchant productivity.
Of Economy; With trade prodding it along the Dutch economy slowly grew to new heights. Despite the lose of some German land in the later years of this period the economy remained stable if not growing. Officials in all provinces were fully promoted by early 1444. The Dutch were intrigued by several offers that would increase trade and increase the economic state of Gelre farther in 1445. The one thing that kept the Dutch from truly controlling the trade of Europe was the lack of merchants coming into its service. They were not a very steady stream to say the least, but very elite in their dealings. One thing which every trader in Gelre desired was to live the country which possessed the market of Flanders. Therefore when Burgundy started to crumble in late 1447 their was an outcry to attack.
Of Diplomacy; Dutch dealing on the world stage during this time were anything but polite and gentile. They were demanding and ruthless. The opinion of Gelre in foreign affairs slipped to a new level after the Anglo Dutch war to be more talked about later on. The policy that had been establish almost ten year before of sending tribute to Burgundy was ended abruptly in 1448. With this turn of favor the Dutch began to appease the Austrians and French realizing the epic potential of each country. One way in which Gelre failed in its diplomatic relations during this period was a disastrous amount of wars and conflicts fought with no apparent reason other than Arnold I's ambition. This was a time in which the Dutch shifted their diplomatic style taking more advantage of the small Germanic dutcheys and letting itself grow to new heights.
Of War and Peace; This was indeed a turbulent period in Dutch History. It began with Burgundies call to Gelre to declare war upon Luxemburg. As a result France declared was upon Burgundy and its allies. The war little Dutch blood shed and no boundary change for any of the parties involved. Peace settled over the land for a time. Then in 1446 in an attempt to bring Dutch people into the forming country. Gelre declare was upon mighty England. They besieged the small garrison in Friesland and then along with allied forces captured England’s claims to northern France. The was when settled put Friesland in Gelre's hand and did not change anything else. In 1448 a group of German nations sighting a valid excuse to declare war attacked Gelre's right flank. The war was disastrous and led to the Dutch hand over of Munster to Hessen. This war had many battles and not a single victory for Gelre.
Conclusion; Arnold I was a strong willed man who led a desperate duchy through turbulent times. This period is characterized by a mix of defeat and victory. There is no defining at this time that the Duchy is going to be around for a ling time it is merely a question of just how successful the endeavor will turn out to be. The final signifying feature of this era is a strong Dutch feeling that their neighbors of weak and of increased hostility towards foreign cultures.
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Gelre circa 1450
